The appeal comes ahead of the Mining Expo, scheduled to take place in Windhoek from 4 to 6 August. Naloba vice president Peter Amadhila says while Namibia has established itself as one of Africa’s leading mining destinations, mineral exploration and mining operations remain largely dominated by foreign companies. “We respect and value international investors because their capital, technology and expertise have contributed significantly to developing Namibia’s mining sector. However, the time has come to build a stronger ecosystem where locally owned mining and exploration companies can also thrive,” Amadhila says. “Empowering Namibian mining companies will create jobs, develop local technical expertise, retain greater value within the country and strengthen the sector for future generations,” he says.