Erongo community seeks 5% stake in Kokoseb gold project
The Katora community in Namibia's Erongo region is demanding a 5% stake in the Kokoseb gold mine project, asserting that they should directly benefit from mining on their ancestral land. In a petition submitted to the D芒ures constituency office, the community seeks recognition as the legitimate host community and requests Katora Minerals to represent them in negotiations. They advocate for responsible mining that provides lasting benefits to those whose land, livelihoods, and environment are affected. The petition highlights that local communities have historically been excluded from ownership and economic participation while mineral wealth leaves their land. The community demands full compliance with Namibia鈥檚 Minerals Prospecting and Mining Act, including fair compensation for land surface rights interference. They also seek a community benefit-sharing agreement covering employment, procurement, skills development, enterprise development, and sustainable community investment, along with meaningful consultation in decisions affecting their land and future. The petition calls on Damaran Exploration Namibia to engage in good faith and build a partnership based on mutual respect and shared prosperity. It also requests government support for broad-based community empowerment, emphasizing that Namibia's mineral wealth should benefit the communities from whose land resources are extracted. The petition was submitted for transmission to the president, Erongo governor Nathalia 莯Goag
