Namibia « nuclear-news

Rossing uranium mine workers on strike for fairer pay

“It is the second largest employer after Namdeb. Rössing already made a loss last year, so this is big stuff.”

Rössing workers defy court order, Namibian 15 July 11, By: DENVER KISTING, YESTERDAY afternoon, Rössing Uranium employees ignored an order by Judge President Petrus Damaseb, who had ruled that their three-day strike was illegal and they must return to work immediately.

This means that by this morning, the accumulated loss for the uranium giant as a result of the strike amounted to approximately N$22,5 million. In court papers filed at the High Court in Windhoek yesterday, the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mpho Mothoa, said Rössing has lost approximately N$2,5 million per shift. It has three shifts per day. Continue reading →

July 15, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | employment, Namibia, Uranium | Leave a comment

A legal win for Namibia’s groundwater against uranium mining

issue is the question of who has the legal standing to go to court to ask for protection for the environment, which is unable to speak for itself…plan to extract large quantities of water from an underground water source in such a dry, environmentally sensitive and hitherto unspoilt area.

Uranium company loses desert water plan appeal, the Namibian, 20 May 11, By: WERNER MENGES A LEGAL challenge to a Canadian-owned mining company’s plan to use underground water to set up a uranium mine in the Namib Desert south-west of Usakos is heading back to the High Court after an appeal judgement that was given in the Supreme Court yesterday.

An issue that has never before had to be decided by a Namibian court is expected to be at the core Continue reading →

May 21, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Legal, Namibia, water | Leave a comment

Namibia: government and unions waking up to exploitation by foreign miners

“A lot of mining companies are at it to exploit people together with the minerals. They either employ people on fixed term contracts or outsource certain functions of their business simply to reduce labour costs,” he said.
“This practice results in poverty jobs where employees of these contractors sometimes earn as little as 20% of the basic salary offered by the Eastern Platinum (EPL) holder for the same job.

Second mining expo to be held amid fears of ‘nationalisation’

Namibia Economist, by Nyasha Francis Nyaungwa

13 MAY 2011

The 2011 Mining Expo which kicks off next week in the capital is being held at a time when the mining sector faces uncertainty after government recently declared uranium, copper, coal, diamonds and rare earth metals as strategic minerals.
Last month, government through cabinet endorsed a decision that the right to own licenses for strategic minerals will only be issued to a state company.
The dramatic shift in policy has caught many investors and would-be investors unaware …..“….the mining sector’s contribution to government revenue is not commensurate with its share to the gross domestic product. Such contribution is mainly through royalties levied on the market value of the minerals. This means that Namibia benefits from its natural endowment mainly through rent-seeking. This situation is untenable” the minister said……http://www.economist.com.na/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23739:second-mining-expo-to-be-held-amid-fears-of-nationalisation&catid=588:special-focus&Itemid=70

Union calls for a paradigm shift within the mining industry

Namibia Economist, by Johanna Absalom

13 MAY 2011

President of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), John Ndeutepo, says that in order to create a conducive labour environment for workers in the mining sector, there is a need for a paradigm shift…. companies try by all means to prevent its employees from being organised. Some even deny them their rights to freedom of association. It is a proven fact that one cannot make people work any longer; you will need to motivate workers in order for them to perform,” Ndeutepo added.

He said that the mining labour sector is faced with great challenges that calls for urgent change. One such challenge is the ability of unions to address labour issues involving contract and agency labour cases.
According to Ndeutepo, this phenomenon is rearing its ugly face again.
“A lot of mining companies are at it to exploit people together with the minerals. They either employ people on fixed term contracts or outsource certain functions of their business simply to reduce labour costs,” he said.
“This practice results in poverty jobs where employees of these contractors sometimes earn as little as 20% of the basic salary offered by the Eastern Platinum (EPL) holder for the same job. Government through beneficiary and empowerment programmes have encouraged outsourcing by multi nationals companies but has not properly legislated this process to prevent ulterior motives. Hence the mineworkers union is fighting a bitter battle to stop this practice. As it stands now citizens of the state are being exploited together with minerals of the state.”
Another concern that Ndeutepo said needs urgent attention is health and safety.
“Quite a significant number of mining companies are paying a lot of attention on legislated safety paperwork but there is no practical attention. A lot of companies boast about their safety systems forgetting that these systems require maintenance and application from the people.”…..

