ESIA Review the Republic of Armenia

Privileged & Confidential Amulsar Gold Mine ESIA Review The Republic of Armenia Independent 3rd Party Assessment Prepared For: of the Impacts on Water Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia Resources and Geology, Prepared By: Biodiversity and Air Quality ELARD Beirut, Lebanon July 22, 2019 TRC New Providence, New Jersey, USA Prepared by: David Hay, PhD, CPG Reviewed & Approved by: Nidal Rabah, PhD, PE, PM Water Resources and Geology Water Resources and Geology Prepared by: Robert Stanforth, PhD Reviewed & Approved by: Ramez Kayal, MSc Water Resources and Geology Water Resources and Geology Prepared by: Carla Khater, PhD Reviewed & Approved by: Ricardo Khoury, ME Biodiversity Biodiversity and Air Quality Prepared by: Alexandre Cluchier, MSc, EPHE Biodiversity Prepared by: Charbel Afif, PhD Air Quality Privileged & Confidential TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Objectives ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Scope of Assessment ......................................................................................................... 2 1.2.1 Assessment of the Impacts of Geology .................................................. 3 1.2.2 Assessment of the Impacts on Water Resources .................................. 3 1.2.3 Assessment of the Impacts on Biodiversity ............................................ 4 1.2.4 Assessment of the Impacts on Air Quality ............................................. 4 1.3 Bases and References ........................................................................................................ 5 1.4 Qualifications of Experts ..................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Structure of the Report ........................................................................................................ 7 2.0 EXAMINATION ..................................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Water and Geology ............................................................................................................. 8 2.1.1 Baseline Characterization ...................................................................... 8 2.1.1.1 Meteorological Data ................................................................ 8 2.1.1.2 Geology and ARD Geochemistry ............................................ 9 2.1.1.3 Seismic Hazard Potential ...................................................... 27 2.1.1.4 Groundwater Flow ................................................................. 29 2.1.1.5 Surface Water Hydrology ...................................................... 35 2.1.1.6 Surface Water and Groundwater Composition and Quality .. 38 2.1.2 Seepage, Runoff, Groundwater Flow & Solute Transport Models ....... 41 2.1.2.1 Pit Seepage Sub-Models....................................................... 41 2.1.2.2 BRSF Runoff Sub-Model ....................................................... 43 2.1.2.3 BRSF Seepage Sub-Model ................................................... 44 2.1.2.4 HLF Solute Transport Sub-Model ......................................... 45 2.1.2.5 Regional Groundwater Flow Model ....................................... 47 2.1.3 Water Resources Impacts Assessment ............................................... 52 2.1.3.1 BRSF ..................................................................................... 52 2.1.3.2 HLF ........................................................................................ 53 2.1.3.3 Mine Pits ................................................................................ 53 2.1.3.4 Potential Impacts due to Initial Mine Construction Work ....... 58 2.1.4 Project Water Balance .......................................................................... 59 2.1.5 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................. 60 2.1.5.1 Mine Pits ................................................................................ 60 2.1.5.2 BRSF ..................................................................................... 61 2.1.5.3 HLF ........................................................................................ 62 2.1.5.4 Contact Water Treatment Systems ....................................... 63 2.1.5.5 Catastrophic Events .............................................................. 80 Amulsar Gold Mine – Independent 3rd Party Assessment July 22, 2019 Impacts on Water Resources, Geology, Biodiversity and Air Quality i Privileged & Confidential 2.1.5.6 Post Closure Cost ................................................................. 81 2.1.6 Environmental Monitoring Program ...................................................... 83 2.1.6.1 Environmental Monitoring Plan ............................................. 83 2.1.6.2 Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Reports ........................ 84 2.2 Biodiversity ........................................................................................................................ 85 2.2.1 Baseline Characterization .................................................................... 85 2.2.1.1 Best Practice ......................................................................... 85 2.2.1.2 Assessment ........................................................................... 85 2.2.2 Impact Assessment on Biodiversity ..................................................... 88 2.2.2.1 Best Practice ......................................................................... 88 2.2.2.2 Assessment ........................................................................... 88 2.2.3 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................. 90 2.2.3.1 Best Practice ......................................................................... 90 2.2.3.2 Assessment ........................................................................... 90 2.2.4 Environmental Management plans ....................................................... 91 2.2.4.1 Best Practice ......................................................................... 91 2.2.4.2 Assessment ........................................................................... 92 2.3 Air Quality .......................................................................................................................... 97 2.3.1 Baseline Characterization .................................................................... 97 2.3.1.1 Expected Emissions Sources and Pollutants ........................ 97 2.3.1.2 Air Quality Regulations .......................................................... 97 2.3.1.3 Meteorological Data Measurements ..................................... 97 2.3.1.4 Measurement Sites ............................................................... 97 2.3.1.5 Methods Used for the Measurement of Pollutants ................ 97 2.3.1.6 Results of the NO2 Concentrations ....................................... 98 2.3.1.7 Results of the SO2 Concentrations ........................................ 98 2.3.1.8 Results of the PM Concentrations ......................................... 99 2.3.2 Impact Assessment on Air Quality ....................................................... 99 2.3.2.1 Fugitive Dust ......................................................................... 99 2.3.2.2 Road Transport Combustion Emissions and their Impact ... 102 2.3.2.3 Boilers Emissions ................................................................ 102 2.3.2.4 Gold Ore Processing Emissions ......................................... 102 2.3.2.5 Modeling of the Emissions Released by the Boilers and Gold Ore Processing 103 2.3.3 Mitigation Measures ........................................................................... 104 2.3.4 Environmental Monitoring Program .................................................... 104 3.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND DATA GAPS ............................................................ 106 3.1 Water and Geology - Baseline Characterization ............................................................. 106 3.1.1 Geology .............................................................................................. 106 Amulsar Gold Mine – Independent 3rd Party Assessment July 22, 2019 Impacts on Water Resources, Geology, Biodiversity and Air Quality ii Privileged & Confidential 3.1.2 Geochemistry ..................................................................................... 106 3.1.3 Water Resources ................................................................................ 108 3.2 Groundwater Flow and Solute Transport Modeling ........................................................ 109 3.3 Water Quality and Water Resources Impacts Assessment ............................................ 110 3.4 Water and Geology - Mitigation Measures ..................................................................... 112 3.4.1 Mine Pits ............................................................................................. 112 3.4.2 BRSF .................................................................................................. 112 3.4.3 HLF ..................................................................................................... 113 3.4.4 Contact Water Treatment Systems ...................................................

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