On 22 June 2000 Drs Lloyd and Lucas, the two international experts appointed by Rössing Uranium Ltd and the branch executive of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), announced in Windhoek the results of the Verification Study on the effects of long-term, low dose radiation exposure.

The purpose of the study was to confirm or refute the study findings on radiation exposure of Dr Reinhard Zaire, the retained expert of the MUN. Dr Zaire's findings suggested that there was a high incidence of chromosomal aberrations among Rössing employees due to long-term, low dose radiation exposure. The experts refuted Dr Zaire's findings and stated in the report: "The overall conclusion is that the frequency of chromosomal damage in the miners did not exceed that in the control subjects. This verification study has therefore not confirmed the earlier report of Dr Zaire and his colleagues."

In responding to questions at the end of the presentation, the experts emphasised that there were always risks associated with radiation exposure. Although the levels of radiation at Rössing were extremely low, employees must always follow the established standard procedures.

Commenting on the results Rössing Management said: "The results confirmed that our health, safety and environment monitoring systems are working and do not miss anything. This does not mean that we must in any way be complacent. On the contrary our aim in all areas of the operation is to strive to operate to the best standards in the industry."

Chairman of the local branch of the MUN, Erich Beukes, said: " The Union, as a responsible leader of the workers, is concerned about the health of its members. It is internationally recognised that there are occupational related diseases in a workplace and the Company should now identify and focus on these diseases."

The Ministry of Health and Social Services approved a study protocol in compliance with Namibian requirements for a study of this type. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Libertine Amathila, and Under-Secretary Dr Nestor Shivute were present at the announcement of the results.

In order to satisfy the research requirements of the Government of the United States, an Institutional Review Board (IRB) was established to oversee the implementation of the study, which was conducted over a period of two years.

To implement the study, blood samples were obtained from two groups, namely the study group and the control group. The study group consisted of ten Rössing employees with the highest accumulated radiation dose, and the control group of ten individuals from communities at the coast with no connection to Rössing. All participants were screened for suitability to participate in the study according to the selection criteria prescribed by the two experts and agreed by the Rössing and the MUN.

The two experts are leaders in the field of radiation research and experts in the same FISH technique that Dr Zaire applied in his studies. Dr David Lloyd is of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) based in the United Kingdom and Dr Joe Lucas, one of the four scientists who developed the FISH method at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the United States of America. The use of their two independent laboratories was to ensure the reliability of the research findings.

Rössing and the MUN believe that the well-being of all employees is a key priority to the success of the company and that any possible impact of any aspect of the operation on employees' health must be fully investigated. This study was therefore commissioned in support of this position.

The next step for the two experts will be to get the report published in scientific journals. Prior to publishing, scientific peer review will take place.

Dr Zaire, who also attended the announcement of the study results in Windhoek, indicated that he and his scientific colleagues would only be in a position to comment on the results once these have been published in open literature.

Editor's Note:
The Institutional Review Board (IRB), established in June 1998, consisted of the following members:

Name Title		Institution
Mr Asser Kapere		Regional Governor (job title as at June '98)
Clr Sam Nuuyoma		Mayor of Swakopmund (job title as at June '98)
Dr Wotan Swiegers		General Practitioner
Dr Norbert Forster		Ministry of Health & Social Services
Mr Elias Manga		>Headmaster Swakopmund Secondary School
Mr Herman Kinghorn		Legal Practitioner
Mrs Leonie Rencs		Teachers' Resource Centre
Mrs Beverly Figaji		UNAIDS Counselling Support Project
Mr Pieter Hamman		Former Analytical Chemist
Mrs Elsje Winckler		Medical Laboratory Services, Swakopmund

Issued on behalf of Rössing and MUN by:
Alwyn Lubbe
Communication Officer - Rössing Mine
Tel. 064 - 520 2382
Fax: 064 - 522 032

Other contacts:
Erich Beukes
Chairman of the Rössing Branch Executive Committee
(BEC) of the MUN
Tel. 064 - 5202569
Cell: 081 122 5263