Technical Report AS-R-2013-09-10 Blackthorn Resources Limited: Environmental Impact Statement: Proposed Kitumba Copper Project, Mumbwa District, Central Province Prepared for: Zambia Environmental Management Agency February 2014 Document version 3.0 – Final Draft Compiled by M Grobler L Stolp Technical report: AS-R-2014-02-28 Prepared by Technical report: AS-R-2014-02-28 Blackthorn Resources Limited: Environmental Impact Statement: Proposed Kitumba Copper Project, Mumbwa District, Central Province, Zambia February 2014 Conducted on behalf of: Blackthorn Resources Limited Ian Hart : +260 211 250 397 Zambia Sydney – Head Office : +260 211 250 291 7B Lagos Road, Rhodes Park Level 5, Suite 502 : +260 971 257 416 Zambia PO BOX 50005 Lusaka 15101 80 William Street : +61 457 431 006 Australia Zambia Sydney NSW 2011 Australia : i.hart@blackthornresources.com.au Compiled by: M Grobler (BSc Hons Conservation Ecology, Pri.Sci.Nat) L Stolp (BSc (LArch) BSc Hons Environmental Management) GAUTENG PROVINCE: Block E, The Village Office Block, 309 Glenwood Road (Cnr. Glenwood & Oberon Avenues) Faerie Glen 0081, Pretoria, Postnet No 74, Private Bag X07, Arcadia, 0007 Tel: +27 12 751 2160, Fax: +27 86 607 2406, www.ages-group.com AGES (Pty)Ltd Offices: Eastern Cape Gauteng Limpopo Namibia North West KwaZulu-Natal Western Cape Zimbabwe AGES Board of Directors: SJ Pretorius JA Myburgh JJP Vivier JH Botha THG Ngoepe R Crosby JC Vivier FN de Jager AS Potgieter DP van der Westhuijzen Z Pemba L van Zyl-Smit AGES Gauteng Directors: JJP Vivier JC Vivier E van Zyl M Grobler R Crosby JC Vivier FN de Jager AS Potgieter DP van der Westhuijzen Z Pemba L van Zyl-Smit REPORT DISTRIBUTION LIST Name Institution Ian Hart Blackthorn Resources Limited James Mwale Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) Interested and Affected Parties and Commenting Authorities – ZEMA to distribute DOCUMENT HISTORY Report no Date Version Status AS-R-2013-09-10 September 2013 1.0 Draft AS-R-2013-09-10 December 2013 2.0 Updated Draft AS-R-2014-02-28 February 2014 3.0 Final Draft AGES Gauteng -i- AGES Gauteng - Africa Geo-Environmental Services Gauteng (Pty) Ltd - exercises due care and diligence in rendering services and preparing documents, Africa Geo-Environmental Services Gauteng (Pty) Ltd accepts no liability, and the client, by receiving this document, indemnifies AGES Gauteng (Pty) Ltd and its directors, managers, agents and employees against all actions, claims, demands, losses, liabilities, costs, damages and expenses arising from or in connection with services rendered, directly or indirectly by Africa Geo-Environmental Services Gauteng (Pty) Ltd and by the use of the information contained in this document. This document contains confidential and proprietary information of Africa Geo-Environmental Services Gauteng (Pty) Ltd and is protected by copyright in favour of Africa Geo-Environmental Services Gauteng (Pty) Ltd and may not be reproduced, or used without the written consent of Africa Geo-Environmental Services Gauteng (Pty) Ltd, which has been obtained beforehand. This document is prepared exclusively for Blackthorn Resources Limited and The Zambia Environmental Management Agency and is subject to all confidentiality, copyright and trade secrets, rules, intellectual property law and practices of South Africa. AGES Gauteng -ii- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study List of Abbreviations, Acronyms and Symbols Abbreviation Description % Per cent Ag Silver AGES Africa Geo-Environmental Services Gauteng (Pty) Ltd AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome AMD Acid Mine Drainage ART Antiretroviral Treatment Au Gold BTR Blackthorn Resources Limited CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Co Cobalt CPI Consumer Price Index CSI Corporate Social Investment Cu Copper CWSP Clean water storage pond DEAT Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (South Africa) DFS Definitive Feasibility Study DWSP Dirty water storage pond ECZ Environmental Council of Zambia EIA or EIS Environmental Impact Assessment or Environmental Impact Study EMA Environmental Management Act EMP Environmental Management Plan EPB Environmental Project Brief FEL Front-End Loader GDP Gross Domestic Product GMAs Game Management Areas Ha Hectares HAC Hazardous Area Classification HGM Hydro-Geomorphic HIV Human immunodeficiency virus I&AP Interested and Affected Party IFC International Finance Corporation IOCG iron-oxide copper-gold IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature Km Kilometres KNP Kafue National Park KNRT Kaindu Natural Resource Trust KPCC Kaindu Project Coordinating Committee /s Litres per second LoM Life of Mine m/s Metres per second MAE Mean annual evaporation mamsl Meters above mean sea level AGES Gauteng -iii- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study MAP Mean Annual Precipitation MAR Mean Annual Runoff mbgl meters below ground level (i.e. depth) MFZ Mumbwa Fault Zone mm Millimetres MMDA The Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2008 MSD Mines Safety Department Mtpa mega tons per annum NHCC National Heritage and conservation Commission ºC Degrees Celsius Pb Lead PFS pre-feasibility study PMTCT Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission RDA Roads Development Agency RDL Red-Data List RRU Rural Roads Unit SLC Sub-Level Caving SLP Social and Labour Plan ToR Terms of Reference TSF Tailings storage facility U Uranium VCT Voluntary Counselling and Testing WM With Mitigation WOM Without Mitigation WRD Waste Rock Dump WRMA Water Resources Management Act of Zambia (Act No. 21 of 2011) WUA Water User Association ZAF Zambian Air Force ZAWA Zambian Wildlife Authority ZEMA Zambia Environmental Management Agency Zn Zinc AGES Gauteng -iv- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Table of Contents 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................... IX 1.1 NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY (KAONDE) (TRANSLATION PROVIDED BY MR CHOLOBESA) .. XII 1.2 NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY (ENGLISH) ......................................................................... XV 2 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1 2.1 PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT ........................................................................................ 1 2.2 FORMAT OF THIS REPORT ............................................................................................... 2 2.3 BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT PROPONENT ................................................................. 4 2.3.1 Information on shareholders and shareholding percentage .............................................. 4 2.3.2 Previous Experience of Enterprise elsewhere ................................................................... 6 2.3.3 Project cost / investment and implementation date ........................................................... 6 2.4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ............................................................................. 6 2.4.1 Prospecting Phase ............................................................................................................ 6 3 RELEVANT REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ....................................................... 9 3.1 POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR EIA IN ZAMBIA...................................................... 9 3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORIZATION FOR MINING IN ZAMBIA ............................................... 9 3.3 WATER USE AUTHORIZATION ....................................................................................... 10 3.4 OTHER RELEVANT REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS ......................................................... 11 3.5 INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS ................................ 12 3.6 SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 13 4 DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION .............................................................. 15 4.1 LAND TENURE AND LOCATION ....................................................................................... 15 4.2 PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND MOTIVATION ........................................................................ 16 4.3 MAIN SITE ACTIVITIES AND PROCESSES, MATERIALS, PRODUCTS AND BY-PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT PHASES ................................................................................ 18 4.3.1 Site establishment Construction Phase ........................................................................... 18 4.3.2 Operational Phase ........................................................................................................... 21 4.3.3 Closure Phase ................................................................................................................. 29 4.3.4 The storage and Management of Chemicals, explosives and hazardous wastes ........... 30 4.4 PROJECT WATER BALANCE ........................................................................................... 32 5 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STUDY ............................................................ 34 5.1 CLIMATE ....................................................................................................................... 35 5.1.1 Regional Climatic Conditions ........................................................................................... 35 5.1.2 Climate of the project area .............................................................................................. 35 5.2 AIR QUALITY ................................................................................................................. 37 5.2.1 Wind ................................................................................................................................ 37 5.2.2 Air temperature ................................................................................................................ 39 5.2.3 Relative humidity ............................................................................................................. 39 5.2.4 Precipitation and evaporation .......................................................................................... 40 5.2.5 Atmospheric Stability and Mixing Depth .......................................................................... 40 5.3 GROUNDWATER AND GEOLOGY .................................................................................... 40 5.4 SURFACE WATER ......................................................................................................... 44 5.5 SOILS AND SOIL POTENTIAL .......................................................................................... 45 5.5.1 Shallow Lithosols / Arenosols associated with rocky ridges and outcrops ...................... 45 5.5.2 Medium depth gravelly / sandy Arenosols associated with foot-slopes / valleys ............ 45 5.5.3 Arenosols: Red-yellow apedal soils associated with slightly undulating plains ............... 46 5.5.4 Planosols associated with moist grasslands on ferricrete bedrock ................................. 46 5.5.5 Fluvisols associated with ravines in mountainous areas ................................................. 47 5.6 TOPOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................... 50 5.7 LAND USE AND LAND TENURE ...................................................................................... 52 AGES Gauteng -v- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.7.1 Residential areas ............................................................................................................. 52 5.7.2 Mining .............................................................................................................................. 52 5.7.3 Conservation and Tourism .............................................................................................. 54 5.7.4 Agriculture ....................................................................................................................... 55 5.7.5 The Mumbwa Prison Farm .............................................................................................. 55 5.7.6 The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) ............................................................................................ 56 5.7.7 Infrastructure ................................................................................................................... 56 5.8 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL RESOURCE ............................................................................ 56 5.8.1 Landscape character and visual resource (scenic quality) .............................................. 56 5.8.2 Landscape Quality ........................................................................................................... 56 5.8.3 Sense of Place ................................................................................................................ 57 5.8.4 Viewer sensitivity ............................................................................................................. 57 5.9 NOISE AND VIBRATION .................................................................................................. 60 5.10 BIODIVERSITY AND ECOLOGY (FLORA AND FAUNA) .................................................... 61 5.10.1 Vegetation types of the study area .................................................................................. 63 5.10.2 Wetlands of the study area .............................................................................................. 69 5.10.3 Fauna .............................................................................................................................. 71 5.10.4 Protected Species ........................................................................................................... 73 5.10.5 Invasive alien species ...................................................................................................... 74 5.10.6 Summary of Ecological Sensitivity ................................................................................... 74 5.11 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT (HERITAGE RESOURCES) .............. 76 5.12 SOCIO-CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT ..................................................... 78 5.12.1 Culture and community power structures ........................................................................ 78 5.12.2 Population, age, language, religion, education and family life ......................................... 79 5.12.3 HIV/AIDS infection rate and preventative measures in the project area ......................... 81 5.12.4 Industry ............................................................................................................................ 82 5.12.5 Service Infrastructure ...................................................................................................... 83 5.12.6 Transport and Traffic ....................................................................................................... 84 6 IMPACTS ........................................................................................................... 86 6.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION............................................ 86 6.1.1 Interested and Affected Parties ....................................................................................... 86 6.1.2 Summary of Consultation / Issues Discussed ................................................................. 87 6.2 IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY (AFTER PLOMP, 2004) ....................................... 89 6.3 IMPACT ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE ............................................................................... 90 6.4 IMPACT ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................... 91 6.5 SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ................................................................................................... 91 7 MITIGATION MEASURES FOR ALL IDENTIFIED IMPACTS ......................... 107 7.1 SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS THAT REMAIN SIGNIFICANT AFTER MITIGATION 107 7.2 SIGNIFICANT SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS THAT REMAIN SIGNIFICANT AFTER MITIGATION 107 7.3 SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC IMPACTS THAT REMAIN SIGNIFICANT AFTER MITIGATION ......... 107 8 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................ 130 8.1 OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS .................................................................................. 130 8.1.2 Socio-economic benefits and investment: ..................................................................... 132 8.2 PROCESS / MINING METHOD ALTERNATIVES ............................................................... 136 8.3 LAYOUT ALTERNATIVES .............................................................................................. 139 8.3.1 Main Site Infrastructure ................................................................................................. 139 8.3.2 Tailings Dam Facility Alternatives .................................................................................. 140 8.3.3 Waste Dump Location ................................................................................................... 144 8.3.4 Water Storage Facility Options ...................................................................................... 144 8.4 ROUTE ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................................ 146 8.5 SERVICES ALTERNATIVES ........................................................................................... 147 8.5.1 Water Supply Options .................................................................................................... 147 AGES Gauteng -vi- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 8.5.2 Power supply options .................................................................................................... 150 8.5.3 Waste management options .......................................................................................... 150 8.5.4 Employee housing options ............................................................................................ 151 8.6 SCHEDULING ALTERNATIVES ...................................................................................... 152 8.7 THE NO-GO ALTERNATIVE .......................................................................................... 152 9 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ..................................................... 