Green Mining (Pty) Ltd

(the Proponent)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report to Support the

Application for Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for

the Proposed Minerals Exploration / Prospecting activities in the

Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) No. 7828

HARDAP AND //KARAS REGIONS

177 Sam Nujoma Drive, Atlas House P. O. Box 5996 March 2021 WINDHOEK NAMIBIA PROPONENT, LISTED ACTIVITIES AND RELATED INFORMATION SUMMARY

TYPE OF AUTHORISATIONS REQUIRING ECC Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) No. 7828 for ECC for Exploration /Prospecting

NAME OF THE PROPONENT Green Mining (Pty) Ltd

COMPETENT AUTHORITY Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME)

ADDRESS OF THE PROPONENT AND CONTACT PERSON Green Mining (Pty) Ltd 177 Sam Nujoma Drive, Atlas House P. O. Box 5996 WINDHOEK NAMIBIA

CONTACT PERSON: Mr. Denis Tcybulia Managing Director Mobile: +264857531650 Email: [email protected]

PROPOSED PROJECT Proposed Minerals Exploration / Prospecting activities

PROJECT LOCATION Hardap and //Karas Regions (Latitude: -25.409167, Longitude: 18.394167)

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS Risk-Based Solutions (RBS) CC (Consulting Arm of Foresight Group Namibia (FGN) (Pty) Ltd) 41 Feld Street Ausspannplatz Cnr of Lazarett and Feld Street P. O. Box 1839, WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA Tel: +264 - 61- 306058. Fax: +264 - 61- 306059 Mobile: + 264-811413229. Email: [email protected] Global Office / URL: www.rbs.com.na

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER (EAP) Dr. Sindila Mwiya PhD, PG Cert, MPhil, BEng (Hons), Pr Eng

Green Mining-EPL 7828 ii EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 DR SINDILA MWIYA EAP DECLARATION

I Dr Sindila Mwiya, the EAP for this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report prepared to support the application for Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for the proposed mineral exploration activities in Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) No. 7828 for Green Mining (Pty) Ltd (Proponent), hereby declares that:

1. This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act, 1992, (Act No. 33 of 1992), the Environmental Management Act, 2007, (Act No. 7 of 2007) and all other applicable national laws and Regulations.

2. As an EAP for this ECC application, I am qualified and experienced and hold a PhD with research interests, academic training and knowledge in Engineering Geology / Geotechnical / Geoenvironmental / Environmental Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge-Based Systems with special focus on EIAs, EMPs, EMSs, SEAs and SEMPs with respect to subsurface resources (minerals, petroleum, water) and energy in Arid and Semiarid Environments (Engineering and Environmental Geologist).

3. I have knowledge and experience in conducting environmental assessments, management, and monitoring, and have undertaken more than 200 projects since 2004, including more than 150 minerals exploration and mining related environmental assessments, management, and monitoring projects.

4. I have performed the work relating to this ECC application in an objective manner, even if the outcomes will result in views or Records of Decision that may not be favourable to the Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) or the Proponent.

I am an independent consultant not related to the Proponent, I co-own and operate an independent company (Risk-Based Solutions CC) not related to the Proponent and I have no shares, interests, or involvement in the license, financial or other affairs or business or operational decisions of either the Proponent or the decision-making structures of the relevant Government Institutions.

………………………………………. Dr Sindila MWIYA Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) RISK-BASED SOLUTIONS (RBS) CC

Green Mining-EPL 7828 iii EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Summary Profile and Qualification of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) / International Consultant Projects Director – Dr Sindila Mwiya

Dr Sindila Mwiya has more than eighteen (18) years of practical field-based technical industry experience in Environmental Assessment (SEA, EIA, EMP, EMS), Energy (Renewable and Non-renewable energy sources), onshore and offshore resources (minerals, oil, gas and water) exploration / prospecting, operation and utilisation, covering general and specialist technical exploration and recovery support, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) permitting for Geophysical Surveys such as 2D, 3D and 4D Seismic, Gravity and Electromagnetic Surveys for mining and petroleum (oil and gas) operations support, through to engineering planning, layout, designing, logistical support, recovery, production / operations, compliance monitoring, rehabilitation, closure and aftercare projects lifecycles. The great array of highly technical specialist knowledge and field-based practical experiences of Dr Sindila Mwiya has now been extended to supporting the development of Environmentally Sustainable, automated / smart and Climate Change resilient homes, towns and cities.

Through his companies, Risk-Based Solutions (RBS) CC and Foresight Group Namibia (FGN) (Pty) Ltd which he founded, he has undertaken more than 200 projects for Local (Namibian), Continental (Africa) and International (Global) based clients. He has worked and continue to work for Global, Continental and Namibian based reputable resources (petroleum and mining / minerals) and energy companies such as EMGS (UK/ Norway), CGG (UK/ France/Namibia), BW Offshore (Norway/Singapore /Namibia), Shell Namibia B. V. Limited (Namibia/ the Netherlands), Tullow Oil (UK/Namibia), Debmarine (DBMN) (Namibia), Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd (ReconAfrica) (UK/Canada/Namibia), Osino Resource Corporation (Canada/Germany/Namibia), Desert Lion Energy Corporation (Canada/ Australia/ Namibia), Petrobras Oil and Gas (Brazil) / BP (UK)/ Namibia, REPSOL (Spain/ Namibia), ACREP (Namibia/Angola), Preview Energy Resources (UK), HRT Africa (Brazil / USA/ Namibia), Chariot Oil and Gas Exploration (UK/ Namibia), NABIRM (USA/ Namibia), Serica Energy (UK/ Namibia), Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas (Canada / USA/ Namibia), ION GeoVentures (USA), PGS UK Exploration (UK), TGS-Nopec (UK), Maurel & Prom (France/ Namibia), GeoPartners (UK), PetroSA Equatorial Guinea (South Africa / Equatorial Guinea/ Namibia), Preview Energy Resources (Namibia / UK), Sintezneftegaz Namibia Ltd (Russia/ Namibia), INA Namibia (INA INDUSTRIJA NAFTE d.d) (Croatia/ Namibia), Namibia Underwater Technologies (NUTAM) (South Africa/Namibia), InnoSun Holdings (Pty) Ltd and all its subsidiary renewable energy companies and projects in Namibia (Namibia / France), HopSol (Namibia/Switzerland), Momentous Solar One (Pty) Ltd (Namibia / Canada), OLC Northern Sun Energy (Pty) Ltd (Namibia) and more than 100 local companies. Dr Sindila Mwiya is highly qualified with extensive practical field-based experience in petroleum, mining, renewable energy (Solar, Wind, Biomass, Geothermal and Hydropower), Non Renewable energy (Coal, Petroleum, and Natural Gas), applied environmental assessment, management and monitoring (Scoping, EIA, EMP, EMP, EMS) and overall industry specific HSE, cleaner production programmes, Geoenvironmental, geological and geotechnical engineering specialist fields.

Dr Sindila Mwiya has undertaken and continue to undertake and manage high value projects on behalf of global and local resources and energy companies. Currently, (2020-2023) Dr Sindila Mwiya is responsible for permitting planning through to operational and completion compliance monitoring, HSE and engineering technical support for multiple major upstream onshore and offshore petroleum, minerals and mining projects, Solar and Wind Energy Projects, manufacturing and environmentally sustainable, automated / smart and Climate Change resilient homes developments in different parts of the World including Namibia. Currently, Dr Sindila Mwiya is developing a 16 Ha commercial and residential Mwale Mwiya Park in the Town of Katima Mulilo, Zambezi Region, Namibia as one of first advanced Environmentally Sustainable, automated / smart and Climate Change resilient development in Namibia. He continue to worked as an International Resources Consultant, national Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) / Environmentally Sustainable, automated / smart and Climate Change resilient homes developer, Engineering / Technical Consultant (RBS / FGN), Project Manager, Programme Advisor for the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and has worked as a Lecturer, University of Namibia (UNAM), External Examiner/ Moderator, NUST, National (Namibia) Technical Advisor (Directorate of Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism / DANIDA – Cleaner Production Component) and Chief Geologist for Engineering and Environment Division, Geological Survey of Namibia, Ministry of Mines and Energy and a Field-Based Geotechnician (Specialised in Magnetics, Seismic, Gravity and Electromagnetics Exploration and Survey Methods) under the Federal Institute for Geoscience and Natural Resources (BGR) German Mineral Exploration Promotion Project to Namibia, Geophysics Division, Geological Survey of Namibia, Ministry of Mines and Energy.

He has supervised and continue to support a number of MScs and PhDs research programmes and has been a reviewer on international, national and regional researches, plans, programmes and projects with the objective to ensure substantial local skills development, pivotal to the national socioeconomic development through the promotion of sustainable natural resources coexistence, management, development, recovery, utilisation and for development policies, plans, programmes and projects financed by governments, private investors and donor organisations. Since 2006 until 2017, he has provided extensive technical support to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MET) through GIZ in the preparation and amendments of the Namibian Environmental Management Act, 2007, (Act No. 7 of 2007), new Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Regulations, preparation of the updated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations as well as the preparation of the new SEA and EIA Guidelines and Procedures all aimed at promoting effective environmental assessment and management practices in Namibia.

Among his academic achievements, Dr Sindila Mwiya is a holder of a PhD (Engineering Geology/Geotechnical / Geoenvironmental / Environmental Engineering and Artificial Intelligence) – Research Thesis: Development of a Knowledge-Based System Methodology (KBSM) for the Design of Solid Waste Disposal Sites in Arid and Semiarid Environments, MPhil/PG Cert and BEng (Hons) (Engineering Geology and Geotechnics) qualifications from the University of Portsmouth, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, United Kingdom. During the 2004 Namibia National Science Awards, organised by the Namibian Ministry of Education, and held in Windhoek, Dr Sindila Mwiya was awarded the Geologist of the Year for 2004, in the professional category. Furthermore, as part of his professional career recognition, Dr Sindila Mwiya is a life member of the Geological Society of Namibia, Consulting member of the Hydrogeological Society of Namibia and a Professional Engineer registered with the Engineering Council of Namibia.

Windhoek, Namibia March 2021

Green Mining-EPL 7828 iv EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Content List

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY ...... IX

1. BACKGROUND ...... - 1 - 1.1 INTRODUCTION ...... - 1 - 1.2 PROPOSED SCOPE OF WORK ...... - 1 - 1.3 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS ...... - 1 - 1.4 LOCATION, LAND USE, INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES ...... - 1 - 1.4.2 Supporting Infrastructure and Services ...... - 2 - 1.5 PROJECT MOTIVATION ...... - 2 - 1.6 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT APPROACH ...... - 5 - 1.6.1 Terms of Reference, Approach and Methodology ...... - 5 - 1.6.2 Summary of the Steps ...... - 6 - 1.6.3 Assumptions and Limitations ...... - 7 - 1.6.4 Structure of the Report ...... - 8 -

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPLORATION ...... - 9 - 2.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW ...... - 9 - 2.2 DETAILED EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES ...... - 9 - 2.3 PREFEASIBILITY AND FEASIBILITY STUDY ...... - 9 -

3. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ...... - 11 - 3.1 MINERALS EXPLORATION LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS ...... - 11 - 3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS ...... - 11 - 3.2.1 Environmental Assessment Requirements and Procedures ...... - 11 - 3.2.2 Regulatory Authorities ...... - 11 - 3.3 OTHER APPLICABLE LEGISLATIONS ...... - 12 - 3.4 INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL TREATIES AND PROTOCOLS ...... - 12 - 3.5 STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES ...... - 13 - 3.6 RECOMMENDATIONS ON PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS ...... - 15 -

4. SUMMARY OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENT...... - 16 - 4.1 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND VISUAL IMPACTS ...... - 16 - 4.2 CLIMATE COMPONENTS ...... - 16 - 4.2.1 Local Precipitation ...... - 16 - 4.2.2 Temperature...... - 16 - 4.2.3 Wind Patterns...... - 16 - 4.3 FAUNA AND FLORA DIVERSITY ...... - 19 - 4.3.1 Overview ...... - 19 - 4.3.2 Summary of the Fauna Diversity...... - 19 - 4.3.2.1 Reptiles ...... - 19 - 4.3.2.2 Amphibians ...... - 19 - 4.3.2.3 Mammals ...... - 20 - 4.3.2.4 Birds ...... - 20 - 4.3.3 Summary of the Flora Diversity...... - 20 - 4.3.3.1 Trees/shrubs and Grasses ...... - 20 - 4.3.3.2 Aloes ...... - 20 - 4.3.3.3 Commiphora ...... - 20 - 4.3.3.4 Lithops ...... - 20 - 4.3.3.5 Ferns ...... - 20 - 4.3.3.6 Lichens ...... - 21 - 4.3.3.7 Other species ...... - 21 - 4.3.4 Fauna and Flora Conclusions ...... - 21 - 4.3.4.1 Overview ...... - 21 - 4.3.4.2 Important Areas and Protected Species ...... - 21 - 4.4 SUMMARY OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC SETTINGS...... - 23 - 4.4.1 Overview ...... - 23 - 4.4.2 Socioeconomic Summary ...... - 23 - 4.4.2.1 Hardap Region ...... - 23 - Green Mining-EPL 7828 v EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 4.4.2.2 //Karas Region ...... - 24 - 4.5 GROUND COMPONENTS ...... - 25 - 4.5.1 Regional and Local Geology ...... - 25 - 4.5.2 Groundwater Resources ...... - 27 - 4.5.3 Evaluation of Water Vulnerability ...... - 33 - 4.5.4 Recommendations on Water Resources Protection ...... - 34 - 4.6 ARCHAEOLOGY ...... - 35 - 4.6.1 Regional Archaeological Setting ...... - 35 - 4.6.2 Local Archaeological Setting and Recommendation ...... - 37 - 4.7 PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT ...... - 37 - 4.7.1 Overview ...... - 37 - 4.7.2 Public and Stakeholder Consultation Outcomes ...... - 37 -

5. IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND RESULTS ...... - 41 - 5.1 IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE AND ALTERNATIVES ...... - 41 - 5.2 KEY ISSUES CONSIDERED IN THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS ...... - 43 - 5.2.1 Sources of Impacts (Proposed Project Activities) ...... - 43 - 5.2.2 Summary of Receptors Likely to be Negative Impacted ...... - 43 - 5.3 IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...... - 43 - 5.3.1 Impact Definition ...... - 43 - 5.3.2 Sensitivity of Receptors ...... - 45 - 5.3.3 Likelihood (Probability) of Occurrence ...... - 47 - 5.3.4 Project Activities Summary of Impacts Results ...... - 47 - 5.4 EVALUATION OF SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ...... - 64 - 5.4.1 Overview ...... - 64 - 5.1.2 Significance Criteria ...... - 64 - 5.1.3 Assessment Likely Significant Impacts ...... - 64 - 5.5 ASSESSMENT OF OVERALL IMPACTS ...... - 70 - 5.5.1 Summary of the Results of the Impact Assessment ...... - 70 -

6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... - 71 - 6.1 CONCLUSIONS ...... - 71 - 6.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... - 71 - 6.3 SUMMARY TOR FOR TEST MINING AND MINING STAGES ...... - 71 -

7. REFERENCES ...... - 73 -

8. ANNEXES ...... - 79 -

Green Mining-EPL 7828 vi EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 List of Figures

Figure 1.1: Detailed regional location of the EPL 7828 Area...... - 3 - Figure 1.2: General land use and ownership covered by the EPL 7828 Area...... - 4 - Figure 1.3: RBS Schematic presentation of Namibia’s Environmental Assessment Procedure...... - 7 - Figure 4.1: Comparative climatic data - mean monthly and annual rainfall and evaporation for Mariental ...... - 17 - Figure 4.2: Comparative climatic data sets - mean monthly and annual rainfall and evaporation for Keetmanshoop ...... - 17 - Figure 4.3: Comparative climatic data sets - mean monthly and annual rainfall and evaporation for Gobabis...... - 18 - Figure 4.4: Comparative climatic data sets - Average wind speed at Mariental, Keetmanshoop and Gobabis...... - 18 - Figure 4.5 Comparative climatic data sets - Wind direction and speed for Mariental, Keetmanshoop and Gobabis weather stations ...... - 19 - Figure 4.6: Plant biodiversity and biomass map...... - 22 - Figure 4.7: Geological map of the EPL area...... - 26 - Figure 4.8 EPL 7828 with respect to the key river catchments (Nossob) forming part of the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) groundwater protection zone and insert showing the extent of the SAB into Botswana and South Africa ...... - 28 - Figure 4.9 Regional Hydrogeology of the EPL 7828...... - 29 - Figure 4.10: Geology and hydrogeological setting of the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) ...... - 31 - Figure 4.11: Water quality, geology, and hydrogeological setting of the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) (Source: JICA 2002)...... - 32 - Figure 4.12: Regional groundwater vulnerability around the EPL 7828 ...... - 35 - Figure 4.13: Copy of the public notice that was published in the New Era Newspaper dated 5th February 2021...... - 38 - Figure 4.14: Copy of the public notice that was published in the Confidente newspaper dated 18th – 24th February 2021...... - 39 - Figure 4.15: Copy of the public notice that was published in the Windhoek Observer newspaper dated Friday, 12th March 2021...... - 40 -

List of Tables

Table 1.1: Summary of the proposed activities, alternatives, and key issues considered during the Environmental Assessment (EA) process covering EIA/ Scoping and EMP process...... - 5 - Table 3.1: Government agencies regulating environmental protection in Namibia...... - 11 - Table 3.2: Liquid effluent emission levels (MIGA /IFC)...... - 13 - Table 3.3: Noise emission levels (MIGA /IFC)...... - 13 - Table 3.4: R553 Regional Standards for Industrial Effluent, in Government Gazette No 217 dated 5 April 1962...... - 13 - Table 3.5: Comparison of selected guideline values for drinking water quality ...... - 14 - Table 4.1: Summary of the geology and hydrogeological setting of the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) ...... - 30 - Table 4.2: Regional groundwater vulnerability within the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB)...... - 34 - Table 5.1: Definition of impact categories used in this report...... - 44 - Table 5.2: Definitions used for determining the sensitivity of receptors...... - 46 - Table 5.3: Scored on a scale from 0 to 5 for impact magnitude...... - 46 - Table 5.4: Scored time period (duration) over which the impact is expected to last...... - 46 - Table 5.5: Scored geographical extent of the induced change...... - 46 - Table 5.6: Summary of the qualitative scale of probability categories (in increasing order of likelihood)...... - 47 - Table 5.7: Results of the scored on a scale from 0 to 5 for negative impact magnitude...... - 48 - Table 5.8: Results of the scored time period over which the impact is expected to last...... - 52 - Green Mining-EPL 7828 vii EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.9: Results of the scored geographical extent of the induced change...... - 56 - Table 5.10: Results of the qualitative scale of probability occurrence...... - 60 - Table 5.11: Scored impact significance criteria...... - 64 - Table 5.12: Significant impact assessment matrix for the proposed exploration activities...... - 66 -

Green Mining-EPL 7828 viii EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Green Mining (Pty) Ltd (the “Proponent”) holds precious metals and nuclear fuels mineral rights under the Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) No. 7828 as granted by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), the Competent Authority. The EPL 7828 was granted on the 28/07/2020 and will expire on the 27/07/2023. The EPL 7828 area covers parts of the Mariental Rural and Gibeon Constituencies of the Hardap Region and Berseba Constituency of the //Karas Region. The 98243.755 Ha area of the EPL 7828 covers the following private commercial farmlands: Rem of A’ Hingas, Rem Ext of the Farm Asis, Ptn. 1 of Asis, Ptn. 1 of A’ Hangas (Vaalmagsvlei), Rem of Duncan, Rem of Weiveld, Rem of Asis, Ptn. 1 ofSpringbokvlei(Amper-Bo), Rem of springbokvlei, Morgenrood, Ptn. 2 of Salami, Rem of Salami, Ptn. 1 of Salami (Mispa), Ptn. 1 of VlakPlaats, Rem of Vlakplaats, Ptn. 3 of Duncan (Klein Duncan), Rem of Extent of Asanib, Ptn. 2 of Duncan (Nicoleen), Ptn. 1 of Weiveld (Niegeras), Ptn. 1 of Duncan (Boesmansvlei), and Ptn. 1 of Asanib.

