Below is scientific and historical evidence that phosphate mining & the fishing industry can co-exist in Namibia. For more in-depth evidence, read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Yes. Localised and regional studies confirm that marine phosphate mining operations can co-exist with fishing (and other related marine-based industries) just as fishing already co-exists with, for example, the existing marine diamond mining operations in Namibia. Published evidence from these independent expert reports conclude that the Sandpiper Project will not “kill the fishing industry,” as claimed in some media reports. The marine diamond mining industry has co-existed with the fishing industry in Namibia for over 30 years.
No. NMP’s mining activity (based on 1 vessel) will affect an area of up to 2.5km2 of the seabed per year (an average of 1.7 km2 per year over 20 years). Comparatively, every year, in Namibia, the diamond mining fleet of 7 vessels affects an estimated area of at least 10-15km2 per year while commercial fishing bottom trawling fisheries affects an estimated area of over 18,000 km2 per year.
28 specialist reports have been completed, assessing various aspects of the potential environmental impact of the proposed dredging operations in ML170.
* These are available either on NMP’s website or at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
The ESIA, the supporting independent expert reports, and the external reviewers’ reports all collectively conclude that the Sandpiper Project will not have a significant impact on the Benguela current large marine ecosystem, marine environment, or the commercial fishing industry in Namibia.
There is conclusive evidence confirming that the seabed does recover after excavation at varying rates depending on water depth, according to repetitive environmental surveys conducted by NamDeb over 30 years of marine diamond mining extracting sediments from the seabed (source: the 2008 BCLME study by Pisces Environmental Consultant).
Phosphate mining in Namibia is a shallow-water process, similar to the existing marine diamond mining operations and bottom-fish trawling industry.
The Sandpiper Project is not a “deep-sea mining” operation, a term that refers to seabed mining of a specific group mineral deposits that form in specific conditions found in the deep waters (>800m) on the continental rise and abyssal plain.