TLU SA Northern Cape has voiced serious concern about the planned upgrade and potential expansion of the Vaalputs nuclear waste storage facility in Namaqualand, and the impact it could have on agriculture, surrounding communities and food safety.
By Carien Kruger
In a statement, the organisation highlighted several issues, chief among them being the lack of information and meaningful consultation. Jan Palm, chairperson of TLU SA Northern Cape, told African Farming that farmers in the region are deeply uneasy about the project.
Their biggest concern, Palm said, is that they don’t have enough information. The Vaalputs site, located in the Garies district, is surrounded by farmland, including areas managed by a communal property association (CPA). Most of the farming involves sheep and goats, with some cattle as well.
“We need to be informed and reassured about what exactly will be stored at the site, for how long, and how farmers and residents will be protected from any potential risks. I don’t think people fully understand how volatile the agricultural commodities market can be.”
When contacted, the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI) said that public engagement was a priority, and that it was committed to complying with all public participation requirements as outlined by the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA, Act 107 of 1998)
“We are actively engaging with local communities and stakeholders. We encourage anyone with questions to contact our communications department directly.”
Vaalputs and Other Sites Considered
Vaalputs in Namaqualand is one of the sites under consideration for the establishment of an off-site facility for spent nuclear fuel, known as a centralised interim storage facility. This proposed above-ground facility would store high-level radioactive waste from Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa).
As part of the site selection process, Vaalputs is included in the ongoing environmental impact assessment (EIA). According to the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI), the EIA will determine the most suitable location for the storage facility, based on environmental, social, technical and economic criteria.
No regulatory approvals have been granted for any specific site at this stage. To establish a new clearance and storage facility, the NRWDI must comply with all the applicable legislative and regulatory requirements. This includes obtaining environmental authorisation from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, as well as a nuclear installation licence from the National Nuclear Regulator.
Vaalputs is already home to South Africa’s current low-level radioactive waste storage facility, which has been in operation since November 1986. The site spans 100 km², although the actual waste storage area occupies approximately 1 km².
The outcome of the environmental impact assessment will determine whether a new facility for the above-ground storage of spent nuclear fuel (classified as high-level waste) will be built at the existing Vaalputs site.
The proposed centralised interim storage facility would serve as a secure location for high-level nuclear waste currently stored at Koeberg and Necsa, according to the NRWDI.
Four Key Concerns
TLU SA Northern Cape raised the following specific concerns with the proposed expansion of the Vaalputs nuclear waste storage site:
1. Food safety and sustainable production: The Vaalputs area lies within a region increasingly recognised for its role in sustainable livestock farming and dryland crop production. Any pollution – whether actual or potential – of the soil, air or water resources poses a direct threat to the safety and marketability of agricultural products from this region.
2. Environmental impact on ecologically sensitive areas: Namaqualand is known for its unique biodiversity and ecological significance, as well as its value as a tourism destination. Expanding the nuclear waste site would increase the risk of long-term environmental damage to this fragile ecosystem.
3. Lack of transparency and public participation: The organisation is deeply concerned about the limited inclusion of local stakeholders in the decision-making process. Land owners, farming communities and agricultural organisations have to be properly consulted. This includes access to risk assessments and planning documents, and information on alternative sites under consideration.
4. Potential negative impact on local development and investment: The presence of a nuclear waste facility could discourage future agricultural development, deter tourism investment and reduce land values. This in turn could harm job creation and long-term economic growth in the region.
The organisation is calling for a meaningful and transparent public participation process, with a firm commitment from authorities and responsible institutions to consult affected communities.
“We will not stand by while the long-term sustainability of agriculture and rural communities is put at risk. Vaalputs must not become a silent compromise that irreversibly damages the future of Namaqualand.”
