NOVEMBER 2013 • NEWS FOR THE FRIENDS AND PEOPLE OF SWAKOP

Like any one-year-old, the Husab Project has taken its first steps … and experienced some teething problems along the way.

than half (53%) of the logistics, but we are an experienced project MORE contracts linked to the team and are managing the challenges in true world’s second-largest uranium mine have project fashion.” already been placed with Namibian-registered As a seasoned project leader, Rodney knows companies. The biggest of these is with that early teething problems come with the BarlowWorld Equipment . territory of such a large-scale project. The Husab Project, which began in October Water requirements have been met with the 2012, is certainly making its mark on the supply of desalinated water via a temporary Namibian economy. pipeline through an agreement between About 1 400 construction workers are on Swakop Uranium, NamWater and Areva. The site, of whom the vast majority (89%) are most critical geotechnical challenge is currently Learning Namibians. At peak, the project will employ at the crusher, 28 m below ground level, where between 4 000 and 6 000 people. construction is having to be adapted on an with laughter But it hasn’t been smooth sailing. ongoing basis. “As things stand now, however, we are “My school’s fun!” is written Big project, big challenges confident that the main milestones will be all over the faces of these eager Rodney Voigt, Vice-president: Projects of met,” assures Rodney. Swakop Uranium and project director for the learners at the Asser Kapere Owners Team, points out that in terms of Continued ON page 2 pre-primary school in Arandis. project value, the Husab Project is the same size as South Africa’s Gautrain project and the largest mining project in Africa at the moment. Find out how we helped “This means the logistical challenges are them on page 11. proportionate in size. The project certainly presented some challenges in terms of Continued FROM page 1 A new era, Ahead of schedule, safely roads, water and electricity in place when the a new Voice Manufacturing is ahead of schedule, with the project started. Complicating matters is the Cooking up a desert storm assembly of haul trucks and the manufacture of fact that the mine is being built in a national With the Husab Project mills going well. “This is primarily due to the park, with numerous environmental officially under way, and a downturn in the global market, resulting in every considerations. Says Rodney: “Until the 2 tonnes of red meat, poultry new management team to lead single factory around the world having spare construction camp is completed, we have TAKE or fish, season with salt, pep- this mega-project, it was time capacity to attend to our orders,” says Rodney. the further challenge of having to allow for a per and other spices, cook until perfect and for a new voice. The result is “Had we been building the Husab Project total of three hours of travel to and from the serve with 1,2 tonnes of potatoes, maize and in the 2008 mining boom cycle, things would site each day. At the moment, 1 400 people rice. Throw in a tonne or two of veggies and Husab Voice, the new name for have been different.” are on site, travelling vast distances at slow voilà, you have a meal! Swakop Uranium’s newsletter. Off-site manufacturing is approximately speeds through the national park. The first Sounds farfetched, but that is what the full 35% complete and on-site construction is 500 beds in the construction camp will soon complement of 4 000 managers, supervisors at ramp-up stage. At the end of September, be available, which will help some of the and workers in the Husab Project construction the safety record stood at over 1 million lost- contractors.” camp will eat each day, once the site is at full Add your voice to ours time injury-free (LTIF) hours, which we are Not only will the new access road being strength. If you have any news or views extremely proud of. built from the B2 make a huge difference in At the helm of the company that is respon- sible for this mammoth task, are Michael on the Husab Project, or the The first concrete foundations were poured people’s lives, but it will be the most scenic in September and the Komatsu route ever to work. It’s indeed something to Miskin and Andrew Cooper, respectively contents of this newsletter, haul trucks will be assembled and ready in look forward to in May 2014 when the road Managing Director and Operations Director of please email your comments to: time for driver training by the second quarter and bridge are due for completion! Servest Catering, who will be responsible for [email protected] of 2014. Rodney confirms that “it’s definitely a very managing the accommodation camp on the challenging project and certainly the largest Husab construction site. Servest Catering is a Different project environment investment that I have ever been responsible division of the Servest Multi Service Group. Mining