Marenica Ventures (Pty) Ltd, a Namibian subsidiary of Australia’s Elevate Uranium Limited, has applied for environmental clearance to conduct uranium exploration within Exclusive Prospecting Licence (EPL) 8791 in the Erongo Region.
The area lies within the =/=Gaingu Conservancy, east of Henties Bay, and partly overlaps with Farm Hoopverloor No. 88.
The company has appointed Environmental Compliance Consultancy (ECC) to undertake an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and compile an environmental and social management plan (ESMP) in line with Namibia’s Environmental Management Act of 2007 and its 2012 Regulations.
Once completed, the assessment will be submitted to the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy (MIME) and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) for approval and a record of decision.
The proposed work will focus on early-stage exploration for nuclear fuel minerals through what ECC describes as “minimally invasive” methods.
These include geological mapping, aerial and ground geophysical surveys, geochemical soil and rock sampling, and—where results justify—rotary air blast (RAB), reverse circulation (RC), or diamond drilling.
ECC notes that vegetation clearing will be limited to access tracks where existing routes cannot be used. Portable toilets or chemical sanitation facilities will be employed, and solid waste will be collected and transported to the nearest registered landfill. Water for drilling will be drawn from authorised boreholes or local groundwater abstraction points under regulated conditions.
The company expects exploration to last three years, with a possible two-year renewal if results are promising. During this time, minimal infrastructure will be developed, and all activities will be temporary and reversible.
Elevate Uranium, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX: EL8), has built one of the largest portfolios of uranium tenements in Namibia, including the Koppies, Namib IV, Hirabeb, and Capri projects.
The group is also advancing its proprietary U-pgrade™ technology, which aims to increase uranium recovery from low-grade ores while reducing processing costs.
Namibia remains one of the world’s leading uranium producers, with primary operations including the Rössing, Husab, and Langer Heinrich mines. The company’s local exploration programme aims to expand the national resource base and reinforce the country’s role as a global uranium supplier.
ECC’s assessment outlines several steps in the environmental process, beginning with screening, followed by scoping, impact assessment, and the preparation of an ESMP.
The method includes baseline studies, public consultations, and evaluation of potential environmental and social impacts.
The ESIA will examine potential effects, including dust and noise emissions, disturbance to flora and fauna, water use and waste management, and the potential to uncover heritage resources.
According to ECC, all identified impacts are anticipated to be “low in significance and readily mitigable” through compliance with the ESMP.
Public participation is a key requirement. ECC has invited interested and affected parties, including the =/=Gaingu Conservancy, neighbouring landowners, environmental groups, and government institutions, to register and submit comments before 30 November 2025. Notices have been placed in national newspapers, and information is available through ECC’s website.
The document emphasises that mineral exploration is essential for Namibia’s economic development.
The mining sector contributed 13.3 per cent to GDP in 2024, generating N$52.3 billion in revenue.
Exploration expenditure increased by 66.6 per cent to N$1.485 billion in the same year, underscoring growing investor confidence.
Marenica Ventures expects its activities to contribute to both the national and local economy through job creation, procurement of goods and services, and future royalties or taxes should a viable deposit be defined.
ECC’s review notes that no large-scale or permanent infrastructure will be established during the exploration phase.
Instead, mitigation measures will focus on responsible waste handling, rehabilitation of disturbed ground, and continuous environmental monitoring.
A draft environmental and social management plan will set out auditable commitments for Marenica Ventures to follow, covering community engagement, environmental protection, and compliance monitoring.
Once approved, the environmental clearance certificate will be valid for three years and subject to renewal based on adherence to its conditions.
The ESIA process will conclude with the submission of final reports to the mining commissioner and the environmental commissioner for a record of decision.
ECC has urged all interested parties to take part in the consultation process to ensure transparency and community involvement.
Stakeholders can register via ECC’s website or send comments directly to info@eccenvironmental.com.
By ensuring public participation and adhering to environmental standards, Marenica Ventures aims to advance uranium exploration responsibly within one of Namibia’s most sensitive ecological regions, balancing economic potential with environmental stewardship.
