Curbing illegal sand and gravel mining
Please stop
I am deeply concerned by the continued increase in illegal sand and gravel mining across various parts of Namibia. These activities are being undertaken without the required Environmental Clearance Certificates (ECCs) issued by the Environmental Commissioner, as stipulated under the Environmental Management Act, 2007 (Act No. 7 of 2007).
I wish to remind all individuals, businesses, and local and traditional authorities that any sand and gravel mining activity must be preceded by an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and an environmental management plan. The issuance of an ECC from the Office of the Environmental Commissioner is a mandatory prerequisite. I have noted major compliance issues, with some individuals and businesses irresponsibly mining sand without the necessary certification—a practice that is unlawful and a direct violation of the country’s environmental laws.
Illegal sand mining poses significant dangers to the environment, people, livestock, and wildlife. These include land degradation, the erosion of riverbanks, and the destruction of wetlands and agricultural land, such as mahangu fields. Furthermore, it results in visual and landscape scarring, leaving behind unsightly excavations that degrade the natural beauty and aesthetic value of affected areas.
These impacts threaten water and food security, grazing land, and biodiversity. The open pits left behind by illegal operations fill with water during the rainy season, posing a lethal risk to wildlife, livestock, and human beings—particularly children.
While I acknowledge the growing demand for sand and gravel driven by national development priorities—such as new roads, housing, and infrastructure—development cannot come at the cost of irreversible environmental degradation. Proper regulation of mining is essential to balance economic growth with environmental protection.
In response to these challenges, the government, through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, will soon undertake stakeholder engagements across all regions regarding the draft sand and gravel mining regulations under the draft Environmental Management Amendment Bill. These regulations are a vital component in the implementation and enforcement of the Environmental Management Act.
I encourage the public and stakeholders to attend environmental consultations and workshops to provide local input on the draft regulations and to understand the legal requirements for mining. I call upon all Namibians to desist from irresponsible, unregulated mining and to comply fully with existing environmental laws.
**Indileni Ndeshipanda Daniel is a lawmaker and Cabinet minister responsible for environment, forestry and tourism.**
I wish to remind all individuals, businesses, and local and traditional authorities that any sand and gravel mining activity must be preceded by an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and an environmental management plan. The issuance of an ECC from the Office of the Environmental Commissioner is a mandatory prerequisite. I have noted major compliance issues, with some individuals and businesses irresponsibly mining sand without the necessary certification—a practice that is unlawful and a direct violation of the country’s environmental laws.
Illegal sand mining poses significant dangers to the environment, people, livestock, and wildlife. These include land degradation, the erosion of riverbanks, and the destruction of wetlands and agricultural land, such as mahangu fields. Furthermore, it results in visual and landscape scarring, leaving behind unsightly excavations that degrade the natural beauty and aesthetic value of affected areas.
These impacts threaten water and food security, grazing land, and biodiversity. The open pits left behind by illegal operations fill with water during the rainy season, posing a lethal risk to wildlife, livestock, and human beings—particularly children.
While I acknowledge the growing demand for sand and gravel driven by national development priorities—such as new roads, housing, and infrastructure—development cannot come at the cost of irreversible environmental degradation. Proper regulation of mining is essential to balance economic growth with environmental protection.
In response to these challenges, the government, through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, will soon undertake stakeholder engagements across all regions regarding the draft sand and gravel mining regulations under the draft Environmental Management Amendment Bill. These regulations are a vital component in the implementation and enforcement of the Environmental Management Act.
I encourage the public and stakeholders to attend environmental consultations and workshops to provide local input on the draft regulations and to understand the legal requirements for mining. I call upon all Namibians to desist from irresponsible, unregulated mining and to comply fully with existing environmental laws.
**Indileni Ndeshipanda Daniel is a lawmaker and Cabinet minister responsible for environment, forestry and tourism.**
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Namibian Sun
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