Katti’s Sandpiper phosphate clearance upsets conservationists, politicians
Namibian businessman Knowledge Katti’s Namibia Marine Phosphate has received the greenlight for its controversial Sandpiper marine phosphate mining project, with political parties and conservationists raising concerns over the decision.
Namibian businessman Knowledge Katti’s Namibia Marine Phosphate has received the greenlight for its controversial Sandpiper marine phosphate mining project, with political parties and conservationists raising concerns over the decision.
The environmental commissioner in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism issued an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) on 5 August, which will be valid until 5 August 2029.
It covers the proposed Sandpiper marine phosphate project within mining licence 170 (ML 170) offshore Namibia.
Ministry spokesperson Vilho Hangula has confirmed the authenticity of the certificate.
“The ECC is authentic, and further communication on this shall be provided in due course,” Hangula said last week.
The Namibian has reached out to Katti, who is a shareholder in Namibia Marine Phosphate (NMP), for comment, but was unsuccessful at the time of going to print.
The development brings the long-running Sandpiper project closer to implementation after years of environmental concerns, opposition from sections of the fishing industry, and legal challenges.
CALLS FOR SUSPENSION
