Cape town: Industry leaders have called for Chambers of Mines to act as bridges between national development goals and shareholder value by building trust through self-regulation and transparent communication. The role of industry bodies was examined during a leadership session at the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, on Wednesday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia, Veston Malango, stated that self-regulation is essential for earning government respect and fostering cooperation. Malango highlighted that the chamber has expelled members who did not comply with its constitution, which has helped it earn respect and become a trusted partner in policy-making.
The session underscored the differing priorities of shareholders and governments, with the former seeking financial returns and the latter focusing on social benefits, employment, community investment, and tax revenue. President of the Taxation and Legislation Committee at the Burkina Faso Chamber of Mines, Souleymane Barke Boly, emphasized that partnerships with local banks can support domestic businesses and ensure the mining industry acts as a responsible stakeholder in development.
The session also featured George Botshiwe, Managing Director and General Manager of QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine and president of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia, who addressed the Namibia Country Showcase on converted mineral wealth and sustainable industrial growth. CEO Malango further noted that the outlook for the Namibian mining sector in 2026 remains positive despite global economic uncertainty and a slow recovery in diamonds, attributing strong performance in uranium and gold to the sector's resilience and significance to the national economy.
The importance of proactive communication to enhance the public image of the mining industry was also addressed. Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Kenneth Ashigbey, stressed that mineral-producing countries must ensure their resources contribute to domestic economic transformation, warning against the continued export of raw materials without local processing, which limits retained value.
Participants concluded that by aligning with national goals, Chambers of Mines can play a crucial role in ensuring the mining industry contributes positively to social development.