TIRI MASAWI
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi has maintained a hardline stance on proposed uranium mining in the Omaheke region which houses the country’s largest underground water aquifer.
Zaamwani-Kamwi this week told Namibia Business Review in an interview that she is not convinced that the proposed mining method will spare the ground water in the area from being contaminated.
She said she will continue with the stance taken by her predecessor Calle Schlettwein on the matter. Schlettwein was against the proposed mining methods, arguing that it lacked enough scientific backing and had potential to risk both human and animal life with possible underground water contamination.
Zaamwani-Kamwi has maintained her predecessor’s position.
“While Namibia is one of the leading countries in uranium mining in Africa, the application of Ins-situ leach (ISL) mining is relatively new to the country. At present, there are no specific regulations or standards in place to govern exploration or mining activities using this method,” she said.
Zaamwani-Kamwi said this regulatory gap presents both opportunities and risks.
“On the one hand, ISL offers potential environmental and economic advantages compared to conventional mining; on the other, the absence of clear guidelines may create uncertainties for operators, regulators, and communities, particularly in relation to environmental protection, water resource management, and long-term sustainability,” she said.
Zaamwani-Kamwi argued that the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System (STAS) is an important water source for livestock farming, irrigation and domestic use.
She said while the proposed in situ leaching method proposed for the operations by Uranium One presents potential economic benefits through uranium extraction, Namibia’s current capacity and data limitations pose significant environmental and social risks.
“Independent experts reviewed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed Uranium One – Wings Project and found it lacks critical baseline data, site characterisation, hydrodynamic modelling, and a robust monitoring plan.
“The method proposed for acid in-situ leach uranium mining poses potential risks of long-term or irreversible groundwater contamination, which could jeopardise water used for livestock, irrigation, and domestic supply. The farmers’ concerns are valid, especially since the aquifer supports agriculture and livelihoods in Omaheke and Hardap regions,” said.
The minister said that until the data gaps are addressed and stringent safeguards are in place, the fears raised by the community on potential water contamination remain unresolved.
She said the government is working on strengthening regulatory frameworks, building technical capacity, and prioritising water resource protection as crucial steps toward ensuring the country’s readiness for ISL mining without compromising its vital water resources or the wellbeing of its people.
“At this stage, the project has not sufficiently addressed the legitimate fears of regulators, farmers and other groundwater users in the Stampriet Basin.
Zaamwani-Kamwi said the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform still considers the Stampriet aquifer highly vulnerable and not yet proven to be safe from the risks associated with ISL mining.
She said experts emphasised that the restoration method proposed (natural attenuation) is not backed by sufficient scientific evidence for this setting. Namibia is currently working on the technical capacity, regulatory framework, and laboratory facilities to monitor and manage such a complex operation.
“In short, no ISL related operation should proceed until it is conclusively demonstrated that it can be done safely, without endangering human health or the aquifer system,” the minister said.
According to Zaamwani-Kamwi, a joint ministerial technical committee established by cabinet to investigate uranium exploration and in-situ leaching (ISL) mining in the Stampriet Basin found that Headspring currently holds only exploration licenses, which do not permit test mining.
“The technical committee recommended that the government regularly analyse the water quality in the Stampriet Aquifer to monitor contaminant levels, investigate the concept of in-situ leaching and to protect groundwater.
When these activities must take place in vulnerable areas, it is critical to use methods that won’t harm the quality or quantity of the groundwater,” she said
In an interview with Namibia Business Review in June, Kirill Egorov-Kirillov, the Director of Headspring Investments, said the pilot phase of their project will focus deal with scientifically grounded decisions about the project’s feasibility and design
“The pilot phase will occupy a highly targeted area of 225 square metres, or 0.00002% of the total deposit, ensuring minimal surface disturbance,” Egorov-Kirillov said. “This phase is critical to gathering precise technical and economic data, including groundwater impact assessments, to inform scientifically grounded decisions about the project’s feasibility and design.”
Headspring plans to use a method called in-situ leaching or in-situ recovery (ISR). Concerns have been raised by farmers, environmental advocates and international experts about the potential impact of this method of uranium mining on the Stampriet aquifer, which supplies water to parts of southern Namibia. As a result, Headspring’s application for new permits remains under review, with the project currently on hold.
Egorov-Kirillov explained that ISR reduces environmental impact by avoiding surface digging. “Recognised by the International Atomic Energy Agency as the most environmentally responsible way to extract uranium, ISR operates by dissolving minerals directly from underground ore bodies using boreholes,” Egorov-Kirillov said.
He added: “This eliminates the need for open pits, waste rock piles, or tailings dams, which are key concerns with traditional mining. By design, it avoids surface disruption, dust and noise, preserving Namibia’s natural landscapes and ecosystems.”
Egorov-Kirillov said the company monitors groundwater closely through a system of wells placed across several aquifers and tracks changes in real time. This is supported by quarterly sampling to ensure water quality remains within baseline levels. A 24/7 geotechnical 3D model also oversees underground activity to detect any deviations.
“A critical aspect of ISR is restoration. After extraction, we restore groundwater to its original composition using methods validated during our pilot phase, whether acid, alkaline or other solutions. This process is enhanced by natural aquifer self-restoration, and the minimal surface footprint means land can be fully reclaimed for future use,” Egorov-Kirillov explained
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