In 2012, Namibian Marine Phosphate commissioned an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), subsequently in line with the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) a site specific detailed Verification Survey was undertaken (2013-2014).
Overall, the results of the Verification Study have not only confirmed the validity of the original 2012 EIA impact assessments, but have, also raised the confidence level of the assessments to “high” in all cases.”
In deference to the sensitivity of the ocean environment and the principles of responsible development of ocean industries, the environmental studies in ML170 have been subjected to several independent external reviews and quality controls intended to ensure a high standard of scientific assessment.
The 2012 EMP was amended in 2014 following on completion of the Verification Study (included as one of the pre-dredging commitments in the 2012 EMP).
In April 2016, and further to the deliberations of the Cabinet Committee for Trade and Industrial Development, the Environmental Commissioner convened a meeting at the MFMR offices in Swakopmund to address the remaining issues raised by MFMR in regard to the Sandpiper EIA and Verification Study results.