The performance of small mines in Namibia and the region

Both large and medium‐sized mines in southern Africa are contributing less to the economy owing to rising production costs and poor demand for minerals. Politicians argue that small mines can make an important economic contribution. But this analysis shows that small mines face real constraints and that there are clear prospects only in semiprecious and dimension stones. Specific research is needed to help small mines overcome their limitations.

Notes

Mineral Economics Program, University of Arizona. The author gratefully acknowledges the comments of Dr Michael Rieber, Dr Verle P Harris, Dr Richard T Newcomb and the partici‐pants in the Mineral Economics Seminar at the University of Arizona, the assistance of the Librarian of the Geological Survey of Namibia and of Tamara B Amavilah, and the comments of two anonymous referees.