Namibia: Ministry of Mines Needs to Help Traditional Authorities in Issuing ‘Consent Letters’

Traditional authorities in Namibia which approve mineral prospecting and mining applications in their areas have been criticised for issuing ‘consent letters’ for “hamburgers, chairs, N$20 000 or sitting allowances” without benefits accruing to their communities.

However, can they really be blamed if the line ministry responsible for issuing such licences, the Ministry of Mine and Energy (MME), doesn’t take a stance beyond an administrative role to ensure safety nets are in place to mitigate…