Namibia paves way for phosphate mining in the Atlantic Ocean

Namibia has recently granted environmental clearance for an offshore phosphate mining project, setting the stage for the world's first commercial seabed-dredging operation for the mineral. This decision, despite opposition from green groups and the fishing industry, marks a significant step in Namibia's plans to exploit seabed deposits of commodities like cobalt and nickel.

The Sandpiper Project, located 120 kilometers off the town of Walvis Bay, would entail dredging the ocean floor across approximately 1.7 square kilometers annually, producing three million tonnes of phosphate concentrate per year over a 20-year license.

Nevertheless, the clearance has sparked concern among conservationists and the fishing industry. Green groups argue that sediment plumes generated by seabed excavation and processing could release heavy metals and toxic substances, jeopardizing marine ecosystems and public health. Underwater dredging also poses risks to underwater habitats, such as rocky shorelines and crayfish spawning and breeding grounds.

Peter Cunningham, a marine scientist, warns that the project could turn Namibia's marine ecosystem into an experimental zone, risking ocean habitats, water quality, and local fisheries. Despite these concerns, the government's announcement ends a decade-long silence about the project, which was initially licensed in 2011 but put on hold due to environmental concerns.