Development Of Mining Settlements In Namibia: An Investigation Into Prospects For Rosh Pinah, Klein Aub And Tsumeb

ABSTRACT

The dissertation examined the development and potential prospects of three diverse mining settlements in Namibia - Rosh Pinah, Klein Aub, and Tsumeb. It is a case study in settlement, geography aiming to investigate problem areas and their potential the solution towards sustaining people-centred urban stability, growth and development, linked to the assistance of private-public local and regional development planning in an environment of global mining competition. The integrative literature review revealed that publications on Namibia predominantly offer a descriptive account of past and present mining settlements in the country. The focus of this study on prospects for mining settlements in the context of local and regional urban development planning evolved together with the revitalised integration of Namibia’s mining industry in global markets. Refocussing the role of Namibian mining settlements on spatial development disclosed the need for research in problem formations, processes, perspectives and concepts to assist in securing knowledge and capacity for future development with or without mining activities. The methodology was based on five concepts, namely (i) Christaller’s Central Place theory (1933) which influences spatial analysis and development models until today; (ii) human migration perceptions; (iii) a life-cycle model for mining settlements adapted from Luca’s mineral life-cycle model for resource towns (1971); (iv) the theoretical framework of Local Economic Development (LED); and (v) aspects of mining economics. The mixed-method approach to investigations facilitated the collation of primary data involving semi-structured questionnaires and face-to-face (iii) interviews. The data set formed the foundation for an in-depth analysis of the case study settlements’ scenarios. Linked to an indicator-supported viability model, the data analysis revealed distinct capacities of each settlement to achieve their people-centred urban sustainable development. Rosh Pinah, seemingly calm, well organized and well-managed, exposed a strong dependency on mining development that may harbour the potential for future decay and stagnation. This imponderability resulted from misapprehended local economic diversification efforts which could not unleash desired effects. At present, Rosh Pinah is to be rated ‘unviable’. The settlement might face the fate of Klein Aub, which prospered during its mining era, then declined, became depleted and has stagnated ever since the closure of the mine. Without external stimulus Klein Aub's prospects are bleak. Tsumeb, in contrast, exhibited great potential for socio-economic viability. Its dependency on mining has been resolved and the town continually transforms its urban structures and functions with the assistance of private-public engagement in joint local to regional LED-oriented long-term planning. In conclusion, lessons learnt from the three case studies point towards possible solutions which could pave the way towards sustainable growth and development of mining settlements in Namibia. Weaknesses which apparently are inherent in the country’s mining settlements and were observed during field study, should serve as a basis for future research and human capacity building, in order to establish a sustainable discourse among all key role players in planning the politico-economic, socio-cultural, and natural environment for the future generation.