153 10 DECOMMISSIONING AND REHABILITATION ............................................ 173 10.1 CLOSURE PLAN OBJECTIVES .................................................................................... 173 10.2 CLOSURE ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................... 174 10.3 FINANCIAL PROVISION ............................................................................................. 176 11 CONCLUSION .............................................................................................. 177 11.1 REGULATORY SUMMARY AND WAY FORWARD .......................................................... 177 11.2 CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................... 178 12 APPENDICES ............................................................................................... 179 13 REFERENCES .............................................................................................. 180 List of Figures Figure 1: Regional Locality of the Prospecting License Area and Project Area ...................................... 8 Figure 2: The project site surroundings ................................................................................................. 17 Figure 3: Proposed site layout ............................................................................................................... 19 Figure 4: Existing exploration camp ...................................................................................................... 20 Figure 5: Proposed on-site accommodation ......................................................................................... 20 Figure 6: Process flow diagram ............................................................................................................. 28 Figure 7: Project water balance chart.................................................................................................... 33 Figure 8: Average Temperatures, Mumbwa (adapted from http://www.climate- charts.com/Locations/z/ZA67655MUMBW0010.php) ........................................................................... 36 Figure 9: Average and absolute maximum and minimum temperatures for the Mumbwa area (http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Zambia/Mumbwa/climate-profile.aspx) ................................. 36 Figure 10: Period Wind Rose for the project site (2010-2012) .............................................................. 38 Figure 11: Daytime and Night time Wind Rose for the project site (2010-2012) ................................... 38 Figure 12: Seasonal Wind Rose for the project site (2010-2012) ......................................................... 38 Figure 13: Diurnal variability of mean, maximum and minimum temperature (2010-2012) .................. 39 Figure 14: Monthly and diurnal humidity variations (2010-2012) ........................................................... 39 Figure 15: Geology of Zambia ............................................................................................................... 42 Figure 16: Sites recorded during the Hydro-census .............................................................................. 43 Figure 17: Soil types of the Site (Henning B. J., May 2013) .................................................................. 48 Figure 18: Soil potential of the Site (Henning B. J., May 2013) ............................................................. 49 Figure 19: Soil Risk / Impacts (Henning B. J., May 2013) ..................................................................... 49 Figure 20: East-West Elevation Profile (adapted from Google Earth Pro) ............................................ 50 Figure 21: North-West to South-East Elevation Profile (adapted from Google Earth Pro) ................... 50 Figure 22: Surface water drainage and topography .............................................................................. 51 Figure 23: Excavations and abandoned samples at an abandoned (presumably illegal) malachite mining operation outside of but in close proximity to the site ................................................................ 53 Figure 24: An old mining shaft that has been 'closed' (left) and general surface conditions at the past artisanal mining sites (right) .................................................................................................................. 53 Figure 25: View of the site from Mumbwa Prison Farm ........................................................................ 58 Figure 26: Hilly topography and vegetation ........................................................................................... 58 Figure 27: Existing night view (top) - project site hidden by topography and (bottom) potential night view (sky glow from unmitigated light impacts from project) ................................................................. 58 Figure 28: Visual receptors in the vicinity of the project site ................................................................. 59 Figure 29: Sites where noise monitoring / measurements were taken ................................................. 61 AGES Gauteng -vii- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 30: Ecoregions of Zambia .......................................................................................................... 63 Figure 31: Vegetation Types of the Site ................................................................................................ 65 Figure 32: Sensitivity of the vegetation types found on the site ............................................................ 68 Figure 33: Wetlands of the study area .................................................................................................. 70 Figure 34: Ecological Sensitivity of the study area ................................................................................ 75 Figure 35: Archaeological and Heritage Resources in the vicinity of the site ........................................ 77 Figure 36: Existing Road Conditions ..................................................................................................... 85 Figure 37: Base Case SLC mine Layout and ecological sensitivity..................................................... 141 Figure 38: Base Case and Alternative 1 underground site layout ....................................................... 142 Figure 39: Alternative 2 Opencast site layout ...................................................................................... 142 Figure 40: Suggested route for re-alignment of Mushingashi Road .................................................... 145 Figure 41: Water supply option – Groundwater .................................................................................. 149 List of Tables Table 1: Format of the EIS report ............................................................................................................ 2 Table 2: Details of the project proponent ................................................................................................ 4 Table 3: The names of the twenty largest registered shareholders of ordinary shares as at 23 September 2013 ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Table 4: shareholding and directors of Blackthorn Resources Zambia Limited ...................................... 5 Table 5: Minerals for which the prospecting license is held .................................................................... 7 Table 6: Additional Relevant Legislation ............................................................................................... 11 Table 7: Specific information in terms of the process flow .................................................................... 27 Table 8: Specialist involvement in the EIS ............................................................................................ 34 Table 9: Summary of Soils on the Project Site ...................................................................................... 47 Table 10: Summary of Vegetation Types in the study area .................................................................. 67 Table 11: 2008 Mumbwa District Profile ............................................................................................... 81 Table 12: Impact Significance Criteria .................................................................................................. 89 Table 13: Impact identification and significance rating WITHOUT MITIGATION ................................. 93 Table 14: Identification of mitigation measures, and impact ratings AFTER mitigation ...................... 108 Table 15: Summary of Social Opportunities in response to Social Issues .......................................... 134 Table 16: Comparative assessment - Opencast Underground and Cave mining ............................... 137 Table 17: Evaluation of base case process plant location .................................................................. 140 Table 18: Comparative Assessment: TSF Base Case (Alt 1) vs. Alternative 2 .................................. 143 Table 19: Expected daily trip generation (external transport during production) ................................. 146 Table 20: Environmental Management Plan ....................................................................................... 153 AGES Gauteng -viii- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Blackthorn Resources Limited (Blackthorn) appointed Africa Geo-Environmental Services Gauteng (PTY) Ltd (AGES) to investigate the feasibility of the proposed Kitumba copper mining Project from an environmental and social impact management perspective, and to facilitate the environmental impact assessment processes required under Zambian law and in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. The purpose of this Environmental Impact Study (EIS) Report is to evaluate the existing socio-economic and biophysical baseline environments of the proposed project site in order to determine whether any potential fatal flaws exist that may render the project impracticable from an environmental management point of view, and to identify the management measures which would be required to ensure that the project does not detrimentally impact on the receiving environment. This study also discusses environmental legal requirements and authorisations applicable to the project. The proposed project site is situated in the Mumbwa District, in the north-west region of the Central Province of Zambia, approximately 210 km north-west of Lusaka, and approximately 50 km north-west of the town of Mumbwa at the following coordinates: Latitude: 14°41'53.15"S Longitude: 26°48'3.20"E The preliminary mineralogy suggested that the copper is contained in malachite and cuprite which are classified as oxide copper minerals. Sulphide minerals are also present. The copper ore which will be mined comprise primarily sulphide copper (secondary chalcocite and primary chalcopyrite), oxide copper will also be mined but is a lesser component. The base case project description involves the mining and processing of an iron-oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposit at a 3 Mtpa production rate at a head grade of 1.7% Cu, using a sub level caving (SLC) mining method. Twin declines will be used for access and haulage. The process plant will produce both cathode copper and copper concentrate, to be shipped from site to Lusaka by road truck. All tailings will report to a Tailings Storage Facility (TSF). The Life of Mine (LoM) is estimated at approximately 11+ years with 2 years for pre-production. A brief description of the major equipment used and the process steps is given below: · Primary ore crushing · Grinding and classification · Rougher flotation to produce a bulk concentrate · Acid leaching of bulk rougher concentrate · Filtration of leached concentrate with filtrate processed by solvent extraction and electrowinning (SXEW) to produce copper cathode AGES Gauteng -ix- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study · Neutralisation of filtrate residue followed by secondary flotation of filtrate residue · Secondary flotation concentrate regrind and two stages of cleaner flotation to produce a copper concentrate · Copper concentrate thickening, filtration and stockpiling · Tailings thickening and disposal The current planning indicates that the project development (construction) will commence around 2016. It is currently estimated that the construction phase work force will be approximately 500 people, and the operational phases will generate employment for approximately 400 people or more. Preference will be given to the employment of local community members where possible. The project will aim to provide equal opportunity to women in mining and related operations where feasible. There are a number of legislative requirements and international best practice principles to which the project will have to adhere, and a number of licenses, authorisations or approvals that will be required prior to the project commencing on site. Worth emphasizing here is adherence to the IFC Environmental Performance Standards and Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines for Mining, the Mines and Minerals Development Act, 2008 (MMDA), Zambia Environmental Management Act, 2011 (ZEMA) and the Water Resources Management Act, 2011 (WRMA). As part of the applications for environmental authorizations and mining rights, and due to the requirement that people have the right to be informed about potential decisions that may affect them and that they must be afforded an opportunity to influence those decisions, AGES has been involved in public engagement with surrounding stakeholders and authorities and this report also contains details of the public consultation process followed thus far. It must be noted that public participation is an on-going consultative and information-sharing process and that good relations must be built and maintained with stakeholders throughout the life of the project and after the project has stopped. Social license to operate can be challenged at any time during a development lifespan and the public consultation process is therefore far from complete. Rather, public participation relating to the project is in its infancy. A number of specialist investigations were conducted during the EIS which includes: Ecological, soils and land capability and wetland assessments, heritage impact assessment, noise impact assessment, air quality impact assessment, visual impact assessment, traffic impact assessment, hydro-geological impact assessment and water supply option analysis and a closure plan and estimate for financial provision. The specialist team characterized the existing environment in their respective field which may be impacted by the project, quantified what those impacts may be, suggested mitigation and management measures to reduce the identified impacts and assessed a number of alternatives to be considered in the project implementation going forward. AGES Gauteng -x- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study The purpose of identifying and evaluating feasible alternatives in terms of a development proposal is to find the most effective way of meeting the project needs, either through enhancing the environmental benefits of the proposed activity, and / or through reducing or avoiding negative impacts. A number of different alternative types are discussed in this report, many of which will require careful consideration and decision-making during subsequent phases of the project. The report also identifies opportunities and benefits that may be associated with the project. Comment is also made in this report on the importance of ensuring that the project leaves a positive legacy behind, and the compilation and implementation of detailed rehabilitation measures concurrently with the mining activities as well as post-closure. Financial provision for rehabilitation, closure and after care was also estimated. After completion of the EIS, a number of potential negative environmental impacts associated with the project have been identified, along with management and mitigation measures aimed at managing, reducing or avoiding any negative impacts, and enhancing positive impacts. None of the identified potential negative impacts are expected to be of sufficient severity and likelihood that they cannot be managed to acceptable levels by the implementation of detailed management and mitigation measures as stipulated in this report and the associated specialist reports. From an environmental impact management point of view it is recommended that the project continue to the definitive feasibility phase (DFS) in order that existing knowledge gaps may be filled and further confidence in the environmental acceptability of the project can be gained. This EIS is submitted to the ZEMA in support of an application for environmental authorization for the proposed project. This report is also submitted (via the ZEMA) to the Mines Safety Department (MSD), under the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development in support of the Mining Licence under Clause 25 of the Mines and Minerals Development Act 2008, and to the relevant Water Users association or water board as the case may be in support of an application for the right to use water at the proposed mining development. __________________________________________ Signature of the Chief Executive of the Developers Full Names: ________________________________ Date: __________________________________ AGES Gauteng -xi- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 1.1 Non-Technical Summary (Kaonde) (Translation provided by Mr Cholobesa) BYAMBO BYANEMBWA MUBWIPI [BYA BULA BUNSENDWE]. NO KAMPANYI WABA BLACKTHORN WAASONTA KAMPANYI WABA AFRIKA GEO-ENVIROMENTAL GAUTENG [PTY] LTD [AGES] KUBA’MBA BAPALANGUZYE NE KUTANA BYA KONSHA KUFUMA MU-INO MINGILO YAKETEKELWA KWINGIJIWA PA MUKOCHI WA COOPA UTELWA’MBA KITUMBA KWESANKANYA NA BINTU BITUZHOKOLOKA NE MAKATAZHO AKUMA KUBWIKALO BWA BANTU NE MASHINDA O’BAKENGIJISHA MUKUKEPESHAKO MAKATAZHO KABIJI NE KUMONA KUBA’MBA MINGILO YAKUPITALUKA NE KUMONA MAKATAZHO AKONSHA KWIYA NAMAMBO A MINGILO INO NE MASHINDA AKABIKWAPO MU KWESEKA KUKEPESHAKO MAKATAZHO MUKWESAKANYA NA MUZHILO YA MUKYALO KYA ZAMBIA. KINE KINTU KYA LENGELA KWIKALA NA INO MINGILO YAKU PITULUKA NE KUTAGISHA PA BYA KONSHA KUMWEKANA INGE INO MINGILO YAKUPOYA MABWE YAUBIWA KUBIKAPO NE MAKATAZHO AKONSHA KUMWEKANA KUBINTU BITU ZHOKOLOKA. UNO REPOOTI UBENA KUPITULUKA NE KUMONA BINTU BYO BIJI PA KINO KIMYE MUMASHINDA ANO AJI NOBE BWIKALO BWA MUUNTU NE BYA BUUNONSHI BWAKYALO KABIJI NE KUTAGISHA BULONGO PA BINTU BYOONSE BITANWA MU INO MPUNZHA ITUZHOKOLOKA NE NKOMINO YABYA PA MUTUNDU YEENSE WABINTU BITANWA KU INO MPUNZHA KWA KETEKELWA KUBIWA INO MINGILO MUKUKEBA KUBA’MBA BAYUKE KA’NA KUJIPO BINTU BIMO BYASHALAPO NANGWA KUBULA KUTAGISHIWAAPO BULONGO BYANEMA KINE KINE BY KONSHA KULENGELA MWINGILO UNO WAKUKEBA KUPOYA MABWE WAMWEKA NOBE