Social and Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) for Rössing Uranium Mine Expansion, Namibia

Aurecon was engaged by Rio Tinto to conduct a SEIA for the proposed Rössing Uranium mine expansion. The assessment was to meet terms set by the relevant Namibian environmental legislation, international best practice and Rio Tinto’s own requirements.

Aurecon undertook the first phase of the assessment, which involved investigating and evaluating the following specialist areas in detail:

• Socio-economic
• Air quality
• Risk (human health)
• Visual
• Radioactivity and public dose
• Biodiversity
• Archaeology (heritage)
• Water resources
• Noise and vibration
• Energy use

This was followed by the submission of an SEIA which included a detailed Social and Environmental Management Plan (SEMP). The Directorate of Environmental Affairs of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism approved the first phase SEIA in April 2008.