Head-to-head battle over phosphate
Head-to-head battle over phosphate

Head-to-head battle over phosphate

Ellanie Smit
The fishing sector has once again raised its stern objections against marine phosphate mining, ahead of today's public hearing organised by the environment ministry, so that Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP) can once again argue its case.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta will be hearing submissions from NMP and community activist Michael Gawaseb, who originally lodged an appeal against the environment clearance certificate (ECC) issued to the company. The ministry has since withdrawn the certificate.

Speaking on behalf of the sector, fishing expert David Russell said during NMP's High Court case in May the judge ruled that the company did not have a fair hearing when the certificate was withdrawn.

“The court has warned that the minister may still call for objections to the project. Shifeta will give NMP an opportunity to state their case at the public hearing, but has declared that NMP may have shot itself in the foot by getting the clearance ruling annulled. The current certificate is due to expire in September 2019.”

Russell said besides the recent court ruling in its favour, NMP is also involved in another court case against three Namibian fishing industry associations.

The associations are asking the court to declare, a mining licence issued to NMP in July 2011 invalid, as it had been issued without any public knowledge or consultation.

This matter has been postponed for a further case management hearing on 4 July, after NMP asked in March for more time to file the necessary documentation.

Russell added should NMP retain its environmental clearance, the company still has to conduct a convincing environmental impact assessment, including giving concrete measures to mitigate onshore environmental impacts from millions of tons of waste from the seabed, separated on land.

According to Russell the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA) said that as long as there is a reasonable level of uncertainty regarding possible damage to the ecosystem and the fishing industry, marine mining cannot be allowed in Namibia.

He said the fishing industry is not opposed to development, but definitely requires full scientific and socio-economic assurances that it will not harm fish populations, to the detriment of the fishing industry.





ELLANIE SMIT

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Namibian Sun 2024-05-04

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