operations will start in April 2014. for. Our shareholder, CGNPC, has tremendous “And that is not even counting several NEED HELP? The Husab project is different from most experience in constructing large nuclear thousand eggs and 500 litres of milk we’ll be other projects in that there are constraints power projects, and we are learning how to preparing and serving each day to a multi- and skilled workforce behind once our Swakop Uranium has established a helpline when mining and construction take place apply this experience to a different industry cultural clientele,” says Andrew. “We are used contract expires.” for any questions, complaints or concerns simultaneously. According to Rodney, it will and in a different country.” to working in remote areas such as at some of Such a multitude of people also need about the Husab Project. require cooperation from all parties not to It helps that both the Owner’s Team and the major diamond mines in Botswana, so we laundry done and for this the Servest The Uranium Institute in disrupt the project schedule. “Fortunately, the Husab Project Joint Venture agree that understand the importance of careful planning Catering project team is also prepared. has offered to help, so if you want to we’re all seeing every challenge as an they have the most competent project teams to secure supplies of all the perishable and Industrial washing machines and driers know something about the project or opportunity to find a solution, and not as a working with one another. “We have a large dry foods we need.” will be used to ensure that personal wish to lodge a concern or complaint, problem. We also share a common team of staff and contractors from many clothing, overalls and bedding dial +264 64 402 393. You will find Ailly objective: to complete the Husab Project different countries, backgrounds and Local will be lekker are kept spick and span. Given the Namupala (pictured) on the other side of safely and on time.” experience levels. Bringing all of this The objective is that as much of the basket as sensitive environment, all detergents the line, who will register your call and There’s no denying this is a massive project, together for Namibia’s benefit, is a huge, possible be sourced in the greater and cleaning materials used, will forward it to the appropriate person at with none of the normal infrastructure such as but appealing undertaking!” Swakopmund and Walvis Bay areas and that be bio-degradable. Swakop Uranium. the balance be sourced further afield. This will With the completion of the Alternatively, you can e-mail us on include bread, which needs to be delivered construction camp looming, [email protected]. We fresh every day. Servest Catering will be given promise to get back to you. “Added to these considerations is the chal- limited access by 1 November Watch our progress lenge of operating in a unique environment, 2013. “During that time, we’ll be namely a desert within the boundaries of a able to move in certain essential Milestones national park. We’ll have to make allowances equipment such as those in our Expected date 4th quarter 2013 1st haul truck on site is commissioned for that too when interviewing, appointing and kitchens, offices and enough inducting staff for our project,” he says. produce to cater for at least 500 Pre-stripping starts Expected date 2nd quarter 2014 According to Andrew, the camp will run people,” Michael says. “After Expected date 2nd quarter 2015 1 million tonnes ROM stockpile ready with more than 360 personnel, which will that, we’ll be ramping up include managers, supervisors, chefs, cleaning steadily to accommodate an additional 500 Expected date 3rd quarter 2015 Permanent water and power is available and administration staff. “We plan to operate people each month until we reach the peak The construction camp on the Expected date 3rd quarter 2015 Cold commissioning is completed with the minimum of expat personnel and are of around 4 000 people by April 2014.” Husab Project site will soon be greeting aiming for at least 96% of our staff to be The management of the camp also its first 500 residents. By April 2014 up to Expected date 4th quarter 2015 U O production starts 3 8 Namibian citizens,” he says. “Skills transfer includes entertainment and the running 4 000 construction workers will be housed, Expected date 4th quarter 2016 Mine enters sustainable production is a key element of the way we operate and of a bar facility. fed and accommodated on site. we believe that we will leave a better trained

2 3 onto overhead power lines using a panto- graph mounted above the cab. “We receive each Komatsu haul truck in sections comprising the chassis with the engine, radiator and rear axle box fitted. This section alone weighs 64 tonnes,” Rainer explains. “The rest of the truck then arrives in five open-topped 12 m containers with a few items such as the fuel tank, braking system and transmission packaged separately.”

