Thanks Reomir...indeed a good news.FYI...The Namibian government...

Thanks Reomir...indeed a good news.

FYI...

The Namibian government and Chamber of Mines have recently constituted 
the Namibia Atomic Energy Board to build the Namibian uranium brand and to align the country’s uranium industry with best practices globally.

Namibia Atomic Energy Board chairperson Wotan Swieger says that the board will formulate a national policy on nuclear energy amid expectations that uranium exploration and mining will increase in the next few years. A regulator will be 
appointed soon under Namibia’s Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act.

“The Namibia Atomic Energy Board wants to build up Namibian uranium as a brand. We’ll provide safe and responsible management of uranium, develop minimum standards for environmental and occupational health and environmental management, conduct research and provide quality control,” says Swieger.

Since 1976, the Rössing uranium mine has been operating in the country, with the second mine, Langer Heinrich, entering the industry in late 2006. By September 2008, 40 exclusive prospecting uranium licences and 12 mining licences had already 
been issued. This uranium rush was triggered by the hope that nuclear power might be the 
solution to the world’s current energy challenges.

Swieger asserts that, although there is currently a moratorium on new uranium prospecting 
licences, 66 exploration and prospecting licences have already been issued. Of those in the early phase, Rössing South, Swakop Uranium, Bannerman Resources and Reptile Uranium appear most likely to come to fruition. Another five mines could potentially be exploited.

However, he says, water is a concern for Namibian uranium producers, as producing yellowcake is a water-intensive process.

“The N$300-million desalination plant being established by energy transmission and distribution company Areva should go far in alleviating the situation. The plant will supply water to all 
operators, as the mines are 
situated close to each other in the Erongo region,” he says.

A second desalination plant 
has also been approved, in principle, by the government, as the Namibia Atomic Energy Board estimates that water consumption will more than double the current levels within two years. This plant will probably be located 
next to the Trekkopje plant, 
70 km east of Swakopmund.