SWAKOPMUND — As a result of low uranium market prices Rössing Uranium is investigating the economic viability of designing, constructing and operating a new desalination plant approximately 6km north of Swakopmund, close to the existing Swakopmund Salt Works. Desalination is a process that purifies water by removing dissolved mineral salts and other solids from brackish or seawater, making it suitable for human consumption.
Currently, Rössing Uranium purchases desalinated water for its mining operations at a significant cost. The Erongo Region is a water scarce environment, relying predominantly on the Omdel aquifer for its supply. Erongo region is also a centre for growth in Namibia and central to the country's economic vitality. As an interim measure, Rössing Uranium, along with other mines in the region, have been supplied with desalinated water from the Areva desalination plant near Wlotzkasbaken, since November 2013.
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