Celebratingwinsintheminingsector

MEDIA RELEASE

19 SEPTEMBER 2022

 

RMB in Namibia celebrates wins in the mining sector post-pandemic

RMB in Namibia recently highlighted the significant wins that are accelerating growth in the mining sector post-pandemic and making way for Namibia’s readiness for the 4^th industrial revolution.

Commenting on the wins was FirstRand Namibia Group CEO, Conrad Dempsey, who addressed various stakeholders at the recently concluded Chamber of Mines of Namibia Mining Expo and Conference ’22 held at the Windhoek Showgrounds earlier this month under the theme ‘Breaking New Frontiers in a Post-Pandemic Era’. RMB in Namibia was the title sponsor of the event.

Dempsey emphasised the importance of mining to the country’s economy with special reference to environmental, social and governance (ESG), while celebrating the owners, operators and employees of Namibia’s mining industry,. He added that the Chamber of Mines is a perfect example of what a self-regulated industry body should function like, and other industries can learn from.

Fabian Shaanika, Sector Lead for Mining and Natural Resources at RMB in Namibia, hailed the mining sector as a much-needed global industry for the development of a sustainable thriving society.

“Remember, if you can’t grow it, you have to mine it,” he said. “We celebrate an industry that’s going beyond rehabilitation, to healing. There’s a lot of work still to do and we are by no means out of the woods, but there’s good stories of healing and rehabilitation in mining as standard practice and with reference to doing the right thing. 'Doing what matters’ is what drives our group daily, and RMB’s relationship to the mining industry is vested in helping to build a globally competitive Namibia,” Shaanika said.

Shaanika noted that the mining industry is already well underway in terms of recovery and is an industry leader when it comes to ESG, community enrichment, the 4th industrial revolution from a robotics perspective, and creating and using renewable energy.

“Our long-term partnership with the mining industry ensures RMB’s deep-rooted expertise and talent keeps growing, guaranteeing a valuable contribution to this unique industry’s funding requirements,” he said.

The 9th Namibian Mining Expo and Conference was the first in-person event for the mining industry after the COVID-19 pandemic. Chamber of Mines CEO Veston Malango indicated that this year’s event coincided with an improving outlook for the mining industry, supported by a buoyant mineral commodity market and a fast-paced operating environment that is evolving with rapid technological advancements being made in the mining sector.  “The current landscape most certainly augurs well for a valuable event that will see business ventures capitalise on these dynamic opportunities,” he said.

“The outlook for mining remains as favourable as ever and we are eagerly following a sustained recovery in the price of uranium, and a continued surge in mineral commodity prices as the world transitions to green energy solutions,” Malango concluded.

End

Contact:

Kawela M’ule l RMB and FNB Namibia l (+264 61) 299 2115 l kawela.mule@fnbnamibia.com.na