Responsible mining citizenry

Mining's contribution to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives is notable. While metal prices suffered setbacks, mining companies remained committed.

The AREVA Foundation co-funded the 2014-2015 Erongo Development Project micro-finance credit scheme for small- and medium enterprises (SME). The scheme has helped close to 100 small businesses and according to Areva, new incentives have helped improve loan repayments. Rössing invested N$18.7 million in agriculture, arts and culture, education, environment, health and business development through its foundation in 2014. Swakop Uranium, spent N$1.4 million in 2015 through its foundation. Langer Heinrich placed special emphasis on education with its annual sponsorship to the teachers' mathematics congress in the Erongo Region. Elsewhere, Vedanta-controlled Skorpion channelled almost N$5 million to skills development at Rosh Pinah, and training 18 unemployed youth in needlework. Weatherly addressed the housing issue by donating 57.5 hectares to the Tsumeb Municipality. Known as Kuvukiland the land is next to the Tsumeb West Mine. B2Gold supported 66 projects, mostly in Otjozondjupa where its Otjikoto gold mine is situated. It provided finances for education, livelihood development, conservation and health projects. QVR Namibia's main project targeted 24 rural households for the re-introduction of karakul sheep. Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb gave N$3.16 million to schools for general maintenance and renovation, as well as funding to SME programmes.

The Namdeb Foundation was restructured to include the CSR initiatives of Debmarine and renamed the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation. Main projects include the Khomas Regional Fair and the National Vocational Skills Career Fair. Namdeb also supported 221 learners with the payment of their 2015 school fees, and gave N$680 000 to the Oranjemund Private School.