Investigations by the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) have proved Namtumbo area as safe for uranium mining.

According to the commission’s findings, while soils around the multi-billion Mkuju River Project in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region, have a certain level of metal extracts, it is safe for the activity to take place.

A TAEC principal researcher, Mr Dennis Mwalongo, told the ‘Daily News’ that their investigation, which aimed at looking into the Regulatory System, Sustainable Uranium Production Life cycle, Health Safety and Environment, Capacity Building and Social Licensing, found out that the area earmarked for mining the chemical element is not inhabited by animals, while no agriculture is taking place there.

He said the review team was tasked to appraise the country’s preparedness to oversee the Uranium Production Cycle in general, while at the same time focusing on the planned Mkuju River Project (MRP).

In determining radiology safety, he said, they had to comply with the principles of government justification, optimization and limitation by ensuring compliance with the occupational and public dose limits laid down in Atomic Energy Act.No.7 of 2003.

“The regulations classify, according to risk, site personnel and work areas that are subject to radiation exposure,’’ he observed.

Mr Mwalongo told this paper that they had to plan and carefully monitor employee and contractor doses, radioactive discharges and emissions as well as resulting environmental concentrations and exposure rates and estimate potential radiological impacts on the public and the environment.

Commending the findings, the Director General of Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission, Prof Iddi Mkilaha, said the metal concentrates found in the area were within manageable quantity to ensure safety as the mining activity takes place.
He added that they had to develop and implement site-specific water management practices that meet defined water-quality objectives for surface and ground waters (focusing particular attention on potable water).

“Overall, avoid the pollution of water, soil and air; optimize the use of natural resources and energy and minimise any impact from the site and its activities on people and the environment,” he said.

Mr Yesaya Sungita from TAEC noted that the mining industry is an instrumental part of the economy, with mining companies paying substantial amount in taxes, duties and royalties.

Noting that uranium mining is a new industry in Tanzania, Mr Sungita reported that uranium mining at Mkuju River is expected to start soon, while the other projects at Manyoni and Bahi are nearing conclusion of their preparatory stage.
He said the Mkuju River Project (MRP) is world class in tonnage processed and one of the top three-mined tonnage uranium projects in the world.

The project is expected to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) amounting to 1bn US dollars (about 1.6tri/-) over the project’s life. The project is owned by Mantra Tanzania and operated by Uranium One Incorporation.

When operations at the MRP commence, Tanzania would become Africa’s third largest producer of the mineral after Niger and Namibia. Some 1,600 people are expected to be employed during construction, while there will be 750 permanent jobs when the mine starts operations, according to the report.

The project would bring in FDI in excess of $1 billion over the life of the mine, Project royalties – 195 million US dollars over the life of the mine, project corporate taxes – 363 million US dollars over the life of the mine and substantial new employment – 1,600 jobs created during construction and over 700 permanent jobs registered.