Safe, “al fresco” assembly Artisans in Efficient Engineering’s workshop in Johannesburg work on the canopy of the The amazing thing about assembling these dump body, an important part that prevents rocks falling onto the driver’s cab and other massive haul trucks is that it can safely be essential components mounted on the front of the haul truck. done out in the open. Using one or more mobile cranes, the haul trucks are assembled in the following manner: u First the deck supports and platform for the cab are installed. u N ext comes the platform for the electric A Komatsu haul truck chassis is off-loaded after its arrival in the Walvis Bay harbour. panels and 74 kW electrical blower. u T hen the front and back suspensions are installed followed by the transmissions on both sides of the back axle box. component adds another 46,9 tonnes to the Lining up. A row of dump bodies awaiting u T hen only are the tyres fitted, two in the haul truck’s overall mass. their undercarriages on the Husab site. The front and two double sets at the back. “We are banking on taking 4 to 6 weeks to dump bodies were manufactured in Giant haul trucks – assemble the first two Komatsu 960E-2KT Johannesburg, South Africa, and transported “The tyres are big, heavy and expensive,” haul trucks,” Rainer says. “We envisage that by road to the Husab site. Rainer adds. “Each rim and tyre has a com- the process will run faster as our assembly bined weight of 7,2 tonnes.” teams gain more experience. If they get the a project within a project With the planned mining programme for hang of it and put shoulder to the wheel, the Husab mine, each haul truck should deliv- they should be able to assemble a truck with- do a chassis in America, an nents such as the engines, traction alternators, machines to start the excavation of the two er 6 000 hours of service a year. The tyres are in a week or two.” WHAT electric drive system in radiators, sub-frames, spindle hubs, brake mining pits, is Rainer Horsthemke, Komatsu’s set to last between 6 000 and 8 000 hours “We are looking to train and employ Germany, an engine in the United Kingdom, a assemblies, suspensions, axle boxes, blown grid Operations Manager for the Husab Project. (about one year), depending on the condi- Namibian artisans for this important task and set of tyres in Japan and a dump body in assemblies and control cabinets are partly Rainer is a true Namibian and well-versed in tions in the pit and haul roads. in doing so, believe we will leave a valuable South Africa have in common? assembled at Komatsu’s Peoria plant in Illinois, local mining conditions. The dump bodies are fitted last and mea- legacy for future generations of artisans in The answer: they are all parts of the USA. From there, they are railed to the port of “We have received the complete compo- sure just over 9 m wide, 13 m long and stand Namibia,” says Rainer. Komatsu 960E-2KT haul trucks that will be Houston in Texas from where they are shipped nents of the first two Komatsu 960E-2KT haul 4 m at their highest point. This important used on Swakop Uranium’s Husab mine. to Walvis Bay. trucks at the premises of Wesbank Transport Swakop Uranium’s order for 39 of these In Walvis Bay, they “meet” with the enormous in Walvis Bay,” he smiles. The contract to u trucks was the single largest ever received by tyres, the first 96 of which have been shipped assemble the trucks, was awarded to a local Komatsu 960E-2KT payload: 327 tonnes Komatsu Southern Africa. The first six trucks directly from the manufacturer, Bridgestone in company, Rotary Mining. u Weight of an empty vehicle: 249 tonnes are currently being assembled on the Husab Japan, to Walvis Bay since January this year. “The assembly has now started and we have u Maximum weight of a loaded truck: 580 tonnes site following the manufacture of the various From the Walvis Bay harbour, the components a tight deadline to meet,” says Rainer. This u Haul truck length: 15,6 m components all over the globe and their ship- are transported to the Husab Project site, where deadline will see Komatsu deliver 11 haul trucks u Haul truck width: 9,19 m ment to Namibia. they are “introduced” to the massive dump to the mining teams by the end of January 2014. u Haul truck height: 7,37 m bodies, the first two of which arrived on site at The Komatsu 960E-2KT haul truck is the u Weight of dump body: 51 tonnes The long journey to site the end of June. The dump bodies (which are biggest made by the Japanese company and u Cost of one haul truck: US$5,6 million or N$56 million These massive trucks, which are Komatsu’s larg- the bins on the back that carry the ore), are is rated to carry 327 tonnes. Its diesel motor u Capacity of the fuel tank: 1 400 litres est payload capacity haul trucks, are almost a manufactured under licence by Efficient delivers 2 600kW of power (3 500 horsepower) u Tyre height: 4,5 m project within a project. It takes up to six months Engineering in Johannesburg and brought to and is coupled to an alternator that sends u Thickness of dump body steel plate: ranges from 8 mm to 20 mm to manufacture the components, up to a month site by road. power to two Siemens AC (alternating current) u Number of man-hours to construct one dump body: 3 360 Shoulder to the wheel. to transport them to the site and up to six weeks induction traction motors mounted on each t s a st fac u The giant haul trucks are to assemble them. Big, yellow and powerful side of the back axle. Number of welding rolls used per dump body: 40 of 15 kg each assembled on site. Once manufactured, the chassis, electric One of the first people to give fruition to this The “T” in the model name refers to F u Litres of paint used on a dump body: 80 to 90 drive systems, transmissions and other compo- dream of having very real and very big yellow “trolley-assist”, whereby the truck can couple

