Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Minister says Namwater and uranium mines have created a forum that will provide short-term solutions to the water challenge in the Erongo Region. The unpredictable water supply to mines is threatening their operations. Minister Carl Schlettwein visited the mines to assess their problems as well as monitoring the systems put in place to keep pollution at bay. Schlettwein said the government will satisfy the water demands of mines once the second desalination plant is constructed near Swakopmund. Chief Executive Officer of Swakop Uranium CAI YUSHENG says the mine accrue losses of about N$900 million annually over the past three years due to the irregular water supply. Currently, Namwater buys desalinated water from Orano, a state-owned French company and sells it to the mines. Yusheng however believes such a business model is not working and the market should be opened for investors. The mines in the region consume about 12 billion cubic metres, which is half of the total water supplied.