MUN Namibia: Union Intensifies Mining Worker Ownership Demands for Resource Wealth

• The Mineworkers' Union of Namibia (MUN) is demanding greater worker ownership and a lasting stake in the country's mining industry.
• A recent roundtable in Oranjemund, part of MUN's 40th-anniversary events, brought union leaders and government ministers together to discuss these issues.
• Member of Parliament Justina Jonas highlighted the economic dependence of mining towns and the impact of the 2024 Scorpion Zinc mine closure, which resulted in approximately 500 job losses.
• Minister of Justice and Labour Relations Wise Immanuel advocated for resource nationalism, emphasizing that Namibia must capture more value from its minerals and ensure worker empowerment and participation.
• MUN General Secretary George Ampweya called for the union's inclusion in key tripartite structures and high-level discussions with investors to strengthen its institutional role.

For workers, he argued, beneficiation must be inextricably linked with empowerment and meaningful participation.

The Mineworkers' Union of Namibia (MUN) has significantly intensified its advocacy for greater worker involvement and ownership within the nation's vital mining sector. The union asserts that Namibia's substantial mineral wealth should translate directly into enduring ownership, sustainable employment, and generational prosperity for its citizens. This renewed push for MUN Namibia mining worker ownership demands emerged from the union's recent Southern Regional Roundtable Discussion, held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Oranjemund.

This gathering marked the second in a series of four engagements commemorating MUN's 40th anniversary, operating under the theme "From the Shaft to the Chamber: Workers' Voices, National Choices." The event brought together MUN leaders and members with key policymakers, including Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse and Minister of Justice and Labour Relations Wise Immanuel. The initiative, supported by the Namibia Miners Investment Trust (NAMIT) and NAM-MIC Holdings, underscores a critical juncture for the country's mining industry, as communities continue to grapple with the repercussions of mine closures while the government simultaneously champions increased local participation and Namibia mining beneficiation policy.

This concerted effort by the union aligns with broader national objectives to ensure that the benefits of resource extraction are widely distributed and contribute to long-term national development. The discussions highlighted the urgent need for policies that not only attract investment but also guarantee a tangible stake for Namibian workers in the wealth generated from their country's natural resources.

During the roundtable, Member of Parliament Justina Jonas, delivering the keynote address on behalf of Minister Amutse, underscored the profound economic reliance of towns such as Oranjemund and Rosh Pinah on mining activities. She highlighted that Namdeb's diamond operations in Oranjemund alone provide employment for over 700 individuals, serving as the town's primary economic pillar. Jonas cautioned that the collapse of major mining operations carries consequences far beyond the immediate workforce.

She starkly warned that without diamond mining, Oranjemund might have already become a "ghost town," a sentiment reinforced by the continuing fallout from the 2024 Scorpion Zinc mine closure impact in Rosh Pinah, which resulted in approximately 500 job losses. Jonas affirmed that the government, in collaboration with stakeholders including organized labor, is actively seeking a responsible solution to restart the Scorpion Zinc mine and refinery. She stressed that closure is not a viable option, emphasizing the priority of safeguarding jobs, restoring competitiveness, and ensuring the economic viability of mining communities.

Jonas further contextualized these challenges by citing an unemployment rate of about 38% in the Kharas region, illustrating the vulnerability of communities heavily dependent on mining. She noted that when a mine faces difficulties, entire communities feel the repercussions. Despite these hurdles, she pointed to emerging opportunities in uranium, copper, gold, and critical minerals as potential avenues for future investment and employment.

Minister of Justice and Labour Relations Wise Immanuel articulated a perspective that attracting investment alone would be insufficient for Namibia's long-term prosperity. He framed the discourse around the principle of Mineworkers' Union of Namibia resource nationalism, asserting that the nation must extract significantly more value from its mineral resources rather than merely extracting and exporting them without substantial value addition. For workers, he argued, beneficiation must be inextricably linked with empowerment and meaningful participation.

Minister Immanuel emphasized that every decision made by policymakers must prioritize workers, advocating for mining to contribute to generational wealth creation beyond simply providing employment opportunities. He stressed that ownership, acquisition, and governance should be integral components of the mining equation, cautioning against investments that exist merely "on paper." This vision aligns with a broader push for Namibia mining local content requirements and a more equitable distribution of resource wealth, with Minister Wise Immanuel worker empowerment at its core.

Reinforcing the call for a more robust role for labor in the industry, MUN General Secretary George Ampweya utilized the roundtable platform to advocate for the union's stronger institutional presence in decisions shaping the mining sector. Ampweya specifically called for MUN to be integrated into key tripartite structures, such as immigration selection boards, and to be included in high-level discussions between prospective investors and the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

This demand highlights the union's aspiration for direct involvement in strategic planning and policy implementation, ensuring that workers' voices are heard at every level of decision-making. Such inclusion would significantly bolster the union's capacity to influence outcomes related to employment, local content, and the overall trajectory of Namibia's mining industry, moving beyond mere consultation to active participation in governance.

This development signals a growing push for resource nationalism and increased worker participation in Namibia's mining sector, potentially leading to new legislation or policy changes regarding local ownership, beneficiation, and labor relations. Lawyers advising mining companies or potential investors in Namibia should monitor these discussions closely, as they could impact future investment structures, operational compliance, and the terms of mining licenses and agreements.

Source: Original reporting via The Namibian