Rössing Uranium will this month commence with another round of public meetings, as part of the social and environmental impact assessment for its expansion plans.
In 2005, mining giant Rio Tinto approved a proposal by its unit, Rössing Uranium, to extend the life of the mine through to approximately 2016.
Part of Rössing’s expansion plans include building a sulphuric acid plant at the mining site near Arandis along with sulphur storage, as well as improving transportation infrastructure between the Walvis Bay harbour and the mine.

Also planned is building a radiometric ore sorting plant at the mine site to improve the efficiency of uranium extraction from the mined ore. Included in the mine’s expansion plans is starting a small satellite open pit close to the current main open pit within its mining license area.
Rössing has already presented the scoping report for the social and environmental impact assessment of the mine’s expansion projects to the public for inspection, said Marie Hoadley, who coordinates public engagement between environmental assessment consultants and Rössing’s stakeholders.
Printed reports can be studied at the Windhoek Community Library along Lüderitz Street, at the Rössing Foundation Library in Arandis, at Rössing’s offices in Swakopmund, the Walvis Bay Public Library and at the Spitzkoppe Community Hall.
The issuing of the report follows a number of public meetings which the mine held in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Arandis from August 2007 onwards. At the public meetings, the expansion plans were explained and comments asked. In addition, meetings were held with individuals and focus groups to develop a comprehensive understanding of stakeholders’ concerns and their recommendations.The purpose of the scoping report is to outline the mine’s expansion projects and their identified potential social and environmental impacts should these projects be approved and implemented.It also includes descriptions of how mitigation options for the identified impacts will be researched by specialist teams.
The main issues, which were raised during public meetings, include workplace health and safety concerns, air and water pollution as well as blasting noise and vibration.
Also raised were the possible human and environmental threats from transporting, storing and processing sulphur and sulphuric acid in and between Walvis Bay and the mine site.
Other issues raised were on biodiversity implications, particularly in the new mining area as well as regional implications of bulk water and energy supply. Housing implications, services such as schools, medical care and water availability and negative social impacts from newcomers seeking work, were also raised.