Namdeb holds four mining licenses, of which ML128C is the only totally sea-based license. Exploration in the marine license areas previously involved the collection of large-scale multibeam bathymetry and seismic data, followed by a regional geological drilling and sampling campaign, which opened up several new areas in the mid-water region. This was followed by sampling and test mining, the latter which will continue for the ensuing period:2022-2025.