- The Ministry of Mines and Energy in Namibia investigating China’s Xinfeng Investments (Pty) Ltd. for illegal mining in the lithium-rich Erongo region.
- The ministry is accusing the company along with its partners, Orange River Exploration and Mining CC, of exceeding the scope of its permit by conducting unauthorised extraction of lithium.
This follows an unannounced inspection on 16th November which found mining activities at the site near Uis, which was licenced only for exploration and not full-scale mining, the department said in a statement Wednesday.
Xinfeng’s management admitted during meetings with the ministry in early December that the mining operations exceeded the approved scope of the license, according to the department.
The alleged activities, which include damaging the environment and disturbing ancestral graves, have raised concerns among local communities. In response, the ministry ordered an immediate halt to all mining operations and referred the case to the police for investigation.
Most mined lithium (about three-quarters) is used manufacture batteries. A 2021 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests that, in the future the use of lithium will be dominated by clean energy technologies, with a 90% share of demand.
The new rush for lithium in Africa risks fueling corruption and harming local communities and the environment, investigations have shown. Read more
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
