In a significant development affecting local livelihoods, approximately 65 families in Uis, Daures constituency, face displacement from their traditional mining activities as the Namibian government moves forward with plans to declare Brandberg Mountain a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Impact on Traditional Mining Communities
The affected small-scale miners, who were removed from their mining operations last Wednesday, have been extracting semi-precious stones from a small section of the mountain located 30 kilometers from Uis. This activity has historically served as a crucial economic lifeline for hundreds of local families.
"We are generational miners. This is the way our parents fed us, ensuring that we lacked nothing," stated Johannes Gaseb, a 25-year veteran miner supporting a family of 14.
Government Initiative and Local Response
The displacement follows a Cabinet decision that highlights tensions between national development goals and local economic interests. Information Minister Emma Theofelus announced the nomination plans, which could make Brandberg Mountain Namibia's third World Heritage Site, alongside the Namib Sand Sea and Twyfelfontein.
Community Concerns
- Lack of prior consultation with local stakeholders
- Absence of alternative livelihood options
- Traditional rights and permissions from former local leadership
- Potential increase in unemployment and poverty
The situation mirrors broader African challenges in balancing natural resource management with local economic rights. Francisca Tuses, speaking for affected women miners, emphasized their legal standing through historical permissions from the late Chief Elias Thaniseb.
Official Response and Path Forward
The National Heritage Council's spokesperson, Beverley Alexander, confirmed that consultations occurred with the Small Miners Association in February, though details regarding specific concerns about semi-precious stone extraction remain unclear. The submission to UNESCO is scheduled for February 1, 2026, leaving urgent questions about the future of local mining communities unresolved.