Quantities Do Not Equal Concerns
THE CEO of Namibia Marine Phosphate (NMP), Barnabas Uugwanga, has aired some remarks which call for response and perspective.
His observation that “environmental concerns raised so far have probably emanated from the fact that this is the first time phosphate has been found in such large quantities” illustrates yet again the superficial understanding of these concerns. Quantities do not determine concerns! Damage raises them. It is how and where these quantities will be removed that causes alarm.
His attempt to minimise concerns by saying that the mined phosphate will not be treated at sea but “at a man-made dam to be built on land” is cold comfort. By now, NMP must surely know that concerns relate to what mining/dredging will cause to the marine environment. How the seawater will be contaminated and marine life be affected as a consequence.
His reference to Sandpiper’s land activities and the treatment at the “dam”, brings in any case again to the fore, the environmental impact of the land based facilities. It has already been pointed out by Swakopmund Matters in previous communications that there are unquestionably serious and fundamental objections to what the project will cause to the land area in and around Walvis Bay. This project will cause as much disaster on land as it is bound to cause to the ocean. The production, storage and transportation by whatever means – including the impact of the proposed pipeline - on land will have grave consequences.
Internationally renowned authorities are on record voicing their opposition to phosphate mining in all its aspects. Similarly, international studies and academics have drawn attention to the inevitable and irreversible consequences of such an industry. They have done so with substantive arguments and supportive facts and scientific evidence.
NMP creates the impression that public opinion does not really concern them. Otherwise the current owners of Sandpiper would already have reacted in August to clear what one main shareholder, UCL Resources, accused the other main shareholder, Minemakers, of issuing a statement containing “material mis-statements and omissions regarding the valuation of the Sandpiper project”.
Everyone who has Namibia’s coastal and marine environment at heart knows that the battle is far from over.
When Uugwanga airs the opinion that emotion should be left out, he clearly confuses being passionate and enthusiastic with being emotional. We and thousands of other Namibians are passionate about our country’s environment. We do so with enthusiasm.
We are dedicated to preserve it – including the ocean and all its marine life. We know how important it is that they are sustained.
NMP has absorbed the idea that it has a monopoly on what is good for the environment and all others who advance different opinions.
Swakopmund Matters
By email