Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration are concerned about equipment left behind by diamond exploration companies in the Skeleton Coast Park.

The committee visited a diamond exploration site at Mowe Bay in the Kunene Region.

Chief Diamond Inspector Patrick Elungu explained that two exploration licences were awarded to two Namibian companies for onshore and offshore activities.

Elungu added that the companies have so far not found viable diamond deposits.

"They are all active, but both of them are going to expire this year. In terms of the law, the law requires that if you still wish to go ahead, you have to apply 90 days in advance. As we speak, they have already submitted their renewal applications. The reason why they are not here, especially the offshore one, is very complex. They are normally seasonal because, as you can see from the roughness of the sea, the higher the tide, the worse the visibility. There's no way the diver can see because you have to find gravel under there."

Parliamentarians found abandoned mining equipment and accommodation facilities on the site.

The parliamentarians were urged to give their input when the bills to amend the mining and environmental acts were presented to them.