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Press Release


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Hannover, August 31, 2010

20 years of technical co-operation – BGR delegation visits Namibia: Mining and groundwater projects promote sustainable development

A delegation from the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) headed by President Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Kümpel will visit Namibia from 20 to 25 September 2010. The BGR representatives are honouring the 20th anniversary of the start of technical co-operation with the Republic of Namibia. They will be visiting ongoing mining and groundwater projects conducted by BGR on behalf of the German government together with local partner organisations. The trip will also include discussions with representatives of the Namibian government and the business sector.

“Namibia is being confronted by problems associated with increasing levels of competition for the limited natural resources,” says Kümpel. “On the one hand, there is a need to carefully implement measures to protect the sustainable use of groundwater resources and the soil. On the other hand, the booming mining industry is vital for the further economic development of the country. The goal here is to find an adequate balance of interests. A challenging task, and one where we assist the Namibian authorities with our geoscientific expertise,” explains the BGR President.

Numerous abandoned mine sites and inadequate environmental management in the mining industry have led to pollution of soil and water in many areas, with the associated health risks. At the same time, there is a shortage of specialists in Namibia with the know-how to solve the existing problems. “The key priority of BGR’s involvement in Namibia is therefore to build up the capacities in the state institutions by providing broad technical training and scientific-technical support,” Kümpel says.

The outstanding projects undertaken as part of the development co-operation activities include the world’s first strategic environmental, social and economic assessment (Strategic Environmental Assessmment, SEA) in the mining sector. Against the background of the possible commissioning of up to eight more mines in the Namib region which is rich of mineral resources (including uranium), but environmentally highly sensitive, SEA elaborated regional and sectoral plans and recommendations (e.g. for infrastructure and water supply) for sustainable development. The SEA report will be presented to the Namibian Minister of Mines, Isak Katali, by BGR President Kümpel during the visit to Namibia. At the same time a SEA implementation office will be launched within the Geological Survey of Namibia. This event will be combined with the commissioning of a regional groundwater and air monitoring system for the central Namib.

BGR also assists the small-scale mining sector in Namibia. In co-operation with the Geological Survey of Namibia, seminars are offered on mine safety and environmental protection as well as training courses on the processing of semi-precious stones to produce jewellery. This is accompanied by assistance in setting up central mineral markets and craft workshops. During his visit, President Kümpel will open the first large mineral market place in Namibia in the Erongo region.

The second important area of development co-operation carried out by BGR is groundwater exploration. The potential evaporation in Namibia is much higher than the average rainfall. Most of the rain falls within a relatively short period during the year, and the distribution of the rainfall varies strongly from year to year. The country is therefore very prone to periods of drought. In the Cuvelai Basin in northern Namibia, one of the most densely populated parts of the country, BGR is involved in the introduction of an integrated water resource management system. This project involves BGR experts exploring and evaluating the groundwater resources together with the competent authorities in the area. The goal is to supply the population with hygienic water in the necessary quantities. “The importance of sustainable groundwater protection is growing in the drier parts of the world. Projects of this kind are therefore amongst the most effective development co-operation measures,” says Kümpel.

More information:
http://www.bgr.bund.de/EN/Themen/TZ/TechnZusammenarb/Laender/namibia__en.html


Photos:
http://www.bgr.bund.de/EN/Gemeinsames/Oeffentlichkeitsarbeit/Pressemitteilungen/BGR/bgr-100831-bilder__en.html


Contact:
Matthias Baier, Phone: 0511/643 2476, E-Mail: Matthias.Baier@bgr.de



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Press spokesman: Andreas Beuge, Tel.: 0511 643 2679, mobil: 0170 8569662
E-mail: info@bgr.de Internet: http://www.geozentrum-hannover.de
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