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, weighed for calculation of payment to the farmers. Farmers are paid per ton and price vary dependent on quality. 4. Once the bags are offloaded and weighed, they are immediately emptied into the hoppers, to be fed from there into the crusher. 5. The plant will have the capacity to process ±45 tons of charcoal per day. 6. From this hopper, the charcoal is conveyed into a sealed crusher where the material is reduced to particulates of size less than 3mm. 7. The material is sucked/blown directly from there into a sealed hopper for storage. 8. From here it is conveyed via screw conveyer into the mixing plant. 9. The mixing plant is also sealed and at this point water and starch is added. 10. Once thoroughly mixed, the batch is fed into a briquet press and in formed into the briquette size and shape required. 11. The briquettes are then fed via a conveyer system to the drying racks upon which it is left for drying (±24hours). 12. Once dried it is packed into 4 kg bags which is packed into special cartons, palletized and bailed where after it is collected and transported to Walvis Bay Harbour for export.
Figure 4: Processing of the Product
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 7
The process to be followed as shown in the layout above:
1. Bulk bag delivery area 2. Bulk bag receiving hopper with dust control screen 3. Closed conveyor delivering material to crusher 4. High speed crusher sealed unit 5. Blower sealed unit 6. Main storage hopper sealed unit 7. Screw conveyor sealed unit 8. Mixing stations sealed units 9. Water storage tanks 10. Pelletizing machine 11. Drying rack conveyor system
See below photos of the equipment used to process the charcoal:
Figure 5: Bulk bag delivery area
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 8
Figure 6: Bulk bag receiving hopper with dust control screen
Figure 7: Processing Plant
Figure 8: Equipment Storage Area
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 9
Figure 9: Drying racks
Figure 10: Packaging of the Product
The manufacturing of the briquettes will take place in an enclosed shed which is currently under construction. The shed and equipment will have the following characteristics:
• It will have a floor area of ±600m². • The building will be enclosed/cladded with a combination of corrugated sheeting and dust capture netting. • All equipment that produce dust will be enclosed in dust capture boxes, to ensure no dust escapes the production area.
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 10 Estimated employment creation:
• During construction 8 – 10 people will be employed. • From Month 1-6 it is estimated that 7-10 people will be employed. • From Months 10-15 it is estimated that 10-15 people will be employed. • For the next 18 months staff will increase to 15-20 people. • And from the five-year mark AB will run at capacity with 25 staff members
Initially AB will be requiring labour and foremen for the project, and as skills are learned and improved, AB will be looking for management from this staff should they stand up and get noticed. People employed on site will not reside on site but in Town and be transported to the site and back.
Future Subsidiary Businesses:
AB has identified various subsidiary businesses that they would like to begin establishing as support businesses to their main charcoal business which will create further employment and skills development:
• Manufacture and sale of retort burners – Year 2 • Manufacture and sale of drying racks – Year 2 • Paper bag manufacturing and printing – 5 years
The project site is still under construction and therefore the walls of the above-mentioned plant will still be constructed. The walls will also help suppress noise and prevent any dust to reach neighbours.
5. National Legislation
During the EIA the administrative, policy and legislative frameworks concerning the proposed activity, will be reviewed inform the proponent and relevant authorities about the requirements to be fulfilled in undertaking the proposed project. In accordance to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (GN 30 in GG 4878 of 6 February 2012) of the Environmental Management Act (No. 7 of 2007) the proposed activity may not be undertaken without an Environmental Clearance.
The relevant legislations, policies and international statutes applying to the project are highlighted in the table below as specified in the Environmental Management Act (No.7 of 2007) and the regulations for Environmental Impact Assessment as set out in the Schedule of Government Notice No. 30 (2012).
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 11 Table 1: Legislations, policies and international statutes LEGISLATION/POLICY/GUIDING PROVISION RELEVANCE ON DOCUMENT PROJECT IMPLIMENTATION AND OPERATION The Constitution of the Articles 91(c) and 95(i) The EMP should be Republic of Namibia (1990) commits the state to implemented and actively promote and complied with for the sustain environmental proposed activity to welfare of the nation conform to the by formulating and constitution in terms of institutionalizing environmental policies to accomplish management and the sustainable sustainability, through objectives which development in an include: environmentally - Guarding against sensitive way. overutilization of biological natural resources, - Limiting over- exploitation of non- renewable resources, - Ensuring ecosystem functionality, - Maintain biological diversity. Vision 2030 and National Namibia’s overall The proposed project, is Development Plans development an important element in ambitions are employment creation, articulated in the manufacturing industry Nation’s Vision 2030. growth as well as a At the operational contribution to level, five-yearly achieving the Vision national development 2030 of the country. plans (NDP’s) are prepared in extensive consultations led by the National Planning Commission in the Office of the President. Currently the Government has so far launched a 4th NDP which pursues three overarching goals for the Namibian nation: high and sustained
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 12 economic growth; increased income equality; and employment creation. Environmental Assessment The Environmental Processing of wood Policy of Namibia 1994 Assessment Policy of products and Namibia requires that manufacturing all projects, policies, processes require programmes and plans environmental approval that have a detrimental before they are effect on the undertaken: environment must be -Through abiding to the accompanied by an requirements of the EIA. The policy Environmental provides a definition to Assessment Policy of the term “Environment” Namibia. The EIA and broadly interpreted to EMP will cater for the include biophysical, sustainable social, economic, management of the cultural, historical and biophysical political components environment. and provides reference to the inclusion of alternatives in all projects, policies, programmes and plans. Environmental Management Act The Act aims at The EIA and EMP to be (No. 7 of 2007) promoting the conducted and sustainable compiled with as per management of the the requirements of the environment and the EMA. use of natural resources by establishing principles for decision-making on matters affecting the environment; To provide for a process of assessment and control of projects which may have significant effects on the environment; The Act gives legislative effect to the Environmental Impact Assessment Policy.
