…spends N$900 million on exploration activities
STAFF REPORTER
Headspring Investments, a subsidiary of global nuclear energy company Rosatom, is making steady progress with its uranium exploration project in the Omaheke region.
The company has already invested N$900 million in exploration activities and related community projects. It is now awaiting permits to begin exploration drilling and is also engaging with Namibian authorities to secure an Environmental Clearance Certificate for a pilot test.
In an interview with Namibia Business Review in June, Kirill Egorov-Kirillov, the Director of Headspring Investments, said the pilot phase will focus on a small section of the site.
“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.”
TECHNICAL APPROACH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS
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.
Egorov-Kirillov noted that the company is not new to this method.
“ISR isn’t new to us. Drawing on Rosatom’s more than 60 years of expertise in this method, evidenced by our operations in Kazakhstan and Russia, we adhere to the highest environmental and safety standards. Our teams conduct rigorous radio-ecological assessments of production sites and surrounding areas, prioritising long-term community and ecological health.”
REGULATORY HURDLES
Headspring Investments has encountered regulatory and environmental hurdles in its efforts to explore for uranium in Namibia’s Stampriet Basin. In 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform revoked two prospecting permits following concerns over procedural compliance, including the number and sealing of exploration boreholes. A government-appointed technical team later recommended that no further drilling be approved until environmental safeguards were strengthened.
The company’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process also suffered a temporary setback when its consultancy partner, Environmental Compliance Consultancy (ECC), withdrew from the project, citing internal disagreements. This led to delays in finalising the EIA.
Some groups have raised environmental concerns, but Egorov-Kirillov said Headspring has taken steps to engage and address these worries through transparency.
“We maintain ongoing dialogue with credible organisations, sharing technical data and collaborative processes to assess risks, fostering informed discussions,” Egorov-Kirillov said. “While some groups remain sceptical, we welcome constructive discourse and remain dedicated to addressing concerns through science-based solutions and proactive engagement.”
He said the company has hosted technical tours for environmental advocates, who visited operational ISR mines and nearby communities in Kazakhstan and Russia.
“During these tours, participants observed all stages of ISR operations while engineers and senior leadership addressed questions in detail,” Egorov-Kirillov said.
Egorov-Kirillov added that Headspring also supports working with third-party experts to independently validate its work, ensuring that its operations meet both global standards and local expectations.
SOCIAL IMPACT AND RESPONSIBILITY
Headspring has also invested in community development as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts. The company has already spent N$7 million on community projects and plans to do more.
Egorov-Kirillov said, “Headspring Investments has prioritised corporate social responsibility as a cornerstone of the Omaheke project from its earliest stages, ensuring community development progresses hand-in-hand alongside exploration.”
In education, the company has funded bursaries for five students studying geology in Russia and sponsored apprenticeships for 20 youth through the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology, 16 of whom have already secured job attachments.
The company also helped start three community gardens in Gobabis and Leonardville to promote food security and sustainable farming. A fully equipped kitchen was built at Noasanabis Primary School, helping to provide daily meals to over 600 learners. Public spaces have also been upgraded, and the company sponsors sports teams and community celebrations to support social cohesion.
CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL GOALS
Egorov-Kirillov said the Omaheke project will involve a significant investment in Namibia if it goes beyond exploration.
“Headspring Investments anticipates investing approximately US$500 million (N$8.95 billion) into Namibia’s economy, encompassing mine development, infrastructure and advanced technologies,” he said.
Hementioned that the wider socio-economic benefits could positively impact as many as 20 000 Namibians, through better infrastructure, community initiatives and improved access to essential services.
Egorov-Kirillov said the project’s life cycle could generate about US$3.5 billion (N$62.65 billion) in tax revenue, which could support public services such as healthcare, education and renewable energy.
He also responded to comments Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made regarding nuclear energy. In April, Nandi-Ndaitwah called for the establishment of a nuclear power plant in Namibia, saying the country’s rich uranium resources should be used to drive national development and energy security.
Egorov-Kirillov said as a Rosatom subsidiary, Headspring is committed to helping Namibia meet its energy goals. “The Omaheke project aims to responsibly unlock uranium reserves that align with Namibia’s existing strengths as a key contributor to the global uranium supply, a critical resource for clean energy worldwide,” he said.
While uranium prices have been relatively stable or declining, Egorov-Kirillov said ISR allows the project to remain profitable. “ISR offers inherent cost advantages that ensure profitability even in lower-price environments,” he said.
Egorov-Kirillov noted that there is renewed interest in global decarbonisation goals in nuclear power, with the demand for uranium expected to grow.
“Namibia, already a top-tier uranium producer, is strategically positioned to meet this demand. By deploying ISR, a method aligned with both economic and environmental priorities, Namibia not only remains competitive but also secures long-term revenue streams from a resource critical to the clean energy transition,” Egorov-Kirillov said.
According to Egorov-Kirillov the biggest challenge has been introducing a new mining method to a region where it has not been used before. He said this requires new regulations and building trust.
“We’ve prioritised working with Namibian institutions to design guidelines that prioritise environmental protection and community interests,” Egorov-Kirillov said. “We’ve hosted workshops and site visits to demystify ISR’s processes, emphasising its low-impact nature.”
Egorov-Kirillov added that with Rosatom’s experience, Headspring hopes to help Namibia set a standard for responsible mining in Africa.
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