UIS COMMUNITY DEMANDS N$300 MILLION COMPENSATION FROM MINING FIRMS - nbc

Описание: The Uis community in the Daures Constituency of the Erongo Region demands N$300 million in compensation from mining companies, especially Xingfeng Investments.

The residents say the companies operate on their ancestral land without consultation and have damaged the environment and burial sites in the process.

The demands were presented during a community meeting with the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy.

The residents, who form part of the Daure Daman Traditional Authority, say mining activities in the area have generated significant wealth for companies while the community continues to languish in poverty.

They say despite the mineral wealth surrounding the town, many residents still lack basic development.

"Honourable Minister, we have studied the export permits starting from 2022. of what this Xingfeng company has exported out of Namibia. 55 tonnes, which is close to N$400 million that was exported in 2022. 'That is just a glimpse,' stressed the Deputy Chairperson of the Daure Daman Concerned Community Committee.

Community leaders accuse companies, particularly Xinfeng Investments, of operating illegally and damaging ancestral graves during lithium mining activities that stopped in 2024 following community complaints.

Residents also say mining operations have disrupted wildlife breeding areas, affecting income generated through local conservancies.

As a result, the community is demanding compensation and stronger guarantees that mining activities will directly benefit local residents.

"We are requesting N$150 million for the Tsiseb conservancy so that this company must pay that money into Tsiseb coffers so that we get that money through the distribution plan so that the money reaches the community. And then we request an extra N$150 million to be deposited into the trust fund of the Daure Daman Traditional Authority that will reach the community through the distribution plans. If we calculate what this company has exported, you have a better idea if you are talking about 16,000 tonnes to be exported; that is huge money."

Responding to the concerns, Minister Modestus Amutse said the government must carefully review the financial realities of mining operations before making decisions on compensation.

"As a general practice in business, you look at what you spend; it's about expenditure and revenue. You look at what you have spent and what remains after you spent what you spent. So the expenditure is stemming from exploration, exportation, labour, salaries, electricity if it's needed, and the hiring of equipment. It's on that basis that I'm saying some of the questions will need time so that the minister can make comparisons of how much a mine of that nature spends and how much remains."

The minister says the concerns raised by the community will be reviewed as discussions continue on the future of mining activities in Uis.