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 13 Moreover, the act also provides procedure for adequate public participation during the environmental assessment process. Public Health Act (No. 36 of Under this act, in -The proponent will 1919) section 119: ensure that all legal “No person shall cause requirements of the a nuisance or shall project in relation to suffer to exist on any protection of the health land or premises of their employees and owned or occupied by surrounding residents is him or of which he is in protected and will be charge any nuisance included in the EMP. or other condition - Relevant protective liable to be injurious or equipment shall be dangerous to health.” provided for employees in construction. - The development shall follow requirements and specifications in relation to water supply and sewerage handling and solid waste management so as not to threaten public health of future residents on this piece of land. Pollution Control and Waste This bill has not come To control air, water Management Bill into force. Amongst and land pollution as others, the bill aims to agitated by the Bill, the “prevent and regulate proponent will ensure the discharge of that proposed project pollutants to the air, activities will abide by water and land” Of the EMP’s particular reference to specifications in terms the Project is: Section of pollution prevention 21 “(1) Subject to sub- to land, water and air section (4) and section during the construction 22, no person shall and operation phases. cause or permit the discharge of pollutants or waste into any water or watercourse.” Section 55 “(1) No person may produce, collect, transport, sort,
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 14 recover, treat, store, dispose of or otherwise manage waste in a manner that results in or creates a significant risk of harm to human health or the environment.” Atmospheric Pollution To provide for the Dust emission from Prevention Ordinance (No. 11 of prevention of the charcoal processing is a 1976) pollution of the great risk to the ambient atmosphere and for air quality. Strict matters incidental abidance to this Act. thereto. Employee health and safety must be prioritized. Soil Conservation Act (No. 76 of The objectives of this Only the area required 1969) Act are to: for the operations - Make provisions should be cleared from for the combating vegetation to ensure the and prevention of minimum impact on the soil erosion; soil through clearance - Promote the for construction. It is conservation, however important to protection and note that footprint will improvement of the not be more than soil, vegetation, 2500m². sources and resources of the Republic; Nature Conservation Ordinance To consolidate and The proposed project 1996 amend the laws implementation is not relating to the located in a demarcated conservation of nature; conservation area, the establishment of national park or unique game parks and environments. nature reserves; the control of problem animals; and to provide for matters incidental thereto. Protected Areas and Wildlife This bill, when it The site is fenced in Management Bill comes into force, will and located outside replace the Nature Karibib. It shows signs Conservation of human interference Ordinance 4 of 1975. as it has been used for The bill recognizes intensive farming. that biological diversity
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 15 must be maintained, and where necessary, rehabilitated and that essential ecological processes and life support systems be maintained. It protects all indigenous species and control the exploitation of all plants and wildlife. Forest Act (No. 12 of 2001) The Act gives No protected plant provision for the species were observed protection of various on the site. The plant species through proponent will have to the Ministry of ensure that there is no Agriculture, Water and indiscriminate removal Forestry (MAWF), of vegetation in the Directorate of Forestry. area. Water Resources Management This Act provides for The proposed activities (No. 11 of 2013) the management, are not expected to protection, have any impacts on development, use and surface and ground conservation of water water resources. Water resources. This also will be supplied by the forms the regulation Town Council. and monitoring of water resources. National Heritage Act (No. 27 of Heritage sites and No graves, artefacts 2004) buildings to be and/or objects of conserved in heritage nature are development (National present on the site. Heritage). National Monuments Act of No person shall The proposed site for Namibia (No. 28 of 1969) as destroy, damage, development is not amended until 1979 excavate, alter, within any known remove from its monument site both original site or export movable or immovable from Namibia: as specified in the Act, (a) any meteorite or however in such an fossil; or instance that any (b) any drawing or material or sites or painting on stone or a archeologic importance petroglyph known or are identified, it will be commonly believed to the responsibility of the have been developer to take the executed by any required route and people who inhabited
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 16 or visited Namibia notify the relevant before the year 1900 commission. AD; or (c) any implement, ornament or structure known or commonly believed to have been used as a mace, used or erected by people referred to in paragraph (b); or (d) the anthropological or archaeological contents of graves, caves, rock shelters, middens, shell mounds or other sites used by such people; or (e) any other archaeological or palaeontological finds, material or object; except under the authority of and in accordance with a permit issued under this section. Solid and Hazardous Waste Provides for The proponent must Management Regulations: management and abide to the municipal Local Authorities 1992 handling of industrial, solid waste business and domestic management waste. provisions.
