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SINCE returning to production last year, Andrada-owned (formerly Afritin) Uis Tin Mine has contributed more than N$143 million to the Namibian economy and funded over N$185 000 in community projects.
According to the Sustainability Report released by the UK-based company’s chief executive officer Anthony Richard Viljoen, the N$143 million was spent on acquiring supplies from local and national suppliers during the 2022 financial year.“We are building a culture where sustainability and environment, social and governance (ESG)performance is embedded throughout our value chain. This ethos will drive our ambition to be the African tech-metals champion,” said Viljoen.
He said mining needs to create a symbiotic relationship between development and communities. “We plan to forge a way for integrated sustainable development in whatever we do. Self-sustaining community development initiatives are, therefore, as important to us as is our own success.
“Through the multiplier effect, which is as a result of our activities at Uis, wider benefits accrue to our community,” he said.Viljoen said the company will continue to focus on skills improvement programmes as this will have a positive benefit to the Uis Tin Mine and Namibia.
He said Uis has also seen growth and development such as work to tar the road from Swakopmund.
“To ensure an adequate supply of water for the road project, Uis residents and our operations, we contracted hydrogeologists to model the road construction water requirements against our requirements for the extended life of mine.
“Water will continue to be a strategic item for Andrada and we will continue to optimise how we utilise this valuable resource,” he said, adding that the tarred road will increase the ability to move goods and materials, and allow the company to consider solar or wind energy and desalination technology. Viljoen said the company is working towards long-term sustainable solutions not only to ensure safe production, but also to benefit the community by providing basic services like water and power to ensure lasting benefits for Uis.
He said in the spirit of working with the community, the company had commenced closure planning,as the town of Uis has experienced first-hand the effects of unplanned mine closure on their economy. Email: [email protected]
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