Environmental impacts of prospecting and mining in Namibian national parks : implications for legislative compliance
Date
2006-04
Authors
Mansfeld, Christina
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
Namibia’s environmental legislation is fragmented and outdated, and in particular mining and
prospecting in parks of Namibia is poorly legislated. This problem was analysed with the Skeleton
Coast Park being chosen as the study region, as it was considered to be a representative example for
parks in Namibia. The Skeleton Coast Park offers both pre-mining and post-mining characteristics;
therefore affording the possibility to ascertain the environmental impacts that mining and
prospecting have on the environment.
The aims of the study were to illustrate the gaps in legislation in regard to mining and prospecting
in parks of Namibia and to provide management guidelines for mining and prospecting in these
parks. Objectives of this study included gathering baseline environmental information for the
Skeleton Coast Park; creating and analysing a spatial database for the occurrence and type of
current prospecting and mining activities in the Skeleton Coast Park; analysing and documenting
techniques currently practiced for prospecting and mining; and identifying shortcomings in
legislation and policy guidelines regulating these activities.
The study results highlight the extraordinary sensitivity and uniqueness of the natural environment
in terms of physiography, ecological functioning and vulnerability to human interference of the life
forms occurring here. Results confirm that mining and prospecting techniques can have detrimental
environmental effects given the poor management practices recorded. Also, prospecting in the
Skeleton Coast Park indicates no lucrative source of diamonds. Even though currently the entire
coast line is given out to Exclusive Prospecting Licences, results do not indicate that any company
is undertaking serious active prospecting. Regarding regulation it is evident that new, more
encompassing legislation has been drafted, but that the promulgation of the legislation is hampered
by the non-finalisation of the process. Several new draft bills currently in place contradict each
other and need proper alignment.
Description
Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Geography and environmental studies, Theses -- Geography and environmental studies, National parks and reserves -- Namibia, Mining law -- Namibia, Mineral industries -- Environmental aspects -- Namibia -- Skeleton Coast Park.