Key points
- NMP restarts the clearance certificate process for ML 170 following the High Court ruling of 30 June 2021.
- An independent environmental assessment practitioner was appointed to manage the application and assessment.
- The process runs under the Environmental Management Act No. 7 of 2007.
Namibian Marine Phosphate (Pty) Limited’s (“NMP”) is taking the relevant steps to progress the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project (“Sandpiper Project”) in compliance with the ruling of the High Court on 30 June 2021, which confirmed the ongoing validity of NMP’s mining licence (“ML170”).
ML170 Application for Environmental Clearance Certificate (“ECC”) In accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Management Act, No. 7 of 2007, NMP has appointed an independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (“EAP”) to manage the application and assessment process for the proposed Sandpiper Project within ML170, offshore Namibia.
Notice of the application for an ECC for ML170 and details of public meetings for the proposed Sandpiper Project have been published in two newspapers on 27th January 2022 and again on 3rd February 2022 (see page 3). Public meetings will be held in Windhoek (9th February 2022) and Walvis Bay (11th February 2022). All stakeholders as well as interested and affected parties (“I&AP’s”) are encouraged to register their details with the EAP either at the public meetings or online (https://eccenvironmental.com/projects/).
Project Employment The proposed Sandpiper Project will employ over 600 Namibians (directly and indirectly) for construction and operations in Walvis Bay. According to the Chamber of Mines Namibia’s 2019 analysis, for every 1 new job created in the mining industry, 7 additional new jobs are created indirectly in the economy, forecasting that Sandpiper Project will create 4,200 jobs.
Project Development The graphic below outlines the progressive project development phases to be completed.
Economic Benefits and Jobs for Namibia from a Phosphate-Based Industry Marine phosphate mining and processing will create new mining operations, such as NMP’s Sandpiper Project, and can also provide Namibia with the phosphate concentrate required to develop a fully integrated fertilizer industry that has the potential to make a significant positive contribution to the country’s local and national economy in the areas of job creation, poverty eradication, industrialization and government revenue generation.
Misinformation A substantial base of scientific data on the proposed Sandpiper Project in ML170 has already been established. However, NMP is aware that a significant amount of misinformation is being circulated in social and other media platforms in relation to the proposed Sandpiper Project, the proponents of phosphate projects, marine phosphate, and also marine or seabed mining in general.
NMP encourages all agencies, stakeholders, I&AP’s, and the general public to seek access to verified data, facts, and credible expert opinions on these matters.
More information about the Company and its shareholders as well as the geological, technical, social, and environmental aspects of the proposed Sandpiper Project is available on the Company’s website at www.namphos.com.
NMP welcomes the opportunity for constructive engagement with any parties seeking information on the proposed project.
NMP remains fully committed to the responsible commercial, social, and environmental development of the proposed Sandpiper Project for the benefit of all stakeholders, as well as national interests and those of the Namibian public at large.
