Key points
- NMP opens a job registration drive for Namibians interested in future Sandpiper roles.
- The company says the project would employ over 600 Namibians directly and indirectly across construction and operations.
- Mining is described as Namibia’s largest single contributor to GDP at about 10 percent on average.
The Mining Sector is the largest single contributor to Namibia’s GDP representing 10% of GDP on average, and continued growth of the Mining Sector going forward will be important in stimulating the national economy, creating jobs, and combatting the socio-economic impacts of Covid 19.
Job Registration Drive
Namibian Marine Phosphate (“NMP”) believes that the development of the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project (“Sandpiper Project”) will provide a positive contribution to Namibia’s Mining Sector and the broader national economy, employing over 600 Namibians (directly and indirectly) for construction and operations in Walvis Bay and creating opportunities for SMEs and other economic sectors.i
NMP is therefore moving forward with preparation of the Sandpiper Project development, in anticipation of a favorable Judgement on the review application brought by three fishing associations (CNFA, Hake, Midwater) and a commercial fishing company, Omualu Fishing (Pty) Ltd, which was heard in the High Court of Namibia on 7th July.
While the Judgment is pending, NMP is embarking on a job registration drive, providing all Namibians the opportunity to register their interest to be considered for the various jobs and roles that are expected to be created when the Sandpiper Project development commences.
The objective of the exercise will be to compile a database of prospective job seekers who would be suitable candidates for employment in the future for various full time, part-time, and casual positions during the Sandpiper Project’s construction and operational phases. Following registration of interest, NMP plans to conduct a series of interactive workshops with the registrants to provide relevant information on NMP’s proposed operations and the related roles. Details of the job interest registration process will be advertised locally in newspapers, on social media, and on the company’s website.
Job Creation and Socio-Economic Benefits Resulting from the Development of the Sandpiper Project
NMP looks forward to further constructive engagement with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, as well as the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to ensure both co- existence and development of industries in the marine environment. Seabed Mining is already well established as a major contributor to GDP in Namibia, and NMP looks to replicate or even improve on the established operational co-existence between seabed mining and fisheries.
NMP remains fully committed to the responsible commercial, social, and environmental development of the Sandpiper Project in Namibia for the benefit of all stakeholders. To date, shareholders have invested more than N$780 million into NMP and the Sandpiper Project.
At a project level, if it were to be implemented, NMP’s Sandpiper Project will:
- employ over 600 Namibians (directly and indirectly) for construction and operations in Walvis Bay
- create opportunities for SMEs and other economic sectors
- spend an estimated N$ 1 billion on civil and local infrastructure
- require a capital investment of N$ 5.2 billion for the development
- expect an annual revenue of N$ 4.2 billion
- contribute direct taxes of N$ 650 million/year
- contribute royalties of N$ 78 million/year
