CHAMWE KAIRA
Namisun, the environment project company has said its opinion is that the environmental aspects and potential impacts relating to the proposed uranium exploration activities of GIB Mining in EPL 10131 in the Namib Naukluft National Park (NNNP), in the Erongo Region, have been successfully identified and assessed as part of this EIA Scoping process.
Namisun said relevant management and mitigation measures have been provided to ensure significant environmental and social impacts are avoided or minimized and positive social impacts enhanced, where relevant.
In consideration of the park management plan of NNNP, careful consideration from GIB Mining as well as the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) and Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) is required in respect of any planned mining activities near the Gemsbokwater Waterhole.
“This means that even though MEFT might allow exploration activities in EPL 10131. It is Namisun’s, opinion that an early and a more detailed Environmental Screening Study be initiated, if mining and related activities are proposed near the Gemsbokwater Waterhole,” Namisun said in projects documents.
Namisun recommended that, if the MEFT provides a positive decision on the application for the proposed exploration activities of GIB Mining in EPL 10131, they should include a condition to the clearance that GIB Mining must implement all commitments and adhere to the management and mitigation measures contained in the EMP, also taking the stakeholders comments into consideration regarding the need for an in-depth screening study for possible future mining activities in the relevant areas.
GIB Mining Namiba is the Namibian registered company of Gibb River Diamonds Limited of Australia. In Namibia GIB Mining has acquired six Exclusive Prospecting Licenses (EPLs) covering 1828 km2, two of which are in the Erongo Region.
“Exploration activities are proposed in targeted areas only and will commence as soon possible, on both EPLs, depending on the decision by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the issuing of Environmental Clearance Certificates (ECCs).”
Gib Mining is situated east of Swakopmund, and south of the existing Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine within the Namib Naukluft National Park in the Erongo Region.
Namisun announced that potential environmental issues associated with the proposed activities, taking into account that the EPLs are located within the include Namib Naukluft National Park like physical destruction and general disturbance of vegetation, fauna and sensitive habitats because of the ground-based exploration activities; disturbance of fauna as a result of airborne surveys. The other issues include management of waste generated from the exploration activities.
Furthermore, other issues are potential surface and groundwater contamination from hydrocarbon spillages during the execution of some exploration activities. Other possible negative factors include possible impact and losses of historical, archaeological, or paleontological resources.
