APP: 00911 AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES ON THE FARMS TSUMORE AND MANHEIM, TSUMEB DISTRICT
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCOPING REPORT
Assessed by: Assessed for:
December 2019
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Namfo requested Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd to undertake an environmental assessment for their existing agricultural activities on farms Tsumore (FMB/01249) and Manheim (FMB/00100/00025) in the Tsumeb District (Figure 1). The farms are located adjacent to each other and are managed as one agricultural unit. Namfo currently irrigates 56 ha on the farm while 60 ha is used for dryland cropping. The main produce are tomatoes, sweetcorn, lettuce, cabbage, sweet melons, potatoes, carrots and onions. Irrigation is from six production boreholes, by means of centre pivot, micro-sprinkler and drip irrigation systems. The main operational activities include: land preparation; planting; water abstraction and irrigation; fertilizer application and pest control; harvesting; and processing and packaging. The environmental assessment is conducted to determine all environmental, safety, health and socio- economic impacts associated with the continued agricultural activities on the farm. Relevant environmental data has been compiled by making use of secondary data and from a reconnaissance site visit. Potential environmental impacts and associated social impacts were identified and are addressed in this report. The project location lies amidst various other agricultural farms and developments. Due to the nature and location of the Namfo’s agricultural activities, some impacts can be expected on the surrounding environment, see summary impacts table below. Regular environmental performance monitoring is thus recommended to ensure regulatory compliance and the implementation of corrective measures when necessary. Namfo’s operations play a role in contributing to the Namibian agricultural sector. The main concerns related to the operations are potential groundwater, surface water and soil contamination, decreased groundwater availability, ecological and social impacts. A safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) policy will contribute to effective management procedures, to prevent and mitigate impacts. All regulations relating to agriculture, labour and health and safety legislation should be adhered to. Groundwater and soil pollution must be prevented at all times. All staff must be made aware of the importance of biodiversity and poaching or illegal harvesting of animal and plant products prohibited. Groundwater abstraction permits must be strictly adhered to. Any waste produced must be removed from site and disposed of at an appropriate facility or re-used or recycled where possible. Hazardous waste must be disposed of at an approved hazardous waste disposal site. By appointing local employees and by implementing monitoring and training programs, the positive socio- economic impacts can be maximised while mitigating any negative impacts. The environmental management plan included in Section 10 of this document should be used as an on- site reference document during all phases (planning, operations (including maintenance) and decommissioning) of the development. All monitoring and records kept should be included in six monthly reports to ensure compliance with the environmental management plan. Parties responsible for transgression of the environmental management plan should be held responsible for any rehabilitation that may need to be undertaken. A Health, Safety, Environment and Quality policy should be used in conjunction with the environmental management plan. Operators and responsible personnel must be taught the contents of these documents. Local or national regulations and guidelines must be adhered to and monitored regularly as outlined in the environmental management plan. Impact Summary Class Values Impact Category Impact Type Construction Operations Positive Rating Scale: Maximum Value 5 5 Negative Rating Scale: Maximum Value -5 -5 EO Skills and Development 2 2 EO Revenue Generation and Employment 2 2 SC Demographic Profile and Community Health -1 -2 EO Agricultural Produce and Economic Diversification 3 SC Traffic -2 -2 SC Health, Safety and Security -2 -2 PC Fire -3 -3 PC Noise -2 -1 PC Waste Production -2 -2 BE Ecosystem and Biodiversity Impact -2 -2 PC Groundwater, Surface Water and Soil Contamination -3 -3 BE/EO Groundwater Availability -3 PC Air Pollution -2 -2 SC Visual Impact -1 -1 EO Impacts on Utilities and Infrastructure -2 -2 Cumulative Impact -2 -2 BE = Biological/Ecological EO = Economical/Operational PC = Physical/Chemical SC = Sociological/Cultural
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2 SCOPE ...... 2 3 METHODOLOGY ...... 2 4 OPERATIONS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES ...... 3 CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS ...... 3 CROP PRODUCTION ...... 3 IRRIGATION SYSTEMS ...... 5 WATER SUPPLY ...... 7 SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE ...... 8 EMPLOYMENT ...... 10 5 ALTERNATIVES ...... 11 LOCATION ALTERNATIVES ...... 11 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND DESIGN ALTERNATIVES ...... 11 Irrigation Methods ...... 12 Soil Preparation ...... 13 NO GO ALTERNATIVE ...... 13 6 ADMINISTRATIVE, LEGAL AND POLICY REQUIREMENTS ...... 13 7 ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS ...... 17 LOCALITY AND SURROUNDING LAND USE ...... 17 CLIMATE ...... 18 TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE ...... 19 SOIL ...... 20 GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY ...... 21 PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY ...... 25 AGRO ECOLOGICAL ZONE ...... 26 ECOLOGY ...... 27 DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS ...... 29 CULTURAL, HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASPECTS ...... 29 8 PUBLIC CONSULTATION ...... 29 9 MAJOR IDENTIFIED IMPACTS ...... 30 SOIL AND GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION ...... 30 GROUNDWATER ABSTRACTION ...... 30 FIRE...... 31 DUST ...... 31 TRAFFIC ...... 31 HEALTH AND SAFETY ...... 31 ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY IMPACT ...... 31 SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS ...... 32 10 ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS ...... 32 RISK ASSESSMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 33 Planning ...... 34 Skills and Development ...... 35 Revenue Generation and Employment ...... 36 Demographic Profile and Community Health ...... 37 Agricultural Produce and Economic Diversification...... 38 Traffic ...... 39 Health, Safety and Security ...... 40 Fire ...... 41 Noise ...... 42 Waste Production ...... 43 Ecosystem and Biodiversity Impact ...... 44 Groundwater, Surface Water and Soil Contamination ...... 45 Groundwater Availability ...... 46 Visual Impact ...... 47 Impacts on Utilities and Infrastructure ...... 48 Cumulative Impact ...... 49 DECOMMISSIONING AND REHABILITATION ...... 50 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ...... 50 11 CONCLUSION ...... 50 12 REFERENCES ...... 52
LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX A: CERTIFICATES ...... 53 APPENDIX B: TSUMORE & MANHEIM HYDROGEOLOGICAL SPECIALIST STUDY ...... 67 APPENDIX C: PROOF OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION ...... 95 APPENDIX D: CONSULTANTS’ CURRICULUM VITAE ...... 103
LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1. PROJECT LOCATION ...... 2 FIGURE 2. FARM LAYOUT ...... 11 FIGURE 3. PROPERTIES ADJACENT TO THE PROJECT AREA ...... 18 FIGURE 4. AVERAGE MONTHLY RAINFALL FOR THE AREA (ATLAS OF NAMIBIA) ...... 19 FIGURE 5. WIND ROSE: TSUMEB AIRPORT (MESONET, 2019) ...... 19 FIGURE 6. TERRAIN ASPECT AND SLOPE WITH DRAINAGE LINES ...... 20 FIGURE 7. DOMINANT SOIL AND ROCK TYPES ...... 21 FIGURE 8. HYDROGEOLOGICAL MAP ...... 22 FIGURE 9. GROUNDWATER BASIN WITH RAINFALL AND INFERRED GROUNDWATER FLOW ...... 24 FIGURE 10. GROUNDWATER QUALITY...... 25 FIGURE 11. AGRO ECOLOGICAL ZONES ...... 26 FIGURE 12. CONCEPTUAL GROUNDWATER BALANCE WITH OVER ABSTRACTION SCENARIO...... 31
LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1. SIZE OF DRYLAND AND EXISTING AND PLANNED IRRIGATION CROPPING ...... 1 TABLE 2. IRRIGATION SYSTEM EFFICIENCY (IWRM PLAN JOINT VENTURE NAMIBIA, 2010) ...... 12 TABLE 3. NAMIBIAN LAW APPLICABLE TO THE DEVELOPMENT ...... 14 TABLE 4. RELEVANT MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS ...... 16 TABLE 5. STANDARDS OR CODES OF PRACTISE ...... 16 TABLE 6. ADJACENT FARMS ...... 17 TABLE 7. SUMMARY OF CLIMATE DATA ...... 18 TABLE 8. GROUNDWATER STATISTICS ...... 23 TABLE 9. GENERAL PLANT DATA (DIGITAL ATLAS OF NAMIBIA) ...... 27 TABLE 10. GENERAL ANIMAL DATA (DIGITAL ATLAS OF NAMIBIA) ...... 28 TABLE 11. TREES WITH CONSERVATION CONCERNS IN QUARTER DEGREE SQUARE 1917BA (CURTIS & MANNHEIMER 2005) ...... 28 TABLE 12. DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TSUMEB CONSTITUENCY, THE OSHIKOTO REGION AND NATIONALLY (NAMIBIA STATISTICS AGENCY, 2011) ...... 29 TABLE 13. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ...... 32 TABLE 14. ENVIRONMENTAL CLASSIFICATION (PASTAKIA 1998) ...... 33 TABLE 15. IMPACT SUMMARY CLASS VALUES ...... 51
LIST OF PHOTOS PHOTO 1. SWEETCORN FIELD ...... 3 PHOTO 2. CABBAGE FIELD ...... 3 PHOTO 3. SHADED TOMATO FIELD ...... 4 PHOTO 4. MAIZE FIELD...... 4 PHOTO 5. FERTILISER ADMINISTRATION ...... 4 PHOTO 6. PESTICIDE APPLICATOR ...... 4 PHOTO 7. TOMATO SEPARATOR ...... 5 PHOTO 8. CONVEYER USED TO TRANSPORT PRODUCE ...... 5 PHOTO 9. CARROT SORTER AND SCALE ...... 5 PHOTO 10. TOMATO SCANNER AND SORTER ...... 5 PHOTO 11. PACKAGING ...... 5 PHOTO 12. COLD STORAGE ...... 5 PHOTO 13. TYPICAL CENTRE PIVOT SYSTEM WITH FIXED CENTRAL TOWER (PHOCAIDES (2007) ...... 6 PHOTO 14. CENTRAL PIVOT SYSTEM PIPELINE ...... 6 PHOTO 15. CENTRAL PIVOT SYSTEM EMPLOYED IN THE REGION ...... 6 PHOTO 16. DRIP IRRIGATION ON TOMATO FIELD ...... 7 PHOTO 17. DRIP IRRIGATION ON MAIZE CROPS ...... 7 PHOTO 18. MICRO-SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEM ...... 7 PHOTO 19. CABBAGE FIELD UNDER MICRO-SPRINKLERS ...... 7 PHOTO 20. BOREHOLE NO. 1 ...... 8 PHOTO 21. BOREHOLE NO. 2 ...... 8 PHOTO 22. ZINC RESERVOIR ...... 8 PHOTO 23. FLOW METER ...... 8 PHOTO 24. FUEL STORAGE ...... 9 PHOTO 25. SOLAR PLANT ...... 9 PHOTO 26. PIT LATRINE ...... 9 PHOTO 27. FRENCH DRAIN ...... 9 PHOTO 28. CHEMICAL STORE ...... 10 PHOTO 29. MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT STORAGE ...... 10 PHOTO 30. SHADE NETTING OVER DRIP IRRIGATED CROPS ...... 13 PHOTO 31. ERECTED SHADE NETTING PRIOR TO CROP PLANTING ...... 13
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AEZ Agro-Ecological Zone AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome BE Biological/Ecological DWA Department of Water Affairs EA Environmental Assessment EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMA Environmental Management Act No 7 of 2007 EMP Environmental Management Plan EMS Environmental Management System EO Economic/Operational ES Environmental Classification GPT Geo Pollution Technologies HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus IAPs Interested and Affected Parties IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature LNAPL Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids mamsl Meters Above Mean Sea Level m/s Metre per second mbs Metres below surface MET Ministry of Environment and Tourism mm/a Millimetres per annum MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet PC Physical/Chemical PPE Personal Protective Equipment ppm Parts per million SANS South African National Standards SC Sociological/Cultural SHEQ Safety, Health, Environment and Quality UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change WHO World Health Organization
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Alternatives - A possible course of action, in place of another, that would meet the same purpose and need but which would avoid or minimize negative impacts or enhance project benefits. These can include alternative locations/sites, routes, layouts, processes, designs, schedules and/or inputs. The “no-go” alternative constitutes the ‘without project’ option and provides a benchmark against which to evaluate changes; development should result in net benefit to society and should avoid undesirable negative impacts. Assessment - The process of collecting, organising, analysing, interpreting and communicating information relevant to decision making. Competent Authority - means a body or person empowered under the local authorities act or Environmental Management Act to enforce the rule of law. Construction - means the building, erection or modification of a facility, structure or infrastructure that is necessary for the undertaking of an activity, including the modification, alteration, upgrading or decommissioning of such facility, structure or infrastructure. Cumulative Impacts - in relation to an activity, means the impact of an activity that in itself may not be significant but may become significant when added to the existing and potential impacts eventuating from similar or diverse activities or undertakings in the area. Environment - As defined in the Environmental Assessment Policy and Environmental Management Act - “land, water and air; all organic and inorganic matter and living organisms as well as biological diversity; the interacting natural systems that include components referred to in sub-paragraphs, the human environment insofar as it represents archaeological, aesthetic, cultural, historic, economic, palaeontological or social values”. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - process of assessment of the effects of a development on the environment. Environmental Management Plan (EMP) - A working document on environmental and socio- economic mitigation measures, which must be implemented by several responsible parties during all the phases of the proposed project. Environmental Management System (EMS) - An Environment Management System, or EMS, is a comprehensive approach to managing environmental issues, integrating environment-oriented thinking into every aspect of business management. An EMS ensures environmental considerations are a priority, along with other concerns such as costs, product quality, investments, PR productivity and strategic planning. An EMS generally makes a positive impact on a company’s bottom line. It increases efficiency and focuses on customer needs and marketplace conditions, improving both the company’s financial and environmental performance. By using an EMS to convert environmental problems into commercial opportunities, companies usually become more competitive. Evaluation –The process of ascertaining the relative importance or significance of information, the light of people’s values, preference and judgements in order to make a decision. Green Scheme - The Green Scheme is an initiative conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to encourage the development of irrigation based agronomic production in Namibia with the aim of increasing the contribution of agriculture to the country's Gross Domestic Product. Its am is also to simultaneously achieve the social development and upliftment of communities located within suitable irrigation areas and to also promote the human resources and skills development within the irrigation sub-sector. Such initiative could possibly enhance cross-border investment and facilitate the exchange of relevant and limited resources with neighbouring countries in this regard. Hazard - Anything that has the potential to cause damage to life, property and/or the environment. The hazard of a particular material or installation is constant; that is, it would present the same hazard wherever it was present. Interested and Affected Party (IAP) - any person, group of persons or organisation interested in, or affected by an activity; and any organ of state that may have jurisdiction over any aspect of the activity. Mitigate - The implementation of practical measures to reduce adverse impacts. Proponent (Applicant) - Any person who has submitted or intends to submit an application for an authorisation, as legislated by the Environmental Management Act no. 7 of 2007, to undertake an activity or activities identified as a listed activity or listed activities; or in any other notice published by the Minister or Ministry of Environment & Tourism. Public - Citizens who have diverse cultural, educational, political and socio-economic characteristics. The public is not a homogeneous and unified group of people with a set of agreed common interests and aims. There is no single public. There are a number of publics, some of whom may emerge at any time during the process depending on their particular concerns and the issues involved. Scoping Process - process of identifying: issues that will be relevant for consideration of the application; the potential environmental impacts of the proposed activity; and alternatives to the proposed activity that are feasible and reasonable. Significant Effect/Impact - means an impact that by its magnitude, duration, intensity or probability of occurrence may have a notable effect on one or more aspects of the environment. Stakeholder Engagement - The process of engagement between stakeholders (the proponent, authorities and IAPs) during the planning, assessment, implementation and/or management of proposals or activities. The level of stakeholder engagement varies depending on the nature of the proposal or activity as well as the level of commitment by stakeholders to the process. Stakeholder engagement can therefore be described by a spectrum or continuum of increasing levels of engagement in the decision-making process. The term is considered to be more appropriate than the term “public participation”. Stakeholders - A sub-group of the public whose interests may be positively or negatively affected by a proposal or activity and/or who are concerned with a proposal or activity and its consequences. The term therefore includes the proponent, authorities (both the lead authority and other authorities) and all interested and affected parties (IAPs). The principle that environmental consultants and stakeholder engagement practitioners should be independent and unbiased excludes these groups from being considered stakeholders. Sustainable Development - “Development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and aspirations” – the definition of the World Commission on Environment and Development (1987). “Improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems” – the definition given in a publication called “Caring for the Earth: A Strategy for Sustainable Living” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Wide Fund for Nature (1991).
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1 BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd was appointed by Namfo (Pty) Ltd (the proponent), to undertake an environmental impact assessment for the agricultural activities on the farms Tsumore (FMB/01249) and Manheim (FMB/00100/00025) in the Tsumeb District (Figure 1). The farms are located adjacent to each other and are managed as one agricultural unit. Namfo currently irrigates 56 ha on the farm while 60 ha is used for dryland cropping. The main produce are tomatoes, sweetcorn, lettuce, cabbage, sweet melons, potatoes, carrots and onions. Irrigation is from six production boreholes, by means of centre pivot, micro-sprinkler and drip irrigation systems. Maintenance and small-scale construction occur regularly on site. The main operational activities include: land preparation; planting; water abstraction and irrigation; fertilizer application and pest control; harvesting; and processing and packaging. Table 1. Size of dryland and existing and planned irrigation cropping Dryland Crop Existing Planned Total (combined) Production (ha) Irrigation (ha) Expansion (ha) (ha) Tsumore 20 10 22 52 Manheim 40 46 104 190
The potential impacts of the operations, maintenance / construction, and possible decommissioning phases of the farming activities on the environment were determined through a risk assessment as presented in this report. The environment being defined in the Environmental Management Act as “land, water and air; all organic and inorganic matter and living organisms as well as biological diversity; the interacting natural systems that include components referred to in sub-paragraphs, the human environment insofar as it represents archaeological, aesthetic, cultural, historic, economic, paleontological or social values”. The environmental assessment was conducted to apply for an environmental clearance certificate in compliance with Namibia’s Environmental Management Act (Act No 7 of 2007) (EMA). Project Justification – The 5th National Development Plan of Namibia (NDP5) recognises the importance of the agricultural sector in Namibia. Currently agriculture supports approximately 70% of Namibians and provide employment to roughly a third of the workforce. The NDP5’s desired outcome, in terms of agriculture, is to see an increase in food production and thus a reduction in food insecurity. Namfo has a well-established agriculture development on the farms Tsumore and Manheim, contributing to food security and employment in Namibia. They aim to expand their operations and continuously investigate and implement farming methods to enhance productivity. Benefits of the agricultural activities on the farms Tsumore and Manheim include: Food production and enhanced food security for local and potential international markets, Employment, skills and technological development, Generation of income contributing to the national treasury, Support for economic resilience in the area through diversified business activities and opportunities.
