Opposite to claims that there’s unlawful mining of lithium in Karibib, the city’s mayor Davey van Wyk has stated he doesn’t perceive why the police are arresting residents for selecting up stones.

With lithium mining booming globally, there have been actions described as unlawful mining of valuable stones which include lithium in Karibib, close to the railway station.

The actions of residents flocking to the location began some three weeks in the past, which prompted the police to intervene. This led to some residents having been arrested, together with a outstanding pastor within the city.

The police acted on a criticism by the corporate licensed to mine lithium within the space. Contacted for remark, Erongo regional police commander Nikolaus Kupembona confirmed that some individuals have been arrested following complaints laid in opposition to them.

The commissioner particularly talked about a case opened by Lepidico Mining, which holds an 80% curiosity within the Karibib undertaking, situated inside the Karibib Pegmatite Belt. 

“We’re investigating the instances of unlawful mining laid by Lepidico Mining. We’re not there to arrest individuals randomly. We arrested numerous individuals, however I’m not conscious of individuals arrested for selecting up stones,” he defined.

Requested what expenses these individuals face after Lepidico got here forth, Kupembona stated “we will’t disclose info to a 3rd social gathering.”

The mayor yesterday confirmed that residents, particularly the unemployed youth, flock to a website close to the station, the place they decide up valuable stones and promote them to make a dwelling.

He’s, nonetheless, adamant that there isn’t any unlawful mining within the city by residents because the stones usually are not deep underground, and may simply be dug up.

Van Wyk defined that Karibib used to have a lithium mine a few years in the past. The lithium was once transported by rail, and within the course of, the stones used to fall off the trains.

“Now that lithium is booming, everyone seems to be digging and on the lookout for these stones close to the railways. These stones usually are not even 10cm deep. I used to be there myself, and I don’t perceive why the police are arresting the individuals. I suggested the police to take up the problem with TransNamib, who’s the proprietor of the land the place these stones are. As a council, we will’t go and chase individuals away as a result of it’s not our land. These residents usually are not mining; they’re simply selecting stones,” he maintained.

The mayor stated as soon as the residents gather these stones, they go and discover patrons, who pay them something from as little as N$4 to N$15 per kilogramme. Based on him, it isn’t such a profitable enterprise as a result of one wants tonnes to fetch good cash.

“These residents usually are not inflicting any well being hazards. If TransNamib feels it’s unlawful, they need to fence off the world and put up safety. However TransNamib didn’t even complain. I don’t know underneath whose directions the police are arresting the residents for selecting up stones,” the mayor reiterated.

Lepidico couldn’t be reached for remark. TransNamib spokesperson Abigail Raubenheimer was not obtainable for remark by the point of going to press. Lithium is used within the batteries of laptops and cell telephones, in addition to within the glass and ceramics trade. An vital development driver is its use within the batteries of electrical automobiles, which is all the trend at current.