Policy Gaps and Community Marginalization in Land and Mining Access in Post-Independence Namibia
Аннотация
ABSTRACT Context and Background Namibia is widely recognized as a mineral-rich country with substantial deposits of diamonds, uranium, gold, lithium, and rare earth elements. The mining sector contributes approximately 10–12% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and accounts for nearly half of the country’s export earnings, positioning Namibia as an important contributor to the global green energy transition. Despite this economic significance, concerns regarding land ownership and access to mineral wealth remain unresolved. The Namibian Constitution and the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act No. 33 of 1992 vest ownership of all mineral resources in the State on behalf of its citizens. However, foreign corporations reportedly hold more than 70% of exploration and extraction licenses. Communal and rural communities, where much of the country’s mineral wealth is located, retain customary rights to surface land but lack ownership or authority over subsurface mineral resources, reflecting historical inequities rooted in colonial land dispossession. Goal and Objectives This study examines how land ownership frameworks influence mining access in post-independence Namibia. It aims to assess the extent to which communal and rural landholders are included in mineral resource governance, decision-making processes, and benefit-sharing mechanisms associated with mining activities. Methodology The research adopts a descriptive and exploratory approach based on qualitative policy analysis and spatial interpretation of the Namibian mining cadastre dataset, supported by relevant secondary literature on land governance and extractive industries. Results The findings indicate that Namibian ownership of mining licenses, particularly within communal land areas, remains below 5%, limiting the participation of local communities in decision-making, revenue-sharing, and employment opportunities. While mining continues to drive national economic growth, the restricted inclusion of communal landholders highlights structural disparities in access to mineral wealth and underscores the need for governance reforms that promote equitable benefit-sharing and sustainable development of Namibia’s mineral resources. Keywords Land tenure, Land ownership, Mining access, Communal lands, Mineral resources, Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPLs), Mining Claims (MCs), Policy gaps, Land reform