4 5 shows how far we’ve come Africa’s largest mining project is taking shape. On-site construction at the Husab Project is about 4% complete and every care is being taken to tread as lightly as possible inside the -Naukluft National Park. Everyone is respectful of the special location they are operating in and, despite the constraints, the safety record stood at over 1 million LTIF (lost-time injury-free) hours at the end of September. The main process plant and construction camp earthworks in progress. The first concrete foundations were poured in September. In November 2013 the first 500 beds in the construction camp will be available to workers.

The crusher decline goes down 28 m below natural ground Construction camp earthworks terraces in progress. The Engineering, Procurement and Construction Construction of the Khan River bridge on the permanent Construction of permanent access road through Khan River valley. level, with 4 m wide benches at critical geological positions. At the end of September, about 1 350 construction Management (EPCM) offices will be able to accommodate access road. The access road and the Khan River bridge are The new access road being built from the B2 will be the most The crusher building retaining wall has an almost vertical face workers were on site, of whom the vast majority (89%) 150 people during construction for the Husab Project Joint due for completion in April 2014. scenic route ever to work. anchored with 25 m-long maximum soil anchors. The crusher were Namibians. At peak, the project will employ between Venture construction team, Swakop Uranium staff and site building will house the Primary Crusher, while the Run of 4 000 and 6 000 people. security. The 2 500 m2 offices will be equipped with a Mine (ROM) Tip Terrace (in the background) is where the meeting room, IT room and server room. mining trucks will deliver the ROM ore into the crusher.