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2 SCOPE The scope of the environmental assessment is to: 1. Determine the potential environmental impacts emanating from the agricultural and related activities on, as well as possible decommissioning of, the farm. 2. Identify a range of management actions to mitigate the potential adverse impacts to acceptable levels. 3. Comply with the requirements of EMA. 4. Provide sufficient information to the relevant competent authority and MET to make an informed decision regarding the project and the issuing of an environmental clearance certificate.
Figure 1. Project location
3 METHODOLOGY Methods employed to investigate potential impacts on the social and natural environment include: 1. Detailed infrastructure and operational procedures were obtained from the client and described in the report. 2. Baseline information about the site and its surroundings were obtained from primary information (hydrogeological specialist study), existing secondary information as well as from a reconnaissance site visit. 3. As part of the scoping process to determine potential environmental impacts, interested and affected parties (IAPs) were consulted about their views, comments and opinions, all of which are presented in this report. 4. Impacts were identified and preventative and mitigation measures suggested in the EMP. 5. Potential environmental impacts emanating from operational, maintenance / construction and potential decommissioning activities on the farm were determined. Enhancement measures were
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listed for positive impacts while mitigation / preventative measures were provided for negative impacts. 6. As per the findings of environmental assessment, an environmental management plan (EMP) was incorporated into this report, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET).
4 OPERATIONS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES Namfo has been the owners of the farms Tsumore and Manheim for 20 years. Initially livestock production was the main agriculture practice on the property. Namfo has since then intensified and diversified agricultural initiatives on the property and the livestock production was replaced with irrigation based and dry land crop farming. The following section provides a brief description of the infrastructure, operations and services supply on the farm.
CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS Mechanical clearing of rangeland for crop cultivation and infrastructure purposes was performed across suitable portions of the farm. Large and or protected species were identified and retained as far as were practically possible. The natural environment surrounding the cleared areas will be maintained as far as possible. Underground water pipelines were installed from nearby boreholes to irrigation systems and are continuously maintained. Operations of the project entail; preparation of land, planting and harvesting of crops, irrigation (centre pivot systems, drip systems and micro-sprinklers), application of fertilisers and pesticides, and transporting crops to markets. Maintenance and small-scale construction occur on site, the construction of tar and paved roads helps with dust suppression near lands.
CROP PRODUCTION A large portion of the land has been cleared for agricultural purposes. A combination of irrigation systems are employed to cultivate a variety of crops including (but not limited to) sweetcorn, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, and maize. Some dryland production of cowpeas and buffalo grass is performed to produce animal fodder. Currently 12 ha of the farms consist of shade houses. The proponent further plans a future development of five hydroponic systems of approximately 1.1 ha each equating to 5.5 ha in total.
Photo 1. Sweetcorn field Photo 2. Cabbage field
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Photo 3. Shaded tomato field Photo 4. Maize field
Annual preparation of the land and planting entails mechanical activities like ripping, tilling and seeding of the soil with tractors and specialised implements. For certain crops, land preparation includes covering of the soil to reduce evaporation loses. Fertilizers and pesticides are applied to crops as required and according to the specifications for application. Fertilisers are mixed with water in a mixing tank. Once the desired mixing ratio is achieved, the fertiliser is fed into the respective irrigation systems for administration onto the crops (Photo 5). Pesticides are administrated as per the required application for targeted pests. The main techniques employed for pesticide administration include hand-pumping and tractor spraying (Photo 6). To ensure correct and safe application of pesticides, a pesticide plan will be drawn up with specialist input and updated as required.
Photo 5. Fertiliser administration Photo 6. Pesticide applicator
Harvesting is conducted mechanically, manually or through a combination of the two. After harvesting, crops are either stored in a dedicated area on the farm for own use (mostly animal feed), or transported to local markets as required. Before shipment to various markets, some of the produce is processed on site. Processing entails the sorting and/or washing of produce, depending on the crop processed. Thereafter the produce is packed and stored in a cold room. The transportation of produce is generally outsourced.
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Photo 7. Tomato separator Photo 8. Conveyer used to transport produce
Photo 9. Carrot sorter and scale Photo 10. Tomato scanner and sorter
Photo 11. Packaging Photo 12. Cold storage
The proponent has some cattle on the property. The cattle is moved around the site to consume organic materials once harvesting is completed. They do also graze on grass planted on drylands. Low ampere electrical fencing is used to keep livestock within the target area. These fences are easily moved and erected where required. The electrical fence comprise a two thread systems which conducts a low voltage current to deter cattle from moving past the fence.
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS Various irrigation systems are employed on the farm. These include centre pivots, micro- sprinklers (Gyro) and drip irrigation. A brief explanation of each system follows below.
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Phocaides (2007) provides a concise description of the centre pivot, being a low to medium pressure fully mechanised, automated irrigation of permanent assemble. It basically comprise a sprinkler pipeline (usually of high tensile galvanized light steel or aluminium pipes) supported above ground by mobile A-frame towers, long spans, steel trusses and/or cables. The pipeline is connected to a central tower with the “pivot mechanism” and main control panel. The central tower is a fixed structure with a concrete base secured at a fixed water supply point, in the centre of the pivot (field). The entire system is self-propelled to slowly rotate around the central tower while dispensing water through sprinklers (emitters) connected to the pipeline. An automatic alignment system ensures the irrigation pipeline remains straight while a drive system enables the system movement. Mobile towers are typically approximately 3 m in height while being spaced about 30 m apart. The spans are therefore roughly 30 m in length. The entire length of the system may vary from design to design and therefore the size of the irrigated area will also vary. Longer systems will have a greater circumference and larger range. Photo 13 depicts a typical centre pivot system while Photo 14 and Photo 15 presents some of the pivots systems which are being employed in the region. The system depicted in Photo 14 and Photo 15 has a system length of 300 m with spans of 50 m. The irrigated area covered by these systems are therefore 30 ha.
Span Length and Water pipeline
Mobile A-Frame Tower
Photo 14. Central Pivot System Pipeline
Emitter with Sprinkler Head
Pivot Mechanism
Photo 13. Typical Centre Pivot System with Fixed Central Tower (Phocaides (2007)
Photo 15. Central Pivot System Employed in the Region
Drip irrigation is a type of micro-irrigation system that has the potential to save water and nutrients by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either from above the soil surface or buried below the surface. The objective is to place water directly into the root zone and minimize evaporation. Drip irrigation systems employed on the farm consist of perforated plastic pipelines (drip tube) which are laid across prepared fields. Crops are then planted alongside the perforated areas of the pipeline. The system used on the farm do not have emitters. The perforations in the drip tube are small to allow dissemination of limited quantities of water.
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Photo 16. Drip irrigation on tomato field Photo 17. Drip irrigation on maize crops
The third irrigation method comprise a micro-sprinkling system fitted with “Gyro emitters”. The emitters are fitted onto sprinkler “risers” which are held in a vertical position via support structures. The risers are connected to the distributer tube. Micro-sprinklers are made of plastic materials which is resistant to agrochemicals and weather conditions. Emitters are designed to prevent insect penetration into the sprinkler’s nozzle. Water is evenly disseminated through the sprinkler system to cover a larger root zone than that of a drip irrigation system.
Gyro Emitter
Riser
Distributor Tube
Photo 18. Micro-sprinkler irrigation system Photo 19. Cabbage field under micro- sprinklers
WATER SUPPLY Water is supplied to the various irrigation systems through boreholes on site. Water for irrigation purposes are sourced from boreholes located on the Farm Tsumore. Some of the production boreholes, as well as all other permitted boreholes, are fitted with flow meters. Apart from the flow meters, boreholes are also fitted with cut-off valves, non-return valves and pressure regulators. Water for irrigation purposes, is fed from the boreholes through underground pipelines to a zinc reservoir lined with plastic sheeting (Photo 22) from where the water is fed to the various irrigation systems.
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Photo 20. Borehole No. 1 Photo 21. Borehole No. 2
Photo 22. Zinc reservoir Photo 23. Flow meter
SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE Operations are enabled and supported by a variety of infrastructure on the farm. In many instances operations will not be feasible without the support infrastructure. Figure 2 below depict the farm layout and indicate the location of the support infrastructure. Support infrastructure on the farm include the following: Fuel storage, Landfill site Waste handing Power supply (NORED and solar), Ablution facilities, and Storage and maintenance area. Fuel storage comprise a 9,000 litre underground diesel tank with a dispensing pump in an area lined with plastic sheeting (Photo 24). Diesel fuel is required for the operation of various machines and vehicles on site. These include harvesters and tractors. All biological waste which may be generated on site is disposed of at an on-site landfill. The landfill is only used for organic waste. All old oil is kept on site and removed by an appropriate contractor while old pesticide containers are stored until removed by appropriate waste management contractors. Domestic waste is transported to the Tsumeb landfill on a weekly basis. Electricity supply is provided through combination of sources. Initially the proponent only relied on CENORED for all its electricity supply. However, the installation of solar panels (Photo 25) on the farm has lowered the electrical demand required from CENORED. Solar panels were
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installed by the proponent and deliver on average 220 VA. Electricity is crucial for the irrigation systems which requires the pumping of water from the boreholes. Ablution facilities are provided through-out operational areas for employees. Units in remote areas of the farms comprise of enclosures over a pit latrine (Photo 26) while staff working closer to the offices and main infrastructure have access to flush systems. These ablution facilities are linked to a French drain system (Photo 27). The storage and maintenance area is located on the southern portions of farm Manheim and comprise an enclosure and shed where implements and other maintenance material are stored under roof. Any required maintenance and general repairs are conducted in the adjacent workshop area (Photo 29). A dedicated locked chemical store is present where pesticides, lubricants, seeds, etc. are stored (Photo 28). The storeroom has a concrete floor with spill collection drains to collect any accidental spills leaks. The chemical storage area has the appropriate warning signs, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, as well as an eye wash station for emergencies.
Photo 24. Fuel storage Photo 25. Solar plant
Photo 26. Pit latrine Photo 27. French drain
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Photo 28. Chemical store Photo 29. Machines and equipment storage
EMPLOYMENT Operations on the farm sustain approximately 80 permanent employment opportunities with the majority of the workforce being female. The employees are shared with another farming unit north-east of the property. The combined labour force ensures flexibility and optimisation of cultivation. In addition approximately 100 seasonal workers are employed. Namfo complies with all the labour legislation of Namibian and has been awarded with an Affirmative Action Compliance Certificate for the past 3 years. The proponent is a member of the Namibian Employers Association. Employees are presented with formal training opportunities and encouraged to partake in medical examinations presented by the proponent. A portion of the permanent workers stay on the farm where they are provided with housing. Warm water and electricity are available to worker houses. The majority of the workforce is transported daily with busses from Tsumeb. All workers on the farm are Namibian citizens.
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Figure 2. Farm layout 5 ALTERNATIVES Various alternatives related to the project are considered and each of these is discussed. The alternatives are grouped into three main groups namely: Location alternatives; Project implementation and design alternatives; No go alternative. LOCATION ALTERNATIVES Agricultural units, especially related to irrigation based crop production are numerous in the area. Farms are developed at different levels of productivity. The proponent has another property, Friedrichsrühe, east of the current farms, on which crops are also cultivated. The two farming units share some operational requirements and infrastructure. However, they are also able to function as separate units. Friedrichsrühe has, for example, larger cultivation areas and thus higher produce out-put potential. Produce is however stored on farm Manheim. Obtaining additional or alternative property for the same level of operations, as currently being conducted on the farm, is not feasible and will required the relocation of all the existing infrastructure and buildings. No location alternatives are therefore considered, as the proponent owns the property on which operations are conducted.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND DESIGN ALTERNATIVES Although operations are ongoing, various alternatives are continually considered to optimise operations and produce cultivation. Alternatives, related to the main activity of water abstraction
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from existing boreholes, are however not feasible. There are no viable surface water resources to consider. Therefore, there are no alternative water sources for the existing irrigation operations. However, there are a number of alternatives with regards to the application of the water used. The most pertinent relates to crop irrigation methods. In addition to these alternatives, the proponent has also considered alternative crops and worker transportation.
Irrigation Methods When considering alternative irrigations systems, the most viable irrigation option is not solely based on the irrigation system’s design efficiency, but should include environmental constrains and operating costs. Some systems are simply not viable due to local climatic and topographical features, as well as cost implications. For example, flood irrigation is not viable on steeper gradients and are more expensive when the water source is groundwater due to water pumping costs. The considered irrigation system should therefore take into account the local topographical and climatic conditions. The type of produce cultivated also plays a determining factor. It will not be feasible to install highly efficient yet expensive irrigation systems (such as drip irrigation) for crops with lower economic yields. The high value of horticulture crops can however accommodate such systems. In turn, some crops will not produce such high yields when cultivated under less efficient systems. Table 2 depicts different types of irrigation systems as per the South African Irrigation Institute’s suggested efficiencies (IWRM Plan Joint Venture Namibia, 2010). The estimated average costs are based on 35 ha units. Although flood systems are not viable irrigation methods, these have been included for comparison with regards to capital cost and design efficiency. Table 2. Irrigation System Efficiency (IWRM Plan Joint Venture Namibia, 2010) Irrigation System Design Efficiency Capital Costs (N$ / ha) Flood: Furrow 65% 13,000 Flood: Border 60% 17,600 Flood: Basin 75% 18,800 Sprinkler: Dragline 75% 24,800 Sprinkler: Quick-coupling 75% 22,500 Sprinkler: Permanent 85% 34,500 Sprinkler: Travelling boom 80% 23,200 Sprinkler: Centre pivot 85% 43,300 Sprinkler: Linear 85% 69,400 Sprinkler: Micro sprinkler 85% 36,300 Micro: Spray 90% 53,200 Micro: Drip 95% 46,300 In the Tsumeb area, climatic and soil conditions necessitate an irrigation system with a high water efficiency (due to evaporation and soil salinization). A highly effective irrigation system will minimise wastage of water through evaporation and/or runoff. Normal drip irrigation systems will not be able to provide enough water within summer months for certain crops. When temperatures soar in summer months, additional water is required to be irrigated onto crops. Drip irrigation systems are not designed to accommodate such requirements and acquiring additional systems will be too costly. Therefore, the proponent has covered fields where drip irrigation is practiced with shade netting to minimise evaporation loses (Photo 30 and Photo 31). Micro-sprinkler irrigation is also employed by the proponent for those crops with a fibrous root system.
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Photo 30. Shade netting over drip irrigated Photo 31. Erected shade netting prior to crop crops planting The proponent plans to erect hydroponic systems over a portion of the property. Hydroponic farming utilizes a growth medium other than soil, and allow the plant roots to come in direct contact with the nutrient solution, while also having access to oxygen, which is essential for proper growth. Such systems will also regulate climatic conditions around the crops and thereby reduce climatic constraints such as evaporation. Hydroponic systems will not require tillage of the soil and potentially reduce water requirements per plant. Direct biophysical impact should therefore be reduced when compared to conventional crop cultivation. Such systems are however costly to install.
Soil Preparation Traditionally, soil are prepared for planting by tilling and ploughing. These processes break the top layer of soil at varying depths and mix residual plant material into the soil. It also uproots weeds and provide for loose soil. There is nowadays however a shift in the approach to soil preparation that has some advantageous over traditional tilling. Conservation tillage practises aims less disturbance of the soil and has advantages of less erosion, less evaporation and saves on time and costs of traditional tilling. Conservation tillage can either be just partial tillage as is the case with strip-tilling or no tilling at all. With strip-tillage, only narrow strips are tilled in the area where planting will take place. The areas, between planted rows, are left untilled and with residual plant material from the previous harvest. With no-tillage, seeds are planted on the field with no soil preparation at all. Namfo should investigate the applicability and potential advantages of conservation tillage on farms Manheim and Tsumore.
NO GO ALTERNATIVE Fresh produce cultivation has been a core activity of the proponent for 19 years starting in 2001. Various local markets are provided with produce, therefore reducing their reliance on imported fresh produce. Should the project not receive an environmental clearance certificate, there would be a significant loss in capital investment and food security. Of importance is that workers will lose their stable income and jobs. Finally, revenue generated for Namibia will be reduced and more revenue required for importing of fresh produce. The biophysical attributes of the area allows horticulture production which is not viable in large portions of Namibia. Not continuing with the project may see the land utilised for significantly less profitable operations.
6 ADMINISTRATIVE, LEGAL AND POLICY REQUIREMENTS All projects, plans, programmes and policies with potential adverse impacts on the environment require an environmental assessment, as per the Namibian legislation. This promotes protection of the environment as well as sustainable development. The legislation and standards provided in Table 3 to Table 5 govern the environmental assessment process in Namibia, and are relevant to the assessed development.
