The Chief Executive Officer of Andrada Mining says collaboration is needed between the government and the private sector in the mining industry.

Anthony Viljoen made the remarks in an interview with nbc News at the Mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek.

"I think a lot of collaboration between the government and the private sector needs to take place; there has always been some level of distrust."

According to Viljoen, Namibia continues to be the best place for investment, especially in the Erongo Region.

The Cabinet has banned exports of lithium and other critical minerals and rare earth elements.

This follows a submission by the Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, to this effect.

The export of lithium in its raw form has been the focus of some communities and activists lately.

There have been demonstrations by traditional communities, particularly in the Erongo Region, where the sought-after mineral is found in large quantities.

The Daure Daman Traditional Authority struggled to answer questions by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources regarding illegal lithium mining at Uis.

The committee was not satisfied with the answers given by the traditional leaders and threatened to subpoena the Daure Daman Traditional Authority to reveal the truth under oath.