Thread: Uranium mines in Namibia

African bloggers have voiced their disapproval over the renewal of the Forsys Metals Corp. uranium exploration licences approved by the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Namibia. But not all bloggers seem to brand the decision to expand Namibia’s uranium mining as suicidal.

Uranium mining in Africa

Uranium mining extracts low concentrations of uranium ore from the ground and is commonly used to fuel nuclear power plants. South Africa, Namibia and Niger (Africa’s leading uranium-producing nation) are some of Africa’s larger mining sites that produce uranium.

“Namibia’s economy is expected to grow at 4.7 percent, as opposed to the growth rate of 3.7 percent last year”

Prospects of uranium mining

Nambia’s mining industry is amongst the world’s elitist mine producers as it grosses up to 50% of Namibia’s export earnings and plays an important role in employment. Catherine Windhoek said: “Namibia’s economy is expected to grow at 4.7 percent, as opposed to the growth rate of 3.7 percent last year”.

Economy more important than the environment

A frustrated blogger commented: “The environment legislation in Namibia (Southern Africa) is weak. As such it is prey to foreign companies obtaining prospecting licences and ultimately mining in extremely environmentally sensitive areas, such as Namib desert”.

Another stated: “The Namibian deserts are totally unique, lots of endangered species depend on them”.

Continuous exploitation

Currently there are a number of uranium mining projects in Namibia by various companies (Extract Resources Ltd and Kalahari Minerals Plc) and similar projects, which African bloggers feel are adding to the cause of pollution in vulnerable areas of Namibia.

“Its time the rest of the world took notice of what’s happening here”

Bloggers' view on the world’s role

Bloggers however seem to be in two minds on the issue as to what role the rest of the world should play as one blogger said: “Its time the world took notice of what’s happening here and put a stop to economic exploitation of an unspoilt part of Africa”.

An opposing blogger suggested that: “We can not continue to ask for worldwide support and money for any one issue, nature is a huge playing field, if we ourselves are the ground-keepers we must keep it as pristine and undamaged as we can”.

Sources: Uranium mining conference, Mining weekly, Namibia’s online community, SADC Review