MPs unearth ‘illicit’ Kunene mines

Auleria Wakudumo

Questions have been raised about a mining operation in the Kunene region that has reportedly conducted questionable testing activities for about two years, suggesting production may be taking place under the guise of testing.

This prompted the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources to question what is happening at the site.

The concerns emerged during the committee’s visit to Okarikua Mining at Ohungurume Village in the Opuwo Urban Constituency, after engagements with community members, traditional authorities, small-scale miners and other stakeholders in Opuwo. The committee, chaired by Tobie Aupindi, visited the operation to assess the concerns raised and better understand the conditions under which mining activities are taking place. Committee member Ester Haikola-Sakaria said the visit exposed serious concerns about worker safety and welfare, as well as the level of oversight by the Ministry of Mines and Energy. One key issue was the reported two-year testing period.

Haikola-Sakaria said the committee was informed that the mining operation had been operating for about two years, with activities reportedly still being described as testing.

However, the committee observed piles of copper-bearing rocks at the site.

An explanation was proffered: the rocks were being taken for testing.