KECHI WA KONSHA KWINGIWA NE NAMA’MBO AKUMA PA MINGILO IKENGIWA PA KUMONA PA BINTU BITU ZHOKOLOKA KABIJI NE KUYUKA MASHINDA AKA KEBEWA KWINGISHIWA MUKUMONA KUBA’MBA UNO MWINGILO WA KUPOYA MABWE KAUJI KULETA MAKATAZHO ABAYA A KINE KU BINTU BITU ZHOKOLOKA MU MPUNZHA KUKINGIWANGA INO MINGILO. INO MINGILO YA KUKEBA KEBA EBENA KWISAMBAPO PA BYA FWAINWA KULONDELWA KWESAKANYA NA MIZHILO YAPA BINTU BITU ZHOKOLOKA – KABIJI NE BYOONSE BIKEBEWA KUBIWA MUKWESANKYA NA BINTU MO BYAILA PA MWINGILO UNO WA KUPOYA MABWE A COOPA. INO MPUNZHA KUKOBIWANGA INO MINGILO INTANWA MU BOOMA WA MUMBWA, KU KABETA KABUYEKE KAJI KUMUZHIKA MUKIBUNJI KIJI PAKACHI KA KYALO KYA ZAMBIA, PABWEPI MA KILOMITA NOBE TU HUNDILEDI NE TENI (210KM) KU KABETA KABUYEKE BWA KUMUZHIKA WA MUZHI MUKATAMPE WA LUSAKA, KABIJI PABWEPI MAKILO MITA MAKUMI ATANU (50KM) KUFUMA KU BOOMA WA MUMBWA NAKU KABETA KA BUYEKE BUJI KU MUZHIKA. UNO COOPA (COPPER) UNTANYIKA MU MUTUNDU WA MABWE UTELWA AAMBA SULPHIDI AJI NOBE KALKOCITI NE CHALKOFURITI BUTMALAKI NE KUPURITI AO BIKWA MU MUTUNDU WA OKOCIDI COOPA NAO MO AJI. JINO JIBWE JA COOPA JIKAPOYEWANGA KE PRIMALI SULPHIDI COOPA BINO OKOCIDI COOPA NAYE UKAPOYEWANGA MU KIPIMO KICHECHE. KULUMBULULA KWAFIKAPO KWA MINGILO INO KWAVWANGAPO KAPOYA ANO MABWE NE KWIAWAMYA AGES Gauteng -xii- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study BULONGO UNO OFA COOPA PA MATANI AFIKA MA MILIONI A SAATU PA MWAAKA PA MWAAKA KWINGISHA JISHINDA JAKUPOYA JITELWAMBA SABU LEVAL KEEVING (SUB LEVEL CAVING SLC). BIMBO BIBIJI BIIKAYANGA PANSHI BYO BAKENGISHANGA KUYA PANSHI NE KUSENDA KITOFU. INO MPUNZHA WAKUWAMISHISHA PA MABWE IKALUPULANGA BINTU BIIBIJI. KATHODI COOPA NE COOPA UJI NA BINTU BIKWABO MUKACHI, IKA TUNCHEWANGA KUFUMA KU MUKOCHI KUTWALA KU MIKOCHI (COPPERBELT) KUPITA MUMUZHI WA LUSAKA NA BIMBAYAMBAYA (TRUCKS). UNO MUKOCHI WA KETEKELWA KWIKALA MYAKA JIKUMI NE MWAKA UMO NE KUPITAILA KUBIKAPO MYAKA IBIJI SA BA KYANGYE KUTENDEKA KUFUMYA MABWE PA MUKOCHI. LUMO LUNENGEZHO LWAMWESHO AMBA KUTWALA PALUTWE KWA MINGILO INO MUBYA KUSHIIMIKA KUKATENDEKA PA KUFIKANGA MU MWAKA WA TWENTY SIXTENI (2016). PA KINO KIMYE LUNEGEZHOMU KIPUNGU KITANSHI KYA KUSHIMI KIKEKALA NA BAANTU BANKITO BAKETEKELWA KUFIKA KUKIPIMO KYA FIVE HUNDILEDI (500) KABIJI NE KIMYE KYA KUTENDEKA KWINGILA EKA LETA MINGILO YA BAANTU BA KAFIKA KU KIPIMO KYA MA HUNDILEDI AJI FOOLO (400) KAAMPE NE KILAPO. JISHUKO JA KUTWEZHA BA MINGILO JIKAPEWA KUBANGIKAZHI BATANWA KUMPUNZHA KOONKA KANA KYA SWISHIWA. NOBE JISHINDA JAKU KULOMBA KU SWISHIWA KU BINTU BITU ZHOKOLOKA NE NGOVU ISWISHA MUUNTU KUPOYA MABWE KANO KAMPANYI KATELWAMBA AGES MUBWEPI KETAILE MU MEESAMBO NE BENAKENGI NENA BAANTU BOONSE BOYAKUMA INO MINGILO KABIJI NE BIBESE BYA KUFULUMENDE BYAPUSANA-PUSANA; KABIJI NE UNO LIPOOTI UJI NENA BINTU BYOONSE BYANEMBWA BYA FUUMINE MU MISAMBO INO KUFIKA PAKINO KIMYE. TWAFWAIIWA KUYUKAAMBA KUNO KWISAMBA NA BENAKENGI KE KINTU KIKATWAJIJI NOBE JISHINDA KUUNVWA MILANGULUKO YA BAANTU KABIJI NE KUSHILANGENA BYAAMBO KABIJI NEKUMONA’MBA BULUNDA BWAWAMA BWAIKALAPO KABIJI NE KUTWAJIJILA NABOOBA BOKYAKUMA KIKUPUTU MU KIMYE KYOONSE KYAKWINGILA PA INO MPUNZHA KABIJI NE KIMYE KYO IKAPWA INO MINGILO YA KUPOYA MABWE. KWAJINGA KUKEBAKEBA BULONGO KU BASHAYUKA KWAUBIWE MU KIMYE KU MWINGILO UNO WA (EIS) AWO WAUBIWE AMO MUJI KUTALA PA BINTU BIJI NABUMI, MAALOBA KABIJI NE MUSHIJI UJI BYEPI KABIJI NE KUTAJISHA PA MUSHIJI AWA WIKALA NA MUNYANGO KIMYE KYOONSE. BYAKISHAKULU, NE KYOONGO, KUMO AMBA LUVULA YETUPEMA UJI BYEPI, MEENSO AKAMONA’NGA BULONGO NYI? BYELA BYENDA PA MUKWAKWA BIKENDENGA BYEPI, BYA MEEMA ATANWA MU MABWE, KABIJI NE KUTALATALA BULONGO NE KUMONA KUKAFUMANGA MEEMA AKUTOMA KABIJI NE BI KOBIWA KANA MUKOCHI WASHINKWA KABIJI NE KUMONA KUBA’MBA MAALI AANGA AKETEKELWA KUTAIWAPO. JINO JIBUMBA JABASHAYUKA JA TAJISHIPO BULONGO PA BITA ZHOKOLOKA NE KUMONA NGANYI MAKAZHO AKONSHA KUMWEKANA, NE MASHINDA AKONSHA KWINGISHIWA MUKUKEPESHAKO MAKAZHO AKONSHA KUMWEKA MUBINO BINTU BYA YUKANYIKWA KABIJI NE KUMONAPO MASHINDA AKWABO AKONSHA KWINGISHIWA PA KIMYE KYA KUTENDEKA MINGILO INO INGE KYAFIKA. KINE KINTU AGES Gauteng -xiii- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study KYALENGISHA KUBA’MBA TUYUKE KABIJI NE KUPITULAKAMO MU MASHINDA AKONSHA KWINGISHIWA KWESAKANYA NA MULANGULUKO WAKUTWALA PALUTWE MINGILO KE KUKEBA KUTANA BYO TWAKONSHA KUTANA JISHINDA JA FIKILAMO JA KUKEBA KUFIKIZHA BYA KEBEWA KUBIWA MUMWINGILO UNO, KAMPE KUPITILA MUKUKU KOSESHA BUWAME BUKAFUMAMO MU UNO MWINGILO WAKATEKELA KWINGILWA. KABIJI NANGWA KUPITILA MUKUKEPESHAKO BYATAMA BYAKONSHA KUFUMA MUMINGILO INO. MASHINDA’PUSANA PUSANA AAVULA ABYA KONSHA KUBIWA ESAMBIWAPAPO MU LIPOOTI. AYE UNO LIPOOTI KABIJI WATANAPO NE JISUKO JA KUYUKA NE BYAWAMA BYO BAKONSHA KUMWENAMO BULONGO BYA LAMATA KU UNO MWINGILO. BAAMBA PO MU UNO LIPOOTI PA BUNEME BWAKUMONA’MBA INO MINGILO YASHANKUWA YAWAMA PANYUMA KABIJI NE KUBUNGIZHA PAMO NE KUFIKIZHA KWA YUULA YA KUMONA BYO BAKONSHA KUKWASHA BAANTU BAKATANWA MUMAKATAZHO PA KIMYE KIMOTU NA MINGILO YA KUPOYA MABWE NE YAPANYUMA YAKUSHINKA MUKOCHI. LUNENGEZHO LWAMAALI AKUKWASHA BAANTU KUBA’MBA BIKALE BWIKALO BWAMA PANYUMA YAKUSHINKA KABIJI NE BYA KWIBALAMA BAANTU MU MOBO AKULUTWE NE MAALI AKONSHA KUTAIWAPO BYOONSE BYAUBIWA. KYA KETEKELWA KUBA’MBA BYOONSE BINTU BYAYUKANYIKWA BYA KONSHA KULETA MAKATAZHO A KONSHA KWINGIWAPO MUMASHINDA ASWISHIWA KUPITILA MUKUFIKIZHA MINGILO YA BIKWAPO KWESAKANYA NA BYATANCHIKWA MU LIPOOTI NE MA LIPOOTI AKWABO ABANSENDWA ALAMATAKO. KWESAKANYA NA BYA NENGEZHIWA PA BYA KONSHA KUMWEKA KUBINTU BITU ZHOKOLOKA KYASWISHIWA AMBA MINGILO ITWAJIJILE MU KIPUNGU KYA KUKEBA KEBA NEKUTANA BYA KONSHA KUFUMA MUMINGILO INO KYO BATELA’MBA DIFINITIVU FESIBILITI PHASE (DFP) MUBWEPI, NE KAFULUMENDE WA KETEKELWA KUPANA MUKUMBU WAWAMA. UNO EIS WAPANWA KU KUBUNGWE KATANGISHA PA KULAMA BULONGO BINTU BITU ZHOKOLOKA KATELWA’MBA – ZEMA MUBWEPI MUKUTUNDAIKA KULOMBA KWAKUSWISHIWA KWESAKANYA NA BITU ZHOKOLOKA KU INO MINGILO YA KETEKELWA KWINGIWA. UNO LIPOOTI NAYE WATUMWA KUPITILA MU BA ZEMA KU KIBESE KYA KAFULUMENDE KITANGESHA PA KWIVIMBILA KWA BAANTU BATWELA PA MUKOCHI NANGWA’MBA MAINI SEFUTI DIPATIMENTI (MSD), KIJI MU KIBESE KYA KAFULUMENDE KITALA PA MIKOCHI NE KU KUTWALA PALUTWE MINGILO WAMABWE APUSANA PUSANA, NE KABUNGWE KEMINAKO BAANTU BENGIGISHA MEEMA NANGWA KABUNGWE KATENTEKWA NA KAFULUMENDE KATALA PA NGOVU WA PANYIWA KU MUUNTU KWINGISHA MEEMA AJIMU MIKOLA NE BIZHIBA PA MPUNZHA PA KETEKELWA KUBIKWA MINGILO YA KUTWALA PALUTWE BYA KUBAISHAKO MINGILO YAKUPOYA MABWE. AGES Gauteng -xiv- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 1.2 Non-Technical Summary (English) Blackthorn Resources Limited (Blackthorn) appointed Africa Geo-Environmental Services Gauteng (PTY) Ltd (AGES) to investigate the feasibility of the proposed Kitumba copper mining Project from an environmental and social impact management perspective, and to facilitate the environmental impact assessment processes required under Zambian law. The purpose of this Environmental Impact Study (EIS) Report is to evaluate the existing socio-economic and biophysical baseline environments of the proposed project site in order to determine whether any fatal flaws exist that may render the project impracticable from an environmental management point of view, and to identify the management measures which would be required to ensure that the project does not detrimentally impact on the receiving environment. This study also discusses environmental legal requirements and authorisations applicable to the project. The proposed project site is situated in the Mumbwa District, in the north-west region of the Central Province of Zambia, approximately 210 km north-west of Lusaka, and approximately 50 km north-west of the town of Mumbwa. It is expected that the copper is contained in malachite and cuprite which are classified as oxide copper minerals. Sulphide minerals are also present. The copper ore which will be mined comprise primarily sulphide copper, oxide copper will also be mined but is a lesser component. The base case project description involves the mining and processing of an iron-oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposit at a 3 Mtpa production rate, using a sub level caving (SLC) mining method. Twin declines will be used for access and haulage. The process plant will produce both cathode copper and copper concentrate, to be shipped from site to the Copperbelt via Lusaka by road truck. The Life of Mine (LoM) is estimated at approximately 11+ years with 2 years for pre-production. The current planning indicates that the project development (construction) will commence around 2016. It is currently estimated that the construction phase work force will be approximately 500 people, and the operational phases will generate employment for approximately 400 people or more. Preference will be given to the employment of local community members where possible. As part of the applications for environmental authorizations and mining rights AGES has been involved in public engagement with surrounding stakeholders and authorities and this report also contains details of the public consultation process followed thus far. It must be noted that public participation is an on-going consultative and information-sharing process and that good relations must be built and maintained with stakeholders throughout the life of the project and after the project has stopped. A number of specialist investigations were conducted during the EIS which includes: Ecological, soils and land capability and wetland assessments, heritage impact assessment, noise impact assessment, air quality impact assessment, visual impact assessment, traffic impact assessment, hydro-geological impact AGES Gauteng -xv- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study assessment and water supply option analysis and a closure plan and estimate for financial provision. The specialist team characterized the existing environment, quantified what those impacts may be, suggested management measures to reduce the identified impacts and assessed a number of alternatives to be considered in the project implementation going forward. The purpose of identifying and evaluating feasible alternatives in terms of a development proposal is to find the most effective way of meeting the project needs, either through enhancing the environmental benefits of the proposed activity, and / or through reducing negative impacts. A number of different alternative types are discussed in this report. The report also identifies opportunities and benefits that may be associated with the project. Comment is also made in this report on the importance of ensuring that the project leaves a positive legacy behind, and the compilation and implementation of detailed rehabilitation measures concurrently with the mining activities as well as post-closure. Financial provision for rehabilitation, closure and after care was also estimated. It is expected that all of the identified potential negative impacts can be managed to acceptable levels by the implementation of detailed management measures as stipulated in this report and the associated specialist reports. From an environmental impact management point of view it is recommended that the project continue to the definitive feasibility phase (DFS) and the authorities consider granting a positive authorization. This EIS is submitted to the ZEMA in support of an application for environmental authorization for the proposed project. This report is also submitted (via the ZEMA) to the Mines Safety Department (MSD), under the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development and to the relevant Water Users association or water board for the right to use water at the proposed mining development. AGES Gauteng -xvi- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 2 INTRODUCTION Blackthorn Resources Zambia Limited (Blackthorn hereafter) is investigating the feasibility of the proposed Kitumba Copper Project located in the Mumbwa District of the Central Province of Zambia. The proposed project site is approximately 210 km north-west of Lusaka, and approximately 50 km north-west of the town of Mumbwa at the following coordinates: Latitude: 14°41'53.15"S Longitude: 26°48'3.20"E Blackthorn appointed Africa Geo-Environmental Services Gauteng (Pty) Ltd (AGES hereafter) to facilitate the environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes required under Zambian law and in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. An Environmental Project Brief (EPB) was submitted to the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ, now the Zambia Environmental Management Agency, ZEMA) on 22 April 2010. The Reference Number is ECZ/INS/101/4/1. The EPB was approved in a letter dated 28 May 2010. Prospecting activities are under way on the project site in accordance with the conditions of the approval and all other relevant legislation. The Draft Terms of Reference (ToR) for the EIA Study were prepared after a consultation / scoping meeting with the ZEMA held on 28 November 2012 (key notes are contained in Appendix 1), and submitted to the ZEMA on 13 December 2012. On 15 January 2013, the ZEMA requested amendments to the ToR. The updated ToR was re-submitted to the ZEMA on 22 January 2013. On 23 January 2013 the ToR was approved by the ZEMA, who instructed that the project may continue to the EIA phase. Please refer to Appendix 1 for proof of these submissions and approval. 2.1 Purpose of this Document In order to proceed with the Project from the current exploration activities to mining activities on the identified resource area it is a legal requirement under the Environmental Management Act, 2011 (EMA) (and other laws, refer to Section 3) that project approval be sought from the Zambian Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA). Section 29 (1) of the EMA states that “A person shall not undertake any project that may have an effect on the environment without the written approval of the Agency, and except in accordance with any conditions imposed in that approval.” Therefore, in line with the applicable legislative requirements discussed further in section 3 of this document, an EIA is required before a decision can be made by the relevant authorities on whether the project may proceed to a mining project and if so under what conditions. This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was thus duly prepared in accordance with the approved ToR and relevant legislative requirements. The purpose of this document is to: AGES Gauteng -1- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study · Provide an overview of the relevant environmental and mining legislation applicable to the proposed Kitumba Copper Project (Section 3) · Provide a detailed description of the proposed project (Section 4); · Provide a detailed description of the existing environment of and around the proposed development site (section 5); · Provide details on consultations with the public and relevant stakeholders in the project who may be interested in or affected by the project (Section 6.1). · Describe the anticipated impacts that the proposed project may have on the receiving biophysical and social environments (section 6); · Describe measures which may be applied to the proposed project to minimise and manage the anticipated impacts to acceptable levels (section 7); · Investigate alternatives to the project proposal (section 8); · Compile an environmental management plan aimed at the implementation of the management and mitigation measures identified (section 9) and · Deliver comment on the closure and rehabilitation of the proposed operations after mining has ceased (Section 10). This report thus aims to provide the ZEMA as well as other decision-making authorities (such as the Mines Safety Department (MSD) and Water Users Association (WUA)), and Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs), commenting authorities and other stakeholders, with sufficient information about the proposed project and the project site in order for them to deliver meaningful comments and make informed decisions regarding the future of the proposed Kitumba Copper Project. 2.2 Format of this report AGES and the project proponent held a consultation / scoping meeting with ZEMA on 28 November 2012, during which the preferred format for the EIS was discussed. The following table identifies the format prescribed by the ZEMA and the relevant sections of this EIS report. Table 1: Format of the EIS report No ZEMA Prescribed Format Page/Section of this report 1 Executive Summary Section 1 pg ix 2 Introduction Section 2 pg 1 - Total project cost / investment Section 2.3.3 - Particulars of shareholders / Directors Section 2.3 AGES Gauteng -2- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study - Track record / previous experience of enterprise elsewhere Section 2.3.1 - Proposed project implementation date Section 2.3.3 - Description of project Section 2.4 3 Relevant regulatory framework Section 3 pg 9 4 Project Description Section 4 pg 15 Land tenure Section 4.1 Location (including distances and nature of businesses of surrounding community, satellite Section 4.1 images and maps) Objectives Section 4.2 Main Activities (include site preparation phase, construction phase, operation phase) Section 4.3 Process and Technology (including flow diagrams) Figure 6 Raw materials Section 4.3 Products and by-products Section 4.3 5 Environmental Baseline Study Section 5 pg 34 Climate (rainfall, temperature, humidity, sunshine etc.) Section 0 Air Quality Section 0 Geology Section 5.3 Hydrology (surface water and ground water quality) Section 5.3 & 5.4 Hydrogeology Section 5.3 Soils Section 5.5 Topography Section 5.6 Land Use Section 5.7 Land Tenure Section 5.7 Landscape Section 5.8 Noise and Vibration Section 5.9 Fauna (Field survey of animal species, identification of rare or endangered species, Section 5.10 terrestrial and aquatic habitats) Flora (terrestrial and aquatic habitats, habitats for rare or endangered species) Archaeological and cultural environment Section 5.11 Socio-cultural and economic setup (Administration, social services and amenities, market Section 5.12 availability on commodities, illiteracy levels, health and gender equity, traditional and religious practices and rights, sources of raw materials for such events, or location of significant historical or archaeological features) 6 Impacts Section 6 pg 86 Environmental (positive and negative, direct, indirect, residue and cumulative) Section 6 Socio-cultural (positive and negative, direct, indirect, residue and cumulative) Section 6 Economic (positive and negative, direct, indirect, residue and cumulative) Section 6 7 Mitigation measures for all identified potential impacts Section 7 pg 107 8 Project Alternatives (location, process, materials, pollution control etc.). Section 8 pg 130 9 Environmental Management Plan Section 9 pg 153 10 Decommissioning and rehabilitation Section 10 pg 173 11 Appendices Section 12 Scoping / ToR report Minutes Maps Certificates & authorizations AGES Gauteng -3- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 