The Executive Vice President of Husab Mine, Irvinne Simataa, says the shift to automation in the mining industry is creating a surge in demand for workers with specialised tech skills which could hinder the sector’s growth and competitiveness.
According to Simataa, the mining industry is becoming more automated, necessitating individuals with expertise in technology, such as data analysis and artificial intelligence.
“The third item that I wanted to also highlight is that there is a deficit in terms of specialist skills particularly skills for the future, things like nuclear sciences, water engineering, et cetera. And of course there is also a gap in terms of the current education for the future needs of the industry,” he said.
He further said to address this challenge, educational institutions and training providers must align their programmes with the evolving needs of the mining industry. Equipping graduates with skills in data analysis, artificial intelligence, and other relevant technologies will be crucial for the sector’s success in the age of automation.
“For the purposes of providing firstly the technical competency that is required for these individuals. Then we would deal with the skills deficit from experience and then we also are aware that the industry lacks. So we not only train for Husab but we also train for the industry,” Simataa said.
He further emphasised the importance for the industry to invest in the development of existing employees. A skilled and adaptable workforce will be essential for the mining sector to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by automation.
This comes as the mining sector’s total direct employment increased by 12.6% in 2023 to 18,189 from 16,147 in 2022. Direct employment consisted of 8,950 permanent employees, 803 temporary employees and 8,436 contractors.
Every job created by the industry also generates important sources of revenue for the government through PAYE and VAT as a consumption tax. In 2023, employees from mining companies paid approximately N$1.186 billion in PAYE.
The majority of individuals employed by the mining sector are Namibians, which consisted of approximately 98% of the mining workforce in 2023. This means that the wage bill of N$6.865 billion circulated within Namibia’s borders and created local spin-offs that support and benefit other sectors of the economy.
