Namibia Paves Way for Phosphate Mining in the Atlantic Ocean
Workers and environmental groups urged stricter review as the project is expected to produce about 3 million tonnes of phosphate concentrate a year.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism issued an Environmental Clearance Certificate to the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project earlier this month, prompting workers to petition the government for stricter scrutiny before mining proceeds.
- Namibian Marine Phosphate plans to produce three million tonnes of phosphate concentrate annually, operating 120 kilometres off Walvis Bay; the venture is 85% owned by Oman-based Mawarid Mining LLC, with Havana Investments holding 15%.
- Marine scientist Bronwen Currie warned dredging could "liberate very toxic elements" from deep sediment, while The Ocean Conservation Namibia group argued the project threatens to turn the ecosystem into an "untested experimental zone."
- Legal representatives for Namibian Fishing Associations warned the ECC decision is "inconsistent with the requirement of fairness" and will be challenged, while NMP stated "no immediate or urgent commercial operations are planned."
- The ECC holds three-year validity, allowing government reassessment before renewal; the Namibia Chamber of Environment supports the project, citing extensive scientific studies indicating minimal conflict with the fishing industry.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Namibia paves way for phosphate mining in the Atlantic Ocean
Namibia has granted environmental clearance for an offshore phosphate mining project that paves the way for the world's first commercial seabed-dredging operation for the mineral, despite opposition from green groups and the fishing industry.
The issue of an environmental certificate to Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP)'s offshore phosphate extraction project by the Namibian authorities raises concerns among environmental organizations and the fisheries sector about the impact of seabed dredging on ecosystems and fisheries resources. The certificate, issued in August, concerns the Sandpiper project, located about 120 kilometres off Walvis Bay, in western Namibia. NMP plans to extract p…
Namibia Clears Controversial Seabed Mining Project
Namibia has granted environmental clearance for an offshore phosphate mining project that could become the world’s first commercial operation to dredge the seabed for the mineral, despite strong opposition from environmental groups and the fishing industry. The government certificate clears a major hurdle for the Sandpiper Project, operated by Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP), which plans to extract phosphate from the ocean floor about 120 kilome…
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