6 7 Students set the baseline for future studies

The DeSeRT Programme, a research programme much about scientific research, ecological res- hiking and camping, called “Goba-Bootcamp”, toration and the desert in general. Since envi- during which time the students are challenged partially sponsored by Swakop Uranium, aims ronmental science is such a diverse field, this to develop their powers of observation and to project helped me to finally decide on the collect data to explain their observations. to promote an understanding of arid ecology areas I want to focus: ecological restoration “Goba-Bootcamp was an awesome experi- and environmental management are my final ence. We got to hike almost 40 km in the to improve environmental management and choice,” says Elise. Namib Naukluft Park for four days. I enjoyed Kornelia Ndapewa Iipinge’s study aimed to everything about it as I got to see the different post-mining restoration approaches. It also gives provide baseline values for the monitoring of Namib environments, work as a team and sleep the effects of mining-generated dust and in the desert for the first time with no tent,” young Namibian students the opportunity to water flow interference. She looked at the laughs Kornelia. health of three plant species: Welwitschia “I enjoyed everything,” agrees Elise, “from mirabilis, Arthraerua leubnitzia (pencil bush) the Goba-Bootcamp to the final presentation. It study the Namib up close and personal. Elise (left) and Kornelia use the grid cover and Zygophyllum stapfii (dollar bush). was not always easy, but it was worth it. It was a estimator to measure the aerial cover of a dollar three young Namibian scien- into this area so that intelligent thought can be “My biggest achievement is setting up a great opportunity for my life and my career.” bush. By also taking a picture with the camera tists, 2013 will be a year to given to closure and restoration plans for the baseline for future research studies,” she says, In addition to meeting the requirements of FOR mounted on the overhead frame, the remember as they spent five months particpat- end of life-of-mine. “I have gained greater knowledge of the sci- the Husab EMP, one of Swakop Uranium’s sus- instrument allows accurate re-measurement of ing in the esteemed Desert Science and ence and policy of conservation and restora- tainability objectives is to support education of the size of plants — a crucial aspect needed to Research Training (DeSeRT) Programme hosted Young brains behind the research tion ecology and improved my awareness of Namibian students. This DeSeRT project monitor the impacts of changes in water supply by the Research and Training Centre The students, all from various parts of Namibia, the environmental issues facing the Namib. offered an ideal opportunity to do so, to train over time as the mine may influence this. Elise Nghalipo uses a sterilised garden trowel and proudly sponsored by the Nedbank Go were asked to provide a baseline for monitor- The DeSeRT Programme taught me how to be students in the scientific method under the to take a soil sample that may later be used Green Fund and Swakop Uranium. ing potential impacts of construction and min- an independent researcher. This has helped guidance of world-renowned scientists, and to to measure microbial activity, which is an ing activities. Data was obtained on the Husab me take another step in my career as a young potentially identify future employees. important indicator of soil ecosystem health. Unique programme to restore ecosystems Sand Lizard, methodologies for the rehabilita- Namibian environmentalist and make a signifi- The programme, one of the few of its kind in tion and restoration of the environment post- cant contribution to Namibia’s ability to man- Namibia, closely mentors students in their sci- mine closure and the potential impacts of age ecosystems while ensuring sustainable entific investigations. It allows selected stu- mine-related dust on sensitive vegetation. development.” dents to work under the guidance of Gobabeb “My project worked really well and I gained researchers and other scientific staff to conduct a lot,” says Cammy Ndaitwah, who researched Goba-Bootcamp – independent research into projects that con- the habitat of Pedioplanis husabensis (the “an awesome experience” tribute to Namibia’s ability to manage and Husab Sand Lizard). “I didn’t even like lizards The programme further emphasises the restore degraded ecosystems. This particular before this experience, but now I am in love adventurous aspect of fieldwork and of programme falls under the supervision of with them! I enjoyed everything about the finding out new things through careful Gobabeb’s Namib Ecological Restoration and project from running around in the mountains observation. It kicks off with a week of Monitoring Unit (NERMU), the overarching goal chasing lizards, to the people I worked with.” Kornelia and Elise measure the frequency and of which is to prevent a loss of the Namib’s bio- Elise Nghalipo’s research focused on the Kornelia Iipinge holds the Handy cover of plants on a transect used to determine diversity as a result of . recovery of Hypolithic cyanobacteria in rehabili- PEA, an instrument used to measure the function of a landscape. This is being done Three projects were identified in the vicinity tated, non-rehabilitated and undisturbed sites. photofluorescene in the leaf of a to monitor the recovery of rehabilitated tracks, of the developing Husab mine — an area of This long-winded scientific name describes the Welwitschia plant. This gives an comparing these to undisturbed adjacent areas. high biodiversity and unique landscapes — and green stuff that one finds under smaller stones indication of the amount of stress the addressed some of the research needs of and pebbles on the desert surface. It formed plant is experiencing. Accurate follow- Swakop Uranium’s Environmental Management part of an ongoing study into the factors that up measurements can now be made Plan (EMP). Swakop Uranium has made a num- affect soil surface disturbance recovery. to tease out the potential impact the Kornelia Iipinge and Elise Nghalipo get a set of ber of commitments to understanding the bio- “The DeSeRT project introduced me to a mine will have on these plants by coordinates of their location using a GPS. diversity found on this site and supports studies whole new world of science. It taught me so affecting groundwater levels.

