Sauma alarmed by Russian uranium mining remarks amid water concerns
A Namibian association has warned that the country must not be used as a guinea pig for in-situ leaching (ISL) uranium mining in the Stampriet area, reiterating concerns about the potentially severe impact on water quality.
The Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (Sauma) issued the warning after Russian officials recently confirmed plans to begin uranium extraction in Namibia by 2029.
“It is shocking!”
“We cannot allow political decisions to be made that could pollute our only water source in the Stampriet aquifer, ultimately having a negative impact on our entire economy," Sauma said in a statement.
The association emphasised that similar mining projects around the world should serve as a warning, stressing the need to approach the proposed mining operations with caution.
The association was responding to queries from Network Media Hub regarding the Namibia–Russia Business Forum, which took place recently in Windhoek, as well as the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation between the governments of Russia and Namibia.
Concerns raised
According to media reports, the talks aimed to improve cooperation between the two countries in a range of areas, from health to mining.
“The Russian deputy prime minister, Yury Trutnev, said the project, in which Rosatom will be involved, is being positioned as a cornerstone of future bilateral cooperation," Sauma noted.
“What concerns us is that dates are being mentioned for the start of mining despite processes that have not yet been completed, which currently prevent Rosatom from proceeding and are also inconsistent with clear legislation protecting our groundwater.”
Sauma emphasised that current water laws prohibit the pollution of Namibia’s groundwater.
“This, of course, also includes water conservation areas such as the Stampriet aquifer," it stressed.
“It appears that Rosatom and the Russian government are putting pressure on our government to allow the project to proceed," the association suggested.
This comes despite “a government that has committed itself to scientific facts that could guide the way forward". – [email protected]
