Russian-owned uranium company's subsidiary drags Nam Govt to court


Headspring Investments has dragged the agriculture ministry to court for refusal to grant a uranium drilling permit in the Omaheke region.

The High Court will hear the status of the case on March 16.

The company is a subsidiary of Uranium One, the international mining division of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom.

Uranium One applied for licencing in 2017 after Namibia lifted the moratorium on issuing of new uranium licences for exploration and mining.

In Sept. 2022, the mines ministry, through the mining commissioner's office, gave Headspring Investments the go-ahead to start its drilling programme by granting an environmental clearance certificate.

The agriculture ministry, however, told Headspring Investments in Oct. 2022 that they would not get a permit to drill because of the fear of contaminating the Stampriet aquifer.

In its affidavit, Headspring Investments argued that the agriculture ministry did not allow them to make a representation.

In addition, Headspring Investments also argued that the refusal by the agriculture ministry to grant them a permit infringes on their constitutional rights.

Twenty-eight Leonardville area farmers, alongside the mines ministry, agriculture ministry, Leonardville and Amunius village councils, environmental commissioner, mining commissioner, and the government, are cited as respondents.

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