In 2024, Namibia was the world's fifth-ranked producer of gem-quality natural diamond, accounting for 3.4% of global production. Other mineral commodities produced in the country included cement, copper, gold, granite, lead, lithium, limestone, manganese, marble, salt, silver, sulfuric acid, tantalum, tin, uranium, and zinc. According to the World Nuclear Association, Namibia produced about 12% of the world’s uranium output in 2024. The mining and quarrying sector contributed about 13.3% to the country's gross domestic product, of which diamond accounted for 3.4%; metallic ores, 5.3%; uranium, 3.2%; and other mining and quarrying, 1.3%. The mineral industry (including cut and polished diamond, and refined copper and zinc) accounted for about 61% of Namibia's total exports of f.o.b. (free on board) goods by value in 2024. Diamond exports accounted for about 15% of the country's total export of goods by value, metallic ores (including uranium ore), 36%; and other minerals (unspecified), 2%. Diamond was exported mainly to Botswana, the United Arab Emirates, and Belgium; and uranium to China, France, the United States, and Canada.
The mining sector is mainly regulated by the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act of 1992 and the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Amendment Act of 2008. The Diamond Act of 1999 provides various measures relating to the possession, purchase and sale, processing, and import and export of diamond. Mining sector activities in Namibia are overseen by the Ministry of Mines and Energy through the Geological Survey Department, the Directorate of Mines, the Directorate of Diamond Affairs, and the Directorate of Petroleum Affairs. Most mining operations in Namibia were privately owned by international companies and the Government held interest in several operations.
