Headspring Investments welcomes independent assessment of its mining activities

Staff Reporter

HEADSPRING Investments, a subsidiary of Rosatom Uranium One, Russia, has said that it fully supports the statement of the Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Land Reform (MAWLR), Calle Schlettwein, on the need for a comprehensive independent assessment of facilities, processes, and technologies when implementing geological exploration projects in Namibia.

The company has gained notoriety for its plans to mine for uranium in the Stampriet Artesian Basin, using the In Situ Leaching (ISL) method, which has raised fears that it may poison the biggest groundwater source.

Riaan van Rooyen, spokesperson for Headspring Investments in Namibia, explained that the company strives for transparency in its activities and complies with the highest global standards in the field of environmental safety and security.

“We are open to dialogue and continue consultations with all interested parties to clarify any issues related to the project and achieve mutual understanding. In line with our commitment to continuous improvement and adherence to best practices, we warmly welcome constructive dialogue with competent independent bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Not only do we regularly host roundtables and training events, but we also organize trips for members of the Namibian public and media to existing operations in Russia and Kazakhstan (the world leader in ISR mining), where they can see firsthand how environmentally friendly operations are carried out,” van Rooyen said.

He added that Headspring Investments is confident that a thorough, independent, and objective assessment of its operations and potential prospects in Namibia will demonstrate our commitment to protecting the environment and ultimately lead to a safer environment for all stakeholders.

“Headspring Investments unequivocally confirms that no drilling activities have occurred at the site since November 9, 2021. The company is required to regularly provide verified data and information to the relevant ministries. We are confident that the company will be given a fair opportunity to conduct a field trial, the results of which will confirm the safety of the extraction method, especially in relation to underground water sources that are vital to local communities,” van Rooyen concluded.