Ministry throws shade at illegal sand miners, calling their operations a major threat to people and the planet. Namibia's environment office slammed unchecked sand and gravel digging, saying it wrecks land and ignores required permits. These actions break the country's Environmental Management Act, which mandates impact studies and official approval before any extraction starts.
Digging without permission causes serious erosion, wrecks riverbanks and wetlands, and ruins mahangu fields. The resulting damage threatens food and water supplies, grazing areas, and local wildlife. Abandoned mining pits fill with water, creating dangerous traps for animals, livestock, and kids.
The ministry recognized the need for building materials for...