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INFORMATION SHARING WORKSHOP – SMALL SCALE MINING DIVISION (SSMD). BY LINUS MULELE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MINES DATE: 14 MARCH 2011 PLACE: SAFARI HOTEL; WINDHOEK. PRESENTATION FORMAT. ORGANOGRAMME OF THE SSMD. OBJECTIVES OF THE SSMD. FUNCTIONS OF THE SSMD.
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INFORMATION SHARING WORKSHOP – SMALL SCALE MINING DIVISION (SSMD) BY LINUS MULELE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MINES DATE: 14 MARCH 2011 PLACE: SAFARI HOTEL; WINDHOEK
PRESENTATION FORMAT ORGANOGRAMME OF THE SSMD. OBJECTIVES OF THE SSMD. FUNCTIONS OF THE SSMD. SOME OF THE SSMD ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE. CONSTRAINTS TO SSM DEVELOPMENT IN NAMIBIA. SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DIRECTORATE OF MINES TO SSM COUNTRYWIDE THE WAY FORWARD.
Consists of two subdivisions; namely - Mineral Resources/Information subdivision - Analytical and Environmental Services subdivision Present staffing of the SSMD Deputy Director of Mines Principal Geologist 1x SSM expert on secondment from Cuba
Proposed staffing of the SSMD 12 staff compliment Currently there are only 3 filled positions 9 vacant positions to be filled However, 6 positions have already been advertised and interviews have been conducted. Recommendations have been forwarded to the PSC for their necessary action.
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE SSMD The SSMD is responsible for the development of the SSM subsector in accordance with MME Strategic Plan and NDP3 objectives and Vision 2030 goals of employment creation throughout Namibia.
3. FUNCTIONS OF THE SSMD To provide geotechnical support services i.e. Geological; Mineral Processing; Environmental Management, as well as marketing and laboratory sample analyses to SSM throughout Namibia. To appraise and evaluate project proposals submitted to the Directorate of Mines for funding to ensure that they are technically feasible, economically profitable, and financially viable.
To maintain health, safety and environmental standards as per the Minerals Act of 1992; Mineral Policy of 2003; and Environmental Management Act of 2007 in SSM. To monitor mining and beneficiation methods and promote adoption of new methods of mining and processing technologies.
To conduct research into mineral processing and value addition operations in SSM in Namibia. To coordinate monitoring programmes and conduct environmental incident investigations in SSM. To liaise with informal sector representative bodies to promote SSM. To carryout prefeasibility and preinvestment studies on mining and mineral processing projects in SSM. To liaise with outside Agencies and other members of MME to optimize support to SSM.
4.SOME SSMD ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Legalization of Erongo Region Small Miners Association (ERSMA) into a legal entity. Legalization and formation of Kunene Region Small Scale Miners Association (KUNSMA). Training of SSM of Erongo and Kunene Regions in cutting and polishing operations of semi precious stones. Training of SSM from KARSMA in mineral identification and evaluation.
Tin and tantalite concentrate buying scheme from Brandberg SSM Cooperative in Uis through the support from Small Miners of Uis (SMU). In the pipeline during the coming financial year SSMD will spearhead the formation and legalization of the following SSM countrywide: Khomas Region Small Miners Association (KHORSMA). Otjozondjupa Region Small Scale Miners Association (OTJORSMA). Hardap Region Small Scale Miners Association (HARSMA). Omaheke Region Small Scale Miners Association (OMARSMA).
5. CONSTRAINTS TO SSM DEVELOPMENT IN NAMIBIA • SSM are operating illegally. They need to be organized in the form of cooperatives or associations on a regional basis. • SSM always operate in unsafe and environmentally unfriendly manner causing environmental degradation to the ecosystem. • They need financial ,material and geotechnical support as well as mineral processing, sample analyses and marketing assistance in order for their operations to be economically profitable and environmentally sustainable. • Lack of a revolving fund by SSM for sample analyses purposes and marketing of their mineral products. • Prevalence of HIV/Aids in rural areas. • Lack of value addition activities in the form of cutting and polishing operations.
Continued… • The absence of long term development plans of respective Regions results in poorly coordinated support services by government and the private service providers. • Institutional bottlenecks and capacity constraints among public service providers and policy makers in relevant Ministries as well as inadequate, inter institutional coordination.
6.SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DIRECTORATE OF MINES TO SSM COUNTRYWIDE Geotechnical, mineral processing, laboratory sample analyses as well as marketing services. Assisting SSM with the preparation of viable SSM project proposals which can be submitted to MDF or any other financial institutions for funding purposes to purchase equipment/machinery for mining operations. Gemological evaluation of semi precious stones and mineral specimen. Providing SSM with local and international buyers for their mineral products. Providing training to SSM in Mine Health, Safety and Environmental issues. Assist with J/V partnership relationship with foreign companies.
7.THE WAY FORWARD Since SSM activities lie within Constituencies of the Regional Councilors they should be actively involved in SSM development together with other stakeholders. The SSM are to provide potentially viable SSM project proposals to MME for appraisal and evaluation. Training of SSM in mineral processing operations; Gemological evaluation of their mineral products, and Environmental Management and control. How could the mining industry partner with the Directorate of Mines in assisting the SSM countrywide?