Gecko denies illegal salt mining
Gecko Namibia has denied any wrongdoing with regards to illegal salt mining and has insisted that its operations were above board.
This was before reports arose that it was at the centre of investigation regarding illegal salt mining in the Erongo Region.
Its managing director Pine van Wyk, in response to questions from Namibian Sun, said that his company was not involved in any illegal salt mining activities.
“I can confirm that Gecko Salt is not involved in any illegal mining activity, the allegation is totally false and the police is busy with the investigation. We have no further comment,” he said.
A local daily recently reported that Gecko's salt activities were at the centre of a police investigation
The dust in a long-standing squabble between Cape Cross Salt and Cape Cross Namibia Investment over the ownership of a salt mine has refused to settle, even though questions on the rightful ownership of the mine have been sent to the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Both companies have claimed ownership of the salt mine just north of Henties Bay. It is further alleged that Cape Cross Namibia Investment roped in the expertise of Gecko Namibia to mine for salt.
Telling his side of the story, small-scale miner Petrus Iimbodi insisted that he was the rightful owner of the salt mine, telling Namibian Sun in an earlier interview: “I went to the Ministry of Mines and Energy two weeks ago to follow up on the ownership of the mine. I have had no answer to that effect.”
According to Iimbodi, the concession was transferred to his company, Cape Cross Salt (Pty) Limited, by the Small Miners' Assistance Centre in 2002 for an initial 10 years which was renewable for another 10.
Iimbodi also claimed that Cape Cross Namibia Investment did not have the necessary registration documents that would enable it to own a mining licence.
“What does not make sense to me is that the same entity [Small Miners' Assistance Centre] also transferred the concession to Cape Cross Namibia Investment.
“They have said that the mining rights were transferred to them by the centre and have claimed that they have an agreement with the Employee Equity Trust, which are the employees of the salt mine's equity stake.”
Questioning the legality of Cape Cross Namibia Investment's existence as a company Iimbodi asked: “How can a mining licence be granted to a company that does not have a year of incorporation? How will the Small Miners' Assistance Centre turn around and breach an [earlier] agreement with Cape Cross Salt? This means that the claim should never have gone through. Cape Cross Salt exists and it should be mine.”
Iimbodi also claimed that although he had made repeated attempts to resolve the issue with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, nothing has happened.
“The ministry never consulted us about these developments. The ministry has given a licence to another small miner despite an outstanding arrangement with us.”
According to Iimbodi, he would like to resolve the matter but the rival company was not willing to negotiate.
Cape Cross Namibia Investment has denied the allegations and claim they are the rightful owners.
Namibian Sun spoke to one of Cape Cross Namibia's directors, Lamech Mwanyangapo, who shot down Iimbodi's claims.
“Last year they went to the court; what did the court say? Who does Mining Licence 147 belong to and for what purposes? I think I must also go to court. If they are the owners of the mine, they must just mine,” Mwanyangapo said.
OGONE TLHAGE
This was before reports arose that it was at the centre of investigation regarding illegal salt mining in the Erongo Region.
Its managing director Pine van Wyk, in response to questions from Namibian Sun, said that his company was not involved in any illegal salt mining activities.
“I can confirm that Gecko Salt is not involved in any illegal mining activity, the allegation is totally false and the police is busy with the investigation. We have no further comment,” he said.
A local daily recently reported that Gecko's salt activities were at the centre of a police investigation
The dust in a long-standing squabble between Cape Cross Salt and Cape Cross Namibia Investment over the ownership of a salt mine has refused to settle, even though questions on the rightful ownership of the mine have been sent to the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Both companies have claimed ownership of the salt mine just north of Henties Bay. It is further alleged that Cape Cross Namibia Investment roped in the expertise of Gecko Namibia to mine for salt.
Telling his side of the story, small-scale miner Petrus Iimbodi insisted that he was the rightful owner of the salt mine, telling Namibian Sun in an earlier interview: “I went to the Ministry of Mines and Energy two weeks ago to follow up on the ownership of the mine. I have had no answer to that effect.”
According to Iimbodi, the concession was transferred to his company, Cape Cross Salt (Pty) Limited, by the Small Miners' Assistance Centre in 2002 for an initial 10 years which was renewable for another 10.
Iimbodi also claimed that Cape Cross Namibia Investment did not have the necessary registration documents that would enable it to own a mining licence.
“What does not make sense to me is that the same entity [Small Miners' Assistance Centre] also transferred the concession to Cape Cross Namibia Investment.
“They have said that the mining rights were transferred to them by the centre and have claimed that they have an agreement with the Employee Equity Trust, which are the employees of the salt mine's equity stake.”
Questioning the legality of Cape Cross Namibia Investment's existence as a company Iimbodi asked: “How can a mining licence be granted to a company that does not have a year of incorporation? How will the Small Miners' Assistance Centre turn around and breach an [earlier] agreement with Cape Cross Salt? This means that the claim should never have gone through. Cape Cross Salt exists and it should be mine.”
Iimbodi also claimed that although he had made repeated attempts to resolve the issue with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, nothing has happened.
“The ministry never consulted us about these developments. The ministry has given a licence to another small miner despite an outstanding arrangement with us.”
According to Iimbodi, he would like to resolve the matter but the rival company was not willing to negotiate.
Cape Cross Namibia Investment has denied the allegations and claim they are the rightful owners.
Namibian Sun spoke to one of Cape Cross Namibia's directors, Lamech Mwanyangapo, who shot down Iimbodi's claims.
“Last year they went to the court; what did the court say? Who does Mining Licence 147 belong to and for what purposes? I think I must also go to court. If they are the owners of the mine, they must just mine,” Mwanyangapo said.
OGONE TLHAGE
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