The proponent intends to undertake prospecting for precious metals and nuclear fuels mineral covering desktop studies and review of historical exploration in the area, aerial surveys such as geophysical and hyperspectral surveys, initial and detailed field-based activities such as geological mapping, ground geophysics, trenching, drilling, and sampling with laboratory testing. The license area falls within the well-established private commercial. The overall landscape is dominated by topographically low laying areas of the Kalahari Desert longitudinal landforms incised by several major and minor Ephemeral Rivers linked to the Nossob Ephemeral River System. The land uses in these areas are mainly dominated by agriculture (cattle, small stock, and slowly growing wildlife farming) and tourism operations including lodges and campsites.

The EPL area falls within the regional sedimentary rocks of the Karoo and post-Karoo rocks and dykes which have been deposited on a mostly Damaran-age Precambrian basement rocks consisting mainly of metasediments like mica schist, phyllite, carbonate (marble, dolomite, or limestone). Surficial geology comprises Kalahari Sands, calcretes, sand, gravel as well as silty, salty clay soils likely to be found in local pan areas. The EPL area falls within the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB), a groundwater protection zone under the management of the Department of Water Affairs in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR). Good quality groundwater resources in the area are associated with the primary (sandstones) and secondary hydraulic properties of the local country rocks with shallow localised poor groundwater quality horizons zones in some places. The drilling operations could result in mixing of the poor and good quality water horizons. Due to the location of the EPL area within the SAB, the proponent is required to apply for a drilling permit from the Department of Water Affairs (DWA). It is highly likely that the DWA may request that all boreholes drilled within the EPL area shall have casing installed to minimise the risk of mixing the good and poor-quality groundwater horizons during the drilling process.

The general area of the EPL 7828 has numerous anthropomorphic influences linked to long term farming activities and associated national and regional and local infrastructures such as power lines, roads, and farm tracks, etc. Due to the lack of specific minerals target/s within such a very large EPL area, no field-based assessment on fauna and flora was undertaken. Overall, however, it is estimated that at least 63 species of reptile, 9 amphibian, 62 mammal, 141 bird species (breeding residents), at least 52 species of larger trees and shrubs (>1m) and at least 64 species of grasses occur in the general/immediate area of which a moderate proportion are endemics (e.g., 41.3% of reptiles). Although many endemic species are known to occur from the general area, it is currently not clear if any of these are associated with the existing EPL area or how exactly they will be affected by such activities. All human induced activities including the proposed exploration activities, agriculture, and tourism operations all have potential negative environmental consequences, but identifying the most important fauna and flora species including high risk habitats beforehand, coupled with environmentally acceptable recommendations (mitigating factors), lessens the overall impact of such activities. Once specific targets have been identified from the initial drilling activities and it is decided that more detailed work leading to prefeasibility and feasibility studies are needed, a site-specific fieldwork to determine the actual fauna and flora species likely to be affected on the targeted site/s is highly recommended. The proposed exploration activities within the EPL 7828 area will not adversely affect any unique vertebrate fauna and flora, especially if the proposed recommendations (mitigation measures) presented in the EMP Report are incorporated. It is hereby recommended that the proposed exploration

Green Mining-EPL 7828 ix EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 activities be issued with new Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). Following the granting of the renewed ECC, the Proponent shall:

(i) Negotiate Access Agreements with the land owners.

(ii) In consultation with the land owners and where possible and if key and core conservation, tourism or archaeological resources areas are identified within the EPL area, such areas shall be excluded from the proposed minerals exploration activities.

(iii) The EPL area falls within the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB), a groundwater protection zone. The proponent shall contact the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) with respect to the application for drilling permit and ascertain the drilling requirements including the need for casing installations during the drilling process, and.

(iv) Adhere to all the provisions of the EMP and conditions of the Access Agreement to be entered between the Proponent and the land owner/s in line with all applicable national regulations.

(v) Before entering any private property such as a private farm, the Proponent shall give advance notices and always obtain permission to be able to prospects in any given area.

(vi) Implemented the mitigation measures as detailed in EMP of this report, and.

(vii) Where possible, and if water is found during the detailed exploration boreholes drilling operations, the Proponent shall support other land users in the area in terms of access to freshwater resources for both human consumption, wildlife and agricultural uses as may be requested by the local community / land owner/s. The abstraction of the groundwater resources shall include water levels monitoring, sampling and quality testing on a bi-annual basis, and that the affected landowner/s must have access to the results of the water monitoring analyses as part of the ongoing stakeholder disclosure requirements on shared water resources as may be applicable.

Once economic resources are discovered for possible mining operations, a separate field-based and site-specific Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) shall be undertaken as part of the prefeasibility and feasibility studies. The site-specific EIA and EMP shall cover the area identified to have potential economic minerals resources including the pit / shaft area/s, waste rock, tailings dump, access, office blocks, mechanical workshop, water, and energy infrastructure support areas (water, energy, and road / access). In addition to the Terms of Reference (ToR) to be developed during the prefeasibility study phase for possible operations, the following field- based and site-specific specialist studies shall be undertaken as part of the site-specific EIA and EMP for possible test mining or mining operations in an event of a discovery of economic minerals resources and possible development of a mining project within the EPL 7828 area:

(i) Groundwater studies including modelling as may be applicable.

(ii) Field-based flora and fauna assessments.

(iii) Dusts, noise and sound assessments and modelling linked to engineering studies.

(iv) Socioeconomic assessment, and.

(v) Others as may be identified / recommended by the stakeholders/ land owners/ Environmental Commissioner or specialists during the prefeasibility and feasibility phases.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 x EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 1. BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction

Green Mining (Pty) Ltd, the Proponent, holds mineral rights under Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) No. 7828. The following is the summary of the EPL 7828 (Annex 1):

❖ Type of License: Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) No. 7828.

❖ EPL Holder and Proponent: Green Mining (Pty) Ltd.

❖ Granted Date: 28/07/2020.

❖ Expiry Date: 27/07/2023.

❖ Commodities: Precious metals, and nuclear fuels.

❖ Size of the EPL: 98243.755 Ha.

Green Mining (Pty) Ltd is locally registered Namibian company focused on the acquisition and development of mining projects in Namibia and Southern Africa.

1.2 Proposed Scope of Work

The Proponent intends undertake exploration activities covering desktop studies, followed by site- specific activities on targets that may be delineated and using exploration techniques/ methods such as geophysical surveys, geological mapping, trenching, drilling, and bulk sampling. If the proposed exploration activities lead to some positive results, the exploration data collected will be put together into a prefeasibility report and if the prefeasibility results prove positive, a feasibility study supported by detailed site-specific drilling, bulk sampling, laboratory tests and possible test mining activities on the discovered mineralised locality may be undertaken.

A positive feasibility study will be required to support the application for a Mining License (ML) together with a new site-specific Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) with site-specific specialist studies such as flora, fauna, socioeconomic, water, traffic, dust and noise modelling and archaeology to be undertaken to support the application for the new ECC for mining and minerals process.

1.3 Regulatory Requirements

The proposed prospecting activities are listed in the Environmental Management Act, 2007, (Act No. 7 of 2007) and the EIA Regulations, 2012 and cannot be undertaken without an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). The Proponent is required to have undertaken Environmental Assessment comprising this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and a separate Environmental Management Plan (EMP) reports for the proposed minerals prospecting activities.

In fulfilment of the environmental requirements, the Proponent appointed Risk-Based Solutions (RBS) CC as the Environmental Consultants led by Dr Sindila Mwiya as the Environmental Assessment Practitioner to prepare the EIA and EMP Reports to support the application for ECC (Annex 2).

1.4 Location, Land Use, Infrastructure and Services

1.4.1 Location and Land Use

The EPL 7828 area covers parts of the Mariental Rural and Gibeon Constituencies of the Hardap Region and Berseba Constituency of the //Karas Region (Fig. 1.1). The EPL 7828 covers the following

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 1 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 private commercial farmlands as shown in Figs. 1.1 and 1.2: Rem of A’ Hingas, Rem Ext of the Farm Asis, Ptn. 1 of Asis, Ptn. 1 of A’ Hangas (Vaalmagsvlei), Rem of Duncan, Rem of Weiveld, Rem of Asis, Ptn. 1 ofSpringbokvlei(Amper-Bo), Rem of springbokvlei, Morgenrood, Ptn. 2 of Salami, Rem of Salami, Ptn. 1 of Salami (Mispa), Ptn. 1 of VlakPlaats, Rem of Vlakplaats, Ptn. 3 of Duncan (Klein Duncan), Rem of Extent of Asanib, Ptn. 2 of Duncan (Nicoleen), Ptn. 1 of Weiveld (Niegeras), Ptn. 1 of Duncan (Boesmansvlei), and Ptn. 1 of Asanib.

1.4.2 Supporting Infrastructure and Services

Gibeon, Tses and Gochas situated about 72km, 60 km and 68 km from the centre of the EPL area to the northwest, south and northeast straight-line directions respectively.

Access to the EPL area is along the M29, D0619, D1059, and D1072 roads cutting across the EPL area (Figs. 1.1 and 1.2). Within the minerals license area, several minor gravel farm roads and tracks already exist and linked to the M29, D0619, D1059, and D1072 roads (Figs. 1.1 and1.2).

The proposed exploration programme will not require major water and energy supply services. Exploration water supply especially for drilling will be obtained from the local boreholes or supplied by a tanker as may be required. Electricity supply will be provided by generators and solar.

1.5 Project Motivation

The EPL 7828 falls within a prospective area for precious metals and nuclear fuels minerals linked to the regional and local rocks. Precious metals and nuclear fuels minerals are likely to be associated with some of the post Karoo rocks and pegmatites found within the EPL area. Nuclear fuels minerals group such as uranium derived from the erosion of the local rocks could have resulted in the potential secondary economic mineralisation called Roll-front deposits.

The proposed protecting activities has limited socioeconomic benefits which are mainly centred around the payment of the annual license rental fees to the Central Government through the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and value addition to the potential underground mineral resources in the area which otherwise would not have been known if the exploration in the EPL 7828 did not take place.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 2 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

Figure 1.1: Detailed regional location of the EPL 7828 Area. Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 3 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

Figure 1.2: General land use and ownership covered by the EPL 7828 Area. Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 4 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 1.6 Environmental Assessment Approach

1.6.1 Terms of Reference, Approach and Methodology

The environmental assessment process adopted for this project took into considerations the provisions the Environmental Management Act, 2007, (Act No. 7 of 2007) and all other applicable national laws and Regulations. The summary of the proposed activities, alternatives and key issues considered during the Environmental Assessment (EA) process are summarised in Table 1.1. The first step in the environmental assessment process was the project screening followed by the preparation of the Background Information Document (BID) (Annex 1) used for project registration with the Environmental Commissioner and Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) consultation process. The BID also provided the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the preparation of this EIA Report.

This EIA Report undertaken for the proposed minerals exploration activities has been prepared objectively and independently, with reasonable skill, care and diligence in accordance with professional standards and practices existing at the date of performance of the assessment and that the guidelines, methods and techniques used and applied in this study conformed to the national regulatory requirements, process and specifications in Namibia and in particular as required by Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) and the client (Proponent). The preparation of the EIA / Scooping and EMP reports shall be undertaken in line with the January 2015 MEFT Environmental Assessment Reporting Guideline.

Table 1.1: Summary of the proposed activities, alternatives, and key issues considered during the Environmental Assessment (EA) process covering EIA/ Scoping and EMP process.

KEY ISSUES EVALUATED AND PROPOSED PROJECT ALTERNATIVES TO BE CONSIDERED ASSESSED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP) / MITIGATION MEASURES DEVELOPED (i) Initial desktop exploration (i) Location for Minerals Occurrence: A Potential land use conflicts / opportunities activities (review of number of economic deposits are for coexistence between proposed existing information and all known to exist in different parts of exploration and other existing land uses previous activities in order Namibia and some have been such as conservation, tourism and identify any potential explored by different companies over agriculture target/s in each EPL). the years. The proponent intends to Natural Environment such explore / prospect for possible as air, noise, water, dust (ii) Regional reconnaissance economic minerals occurrence in the etc. field-based activities such EPL area as licensed. Built Environment such as as reginal mapping and existing houses, roads, sampling to identify and Impacts on (ii) Other Alternative Land Uses: Game transport systems, verify potential targeted the Physical farming, tourism and agriculture Buildings, energy and water areas based on the Environment and other supporting recommendations of the (iii) Ecosystem Function (What the infrastructure desktop work undertaken ecosystem does). under (i) above. Socioeconomic, (iv) Ecosystem Services. archaeological, and cultural (iii) Initial local field-based activities such as widely impacts on the local (v) Use Values. spaced mapping, societies and communities

sampling, surveying and Flora (vi) Non-Use, or Passive Use. possible trenching and

drilling to determine the Impacts on Fauna (vii) The No-Action Alternative viability of any delineated the Biological Habitat

local target, and. Environment Ecosystem functions, (viii) No others alternatives were services, use values and (iv) Detailed local field-based identified during the public non-Use or passive use consultation process and preparation activities such very No others issues were identified during the detailed mapping, of the EIA and EMP Reports public consultation process and preparation trenching, bulk sampling, of the EIA and EMP Reports surveying and detailed drilling to determine the feasibility of any delineated local target and conduct test mining activities.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 5 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 1.6.2 Summary of the Steps

The EIA/ Scoping and EMP process used for this project took into considerations the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2012 and the Environmental Management Act (EMA), 2007, (Act No. 7 of 2007) as outlined in Fig. 1.3.

The environmental assessment steps that have been undertaken are summarised as follows (Fig. 1.3):

(i) Project screening process (Undertaken in January 2021).

(ii) Preparation of the Background Information Document (BID) (Undertaken in January / February 2021).

(iii) Preparation of the Public Notice to be published in the local newspapers as part of required public consultation process (Undertaken in February 2021).

(iv) Opened the Stakeholder register (Undertaken on the 5th February 2021).

(v) Invitation / notices to stakeholders and the general public to participate in environmental assessment process issued through the local newspaper advertisements as well as via direct emails communications to key stakeholders institutions such as Line Ministries, Regional and Local Governments as may be applicable (Undertaken in February 2021 for a period of 21 days from the 1st Public Notice Publication dated 5th February 2021 Published in the New Era Newspaper. Copy of the Public Notice published in three (3) newspaper for three (3) weeks (21 days) public consultation period initially running from Friday 5th February 2021 to Friday 26th February 2021 and extended to 5th March 2021 for public inputs with landowners deadline extended even further to the 19th March 2021.

(vi) Project registration / notification through the completion of the online formal registration / notification form on the MEFT online Portal (www.eia.met.gov.na) (Undertaken in February 2021).

(vii) Preparation of the Draft EIA/ Scoping and EMP Reports for client review, public and stakeholder inputs (Undertaken in February 2021).

(viii) Comments and inputs from the client and stakeholder consultations used to finalise the EIA / Scoping and EMP Reports (Undertaken in February / March 2021).

(ix) The final EIA/ Scoping and EMP reports submitted to the Environmental Commissioner in MEFT through the MME (Competent Authority) in fulfilment of all the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations No. 30 of 2012 and the Environmental Management Act, (EMA), 2007, (Act No. 7 of 2007) for application of the Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for the proposed project (March 2021).

(x) Following the submission of the application for ECC to the Environmental Commissioner, the public and stakeholders who are interested or affected by the proposed project will have additional fourteen (14) days to submit comments / inputs about the proposed project activities direct to the Environmental Commissioner when the application will be made available for additional comments / inputs by the Environmental Commissioner on the MEFT digital Portal www.eia.met.gov.na, and.

(xi) Wait for the Records or Decisions (RDs) from the Environmental Commissioner (From March 2021).

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 6 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 1. PROPONENT PROJECT IDENTIFICATION, SCREENING AND REGISTRATION 2. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER PROJECT SCREENING Project registration with the Office of the Environmental Commissioner in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT). Completed the Environmental Commissioner (EC) Screen the Application and advise in terms of Section 33 of Online Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) Application Form and Background Information Document (BID) and CV uploaded on the MEFT Environmental Management Act, 2007, digital platform at www.eia.met.gov.na (Act No. 7 of 2007)

3A. ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (ECC) AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REQUIRED 3B. ECC AND ASSESSMENT NOT Where an Environmental Assessment is required, prepare Draft reports as may be applicable (BID, Draft Scoping, EIA and EMP Report) including Specialist Studies REQUIRED

PROPOSED 4. PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS PROJECT

Undertake Public and Stakeholder Consultation Process including publishing of notices in three ACTIVITIES MAY (3) Newspapers for three (3) consecutive weeks and public meetings as may be applicable. GO-AHEAD SUBJECT TO OTHER PERMITS / 5. STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS, ENGAGEMENT, ASSESSMENT AUTHORISATIONS/

PROCESS AND REPORTING CONSENTS AS MAY

Continue with stakeholder consultation and engagement and assessment process taking BE APPLICABLE into consideration their inputs and what the proposed project activities will have on the receiving environment (physical, biological, socioeconomic, cultural / archaeological and ecosystem ). Prepare final BID/Scoping and EIA and EMP Reports including the outcomes of the Public and Stakeholder Consultation Process for further review

6. GOVERNMENT LODGEMENT

HARDCOPIES: Completed ECC Application Form with Revenue Stamps, Finalise the BID, Scoping, EIA and EMP based on the outcomes of the Public and Stakeholder Consultation Process submitted to EC in MEFT through the Competent Authority. The Competent Authority will forward the application to the EC in terms of Section 32 of Environmental Management Act, 2007, (Act No. 7 of 2007)

DIGITAL UPLOADS: Completed ECC Application Form with Revenue Stamps, Finalise the BID, Scoping, EIA and EMP based on the outcomes of the Public and Stakeholder Consultation Process uploaded on the MEFT digital platform at www.eia.met.gov.na

Proponent may 7. EC 14 DAYS PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS resubmit any outstanding The Environmental Commissioner, will acknowledge receipt of the report (Reg 16) and documentation if any assess its compliance to the Act and subject the report to further public and stakeholder scrutiny for fourteen (14) days. Interested and Affected Parties will have access to the report on the MEFT digital platform at www.eia.met.gov.na

9B. ECC NOT GRANTED 9A. ECC IS GRANTED 8. RECORDS OF DECISIONS (RoDs) Conditions of Approval, and Decision taken and the Proponent informed Environmental Monitoring be May Appeal to the Minister of in terms of Section 37 of the Environmental implemented by the Proponent Environmental, Forestry and Tourism Management Act, 2007, (Act No. 7 of 2007) and to support ECC Renewal Or Approach the Courts for litigation once it expires

Figure 1.3: RBS Schematic presentation of Namibia’s Environmental Assessment Procedure.

1.6.3 Assumptions and Limitations

The following assumptions and limitations underpin the approach adopted, overall outcomes and recommendations of the environmental assessment process:

❖ The proposed activities as well as all the plans, maps, EPL area, line boundary / coordinates, and appropriate data sets received from the Proponent, project partners, regulators, Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 7 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Competent Authorities, and specialist consultants are assumed to be current and valid at the time of conducting the studies and preparation of this report.

