Parliamentary pro-Stampriet uranium mining report sparks alarm

The Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (Sauma) has responded with concern to the parliamentary standing committee on natural resources' recommendation that Headspring Investments be permitted to drill and conduct in situ uranium extraction at its Omaheke sites in the transboundary Stampriet artesian basin.

According to Sauma, the association was never consulted at any stage of the parliamentary committee’s process, and it appears that only Headspring Investments, a foreign-owned company, enjoyed exclusive involvement.

“Sauma was taken by surprise by the committee’s findings," the association said in a statement this week.

"Despite our efforts to engage with the standing committee, Sauma was not consulted at any stage of the process. Instead, exclusive engagement appears to have been afforded to Headspring Investments, a foreign-owned company."

Sauma warned that the "stance taken by the committee in its report and in presenting only one side of the issue is highly irresponsible".

Red flags raised

The association said the issue raises fundamental questions about the transparency, balance and credibility of the standing committee.

It described the committee’s position in the report and the fact that only one side of the issue was presented as “highly irresponsible".

What is particularly concerning to Sauma is the continued absence of a comprehensive, independent hydrogeological flow study based on current water use in the catchment area.

“So such a study was explicitly recommended by a previous standing committee and is a prerequisite for informed and responsible decision-making," the association said.

"Proceeding without this critical assessment ignores well-documented environmental risks associated with in situ uranium mining,” it warned.

Sensitive resource under threat

The area under consideration is covered by farms and has been an agricultural area for decades.

According to Sauma, extensive published studies on the underground geology and hydrology have been ignored. However, understanding the extreme risks that in situ uranium mining poses to the groundwater on which those farming in the area rely for their livelihoods is of critical importance, the statement said.

“The underground water is the only water they have. Currently, irrigation pumps more than 700 cubic metres of water every hour, 24 hours a day, every day, throughout the year.”

This causes a massive flow of underground water and draws water from kilometres away, the statement added.

Sauma says this alone will draw highly toxic mining solution from a mine site and cause widespread contamination of this critical source of underground drinking water.

Cross-border concerns

The association also expressed concern about the potential cross-border impact on shared groundwater resources.

“If neighbouring countries experience contamination of their drinking water sources and seek compensation, it remains unclear who would bear responsibility for such consequences.”

Sauma says it is currently considering all available options in response to the committee’s report.

“The studies and expert reports evaluated by Sauma consistently highlight significant risks and unresolved challenges. It is therefore deeply concerning that conclusions appear to have been reached without sufficient consideration of these factors.”

Sauma emphasised that it remains committed to protecting Namibia’s water resources and ensuring that mining decisions are made in the best long-term interests of the country and its people.

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