http://www.az.com.na/wirtschaft/index-3.phpOf licenses is not...

http://www.az.com.na/wirtschaft/index-3.php


Of licenses is not shaken
Minister Katali creates clarity of exclusive rights of the State for exploration and mining
Windhoek - the holders of licences for the exploration of raw materials and operation of mining in Namibia are exempt from a State forced participation, even if they want to renew their license or extend the operation. Current license requests are also processed under existing regulation. The declared yesterday evening in Windhoek with reference to the planned legislation, according to which State companies will be given to an exclusive right for exploration and extraction of diamonds, gold, coal, copper, uranium and other "strategic commodities" mining Minister Isak Katali.

After Katali late April announced the Kabinettsentscheidung, in which the new Government's strategy was sealed, the mining Chamber concerns had expressed and (AZ reported) referred in particular to disadvantages for Namibia as an investment location. Various mining companies expressed on AZ demand also the uncertainty whether the exclusive rights for the re-allocation of licences of existing plants apply. To do this wanted to express themselves to the Minister and create clarity what he has done yesterday.

Katali renewed the intention of the Government, to achieve added value for the Government and the nation from the own resources. He described that the Namibian mining by foreign companies was dominated, as "disturbing phenomenon". Namibia has become "into a paradise for speculators and other like like raw material exploratoren and mine Developer", he carried out.

The Minister pointed out that the exclusive right does not necessarily must, be awarded the State mining company Epangelo mining because for this purpose could also "Other State-owned company founded" are. We currently work on a concept of the capital resources of such structures in the
very expensive mining sector. "There are many ways," said Katali AZ demand, adding: "Those who have money coming in." Participation in current operations could be realized through a right of first refusal of the Government for licensing or assets, he carried out. As well, the situation could happen later that a State-owned companies sold shares in private companies.

The Government striving for a public-private partnership in the mining, summed up Katali. For this exist "similar agreements", he said and called the company Namdeb, Debmarine, NDTC, MTC and Windhoek country club and Resorts as a model. He expects "a reduction in the mining industry" by the new regulation in any case. "Investors will come, this is is usual business", said the Minister finally.