Project

The Proponent proposes to construct and operate a 300 millimetre (mm) (approximately), steel, above-ground water pipeline and associated infrastructure to transfer desalinated water from the existing TMWSS to the proposed Kokoseb Gold Project on ML 274. The Trekkopje Uranium Mine is currently supplied with desalinated water from the Orano Erongo Desalination Plant (OEDP).

Associated infrastructure will comprise booster pump stations, flow metres, control valves, manholes and water storage reservoirs. The proposed Project will also include the construction of a new 11 kV overhead powerline from the proposed NamPower Kokoseb 132 kV Kokoseb metering station to the pipeline booster pump stations closer to the Kokoseb Gold Project and new a 33 kV overhead powerline from the NamPower Trekkopje substation to the pipeline booster pump stations closer to Trekkopje. The overhead powerlines will supply the electricity required to pump desalinated water along the pipeline route and will likely be owned and operated by Erongo Regional Electricity Distributor (Erongo RED).

To minimise environmental disturbance and cumulative impacts associated with linear infrastructure development, the proposed overhead distribution lines, where feasible, will be aligned parallel to the proposed pipeline route for the majority of its length.

NamWater will be responsible for the operation, inspection and maintenance of the pipeline and associated infrastructure throughout the life of mine (LoM). The overhead powerline infrastructure will be managed in collaboration with Namibia Power Corporation (Pty) Ltd (NamPower), the national utility supplier and Erongo RED, the local power supply utility.

ECC’s Role

ECC has been engaged by Mandarin Investments (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).

Download Documents