Editorial – Phosphate mining: Economic opportunity or environmental gamble?
Namibia’s long-running debate over marine phosphate mining has once again returned to the national spotlight following the granting of an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) to Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP) for its Sandpiper project. Until the latest development, the issue phosphate mining survived changes of government, Cabinet deliberations, a moratorium, environmental assessments, public consultations and litigation.... The post Editorial – Phosphate mining: Economic opportunity or e
Namibia’s long-running debate over marine phosphate mining has once again returned to the national spotlight following the granting of an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) to Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP) for its Sandpiper project.
Until the latest development, the issue phosphate mining survived changes of government, Cabinet deliberations, a moratorium, environmental assessments, public consultations and litigation. The latest decision therefore requires a sober examination of the science, the law, the economics and above all, the long-term national interest.
There are legitimate arguments on both Those supporting the Sandpiper project point to the extensive environmental work undertaken over many years. NMP says it has conducted specialist studies since 2011and that its environmental and social impact assessment has undergone independent external reviews. The company maintains that the available evidence shows the project can coexist with Namibia’s fishing industry and other marine activities.
There is also an economic argument that cannot simply be dismissed. Phosphate is an important input in the production of agricultural fertilizser and proponents argue that developing Namibia’s deposits could create investment, employment, government revenue and potentially support the development of a domestic fertilizer industry.
