A huge underground water resource the size of Austria, the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System, stretches for 87,000km² across Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. It supplies 50,000 people in several towns with water pure enough to drink, and is their only source of water. But the Namibian government has awarded uranium prospecting licences to several mining companies across the aquifer system. Other mining companies already have the right to prospect for rare earth metals in the aquifer. Surina Esterhuyse and Anton Lukas are groundwater scientists and mining specialists. They say if mining goes ahead, the groundwater may become contaminated by metals that can cause cancer, kidney damage, bone fragility, cardiovascular issues and respiratory problems.
What mining licences have been applied for?
Uranium: At least seven uranium mining companies have applied to the Namibian government for uranium mining licences. So far, 35 uranium exploration licences have been issued by the Namibian government. These cover 3.3 million hectares of Namibian land and 29% of the 87,000km² area. The exploration licences set out the ways that the mining companies may explore for minerals, before they start mining.
