Summary of concerns

The document outlines the risks associated with bulk marine sediment mining in South Africa, specifically the use of Trailing Suction Hopper-Dredge technology. It highlights severe ecological threats, the absence of a legal governance framework, and the potential for devastating impacts on shared fish stocks and food security. The text notes that other countries, including Namibia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Australia, have refused such operations or implemented moratoria due to these risks.

• The Trailing Suction Hopper-Dredge (TSHD) technology used for bulk marine sediment mining is untested globally and is described as equivalent to strip mining the ocean floor, creating a toxic plume.
• Prospecting rights have been granted for vast areas exceeding 150,000 km2, which overlap with critically endangered ecosystems, fishery footprints, and proposed offshore marine protected areas.
• South Africa lacks the necessary legal and governance framework to manage seabed mining, and its pursuit of such activity contradicts the Benguela Current Convention, especially as Namibia has placed a moratorium on the same activity.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2016). Summary of concerns. https://cer.org.za/safeguard-our-seabed/marine-phosphate-mining/summary-of-concerns

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. Summary of concerns. 2016. https://cer.org.za/safeguard-our-seabed/marine-phosphate-mining/summary-of-concerns.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=Summary of concerns |date=7 August 2016 |url=https://cer.org.za/safeguard-our-seabed/marine-phosphate-mining/summary-of-concerns |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrights2016summary, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{Summary of concerns}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2016}, month = aug, url = {https://cer.org.za/safeguard-our-seabed/marine-phosphate-mining/summary-of-concerns}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }