Amidst the arid landscapes of Namibia's southeast, a region where every drop of water is precious, there looms a potential ecological crisis that could jeopardize the region's most crucial resource.
SAUMA (Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association) discovered by chance that an Environmental Impact Assessment for in situ leaching of uranium for a Pilot Plant on Farm Tripoli was added to the EIA Website of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism with the window for public comment closing on Tuesday, 23 January 2024, at 12h00.
Should the Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism accept the Environmental Impact Assessment submitted (SAUMA is of the opinion that this document is inadequate), an Environmental Clearance Certificate will be issued and test mining can start – meaning that acid may be used in the groundwater aquifer. A pilot period of four years is indicated in the submitted documents. This could mean four years of testing with various substances IN OUR DRINKING WATER …
It appears that Namibian Environmental Legislation was not followed in a number of instances by the Environmental Consultant compiling the Environmental Impact Assessment. As an example - none of the Interested and Affected Parties were notified that these documents were submitted.
The newly imposed Water Resources Management Act 11 of 2013 was implemented on 29 August 2023. The act clearly states:
"Pollute", in relation to water, means directly or indirectly to alter the physical, thermal,
chemical, biological, or radioactive, properties of the water so as to render it less fit for any
beneficial use …
If polluted groundwater affects you, please submit your comment(s) directly on the MEFT portal,
at the following link: https://www.eia.met.gov.na/web/projects/751
WATER IS LIFE.
OUR LEGACY MUST BE FOR THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND BENEFIT OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.
SAUMA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
17 January 2024
Brilliant Work!