Namibia urged to clarify its stance on seabed phosphate mining

This follows the environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti's decision to grant Namibian Marine Phosphate an environmental clearance certificate on August 5, which has highlighted a lack of clear policy on the issue. New Zealand's Environmental Protection Authority blocked marine phosphate mining in 2015 due to significant and permanent seabed damage concerns, a precedent Namibia is encouraged to learn from. The controversy has persisted for over a decade, with critics arguing that government indecision has allowed Namibian Marine Phosphate to continue promoting its project.

The company plans to produce three million tonnes of phosphate concentrate annually, requiring the dredging of 5.5 million tonnes of marine sediment. The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations and the Independent Patriots for Change oppose the clearance, citing the fishing sector's significant contribution to GDP and employment, which could be jeopardized by an untested experiment. Former president Sam Nujoma also previously rejected marine phosphate mining in 2013, emphasizing the protection of fisheries resources.

The article concludes by urging President Nandi-Ndaitwah to establish a clear public policy on whether seabed phosphate mining has a future in Namibia.