CHAMWE KAIRA
Osino Gold Exploration and Mining (Pty) Ltd has received environmental clearance to abstract groundwater from the Kranzberg Aquifer in Usakos for use as a water supply option for its Twin Hills Mine in the Erongo Region.
The Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC 2603737) was granted by the ministry of environment, forestry and tourism’s directorate of environmental affairs on 3 September, according to a notification issued by SLR Environmental Consulting on behalf of Osino.
The approval was granted under the Environmental Management Act of 2007 and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of 2012.
The proposed groundwater abstraction forms part of the water supply options for the Twin Hills Mine, which Osino is developing in the Erongo Region.
SLR said the decision followed the environmental impact assessment process for the proposed abstraction of groundwater from the Kranzberg Aquifer.
The clearance is subject to the provisions of the Environmental Management Act and the applicable environmental regulations.
The notice also provides for an appeal against the Environmental Commissioner’s decision.
Under Section 50 of the Environmental Management Act, persons aggrieved by the decision may appeal. Regulation 25(2) of the EIA Regulations requires appeals to be submitted within 14 days from receipt of the notification, using the prescribed Ministry form and accompanied by the required fee.
The proposed open-pit operation is expected to require about 3 300 cubic metres of water a day, or approximately 1.1 million cubic metres annually, based on an initial throughput of 5 million tonnes a year.
According to an environmental and social impact assessment prepared by SLR, Osino has a licensed groundwater abstraction allocation of 0.75 million cubic metres a year from the Karibib Marble Aquifer.
The company is pursuing a diversified water supply strategy because of water scarcity and climate variability in central Namibia. Additional sources under consideration include pit dewatering, tailings filtration and wastewater reuse.
The proposed Sand Storage Dam (SSD) could provide between 30% and 40% of the mine’s water demand, with about 7.4 million cubic metres of seasonal flow expected through the Spes Bona compartment.
The assessment also proposes managed aquifer recharge,whereby captured water could be injected into the Karibib Marble Aquifer to reduce evaporation losses and enhance groundwater recharge.
The water strategy is intended to strengthen long-term supply security for the planned mine life.
The Twin Hills gold project near Karibib is targeting first gold production before the end of 2027.
Twin Hills is expected to have a life of more than ten years, with an annual production profile averaging close to 170 000 ounces once the operation reaches steady state.
Two years ago, Osino announced that it had been acquired by Shanjin International Gold for N$4.8 billion.
Shanjin said the Twin Hills gold mine project is expected to increase gold production capacity by five tons per year upon commencement of production.
