Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist July 2018 | Page 56

ROUTE
BY NEETA BAPORIKAR*
N
amibia is an African country endowed with rich
mineral deposits. Diamonds and uranium production
constitute key activities in the mining sector. While
the diamond industry is on a downward slope, uranium
extraction, on the contrary, is on an upward slope. The
mining industry creates approximately 10 percent of GDP
and is responsible for over 40 percent of total export revenues
(Conde and Kallis, 2012). After 2010, Namibia ranks as the
4-5th global uranium producer with perspectives to become
the leader in the near future (OECD, 2012). Apart from being
a heavy metal, uranium is radioactive and usable to produce
nuclear weapons (Hecht 2012). Throughout history, especially
between the 1940s and the 1980s, uranium application in
nuclear weapons manufacturing has been an important source
of demand. It can also be used for the desalination of water.
Another use of uranium is in maritime propulsion, mostly of
submarines. Finally, radioisotopes made from uranium are
widely applied in medicine, agriculture and industry.
A number of uranium projects were under development in
Namibia. However, rising prices of the resource attracted an
infl ux of foreign exploration companies, the 'Uranium Rush'
phenomenon. Hence, in 2007, the government felt that it was
diffi cult to control this situation effectively. Therefore, it issued a
moratorium on new prospecting licenses for foreign companies.
56 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 7 • July 2018, Noida