Environmental Impact Assessment
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A CHARCOAL PROCESSING AND PACKAGING Project Name: PLANT ON THE REMAINING EXTENT OF PORTION A OF FARM KARIBIB NO. 54, KARIBIB DISTRICT, ERONGO REGION Africa Burns (Pty) Ltd The Proponent: P O Box 1094 SWAKOPMUND Prepared by: Release Date: July 2020 C. Du Toit C. Van Der Walt Consultant: Cell: 081 127 3145 Fax: 061 248 608 Email: [email protected] GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 1 Table of Contents 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 3 2. Background Information on Project ................................................................ 3 2.1 Locality of the site ........................................................................................... 3 3. Bulk Services and Infrastructure Provision ..................................................... 5 3.1. Access Road .................................................................................................. 5 3.2. Water supply .................................................................................................. 5 3.3. Electricity reticulation ..................................................................................... 5 3.4. Sewage disposal ............................................................................................ 6 3.5. Solid waste disposal/refuse removal .............................................................. 6 3.6. Fire Protection ................................................................................................ 6 4. Project Description ......................................................................................... 6 5. National Legislation ...................................................................................... 11 6. Purpose of the Environmental Assessment Project ...................................... 18 7. Aims of the Impact Process .......................................................................... 18 8. Methodology ................................................................................................. 18 9. Environmental and Planning Issues Identified .............................................. 19 10. Public Involvement Program ......................................................................... 20 11. Notice on Site ............................................................................................... 21 12. Notice on Notice Board ................................................................................ 22 13. Public Notices ............................................................................................... 23 List of Figures Figure 1: Locality of Project Site ................................................................................... 4 Figure 2: Project Site ...................................................................................................... 4 Figure 3: Access to Project Site .................................................................................... 5 Figure 4: Processing of the Product ............................................................................. 7 Figure 5: Bulk bag delivery area ................................................................................... 8 Figure 6: Bulk bag receiving hopper with dust control screen ................................. 9 Figure 7: Processing Plant............................................................................................. 9 Figure 8: Equipment Storage Area ............................................................................... 9 Figure 9: Drying racks .................................................................................................. 10 Figure 10: Packaging of the Product .......................................................................... 10 GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 2 THE FOLLOWING IS A BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A CHARCOAL PROCESSING AND PACKAGING PLANT ON THE REMAINING EXTENT OF PORTION A OF FARM KARIBIB NO. 54, KARIBIB DISTRICT, ERONGO REGION 1. Introduction Green Earth Environmental Consultants have been appointed by Africa Burns (Pty) Ltd to attend to and complete an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in order to obtain an Environmental Clearance Certificate for the construction and operation of a charcoal processing and packaging plant on the Remaining Extent of Portion A of Farm Karibib No. 54, in the Karibib District, Erongo Region as per the requirements of the Environmental Management Act (No. 7 of 2007) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (GN 30 in GG 4878 of 6 February 2012). The Background Information Document (BID) serves to convey information regarding the proposed project to Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) to allow them the opportunity to comment on the proposed project. This document contains the following information: - A brief background on the proposed project - The approach to the environmental assessment process 2. Background Information on Project 2.1 Locality of the site It is the intension of the proponent to construct and operate a charcoal processing and packaging plant on the Remaining Extent of Portion A of Farm Karibib No. 54, in the Karibib District, Erongo Region. The charcoal will be processed into briquettes which will be packaged to be exported. The area that will be used by the proponent is approximately 800m². The project site currently contains a shed. See plans and photos below for the locality of the site: GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 3 Figure 1: Locality of Project Site Figure 2: Project Site GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 4 3. Bulk Services and Infrastructure Provision The site is supported by the following services: 3.1. Access Road The Project Site is accessed from the B2 through a gravel road from where the port of Walvis Bay and other main centers in Namibia can be reached. The intersection with the B2 has already been provided with passing lanes to allow the safe access of vehicles. The gravel road is well maintained and suited for access by the trucks which will deliver the raw materials and collect the finished product. Figure 3: Access to Project Site 3.2. Water supply The Project Site obtains water from a borehole located on the site. The borehole has been tested and it was confirmed that it has the capacity to provide in the requirements as demanded by the plant on a sustainable level. 3.3. Electricity reticulation The site is connected to the Erongo Red electricity network. The proponent is also investigating the option of supplementing the electricity requirements through an onsite PV Plant. GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 5 3.4. Sewage disposal The Project Site currently has no sewer facilities. Only household sewer will be generated on site from the ablution facilities for the staff. The proponent intends to install a green sewer system which will treat the sewer onsite to the ‘general standard’ as specified under the Code of Practice of the Department of Water and Agriculture which will allow the reuse of the water for irrigation or for the flushing of toilets. 3.5. Solid waste disposal/refuse removal The solid waste generated on the site will be stored in a proper place, to prevent it from being blown away or accessed by scavengers/animals, to be disposed of at an approved landfill site. Hazardous Waste which might be generated on the site will be dealt with in accordance with the waste procedures for hazardous waste. 3.6. Fire Protection The Proponent will put in the necessary fire protection equipment as per the requirements. 4. Project Description It is the intention of the Proponent, Africa Burns Pty Ltd (AB), to construct and operate a charcoal processing and packaging plant. Charcoal will be sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified charcoal producers and processed into briquettes which will be packaged to be exported. AB is a newly formed charcoal processing and packing for export company that has sourced land to establish its new business venture outside Karibib. AB has a desire to improve the Natural resources of Namibia by adding value to charcoal and at the same time to deliver the highest quality FSC certified charcoal products (briquettes) to be exported from Namibia to the rest of the world. In selecting the site, AB considered the following criteria: • Distance and ease of access for charcoal suppliers • Distance to Walvis Bay Port • Availability of land and land cost • Access to services, water and electricity • Access to labour living close to the site • Receptiveness and support for new projects from Local Authority • Area with serious need for economic activity (job creation) • Site must be in an hot and dry (low humidity) climate to allow quick natural drying of the briquets • Favourable construction costs AB intends to deliver briquettes manufactured from charcoal to an international buyer that only buys FSC certified charcoal products manufactured and produced under the strictest of regulations. GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 6 The manufacturing process include the following activities: 1. Vibrated and sieved Charcoal is ordered from FSC Certified charcoal producers. 2. Trucks deliver 72 bulk bags to site; these bags are sealed. 3. The bags are offloaded over a period of two to three hours,