#JustIn: Headsprings goes to court over refused permit

Headspring Investment has taken the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to court after their exploration permit for drilling in the Stampriet aquifer was denied. Headspring has filed an application in the High Court to have the ministry's decision set aside. All respondents listed in the application, including the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, individual farmers, as well as the village councils of Aminuis and Leonardville, have between 15 and 21 days to oppose the application. Headsprings, the Namibian subsidiary of the Russian state-owned enterprise Rosatom, which wants to establish a uranium mine in the Stampriet area, believes that the refusal amounts to unfair and unjust conduct by government officials. According to the organisation, this is in violation of Article 18 of the Namibian Constitution. The Association for the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mine (SAUMA) stated in the latest newsletter of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) that it has already sought legal assistance on how to support farmers and respondents in the case.