New mines to boost Nam uranium output

NAMIBIA stands a good chance of becoming a major producer of uranium this year, with the Roessing Uranium Mine’s lifespan extension beyond 2016 approved last year, and the Langer Heinrich and Trekkopje Uranium mines set to start operating later this year.

This was said by Mines and Energy Minister Erkki Nghimtina in the National Assembly on Tuesday when he supported his Ministry’s budget of N$139 million. Nghimtina said his Ministry would focus on five areas this year -to ensure that mineral production benefits the entire nation, to supply adequate energy to the country, to minimise the negative impact of exploitation on the environment, to enhance the understanding of geo-environment, and to optimise production output for the country’s long-term benefit.In order to reach this last goal, the Ministry has budgeted N$27 million to carry out a variety of activities, including expanding the country’s uranium industry.The Langer Heinrich mine should start production by September, the Minister said, and the Trekkopje uranium mine near Arandis closer to the end of the year.He said the Trekkopje mine was expected to produce 3 761 000 pounds of uranium oxide a year and provide jobs for about 200 people.Throughout the last year, the minister said, a total of 12 exclusive exploration licences, 430 non-exclusive prospecting licences, 147 mining claims and one mining licence were granted.”Last year I told this August House that I was expecting to issue six new petroleum exploration licences and one production licence.I am happy to report that we managed to negotiate and issue nine exploration licences and one production licence in the last financial year,” he said.”I believe that there is oil out there, and with the increasing oil and gas exploration activities in our country we are moving a step closer to finding it in Namibia,” he said.As far as the diamond industry is concerned, the Minister warned of an increased threat from illegal diamond dealings, smuggling and the issue of conflict diamonds, which will present a major challenge to the Ministry’s ability to monitor and regulate the industry.”Diamond exploration activity is mushrooming across the country from the North East to the Skeleton Coast,” Nghimtina said.For the first time in the country’s history, more than 50 per cent of Namibia’s diamonds were mined offshore in 2005, he announced.Nghimtina said his Ministry would focus on five areas this year -to ensure that mineral production benefits the entire nation, to supply adequate energy to the country, to minimise the negative impact of exploitation on the environment, to enhance the understanding of geo-environment, and to optimise production output for the country’s long-term benefit.In order to reach this last goal, the Ministry has budgeted N$27 million to carry out a variety of activities, including expanding the country’s uranium industry.The Langer Heinrich mine should start production by September, the Minister said, and the Trekkopje uranium mine near Arandis closer to the end of the year.He said the Trekkopje mine was expected to produce 3 761 000 pounds of uranium oxide a year and provide jobs for about 200 people.Throughout the last year, the minister said, a total of 12 exclusive exploration licences, 430 non-exclusive prospecting licences, 147 mining claims and one mining licence were granted.”Last year I told this August House that I was expecting to issue six new petroleum exploration licences and one production licence.I am happy to report that we managed to negotiate and issue nine exploration licences and one production licence in the last financial year,” he said.”I believe that there is oil out there, and with the increasing oil and gas exploration activities in our country we are moving a step closer to finding it in Namibia,” he said.As far as the diamond industry is concerned, the Minister warned of an increased threat from illegal diamond dealings, smuggling and the issue of conflict diamonds, which will present a major challenge to the Ministry’s ability to monitor and regulate the industry. “Diamond exploration activity is mushrooming across the country from the North East to the Skeleton Coast,” Nghimtina said.For the first time in the country’s history, more than 50 per cent of Namibia’s diamonds were mined offshore in 2005, he announced.