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Table 3. Namibian law applicable to the development Law Key Aspects The Namibian Constitution Promote the welfare of people Incorporates a high level of environmental protection Incorporates international agreements as part of Namibian law Environmental Management Act Defines the environment Act No. 7 of 2007, Government Notice No. 232 Promotes sustainable management of the of 2007 environment and the use of natural resources Provides a process of assessment and control of activities with possible significant effects on the environment Environmental Management Act Commencement of the Environmental Management Regulations Act Government Notice No. 28-30 of 2012 List activities that requires an environmental clearance certificate Provide Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Governs the registration, importation, sale and use of Remedies and Stock Remedies Act fertilizers, farm feeds, agricultural remedies and Act No. 36 of 1947; Government Notice No. stock remedies 1239 of 1947 Various amendments and regulations
Seed and Seed Varieties Act 23 of 2018 Provides for restrictions on the importation of seed Act No. 23 of 2018, Government Notice No. Not in force yet 368 of 2018
The Water Act Remains in force until the new Water Resources Act No. 54 of 1956 Management Act comes into force Defines the interests of the state in protecting water resources Controls water abstraction and the disposal of effluent Numerous amendments Water Resources Management Act Provides for management, protection, development, Act No. 11 of 2013 use and conservation of water resources Prevention of water pollution and assignment of liability Not in force yet Forest Act Makes provision for the protection of the (Act 12 of 2001, Government Notice No. 248 environment and the control and management of of 2001) forest fires Provides for the licencing and permit conditions for the removal of woody and other vegetation as well as the disturbance and removal of soil from forested areas. Forest Regulations: Forest Act, 2001 Declares protected trees or plants Government Notice No. 170 of 2015 Issuing of permits to remove protected tree and plant species. Soil Conservation Act Law relating to the combating and prevention of soil Act No. 76 of 1969 erosion, the conservation, improvement and manner of use of the soil and vegetation and the protection of the water sources in Namibia
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Law Key Aspects Biosafety Act Regulate activities involving the research, Act No. 7 of 2006 development, production, marketing, transport, application and other uses of genetically modified organisms and specified products derived from genetically modified organisms Prohibits planting of genetically modified organisms without registration Petroleum Products and Energy Act Regulates petroleum industry Act No. 13 of 1990, Government Notice No. 45 Makes provision for impact assessment of 1990 Petroleum Products Regulations (Government Notice No. 155 of 2000) Prescribes South African National Standards (SANS) or equivalents for construction, operation and decommissioning of petroleum facilities (refer to Government Notice No. 21 of 2002) Local Authorities Act Defines the powers, duties and functions of local Act No. 23 of 1992, Government Notice No. authority councils 116 of 1992
Public Health Act Provides for the protection of health of all people Act No. 36 of 1919
Public and Environmental Health Act Provides a framework for a structured more uniform Act No. 1 of 2015, Government Notice No. 86 public and environmental health system, and for of 2015 incidental matters Deals with Integrated Waste Management including waste collection disposal and recycling, waste generation and storage, and sanitation Labour Act Provides for Labour Law and the protection and Act No 11 of 2007, Government Notice No. 236 safety of employees of 2007 Labour Act, 1992: Regulations relating to the health and safety of employees at work (Government Notice No. 156 of 1997) Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Governs the control of noxious or offensive gases Ordinance Prohibits scheduled process without a registration Ordinance No. 11 of 1976 certificate in a controlled area Requires best practical means for preventing or reducing the escape into the atmosphere of noxious or offensive gases produced by the scheduled process Hazardous Substances Ordinance Applies to the manufacture, sale, use, disposal and Ordinance No. 14 of 1974 dumping of hazardous substances as well as their import and export Aims to prevent hazardous substances from causing injury, ill-health or the death of human beings Pollution Control and Waste Management Not in force yet Bill (draft document) Provides for prevention and control of pollution and waste Provides for procedures to be followed for licence applications Namibia Agriculture Policy - 2015 To create a conducive environment for increased and sustained agriculture production and productivity• To accelerate the agriculture sector contribution to National Growth in Domestic Product To promote development of national agriculture sector across the value chain
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Table 4. Relevant multilateral environmental agreements Agreement Key Aspects
Stockholm Declaration on the Human Recognizes the need for a common outlook and Environment, Stockholm 1972. common principles to inspire and guide the people of the world in the preservation and enhancement of the human environment United Nations Framework Convention The Convention recognises that developing countries on Climate Change (UNFCCC) should be accorded appropriate assistance to enable them to fulfil the terms of the Convention Convention on Biological Diversity, Rio Under article 14 of The Convention, EIAs must be de Janeiro, 1992 conducted for projects that may negatively affect biological diversity International Treaty on Plant Genetic Promote conservation, exploration, collection, Resources for Food and Agriculture, characterization, evaluation and documentation of 2001 plant genetic resources for food and agriculture Promote the sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture Table 5. Standards or codes of practise Standard or Code Key Aspects South African National Standards The Petroleum Products and Energy Act prescribes (SANS) SANS standards for the construction, operations and demolition of petroleum facilities. SANS 10089-3:2010 is specifically aimed at storage and distribution of petroleum products at fuel retail facilities and consumer installations. o Provide requirements for spill control infrastructure
The agricultural and related activities, listed in the Environmental Management Act Regulations (Government Notice No. 29 of 2012), as activities requiring an environmental clearance certificate, include the following: Section 7 of Government Notice No. 29 of 2012: Agriculture and Aquaculture Activities 7.5 Pest control: The proponent will use conventional pest control products as approved by the Namibian government. Section 8 of Government Notice No. 29 of 2012: Water Resource Developments 8.1. The abstraction of ground or surface water for industrial or commercial purposes: Water is abstracted from boreholes for cultivation and sale of crops. 8.6 Construction of industrial and domestic wastewater treatment plants and related pipeline systems: The proponent has installed wastewater treatment facilities on the property to manage mainly black and grey water. 8.7 Irrigation schemes for agriculture excluding domestic irrigation: No irrigation scheme was developed, however, irrigation systems are used on the farm. Irrigation on the farms does not contribute to /or is part of any irrigation scheme as proclaimed by the Namibian Government. Section 9 of Government Notice No. 29 of 2012: Hazardous Substance Treatment, Handling and Storage 9.1 The manufacturing, storage, handling or processing of a hazardous substance defined in the Hazardous Substances Ordinance, 1974: The farm has a consumer fuel installation and store pesticides and other potentially hazardous chemicals.
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9.2 Any process or activity which requires a permit, licence or other form of authorisation, or the modification of or changes to existing facilities for any process or activity which requires an amendment of an existing permit, licence or authorisation or which requires a new permit, licence or authorisation in terms of a law governing the generation or release of emissions, pollution, effluent or waste: The farm has a consumer fuel installation requiring a permit from the Ministry of Mines and Energy. 9.3 Construction of filling stations or any other facility for the underground and aboveground storage of dangerous goods, including petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas or paraffin: The farm has a consumer fuel installation for diesel.
7 ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS This section lists pertinent environmental characteristics of the study area and provides a statement on the potential environmental impacts on each.
LOCALITY AND SURROUNDING LAND USE Farm Manheim and Tsumore is located approximately 9 km north of Tsumeb, (19.1752 °S; 17.7286 °E) north of the B15 trunk road (road number T1501) leading to Tsintsabis. All adjacent properties are farms or smallholdings and land use consists of agriculture. The adjacent farms are listed in Table 6 below and their locations can be seen in Figure 3.
Implications and Impacts
The location is well suited for agricultural activities due to the characteristics of the environment, current land use and climate. The farm is surrounded by properties with activities of similar nature. The farm further follows sustainable agricultural practices ensuring impacts on the surrounding land-users are minimised. Table 6. Adjacent farms Number on Map Direction from the project location Farm Name and Number 1 South FMB/00761/00020 2 South FMB/00761/00020 3 Southeast Manheim FMB/00100/00015 4 East Manheim FMB/00100/00020 5 East Manheim FMB/00100/00001 6 North Manheim FMB/00100/00025 7 West Manheim FMB/00100/00013 8 West Manheim FMB/00100/00021 9 West Manheim FMB/00100/00023 10 West Manheim FMB/00100/00017 11 West Manheim FMB/00100/00016 12 West Manheim FMB/00100/00012 13 West Manheim FMB/00100/00011 14 West Manheim FMB/00100/00010 15 West Manheim FMB/00100/00009 16 West Manheim FMB/00100/00008 17 West Manheim FMB/00100/00007 18 West Manheim FMB/00100/00006 19 West Manheim FMB/00100/00005 20 West Manheim FMB/00100/000004
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Figure 3. Properties adjacent to the project area
CLIMATE The Tsumeb area is situated in a semi-arid climatic region. Days are mostly warm, but very hot during the summer months. Nights are generally cooler, but often with higher humidity during the summer. Rainfall occurs typically from October to April. The highest rainfall is normally received during the months of January, February and March, whilst July and August are generally dry (Figure 4). Average annual rainfall received in Tsumeb are high compared to the most of Namibia and ranges between 450 and 500 mm/a, with a rainfall variability of 30%. The average annual evaporation exceeds 2,800 mm/a. Table 7 below contains a summary of climate conditions for the area. Figure 5 represents the average wind conditions for the general area. Table 7. Summary of climate data Precipitation 450-500 Variation in annual rainfall (%) < 30 Average annual evaporation (mm/a) 2,800-3,000 Water deficit (mm/a) 1,501-1,700 Temperature (C) 20-21
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Average Monthly Rainfall (mm) Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 0.0 0.5 3.2 16.7 53.1 62.4 127.8 120.2 84.9 35.2 2.8 1.1
Average Monthly Rainfall (mm) 140.0
120.0
100.0
80.0
60.0
40.0
20.0
0.0 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Figure 4. Average monthly rainfall for the area (Atlas of Namibia)
Figure 5. Wind rose: Tsumeb Airport (Mesonet, 2019) Implications and Impacts Water is a scarce and valuable resource in Namibia. Rainfall events are typically thunderstorms with heavy rainfall that can occur in short periods of time (cloud bursts). Rainfall in the area is above the Namibian average, but water remains a vulnerable resource. Heavy rainfall can lead to soil erosion when wrong agricultural practises are employed.
TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE The project area forms part of the Karstveld Landscape, with Kalahari surface deposits in the form of pan deposits. The farm forms part of the Otavi Mountain Land which is dominated by
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hills rising up to 500 m above the surrounding plains, with major east-west trending valleys with relatively flat valley bases. This is evident mostly in the north-eastern part of the farm and near the southern and south-western border. Drainage is poorly developed in the area as the area has a high infiltration rate. The site falls within the catchment of the Etosha Pan. The development of sinkholes, dolines and caves are common in the area, notably Lake Otjikoto which occurs about 18 km to the west. Lake Otjikoto is a sinkhole where the groundwater is exposed. A map showing slope and surface drainage directions, as generated from SRTM 30 m data, can be seen in Error! Reference source not found.. It should be noted that drainage lines are not as well developed as what the figure might present due to high infiltration rates. The slope of the project area is mainly less than 5°, with some steeper slope areas in the north-eastern part of the farm
Figure 6. Terrain aspect and slope with drainage lines
Implications and Impacts The lack of major surface runoff and drainage may lead to ponding and even flooding of plains during heavy rainfall events which may negatively impact soil quality and crop production.
SOIL The entire farm is underlain by limestone and dolomite rock types (Figure 7). The southern area where irrigation is practised is characterised by superficial cover of mollic Leptosols. Leptosols can be described as very shallow soils over hard rock or normally calcareous rocks or deep soils containing a lot of stones and gravel. A mollic Leptosol is a Leptosols soil with a mollic horizon. A mollic horizon is a surface horizon containing at least 0.6% organic carbon and is dark of colour and is normally a deep soil making it a suitable soil for irrigation.
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Figure 7. Dominant soil and rock types Implications and Impacts Although soil depth of mollic Leptosols in some cases may not be favourable for crop production, soil depth at the irrigation areas are suitable. North-eastern areas with rock outcrops may be less suitable for irrigation.
GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY The geology underlying the farms formed during the Quaternary-, Tertiary- and Namibian Age. Geology from the Quaternary and Tertiary Ages consist of the Kalahari Group deposits, which consist of sand, calcrete rocks, in this case rocks belonging to the Namibian Age. Damara Sequence geology consists locally of the Mulden- and Otavi Groups. and gravel. These deposits originate mainly from fluvial deposition with some reworking through aeolian processes. Sediments from the Kalahari Group commonly overlie pre-Kalahari The Mulden Group comprises locally of arenite, subgreywacke and conglomerate of the Tschudi Formation and overlies the Otavi Group. The Otavi Group is made up of dolomite, limestone, shale and chert from the Tsumeb Subgroup and dolomite, limestone, quartzite from the Abenab Subgroup. Moderate folding of the strata occurred during the Pan African Orogeny (680-450 Ma) and resulted in the formation of synclines and anticlines, generally trending east - west. The development of joints and fractures in the rocks are associated with the folding, which have an impact on the hydrogeological characterization of the area. An anticlinal structure with fold limbs dipping toward the north and south occur north of the project boundary. See (Figure 8) for the hydrogeology map. It should be noted that a thin veneer of Quaternary and Tertiary Age Kalahari Group deposits are present further south than what is indicated in Figure 8. The thin veneer was not showed to better present the more important underlying formations.
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The main fault orientation is roughly northeast - southwest and northwest - southeast. Geophysical-interpreted dykes occur in the area and strike towards the northeast. Figure 8 depicts geological structures interpreted from geophysical data for the farms and surrounding area. The Tsumeb dyke is located southeast of the farms. The nature of the dykes tend to be a mineralised fault with high hydraulic conductivity values. The dyke was a major exploration target for the NamWater exploration water supply programme to Windhoek. The nature of the dykes tend to be a mineralised fault with high hydraulic conductivity values. The dykes are thought to have shattered the host rocks during its formation (Hoad, 1992). Where dolomite is the host rock, it forms a zone favourable for the development of karst features and groundwater accumulation.
Figure 8. Hydrogeological map
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Groundwater flow is expected to take place through primary porosity in the surface cover, while it is expected to flow along fractures, faults, dykes/mineralised faults or along contact zones (secondary porosity) and other geological structures present within the underlying formations (hard rock formations). Contact zones in the area occur between dolomite and arenite, limestone or massive dolomite and creates favourable conditions to promote groundwater flow. Groundwater flow from the site can be expected in a north to north-western direction. Local flow patterns may vary due to groundwater abstraction (Figure 9). Contacts between the Otavi dolomites and the Mulden sandstones are considered important karstification zones, notably in places subjected to dilation caused by folding which enhances fissure formation (Hoad, 1992) Table 8 indicates the groundwater statistics for a radius of 5 km around the project area. The groundwater information was obtained from Department of Water Affairs (DWA) borehole database. The DWA database is generally outdated and more boreholes might be present. Groundwater is widely utilised in the study area, with a total of 290 boreholes within a 5 km radius. The groundwater quality falls under the Group A category which means it is of excellent quality. Table 8. Groundwater statistics Area of Interest: Groundwater Quality: Namfo (Pty) Ltd Query Radius: 5 km
Total Number of Data Points: 93
/h)
3
Number of Known Boreholes DEPTH (mbs) YIELD (m LEVEL WATER (mbs) TDS (ppm) SULPHATE (ppm) (ppm) NITRATE FLUORIDE (ppm) Data points 290 20 26 20 4 4 3 4 Minimum 20.00 3.60 7.50 357.00 4.00 2.20 0.20 Average 76.95 40.60 28.49 522.50 28.75 5.17 0.43 Maximum 235.30 90.00 77.70 649.00 60.00 7.10 0.70 Group A 55.00% 80.77% 20.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% Limit 50 >10 10 1000 200 10 1.5 Group B 15.00% 11.54% 60.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Limit 100 >5 50 1500 600 20 2.0 Group C 25.00% 3.85% 20.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Limit 200 >0.5 100 2000 1200 40 3.0 Group D 5.00% 3.85% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Limit >200 <0.5 >100 >2000 >1200 >40 >3 Statistical grouping of parameters is for ease of interpretation, except for the grouping used for sulphate, nitrate and fluoride, which follow the Namibian guidelines for the evaluation of drinking-water quality for human consumption, with regard to chemical, physical and bacteriological quality. In this case the groupings has the following meaning: Group A: Water with an excellent quality Group B: Water with acceptable quality Group C: Water with low health risk Group D: Water with a high health risk, or water unsuitable for human consumption. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF, 2006) the farms are located inside the Tsumeb-Otavi-Grootfontein Subterranean Water Control Area, Government Notice 1969 of 13 November 1970 and Proclamation 278 of 31 December 1976 (Extension). The farms also falls under a sub-division of the water control area (Tsumeb - B2), known as the eastern half of the Tsumeb-Abenab Synclinorium sub-catchment (Bäumle, 2004). Government regulates groundwater usage in this area and all other groundwater related activities like drilling, cleaning or deepening of boreholes and rates of water abstraction. See Figure 9 for a map indicating the water control area, groundwater basin and inferred groundwater flow. Groundwater quality data is presented in Figure 10 as a Maucha Plot. From the figure it is clear that the groundwater of the project location is mostly of a calcium-magnesium-bicarbonate water type which suggest the water is recently recharged. Groundwater quality from the project area reflect an aquifer that is typical of a dolomitic hard rock formation host where rapid groundwater recharge takes place (Te Chow, 1964).
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Figure 9. Groundwater basin with rainfall and inferred groundwater flow
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Figure 10. Groundwater quality
Implications and Impacts A risk to groundwater pollution is expected due to the geological sensitivity of the area. Kartsic aquifers is very susceptible to pollution due to rapid infiltration through formation fractures in the hard rock formations. Groundwater is utilized in the area and such users would be at risk if groundwater contamination occurs. Irresponsible irrigation methods like over-irrigation may result in higher demands for fertiliser, herbicides and pesticides, which in turn will increase nitrates, herbicide and pesticide concentration in the Karst Aquifer.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY The only available potable water supply in the area is groundwater. The Tsumeb Municipality supplies residents and businesses with water obtained from boreholes roughly grouped in three areas: Extension 8, Nomtsoub and Extensions 6 and 7. The boreholes in the Nomtsoub Group have the highest yields. Farms in the area all rely on boreholes for water supply for potable and agricultural use.
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Implications and Impacts Groundwater is a valuable resource in the area. Groundwater contamination may negatively impact surrounding boreholes, widely utilised for public water supply. No alternative water supply options exist if extensive contamination or deterioration of groundwater occur.
AGRO ECOLOGICAL ZONE The farm is situated within the Kalk-2 agro-ecological zone (AEZ), with an average growing period of 91 to 120 days. The Kalk-2 AEZ is ranked 2nd in Namibia in terms of agricultural potential and is deemed most suitable for short-maturing crops and large stock grazing. The Kalk- 2 area is generally not regarded as suitable for cropping and this is true for the largest part. The areas under irrigation around Tsumeb are however located in patches where sufficiently deep, quality soil is present for irrigation of crops. On Manheim and Tsumore irrigation is practised mainly in the southwestern corner of the farms.
Figure 11. Agro ecological zones Implications and Impacts Irrigation attempts outside of suitable areas may be less productive than alternatives such as livestock farming. This may lead to debushing and habitat destruction ultimately leading to desertification if farming on this land is ceased due to unproductivity.
