Criticism Of Earthlife Agenda

ALLOW me space in your informative and trusted daily newspaper to comment on a letter “Earthlife Uranium Concerns” published in The Namibian of Friday, 15 September 2006 by Bertchen Kors.

Earthlife Namibia should stop criticizing Paladin Resources for its activities at Langer Heinrich Mine just because its is concerned with the environment. Paladin Resources has been in the mining business for many years and they know what they are doing at Langer Heinrich Mine.In the letter Earthlife maintains that LHU is not transparent and forthcoming with regard to their information and plans.This is not true; Earthlife Namibia does not have good relations with the management of Langer Heinrich Mine unlike Rossing which Earthlife Namibia speaks highly about.I am saying this because at the beginning of March 2006 LHU organized a tour for the coastal media where environment, health and safety issues discussed before journalists proceeded to the mine site where they were presented with a prepared and detailed project summary.In this media tour issues such as radiation, pollution, water and electricity consumption were also not left out.All criticism from Earthlife Namibia is nothing other than to block development projects which will boost the economy of this country and create employment for Namibians including foreign nationals.During construction of the mine LHU employed 330 people.How many Namibians does Earthlife employ? Langer Heinrich Mine’s activities will last for 17 years and continued exploration will prolong the mine’s productivity for as long as 25 years.Animals at Rossing have now also accepted the high noise level caused by huge mining machinery including the weekly blasting in the open pit area.Paladin Resources should go ahead with its uranium activities at Langer Heinrich Mine because this is in the interests of the Namibian government and its people and not only for a few individuals who do not want Namibia’s natural resources to be explored for the benefit of Namibians.James M Likando ArandisPaladin Resources has been in the mining business for many years and they know what they are doing at Langer Heinrich Mine.In the letter Earthlife maintains that LHU is not transparent and forthcoming with regard to their information and plans.This is not true; Earthlife Namibia does not have good relations with the management of Langer Heinrich Mine unlike Rossing which Earthlife Namibia speaks highly about.I am saying this because at the beginning of March 2006 LHU organized a tour for the coastal media where environment, health and safety issues discussed before journalists proceeded to the mine site where they were presented with a prepared and detailed project summary.In this media tour issues such as radiation, pollution, water and electricity consumption were also not left out.All criticism from Earthlife Namibia is nothing other than to block development projects which will boost the economy of this country and create employment for Namibians including foreign nationals.During construction of the mine LHU employed 330 people.How many Namibians does Earthlife employ? Langer Heinrich Mine’s activities will last for 17 years and continued exploration will prolong the mine’s productivity for as long as 25 years.Animals at Rossing have now also accepted the high noise level caused by huge mining machinery including the weekly blasting in the open pit area.Paladin Resources should go ahead with its uranium activities at Langer Heinrich Mine because this is in the interests of the Namibian government and its people and not only for a few individuals who do not want Namibia’s natural resources to be explored for the benefit of Namibians.James M Likando Arandis