South Africa delays review of Russian backed uranium project near vital regional aquifer

South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation has yet to conduct a risk assessment or formally request the International Atomic Energy Agency’s technical review of a controversial uranium mining project proposed near Leonardville in Namibia.

The project is being developed by Headspring Investments, a subsidiary of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, through its Uranium One operations. It has raised concerns over potential contamination of the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System, a vital underground water resource shared by Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.

The aquifer is the only permanent source of drinking water and agricultural irrigation in one of Southern Africa’s driest regions. It supports thousands of boreholes used by communities, farmers and businesses across the three countries.