Oil company exploring in sensitive elephant habitat accused of ignoring community concerns

While we have your attention: 1. Could the company please provide the name of the organic drilling fluids that are being used in lieu of pond liners to treat the mud sludge? You said that you found a working petroleum system. The drill mud would be containing hydrocarbons and saline waters. We would like to understand which organic product converts this sludge into agricultural fertiliser. 2. Why are you applying for occupational land rights in the villages of Kawe and Mbambi now although you have already completed or started drilling respectively? Is this linked to the High Court case brought against you by a local family whose land you have alienated? The affidavit alleges that you have illegally occupied the Sinonge family's land, cut down forests and spoilt arable soil. Is this in line with industry practices and/or Canadian laws? 3 Where and how are waste waters disposed?

Thank you for contacting ReconAfrica. ReconAfrica is fully committed to our partnership with the people and the government of Namibia to undertake conventional oil exploration in the Kavango region. ReconAfrica has a strong working relationship with the government of Namibia and continues to work closely with and under the direct oversight of the Petroleum Commissioner, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Environmental Commissioner, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, as well as regional and traditional authorities. We are also fortunate to collaborate directly on this project with the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform’s new Technical Committee, established during a recent working meeting between Minister Schlettwein and ReconAfrica CEO Scot Evans. Participation on the Technical Committee will ensure we continue to comply with relevant laws and regulations throughout all the stages of our operation. We are proud that the Namibian Government has selected ReconAfrica as one of over 30 national and international energy companies it trusts to explore the country’s resource potential in sustainable ways. Below is a Licence Map for Namibia indicating the wide range of energy and resource companies investing in both land-based and offshore exploration. (Original copies of this map are produced by the government of Namibia and can be secured from the Ministry of Mines and Energy-MME.) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L2CV4DUQVRC8jaOOdEB8CwP20JTu2kOB/view ReconAfrica has been granted license only to explore and confirm the resource – and we are committed to protecting both the physical environment and the people of the Kavango region. Canadian practices and technologies are widely regarded as among the best in the world for environmental protection and safety. We are also avoiding ecologically sensitive and national preserve areas. We have a wildlife survey and a wildlife environmental monitor on our team, to facilitate our work with experts across the region and to ensure we continue to collect and integrate local feedback and knowledge into our wildlife conservation plans. We have chosen to put in place additional measures to protect the environment by using drilling fluids that are water-based, biodegradable and chloride-free. The use of water-based, organic drilling fluids is an approach that is much more sustainable, as these materials can be reclaimed and reused. This process has been tested and proven safe and environmentally sound and has been approved for use by the most stringent regulatory regimes around the world. A full and detailed Environmental Impact Assessment for our stratigraphic wells has been carried out, which included detailed consultation with local communities and a range of other stakeholders, including the traditional authorities regarding land use. This was completed prior to COVID lockdown in March 2020, and over the past several months, with COVID restrictions still in place, we continue to engage – in local languages – with several hundred stakeholders. This sustained liaison includes sharing project updates and engaging in regulatory aspects for the 2D seismic EIA as well as ongoing stratigraphic well engagement and regulatory consultation. ReconAfrica understands the vital role water plays in Namibia, which is why we have worked closely with various levels of government to secure approvals and permission for the legal operation of our water wells. Additionally, we have completed all application processes and received all necessary approvals, and have been given permission for our operating wells plus the several wells which we have contributed for community use. This is all aligned with the Namibian government’s Rural Water Management Plan (RWMP) and ReconAfrica’s Water Management Plan. The water usage for our operations is similar to a rural community borehole and we have taken extra steps to ensure all authorities and governing bodies are aware of our operation activities, including water usage. ReconAfrica has the necessary well identification numbers for both sites at Kawe and Mbambi, as well as necessary permission from the Traditional Authority to drill a borehole. This permission, according to the regulations, is sufficient as our operations do not fall within a water-controlled area and usage is less than 60,000 m3 or less per annum. ReconAfrica has approval to extract 200,000m3 per annum. Additionally, no wastewater is being disposed of on site. We have a waste management system in place and in this regard, we are working with various local contractors. With an eye to the future of Namibia, we have built our operations water wells in such a way that they can be turned over to neighbouring communities upon completion. As to the future prospects of Namibia’s natural resources and their use, those decisions will be determined by the Namibian people, traditional authorities, regional and national representatives, under the guidance and direction of the country’s elected officials. You are welcome to explore further information and updates about the project, including in relation to drilling, water and protecting wildlife, here: https://reconafrica.com/about/about-reconafrica/, as well as our important commitments to Corporate Social Responsibility and to Environment, Social & Corporate Governance, which you can view directly here: https://reconafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/ReconAfrica-Fact-Sheet-ESG.pdf. Yours sincerely, media@reconafrica.com

Dear Wil Sillen Thank you for getting your climate warning to level 2! We have reached out to ReconAfrica and asked for a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! /Adam We Don't Have Time

Oil exploration at the expense of the environment, wildlife,aquatic life and even human beings is hurting.an action should be taken.

It is so uncouth to destroy the environment in this manner in search of a product that ought be long forgotten for other sustainable solutions.

Such sinister practices are provoking the ecosystem and threatening wildlife habitats, health and livelihoods of the locals.WDHT platform is a channel that amplifies the voice of oppression across the globe and we trust that necessary measures be taken in this quest.