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ECOLOGY The farm falls within the Savanna Biome with a Karstveld vegetation type and Woodland structure. Namibia’s biodiversity pattern is characterised by low species diversity, but high endemism, in the west and southwest of the country, while high species diversity, but low levels of endemism, is present towards the northeast. Plant and animal diversity on Manheim and Tsumore are therefore expected to be relatively high, but with low endemism. Plant diversity is expected to be in the vicinity of 400 to 500 species, the second highest diversity category for Namibia. Trees such as Colophospermum mopane, Terminalia prunioides, Commiphora species, Combretum apiculatum, Acacia reficiens, Dichrostachys cinerea and a variety of other trees are characteristic of the Karstveld vegetation type. Table 9 and Table 10 present a summary of the general plant and animal diversity of the broader area. The project area is situated in quarter degree square (QDS) 1917BA. According to the Tree Atlas Project, 73 different tree species occur in this quarter degree (Curtis & Mannheimer 2005). A summary of those trees protected by legislation in Namibia, 16 in total, is presented in Table 11, together with notes on conservation status / concerns. Not all the trees listed are expected to occur within the vicinity of the farm. Animals occurring on the farm include eland, kudu, common duiker, steenbok, Dammara dik- dik, porcupine and warthogs. Various species of mice and hare, as well as birds like eagles, owls, Guinea fowl, francolin and grouse also occur on the farm. Considering the broader environment of the Karstveld, various aquatic species occur in the lakes (e.g. Otjikoto and Guinas), caves and springs in the area (Irish 1991). High levels of endemism exist among them, mainly due to the isolated nature of the lakes and caves. Endemic species include two species of fish, the Otjikoto Tilapia and Cave catfish. Amphipods occur in the groundwater in the area and include two species, Stygobarnardia caprellinoides and Trogloleleupia eggerri, which occur in the Tsumeb area and are regularly pumped from boreholes (Irish 1991). Springs support various animals, many being relatively common and widespread. However, possible range restricted species, which are either poorly described, or not described at all, may also occur here. Table 9. General plant data (Digital Atlas of Namibia) Biome Savanna Vegetation type Karstveld Vegetation structure type Woodland Diversity of higher plants High (Diversity rank = 2 [1 to 7 representing highest to lowest diversity]) Number of plant species 400-500 Percentage tree cover 11 – 25 Tree height (m) 2 – 5 Percentage shrub cover 51 – 75 Shrub height (m) 1 – 2 Percentage dwarf shrub cover 2 – 10 Dwarf shrub height (m) < 0.5 Percentage grass cover 26 – 50 Grass height (m) < 0.5 Dominant plant species Colophospermum mopane; Terminalia prunioides; Commiphora species; Combretum apiculatum; Acacia reficiens; Dichrostachys cinerea
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Table 10. General animal data (Digital Atlas of Namibia) Mammal Diversity 76 - 90 Species Rodent Diversity 24 - 27 Species Bird Diversity 171 - 200 Species Reptile Diversity 71 - 80 Species Snake Diversity 35 - 39 Species Lizard Diversity 24 - 27 Species Frog Diversity 12 - 15 Species Termite Diversity 7 - 9 Genera Scorpion Diversity 6 - 9 Species
Table 11. Trees with conservation concerns in quarter degree square 1917BA (Curtis & Mannheimer 2005) Name Common Name Conservation Concerns Acacia erioloba Camel-thorn Protected by forestry legislation Albizia anthelmintica Worm-cure Albizia; Protected by forestry legislation Aru Aloe littoralis Windhoek Aloe Potentially threatened by pachycaul trade. Protected by the Nature Conservation Ordinance and listed in CITES Appendix II. Berchemia discolor Bird Plum Protected by forestry legislation Boscia albitrunca Shepherd's Tree Protected by forestry legislation. Combretum imberbe Leadwood Old specimens warrant protection as monuments. Protected by forestry legislation Erythrina decora Namib Coral-tree Endemic to Namibia and very uncommon throughout its range. Protected by forestry legislation. Euphorbia venenata Karst Candelabra- Only 6 Records. Endemic to Namibia. CITES euphorbia Appendix II. Ficus cordata subsp cordata Namaqua Rock-fig Protected by forestry legislation Ficus sycomorus Sycamore Fig Affected in areas with excessive underground water abstraction causing springs to dry up. Protected by forestry legislation. Hyphaene petersiana Makalani Palm Protected by forestry legislation Maerua schinzii Ringwood Tree Protected by forestry legislation Pachypodium lealii Bottle Tree Vulnerable to pachycaul trade. Lack of young trees is a concern. Protected by nature conservation ordinance. Listed on CITES Appendix II. Near-endemic extending into extreme southern areas of Angola. Protected by forestry legislation Sclerocarya birrea Marula Protected by forestry legislation Spirostachys africana Tamboti Protected by forestry legislation Ziziphus mucronata Buffalo-thorn Protected by forestry legislation
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Implications and Impacts Agricultural activities on the project area have long been established. However some additional habitat disturbance (land clearing) may occur. Poaching and illegal collection of plant and animal material may impact on the local environment. Pollution of the soil and groundwater by hazardous chemicals and / or the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides may negatively impact the local ecology. Over-abstraction of groundwater may lead to ecosystem changes as groundwater levels decrease. Deep rooted terrestrial plants dependent on groundwater will dry out and eventually die and animals dependent on springs will migrate or die. The impact of possible decreases in groundwater level may impact on aquatic organisms in lakes, caves and groundwater. The possible extent of impact is uncertain due to a lack of scientific information on these organisms’ ecology and habitat.
DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS The project area falls within the Oshikoto Region with a population of 181,973 and a density of approximately 4.7 people per km2 (National Planning Commission, 2012). Table 12 provides demographic information for the Tsumeb Constituency, the region and nationally. Table 12. Demographic characteristics of the Tsumeb Constituency, the Oshikoto Region and Nationally (Namibia Statistics Agency, 2011) Tsumeb Oshikoto Namibia Constituency Region Population (Males) 9,800 87,066 1,021,912 Population (Females) 9,900 94,907 1,091,165 Population (Total) 19,700 181,973 2,113,077 Unemployment (15+ years) N/A 40% 33.8% Literacy (15+ years) N/A 88% 87.7%
Implications and Impacts The development provides full time as well as seasonal employment to people from the area. Some skills development and training also benefit employees during the operational phase.
CULTURAL, HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASPECTS There are no cultural, heritage or archaeological known of on the area and farming activities do not have an impact on it. Implications and Impacts No implications or expected impacts.
8 PUBLIC CONSULTATION Consultation with the public forms an integral component of an environmental assessment investigation and enables Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs) e.g. neighbouring landowners, local authorities, environmental groups, civic associations and communities, to comment on the potential environmental impacts associated with projects and to identify additional issues which they feel should be addressed in the environmental assessment. Public participation notices were advertised twice in two weeks in the national papers: The Republikein and the Namibian Sun on 06 and 13 August 2019. A site notice was placed on site and notification letters were e-mailed to neighbours. See Appendix B for proof of the public participation processes and registered IAPs. One response from a neighbour was received. He requested to be registered on the project and provided with the final documents for review.
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9 MAJOR IDENTIFIED IMPACTS During the scoping exercise, a number of potential environmental impacts had been identified. The following section provides a brief description of the most important of these impacts.
SOIL AND GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION Soil and groundwater contamination are possible when large quantities of fertilizers or pesticides are applied. Excessive fertilizer use may result in increased soil nutrient levels (i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), to a point that soil is regarded as contaminated. Similarly, pesticides can accumulate in soil at levels detrimental to biota. Fertilizers and pesticides can leach deeper into the ground and eventually reach and contaminate groundwater. Chemical spills, inclusive of fertilizers and pesticides, may result in very high but localised contamination of soil, increasing the risk of groundwater if spill clean-up is not performed. Hydrocarbon pollution resulting from the spilling of fuel, oil or hydraulic fluids is possible. Tractor and other vehicle breakdowns or incorrect refuelling and storage of fuel are the most likely causes of hydrocarbon pollution. Contamination of the environment may also occur if hazardous substances such as pesticides are stored or handled incorrectly and a spill occur, or if pesticides are applied excessively.
GROUNDWATER ABSTRACTION Groundwater abstraction is a very sensitive topic in a dry country where the value of land is drastically reduced if no or unusable groundwater is present on the land. Abstraction of groundwater must be done in a sensible way not to impact on other groundwater users that depend on groundwater. This includes water abstracted for human and animal use, irrigation, and also ecosystems that depend on groundwater. A typical groundwater balance was compiled to illustrate the potential consequences of over abstraction of groundwater, see Figure 12. Recharge to the area is considered to be high. It is considered that recharge can vary from 0% to 4% of rainfall with an average of 2% of the rainfall. In periods of drought there may be no recharge while in above average rainfall, recharge could be 4% (Hoad, 1992). In a typical groundwater environment, a water balance would consist of inflow and outflow of the groundwater system. Over time an equilibrium (or steady state) is normally reached with rising water tables following good recharge events and declining water tables when recharge is below average. Inflow into the system would typically be from infiltration following rainfall in the area and in upstream areas. The inflow component will further be enhanced by the high secondary porosity nature of the karst aquifer. Outflow would be comprised of water leaving the system through springs and as outflow over the lower boundary of the groundwater system, as well as evapotranspiration losses. Groundwater abstraction through boreholes is important as this is normally necessary to sustain human and animal demands where such users became essentially dependant on the abstracted groundwater as a reliable and sustainable source. Typical consequences of over abstraction will include a lowering in the water table. This may lead to the collapse of underground cave roofs where the hydrostatic pressure used to support the roof of a cave decrease. The increased flow of water may enhance the dissolution of dolomitic rock, leading to an increase in karst structures. Lowering of water tables may further lead to the drying up of boreholes, springs, underground caves and the subsequent loss of organisms that lives in the subsurface and surface water. Vegetation will also be impacted where such vegetation has access to groundwater. Based on current water level fluctuations in the area, as presented in the specialist hydrogeology report, a short term threshold of 5 m below the long term average water level is set from where abstraction rates should be reduced. Note that this level refers to rest water levels and not pump water levels.
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Figure 12. Conceptual groundwater balance with over abstraction scenario
FIRE A risk of veld fires exist. Fires, used for example to cook food in areas not designated for this purpose, may spread to the nearby veld. Machinery can ignite dry vegetation if sufficient heat (e.g. exhaust pipes) or sparks are produced. Chemicals and fuels stored and used for general activities may be flammable. Electrical shorts on the electricity supply network can cause fires in buildings. Lightning can be a natural ignition source for veld fires which in turn can spread and damage infrastructure and crops or pose health impacts.
DUST Dust may become a nuisance and health risk when land is ploughed, tilled or prepared for planting. Strong winds present during periods when fields are dry and barren, such as in-between planting cycles, may aggravate dust impacts.
TRAFFIC Additional traffic is present on the main road as a result of the activities on the farm. This include the transport of staff, the delivery of fertilizers, seed, etc., as well as the transport of crops to markets. Since it is an existing operation traffic impacts related to the activities on Manheim and Tsumore will remain the same, and no additional impacts are expected.
HEALTH AND SAFETY Injuries related to working with machinery, chemicals, pesticides, etc. can occur. Inhalation and dermal contact with pesticides are possible where pesticides are for example applied by means of tractor mounted sprayers or via the irrigation system. Spray drift in windy conditions can reach nearby workers or the tractor driver. Vehicle accidents involving staff when transported to and from work, or during movement of machinery like tractors on the farm, can occur. Venomous animals like snakes, scorpions and spiders may be present. The project area falls within a malaria risk area with 100 to 300 malaria cases for every 1,000 people in the area (Digital Atlas of Namibia).
ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY IMPACT Poaching and illegal collection of plant and animal material by staff and / or non-staff members is possible. Pollution of the environment and groundwater, especially by fuel, pesticides and fertilizers, can deteriorate or alter the ecosystem structure and function. Over-abstraction of groundwater can impact on aquatic organisms living in the groundwater. Due to the endemic nature of such aquatic organisms, the continued pumping of water that results in the extraction of for example amphipods, may detrimentally affect population sizes and viability.
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SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS The project contribute to food security at a national level. Eighty permanent employees and up to 100 seasonal employees work on the farm. Housing and amenities are available to permanent employees and their families. Proper sanitation facilities are present for all workers. Existing and planned developments typically entice jobseekers to migrate to the area. This may lead to high levels of unemployment and the social ills therewith associated. This include increased spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases, alcohol or drug abuse, and theft or violence.
10 ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS The purpose of this section is to assess and identify the most pertinent environmental impacts that are expected from the operational, construction (care and maintenance) and potential decommissioning activities of the farm (agricultural and related activities on Manheim and Tsumore). An EMP based on these identified impacts is present into this section. For each impact, an environmental classification was determined based on an adapted version of the Rapid Impact Assessment Method (Pastakia, 1998). Assessment of impacts are based on the following categories: importance of condition (A1); magnitude of change (A2); permanence (B1); reversibility (B2); and cumulative nature (B3) (Table 13). The environmental classification is calculated as follows: Environmental classification = A1 x A2 x (B1 + B2 + B3) The environmental classification of impacts and the respective classes are provided in Table 14. The probability ranking refers to the probability that a specific impact will happen following a risk event. These can be improbable (low likelihood); probable (distinct possibility); highly probable (most likely); and definite (impact will occur regardless of prevention measures). Table 13. Assessment criteria Criteria Score Importance of condition (A1) – assessed against the spatial boundaries of human interest it will affect Importance to national/international interest 4 Important to regional/national interest 3 Important to areas immediately outside the local condition 2 Important only to the local condition 1 No importance 0 Magnitude of change/effect (A2) – measure of scale in terms of benefit / disbenefit of an impact or condition Major positive benefit 3 Significant improvement in status quo 2 Improvement in status quo 1 No change in status quo 0 Negative change in status quo -1 Significant negative disbenefit or change -2 Major disbenefit or change -3 Permanence (B1) – defines whether the condition is permanent or temporary No change/Not applicable 1 Temporary 2 Permanent 3 Reversibility (B2) – defines whether the condition can be changed and is a measure of the control over the condition
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No change/Not applicable 1 Reversible 2 Irreversible 3 Cumulative (B3) – reflects whether the effect will be a single direct impact or will include cumulative impacts over time, or synergistic effect with other conditions. It is a means of judging the sustainability of the condition – not to be confused with the permanence criterion. Light or No Cumulative Character/Not applicable 1 Moderate Cumulative Character 2 Strong Cumulative Character 3 Table 14. Environmental classification (Pastakia 1998) Environmental Classification Class Value Description of Class 72 to 108 5 Extremely positive impact 36 to 71 4 Significantly positive impact 19 to 35 3 Moderately positive impact 10 to 18 2 Less positive impact 1 to 9 1 Reduced positive impact 0 -0 No alteration -1 to -9 -1 Reduced negative impact -10 to -18 -2 Less negative impact -19 to -35 -3 Moderately negative impact -36 to -71 -4 Significantly negative impact -72 to -108 -5 Extremely Negative Impact
RISK ASSESSMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN The EMP provides management options to ensure impacts of the agricultural and related activities are minimised. An EMP is a tool used to take pro-active action by addressing potential problems before they occur. This should limit corrective measures needed, although additional mitigation measures might be included if necessary. The environmental management measures are provided in the tables and descriptions below. These management measures should be adhered to during the various phases of the operation and maintenance / construction of the farm. This section of the report can act as a stand-alone document. All personnel taking part in the operations of the farm should be made aware of the contents of this section, so as to plan the operations accordingly and in an environmentally sound manner. The objectives of the EMP are: to include all components related to operational and construction activities of the farm; to prescribe the best practicable control methods to lessen the environmental impacts associated with the farm; to monitor and audit the performance of operational personnel in applying such controls; and to ensure that appropriate environmental training is provided to responsible operational personnel. Various potential and definite impacts will emanate from the operations, maintenance / construction and decommissioning phases. The majority of these impacts can be mitigated or prevented. The impacts, risk rating of impacts, as well as prevention and mitigation measures are listed below. As depicted in the tables below, impacts related to the operational phase are expected to mostly be of medium to low significance and can mostly be mitigated to have a low significance. The extent of impacts are mostly site specific to local and are not of a permanent nature. Due to the nature of the surrounding areas, cumulative impacts are possible and the most important of these are potential groundwater impacts.
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Planning During the phases of planning for the operations, maintenance / construction and decommissioning phases of the farm, it is the responsibility of proponent to ensure they are and remain compliant with all legal requirements. The proponent must also ensure that all required management measures are in place prior to, and during all phases, to ensure potential impacts and risks are minimised. The following actions are recommended for the planning phase and should continue during various other phases of the project: Ensure that all necessary permits from the various ministries, local authorities and any other bodies that governs the operations, maintenance / construction and decommissioning activities remains valid. These include the consumer fuel installation certificate and the water abstraction permit. Ensure all appointed contractors and employees enter into an agreement, which includes the EMP. Ensure that contractors, sub-contractors, employees and all personnel present on site understand the contents of the EMP. Make provisions to have a Health, Safety and Environmental Coordinator to implement the EMP and oversee occupational health and safety as well as general environmental related compliance at the site. Make provision for a community liaison officer to deal with complaints. Have the following emergency plans, equipment and personnel on site, where reasonable, to deal with all potential emergencies: o EMP / risk management / mitigation / emergency response plan and health safety and environment (HSE) manuals; o Adequate protection and indemnity insurance cover for incidents; o Procedures, equipment and materials required for emergencies. Establish and maintain a fund for future ecological restoration of the project site should project activities cease and the site is decommissioned or when environmental damage is caused during operations and environmental restoration or pollution remediation is required. Establish and / or maintain a reporting system to report on aspects of operations, maintenance / construction, and decommissioning as outlined in the EMP. Keep monitoring reports on file for bi-annual submission to MET in support of environmental clearance certificate renewal applications. This is a requirement by MET. Appoint a specialist environmental consultant to update the EA and EMP and apply for renewal of the environmental clearance certificate prior to expiry.
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Skills and Development During the operations and maintenance / construction phases, some training is provided to a portion of the workforce allow them to conduct certain tasks according to the required standards. Skills are periodically transferred to an unskilled workforce for general tasks. Development of people and technology are key to economic development. Namfo plays a role in promoting and sustaining the agricultural industry.
Importance Magnitude
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Employment and transfer of skills, Construction 2 1 2 3 1 12 2 Probable technological advancements Daily Operations Employment and transfer of skills 2 1 2 3 2 14 2 Definite Employment and transfer of skills Indirect Impacts 2 1 2 3 3 16 2 Definite in Namibia’s agricultural sector
Desired Outcome: To see an increase in skills of local Namibians, as well as development and technological advancements in the agricultural industry. Actions Mitigation: Sourcing of employees and contractors must first be at local level and if not locally available, regional or national options should be considered. Deviations from this practice must be justified. Skills development and improvement programs must be made available as identified during performance assessments. Inform employees about parameters and requirements for references upon employment. Responsible Body: Proponent Contractors Data Sources and Monitoring: Keep records of all training provided. Ensure that all training is certified or managerial references provided (proof provided to the employees) inclusive of training attendance, completion and implementation. Bi-annual summary report.
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Revenue Generation and Employment Skilled and unskilled labour are required for the operations and maintenance / construction activities associated with the farm. Revenue is generated through the sale of agricultural products on national and international markets.
