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namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6748 THURSDAY 3 MAY 2018 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
All Staff at Langer Heinrich receive retrenchment letters Floris Steenkamp
Confirmation was received yesterday that the first workers received their letters of retrenchment at Langer Heinrich Uranium (LHU), confirming the worst fears that the mine will not be resuming uranium production anymore, but instead would be placed under care and maintenance (mothballing) indefinitely. A memorandum addressed to all staff at LHU yesterday indicated although the finer details are yet to be ironed out with the Namibian Government and with the mine's joint-venture partners, it is unlikely that production will resume. It was also confirmed to staff that Langer Heinrich Uranium is in a “financially distressed position” and cannot function any more without the financial aid of Paladin Energy, the Australian-based majority owner of the mine. The Langer Heinrich Uranium mine is situated some 75km, east, southeast of Swakopmund. The economies of both Swakopmund and Walvis Bay are significantly reliant on the mine. The mine not only employs and procures locally, but the import of mining chemicals, transport services and the export of uranium oxide are some other segments also expected to take a severe knock downstream. The memorandum states the decision to halt production was already taken on 24 April. All that remains now is a stockpile of uranium ore with which Langer Heinrich can continue to produce uranium oxide. This stockpile is scheduled to run out by June 2019. Langer Heinrich expects to complete the retrenchments by August this year. A pool of 20 employees only will be retained for care and maintenance purposes and to look after the assets of the mine, it is said in the memorandum signed by Michael Introna, Langer Heinrich Uranium's managing director.
MUNW says it was not consulted in the process - report on page 2
inside
Vandalism of road signs
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New owners for Goanikontes
Fish consumption among Namibians almost half less than global average consumption Locker vom Hocker
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NANTU jubilant after High Court victory Sharlien Tjambari The Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU) is jubilant after it was victorious in its High Court bid to force the Namibian Government to pay teachers a so-called “hardship allowance”. An agreement dated 2015 between Government and NANTU makes provision for a hardship allowance, but to date no teachers received this payment. NANTU launched a High Court bid on 21 February this year, Erongo Regional Chairperson of NANTU, Jonathan Tsuseb recently explained to namib times. Adding, the hardship allowance falls under the so-called “Bush Continues on page 2
Namibians consume an average of 11 kilograms of fish per annum per person (per capita), way below the global average of 20,5 kilograms of fish per person per year. These statistics were recently released by the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Bernhard Esau at the inauguration of the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust’s fish shop at Lüderitz. In fact, the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust’s primary goal is to promote fish consumption among Namibians and to stimulate business de-
velopment and employment in fish trading. Namibia is a fisheries nation, yet fish consumption by Namibians are far below global averages.
Kickboxing’s medalsgalore in Botswana
Getting Namibians to eat more fish has the potential to unlock fish enterprise development and food security, said the minister at the official opening. Page 20