Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP) says it’s taking the relevant steps to ensure that its Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project complies with last year’s High Court ruling.
In 2021, the High Court declared that NMP was not in possession of a valid environmental clearance certificate and was therefore not entitled to undertake mining activities. This was after the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA), the Namibian Hake Association (NHA), Midwater Trawling Association (MTA) and Omualu Fishing had brought an application seeking a declaration that the licence issued to NMP in 2011 lapsed and is thus invalid and of no force and effect.
“In accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Management Act, No. 7 of 2007, NMP has appointed an independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to manage the application and assessment process for the proposed Sandpiper Project within ML170, offshore Namibia,” the company said on Tuesday.
NMP plans to start a marine phosphate seabed mining project in Namibian waters, but has drawn fierce opposition from environmentalists and the Namibian fishing industry, who fear that mining activities could cause serious and long-term harm to the country’s marine resources and endanger fishing activities.
According to Environmental Compliance Consultancy (ECC), the company has been contracted by NMP to revise and update the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) for dredging of marine phosphate material within ML 170, offshore, Namibia.
“The proposed project is located within mining licence ML 170 and is referred to as the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project (referred to as “the Project” herein). Namibian Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd (hereafter referred to as “The Proponent”), is the official applicant for the proposed project and environmental clearance application,” the consulting company said in a notice.
NMP is owned by Omani billionaire Mohammed Al Barwani through his company Mawarid Mining LLC and businessman Knowledge Katti, through his company Havana Investments.
NMP’s mining licence comprises an area of 2,233 km2 and is located offshore approximately 120km southwest of Walvis Bay.
The company intends to develop the phosphate deposits using deep water dredging techniques, transfer the product to shore at Walvis Bay where there will be separation of the phosphate from other marine sediments, with processed final product being exportable phosphate concentrate.
The proposed project, according to NMP, will employ more than 600 Namibians directly and indirectly in Walvis Bay.
According to the Chamber of Mines, phosphate mining has the potential to generate more than N$18 billion for Namibia on an annual basis.
