The Australian mining company Paladin Resources intends to start with the establishment of an uranium mine along the Langer Heinrich Mountains in the Namib Naukluft Park on 1 June 2005, but it does not even have approval of the Namibian government. It does not yet have a mining licence. The mine is to be situated in the Tinkas Fläche (Plain), which has raised eyebrows among environmentalists. "The total project schedule is 15 months starting on 1 June 2005 with commissioning" and first ore mining starting in September 2006, the company announced at the end of last week. All documentation for the Langer Heinrich mining licence application, including the bankable study, environmental assessment study and a management plan, has been prepared and presented to the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Namibia for review and approval", the company said. The mine will need an investment of some N$ 550 million and will employ 100 people after construction. Paladin predicts to generate over N$180 million each year form selling the uranium.