Namibia’s ocean is a source of food, tourism, employment and economic opportunity. But what happens when a new industry promises jobs and investment while raising concerns about the future of marine ecosystems and the fishing sector? This was the main question during a webinar hosted by the Namibian Youth Chamber of Environment (NYCE) on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
Panellists were Dr. Chris Brown of the Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE), Araricky Shikongo of Ocean Conservation Namibia (OCN), and Rosalia Nangombe of Wakapinya Environmental Education (WEE). They discussed the proposed Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project, looking at its environmental assessment process, potential impacts on marine life, economic opportunities and implications for young Namibians.
Understanding the Sandpiper Project
The Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project, operated by Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP), is a proposed offshore mining operation located approximately 120 km southwest of Walvis Bay, within Mining Licence 170. The project would extract phosphate-bearing sediments from the seabed and transport them to Walvis Bay for processing. Environmental assessments for this project began in 2011/2012 and included specialist studies, public consultations and independent reviews. Following the setting aside of an earlier environmental clearance, a new Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was undertaken in 2022.
A major development came on 5 August 2026, when the Environmental Commissioner issued an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for the marine mining component, which is valid until 5 August 2029. However, the project has not yet commenced with commercial mining, and further approvals for onshore processing and associated infrastructure still need to be done. The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform also appealed the clearance, leaving the project subject to further legal and administrative processes.
Two sides of the debate
Like several other controversial topics discussed in Namibia, the speakers in this webinar did not agree about whether phosphate mining should be allowed or not.
Dr Brown spoke in favour of marine phosphate mining, arguing that development decisions should be guided by scientific evidence, thorough environmental assessment and effective monitoring rather than public opinion alone. He shared that the project had undergone extensive assessment, and that environmental protection measures could help manage potential impacts. He also highlighted the potential for employment, investment and the development of a new economic sector in Namibia.
In contrast, Mr. Shikongo was not in favour of the proposed mining operation, raising concerns about the scale of seabed disturbance and its potential long-term effects on marine habitats and benthic communities. He emphasised the importance of understanding the consequences of removing such large quantities of sediment before allowing the project to proceed. His position reflected wider concerns about the difficulty of predicting long-term ecological effects in a complex marine environment.
Ms. Nangombe also spoke against the project, bringing the discussion back to what is at stake for young Namibians. Although a new industry could create employment opportunities, these potential benefits must be weighed against possible risks to the fishing industry and the livelihoods that depend on healthy marine resources.
For young Namibians, the issue goes beyond the promise of jobs. The decisions made today will influence the condition of marine ecosystems and the availability of natural resources for future generations. Young people therefore have an important role to play in understanding environmental assessments, engaging with scientific evidence, participating in public discussions and holding decision-makers accountable.
Conclusion
Dr. Brown emphasised the project’s scientific assessment and economic potential, while Mr. Shikongo and Ms. Nangombe emphasised the risks to marine ecosystems and the fishing sector. These differing positions proved why transparent decision-making, credible scientific evidence and meaningful public participation is important. As Namibia considers the future of marine phosphate mining, the challenge will be to ensure that development decisions protect both the country’s economic interests and the resources on which present and future generations depend.
Namibia must examine marine phosphate mining objectively in order to understand its economic, social and environmental opportunities and risks. Further information can be found here: Dr. Brown’s blog giving reasons for supporting the project; Ocean Conservation Namibia’s blog giving reasons against it; the Environmental Information Service and Environmental Compliance Consultancy websites for the original scientific assessments.