2.3 Background of the Project Proponent Blackthorn Resources Limited is an Australian-based resources company that is unearthing value from a diverse portfolio of base metal projects in Africa (http://www.blackthornresources.com.au/). The company is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. The particulars of the Board of Directors are available at http://www.blackthornresources.com.au/profile/board/. The company has an office in Zambia with the following contact details: Table 2: Details of the project proponent Ian Hart; Blackthorn Resources Limited Phone +260 211 250 397 Zambia Sydney – Head Office Phone +260 211 250 291 Suite 1A Al Jahazi Villas Level 5, Suite 502 Mobile +260 971 257 416 Zambia 151 Kabulonga Road 80 William Street Mobile +61 457 431 006 Australia PO BOX 50005 Lusaka Sydney NSW 2011 Australia i.hart@blackthornresources.com.au 15101, Zambia Phone +61 2 9357 9000 2.3.1 Information on shareholders and shareholding percentage Blackthorn Resources (Zambia) Limited is 100% owned by Blackthorn Resources Limited, with the following relevant shareholder information: 2.3.1.1 Voting rights At meetings of the Company, each shareholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy or attorney, or, in the case of a shareholder which is a body corporate, by duly authorised representative. On a show of hands every member present or by proxy shall have one vote and upon a poll each share shall have one vote. Table 3 indicates the names of the twenty largest registered shareholders of ordinary shares as at 23 September 2013. Table 3: The names of the twenty largest registered shareholders of ordinary shares as at 23 September 2013 No. of shares % of Total Singpac Investment Holding Pte Ltd 21,205,853 12.91 JP Morgan Nominees Australia Ltd (Cash Income A/C) 19,882,280 12.10 HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) 15,458,386 9.41 Citicorp Nominees Pty Ltd 13,752,768 8.37 National Nominees Ltd 4,450,867 2.71 JP Morgan Nominees Australia Ltd 3,569,185 2.17 UBS Nominees Pty Ltd 2,724,414 1.66 AGES Gauteng -4- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) 2,636,317 1.60 Singpac Investment Holding Pte Ltd 2,100,000 1.28 Merrill Lynch (Australia) Nominees Pty Ltd 1,651,326 1.01 BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd (Jarvis A/C Non Treaty DRP) 1,617,206 0.98 Mr Christopher Brown 1,450,460 0.88 SA Capital Funds Management Ltd (SACFM No 1 Fund A/C) 1,161,349 0.71 HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) (NT Comnwlth Super Corp) 1,093,677 0.67 Mr Yi Weng & Ms Ning Li 1,027,100 0.63 Mr Yi Weng & Ms Ning Li 928,000 0.56 Citicorp Nominees Pty Ltd (Colonial First State Inv A/C) 833,800 0.51 JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited 806,252 0.49 P & S Fahey Pty Ltd 785,879 0.48 UBS Wealth Management Australia Nominees Pty Ltd 735,258 0.45 97,870,377 59.57% Shareholders who have given notice of being substantial shareholders in the Company at the date of the Company’s latest annual report, where their relevant interest in the number of fully paid ordinary shares are as follows: Substantial Shareholder % Glencore Xstrata 14.2 North Sound 6.0 Acorn Capital 5.7 F Brewer 5.2 The shareholding and directors of Blackthorn Resources Zambia are as follows; Table 4: shareholding and directors of Blackthorn Resources Zambia Limited Shareholder Shares held Nationality NRC/Passport No. Blackthorn Resources Limited 4,999 Australian Body Corporate ACN 009193980 African Investments Pty Limited 1 Australian Body Corporate ACN 107540992 1075 Director Shares held Nationality NRC/Passport No. Scott Frederick LOWE Nil Australian E4068660 Geoffrey Mutale MULENGA Nil Zambian 235571/11/1 William Douglas CASH Nil Australian M2907944 William Paul SAUNDERS Nil British 943630/67/2 AGES Gauteng -5- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 2.3.2 Previous Experience of Enterprise elsewhere Blackthorn’s primary assets are currently in West and Southern Africa targeting Copper, Zinc and Silver. The high-grade Perkoa Zinc/Silver Mine in Burkina Faso has recently been commissioned, with joint venture partner Glencore International managing and operating the mine, as well as providing debt funding for mine development. The Perkoa zinc mine is the largest zinc mine development undertaken in the country to date and there is a growing level of excitement over its progression (http://www.blackthornresources.com.au/projects/perkoa/). 2.3.3 Project cost / investment and implementation date The current planning indicates that the project development (construction) will commence around 2016. Total life of mine capital expenditure for the project is currently estimated at $400 – $450M. These figures are likely to be refined as the project evaluation and design progresses. 2.4 Brief description of the Project The proposed project is located in the Mumbwa District, in the north-west region of the Central Province of Zambia. The site is approximately 210 km north-west of Lusaka, and approximately 50 km north-west of the town of Mumbwa (See Figure 1). The proposed project entails the mining and processing of an iron-oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposit in an underground mining operation using sub-level caving as the base case mining method at a production rate of 3 mega tons per annum (Mtpa) and at a head grade of 1.7% Copper. The copper to be mined is primarily sulphide (secondary chalcocite and primary chalcopyrite), and oxide is lesser component. 33,000 tonnes per annum of copper cathode and ~ 24,000 tonnes per annum of wet copper sulphide concentrate is planned to be shipped from site by road truck. Sub-Level Caving (SLC) is an underground mining method which involves controlled drilling and blasting breaking the whole quantity of ore between sub-levels, and subsequent removal of the ore via the haulage access. This mining method is associated with significant economic opportunities when compared to some other mining methods. The knowledge base for SLC is (however) comparatively small as very few mines use the method (https://www.minewiki.org/index.php/Sub-Level_Caving:_Where_Is_It_Headed%3F). The mining method is associated with ground deformations at surface (subsistence). 2.4.1 Prospecting Phase The Mumbwa large-scale prospecting licence (reference number 8589-HQ-LPL) was first granted on 13 November 2007 and has subsequently been renewed. The Mumbwa tenement covers an area of 2 approximately 250 km . Within the Mumbwa tenement the main focus is on the Kitumba Deposit (http://www.blackthornresources.com.au/projects/mumbwa/). The prospecting project, previously held in joint venture with BHP Billiton, is now owned 100% by Blackthorn AGES Gauteng -6- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Resources with BHP Billiton retaining a 2% production royalty (http://www.blackthornresources.com.au/ projects/mumbwa/). The prospecting license is held for the following minerals: Table 5: Minerals for which the prospecting license is held Mineral Abbreviation Copper Cu Gold Au Uranium U Lead Pb Zinc Zn Silver Ag Phosphorus P Cobalt Co Diamonds The location of the prospecting license is indicated in Figure 1, with the proposed mining site (the subject of this EIS) indicated in Purple. AGES Gauteng -7- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 1: Regional Locality of the Prospecting License Area and Project Area AGES Gauteng -8- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 3 RELEVANT REGULATORY FRAMEWORK There are a number of regulatory requirements pertaining to environmental management to which the proposed development will have to conform. The Zambian Constitution (as amended by Act Number 18 of 1996) pledges: “… to ourselves that we shall ensure that the State shall respect the rights and dignity of the human family, uphold the laws of the State and conduct the affairs of the State in such a manner as to preserve, develop, and utilise its resources for this and future generations.” Thus all projects proposed within Zambia will have to conform to the principles of integrated environmental management (IEM) in the interest of sustainable development within this constitutional framework. A brief summary of the main relevant acts and statutory bodies responsible for environmental management in Zambia are outlined below. The following paragraphs contain the findings of an internal legislative review by AGES. Should professional legal advice be obtained during subsequent project phases, it may come to light that additional environmental legislative requirements are applicable to the proposed project, in which case additional licenses, permits or authorizations will have to be applied for by Blackthorn in due course prior to the commencement of the project. 3.1 Policy and Legal Framework for EIA in Zambia The primary legislation in Zambia in respect of environmental management and impact assessment is the Environmental Management Act (EMA) of 2011, under which the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) is the relevant authority presiding over environmental management and EIAs in Zambia. One of the key objectives of the EMA is to “provide for integrated environmental management and the protection and conservation of the environment and the sustainable management and use of natural resources”. Before a developer can commence with an activity listed in the schedules attached to the EIA Regulations, environmental authorization must be obtained from the ZEMA. This process involves the compilation of an Environmental Impact Statement in accordance with Regulation 7(1) of the EIA Regulations. This document is the Draft EIS Report and is presented to Interested and Affected Parties for comment prior to submission to the ZEMA for decision-making purposes. 3.2 Environmental Authorization for Mining in Zambia The Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2008 (MMDA) governs all mining operations within Zambia and matters related thereto. Section 25 of the MMDA describes the requirements for an application for a large scale mining license. AGES Gauteng -9- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 25. (5) An applicant shall commission and produce to the Director an environmental impact study on the proposed mining operations approved by the Environmental Council of Zambia (now ZEMA). Thus this EIS report is also applicable to the required mining right application under the MMDA. The Mines Safety Department (MSD), under the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, is responsible for enforcing compliance to regulations on environmental conservation and the protection of human health and safety during mining operations. ZEMA and MSD work in consultation with each other on issues pertaining to environment and human health in the mining sector. 3.3 Water Use Authorization The Water Resources Management Act of Zambia (Act No. 21 of 2011) (WRMA) describes legislative requirements for the use of water for mining purposes. The Act states which types of activities require licensing of water use as follows: 71. Subject to this Act, a person who intends to— a) use water for purposes specified under section sixty, other than for the domestic purposes specified under section seventy; b) construct, acquire any water works, impound, supply or distribute water from any water works or borehole to any other person; c) de-water any mine, quarry or water works; d) drain any swamp, marsh, dambo, wetland, re-charge area or other land; e) construct or acquire any water works for the purpose of draining into, conserving or utilising, in any manner whatsoever, water from a water resource; f) construct water works necessary to restore the course of a water resource that has changed its course; g) harvest any rainwater by means of a dam, weir or barrage that is on a water resource; h) conduct any operation that would interfere with the bank or course of a watercourse; i) sink, deepen or alter any borehole for any purpose in a water shortage area; or j) carry out any activity in relation to a water resource as may be prescribed; shall apply for a permit and pay such charges, for the use of the water, as may be prescribed. AGES Gauteng -10- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study A water use permit must be applied for under Section 72 of the Act. Section 72 (3) of the Act states that (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a person holding a permit or a licence under the Mines and Minerals Development Act, 2008 who requires the use of water for mining purposes, shall make an application to the Director of Mines, setting out the volume of water required, the nature of the proposed use and such other information as may be prescribed. An application for a water use permit for mining purposes will be handed in to the Director of Mines in accordance with the above. The Director of Mines will assess the application and will thereafter forward the application including his/her comments and recommendations to the Water User Association (WUA). ZEMA, the Director of Mines and the Water Board / relevant WUA work in consultation with each other on issues pertaining to environment and water use in the mining sector. This EIS report is therefore also in support of an application for water use rights and contains all necessary and relevant information in this regard. 3.4 Other Relevant Regulatory Requirements Other legislation relevant to the project are listed and summarized in Table 6. Table 6: Additional Relevant Legislation Relevant Act Description and Project Compliance Authority Air Pollution Control The regulations set out licensing requirements for emissions to the ZEMA (Licensing and environment and ambient air quality guidelines and emission limits and Emission Standards) provides for licensing of point source polluters. Blackthorn will consult with Regulations, 1996 (SI the ZEMA to confirm whether a license is required. Air quality monitoring at No. 141 of 1996). the operations will have to be conducted throughout the life of the operations to ensure that air quality and emission standards are not being exceeded. Water Pollution The Regulations set out the licensing requirements for effluent and ZEMA Control (Effluent and wastewater discharges to the environment and provide discharge limits. Waste Water) Blackthorn has to apply for a license if they plan to discharge effluent or Regulations, 1993 (SI wastewater into the environment. No. 72 of 1993) Hazardous Waste The Regulations set out requirements for the control and monitoring of ZEMA Management hazardous wastes. A Waste Register for the project has to be compiled by Regulations, 2001 (SI Blackthorn to determine whether any waste generated is classified as No. 125 of 2001) hazardous waste Waste Management Sets out the licensing requirements for solid non-hazardous waste ZEMA (Licensing of transportation and operations of waste disposal sites. The project may not Transporters of Waste require a license in terms of these regulations, but will have to ensure that the and Waste Disposal transporter(s) of waste associated with the project, and the waste disposal Sites) Regulations, sites, are appropriately licensed. 1993 (SI No. 71 of 1993) National Heritage The Act provides for the establishment of the National Heritage and NHCC Conservation Act, conservation Commission (NHCC) responsible for the conservation and 1989 management of heritage resources. If artefacts of cultural heritage value are discovered at the Project site, they will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Pesticides and Toxic The legislation Provides for licensing importation, transportation, distribution, ZEMA Substances storage, use and handling of pesticides and toxic substances. Hazardous Regulations, 1994 (SI substances (including, but not limited to those used in the beneficiation plant, No. 20 of 1994) and hydrocarbons, explosives etc.) will be associated with the project, and therefore Blackthorn will have to apply and obtain appropriate licenses for AGES Gauteng -11- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study storage, handling, etc., in accordance with the regulations. Mines and Minerals The regulations provide a mechanism for setting up and operating the Mines Safety (Environmental Environmental Protection Fund. The Project will be subject to independent Department Protection Fund) annual environmental audits and evaluation with in order to determine the (MSD) Regulations, 1998 (SI company’s environmental performance and contribution towards the EPF. No. 102 of 1998) The Land Act, 1995 Provides for the allocation of land into categories that include state, local Ministry of authority and traditional land. The land on which the proposed project is Lands situated is under the authority of Chief Kaindu and agreements between relevant parties will have to be determined. Blackthorn is in possession of prospecting rights over the tenement. The Local Government These Acts provide for the establishment of local councils and districts, and Ministry of Act, 1995 and Local specify the functions of local government, some of which relate pollution Local Government control and environmental management. Blackthorn has and will continue to government (Amendment) Act liaise with the relevant local authorities and will have to comply with the and Housing 2010 relevant by-laws enacted by these authorities. Town and Country The Act provides for the preparation, approval and revocation of development Mumbwa Planning Act, Chapter plans by planning authorities, and for the control of development and District 283: subdivision of land. Building plans for ancillary structures such as staff Council households which will require approval from Mumbwa District Council. Forest Act, 1973 The Act provides for the establishment and management of National Forests Ministry of and Local Forests and makes provision for the conservation and protection of Tourism forests and trees. The Act also provides for the licensing and sale of forest Environment produce. It is also one of the legislative mechanisms for the implementation and Natural of the Convention of Biological Diversity. Resources If rare trees specified in the Act are identified within the Project area, they will be conserved and protected as far as possible. PART XII of the Forests Act however states that “Nothing in this Act shall affect the rights of the holder of a prospecting licence, exploration licence or mining licence to take forest produce in accordance with the provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act”. No licence application is therefore considered necessary for the mining lease area at present, unless the relevant authorities should indicate otherwise. Public Health Act, The Act relates mainly to the control and notification of infectious diseases, Ministry of 1995 sanitation and housing and places an obligation on all individuals and Local property owners not to allow nuisance situations which could lead to the Government spread of infectious