The challenge by a Chinese lithium miner against the cancellation of its mining licence by the Minister of Mines and Energy started in the High Court this morning.

The miner, Xinfeng Investments, says that its application for the licence was detailed and included all technical requirements; therefore, the minister cannot revoke the licence.

It says the minister seemed not to have been well informed of the technical details of the application at the time of issuing the licence.

Xinfeng further claims that the minister does not indicate under what legal provision he is revoking its mining licence.

According to Xinfeng, the licence remains valid and cannot be cancelled.

Xinfeng has been in the news recently when the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources visited its mining sites after complaints from the community that the company was mining illegally at their mining claims at Uis and Omaruru.

Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, also had community meetings in the two areas after the complaints but could not find anything wrong at the time.

However, he later withdrew the mining licence at the claims in Omaruru, which led to Xinfeng challenging his decision in court.

The case was briefly adjourned and will continue in the afternoon when Alweendo is expected to give reasons why he has cancelled the licence.