Message from Veston Malango, Chamber of Mines of Namibia

“Rössing Uranium is the pioneer and flagship of the Namibian uranium mining industry and a founding member of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia. It is very appropriate, therefore, that Rössing, together with the newly established Langer Heinrich mine, championed the need for the Chamber of Mines to develop minimum occupational health and environmental standards for uranium exploration and mining activities in Namibia. This will ensure adherence to an industry-developed framework, and will be in line with international best practice. This concept mooted by Rössing resulted in the establishment of a Chamber of Mines office in Swakopmund, and the recruitment of a Principal Advisor to spearhead the process, in consultation with all local stakeholders, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the World Nuclear Association (WNA). The Chamber of Mines has subsequently applied for membership of the WNA.

With the resurgence of interest in uranium, mainly due to the depletion of world stocks of nuclear fuel material, the rising cost of fossil fuels, and fear surrounding the impact of the latter fuels on global warming, the spot price of uranium soared to an all-time high of US$136 per pound in 2007.

In 2006, Namibia’s second uranium mine was commissioned. In total, 40 other companies have been granted exclusive licences to prospect for uranium, while yet others are conducting feasibility studies and EIAs. The country is set to see the opening of Areva’s new Trekkopje uranium mine in early 2009, to be followed by the Valencia mine in late 2009.

In the absence of comprehensive legislation on nuclear fuel minerals, the initiative of the Chamber of Mines will ensure that the image of Namibia is upheld as a major world producer of uranium in accordance with international best practice.

Rössing Uranium was also instrumental in spearheading the transformation of the Chamber initiative in Swakopmund into a Uranium Stewardship Committee (USC) so that all uranium exploration and mining companies can take collective responsibility for leading practices in the stewardship of uranium product. This is in line with the WNA’s stewardship principles, which advocate for collective responsibility and commitment by all players to the safe and responsible management of the uranium product. The USC will also assist the Government in formulating a legal framework for monitoring the country’s uranium mining industry, and possibly assist with the development of an appropriate infrastructure to enable Namibia to embark on its own nuclear power programme in the future, as per recent Government pronouncements.

The Chamber of Mines is embarking on the development of a Strategic Environmental Assessment during 2008 to ensure that the cumulative impacts of uranium exploration and mining activities in the Erongo Region are understood. A Strategic Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) will be developed in conjunction with the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia and others. The SEMP will act as an implementation plan to ensure the cumulative impacts identified in the strategic assessment will be addressed. This will enable a harmonious social and economic environment for exploration and mining developments to proceed.

In response to the power situation in Namibia, the Chamber of Mines has engaged NamPower at the highest level since 2007 to get clarity on the future supply of uninterrupted power to the mining industry. In this regard, the Chamber of Mines established a Chamber Power Supply Committee. Once again, Rössing has shown leadership, as this Committee is headed by its Managing Director, Michael Leech.

After 30 years of production, Rössing is once again looking up – with expansion programmes in response to the current uranium boom. These are indeed exciting times, but they come with their own challenges.

I can only wish Rössing Uranium continued success as the company gears itself towards contributing even more than before to the national economy.”