How Namibia’s Geoscientists View Their Role in Public Engagement on Mining
Namibian geoscientists, working amid expanding mining and energy sectors, mostly view public engagement as one-way education rather than dialogue. Research with 13 professionals reveals a need to shift towards two-way communication to build trust and involve communities in decisions about mining and water resources, crucial for sustainable development in Namibia.
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Namibia is a leading producer of uranium and holds significant deposits of diamonds, gold, zinc, copper, and rare earth elements, with recent discoveries of offshore oil and rare earths boosting its resource sector.
Geoscientists in Namibia, working across government, industry, and academia, play key roles in mineral exploration, groundwater management, and land-use planning, contributing to national economic development and environmental sustainability.
A recent study involving 13 Namibian geoscientists aged 30 to 40 found that most perceive public engagement primarily as one-way communication focused on educating communities to fill a perceived knowledge gap.
Only two participants described engagement as a two-way process involving dialogue and exchange of ideas, highlighting a gap between current practice and modern science communication approaches that emphasize trust-building and meaningful community involvement.
As mining and energy activities increasingly affect communities, improving two-way engagement is essential for fostering trust and enabling informed decision-making about resource management in Namibia.