19th century – 19th century
Walvis Bay, central-western Namibia
The Walvis Bay Mining Company established a copper mine at Walvis Bay in 1856 under a concession granted by the Afrikaners in 1854. The enterprise also pursued guano, trading, and fishing, and linked central Namibia more closely to Cape commercial and capital networks. Despite employing many small European traders, the mine proved unprofitable and closed in 1860.
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The Story
The Walvis Bay Mining Company established a copper mine at Walvis Bay in 1856. Its concession had been granted by the Afrikaners in 1854, illustrating how African political authorities controlled access to mineral resources and could authorize European commercial enterprises. The mine worked resources that had previously been used by indigenous metalworkers.
The company’s activities extended beyond copper. It also had interests in guano, trading, and fishing, and the enterprise attracted European artisans as well as Tjimba and other settlers to the mission station at Otjimbingwe. In this way, mining became connected to the wider movement of labour, settlement, and commerce around central Namibia.
The company was described as a decisive catalyst in the systematic integration of southern Hereroland into the Cape Colony’s trade and capital network. It employed many smaller European traders by 1856, but the mine ultimately proved unprofitable and closed in 1860. Its short life nonetheless marked an important stage in the expansion of commercial extraction and external capital.
19th century – 19th century
Walvis Bay, central-western Namibia
The Walvis Bay Mining Company established a copper mine at Walvis Bay in 1856 under a concession granted by the Afrikaners in 1854. The enterprise also pursued guano, trading, and fishing, and linked central Namibia more closely to Cape commercial and capital networks. Despite employing many small European traders, the mine proved unprofitable and closed in 1860.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Walvis Bay Mining Company established a copper mine at Walvis Bay in 1856. Its concession had been granted by the Afrikaners in 1854, illustrating how African political authorities controlled access to mineral resources and could authorize European commercial enterprises. The mine worked resources that had previously been used by indigenous metalworkers.
The company’s activities extended beyond copper. It also had interests in guano, trading, and fishing, and the enterprise attracted European artisans as well as Tjimba and other settlers to the mission station at Otjimbingwe. In this way, mining became connected to the wider movement of labour, settlement, and commerce around central Namibia.
The company was described as a decisive catalyst in the systematic integration of southern Hereroland into the Cape Colony’s trade and capital network. It employed many smaller European traders by 1856, but the mine ultimately proved unprofitable and closed in 1860. Its short life nonetheless marked an important stage in the expansion of commercial extraction and external capital.
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