250827006306 - Proposed Uranium Mining and Ongoing Exploration Operations in the Mining License (ML) No. 177, Karibib / Swakopmund Districts, Erongo Region, Namibia

The Proponent, Zhonghe Resources (Namibia) Development (Pty) Ltd, is applying for the renewal of Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) No. 02029 with respect to the proposed uranium mining and ongoing exploration operations in the Mining License (ML) No. 177. The ECC No. 02029 was granted on the 2 March 2022 and expired on the 2 March 2025. The proposed new uranium mine project development stages are summarised as follows:  Preconstruction (covering site preparation, bundling of the construction camp, material and equipment mobilisation for the development of the pit area, processing facilities and all supporting infrastructures);  Construction (covering the actual site excavations for the pit area, processing facilities, office, administration and all related facilities and installation of all the supporting services, roads, electricity and water infrastructures;  Operation and Ongoing Rehabilitation (covering the actual production of uranium oxide covering mining and mineral processing activities including ongoing rehabilitations of the pit area and processing plant including the tailings and waste rock facilities);  Rehabilitation and Closure (Decommissioning) (the stage of removal of the installations covering the pit area, processing plant, tailing, waste rock as well as all the physical supporting infrastructure that has reached its useful ).  Aftercare (covering a specific period after decommissioning that the developer or operator may still be held liable for any environmental damage such as contamination as a result of collapsed rehabilitated infrastructure. New environmental regulations that may be associated with mining and minerals processing in Namibia are likely to enforce the aftercare environmental liabilities. The 12, 863 Ha ML No. 177 granted on the 30/11/2012 and will expire on the 29/11/2031. Since the granting of the ML No. 177 in 2012 and the 2011, 2018 and 2022 Environmental Clearance Certificates (ECCs), no mine construction related activities have taken place within the ML area mainly due to globally depressed uranium prices that makes the proposed mine development not viable at the current global uranium prices. However, once there are some improvements on the global demand and price of uranium, the proposed mine in ML No. 177 will be developed.

Commenting of the public on this project will expire at 12h00 on the 2026-03-08

Projects Documents

• Updated EMP to effect amendment
• Confirmation of screening notice received (through email) in terms of assessment procedures (Section 35 (1)(a)(b) of the Environmental Management Act, No 7 of 2007)
• Preliminary Site Map (Project boundaries) with coordinates (decimal degrees) and a Legend
• Copy of the previous Environmental Clearance Certificate issued in terms of Section 37(1)(a) of EMA
• CV of Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP)
• Declaration for the Submission of Assessment Reports and other Support Documents (upload Declaration Form from www.eia.meft.gov.na (downloads)
• Proof of written notice to any other organ of state having jurisdiction in respect of any aspect of the activity;

Please provide your comments below.