Namibia signs agreement to improve value addition in minerals

STAFF WRITER  

The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P), Broadmind Mining, a subsidiary of Broadmind Mining Holdings (, and HyIron Green Technologies (Pty) Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on establishing a sustainable, low-carbon green industrial value chain in Namibia. A statement released by Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme External Affairs and Communication  Manager Jona Musheko said the  agreement marks a significant milestone in advancing the country’s mineral beneficiation capabilities and positioning Namibia as a green industrial hub in Africa.

Namibia Hydrogen Programme Head  James Mnyupe said such multi sectoral cooperation can create jobs.

“The Broadmind-HyIron-NGH2P partnership demonstrates how multi-sector cooperation can support this vision, creating local green jobs, boosting economic diversification, and enabling the production of future-proof materials for the global clean energy transition,”  Mnyupe said.

Executive Chairman of Broadmind Mining (Pty) Ltd Sidney Martin said the agreement could go a long way in transforming the country’s mining industry.

“The agreement between Broadmind, HyIron, and NGH2P is a clear demonstration of how Namibia’s mineral wealth can be transformed into long-term industrial value through strategic collaboration and technology,” Martin said.

Chief Executive Officer, HyIron Green Enabling ASII’s Objectives, Johannes  Michels said the cooperation will build skills.

 “This collaboration with Broadmind allows us to explore sourcing high-potential iron ore domestically and process it using our already established green hydrogen-powered technology. By working with Namibian players on the ground, we are not only reducing emissions, we are helping to build the skills, supply chains, and infrastructure that a sustainable future demands,” said Michels.

This strategic cooperation focuses on leveraging Broadmind’s critical mineral assets, particularly rare-earth elements and iron ore, and HyIron’s proprietary green direct reduced iron (DRI) process, powered by renewable hydrogen. 

The  parties will explore the feasibility of integrated mining, beneficiation, and green steel production, which is a core component of Namibia’s green hydrogen-driven industrialisation agenda.Under the MoU, Broadmind will facilitate advanced exploration and pilot beneficiation trials to support feedstock development for HyIron’s green iron plant.

 In turn, HyIron will test the compatibility of Broadmind’s ore in its DRI process and provide technical parameters for future scale-up. The collaboration will enable skills transfer, support local supply chains, and drive employment creation in mining, metallurgy, and hydrogen-based processing.

NGH2P will provide strategic in-country support, including stakeholder coordination, permitting guidance, infrastructure planning, and most critically, mobilisation of catalytic funding to de-risk this pioneering initiative.

This includes support in accessing concessional and blended finance instruments to enable rapid project implementation.

This partnership is one of the flagship collaborations expected to form part of the Sectoral Investment Plan being compiled by NGH2P under the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Industry Decarbonization Programme.

 Namibia was selected to join the programme in  June and aims to unlock up to N$40 billion ( US$250 million)  in concessional climate finance through CIF to catalyse green industrialisation across critical minerals, green hydrogen, and renewable energy value chains.