Brigitte Weidlich
3 July 2009
MORE clarity is needed about a proposed N$1,8 billion desalination plant Government wants to build north of Swakopmund to supply new uranium mines with water, a new report reveals.
According to the final scoping report on the project, released this week, people who attended public hearings on the project said they were concerned about water demand calculations for the planned new mines.
They said in the light of the recent global credit crisis, updated information on the mining development forecasts and their estimated water demands is needed since some mining projects might be shelved.
Participants also asked the environmental and technical experts why Government would not share the facilities of the desalination plant already under construction outside Swakopmund for the Areva uranium mine.
NamWater is currently challenged by a situation where, due to an anticipated growth in the uranium mining industry in the Erongo Region, large volumes of potable water will be required soon.
This additional water can no longer be supplied from the groundwater sources in the area.
NamWater plans to construct and operate a desalination plant to produce 25 million cubic metres of potable water per year and have a minimum lifespan of 20 years.
In order for the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to make an informed decision as to whether or not the project should receive an environmental clearance certificate and be allowed to proceed, it is essential that potentially significant environmental and social impacts are investigated.
It is therefore necessary to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), with the local company Enviro Dynamics conducting the public participation component.
"The Erongo Region consumes about 12 million cubic metres of water annually, with Walvis Bay accounting for 4,3 million cubic metres of this total, Rio Tinto's Rössing Uranium mine 3,3 million cubic metres, and Swakopmund 3 million cubic metres. Most of the water is sourced from alluvial aquifers in the Kuiseb and Omaruru Rivers," the scoping report said.
"The N$1,8 billion plant is expected to be commissioned in 2011 and will have the capacity to produce 25 million cubic metres of water per year with a minimum lifespan of 20 years."
The Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) process is the favoured technology.
The facility will include a 20 000-cubic-metre storage reservoir on site, a treated water pipeline to the boundary of the Swakopmund municipal area and a new 132 kV power transmission line (including a new substation) 44 km inland to connect with an existing power line.
The first phase of the project is to produce approximately 15 million cubic metres of water a year, with an expansion of the plant capacity to approximately 25 million of water during the second phase.
The Ministry of Agriculture, which issues water usage permits, issued such a permit in 2006 when Namibia's second uranium mine, Langer Heinrich, became operational and a water pipeline was constructed to that mine.
This permit is only valid for five years - until 2011.
"The Ministry, through its department of water affairs, required that NamWater should develop a desalination plant during the five-year period so that it can supply the mines with the required water afterwards," according to the report.
Another concern raised at the public hearings is the amount of sludge such a plant would produce, which will be around 6,4 tonnes a day.
"The identification of suitable waste disposal facilities, if required, will form part of the ongoing EIA investigations," which will be completed in a few weeks.
NamWater is looking for investment partners to co-finance the project.
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