Staff Reporter
NAMIBIAN Marine Phosphate (NMP) is facing stiff opposition following the issuance of an Environmental Clearance Certificate for its controversial Sandpiper Project, bringing the proposed offshore marine phosphate mining operation closer to implementation.
The project has faced sustained opposition from Namibia’s fishing industry and environmental groups, which have raised concerns about the potential impact of seabed mining on marine ecosystems, fisheries and the wider Benguela ecosystem.
Ocean Conservation Namibia described the issuance of the environmental clearance as “bad news” for Namibia’s fishing industry and marine conservation.
The organisation warned that marine phosphate mining remains largely untested and said Namibia could become the first country in the world to permit the practice.
“Namibia would still be the only country in the world to allow marine phosphate mining with unpredictable environmental outcomes. We cannot allow Namibia to become a global guinea pig!” the organisation said.
Ocean Conservation Namibia has argued that dredging the seabed could destroy marine habitats and create sediment plumes that may spread over large areas, potentially affecting water quality and marine life.
The fishing industry has also expressed concerns over the potential release of heavy metals and other substances during the mining process, with fears that this could affect marine resources and fisheries.
Located about 120 kilometres southwest of Walvis Bay, the Sandpiper Project would involve extracting phosphate-rich sediments from the seabed and transporting the material to Walvis Bay for processing into phosphate rock, primarily used in fertiliser production.
The project’s mining licence covers about 2 234 square kilometres and contains significant phosphate resources. Earlier plans envisaged producing about three million tonnes of phosphate concentrate annually.
NMP’s Sandpiper Project was halted in 2012 but resurfaced in 2021, with environmental assessments subsequently undertaken.
Environmental organisations maintain that the long-term ecological consequences of marine phosphate mining remain uncertain and have called for caution before allowing commercial operations to proceed.
Photos: Contributed/Namibian Marine Phosphate
