The environmental impacts of small-scale mining in Namibia
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Date
2014
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Abstract
The Namibian mining sector is characterised by large, medium and small-scale 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
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 small-scale mining as it affects the environmental protection. This was done using qualitative analysis which was used to achieve the second objective.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration
Keywords
Mineral industries, Environmental aspects, Mines and mineral resources