Inadequate inspection of mines
Long-term damage to the environment
For several years mining sites in Namibia were not adequately inspected by the relevant authorities, resulting in non-compliance with environmental laws, pollution and long-term damage to the environment.
These findings are contained in an audit report for the years 2011/12 to 2014/15, tabled by the auditor-general in the National Assembly last week.
The purpose of the audit report was to assess whether the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism were effectively monitoring pollution and environmental rehabilitation at mines.
According to the audit the Department of Environmental Affairs did not conduct any inspections at mining sites apart from familiarisation visits during the period under review.
Although the Directorate of Mines did inspect mining sites, the audit could not establish to which extent these inspections were conducted due to incomplete evidence and information provided.
The audit also found that the Directorate of Mines did not adequately monitor the mining sites of mineral rights holders.
During the period of the audit, the Matchless and Otjihase Copper Mine, Otjozondu Manganese Mine, Stone Africa Granite Mine and Ysterpitz Blue Lace Mine in the Khomas, Otjozondjupa, Erongo and Karas regions had neither reported oil spills nor done anything to clean up such spills.
“As a result oil spills may cause long-term damage to the environment,” the audit report reads.
It was found that 62% of permits for wastewater effluent disposal exemption issued to mineral rights holders operating in the Karas and Erongo regions had expired. Namdeb had three expired permits during that time.
“This could increase the rate of non-compliance, which could lead to contamination of water resources because water quality is not tested,” the report states.
The Matchless and Otjihase copper mines in the Khomas Region were found to be operating without wastewater effluent exemption permits and were disposing of effluent into the environment. As a result the rivers in the vicinity of the mines became polluted.
According to the audit, findings of inspections conducted by the Directorate of Geological Survey within the mines ministry were not adequately communicated to the relevant role players.
These included inspections that were conducted at Otjihase Copper Mine where it was discovered that contaminated seepage from mine tailings had been released into the Kuruma River system.
Also it was found that surface water in the Omits River was polluted with sewage from the abandoned Oamites mine.
According to the report, the environment ministry also failed to issue written notices for non-compliance by mineral right holders for general waste mixed with hazardous waste, oil containers that were not safely stored, fuel spills at fuel bays and oil drums leaking into the environment.
The environment ministry could also not provide assurance that small-scale miners operated with valid environmental clearance certificates during the period under review.
The audit said that small-scale miners could, therefore, be mining illegally.
At the time of the audit, it was also found that all sand miners who had received permits from the agriculture ministry were operating without environmental clearance certificates because the provisions of the Environmental Management Act were not enforced.
“As a result riverbeds were polluted and mining pits were not rehabilitated when operations ceased, which encouraged dumping of waste into the riverbeds.”
The report points out that the mining industry continues to grow, which is good for the economy.
“However, it is important for the government to harmonise the demand for rapid economic growth with the need to conserve natural resources and protect the environment on which citizens depend,” the report adds.
ELLANIE SMIT
These findings are contained in an audit report for the years 2011/12 to 2014/15, tabled by the auditor-general in the National Assembly last week.
The purpose of the audit report was to assess whether the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism were effectively monitoring pollution and environmental rehabilitation at mines.
According to the audit the Department of Environmental Affairs did not conduct any inspections at mining sites apart from familiarisation visits during the period under review.
Although the Directorate of Mines did inspect mining sites, the audit could not establish to which extent these inspections were conducted due to incomplete evidence and information provided.
The audit also found that the Directorate of Mines did not adequately monitor the mining sites of mineral rights holders.
During the period of the audit, the Matchless and Otjihase Copper Mine, Otjozondu Manganese Mine, Stone Africa Granite Mine and Ysterpitz Blue Lace Mine in the Khomas, Otjozondjupa, Erongo and Karas regions had neither reported oil spills nor done anything to clean up such spills.
“As a result oil spills may cause long-term damage to the environment,” the audit report reads.
It was found that 62% of permits for wastewater effluent disposal exemption issued to mineral rights holders operating in the Karas and Erongo regions had expired. Namdeb had three expired permits during that time.
“This could increase the rate of non-compliance, which could lead to contamination of water resources because water quality is not tested,” the report states.
The Matchless and Otjihase copper mines in the Khomas Region were found to be operating without wastewater effluent exemption permits and were disposing of effluent into the environment. As a result the rivers in the vicinity of the mines became polluted.
According to the audit, findings of inspections conducted by the Directorate of Geological Survey within the mines ministry were not adequately communicated to the relevant role players.
These included inspections that were conducted at Otjihase Copper Mine where it was discovered that contaminated seepage from mine tailings had been released into the Kuruma River system.
Also it was found that surface water in the Omits River was polluted with sewage from the abandoned Oamites mine.
According to the report, the environment ministry also failed to issue written notices for non-compliance by mineral right holders for general waste mixed with hazardous waste, oil containers that were not safely stored, fuel spills at fuel bays and oil drums leaking into the environment.
The environment ministry could also not provide assurance that small-scale miners operated with valid environmental clearance certificates during the period under review.
The audit said that small-scale miners could, therefore, be mining illegally.
At the time of the audit, it was also found that all sand miners who had received permits from the agriculture ministry were operating without environmental clearance certificates because the provisions of the Environmental Management Act were not enforced.
“As a result riverbeds were polluted and mining pits were not rehabilitated when operations ceased, which encouraged dumping of waste into the riverbeds.”
The report points out that the mining industry continues to grow, which is good for the economy.
“However, it is important for the government to harmonise the demand for rapid economic growth with the need to conserve natural resources and protect the environment on which citizens depend,” the report adds.
ELLANIE SMIT
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