Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the country to expand beyond raw uranium extraction and play a greater role in the global nuclear value chain. Speaking at the 13th Mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek on August 5, 2026, leaders emphasized local beneficiation and ongoing resource development across the Erongo province.
Namibian Leadership Pushes for Nuclear Value Chain Integration
Namibia must position its extensive mineral wealth as a strategic asset rather than stopping at mere extraction, according to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Delivering remarks at the opening of the 13th Mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek on August 5, 2026, the president stressed that the country’s status as a leading global uranium producer opens doors to broader participation in the nuclear industry.
“As one of the world’s leading uranium-producing nations, Namibia is uniquely positioned to participate meaningfully in the broader nuclear value chain.”
Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia
The administration points to a transparent and competitive investment climate designed to draw responsible capital while fostering local economic development. Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse reinforced that perspective at the event, stating that domestic beneficiation forms a core pillar of national sovereignty. The government plans to support this objective through the Mineral Beneficiation Policy, which is currently under development and slated for finalization by the end of August 2026.
Economic Contributions and National Development Targets
Mining remains a central pillar of the nation’s economic framework. Figures released by the Chamber of Mines in May and cited at the conference indicate that the mining sector contributed 14 percent to Namibia’s gross domestic product in 2025. Furthermore, taxes paid by chamber members climbed 39 percent to 7.805 billion Namibian dollars (approximately 476 million U.S. dollars), up from 5.624 billion Namibian dollars in 2024.
Under the Sixth National Development Plan, mining serves as one of eight primary economic enablers. Through these structured initiatives, the government aims to generate 500,000 jobs. The annual expo itself has expanded significantly, drawing 222 exhibiting companies compared to 195 during the previous year.
Elevate Uranium Expands Stake and Advances Processing Technology
While national leaders debate broad industrial policy, private sector operators are actively scaling up operations in the Erongo province. Australian-based Elevate Uranium increased its ownership of the Marenica Uranium Project to 90 percent after entering into agreements to acquire an additional 15 percent interest in Marenica Minerals.
This corporate consolidation coincides with ongoing work at the U-pgrade™ Pilot Plant, where the in-country management team prepares for pilot plant results scheduled for release in August 2026. Managing Director Murray Hill spent considerable time in Namibia this year to provide direct technical support.
Operations have faced headwinds, including extended procurement delays for imported equipment and customs processing friction stemming from the Namibian customs department’s implementation of an upgraded electronic system. In response, the company has added metallurgists, realigned plant personnel, and stepped up procurement efforts alongside suppliers and logistics providers.
Resource Growth and Technical Validation at Marenica
Elevate’s operational confidence rests on substantial resource expansion. The Marenica Uranium Project’s JORC-compliant resource grew by 31 percent, reaching 52.8 million pounds of U₃O₈. Combined with the Koppies Project and the Namib IV deposit, the company’s total Namibian mineral resource portfolio stands at 129 million pounds of U₃O₈.
Bench-scale testwork on project samples demonstrates that the proprietary beneficiation process can concentrate uranium by a factor of roughly 50, elevating ore grade from around 93 ppm U₃O₈ to approximately 5,000 ppm U₃O₈ while rejecting about 98 percent of gangue material. Pilot plant validation is designed to confirm these efficiencies at a scalable size before commercialization, potentially cutting capital and operating expenses by approximately 50 percent compared to conventional methods.
The company maintains a strong financial footing, holding A$25 million in cash following equity issues over the past 12 months and spending A$4.1 million on exploration during the quarter. Infill drilling programs aimed at converting Inferred resources to the Indicated category ran until early August 2026, keeping development timelines moving forward as the broader sector aligns with national calls for deeper local industrialization.
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