The clearance certificate was issued for the mining license ML 170 situated offshore approximately 120 kilometers south west of Walvis Bay.
License ML 170 belongs to the Namibian Marine Phosphate, a joint venture between the Australian mining house UCL Resources Limited, Oman based Mawarid Mining LLC, and Namibian company Havana Investments Ltd.
Environmental commissioner Teofelus Nghitila informed the owners of license ML170 through a letter dated Sept. 5, 2016 that they can start mining.
Nghitila said the environment Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan submitted is sufficient as it made provisions of the environment management concerning the proposed activities.
“On this basis, this letter serves as an environmental clearance certificate for the mining project to commence,” Nghitila wrote.
Nghitila further said the letter does not in any way hold the environment ministry accountable for any misleading information nor any adverse effects that may arise from the project’s activities.
“Instead,” he said, “full accountability rests with Namibia Marine Phosphate and their consultants.”
The clearance is valid for three years. Enditem
Source: Xinhua/NewsGhana.com.gh
