Husab at ten: Uranium giant sets out new chapter
The launch of the Swakop Uranium 2025 sustainability report on Tuesday at the Windhoek Country Club came months before the ten-year mark since the Husab mine delivered its first drum of yellow cake in December 2016.
At the occasion, chief executive officer Luo Wei said the organisation — majority owned by China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) and joint venture partner the China-Africa Development Fund, with 10% held by Epangelo Mining — looked forward to "building on the strength of the past to create even greater value for employees, partners, communities and Namibia at large."
The vision is captured by the new Husab+ trademark and logo, which symbolises human-centred development, united growth, a sustainable future, advanced innovation and broad benefits.
According to executive vice president Irvinne Simataa, the 2025 report is themed to reflect "both our journey and our ambition: 'From a decade of growth to a future of possibilities.' Husab+ represents the next chapter of our journey," he said.
"While uranium production remains at the heart of our business, the true measure of our success will increasingly be the broader value that we create beyond the mine gate. The 'plus' represents the additional value we seek to generate through our operations," Simataa said.
Delivering the keynote address, deputy minister of mines, industries and energy Gaudentia Kröhne said "the success of mining cannot be measured by production alone."
"The real test is whether mining helps build national capability," she said.
"Sustainability must not be treated as something separate from mining operations. It must be built into the way decisions are made, the way risks are managed, and the way value is shared," Kröhne said.
She said governance, compliance and environmental stewardship were not optional. "They are fundamental to the legitimacy of the sector. The concept of Husab+ is relevant in this context," she said.
Representing CGN senior leadership, Liu Haijun said Namibia was a strategic pillar in the Chinese company's international ambitions and that "Husab is a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative."
He said the mine, built with what he described as the single biggest Chinese foreign direct investment into Africa at approximately N$92bn, "contributes to a closer China-Africa community and a shared future." Swakop Uranium had become a "model of responsible overseas investment" for China, he said, and demonstrated CGN's commitment to "building shared prosperity and a better future for all."
Haijun said CGN would further develop Swakop Uranium into a model of "high quality overseas development. We will write a new chapter of China-Africa friendship," he said.
At the same occasion, Erongo region governor Nathalia /Goagoses praised Swakop Uranium's social responsibility investments in education, youth development, safety, drought response and community development.
"I also welcome the idea of Husab+ as a forward-looking concept. For me, the 'plus' must mean that the value of Husab continues to expand beyond production. It must mean more skills for Namibians, more opportunities for local businesses, stronger communities, innovation, responsible environmental management and deeper partnership with government and stakeholders," she said.
