Namibia Uranium Stewardship

Introduction

The Chamber of Mines of Namibia is a member of the World Nuclear Association (WNA),  the global private-sector organization that seeks to promote the peaceful worldwide use of nuclear power as a sustainable energy resource for the coming centuries.(http://www.world-nuclear.org)

The WNA as the representative organization of the worldwide community of professionals engaged in uranium mining and processing recognizes that managing radiation, health and safety, waste and the environment is of paramount importance for the protection of workers, the public and the environment. This recognition – and the acceptance of commensurate responsibility – is fundamental to the WNA's vision, values and measures of success. Such responsible management of uranium mining and processing projects applies at all stages of planning and activities – from exploration through development, construction and operations, and on to decommissioning. The WNA and its members are acting to ensure that all parties directly involved in uranium mining and processing – including operators, contractors, and regulators – strive to achieve the highest levels of excellence in these fields of management. The members of the WNA are doing so by sustaining a strong safety culture based on a commitment to a framework of common, internationally shared principles. These international principles build on – and are complementary to – the World Nuclear Association’s (WNA) ‘Charter of Ethics’ and the WNA’s ‘Principles of Uranium Stewardship’.

The WNA Charter of Ethics is founded on “Our belief that sustainability must be the guiding principle of global development – requiring worldwide policies that meet the needs and aspirations of the present generation without compromising the opportunity of future generations to fulfill their needs and aspirations”. The WNA Principles of Uranium Stewardship focus on the commodity on which nuclear energy is based. These principles embody best practice and ethical conduct for the entire global nuclear industry – including uranium miners, equipment suppliers, service providers, and generators of electricity. 

WNA Principles of Uranium Stewardship

Uranium Stewardship is a WNA programme of action based on a continued commitment by responsible enterprises to ensure that uranium and its by-products are managed in a manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, economical and socially acceptable. A key mission of the Uranium Stewardship programme is to earn public trust for the global nuclear fuel cycle through the continued replacement of standard practice with best practice.

Recognizing that uranium stewardship is a responsibility shared by enterprises in every sector in the nuclear fuel cycle, we as members of the World Nuclear Association, commit ourselves to:

1. Support the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology.
2. Act responsibly in all areas we manage and control.
3. Operate ethically with sound corporate governance.
4. Uphold and promote fundamental human rights.
5. Contribute to the social and economic development of regions where we operate.
6. Provide for responsible sourcing, use and disposition of uranium and its byproducts.
7. Support best practice and responsible behaviour throughout the nuclear fuel cycle.
8. Improve continually in all areas of our performance.
9. Communicate regularly on progress.
10. Review and update.