Importance Magnitude
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Construction Employment and contribution to 2 1 2 2 2 12 2 Definite local and national economy Daily Operations Employment contribution to local 2 1 3 3 1 14 2 Definite economy Indirect Impacts Decrease in unemployment, 3 1 3 3 3 27 3 Definite contribution to local economy
Desired Outcome: Contribution to national treasury and provision of employment to local Namibians. Actions Mitigation: The proponent must employ local Namibians where possible. If the skills exist locally, employees must first be sourced from the town, then the region and then nationally. Deviations from this practice must be justified. Responsible Body: Proponent Data Sources and Monitoring: Bi-annual summary report based on employee records.
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Demographic Profile and Community Health Farming activities relies on labour. Jobseekers migrating to Tsumeb may lead to increased unemployment and expansion of informal settlements. Here, factors such as communicable disease like HIV/AIDS as well as alcoholism/drug abuse may thrive. These are typically aggravated when an influx of seasonal workers, and possible foreign construction teams and contractors, occur. An increase in foreign people in the area, linked to unemployment, may potentially increase the risk of criminal and socially / culturally deviant behaviour. However, the contribution of Namfo to these problems is considered to be unlikely.
Importance Magnitude
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Construction In-migration and social ills related 2 -1 1 1 2 -8 -1 Probable to foreign contractors temporarily on site Daily Operations Social ills possibly associated with 2 -1 1 2 2 -10 -2 Probable staff Indirect Impacts The spread of disease 2 -1 2 2 2 -12 -2 Improbable
Desired Outcome: To prevent the occurrence of social ills and prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Actions: Prevention: Employ only local people from the area, deviations from this practice should be justified. Adhere to all local authority by-laws relating to environmental health, which includes, but is not limited to, sanitation requirements. Mitigation: Educational programmes for employees on various topics of social behaviour and HIV/AIDs and general upliftment of employees’ social status. Appointment of reputable contractors. Responsible Body: Proponent Data Sources and Monitoring: Summary report based on educational programmes and training conducted. Report and review of employee demographics.
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Agricultural Produce and Economic Diversification The project is in line with Namibia’s NDP5 and contributes to the economy of, and food security in, Namibia. Locally produced crops decrease the amount of crops that needs importing.
Importance Magnitude
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Daily Operations Contribution to economy, 3 1 3 3 2 21 3 Definite contribution to food security in Namibia Indirect Impacts Reduced import needs, increase in 3 1 3 3 3 27 3 Definite trade balance. Spread of knowledge and skill, increased crop productivity
Desired Outcome: Maximum contribution to the food security and economy of Namibia. Provide a positive contribution to the trade balance of Namibia by reducing the amount of imported produce. Actions: Enhancement: Train employees on sustainable farming practices to enable the spread of knowledge and skills and thereby increase the productivity of small-scale farming as well. Continuous improvement to maximise sustainability of the farm. Responsible Body: Proponent Data Sources and Monitoring: Record should be kept of educational programmes and training conducted. This should be included in a bi-annual report.
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Traffic Potential traffic impacts will mostly be limited to the turnoff from the main road to the farm. Traffic is mostly related to the transport of staff, the delivery of fertilizers and seed, as well as the transport of crops to markets. As this is an existing operation, an increase in traffic impacts is expected to be unlikely.
agnitude
Importance M
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Construction Delivery of equipment and building 2 -1 2 2 1 -10 -2 Improbable supplies Daily Operations Increased traffic, road wear and tear 2 -1 2 2 1 -10 -2 Improbable and accidents
Desired Outcome: Minimum impact on traffic and no transport or traffic related incidents. Actions Prevention: Erect clear signage regarding access and exit points at the farm as well as speed limits on the gravel roads within the farm where required. Mitigation: Traffic management should be performed if any traffic impacts are expected, possibly because of delivery of equipment or construction material. The placement of signs to warn and direct traffic will mitigate traffic impacts. Responsible Body: Proponent Data Sources and Monitoring: Record all traffic related complaints and the actions taken to prevent impacts from repeating itself. Compile a bi-annual report of all incidents reported, complaints received, and actions taken.
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Health, Safety and Security Activities associated with the operations and maintenance / construction on the farm are reliant on human labour. Therefore, health and safety risks exist. Activities such as the operation of vehicles and machinery as well as handling of hazardous chemicals with inherent health hazards pose risks to employees. Encounters with wild animals and especially venomous species like snakes may pose risks to personnel on site. Security risks relates to unauthorized entry, theft and sabotage.
Importance Magnitude
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Construction Physical injuries, exposure to 1 -2 3 3 1 -14 -2 Probable chemicals and criminal activities Daily Operations Physical injuries, exposure to 1 -2 3 3 2 -16 -2 Probable chemicals and criminal activities
Desired Outcome: To prevent injury, health impacts and theft. Actions Prevention: Comply with all health and safety standards as specified in the Labour Act and related legislation. Clearly label dangerous and restricted areas as well as dangerous equipment and products. Lock away or store all equipment and goods on site in a manner suitable to discourage criminal activities (e.g. theft). Provide all employees with required and adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) where required. Implement and maintain an integrated health and safety management system, to act as a monitoring and mitigating tool. Ensure that all personnel receive adequate training on the operational procedures of equipment and machinery and the handling of hazardous substances. Personnel should be encouraged to, during times of mosquito activity, take measures to prevent mosquito bites including wearing long sleeved clothing, applying insect repellents and sleeping under mosquito nets. Educate staff on the symptoms of malaria and encourage them to report such symptoms. Implement a maintenance register for all relevant equipment and fuel/hazardous substance storage areas. Apply and adhere to all industry specific health and safety procedures and regulations applicable to the handling of food produce for markets. Mitigation: Train selected personnel in first aid and ensure first aid kits are available on site. The contact details of all emergency services must be readily available. Responsible Body: Proponent Contractors Data Sources and Monitoring: Record any incidents with the actions taken to prevent future occurrences. Compile a bi-annual report of all incidents reported. The report should contain dates when training was conducted and when safety equipment and structures were inspected and maintained.
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Fire Construction activities, failing electrical infrastructure and fires outside of designated areas may increase the risk of the occurrence of uncontrolled fires which may spread into the nearby fields and surrounding farms. Lightning may cause fires during the dry season.
Importance Magnitude
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Construction Fire risk 2 -2 2 2 1 -20 -3 Probable Daily Operations Fire risk 2 -2 2 2 1 -20 -3 Probable
Desired Outcome: To prevent property damage, veld fires, possible injury and impacts caused by uncontrolled fires. Actions: Prevention: Prepare a holistic fire protection and prevention plan. This plan must include evacuation plans and signage, an emergency response plan and a firefighting plan. Personnel training (firefighting, fire prevention and responsible housekeeping practices). Ensure all chemicals are stored according to MSDS and SANS instructions and all spills / leaks are cleaned. Maintain regular site, mechanical and electrical inspections and maintenance. Maintain firefighting equipment and promote good housekeeping. Clean and maintain firebreaks at strategic locations around the property. Should planned burns e.g. to create firebreaks, be made, the farmers’ association, fire brigade as well as all surrounding farmers should be notified prior to commencement. Allow fires used for purposes such as cooking (by staff) in designated areas only. Mitigation: Implement the fire protection plan in the event of a fire. Quick response time by trained staff will limit the spread and impact of fire. Responsible Body: Proponent Contractors Data Sources and Monitoring: Maintain a register of all incidents on a daily basis. Include measures taken to ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves. Compile a bi-annual incidents report. The report should also contain dates when fire drills were conducted and when fire equipment was tested and training given.
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Noise Noise is generated by the operation of machinery and vehicles accessing the site. Construction and maintenance activities may increase the amount of noise generating activities which may lead to hearing loss in workers.
Importance Magnitude
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Construction Excessive noise generated from 1 -2 2 2 1 -10 -2 Probable construction activities – nuisance and hearing loss Daily Operations Noise generated from the operational 1 -1 2 2 1 -5 -1 Improbable activities – nuisance and hearing loss
Desired Outcome: To prevent any nuisance and hearing loss due to noise generated. Actions Prevention: Follow World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on maximum noise levels (Guidelines for Community Noise, 1999) to prevent hearing impairment. Service all machinery regularly to ensure minimal noise production. Mitigation: Hearing protectors as standard PPE for workers in situations with elevated noise levels. Responsible Body: Proponent Contractors Data Sources and Monitoring: WHO Guidelines. Maintain a complaints register. Bi-annual report on complaints and actions taken to address complaints and prevent future occurrences.
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Waste Production Various waste streams result from the operational and construction / maintenance phases. Waste may include hazardous waste associated with hydrocarbon products and chemicals as well as soil and water contaminated with such products. Construction waste may include building rubble and discarded equipment. Domestic waste will be generated by the farm and related operations. Waste presents a contamination risk and when not removed regularly may become a health and / or fire hazard and attract wild animals and scavengers.
Importance Magnitude
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Construction Excessive waste production, littering, 1 -2 2 2 2 -12 -2 Definite illegal dumping, contaminated materials Daily Operations Excessive waste production, littering, 1 -2 2 2 2 -12 -2 Definite contaminated materials
Desired Outcome: To reduce the amount of waste produced and prevent pollution and littering. Actions Prevention: Implement waste reduction measures. All waste that can be re-used / recycled must be kept separate. Ensure adequate temporary storage facilities for disposed waste are available. Prevent windblown waste from entering the environment. Prevent scavenging (human and non-human) of waste at the storage facilities. Mitigation: Waste should be disposed of regularly and at appropriately classified disposal facilities, this includes hazardous material (empty chemical containers and contaminated materials, soil and water). Empty chemical containers that may present a contamination / health risk must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Prevent workers and other people from collecting such containers for purposes of storing water. Liaise with the applicable municipality regarding waste and handling of hazardous waste. Responsible Body: Proponent Contractors Data Sources and Monitoring: Maintain a register of hazardous waste disposal. This should include type of waste, volume as well as disposal method/facility. Record any complaints received regarding waste with notes on actions taken. All information to be included in abi-annual report.
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Ecosystem and Biodiversity Impact Agriculture and related activities are ongoing at the farm and no expansion is foreseen in the nearby future. No further impacts on vegetation are expected. Pollution of the environment may however impact on the ecosystem and biodiversity. Poaching and illegal collection of plant and animal materials may occur.
Importance Magnitude
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Construction Impact on fauna and flora. Loss of 2 -1 3 2 2 -14 -2 Improbable biodiversity Daily Operations Impact on fauna and flora. Loss of 2 -1 2 2 2 -12 -2 Improbable biodiversity - poaching
Desired Outcome: To avoid pollution of, and impacts on, the ecological environment. Actions. Prevention: Obtain the necessary permits from the Directorate of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry for removal of protected species, if any. Educate all contracted and permanent employees on the value of biodiversity. Strict conditions prohibiting harvesting and poaching of fauna and flora should be part of employment contracts. This includes prohibitions or regulations on the collection of firewood. Regular inspection of fences, game footpaths and other sites for snares, traps or any other illegal activities. Take disciplinary action against any employees failing to comply with contractual conditions related to poaching and the environment. Over-abstraction of groundwater may potentially have devastating effects on plant and animal populations reliant on it. This include the drying up of springs, dying of trees and migration or dying of animals. Install screens in all new boreholes if existing boreholes are known to extract aquatic animals like amphipods from groundwater. Consider the same for existing boreholes. This will not only prevent entrainment of possibly endemic range restricted species, but also protect pumps from damage. Mitigation: For construction activities, if any, contain construction material to a designated laydown area and prevent unnecessary movement out of areas earmarked for clearing and construction. Report any extraordinary animal sightings to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Mitigation measures related to waste handling and the prevention of groundwater, surface water and soil contamination should limit ecosystem and biodiversity impacts. Avoid scavenging of waste by fauna. Responsible Body: Contractor Proponent Data Sources and Monitoring: Report on all extraordinary animal or plant sightings or instances of poaching. Keep frequent records of borehole water levels and abstracted water volumes to identify any trends or consistent reduction in water levels. All information to be included in a bi-annual report.
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Groundwater, Surface Water and Soil Contamination Leakages and spillages hazardous substances from earthmoving vehicles and accidental fuel, oil or hydraulic fluid spills during the construction phase. Increase of nutrient levels (from over application of fertilizers) in the soil that can leach to the groundwater. Overuse / incorrect application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers may also pose a risk. Leakage from sewerage systems.
/
(Status)
Permanence Cumulative
Reversibility
Project Activity Resource Nature (A1) Importance (A2) Magnitude (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Hazardous material, spillages, Construction hydrocarbon leakages from 2 -2 2 2 1 -20 -3 Improbable vehicles and machinery. Hazardous material, spillages, hydrocarbon leakages from vehicles and machinery. Over Daily Operations 2 -2 2 2 2 -24 -3 Probable application of fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, etc. Sewerage system malfunction.
Desired Outcome: To prevent the contamination of groundwater, surface water and soil. Actions Prevention: Appoint reputable contractors. Service vehicles on a suitable spill control structure at all times. Regular inspections and maintenance of all vehicles to ensure no leaks are present. All hazardous chemicals should be stored in a sufficiently bunded area. Follow prescribed dosage of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides to prevent over application. Maintain sewerage systems and conduct regular monitoring. Removed and dispose all hazardous waste of timeously and at a recognised hazardous waste disposal facility, including any polluted soil or water. Mitigation: Immediately clean any spill that occurs. Consult relevant Material Safety Data Sheet information and a suitably qualified specialist where needed. Responsible Body: Proponent Contractors Data Sources and Monitoring: Maintain Material Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals. Soil should be sampled and analysed annually to ensure the correct amounts of fertilizer is applied and soil and groundwater quality are maintained. Sample and analyse groundwater annually to test for nitrate concentrations from the fertilizers and for traces of chemicals used in pesticides and herbicides. Keep registers on the type, quantities and frequency of application of fertiliser, pesticides and any other chemicals utilised in crop production. Maintained a register of all incidents on a daily basis. This should include measures taken to ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves. Staff to clean all spills or leaks immediately and report it to management. Biannual reporting on all spills and corrective action taken.
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Groundwater Availability The over abstraction of groundwater for irrigation and other activities may lead to declining water levels. This may negatively impacts on surrounding users as well as existing habitats that depend on groundwater. For example the availability of groundwater may have an impact on the farm and surrounding farms, as well as on a bigger scale due to the cumulative impact. Over abstraction from surrounding users may contribute to the decline in water levels (cumulative impact).
/
(Status)
Permanence Cumulative
Reversibility
Project Activity Resource Nature (A1) Importance (A2) Magnitude (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Over-abstraction of the local Daily Operations aquifer, decrease in the local 2 -2 2 2 2 -24 -3 Probable hydraulic head.
Desired Outcome: To utilise the groundwater sustainably. Actions Prevention: Spread the water abstraction points over a larger area to diffuse the impact. Monthly water level monitoring. Maintain safe abstraction rates prescribed by MAWF in the abstraction permit. Mitigation: Reduce abstraction when the water levels decrease with more than 5 m below the long- term average. Responsible Body: Proponent Data Sources and Monitoring: Monthly water rest water level monitoring. Review baseline water level values every 3 years based on all historic water level data collected. Maintain a register of all incidents on a daily basis. This should include measures taken to ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves. Bi-annual reporting on all information gathered.
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Visual Impact This is an impact that not only affects the aesthetic appearance, but also the integrity of the infrastructure on the farm.
Importance Magnitude
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Construction Aesthetic appearance and integrity of 1 -1 2 2 2 -6 -1 Probable the site Daily Operations Aesthetic appearance and integrity of 1 -1 2 2 2 -6 -1 Probable the site
Desired Outcome: To minimise aesthetic impacts associated with the farm. Actions Mitigation: Regular waste disposal, good housekeeping and routine maintenance on infrastructure will ensure that the longevity of structures are maximised and maintain a low visual impact. Responsible Body: Proponent Contractors Data Sources and Monitoring: Compile a bi-annual report of all complaints received and actions taken.
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Impacts on Utilities and Infrastructure Existing infrastructure and services supply like roads, pipelines and power lines may get damaged during operational, construction and maintenance activities. This may lead to services disruption in certain sections of the area.
nitude
Importance Mag
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Construction Phase Disruption of services and damage to 2 -1 2 2 1 -10 -2 Improbable infrastructure Daily Operations Disruption of services and damage to 2 1 2 2 1 -10 -2 Improbable infrastructure
Desired Outcome: No impact on utilities and infrastructure. Actions Prevention: Appointing qualified and reputable contractors and employees (for specific tasks) are essential. Determine exactly where amenities and pipelines are situated before construction commences (utility clearance e.g. ground penetrating radar surveys). Liaison with the suppliers of services is essential. Mitigation: Report any damages without any delay. Responsible Body: Proponent Contractors Data Sources and Monitoring: Emergency procedures for corrective action available on file. Compile a bi-annual report on all incidents that occurred and corrective action taken.
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Cumulative Impact Possible cumulative impacts associated with the operational phase and any maintenance / construction activities are mainly linked to traffic, reduction in soil and groundwater quality and groundwater availability.
Importance Magnitude
Permanence Reversibility Cumulative
Project Activity / Resource Nature (Status) (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Construction The build-up of minor impacts to 2 -1 2 2 1 -10 -2 Improbable become more significant Daily Operations The build-up of minor impacts to 2 -1 2 2 1 -10 -2 Probable become more significant
Desired Outcome: To minimise cumulative all impacts associated with the farm. Actions Mitigation: Addressing each of the individual impacts as discussed and recommended in the EMP would reduce the cumulative impact. Reviewing biannual reports for any new or re-occurring impacts or problems would aid in identifying cumulative impacts. Planning and improvement of the existing mitigation measures can then be implemented. Responsible Body: Proponent Data Sources and Monitoring: Create a summary report based on all other impacts to give an overall assessment of the impacts of the operational phase.
