книги / 715

NATIONAL REPORTS: NAMIBIA

Swakop Uranium’s environmental activities included expanding the bio-physical monitoring network to detect early pollution for air quality and groundwater aspects along with additions to the biodiversity monitoring network. Since Swakop Uranium operates within the Namib Naukluft National Park, it is responsible for minimising impacts on this fragile ecosystem and along infrastructure routes to site. Water requirements have been met with the supply of desalinated water through an agreement between Swakop Uranium, NamWater and Orano.

Projects have been initiated to address some of the research needs of Swakop Uranium’s Environmental Management Plan. Groundwater monitoring in both the Khan and Swakop rivers has been undertaken to collect baseline water-level and water quality data. Groundwater monitoring wells are established around the locations of the open pits, waste rock dump and the tailings storage facility to measure the effect that pit groundwater drawdown has on the area. Water quality in drawdown wells is used as additional baseline data and monitoring throughout the life of the mine will provide an early warning system of potential impacts. As early as 2009, Swakop Uranium began assessing the amount of particulate matter (dust in the air) to contribute to baseline environmental data collection. A dust suppressant is used at Husab on the pit and dump haul roads and other gravel roads. This reduces the dust produced to acceptable levels, as well as saving up to 90% of the water that would be required to achieve the same level of control if no suppressant is used.

Site rehabilitation

All Namibian uranium operators subscribe to the Mine Closure Framework of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia. The purpose of this Mine Closure Framework is to provide guidance for the Namibian mining industry in how to develop relevant, practical and cost-effective closure plans and to lay down minimum requirements for the members of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia bound by the Chamber’s Code of Conduct and Ethics.

The framework addresses the need to:

•conform to current legislative requirements;

•consult with a variety of stakeholders to derive a widely acceptable social, economic and environmental closure outcome;

•develop an optimal closure strategy based on envisaged and agreed final postmining social and environmental conditions;

•develop a plan of practical closure actions, incorporating the optimal strategy;

•provide all the necessary financial, knowledge and skills resources at implementation of the closure plan;

•have a formal relinquishment process in place releasing the mining company from future obligations when closure outcomes have been accepted and achieved.

The establishment of the Rössing Environmental Rehabilitation Fund, which provides for the mine’s closure expenditure, complies with statutory obligations and stipulated requirements of both the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Accordingly, the Fund Agreement states that each year the mining company will pay a contribution to the fund to provide for the eventual closure of the mine.

At the end of December 2016, the fund had a cash balance of NAD 600 million. In 2016 the total cost of closure excluding retrenchment costs was estimated at NAD 1.5 billion. The mine will make additional payments to the fund each year to provide for the eventual total cost of closure by 2025.

NATIONAL REPORTS: NAMIBIA

Corporate social responsibility

Members of the NUA have undertaken corporate social responsibility projects for more than three decades. Members also fully support the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) initiative, and work with government in this important venture to eliminate the inequalities sadly still prevailing in Namibian society.

The Namibian uranium industry currently has a total of 28 Corporate Social Responsibility projects. Out of these, 18 support the HPP pillar of Social Progression, and a majority of 13 projects concentrate on education and training. Four projects address hunger and poverty, while sanitation is also dealt with by one.

Nine projects contribute to the HPP pillar of Economic Advancement, of which seven deal with economic transformation through Small and medium-sized enterprise development and micro loan schemes, and one with youth enterprise development. One company addresses economic competitiveness by developing a process supporting employment and revenue generation through upgrading Namibian uranium deposits. A project under the HPP pillar of infrastructure development has contributed to the supply of water to communities. Projects of NUA’s affiliated members from the service providing sector add to the ones listed.

The Erongo Development Foundation is an important partner for NUA in realising the effective selection of projects. Active participation NUA on the board of the Erongo Development Foundation ensures that industry is keeping abreast with issues and needs of the communities in order to support them as best as possible.

Rössing Uranium’s community and social investments are channelled directly through the Rössing Foundation towards these programmes, but the mine also supported various community-investment initiatives directly. Rössing particularly promotes healthy, safe and environmentally-responsible lifestyles among neighbouring communities, and makes direct contributions to initiatives targeting biodiversity protection, conservation, health and safety (including HIV/Aids) and waste management.

