A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
EXPLORATION OF NEW MINERAL
RESOURCES – THE ROLE OF
GEOLOGICAL MAPPING,
GEOCHEMISTRY, GEOPHYSICS AND
NATIONAL GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS
by
G SCHNEIDER
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
THE NAMIBIAN COMMODITIES
Diamonds and
semi-precious stones
Uranium and fossil fuels
Base metals
Rare metals
Precious metals
Industrial minerals
Dimension stone
Industrial rocks
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
THE IMPORTANCE OF MINING
FOR THE NAMIBIAN ECONOMY
17 % GDP
11 % Taxes
50 % Export-earnings
Royalties:
5% on unprocessed dimension stone
10% on rough diamonds
1% - 5% on all other commodities
Diamonds:
6 % of world production (value)
95-98% Gemstone quality
But: 2009 uranium > diamonds
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
CURRENT NAMIBIAN LICENSES
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
PROMOTION OF MINERAL POTENTIAL
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.
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.
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
20 countries
Core
90
Mapping
80
Exploration
70
Geophysics
Geochemistry
60
Research
50
Geoengineering
Other
40
Regulatory
30
Geohazards
Training
20
Environment
10
Water reosurces
Land use
0
Source: OAGS survey.
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
Investors and decision makers need access to geoscientific 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
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
DIAMONDS
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
BENGUELA CURRENT COMMISSION
MANAGEMENT OF MINING AND DRILLING ACTIVITIES
Regional Consultation Framework
Policy Harmonization
Cumulative Impact Assessment
MANAGEMENT OF POLLUTION
Harmonizing environmental quality objectives
Oil pollution contingency plans and regional policy
MAINTAINANCE OF ECOSYSTEM HEALTH +
PROTECTION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Vulnerable species and habitats
Ballast water policy
Marine biological diversity conservation
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
Millions
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
HIGH-RESOLUTION AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICS
6
600
5
500
4
400
3
300
2
200
1
100
0
before
1985
0
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
Line km flown
Exploration Expenditure [Mio $]
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Data Sales [N$]
Licenses active
1994
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
HIGH RESOLUTION AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL
SURVEY PROGRAMME IMPACT
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
URANIUM AND GEOPHYSICS
Rössing South – one of the most significant
discoveries in decades
Highest grade uranium deposit in the World
Resources of 267 million lbs @ 488 ppm U3O8
Planned commissioning 2013
15 million lbs/a U3O8
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
URANIUM AND GEOPHYSICS
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE NAMIB URANIUM RUSH
Cum
ulati
ve
imp
acts
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.
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
Key objectives of the Stragtegic Environmental Assessment
Analyse environmental, economic and social impacts of uranium
exploration and mining, and assess cumulative, synergistic and
antagonistic aspects
Formulate development options to avoid or minimize negative
impacts and to enhance positive impacts
Provide 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 aspects
Practical issues
Public concerns
Opportunities + threats
Constraints
The way forward
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
Rare Earth Elements
Mapping
Geochemical analysis
Hyper-spectral survey
Research into the genesis
of carbonatites
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
SMALL SCALE MINING
Taylor-made assistance
Interpretation of geological data
Alternative resources
Training
Value-adding
Marketing
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
RECOMMENDATIONS
Geology underlies everything
Developed countries have a good geological data base
The first geological map was published in England in 17.. and
triggered the industrial revolution
Developing countries need strong Geological Surveys
Geo-scientists need better recognition and must be involved in
decision making processes
Good 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 essential
Environmental; research is a pre-requisite for sustainability
Support to Small Scale Mining is an ideal tool to broaden the
benefit derifed from a country‘s mineral endowment
Geo-data must be accessable and available at resonable prices
We only have one planet, use Geo-scientists to manage it to the
best advantage of mankind
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development
A member of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys
THANK YOU!
www.mme.gov.na
Earth Sciences for Namibia’s Sustainable Development