diseases. and Housing Employees at the project site may be housed on site in certain instances and in surrounding villages in other cases, and it will be Blackthorn’s responsibility to ensure that staff are aware of what constitutes an infectious disease and what should be done in case of infectious diseases being detected. Explosives Act, (Volume 9 Chapter 115) 3.5 International and Regional Conventions and Agreements Zambia is a signatory to a number of international and regional conventions. Those listed below include some of the most important conventions and agreements in terms of sustainable development: · Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, (1975) The Convention aims at promoting conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their resources. AGES Gauteng -12- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study There are wetlands present on the project site and the finalization of the site layout should aim to avoid impacts to these wetlands wherever possible. · Convention on the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972) The Convention aims at ensuring the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission to future generations of cultural and natural heritage. No cultural, heritage or archaeological sites have been identified on the project area itself. · Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (ratified in 1993) The objectives the Zambia’s National Biodiversity Action Plans include ensuring the conservation of a full range of Zambia’s natural ecosystems through a network of protected areas, development and implementation of strategies for conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use and management of biological resources. No Biological resources of significant conservation value have been identified on the project site, although it is recommended that a biological offset be negotiated in order to compensate for biological diversity which will be affected by the project. This is especially relevant in terms of the project’s proximity to conservation areas. · Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel Convention) (1994) Zambia has formally agreed to the Basel Convention which aims to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation, management, movement and disposal of hazardous waste. Additionally, many countries to whom hazardous waste may be sent have ratified the Basel Convention and the provisions thereof will have to be heeded in the waste management practices of the project. · Convention on the Ban of the Import into Africa and the Control of Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes within Africa (Bamako Convention) Zambia has also signed the 1991 Bamako Convention although the ratification has yet to be finalised. The convention is supplementary to the Basel Convention and covers movement of hazardous waste into or between signatory African countries. The provisions of the convention will have to be considered in the preparation of the waste management plan. 3.6 Summary Licenses and permits that have thus far been identified in terms of environmental management legislation that are required in terms of the development of the proposed project are: · Environmental Authorisation (ZEMA) AGES Gauteng -13- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study · Mining Right (ZEMA and the MMDA) · Water Use Authorisation (ZEMA and the Water Board and/or WUA) No other required permits or licenses have been identified at this time in terms of environmental legislation applicable to the project. AGES Gauteng -14- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 4 DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION The following section provides a description of the Land tenure and Location (including distances and nature of businesses of surrounding community, satellite images and maps), and objectives of the project. The main site activities associated with the various project phases are described, together with the proposed process and technologies to be employed at the project site. The raw materials and supplies associated with the project, as well as the products and by-products are also included. 4.1 Land tenure and location The project site is located in the Mumbwa District, Central Province, Zambia, approximately 210 km northwest of the capital Lusaka (Figure 1). The project site is located in a rural area, with the closest large town, Mumbwa, approximately 50 km south east of the site. The closest settlements to the site are Kafucamo and Mpundu. The villages of Kaindu and Kalenda are located to the East and North East of the resource area. These settlements form part of the Kaonde tribe under the leadership of Chief Kaindu. The proposed mining site is located within the boundaries of the Blackthorn prospecting license 8589-HQ- LPL (See Figure 1). Access to the site from Lusaka is gained via approximately 160 km of well-maintained westerly paved road (M9) to Mumbwa, followed by approximately 50 km of dirt road (D181) northwest from Mumbwa. The nearest railhead and nearest commercial airport is at Lusaka, while registered airstrips are located at Mumbwa and at Hippo Lodge in the Kafue National Park. Road conditions between Lusaka and Mumbwa are fairly good. Road conditions between Mumbwa and the project site are very poor. A Traffic Specialist has been appointed and consultation with the Road Development Agency (RDA) has confirmed that they are planning to construct the D181 including the section relevant to this project towards the end of 2014. No established power supply exists within the study area. ZESCO is in the process of constructing a rural power network as part of its regional electrification program. They are also initiating the construction of a high voltage (330 kV) power line from the Mumbwa substation through Kasempa to the First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Kalumbila Project in the Northwest Province. The Kitumba area does receive weak cellular phone coverage due to its elevation. Elevation ranges from approximately 1100 to 1400 meters above mean sea level (mamsl). The project site is approximately 5 km from the Mushingashi Conservancy border at the closest point (linear distance) and approximately 5.5 km from the Kafue National Park at the closest point (linear distance). No agriculture is allowed within these areas and the area is infested with tsetse fly. Population and livestock farming are therefore limited in the surroundings. Minor tourism and licensed hunting are practiced in the surrounding areas (Robertson, Hall, & Gallant, 2012). There are existing mining operations in close proximity to the site which are not thought to be legal and it appears that these operations have resulted in significant ecological damage and considerably unsafe environments. This is discussed in more detail under Section 5.7.2 of this report. AGES Gauteng -15- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Surrounding land uses in relation to the project site are illustrated in Figure 2. 4.2 Project objectives and motivation Zambia plays an important role in the global copper mining industry. The country contains the largest known reserves of copper in Africa, holding 6% of known copper reserves in the world (The World Bank, 2011). The Wold Bank (2011) reports that copper also plays a critical role in Zambia’s economy, but that Zambia as a country could benefit more from the mining industry. Zambia has relied on mining for its development ever since commercial copper mining started in 1928 (Lungu, 2009). The Kitumba deposit (target mining resource for this project) represents a viable resource for mining in terms of the current resource estimates. The results of the latest drilling campaigns have confirmed the existence of a substantial mineralized Iron Oxide Copper-Gold (IOCG) deposit at Kitumba and the presence of a significant high grade core to the deposit (Robertson, Hall, & Gallant, 2012). It is currently estimated that the construction phase work force will be approximately 500 people, and the operational phases will generate employment for approximately 400 people or more. Preference will be given to the employment of local community members where possible, and the employment of females will be encouraged. The principal project objective is thus to exploit the Kitumba IOCG mineral reserve in an economically viable and environmentally sustainable manner for the benefit of shareholders as well as current and future generations of Zambians, causing the minimum possible ecological damage while bringing economic opportunities to Zambia in the areas surrounding the development site. AGES Gauteng -16- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 2: The project site surroundings AGES Gauteng -17- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 4.3 Main site activities and processes, materials, products and by-products associated with the project phases The Mumbwa area has numerous historic artisanal copper mines dating from the late 19th century and has been explored for large Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) style deposits since the mid-1990s (http://www.blackthornresources.com.au/projects /mumbwa/). The current prospecting activities on the site as described above involve extensive drilling programmes over a variety of phases, with data interpretation phases occurring in between. The site has thus been experiencing a cycle of drilling programmes and care and maintenance status The exploration camp was constructed by BHP Billiton at the start of exploration activities and is still in use. It is planned that the camp will be expanded and upgraded to accommodate the proposed mining project as well. The camp has generator-supplied electricity and running water (reportedly not potable although some of the locals do drink from the taps without ill effect) as well as septic tank sewerage systems, a fully equipped kitchen, accommodation facilities and fully functional office facilities. The Core shed is also located at the camp. 4.3.1 Site establishment Construction Phase Due to the prospecting activities occurring at the project site, much of the activities typically associated with site establishment will be carried over to the proposed mining project. Activities associated with the construction phase would include fencing of the entire mining site and provision of appropriate and secured access; vegetation clearance and construction of roads and site infrastructure (offices, accommodation facilities and the processing plant etc.). The proposed layout of the project site is illustrated in Figure 3. The existing and proposed accommodation facilities are illustrated in Figure 4 and Figure 5. The majority of supplies (food, cleaning detergents, bottled water etc.) are and will continue to be sources from Lusaka. Local produce is purchased in Mumbwa where possible. Domestic waste is removed by a contractor and disposed of at Landfill. This practice will likely continue in the operational phase although recycling options are encouraged. AGES Gauteng -18- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 3: Proposed site layout AGES Gauteng -19- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 4: Existing exploration camp Figure 5: Proposed on-site accommodation AGES Gauteng -20- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 4.3.2 Operational Phase The proposed project entails an underground mining operation using a sub-level caving mining method at a 3 mega tons per annum (Mtpa) production rate. Twin declines will be used for access and haulage The copper to be mined is primarily sulphide (secondary chalcocite and primary chalcopyrite), and oxide is lesser component The process plant will produce both cathode copper and copper concentrate to be shipped off site by road truck. All waste material from the Processing Plant facilities will report to the TSF as thickened Tailings. Under normal operating condition no surface discharge of process water or rainfall will occur from the tailings storage facility with water recycled to the process plant for reuse in the process circuit. In the event of extreme rainfall of greater than 1 in 100 year average recurrence interval there is the potential for water to be discharged from the tailings storage facility via an engineered spillway which has been designed to pass flows up to the probably maximum flood (~1 in 100,000 year recurrence interval). This water will be directed through an engineered discharge channel to a point at which the discharge cannot result in erosion or damage to the tailings storage facility or other infrastructure and will then be release to the natural creek system located to the south west of the tailings storage facility. On closure after the tailings beach has been covered and rehabilitated rainfall which falls on the facility will also be discharged through the same engineered spillway and discharge channel to the natural creek system. On site facilities will include underground mining (Sub-Level Caving); processing plant; water storage facilities; waste dump; and a tailings facility. Water supply and power supply infrastructure will also be included, as well as haul roads, access road(s) and conveyors where appropriate. Additionally, office facilities and employee housing and associated infrastructure are to be located on the site. The existing exploration camp will serve as an ideal base for providing the first of these facilities but will be expanded / upgraded as necessary. It is currently estimated that the construction phase work force will be approximately 500 people, and the operational phases will generate employment for approximately 400 people. The project will aim to provide equal opportunity to women in mining and related operations where feasible. Employees will be able to travel to the site by bus (service and vehicles to be supplied by the project proponent) from Mumbwa and Lusaka. Plant-related machinery will include trucks, loaders, production drills, tool-carriers, graders and light vehicles. A brief description of the major equipment used and the process steps is given below: · Primary ore crushing · Grinding and classification · Rougher flotation to produce a bulk concentrate · Acid leaching of bulk rougher concentrate · Filtration of leached concentrate with filtrate processed by solvent extraction and electrowinning AGES Gauteng -21- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study (SXEW) to produce copper cathode · Neutralisation of filtrate residue followed by secondary flotation of filtrate residue · Secondary flotation concentrate regrind and two stages of cleaner flotation to produce a copper concentrate · Copper concentrate thickening, filtration and stockpiling · Tailings thickening and disposal Personnel on site will include site supervisors, operators, drivers, drillers, a service crew, general workers, the mine management, foreman, engineers, supervisors, geologists, administrative and support staff, safety and training staff, maintenance staff, leading hands and fitters. It is recommended that an Environmental Manager should also form part of the on-site personnel, although this function may be fulfilled by a designated person along with his/her other responsibilities. Personnel during the operational phase will be approximately 280 people on site at any given time. During construction there will be approximately 350 people on site. Preference will be given to the employment of Zambian citizens where possible, and skills development training will form an integral part of mine operations. Sub-level caving extracts ore via sublevels developed in the ore body at regular spacing. Minimal blasting, all underground, is involved during normal operations, and during the first two years of pre- production there will be blasting throughout the mine development, approximately 95 % of the blasting occurring underground. Sub-level caving is associated with a subsistence effect above the mining zone. The approximate area of the subsidence zone is 80 hectares (the subsidence cone). A buffer zone of 100 meters around the subsistence cone will also be implemented. 4.3.2.1 Detailed description of the operational phase and process design Primary Crushing and Stockpiling: Run-of-mine (ROM) ore will be reclaimed from the ROM stockpile by front-end loader (FEL) and fed into the ROM bin from where it will be fed, by an apron feeder, into a jaw crusher. The crushed ore will be transported by the surge bin feed conveyor to the surge bin. A 200 mm static grizzly positioned over the ROM bin will prevent rocks or trash from entering the bin and a rock breaker will be installed to break oversize material. The ROM bin will have a surge capacity of approximately 150 t or 0.5 hours. Ore from the surge bin, which has a capacity of approximately 150 t, is fed by a variable speed apron feeder onto the SAG mill feed conveyor. A weightometer installed on the conveyor will control the speed of the apron feeder to achieve the desired mill feed rate as set by the operator. In order to maintain steady operation through the primary crusher when the surge bin is full an overflow chute allows material to feed onto the emergency stockpile feed conveyor for discharge onto the AGES Gauteng -22- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study emergency stockpile. A weightometer installed on the emergency stockpile feed conveyor monitors the amount of ore sent to the emergency stockpile. Material is reclaimed from the emergency stockpile by FEL and will be fed to the SAG mill feed conveyor via a hopper located over the conveyor. A dust collection system will be installed on the stockpile feed conveyor at the jaw crusher discharge to reduce airborne dust around the primary crusher area. A clean-up hopper will be provided to allow scats and other spillage to be returned to the SAG mill feed conveyor using a skid-steer loader. Drive-in style sump pumps will service the area to facilitate area clean-up. The sump pumps will deliver spillage hosed into the sump to the cyclone feed hopper located in the grinding area. Grinding & Classification (PFDs 3135-F-201 & 202) The circuit will consist of a SAG mill operating in open circuit with a ball mill operating in closed circuit with a cyclone cluster. The SAG mill will be 8.53 m diameter x 4.35 m EGL mill, with a 6 MW variable speed motor. The mill will operate with between 8 and 13% ball charge. Ore will be fed to the ball mill at a controlled rate, nominally 375 dry tph, and water added to the feed chute to achieve the desired mill discharge density. Feed to the SAG mill will have a F80 of 137 mm. The ball mill will be 6.10 m diameter x 9.05 m EGL mill, with a 6 MW variable speed motor. The mill will operate with between 29 and 36% ball charge. Product from the SAG mill will discharge over a trommel with 20 mm apertures. Trommel oversize will be screened with screen oversize discharging onto the scats conveyor which feed the recycle crusher. Product from the recycle crusher