Day 1: 2013 Lüderitz Speed Challenge
October 9, 2013Day trips from Windhoek
October 10, 2013At the recent opening of the photographic exhibition showcasing the aerial work of acclaimed photographer Paul van Schalkwyk, Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, the CEOof Namdeb, told guests that Namdeb shares a vision with the photographer.
In talking about his work, exhibited under the title “A Pristine Land Interrupted”, Zaamwani-Kamwi observed that “through his exhibition he is sharing a profound message, opening up our minds to imagine a sustainable future in a different light. The process of capturing these unbelievable images represents the strength, diversity and unlimited potential of the Namibian landscape”. She continued by saying that “this is a viewpoint which Namdeb can associate with as we have learned to adapt and operate in a world of volatility, uncertainty and complexity.
Photo: Paul van Schalkwyk
Namdeb operates in one of the world’s top 34 biodiversity hotspots, the Succulent Karoo biome, and as a result, Namdeb has developed a “robust approach to mitigating the inevitable impacts that are associated with mining”.
Zaamwani-Kamwi said that for the past 20 years, “environmental stewardship has formed an integral part of Namdeb’s operations and ensuring compliance with applicable legislation and global best practice”. She noted that the diamond mining company has been a pioneer in environmental impacts management and monitoring programmes, many of which are specialist studies that contribute to the local and national knowledge base of the area.
Working closely with a number of relevant stakeholders, research institutions, other mining companies and support services, has led to Namdeb employing a well-integrated system that “not only mitigates impacts and reduces risks, but also creates opportunities for collaboration and improvement”.
The CEO spoke about the future, about Namdeb’s aspiration to sustain mining operations to 2050 and beyond. She said that the company placed a great deal of importance on their goal to “be the pride of Namibia’s mining, making a tangible and lasting difference for the benefit of all stakeholders”.
Namdeb has played an instrumental role alongside government in opening up a previously restricted area – the //Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park in addition to playing a role in the proclamation of the first Marine Protected Areas alongside Namibia’s coast.
“These are excellent examples of how development and conservation can co-exist to achieve common goals”, Zaamwani-Kamwi said.
She underlined Namdeb’s ambition to always explore avenues where “we can support Namibia’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4) and Vision 2030”.
A final vision shared by the photographer and the diamond mining company according to Zaamwani-Kamwi – “Namdeb is proud to be associated with this unique photographic exhibition, which, not unlike the mining process, aims to find, uncover and share its focus for the benefit of Namibia”.
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