EU Timber Regulation: FSC Forest Stewardship The Proponent will be (2013) Council (FSC) came advised to only Forest Stewardship Council into effect in March purchase charcoal from (FSC) certified charcoal 2013, with the aim of FSC certified producers preventing sales of and also to obtain FSC illegal timber and certification for the timber products in the products to be EU market. Now, any manafactured and actor who places exported. timber or timber products on the market for the first time must ensure that the timber used has been legally
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 17 harvested and, where applicable, exported legally from the country of harvest.
The relevant legislations, policies and international statutes applying to the project will be consulted to ensure that the project is constructed and operated in accordance with Namibian and International Legislation and guidelines.
6. Purpose of the Environmental Assessment Project
The purpose of the Environmental Impact Assessment is to consider social, ecological, legal and institutional issues related to the intended use of the land, guided by the principles and stipulations of the Namibian Environmental Assessment Policy (1995) and Namibia’s Environmental Management Act (2007), to determine the desirability of the proposed activities on the suggested area and to develop an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to mitigate and manage environmental issues identified in the process.
In order to accomplish the above, the impact study will be undertaken and based on the outcome of the findings; further specialists’ investigation might be required to fully assess all impacts.
7. Aims of the Impact Process
- To comply with Namibia’s Environmental Management Act (2007) and its regulations (2012); - To ascertain existing environmental conditions on the site in order to determine its environmental sensitivity; - To inform I&APs and relevant authorities of the details of the proposed activities and to provide them with an opportunity to raise issues and concerns; - To assess the significance of issues and concerns raised; - To compile an impact report detailing all identified issues and possible impacts, stipulating the way forward and identify specialist investigations required; - To outline management guidelines in an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to minimize and/or mitigate potentially negative impacts.
8. Methodology
a) Desktop sensitivity assessment Literature available on the area will be reviewed in order to determine potential environmental issues and concerns.
b) Site assessment (site visit) This involves investigating the environmental parameters on site in order to enable further understanding of the potential impacts on site.
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 18 c) Impact process Local stakeholders will be given the opportunity to comment on the proposed activities and engage in the planning process. The findings of the assessment process will be incorporated in the environmental impact assessment report.
9. Environmental and Planning Issues Identified
From previous experience with developments of this nature and comments received from Affected Parties, charcoal processing plants have the following Key Impacts on the receiving environment:
• Dust created by trucks delivering and collecting products; • Charcoal dust created during manufacturing, handling and storage of products; • Noise created by delivery and collection vehicles and in the processing and handling of products; • Material wastage (charcoal dust, charcoal waste and packaging material) due to poor site management practices; • Health and safety of staff is not attended to satisfactorily; • Water requirements for the manufacturing process;
The above-named aspects will be covered in the Environmental Management Plan in order to be mitigated.
Other general impacts related to the proposed project:
Biophysical impacts:
• On ground and surface water (water quality, water tables and sustainable water supply on consumers who rely on this water source) • Surface drainage systems (flow of surface draining systems) • Possibility of air pollution (dust during construction) • Effect on vegetation (grass, trees and shrubs directly in areas to be cleared for construction of services and buildings) • Effect on wild and bird life • Effect on natural and general ambiance of the area and surroundings • Concerns if the area can be restored/rehabilitated to an acceptable status once the bulk services have been constructed.
Socio-economic impacts:
• Additional employment will be created • Additional products/services will be provided • Ambiance of the site may change • Stock theft and illegal hunting might increase during construction • Noise and dust pollution from construction operations • Community health issues - transmission of diseases from construction team and support staff to local community
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 19 • Increase in criminal activities • Cultural/heritage impacts
These impacts and others which will be identified during the environmental scoping procedures and the engagement of the interested and affected parties will be evaluated in order to determine the significance of impact and if and how these impacts can be mitigated.
10. Public Involvement Program
As an important part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process you as stakeholder or interested member of the public are invited to find out more about what is being proposed, the implications thereof on the environment and/or to raise any issues or concerns.
Should you have any questions regarding the project, please contact GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants at the contact details provided on Page 1 of this document. The closing date for any questions, comments, inputs or information is 31 July 2020.
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 20 11. Notice on Site
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 21 12. Notice on Notice Board
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 22
13. Public Notices
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 23
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 24
GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 25 GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 26 GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants 27 Comments from Interested and Affected Parties
PERSONAL PARTICULARS Name and Surname: Organization: Postal Address: Telephone Number: Email Address:
Fax Number: Cellphone Number.:
INTEREST IN PROJECT
COMMENTS ON PROJECT
Signature: Date:
28 GREEN EARTH Environmental Consultants