Namibia’s mining output is lower overall than last year’s output, driven by a decline in gold and zinc production.
According to the Chamber of Mines’ latest mining update released on Monday, July was the first month in 2026 where the country’s mines produced more than they did in 2025.
“Mining production is expected to remain subdued in 2026, although favourable gold and uranium prices should continue to support revenues and export earnings.
“Although strong international commodity prices continue to support export earnings and revenues, lower physical production volumes are weighing on the sector’s real contribution to economic growth,” the chamber says.
The decline in gold production this year is explained by existing gold operations switching from open-pit to underground mining.
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency, the mining sector contracted by 3.1% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same time in 2025. However, the first quarter results showed a larger contraction (7.1%), showing that contraction has slowed.
The chamber’s report says mining projects ramping up in the medium term in gold and uranium could help the sector pick up in 2027.
“The immediate outlook for 2027, and medium-term, remain positive. Uranium production is expected to strengthen as Langer Heinrich continues to ramp up, while the advancement of Bannerman’s Etango project and Reptile Uranium’s Tumas project will further expand the uranium subsector,” the report says.
The main exception is the diamond sector, which is not expected to improve.
The chamber also warns that global uncertainty will have an effect on Namibia’s mining industry.
“For the mining sector, a prolonged period of weaker global economic activity presents downside risks to broader mineral commodity demand, particularly as higher financing costs also increase the cost of developing capital-intensive mining projects,” the report states.