will be returned to the SAG mill feed conveyor. SAG mill trommel undersize will gravitate to the cyclone feed hopper where it will be combined with ball mill trommel undersize before being pumped to the primary cyclone cluster by cyclone feed pumps operating in a duty / standby configuration. A density gauge on the cyclone feed line will be used to control the cyclone feed density by controlling the addition of dilution water to the cyclone feed hopper. The cyclone cluster will be a fully manual operation with manual valves and local pressure indication. Cyclone underflow will be directed to the ball mill feed chute whilst the overflow will be directed to the trash screen ahead of the rougher flotation. Two vertical spindle sump pumps, one located at the feed end of the mills and another at the discharge end of the mills will service the area. The concrete floor under the mill area will slope to the sumps to facilitate clean-up. Grinding media for the SAG mill will be introduced to the SAG feed conveyor from the SAG mill ball charge hopper located over the conveyor. Ball mill grinding media will be introduced by use of a ball AGES Gauteng -23- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study charging hoist located on the cyclone tower. Balls will be charged using a kibble. Primary Rougher Flotation and Filtration: The cyclone overflow will pass over a linear screen to remove foreign material prior to rougher flotation. Trash will report to the trash bunker where it will be periodically removed by skid-steer loader. Slurry will gravitate from the linear screen underpan through a linear sampler, which will take a continuous sample to feed the On-Stream Analyser (OSA). The remainder of the stream will flow to the rougher flotation cells. Slurry from the sampling unit will gravitate into the sulphide rougher conditioning tank where PAX (collector) and MIBC (frother) will be added. Process water will also be added to dilute the slurry to the appropriate density. The sulphide rougher conditioning tank discharges to the head of a bank of four sulphide rougher flotation cells, 100 m3 forced air tank cells, arranged in series. Sulphide rougher concentrate will gravitate into the rougher concentrate hopper with sulphide rougher tailings gravitating to the oxide rougher condition tank. In the oxide rougher conditioning tank additional collector and frother will be added together with the sulphidising reagent sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS). NaHS is used to sulphidise the surface of oxide minerals so that they will respond to flotation with “normal” collectors. The oxide rougher conditioning tank discharges to the head of a bank of four oxide rougher flotation cells, 100 m3 forced air tank cells, arranged in series. Oxide rougher concentrate will gravitate into the oxide rougher concentrate hopper from where it will be pumped to rougher concentrate hopper. Oxide rougher tailings will be directed to the final tails hopper. Rougher concentrate feed pumps operating in duty / standby mode transfer rougher concentrate to the rougher concentrate filter feed tank from where rougher concentrate filter feed pumps operating in duty / standby mode pump the rougher concentrate to the rougher concentrate filter press. Filtrate from the filter will be collected in the rougher concentrate filtrate tank from where it will be pumped by one of two rougher concentrate filtrate pumps operating in duty / standby mode to the final tails hopper. Residue (filter cake) from the filter will be discharged onto the rougher concentrate transfer conveyor which will discharge the rougher concentrate residue into the concentrate leach surge tank. Vertical spindle sump pumps in both the sulphide rougher and oxide rougher areas collect spillage in that area and pump it to either the appropriate conditioning tank or the final tails hopper. Concentrate Leach and Filtration: The rougher concentrate will be slurried in the concentrate leach surge tank with sulphuric acid and raffinate (acidic solution from solvent extraction) before being pumped to the first of three agitated concentrate leach tanks arranged in series. Flow between the leach tanks will be by cascading of the overflow. The purpose of the acid is to leach acid soluble copper from the concentrate into solution. AGES Gauteng -24- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Leached slurry discharging from the 3rd concentrate leach tank will flow into the leach filter feed surge tank from where it will be pumped by one of two pumps operating in duty / standby mode to the leach filter press. Filtrate from the filter press will be collected in the PLS surge tank from where it will be pumped by one of two PLS transfer pumps operating in duty / standby mode to the PLS pond. Raffinate will be used as a wash solution through the filter press. Residue (filter cake) from the filter press will be discharged from the filter onto the leach residue transfer conveyor which will discharge the residue into the first of four agitated neutralisation tanks. A vertical spindle sump pump in area collects spillage and pumps it to the concentrate leach surge tank. Neutralisation and Secondary Rougher Flotation: Leach filter residue will be neutralised by the addition of lime slurry in a series of four neutralisation tanks. Flow between the leach tanks will be by cascading of the overflows. Neutralisation is necessary to remove excess acid from the slurry prior to the next flotation stage. Secondary sulphide flotation feed pumps operating in duty / standby mode pump the neutralised slurry to the secondary sulphide rougher conditioning tank. Two vertical spindle sump pumps located at either end of the area collect spillage and pump it into the neutralisation circuit. Provision is made for the addition of frother, collector, lime and process water to the neutralised slurry in the secondary sulphide rougher conditioning tank which discharges to the head of a bank of four 3 secondary sulphide rougher flotation cells, 20 m forced air tank cells, arranged in series. Secondary sulphide rougher concentrate will gravitate into the secondary sulphide rougher concentrate hopper from where it will be pumped to the regrind circuit by one of two secondary sulphide rougher concentrate pumps operating in duty / standby mode. Secondary sulphide rougher tailings flow into the secondary sulphide rougher tails hopper from where it will be pumped to the final tails hopper by one of two secondary sulphide rougher tails pumps operating in duty / standby mode. A vertical spindle sump pump will service this area for spillage clean-up. Regrind and Cleaner Flotation: Secondary sulphide rougher concentrate and sulphide regrind mill discharge will be combined in the sulphide regrind cyclone feed hopper before being pumped by one of two sulphide regrind cyclone feed pumps operating in duty / standby mode to the sulphide regrind cyclone cluster. The cyclone cluster will be a fully manual operation with manual valves and local pressure indication. Cyclone underflow will be directed to the sulphide regrind mill whilst the overflow will be directed to sulphide cleaner 1 flotation bank. The sulphide regrind mill operates in closed circuit with the cyclone cluster. Grinding media will be added to the regrind mill via a kibble discharging balls into the underflow launder of the cyclone cluster. The regrind area will be serviced by one vertical spindle sump pump in the area. Sulphide cleaner 1 will be a bank of 5 forced air trough cells, while Sulphide cleaner 2 will be a single AGES Gauteng -25- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study forced air trough cell. Provision is made for the addition of collector, frother and lime at the feed box ahead of the bank. Concentrate will gravitate to the sulphide cleaners concentrate hoppers from where it will be pumped by one of two sulphide cleaner concentrate pumps operating in duty / standby mode to the feed box of the sulphide cleaner 2 flotation cell or the feed box of the concentrate thickener respectively. Sulphide cleaner 1 tails will be directed to the final tails hopper. Sulphide cleaner 2 tails gravitate to sulphide cleaner 2 tails hopper from where it will be pumped by one of two sulphide cleaner concentrate pumps operating in duty / standby mode to the feed box of sulphide cleaner 1 flotation bank. Vertical spindle sump pumps in the regrind area and cleaner area service each area. Concentrate Thickening and Filtration: Secondary sulphide concentrate will be pumped to the feed box of the 6 m diameter high rate thickener concentrate thickener where it will be mixed with a dilute flocculant. Thickener underflow at 60% solids by weight will be pumped by thickener underflow pumps in a duty / standby arrangement to the concentrate storage tank. Thickener overflow will gravitate to the concentrate thickener overflow tank from where it will be pumped to the process water pond for re-use in the process. Concentrate will be pumped from the storage tank, which has sufficient capacity for 12 h of filter feed, by filter feed pumps in a duty / standby arrangement, to the concentrate filter - an automatic pressure filter. Filtrate will be collected in the filtrate tank from where it will be returned to the concentrate thickener by filtrate pumps operating in a duty / standby arrangement. “Dry” concentrate will be discharged from the filter onto the concentrate conveyor for transport to the concentrate stockpile. Vertical spindle sump pumps in both the concentrate thickener area and filter area service these areas for spillage clean-up. Tailings Disposal: Oxide rougher tails together with secondary sulphide rougher tails and sulphide cleaner 1 tails will be pumped to the feed box of the 23 m diameter high rate tailings thickeners where they will be mixed with dilute flocculant and rougher concentrate filtrate. Thickener underflow at 50% solids by weight will be pumped to the tailings storage facility by one of two sets of two stage tails pumps operating in a duty / standby arrangement. Thickener overflow will gravitate to the process water tank for re-use in the process. A single vertical spindle sump pump will service this area for spillage clean- up. The process flow is illustrated in Figure 6. The addition of lime to the process will ensure that neutralisation of the waste stream and thus address the possibility of acid mine drainage occurring. The lime will be sourced as hydrated lime from an offsite supplier. The Life of Mine (LoM) is not expected to exceed 20 years and is currently planned to be 11 + years. Product will consist of copper cathode as well as wet copper sulphide concentrate. 33,000 tonnes per annum of copper cathode and ~ 24,000 tonnes per annum of wet copper sulphide concentrate is planned to be shipped from site by road truck. The current assumption is that the concentrates will be placed with local Zambian smelters on the Copperbelt (via Lusaka most likely), while the cathodes will be transported to an appropriate port such as Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) or Durban (South Africa) for export (also probably via Lusaka). AGES Gauteng -26- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study The following specific information applies to the process flow diagram: Table 7: Specific information in terms of the process flow Particle size reduction Refer to the descriptions above Types of crushers Refer to the descriptions above Reagents to be used The following reagents will be used as described above (sourced from off-site suppliers unless otherwise indicated) · Frother (MIBC) · PAX · Flocculant · NaHS (Sodium Hydrosulphide) · Extractant · Diluent · Hydrated Lime · Guar · Cobalt Sulphate · Sulphuric Acid Types of leaching vessels and process Please refer to the process description above where these processes are discussed in detail Capacity of the copper electro winning plant and The process design for the solvent extraction – the amount of electricity needed electrowinning plant has been based on the Production of 33,000 tpa copper with the following electricity requirements: 69000 Amps, 184 Volts The method used when drying the copper Refer to the process description above concentrate and the moisture content of the copper sulphide concentrate Clarify the type of lime to be used for neutralization Hydrated lime from an external supplier AGES Gauteng -27- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 6: Process flow diagram AGES Gauteng -28- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 4.3.3 Closure Phase The rehabilitation, closure and aftercare plan will be associated with the following primary activities: · Dismantling of the processing plant, administrative facilities, workshops and other buildings, which will involve the removal of all equipment for salvage or re-sale. Items with no salvage value to the mine, but which might have value to individuals will be sold. Any fixed assets that can be profitably removed, will also be removed for salvage or resale. All remaining items will be treated as waste and disposed of in a designated waste disposal area. · All rubble and waste from the dismantling of the processing plant will be disposed of in a designated waste disposal area. This excludes any tailings or slurry dam materials; · All structures are to be demolished or dismantled, and foundations to be removed to a minimum of 500 mm below the natural ground level. All excavations will be filled with 350 mm waste rock from the stockpiled waste material and 150 mm topsoil. Terraced areas will be cut back to a slope incline of no more than 18º; and the entire disturbed area will be ripped to a depth of 500 mm, covered with topsoil and vegetated. · Roads will be ripped, reshaped, covered with 150 mm topsoil and vegetated. Access portals to decline shafts will be sealed with a double-layered reinforced brick wall with concrete foundation. A 1Q thick reinforced concrete plug will be used to seal ventilation shafts. All structures and ventilation equipment are to be demolished, with all terracing and foundations to be removed to a minimum of 500 mm below the natural ground level. All excavation will be filled with 400 mm waste rock and the entire rehabilitated area will be covered with 100 mm topsoil. This applies to the area where the ventilation infrastructure has been removed. Any other disturbed areas will be ripped to a depth of 500 mm, covered with 100 mm topsoil and vegetated. · The waste dump will remain post-closure, but all dump slopes will be reshaped from 24° to an 18 ° incline angle. Run-off control benches will be constructed on dump slopes at 35 m intervals to prevent storm water damage on the dump slope. The entire dump slope surface will be covered with a minimum of 100 mm topsoil and vegetated. This will serve as both a rainwater penetration cover and a dust fallout prevention measure. Paddocks will be constructed on the dump top surface to assist with evaporation and ensure the prevention of rainwater overtopping. Surface water diversions around the WRD footprint will be left in place during and post the mining operations as part of the general operational mining infrastructure; · The TSF will remain post-closure, and if not constructed as such, the TSF walls will be reshaped to a slope incline of 18°. Run-off control benches will be constructed at 25 m intervals to prevent storm water damage on the dump slope; AGES Gauteng -29- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study · The entire TSF wall surface will be covered with 100 mm topsoil and vegetated to serve as an evaporative cover and prevent dust-fallout. Paddocks will be constructed on the top surface to assist with evaporation and ensure the prevention of rainwater overtopping; · Surface water diversions around the TSF footprints will be left in place; and any associated equipment will be removed and disposed of. · General surface rehabilitation will involve the reshaping of terraced land to a maximum 18° incline angle and to resemble the natural topography. All disturbed areas not covered specifically in the details of the closure and rehabilitation plan will at least be ripped to a depth of 500 mm, covered with 150 mm topsoil and vegetated. · Fencing which has become redundant will be dismantled and removed for salvage. Where fencing is to be installed for post-closure safety, dismantled fencing will be used first. All concrete fence foundations will be demolished to 500 mm below original ground level. All fence lines are to be ripped to a depth of 500 mm, covered with 150 mm topsoil and vegetated where required. · Water related infrastructure will remain post closure and be transferred to a suitable authority/owner. · It is recommended that a geotechnical study be done to determine the stability of the depression which will inform the rehabilitation of the zone of subsidence. Depending on the geotechnical findings it is proposed that either: o The area be fenced off and handled as an open pit, if considered too unstable to rehabilitate. The sustainability of a fence is not beyond a decade, therefore o A waste rock berm that would limit access by livestock such as cattle and especially people should be developed around the depression. This is however expected to be costly and needs to be assessed during future project phases. For example the waste rock could be dumped closer to the area of depression in order to be available post- closure. o If stability allows standard rehabilitation measures could be implemented such as the area being ripped, levelled, covered with topsoil and vegetated thereafter but this is dependent on the findings of the geotechnical investigation. 