The Okanjande graphite deposit is situated approximately 20 km south of Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa region. The reserve has been determined as 34 million tons of graphite ore, contained mainly in flake form with an average carbon content of 5.14%, providing a consistent supply of high grade, large flake graphite. The mineral deposits were owned by Rössing Uranium Limited in the 1990’s, whereafter they were taken over by Gecko Graphite, who updated the previous studies done by Rössing Uranium Limited. Northern Graphite Holding Namibia (PTY) Limited (Northern Graphite) subsequently obtained the mineral rights from Gecko Graphite and is the current right holder under ML 196. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted in 2014 (Gecko Graphite) for the then proposed Okanjande graphite mine and exploration activities, with a separate EIA conducted in 2016 for the processing of the Okanjande graphite ore at Okorusu (Okorusu Fluorspar (Pty) Ltd), included in this was the mining and processing of magnetite ore and Metspar recovery at Okorusu Mine. Okanjande and Okorusu are presently under care and maintenance. It is planned that mining will restart at Okanjande while the processing of graphite ore will be conducted at Okorusu. As part of restarting the operations, some changes to the waste rock dump (WRD) at Okanjande is proposed with a new tailings storage facility (TSF) at Okorusu. Another trigger activity is the proposed transportation of ore from Okanjande to Okorusu for processing. These changes necessitate amendments to the previously approved EIA. In conforming to the requirements of the Namibian Environmental Management Act (No 7 of 2007) and its Regulations (2012), Northern Graphite has appointed Environam Consultants to review and update the previous EIA and EMP.
Prpject status APPROVED
Ministry of Environment and Tourism
Department of Environmental Affairs
(+264 -61) 284 2701 (T)
(+264-61) 240 339 (F)
http://www.met.gov.na