0 ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TANTALITE MINE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF A TANTALITE MINE, SOUTHERN NAMIBIA Impala Consultancy 112 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek 061301936 / 0856630598 [email protected] www.impalac.com Compiled by: Mr. N Amutenya Prepared for: Orange River Pegmatite (Pty) Ltd 1 ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TANTALITE MINE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Introduction 1.1 Overview The proponent, Orange River Pegmatite (Pty) Ltd (ORP), intends to apply for a 313- hectare mining licence and set up a mining operation in an area consisting of 15 mineralized pegmatites with viable concentrations of tantalite. Impala Consultancy was appointed by the proponent to undertake an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the mineral exploration project. 1.2 Location The proposed mining area is located 30 km southwest of Warmbad and occurs on the farm Kinderzit 132. The coordinates for the center of the proposed mining area 18°39'51.046"E and 28°41'19.388"S. 1.3 Environmental Assessment Requirements The Environmental Regulations procedure (GN 30 of 2012) stipulates that no mining activities may be undertaken without an environmental clearance certificate. As such, an environmental clearance certificate must be applied for in accordance with regulation 6 of the 2012 environmental regulations. It is imperative that the environmental proponent must conduct a public consultation process in accordance with regulation 21 of the 2012 environmental procedure, produce an environmental scoping report and submit an Environmental Management Plan for the proposed mining activities. 1.4 Project Alternatives The proposed project has the potential to be a significant foreign exchange contributor to Namibia. In addition, the proposed mine will be a significant employer in the area and will uplift the standards of living of the people from the surrounding communities. 2 ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TANTALITE MINE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF A TANTALITE MINE, SOUTHERN NAMIBIA FINAL SCOPING REPORT Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................ 1 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Location ......................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Environmental Assessment Requirements .................................................... 1 1.4 Project Alternatives ........................................................................................ 1 1. Project Background ................................................................................................ 6 1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Project Location ................................................................................................ 7 1.3 Environmental Impact Assessment Requirements .......................................... 11 1.4 Purpose of the Scoping Report ....................................................................... 11 1.5 Project Alternatives ......................................................................................... 11 2. Summary of applicable legislation ........................................................................ 12 2.1 Environmental Management Act of 2007 ........................................................ 12 2.2 The Minerals Prospecting and Mining Act of 1992 .......................................... 12 2.3 Water Resources Management Act of 2004 ................................................... 12 2.4 Nature conservation ordinance, ordinance No. 4 of 1975 ............................... 13 2.5 National Heritage Act, 2004 (Act No. 27 of 2004) ........................................... 13 2.6 Petroleum Products and Energy Act No. 13 of 1990 ....................................... 13 2.7 Forest Act, No. 12 of 2001 .............................................................................. 14 2.8 Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Ordinance (1976) ...................................... 14 2.9 Hazardous Substance Ordinance, No. 14 of 1974 .......................................... 15 2.10 Namibian Water Corporation (Act 12 of 1997) .............................................. 15 3. Description of the Proposed Tantalite Mining Project ........................................... 16 3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 16 3.2 Mining Method ................................................................................................ 17 3.3 Labour Requirements...................................................................................... 19 3 ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TANTALITE MINE 3.4 Waste Dumps ................................................................................................. 20 3.5 Services .......................................................................................................... 20 3.5.1 Electricity requirements............................................................................. 20 3.5.2 Water Supply ............................................................................................ 21 3.6 Infrastructure ................................................................................................... 21 3.6.1 Refuse and waste removal ....................................................................... 21 3.6.2 IT Systems and communication ................................................................ 22 3.6.3 Security and Fencing ................................................................................ 22 3.6.4 Buildings and Offices ................................................................................ 22 3.6.5 Roads ....................................................................................................... 22 3.6.6 Mobile Equipment ..................................................................................... 23 3.6.7 Storage of Fuel, Lubrication and consumables ......................................... 23 3.6.8 Fire Fighting Provision .............................................................................. 23 4. Description of the Current Environment ............................................................... 24 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 24 4.2 Climatic Conditions ......................................................................................... 24 4.2.1 Temperature ............................................................................................. 24 4.2.2 Precipitation .............................................................................................. 25 4.2.3 Wind ......................................................................................................... 26 4.2.4 Humidity .................................................................................................... 27 4.3 Geology ........................................................................................................... 28 4.3.1 Regional Geology ..................................................................................... 28 4.3.1 Local Geology ........................................................................................... 29 4.4 Hydrogeology and Water Resources .............................................................. 31 4.5 Flora ................................................................................................................ 33 4.6 Fauna .............................................................................................................. 34 4.6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 34 4.6.2 Amphibians ............................................................................................... 35 4.6.3 Mammals .................................................................................................. 36 4.6.4 Reptiles ..................................................................................................... 37 4.7 Avifauna (Birds) .............................................................................................. 37 4.8 Archaeology .................................................................................................... 38 4.9 Socio-Economic Environment ......................................................................... 38 4.9.1 Overview of the surrounding settlements .................................................. 38 4 ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TANTALITE MINE 4.9.2 Social Economic Impact............................................................................ 38 5. Assessment of Impacts .................................................................................. 40 5.1. Overall socio-economic benefits and issues .................................................. 41 5.1.1. Socio-economic benefits .........................................................................