The Katora community in the Erongo region’s Dâures constituency is demanding a 5% stake in the Kokoseb gold mine project, saying the community should directly benefit from mining activities taking place on its ancestral land.
In a petition dated 7 August and submitted to the Dâures constituency office, the community is calling for recognition as the legitimate host community of the project and for the company Katora Minerals to represent it in negotiations concerning the mine.
The community says it supports responsible mining and investment, but believes mining should provide lasting benefits to people whose land, livelihoods and environment are directly affected by mining operations.
“For too long, local communities have watched mineral wealth leave their land while they remain excluded from ownership, economic participation and meaningful development. This must change,” the petition reads.
The community also demands full compliance with Namibia’s Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act, including determination and payment of fair compensation for interference with its land surface rights.
It wants a community benefit sharing agreement covering employment, procurement opportunities, skills development, enterprise development and sustainable community investment.
It also demands meaningful consultation and participation in decisions affecting its land, livelihoods, environment and future.
The petition calls on Damaran Exploration Namibia to engage with the community in good faith and build what it describes as a partnership based on mutual respect, fairness and shared prosperity.
It has also asked the government to support its call for broad-based community empowerment, adding that Namibia’s mineral wealth should benefit communities from whose land resources are extracted.
The petition was submitted for onward transmission to the president, Erongo governor Nathalia ǀGoagoses, the minister of mines and energy, the mining commissioner, Damaran Exploration Namibia and other relevant authorities.