❖ The impact assessment outcomes, mitigation measures and recommendations to be provided in the EIA/ Scoping and EMP Reports are valid for the lifecycle of the proposed prospecting activities.

❖ A precautionary approach has been adopted in instances where baseline information and impact assessment guidelines were insufficient or unavailable or site-specific project activities were not yet available, and.

❖ Mandatory timeframes as provided for in the EIA Regulations No. 30 of 2012 and the EMA, 2007, (Act No. 7 of 2007) have been observed.

1.6.4 Structure of the Report

The following is the summary structure outline of this EIA Report:

1. Section 1: Background covering the proposed project location with available infrastructure and services.

2. Section 2: Project Description covering the summary of the proposed project exploration activities.

3. Section 3: Regulatory Framework covering the proposed exploration with respect to relevant legislation, regulations and permitting requirements.

4. Section 4: Receiving Environment covering physical, biological and socioeconomic environments of the proposed project area.

5. Section 5: Impact Assessment covering the likely positive and negative impacts the proposed project activities are likely to have on the receiving environment.

6. Section 6: Conclusions and Recommendations- Summary of the findings and way forward.

7. Section 7: Annexes

1. BID and Copy of the EPL

2. CV of the EAP (Dr Sindila Mwiya)

3. Public and Stakeholder Consultation Materials

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 8 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPLORATION

2.1 General Overview

The overall aim of the proposed project activities (exploration / prospecting programme) is to search for potential economic minerals resources within the EPL area. The proponent will be prospecting for precious metals and nuclear fuels mineral.

The implementation of the above activities (i-v) can take years and 99% of all the exploration projects often fails to produce a viable mining project. The scope of the required field-based support and logistical activities will depend on the scale of proposed exploration activities to be undertaken.

The proposed exploration activities will be supported by existing tracks and campsites / farmstead as well as existing accommodation in the general area. In the absences of existing tracks, the field team will created such new tracks with the permission of the land owner/s and depending on the scale of exploration. In the absences of existing suitable campsite / farmstead, temporary camp will be setup at suitable locations within the EPL area in line with the strict provisions of the EMP provisions and with the permission of the land owner.

The size of the exploration camp will be of very limited footprints during the exploration phase but may be expanded for the test mining and mine development phases in an event of a discovery of economic minerals resources.

2.2 Detailed Exploration Activities

Several regional reconnaissance field-based mapping and sampling activities as well as initial local field-based mapping and sampling activities have already been undertaken within the EPL area but will still be extended to other parts of the EPL area where potential precious metals and nuclear fuels mineral could occur. Other activities to be undertaken as part of the detailed local field-based activities include the following:

(i) Interpretation of existing aerial data, initial local field-based mapping and sampling activities followed by possible acquisition of new aerial data (radiometric, magnetics, and gravity).

(ii) Surface and subsurface geological mapping including boreholes drilling and logging, sampling, and laboratory analyses / assessments.

(iii) Trenching, logging, sampling, and laboratory analyses of shallow targets.

(iv) Baseline studies such as fauna and flora diversity spanning across the seasons in twelve (12) months and hydrogeological assessments including boreholes drilling and possible groundwater modelling, and.

(v) Logistical support such as access preparation, exploration and camp sites management.

2.3 Prefeasibility and Feasibility Study

Prefeasibility and feasibility studies will be implemented on site-specific area (small local area where there will be proof that economic minerals may occur there) and is subject to the positive outcomes of the detailed local field-based exploration activities. The activities to be undertaken as part of the prefeasibility and feasibility will include the following:

(i) Detailed site-specific surveys (radiometric, magnetics, and gravity).

(ii) Detailed geological mapping.

(iii) Drilling, sampling and laboratory analyses.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 9 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

(iv) Bulk sampling and testing.

(v) Ore reserve calculations.

(vi) Geotechnical studies for mine design.

(vii) Detailing technical viability studies including forecasts of estimated expenditure and financial.

(viii) Mine planning and designs including all supporting infrastructures (water, energy and access).

(ix) Site-specific field-based Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with specialist studies as maybe applicable.

(x) Site-specific field-based Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

(xi) Test mining activities, and.

(xii) Preparation of feasibility report and application for Mining License.

Field-based support and logistical activities will be very extensive because the local field-based activities will be undertaken on a specific area for a very long time (up to one year or more in some instances). The activities will be supported by existing tracks and campsites / lodging facilities available in the area.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 10 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 3. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

3.1 Minerals Exploration Legislation and Regulations

The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) is the competent authority with respect to minerals prospecting and mining activities in Namibia. The Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act (No 33 of 1992) is the most important legal instrument governing minerals prospecting / exploration and mining activities. Several explicit references to the environment and its protection are contained in the Minerals Act, which provides for environmental impact assessments, rehabilitation of prospecting and mining areas and minimising or preventing pollution.

3.2 Environmental Regulations

3.2.1 Environmental Assessment Requirements and Procedures

Environmental Assessment (EA) process in Namibia is governed by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations No. 30 of 2012 gazetted under the Environmental Management Act, (EMA), 2007, (Act No. 7 of 2007). The proposed field–based exploration activities fall within the categories of listed activities that cannot be undertaken without an Environmental Clearance.

3.2.2 Regulatory Authorities

The environmental regulatory authorities responsible for environmental protection and management in relation to the proposed project including their role in regulating environmental protection are listed in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1: Government agencies regulating environmental protection in Namibia.

AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY Issue of Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) based on the review and approval Ministry of of the Environmental Assessments (EA) reports comprising Environmental Scoping, Environment, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Forestry and Tourism prepared in accordance with the Environmental Management Act (2007) and the (MEFT) Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2012. The National Botanical Research Institute’s (NBRI) mandate is to study the flora and vegetation of Namibia, to promote the understanding, conservation, and sustainable use of Namibia’s plants for the benefit of all. The Directorate of Forestry (DOF) is responsible for issuing of forestry permits with respect to harvest, transport, and export or market forest resources. The competent authority for minerals prospecting and mining activities in Namibia. Ministry of Mines and Issues Exclusive prospecting License (EPL), Mining Licenses (ML) and Mining Energy (MME) Claims (license) as well as all other minerals related permits for processing, trading and export of minerals resources The Mission of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) is to realize the potential of the Agricultural, Water and Forestry sectors towards the Ministry of promotion of an efficient and sustainable socio-economic development for a prosperous Agriculture, Water Namibia. It has a mandate to promote, develop, manage, and utilise Agriculture, Water and Land Reform and Land resources The Directorate of Resource Management within the Department (MAWLR) of Water Affairs (DWA) at the MAWLR is currently the lead agency responsible for management of surface and groundwater utilisation through the issuing of abstraction permits and waste water disposal permits. DWA is also the Government agency responsible for water quality monitoring and reporting. National Radiation Radioactive Authorisation (Import and Export Permits) on radioactive samples and tools Protection Authority / equipment. Radiation management Plan (RMP) shall be prepared in the prescribed (NRPA), Ministry of format in accordance with the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act (Act No 5 of Health and Social 2005) and Radiation Protection & Waste Disposal Regulations (No 221 of 2011) Services (MHSS)

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 11 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 3.3 Other Applicable Legislations

The following is the summary of the applicable legalisation with respect to the proposed minerals exploration process in the EPL 7828:

❖ Namibian Constitution Articles 91(c) and 95.

❖ Water Act, 1956, Act No. 54 of 1956.

❖ Hazardous Substances Ordinance (1974).

❖ Health Act (No. 21 of 1988).

❖ Air Quality Act (No. 39 of 2004).

❖ Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (No. 45 of 1965).

❖ Forestry Act (No. 12 of 2001) and Forest Amendment Act (No. 13 of 2005).

❖ The Labour Act, 1992, Act No. 6 of 1992 as amended.

❖ Labour Act (No. 11 of 2004) – Health & Safety Regulations (1997).

❖ National Heritage Act (No. 27 of 2004).

❖ Nature Conservation Amendment Act (No. 5 of 1996).

❖ Nature Conservation Ordinance (No. 4 of 1975), and.

❖ Soil Conservation Act (No. 70 of 1969).

3.4 International and Regional Treaties and Protocols

Article 144 of the Namibian Constitution provides for the enabling mechanism to ensure that all international treaties and protocols are ratified and include the following:

❖ The Paris Agreement, 2016.

❖ Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992.

❖ Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, 1985.

❖ Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, 1987.

❖ United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1992.

❖ Kyoto Protocol on the Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1998.

❖ Basel Convention on the control of transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal, 1989.

❖ World Heritage Convention, 1972.

❖ Convention to Combat Desertification, 1994.

❖ Stockholm Convention of Persistent Organic Pollutants, 2001, and.

❖ Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Protocols on Mining and energy.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 12 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 3.5 Standards and Guidelines

The only key missing components to the regulatory frameworks in Namibia are the standards, and guidelines with respect to gaseous, liquid, and solid emissions. However, in the absence of national gaseous, liquid, and solid emission limits for Namibia, the proposed project shall target the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) gaseous effluent emission level and liquid effluent emission levels (Table 3.2). Noise abatement measures must target to achieve either the levels shown in Table 3.3 or a maximum increase in background levels of 3 dB (A) at the nearest receptor location off-site (MIGA guidelines). Industrial effluent likely to be generated by the proposed activities must comply with provisions of the Government Gazette No 217 dated 5 April 1962 (Table 3.4) while the drinking water quality comparative guideline values are shown in Table 3.5.

Table 3.2: Liquid effluent emission levels (MIGA /IFC).

Pollutant Max. Value pH 6-9 Total suspended solids 50 mg/l Total metals 10 mg/l Phosphorous (P) 5 mg/l Fluoride (F) 20 mg/l Cadmium (Cd) 0.1 mg/l

Table 3.3: Noise emission levels (MIGA /IFC).

Maximum (hourly), in dB(A) Allowable Leq Receptor Day time (07:00 – 22:00) Night time (22:00 – 07:00) Residential, institutional, educational 55 45 Industrial, commercial 70 70

Table 3.4: R553 Regional Standards for Industrial Effluent, in Government Gazette No 217 dated 5 April 1962.

Colour, odour and The effluent shall contain no substance in concentrations capable of producing colour, odour, taste or taste pH Between 5.5 and 9.5 Dissolved oxygen At least 75% saturation Typical faecal coli No typical faecal coli per 100 ml Temperature Not to exceed 35 °C Chemical demand oxygen Not to exceed 75 mg/l after applying a correction for chloride in the method Oxygen absorbed Not to exceed 10 mg/l Total dissolved solids (TDS) The TDS shall not have been increased by more than 500 mg/l above that of the intake water Suspended solids Not to exceed 25 mg/l Sodium (Na) The Na level shall not have been increased by more than 50 mg/l above that of the intake water Soap, oil and grease Not to exceed 2.5 mg/l Residual chlorine 0,1 mg/l as Cl Free & saline ammonia 10 mg/l as N Arsenic 0,5 mg/l as As

Boron 1,0 mg/l as B

Hexavalent Cr 0,05 mg/l as Cr Other constituents Total chromium 0,5 mg/l as Cr Copper 1,0 mg/l as Cu Phenolic compounds 0,1 mg/l as phenol Lead 1,0 mg/l as Pb Cyanide and related compounds 0,5 mg/l as CN Sulphides 1,0 mg/l as S Fluorine 1,0 mg/l as F Zinc 5,0 mg/l as Zn

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 13 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 3.5: Comparison of selected guideline values for drinking water quality (after Department of Water Affairs, 2001).

Proposed Council WHO Council Directive of 15 U.S. EPA Namibia, Department of Water Affairs Guidelines Directive July 1980 Drinking water Guidelines for the evaluation of for of 28 relating to the Standards and drinking-water for human consumption Drinking- April quality Health Advisories with reference to chemical, physical Water 1995 intended for Table December and bacteriological quality Parameter Quality 2nd (95/C/13- human 1995 July 1991 and edition 1/03) consumption Expression of the results 1993 EEC 80/778/EEC Guideline Proposed Guide Maximum Maximum Group A Group B Group C Group D Value Parameter Level Admissible Contaminant Level Excellent Good Low Unsuitable (GV) Value (GL) Concentrati (MCL) Quality Quality Health on (MAC) Risk Temperature t °C - - 12 25 - - - - - Hydrogen ion pH, 25° C - R <8.0 6.5 to 9.5 6.5 to 10 - 6.0 to 9.0 5.5 to 9.5 4.0 to 11.0 <4.0 to concentration 8.5 >11.0 Electronic EC, 25° mS/m - 280 45 - - 150 300 400 >400 conductivity C Total dissolved TDS mg/l R 1000 - - 1500 - - - - - solids Total Hardness CaCO3 mg/l - - - - - 300 650 1300 >1300 Aluminium Al μ g/l R 200 200 50 200 S 50-200 150 500 1000 >1000 + Ammonia NH4 mg/l R 1.5 0.5 0.05 0.5 - 1.5 2.5 5.0 >5.0 N mg/l 1.0 0.04 0.4 - 1.0 2.0 4.0 >4.0 Antimony Sb μ g/l P 5 3 - 10 C 6 50 100 200 >200 Arsenic As μ g/l 10 10 - 50 C 50 100 300 600 >600 Barium Ba μ g/l P 700 - 100 - C 2000 500 1000 2000 >2000 Berylium Be μ g/l - - - - C 4 2 5 10 >10 Bismuth Bi μ g/l - - - - - 250 500 1000 >1000 Boron B μ g/l 300 300 1000 - - 500 2000 4000 >4000 - Bromate BrO3 μ g/l - 10 - - P 10 - - - - Bromine Br μ g/l - - - - - 1000 3000 6000 >6000 Cadmium Cd μ g/l 3 5 - 5 C 5 10 20 40 >40 Calcium Ca mg/l - - 100 - - 150 200 400 >400 CaCO3 mg/l - - 250 - - 375 500 1000 >1000 Cerium Ce μ g/l - - - - - 1000 2000 4000 >4000 Chloride Cl- mg/l R 250 - 25 - S 250 250 600 1200 >1200 Chromium Cr μ g/l P 50 50 - 50 C 100 100 200 400 >400 Cobalt μ g/l - - - - - 250 500 1000 >1000 Copper after 12 Cu μ g/l P 2000 2 100 - C TT## 500 1000 2000 >2000 hours in pipe μ g/l - - 30001 - S 1000 - - - - Cyanide CN- μ g/l 70 50 - 50 C 200 200 300 600 >600 Fluoride F- mg/l 1.5 1.5 - at 8 to 12 oC: C 4 1.5 2.0 3.0 >3.0 1.5 mg/l - - - at 25 to 30 P,S 2 - - - - oC: 0.7 Gold Au μ g/l - - - - - 2 5 10 >10 Hydrogen H2S μ g/l R 50 - - undetectable - 100 300 600 >600 sulphide Iodine I μ g/l - - - - - 500 1000 2000 >2000 Iron Fe μ g/l R 300 200 50 200 S 300 100 1000 2000 >2000 Lead Pb μ g/l 10 10 - 50 C TT# 50 100 200 >200 Lithium Li μ g/l - - - - - 2500 5000 10000 >10000 Magnesium Mg mg/l - - 30 50 - 70 100 200 >200 CaCO3 mg/l - - 7 12 - 290 420 840 >840 Manganese Mn μ g/l P 500 50 20 50 S 50 50 1000 2000 >2000 Mercury Hg μ g/l 1 1 - 1 C 2 5 10 20 >20 Molybdenum Mo μ g/l 70 - - - - 50 100 200 >200 Nickel Ni μ g/l 20 20 - 50 - 250 500 1000 >1000 - Nitrate* NO3 mg/l P 50 50 25 50 45 45 90 180 >180 N mg/l - - 5 11 C 10 10 20 40 >40 - Nitrite* NO2 mg/l 3 0.1 - 0.1 3 - - - - N mg/l - - - C 1 - - - - Oxygen, issolved O2 % sat. - 50 ------Phosphorus P2O5 μ g/l - - 400 5000 - - - - - 3- PO4 μ g/l - - 300 3350 - - - - - Potassium K mg/l - - 10 12 - 200 400 800 >800 Selenium Se μ g/l 10 10 - 10 C 50 20 50 100 >100 Silver Ag μ g/l - - - 10 S 100 20 50 100 >100 Sodium Na mg/l R 200 - 20 175 - 100 400 800 >800 2- Sulphate SO4 mg/l R 250 250 25 250 S 250 200 600 1200 >1200 Tellurium Te μ g/l - - - - - 2 5 10 >10 Thallium TI μ g/l - - - - C 2 5 10 20 >20 Tin Sn μ g/l - - - - - 100 200 400 >400 Titanum Ti μ g/l - - - - - 100 500 1000 >1000 Tungsten W μ g/l - - - - - 100 500 1000 >1000 Uranium U μ g/l - - - - P 20 1000 4000 8000 >8000 Vanadium V μ g/l - - - - - 250 500 1000 >1000 Zinc after 12 hours Zn μ g/l R 3000 - 100 - S 5000 1000 5000 10000 >10000 in pipe μ g/l - - 5000 ------P: Provisional C: Current. P: Proposed. S: Secondary. R: May give reason to complaints from T#: Treatment technique in lieu of numeric MCL. consumers TT##: treatment technique triggered at action level of 1300 μ g/l Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 14 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 3.6 Recommendations on Permitting Requirements

It is hereby recommended that the Proponent shall follow the provisions of all relevant national regulatory during the implementation of the proposed prospecting activities and shall obtain the following permits/ authorisations as may be applicable / required:

(i) Valid Exclusive Prospecting Licenses (EPLs) as may be applicable from Department of Mines in the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME).

(ii) Valid Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environmental Affairs in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT).

(iii) Permission to drill a borehole in protected groundwater zone, fresh water abstraction permits and waste water discharge permits from the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), and.

(iv) All other permits as maybe become applicable during the proposed exploration operations.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 15 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 4. SUMMARY OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

4.1 Physical Geography and Visual Impacts

The license area falls within the well-established private commercial farmland. The overall landscape is dominated by topographically low laying areas of the Kalahari Desert longitudinal dunes landforms (Plate 4.1) incised by major Ephemeral River Systems such as the Asab and Garichanab Ephemeral River Channels and associated tributaries.

4.2 Climate Components

4.2.1 Local Precipitation

The mean annual rainfall is highly variable and may range between 200 mm - 400 mm in various parts of the PEL Area. The distribution of rainfall within the Nama Basin is extremely seasonal with almost all the rain falling in summer - from November to April with occasional winter rainfall (Figs. 4.1 -4.3). Mean annual gross evaporation is between 3000 mm and 3, 400 mm.

4.2.2 Temperature

Ambient air temperature is an important parameter in determining pollution plume behaviour, the depth of mixing height, and position of the inversion layer. The mixing layer is the average thickness of the layer within which pollutants are expected to mix with air over a geographical area. The inversion layer is characterised by an increase in temperature with height.

The greater the difference between the emitted pollutant and the ambient air temperature, the resulting plume will have a buoyancy rise.

Daytime temperatures range between 35° to 45°C from October to March, the hottest months, and can drop below freezing between June and August. The annual mean temperature is around 32°C with the mean monthly temperatures ranging between 35°C to 23°C throughout the year.

4.2.3 Wind Patterns

The medium-term (days) and short-term (seconds) wind characteristics are of fundamental importance in determining the area of the ground that can be exposed to emissions of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) from a source.

Based on the regional wind patterns, the dominant wind direction is from the north eastern and southwest quadrants (Figs. 4.4 and 4.5). Locally, the situation may be different dues various influences including topographic effects.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 16 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

Figure 4.1: Comparative climatic data - mean monthly and annual rainfall and evaporation for Mariental (Data source Metrological Services of Namibia).

