Renthia Kaimbi
The High Court has dismissed an urgent application brought by the Doro !Nawas Conservancy, Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy, #Aodaman Traditional Authority and Ultimate Safaris to stop mining activities at the Goantagab tin mine.
Judge Boas Usiku delivered the ruling on Friday, striking the case from the roll for lack of urgency.
The court ordered the applicants to pay the costs of the first respondent, Timoteus Mashuna, including fees for “one instructing and two instructed legal practitioners.”
The urgent application, filed on Thursday, sought to block scheduled blasting on Mashuna’s mining claims. The applicants argued that the activities violated a previous interdict issued in August 2024.
The mine is located in the Sorris Sorris Conservancy, under the custodianship of the Dâure Daman Traditional Authority led by chief Sakarias Seibeb, and not under the #Aodaman authority that joined the challenge.
Seibeb has previously accused tourism operator Ultimate Safaris of interfering in Sorris Sorris governance.
The latest ruling leaves the #Aodaman authority exposed to financial risk for becoming involved in matters outside its jurisdiction.
When contacted for comment by the Windhoek Observer, #Aodaman acting chief Christofine Claasen hung up the phone, rejected further calls and later switched her phone off.
The minister of urban and rural development, James Sankwasa, also declined to comment, saying he was not aware of the case details.
“When they went to court, they did not involve the ministry. I am not fully aware of the case details, so I cannot comment at this stage,” Sankwasa said.
The ruling is the latest development in a long-running dispute between mining proponents Mashuna and Ottilie Ndimulunde and conservation groups backed by Ultimate Safaris and several conservancies.
At stake is the future of the joint management area bordering Uibasen Twyfelfontein, Doro !Nawas, and Sorris Sorris conservancies.
The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has already declared the area unlawful.
Proponents argue that reopening the Goantagab tin mine, which operated from the early 20th century until 2019, would create more than 100 jobs and deliver economic benefits to local communities.
They note that 75% of Namibia’s mining revenue comes from protected areas, saying mining and conservation can coexist.
Conservationists warn that renewed mining threatens the endangered black rhino population translocated to Sorris Sorris between 2005 and 2010 under the Black Rhino Custodianship Scheme.
They say road construction, blasting, and increased human activity would disturb rhino habitats and raise poaching risks.
The dispute has divided communities and traditional authorities. While the Dâure Daman Traditional Authority supports mining for its economic benefits, the #Aodaman Traditional Authority and its conservancies remain opposed, citing environmental concerns.
