Uranium mining: Namibia needs in-depth study, Orasecom says

Namibia must go back to the drawing board and possibly get an independent specialist on board to investigate the potential impact of in-situ leach (ISL) mining of uranium in the Stampriet basin. This according to Orange-Senqu River Commission (Orasecom) executive secretary Comfort Molosiwa, amid overwhelming calls by some locals that the poverty in the region demands the urgent start to mining in the area.Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate this week said there is a need for government to get more experts on board, and particularly for the International Atomic Energy Agency to give input. He added that there is an urgent need for development - such as a uranium mine - in his region, because “the people are hungry and poor”."Can we stop [being emotional and instead] consider the facts that could save people&#039;s lives? We are duty-bound to leave a better world for future generations. Some people in my region... are poor and they hardly have a glass of water, and you are telling them about the safety of water. We must allow experts to talk, but be divergent and not only have one line of expertise," he said. UncertaintiesSpeaking during a briefing on the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System (STAS) held outside Mariental on Monday, Molosiwa reflected on a technical expert workshop on the ‘Impacts of uranium mining in the [STAS]’, held in Pretoria, South Africa, last week. He said the workshop found that there were uncertainties on the properties of the aquifer system and how it responded to extraction or climate variations. "Namibia would have to put a prudent approach and monitoring system in place. In fact, there is a paper due for publication involving the University of Botswana on the extent of the aquifer. It has been discovered that the aquifer has expanded and increased in size by 40%. More studies are needed before Namibia undertakes mining activities such as uranium," he said. He added that the information available at this point is not sufficient to draw a sound conclusion.VitalMeanwhile, water minister Calle Schlettwein said the Stampriet aquifer is vital to Namibia, and the country’s reliance on its resources for irrigating food crops and fodder production for livestock cannot be overstated. This groundwater system also extends across national borders into neighbouring Botswana and South Africa, potentially leading to competing and conflicting uses for this shared resource, he said. "As the government, we are very much aware of the risks posed by uranium ISL mining, especially if borehole drilling is not conducted according to the prescribed licence conditions. While ISL mining is considered to have reduced environmental impacts on the surface compared to conventional uranium mining, its risk to pollute underground water has often been overlooked and these impacts can only be minimised through proper planning, operation, monitoring and control. The importance of a thorough environmental impact assessment cannot be overemphasised," he said.

Uranium mining: Namibia needs in-depth study, Orasecom says

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

Please login to leave a comment

Uranium mining: Namibia needs in-depth study, Orasecom says

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

Please login to leave a comment

Login