Figure 4.2: Comparative climatic data sets - mean monthly and annual rainfall and evaporation for Keetmanshoop (Data source Metrological Services of Namibia).

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 17 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

Figure 4.3: Comparative climatic data sets - mean monthly and annual rainfall and evaporation for Gobabis (Data source Metrological Services of Namibia).

MARIETAL 8 AM MARIENTAL 2 PM MARIENTAL 8 PM KEETMANSHOOP 8 AM KEETMANSHOOP 2PM KEETMANSHOOP 8 PM 6 GOBABIS 8 AM GOBABIS 2 PM 5 GOBABIS 8 PM

4

3

2

WIND SPEED (m/s) 1

0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC MONTHS

Figure 4.4: Comparative climatic data sets - Average wind speed at Mariental, Keetmanshoop and Gobabis.

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60 GOBABIS

KEETM ANSHOOP

50 M ARIENTAL

40

30

20

10

0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360 Calm WIND DIRECTION (Degrees from North)

Figure 4.5 Comparative climatic data sets - Wind direction and speed for Mariental, Keetmanshoop and Gobabis weather stations (Data source Metrological Services of Namibia).

4.3 Fauna and Flora Diversity

4.3.1 Overview

A flora and fauna desktop specialist study were undertaken as part of the process of preparing this EIA Report. The aim was to determine the actual as well as potential vertebrate fauna and flora associated with the general area commonly referred to as the Dwarf Shrub Savannah (Giess 1971) or on the boundary of the Dwarf Shrub Savannah and the Southern Kalahari (Mendelsohn et al. 2002). It is estimated that at least 63 species of reptile, 9 amphibian, 62 mammal, 141 bird species (breeding residents), at least 52 species of larger trees and shrubs (>1m) and at least 64 species of grasses occur in the general/immediate area of which a moderate proportion are endemics (e.g., 41.3% of reptiles) (Fig. 4.6). Although many endemic species are known to occur from the general area, it is currently not clear if any of these are associated with the existing EPL area or how exactly they will be affected by such activities.

4.3.2 Summary of the Fauna Diversity

4.3.2.1 Reptiles

The high percentage of endemic reptile species (39%) associated with the general south-central part of Namibia underscores the importance of area. The most important reptiles in the area are viewed as those classified as vulnerable and protected game under Namibian legislation – i.e. Stigmochelys pardalis, Psammobates oculiferus, Psammobates tentorius verroxii, Python natalensis & Varanus albigularis. Tortoises – e.g. Stigmochelys pardalis, Psammobates oculiferus, Psammobates tentorius verroxii – are viewed as the group of reptiles most under threat in Namibia (Griffin 1998a). Reptile species of concern are the burrowing species such as the blind snakes Rhinotyphlops boylei and Rhinotyphlops schinzi as these species are very difficult to study (and observe) with very little known about their ecological role and actual status in Namibia. However, none of these species are exclusively associated with the proposed development site

4.3.2.2 Amphibians

The most important amphibian from the general area is viewed as Pyxicephalus adspersus. Due to a lack of permanent open surface water within the immediate vicinity of the proposed development site Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 19 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 and the fact that none of these species are exclusively associated with the site minimises the overall effect on amphibians.

4.3.2.3 Mammals

The most important mammal species from the general area are probably all those classified as rare (Cistugo seabrae, Zeltomys woosnami & Felis nigripes) under Namibian legislation and near threatened (Hyaena brunnea & Panthera pardus) and vulnerable (Acinonyx jubatus & Felis nigripes) by the IUCN (2011). Very little is known about F. nigripes and as a carnivore in a sheep producing part of Namibia, it faces unwarranted persecution. Other species of concern are the Pangolin and various bat species. However, none of these species are exclusively associated with the proposed development site

4.3.2.4 Birds

The only endemic species known/expected to occur in the general Keetmanshoop area are the Rosy- faced Lovebird and Rüppell’s Korhaan. Other important species include various raptors (e.g. Martial, Tawny & Verreauxs’) which are declining throughout Namibia (declines not always understood, although humans are often the cause thereof – e.g. killed as perceived predators of poultry and lambs or as collateral damage during poisoning episodes against problem animals). Numerous associated power lines and pylon infrastructures are viewed as the biggest threat to species such as bustards and larger raptors. However, none of these species are exclusively associated with the EPL area.

4.3.3 Summary of the Flora Diversity

4.3.3.1 Trees/shrubs and Grasses

Important tree and shrub species are the endemic (Tetragonia schenckii), near endemic (Aloe dichotoma, Nymania capensis, Sisyndite spartea & Zygophyllum rigidum), species protected under the Forestry Ordinance No. 37 of 1952 and/or Forest Act No. 72 of 1968 (Acacia erioloba, Albizia anthelmintica, Boscia albitrunca, Boscia foetida, Euclea pseudebenus & Tamarix usneoides), Nature Conservation Ordinance No. 4 of 1975 (Aloe littoralis & Aloe dichotoma and CITES (Aloe littoralis & Aloe dichotoma) species. Most of the above mentioned species are viewed as favourable “food plants” and/or “shade plants” for domestic stock throughout Namibia and thus important from a farming perspective.

4.3.3.2 Aloes

Aloes potentially occur in the general area, and also viewed as important are Aloe hereroensis and A. zebrina (Rothmann 2004).

4.3.3.3 Commiphora

Many endemic Commiphora species are found throughout Namibia with Steyn (2003) indicating that Commiphora africana, C. glaucescens, C. tenuipetiolata and C. crenato-serrata potentially also occurring in the general area.

4.3.3.4 Lithops

Lithops species – all protected (See Nature Conservation Ordinance No. 4 of 1975) – are also known to occur in the general area and often difficult to observe, especially during the dry season when their aboveground structures wither. The closest species are currently only known to occur to the northwest and southeast of Kalkrand – i.e. Lithops pseudotruncatella subsp. groendrayensis and Lithops vallis- mariae, respectively (Cole and Cole 2005).

4.3.3.5 Ferns

At least 64 species of ferns, of which 13 species being endemic, occur throughout Namibia. Ferns in the general area include at least 1 endemic species (Marsilea burchellii) and 12 indigenous species Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 20 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 (Actiniopteris radiata, Adiantum capillus-veneris, Cheilanthes marlothii, Marselia coromandelina, M. aegyptiaca, M. ephippiocarpa, M. farinosa, M. macrocarpa, M. unicornis, M. vera, Ophioglossum polyphyllum and Pellaea calomelanos) (Crouch et al. 2011). The general area is under collected with more species probably occurring in the general area.

4.3.3.6 Lichens

The overall diversity of lichens is poorly known from Namibia, especially the coastal areas and statistics on endemicity is even sparser (Craven 1998). More than 100 species are expected to occur in the Namib Desert with the majority being uniquely related to the coastal fog belt (Wirth 2010). Lichen diversity is related to air humidity and generally decreases inland form the Namibian coast (Schults and Rambold 2007). Off road driving is the biggest threat to these lichens which are often rare and unique to Namibia. To indicate how poorly known lichens are from Namibia, the recent publication by Schultz et al. (2009) indicating that 37 of the 39 lichen species collected during BIOTA surveys in the early/mid 2000’s was new to science (i.e., new species), is a case in point.

4.3.3.7 Other species

Other species with commercial potential that could occur in the general area include Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s claw) – harvested for medicinal purposes and often over-exploited – and Citrullus lanatus (Tsamma melon) which potentially has a huge economic benefit (Mendelsohn et al. 2002).

4.3.4 Fauna and Flora Conclusions

4.3.4.1 Overview

All human induced activities including the proposed exploration activities, agriculture and tourism operations all have potential negative environmental consequences, but identifying the most important fauna and flora species including high risk habitats beforehand, coupled with environmentally acceptable recommendations (mitigating factors), lessens the overall impact of such activities. Once specific targets have been identified aerial and files-based exploration activities and it’s decided that more detailed work leading to prefeasibility and feasibility studies are needed, a site-specific fieldwork to determine the actual fauna and flora species likely to be affected on the targeted site/s is highly recommended.

4.3.4.2 Important Areas and Protected Species

The EPL area is like the rest of the general environment found in southcentral Namibia with the areas and species of most concern being the following:

(i) Ephemeral River channels: Are the lifelines in the drier parts of Namibia with a variety of vertebrate fauna attracted and/or associated with such features. These areas are also better vegetated – mainly Acacia nebrownii shrubs – and part of the drainage system which should not be disturbed and or altered.

(ii) Local natural ground dam: Such features would be an important habitat for a variety of species (e.g. amphibians & aquatic birds, etc.) during/after the rains.

(iii) Rocky Ridges: Low rocky ridges are often unique habitats for a variety of vertebrate fauna – e.g. reptiles, and.

(iv) Protected species: The bigger protected tree species individuals are viewed as important as these serve as habitat for various vertebrate fauna in an otherwise very flat and sparsely vegetated area.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 21 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

Figure 4.6: Plant biodiversity and biomass map. Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 22 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 4.4 Summary of the Socioeconomic Settings

4.4.1 Overview

The socioeconomic activities around the EPL area are dependent on agriculture, tourism, and hospitality industries. Cattle and sheep farming are the dominant farming activities in the general area with between 90-100% of stock farmed with being sheep and 0-10% being goats (van der Merwe 1983). The stock density is estimated at >20 sheep and goats/km² in the area with 27.9% of the total percentage sheep in Namibia found in the general area (van der Merwe 1983). The risk of farming is generally viewed as “average to high” with the carrying capacity viewed as 30-40kg/ha (Mendelsohn et al. 2002) or 12-15LAU /ha (van der Merwe 1983). The tourism potential of this area is viewed as relatively high due to the Kalahari Desert longitudinal dunes belt as well as diverse desert wildlife and flora.

4.4.2 Socioeconomic Summary

4.4.2.1 Hardap Region

According to the Namibia 2001 Population and Housing Census, Hardap had a population of 68,249 (33,665 females and 34,579 males or 103 males for every 100 females) growing at an annual rate of 0.3%. 46% lived in urban areas while 54% lived in rural areas, and with an area of 109,651 km2, the population density was 0.6 persons per km2 (National Statistics Agency (NSA), 2016 and 2013). By age, 13% of the population was under 5 years old, 23% between 5 and 14 years, 55% between 15 and 59 years, and 8% 60 years and older. The population was divided into 15,039 households, with an average size of 4.4 persons. 34% of households had a female head of house, while 66% had a male. For those 15 years and older, 54% had never married, 30% married with certificate, 1% married traditionally, 9% married consensually, 2% were divorced or separated, and 4% were widowed.

The most spoken languages at home were Afrikaans (44% of households), and Nama/Damara (44%). For those 15 years and older, the literacy rate was 83%. Nearly half of the population are from coloured and white Namibian groups. In terms of education, 84% of girls and 83% of boys between the ages of 6–15 were attending school, and of those older than 15, 73% had left school, 9% were currently at school, and 13% had never attended. In 2001 the employment rate for the labour force (64% of those 15+) was 66% employed and 34% unemployed. For those 15+ years old and not in the labour force (29%), 29% were students, 37% home-makers, and 33% retired, too old, etc. According to the 2012 Namibia Labour Force Survey, unemployment in the Hardap Region stood at 28.8 (National Statistics Agency (NSA), 2016 and 2013).

Among households, 95% had safe water, 34% no toilet facility, 51% electricity for lighting, 77% access to radio, and 20% had wood or charcoal for cooking (National Statistics Agency (NSA), 2016 and 2013). In terms of household's main sources of income, 9% derived it from farming, 61% from wages and salaries, 7% cash remittances, 5% from business or non-farming, and 15% from pension. For every 1000 live births there were 62 female infant deaths and 64 males (National Statistics Agency (NSA), 2016 and 2013). The life expectancy at birth was 53 years for females and 51 for males. Among children younger than 15, 4% had lost a mother, 6% a father, and 1% were orphaned by both parents. 6% of the entire population had a disability, of which 19% were deaf, 47% blind, 7% had a speech disability, 10% hand disability, 28% leg disability, and 6% mental disability.

The following is summary of the selected regional and local socioeconomic setting of the Hardap Region, partly covered by the EPL area (National Statistics Agency (NSA) (2016 and 2013):

❖ The population of the Hardap Regions is 87186 (2016) with population growth of 1.8 compared to 2011 census data.

❖ The exploration area is located in the sparsely populated privately owned commercial farmland.

❖ Unemployment rates in Hardap Region is below the national average of 36.9%. Unemployment in Hardap Region stands at 35.2%.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 23 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 ❖ The leading main source of income in Hardap Region is wages and salaries (64.2%).

❖ The health-care facilities in Hardap Region experience lack of qualified registered nurses and medical doctors.

❖ The infrastructure and service provision in the area of proposed project is limited.

❖ 17.4% of households in Hardap Region are more than 40km away.

❖ About 13% in Hardap Region are more than 50km away to nearest primary school. In comparison to the average in Namibia, there are only 3.6% such households.

❖ The crime rates in Hardap are relatively high. Most committed crimes in Hardap Region in 2012/13 were assault, theft, crimen injuria, malicious damage to property.

❖ The physical features, characterised by semi-arid adapted biomes, make the land largely unsuitable for agriculture activities and human settlement. People in this area mainly practice small-stock farming with sheep, goats, and cattle.

❖ The area boasts a well-developed infrastructure base for tourism and has great potential based on the high landscape value linked on the Kalahari Dune Belt.

❖ The greatest limiting factors for economic activities are the arid climate and an overall shortage of water, poor soils, and rangeland productivity. poor skills base, and.

❖ Overall economic growth and development in the project area is slow and thus a capital investment could spin-off the economic development of the surrounding settlements area in the area.

4.4.2.2 //Karas Region

According to the Namibia 2001 Population and Housing Census, //Karas had a population of 69,329 (32,346 females and 36,976 males or 114 males for every 100 females) growing at an annual rate of 1.3% (National Statistics Agency (NSA), 2016 and 2013). About 54% lived in urban areas, while 46% lived in rural areas, and with an area of 161,215 km2, the population density was 0.4 persons per km2. By age, 11% of the population was under 5 years old, 20% between 5 and 14 years, 63% between 15 and 59 years, and 6% 60 years and older. The population was divided into 15,481 households, with an average size of 4.1 persons; 35% of households had a female head of house, while 65% had a male. For those 15 years and older, 69% had never married, 20% married with certificate, 2% married traditionally, 5% married consensually, 1% were divorced or separated, and 2% were widowed.

The most commonly spoken languages at home were Afrikaans (40% of households), Nama/Damara (26%) and Oshiwambo (23%) (National Statistics Agency (NSA), 2016 and 2013). For those 15 years and older, the literacy rate was 87%. Nearly 45% of the population are from coloured and white Namibian groups. In terms of education, 52% of girls and 48% of boys between the ages of 6 and 15 were attending school, and of those 15 years and older, 77% had left school, 7% were currently at school, and 7% had never attended.

In 2001, the employment rate for the labour force (67% of those 15+) was 71% employed and 29% unemployed. For those 15 years old or older and not in the labour force (24%), 28% were students, 40% homemakers, and 32% retired or unable to work. According to the 2012 Namibia Labour Force Survey, unemployment in the //Karas Region stood at 23.9% (National Statistics Agency (NSA), 2016 and 2013). Among households, 94% had safe water, 26% no toilet facility, 50% electricity for lighting, 81% access to radio, and 35% had wood or charcoal for cooking. In terms of households' main sources of income, 7% derived it from farming, 69% from wages and salaries, 6% cash remittances, 5% from business or nonfarming, and 10% from pension (National Statistics Agency (NSA), 2016 and 2013).

For every 1,000 live births, 37 female and 56 male infant deaths occurred. The life expectancy at birth was 61 years for females and 54 for males (National Statistics Agency (NSA), 2016 and 2013). Among

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 24 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 children younger than 15, 4% had lost a mother, 6% a father, and 1% were orphaned by both parents. About 3% of the entire population had a disability, of which 22% were deaf, 29% blind, 10% had a speech disability, 13% hand disability, 27% leg disability, and 7% mental disability.

The following is summary of the selected regional and local socioeconomic setting of the //Karas Region, partly covered by the EPL area (National Statistics Agency (NSA) (2016 and 2013):

❖ There has been a proportional decline in the //Karas Regions population as only 3.66% of the country’s population live in the region and the region’s population is growing at a slower rate (1.1%) than the national growth rate (1.4%).

❖ There is high migration rate from especially the north central regions to the //Karas region.

❖ There is only slightly more males than female indicating that either migratory male job seekers had moved away from the region (an possible explanation for the negative growth rate in the Lüderitz/!Nami=nüs constituency) or that more females are being employed by companies which historically employed men.

❖ A high proportion (63%) of the population is of working age (between 15 and 59 years);

❖ There is a large urban population (54% compared to 43% nationally) and 92.4% of the residents in the Lüderitz/!Nami=nüs constituency live in the town.

❖ The main source of income in the region is wages and salaries (72%) and the fishing and mining industries are the largest employers, and.

❖ There is a high labour force participation rate of 75.4% for the region.

4.5 Ground Components

4.5.1 Regional and Local Geology

The EPL 7828 falls within the greater Karoo Basin covering much of southern Namibia and extend to western Botswana and northern South Africa. Generally, the thickness of the stratigraphic units increases from the margin of the basin towards the centre, especially from the Ghanzi Ridge in the north, which formed a high during sedimentation of the Karoo Sequence. Karoo sediments have been deposited on a mostly Damaran-age Precambrian basement consisting mainly of metasediments like mica schist, phyllite, carbonate (marble, dolomite, or limestone). These metasediments have been intruded by granites in many places. In most Karoo Sequence basins sedimentation started with the Permo- Carboniferous Dwyka Formation which was deposited under glacial and periglacial conditions and consists of tillite, mixtite, pebbly mudstone and dark shale.

The material is derived from glaciated highs and was transported into depressions, where it either forms a several-hundred-metres-thick blanket, typical of the marine embayment. With the retreat of the ice mostly fine-clastic material was deposited in marine, lacustrine and distal fluvial environments of the Ecca Group of lower Permian age (Fig. 4.7). The surface is covered by recent deposits of the Kalahari Group consisting of sands and calcrete. The stratigraphic subdivision adopted by the South African Committee for Stratigraphy for the Karoo rocks is outlined in Fig. 4.7.

The EPL area is extensively covered by the Kalahari Group, a stratigraphic group consists of a fairy monotonous sequence of red sandstone which ranges in thickness from less than 50 metres to greater than 275 metres. The thickest development occurs within a broad NE – SW trending pre-Kalahari valley. The base of the Kalahari Group is locally marked by a conglomeratic zone consisting of angular blocks sandstone, siltstone or dolerite in a red sandstone matrix. The Kalahari-Karoo contact is usually well defined except where the underlying Karoo rock is weathered sandstone. Loose Kalahari Desert Sands forming longitudinal dune belt which are vegetated in some place dominate the landscape of the EPL area. Calcretes and gravel with silty-clays sands can be found in topographically low laying areas.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 25 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

Figure 4.7: Geological map of the EPL area. Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 26 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 4.5.2 Groundwater Resources

The EPL 7828 falls within the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB), a groundwater protection zone managed by the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (Figs. 4.8 and 4.9). Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) falls within the greater Kalahari Basin covers Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Angola and Zambia (Fig. 4.8 (insert map) and International Hydrological Programme of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), 2016). The Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) is a transboundary groundwater resources which Namibia shares by Botswana and South Africa. Groundwater recharge in the Stampriet Artesian Basin very limited. Potential sources of water supply for the proposed exploration activities could be obtained from local groundwater resources. The Stampriet Artesian Basin is recharge by several ephemeral river channels such as the Nossob Ephemeral River (Figs. 4.8 and 4.9).

