Mining chamber calls for faster approval of exploration

The president of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia, Zebra Kasete, says delays in approving mining exploration activities are hindering development.

This involves regulators such as the Namibian Competition Commission, he says.

It is important that the approval process is expedited, since the absence thereof blocks development, Kasete says.

He says the country needs to make investors feel welcome by making the approval process faster and more efficient.

“Sometimes there’s an impression that people feel unwelcome, and we have a lot of hurdles and delay the investment,” he says.

Kasete said this during the mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek, which started on Wednesday and will run until 9 August.