Hundreds march against phosphate mining

Hundreds of concerned citizens and local leaders held a peaceful demonstration last Thursday in Walvis Bay, urging Namibia's environment ministry to reconsider its approval of marine phosphate mining and widen public consultation before the project proceeds.

A petition, submitted under the banner "Protect our ocean. Protect our fish. Protect our jobs. Protect our communities. Protect our future," warned that marine phosphate mining could harm Namibia's marine environment, food security and coastal livelihoods.

Taapopi Shikongo read the petition, which was backed by local authority councillor Patrisia Munyala and Okapare Fishermen chairperson Godfried Kuhanga, among others. It said: "We are concerned that marine phosphate mining may disturb seabed habitats and marine ecosystems and could have consequences for fish stocks, spawning and nursery areas, feeding grounds, water quality and the productivity of fishing grounds."

It added: "Any potential environmental, fisheries and socio-economic impacts must therefore be fully understood before mining activities proceed.”

The group said it recognised the importance of economic development but argued this must not come at the expense of Namibia's marine resources, food security, coastal communities or future generations.

“The potential economic benefits of phosphate mining must be carefully weighed against the existing and long-term value of fisheries, employment, exports, businesses and marine resources.”

It called on the ministry to reassess whether the potential negative impacts of mining have been adequately evaluated.

"What could Namibia gain from mining, and what could Namibia lose if our marine environment is damaged?" the petition asked. Where there is credible uncertainty over potentially serious or irreversible environmental harm, it said, "we call upon the ministry to apply the precautionary principle and place the protection of Namibia's marine environment first."

Broaden consultations

Broaden consultations

The petition also called for independent, comprehensive scientific assessments of the mining's possible effects on marine biodiversity, seabed habitats, fish stocks, fishing grounds, water quality, fisheries productivity and the wider marine ecosystem.

The petitioners demanded “meaningful consultation” with all stakeholders, including affected communities, government authorities and scientisits, before any decisions are taken.

The group said it was not opposed to responsible economic development but believes such development should be grounded in sound science, transparency, environmental protection and long-term sustainability. It called on the government to "review and reconsider the environmental approval for marine phosphate mining and, where necessary, suspend or impose appropriate conditions until the outstanding environmental and socio-economic concerns have been adequately addressed."

Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP) has received an environmental clearance certificate for its Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project under mining licence 170.

However, the project now faces legal and political opposition, with the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations challenging the decision and various political leaders, both local and national, expressing concerns about marine phosphate mining.