Namibia backs new mine for uranium

THE Government backed the development of the country’s second uranium mine by Australia’s Paladin Resources after environmental groups said radioactive dust and poisonous gas emissions threatened workers and local communities.

The government had assurances that the Langer Heinrich mine would match environmental protection, health and safety standards set by the Roessing pit run by Rio Tinto, Mines and Energy Minister Erkki Nghimtina said in a statement. The new mine in the Namib Desert, about 80 km east of the Atlantic coast resort of Swakopmund, might damage the region’s ecology, Earthlife and the World Information Service on Energy said last month.Mining at Langer Heinrich will start in September 2006, with the first uranium oxide exports expected the following year.The Government expects the mine to generate annual tax revenue of N$63 million and make Namibia the world’s 10th uranium oxide producer.Paladin said on May 5 that it planned to spend N$608 million developing Langer Heinrich.Elsewhere, some international mining companies faced criticism about their operations from environmental groups and people who live near mines, the New York Times reported.Vancouver-based Placer Dome, the fifth-largest gold company, was sued by a Philippine province on charges it polluted a river, bay and coral reef by dumping waste, the Times said.Some people in Guatemala and Peru were seeking to push miners out, it said.Tiffany & Company chairman Michael Kowalski told the Times the problem was a lack of defined and accepted standards for environmentally and socially responsible mining.The price of gold, approaching US$500 (N$3 300) an ounce, was at the highest in 17 years, the Times said.-BloombergThe new mine in the Namib Desert, about 80 km east of the Atlantic coast resort of Swakopmund, might damage the region’s ecology, Earthlife and the World Information Service on Energy said last month.Mining at Langer Heinrich will start in September 2006, with the first uranium oxide exports expected the following year.The Government expects the mine to generate annual tax revenue of N$63 million and make Namibia the world’s 10th uranium oxide producer.Paladin said on May 5 that it planned to spend N$608 million developing Langer Heinrich.Elsewhere, some international mining companies faced criticism about their operations from environmental groups and people who live near mines, the New York Times reported.Vancouver-based Placer Dome, the fifth-largest gold company, was sued by a Philippine province on charges it polluted a river, bay and coral reef by dumping waste, the Times said.Some people in Guatemala and Peru were seeking to push miners out, it said.Tiffany & Company chairman Michael Kowalski told the Times the problem was a lack of defined and accepted standards for environmentally and socially responsible mining.The price of gold, approaching US$500 (N$3 300) an ounce, was at the highest in 17 years, the Times said.-Bloomberg