WINDHOEK, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The controversial marine phosphate mining certificate awarded on Sept. 5 by Namibia's environmental commissioner has been set aside.
Enviroment minister Pohamba Shifeta made the announcement on Wednesday in Windhoek during a press conference.
Shifeta said he was ordering that the certificate granted to Namibia Marine Phosphate be set aside.
The issue of the marine phosphate clearance certificate had divided the government, the ruling party Swapo and the nation, with the fishery sector fearing that the mining might cause huge damages to the fishing industry.
The announcement by Shifeta came after some members of the opposition had walked out of the National Assembly on Thursday last week in protest.
The Cabinet is supposed to meet on Nov. 7 to discuss the issue.
