NMP says court confirms validity of its mining licence

1st July 2021 By: Simone Liedtke - Creamer Media Social Media Editor & Senior Writer

The High Court of Namibia on June 30 declared that Namibian Marine Phosphate’s (NMP’s) mining licence ML170 and the rights conferred to the company thereunder were not affected by the findings of the court and remain valid.

The High Court declined to declare ML170 invalid.

NMP’s mining licence was issued by the Minister of Mines and Energy in July 2011.

The referenced judgment followed the finalisation of legal proceedings initiated by the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations and three other parties.

The legal proceedings were aimed at challenging the validity of NMP’s mining licence.

NMP on July 1 said it is “in agreement” with the High Court’s ruling that a “listed activity”, as defined under the Environmental Management Act, may only be undertaken once the necessary environmental clearance certificate has been obtained.

NMP says it looks forward to developing the Sandpiper project, in Namibia.

The project is expected to employ about 600 employees, directly and indirectly, during its construction and operation. NMP is focused on supplying the direct application market, with big agricultural exporters such as India and Brazil the most likely buyers of its future product.