Staff Reporter
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources member Ester Haikola-Sakaria has raised concerns over the working conditions at Okarikua Mining in Kunene Region, revealing that workers have been operating without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper ablution facilities.
Haikola-Sakaria made the remarks during a site visit to Okarikua Mining in Ohungurume village in the Opuwo Urban Constituency.
She said the committee had observed inadequate safety measures at the mine, despite workers having reportedly been operating at the site for about two years.
Photos: Parliament of the Republic of Namibia
“We came here to the site and, from a safety perspective, our people do not have proper and adequate PPE. They have been working here for two good years, and we are only told that, ‘No, those two good years are for testing,’” she said.
Haikola-Sakaria further questioned claims that the mining operation was still only in its testing phase, saying the committee had also received information that copper production was taking place at the site.
She said it was unacceptable for mining activities to continue while workers were not provided with the necessary protective equipment.
Haikola-Sakaria also criticised the lack of toilet facilities at the site, where workers reportedly reside, saying the committee was told that constructing toilets for the workers would be pointless because they would not use them.
“We are being told that, ‘No, if we build ablution facilities – toilets – for those people, they will not use them.’ They mean, ‘If we build toilets for the Himbas, they will not use them.’ Very uncalled for! Arrogance! We immediately told them that it is very, very important that we find ablution facilities here,” she said.
According to Haikola-Sakaria, the mine has been instructed to construct proper ablution facilities for its workers within the coming months. She also called for greater oversight by the Ministry of Mines and Energy to ensure that mining operations in the region comply with the law.
“Kunene has vast amounts of resources, but most of the mining activities are illegal,” she said, warning that inadequate oversight could ultimately leave local communities without meaningful benefits from the region’s mineral wealth.
“When we come back by December, we want to see toilet facilities here for both male and female. Our people must be taken seriously. But it is also very important that the Ministry of Mines and Energy takes its mandate very, very seriously. Otherwise, we will not have resources in this country. They will be shipped close to the port, and our people will continue suffering,” Haikola-Sakaria added.