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DECOMMISSIONING AND REHABILITATION Closure and decommissioning of agricultural activities on farms Manheim and Tsumore as a whole is not foreseen during the validity of the environmental clearance certificate or in the foreseeable future. However, it is more likely that certain components may be decommissioned. Decommissioning is therefore included for this purpose as well as the fact that construction activities may also include modification and decommissioning. Future land use after decommissioning should be assessed prior to decommissioning and rehabilitation initiated if the land would not be used for future purposes. Should decommissioning occur at any stage, rehabilitation of the area may be required. Decommissioning will entail the complete removal of all infrastructure including buildings and underground infrastructure. Any pollution present on the site must be remediated. The impacts associated with this phase include noise and waste production as structures are dismantled. Noise must be kept within WHO standards and waste should be contained and disposed of at an appropriately classified and approved waste facility and not dumped in the surrounding areas. The Environmental Management Plan for the farm will have to be reviewed at the time of full decommissioning to cater for changes made to the site and to implement guidelines and mitigation measures.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM The proponent could implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) for their operations. An EMS is an internationally recognized and certified management system that will ensure ongoing incorporation of environmental constraints. At the heart of an EMS is the concept of continual improvement of environmental performance with resulting increases in operational efficiency, financial savings and reduction in environmental, health and safety risks. An effective EMS would need to include the following elements: A stated environmental policy which sets the desired level of environmental performance; An environmental legal register; An institutional structure which sets out the responsibility, authority, lines of communication and resources needed to implement the EMS; Identification of environmental, safety and health training needs; An environmental program(s) stipulating environmental objectives and targets to be met, and work instructions and controls to be applied in order to achieve compliance with the environmental policy; and Periodic (internal and external) audits and reviews of environmental performance and the effectiveness of the EMS. The EMP
11 CONCLUSION Agricultural activities on farm Manheim and Tsumore contributes positively to the agricultural sector of Namibia. Food and fodder is produced for national and international markets. It provides employment opportunities and skills development to a local workforce. Revenue is generated that contributes to the Namibian economy. Negative impacts associated with the operations and maintenance / construction activities can successfully be mitigated. Implementing a safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) policy will contribute to effective management procedures to prevent and mitigate impacts. All regulations relating to agriculture and health and safety legislation should be implemented. Groundwater and soil pollution must be prevented at all times. Fire prevention should be key and fire response plans must be in place and regular training provided. All staff must be made aware of the importance of biodiversity and the poaching or illegal harvesting of animal and plant products prohibited. Any waste produced must be removed from site and disposed of at an appropriate facility or re-used or recycled where possible. Hazardous waste must be disposed of at an approved hazardous waste disposal site. The EMP (Section 10) should be used as an on-site reference document for the operations of the farm. Parties responsible for transgressing of the EMP should be held responsible for any rehabilitation that may need to be undertaken. The proponent could use an in-house Health, Safety, Security and
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Environment Management System in conjunction with the EMP. All operational personnel must be taught the contents of these documents. Should the Directorate of Environmental Affairs (DEA) agree with the impacts and related mitigation measures, they may issue an environmental clearance certificate to the proponent. The environmental clearance certificate will render this document legally binding on the proponent. The proponent must focus on Section 10, which includes the EMP, for continued execution of their activities. The assessment process’s aim is not to stop the activity, or any of its components, but to rather determine its impact and guide sustainable and responsible development as per the spirit of the EMA. Table 15. Impact summary class values Impact Category Impact Type Construction Operations Positive Rating Scale: Maximum Value 5 5 Negative Rating Scale: Maximum Value -5 -5 EO Skills and Development 2 2 EO Revenue Generation and Employment 2 2 SC Demographic Profile and Community Health -1 -2 EO Agricultural Produce and Economic Diversification 3 SC Traffic -2 -2 SC Health, Safety and Security -2 -2 PC Fire -3 -3 PC Noise -2 -1 PC Waste Production -2 -2 BE Ecosystem and Biodiversity Impact -2 -2 PC Groundwater, Surface Water and Soil Contamination -3 -3 BE/EO Groundwater Availability -3 PC Air Pollution -2 -2 SC Visual Impact -1 -1 EO Impacts on Utilities and Infrastructure -2 -2 Cumulative Impact -2 -2 BE = Biological/Ecological EO = Economical/Operational PC = Physical/Chemical SC = Sociological/Cultural
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12 REFERENCES
Bäumle, R., (2004). Report Compiled by the Geohydrology Division, Revised Criteria to be Considered when Allocating Licences for the Abstraction Of Groundwater for Irrigation Purposes in The Tsumeb-Grootfontein-Otavi Subterranean Water Control Area, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
Botha P, Brunette H.C.; November 2019; Agricultural Activities on Farm Tsumore & Manheim, Tsumeb District: Hydrogeological Specialist Study
Coscombe, B., Foster, A.D., Gray, D., Wade, B., (2017). Metamorphic response and crustal architecture in a classic collisional orogen: The Damara Belt, Namibia. Gondwana Research: Volume 52, Pages 1-172 (December 2017).
Curtis B. & Mannheimer C. 2005. Tree Atlas of Namibia. National Botanical Research Institute, Windhoek. 674 pages.
Digital Atlas of Namibia Unpublished Report. Ministry of Environment & Tourism
Directorate of Environmental Affairs, 2008. Procedures and Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plans (EMP), Directorate of Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Windhoek.
DWAF,. (2006). Criteria for the Allocation of Licences for the Abstraction of Water in the Tsumeb- Grootfontein-Otavi Subterranean Water Control Area. The cooperation and input by the Officials of DWAF and the participants of the workshop to identify key issues for the sustainable use of water in the WCA.
Hoad, N. 1992. Resource Assessment and Development Potential of Contrasting Aquifers in Central Northern Namibia. Submitted as partial fulfilment of the M.Sc. Hydrogeology Course University College London.
Minxcon (2018). Technical Report on the Kombat Copper Project, Namibia. Mineral Resource Report. Trigon Metals Inc. NI 43 -101.
Namibia Statistics Agency. Namibia 2011 Population and Housing Census Main Report.
Namibia Statistics Agency. Namibia household Income and Expenditure Survey 2009/2010.
Pastakia, C.M.R.; 1998; The Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) – A new tool for Environmental Impact Assessment.
Phocaides, A.; 2007; Handbookonpressurized Irrigation Techniques; Food And Agriculture Organization of The United Nations.
Williams, C., (2002). A Review of the Kalahari Group: An Aid to Kimberlite Exploration in this Medium. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of: Master of Science. Department of Geology, Rhodes University. Grahamstown, South Africa.
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Appendix A: Certificates
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Appendix B: Tsumore & Manheim Hydrogeological Specialist Study
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AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES ON THE FARMS TSUMORE AND MANHEIM, TSUMEB DISTRICT
HYDROGEOLOGICAL SPECIALIST STUDY
Assessed by: Assessed for:
November 2019
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Project: AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES ON FARM TSUMORE & MANHEIM, TSUMEB DISTRICT: HYDROGEOLOGICAL SPECIALIST STUDY Report Final Version/Date December 2019 Prepared for Namfo (Pty) Ltd Private Bag 997 Tsumeb Namibia Lead Consultant Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd TEL.: (+264-61) 257411 PO Box 11073 FAX.: (+264) 88626368 Windhoek Namibia Main Project Pierre Botha (Leader) Team (B.Sc. Geology/Geography); (B.Sc. (Hons) Hydrology/Hydrogeology) Christian Brunette (B.Sc. Geology/Geography); (B.Sc. (Hons) Geology) Cite this Botha P, Brunette H.C.; December 2019; Agricultural Activities on Farm document as: Tsumore & Manheim, Tsumeb District: Hydrogeological Specialist Study Copyright Copyright on this document is reserved. No part of this document may be utilised without the written permission of Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd. Report Approval
Pierre Botha Managing Director
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2 SCOPE OF WORK ...... 1 3 METHODOLOGY ...... 1 4 DESCRIPTION OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ...... 2 4.1 LOCALITY AND SURROUNDING LAND USE ...... 2 4.2 CLIMATE ...... 2 4.3 TOPOGRAPHY & DRAINAGE ...... 2 4.4 GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY ...... 3 4.5 GROUNDWATER USAGE ...... 7 5 ASSESSMENT OF REMOTE SENSING AND BOREHOLE DATA ...... 9 5.1 REMOTE SENSING ...... 9 5.2 MONITOR BOREHOLE DATA ...... 10 6 WATER SUITABILITY FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES ...... 14 7 SOIL SUITABILITY FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES ...... 15 8 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS ...... 16 8.1 GROUNDWATER ABSTRACTION ...... 18 8.2 GROUNDWATER, SURFACE WATER AND SOIL CONTAMINATION ...... 20 9 CONCLUSION ...... 21 10 REFERENCES ...... 21
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1. PROJECT LOCATION ...... 1 FIGURE 2. AVERAGE MONTHLY RAINFALL (ATLAS OF NAMIBIA) ...... 2 FIGURE 3. ASPECT SLOPE AND SURFACE DRAINAGE ...... 3 FIGURE 4. HYDROGEOLOGICAL MAP ...... 4 FIGURE 5. GROUNDWATER BASIN WITH RAINFALL AND INFERRED GROUNDWATER FLOW ...... 6 FIGURE 6. GROUNDWATER QUALITY...... 7 FIGURE 7. BOREHOLE LOCATIONS ...... 8 FIGURE 8. COMPARISON IN VEGETATION INDEX BETWEEN 2001 AND 2019 ...... 10 FIGURE 9. WATER LEVEL DATA RELATED TO CUMULATIVE ABSTRACTION ...... 11 FIGURE 10. REGIONAL WATER LEVEL CHANGES AND MONTHLY RAINFALL ...... 12 FIGURE 11. MONITOR BOREHOLE LOCATIONS, CAVES, SINKHOLES AND SPRINGS ...... 13 FIGURE 12. GROUNDWATER SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO ...... 14 FIGURE 13. SOIL PH EFFECTS ON AVAILABILITY OF ELEMENTS ...... 15 FIGURE 14. CONCEPTUAL GROUNDWATER BALANCE WITH OVER ABSTRACTION SCENARIO...... 18
LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1. SUMMARY OF CLIMATE CONDITIONS ...... 2 TABLE 2. GROUNDWATER STATISTICS ...... 5 TABLE 3. CURRENT WATER USAGE ...... 8 TABLE 4. SOIL SAMPLE RESULTS ...... 15 TABLE 5. ENVIRONMENTAL CLASSIFICATION OF IMPACTS ACCORDING TO THE RAPID IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHOD OF PASTAKIA 1998...... 16 TABLE 6. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ...... 17 TABLE 7. ASSESSMENT – GROUNDWATER ABSTRACTION ...... 19 TABLE 8. ASSESSMENT – GROUNDWATER, SURFACE WATER AND SOIL CONTAMINATION ...... 20
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1 INTRODUCTION Namfo (Pty) Ltd (the proponent) appointed Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd to undertake a hydrogeological specialist study for the agricultural activities on Farm Tsumore 761/9 and farm Manheim 100/25 in the Tsumeb District (Figure 1). Namfo irrigates 10 ha and 46 ha on farm Tsumore and Manheim respectively and plan to expand an additional 22 ha and 104 ha for the respective farms. Irrigation takes place from boreholes WW35653, WW35654, WW30480, WW35876 and WW35877 for the production of mainly tomatoes, carrots, maize, onions, lettuce, potatoes and citrus. Current dryland cropping amount to 60 ha for both the farms.
Figure 1. Project location
2 SCOPE OF WORK The aims of the study were to: 1. Conduct a hydrogeological assessment based on data obtained from an in-field hydrocensus survey. 2. Gather historic information and compile a hydrogeological assessment based on the information.
3 METHODOLOGY Obtain and review available geological and hydrogeological information/reports for the investigation area. Review and delineation of hydrogeological catchment and sub-catchments within the investigation area. This will be based on historic groundwater level data contained in the DWA database and hydrocensus data done on behalf of the proponent. Obtain, process and review of historic composite satellite images of the investigation area – mainly ASTER. This will include various satellite image band combination evaluations for different time events to identify land cleared for irrigation purposes. The rate of expanding irrigation land will be correlated with historic variation of groundwater data. Prepare a specialist report of the investigation.
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4 DESCRIPTION OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
4.1 LOCALITY AND SURROUNDING LAND USE Farm Tsumore 761/9 and farm Manheim 100/25 (19.176830°S; 17.728396°E) is located approximately 8 km north of Tsumeb. The farms are located adjacent to each other and are managed as one agricultural unit. Access to the site is via the B15 trunk road and is situated in the Otjikoto Region. All adjacent properties are farms or smallholdings and land use consists of agriculture. Most of farm Tsumore is covered by irrigation practices. On farm Manheim irrigation is practised in the southwestern corner of the farm.
4.2 CLIMATE The project farms are situated in a semi-arid climatic region. Days are mostly warm with very hot days during the summer months, while nights are generally cool. Rainfall occurs from October to April. The highest rainfall is normally received during the months of January, February and March, whilst July and August are generally dry (Figure 2). Average annual rainfall received in the area is high, compared to most of Namibia and it ranges between 450 and 500 mm/a, with a rainfall variability of <30%. The main recharge area for groundwater is located to the south where the average rainfall is slightly higher, ranging between 550 and 600 mm/a, see Figure 5. The average annual evaporation for the project area is exceeding 2,800 mm/a. Table 1 contains a summary of climate conditions for the area. Table 1. Summary of climate conditions Average annual rainfall (mm/a) 450-500 Variation in annual rainfall (%) < 30 Average annual evaporation (mm/a) 2800-3000 Water deficit (mm/a) 1501-1700 Average annual temperatures (°C) 20-21
Average Monthly Rainfall (mm) Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 0.0 0.5 3.2 16.7 53.1 62.4 127.8 120.2 84.9 35.2 2.8 1.1
Average Monthly Rainfall (mm) 140.0
120.0
100.0
80.0
60.0
40.0
20.0
0.0 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Figure 2. Average monthly rainfall (Atlas of Namibia)
4.3 TOPOGRAPHY & DRAINAGE The project area forms part of the Karstveld Landscape, with Kalahari surface deposits. The farm forms part of the Otavi Mountain Land which is dominated by hills rising up to 500 m above the surrounding plains, with major east-west trending valleys with relatively flat valley bases. This is evident mostly in the northeastern part of farm Manheim and along the southern border of farm Tsumore. Drainage is poorly developed in the area. The site falls within the catchment of the Etosha Pan. The development of sinkholes, dolines and caves are common in the area, notably Lake
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Otjikoto which occurs about 18 km to the west. Lake Otjikoto is a sinkhole where the groundwater is exposed. A map showing slope and surface drainage directions, as generated from SRTM 30 m data, can be seen in Figure 3. It should be noted that drainage lines are not as well developed as what the figure might present due to high infiltration rates. The slope of the project area is mainly less than 5°, with some steeper slope areas in the northeastern part of farm Manheim.
Figure 3. Aspect slope and surface drainage
4.4 GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY The geology underlying the farms formed during the Quaternary-, Tertiary- and Namibian Age. Geology from the Quaternary and Tertiary Ages consist of the Kalahari Group deposits, which consist of sand, calcrete and gravel. These deposits originate mainly from fluvial deposition with some reworking through aeolian processes. Sediments from the Kalahari Group commonly overlie pre-Kalahari rocks, in this case rocks belonging to the Namibian Age. Damara Sequence geology consists locally of the Mulden- and Otavi Groups. The Mulden Group comprises locally of arenite, subgreywacke and conglomerate of the Tschudi Formation and overlies the Otavi Group. The Otavi Group is made up of dolomite, limestone, shale and chert from the Tsumeb Subgroup and dolomite, limestone, quartzite from the Abenab Subgroup. Moderate folding of the strata occurred during the Pan African Orogeny (680-450 Ma) and resulted in the formation of synclines and anticlines, generally trending east - west. The development of joints and fractures in the rocks are associated with the folding, which have an impact on the hydrogeological characterization of the area. An anticlinal structure with fold limbs dipping toward the north and south occur north of the project boundary, with a north - south striking anticline along the western boundary. See Figure 4 for the hydrogeology map. It should be noted that a thin veneer of Quaternary and Tertiary Age Kalahari Group deposits are present further south than what is indicated in Figure 4. The thin veneer was not showed to better present the more important underlying formations.
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The main fault orientation is roughly northeast - southwest and northwest - southeast. Geophysical- interpreted dykes occur in the area and strike towards the northeast. Figure 4 depicts geological structures interpreted from geophysical data for the farms and surrounding area. The Tsumeb dyke is located about 750 m southeast of the farms. The nature of the dykes tend to be a mineralised faults with high hydraulic conductivity values. The Tsumeb dyke was a major exploration target for the NamWater exploration water supply programme to Windhoek. The dykes are thought to have shattered the host rocks during its formation (Hoad, 1992). Where dolomite is the host rock, it forms a zone favourable for the development of karst features and groundwater accumulation.
Figure 4. Hydrogeological map Groundwater flow is expected to take place through primary porosity in the surface cover, while it is expected to flow along fractures, faults, dykes/mineralised faults or along contact
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zones (secondary porosity) and other geological structures present within the underlying formations (hard rock formations). Contact zones in the area occur between dolomite and arenite, limestone or massive dolomite and creates favourable conditions to promote groundwater flow. Groundwater flow from the site can be expected in a north to north-western direction. Local flow patterns may vary due to groundwater abstraction (Figure 5). Contacts between the Otavi dolomites and the Mulden sandstones are considered important karstification zones, notably in places subjected to dilation caused by folding which enhances fissure formation (Hoad, 1992) A number of springs are present in the Otavi Mountain Land and most of these springs are related to the contact zones between relatively impermeable formations and more permeable formations. The nearest of these contact zone springs is present approximately 40 km to the southeast of the project farms, see Figure 11. The only nearby spring present within the area covered by Kalahari sediments is present on the farm La Rochelle, 26 km north of the project area. No caves or lakes are known of near (<10 km radius) of the project area. Table 2 indicates the groundwater statistics for a radius of 5 km around the project area, see Figure 4. The groundwater information was obtained from Department of Water Affairs (DWA) borehole database. The DWA database is generally outdated and more boreholes might be present. Groundwater is widely utilised in the study area, with a total of 290 boreholes within a 5 km radius. The groundwater quality falls under the Group A category which means it is of excellent quality, based on the parameters presented in Table 2. Table 2. Groundwater statistics Area of Interest: Groundwater Quality: Namfo (Pty) Ltd Query Radius: 5 km
Total Number of Data Points: 93
/h)
3
Number of Known Boreholes DEPTH (mbs) YIELD (m LEVEL WATER (mbs) TDS (ppm) SULPHATE (ppm) (ppm) NITRATE FLUORIDE (ppm) Data points 290 20 26 20 4 4 3 4 Minimum 20.00 3.60 7.50 357.00 4.00 2.20 0.20 Average 76.95 40.60 28.49 522.50 28.75 5.17 0.43 Maximum 235.30 90.00 77.70 649.00 60.00 7.10 0.70 Group A 55.00% 80.77% 20.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% Limit 50 >10 10 1000 200 10 1.5 Group B 15.00% 11.54% 60.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Limit 100 >5 50 1500 600 20 2.0 Group C 25.00% 3.85% 20.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Limit 200 >0.5 100 2000 1200 40 3.0 Group D 5.00% 3.85% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Limit >200 <0.5 >100 >2000 >1200 >40 >3 Statistical grouping of parameters is for ease of interpretation, except for the grouping used for sulphate, nitrate and fluoride, which follow the Namibian guidelines for the evaluation of drinking-water quality for human consumption, with regard to chemical, physical and bacteriological quality. In this case the groupings has the following meaning: Group A: Water with an excellent quality Group B: Water with acceptable quality Group C: Water with low health risk Group D: Water with a high health risk, or water unsuitable for human consumption. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF, 2006) the farms are located inside the Tsumeb-Otavi-Grootfontein Subterranean Water Control Area, Government Notice 1969 of 13 November 1970 and Proclamation 278 of 31 December 1976 (Extension). The farms also falls under a sub-division of the water control area (Tsumeb - B2), known as the eastern half of the Tsumeb-Abenab Synclinorium sub-catchment (Bäumle, 2004). Government regulates groundwater usage in this area and all other groundwater related activities like drilling, cleaning or deepening of boreholes and rates of water abstraction. See Figure 5 for a map indicating the water control area, groundwater basin and inferred groundwater flow. The karst aquifer has a high hydraulic conductivity and over abstraction may cause the formation of a localised cone of depression. Although high volume abstraction currently takes place in the Otavi Mountain Land, the only significant cones of depression known to exist were at Tsumeb mine (Hoad, 1992) and at the Kombat mine. During the peak activities of the Tsumeb mine, the water level was decreased to a depth of about 1,700 m. Groundwater was abstracted on average at 500 m³/h to 600 m³/h and during
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peak times at 1,000 m³/h. This abstraction lasted for several decades, with a stable cone of depression that developed at a radius of approximately 2 km around the mine shaft (GKW Consult, et. al.; 2003). Groundwater quality data is presented in Figure 6 as a Maucha Plot. From the figure it is clear that the groundwater of the project location is mostly of a calcium-magnesium-bicarbonate water type which suggest the water is recently recharged. Groundwater quality from the project area reflect an aquifer that is typical of a dolomitic hard rock formation host where rapid groundwater recharge takes place (Te Chow, 1964).
