Namibia

By Environmental Governance Programme (EGP)

Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) is a key source of income and livelihoods for many unemployed people in Namibia, particularly those in rural communities and vulnerable groups who have no alternative sources of income. In the regions of Erongo, Kunene and Karas, ASM hotspots support around 2,000 households, with a focus on semi-precious stones.

ASM miners and their families are affected by various health and safety risks, especially air pollution, dust, unsafe mining practices, and contamination of the already limited water resources available to communities. These challenges are exacerbated by limited compliancewith the Environmental Management Act No. 7 of 2007, which provides for the issuance of Environmental Clearance Certificates prior to the commencement of ASM operations.

These persistent challenges are adversely affecting the environment and people who operate in it. Environmental damage associated with inadequate mining rehabilitation poses a major risk to biodiversity and wildlife protection.

Key results

In the ASM hotspots of Otjimbojo, Omapyu, Tubussis and Xoboxobos, the EGP worked with communities and ASM miners to improve compliance with existing environmental laws, supporting their active role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.
In 2021, the programme supported heritage and archaeological studies, the development of Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), and new health and safety guidelines for ASM miners and their families.

Progress and Achievements

Through UNDP Namibia’s project on ’Strengthening Environmental Governance and Improving Health and Safety in Critical Small-Scale Mining Hotspots in Namibia’, the EGP supports ASM miners to comply with environmental legislation, operate in healthier and safer environments, and ensure improved environmental protection for both ASM miners and host communities. In 2021, the EGP concentrated its efforts in ASM mining hostposts in the Erongo region.

Compliance with Environmental Management Plans (EMPs)

Working with ASM miners in Xoboxobos, Tubussis, Omapyu and Otjimbojo, the EGP focused on raising awareness in communities about the requirements of the Environmental Management Act and their importance in securing mineral rights and preserving the environment.
Services of a specialized company were procured to install shade nets, waste bins, signages and toilets in these four ASM hotspots, following the recommendations of the EMP developed for these regions in 2020.
The EGP has also provided support to the finalization and editing of the new health and safety guidelines for small-scale miners, with the specialized support of a local consultant.

Heritage Impact Assessments

Building on Environmental Scoping Studies conducted in 2020, the EGP kicked off in-depth Heritage Impact Assessments in the critical ASM hotspots of Omapyu, Otjimbojo, Goboboseb and Tubussis in 2021.
These studies seek to ensure the long-term protection of heritage and archaeological resources. Final reports will be the delivered in 2022 to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT).
Despite being a required component of Environmental Clearance Certificates, the Heritage Impact Assessment has not been a common practice in Namibia due to a lack of financial support and the vulnerable condition of most ASM miners.

EGP Partners

The EGP is implemented by UNDP Namibia in collaboration with national and local authorities,including the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), and the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS).

In 2021, the EGP strengthened engagement with ASM miners, commercial farmers and environmental protection NGOs operating in the regions of Erongo, Kunene and Karas.