CLIMATE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Namibia Grants Clearance for Controversial Seabed Phosphate Dredging
WHY IT MATTERS
The dredging threatens the productive Benguela upwelling system, could reduce fish stocks vital to Namibia’s economy, and may introduce contaminants into the food chain, affecting public health and export markets.
What happened
Namibia has granted an environmental clearance to a controversial marine phosphate extraction project. The Sandpiper Project, operated by Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP), is now authorized to dredge phosphate‑rich sediments from the seabed off Walvis Bay.
The Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism on August 5 allows industrial mining within concession 170 (ML 170) in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The 2,234‑square‑kilometre area lies at depths of 180‑250 meters.
Environmental groups, including Ocean Conservation Namibia, warn that large‑scale dredging could damage the Benguela marine ecosystem, harm the fishing sector and pose health risks from contaminated fish. NMP plans to begin operations shortly, pending further regulatory review.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Namibia greenlights controversial project to dredge phosphate from seabed
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