“ OVERALL DECISION MAKING IN PLANNING FOR REMEDIATION OF URANIUM MINES” Presentation to the Senior Regulator’s meeting at the 56 th IAEA General Conference by: Mr Erasmus Shivolo-Mining Commissioner, Ministry of Mines and Energy Republic of Namibia Vienna, Austria, September 2012

Regulatory Framework Environmental Assessment Policy (1995) + Environmental Management Act (Act 7 of 2007) Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act 33 of 1992 Water Act 54 of 1956 Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act 2005  No Legacy sites or abandoned uranium mines in Namibia!

ELEMENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Management programmes for high risks areas (EIA/EMP) Electricity, Water, fuel, Manufactured materials Mineral, Non mineral Solid waste Tailings, Spillage Industrial, Domestic Effluent Storm, Groundwater Biodiversity, Archaeological sites, Air Quality + Environmental Radiation

Regularly update EMP for operations Government informed (additional changes explained in report) Stakeholder participation (GRN, NGO, public) meetings conducted voluntary/upon request Technical information clarified and explained BI-Annual reporting to DWA, MME, MET.

INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES Industry required to achieve Legal Compliance for its operations Obtained ISO for its operations and EMS for those operating in environmentally sensitive areas and parks. Develop Mine Closure Plan for site, including after care. To prevent any of its operations to pollute soil or ground water Formalize spillage management and train staff in cleaning up of spills Commit to Biodiversity conservation; Promote good land use stewardship; Prevent pollution from its operations; Manage, mitigate and remediate negative impacts; Develop regulatory frameworks; Perform Regular site inspections.

MONITORING AND MEASUREMENT Ground, Sewerage, Process water tested and monitored Borehole monitoring (, Mining area, Swakop river, Tailing Storage Facility, Plant) Vegetation surveys Bio diversity surveys Sewerage Plant Dust Monitoring Radiation Monitoring (cups)

CHALLENGES Possible legacy sites from the extensive uranium mining activities in the Erongo region which includes numerous tailings ponds, low-grade ore heaps etc. Funding mechanisms to address legacy/abandoned mines; Mines posing an actual or potential radiological threat to the local population Not sufficient/adequate local expertise in the field of uranium site remediation. Social impacts related to potential legacy sites (i.e. Rössing pit) are not as well documented or understood as Environmental impacts; Uranium mining vs tourism

CONCLUSION Funding for remediation needs to become a priority Implement measures concerning closure and remediation already at the stage of development and operation of uranium mines to minimize environmental damage and future remedial costs; Share remediation experience with countries that have legacy sites and consider the lessons learned. Establish and Co-management of rehabilitation funds. Cooperation with tourism bodies. Make it a national agenda –pool in all stakeholders.

THANK YOU!