Eveline de Klerk
WALVIS BAY – All eyes are set on the Daures constituency as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources is investigating allegations of illegal lithium mining in Uis. The committee is scheduled to descend on that town today to conduct public hearings on the
allegations.
The public hearing follows a motion tabled by Landless People’s Movement parliamentarian Henny Seibeb when Uis residents raised concerns about illegal lithium mining in their area. The hearing is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday.
Residents in this Erongo regional town protested against the perceived illegal activities, which culminated in a community meeting with mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo in March this year. That community meeting was also attended by Seibeb.
As a result, Seibeb tabled a motion on 6 April, calling for government to impose a moratorium on lithium mining to determine the real value of the rare earth metal.
He noted that there were already concerns raised that community activists’ lives were being threatened, and that some were currently living in fear after exposing alleged mining irregularities.
“We live in a world where everything is possible, including night-time raids and murders. I have a voice note exchange that one of the concerned Uis community members forwarded to me, which is alleged to have been between a certain Asser /Gôagoseb, who is in charge of mineral rights for Long Fire Investments, Xinfeng, and some other dishonest companies, and a person who is looking for a lithium mining licence. The conversation includes very persuasive offers. This situation is both dangerous and unacceptable,” he said during the tabling of the motion.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary committee is expected to meet with the Daures constituency councillor, the !Oe-#Gan Traditional Authority, Daure Daman Traditional Authority, Zeraeua Traditional Authority as well as community members in Uis, Omatjete and the management of Xinfeng Investment.
Alweendo last week said he was satisfied that the claims of Long Fire Mining, who partnered with Xinfeng Investments, were awarded correctly and do comply with the Mining Act.
The minister stated that Long Fire’s application for an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) at the environment ministry was for lithium, and they conducted a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for lithium mining operations.
“The ECC was specifically issued for lithium mining operations on the 10 mining claims, as per the application received on 27 June 2022. Given the above facts, specifically the fact that the ECC was issued for lithium as per the 27 June 2022 application and not the 22 July 2022 application, we are satisfied that the Long Fire mining claims were awarded and registered procedurally and in compliance with the Act,” the minister observed.
Photo: Daures
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