The Erongo Regional Small Scale Miners' Association (ERSMA) is a regional communitybased association consisting of more than 1600 small scale miners who are operating in the areas such as Spitzkoppe, Erongo mountain, Uis, Neuschwaben and Xoboxobos (Brandberg West).

ERSMA is supported and guided by the Oversight Forum consisting of The Rössing Foundation, Rio Tinto Rössing Uranium Limited, Navachab mine, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Basil Read, Major Drilling and Erongo Regional Council.

Several initiatives were undertaken to improve small scale miners' capacity as depicted in the graph below.

Furthermore, two market outlets, one in Uis and the other at Ûiba Ôas (near Usakos), were constructed during 2009. The Uis market outlet has been completed and handed over the Uis Town Council, while the Ûiba Ôas market outlet is still under construction. The interventions indicated on the graph above, the new market outlets and local and international marketing of semi-precious stones resulted in an income of N$4,847,000. Marketing of semi-precious minerals to Europe was undertaken for the first time, and an income of N$9100 was generated with the first initiative, holding promise of improved marketing opportunities directly to Europe.

Cutting and polishing training	Mineral evaluation and determination