(Virtual Showroom )Throughout its almost 130-year legacy, the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) has played a pivotal role in the dissemination of knowledge and expertise across Africa’s minerals sector, providing its members with local and international access to the latest technological developments in mining, metallurgical and related fields. The relaunch of the SAIMM Namibia Branch, will take place on 18 June 2024 ahead of the Southern African Rare Earths 2nd International Conference 2024 which will be held from 19 – 20 June 2024, both, at the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre, Swakopmund, Namibia.

This event signifies advancement in the organisation’s commitment to solidifying its footprint across the SADC region, with its membership consisting of captains of industry within Namibia’s mining and metallurgy sector, who, in addition to being experts in their field, lead the charge in co-creatively establishing forums for engagement through the promotion of industry-related obligations.

Interim Chairperson of the SAIMM Namibia Branch, Tomas Aipanda, has reignited the enthusiasm of his fellow members by being at the helm of the relaunch of the Branch. Leading with an Honours Degree in Mining Engineering and 12 years’ experience in open pit hard rock mining under his belt, Tomas has led key mining sections in his field, such as drilling and blasting. Moreover, Tomas leads and manages a team of 120 employees, which render him prepared to take on the role of Chairperson and drive SAIMM’s Namibia activities.

“The relaunch of the SAIMM Namibia Branch calls on its members to be active and engaged in the election of a Branch Chairperson, to nominate and elect a member who will represent and drive all Branch activities and in essence, amplify SAIMM Namibia” said Aipanda.

“We want to encourage members to be engaged and participate in driving Namibia’s minerals sectors forward, this is done through connecting industry professionals and providing forums where technical expertise and industry development can be discussed like those provided by SAIMM” Aipanda, added.