Despite facing various production and market challenges during 2016, Rössing remained steadfast in honouring corporate social responsibilities. This goal was accomplished through continued and generous investment supporting sustainability of neighbouring communities. The community and social investment focus is aligned with the requirements of Namibia's Mining Charter. The charter, overseen by the Chamber of Mines of Namibia, is aimed at positively and proactively addressing sustainable and broad-based economic and social transformation in the Namibian mining sector and is grounded in key government policies such as Vision 2030, the National Development Plan 4 (NDP4) and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.

Throughout 2016, Rössing ensured accountability by tracking compliance against the charter’s targets. This is over and above the direct and indirect economic benefits the company created through local employment and the procurement of goods and services from local businesses.

A three-year safety awareness initiative, designated as the Project Safety W.I.S.E., which Rössing implemented in partnership with Areva Resources Namibia and the Directorate of Education, Arts and Culture of the Erongo Regional Council in 2015, continued throughout 2016. This initiative supports the creation of a culture of safety among primary education learners in Arandis, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. The initiative is built on the belief that if learners are exposed to safety awareness in small but progressively increasing amounts throughout their education, safety consciousness will become an integral part of their lives.

NATIONAL REPORTS: NAMIBIA

The Langer Heinrich mine implemented a Social Performance Management Plan, which is consistent with the ISO 14001 and 26000 and follows the ISO 26000 systems plan.

Swakop Uranium, also a contributing member of the Namibian Uranium Association, has committed itself to social aspects such as local procurement, recruitment and employment, involvement in social responsibility programmes, training, education and sound environmental management practices. The Swakop Uranium Foundation was established to support the Erongo region and Namibia.

Orano has engaged with stakeholders at local, regional and national level in the areas of economic development, education, culture and sport, and fully supports the Harambee Prosperity Plan.

Another example is Bannerman Resources who even at an early stage of development focuses on education and tourism as part of their social programme. The company is an active member of the Erongo Development Foundation and its managing the foundation’s artisan development programme. Bannerman has to date also supported over 2 000 disadvantaged primary school children within the Erongo Region and recently expanded this programme to other regions within Namibia. Bannerman’s work within the tourism industry focuses primarily on skills development for conservancy members working at lodges throughout Namibia.

Depressed uranium prices currently present a major challenge to the uranium exploration and mining companies, and the contributions therefore speak for themselves when it comes to the unwavering commitment of the industry to the improvement of living standards for all Namibians, even in economically challenging times.

Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act, Act No 5 of 2005

The Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act, 2005 (Act No.5 of 2005) was gazetted on 16 January 2012. It is administered by the National Radiation Protection Authority and provides for the regulation of all activities associated with radiation sources, radioactive or nuclear material.

The primary purpose of the act is to:

•protect people against the harmful effects of radiation;

•minimise environmental pollution that may be caused by radiological contamination;

•ensure the safety of facilities and radiation sources;

•guarantee that Namibia meets its obligations within the context of international legal instruments in the sector of radiation or nuclear technologies.

Regulatory regime

Namibia has been mining uranium for more than 40 years and is covered by a range of comprehensive legislation that governs uranium exploration and mining. First and foremost, the Namibian Constitution provides for the protection of the environment and the welfare of humankind.

Furthermore, the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act 1992 (No. 33) requires every licence holder to conduct environmental impact assessments before the start of exploration. The Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act 33 of 1992 is the principle legislation for the granting mining exploration and mining licences. Section 102 of the Act prohibits the processing, import, export or possession of source material without the Minister’s approval.

NATIONAL REPORTS: NAMIBIA

Namibia’s Environmental Management Act of 2007 (Act No. 7 of 2007) came into effect in 2012 and underlines the importance of consultation with interested and affected parties. The act promotes the sustainable management of the environment and the use of natural resources by establishing principles for decision-making on matters affecting the environment and provides environmental impact assessment regulations.

Uranium mining is regulated under both, the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act No. 33 of 1992 and Environmental Management Act of No. 7 of 2007.

Government had imposed a moratorium on applications for exclusive prospecting licences (EPLs) for nuclear fuel minerals in 2007, which was terminated on 15 December 2016, providing an opportunity for further exploration within the country.

Namibia is party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has a comprehensive safeguards agreement in force since 1998, and in 2000 signed and ratified the Additional Protocol. During 2016 a national legislative review mission was undertaken by the International Atomic Energy Agency to provide advice on the revision of the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act and discussed steps to enhance the national legal framework and to boost adherence to the relevant international legal instruments.

