STUDY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT MINE COMPLEX FOR PRODUCTION OF CATHODE COPPER - "KAZANDOL", MUNICIPALITY VALANDOVO, REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA Skopje, July 2015 SARDICH MC DOOEL import-export – Skopje, Todor Alexandrov Str. No 11A, 1000 Skopje / tel.: 02 3066002 Bank account: 210069235420123 EDB/MK: 4080014541428 Depositor: NLB Tutunska Banka AD Skopje STUDY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT MINE COMPLEX FOR PRODUCTION OF CATHODE COPPER - "KAZANDOL", MUNICIPALITY VALANDOVO, REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA Prepared by: EMPIRIA EMS Skopje, June 2015 Study of the environmental impact assessment Mine complex for production of cathode copper - "Kazandol", municipality valandovo, republic of macedonia This study for the environmental impact assessment is prepared for the needs of the investor: Sardich MC Skopje, by the Consultant’s Firm EMPIRIA EMS, Skopje June 2015 Study on Environmental Impact Assessment: Mine Complex Kazandol, Valandovo, Macedonia Contents Details for the Project and the document status……………………………………………………………..10 Details about the persons in charge and the team of experts who prepared the environmental impact assessment ............................................................................................................................................11 List of abbreviations …………………………………………………………………………………………….13 Nontechnical Summary ………………………………………………………………………………………...14 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………14 Project Description ……………………………………………………………………………………………...14 Open pit exploitation of raw minerals …………………………………………………………………………15 Technologic complex for production of cathode copper…………………………………………………….16 Project alternatives ……………………………………………………………………………………………..19 Key aspects of environment and social issues ……………………………………………………………...21 Environmental Management …………………………………………………………………………………..25 1 Operational Framework ……………………………………………………………………………………...26 1.1 Purpose of the assessment of environmental impact ………………………………………….……….26 1.2 Status of the project and the level of detail ……………………………………………………….……..26 1.3 Legal framework ……………………………………………………………………………………….…...26 1.3.1 Overview of relevant national legislation………………………………………………………….……26 1.3.1.1 Key National legislation ………………………………………………………………………….……26 1.3.1.2 Other national sectorial regulation ………………………………………………………………..….28 1.3.2 Relevant international legislation…………………………………………………………………..……32 1.4 Overview and methodology of the process for environment impact assessment……………..….….33 1.5 Integrated prevention and pollution control ………………………………………………………...……36 2 Project Description …………………………………………………….………………………………..……38 2.1 Purpose and life cycle of the project ………………………………………………………………..……38 2.2 Technical description of the project ………………………………………………………………...........39 2.2.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………….…..…..39 2.2.2 Technical project summary ………………………………………………………………………..……42 2.2.2.1 Open pit exploitation of raw mineral ………………………………………………………….…..….45 2.2.2.2 Technological complex for cathode copper production ………………………………….…..…….51 2.2.2.2.1 Geo-technological complex ……………………………………………………………….…..……52 2.2.2.2.2 Processing Complex ……………………………………………………………………….…..……60 3 Reviewed alternatives …………………………………………………………………………………….….70 3.1 Option 'without project' ………………………………………………………………………………….…70 3.2 Project Alternatives …………………………………………………………………………………..….…70 3.2.1 Location aspects …………………………………………………………………………………...….…70 3.2.2 Technological aspects…………………………………………………………………………..……..…72 4 Description of existing environmental conditions …………………………………………………..…..…73 4.1 Physical Environment ……………………………………………………………………………….…..…73 4.1.1 Geographic position ……………………………………………………………………………….…..…73 4.1.2 Climate features ………………………………………………………………………………………….75 4.1.3 Geological features ………………………………………………………………………………………76 4.1.3.1 Geological construction …………………………………………………………………………….…77 4.1.3.2 Hydro-geological features ……………………………………………………………………….……80 4.1.4 Tectonic and seismic features ………………………………………………………………….………83 4.1.5 Characteristics of soils ……………………………………………………………………………..……85 4.1.6 Air quality in the project area………………………………………………………………………….…85 4.1.7 Surface water hydrology ……………………………………………………………………………...…86 2 _______________________________________________________________________ Empiria EMS, Skopje Study on Environmental Impact Assessment: Mine Complex Kazandol, Valandovo, Macedonia 4.1.8 Environmental Noise ……………………………………………………………………………….……88 4.1.9 Land use and landscape ……………………………………………………………………….….……90 4.1.10 Landscape ………………………………………………………………………………………………92 4.2 Natural Environment ………………………………………………………………………………………94 4.2.1 Habitats, biodiversity and environmental resources ……………………………………………...