Press Releases

With all due respect to Governor Nganate, he seems misinformed. The Namibian Government sought consultation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose experts visited in February 2026. However, the IAEA is not truly "ind" as it promotes nuclear power. Their focus on uranium makes it clear that promoting nuclear energy is their primary goal, while "safe and secure use" is secondary. Additionally, former officials from Russia's ROSATOM now work with the IAEA, questioning their independence. The proposed uranium mine in Omaheke, according to the IAEA's, is not an ISL mine, placing it directly in the aquifer and risking contamination. Framing poverty against radioactive pollution of a major aquifer is unethical.

Why are we even considering putting foreign interests ahead of the health and safety of Namibians?

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The civil society organisation, SAUMA (Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association) has repeatedly pointed out the scientific proof that illustrates the dangers of in situ leaching (ISL) to the underground Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) drinking water, yet scant regard has been given to these concerns despite the requirements of the Water (Resources Management) Act 11 of 2013.

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The Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA) expresses serious concerns regarding the recent report tabled in Parliament by the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, which recommends that Headspring Investments be permitted to drill and conduct in situ uranium extraction at its Omaheke sites in the transboundary Stampriet Artesian Basin. SAUMA was taken by surprise by the Committee’s findings. ​

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Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources: Report on the Exploration Activities by Headspring Investments / Rosatom in Namibia - View and Download Here

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Unfounded claims on In-Situ Recovery mining of uranium misleads readers. On 18 April 2025, The Villager newspaper, published an opinion piece by self-declared community activist, Anton Geinub, in an article entitled “What Uranium One (Headspring Investments Rosatom) means for Leonardville”. He asked for support of the Leonardville Uranium One in-situ leaching mining project that's in an exploratory phase to help bring it to scale. His article focuses on what the company has done for schools thus far, and makes a brief plug for In-Situ Recovery (ISR) as "safe and environmentally friendly".

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Most of rural Namibia depends on underground water for drinking and farming. Even towns like Tsumeb, Kombat, Outjo, Otjiwarongo and those in the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) like Leonardville, Aranos, Aminuis, Stampriet, Gochas and Koës only exist because of the underground water. Vast quantities of underground water in the SAB are used for irrigation to help feed our nation. Government has recognised how critical groundwater is and has made the SAB a legislated Water Protection Area.

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Ope brief aan die Namibiese publiek en aan besluitnemers in die regering Wetenskap is juis hoekom SAUMA ISL-mynbou teëstaan.Verskeie onlangse mediaberigte vermy, ignoreer of ontkendie gevare van in situ logings-mynbou, wat SAUMA herhaaldelik geopper het. Artikels maak ook misleidend aanspraak op die afwesigheid van wetenskaplike bewyse, maar maak dan self misleidende, of selfs valse stellings.​​​​​​

Open letter to the Namibian public and to decision makers in government. Science is precisely why SAUMA opposes ISL mining. Various recent media reports studiously avoid, ignore or even negate the dangers of in situ leach mining, which SAUMA has repeatedly raised. Articles also misleadingly claim the absence of scientific proof, but then make misleading, or even false, statements themselves. ​​​​

A High-Level Meeting on the proposed insitu leach uranium mining in the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System, was held at Lapa Lange close to Mariental, last week Monday, 17 June 2024. Various speakers, specialists and scientists delivered talks and presentations on risks involved with in-situ leach mining. You can watch, read and download HERE.

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The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform in conjunction with UNESCO, invited stakeholders, role players and decision makers to a High-Level Meeting on the proposed in situ leach uranium mining in the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System, held at Lapa Lange close to Mariental, on Monday 17 June 2024.

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Full Support For Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA).

The United People`s Movement hereby informs the public of its intention to fully support and rally behind the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Association (SAUMA). ​​​​

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Extension Of The Period To Access The Environmental Impact Assessment Report For The Proposed Wings Project - Preliminary Pilot Test Mining-Work Based On In Situ Leaching (Isl) Mining Method, Aranos Basin, Omaheke Region, Central Eastern Namibia.​

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Ope Brief aan die Kabinetslede, Parlementslede, Staande Komitees, Streekgoewerneurs, Raadslede, Tradisionele Owerhede en die Namibiese publiek Risiko's aangedui deur die voorgestelde In Situ Logings-ontginning van uraan in die Stampriet Artesiese Kom, suid-oos van Namibië.​

Open Letter to the Members of Cabinet, Members of Parliament, Standing Committees, Regional Governors, Councilors, Traditional Authorities and the Namibian Public Risks posed by the proposed In Situ Leach Mining of Uranium in the  Stampriet Artesian Basin, southeastern Namibia.

SAUMA 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.

SAUMA raises concerns about in situ uranium mining in the Stampriet Artesian Basin at a meeting with Parliamentary Standing Committee.

SAUMA has repeatedly requested an audience with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, without success.

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Agenda for the joint meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committees of Natural Resources and Economics and Public Administration with Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA)Friday, 17 November 2023

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Three members of the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA) recently joined a group  on a trip to Russia to visit the JSC Dalur Mine in the region of Chelyabinsk.

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The SAUMA Management was informed that an Application: Notice of Motion Review in the High Court of Namibia was issued with Headspring Investment (Pty) Ltd as applicant – ROSATOMS Subsidiary in Namibia.

Open letter to Mr Pijoo Nganate, Governor of the Omaheke region, on in situ leach mining of uranium in the drinking water aquifer of the Stampriet Artesian Basin.

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The Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA) continues to raise awareness on concerns of pollution resulting from the planned uranium mining in the drinking-water aquifer of the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB)

Hou jy daarvan om ‘n sundowner op ‘n Kalahariduin te drink terwyl jy jou tone diep in die rooi sand inboor? En hou jy daarvan om wintermaande vir jou ‘n paar vet springbokke te kom skiet wat in die strate tussen die duine wei?​

Summary of events and activities by the SAUMC/SAUMA relating to exploration activities for uranium in the Stampriet Artesian Basin

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Various media houses and other entities were invited to pay a visit to the farm Tripoli on Wednesday (20 July 2022), in the Leonardville area, south-eastern Namibia. (It needs to be stated that the SAUM Committee did not receive an invitation for this outing.) A

In the Namibian of 13th December 2021, page 12, you published a letter entitled “Uranium mining brings sustainable benefits” from Mr Andrey Shutov, President of Uranium One, the Russian state-owned uranium exploration, mining and processing agency. 

EPL Holders

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Constitution of the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association to be formed.

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