More time needed for uranium policy

EARTHLIFE Namibia says it is deeply concerned about the short period allocated for the drafting of Namibia’s Policy and Regulatory Framework for Uranium.

On behalf of the organisation, Bertchen Kohrs has written an open letter to the Mining Commissioner, Erasmus Shivolo, saying there are many issues that need to researched in depth.’We urge Government to reconsider the time schedule and allow as much time as is necessary to develop proper policies and regulations on the nuclear industry,’ she said.A first stakeholders’ workshop on uranium exploration, mining, milling and nuclear energy held last November agreed that the policy document was to be finalised by mid-2011.Earthlife also recommends that Government should become a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (EITI) with the goal to set a global standard for transparency in oil, gas and mining.EITI is a coalition of governments, companies and civil society that sets a standard for companies to publish what they pay and what they earn and for governments to disclose what they receive.The organisation said a scientific cost-benefit calculation should be done on energy generation, comparing renewable resources with non-renewable resources including nuclear.’Likewise important is a cost-benefit comparison between uranium mining and tourism. Well-managed tourism creates more jobs and has long-term benefit for Namibia and its people differing to uranium mining,’ said Kohrs.She said Earthlife is strongly opposed to the generation of nuclear energy in Namibia, as there are much safer, cheaper and more environmentally friendly options. ‘We urge Government to drop plans of nuclear energy production and instead investigate renewable and sustainable opportunities,’ said Earthlife.Kohrs said they are working on recommendations for environmental and social policies in order to keep the impact of the uranium industry as low as possible, and the document will soon be submitted to the Ministry of Mines.Shivolo yesterday confirmed having received Earthlife Namibia’s letter but said he had no comment on it at the moment.