4.3.4 The storage and Management of Chemicals, explosives and hazardous wastes The process uses a number of chemicals/reagents that require an electrical hazardous area classification, HAC, to be performed in particular this applies to the following reagents: AGES Gauteng -30- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study · Kerosene · MIBC · Xanthate A detailed HAC, including other reagents, will be completed during subsequent phases of project development. Options may exist to substitute for some regents with non-hazardous equivalents. In general, areas for the storage of chemicals or hydrocarbons which could cause pollution by accidental spillage have to be in a designated area designed for this purpose. Specifically the area has to be bunded, and the flooring material has to be impervious and directed to a sump. The bunded are should be able to contain 1 ½ times the volume of the liquid stored in the bund. Hazardous wastes will also be stored in designated areas, in closed containers but will be stored for the shortest possible time period before being removed off site and disposed of at a registered/licensed facility. The Environmental Management Act, 2011 contains the following definitions specifically pertaining to hazardous waste, explosives and toxic substances including chemicals: “Toxic substance” means chemical material, including an object or article, which is poisonous, corrosive, irritant, explosive, inflammable or harmful to human beings, animals, plants or the environment; "hazardous waste" means waste which is poisonous, corrosive, irritant, explosive, inflammable, toxic or other substance or thing that is harmful to human beings, animals, plants or the environment;” The Explosives Act “makes provision for regulating control over the manufacture, use, possession, storage, importation, exportation, transportation and destruction of explosives; and to provide for matters incidental thereto or connected therewith” In accordance with the relevant legislation, the use of explosives on site is to be controlled, and explosives should only be handled and used by qualified designated persons. Section 7 (1) of the Act prohibits the importation and exportation of explosives into or from the Republic, unless written authority has been obtained from the Chief Inspector. The project proponent will therefore have to obtain such permission if explosives are to be imported. Section 3 (1) of the Act states that “Every person having in his possession or under his control any explosive shall take all precautions which, having regard to the purpose for which such explosive is lawfully used, are reasonable, to ensure that such explosive is not lost or stolen or is not at any time available to any person not lawfully entitled to possess or use such explosive.” AGES Gauteng -31- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study This implies that the explosives storage magazine at the project site has to be secure at all times. The Explosives Regulations provides specifically for Transportation of explosives (Part iii and iv), storage of explosives (Part v), acquisition of explosives (Part vi), the use of explosives (Part viii) and other related and relevant matters. These regulations will be strictly adhered to on the project site, including applying and obtaining all relevant licenses for transportation, possession, use and storage of explosives prior to such actions taking place on the site. The following will apply specifically to explosives management at the proposed project: 1) Emulsion is likely the best explosive for use in stoping (not least because it is not sensitive to water). Emulsion can be delivered to (or manufactured at) site in two components which are categorised as dangerous goods. Consequently emulsion is not to be stored at the magazine. 2) The quantity of explosive required for development is significantly lower than that required for stoping. From the project schedule, it peaks at about 22t per week. 3) The site will require a surface magazine at the beginning of the project, which could possibly be replaced after approximately 2 years by an underground magazine. 4) A magazine compound of around 50m x 50m will be required, which could be sufficient for 2 magazine containers. Explosives would be separated into two different containers: a. blasting agents/explosives where the bulk of the mass would be stored; and b. Initiating systems (i.e. detonators). 5) An explosive storage requirement of 25t/week will apply: Cap115, Explosives Act Zambia - Second Schedule – the magazine should be located 250m from any site buildings or facilities, 325m from a potential emulsion plant and around 650m from any public facilities or works. Licensed explosive storage facilities in Zambia are required to be bunded with an earth wall equal to the height of the storage facility. These requirements will be strictly adhered to. 6) The currently planned position of the magazine on the surface plan (See Page 22 of Appendix 3-5) is located approximately 1000m away from other site infrastructure, with earth bunding, fencing and lightning protection. 4.4 Project water balance The project’s make-up water requirements of 4,177m3/d (48 /s) could be obtained from a number of alternative sources as discussed under section 8.5.1 of this report. The project water balance is indicated in Figure 7. This is a conservative chart as dewatering and stormwater are not taken into account. For additional detail on the environmental water balance, please refer to the Hydrogeological report, contained in Appendix 3. AGES Gauteng -32- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 7: Project water balance chart AGES Gauteng -33- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STUDY The information contained in the following Section describes the baseline (current and existing) environmental conditions at the proposed mining site. In each case a description of the regional conditions are included where applicable in order to understand the proposed project site in context. The baseline environmental description was sourced from Desktop studies, aerial photographs, other EIAs that have been conducted in the nearby surroundings in the past, and a number of specialist studies conducted on site as listed in Table 8. A comprehensive list of sources referenced is contained in Section 13 of this report. Table 8: Specialist involvement in the EIS Specialist Field Company Author(s) Lead EIA Consultant Africa Geo Environmental Michael Grobler Services Gauteng (Pty) Ltd – “AGES” Lelani Stolp Air Quality Impact Airshed Planning Professionals H Liebenberg-Enslin and Assessment (Pty) Ltd N Gresse Ecology and Biodiversity AGES Gauteng Dr BJ Henning Heritage and Archaeology AGES Gauteng Neels Kruger Hydro-Geology Impact AGES Gauteng Dr. JJP Vivier; Assessment and water supply options analysis R Hansen; JFW Mostert; M Hill and F Meyer Mine Closure and REDE Engineering & N de Lange and Rehabilitation Management Services (Pty) Ltd C F Theron Noise Impact Assessment Acusolv Dr. Ben van Zyl Social Ptersa Environmental San-Marie Aucamp and Management Consultants Ilse Aucamp Soils, Land Capability and AGES Gauteng (Pty) Ltd Dr BJ Henning Agricultural Potential Traffic Corli Havenga Transportation Cobus Havenga Engineers Visual Impact Assessment Newtown Landscape Architects Mitha Cillliers and Graham Young Wetlands AGES Gauteng (Pty) Ltd Dr BJ Henning AGES Gauteng -34- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.1 Climate 5.1.1 Regional Climatic Conditions Zambia is situated in a subtropical climate generally described as pleasant tropical, but seldom unpleasantly hot outside of the valleys (Henning B. J., May 2013). Chapman & Walmsley, 2003, describes three distinct seasons prevalent in Zambia, namely the cool dry season (April/May to August), the hot dry season (August to November); and the rainy season or warm wet season (November to April). The cool dry season experiences maximum temperatures between 24.5ºC and 27ºC and minimum temperatures ranging between 6.9ºC to 10.4ºC (Mndaweni, Vermeulen, & Rowland, 2009). In depressions, radiation frosts occur on cloudless nights (Henning, 2012). Night frost also occurs in places sheltered from the wind (Henning B. J., May 2013). The countryside dries up gradually and grass fires, fanned by high winds, are a feature of this time of the year. The hot dry season is associated with a marked rise in temperatures, but new plant growth is witnessed even prior to the first rains. This season is also the main growing period for woody vegetation in the region (Henning B. J., May 2013). During the warm wet or rainy season mean maximum temperatures vary between 27ºC and 31.4ºC while minimum temperatures range from 13.8ºC to 17.8ºC (Mndaweni, Vermeulen, & Rowland, 2009). There are frequent heavy rains and thunderstorms during this time of year, followed by spells of bright sunshine. Except for very rare showers in August, rain is confined to the wet season, which sometimes starts as early as October and finishes as early as March. At the height of the rainy season, it rains on seven or eight days out of ten. The mean annual temperature ranges between 18–20ºC (Chapman & Walmsley, 2003). Average annual precipitation for the region is estimated at 890 mm (Mndaweni, Vermeulen, & Rowland, 2009). Nationally, annual rainfall decreases from an average of 1,000 mm in the northern parts of the country to an average of 600 mm in the south (Chapman & Walmsley, 2003). 5.1.2 Climate of the project area The project site is located in a medium-rainfall area on what is termed the ‘central plateau’ with rainfall between 800 to 1000 mm per annum (Henning, 2012). Lightning is observed regularly. The altitude ranges from 1 000 m to 1 500 m and the climate is described as mild with temperatures rarely exceeding 35˚C. Average temperatures are moderated by the height of the plateau (Robertson, Hall, & Gallant, 2012) (Henning B. J., May 2013). Maximum temperatures in the cool season range from 15˚C to 27˚C while minimum temperatures vary from 6 ˚C to 10˚C. Occasional frost occurs on calm nights in valleys and hollows which are sheltered from the wind. Prevailing winds during this season are dry south-easterlies and cause cloudy to overcast conditions (Henning B. J., May 2013). During the hot season maximum temperatures may range from 27˚C to 35˚C. AGES Gauteng -35- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Mean annual temperature ranges between 18 and 20˚C. The highest annual average temperature is 32˚C and the lowest temperature averages 4˚C. The average monthly rainfall and maximum and minimum temperature variation for Mumbwa is presented in Figure 8 and Figure 9 respectively. Figure 8: Average Temperatures, Mumbwa (adapted from http://www.climate- charts.com/Locations/z/ZA67655MUMBW0010.php) Figure 9: Average and absolute maximum and minimum temperatures for the Mumbwa area (http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Zambia/Mumbwa/climate-profile.aspx) AGES Gauteng -36- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.2 Air Quality The existing baseline air quality is typical of the natural and rural environment. Possible existing sources of atmospheric emissions impacting on air quality in the region include small-scale formal and informal mining activities, informal charcoal production, vehicle entrainment on paved and unpaved roads and vehicle tailpipe emissions (although traffic is very limited), wind-blown dust from exposed areas, emissions from residential fuel burning and natural burning of vegetation. During March 2013, on-site investigation and measurements yielded the results described below (Liebenberg- Enslin & Gresse, 2013): Atmospheric processes at both macro and meso-scales need be considered in order to accurately determine the atmospheric dispersion potential (the rate and area where pollutants from a source would affect the surroundings) of a particular area. Parameters that need to be considered in the characterisation of meso- scale ventilation potentials include wind speed, wind direction, ambient air temperature and mixing depth. 5.2.1 Wind The results of the wind field modelling are communicated in the wind roses presented in Figure 10 - Figure 12. The dominant winds experienced at the project site are from the east and south-east and there is very little variation in the annual wind fields. Diurnal variability does occur in the wind field: during the day predominant winds are from the east, while night-times are characterised by an increase in winds from the south-east. Winds in excess of 5 m/s are generally required to lift and entrain windblown dust. Wind speeds at the project site are primarily below 5 m/s with strong winds of more than 5 m/s occurring more frequently in relation to weak winds of 2 m/s and less. Moderate wind speeds exceeding 4 m/s occurred for 57.2% of the time with those above 3 m/s for 75.5%. AGES Gauteng -37- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 10: Period Wind Rose for the project site (2010-2012) Figure 11: Daytime and Night time Wind Rose for the project site (2010-2012) Figure 12: Seasonal Wind Rose for the project site (2010-2012) AGES Gauteng -38- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.2.2 Air temperature The air temperature is considered for determining the development of the mixing and inversion layers and for determining the effect of plume buoyancy. The larger the temperature difference between the plume and the ambient air, the higher the plume is able to rise. Maximum temperatures reach 32.2°C at 15h00 and 16h00, while the coldest temperature of 6.1°C is reached around 02h00. Diurnal variability of mean, maximum and minimum temperature for the proposed site from 2010 to 2012 is illustrated in Figure 13. Figure 13: Diurnal variability of mean, maximum and minimum temperature (2010-2012) 5.2.3 Relative humidity Relative humidity in the area ranges from between 16% to 100%. Monthly and diurnal relative humidity variations are presented in Figure 14. Figure 14: Monthly and diurnal humidity variations (2010-2012) AGES Gauteng -39- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.2.4 Precipitation and evaporation Rainfall (precipitation) represents an effective removal mechanism of atmospheric pollutants and is therefore frequently considered during air pollution studies. Evaporation rates have important implications for the design and implementation of effective dust control programmes and must therefore also be considered. Evaporation is a function of ambient temperature, wind and the saturation deficit of the air. An on-site weather station was installed during June 2013 and data from this weather station should be considered in future studies. The total rainfall for the town of Mumbwa which is the closest town to the project site is between 747 mm and 880 mm depending on sources considered. Rainfall is restricted to the summer months (November to April). Air pressure in the area ranges from 867 hPa in August 2010 to 886 hPa in January 2011. The period data investigated includes data from 2010 to 2012 and the average was approximately 875 hPa. 5.2.5 Atmospheric Stability and Mixing Depth The atmospheric boundary layer constitutes the first few hundred meters of the atmosphere and is directly affected by the earth's surface, either through the retardation of flow due to frictional drag, or as result of heat and moisture exchanges taking place at the surface. The atmospheric boundary layer is typically unstable during the day due to turbulence caused by the sun's heating effect on the earth's surface. The thickness of this mixing layer depends predominantly on the extent of solar radiation, and the situation is more pronounced during winter due to strong night-time inversions and a slower developing mixing layer. During the night a stable layer, with limited vertical mixing, exists. During windy and/or cloudy conditions, the atmosphere is normally neutral. For elevated releases such as stack emissions, the highest ground level concentrations would occur during unstable, daytime conditions. In contrast, the highest concentrations for ground level, or near-ground level releases from non-wind dependent sources would occur during weak wind speeds and stable (night-time) atmospheric conditions. The project site predominantly experiences stable conditions (36 % of the time) while unstable conditions are experienced 25% of the time and neutral conditions prevail approximately 17% of the time. Modelling which was completed in terms of potential air quality impacts indicated that the project would affect air quality beyond the borders of the mining site, but as there are no permanent receptors in the affected area, this is not expected to be a significant concern. 5.3 Groundwater and Geology The project site in terms of regional geological setting is located to the south of the Katangan copper belt in Zambia. The Neoproterozoic Katangan belt to the north of the project area forms a north-directed thrust-and- fold arc, termed the Lufilian Arc. Refer to Figure 15. AGES Gauteng -40- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Locally, the Kitumba deposit is hosted within a hematite-dominated breccia system which is developed along the Mumbwa Fault Zone (MFZ) and which outcrops as a prominent north-south trending ridge forming part of the Kitumba Hills (Vivier & Mostert, June 2013). The MFZ is crosscut by a series of northeast trending faults with associated dextral displacements. The central part of the deposit is crosscut by a zone of later north- northwest to northwest trending intense faulting and fracturing. This structural framework resulted in development of secondary permeability which appears to have played a major role in remobilisation and re- concentration of copper and gold mineralisation (Vivier & Mostert, June 2013). Kitumba represents a deeply weathered system with weathering and oxidation extending to several hundred metres depth. Deep weathering is particularly pronounced in the vicinity of the MFZ and zones of high fracture intensity, where leaching of the hematite-rich breccia systems has typically resulted in porous, vuggy rocks. Three prominent rock-type associations are recognised at Kitumba: (1) Kundulungu Group metasediments are intruded by (2) quartz-feldspar porphyry granitoids which are in turn intruded by (3) feldspar porphyry syenite complex. The geometry of this system is considered to be sub-vertical and complex, arising from several phases of intrusion commonly in the form of dyke swarms (Vivier & Mostert, June 2013). The site is underlain by a shallow and a deep aquifer system with structural geology and weathering playing a major role in aquifer development. The shallow aquifer consists of ferricrete and alluvium material and occurs from surface to depths of 10 meters below ground level (mbgl). Wetlands/marshes within the study area are formed as part of the shallow, perched aquifer. The deeper, intermediate aquifer is formed by weathered/fractured bedrock and occurs from 40 mbgl to 200 mbgl. This aquifer is underlain by a deep aquifer deeper than 200 mbgl that consists of solid/fractured bedrock at varying intersection depths (Vivier & Mostert, June 2013). Geochemical modelling that was conducted for the project indicated that there is a potential for the mine tailings facility to produce acid. The potential for Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) to result from the operations was addressed by the addition of significant quantities of lime to the process to neutralize the waste stream. While there will be sulphides present in the tailings that report to the TSF, the processes are operated at ~ pH 10 – 11 by the addition of lime so the final tails will be at the same pH. As a result the tailings will have a high pH and significant lime content. The formation of AMD has therefore been addressed and is not a significant concern, however the high pH may have alternative implications to the geochemical impacts of the project and further investigation is warranted from a process engineering perspective. Uranium also occurs in the mine waste, but based on current estimates, the degree of enrichment is not considered severe (Rowles, 18 June 2013). Follow-up radiological and human health impact assessments are still recommended as part of the DFS in order to quantify the risk more definitively. During August 2012, AGES conducted a preliminary hydrocensus around the target mining area. During March 2013, follow up hydro-geological investigations were undertaken. A total of 93 sites were surveyed and recorded which included 73 boreholes (79%), 6 water wells/pits (6%), 6 rivers/drainages (6%) and 8 surface water bodies (9%). (Refer to Figure 16). AGES Gauteng -41- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 60% of the surveyed sites were in use while the remaining 40% were not in use. Of the 56 boreholes in use, 41% were used for domestic purposes, 25% for monitoring, 12.5% for stock water use, 11% for irrigation, 3.5% for agricultural use, 3.5% for drilling and 3.5% for wildlife watering purposes. 