geological survey of namibia

EXPLORATION OF NEW MINERAL RESOURCES – THE ROLE OF

GEOLOGICAL MAPPING, GEOCHEMISTRY, GEOPHYSICS AND NATIONAL GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS

Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development

G SCHNEIDERby

A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys



THE NAMIBIAN COMMODITIES

Diamonds and semi-precious stones

Uranium and fossil fuelsBase metalsRare metalsPrecious metalsIndustrial mineralsDimension stoneIndustrial rocks



THE IMPORTANCE OF MININGFOR THE NAMIBIAN ECONOMY17 % GDP

11 % Taxes50 % Export-earnings

Diamonds:6 % of world production (value)95-98% Gemstone qualityBut: 2009 uranium > diamonds

Royalties:5% on unprocessed dimension stone10% on rough diamonds1% - 5% on all other commodities



CURRENT NAMIBIAN LICENSES



The Ministry of Mines and Energy promotes exploration and mining through the services of a vibrant Geological Survey and the Directorate of Mining’s efficient administration of modern mining legislation.

PROMOTION OF MINERAL POTENTIAL

Centrally located in Windhoek, it houses information about some 100 years of exploration in Namibia, as well as modern geological, geophysical and geochemical data; and provides licensing services.



0102030405060708090

MappingExplorationGeophysicsGeochemistryResearchGeoengineeringOtherRegulatoryGeohazardsTrainingEnvironmentWater reosurcesLand use

Source: OAGS survey.

20 countriesCore



Investors and decision makers need access to geo-scientific data

Comprehensive Easy to use Logically represented, well structured Digital

The Geological Survey of Namibia has embarked on several initiatives:

Digital geological mapping Development of laboratories Regional geochemical sampling programme Historical data archive Airborne geophysical survey programme



DIAMONDS



MANAGEMENT OF MINING AND DRILLING ACTIVITIESRegional Consultation FrameworkPolicy HarmonizationCumulative Impact Assessment

MANAGEMENT OF POLLUTIONHarmonizing environmental quality objectives Oil pollution contingency plans and regional policy

MAINTAINANCE OF ECOSYSTEM HEALTH + PROTECTION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Vulnerable species and habitats Ballast water policyMarine biological diversity conservation

BENGUELA CURRENT COMMISSION



HIGH-RESOLUTION AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICS

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Mill

ions

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Line km flown Data Sales [N$]Exploration Expenditure [Mio $] Licenses active

before 1985

1994



HIGH RESOLUTION AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICALSURVEY PROGRAMME IMPACT



URANIUM AND GEOPHYSICSRössing South – one of the most significant

discoveries in decadesHighest grade uranium deposit in the World

Resources of 267 million lbs @ 488 ppm U3O8

Planned commissioning 201315 million lbs/a U3O8



URANIUM AND GEOPHYSICS



STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESS-MENT OF THE NAMIB URANIUM RUSH

Cumulati

veimpa

cts

There was a clear need to establish comprehensive Environmental Baseline data to underpin environmental assessments (EIAs), contribute to EMPs and to the over-all process of progressing with exploration and potential mining license applications in a National Park.There was also an urgent need for a a process of systematic analysis of environmental impacts which extends the aims and principles of EIA upstream in the decision making process, beyond the project level and when major alternatives are still open (SEA definition according to UNDP, 2002) and a Land use Strategy of all areas affected by uranium mining, and in particular in the Namib Naukluft Park.



Key objectives of the Stragtegic Environmental AssessmentAnalyse environmental, economic and social impacts of uranium exploration and mining, and assess cumulative, synergistic and antagonistic aspectsFormulate development options to avoid or minimize negative impacts and to enhance positive impactsProvide recommendations in the form of Strategic Management Plans (which indicate actions, responsible actors + timeframes) for sustainable development and trigger their implementation.

Assessment of cumulative, synergistic + antagonistic aspectsPractical issuesPublic concernsOpportunities + threatsConstraintsThe way forward



Rare Earth Elements

MappingGeochemical analysisHyper-spectral surveyResearch into the genesis

of carbonatites



SMALL SCALE MININGTaylor-made assistanceInterpretation of geological dataAlternative resourcesTrainingValue-addingMarketing



RECOMMENDATIONSGeology underlies everythingDeveloped countries have a good geological data baseThe first geological map was published in England in 17.. and

triggered the industrial revolution Developing countries need strong Geological SurveysGeo-scientists need better recognition and must be involved in

decision making processesGood investment (funding) for Geological Surveys will be

returned manyfold in the form of mineral investment, reduction of opportunity costs and improved environmental economics

Quality high-resolution airborne geophysical data are essentialEnvironmental; research is a pre-requisite for sustainabilitySupport to Small Scale Mining is an ideal tool to broaden the

benefit derifed from a country‘s mineral endowmentGeo-data must be accessable and available at resonable pricesWe only have one planet, use Geo-scientists to manage it to the

best advantage of mankind



THANK YOU!

www.mme.gov.na

geological survey of namibia

Documents

vibrant geological survey

role of geological mapping

oags survey

geochemical data

namibian economy

years of exploration

structured digital

licensing services