The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy wants the Etango uranium project near Swakopmund to create more opportunities for Namibian businesses and communities.
Deputy minister Gaudentia Kröhne made the call during a visit to the project on Thursday.
Kröhne said mining projects should not only create jobs, but should also support local businesses through procurement and help small businesses grow.
She said more Namibians should benefit from mining through employment, skills training and business opportunities.
Kröhne called for more support for schools, clinics, roads and other community projects.
She said the project could also support vocational and tertiary education, as well as programmes to help young Namibian entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.
The deputy minister welcomed Etango’s existing programmes, but said there was room for bigger and more lasting projects that would benefit surrounding communities.
She also raised environmental concerns, saying the project must operate responsibly because it is located in an environmentally sensitive area.
The visit included discussions with Etango management on the project’s construction progress, employment prospects, local participation, environmental matters and community projects.
The ministry says the visit forms part of its ongoing engagement with the mining sector to ensure that mining projects bring wider economic and social benefits to Namibians.
