It was over twenty years ago when we first visited the Rössing Uranium Mine, located sixty kilometres inland from Swakopmund. At that time, it was still part of the Rio Tinto group. It was also the assessor at the time who ensured that a golf course was built here for her senior employees, which still bears the name Rössing.

But who knows: perhaps the entrance to the golf club will also be labelled in Chinese in a few years? As is now the case with the Rössing Mine, which was taken over by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) in 2019. Rössing is considered the largest uranium mine where uranium is mined in opencast mines and supplies just over two percent of the world’s uranium production.

The tour was entirely in the service of PR and the lady who was responsible for it probably didn’t believe everything she said that day. Four «propaganda videos» were first shown in the Visitor Center, which show Rössing Uranium as a caring company that is concerned about safety in every respect. But the critical questions at the end showed that the visitors didn’t really trust the Chinese. (No wonder when you know how they deal with their environment and minorities in their own country.)

One thing is certain: this mine is gigantic in size and the machines used here are just as gigantic. The uranium-containing rock is now being mined at a depth of 420 meters. The mine provides employment for nine hundred employees; another two thousand work as contractors. And everyone is happy and satisfied, as we heard! (We hope the owners put as much effort into protecting the environment as they put into PR efforts!)

PS: If you want to see how the Chinese owners promote their mine, read here.