Project

The proposed activity entails the construction and operation of a pilot-scale facility (Project Peppermint) for the hydro-fluorination and fluorination of metals, located on Farm 58, near Walvis Bay, Erongo Region, Namibia. The facility forms part of QLE’s phased development strategy and will be used for process development, testing and demonstration activities associated with advanced fluorination technologies. The pilot facility will initially utilise the following maximum chemical inventories at any one time:

– Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (CAS 7664-39-3): up to 750 kg;
– Fluorine (CAS 7782-41-4): up to 12 kg;
– Molybdenum dioxide (CAS 18868-43-4): up to 5 000 kg;
– Potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, potassium fluoride; and

Construction activities will include site preparation, perimeter fencing, earthworks, establishment of foundations, construction of security offices and process buildings, installation of process equipment, chemical and hazardous storage facilities, utilities, workshops, laboratories, offices, internal access roads, stormwater infrastructure, temporary hazardous waste storage facilities and associated supporting infrastructure.

Operational activities will include the security and access control offices, receipt, storage, handling and processing of hazardous chemicals, hydro-fluorination and fluorination testing activities, processing of molybdenum dioxide to molybdenum hexafluoride which includes: hydrofluorination and fluorination, particle size reduction, off-gas cleaning and desublimation; cylinder storage, product handling, laboratory testing, waste management, equipment maintenance, utility management and routine health, safety and environmental monitoring. The pilot facility will also have a dedicated scrubbing system and utilities.

Molybdenum dioxide will be transported as solids in containers via trucks. Hydrogen fluoride will be transported as a liquid in an isotainer via truck. Fluorine will be transported in cylinders via truck, as the facility progresses a fluorine cell will be installed to produce fluorine from hydrogen fluoride on site. Potassium hydroxide and potassium carbonate will be transported in solid form via truck. Potassium fluoride will be transported as a liquid in a container via truck away from the site. All transport will be conducted via appropriate and available logistics routes, which mayinclude the Port of Walvis Bay, as well as alternative supply points such as suppliers within Namibia or neighbouring countries (e.g. South Africa), depending on procurement and logistical considerations.

The Project will be implemented in a phased approach, with the current ESIA focusing exclusively on the pilot-scale phase, which involves the processing of molybdenum dioxide to molybdenum hexafluoride. Subsequent phases will include a second pilot phase, demonstration phase and ultimately followed by a full commercial phase. It is anticipated that uranium dioxide may be introduced and processed on-site during these later stages; however, these phases are not included in the present assessment. Each future phase will be subject to its own dedicated ESIA to evaluate potential impacts and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. Additional competent authorities will be identified, as necessary, for each of these phases to ensure regulatory compliance.

ECC’s Role

ECC has been engaged by Quantum Leap Energy (Pty) Ltd as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to facilitate the entire ESIA process. Before the start of the proposed Project, an environmental clearance certificate is required in terms of the Environmental Management Act, 7 of 2007 and the associated EIA Regulations. A final decision regarding the above-mentioned application will be made by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Department of Environmental Affairs and Forestry (DEAF).

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