It has been a year since we last looked at Swakop Uranium, the second-largest uranium producer in the world. It is a company that is also a symbol of the mining partnership between the Namibian and Chinese governments to source uranium for clean energy production.
The company operates under the foundational principle of “Safety First, Quality Foremost, Pursuing Excellence.” The entire Swakop Uranium family, consisting of more than 1,700 permanent employees and roughly 1,000 contractors, is aligned with this principle, placing safety and sound environmental management above every other aspect of their work.
As Qiu Bin, Swakop Uranium’s CEO, told us last year, “We take pride in our diversity which we view as a unique competitive edge, similarly, our world-class infrastructure makes SU the best place to work, the best teaching ground for experts and the best learning ground for novices. We value sound stakeholder relationships and strive to maintain a healthy two-way communication line with our people.”
The last time we talked with Qiu Bin, he told us about Swakop Uranium’s work to build an elite workforce that, in line with the company’s slogan, does “More than mining,” contributing to socio-economic development in Namibia. It aims to do this while guided by the best practice standards of corporate governance.
Sustainable Progress
Recently, however, we have had an opportunity to see just what that means in practical terms, with the release of the company’s 2021 sustainability report in the Namibian capital, Windhoek, last September. This report details the company’s performance and practices in Namibia, while also highlighting official statistics and social responsibility undertakings.
The report has already drawn a positive response, with Namibia’s Deputy Minister for Mines and Energy, Kornelia Shilunga, commending the report and lauding Swakop Uranium’s commitment to good corporate governance and transparency.
That confidence in Swakop’s operations is made all the more important by the fact that Husab Mine is an important contributor to Namibia’s economy as the largest employer in its mining industry.
Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, Chairperson of the Swakop Uranium Sustainability Development Committee, has said of the report that it “highlights the positive sustainable development impacts of the Company in Namibia, particularly in the Erongo Region. Through this report, we can see the Company is committed to fully supporting national development imperatives and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Continuous business development is an integral part of Swakop Uranium’s business strategy, with goals to build a world-class company that Namibia can be proud of.”
Among the efforts described in the report is the ongoing work to localise Swakop Uranium’s workforce, with a goal of 96% local talent. The mining operation seeks to attain this goal through a combination of different training programs that ensure a competent and dedicated workforce. There is also a significant investment in sourcing renewable energy, with the establishment of a recently built 12-megawatt solar power station at the Husab Mine.
Giving Back
As well as investing in Swakop Uranium’s sustainability, ensuring a positive environmental impact and continued reinvestment in the Namibian economy, the company is also prepared to step-up when local communities need it. Recently the company made a N$200,000 donation to the National Emergency Disaster Relief Fund to help the Namibian government in its humanitarian efforts providing relief for victims of the northern floods.
The donation was made by Qiu Bin to Namibian Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila last month. This donation could not come at a better time, as the floods have displaced thousands of families in hard-hit regions such as Ohangwena. The Ohangwena Regional Council has revealed that more than 1,300 families have been affected by the disaster, with 14 households and 116 people already relocated to higher ground. The floods have closed six schools across the region, leaving 4,146 students without an education.
“Thousands of citizens have recently been displaced by the floods in the North,” Qiu said when making the donation. “It is for this reason that we decided to make this contribution so that the government can continue with its humanitarian efforts.”
Swakop Uranium has been able to work closely with the government, which Qiu says has provided sound leadership since Namibia gained independence. The government’s clear regulatory framework has helped build a prosperous nation, and Swakop Uranium is helping with that project.
“SU is thankful for a positive relationship, and it’s manifested in this gesture,” Qiu said. “Our operations will continue for another 20 years. Hence, it is important for us to assist the government, which is allowing us to build a positive legacy for the country, as a good corporate citizen.”
At the same time, members of Namibia’s government, including the governor of Erongo, Neville Andre, have applauded Swakop’s efforts in supporting the nation through their corporate social responsibility measures.
“We are grateful that they acknowledge the role they play in our society, and also for the part they play in assisting our community through employment, training and humanitarian aid,” Andre has said.
It is a role that is at the heart of Swakop Uranium’s identity. As Qiu told us when we spoke to him at the beginning of last year, “We are the largest single investment in Namibia’s recent economic history. This places a unique obligation on us as management and employees of this great company to achieve, in the shortest possible time, the aspirations of the shareholders, stakeholders and friends of this business. This is an obligation that we take very seriously. Owing to the large size of the business, we are a melting pot of diversity in terms of culture but manage to work to the same golden thread of ‘Safety First, Quality Foremost, Pursuing Excellence’.”
These are values the company will continue to promote.
