Also known as: Russian state-owned mining company Rosatom · Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation
Russian state atomic energy company operating nuclear power and uranium projects internationally, including exploration in Namibia and educational programmes across Africa.
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June 2026
Informanté
Rosatomhas claimedgroundwater in one aquifer in Stampriet Basin is already contaminated
Source
“RUSSIAN state-owned company Rosatom, through its Namibian subsidiary Headspring Investments, has claimed that groundwater in one of the aquifers in the Stampriet Basin, where it proposes to undertake uranium mining, is already contaminated.”
RosatomownsHeadspring Investments as a Russian state subsidiary
Source
“Headspring Investments, a Russian-owned state subsidiary of Rosatom, is accused of influencing communities to accept the mine in the Omaheke region amid concerns over the contamination of the Stampriet aquifer.”
Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporationis linked toHeadspring Investments, a Namibia-registered subsidiary
Source
“Mudge also accused 'Headspring Investments', a Namibia-registered subsidiary linked to Russia's Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, of carrying out improper drilling activities during exploration.”
Rosatomisa state-owned uranium company pushing to explore for uranium in eastern Namibia
Source
“Russia's main operations in Namibia are through Rosatom, a state-owned uranium company that has been pushing to explore for uranium in eastern Namibia.”
Rosatomsays project would usein-situ recovery (ISR) method, economically efficient and environmentally responsible
Source
“Responding to questions, Rosatom says the project would use the in-situ recovery (ISR) method, which it describes as both economically efficient and environmentally responsible.”
Rosatomindicated it is ready to investmore than US$5 billion directly into Namibia
Source
“Furthermore, Rosatom has indicated it is ready to invest more than US$5 billion directly into Namibia and help develop nuclear technologies, including mineral beneficiation, nuclear energy, nuclear medicine and nuclear fuel development.”
“Headsprings Investments, a company under Russian state-owned Rosatom, has applied for an exclusive prospecting licence to test the feasibility of an in-situ leach mining project near Leonardville.”
Namibian pupil Tironnen Kadhikwa (14) returned from a 10-day expedition to the North Pole in early August, travelling on the nuclear icebreaker 50 Years of Victory as a winner of a science competition organised by Russian state atomic energy company Rosatom. During the voyage from Murmansk to the North Pole, Kadhikwa attended lectures on nuclear reactors and said the experience deepened his interest in science and nuclear energy.
Namibian pupil Tironnen Kadhikwa (14) returned from a 10-day expedition to the North Pole in early August, travelling on the nuclear icebreaker 50 Years of Victory as a winner of a science competition organised by Russian state atomic energy company Rosatom. During the voyage from Murmansk to the North Pole, Kadhikwa attended lectures on nuclear reactors and said the experience deepened his interest in science and nuclear energy.
//Kharas Regional Council delegates visited Novosibirsk Region in Russia to explore cooperation in technology, science, education and energy. The two regions have established a sister-region relationship and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue joint projects and expertise exchange.
Rosatom has begun its fifth annual environmental and biodiversity monitoring programme along Russia's Northern Sea Route in partnership with Moscow State University's Marine Research Centre, assessing the impact of shipping activity on Arctic marine ecosystems as the company expands nuclear technology cooperation with countries including those in Africa.
Tironenn Amutenya Kadhikwa from Namibia has been chosen from nearly 5,000 candidates across 22 countries to join Rosatom's 2026 Icebreaker of Knowledge programme aboard a Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker, embarking on a 10-day voyage to the North Pole and Franz Josef Land.
Namibia's government holds a 24% equity stake in the Hyphen Green Hydrogen Project through the Sovereign Wealth Fund, with its share funded through grants from development partners. The country is also expanding uranium exploration in the Omaheke Region and Nasan Energies has acquired 52 service stations to become Namibia's third-largest oil marketing company.
Kadhikwa Tironenn Amutenya won an international science competition and earned a place on Rosatom's Icebreaker of Knowledge 2026 expedition, which will take her aboard a nuclear-powered icebreaker to the North Pole in August. Nearly 5,000 learners aged 14–16 from 23 countries competed for the opportunity.
Namibia participated in the Obninsk New 2026 International Youth Forum in Russia, which brought together more than 700 participants from 85 countries to discuss workforce development for the global nuclear industry. Noble Eiaseb, founder of the Association of Young Generation in Nuclear of Namibia, won the Atoms Empowering Africa video contest and attended the forum alongside a specialised summer school for international students.
The Obninsk NEW'26 Forum in Russia reinforced international cooperation in nuclear education and training, with agreements signed to expand engineering education and global capacity-building initiatives, including growing engagement with Namibia. The forum, supported by the IAEA, emphasised training a new generation of nuclear specialists as global nuclear capacity is projected to triple by 2050.
Young leaders from Africa and other regions participated in discussions on nuclear energy cooperation, education and sustainable development at the Obninsk NEW'26 International Youth Forum in Russia, including a meeting with Rosatom Director General and members of the Impact Team 2050 International Youth Council.
ROSATOM has begun construction of the world's first export small modular nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan's Jizzakh Region, with the first concrete poured on 4 June 2026. Once completed, the plant is expected to supply up to 14% of Uzbekistan's electricity demand and offers a reference point for other uranium-producing nations, including Namibia, exploring nuclear power options.