8 9 Almost there! One of three massive water tankers that will be used on the Husab Project on the last stretch of its journey from Richards Bay to the Husab site. The 85 000-litre tankers, which are 8 x 5 x 4 m in diameter, will be used to suppress dust in the haul road and shovels areas. It took 15 days to transport the tanker from Richards Bay to Swakopmund. help us to build a wall opening, we had only one learner and very PLEASE around our school and few possessions. Learners had to sit on a small fix the cracks in the classroom walls to ensure old mat, which was donated. Today, we have 25 the children’s safety and provide an environ- children, ranging in age from three to six years. ment conducive to teaching. We are proud to say we are one of the best This was the plea from the Asser Kapere managed pre-primary schools in Arandis,” pre-primary school in Arandis, the town nearest says the school’s director, James Likando. to Swakop Uranium’s Husab mine site. The The school moved to new and bigger Swakop Uranium Foundation stepped up to premises a few years ago, which was donated the plate and soon the wall will be built and the by the Arandis Town Council. Currently the cracks fixed. The donation will also enable the school consists of two large classrooms, a rest school to buy basic educational material for the room, a dining room, a store room and an children, such as text books and paint supplies. administration office. The school, which has a Top: The Asser Kapere school, which will Asser Kapere is a private preparatory spacious playground and a garden, focuses soon have a wall around it. school that aims to provide quality care and on physical development, language develop- Above: Johanna Naanda with some of education to its learners and strives to be the ment, cultural development, emotional the learners. leading preparatory school, not only in development and social development. Areva desalination plant metres of water per hour. “This is more than Mr Zheng Keping, CEO of Swakop Arandis, but also in the Erongo region. The “We prepare the children for grade one THE (pictured below) has begun enough for the Husab Project’s construction Uranium, said at the commissioning ceremony school is registered with the Ministry of intake into formal schools,” adds James. providing water to Swakop Uranium following activities,” confirms Deon Garbers, Swakop the agreements were the result of many Gender Equality and Child Welfare. “The normal hours are up to 13:00, but we an agreement between Areva and NamWater. Uranium’s Senior Vice-president: Operations. months of negotiation between the three Its aim to be the best is, however, ham- are open up to 15:00,” says one of the teach- The plant was initially built to provide water to The water is pumped via the Rössing reservoir parties and are significant in addressing the pered by the fact that the school is close to a ers, Loveness Likando. Loveness and Johanna the company’s Trekkopje uranium mine, but to the Husab site. water shortages in the Erongo region. shebeen and learners are exposed to loud Naanda, two qualified teachers with vast Areva stopped development of the mine last year The agreement is valid until early 2014, He said Swakop Uranium is proud to help music and patrons who sometimes dance and experience in pre-school education, manage following a slump in the uranium price. Swakop when an agreement for the permanent supply alleviate any shortages in this resource, converse noisily throughout the day. the school and take care of the daily activities Uranium concluded an interim water supply of water to the Husab mine will be in place. thereby improving the quality of life of people To try and lower the children’s exposure to at the school. agreement with NamWater on 14 August, back- According to Hilifa Mbako, Managing in the region. “Swakop Uranium attaches the noise and activities and to ensure the safety to-back with an interim water supply agreement Director of Areva Namibia, the agreement great importance to the robust execution of of the children, the school’s management Johanna Naanda (left) and Loveness Likando between NamWater and Areva. between his company and NamWater is a the Husab Project, to full compliance with the decided to build a wall. Education being one take care of the daily activities of the school. NamWater will now use the plant to prelude to a medium-term agreement that will applicable laws and regulations, to positive of Swakop Uranium Foundation’s core pillars, distribute water to Swakop Uranium’s Husab enable up to 10-million cubic metres per year contribution to the socio-economic growth of the Foundation responded positively to the mine. The desalination plant is situated about to be distributed. At full capacity, the plant will Namibia, and, of course, to maintaining a opportunity to help the school. 30 km north of Swakopmund and is expected produce up to 20-million cubic metres of productive relationship and friendship with the “Education is a building block in the devel- to alleviate the shortage of water at the potable water per year thanks to state-of-the- Namibian people, the authorities and our opment of a nation and the Foundation strives coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. art technology that includes screen filtration, peers in the mining industry.” to increase Namibia’s skills pool. Our involve- Swakop Uranium has signed an interim ultra-filtration, reverse osmosis, limestone ment will help the school to realise its goals agreement with NamWater for 300 cubic contact and chlorination. and provide a safer and more conducive envi- ronment for the learners’ development,” says Steven Ambabi, Chairperson of the Swakop Uranium Foundation. The school was founded in February 2005 and operated from a house. “At the time of

