CHAMWE KAIRA
The Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA) has called for a halt to newly authorised research drilling by Headspring Investments for its proposed Wings Uranium project, pending the publication of the authorisation and independent scrutiny of groundwater protection measures.
SAUMA said the government should disclose the full authorisation granted to Headspring Investments for additional research boreholes, including the conditions attached, the locations covered and the authorities responsible for monitoring compliance.
The association said the approval of further research activities should not be interpreted as government approval of chemical leaching or proof that the proposed uranium extraction method is safe for the Stampriet Artesian Basin.
Headspring Investments announced on 3 November that its research phase would not involve the use of chemical reagents and that a revised application for pilot testing would be submitted at a later stage.
SAUMA said the announcement did not establish that chemical leaching had been approved or demonstrate that uranium extraction would not affect groundwater resources.
The association, which remains opposed to in-situ leach uranium mining in the Stampriet Artesian Basin, said groundwater protection was critical for communities, towns, agriculture and livelihoods dependent on the aquifer.
It argued that even research drilling without chemical reagents required public scrutiny, particularly regarding how boreholes would be constructed, sealed and monitored to prevent groundwater contamination.
SAUMA has requested that the government publish the authorisation in full, identify the authority that issued it, specify its duration and disclose all conditions attached to the approval.
It also wants the government to clarify whether separate authorisations have been issued for pilot extraction or chemical injection.
The association further called for the release of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission report and its recommendations, saying references to international expertise should be supported by disclosure of the actual findings, qualifications and outstanding concerns.
SAUMA also wants the scientific basis for the government’s decision made public, including the research programme, baseline water-quality data, aquifer assessments and groundwater protection measures.
It said the information should be subjected to independent technical scrutiny.
On regulatory oversight, the association called for the government to identify the authorities responsible for enforcing compliance, inspection arrangements and reporting requirements, as well as the conditions that would trigger an immediate suspension of drilling.
SAUMA said affected communities and water users should be given access to the relevant scientific evidence and an opportunity to raise concerns before any decision is taken on pilot extraction.
It also called for public disclosure of consultations with Botswana and South Africa regarding possible implications for the shared aquifer.
The association said it wanted an urgent meeting with the responsible ministries and representatives of affected communities, together with a timetable for publishing the requested documents and responding to its concerns.
SAUMA said the government should not authorise chemical injection or pilot uranium recovery while groundwater safety concerns remained unresolved.
It maintained that assurances about the technology, investment commitments and promises of future engagement were insufficient without evidence demonstrating that the specific conditions of the Stampriet aquifer had been adequately considered.
The association said it would continue scrutinising decisions relating to the project and calling for accountability over the protection of the groundwater resource.
