On the 10th of August 2005, the Namdeb Board granted approval for the Pocket Beaches Phase 2 Project to proceed with the detail design and procurement phase of the project. The Pocket Beaches Phase 2 project is planned to commence production in mid 2007, thereby creating additional revenue from land-based reserves at a time when several of the other Namdeb land-based operations will experience a decline.
	An important part of the project will be the construction of a 3.5 km long slurry cut-off wall. This cut-off wall is constructed underground by using a hydraulic grab system deployed from a crawler-based carrier. During the construction of the cut-off wall, the overburden will be stripped using a high-capacity diesel dredge. On completion of the cut-off wall, the dredge ponds will be drained, and the cut-off wall will form an impervious barrier between the sea and the mining area. Following this, the area will be mined using conventional earthmoving methods. On completion of the mining phase, the dredge will be used to rehabilitate the area. Delivery of the Hydraulic Grab Base Carrier Accommodation facilities will be provided on site, approximately 4 km from the mining area. The facilities will consist of temporary housing units, with suitable provision for sewage, dining and recreation activities. Operational staff will work a 14-day on, 14-day off cycle.   An Environmental Impact Assessment has been completed and environmental clearance was granted for the project by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.  The new mine’s impact on the environment is being monitored, and several specialist studies have already been done to establish baseline data. Environmental monitoring will continue throughout the project life cycle.