No viable diamonds in Skeleton Coast
Lawmakers highlight oversight challenges in park
During an oversight visit to Skeleton Coast Park, a parliamentary standing committee found that no diamond mining companies were operational.
Lawmakers say exploration companies have not found any economically viable diamonds in Skeleton Coast Park.
A parliamentary committee also discovered that there is inadequate security at diamond exploration sites within the park.
There are only warning signs, which fail to prevent tourists from accessing the sites, lawmakers warned.
This is according to a report tabled by the parliamentary standing committee on economics and public administration following a visit to the Skeleton Coast in August last year.
The oversight visit aimed to assess and determine whether there are indeed diamond deposits or diamond mining operations taking place in Skeleton Coast Park.
In terms of mining activities, none of the mining companies were operational during the visit.
The committee was informed that all mining companies had closed and vacated sites and intended to return only if their licences were renewed.
Rules ignored
The report noted that although Skeleton Coast Park is an environmentally sensitive area, during the visit to the Toscanini site, it was discovered that the site is accessible to tourists because the area is not fenced off and there are no security measures in place.
Committee members also warned that companies were not adhering to the rules and regulations on rehabilitation when their licences expire.
“Rusted and dilapidated mining equipment, accommodation facilities and sampling structures were left behind by mining exploration companies,” the report confirmed.
The committee said they found an old oil rig that had been abandoned at the park since the early 1970s.
No communication, accommodation
The committee noted that there is no synergy between the mines and energy and the environment and tourism ministries regarding activities in the park.
The committee found there was no accommodation or office space available to park officials.
“Members were informed that the inadequate security measures at the park are linked to the absence of accommodation and office space for the mines ministry officials within the park.”
The report noted further that exclusive prospecting licences at Mowe Bay were still active that had been due to expire in October of last year. Moreover, the area was not fenced off, and there were also no security measures in place.
A parliamentary committee also discovered that there is inadequate security at diamond exploration sites within the park.
There are only warning signs, which fail to prevent tourists from accessing the sites, lawmakers warned.
This is according to a report tabled by the parliamentary standing committee on economics and public administration following a visit to the Skeleton Coast in August last year.
The oversight visit aimed to assess and determine whether there are indeed diamond deposits or diamond mining operations taking place in Skeleton Coast Park.
In terms of mining activities, none of the mining companies were operational during the visit.
The committee was informed that all mining companies had closed and vacated sites and intended to return only if their licences were renewed.
Rules ignored
The report noted that although Skeleton Coast Park is an environmentally sensitive area, during the visit to the Toscanini site, it was discovered that the site is accessible to tourists because the area is not fenced off and there are no security measures in place.
Committee members also warned that companies were not adhering to the rules and regulations on rehabilitation when their licences expire.
“Rusted and dilapidated mining equipment, accommodation facilities and sampling structures were left behind by mining exploration companies,” the report confirmed.
The committee said they found an old oil rig that had been abandoned at the park since the early 1970s.
No communication, accommodation
The committee noted that there is no synergy between the mines and energy and the environment and tourism ministries regarding activities in the park.
The committee found there was no accommodation or office space available to park officials.
“Members were informed that the inadequate security measures at the park are linked to the absence of accommodation and office space for the mines ministry officials within the park.”
The report noted further that exclusive prospecting licences at Mowe Bay were still active that had been due to expire in October of last year. Moreover, the area was not fenced off, and there were also no security measures in place.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article