Staff Reporter
THE Erindi Game Reserve, which has taken the government and several others to court, has succeeded in gaining an interim interdict to pause proposed mining activities at the reserve.
Judge Hannelie Prinsloo gave the ruling on the urgent application for the interdict, which also forms part of the reserve’s challenge against the decision to issue an exploration license (EPL) for mining to one Lahia Junias.
“Pending the final determination of the review application, the Minerals Ancillary Rights Commission is hereby interdicted and restrained from proceeding with the hearing of, and taking a decision in respect of, the application made by the sixth respondent (Lahia Junias) to the Minerals Ancillary Rights Commission under section 109 of the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act, 33 of 1992. In the event that the Minerals Ancillary Rights Commission has already made a decision granting the sixth respondent ancillary rights in respect of the application made by the sixth respondent to it under section 109 of the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act, 33 of 1992, the respondents are interdicted and restrained from implementing that decision pending determination of the review application. The orders in paragraphs 2 and 3 shall operate as an interim interdict and with immediate effect, pending the finalization of the relief sought in the review application,” Prinsloo said.
The Erindi Game Reserve, measuring 65,000 hectares, has taken the government and prospecting mining license holder Lahia Junias to the High Court to halt any proposed mining activities, fearing that the move would disturb wildlife in the park such as rhinos and elephants, as well as lead to the degradation of the reserve’s habitat.
The proposed EPL8325 seeks to mine dimension stone, base and rare metals, industrial minerals, and precious metals within the parameters of the reserve.
Otjimakuru Wild (Pty) Ltd, Erindi Ranch (Pty) Ltd, and Rembo Ltd (the foreign owners of Erindi) listed the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Minister of Mines and Energy, Environmental Commissioner, Mining Commissioner, Chairperson of the Minerals Ancillary Rights Commission, Lahia Ndinelago Junias (the Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPL) holder), the Government of the Republic of Namibia, and the President of the Republic of Namibia as respondents in the matter.
The case was postponed to 3 October 2024.
