# Husab uranium mine opens (2014)

URL: https://allhistories.com/namibia/timeline/2014-husab-uranium-mine-opens
Location: Husab, Erongo Region, Namibia
Themes: main-event

The Husab uranium mine in the Namib desert near Swakopmund, run by Swakop Uranium, is listed by Wikipedia's article on energy in Namibia as having opened in 2014. It joined Rössing, which began operating in 1976, and Langer Heinrich, which opened in 2006, as the country's third uranium mine, and was expected to be among the largest in the world. Uranium mining had long been central to the Namibian economy. The country produced about 8 percent of world uranium in 2006 and nearly 10 percent by 2009, but its share fell to 7.1 percent in 2012 after prices dropped following the Fukushima accident. Langer Heinrich went into care and maintenance in 2018 because of low prices. Husab's ramp-up changed that. In 2023 it produced 4,437 tonnes of uranium and Rössing 2,205 tonnes, and Wikipedia reports Namibia as the third-largest producer in the world that year with 7,333 tonnes, or 12.2 percent of global output. Langer Heinrich restarted in 2024. The dates of first production differ between sources. At this point in the timeline (2014), Hifikepunye Pohamba (21 Mar 2005 – 21 Mar 2015) was President of Namibia, succeeding the founding president in March 2005 and serving two terms; Prime Minister Hage Geingob (4 Dec 2012 – 21 Mar 2015) led the government.

## Why it matters
Husab made uranium one of Namibia's most important exports and tied its mining sector to global debates about nuclear power, prices and the energy transition.

Ruler at the Time: [Hifikepunye Pohamba](https://allhistories.com/namibia/rulers/hifikepunye-pohamba-2005)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Uranium mining in Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium_mining_in_Namibia)
- [Wikipedia — Energy in Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_in_Namibia)