Official nod given to Trekkopje

THE Areva Group has received the green light to develop the mining assets of the uranium deposit at Trekkopje. Mr Erkki Nghimtina, Minister of Mines and Energy, issued Mining License No. 151 recently after satisfying himself that full compliance with international standards of mining regulations according to industrial, social and environmental standards had been met. It is valid for 25 years with an option of renewal thereafter.

During his discussions with Minister Nghimtina, Manager: External Affairs for ARN, Malcolm Lindsay-Payne, said how proud the Areva Group was to officially get the green light to develop the mining assets of Trekkopje. “We are looking forward to engage in smart partnerships with the Ministry in order to assist and inform them on research and development in the uranium province,” Lindsay-Payne said.

Minister Nghimtina confirmed the strategic importance of uranium mining at a recent inauguration where ARN supplied a fresh water system to the Spitzkoppe community. “Our mining industry has enjoyed recognition as being the most rewarding growth path for our economy, as well as the most important source of foreign direct investment.

Areva’s operation will rank Namibia as one of the world’s principal producers of this commodity.” Trekkopje Mine is expected to become one of the world’s 10 largest uranium mines and will also be one of the top five low-cost open pit uranium operations in the world. Full production is due to begin in 2011 with an anticipated life of mine of 11 years.

Water for the mining operations will be supplied by the desalination plant near Wlotzkasbaken via a 48.3 km pipeline to the site. Hundreds of Namibians will be employed by the mine. The Areva Group is a worldleading energy expert operating uranium mines in Kazakhstan, Niger, Jordan and Canada.