SWAKOPMUND – Andrada Mining Limited, which is operating the Uis tin mine, has denied contravening the Explosives Act, despite irregularities with blasting pointed out by government earlier this month.
The company was last week ordered by the ministry to remove the explosives and to rehabilitate the area, as they did not get the necessary approval from stakeholders. It is also due to the fact that the site is situated about 500 metres from residential areas.
The ministry’s decision comes after Uis residents, Telecom Namibia and the Roads Authority raised concern earlier this month over the proximity of the blasting site to the road, Telecom lines and the homes of residents.
However, a consultant of the mine, Cath Drummond, told New Era in an email response that the proposed blasting for mining licences 129 is 11 kilometres from the Uis settlement, and that they received permission from Telecom as well as the traditional authority to carry out the blasting.
“The proposed blasting in question relates to ML 129 (Spodumene Hill/B1C1). The blasting preparations occurred within the confines of the mining licence stipulations, and more specifically, the site is 11km outside of the Uis settlement. The licence area falls within the jurisdiction of the traditional authority, hence the company’s direct engagement with his office,” he stated.
Drummond said consultations were held with the people residing in the area on a regular basis in the presence of the headman of the traditional authority.
“Additionally, a consent letter from the Head of NETOPS at Telecom Namibia was received prior to preparations for the blasting activities. Andrada Mining ensured that the blasters and blasting manager of BME all had valid blasting tickets and appointments,” he continued.
The company by yesterday had not responded to follow-up questions sent to them, nor could they provide proof of the said permissions from Telecom or the Roads Authority.
No permission given
Telecom Namibia CEO Stanley
Shanapinda yesterday refuted the claim, saying they never gave the mine any permission for the blasting.
“As per the letter of 9 June, as management, we maintain that we have not given any permission to date. Such permission can only come from the executive office, and has not been granted,” he told New Era yesterday.
In the earlier letter sent to the chief inspector of mines Mathew Amunghete, Shanapinda stated that the proposed blasting could potentially damage their infrastructure.
He then placed it on record that Telecom Namibia had not provided the required confirmation to the mine to proceed with blasting near the settlement of Uis.
“Nor is Telecom Namibia intending to provide such consent to any other entity, as such mining operations bear the risk of damaging our telecommunications infrastructure. We, therefore, support and agree with your decision not to provide the Uis tin company written permission to execute blasting operations that are not compliant with the law,” Shanapinda said in the letter.
Blasting site within 500 metres of homes
Amunghete pointed out after visiting the site that the proposed blasting is within 500m of public infrastructure, and that no consent was given by the Roads Authority as well. He said the company is likewise not using the correct detonators, or a certified blaster.
“We have observed that you have used pyrotechnic detonators. In terms of the Explosives Act of 1956 (Act 26 of 1956), Section 10.17.3, the blaster shall use only instantaneous electric detonators, in conjunction with the detonating relays.
The blaster, Abel Mburuu, is only in possession of a provisional blasting
certificate for Trekkopje Mine, which
means he is not allowed to perform blasting activities beyond Trekkopje Mine,” Amunghete points out in a letter addressed to the mine manager.
He added that the company drilled and charged holes for the blast before obtaining approval from him, nor did they obtain permission from the Uis settlement council.
“Your company could not present a blasting foreman, as requested at the recent meeting with officials, as required by the Act. You also left explosives unguarded, which is in contravention of the law. From the above observations, it is clear that your company’s proposed blasting exercise is not in compliance with the law.
“It is against this background that I regret to inform you that the ministry is not in a position to provide you with written permission to execute the proposed blast, or any other blast located within 500m from public infrastructure. You are directed to remove the explosives with immediate effect, and to treat the charged holes as misfires, as well as rehabilitate the area,” the ministry instructed.