Message from the Chamber of Mines of Namibia

"With the renewed interest in nuclear energy as one of the cleanest alternative energy sources, Namibia is geared to benefit from its extensive deposits of low-grade uranium and is now regarded as a region of global importance for this energy resource.

The ‘uranium rush’ has resulted in unprecedented exploration and mining activities in the Erongo Region. It is clear that these activities could have a considerable effect on the natural environment as well as a cumulative impact on water and energy requirements, transportation, housing, schooling, and medical services. The potential migration of job seekers to the Region may also create public health and social issues. On top of these pressures, some of the activity is occurring in the Namib Naukluft Park and the West Coast Recreation Area – both of which are sought-after national and international tourist destinations.

For the uranium industry to operate sustainably in the Region, these issues have to be addressed. In response to the growth of the country’s uranium industry, Rössing Uranium Limited – a founding member of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia and pioneer of uranium mining in the Region – and the new Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine have championed the need for the Chamber to develop minimum standards for uranium exploration and mining activities, and occupational health and environmental management in Namibia.

Measures to address the cumulative socio-economic impacts of mining and future mine closure cannot be successful if adopted by one mining company only. Successful measures require a multi-stakeholder forum to establish guidelines for social and community engagement, since any single company’s unsustainable practices or actions can negatively impact the entire industry.

Recognising this danger, Rössing, partnered by Langer Heinrich, proactively led the way through establishing the Uranium Stewardship Committee (USC), a subcommittee of the Chamber of Mines. The USC’s primary mandate is to ensure that the country’s booming uranium mining sector is able to expand and thrive safely and efficiently. This includes establishing an environment of ‘policy certainty’, supporting efforts to develop a stable investment climate, and helping develop purposededicated regulatory and compliance arrangements.

The Chamber works closely with the Government to address health and environmental issues by reviewing what is already in place, implementing new measures where necessary, and evaluating the effectiveness of updated intervention strategies.

The implementation of Minimum Environmental and Occupational Health Standards and the initiation of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Erongo Region were identified as fundamental steps. The SEA is already under way, and will be translated into a Strategic Environmental Plan that will provide scientifically backed insights to assist the Government in managing the uranium industry responsibly.

As a developing country, Namibia faces the major challenges of poverty, unemployment, a growing demand for energy, decreased life expectancy, and about 100,000 orphans that need education, health and housing. Namibia must act on these challenges now – and, consequently, it does not have the luxury of keeping its natural mineral resources tucked away in the Namib.

However, this is no reason for the industry to live by anything but the highest standards of environmental and radiation safety management. Ensuring that, worldwide, Namibia continues to be held in high regard for the manner in which it mines its uranium and the standard of its health and environmental management must be a significant driving force behind all uranium-related activities.

Only then will Namibia be able to sustainably sell its uranium on the world market and support its domestic development."