Some of the happy learners of the Asser Kapere school show off their new art supplies. 10 11 Not once, PLA addendum aims not twice, for workplace stability but three stable workplace is good for people, u With effect from 1 May 2013, all times a A business and government. This employees of contractors employed objective is supported by the original under Long Distance Commuting (LCDs) Project Labour Agreement (PLA) signed by and working at the Husab site will receive winner! Swakop Uranium, the Metal and Allied a temporary allowance instead of a lunch Workers Union (MANWU) and the pack. The allowance will be discontinued Construction Industry Federation (CIF), in when they are provided with lunch packs Husab Voice has scored a hat-trick, walking May 2011, and the addendum to it, signed by a service provider appointed by away with the Best External Newsletter tro- on 5 September 2013. Swakop Uranium. phy for the third year in a row. Swakop Uranium’s Human Resources u About 1 350 construction labourers are The competition, organised by the SA Director, Percy McCallum, says: “The Swakop currently not staying on site, but are Publication Forum, recognises the top corpo- Uranium leadership is committed to ensuring transported to site from various points in rate publications in southern Africa and is th that the Husab project is successfully Swakopmund and Arandis. They will move now in its 12 year. implemented. This will allow us to start to site when the construction camp is Husab Voice was also the runner-up in the operation on time and contribute to the completed towards the end of 2013. Lunch Best Writing category, scoring 87%. shareholders’ and the Namibian population’s packs will be made available when the The newsletter faced competition from expectations.” camp is in operation. newsletters produced for the Square Kilometre The addendum will set a vision and a set u Swakop Uranium, MANWU and CIF are Array, Metropolitan Retail, and Tronox. of values for all contractors and MANWU to committed to a 60-hour working week, The judges were particularly impressed with operate within the framework, thereby which will be finalised between the the writing: “No other newsletter makes min- ensuring industrial harmony and peace,” Contractor Management Forum and ing sound as interesting as you do,” said one. he adds. MANWU by no later than 20 September Another commented that “Husab Voice is Justina Jonas, General Secretary of 2013. indeed making its voice heard – especially so in MANWU says: “The PLA aims to ensure that u Swakop Uranium, MANWU and CIF will the writing, which is sharp and stylish, yet sim- all involved in the project share one vision re-negotiate the PLA to provide a platform ple and straightforward at the same time”. and objective: to construct the mine for industrial peace and maintain sound And who could argue with this statement: successfully and be part of a history and relationships during the construction and “Husab Voice reminds me of the environment positive legacy of which we can all be commissioning period. that hosts the project – earthy, warm and proud.” u T his agreement will remain in force until reflecting the beauty of the Namib. Keep the The parties agreed to the following: the re-negotiation of the envisaged PLA. ink flowing!”