Epangelo Mining Company was established in July 2008 to participate in the mining sector as per the provisions of the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act, and acquire mining rights and equity by concluding joint ventures with existing companies. The Namibian government is the sole shareholder. Namibia has identified uranium as a strategic mineral and potential source of energy production within the nuclear fuel cycle. The government has expressed its desire to increase beneficiation to enhance economic development and is considering nuclear power to augment its energy needs.

Uranium requirements

At present, Namibia has no nuclear power generating facilities. More than half of Namibia’s electricity supply of some 4 400 GWh per year is supplied from neighbouring states South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Uranium policies, uranium stocks and uranium prices

National policies relating to uranium

The government has designated its uranium resources as strategic and controlled minerals that must be treated differently from other minerals, among other reasons, because of the risk of proliferation, its characteristic as material for production of nuclear weapons, its use as fuel for energy production and its associated radiological risks.

In consideration of the special nature of uranium ore and its products, and the radiological and fissile properties of uranium, the government is prompted to develop a responsive regulatory framework, which will address health, safety, research and development applicable to the nuclear fuel cycle. In addition, Namibia is considering the development of commercial nuclear power to promote energy security and meet its increasing energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with international climate change obligations. The country has therefore developed a Nuclear Fuel Cycle Policy.

NATIONAL REPORTS: NAMIBIA

Uranium exploration and development expenditures and drilling effort – domestic

(NAD – Namibian dollars)

* Non-governmental expenditure.

Reasonably assured conventional resources by deposit type

(tonnes U)

Reasonably assured conventional resources by production method

(tonnes U)

Reasonably assured conventional resources by processing method

(tonnes U)

* A subset of open-pit and underground mining, since it is used in conjunction with them.

NATIONAL REPORTS: NAMIBIA

Inferred conventional resources by deposit type

(tonnes U)

Inferred conventional resources by production method

(tonnes U)

Inferred conventional resources by processing method

(tonnes U)

* A subset of open-pit and underground mining, since it is used in conjunction with them.

Prognosticated conventional resources

(tonnes U)

Cost ranges

Speculative conventional resources

(tonnes U)

Cost ranges

NATIONAL REPORTS: NAMIBIA

Historical uranium production by deposit type

(tonnes U in concentrate)

Historical uranium production by production method

(tonnes U in concentrates)

1. Pre-2010 totals may include uranium recovered by heap and in-place leaching.

Historical uranium production by processing method

(tonnes U in concentrates)

Ownership of uranium production in 2016

Uranium industry employment at existing production centres

(Person-years)

NATIONAL REPORTS: NAMIBIA

Short-term production capability

(tonnes U/year)

NATIONAL REPORTS: NIGER

Niger*

Uranium exploration and mine development

Historical review

Uranium exploration began in 1956 in the Arlit area of Niger within the Tim Mersoï sedimentary basin, and uranium was first discovered in sandstone at Azelik in 1957 by the French Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM). The French Atomic Energy Commission initiated further studies of the sandstone, which were taken over by the Compagnie Générale des Matières Nucléaires (COGEMA) and resulted in the discoveries of Abokurum (1959), Madaouela (1963), Arlette, Ariege, Artois and Taza (1965), Imouraren (1966) and Akouta (1967).

The Société des Mines de l’Aïr (Somaïr) was created in 1968 and started production from the Arlette deposit in 1971 by shallow (60 m depth) open-pit mining. From 1971 to 1988, acid heap leaching was used at Arlit, producing 200-600 tU per year, for a total of 5 900 tU over this 17-year period. The uranium recovery rate achieved was low at 50% or less and from 1988 to 2009 more than 10 Mt of low-grade ore (0.08% U average grade) has been stockpiled. In 2009, after conducting tests over several years, Somaïr restarted heap leaching using an improved process to achieve recovery rates above 85%. Since the start of operations in 1971, about 70 000 tU were produced at Somaïr mine. In 2017, due to tough condition of the uranium market, Somaïr entered into a plan of production reduction (1 700 tU).

The Compagnie Minière d’Akouta (Cominak) was set up in 1974 and started production from the Akouta and Akola deposits, near the town of Akokan. This is an underground operation at a depth of about 250 m. Production has now switched to the deposit of Ebba/Afasto, south of Akouta and Akola. Since the start of operations in 1978, more than 70 000 tU were produced at Cominak mine.

In 2004, COGEMA and the government of Niger signed an agreement to undertake a major exploration programme. In subsequent years, both Somaïr and Cominak were involved in exploration solely for the purpose of better evaluating previously discovered deposits. Somaïr delineated the Taza Nord deposit, while Cominak evaluated a mineralised area south-east of the Akola deposit.

