The Namibian mining sector is characterised by large, medium and smallscale
mining sector. However, this study is based on the small-scale
mining. Namibia is rich in mineral deposits including diamonds, uranium,
gold, base metals, industrial minerals and different types of precious
stones and dimension stones. It is against this background that mining has
been the backbone of the Namibian economy. Small-scale mining plays a
major role in alleviating poverty and supplements the income of those
involved. The Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act of 1992 and the
Minerals Policy (2003) make provision for the registration of different
types of mineral licence and mining claims. Thus, this study was
undertaken within the context of the legislative framework, the Minerals
Policy in particular, as it also provides the basis for the registration of
mining claims.
Despite the fact that small-scale mining contributes to the economic
development of Namibia, it has also contributed to environmental impacts
of which the greater ones have impacted other sectors of the economy.
According to Speisers (2000), environmental impacts of small scale
mining are divided into primary and secondary impacts, primary impacts
being those that results from mining activities itself and secondary being
those that results from the spin offs of the mining activity such as littering,
and impacts on flora. Even with the provisions for the registration of
mining claims in place, illegal mining operations are found. Thus, the
paper explored the extent to which the minerals policy has been effective
in Namibia with emphasis to environmental protection during small-scale
mining.
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In light of the above, the objectives of this study were, to:
determine the environmental implications of small-scale mining projects;
review the provisions of the mineral policy on small-scale mining with
emphasis on environmental protection; assess the effectiveness of the
implementing mechanisms; and finally provide recommendations for
effective implementation of the policy with emphasis on environmental
protection during small-scale mining operations.
The methods of data collection used in the study were both qualitative and
quantitave in nature. The study was characterised by field visits and
secondary data analysis. Quantitative analysis was used to achieve the first
and the third objectives, which are, to determine the environmental
implications of small-scale mining projects, and to assess the effectiveness
of the implementing mechanisms. Random selection was employed in
conducting the research; this was, to enable all the miners to stand a
chance of being interviewed. In addition to the miners, structured
interview were conducted with resourceful persons, two from Ministry of
Mines and Energy, and two from Ministry of Environment and Tourism;
one environmental consultant was also interviewed.
Secondary data analysis often referred to, as documentary studies was also
undertaken. It was undertaken to supplement the primary data. This
focussed on the review of the provisions of the Minerals Policy on smallscale
mining as it affects the environmental protection. This was done
using qualitative analysis which was used to achieve the second objective.