The groundwater occurrence within the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) inclusive of the EPL area is associated with the upper Kalahari Group and in the underlying Karoo Sequences (Figs. 4.8 - 4.11 and Table 4.1). The three main aquifers in the SAB in Namibia are in the Kalahari Beds, the Auob Sandstone and the Nossob Sandstone (Figs. 4.8 and 4.9 and Table 4.1). The average thickness of the Kalahari Aquifer is 100 m, that of the Auob 80 m, and that of the Nossob 25 m (JICA 2002). In the southeastern part of the Namibian SAB, the Kalahari sediments are considerably thicker, reaching about 250 m in the ‘Pre-Kalahari Valley’. The Auob Sandstone Aquifer and the Nossob Sandstone Aquifer lie in the Ecca Group of the lower Karoo Sequence and are separated by shale layers of the Mukorob Member, which is overlaid by Rietmond Shale and Sandstone. The Auob and Nossob Aquifers are confined and free flowing in the Auob Valley from Stampriet and further downstream, as well as in the Nossob Valley around Leonardville. Water levels elsewhere in boreholes in the artesian aquifers are subartesian. Several springs are located in the eastern outcrop of the Kalkrand Basalt in the northwest. Groundwater also occurs in the Kalahari layers across the basin and in the Prince Albert Formation of the Karoo Sequence.

According to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, (2001) and the International Hydrological Programme of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), (2016), water in the area is used for human consumption, stock watering and increasingly for irrigation and tourism / hospitality establishment purposes. Although agriculture and tourism / hospitality both have economic advantages of creating more rural jobs job opportunities, these economic activities if managed poorly can be great source of groundwater pollution from the use of fertilisers and poor selection of kraals locations with respect to the exiting boreholes in the agricultural sector to the poor management of wastewater and disposal of solid waste in the tourism / hospitality sectors.

The Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) show a rise in the rest water level with good pressure head to which the Nossob Aquifer is subjected within the basin. This observation is very important from an environmental point of view, since borehole penetration of the Nossob Aquifer is most likely to cause relatively poor-quality groundwater from the aquifer to infiltrate upwards into the overlying Auob Aquifer (with better quality groundwater), and even into and past the Kalahari aquifer.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 27 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

0

EPL 7828

Figure 4.8 EPL 7828 with respect to the key river catchments (Nossob) forming part of the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) groundwater protection zone (Source: JICA, 2002) and insert showing the extent of the SAB into Botswana and South Africa (Source: International Hydrological Programme of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), 2016).

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 28 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

Figure 4.9 Regional Hydrogeology of the EPL 7828. Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 29 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 4.1: Summary of the geology and hydrogeological setting of the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) (Source: International Hydrological Programme of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), 2016).

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 30 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

Figure 4.10: Geology and hydrogeological setting of the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) (Source: JICA 2002). Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 31 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

EPL LOCATION

EPL LOCATION

Figure 4.11: Water quality, geology, and hydrogeological setting of the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) (Source: JICA 2002). Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 32 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 4.5.3 Evaluation of Water Vulnerability

Vulnerability assessment of surface water covered possible runoff, the presence of source factors and major flow routes such as major high order discontinuities such as faults, ephemeral river channels, valleys and gullies as pathways and the presence of surface water in the Ephemeral Rivers body as a target. The groundwater assessments covered hydraulic properties and thickness of the unsaturated and saturated zones derived from geological and hydrogeological data. The assessment of the unsaturated characteristics was based on the ability for source factors to influence the system through known pathway factors such as discontinuities. The combined effects of the unsaturated and saturated flow probabilities were used as indicator for groundwater vulnerability. However, groundwater or surface water will only be vulnerable to contamination if the following three (3) components are all present at the same time and at a site-specific area within the EPL:

(i) Contaminant sources such as oils, chemicals and drilling discharges resulting from proposed exploration programme.

(ii) Potential pathways for contaminants to migrate and reach a groundwater / surface water body such as porous rock formation / surficial deposits, major high order discontinuities, ephemeral river channels, valleys, and gullies.

(iii) Targets (economic water resources) present within the project area.

Overall, economic, and protected groundwater resources are found in the area and form part of the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) protection zone (Figs. 4.8-4.11). During the rainy season, surface water bodies can be found along the local ephemeral river systems of the Nossob. This surface water often recharges the local and regional groundwater resources along the faults, solutions holes, and other discontinuities along these ephemeral rivers in the general surrounding areas. The same surface water also replenishes the local and regional dams. Surface and groundwater resources within the EPL area maybe vulnerable to pollution because of some of the proposed drilling operations and some of the supporting exploration activities associated with the detailed site-specific local field-based prospecting / exploration activities. Drilling and trenching as well as the related supporting activities such as campsite and discharge of liquid and solid waste are potential sources that could affect local water resources. If not managed properly the effect of the proposed site-specific field-based exploration activities could have cumulative negative effects on the local water resources in addition to the already existing threating activities / pressures such as:

(i) Small settlements, farms, tourism / hospitality facilities discharge sewage into poorly designed waste water management facilities and sometimes in close proximity to their water boreholes. This can cause severe nitrate (and nitrite) and other bacterial load poisoning of the groundwater, which will develop some time after the construction of such waste water facilities.

(ii) Kraals for livestock situated close to the borehole or on unsuitable ground conditions with discontinuities or porous materials. Farmers should always try to construct kraals for livestock several hundred metres away from boreholes and on suitable ground which is less porous and specialist knowledge is highly necessary on site selection.

(iii) Unused boreholes and wells used as refuse tips. All unused boreholes must be sealed when not in use.

(iv) Poorly planned sewage treatment plants and solid waste disposal sites, and.

(v) Large-scale agriculture and intensive farming practices have a significant impact on the groundwater resources through the introduction of leachable chemicals into the ground affecting the water quality as well as depletion of the existing often poorly recharged groundwater resources quantity.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 33 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 4.2: Regional groundwater vulnerability within the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) (Source: International Hydrological Programme of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), 2016).

4.5.4 Recommendations on Water Resources Protection

As shown in Fig. 4.12, groundwater within the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB) is highly vulnerable to pollution. It is important that the proposed exploration activities as well as the existing farms / tourism / hospitality and local community related potential polluting activities must not be placed or undertaken Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 34 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 in areas with high order discontinuities, valleys or gullies systems (International Hydrological Programme of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), 2016)).

Ephemeral Rivers in the area such as the Nossob play a vital role in the recharge of the various national water supply scheme operated by local framers, Regional Council, Local Authorities and NamWater within the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB).

Discharge of solid waste or wastewater into a public stream is prohibited. The drilling operations could result in mixing of the poor and good quality water horizons. Due to the location of the EPL area within the SAB, the proponent will be required to apply for a drilling permit from the Department of Water Affairs (DWA). It’s highly likely that the DWA may request that all boreholes drilled within the EPL area shall have casing installed in order to minimise the risk of mixing the good and poor-quality groundwater horizons.

EPL 7828

Figure 4.12: Regional groundwater vulnerability around the EPL 7828 (Source: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 2001).

4.6 Archaeology

4.6.1 Regional Archaeological Setting

Eastern Namibia’s regions have significant heritage resources as defined by the National Heritage Act (No. 27 of 2004). These are manifested in archaeological, ethnographical, historical and palaeontological heritage resources. It is for these reasons that the broad parameters for the heritage resources within the footprints of this project can be understood from these contexts.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 35 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Available records therefore revealed a consistent pattern of human occupation during the last 3 000 years to the last Millennia. Such occupations are within the framework of human-environmental interactions and associated socioeconomic changes of hunter-gatherer occupations and their direct contacts with nomadic pastoralists as demonstrated by a long continuity of herding practices and pastorals before the onset of early colonial European settlers.

Geologically, the distributions of archaeological sites in the Kalahari basin are largely associated with the calcrete gravel plains - along river systems, calcrete pan-like drainage features and the exposed dune deposits. These features are reported to have concentrations of well-preserved archaeological evidence including hunting blinds within reach of water sources and other resources; stone tools technology dating from 2 500 years (Brooks 1984) to most recent 110 ± 50 BP sites (Helgren & Brooks 1983). These evidences demonstrate the continuity of hunter-gatherer populations in this part of Namibia.

Meanwhile, over 40 Well sites including nearly 200 visible Well structures by herders and pastoralists have also been recorded in these areas. The site dates chronologically from 2000-1500 years ago (Mitchell, 2002). The sites are sparsely distributed within the Kalahari Basin and confined mostly in surrounding Kalahari plains, dunes and along the river systems. They appear to correspond with two migratory groups namely: the Khoe speaking Herders (Kinahan 1991; Walker 1983 and Smith 1992) and the Early Farming groups associated with the arrival of the ancestors to the present-day Bantu- speaking people in southern Africa (Vansina 1990).

Evidences further suggest that the Pastoralists might have been responsible for the development of some pans, encampments and pan velds north and southeaster parts of the Kalahari. These areas were deemed unsuitable for livestock herding due to the exceptionally thick sands resulting in a paucity of surface water. As a result, these man-made catchment areas were created (Kinahan & Kinahan 1984) hence becoming important archaeological signatures.

Several other evidences associated with these communities indicate that due to the drainage systems along the Kalahari basin, the river system attracted game.

The area eventually became a settlement base camp for ivory hunters and trading post for elephant tusks (Tatarik 2000). Here, numerous surface scatter of archaeological materials has been reported along Ephemeral River Channels including iron beads; ceramic sites, potteries, several Cain structures and gravesites.

Early 19th century, the present-day Gobabis district was annexed by the German authorities following its occupations later. In the half of the 19th century, tribal conflicts between the settlers and the indigenous people flared up and led to many wars which explains the presence of historical artefacts along Ephemeral River Channels.

Regrettably, only a handful of these sites have been recorded. Much of this history is still under- researched as oppose to the area towards north-eastern Kalahari basin. However, the inadequacy of data does not translate to the absence of heritage sites or their lack thereof. It is therefore crucial that a field survey within the footprint and its surrounding area of the project is carried out prior to the commencement of the projects Eastern Namibia has relatively short paleontological records represented in its sedimentary structures.

Although research is still at an early stage, the development in Kalahari basin has advanced rapidly in the last two decades and this process has the potential to destroy valuable paleontological heritage remains. Kalahari’s spatial-temporal scale is one of the main drivers behind the development of its drainage system and sedimentary history. This is attributed largely to the break-up of the supercontinent Gondwanaland approximately 200 million years ago (in the Cretaceous- Tertiary period) where Karoo inland basins induced major changes in the fluvial systems of the sub-continent (Lindholm 2006).

The implication of its internal drainage system is that it retains all sediments and transports it to the low- lying areas, which explains the sediment accumulated in the Kalahari basin especially along the Ephemeral River Channels and its drainages and associated pans.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 36 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Today, the geology underlying the Kalahari sediments consists of various rock types dating from the Precambrian basement to the various Karoo sequences (Thomas & Shaw 1991). The Ecca Group sediments southeastern Kalahari basin had exposed some localities yielding numerous paleontological fossils such as Mesosaurus and Stromatolites. These contain reptiles, plants and vertebrates, wood fossils but little has been published about these fossils (Pickford 1995).

Such fossil records span from the Permian period (299 ma) to Pliocene before the onset of the Pleistocene period. These were harvested in sandy substrate that retains water, in pans, calcareous and silicified sand, sandstone, grit and duricrusts (Ibid 1991).

4.6.2 Local Archaeological Setting and Recommendation

In the absence of field-based assessment being undertaken, it is likely that the general area around the EPL area may have archaeological resources that are protected by the National Heritage Act, 2004 (Act No. 27 of 2004) under the National Heritage Council of Namibia. The EPL area is likely to have evidence from the early colonial period related to a combination, trade, missionary and indigenous tribes’ activities. The following are the key recommended actions related to archaeology in the EPL Area:

(i) The exploration team should be made aware that under the National Heritage Act, 2004 (Act No. 27 of 2004) any items protected under the definition of heritage found in the course of the prospecting process should be reported to the National Heritage Council.

(ii) The chance finds procedure as outlined in the EMP must be always implemented, and.

(iii) Detailed field survey should be carried out if suspected archaeological resources or major natural cavities / shelters have been unearthed during the prospecting process.

4.7 Public Consultations and Engagement

4.7.1 Overview

In line with the provisions of the regulations, the public notices as shown in Figs. 4.13 - 4.15 were published in the local newspapers during the months of February and March 2021. Public Notice were published in three (3) newspaper for three (3) weeks (21 day) period for public consultation starting from Friday 5th February 2021 to Friday 5th March 2021. The closing date for registration and submission of written objections, comments, inputs to the environmental assessment process was extended to Friday 19th March 2021 to allow for the land owners who have been contacted via NamPost Letter boxes to submit their inputs to the proposed prospecting activities (Annex 3).

4.7.2 Public and Stakeholder Consultation Outcomes

Through the newspaper advertisements as shown in Figs. 4.13 - 4.15 the public were invited to submit written comments / inputs / objections with respect to the proposed minerals exploration activities in the EPL 7828. Farmers / land owners were contacted via NamPost post boxes as provided by the Deed Office (Annex 3).

A stakeholder register was opened and despite telephonic inquiries with respect to contracts and employment opportunities, no written comments / inputs / objections were received during the months of February and March that were dedicated for public and stakeholders consultations (Annex 3).

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 37 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

Figure 4.13: Copy of the public notice that was published in the New Era Newspaper dated 5th February 2021.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 38 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

Figure 4.14: Copy of the public notice that was published in the Confidente newspaper dated 18th – 24th February 2021.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 39 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

Figure 4.15: Copy of the public notice that was published in the Windhoek Observer newspaper dated Friday, 12th March 2021.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 40 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 5. IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND RESULTS

5.1 Impact Assessment Procedure and Alternatives

The environmental monitoring and assessment process that has been undertaken with respect to the proposed exploration programme for the EPL No. 7828 has been conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations No. 30 of 2012 gazetted under the Environmental Management Act, (EMA), 2007, (Act No. 7 of 2007).

The following alternatives have been considered:

(i) EPL Location: Several potential economic minerals deposits are known to exist in the general area and linked to the regional geology of the EPL area. The Proponent intend to explore / prospect for all the licensed minerals groups likely to be associated with the regional and local geology. The minerals occurrences are site-specific and related to the regional and local geology of a specific area to which there are no alternatives sites to consider with respect to the license location. The only other alternative is the no-action option (no exploration activities are implemented in a specific area).

(ii) The No-Action Alternative - A comparative assessment of the environmental impacts of the ‘no-action’ alternative (a future in which the proposed exploration activities do not take place) has been undertake. An assessment of the environmental impacts of a future, in which the proposed exploration and possible discovery of economic minerals resources does not take place, may be good for the receiving environment because there will be no negative environmental impacts due to the proposed minerals exploration or possible mining operation that may take place in the EPL area. The environmental benefits will include:

❖ No negative impacts because of no mineral exploration taking place, and.

❖ No potential future mining related negative environmental impact on the receiving environment in an event of a discovery of economic minerals resources within the EPL area.

However, it is important to understand that even if the proposed exploration activities do not take place, to which the likely negative environmental impacts are likely to be low and localised, Climate Change and the other current and future land uses such as agriculture and tourism will still have some negative impacts on the receiving environment. The likely negative environmental impacts of the other current and future land use that may still happen in the absence of the proposed minerals exploration activities includes:

❖ Land degradation due to drought.

❖ Overgrazing / over stocking beyond the land carrying capacity.

❖ Wildfires and droughts.

❖ Poor land management practices, and.

❖ Erosion and overgrazing.

Kraals, pit latrines and chemical leaching from agricultures are some of the major point sources of water pollution in many parts of Namibia. Furthermore, it is also important to understand what benefits might be lost if the proposed exploration activities do not take place. Key loses that may never be realised if the proposed project activities do not go- ahead include: Loss of potential added value to the unknown underground minerals

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 41 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 resources that may occur within the EPL area, socioeconomic benefits derived from current and future exploration, direct and indirect contracts and employment opportunities, foreign direct investments, license rental fees, royalties, and various other taxes payable to the Government.

(iii) Other Alternative Land Uses: The EPL area fall within the commercial agricultural land uses area dominated by small stock farming. Minerals exploration activities are well known land uses options in Namibia. Due to the limited scope of the proposed exploration and the implementation of the EMP, it is likely that the proposed exploration can coexist with the current land uses especially if key and other sensitive land uses such as core conservation, tourism or archaeological resources areas falling within the EPL area are excluded from the proposed minerals exploration activities in consultation with the land owners.

(iv) Potential Land Use Conflicts: Considering the current land use practices (agriculture and tourism) as well as potential other land uses including minerals exploration, it is likely that the proposed exploration activities in the general area can still co-exist with the existing and potential future land use options. Where other key sensitive land uses such as core conservation, tourism, or archaeological resources areas falling within the EPL boundary are identified, these environmental sensitive areas shall be excluded from the proposed minerals exploration activities. Much more detailed assessments of any likely visual and other socioeconomic impacts will need to be included in the EIA that must be undertaken as part of the prefeasibility and feasibility studies if economic minerals resources are discovered in the general surrounding areas. The use of thematic mapping and delineation of various land use zones for specific uses such as agriculture, conservation, exploration or tourism etc, within the EPL area will greatly improve the multiple land use practices and promote coexistence for all the possible land use options.

(v) Ecosystem Function (What the Ecosystem Does): There are wildlife habitats, carbon cycling or the trapping of nutrients and characterised by the physical, chemical, and biological processes or attributes that contribute to the self-maintenance of an ecosystem in this area. Although the proposed exploration activities are unlikely to affect the ecosystem function due to the limited scope and the fact that the ecosystem of this EPL area is part of the larger local and regional ecosystems which are all interlinked, where possible the key and core conservation, tourism, or archaeological resources areas falling within the EPL area shall be excluded from the proposed minerals exploration activities in consultation with the land owners.

(vi) Ecosystem Services: Food chain, harvesting of animals or plants, and the provision of clean water or scenic views are some of the local ecosystem services associated with the EPL area. Although the proposed exploration activities are unlikely to affect the ecosystem services due to the limited and likely localised scope and the fact that the ecosystem of this EPL area is part of the larger local and regional ecosystems which are all interlinked. In consultation with the land owners and where other key sensitive land uses such as core conservation, tourism, or archaeological resources areas falling within the EPL boundary are identified, these environmental sensitive areas shall be excluded from the proposed minerals exploration activities.

(vii) Use Values: The EPL area has direct use for other land uses such as agriculture, conservation, and tourism as well as indirect include watching a television show about the general area and its wildlife, food chain linkages that sustains the complex life within this area and bequest value for future generations to enjoy. The proposed exploration activities will not destroy the current use values due to the limited scope of the proposed activities as well as the adherence to the provisions of the EMP report, and.

(viii) Non-Use or Passive Use: The EPL area has an existence value that is not linked to the direct use / benefits to current or future generations. The proposed exploration activities will not affect ecosystem current or future none or passive uses due to the limited scope of the Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 42 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 proposed activities that will leave much of the EPL area untouched because the ecosystem of this EPL area is part of the larger local and regional ecosystems which are all interlinked.

5.2 Key Issues Considered in the Assessment Process

5.2.1 Sources of Impacts (Proposed Project Activities)

The proposed exploration activities being undertaken and as assessed in this EIA Report with mitigation measures provided in the EMP Report are as follows:

(i) Initial desktop exploration activities (no field-work undertaken).

(ii) Regional reconnaissance field-based mapping and sampling activities (Subject to the positive results of (i).

