MINES and energy minister Tom Alweendo says this year the ministry has committed to streamlining its mining licencing system.
Alweendo was speaking at the end of the year press briefing at the State House in Windhoek on Monday morning.
Alweendo announced that the ministry will launch an online licence application system in 2024.
“We have reviewed our licencing system, whereby as of January next year we also make it possible for people to apply for these licences online – you will not have to come to the Ministry of Mines and Energy to submit your application,” he said.
Alweendo said the new system will make it easier for individuals to apply for licences wherever they are.
He also said it will improve the processing of the licences when submitted.
The ministry has also implemented a submission window period for licence applications, with four windows per year.
“It allows the ministry to do the evaluation of all that has been received, such that the ministry does not have a backlog simply because people submit their applications everyday,” he said.
Alweendo reiterated the national position on critical raw minerals such as lithium and cobalt.
“Our policy stance is that we will not allow the exportation of these minerals without adding value to those minerals and the Cabinet has taken a decision in this respect,” he said.
President Hage Geingob also clarified this beneficiation policy at the EU-Namibia business forum on green hydrogen and critical raw materials in October.
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