Better proof needed that mining won’t harm Stampriet water – IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for additional investigations at Uranium One's proposed Wings uranium project near Leonardville to establish whether corrosive mining solutions can be contained within the targeted uranium-bearing formation without contaminating neighbouring aquifers.

In an independent technical review of the project's environmental impact assessment and management plans, the agency identified 27 areas requiring improvement, including groundwater protection, well integrity, chemical modelling, radioactive waste management and regulatory oversight. The review, requested by the health ministry, examined the pilot in-situ leaching operation proposed by Headspring Investments, a subsidiary of Uranium One Group, part of Russia’s state-owned Rosatom.

The project is situated within the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System, where concerns have been raised about the potential transfer of mining solutions between the uranium-bearing Auob aquifer and the overlying Kalahari aquifer, which contains potable groundwater. The IAEA found that Headspring's environmental documentation had not adequately demonstrated that the two aquifers are hydraulically isolated. “The proponent’s current documentation asserts confinement but does not provide comprehensive empirical evidence to support this conclusion,” the report states. Despite drilling 628 boreholes between 2012 and 2021 at its Wings uranium project near Leonardville, Headspring has yet to provide comprehensive evidence that mining solutions can be contained within the uranium-bearing aquifer, the IAEA found.

Lack of scientific evidence - The report also revealed that Namibian authorities had previously withheld drilling permits over groundwater protection concerns.

The IAEA questioned Headspring's assumption that groundwater could be restored within six months, saying the proposed timeframe requires stronger scientific evidence, particularly because sulphuric acid leaching can alter groundwater chemistry and mobilise trace elements. The agency said additional monitoring wells should be installed in the geological formations above and below the targeted uranium-bearing aquifer to measure groundwater pressures and investigate possible pathways through which mining solutions could migrate.

It also recommended further investigations into geological faults, fractures and existing boreholes that could affect groundwater containment. The IAEA questioned whether the company's proposed hydraulic control system had adequately accounted for pressure changes, regional groundwater movement and pumping activities outside the project area. The experts said these uncertainties must be resolved to show injected solutions can be recovered and kept within the operational area.

Testing without chemicals - The IAEA proposed a phased programme requiring Headspring to demonstrate containment before introducing chemical leaching solutions.

This would allow Namibian authorities to assess the effectiveness of the containment system before deciding whether the project should proceed to chemical injection testing. Regulators could allow preliminary work, such as extra monitoring wells and hydraulic testing, while withholding approval for later stages until the evidence is in, the agency suggested. The experts also raised concerns about laboratory tests conducted on crushed rock samples rather than intact core samples, saying these may not adequately represent underground conditions.

Radioactive waste arrangements - According to the IAEA, Namibia does not have an established disposal facility for radioactive waste generated by pilot in-situ leaching operations.

Headspring proposes storing radioactive residues at the project site until an appropriate disposal option becomes available. The absence of a confirmed disposal pathway creates uncertainty over the long-term handling of radioactive materials, the agency said. It also called for improvements to radiation monitoring, spill containment, pipeline inspection and emergency response procedures. Of the 27 recommendations, 20 address technical matters, while seven concern stakeholder engagement and regulatory coordination. The IAEA recommended that Headspring provide more complete environmental documentation, supported by site-specific field investigations, groundwater modelling and clearly defined monitoring requirements.

It also urged stronger coordination among Namibian regulators and more structured engagement with affected communities and organisations, including the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association. The review followed an IAEA mission to Namibia from 10 to 13 February, during which experts met officials, project representatives and community stakeholders and visited the pilot site. The IAEA stressed that its role was limited to independent technical assessment and that the decision on authorising the pilot rests with the Namibian government.