(iii) Initial local field-based mapping and sampling activities (Subject to the positive results of (i) and (ii) above),

(iv) Detailed local field-based activities such as local geological mapping, geochemical mapping and sampling, trenching and drilling of closely spaced boreholes and bulk sampling (Subject to the positive results of (i) - (iii) above), and.

(v) Prefeasibility and feasibility studies (Subject to the positive results of (i) - (iv) above).

5.2.2 Summary of Receptors Likely to be Negative Impacted

Based on the finding of this EIA Report, the following is the summary of the key environmental receptors that are may be negatively impacted by the proposed activities:

❖ Physical environment: Water quality, physical infrastructure and resources, air quality, noise and dust, landscape and topography, soil quality and, Climate change influences.

❖ Biological environment: Habitat, protected areas and resources, flora, fauna, and ecosystem functions, services, use values and non-use or passive use, and.

❖ Socioeconomic, cultural, and archaeological environment: Local, regional, and national socioeconomic settings, agriculture, conservation, eco-tourism, and recreation cultural, biological and archaeological resources.

5.3 Impact Assessment Methodology

5.3.1 Impact Definition

In this EIA Report, a natural and/or human environmental impact is defined as: “Change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organisation’s environmental aspects.” (ISO 14001).

All proposed project activities (routine and non-routine) were considered during the Scoping, EIA and EMP Phases in terms of their potential to:

❖ Interact with the existing environment (physical, biological and social elements), and.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 43 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 ❖ Breach relevant national legislation, relevant international legislation, standards and guidelines, and corporate environmental policy and management systems.

Where a project activity and receptor were considered to have the potential to interact, the impact has been defined and ranked according to its significance. Table 5.1 provides the definition of different categories of impacts identified and used in this report.

This EIA Report has assessed the potential impacts resulting from routine Project activities, assuming that the Project activities that may cause an impact that will occur but the impact itself will be dependent on the likelihood (Probability) (Table 5.2).

Correct control measures through the implementation of the EMP and monitoring thereof, often reduce any negative significant impacts on the receiving environment as the results of the project activities. The assessment therefore, has focussed on the measures aimed at preventing the occurrence of an impact as well as mitigation measures that may be employed.

The overall impact severity has been categorised using a semi-quantitative subjective scale as shown in Table 5.2 for sensitivity of receptors, Table 5.3 for magnitude, Table 5.4 for duration, Table 5.5 for extent and Table 5.6 showing probability.

Table 5.1: Definition of impact categories used in this report.

Rating Definition of Rating Status of the Impact – in terms of meeting the objective of maintaining a healthy environment. Positive The impact benefits the environment Negative The impact results in a cost to the environment Neutral The impact has no effect Probability – the likelihood of the impact occurring Negligible Possibility negligible Improbable Possibility very low Probable Distinct possibility Highly Probable Most likely Definite Impact will occur regardless of preventive measures Degree of confidence in predictions – in terms of basing the assessment on available information Low Assessment based on extrapolated data Medium Information base available but lacking High Information base comparatively reliable Extent – the area over which the impact will be experienced Site specific Confined to within < 1 km of the project Local Confined to the study area or within 5 km of the project Regional Confined to the region, i.e. > 5 km but < National National Nationally International Beyond the borders of Namibia Duration – the time frame for which the impact will be experienced Very short Less than 2 years Short-term 2 to 5 years Medium-term 6 to 15 years Long-term More than 15 years Permanent Generations Intensity – the magnitude of the impact in relation to the sensitivity of the receiving environment Natural functions and processes are negligibly altered due to adaptation by the receptor(s) to Negligible high natural environmental variability Natural functions and processes continue albeit in a modified way that does not appear to Mild have a significant disruptive effect (i.e. changes are temporary) Natural functions and processes continue albeit in a modified way that does appear to have a Moderate noticeable disruptive effect (i.e. changes are permanent) Natural functions or processes are altered to the extent that they temporarily cease resulting in Severe severe deterioration of the impacted environment Very Severe Natural functions or processes permanently cease or are completely disrupted

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 44 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 5.3.2 Sensitivity of Receptors

Potential environmental and social effects were assessed in relation to the baseline conditions, i.e. the conditions that would prevail should the project not proceed. For the purpose of this assessment, receptors are defined as elements of the natural or human environment which may interact with, or be interacted by, the project. Baseline conditions are those that existed at the time of the assessment. Impact identification will be considered in terms of receptors and resources sensitive to changes:

❖ Resources will be defined as biophysical features, which include flora, fauna, water, landscape, seascape, cultural heritage sites, infrastructure and service facilities, among others, and.

❖ Receptors will comprise human beings, either individually or collectively, and the socio- economic systems on which they depend, such as communities and local or regional economies.

It is recognised that some receptors and resources may be more vulnerable to change or to have greater importance than others. Within the Project Area of Influence, the importance and sensitivity of receptors (physical, biological and human) was determined based on professional judgement and taking into account:

❖ Relevant legislative or policy standards or guidelines.

❖ Relative importance/value assigned to existing social or environmental features and receptors.

❖ Capacity of the receptor to absorb change, and.

❖ Capacity of the receptor to recover from change.

In evaluating the severity of potential environmental impacts, the following factors have been taken into consideration:

❖ Receptor/ Resource Characteristics: The nature, importance and sensitivity to change of the receptors / target or resources that could be affected.

❖ Impact Magnitude: The magnitude of the change that is induced.

❖ Impact Duration: The time period over which the impact is expected to last.

❖ Impact Extent: The geographical extent of the induced change.

❖ Probability of Occurrence: Chance of an impact occurring, and.

❖ Regulations, Standards and Guidelines: The status of the impact in relation to regulations (e.g. discharge limits), standards (e.g. environmental quality criteria) and guidelines.

The overall impact severity has been categorised using a semi-quantitative subjective scale as shown in Table 5.2 for sensitivity of receptors, Table 5.3 for magnitude, Table 5.4 for duration, Table 5.5 for extent and Table 5.6 showing probability.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 45 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.2: Definitions used for determining the sensitivity of receptors.

SENSITIVITY RATING CRITERIA

The receptor or resource is resistant to change or is of little environmental 1 Negligible value.

2 Low The receptor or resource is tolerant of change without detriment to its character, is of low environmental or social value, or is of local importance.

The receptor or resource has low capacity to absorb change without fundamentally altering its present character, is of high environmental or social 3 Medium value, or is of national importance

The receptor or resource has moderate capacity to absorb change without significantly altering its present character, has some environmental or 4 High social value, or is of district/regional importance.

The receptor or resource has little or no capacity to absorb change without fundamentally altering its present character, is of very high 5 Very High environmental or social value, or is of international importance.

Table 5.3: Scored on a scale from 0 to 5 for impact magnitude.

SCALE (-) or (+) DESCRIPTION 0 no observable effect 1 low effect 2 tolerable effect 3 medium high effect 4 high effect 5 very high effect (devastation)

Table 5.4: Scored time period (duration) over which the impact is expected to last.

SCALE (-) or (+) DESCRIPTION T Temporary P Permanent

Table 5.5: Scored geographical extent of the induced change.

SCALE (-) or (+) DESCRIPTION L limited impact on location O impact of importance for municipality. R impact of regional character N impact of national character M impact of cross-border character

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 46 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 5.3.3 Likelihood (Probability) of Occurrence

The likelihood (probability) of the pre-identified events occurring has been ascribed using a qualitative scale of probability categories (in increasing order of likelihood) as shown in Table 5.6. Likelihood is estimated based on experience and/ or evidence that such an outcome has previously occurred. Impacts resulting from routine/planned events (i.e., normal operations) are classified under category (E).

Table 5.6: Summary of the qualitative scale of probability categories (in increasing order of likelihood).

SCALE (-) or (+) DESCRIPTION A Extremely unlikely (e.g. never heard of in the industry) B Unlikely (e.g. heard of in the industry but considered unlikely) C Low likelihood (egg such incidents/impacts have occurred but are uncommon) D Medium likelihood (e.g. such incidents/impacts occur several times per year within the industry) E High likelihood (e.g. such incidents/impacts occurs several times per year at each location where such works are undertaken)

5.3.4 Project Activities Summary of Impacts Results

The results of the impacts assessment and evaluation has adopted a matrix framework similar to the Leopold matrix. Assessment results of the magnitude, duration, extent and probability of the potential impacts due to the proposed project activities interacting with the receiving environment are presented in form of a matrix table as shown in Tables 5.7-5.10.

The overall severity of potential environmental impacts of the proposed project activities on the receiving environment will be of low magnitude (Table 5.8), temporally duration (Table 5.8), localised extent (Table 5.9) and low probability of occurrence (Table 5.10) due to the limited scope of the proposed activities and the use of step progression approach in advancing exploration.

The step progressional approach will allow the proponent to the results of exploration success and the implementation of the next stage of exploration will be subject to the positive outcomes of previous activities as graded (Tables 5.7-5.10).

It is important to note that the assessment of the likely impacts as shown in Tables 5.7 - 5.10, have been considered without the implementation of mitigation measures detailed in the EMP Report.

The need for implementation of the appropriate mitigation measures as presented in the EMP Report has been determined based on the results of the impact assessment (Tables 5.7 - 5.10) and the significant impacts as detailed in Tables 5.11 and 5.12.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 47 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.7: Results of the scored on a scale from 0 to 5 for negative impact magnitude.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use ( Natural Socioeconomic Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Fauna Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) and Surface societies and Function, Built Environment Water, communities Use and (Houses, Roads, Groundwater, matters Non Use Transport Dust Noise, Values EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES Systems, Waste Water STAGES Buildings, Management, Infrastructure Solid Waste Management (i) General evaluation of the EPL area covering satellite, topographic, land tenure, accessibility, supporting -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 infrastructures and socioeconomic environment (ii) Purchase and analysis of existing Government high resolution magnetics and radiometric geophysical data -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 1. INITIAL DESKTOP (iii) Purchase and analysis of existing Government aerial EXPLORATION hyperspectral data if available -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 ACTIVITIES (iv) Interpretation of the results and delineating of potential targets for future reconnaissance regional field-based -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 activities if potential targets have been delineated (i) Regional geological, topographical and remote sensing mapping and data analysis -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 (ii) Regional geochemical sampling aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the initial exploration and regional geological, topographical and -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 2. REGIONAL remote sensing mapping and analysis undertaken RECONNAISSANCE (iii) Regional geological mapping aimed at identifying

FIELD-BASED possible targeted based on the results of the initial SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT ACTIVITIES exploration and regional geological, topographical and -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 remote sensing mapping and analysis undertaken (iv) Limited field-based support and logistical activities including exploration camp site lasting between one (1) -2 -2 +2 -2 -2 -2 -2 to two (2) days (v) Laboratory analysis of the samples collected and interpretation of the results and delineating of potential targets for future detailed site-specific exploration if the -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 results are positive and supports further exploration of the delineated targets

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 48 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.7: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use ( Natural Socioeconomic Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) Surface Water, societies and Function, and Built Groundwater, communities Use and Non Environment Dust Noise, matters Use Values (Houses, Roads, Waste Water Transport Management, Systems, Solid Waste Buildings, Management EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES Infrastructure STAGES (i) Local geochemical sampling aimed at verifying the prospectivity of the target/s delineated during regional -2 -0 +0 -2 -2 -2 -2 geochemical sampling and analysis undertaken (ii) Local geological mapping aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the regional geological and -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 analysis undertaken (iii) Ground geophysical survey (Subject to the positive outcomes of i and ii above) -2 -2 +2 -2 -2 -2 -2 3. INITIAL LOCAL (iv) Possible Trenching (Subject to the outcomes of i - iii above) -2 -2 +2 -2 -2 -2 -2 FIELD-BASED ACTIVITIES (v) Field-based support and logistical activities will be very limited because the local field-based activities will only focus IMPACT on a site-specific area for a very short time (maximum five -2 -2 +2 -2 -2 -2 -2 (5) days) (vi) Laboratory analysis of the samples collected and interpretation of the results and delineating of potential

SOURCESOF POTENTIAL targets for future detailed site-specific exploration if the -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 results are positive and supports further exploration of the delineated targets

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 49 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.7: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES)

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment –Air Characteristics Mining, Tourism, Quality, Surface of the local Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem Conservation) Water, societies and and Built Groundwater, communities [Services, Environment Dust Noise, matters Function, (Houses, Roads, Waste Water Use and Non Transport Management, Use Values Systems, Solid Waste Buildings, Management Infrastructure EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES

STAGES

(i) Local geochemical sampling aimed at verifying the prospectivity of the target/s delineated during regional -1 -1 +1 -1 -1 -1 -1 geochemical sampling and analysis undertaken (ii) Local geological mapping aimed at identifying possible -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 targeted based on the results of the regional geological and analysis undertaken (iii) Ground geophysical survey (Subject to the positive -2 -2 +2 -2 -2 -2 -2 outcomes of i and ii above). (iv) Possible Trenching (Subject to the outcomes of i - iii -2 -2 +2 -2 -2 -2 -2 above) (v) Drilling of boreholes (Subject to the outcomes of i - vi -3 -3 +3 -3 -3 -3 -3 above) 4. DETAILED (vi) Sampling (Subject to the outcomes of i -vi above) LOCAL FIELD- -3 -3 +3 -3 -3 -3 -3 BASED ACTIVITIES (vii) Access preparation and related logistics to support -3 -3 +3 -3 -3 -3 -3

SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT activities (viii) Laboratory analysis’s of collected samples -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 50 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.7: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Land Use ( Natural Socioeconomic -

Exploration and Environment –Air Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem

Mining, Tourism, Quality, Surface of the local [Services,

Conservation) Water, societies and Function,

and Built Groundwater, communities Use and Non

Environment Dust Noise, matters Use Values

(Houses, Roads, Waste Water

Transport Management,

Systems, Solid Waste

Buildings, Management EXPLORATION STAGES ACTIVITIES Infrastructure (i) Detailed site-specific surveys

-0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 (ii) Detailed geological mapping -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 (iii) Additional detailed drilling and bulk sampling and testing -2 -0 +3 -3 -3 -3 -3 (iv) Ore reserve calculations -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 (v) Geotechnical studies for mine design -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 (vi) Detailing technical viability studies including forecasts of -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 estimated expenditure and financial (vii) Mine planning and designs including all supporting

infrastructures (water, energy and access -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 (viii) Environmental Impact Assessment for mining -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 (ix) Environmental Management Plan for mining -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 5. PREFEASIBILITY (x) Test mining activities -4 -4 +4 -4 -4 -4 -4 AND FEASIBILITY (xi) Preparation of feasibility report and application for STUDIES Mining License -0 -0 +0 -0 -0 -0 -0 (xii) Field-based support and logistical activities will be very extensive because the local field-based activities will on -3 -3 +3 -3 -3 -3 -3 SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT a specific area for a very long time (up to one year or more in some instances)

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 51 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.8: Results of the scored time period over which the impact is expected to last.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Fauna Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) and Surface Water, societies and Function, Built Environment Groundwater, communities Use and Non (Houses, Roads, Dust Noise, matters Use Values EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES Transport Waste Water Systems, Management, STAGES Buildings, Solid Waste Infrastructure Management (i) General evaluation of the EPL area covering satellite,

topographic, land tenure, accessibility, supporting -T -T +T -T -T -T -T infrastructures and socioeconomic environment (ii) Purchase and analysis of existing Government high resolution magnetics and radiometric geophysical -T -T +T -T -T -T -T 1. INITIAL DESKTOP data EXPLORATION (iii) Purchase and analysis of existing Government aerial ACTIVITIES hyperspectral data if available -T -T +T -T -T -T -T (iv) Interpretation of the results and delineating of potential targets for future reconnaissance regional field-based activities if potential targets have been -T -T +T -T -T -T -T delineated (i) Regional geological, topographical and remote sensing mapping and data analysis -T -T +T -T -T -T -T (ii) Regional geochemical sampling aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the initial exploration and regional geological, topographical and -T -T +T -T -T -T -T 2. REGIONAL remote sensing mapping and analysis undertaken RECONNAISSANCE (iii) Regional geological mapping aimed at identifying SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT FIELD-BASED possible targeted based on the results of the initial ACTIVITIES exploration and regional geological, topographical and -T -T +T -T -T -T -T remote sensing mapping and analysis undertaken (iv) Limited field-based support and logistical activities including exploration camp site lasting between one (1) -T -T +T -T -T -T -T to two (2) days (v) Laboratory analysis of the samples collected and interpretation of the results and delineating of potential targets for future detailed site-specific exploration if the -T -T +T -T -T -T -T results are positive and supports further exploration of the delineated targets

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 52 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.8: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Agriculture, Environment – Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) Surface Water, societies and Function, and Built Groundwater, communities Use and Non Environment Dust Noise, matters Use Values EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES (Houses, Roads, Waste Water STAGES Transport Management, Systems, Solid Waste Buildings, Management Infrastructure (i) Local geochemical sampling aimed at verifying the prospectivity of the target/s delineated during regional -T -T +T -T -T -T -T geochemical sampling and analysis undertaken (ii) Local geological mapping aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the regional geological and -T -T +T -T -T -T -T analysis undertaken

(iii) Ground geophysical survey (Subject to the positive

outcomes of i and ii above) -T -T +T -T -T -T -T INITIAL LOCAL 3. (iv) Possible Trenching (Subject to the outcomes of i - iii above) FIELD-BASED -T -T +T -T -T -T -T ACTIVITIES (v) Field-based support and logistical activities will be very limited because the local field-based activities will only focus IMPACT on a site-specific area for a very short time (maximum five -T -T +T -T -T -T -T (5) days) (vi) Laboratory analysis of the samples collected and interpretation of the results and delineating of potential

SOURCESOF POTENTIAL targets for future detailed site-specific exploration if the -T -T +T -T -T -T -T results are positive and supports further exploration of the delineated targets

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 53 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.8: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) Surface Water, societies and Flora Flora Habitat Function, and Built Groundwater, communities Use and Non

EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES Environment Dust Noise, matters Use Values

STAGES (Houses, Roads, Waste Water Transport Management, Systems, Solid Waste Buildings, Management Infrastructure (i) Local geochemical sampling aimed at verifying the prospectivity of the target/s delineated during regional -T -T +T -T -T -T -T geochemical sampling and analysis undertaken (ii) Local geological mapping aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the regional geological and -T -T +T -T -T -T -T analysis undertaken

4. DETAILED (iii) Ground geophysical survey (Subject to the positive -T -T +T -T -T -T -T LOCAL FIELD- outcomes of i and ii above). BASED (iv) Possible Trenching (Subject to the outcomes of i - iii above) -T -T +T -T -T -T -T ACTIVITIES (v) Drilling boreholes (Subject to the outcomes of i - vi above) -T -T +T -T -T -T -T

(vi) Bulk Sampling (Subject to the outcomes of i -vi above) -P -P +P -P -P -P -P (vii) Access preparation and related logistics to support activities

SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT -T -T +T -T -T -T -T (viii) Laboratory analysis’s of collected samples -T -T +T -T -T -T -T

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 54 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.8: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) and Surface societies and Function, EXPLORATION STAGES ACTIVITIES Built Environment Water, communities Use and Non (Houses, Roads, Groundwater, matters Use Values Transport Dust Noise, Systems, Waste Water Buildings, Management, Infrastructure Solid Waste Management (i) Detailed site-specific surveys -T -T +T -T -T -T -T