Development of the large Imouraren deposit about 80 km south of Arlit was confirmed in January 2008. In 2009, Areva (Orano) was awarded a mining licence and a joint venture agreement was signed to develop Imouraren, but it was shelved because of unfavourable market conditions.

In 2006, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) signed an agreement to develop the Azelik-Abokurum deposit and a new company, Société des Mines d’Azelik (Somina), was created in 2007 for this purpose. About 670 tU were produced up to 2014 when the mine was put in care and maintenance.

* Report prepared by the NEA/IAEA, based on company reports and government data.

NATIONAL REPORTS: NIGER

All uranium deposits in Niger are located within the Tim Mersoï Basin, a sub-basin of the Illemmenden Basin. Tim Mersoï Basin is in close proximity to the main Arlit-In- Azaoua fault. Uranium is mined close to the twin mining towns of Arlit and Akokan, 900 km north-east of the capital Niamey (more than 1 200 km by road) on the southern border of the Sahara Desert and the western range of the Aïr Mountains. The concentrates are trucked to ports in Benin and the majority are exported to the Malvési conversion facility in France.

Recent and ongoing uranium exploration and mine development activities

Uranium exploration in Niger was revitalised in 2007. A total of six new exploration permits were granted that year and by 2011 uranium exploration activities were being carried out on 160 concessions by foreign companies. From 2001 to 2016, 356 uranium exploration permits have been registered. However since 2011, there have been increasing geopolitical tensions in the region, resulting in foreign companies like Paladin and URU Metals ceasing exploration activities in Niger.

Following a 2006 agreement in which Areva (currently Orano) agreed to increase royalty payments to the government by 50%; the development of the Imouraren deposit about 80 km south of Arlit and 160 km north of Agadez was confirmed in January 2008. In January 2009, Areva (Orano) was awarded a mining licence. The Imouraren SA mining company was established, with Areva NC Expansion (86.5% Areva, 13.5% KEPCO) holding a 66.65% interest and Sopamin of Niger holding the remaining 33.35%.

The Imouraren project is a EUR 1.9 billion investment, and Orano has agreed to spend EUR 6 million per year on health, education, training, transport and access to water and energy for local people. Production is expected to be 5 000 tU/yr for 35 years. The deposit covers 8 km by 2.5 km and Orano reports 213 722 tonnes of uranium reserves at 0.072% U, plus 62 584 tU indicated resources. Average depth is 110 m and maximum thickness 60 m. At full production, the project’s heap leaching facility will process 20 000 tonnes of ore per day with an expected 85% rate of recovery. Excavation of the first pit started in mid2012. In May 2014, with current uranium prices not sufficient to allow profitable mining of the deposit, the government and Areva agreed to set up a joint strategic committee that will determine when mining should start.

GoviEx Uranium in 2008 held exploration properties of 2 300 km2 near the Arlit mine, including the Madaouela deposit, as well as 2 000 km2 near Agadez. Trendfield (25%) and UK-based GoviEx Uranium Inc formed the GoviEx Niger JV in 2007 to explore the Madaouela and Anou Melle deposits, but Trendfield then exchanged this equity for a 10% share of GoviEx. GoviEx was founded by one of its major shareholder Govind Friedland. In August 2008, Cameco bought an 11% share in the company for USD 28 million, with option to increase to 48%. The Niger government holds the right to hold a 10% carried interest and the option to purchase a further 30% share when the Nigerien mining company is incorporated.

The GoviEx drilling programme commenced in August 2008, after the permission to start field works in the vicinity of the Madaouela Army Base was obtained. The GoviEx work programme was based on three objectives: i) Resource definition drilling of Marianne and Marilyn deposits; ii) Exploration and resource definition drilling on the Madaouela South deposit area; and iii) Exploratory drilling between the known deposits. As of 14 January 2010 for Marianne-Marilyn and 15 February 2010 for Madaouela South, a project wide total of 584 000 m have been drilled by GoviEx, including outlying exploration holes and water well testing holes. In January 2016, GoviEx obtained two new exploration licences, Eralral and Agaliouk in close proximity to the five other licences Madaouela (I, II, III IV) and Anou Melle.

GoviEx has developed an NI 43-101 Integrated Development Plan for five deposits (Marianne, Marilyn, Miriam, MSNE and Maryvonne). The Integrated Development Plan is based on detailed pre-feasibility geological studies, metallurgical testing and processing