Seabed mining in Namibia: Quo vadis?

Abstract

With the moratorium on marine phosphate mining in Namibia having recently expired mining operations could now proceed at any time. ‘Formal’ environmental regulatory systems for such activities would appear to be inadequate and it is unclear whether corporate self-regulation can be relied upon to safeguard against pollution. Africa’s negative experiences with terrestrial mining, expressed in the ‘resource curse paradox’, highlight the need to be wary of ‘foreign’ seabed miners and why national conversations are needed on the steps that are required to exploit seabed minerals’ developmental potential.