Non-compliant mining companies could lose licenses in Namibia

Namibia's environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said Wednesday that companies that do not comply with the country's laws risk losing licenses.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the environmental management act in Windhoek, Shifeta said some companies were disregarding the importance of environmental impact assessments reports.

The environmental management act was passed in December 2015 to promote sustainable management of natural resources and the environment.

He singled out activities such as refuse dumping, air pollution, moving of sulphuric acids as well as various unapproved mining ventures.

To enforce this, Shifeta said, his ministry will list all approved mining and agricultural activities and that government ministries who ignore any recommendations will be blacklisted.

In the end, those blacklisted will have their licenses withdrawn if their mining activities are found to be dangerous to the environment.

Shifeta also said a number of mining companies do not have environmental management plans and that this is one of the things his ministry will work on to provide. Endit