Namibia’s Dilemma. The Pros and Cons of Marine Phosphate Mining

Marine phosphate mining in Namibian waters is back on newspapers’ front pages, including a flurry of activity from key stakeholders. Should this go ahead, it would be a world first.

Rumblings started in April 2018 following the mining industry conference. The Namibian Chamber of Mines backed marine phosphate mining, maintaining that phosphate mining and the fishing industry could coexist. The Chamber intimated that the current moratorium was a missed opportunity in the fight against poverty. It said no jobs could be created, even with the most stringent environmental conditions linked to the environmental clearance.