Manger Mining (Pty) Ltd (The Proponent or Manger Mining hereafter) is conducting mining activities (extraction of tourmaline specimens) on Mining License 91 (ML91) near Usakos in the Erongo Region. Tourmaline is classified as a ‘Semi-precious stone’ in the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act 33 of 1992. The Proponent has been extracting (mining) tourmaline for 28 years, since 1994. Manger Mining has submitted their application for the renewal of ML91 (and associated mining activities) with the Ministry of Mines & Energy (MME). According to the Environmental Management Act (EMA) No. 7 of 2007 and its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, mining is among the listed activities that that may not be undertaken without an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). Thus, the renewal of the mining license No. 91 is subjected to an ECC, to be issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT). The mining license is located about 4 km outside of Usakos on Mansfield Farm 66, Karibib District in the Erongo Region, and covers a surface area of 41 ha. According to the information provided by the Proponent, mining activities on the site started in 1911 and the mine was originally meant for tin mining.