Namibia Tightens Mining License Approvals Amid Underperformance
Namibia has announced that less than half of its approved mining projects are currently operational, leading the government to adopt a stricter approach to issuing permits.
Of the 162 mining licenses approved by the country, only 68 are active, according to Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo, who spoke at a conference in Windhoek on Wednesday.
As the world’s third-largest uranium producer and a nation rich in lithium and rare earth minerals like dysprosium and terbium, Namibia is seeking to better manage its resources to benefit its citizens. The government aims to derive greater value from its metals and other natural resources.
“We have become more stringent when considering mining license applications,” Alweendo said. “From now on, the terms and conditions of all new mining licenses will be outlined in a Mining Agreement negotiated between the Ministry and the license holder.”
Alweendo noted that many licenses have been granted to applicants who lack the necessary capabilities to meet their exploration commitments.
Going forward, the government will only issue permits to companies that meet minimum work program requirements and demonstrate sufficient financial and technical capabilities.
As of December, Namibia received over 600 new applications for exploration licenses, with an additional 400 submitted in 2024, Alweendo added.