Figure 5. Groundwater basin with rainfall and inferred groundwater flow
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Figure 6. Groundwater quality
4.5 GROUNDWATER USAGE An investigation of the available data indicates that at least 64 boreholes are present on the project farms, see Figure 7. These boreholes are not all utilized for irrigation purposes but some are used for stock watering and for domestic use. There are also three groundwater monitoring installation within a 5 km radius around the farms, WW37973 on the project area, WW200206 about 1.6 km west of the project boundary and WW37977 4.5 km to the south. Water level data for borehole WW200206 was available. This boreholes is manged by the DWA and forms part of a regional arrangement of monitor installations. The only available water supply for the project area is groundwater. The groundwater remain the property of the Government of Namibia which permits and regulates water abstraction from it. The proponent and surrounding farming operators have been awarded abstraction permits by the Directorate of Water Affairs. Namfo has a permit to abstract 100,000 m3/a and 600,00 m3/a on Tsumore and farm Manheim respectively and plan to expand to 200,000 m3/a and 1,040,000 m3/a for the respective farms. Water is abstracted by the proponent using submersible pumps which irrigates the water directly onto crops. On farm Tsumore 10 ha is currently being irrigated by drippers and sprinkler systems and on farm Manheim 46 ha is under irrigation via centre pivot systems, drippers and sprinklers. The current water usage for the farms can be seen in Table 3.
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Irrigation on the farms is from five production boreholes which is WW35653 (90 m3/h), WW35654 (45 m3/h) on farm Tsumore and WW30480 (70 m3/h), WW35876 (70 m3/h) and WW35877 (90 m3/h) on farm Manheim. Another production borehole, namely WW35655 (40 m3/h), occurs on farm Tsumore, but is not currently in use. More boreholes and wells are present on the farms. The majority of farms surrounding the project area rely on boreholes installed on the respective farms for water supply (Figure 7). The project area falls under sub-division B2 of the water control area. Data supplied by DWA indicated that irrigation permits are currently active for the area amounting to a total of 8,050,000 m3/a. Cumulative monthly abstraction under this permit is presented in Figure 9. The figure indicates the variability of abstraction and also indicates the increased abstraction during drought periods. Table 3. Current water usage Farm Tsumore: Type of Use Quantity (m3 per annum) Irrigation 150,000 Total 150,000 Farm Manheim: Type of Use Quantity (m3 per annum) Domestic 25,000 Stock Drinking 25,000 Irrigation 550,000 Total 600,000 Combined Total of Farms 750,000
Figure 7. Borehole locations
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5 ASSESSMENT OF REMOTE SENSING AND BOREHOLE DATA
5.1 REMOTE SENSING Historic satellite composite imagery from ASTER (Advanced Space borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) was utilised to study the rate at which land is cleared for crop cultivation purposes in the area. The different satellite composite datasets were processed to indicate the surface area of land cleared for crop cultivation purposes over time. The type of composite image utilised was the Ratio Vegetation Index (RVI) with the formula RVI = NIR band / Red band as per the 2019 ASTER Index Database for vegetation indices. The NIR band (Near Infrared) and Red band is otherwise labelled as Band 3 and Band 2. RVI measures the ratio between the near-infrared indices which are reflected by vegetation and red light indices that are absorbed by vegetation and allows one to quantify vegetation concentrations on land. The greater the difference between the NIR band and Red band reflectance, the greater the amount of green vegetation present. Small differences between the NIR band and Red band reflectance indicate mostly bare soil or other non-green materials (CCPO, 2003). The values for bare soils generally are near 1 and as the amount of green vegetation increases the ratio value increases for the RVI. The RVI is not bounded and its values can increase beyond 1 for vegetation densities (CCPO, 2003). Generally, very high RVI values are in the order of 30, in this case the maximum values for the RVI for the project area was 4.36. This formula was utilized to indicate the crop cultivation area, thus having green vegetation, and also the areas having bare soil, which coincided with observable cleared areas. The ASTER datasets were obtained for the dates of 2001/09/16, 2005/07/02, 2015/08/31 and 2019/04/20. Changes in the vegetation index between these images are clearly visible in Figure 8 and suggests an expansion in the crop cultivation areas, particularly to the east of the project area.
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Figure 8. Comparison in vegetation index between 2001 and 2019
5.2 MONITOR BOREHOLE DATA Groundwater abstraction data was obtained for farms in the vicinity of farm Manheim and Tsumore that has significant irrigation schemes. This includes schemes on the following farms: Hiebis Ost, Ludwigshafen, Friedrichsrühe, Tsumore and Manheim, see Figure 7. See Figure 9 for a correlation between the water levels of the monitor installations WW30897, WW30898, WW31485, WW31487 WW31488 and WW200206 with the total monthly abstraction of the irrigation farms. Historic rainfall data for the Tsumeb Police Station (Namibia Meteorological Service) and the Mannheim meteorological station (SASSCAL WeatherNet 2018) are also presented. Data from the Tsumeb Police Station ended during January 2010, while the Mannheim Station only became operational during 2013. There is thus a gap in rainfall data for the area. The locations of the selected monitoring boreholes and weather stations are presented in Figure 11.
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Figure 9. Water level data related to cumulative abstraction From Figure 9 it is evident that there is a definite increase in the water level of the boreholes from January 2006 until the end of the data available. The abstraction volumes varied initially over this period, but showed an increase from January 2006 towards February 2019. Thereafter the abstraction volume decreased considerably up to where the data was available. The water level had small increases following periods of good rainfall, e.g. during January and February 2006 and March 2009. From June 2014 there was a general increase in the abstraction, peaking in December of 2016 and 2017, October 2018 and January 2019. Ground water levels over this period continued on an increasing trend, despite a clear increase in abstraction volumes over the same time period. It seems as if local abstraction at the rates presented between 2006 and 2019 is not enough to cause a short term impact on the groundwater levels of the project area. Abstraction volume data was supplied by the Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry and is based on permit data returns made by the relevant permit owners. Regional water level monitoring data sourced from the DWA is presented in Figure 10. Borehole WW25369 is located east of Otavi; WW30897, WW30898 and WW31485 about 13
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km northwest of the project; WW31487 and WW31488 located 10.5 km east of the project, WW200206 about 1.6 km west and WW32626 just west of Tsintsabis, see Figure 11. Most of the data has a saw tooth profile with sharp increases of water level associated most notably with monthly rainfalls exceeding 150 mm. These sharp increases are then followed by a steady decrease in water level. Borehole WW25369, located east of Otavi, shows a slight downward trend in water level between 1990 and 1999, after which a slight upward trend is visible up to the last available data. The variation in water level is however relatively small. A similar pattern is observed in borehole WW32626, where water levels showed a steady long-term drop in water level up to January 2006 from when the trend changed to a steady rise in water level. These two boreholes represent the top of the aquifer and the lower downstream part of the aquifer respectively. The two boreholes are set approximately 106 km apart and has a change in surface elevation of approximately 445 m. Water levels in both these boreholes seems to show little influence from abstraction taking place from the area between these two boreholes. Overall most water levels showed a steady long-term drop in water level up to January 2006 from when the trend changed to a steady long-term rise in water level until the end of the available data. From January 2006 the data fluctuations are significantly larger than prior to January 2006.
Figure 10. Regional water level changes and monthly rainfall
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Figure 11. Monitor borehole locations, caves, sinkholes and springs
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6 WATER SUITABILITY FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES Three water samples collected by the proponent was submitted for water analysis in 2018 and the results provided to the Consultant. This consisted of samples from borehole WW35654 from farm Tsumore and WW35876 and WW30480 from farm Manheim. Calculations based on the analysis indicates that the three samples can be classified as having a high salinity hazard (C3), a low sodium hazard (S1) and an injurious Permeability Index. The samples from Manheim showed an unsuitable Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR), while the sample from Tsumore showed a suitable Magnesium Adsorption Ratio. High-salinity water (C3) cannot be used on soils with restricted drainage. This is due to salt accumulation in the crop root zone, reducing the amount of water available to the roots. Even with adequate drainage, special management for salinity control may be required and plants with good salt tolerance should be selected. Reduced crop growth and yield can be expected. Low sodium water (S1) can be used for irrigation on almost all soils with little danger of the development of harmful levels of exchangeable sodium. The Permeability Index of soil is affected by irrigation water with high sodium, calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate content, coupled to its long term use. High sodium in the irrigation water can cause 2- - soil permeability problems. Permeability is also affected by CO3 and HCO3 concentrations in the 2- - water. A portion of CO3 and HCO3 is precipitated as CaCO3 or MgCO3 removing Ca and Mg from irrigation water and leads to increased precipitation of these elements. Magnesium is essential for plant growth, but excess magnesium can have severe toxicity effect on plants. A Magnesium Adsorption Ratio exceeding 50 is considered unsuitable for plants as it may increase the salinity of soil. Care must be exercised when long term irrigation takes place on unsuitable soil. Soil suitability should therefore be assessed.
Conductivity
30 WW35654
S4
VERY HIGH WW35876 25 WW30480
S3
HIGH 20
15
S2
MEDIUM
10
SODIUM (ALKALI) HAZARD (ALKALI) SODIUM
Sodium Adsorptium Ratio - SAR Ratio - SodiumAdsorptium 5
S1
LOW
0 100 1,000 10,000
class class C1 C2 C3 C4 LOW MEDIUM HIGH VERY HIGH SALINITY HAZARD
Magnesium Permeability adsorption ratio - Sample pH EC Na Ca Mg K B Palk HCO3 Index (PI) (MAR) µS/cm mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l WW35654 7.1 1,160 35.0 85.0 50.0 1.0 0.02 443.0 539.63875 46 - Injurious 49 - Suitable WW35876 7 1,300 36.0 91.0 59.0 1.0 0.06 419.0 511.23029 41 - Injurious 52 - Unsuitable WW30480 6.9 1,360 42 93 61 1.0 0.1 423.0 515.61958 41 - Injurious 52 - Unsuitable Figure 12. Groundwater sodium adsorption ratio
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7 SOIL SUITABILITY FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES Four (4) soil samples were collected during 2014 and five (5) samples in 2018 on the project farms and analysed at a laboratory in South Africa. The exact locations of the sampling points are unknown but the results give a general idea of the soil type and quality for the farms. The soil had a pH value ranging between 7.6 and 8. This is a good range for soil pH as most elements that are required for plant growth are soluble in this range. Figure 13 below indicate the solubility of elements at different pH levels, the red rectangle represents the pH levels present in the farm soil. A summary of the soil sample results are depicted in Table 4. The results indicate sufficient amounts of the most necessary elements with only some samples indicating high concentrations of phosphates, calcium and magnesium. Potassium concentrations are in the most suitable range for crop production. All elements highlighted in red in Table 4 has low concentrations of the element as required by the specific crops, all highlighted in blue has high concentrations of the element that can be harmful to plants. All the elements highlighted in white is in the most suitable range as required by plants. In Table 4 below the P Bray 1 indicates the extraction method used to calculate the amount of phosphate in the soil. The Bray 1 method is mostly used by laboratories for soil analysis, although other methods also exists. The method name gives a reference to what acid and elements are used to extract the phosphates of the soil.
Figure 13. Soil pH effects on availability of elements Table 4. Soil sample results LAB NR REFERENCE NAME pH P BRAY 1 K (mg/kg) Ca Mg NUMBER (KCl) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) 15765 1 Blok 10 - 17 8 20 136 1920 271 15767 2 Blok 12- 15 7.6 36 160 2740 549 15768 3 Blok 18 - 21 8 21 164 2610 536 15769 4 Blok 23 - 26 8 23 197 3140 795 J18-142-20 55784 NET HUISE (1-4) 7.9 51 189 3081 433 J18-142-21 55785 NET HUISE (5-8) 8 63 197 3212 467 J18-142-22 55786 NET HUISE (9-12) 8 77 198 2699 457 J18-142-23 55787 NET HUISE (13-16) 7.8 87 145 2077 358 J18-142-24 55788 NET HUISE (17-20) 7.9 41 199 2025 330
Maize Lucerne All Crops Low High Low High Low High pH 5.5 7.5 6.2 7.8 K <40 >250 P <8 >35 <8 >35 Ca <200 >3000 Mg <50 >300
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8 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS The purpose of this section is to assess and identify the most pertinent environmental impacts and provides possible mitigation measures that are expected from the project. The Rapid Impact Assessment Method (Pastakia, 1998) will be used during the assessment. The Environmental Classification of impacts is provided in Table 5. Impacts are assessed according to the following categories: Importance of condition (A1); Magnitude of Change (A2); Permanence (B1); Reversibility (B2); and Cumulative Nature (B3) (see Table 6). Environmental Classification = A1 x A2 x (B1 + B2 + B3) The probability ranking refers to the probability that a specific impact will happen following a risk event. These can be improbable (low likelihood); probable (distinct possibility); highly probable (most likely); and definite (impact will occur regardless of prevention measures). See Table 7 and Table 8 for the final assessment of expected impacts. Table 5. Environmental classification of impacts according to the rapid impact assessment method of Pastakia 1998. Environmental Class Value Description of Class Classification (ES) 72 to 108 5 Extremely positive impact 36 to 71 4 Significantly positive impact 19 to 35 3 Moderately positive impact 10 to 18 2 Less positive impact 1 to 9 1 Reduced positive impact 0 -0 No alteration -1 to -9 -1 Reduced negative impact -10 to -18 -2 Less negative impact -19 to -35 -3 Moderately negative impact -36 to -71 -4 Significantly negative impact -72 to -108 -5 Extremely Negative Impact
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Table 6. Assessment criteria Criteria Score Importance of condition (A1) – assessed against the spatial boundaries of human interest it will affect Importance to national/international interest 4 Important to regional/national interest 3 Important to areas immediately outside the local condition 2 Important only to the local condition 1 No importance 0 Magnitude of change/effect (A2) – measure of scale in terms of benefit / detriment of an impact or condition Major positive benefit 3 Significant improvement in status quo 2 Improvement in status quo 1 No change in status quo 0 Negative change in status quo -1 Significant negative detriment or change -2 Major detriment or change -3 Permanence (B1) – defines whether the condition is permanent or temporary No change/Not applicable 1 Temporary 2 Permanent 3 Reversibility (B2) – defines whether the condition can be changed and is a measure of the control over the condition No change/Not applicable 1 Reversible 2 Irreversible 3 Cumulative (B3) – reflects whether the effect will be a single direct impact or will include cumulative impacts over time, or synergistic effect with other conditions. It is a means of judging the sustainability of the condition – not to be confused with the permanence criterion. Light or No Cumulative Character/Not applicable 1 Moderate Cumulative Character 2 Strong Cumulative Character 3
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8.1 GROUNDWATER ABSTRACTION Groundwater abstraction is a very sensitive topic in a dry country where the value of land is drastically reduced if no or unusable groundwater is present on the land. Abstraction of groundwater must be done in a sensible way not to impact on other groundwater users that depend on such groundwater. This includes water abstracted for human and animal use, irrigation, and also ecosystems that depend on groundwater. A typical groundwater balance was compiled to illustrate the potential consequences of over abstraction of groundwater, see Figure 14. Recharge to the area is considered to be high. It is considered that recharge can vary from 0% to 4% of rainfall with an average of 2% of the rainfall. In periods of drought there may be no recharge while in above average rainfall recharge could be 4% (Hoad, 1992). In a typical groundwater environment, a water balance would consist of inflow and outflow of the groundwater system. Over time an equilibrium (or steady state) is normally reached with rising water tables following good recharge events and declining water tables when recharge is below average. Inflow into the system would typically be from infiltration following rainfall in the area and in upstream areas. The inflow component will further be enhanced by the high secondary porosity nature of the karst aquifer. Outflow would comprised of water leaving the system through springs and as outflow over the lower boundary of the groundwater system as well as evapotranspiration losses. Groundwater abstraction through boreholes is important as this is normally necessary to sustain human and animal demands where such users became essentially dependant on the abstracted groundwater as a reliable and sustainable source. Typical consequences of over abstraction will include a lowering in the water table. This may lead to the collapse of underground cave roofs where the hydrostatic pressure used to support the roof of a cave is decreased. The increased flow of water may enhance the dissolution of dolomitic rock, leading to an increase in karst structures. Lowering of water tables may further lead to the drying up of boreholes, springs, underground caves and the subsequent loss of organisms that lives in the subsurface and surface water. Vegetation will also be impacted where such vegetation has access to groundwater. Based on current water level fluctuations in the area, as presented in Figure 9 and Figure 10, a short term threshold of 5 m below the long term average water level is set from where abstraction rates should be reduced. Note that this level refers to rest water levels and not pump water levels.
Figure 14. Conceptual groundwater balance with over abstraction scenario
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Table 7. Assessment – Groundwater abstraction
/
(Status)
Permanence Cumulative
Reversibility
Project Activity Resource Nature (A1) Importance (A2) Magnitude (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Over-abstraction of the local Daily Operations aquifer, decrease in the local 2 -2 2 2 2 -24 -3 Probable hydraulic head.
