IAEA flags groundwater protection gaps in proposed Omaheke uranium project

**CHAMWE KAIRA **

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has identified significant technical gaps in the environmental assessments for Headspring Investments’ proposed pilot uranium in-situ leaching (ISL) project in the Omaheke Region, warning that uncertainties remain over the protection of groundwater resources.

An independent technical review found that the company’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) and environmental management plan (EMP) require further evidence on aquifer confinement, hydraulic containment, geochemical processes and groundwater restoration before the environmental risks of the proposed pilot operation can be adequately demonstrated.

The proposed Wings Project involves pilot in-situ leaching operations within the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System, a groundwater resource shared across national borders.

Headspring Investment, a Namibian-registered company owned by Uranium One Group, a subsidiary of Russia’s ROSATOM, has held mineral rights over eight Exclusive Prospecting Licences covering uranium and other metals since 2011.

The Government of Namibia, through the Ministry of Health and Social Services, requested the IAEA to independently review the environmental assessment and management documents submitted by the company.

The review was conducted by a team of external experts and IAEA staff, including a four-day mission to Namibia from 10 to 13 February 2026.

The team met government ministries, the project developer and stakeholders, and visited the proposed pilot site.

The IAEA clarified that its mandate was limited to providing an independent technical assessment and did not extend to recommending whether the project should be approved or rejected.

It also stressed that its findings apply exclusively to the proposed pilot phase and do not cover a potential full-scale ISL operation.

According to the report, the company’s submitted documentation provides a general framework for assessing environmental risks but requires improvements in completeness, technical integration and supporting evidence.

A central concern is the absence of comprehensive empirical evidence demonstrating that the aquifers are sufficiently confined to prevent contamination or unintended movement of groundwater during operations.

The report said the company asserts that aquifer confinement exists but has not provided sufficient evidence to support that conclusion.

It also identified uncertainty surrounding the confinement between the Auob and Kalahari aquifers, as well as the ability to maintain hydraulic control during the leaching process.

The IAEA said demonstrating aquifer confinement and maintaining hydraulic control are fundamental requirements for ISL operations.

Other areas requiring further technical work include demonstrating the geochemical processes involved in uranium production and groundwater restoration, improving groundwater monitoring systems and defining contingency measures.

The review also called for a more detailed and integrated pilot test plan to ensure that environmental assessments are aligned with operational planning.

The report noted that stakeholders repeatedly raised concerns about groundwater protection, the completeness and clarity of environmental documentation, and transparency surrounding the decision-making process.

However, it also acknowledged positive practices, including coordination between government ministries and constructive engagement at community level.

The IAEA identified opportunities to improve communication, strengthen the quality of technical documentation and reinforce regulatory oversight.

It proposed additional field data, improved modelling, clearer mitigation measures and stronger integration between technical disciplines to bring the proposed pilot operations closer to international good practice.

The review contains 27 suggestions for consideration by Namibian authorities. Seven relate to stakeholder engagement, while 20 address technical aspects of the proposed ISL operations.

The IAEA said the outstanding technical issues must be adequately addressed to reduce uncertainty over whether the proposed pilot operation can protect groundwater resources and demonstrate environmentally responsible in-situ leaching.

Last week, the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA) called for a halt to newly authorised research drilling by Headspring Investments for its proposed Wings Uranium project, pending the publication of the authorisation and independent scrutiny of groundwater protection measures.

SAUMA said the government should disclose the full authorisation granted to Headspring Investments for additional research boreholes, including the conditions attached, the locations covered and the authorities responsible for monitoring compliance.