(ii) Detailed geological mapping -T -T +T -T -T -T -T (iii) Additional detailed drilling and bulk sampling and testing -T -T +T -T -T -T -T (iv) Ore reserve calculations -T -T +T -T -T -T -T (v) Geotechnical studies for mine design -T -T +T -T -T -T -T (vi) Detailing technical viability studies including forecasts of -T -T +T -T -T -T -T estimated expenditure and financial (vii) Mine planning and designs including all supporting

infrastructures (water, energy and access -T -T +T -T -T -T -T

(viii) Environmental Impact Assessment for mining -T -T +T -T -T -T -T

(ix) Environmental Management Plan for mining -T -T +T -T -T -T -T 5. PREFEASIBILITY (x) Test mining activities -P -P +P -P -P -P -P AND FEASIBILITY (xi) Preparation of feasibility report and application for Mining STUDIES License -T -T +T -T -T -T -T (xii) Field-based support and logistical activities will be very extensive because the local field-based activities will on a -T -T +T -T -T -T -T SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT specific area for a very long time (up to one year or more in some instances)

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 55 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.9: Results of the scored geographical extent of the induced change.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Fauna Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) and Surface societies and Function, Built Environment Water, communities Use and Non (Houses, Roads, Groundwater, matters Use Values Transport Dust Noise, Systems, Waste Water EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES Buildings, Management, STAGES Infrastructure Solid Waste Management

(i) General evaluation of the EPL area covering satellite,

topographic, land tenure, accessibility, supporting -L -L +L -L -L -L -L infrastructures and socioeconomic environment (ii) Purchase and analysis of existing Government high 1. INITIAL DESKTOP resolution magnetics and radiometric geophysical data -L -L +L -L -L -L -L EXPLORATION (iii) Purchase and analysis of existing Government aerial ACTIVITIES hyperspectral data if available -L -L +L -L -L -L -L (iv) Interpretation of the results and delineating of potential targets for future reconnaissance regional field-based -L -L +L -L -L -L -L activities if potential targets have been delineated (i) Regional geological, topographical and remote sensing mapping and data analysis -L -L +L -L -L -L -L (ii) Regional geochemical sampling aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the initial exploration and regional geological, topographical and -L -L +L -L -L -L -L 2. REGIONAL remote sensing mapping and analysis undertaken RECONNAISSANCE (iii) Regional geological mapping aimed at identifying FIELD-BASED possible targeted based on the results of the initial -L -L +L -L -L -L -L

SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT ACTIVITIES exploration and regional geological, topographical and remote sensing mapping and analysis undertaken (iv) Limited field-based support and logistical activities including exploration camp site lasting between one (1) -L -L +L -L -L -L -L to two (2) days (v) Laboratory analysis of the samples collected and interpretation of the results and delineating of potential targets for future detailed site-specific exploration if the -L -L +L -L -L -L -L results are positive and supports further exploration of the delineated targets

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 56 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.9: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem Mining, , Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) and Surface societies and Function, Built Environment Water, communities Use and Non (Houses, Roads, Groundwater, matters Use Values Transport Dust Noise, Systems, Waste Water Buildings, Management, EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES Infrastructure Solid Waste STAGES Management (i) Local geochemical sampling aimed at verifying the prospectivity of the target/s delineated during regional -L -L +L -L -L -L -L geochemical sampling and analysis undertaken (ii) Local geological mapping aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the regional geological and -L -L +L -L -L -L -L analysis undertaken

(iii) Ground geophysical survey (Subject to the positive outcomes of i and ii above) -L -L +L -L -L -L -L 3. INITIAL LOCAL FIELD-BASED (iv) Possible Trenching (Subject to the outcomes of i - iii above) -L -L +L -L -L -L -L ACTIVITIES (v) Field-based support and logistical activities will be very limited because the local field-based activities will only focus IMPACT on a site-specific area for a very short time (maximum five -L -L +L -L -L -L -L (5) days) (vi) Laboratory analysis of the samples collected and interpretation of the results and delineating of potential

SOURCESOF POTENTIAL targets for future detailed site-specific exploration if the -L -L +L -L -L -L -L results are positive and supports further exploration of the delineated targets

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 57 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.9: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) and Surface societies and Function, Built Environment Water, communities Use and Non (Houses, Roads, Groundwater, matters Use Values Transport Dust Noise, Systems, Waste Water Buildings, Management, EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES Infrastructure Solid Waste STAGES Management etc (i) Local geochemical sampling aimed at verifying the prospectivity of the target/s delineated during regional -L -L +L -L -L -L -L geochemical sampling and analysis undertaken

(ii) Local geological mapping aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the regional geological and -L -L +L -L -L -L -L analysis undertaken 4. DETAILED (iii) Ground geophysical survey (Subject to the positive -L -L +L -L -L -L -L IMPACT LOCAL FIELD- outcomes of i and ii above). BASED (iv) Possible Trenching (Subject to the outcomes of i - iii above) -L -L +L -L -L -L -L ACTIVITIES (v) Drilling boreholes (Subject to the outcomes of i - vi above) -L -L +L -L -L -L -L (vi) Bulk Sampling (Subject to the outcomes of i -vi above) -L -L +L -L -L -L -L SOURCESOF POTENTIAL (vii) Access preparation and related logistics to support activities -L -L +L -L -L -L -L (viii) Laboratory analysis’s of collected samples -L -L +L -L -L -L -L

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 58 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.9: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) Surface Water, societies and Function, and Built Groundwater, communities Use and Non Environment Dust Noise, matters Use Values (Houses, Roads, Waste Water Transport Management, EXPLORATION STAGES ACTIVITIES Systems, Solid Waste Buildings, Management etc Infrastructure (i) Detailed site-specific surveys

-L -L +L -L -L -L -L (ii) Detailed geological mapping -L -L +L -L -L -L -L (iii) Additional detailed drilling and bulk sampling and testing -L -L +L -L -L -L -L (iv) Ore reserve calculations -L -L +L -L -L -L -L (v) Geotechnical studies for mine design -L -L +L -L -L -L -L (vi) Detailing technical viability studies including forecasts of -L -L +L -L -L -L -L estimated expenditure and financial (vii) Mine planning and designs including all supporting

infrastructures (water, energy and access -L -L +L -L -L -L -L (viii) Environmental Impact Assessment for mining -L -L +L -L -L -L -L (ix) Environmental Management Plan for mining -L -L +L -L -L -L -L 5. PREFEASIBILITY (x) Test mining activities -L -L +L -L -L -L -L AND FEASIBILITY (xi) Preparation of feasibility report and application for STUDIES Mining License -L -L +L -L -L -L -L (xii) Field-based support and logistical activities will be very extensive because the local field-based activities will on -L -L +L -L -L -L -L SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT a specific area for a very long time (up to one year or more in some instances)

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 59 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.10: Results of the qualitative scale of probability occurrence.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Fauna Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) Surface Water, societies and Function, and Built Groundwater, communities Use and Non Environment Dust Noise, matters Use Values (Houses, Roads, Waste Water Transport Management, Systems, Solid Waste EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES Buildings, Management etc STAGES Infrastructure (i) General evaluation of the EPL area covering satellite, topographic, land tenure, accessibility, supporting -A -A +A -A -A -A -A infrastructures and socioeconomic environment (ii) Purchase and analysis of existing Government high resolution magnetics and radiometric geophysical data -A -A +A -A -A -A -A 1. INITIAL DESKTOP (iii) Purchase and analysis of existing Government aerial EXPLORATION hyperspectral data if available -A -A +A -A -A -A -A ACTIVITIES (iv) Interpretation of the results and delineating of potential targets for future reconnaissance regional field-based -A -A +A -A -A -A -A activities if potential targets have been delineated (i) Regional geological, topographical and remote sensing mapping and data analysis -A -A +A -A -A -A -A (ii) Regional geochemical sampling aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the initial exploration and regional geological, topographical and -A -A +A -A -A -A -A 2. REGIONAL remote sensing mapping and analysis undertaken RECONNAISSANCE (iii) Regional geological mapping aimed at identifying FIELD-BASED possible targeted based on the results of the initial ACTIVITIES exploration and regional geological, topographical and -A -A +A -A -A -A -A SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT remote sensing mapping and analysis undertaken (iv) Limited field-based support and logistical activities including exploration camp site lasting between one (1) -A -A +A -A -A -A -A to two (2) days (v) Laboratory analysis of the samples collected and interpretation of the results and delineating of potential targets for future detailed site-specific exploration if the -A -A +A -A -A -A -A results are positive and supports further exploration of the delineated targets

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 60 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.10: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) Surface Water, societies and Function, and Built Groundwater, communities Use and Non Environment Dust Noise, matters Use Values (Houses, Roads, Waste Water Transport Management, Systems, Solid Waste Buildings, Management etc Infrastructure

EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES STAGES (i) Local geochemical sampling aimed at verifying the prospectivity of the target/s delineated during regional -C -C +C -C -C -C -C geochemical sampling and analysis undertaken (ii) Local geological mapping aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the regional geological and -A -A +A -A -A -A -A analysis undertaken

(iii) Ground geophysical survey (Subject to the positive outcomes of i and ii above) -C -C +C -C -C -C -C 3. INITIAL LOCAL FIELD-BASED (iv) Possible Trenching (Subject to the outcomes of i - iii above) -C -C +C -C -C -C -C ACTIVITIES (v) Field-based support and logistical activities will be very limited because the local field-based activities will only focus IMPACT on a site-specific area for a very short time (maximum five -C -C +C -C -C -C -C (5) days) (vi) Laboratory analysis of the samples collected and interpretation of the results and delineating of potential

SOURCESOF POTENTIAL targets for future detailed site-specific exploration if the -A -A +A -A -A -A -A results are positive and supports further exploration of the delineated targets

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 61 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.10: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) Surface Water, societies and Function, and Built Groundwater, communities Use and Non Environment Dust Noise, matters Use Values (Houses, Roads, Waste Water Transport Management, Systems, Solid Waste Buildings, Management etc Infrastructure

EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES STAGES (i) Local geochemical sampling aimed at verifying the prospectivity of the target/s delineated during regional -C -C +C -C -C -C -C geochemical sampling and analysis undertaken (ii) Local geological mapping aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the regional geological and -A -A +A -A -A -A -A analysis undertaken

(iii) Ground geophysical survey (Subject to the positive 4. DETAILED outcomes of i and ii above). LOCAL FIELD- -C -C +C -C -C -C -C BASED ACTIVITIES (iv) Possible Trenching (Subject to the outcomes of i - iii above) -C -C +C -C -C -C -C

(v) Drilling boreholes (Subject to the outcomes of i - vi above) -C -C +C -C -C -C -C

(vi) Bulk Sampling (Subject to the outcomes of i -vi above) -C -C +C -C -C -C -C

(vii) Access preparation and related logistics to support activities SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT -C -C +C -C -C -C -C

(viii) Laboratory analysis’s of collected samples -A -A +A -A -A -A -A

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 62 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.10: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) and Surface societies and Function, Built Environment Water, communities Use and Non (Houses, Roads, Groundwater, matters Use Values Transport Dust Noise, Systems, Waste Water Buildings, Management, Infrastructure Solid Waste

Management EXPLORATION STAGES ACTIVITIES etc (i) Detailed site-specific surveys

-B -B +B -B -B -B -B (ii) Detailed geological -A -A +A -A -A -A -A (iii) Additional detailed drilling and bulk sampling and testing D D +D D D D D (iv) Ore reserve calculations -A -A +A -A -A -A -A (v) Geotechnical studies for mine design -A -A +A -A -A -A -A (vi) Detailing technical viability studies including forecasts of -A -A +A -A -A -A -A estimated expenditure and financial (vii) Mine planning and designs including all supporting

infrastructures (water, energy and access -A -A +A -A -A -A -A

(viii) Environmental Impact Assessment for mining -A -A +A -A -A -A -A (ix) Environmental Management Plan for mining -A -A +A -A -A -A -A 5. PREFEASIBILITY (x) Test mining activities -D -D +D -D -D -D -D AND FEASIBILITY (xi) Preparation of feasibility report and application for Mining STUDIES License -A -A +A -A -A -A -A (xii) Field-based support and logistical activities will be very extensive because the local field-based activities will on a -D -D +D -D -D -D -D SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT specific area for a very long time (up to one year or more in some instances)

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 63 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 5.4 Evaluation of Significant Impacts

5.4.1 Overview

The significance of each impact has been determined by assessing the impact severity against the likelihood (probability) of the impact occurring as summarised in the impact significance assessment matrix provided in Table 5.11.

5.1.2 Significance Criteria

Significance criteria for negative/adverse impacts (i.e., relative ranking of importance) are defined in Table 5.11. It is important to note that impacts have been considered without the implementation of mitigation measures.

Table 5.11: Scored impact significance criteria.

IMPACT LIKELIHOOD

Extremely Unlikely Unlikely Low Likelihood Medium Likelihood High Likelihood IMPACT (-) or (+) (-) or (+) (-) or (+) (-) or (+) (-) or (+) SEVERITY [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

Negligible (-) or (+) Negligible Impact Negligible Impact Negligible Impact Negligible Impact Negligible Impact [A0] [A1] [A2] [A3] [A4] [A]

Low

(-) or (+) Negligible to Low Negligible Impact Negligible Impact Negligible Impact Low Impact Impact [B] [B0] [B1] [B2] [B4] [B3]

Medium Low to Medium (-) or (+) Negligible Impact Negligible Impact Low Impact Medium Impact Impact [C0] [C1] [C] [C2] [C4] [C3]

High to High Negligible to Low Low Impact Medium Impact Unacceptable Impact (-) or (+) High Impact Impact [D1] [D2] [D0] [D] [D3] [D4]

5.1.3 Assessment Likely Significant Impacts

The assessment of significant impacts depended upon the degree to which the proposed project activities are likely to results in unwanted consequences on the receptor covering physical and biological environments (Table 5.12). Overall, the assessment of significant impacts has focused on the ecosystem-based approach that considers potential impacts to the ecosystem. The main key sources of impacts that have been used in the determination of significant impacts posed by the proposed minerals exploration comprised activities. Each of the main areas of impact have been identified and assessed as follows:

❖ Positive Impacts are classified under a single category. they are then evaluated qualitatively with a view to their enhancement, if practical.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 64 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 ❖ Negligible or Low Impacts will require little or no additional management or mitigation measures (on the basis that the magnitude of the impact is sufficiently small, or that the receptor is of low sensitivity).

❖ Medium or High Impacts require the adoption of management or mitigation measures.

❖ High Impacts always require further management or mitigation measures to limit or reduce the impact to an acceptable level.

Overall, the results of the significant impact assessment matrix for the proposed minerals exploration activities on the physical and biological environments are shown in Tables 5.12.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 65 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.12: Significant impact assessment matrix for the proposed exploration activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Fauna Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) and Surface societies and Function, Built Environment Water, communities Use and (Houses, Roads, Groundwater, matters Non Use Transport Dust Noise, Values Systems, Waste Water Buildings, Management, EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES Infrastructure Solid Waste STAGES Management (i) General evaluation of the EPL area covering satellite, topographic, land tenure, accessibility, supporting [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] infrastructures and socioeconomic environment (ii) Purchase and analysis of existing Government high resolution magnetics and radiometric geophysical data [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] 1. INITIAL DESKTOP (iii) Purchase and analysis of existing Government aerial EXPLORATION hyperspectral data if available [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] ACTIVITIES (iv) Interpretation of the results and delineating of potential targets for future reconnaissance regional field-based [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] activities if potential targets have been delineated (i) Regional geological, topographical and remote sensing mapping and data analysis [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] (ii) Regional geochemical sampling aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the initial exploration and regional geological, topographical and [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] 2. REGIONAL remote sensing mapping and analysis undertaken RECONNAISSANCE (iii) Regional geological mapping aimed at identifying FIELD-BASED possible targeted based on the results of the initial ACTIVITIES exploration and regional geological, topographical and [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT remote sensing mapping and analysis undertaken (iv) Limited field-based support and logistical activities including exploration camp site lasting between one (1) [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] to two (2) days (v) Laboratory analysis of the samples collected and interpretation of the results and delineating of potential targets for future detailed site-specific exploration if the [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] results are positive and supports further exploration of the delineated targets

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 66 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.12: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) and Surface societies and Function, Built Environment Water, communities Use and Non (Houses, Roads, Groundwater, matters Use Values Transport Dust Noise, Systems, Waste Water Buildings, Management, Infrastructure Solid Waste Management etc

EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES STAGES (i) Local geochemical sampling aimed at verifying the prospectivity of the target/s delineated during regional [-B2] [-B2] [+B2] [-B2] [-B2] [-B2] [-B2] geochemical sampling and analysis undertaken (ii) Local geological mapping aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the regional geological and [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] analysis undertaken

(iii) Ground geophysical survey (Subject to the positive outcomes of i and ii above) [-B2] [-B2] [+B2] [-B2] [-B2] [-B2] [-B2] 3. INITIAL LOCAL FIELD-BASED (iv) Possible Trenching (Subject to the outcomes of i - iii above) [-B2] [-B2] [+B2] [-B2] [-B2] [-B2] [-B2] ACTIVITIES (v) Field-based support and logistical activities will be very limited because the local field-based activities will only focus IMPACT on a site-specific area for a very short time (maximum five [-B2] [-B2] [+B2] [-B2] [-B2] [-B2] [-B2] (5) days) (vi) Laboratory analysis of the samples collected and interpretation of the results and delineating of potential

SOURCESOF POTENTIAL targets for future detailed site-specific exploration if the [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] results are positive and supports further exploration of the delineated targets

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 67 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Table 5.12: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration Environment –Air Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem and Mining, Quality, Surface of the local [Services, Tourism, Water, societies and Function, Conservation) Groundwater, communities Use and Non and Built Dust Noise, matters Use Values Environment Waste Water (Houses, Management, Roads, Solid Waste Transport Management etc Systems, Buildings, Infrastructure EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES STAGES

(i) Local geochemical sampling aimed at verifying the prospectivity of the target/s delineated during regional [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2]

geochemical sampling and analysis undertaken (ii) Local geological mapping aimed at identifying possible targeted based on the results of the regional geological and [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] 4. DETAILED LOCAL FIELD- analysis undertaken BASED (iii) Ground geophysical survey (Subject to the positive ACTIVITIES [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] outcomes of i and ii above). (iv) Possible Trenching (Subject to the outcomes of i - iii above) [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] (v) Drilling boreholes (Subject to the outcomes of i - vi above) [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] (vi) Bulk Sampling (Subject to the outcomes of i -vi above) [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2]

SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT (vii) Access preparation and related logistics to support activities [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] [+D2] (viii) Laboratory analysis’s of collected samples [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0]

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 68 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021

Table 5.12: Cont.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT KEY RECEPTORS / TARGETS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED (RESOURCES) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Land Use Natural Socioeconomic (Exploration and Environment – Characteristics Flora Flora Habitat Ecosystem Mining, Tourism, Air Quality, of the local [Services, Conservation) Surface Water, societies and Function, and Built Groundwater, communities Use and Non Environment Dust Noise, matters Use Values (Houses, Roads, Waste Water Transport Management, Systems, Solid Waste Buildings, Management etc Infrastructure EXPLORATION STAGES ACTIVITIES (i) Detailed site-specific surveys [-B2] [-B2] [+B2] [-B2] [-B2] [-B2] [-B2]

(ii) Detailed geological [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0]

(iii) Additional detailed drilling and bulk sampling and testing [-D3] [-D3] [+D3] [-D3] [-D3] [-D3] [-D3]

(iv) Ore reserve calculations [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0]

(v) Geotechnical studies for mine design [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0]

(vi) Detailing technical viability studies including forecasts of [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] estimated expenditure and financial

(vii) Mine planning and designs including all supporting [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] infrastructures (water, energy and access 5. PREFEASIBILITY (viii) Environmental Impact Assessment for mining AND FEASIBILITY [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] STUDIES (ix) Environmental Management Plan for mining [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] (x) Test mining activities -[D3] -[D3] +[D3] -[D3] -[D3] -[D3] -[D3] (xi) Preparation of feasibility report and application for Mining [-A0] [-A0] [+A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] [-A0] License SOURCESOF POTENTIALIMPACT (xii) Field-based support and logistical activities will be very extensive because the local field-based activities will on a [-D3] [-D3] [+D3] [-D3] [-D3] [-D3] [-D3] specific area for a very long time (up to one year or more in some instances)

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 69 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 5.5 Assessment of Overall Impacts

5.5.1 Summary of the Results of the Impact Assessment

In accordance with Tables 5.7 - 5.12, the following is the summary of the overall likely negative and significant impacts of the proposed exploration activities on the receiving environment (physical, biological, and socioeconomic environments) without and with mitigations:

(i) Initial desktop exploration activities: Overall likely negative impact on the receiving environment will be negligible with extremely unlikely probability of occurrence without mitigations. Overall significant impacts will be negligible [A0] (Table 5.13). Except for the socioeconomic components which carry a (+), all the other likely impacts are negative (-).