Desired Outcome: To utilise the groundwater on a sustainable base. Actions Prevention: Spread the water abstraction points over a larger area to diffuse the impact. Monthly water level monitoring. Maintain safe abstraction rates prescribed by MAWF in the abstraction permit. Mitigation: Reduce abstraction when the water levels decrease with more than 5 m below the long term average. Responsible Body: Namfo (Pty) Ltd Data Sources and Monitoring: Monthly water rest water level monitoring. Baseline values should be reviewed every 3 years based on all historic water level data. A register of all incidents must be maintained on a daily basis. This should include measures taken to ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves.
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8.2 GROUNDWATER, SURFACE WATER AND SOIL CONTAMINATION Leakages and spillages of hazardous substances from earthmoving vehicles and accidental fuel, oil or hydraulic fluid spills during the construction phase. Increase of nutrient levels (from over application of fertilizers) in the soil that can leach to the groundwater. Overuse / incorrect application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers may also pose a risk. Leakage from sewerage systems. Table 8. Assessment – Groundwater, surface water and soil contamination
/
(Status)
Permanence Cumulative
Reversibility
Project Activity Resource Nature (A1) Importance (A2) Magnitude (B1) (B2) (B3) Environmental Classification Class Value Probability Hazardous material, spillages, Construction hydrocarbon leakages from 2 -2 2 2 1 -20 -3 Improbable vehicles and machinery. Hazardous material, spillages, hydrocarbon leakages from Daily Operations vehicles and machinery. Over 2 -2 2 2 2 -24 -3 Probable application of fertilizer, pesticides, etc. Sewerage system malfunction.
Desired Outcome: To prevent the contamination of groundwater, surface water and soil. Actions Prevention: Appoint reputable contractors. Vehicles may only be serviced on a suitable spill control structure. Regular inspections and maintenance of all vehicles to ensure no leaks are present. All hazardous chemicals should be stored in a sufficiently bunded area. Follow prescribed dosage of fertilizers and pesticides to avoid over application. Maintain sewerage systems and conduct regular monitoring. All hazardous waste must be removed from the site and disposed of timeously at a recognised hazardous waste disposal facility, including any polluted soil or water. Mitigation: Any spill must be cleaned up immediately. Consult relevant Material Safety Data Sheet information and a suitably qualified specialist where needed. Responsible Body: Namfo (Pty) Ltd Contractors Data Sources and Monitoring: Maintain Material Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals. Soil should be sampled and analysed annually to ensure the correct amounts of fertilizer is applied and soil and groundwater quality is maintained. Groundwater should be sampled and analysed to test for nitrate concentrations from the fertilizer and for traces of chemicals used in pesticides and herbicides. Registers be kept by the farmers on the type, quantities and frequency of application of fertiliser, pesticides and any other chemicals utilised in crop production. A register of all incidents must be maintained on a daily basis. This should include measures taken to ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves. All spills or leaks must be reported on and cleaned up immediately.
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9 CONCLUSION Groundwater on the farms is high yielding and of excellent quality, ideal for human consumption and utilisation for irrigation purposes, although care must be exercised when long term irrigation takes place on unsuitable soil. Based on current water level fluctuations in the area, as presented in Figure 9 and Figure 10, a short term threshold of 5 m below surface is set from where abstraction rates should be reduced. This is the deepest water level recorded from 1984. This threshold may require adjustment during drought periods as abstraction from neighbouring farms may also influence the regional water levels. Careful cooperation between neighbouring farms and beyond is required to optimally utilize the groundwater resource without depleting it as depletion will be detrimental to all. This should include self- monitoring and assessment of water levels in the area as data obtained from DWA indicates a lack of sufficient monitoring in the recent years. Proper monitoring data will provide the required information to make informed decisions and will assist to obtain increased abstraction volume permits when needed and if justified. Groundwater vulnerability to contamination would be the highest around boreholes, around geological structures as well as where shallow groundwater is present. Contaminated surface runoff can create a pathway to the groundwater, putting the groundwater at risk. Potential sources of groundwater pollution include normal runoff from roofs, properties and surfaced areas, e.g. roads. These impacts are normally of a low magnitude and can be managed through proper housekeeping. Based on current water level and abstraction volumes it seems as if higher abstraction volumes may be considered.
10 REFERENCES Bäumle, R., (2004). Report Compiled by the Geohydrology Division. Revised Criteria to Consider when Allocating Licences for the Abstraction Of Groundwater for Irrigation Purposes in The Tsumeb- Grootfontein-Otavi Subterranean Water Control Area, MAWF. CCPO,. (2003). Center for Ocean Physical Oceanography: Studying Earth from Space. Website: http://www.ccpo.odu.edu/SEES/veget/class/Chap_4/4_5.htm. Obtained on 13/08/2019. Corner, B., (2000). Crustal framework of Namibia derived from magnetic and gravity data. GKW CONSULT & BICON NAMIBIA; (2003e); Tsumeb Groundwater Study, Final Report: Vol. 5: Hydrogeological investigations to determine the groundwater potential of the Tsumeb aquifers in northern Namibia, prepared for Department of Water Affairs, Windhoek. Hoad, N,. (1992). Resource Assessment and Development Potential of Contrasting Aquifers in Central Northern Namibia. Submitted as partial fulfilment of the M.Sc. Hydrogeology Course University College London. IDB,. (2019). Index Database - Sensor: ASTER. Website: https://www.indexdatabase.de/db/s-single .php?id=9. Obtained on 25/06/2019. MAWF., (2006). Criteria for the Allocation of Licences for the Abstraction of Water in the Tsumeb- Grootfontein-Otavi Subterranean Water Control Area. The cooperation and input by Officials of DWAF and participants of the workshop to identify key issues for sustainable use of water in the WCA. Te Chow, V., (1964). Handbook of Applied Hydrology. A Compendium of Water-resource Technology. University of Illinois. McGraw-Hill Book Company.
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Appendix C: Proof of Public Consultation
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Registered and Notified IAPs Authorities, NGO's Name & Surname Organisation U Hofman Tsumeb Boere Vereeniging Oshikoto Regional Council Mr. Frans Enkali Tsumeb Municipality CEO Eugene De Paauw Roads Authority Notified & Registered IAP (Neighbours) Lukas Nel FMB/00761/00020 Lukas Nel MANHEIM FMB/00100/00020 Mr Kuehl MANHEIM FMB/00100/00004 Jose & Rosinda lopez MANHEIM FMB/00100/00005 & 6 Herbert Henle MANHEIM FMB/00100/00007 & 8 Mev Elke Naudee MANHEIM FMB/00100/00009 Adcon MANHEIM FMB/00100/00010 & 11 Hendrik Reinhardt MANHEIM FMB/00100/00012 Rhyno Mans MANHEIM FMB/00100/00013 Helga Oeder MANHEIM FMB/00100/00016 Mev Hertz MANHEIM FMB/00100/00021 C J Mentz (Christy) MANHEIM FMB/00100/00022 Letsie Stoman MANHEIM FMB/00100/00017 KEYSER HIEBIS OST FMB/00290 Gerhard Henning ABO FMB/00658 J Spoerer LUDWIGSHAVEN FMB/01249/00009 D J v Der Berg Ludwigshafen FMB/01249/00011/08/of 24/21 Kallie Grunschloss Ludwigshafen FMB/01249
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Environmental Assessment Scoping Assessment and Environmental Management Plan for the Crop Cultivation Activities of Namfo on Portions of Farms Friedrichsruhe, Tsumore and Manheim, Tsumeb District: Comments and Responses Table
IAP Correspondence Issue / Concern Addressed in: Scoping Report (Specialist study suggested and/or report section provided) Mr Steven Robinson Email 1. How many cubic meter water will they abstract in total when 1. Please refer to Appendix B; Plot Mooiloop 26 August 2019 developments are done? 2 & 3. From historical data it is evident that Tsumeb district 2. What will the impact be on the water table? no significant impact has resulted on the 3. Will their abstraction influence our existing boreholes water water table (Appendix B). It is suggested levels in the short and the long run and if so, who will be that a threshold value be adopted to prevent responsible to deepen all existing boreholes of all effective over abstraction of the aquifer. The farms/plots? threshold is suggested to be 5m drop below the long-term average water level. D J v d berg Email I’d like to register as an I&AP and receive all Details and data Noted 30 August 2019 regarding this assessment' Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd Page 97 of 108 Page 98 of 108
Notification Letter
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Site Notice
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Appendix D: Consultants’ Curriculum Vitae
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER Quzette Bosman Quzette Bosman has 13 years’ experience in the Impact Assessment Industry, working as an Environmental Assessment Practitioner and Social Assessment practitioner mainly as per the National Environmental Legislation sets for South Africa and Namibia. Larger projects have been completed in terms of World Bank and IFC requirements. She studied Environmental Management at the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU) and University of Johannesburg (UJ), including various Energy Technology Courses. This has fuelled a passion towards the Energy and Mining Industry with various projects being undertaken for these industries. Courses in Sociology has further enabled her to specialize in Social Impact Assessments and Public Participation. Social Assessments are conducted according to international best practise and guidelines. Work has been conducted in South Africa, Swaziland and Namibia.
CURRICULUM VITAE QUZETTE BOSMAN Name of Firm : Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd. Name of Staff : QUZETTE BOSMAN Profession : Social Impact Assessor / Environmental Assessment Practitioner Years’ Experience : 13 Nationality : South African Position : Senior Environmental Consultant Specialisation : ESIA & ESMP; SIA Languages : Afrikaans – speaking, reading, writing – excellent English – speaking, reading, writing – excellent
First Aid Class A EMTSS, 2017 Basic Fire Fighting EMTSS, 2017
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL STATUS: BA Geography & Sociology : Rand Afrikaans University, 2003 BA (Hons.) Environmental Management : University of Johannesburg, 2004
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY AFFILIATION: Namibian Environment and Wildlife Society International Association of Impact Assessors South Africa (IAIA SA) Member 2007 - 2012 Mpumalanga branch Treasurer 2008/2009
OTHER AFFILIATIONS Mkhondo Catchment Management Forum (DWAF): Chairperson 2008-2010 Mkhondo Water Management Task Team (DWAF): Member 2009
AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Knowledge and expertise in: environmental impact assessments project management social impact assessment and social management planning community liaison and social monitoring public participation / consultation, social risk management water use licensing environmental auditing and compliance environmental monitoring strategic environmental planning
EMPLOYMENT: 2015 - Present : Geo Pollution Technologies – Senior Environmental Practitioner 2014-2015 : Enviro Dynamics – Senior Environmental Manager 2010 - 2012 : GCS – Environmental Manager (Mpumalanga Office Manager) 2007 - 2009 : KSE-uKhozi - Technical Manager: Environmental 2006 -2007 : SEF – Environmental Manager 2004 - 2005 : Ecosat – Environmental Manager
PUBLICATIONS: Contract reports : +180 Publications : 1
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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST André Faul André entered the environmental assessment profession at the beginning of 2013 and since then has worked on more than 120 Environmental Impact Assessments including assessments of the petroleum industry, harbour expansions, irrigation schemes, township establishment and power generation and transmission. André’s post graduate studies focussed on zoological and ecological sciences and he holds a M.Sc. in Conservation Ecology and a Ph.D. in Medical Bioscience. His expertise is in ecotoxicological related studies focussing specifically on endocrine disrupting chemicals. His Ph.D. thesis title was The Assessment of Namibian Water Resources for Endocrine Disruptors. Before joining the environmental assessment profession he worked for 12 years in the Environmental Section of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Namibia, first as laboratory technician and then as lecturer in biological and ecological sciences.
CURRICULUM VITAE ANDRÉ FAUL Name of Firm : Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd. Name of Staff : ANDRÉ FAUL Profession : Environmental Scientist Years’ Experience : 18 Nationality : Namibian Position : Environmental Scientist Specialisation : Environmental Toxicology Languages : Afrikaans – speaking, reading, writing – excellent English – speaking, reading, writing – excellent
First Aid Class A EMTSS, 2017 Basic Fire Fighting EMTSS, 2017
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL STATUS: B.Sc. Zoology : University of Stellenbosch, 1999 B.Sc. (Hons.) Zoology : University of Stellenbosch, 2000 M.Sc. (Conservation Ecology) : University of Stellenbosch, 2005 Ph.D. (Medical Bioscience) : University of the Western Cape, 2018
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY AFFILIATION: Environmental Assessment Professionals of Namibia (Practitioner)
AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Knowledge and expertise in: Water Sampling, Extractions and Analysis Biomonitoring and Bioassays Biodiversity Assessment Toxicology Restoration Ecology
EMPLOYMENT: 2013-Date : Geo Pollution Technologies – Environmental Scientist 2005-2012 : Lecturer, University of Namibia 2001-2004 : Laboratory Technician, University of Namibia
PUBLICATIONS: Publications: 5 + 1 in preparation Contract Reports +120 Research Reports & Manuals: 5 Conference Presentations: 1
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HYDROGEOLOGIST Pierre Botha Pierre Botha is the Managing Director of Geo Pollution Technologies, Namibia. Mr. Botha has excellent experience and knowledge in Environmental Impact Assessments, groundwater pollution assessment, groundwater exploration, resource evaluation, urban and rural water supply, groundwater management, monitoring and hydrochemistry. He gained most of his experience in Namibia and is involved in the Namibian groundwater industry since 1992. Mr Botha's experience in the environmental / groundwater field has been gained from various projects ranging from groundwater exploration, groundwater management and modelling, environmental impact assessments, pollution mapping and rehabilitation to health risk evaluations. CURRICULUM VITAE PIERRE BOTHA Name of Firm : Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd. Name of Staff : PIERRE BOTHA Profession : Hydrogeologist / Hydrologist Environmental Assessment Practitioner Years’ Experience : 25 Nationality : Namibian Position : Managing Director Specialisation : Hydrogeology Languages : Afrikaans – speaking, reading, writing – excellent English – speaking, reading, writing – excellent
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL STATUS: B.Sc. Geology & Geography : University of OFS, 1992 B.Sc. (Hons.)(cum laude) Geohydrology/Hydrology : University of OFS, 1994
First Aid Class A EMTSS, 2017 Basic Fire Fighting EMTSS, 2017
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY AFFILIATION: Environmental Assessment Professionals of Namibia (EAPAN) – President 2014 - Vice President 2012, 2013 Hydrogeological Association of Namibia (HAN) Geological Association of Namibia
AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Knowledge and expertise in: risk based corrective action analyses bioremediation monitoring, mapping and evaluation of groundwater pollution hydrochemistry studies environmental impact assessments project management soil vapour surveys groundwater modelling groundwater monitoring hydrocensus hydrogeological data evaluation and interpretation groundwater exploration and resource evaluation geophysical interpretations (Ground Penetrating Radar, Electrical Resistivity, Electromagnetic & Magnetic) urban and rural water supply groundwater management borehole siting, drilling and test pumping supervision, aquifer testing
EMPLOYMENT: 1998-Date : Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd 1995 : Parkman Namibia (Groundwater Consulting Services) - Hydrogeologist 1994 : Institute for Groundwater Studies, University of the Orange Free State - Hydrogeologist 1992-1993 : Groundwater Consulting Services - Field Geologist 1988 : Tsumeb Corporation Ltd - Student geologist
PUBLICATIONS: Contract reports : +400 Publications : 1
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HYDROGEOLOGIST Jannie van der Merwe Jannie van der Merwe holds an honours degree in hydrology and geohydrology from the Northwest-University Potchefstroom (NWU) South Africa. He first completed a B.Sc. degree in Geology and Geography in the required time also from the Northwest University Potchefstroom South Africa. His honours project entailed Preparing Groundwater Resource Directed Measures for Catchment: J21A Beaufort West in South Africa. In his honours year he also completed an advanced course in ArcMap (GIS). He started working at Geo Pollution Technologies at the beginning of 2016 and he regularly conducts or assists in soil vapour surveys, groundwater monitoring and sampling, soil sampling, tank pit surveys, geophysics (borehole siting), hydrocensus studies, pump testing and groundwater specialist studies.
CURRICULUM VITAE JANNIE VAN DER MERWE Name of Firm : Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd. Name of Staff : JANNIE VAN DER MERWE Profession : Hydrogeologist Nationality : Namibian Position : Environmental Scientist Specialisation : Geohydrology, Geology Languages : Afrikaans – speaking, reading, writing English – speaking, reading, writing
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL STATUS: B.Sc. Geology and Geography : Northwest University (NWU) 2014 B.Sc. (Hons.) Hydrology and Geohydrology : Northwest University (NWU) 2015 First Aid Class A EMTSS, 2017 Basic Fire Fighting EMTSS, 2017 AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Knowledge and expertise in: Geohydrology Geology Geophysics Hydrology Basic Geographic Information Skills (ArcGIS, Manifold)
EMPLOYMENT: 2016 - Date : Geo Pollution Technologies – Environmental Scientist
PUBLICATIONS: Contract Reports: +30
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HEALTH AND SAFETY SUPERVISOR Stefan Short Stefan Short started working at Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd in April 2011. Here he received on-the-job training and since then he has acquired many new skills through field work in many different areas. He regularly conducts or assists in soil vapour surveys, groundwater monitoring and sampling, soil sampling, tank pit surveys, geophysics (borehole siting) and hydrocensus studies. He also trained in geographic information systems and has produced numerous maps with Manifold for reports completed by Geo Pollution Technologies. Stefan is also a qualified H&S Supervisor and is responsible for the compilation and maintenance of Geo Pollution Technologies’ health and safety file.
CURRICULUM VITAE STEFAN SHORT Name of Firm: Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd Name of Staff: STEFAN SHORT Profession: Environmental Technician Nationality: Namibian Position: Technician Specialisation: Pollution Studies, Groundwater Sampling, GIS Languages: Afrikaans – speaking, reading, writing English – speaking, reading, writing
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL STATUS: Prowalco Permit to Work Prowalco, 2012 Prowalco Gas Testing Prowalco, 2012 Shell Permit to Work Yearly Total Permit to Work Total Namibia, 2015 First Aid Class A EMTSS, 2017 Basic Fire Fighting EMTSS, 2017 H&S Supervisor ATA International, 2018
AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Knowledge and expertise in: Groundwater Monitoring Soil Vapour Surveys Permit to Work Basic Geographic Information Skills (Manifold) Tank Pit Sampling Geophysical Interpretations (Ground Penetrating Radar) Hydrocensus Soil and Water Remediation Health and Safety
EMPLOYMENT: April 2011 onwards: Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd
PUBLICATIONS: Contract Reports: 10
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