Gold takes the lead

The Chamber of Mines of Namibia held its 45th annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, in Windhoek. At the AGM, the industry’s leading lobby organisation, elected George Botshiwe as its new president. Botshiwe is managing director of QKR Navachab Gold Mine, which achieved record production levels outside Karibib last year, pushing national gold production up by 2,7% for 2024.

The new first vice president elected last week is John Roos, country manager for B2Gold Namibia, which has also experienced remarkable success in 2024 and early 2025, and recently announcing profits of N$2,59 billion for the 2024 financial year. For this year 2025 the mine is looking forward to producing 175 000 ounces of gold and, “you can see that from where the current gold prices are sitting at the moment, that means significant profits and significant contributions to the Namibian economy,” Roos said earlier this month.

The new second vice president, Irvinne Simataa, executive vice president of Namibia’s largest Swakop Uranium mine, represents uranium miners who have traditionally traded leadership of the chamber with former mainstay of the Namibian economy, diamond mining captains of industry. Before the most recent previous president Zebra Kasete, executive vice president for business development at Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter, previously belonging to Dundee Precious Metals, the chamber was led by Hilifa Mbako, executive chairperson of uranium miner Orano Mining Namibia. Kasete led the chamber before Mbako from 2018 to 2021, having taken the reins from Johan Coetzee previously of AngloGold Ashanti and Desert Lion Energy and more recenlty of Rössing Uranium. Werner Duvenhage, who was president of the chamber before Coetzee, was also managing director of Rössing at the time. The last time a local diamond miner was in charge was when Otto Shikongo led the chamber from 2007 to 2009, while he was managing director of Debmarine Namibia.

The occasion of the AGM was also used to celebrate the life-time contribution to Namibian mining made by Ingenesia Inge Zaamwani, and to afford her an honourary life member of the chamber of mines status. According to the chamber’s press release, her exceptional leadership, transformative contributions to Namibia's mining sector, and unwavering dedication to national socio-economic progress, made the decision easy. “Zaamwani embodies the chamber’s values and vision for sustained industry leadership and national development, making her a deserving recipient of this prestigious honour,” reads the statement. Zaamwani’s leadership roles have included serving as CEO of Namdeb, Director of Mines, and Senior Presidential Advisor.

In her acceptance speech Zaamwani stated: "While strides have been made, I firmly believe there remains significant untapped value within our natural resources. It is our responsibility to harness this value and advance local participation across the mining value chain. We must leverage our procurement muscles to contribute meaningfully to enterprise development and ensure that our industry’s impact extends far beyond the mine gate."

The chamber also extended heartfelt gratitude to Kasete, for his outstanding leadership and dedicated service during his term from 2023 to 2025. “Kasete’s impact is further underscored by his previous service as president from 2018 to 2021, leaving an enduring legacy within the mining industry,” the chamber said.

Kasete concluded his finale president’s report at the start of the AGM with these words: “Looking back, we can all take pride in the milestones we have reached and the resilience we have

shown. These achievements provide a strong foundation to propel the mining sector forward,

leveraging emerging opportunities and strengthening partnerships to ensure a sustainable and

prosperous future for Namibia.”