Windhoek — The chief of the Oë #Gan Damara clan in Dâures Constituency says it would appear that mines in the uranium-rich Erongo Region have backtracked on their initial pledges to plough back into the communities.

Chief Immanuel /Gâseb said thus far, the Trekkopje Uranium Mine in Spitzkoppe, owned by AREVA Resources Namibia, is the only one that helped them when they built three community development and conservancy offices in the area.

"No other mine has reacted in my jurisdiction," said the Oë #Gan chief, who in January, together with nine traditional chiefs from his area, also visited Rio Tinto's Rössing Uranium outside Arandis and the Lange Heinrich Mine (LHM), near Walvis Bay.

Gâseb commended AREVA for erecting a fence and upgrading toilets at the Katora Junior Primary School last month.

"All the mines said they would come back to us, but only AREVA did," said the chief, who explained that during their tour, they also asked the mining firms for assistance to renovate classrooms gutted by fire at Dibasen Junior Secondary School at Okombahe before independence.

"We don't have war in this country, this is not good for our image," he said.

They expect more social benefits from the mining companies, he added.

Gâseb said they also asked the mines to build a tar road on the Uis/Omaruru road and to help clean-up the dumpsites in Okombahe as well as build a technical school at Ohorongo, but none of the mines responded.

"They have not done anything in my area (Dâures) as far as development is concerned."

The chief also raised safety concerns for communities living near the uranium mines, questioning how safe it was for them as a lot of wind blows from the open-pit mines.

"We are poor people who have mines," said Gâseb, comparing the situation to South African Platinum Mine, which is apparently doing an excellent job by investing heavily in education and social infrastructure.

He said the traditional authority near the South African Platinum Mines is one of the richest and the community is benefitting from the mine in many ways. Approached for comment, LHM said Gâseb and his delegation indeed visited the mine and highlighted a few projects which need support.

Werner Duvenhage, LHM Managing Director (MD), said they visited the school to assess how they could assist.

He said although they could not afford to assist all projects, they are looking at supporting some of initiatives at the school.

"We have now allocated some funds in our budget for the new year and these discussions with the Ministry of Education will now be initiated," he added.

On the question of development in the area, Duvenhage said LHM has an active corporate social responsibility programme that is increasing every year as their operations start generating more income.

"Our main focus areas is on education, environment, youth development, immediate needs and infrastructure development," he said, adding that since June 2007, they have spent N$21 million on projects.

On safety, the MD said the mine, as part of an internationally listed company, complies with the highest safety standards.

"NOSA (National Occupational Safety Association), the independent safety auditors, do regular site visits and LHM currently has a Platinum 4 star rating. Since safety is a way of life, we also try to create this culture with our employees through appropriate training and awareness initiatives," he added.

Rössing Uranium said "as one of the best corporate citizens in Namibia, the company remains committed to supporting the communities in which it operates".

Jerome Mutumba, Manager of External Affairs, said given the vastness of Namibia, they had to focus on the bigger needs of the country and could regrettably not respond to all requests for donations and sponsorships.

He said the company provides a strong base for economic growth for communities around the mining operation.