Move over traditional economic indicators; there’s a new number making waves in Namibia’s Erongo Region: 1,500. That’s the staggering tally of Namibians currently earning a paycheque thanks to the revitalised Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM), owned by Paladin Energy Ltd. This figure, revealed in the company’s recently released Sustainability Report, represents one of the most powerful injections of livelihoods into the local economy in recent years, transforming the mine from a dormant asset into a bustling hub of employment and opportunity.
The breakdown of this employment boom is telling. Paladin directly employs 387 people at the LHM, with a phenomenal 98% of them being Namibian nationals. But the story doesn’t end at the company’s own payroll. The mine’s operational ramp-up has catalysed a contractor ecosystem that employs an additional 1,100 individuals. This brings the total number of families supported by the mine’s operations to nearly 1,500, a figure that cements Paladin’s position as a cornerstone employer in the region and a vital contributor to national employment statistics.
This commitment to local employment is a core tenet of Paladin’s philosophy. “We are particularly proud that more than 98% of our workforce at the LHM are Namibians with most living in nearby communities,” stated Paladin’s MD & CEO, Paul Hemburrow, and Sustainability and Governance Committee Chair, Peter Watson. This “locals-first” approach ensures that the economic benefits of the uranium operation are deeply embedded within the fabric of Namibian society, circulating wages and fostering skills development where they are needed most.
The impact is embodied by employees like Saphira Kamberipa, an Assistant Security Officer whose story is featured in the report. Her transition from contractor to LHM employee seven months ago was life-changing in a profoundly personal way. With her first pay, she was finally able to afford the prescription glasses she had needed for a decade. “It is a dream come true to work at the Langer Heinrich Mine,” Kamberipa said, highlighting how the mine’s success translates into tangible improvements in the quality of life for its workers.
Beyond the impressive employment figures, Paladin’s contribution to Namibia is multi-faceted and substantial. Financially, the company’s local-first ethos extends to its supply chain, with a massive 88% of its total procurement spend at the LHM directed to Namibian businesses. While the full monetary value is detailed in other financial reports, this percentage signifies a deliberate channeling of hundreds of millions of Namibian dollars into the local enterprise sector, creating a powerful multiplier effect.
Furthermore, the company makes a significant contribution to state coffers. The report confirms that Paladin’s operations provide a “significant and measurable contribution” to the national economy in the form of taxes and royalties. These public revenues are essential for funding government services, infrastructure projects, and development programs that benefit all Namibians.
Paladin’s social conscience is also clearly quantified. In the last financial year alone, the company invested over US$600,000 (approximately NAD 11 million) directly into community initiatives in Namibia. This investment has funded critical projects, including three fully fitted ambulances for district hospitals in Omaruru, Swakopmund, and Walvis Bay, dramatically improving emergency medical response. In a landmark achievement for healthcare, Paladin also supported the Cancer Association of Namibia and the Ministry of Health in opening a breast cancer clinic in Swakopmund, eliminating the need for patients to undertake a 360-kilometre journey to Windhoek for vital treatment.
The company’s commitment extends to the sensitive environment in which it operates. The LHM is located within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, and the report details extensive efforts in biodiversity management, water stewardship, and tailings management aligned with global best practices. This demonstrates that the company’s 1,500-strong workforce is tasked not only with production but also with the responsible guardianship of a protected ecosystem.
As the global demand for clean nuclear energy surges, positioning Namibia as a key supplier, Paladin’s story is one of a partnership forged in shared success. The nearly 1,500 jobs are more than just numbers; they represent skills being honed, families being supported, and communities being strengthened. With a safe and successful operational ramp-up—evidenced by a record production quarter and an improved safety record—Paladin is not just mining uranium; it is actively mining for a more prosperous and self-reliant Namibian future, one job, one investment, and one community clinic at a time.