Case study - Communities

Big miners support small-scale miners

Small-scale mining in Namibia operates alongside well-established large-scale mines. However, in contrast to thriving large-scale mining in Namibia, small-scale miners are finding it difficult to operate efficiently due to high input costs, lack of appropriate tools and uncompetitive prices for their products.

Small-scale mining in the Erongo Region mostly concentrates on the extraction of gemstones, semi-precious stones and mineral crystals contained within intrusive granite outcrops. Namibia is known globally as a "treasure chest" for, among others, Erongo mountain aquamarine and black tourmaline, Gobobos smoky-quartz sceptres, Karibib tourmaline and Wilhelmstal garnets. These are mined by individuals or small groups of miners using innovative but simple methods in claims which are registered with the Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy. Mining of these resources could potentially provide a sustainable living for communities in the mineral-rich areas.

"We should recognise these miners' reason for choosing a specific spot to sell their products" said the Minister of Mines and Energy, Isak Katali, at the opening of a market place for the small-scale miners. The minister described mining as the back bone of the Namibian economy and urged the country to take cognisance of the contribution of small-scale miners on a micro- economic level.

The new Ûiba Ôas Crystal Market has been constructed as a market place at the Usakos-Henties Bay T-junction, the main road between Windhoek and the coast. Prior to the construction of the market, the small-scale miners had to resort to hawking their precious stones along the roads, standing in the burning hot sun and in nearby towns where tourists are the main buyers.

 

The Ûiba Ôas Crystal Market at the Henties Bay-Usakos T-junction was completed in 2010, enabling local small-miners and their families to exhibit their stones to tourists and locals passing through the area.

 

Over the past few years, the Rössing Foundation and other stakeholders have supported the small-scale miners with skills development and safer work practice. Petra Ondigo of the Rössing Foundation coordinates the small-scale miners' project and says that the miners are being trained in better mining methods, adding value to their product, coordinating the marketing of their gemstones, and generally improving their businesses in an environmentally sustainable way.

The Rössing Foundation has been heavily involved with the project from the beginning and draws upon its past training experiences in business skills, health, geology and water and environmental management.

The Small-scale Miners' Stakeholders Forum, consisting of Rössing, Rössing Foundation and other companies in mining related activities in the region, as well as the Government of Namibia, supports the Erongo Regional Small-scale Miners' Association, which represent the interest of an estimated 1,600 small-scale miners in the region.

The initial funding for the construction of the gemstone market was provided by partners such as Rössing and the nearby Navachab gold mine. Donated funds were used to commence with the construction. However, financial resources were limited and the project came to a halt while waiting for funding from the European Union (EU).

The Ûiba Ôas Crystal Market at the Henties Bay-Usakos T-junction and the XoboXobos Market in nearby Uis, which was completed some two years earlier have now become hubs of activity for miners and crystal hunters from all over the world.

Income generated by the small-scale miners varies according to the tourist seasons. The market has 32 tables and on average, each vendor (i.e. one vendor per table) generates an income of N$800 per month during the November to April period and during the peak tourist season, between N$1,500 and N$3,500 per month.

The small-scale miners are still confronted with a host of challenges. However, the establishment of these two markets marks the first step towards making a difference to the working and living conditions of Namibia's small-scale miners.