Learning with Laughter

NOVEMBER 2013 • NEWS FOR THE FRIENDS AND PEOPLE OF SWAKOP URANIUM 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 Namibia. 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 responsible 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 Swakopmund 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.

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