(ii) Regional reconnaissance field-based activities: Overall likely negative impact on the receiving environment will be negligible with extremely unlikely probability of occurrence without mitigations. Overall significant impacts will be negligible [A0]. Some field-based activities will have localised low impacts with low probability of occurrence without mitigations and negligible with mitigations. Overall significant impacts will be negligible [B2] (Table 5.13). Except for the socioeconomic components which carry a (+), all the other likely impacts are negative (-).

(iii) Initial local field-based activities: Initial field-based activities will have localised low impacts with low probability of occurrence without mitigations and negligible with mitigations. Overall significant impacts will be negligible [B2]. All desktop related activities and laboratory assessments will have negligible impacts with extremely unlikely probability of occurrence without mitigations. Overall significant impacts will be negligible [A0] (Table 5.13). Except for the socioeconomic components which carry a (+), all the other likely impacts are negative (-).

(iv) Detailed local field-based activities: Overall likely negative impact on the receiving environment will be high and localised impacts without mitigations and localised low impacts with mitigations. Overall significant impacts will be medium [D2] without mitigations and low with mitigations (Table 5.13). Except for the socioeconomic components which carry a (+), all the other likely impacts are negative (-).

(v) Prefeasibility and feasibility studies to be implemented on a site-specific area if the local field-based studies prove positive: Overall likely negative impact on the receiving environment will be high and localised impacts without mitigations and localised medium impacts with mitigations. Overall significant impacts will be high [D3] without mitigations and low with mitigations for bulk sampling, test mining and field logistics (Table 5.13). Except for the socioeconomic components which carry a (+), all the other likely impacts are negative (-).

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 70 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 Conclusions

Green Mining (Pty) Ltd (the Proponent) intends to undertake exploration activities in the Exclusive Prospecting Licence (EPL) No. 7828, covering precious metals and nuclear fuels mineral. The proposed minerals prospecting activities to be undertaken will cover desktop studies and review of historical exploration in the area, aerial surveys such as geophysical and hyperspectral surveys, initial and detailed field-based activities such as geological mapping, ground geophysics, trenching, drilling, and sampling with laboratory testing as may be applicable and subject to the identification of potential exploration target/s within the EPL area. The overall severity of potential environmental impacts of the proposed project activities on the receiving environment (physical, biological, socioeconomic environments and ecosystem functions, services, use and non-use values or passive uses) will be of low magnitude, temporally duration, localised extent, and low probability of occurrence.

6.2 Recommendations

It is hereby recommended that the proposed exploration activities be issued with an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). The proponent shall take into consideration the following key requirements for implementing the proposed exploration programme:

(i) An EMP report shall be prepared.

(ii) Mitigation measures shall be implemented as detailed EMP report.

(iii) The proponent negotiates an Access Agreement with the land owner/s.

(iv) In consultation with the land owners and where possible and if key and core conservation, tourism or archaeological resources areas are identified within the EPL area, such areas shall be excluded from the proposed minerals exploration activities.

(v) The Proponent shall adhere to all the provisions of the EMP and conditions of the Access Agreement to be entered between the proponent and the land owner/s in line with all applicable national regulations.

(vi) Before entering any private property such as a private farm, the proponent must give advance notices and obtain permission to always access such private property from the land owners, and.

(vii) Where possible, and if water is found during the detailed exploration boreholes drilling operations, the proponent shall support other land users in the area in terms of access to freshwater supply for both human consumption, wildlife and agricultural support as may be requested by the local community / land owners/s. The abstraction of the groundwater resources shall include water levels monitoring, sampling and quality testing on a bi-annual basis, and that the affected landowners must have access to the results of the water monitoring analyses as part of the ongoing stakeholder disclosure requirements on shared water resources as maybe applicable.

6.3 Summary ToR for Test Mining and Mining Stages

In an even that economic minerals resources are discovered within the EPL 7828 area and could lead to the development of mining project, a new Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for mining will be required. The application for ECC being supported by this EIA Report only covers the exploration phase. A separate field-based and site-specific Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) reports supported by specialist studies as maybe applicable must be prepared in order to support the application for the new ECC for mining operations.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 71 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 The EIA and EMP studies shall form part of the prefeasibility and feasibility study with respect to the test mining or possible mining operations. The site-specific EIA and EMP shall cover the area identified to have potential economic minerals resources as well as all areas to be used for infrastructural support areas such as pit / shaft area/s, waste rock, tailings dump, access, office blocks, water, and energy infrastructure support areas (water, energy and road / access). In addition to the Terms of Reference (ToR) to be developed during the Environmental Scoping study phase for the test mining / mining stages, the following field-based and site-specific specialist studies shall be undertaken as prat of the EIA and EMP for possible test mining or mining operations in an event of a discovery of economic minerals resources and possible development of a mining project:

(i) Groundwater studies including modelling as maybe applicable.

(ii) Field-based flora and fauna diversity.

(iii) Noise and Sound modelling linked to engineering studies.

(iv) Socioeconomic assessment, and.

(v) Others as may be identified / recommended by the stakeholders/ land owners/ Environmental Commissioner or specialists.

The aims and objectives of the Environmental Assessment (EA) covering EIA and EMP to be implemented as part of the feasibility study if a variable resources are discovered are:

(i) To assess all the likely positive and negative short- and long-term impacts on the receiving environment (physical, biological and socioeconomic environments) at local (EPL Area), regional, national (Namibia) and Global levels using appropriate assessment guidelines, methods and techniques covering the complete project lifecycle. The EIA and EMP to be undertaken shall be performed with reasonable skill, care and diligence in accordance with professional standards and practices existing at the date of performance of the assessment and that the guidelines, methods and techniques shall conform to the national regulatory requirements, process and specifications in Namibia and in particular as required by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism and Ministry of Agriculture, Water Affairs and Forestry, and.

(ii) The development of appropriate mitigation measures that will enhance the positive impacts and reduce the likely negative influences of the negative impacts identified or anticipated. Such mitigation measures shall be contained in a detailed EMP report covering the entire project lifecycle.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 72 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 7. REFERENCES

1. FURTHER GENERAL READING

Department of Affairs and Forestry, 2001. Groundwater in Namibia: An explanation to the hydrogeological map. MAWRD, Windhoek, 1, 128 pp.

Directorate of Environmental Affairs, 2002. Atlas of Namibia Project. Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Windhoek, http://www.met.gov.na

Directorate of Environmental Affairs 1995. Namibia's environmental assessment policy for sustainable development and environmental conservation. Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, 17 pp.

Directorate of Environmental Affairs, 1998. Special issue: The biological diversity of Namibia. P. Barnard (ed), Biodiversity and Conservation, 325 pp.

Geological Survey of Namibia, 1999. The Simplified Geological Map of Namibia, Windhoek.

Heath, D.C. 1972: Die geologie van die sisteem Karoo in die gebied Mariental-Asab, Suidwes-Afrika. Mem. Geol. Surv. S. Afr., 61, 35 pp.

JICA 2002. A Study on the Groundwater Evaluation and Management Plan in the Southeast Kalahari (Stampriet) Artesian Basin. Final Report, Japan International Cooperation Agency. Four Volumes (Copies in the Department of Water Affairs & Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Windhoek).

Kingsley, C.S. 1985. Sedimentological analysis of the Ecca Sequence in the Kalahari Basin, South West Africa/Namibia. Unpupl. Rep. CDM Mineral Surveys, 39 pp. (Copy in Geohydrology Record Room, DWAF).

Khomas Regional Council (KRC). (2017). Trade and Industry. Retrieved from http://www.khomasrc.gov.na/economic-investment-potentials

Khomas Regional Council, 2015. Khomas Regional Development Profile, 2015. Khomas Regional Council, Windhoek, Namibia, http://www.khomasrc.gov.na/economic-investment-potentials.

Khomas Regional Council (KRC). (2001). Regional Development Plan (2001/2002 – 2005/2006). Khomas Region. Khomas Regional Council, Windhoek

International Hydrological Programme of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), 2016. Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System Assessment: Governance of Groundwater Resources in Transboundary Aquifers (GGRETA)-Phase 1, Paris, France.

Miller, R.McG. (2005): Compilation of geological maps of the Stampriet Artesian Basin. Final Report, Department of Water Affairs, (Copy in Geohydrology Record Room, DWAF).

Miller, R. McG., 1992. Stratigraphy. The mineral resource of Namibia, Geological Survey of Namibia, MME, Windhoek, 1.2 .1 -1.2.13.

Miller, R. McG., 1983a. The Pan – African Damara Orogen od S.W.A. / Namibia, Special Publication of the Geological Society of South Africa, 11, 431 - 515.

Miller, R. McG., 1983b. Economic implications of plate tectonic models of the Damara Orogen, Special Publication of the Geological Society of South Africa, 11, 115 -138.

Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), 2010. Strategic Environmental Assessment for the central Namib Uranium rush. Ministry of Mines and Energy, Windhoek, Republic Of Namibia.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 73 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Mwiya, S., 2004. A Knowledge-Based System Model Methodology (KBSMM) for Development and Management of Mine Waste sites in Arid and Semiarid Environments of Southern Africa, Geosciences Africa 2004, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, pp 486.

Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). (2014a). Khomas 2011 Regional Profile. Namibia Statistics Agency, Windhoek

Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). (2014b). Namibia Population Projections (2011-2041). Namibia Statistics Agency, Windhoek

Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). (2015). Migration Report. Namibia Statistics Agency, Windhoek

Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). (2016). 2015/16 Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey - Key Poverty Indicators (preliminary figures). Namibia Statistics Agency, Windhoek

Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). (2017). The Namibia Labour Force Survey 2016 Report. Namibia Statistics Agency, Windhoek

South African National Standards (SANS), 2005. South African National Standard, Ambient Air Quality – Limits for Common Pollutants. SANS 1929:2005. Standards South Africa, Pretoria.

United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1992. Fugitive Dust Background Document and Technical Information Document for Best Available Control Measures, EPA-450/2-92-004, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1996. Compilation of Air Pollution Emission Factors (AP-42), 6th Edition, Volume 1, as contained in the AirCHIEF (AIR Clearinghouse for Inventories and Emission Factors) CD-ROM (compact disk read only memory), US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Crolina.

2. REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING ON FAUNA AND FLORA

Alexander, G. and Marais, J. 2007. A guide to the reptiles of southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, RSA.

Barnard, P. 1998. Underprotected habitats. In: Barnard, P. (ed.). Biological diversity in Namibia: a country study. Windhoek: Namibian National Biodiversity Task Force.

Bester, B. 1996. Bush encroachment – A thorny problem. Namibia Environment 1: 175-177.

Branch, B. 1998. Field guide to snakes and other reptiles of southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, RSA.

Branch, B. 2008. Tortoises, terrapins and turtles of Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, RSA.

Boycott, R.C. and Bourquin, O. 2000. The Southern African Tortoise Book. O Bourquin, Hilton, RSA.

Broadley, D.G. 1983. Fitzsimons’ Snakes of southern Africa. Jonathan Ball and AD. Donker Publishers, Parklands, RSA.

Brown, C.J., Jarvis, A., Robertson, T. and Simmons, R. 1998. Bird diversity. In: Barnard, P. (ed.). Biological diversity in Namibia: a country study. Windhoek: Namibian National Biodiversity Task Force.

Brown, I, Cunningham, P.L. and De Klerk, M. 2006. A comparative study of wetland birds at two dams in central Namibia. Lanioturdus 39(1): 2-9.

Buys, P.J. and Buys, P.J.C. 1983. Snakes of Namibia. Gamsberg Macmillan Publishers, Windhoek, Namibia.

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Carruthers, V.C. 2001. Frogs and frogging in southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, RSA.

Channing, A. 2001. Amphibians of Central and Southern Africa. Protea Bookhouse, Pretoria, RSA.

Channing, A. and Griffin, M. 1993. An annotated checklist of the frogs of Namibia. Madoqua 18(2): 101- 116.

Coats Palgrave, K. 1983. Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, RSA.

Cole, D.T. and Cole, N.A. 2005. Lithops Flowering Stones. Cactus and Co. Libri

Craven, P. 1998. Lichen diversity in Namibia. In: Barnard, P. (ed.). Biological diversity in Namibia: a country study. Windhoek: Namibian National Biodiversity Task Force.

Craven, P. (ed.). 1999. A checklist of Namibian plant species. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 7, SABONET, Windhoek.

Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. and Burrows, S. M. 2011. Ferns of southern Africa – a comprehensive guide. Struik Nature, Cape Town, RSA.

Cunningham, P.L. 1998. Potential wood biomass suitable for charcoal production in Namibia. Agri-Info 4(5): 4-8.

Cunningham, P.L. 2006. A guide to the tortoises of Namibia. Polytechnic of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.

Curtis, B. and Barnard, P. 1998. Sites and species of biological, economic or archaeological importance. In: Barnard, P. (ed.). Biological diversity in Namibia: a country study. Windhoek: Namibian National Biodiversity Task Force.

Curtis, B. and Mannheimer, C. 2005. Tree Atlas of Namibia. National Botanical Research Institute, Windhoek, Namibia.

De Graaff, G. 1981. The rodents of southern Africa. Buterworths, RSA.

Du Preez, L. and Carruthers, V. 2009. A complete guide to the frogs of southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, RSA.

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Giess, W. 1971. A preliminary vegetation map of South West Africa. Dinteria 4: 1 – 114.

Griffin, M. 1998a. Reptile diversity. In: Barnard, P. (ed.). Biological diversity in Namibia: a country study. Windhoek: Namibian National Biodiversity Task Force.

Griffin, M. 1998b. Amphibian diversity. In: Barnard, P. (ed.). Biological diversity in Namibia: a country study. Windhoek: Namibian National Biodiversity Task Force.

Griffin, M. 1998c. Mammal diversity. In: Barnard, P. (ed.). Biological diversity in Namibia: a country study. Windhoek: Namibian National Biodiversity Task Force.

Griffin, M. 2003. Annotated checklist and provisional national conservation status of Namibian reptiles. Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Windhoek.

Griffin, M. and Coetzee, C.G. 2005. Annotated checklist and provisional national conservation status of Namibian mammals. Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Windhoek.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 75 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Hebbard, S. n.d. A close-up view of the Namib and some of its fascinating reptiles. ST Promotions, Swakopmund, Namibia.

Hockey, P.A.R., Dean, W.R.J. and Ryan, P.G. 2006. Roberts Birds of Southern Africa VII Edition. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund.

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Joubert, E. and Mostert, P.M.K. 1975. Distribution patterns and status of some mammals in South West Africa. Madoqua 9(1): 5-44.

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Marais, J. 1992. A complete guide to the snakes of southern Africa. Southern Book Publishers, Witwatersrand University Press, Johannesburg, RSA.

Mendelsohn, J., Jarvis, A., Roberts, A. and Robertson, T. 2002. Atlas of Namibia. A portrait of the land and its people. David Philip Publishers, Cape Town, RSA.

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Müller, M.A.N. 1984. Grasses of South West Africa/Namibia. John Meinert Publishers (Pty) Ltd, Windhoek, Namibia.

Müller, M.A.N. 2007. Grasses of Namibia. John Meinert Publishers (Pty) Ltd, Windhoek, Namibia.

NACSO, 2010. Namibia’s communal conservancies: a review of progress and challenges in 2009. NACSO, Windhoek.

Passmore, N.I. and Carruthers, V.C. 1995. South African Frogs - A complete guide. Southern Book Publishers, Witwatersrand University Press, Johannesburg, RSA.

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SARDB, 2004. CBSG Southern Africa. In: Griffin, M. 2005. Annotated checklist and provisional national conservation status of Namibian mammals. Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Windhoek.

Schultz, M. and Rambold, G. 2007. Diversity shifts and ecology of soil lichens in central Namibia. Talk, Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (GfÖ), 37th Annual Meeting, Marburg: 12/9/2007 to 15/9/2007.

Schultz, M., Zedda, L. and Rambold, G. 2009. New records of lichen taxa from Namibia and South Africa. Bibliotheca Lichenologica 99: 315-354.

Simmons, R.E. 1998a. Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) in Namibia. In: Barnard, P. (ed.). Biological diversity in Namibia: a country study. Windhoek: Namibian National Biodiversity Task Force.

Simmons, R.E. 1998b. Areas of high species endemism. In: Barnard, P. (ed.). Biological diversity in Namibia: a country study. Windhoek: Namibian National Biodiversity Task Force.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 76 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Simmons R.E., Brown C.J. and Kemper J. 2015. Birds to watch in Namibia: red, rare and endemic species. Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism and Namibia Nature Foundation, Windhoek.

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3. REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING ON ARCHAEOLOGY

Denbow, J. M. 1986. A New Look at the Later Prehistory of the Kalahari. Journal of African History 27, 3-28.

Denbow, J. M. 1990. Congo to Kalahari: data and hypotheses about the political economy of the western stream of the Early Iron Age. The African Archaeological Review 8, 139-77.

Kinahan, John. 1986. Settlement Patterns and regional exchange Evidence from recent Iron Age sites on the Kavango River, Northeastern Namibia. Cimbebasia (B), 3, 109-16.

Kinahan, John. 1991. Pastoral Nomads of the Central Namib Desert. The People History Forgot. Namibia Archaeological Trust. Windhoek: New Namibia Books. Wells of Experience 156.

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Kinahan, John. 1996. Alternative views on the acquisition of livestock by hunter-gatherers in southern

Africa: A rejoinder to Smith, Yates and Jacobson. South African Archaeological Bulletin 51, 106-8.

Kinahan, John. 2012. Archaeological Guidelines for Exploration & Mining in the Namib Desert, the Namibia Archaeological Trust.

Lindholm, K.J. 2006. Wells of Experience. A pastoral land-use history of Omaheke, Namibia. Doctoral Thesis. Uppsala University: Sweden

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Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 77 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 Smith 1A.B. 992. 1992. Pastoralism in Africa. Origins and Development Ecology. London: Hurst & Company.

Pickford, M. 1995. Karoo Supergroup paleontology of Namibia and brief description of a thecondont from Omingonde. Paleontology. Africana 32, 51-66

Tanaka, J. 1980. The San Hunter-Gatherers of the Kalahari, a study in Ecological Anthropology. Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press.

Walker, N. 1983. The significance of an early date for pottery and sheep in Zimbabwe. South African Archaeological Bulletin 38, 88-92

Vansina, J.1990. Path in the Rainforests towards a History of Political Tradition in Equatorial Africa. Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press.

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 78 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021 8. ANNEXES

1. BID and Copy of the EPL

2. CV of the EAP (Dr Sindila Mwiya)

3. Public and Stakeholder Consultation Materials

Green Mining-EPL 7828 - 79 - EIA Report for Exploration–March 2021