Committee: 'Farmers backed uranium - until money stopped'

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, chaired by Tobie Aupindi, has accused commercial farmers in the Omaheke Region of opposing uranium exploration only after millions of dollars in borehole payments ceased to flow to their farms.

The committee indicated it may subpoena Headspring Investments / Rosatom for all non-disclosure agreements between the company and the farmers, suggesting the existence of undisclosed financial arrangements.

According to the committee, opposition emerged precisely when exploration shifted from commercial farms onto communal land, where the farmers no longer stood to benefit financially.

"The farmers were silent while exploration activities were happening on their farms, but when the company's exploration moved into communal areas, where local communities were ready to work with the company, that is when the farmers opposed the project, as they no longer benefited. For every borehole drilled, a payment is made to assist the community," states Report No. 4 of 2025 on Exploration Activities by Headspring Investments / Rosatom in Namibia.

From beneficiary to opponent - allegedly

The committee notes that once drilling moved to communal land, the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA) was established - an NGO reportedly founded by the very farmers who had previously profited from the project.

"The exploration activities before the halt benefited commercial farmers. An NGO opposing the project was founded around the same time the project was stopped, and is primarily supported by those farmers. Compensation amounts reached millions," the report reads.

The report adds that SAUMA received backing from the former leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR).

"The company’s drilling permits were revoked in late 2021 following complaints by an NGO, created at the same time and reportedly owned by the benefiting farmers. This NGO continues to receive preferential support from the previous MAFWLR leadership. The company has obtained all other required licences except the water permit. A special committee appointed by the Prime Minister visited the project; however, the Ministry did not attend the meeting," the report states.

SAUMA’s position

According to its website, SAUMA warns that in-situ leach (ISL) uranium mining in the Stampriet Artesian Basin poses a significant risk of widespread groundwater contamination. The process injects sulphuric acid and chemicals to dissolve uranium, potentially releasing radioactive and toxic substances, including uranium up to 30,000 times above WHO drinking water limits, radon, radium, arsenic, and heavy metals, into a critical aquifer.

SAUMA cautions that any leakage could affect boreholes across the transboundary area shared with Botswana and South Africa, threatening drinking water, livestock, wildlife, agriculture, and tourism. They argue that ISL may work elsewhere but is incompatible with the protected Stampriet aquifer and call for full protection.

Committee responds

The committee dismisses SAUMA’s claims as lacking scientific evidence, noting that high radionuclide levels naturally exist in the groundwater along the uranium orebody.

Report highlights include:

• Acid diluted: “Headspring Investments Rosatom stated the method is proven internationally, with highly diluted acid contained in closed-loop systems. Pilot testing will determine whether full-scale mining is feasible. In Kazakhstan, aquifer water quality was restored naturally over time.”
• Acid-controlled: “Mining solutions must be carefully controlled to prevent migration outside intended boundaries. Monitoring wells above, below, and lateral to the aquifer are essential.”
• ISR safe: “With proper geology, planning, regulatory oversight, transparency, and stakeholder involvement, ISR uranium mining can be performed safely.”

IAEA recommends action

The committee’s stance is reinforced by a meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi in Moscow during World Atomic Week 2025.

The IAEA supports Namibia continuing uranium mining and developing its nuclear industry, warning that failure to act could allow other countries to capture technological advances in uranium beneficiation.

"If Namibia does not leverage its uranium mining position to enter the beneficiation phase, other nations are already positioning to industrialise using Namibian uranium," reads the report.

The IAEA confirmed it will provide development assistance, including evaluation of the pilot Environmental Impact Assessment, as the project progresses.