Some multi national companies do not even bother to monitor adherence especially when it comes to contractors and they even end up corrupting compliance officials,” he said.
Ndeutepo also called for the recognition of unions in the sector. He said that a lot of companies cannot yet get any returns from this relationship as they view the union as an enemy.—http://www.economist.com.na/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23738%3Aunion-calls-for-a-paradigm-shift-within-the-mining-industry&catid=588%3Aspecial-focus&Itemid=70

May 15, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | employment, Namibia | 1 Comment

Delay for AREVA’s uranium mine in Namibia

Areva uranium mine in Namibia delayed, Bloomberg, Feb 17, 2011 By The Associated Press WINDHOEK, Namibia — French nuclear giant Areva says the opening of its $1 billion uranium mine in Namibia has been delayed again because the project is so complex.The company recently announced that commercial production, which was initially planned to start last year and then pushed to 2012, is now expected to start in 2013…….Areva uranium mine in Namibia delayed – Bloomberg

February 17, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, Namibia | Leave a comment

Namibian people will not benefit fron uranium mining

What does all this uranium rush mean to the average Namibian?
If the overall socio-economic impact of the Namibian diamond industry is anything to go by, the upsurge in activity in the local uranium industry is likely to be an economic non-event for the majority of the citizens as no significant economic gains and individual development is to be expected..

Uranium: the future of Namibia mining, but who is benefiting? Informante, by Mathew Nyaungwa , 17 June 2010 “….it is not surprising at all that there has been a strong appetite for uranium… Continue reading →

June 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Namibia, politics | antinuclear, indigenous, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, uranium | Leave a comment

Uranium mining ‘rush” could be a ‘crash’ for Africa

Uranium ‘Rush’ Or ‘Crush’ for Erongo?, allAfrica.com: Adam Hartman 11 May 2010 “…………there are also elements that could turn this positive outlook into a uranium ‘crush’, with serious social, economic and environmental implications.One element is government’s non consideration to re-invest uranium revenue back into the environment and communities effected by the rush. Another element is an unforeseen event that destabilises uranium prices and the global uranium market, resulting in mines ‘turning off the lights and walking away’. Continue reading →

May 13, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Namibia, politics international | antinuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear renaissance, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, uranium | 1 Comment

AREVA’s uranium mining first takes Namibia’s water, then offers to sell them water

The recent growth in uranium activities in Namibia has boosted water demand in the Erongo region, near the Namib Desert, and stretched the nation’s limited resources….Namwater, Namibia’s state-owned water supplier, will be able to buy the excess water to supply other mines, ensuring that a shortage doesn’t harm uranium production,

Areva Offers Uranium Miners in Namibia Water to Ease Shortages – BusinessWeek, 19 April 2010, Areva, based in Paris, will be able to supply about 6 million cubic meters (1.32 billion gallons) of treated water a year to other miners in Namibia’s Erongo region, Chief Executive Officer Anne Lauvergeon said at the plant’s opening on April 16…………….. Continue reading →

April 20, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Namibia, spinbuster | antinuclear, AREVA, France, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, uranium, water | Leave a comment

Uranium mining to cause devastation, and greenhouse gases

Britain’s nuclear strategy threatens destruction of Kalahari Namibian environmentalists warn expansion of uranium mining could devastate spectacular natural landscape guardian.co.uk The Observer, John Vidal 15 Nov 09 “..……. Continue reading →

November 15, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, environment, Namibia | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, uranium, wastes | Leave a comment

The high price of nuclear fuel

The high price of nuclear fuel: Censorbugbear 25 June 2009 story sourced from World Nuclear News, Itar-Tass news agency, LARRI Namibian miners inhale alpha radiation:During a May 2009 visit to the Netherlands, Mrs Hilma Shindondola-Mote, director of the Namibian research institute LArrI, warned that many uranium workers in Namibia ‘ fear for their health and lifestyle due to the environmental impact of uranium mining while concessions for mine companies continue to be granted by the government.”

She presented the institute’s findings in its latest report: ‘Uranium mining in Namibia – the mystery behind low-level radiation’, with research conducted among fifty workers of Namibia’s largest uranium mine: Rössing Uranium (Rio Tinto Group). *

“Mine workers and others in the surrounding communities inhale dust and radon gas. The radon gas exposes the body to alpha radiation, which is destructive. Exposure to radiation is most often associated with cancer, but it can also have other harmful effects. Low level radiation can contribute to birth defects, high infant mortality and chronic lung, eye, skin and reproductive illnesses.”

They are only informed about health problems after leaving their jobs…Uranium mine workers are not aware of the true nature of their health status: “During the time we conducted the study, employees claimed that Rössing does not explain what health problems can arise from exposure to uranium”. Also, workers of the company raised concern that although they are tested annually, the results are never revealed until such a time when they leave the company. *

“The workers feel that there is a conspiracy between the doctors and Rössing. They are only informed about health problems like cancer after leaving their jobs. The doctors tell them that the deterioration in their health is because of their genes, family history or lifestyle.”

