Abstract
Namibia, the former territory of South-West Africa, has a large and diversified mining industry, which supplies approximately 45% of its gross domestic product and 70% of its foreign exchange earnings. It is one of the world's largest producers of gem diamonds and uranium and also produces a substantial quantity of base metals, including copper, lead, and zinc. Several of the world's largest multinational mining companies are or have been actively involved in producing minerals in namibia. This Bureau of Mines report provides an in-depth look at the structure, production history, and resource position of namibia's mineral industry. The study points to uranium as having the greatest potential for sustaining long-term growth in the mining sector, while diamond and base metal production appear to have peaked and may decline in the short to medium term. The report also describes the administrative and economic dependence of namibia on the Republic of South Africa and analyzes those aspects of mineral policy, labor, and water and energy resources that will affect future development of Namibia's mineral resources.
