The High Court of Namibia has ruled in favour of Lepidico Chemicals Namibia against Ombujomenge Close Corporation for hindering and preventing traffic on a section of Public Road FR1965.
Lepidico Chemicals Namibia, a subsidiary of Lepidico Limited, filed a motion with the High Court in Namibia against Ombujomenge Close Corporation for locking a gate to a public road in the March 2024 quarter.
As a result, Lepidico could not carry out exploration activities during the quarter and was limited to regional and reconnaissance work within license 204 and EPL 5349.
The High Court ordered the four defendants not to hinder or restrict Lepidico Chemicals Namibia and its employees access to public road FR1965.
Furthermore, the High Court ordered that the defendants not prevent Lepidico Chemicals Namibia from operating and closing a gate or gates at the commencement or within Farm Ombujomenge No. 39 A and portions of the farm.
The High Court ordered the respondents to pay Lepidico Chemicals Namibia’s costs of suit jointly and severally, with one paying and the other absolved.
Lepidico Chemicals Namibia says the resolution of this matter allows the company to finalise the negotiation of a new exploration field work agreement, including work dates with a neighbouring farm on which priority drill-ready lepidolite targets are located.
Lepidico Limited managing director Joe Walsh said the denial of access had held up exploration activities for close to a year.
“We can now move forward with our plans to evaluate high-priority exploration targets where lepidolite is visible in the outcrop,” Walsh said.
He added that the company has always worked cooperatively and collaboratively with local stakeholders and proactively supports the local farming community.
“We aim to maintain and foster solid relationships with all our stakeholders,” Walsh said.
Lepidico Limited entered Namibia in May 2029, acquiring shares in Desert Lion Energy Inc.
Desert Lion Energy was building Namibia’s first large-scale lithium mine in the Erongo region.
The assets, including the Rubicon and Helikon mines, are within a 301 km2 prospective land package with known lithium-bearing pegmatitic mineralization.