Russian state-owned Rosatom, through subsidiary Headspring Investments, claims groundwater in the Stampriet Basin already contains uranium at levels approximately 300 times higher than WHO drinking water guidelines. The company awaits an independent IAEA report on its proposed in situ leaching uranium mining project in Omaheke Region, which the Namibian government has received and Cabinet is reviewing.
A delegation of Namibian farmers, a journalist, and employees from Headspring Investments visited the Dalur in-situ uranium mine in Russia to learn about its operations and extraction methods. The mine uses in-situ leaching, which dissolves uranium underground and pumps it to the surface, avoiding open-pit mining, tunnelling, and tailings ponds.
Farmers operating near Dalur in-situ leaching uranium mine in Russia's Kurgan region say agricultural activities have continued without disruption since the mine was established, with no decline in product quality. The remarks were made during a meeting with mine management and Headspring Investments, a Russian subsidiary of Rosatom that is exploring for uranium in Namibia's Omaheke region using the same method.
The University of Namibia's NamHack Innovators team won Namibia's national round of the Global HackAtom 2026 competition and secured a spot at the international grand final in Russia. The 24-hour hackathon challenged teams to design solutions for sustainable energy supply in southern Africa's coastal regions using nuclear technology.
Republican Party president Henk Mudge accused Headspring Investments, a Russian state subsidiary, of using material incentives to sway communities and officials to accept uranium mining in Omaheke via in-situ leaching, which he warned poses serious contamination risks to the Stampriet aquifer and shared transboundary water systems. Headspring disputed the allegations, stating the project relies on advanced technologies used worldwide and operates under strict regulatory oversight.
The Republican Party's leader Henk Mudge has called for citizens to reject uranium mining in the Stampriet artesian basin, warning that in situ leaching operations could permanently contaminate one of southern Africa's most important underground water sources and pose risks to agriculture across Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga has rejected allegations reported by Forbidden Stories that the ruling party requested Russian support for its 2024 election campaign. The non-profit news organization reported leaked documents from Russian operatives allegedly showing requests for funding and involvement in disinformation operations, including a fabricated letter claiming UK financing of the opposition IPC.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has endorsed the continuation of uranium mining by Headspring Investments, a subsidiary of Russian state-owned Rosatom, in the Leonardville area despite environmental concerns about contamination of the Stampriet aquifer. The committee chair argues that uranium is a natural resource already present in the area and that In-Situ Recovery technology, refined over 50 years, should be allowed to proceed to acquire scientific knowledge and enable Namibia to develop its nuclear industry.
A parliamentary standing committee recommended allowing Rosatom to proceed with uranium exploration and mining in the Stampriet Artesian Basin, arguing the project could help gather scientific data on natural contamination. The recommendation has drawn criticism from former agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein and farming groups, who warn the project could permanently damage the aquifer—Namibia's key drinking water source for the arid south—and lack scientific grounding, while supporters cite potential economic benefits and Rosatom's expertise.
Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has backed uranium exploration by Russian state-owned Rosatom in the Omaheke region, citing potential for billions in investment and thousands of jobs, though the project faces resistance from environmentalists and farmers concerned about groundwater contamination.
Namibia's environment ministry will base its decision on a proposed uranium mining project in Omaheke on scientific findings, not politics, the government said. The project—an in-situ leach mining operation by Headsprings Investments (under Russian state-owned Rosatom)—has raised concerns about contamination of the Stampriet aquifer, which supplies water to the region and neighbouring countries. The government has requested a technical assessment from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which will deliver its report in March.
Namibian students participated in the International Tech School in Obninsk, Russia, where more than 120 participants from 47 countries received hands-on training in nuclear science and technology. One Namibian participant said the programme strengthened his commitment to developing nuclear education and technology in Namibia.
Namibia, the world's third-largest uranium producer, is advancing nuclear power plans to reduce energy imports and meet growing demand. President Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced plans for the country's first nuclear power plant with support from Rosatom and China, though the project faces challenges including high capital costs and limited technical expertise.
As the world's third-largest uranium producer, Namibia is advancing plans for its first nuclear power plant to reduce reliance on imported electricity and support its Vision 2030 development goals, backed by international partnerships with Russia and China. The project faces significant capital costs and requires imported technical expertise, but recent cabinet approval of Namibia's Nuclear Industry Strategy signals sustained government commitment.
Hungary has begun construction of the Paks II nuclear power plant, marking the first facility in the European Union to feature third-generation VVER-1200 reactors. The project, built with Russian technology through Rosatom, received construction permits in November 2025 and represents a strategic development for Hungary's nuclear energy sector.
An editorial argues that Namibia's recent ministerial visit to Russia marks a pragmatic shift from historical solidarity to practical economic cooperation, with bilateral trade nearly doubling in 2024 and new opportunities in uranium, agriculture, and value-added manufacturing.
Following a Moscow visit by Namibia's International Relations Minister, the two countries are shifting their historic political relationship toward structured economic partnership. Discussions centred on mining, energy, agriculture, and logistics, with particular focus on uranium cooperation through Russia's Rosatom, which plans exploration by 2026 and commercial mining by 2029, while bilateral trade nearly doubled in 2024 to US$11.7 million.