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AREVA Resources Namibia: the Trekkopje mine
AREVA Resources Namibia is a subsidiary of AREVA Resources Southern Africa operating in Namibia. The company has offices in Windhoek and Swakopmund. In Swakopmund and the surrounding region, it is also preparing a large-scale industrial project that represents the largest direct foreign investment ever made in Namibia: operating the Trekkopje mine and its accompanying desalination plant.
The Trekkopje mine: an industrial challenge
Trekkopje is a calcrete-type surface deposit, boasting high tonnage and low content.
- Its main mineralization covers an area of approximately 16 kilometers by 4 kilometers and will be operated as an open-pit mine. Mining of this deposit represents a global first and a technical challenge, due to its very low ore content and the treatment process that will be applied.
- To eventually produce 3,000 metric tons per year, the Trekkopje mine will process 100,000 tons of ore per day through heap leaching via alkaline channels. Mining of the deposit's upper layers and then the uranium ore will be carried out in the traditional way: explosive detonations, extraction with shovels and transportation by truck to the primary plant.
The mine's life is estimated at 12 years.
Namibia desalination plant inauguration press kit
AREVA Resources Namibia has built a desalination plant in order to supply all of the water used by the Trekkopje mine, located approximately 40 kilometers into the desert. As a result, AREVA will not pump water from the earth and will preserve the country’s water reserves.
Namibia: A desalination plant to preserve groundwater
On April 16th 2010, AREVA has inaugurated the first seawater desalination plant ever built in Southern Africa, near the Trekkopje mine.The excess production will be distributed to the local population and other mines in the future.
The desalination plant
AREVA Resources Namibia is building a desalination plant that will supply all of the water used by the Trekkopje mine, located approximately 40 kilometers into the desert. As a result, AREVA will not pump water from the earth and will preserve the country’s water reserves.
At full capacity, the plant will produce 20 million cubic meters of potable water per year, a first for southern Africa, made possible through the adoption of state-of-the-art technology including screen filtration, ultra filtration, reversed osmosis and, finally, chemical treatment.
AREVA Resources Namibia and its human environment
At the start of 2010, AREVA Resources Namibia employed 250 people.
Through operation of the mine and other projects, the company contributes to revitalizing the local economy, notably by offering training programs.
AREVA Resources Namibia is, for example, highly involved in developing mining skills: the company created a training center in Swakopmund and has established partnerships with various educational institutions.
At the same time, AREVA Resources Namibia supports numerous social actions to benefit surrounding communities.
Contact
AREVA Resources Namibia
Cnr Otavi and Leutwein Streets
Ground Floor, shop 7 and 8
Swakopmund, Namibia
+264 061 300 638
+264 061 300 640