…94 4.2.1.1 Pseudomaceae and Garrigan …………………………………………………………………….…96 4.2.1.2 Riverside woody belts ……………………………………………………………………………..…98 4.2.1.3 Mountain pastures ……………………………………………………………………………………99 4.2.1.4 Agricultural Land ……………………………………………………………………………………...99 4.2.1.5 Aquatic Ecosystems …………………………………………………………………………………101 4.2.2 Valuation of biodiversity ……………………………………………………………………………….102 4.2.3 Natural Heritage and Protected Areas ……………………………………………………………....103 5 Description of the existing socio-economic conditions …………………………………………………105 5.1 Administrative organization …………………………………………………………………………..…105 5.2 Population and settlements ……………………………………………………………………………..105 5.3 Socio-economic basis ……………………………………………………………………………...……108 5.4 Public Services ………………………………………………………………………………………...…109 5.4.1 Education …………………………………………………………………………….…………………109 5.4.2 Healthcare ……………………………………………………………………………………...………110 5.4.3 Infrastructure ………………………………………………………………………………………...…110 5.5 Archaeological Heritage …………………………………………………………………………………111 6 Environmental Impacts …………………………………………………………………………….………112 6.1 Air Quality …………………………………………………………………………………………………113 6.1.1 Impacts on the air during the construction phase ………………………………..…………………113 6.1.2 Impacts on the air during the operational phase ……………………………………………………114 6.1.2.1 Identification and classification of the sources of emissions in the air …………………………114 6.1.2.2 Description of the emissions in the air …………………………………………………….………115 6.2 Impacts on surface and groundwater ……………………………………………………………….…116 6.2.1 Potential impacts on the water during the construction phase ……………………………………116 6.2.2 Potential impacts on water in the operational phase …………………....…………………………117 6.3 Impacts on soils …………………………………………………………………….………….…………120 6.4 Construction noise and vibrations …………………………………………………………...…………121 6.5 Operational Noise and Vibration …………………………………………………………………..……123 6.5.1 Mining activity - surface exploitation of raw mineral ……………………………………………..…123 6.5.2 Technological complex for production of cathode copper …………………………………………129 6.6 Impacts on biodiversity ……………………………………………………………………………..……129 6.6.1 Area of interest in the context of the impact on biodiversity …………………….…………………129 6.6.2 Potential impacts on biodiversity in construction phase ……………………………………………130 6.6.3 Impacts on biodiversity in the operational phase ……………………………………………………131 6.7 Visual effects and effects on the area ……………………………………………...….….……………133 6.7.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………133 6.7.2 Effects on the structural and functional characteristics of the area …………………….…134 6.7.2.1 Effects on area in the stages of construction ……………………………………….…………..…134 6.7.2.2 Effects on the landscape in the operational phase …………………………………………...…..134 6.7.3 Visual effects on landscape …………………………………………………………………….134 6.7.3.1 Typical methodology for assessing the visual effects on the landscape …………….…………134 6.7.3.2 Visual effects in the phase of construction ………………………………………………………...136 6.7.3.3 Visual effects in the operational phase …………………………………………….………………136 6.7.4 Cumulative visual effects …………………………………………………………………….…139 6.8 Waste generation …………………………………………………………………………………………139 3 _______________________________________________________________________ Empiria EMS, Skopje Study on Environmental Impact Assessment: Mine Complex Kazandol, Valandovo, Macedonia 7 Socio-economic impacts and opportunities …………………………………………………...…………145 7.1 Land Acquisition …………………………………………………………………………….……….……145 7.2 Employment Opportunities ………………………………………………………………………………145 7.3 Contribution to the development of the national and local economy………………………..…....…146 7.4 Health, safety and security of the community …………………………………………………………147 7.5 Labor and working conditions ………………………………………………………………………...…148 7.6 Traffic and transport ………………………………………………………………………………...……149 7.6.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………..………………………149 7.6.2 Ways of construction transport ………………………………………………………….……………149 7.6.3 Supposed inventory of construction vehicles ………………………………………………….……149 7.6.4 Effects on traffic ………………………………………………………………………..………………150 7.7 Effects on agricultural activities ………………………………………………………………...………150 7.8 Cultural Heritage …………………………………………………………………………...….…………152 8 Impact assessment …………………………………………………………………………….……..……153 8.1 Impact assessment matrix ………………………………………………………………………………153 8.2 Assessment of the significance of impacts ……………………………………………………………154 9 Measures to mitigate the impact on the environment and socio economic measures …..…………162 9.1 Air Quality …………………………………………………………………………………………………162 9.2 Water and soil quality of ……………………………………………………………………………...…165 9.3 Noise and vibrations…………………………………………………………………………...…………171 9.3.1 Construction noise