Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) in Namibia has announced an extension of the public review period for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the proposed Wings Project.
This project is a preliminary pilot test mining operation based on the In Situ Leaching (ISL) mining method, located in the Aranos Basin in the central-eastern Omaheke Region.
Romeo Muyunda, the Spokesperson for MEFT, stated that this extension, effective from January 24, 2024, grants the public, interested parties, and affected parties additional time to access, review, and submit comments on the EIA report and other pertinent documents.
Muyunda indicated that this extension aligns with the Government of Namibia’s commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection, and community involvement in natural resource management.
He noted that these documents are vital for assessing the potential environmental impacts of the project and comply with the Environmental Management Act No. 7 of 2007.
This Act accentuates the importance of sustainable use of renewable resources, community involvement, and equitable access to environmental resources.
It ensures that the significant environmental effects of activities are thoroughly considered and that assessment findings are incorporated into any decision-making process.
The EIA, draft Environmental Management Plan, and related documents have been submitted to both the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Office of the Environmental Commissioner for environmental clearance consideration.
These reports are available for inspection at the Office of the Environmental Commissioner.
Muyunda said that comments on the EIA report can be submitted via email or in person to Damian Nchindo at the MEFT Head Office in Windhoek, with the deadline set for February 23, 2024, at 17:00.
He added that the MEFT plays a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability, with responsibilities that include fostering sustainable development, protecting biological diversity, and enhancing environmental awareness.
The Environmental Commissioner, as the head of the Department of Environmental Affairs, oversees the environmental assessment process and issues environmental clearance certificates in accordance with the Act.
For additional details and information about the Wings Project and the EIA report, interested parties are encouraged to contact Damian Nchindo or the Public Relations Office at MEFT. Alternatively, they can visit the MEFT website.