Censorbugbear reports…: Russia gets fuel deals with Nigeria,Egypt,Namibia

June 26, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Namibia, secrets,lies and civil liberties | antinuclear, nuclear, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Earthlife ridicules nuclear power generation plans

Earthlife ridicules nuclear power generation plans
Namibia Economist 24 April 2009 11:34Propagators of the myth that nuclear power being safe, clean and climate friendly are misleading Namibians, according to Bertchen Kohrs of Earthlife Namibia.Few people are properly informed about the real dangers of the nuclear industry, she added.Earthlife Namibia has repeated its concern over the possibility that government might opt for nuclear power generation in Namibia.Kohrs said instead of opting for a nuclear power plant or coal-fired plant, the country could play a leading role in the development of renewable energy in Africa.“This kind of clean energy production would put Namibia on the world map attracting energy experts and tourists alike. Namibia would receive carbon credits when opting for carbon-free power generation. This money could be used to subsidize power from renewable sources,” said Kohrs.
She also pointed out that Namibia does not have specialists who can run a nuclear power plant and that the country will make itself dependent on foreign experts, whereas there are people who are capable of maintaining a solar or wind power plant.
Another disadvantage such a nuclear power plant would pose for Namibia is the high level of waste as there is no solution for safe storage……………….

………Earthlife and the Labour Research and Resource Institute (LaRRI) are working together on an ongoing awareness campaign, which aims to inform the public of the dangers of a nuclear power plant.
As part of this campaign, Earthlife produced a booklet “Uranium – Blessing or Curse” informing about general issues regarding the uranium industry, while LARRI published a booklet ‘Uranium Mining in Namibia: The mystery behind ‘low level radiation’, which focuses on the impacts of uranium on mine workers’ health

Earthlife ridicules nuclear power generation plans

April 25, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Namibia, politics | antinuclear, nuclear, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

The killing uranium fields of Topnaar Nama

The killing uranium fields of Topnaar Nama2009-03-12 15:20:00 Commodity Online (Courtesy: Unrepresented Nations and People’s Organisation- UNPO, PRLog)
NAMIBIA: Topnaar Nama people in Namibia are going through tough times even as the government is giving exploration licences to international companies. The Topnaar people now fear for their lives and existence. Uranium mining poses a considerable threat to general health, and lifestyle because of effects on underground and surface water resources………………………Whilst tragic results of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki are well documented, the environmental and health problems that are a consequence of uranium exploration are less well known by the general global public.
During the development of the atomic bomb, thousands of mines were built in the Southwest of the United States and Northern Canada. The radioactive waste, known as tailings, that builds up in huge piles of rocks and slush outside the mines continues to threaten the wellbeing of local populations and contaminates the environment.
…………………Uranium can cause a wide variety of health problems. Miners and local communities drink contaminated water, eat contaminated food and breathe in radon gas and dust from the tailings. In addition to this, the extraction and processing of uranium ore uses huge amounts of highly sought-after water that cannot be recycled…………………………The problems associated with uranium mining are set to continue with its rising price as demand from nuclear power plant companies increases. Africa is especially at risk because companies are attracted by the lack of strict regulations.

One community that is particularly at risk from uranium extraction is the Topnaar Nama, one of fourteen groups of Nama people. These groups traditionally lived in the southern parts of the Namib, which today is part of Namibia and adjacent to South Africa. This nomadic group breed their own livestock such as goats and cows, which, along with !Nara fruits make-up their main food staples. They now live their traditional way of life in the area of the Kuiseb River and canyon, south of Walvisbay and Svakopmund.

There are currently two mines operating in the Topnaar territory with the Namibian Government recently issuing more uranium exploration licenses to various international companies.
The lack of water, and other environmental issues related to uranium mining have other impacts on the Topnaar. ………………….It has been reported that workers of the Roessing mine, amongst them Topnaar people, are becoming ill and are dying. One Topnaar reported that his friend, a miner, had died a few weeks ago because of what the doctor referred to as ‘old mans illness’. He was only 60, and those within the Topnaar villages that have never worked in the mines live beyond 80 without any ‘old mans illness.’

It is clear from the issuing of uranium exploration licenses that the Namibian Government is less than supportive towards the Topnaar peoples’ situation. This is despite the fact that the Namibian constitution states that traditional chiefs (captains or kings) of different tribes be included in parliament.