Headspring Investments has welcomed the recent visit by an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert mission that conducted a technical review of its in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium mining project in Namibia’s Omaheke Region, as the company advances preparations for a pilot phase of the development.
The IAEA mission, which took place from 9 to 13 February, assessed technical aspects of the proposed ISR mining operation. Headspring said company representatives provided international experts with full access to technical documentation and geological exploration data during the review process.
Headspring said the ISR mining method, which it plans to apply at the project, is widely used in countries such as the United States, Kazakhstan and Australia and is regarded as one of the more environmentally controlled uranium extraction techniques.
The company indicated that a network of observation wells will be installed at the test site to enable real-time environmental monitoring, with data made available to regulators for independent oversight.
According to the company, ISR mining uses a water-efficient process in which extraction solutions are recycled and reused multiple times, while computerised monitoring systems are employed to safeguard surrounding groundwater resources.
Headspring said it is awaiting the IAEA mission’s recommendations, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. The company described engagements during the visit as constructive and said it is prepared to incorporate recommendations from international experts to further strengthen environmental and operational safeguards.
“Our goal is to implement a project that serves as a model for combining economic development with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. We invite all stakeholders to continue a transparent dialogue,” said Headspring Investments Managing Director Kirill Egorov-Kirillov.
The company added that it remains committed to raising public awareness around the safety measures and technologies planned for the project, with the aim of building trust among stakeholders and ensuring alignment with regulatory and community expectations.
Headspring Investments is the Namibian operating subsidiary of Uranium One Group, an international uranium mining company owned by Russia’s Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation. The group operates a diversified portfolio of uranium assets globally, including in Kazakhstan, Tanzania and Namibia.
Exploration activities in the Omaheke Region began in 2011 and led to the discovery of a sandstone-hosted uranium deposit considered suitable for ISR mining. The project is currently at the pre-feasibility study stage, with preparations underway for a pilot test programme.
The company estimates the deposit could produce approximately 3,000 tonnes of uranium annually over a projected mine life of at least 25 years, subject to regulatory approvals and successful project development.
