Debmarine supports environment study
Fisheries experts from the University of Namibia (Unam) and the ministry of fisheries will gain a better understanding of the marine environment following a sponsorship by Debmarine Namibia of benthic material collected over a span of three years.
Debmarine recently handed over the material it had collected for use by Unam and the ministry.
Benthic material is collected by Debmarine on an annual basis during the period October to December, from designated control, impact and natural sites across its mining one licence area off the coast of Oranjemund. Speaking at the handover of the material, Debmarine Namibia CEO Otto Shikongo said the miner was honouring its commitment to capacity building.
“Through the Debmarine Namibia social responsibility fund, we are honouring our commitment to education, capacity and skills development through the sponsorship of N$250 000 to Unam, towards the school of marine engineering and maritime studies as well as towards the centre for mining and metallurgical research and training that will be in the Erongo region,” Shikongo said. According to him, the samples provided by Debmarine can be used to build up a reference collection or may be used as teaching aids.
Unam vice-chancellor for academic affairs, Professor Frednard Gideon welcomed the sponsorship and said it was important, especially because mining contributed significantly to the economy.
“The two institutions, that is, the centre for metallurgical research and training and the school of marine engineering and maritime studies, are important because mining contributes close to 25% to the nation's gross domestic product while the fisheries sector contributes more than 15%,” Gideon said.
According to him, the two sectors contributed significantly to the economy through the creation of jobs.
The benthic material will be transported to the national marine information and research centre in Swakopmund, the Sam Nujoma campus in Henties Bay and to the department of biological sciences department at Unam's main campus.
The material donated by Debmarine was extracted at a total cost of N$9.9 million.
OGONE TLHAGE
Debmarine recently handed over the material it had collected for use by Unam and the ministry.
Benthic material is collected by Debmarine on an annual basis during the period October to December, from designated control, impact and natural sites across its mining one licence area off the coast of Oranjemund. Speaking at the handover of the material, Debmarine Namibia CEO Otto Shikongo said the miner was honouring its commitment to capacity building.
“Through the Debmarine Namibia social responsibility fund, we are honouring our commitment to education, capacity and skills development through the sponsorship of N$250 000 to Unam, towards the school of marine engineering and maritime studies as well as towards the centre for mining and metallurgical research and training that will be in the Erongo region,” Shikongo said. According to him, the samples provided by Debmarine can be used to build up a reference collection or may be used as teaching aids.
Unam vice-chancellor for academic affairs, Professor Frednard Gideon welcomed the sponsorship and said it was important, especially because mining contributed significantly to the economy.
“The two institutions, that is, the centre for metallurgical research and training and the school of marine engineering and maritime studies, are important because mining contributes close to 25% to the nation's gross domestic product while the fisheries sector contributes more than 15%,” Gideon said.
According to him, the two sectors contributed significantly to the economy through the creation of jobs.
The benthic material will be transported to the national marine information and research centre in Swakopmund, the Sam Nujoma campus in Henties Bay and to the department of biological sciences department at Unam's main campus.
The material donated by Debmarine was extracted at a total cost of N$9.9 million.
OGONE TLHAGE
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