The area of EPL 2218 was assessed with reference to the possible effect of proposed uranium mining activities on invertebrate populations in the area. The Central Namib Desert is an invertebrate biodiversity hotspot, with 24% of recorded species being known only from there, and 60% of species being endemic to Namibia as a whole. The areas of EPL 2218 and EPL 3573 have never before been subjected to intensive invertebrate sampling, indeed, almost no prior biological work had been done in the area.