Organic group joins in-situ mining fight

The Namibian Natural Affiliation (NOA), which is against using chemical compounds in agriculture, has known as for a everlasting moratorium on exploration and mining actions for uranium within the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System.

The affiliation which is made up of farmers, shoppers and merchants of natural items, wrote an open letter to the federal government and its establishments, signed by board chairperson Mareike Voigts, vice chairperson Eckhart Foertsch and secretary Vera Corry.

“We’re deeply involved over the aggressive push to mine uranium from the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System, a supply of the best high quality ingesting water for tens of 1000’s of Namibians in addition to residents of Botswana and South Africa.

“This aquifer additional supplies important ingesting water for tons of of 1000’s of animals throughout giant tracts of land and irrigates crops that feed Namibians effectively past the south-eastern components of the nation the place the aquifer is situated,” the affiliation says within the letter.

Voigts, who took over the chair three months in the past, says the affiliation desires to guard the one first-rate water supply obtainable to farmers within the southern a part of the nation.

She says the affiliation is towards efforts by Headsprings Investments, a subsidiary of the Russian firm Rosatom, to mine uranium utilizing the in-situ leaching course of, the place sulphuric acid dissolves uranium and different heavy metals from the ore physique situated throughout the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System.

“Whereas the uranium is eliminated, different heavy metals keep suspended for prolonged intervals of time, thus contaminating the water physique for years to come back,” says the affiliation, including that dissolved poisonous heavy metals in water can’t be seen, tasted or smelled, but they’re recognized to be “detrimental to well being, together with inflicting cancers and even loss of life”, Voigts says.

This comes a number of weeks after the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Affiliation (Sauma) additionally wrote an open letter, warning the federal government a couple of nationwide disaster, together with litigation, ought to full-scale in-situ leach mining be allowed within the space.

Sauma, which is affiliated to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), has been preventing uranium mining within the Stampriet basin and highlighted the dangers posed by the proposed in-situ leach mining of uranium within the basin within the south-east of Namibia by Russian firm Headsprings Investments.

The affiliation says there’s a danger of uranium-rich mine answer spreading exterior the underground mining space, leading to groundwater contamination.

“It’s not possible to hint the place the leaked mine answer flows,” Sauma argues.

The affiliation additional known as on all Namibian residents to affix the rising motion to cease exploration and mining for uranium throughout the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System by signing a petition and type as posted by Sauma on their web site.

“We really feel that any danger of contaminating ingesting water is irresponsible and never acceptable.

Thus we name on the Namibian authorities and its establishments for a everlasting moratorium on all actions that take into account or promote the mining of uranium throughout the higher space served by the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System.

“Air pollution of the water within the neighbouring international locations attributable to in-situ leach mining in Namibia may result in worldwide litigation and large compensatory bills for the Namibian authorities,” Sauma warned.

“NOA understands the idea and significance of wholesome ingesting water for people, animals and vegetation alike.

With out water there will likely be no life! Let’s be a part of palms and stand collectively,” the mining affiliation mentioned.
– e-mail: matthew@namibian.com.na