The Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA) has urged the Namibian government to halt research drilling by Headspring Investments for its proposed Wings Uranium project. SAUMA wants the government to disclose the full authorisation granted for additional research boreholes, including conditions, locations, and monitoring authorities. The association expressed concerns that approval of further research activities should not be seen as government approval of chemical leaching or proof of safety for the Stampriet Artesian Basin.
Headspring Investments announced on 3 November that its research phase would not involve chemical reagents and that a revised application for pilot testing would be submitted later. However, SAUMA said this announcement did not alleviate concerns about chemical leaching or groundwater contamination. The association remains opposed to in-situ leach uranium mining in the Stampriet Artesian Basin, citing critical groundwater protection for communities, towns, agriculture, and livelihoods dependent on the aquifer.
SAUMA has requested that the government publish the authorisation in full, identify the issuing authority, specify its duration, and disclose attached conditions. The association also wants clarification on separate authorisations for pilot extraction or chemical injection. Furthermore, SAUMA called for the release of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission report and its recommendations, with references to international expertise supported by actual findings and outstanding concerns.
The association 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. SAUMA said this information should be subjected to independent technical scrutiny. The association also called for identification of authorities responsible for enforcing compliance, inspection arrangements, and reporting requirements, as well as conditions that would trigger an immediate suspension of drilling.
SAUMA wants affected communities and water users to have access to relevant scientific evidence and an opportunity to raise concerns before any decision on pilot extraction. The association also called for public disclosure of consultations with Botswana and South Africa regarding possible implications for the shared aquifer. SAUMA requested an urgent meeting with responsible ministries and representatives of affected communities, along with a timetable for publishing requested documents and responding to concerns.
The association said the government should not authorise chemical injection or pilot uranium recovery while groundwater safety concerns remain unresolved. SAUMA maintained that assurances about technology, investment commitments, and promises of future engagement are insufficient without evidence demonstrating consideration of the Stampriet aquifer's specific conditions. The association will continue scrutinising project decisions and calling for accountability over groundwater protection.
SAUMA's concerns highlight the need for transparency and community engagement in Namibia's uranium mining sector. The association's demands for disclosure and independent scrutiny reflect the importance of protecting the Stampriet Artesian Basin and ensuring that mining activities do not harm local communities or the environment. The government's response to SAUMA's calls for transparency and accountability will be crucial in determining the project's future.
Key points
- SAUMA urges halt to Wings Uranium drilling pending disclosure of authorisation and groundwater protection measures.
- Association wants independent scrutiny of scientific basis for government's decision on uranium project.
- SAUMA calls for transparency and community engagement in Namibia's uranium mining sector.
