Miner shares renewed phosphate optimism
Phosphate miner, NMP, says it is willing to constructively engage with government around the implementation of its Sandpiper project.
Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP) is optimistic a recent High Court ruling, setting aside a decision to revoke the environmental clearance certificate for its proposed Sandpiper project, now opens the door for it to engage government with renewed optimism.
High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele last week set aside environment minister Pohamba Shifeta decision withdraw the environmental clearance certificate issued to NMP by environmental commissioner Teofilus Nghitila.
NMP was given an environmental clearance by the ministry of environment in 2016 to kick-start its Sandpiper project.
An environmental clearance certificate is a necessary legal requirement before any mining activities can take place.
Commenting on the developments yesterday, NMP said it was now looking forward to working with government.
“With this matter concluded, the company now welcomes the opportunity to resume working constructively with government in order to take the project forward and to resolve any residual stakeholder concerns or misinformation regarding the project development, within the framework of the Namibian legislation and the conditions of the clearance certificate,” NMP said.
NMP has in the past claimed that it has invested N$780 million into its project to support exploration as well as technical, economic and environmental studies.
A major legal challenge however lays in wait and, brought by the fishing industry.
Namibian Hake Association president Matti Amukwa would not be drawn into commenting this week on last Friday's verdict, while saying the fisheries industry's objection to marine phosphate mining was still with the courts.
When asked when the association would be making a return to court, Amukwa said the matter was at the case management stage.
The association is challenging the mining licence granted to NMP for its Sandpiper project. The mining licence was awarded to NMP by the ministry of mines in 2011. The association has argued the licence granted failed to comply with a condition requiring the firm to provide an environmental impact assessment to the ministry of mines within six months of it being granted.
Lawyer Sisa Namandje, who is representing the fishing industry, told The Namibian this week: “I don't know why they (NMP) are celebrating.”
He added NMP would be blocked from mining if the court agreed with his clients that the mining licence had expired at the time they received the environmental clearance in 2016.
OGONE TLHAGE
High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele last week set aside environment minister Pohamba Shifeta decision withdraw the environmental clearance certificate issued to NMP by environmental commissioner Teofilus Nghitila.
NMP was given an environmental clearance by the ministry of environment in 2016 to kick-start its Sandpiper project.
An environmental clearance certificate is a necessary legal requirement before any mining activities can take place.
Commenting on the developments yesterday, NMP said it was now looking forward to working with government.
“With this matter concluded, the company now welcomes the opportunity to resume working constructively with government in order to take the project forward and to resolve any residual stakeholder concerns or misinformation regarding the project development, within the framework of the Namibian legislation and the conditions of the clearance certificate,” NMP said.
NMP has in the past claimed that it has invested N$780 million into its project to support exploration as well as technical, economic and environmental studies.
A major legal challenge however lays in wait and, brought by the fishing industry.
Namibian Hake Association president Matti Amukwa would not be drawn into commenting this week on last Friday's verdict, while saying the fisheries industry's objection to marine phosphate mining was still with the courts.
When asked when the association would be making a return to court, Amukwa said the matter was at the case management stage.
The association is challenging the mining licence granted to NMP for its Sandpiper project. The mining licence was awarded to NMP by the ministry of mines in 2011. The association has argued the licence granted failed to comply with a condition requiring the firm to provide an environmental impact assessment to the ministry of mines within six months of it being granted.
Lawyer Sisa Namandje, who is representing the fishing industry, told The Namibian this week: “I don't know why they (NMP) are celebrating.”
He added NMP would be blocked from mining if the court agreed with his clients that the mining licence had expired at the time they received the environmental clearance in 2016.
OGONE TLHAGE
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