Marine phosphate mining projects in the Erongo region have received the green light. The Environmental Commissioner has issued an Environmental Clearance Certificate to allow marine phosphate mining some 120-kilometers south-west of Walvis Bay. In a statement, Teofilus Nghitila indicates that the project is located in an environmentally sensitive area and regulatory conditions will apply during the operational phase. Some of the conditions include regular monitoring of the dredged seabed and water column, while companies must establish a center of excellence to monitor the impact on the Eco-system. The center must also collect data that must be shared freely in the field of marine Eco-system and phosphate mining. To avoid unnecessary environmental impacts or harming the marine environment, companies will be required to use the latest technology. The statement further says that if significant negative environmental impacts are observed with no mitigation measures in place, operations will be closed and the clearance certificate withdrawn. Namibia Marine Phosphate and its consultants will be held accountable for misleading information or any adverse effects that may arise from project activities.