Namibia is rich in biological resources that have both national and international significance. The country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) derives mainly from primary sectors of production which are heavily dependent on healthy functioning ecosystems and the prudent management of natural resources. At the same time mining has been the biggest contributor to GDP after government services since the earliest discoveries of minerals in Namibia. The mining industry plays a vital role in the growth and development of Namibia's economy and the number of applications for Exclusive Prospecting Licenses (EPLs) for various minerals continues to increase. There are major overlaps in the location of rare species, critical biodiversity areas and the presence of minerals in Namibia. The potential negative impacts of exploration and mining activities can be devastating to biodiversity and ecosystems. Landscape alteration, soil and water contamination and the loss of critical habitats can lead to the loss of important and endemic plant and animal species, which can compromise ecosystems and reduce tourism potential. Namibia’s mineral endowment implies that mining and the environment will continue to interact and hence the need to work together to achieve prosperity in a sustainable manner. It is on this basis that the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) developed this Policy to guide decision making with regards to exploration and mining in protected areas and other areas such as communal conservancies, community forests, other State land, game farms and other freehold land that hold high value species, as well as environmentally sensitive areas. It has been necessary to expand the scope of the policy to include such areas in line with both growth in the mining industry and in biodiversity conservation programmes. While a number of strategies are being employed to address exploration and mining activities in protected areas, it has become evident that strong policy frameworks and tools should be developed to improve decision making and provide protection for biodiversity, ecosystem services and cultural heritage from development impacts. The vision of the Policy is to develop integrated and sustainable prospecting and mining in Namibia to support economic growth, whilst maintaining the integrity of ecosystems and natural resources, and avoiding degradation of areas highly sensitive for their ecological, social and/or cultural heritage value. This is to be achieved through identification of key ecological and culturally sensitive areas within Namibia's protected areas and other areas with high value species and environmentally sensitive areas, development of a Decision Support Tool, and improvement in the procedures for granting different exploration and mining licenses. This Policy presents an important opportunity to strengthen inter-ministerial collaboration and coordination, which will support improved integrated and sustainable development planning that fosters economic growth whilst maintaining the integrity of ecosystems and natural resources upon which Namibia's people and its economy depend. The Policy has been developed to complement various regulations and policies relevant to prospecting and mining, in order to ensure minimal negative impacts on the environment. Where necessary, specific Memoranda of Understanding shall be developed between prospecting and mining companies, the MEFT and the MME to set out additional implementation mechanisms. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy are the custodians of this Policy. The implementation of the Policy will be coordinated by a Technical Committee composed of different stakeholders led by the two Ministries. The two ministries will also, with the support of the Technical Committee, take the lead to coordinate the regular monitoring and evaluation of progress with regard to the implementation of the Policy. The effectiveness of the Policy implementation largely depends upon raising awareness among key stakeholders, and allocation of resources dedicated to the implementation of the Policy. The MEFT and MME will jointly seek resources to ensure effective implementation of the Policy.