RUSSIA – Russian mining companies are convinced of the economic viability and environmental friendliness of the controversial in-situ leach (ISL) mining method. The method is defined as the extraction of uranium from the host sandstone by chemical solutions, resulting in the recovery of uranium at the surface.
During a recent visit to the Dalur mine in Russia, mine managers said that compared to conventional mining, ISL is recognised as having economic and environmental advantages when properly employed by knowledgeable specialists to extract uranium from suitable sandstone-type deposits.
They explained that ISL typically involves extracting the ore mineral from a deposit by injecting a suitable leach solution into the ore zone below the water table, with minimal disturbance of the existing natural conditions of the earth’s subsurface and surface.
Dinis Ezhurov, director general of Dalur mine in Russia, said the method is economically profitable and environmentally friendly, compared to other mining methods. He added the ISL method continues to see a bigger share in global uranium production.
Ezhurov made these remarks last week in Russia during a familiarisation tour of the Dalur mine by journalists from Namibia and Tanzania. The tour was organised by Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation. Dalur is one of the company’s modern developing assets and the first uranium producer in Russia, using the ISL production technology.
According to the World Nuclear Association, in 2019, a total of 31 435 tU (tonnes of uranium) was produced by ISL, most of this in Kazakhstan, but with 3500 tU in Uzbekistan, and lesser amounts in the USA, Australia, China and Russia. This, according to the association, was a 57% share of the total global production volume of uranium, making this the most used mining method that year.
By comparison, the association added uranium produced from underground and open pit mines that year came to 38% of the total uranium production worldwide.
Meanwhile, Ezhurov stated as per available data, no health hazards have been registered during almost 50 years of ISL mining implementation.
“The method remains the most preferred due to its advantages. In 2021, 51% of global total production was from the ILS method. According to projections, 60% of uranium will be recovered by the mentioned mining method,” he explained.
Fear of the unknown
The Russian company, Uranium One Group, which is exploring the rare mineral in the Omaheke region, stated it is keen to undertake measures to ensure it does not contaminate a valuable water aquifer in the area. However, some Namibian environmentalists and farmers are vehemently opposing Uranium One’s operations and exploration plans.
The uranium miner argues that it will constantly monitor wells at the discovered ore body and wells along the water source, including where communities access the water. Uranium One Group even said it would be open to an independent third party ensuring the water is not contaminated.
When asked how Namibia can preserve its scarce water, director general Ezhurov said the mining method is closely monitored at boreholes and legislations.
“There is complete control from the start. Besides the monitoring wells, the method is also monitored by independent authorities with certified state labs. Also, there are community members who had fears at first but now they are residing about 500 metres from our operations with their crops,” said Ezhurov.
At the same occasion, Andrey Ivanov, head of public relations at the Dalur mine, said upon introduction of the method in Russia, they also experienced fear from farmers – just like Namibia.
“It is not different here; when the ISL method was introduced, the community also raised their concerns. Politicians by that time also instilled fear into people to gain votes. But later, farmers came to their senses – and now they are enjoying their farming with no interruptions from us as anticipated. We kept transparency at the highest level with people, especially on the radiation numbers, with community campaigns, explaining what the numbers mean,” said Ivanov.
Local pushback
Uranium One’s proposed mining method irked agriculture, water and land reform minister Calle Schlettwein, who is unwavering in his stance that no uranium mining would be approved to safeguard scarce groundwater resources in the vicinity.
At the time, Schlettwein demanded scientific data to show no contamination of underground water would occur if Uranium One was permitted to continue with its exploration.
Local subsidiary, Headspring Investment, approached the High Court on the matter, where 39 parties are cited as respondents. Through Headspring, Uranium One wants the court to set aside the decision by the agriculture and water ministry to refuse to issue an exploration drilling permit.
Uranium One spokesperson Riaan van Rooyen said in a statement yesterday the company already started to invest heavily in the upliftment of the Leonardville community. He noted that the company had spent over N$3.8 million on corporate social responsibility, and has invested N$850 million thus far on exploration processes. Van Rooyen remains convinced the mining operation’s contribution to the government in taxes and royalties will be immense.
Patrobas Ngarizemo, a farmer who resides about 30km south of Leonardville, last month said he has no doubts about the project.
“This company did not come straight from Russia to the Omaheke region; they passed through the government… I stay around these people, and these people are dying of hunger. The reality here is, tough. Rejecting the project from far away is fine, but people here are of the conclusion that let the water contamination (if there will be any) kill us; there is no difference from today’s hunger that will also kill us,” said the emotional farmer.