Percy McCallum, Swakop Uranium’s Director Human Resources, and Justina Jonas, JUNE 2013 • NEWS FOR THE FRIENDS AND PEOPLE OF SWAKOP URANIUM General Secretary of the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (MANWU), at the

• NEWS FOR THE FRIENDS AND PEOPLE OF SWAKOP URANIUM signing ceremony of the Project Labour Agreement addendum. APRIL 2013

ONE of the largest freights ever car- recently made its way from Johannesburg to ried by road in southern Africa the Husab Project site near Swakopmund. The loads consisted of the first two of a series of Project Joint Venture (HPJV), comprising the massive dump bodies which will be fitted on Finally home. A proud Swakop Uranium international engineering and project manage- the giant Komatsu haul trucks at the Husab executive team in front of the two dump bodies ment companies AMEC, and Tenova Bateman Percussion to seven years in the making, mine, where they will become the primary mov- after their arrival on the Husab Project site. (Sub Saharan Africa). AMEC will act as lead on Swakop Uranium has start- ers of waste and ore. perfection all HPJV activities and will hold specific respon- Wolmaransstad, Warrenton and Upington, sibility for project management and engineer- Swakop Uranium will use a fleet of 39 of these AFTER haul trucks, each with a payload of 326 tonnes. before entering Namibia via the Nakop border ing, with responsibilities for procurement and ed developing the US$2,5 billion (N$21 billion) The dimensions of these loads posed a signifi- post. From there they went via Karasburg, The Namib construction management to be shared with Husab mine near Swakopmund, the third-largest cant transport challenge, as the dump bodies are Rehoboth, Windhoek, Karibib and Usakos to known primary uranium deposit on the planet. the joint venture partner. the Husab site. Marimbas created a The authority to proceed with construction14,6 m long by 10,7 m wide by 5,4 m high. The mine is planning first production in the third According to Les Dodds, Project Logistics & very festive atmosphere at quarter of 2015 and will reach 15 million pounds of the mine – which will take about 34 months Giant load creates massive interest PAGEMaterial 2 Management at the Husab Project the official ground-breaking per annum of nameplate production by 2017. to build – is effective from 18 October Joint2012. Venture, the first two dump bodies start- Lawrence Ndlovu, one of the truck drivers, says Several contracts have been awarded, bulk CONTINUED ON Skills pool ripples ed the 2 250 km journey from Johannesburg to they travelled at an average speed of between 50 ceremony earthworks have commenced, construction on the mine on 4 June and arrived at the Husab km and 70 km per hour. “We would pull off to the beyond Namibia the temporary road to the Husab mine is well site on 28 June. The route took them through side of the road when we noticed a queue of cars See page 6 and 7 for under way, Nampower has approved guaran- several South African towns, including forming behind us as we did not want to frustrate other drivers on the road,” he says. There were more news about this event. As the number of Swakop teed power supply of 50 MW for the mine and the first water from the temporary pipeline was times they felt like celebrities when they passed Uranium bursary recipients delivered from the Rössing reservoir into a new- through the smaller towns. “Motorists pulled over ly-built pond on the Husab mine (see page 5). increases, and cross-continental The project kicked off in November 2012 studies are introduced, Namibia’s with the signing in Beijing of the engineering, husab voice jun 2013 1 CONTINUED ON skills pool is lapping at the global procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract for the project. PAGE 2 playing-field. The contract was awarded to the Husab 2013/04/05 12:03 PM

Full article on pages 6, 7 and 8

04/07/2013 12:35 PM

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