75% of mining revenue linked to protected areas

Given the vast size of Namibia's protected areas, it is perhaps unsurprising that a large portion of the country’s mineral wealth is situated in protected areas.A policy document notes that about 75% of mining revenue comes from protected areas.This is according to the Revised National Policy on Prospecting and Mining in Protected Areas, Other Areas with High Value Species and Environmentally Sensitive Areas.The draft policy still has to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.The document notes that, given the significant potential of both tourism and mining to drive economic growth and reduce poverty, government must ensure that prospecting and mining do not jeopardise long-term, sustainable development opportunities in protected areas.“It is also important to recognise that protected areas are the cornerstone of the nation’s biodiversity conservation and a source of wildlife, including many high-value species, but do not represent all of Namibia’s biodiversity or all environmentally sensitive areas.”The policy aims to ensure that the sectors continue to co-exist in a sustainable way to achieve prosperity and sustainability.While several strategies are already in place to manage exploration and mining within protected areas, the document notes that there is a clear need for stronger policy frameworks and tools to guide decision-making and safeguard biodiversity, ecosystem services and cultural heritage from the impacts of development.There are major overlaps in the location of rare species, critical biodiversity areas and the presence of minerals in Namibia, it adds.The document warns that landscape alteration, soil and water contamination and the loss of critical habitats can lead to the loss of important and endemic plant and animal species, which can compromise ecosystems and reduce tourism potential.On this basis, the mines and energy ministry, together with the environment and tourism ministry, developed the policy.It also covers communal conservancies, community forests, state-owned land, game farms, and other freehold areas that support high-value species or are considered environmentally sensitive.“This policy presents an important opportunity to strengthen inter-ministerial collaboration and coordination, which will support improved integrated and sustainable development planning that fosters economic growth whilst maintaining the integrity of ecosystems and natural resources upon which Namibia’s people and its economy depend.”

75% of mining revenue linked to protected areas

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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75% of mining revenue linked to protected areas

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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