41% of the surveyed sites are equipped and 59% are not. The majority of equipped boreholes are fitted with hand pumps (56%, 18 sites), while 13% of boreholes have submersible pumps installed and another 1 site has a mono pump. The average regional water level is 21.10 mbgl with a maximum regional water level of 88.45 mbgl and a minimum of 0.0 mbgl. Water levels recorded during the dry season and the wet season respectively varies considerably. Seasonal variations are clearly visible due to a change in climatic conditions influencing groundwater recharge. The regional aquifer is classified as a Sole Source Aquifer as more than 50% of the groundwater is utilized for domestic and/or livestock purposes and no alternative water resource is available if this aquifer is impacted on. Impacts on the aquifer have to be avoided. If the project depletes or pollutes the aquifer, alternative water has to be supplied to surrounding communities. Twenty-two of the surveyed hydrocensus sites were selected for chemical analyses and the development of a water quality baseline database. The water quality of both the groundwater and surface water was generally found to be good. The evaluation did not include an assessment of the micro-biological content of water and this should be done in subsequent project phases. Figure 15: Geology of Zambia AGES Gauteng -42- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 16: Sites recorded during the Hydro-census AGES Gauteng -43- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.4 Surface Water The nature of the soils present on the proposed development site causes precipitation to drain away into the soils very quickly after precipitation events. While there are a number of drainage lines throughout the site, surface water flow is seldom experienced, except for immediately following rainfall events (Mndaweni, Vermeulen, & Rowland, 2009). The project is located in the Kafue catchment of the Zambezi River Basin. The Kafue catchment comprises a total area of 156 995 km2. The Mean Annual Runoff (MAR) for the catchment is 9.88 km3 (Vivier & Mostert, June 2013 & Zambian Ministry of Energy and Water Development, 2012) The Kafue River is the most significant surface water feature and the only perennial river in the vicinity of the project site, and is located approximately 30 km north and west of the proposed mining area. Drainage in the study area therefore follows the surface topography towards the lower-lying rivers in the north-west. The River flows in a west-south-westerly direction. The Kafue River is a major tributary to the Zambesi River in the South (Mndaweni, Vermeulen, & Rowland, 2009). Other drainage features that occur in the study area include dambo wetlands and pans (Henning B. J., May 2013). Abstraction of surface water from the Kafue River was one option considered for water supply to the proposed mine. Water would be abstracted from the River and piped to the proposed operations, although the exact route has not been determined. Construction of infrastructure related to this water supply option may in itself have significant environmental consequences, and these should be addressed and approval sought from the ZEMA as part of a separate project (separate authorization process) prior to construction commencing on any pipeline or water intake structures, should it be decided to implement this option. Abstraction from groundwater is considered another water supply option and is discussed in more detail as part of the water supply Options Analysis (Vivier & Mostert, June 2013) in Section 8.5.1. The nature of the proposed mining operations will significantly alter the natural flow patterns of surface water across the project area following precipitation events. Storm water on the site will have to be managed in accordance with best-practice guidelines and legislative requirements. Water classified as “dirty water” will not be allowed to contaminate clean water systems, and clean water will be prevented from entering mining areas and becoming contaminated. Erosion prevention and control measures will have to be implemented throughout the site to prevent siltation of downstream water bodies. The distance to the nearest significant surface water features is a mitigating factor in terms of potential surface water pollution arising from the proposed operations. However, activities on the project site may impact on the downstream Piamanzi River (which is approximately 10 km from the resource area) which is a major tributary to the Kafue River, and this should be prevented. Potential abstraction from the Kafue River for water supply to the mine is a proposal associated with its own risks and benefits. The legal implications and potential social and ecological damages of such abstraction AGES Gauteng -44- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study would have to be understood and mitigated for in the following phases of the project if this option is chosen. 5.5 Soils and Soil Potential Dr B Henning carried out a specialist assessment of the soils, land use, agricultural potential and land capability of the project site. The site shows variation in terms of soil characteristics and soil types. The geological formations and vegetation patterns showed a strong correlation to the major soil units mapped in the study area. The soil types, profiles and potential identified on the site are discussed below, summarized in Table 9 and illustrated in Figure 17: Soil types of the Site (Henning B. J., May 2013). 5.5.1 Shallow Lithosols / Arenosols associated with rocky ridges and outcrops Very shallow to shallow soils and exposed bedrock occurring in the moderately steep to steep undulating mountainous terrain of the site associated with rocky ridges (including the resource area) and outcrops derived from Quarts Feldspar Porphyry or Granite. Where bedrock is exposed and topsoil has been removed the soil is classified as lithosols. The basic requirement for recognition of an orthent is that any former soil has been either completely removed or so truncated that the diagnostic horizons typical of all orders other than entisols are absent. Soil Depth ranges from 50 – 150 mm with a fine sandy to sandy loam texture and a clay content of 5 – 10%. Agricultural Potential is limited by shallow soils and steepness of terrain (causing high erosion hazard) and lithosols are thus not suitable for arable farming although crop cultivation can occur under good management on plateaus and level terraces. High cost of fertilization required when farming crops on such soils has meant that arenosols are not generally used for farming in Zambia. Soil potential is thus classified as “low”. The flora typically supported on these shallow soils is generally of very poor nutritive value for grazing, so that typically such areas can only be used as low-density, low quality livestock grazing during the rainy season when the herbaceous layer revives after the burns that occurred during the drier months. The area has little value as grazing in the winter months due to the coarse, unpalatable state of the grass layer, and the occurrence of fire which reduces the grazing value of the area to zero. 5.5.2 Medium depth gravelly / sandy Arenosols associated with foot-slopes / valleys Shallow, gravelly soils along the valley floors and footslopes in the study area derived from Argillite. Arenosols are sandy-textured and lack any significant soil profile development. They exhibit only a partially formed surface horizon (uppermost layer) that is low in humus, and are bereft of subsurface clay accumulation. Arenosols typically have very low water-holding capacities, excessive permeability and low nutrient content and agricultural use of these soils requires careful management. Arenosols are also highly acidic in all except very arid climates. Soil Depth is 50 – 300 mm and average clay content varies from 5 – 10%. Texture is fine sandy loam / gravelly AGES Gauteng -45- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study sandy loam soils. The value of these leached sandveld soils is often further reduced by their gravelly nature which makes them unsuitable for cultivation where the layer occurs within the topsoil and makes them more susceptible to drought where it occupies much of the subsoil, as it apparently does over large areas. The soil potential is thus limited by the soil depth and nutrient status, although it has a slightly deeper soil profile in some areas and also provides better grazing to livestock and game compared to the mountainous regions. The area is classified as having a medium to low agricultural potential. The area can be used as low-quality livestock grazing but only in the wetter months. 5.5.3 Arenosols: Red-yellow apedal soils associated with slightly undulating plains These Red-yellow apedal sandy soils (Arenosols) cover most of the eastern and south-eastern sections of the project site, and are generally not very fertile due to weathering and leaching; the top soil is sandy and is more fertile where the top soil has higher clay content (derived from Syenite). Soil depth of these fine sandy loam soils ranges from 400-1000 mm and clay content is between 10 – 15% The acidity of these soils is limiting for groundnut production, maize and other cereals, and liming may be needed to increase crop yields. The area can thus be utilized for crop cultivation, although intensive soil management is recommended to improve the pH and nutrient content. The soils have a low moisture-holding capacity, but limitations are overcome to some extent by the great depth of rooting which the subsoils afford and by the slower rate at which nutrients are leached. Livestock grazing is viable due to the slightly higher nutrient and organic content of the topsoil in woodland areas that support a mixture of palatable and unpalatable species. The soil has a medium potential for crop cultivation in combination with livestock grazing. 5.5.4 Planosols associated with moist grasslands on ferricrete bedrock Planosols are soils with a light-coloured, coarse-textured, surface horizon that shows signs of periodic water stagnation and abruptly overlies a dense, slowly permeable subsoil with significantly more clay than the surface horizon. These soils are typically in seasonally waterlogged flat lands. These soils are formed mostly in clayey alluvial and colluvial deposits. Geological processes resulted in the relatively coarse-textured, light- coloured surface soil abruptly overlying finer textured subsoil. Soil depth ranges from 50 – 150 mm. Texture is sandy clay and clay content is between 15 – 25%. Planosols in their natural state as observed in the study area support moist grassland dominated by Loudetia simplex and Tristachya rehmanni, often with scattered shrubs and trees that have shallow root systems that can cope with temporary waterlogging. Local methods of cultivating these soils involve drainage and burning of the topsoil. Concentration of nutrients in the ash and the continuous presence of moisture in the subsoil enable them to produce good crops, but weed growth is a serious problem. This drainage and burning lead to shrinkage and wastage of the peat, and after 20-50 years soils may be exhausted altogether, leaving only a AGES Gauteng -46- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study somewhat humic topsoil in the sterile basal white sand. The seasonally flooded nature of the soils limits crop cultivation, although crops such as rice and cassava can be cultivated under such conditions. The grazing potential of these low-lying areas is high due to the palatable grasses growing throughout the year on these soils. 5.5.5 Fluvisols associated with ravines in mountainous areas Fluvisols are genetically young soils in alluvial deposits associated with the ravines in the mountainous region of the study area. Under natural conditions periodical flooding is fairly common. The soils have a clear evidence of stratification. Soil horizons are weakly developed, but a distinct topsoil horizon may be present. Soil depth varies from 300 – 600 mm and average clay content is between 25 – 40%. The soil texture is Brown to dark grey alluvial soils. Agricultural Potential of these soils is low to very low due to the area being seasonally flooded and the steep nature of the terrain along the ravines. The soils do however produce valuable grazing (medium potential grazing) during dry months to game and livestock. The land capability is limited to grazing by game and livestock throughout the year. The small area and steep slopes along the ravines make crop cultivation challenging. The grazing potential is high due to the palatable grasses growing throughout the year on these soils. Table 9: Summary of Soils on the Project Site Soil Type Shallow Medium depth Arenosols: Red- Planosols on Fluvisols Lithosols / gravelly / yellow apedal Ferricrete Arenosols sandy soils Bedrock Arenosols Area Rocky ridges Footslopes and Slightly Moist grasslands Ravines, and outcrops Valleys undulating plains mountainous areas Soil Depth 50 – 150 mm 50 – 300 mm 400 - 1000 mm 50 – 150 mm 300 – 600 mm Texture fine sandy to Fine / gravelly fine sandy loam Sandy Clay Brown – dark-grey sandy loam sandy loam alluvial Clay content 5 – 10% 5 – 10%. 10 – 15% 15 – 25% 25 – 40% Agricultural Low Medium - Low Medium Low Low to Very Low Potential Grazing Low Low Medium High High potential Risk High erosion Low erosion Low erosion risk; High erosion High erosion risk, risk; low risk; high High compaction risk; High medium compaction compaction risk; risk; medium risk compaction risk; compaction risk, risk; low risk of medium-low risk of impact on land medium risk of medium risk of impact on land of impact on capability impact on land impact on land capability land capability capability capability AGES Gauteng -47- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 17: Soil types of the Site (Henning B. J., May 2013) AGES Gauteng -48- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 18: Soil potential of the Site (Henning B. J., May 2013) Figure 19: Soil Risk / Impacts (Henning B. J., May 2013) AGES Gauteng -49- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.6 Topography The regional topography can be described as rolling terrain consisting of hills and valleys. Elevation ranges from approximately 1100 to 1400 meters above mean sea level (mamsl). Noticeable topographic high points occur in the area, and the target mining area comprises such a hill (Kitumba Hills). Towards the North of the project area the topography flattens out towards the Kafue River (Mndaweni, Vermeulen, & Rowland, 2009). The areas north-west of the project area comprises gently undulating plains while the landscape to the west is generally flat with scattered small hills. Figure 20 and Figure 21 present elevation profiles across the area. The topography of and around the proposed development site may have the potential to effectively mitigate the visual impacts of the project infrastructure. The natural runoff over the site is also dictated by the site- specific topography, and careful planning should take the natural flow of surface water across the site into consideration in order to minimise the potential for water pollution. The topography and natural drainage lines over the site are illustrated in Figure 22. Figure 20: East-West Elevation Profile (adapted from Google Earth Pro) Figure 21: North-West to South-East Elevation Profile (adapted from Google Earth Pro) AGES Gauteng -50- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 22: Surface water drainage and topography AGES Gauteng -51- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.7 Land Use and Land Tenure The following paragraphs discuss prominent land uses in the vicinity of the proposed mining project which may affect the project or be affected by the project. Figure 2 shows these land uses in relation to the project site. 5.7.1 Residential areas The villages of Kaindu, Myombe, Mpundu and Kafucamo are the closest communities to the site. Distances to the project site are as follows: · Kaindu: approximately 22 km Northwest · Myombe: approximately 20 km Northwest · Mpundu: approximately 14.5 km Northwest · Kafucamo: approximately 12 km Northwest They form part of the Kaonde tribe and are under the leadership of Chief Kaindu. There are approximately 73 headmen in the Chiefdom of Chief Kaindu and approximately nine of the headmen are in the local area. There are a few councillors in the area as well. The Chiefdom has a committee that deals with community projects, (Kaindu Project Coordinating Committee). The nearest large town to the proposed site is Mumbwa, which is approximately 50 km to the south west, but travel time between Mumbwa and the site is significantly longer than expected due to poor road conditions. 5.7.2 Mining Mining is central to the Zambian economy and has played a key role in the social and economic development of the country (Aucamp, 2012). Zambia is predominantly a copper mining country and is the largest copper producer in Africa (Mining Sector Profile – www.zdm.org.zm). Surface areas in close proximity to the project site have in the relatively recent past been excavated, presumably in the facilitation of small-scale malachite mining by foreign parties. The legality of these operations is questionable. A number of ‘sample bags’ containing excavated material have been abandoned on the site. Figure 23 provides a clear picture of the existing state of the sites. In the region, historic mining activities are also evident and some of the historically mined areas have also been excavated more recently. Most of these mining areas are not actively being mined currently and are deemed to be extremely unsafe for humans and animals. Figure 24 describes the existing situation: There are also some small-scale miners who are active in the area who mainly mine copper close to the surface, and as they cannot afford mining equipment they use mainly hammers and chisels to chip AGES Gauteng (PTY) LTD -52- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study out rocks. These miners do not have access to resources such as geologists and mechanical equipment and typical challenges include lack of access to finance, high mineral royalty taxes and security issues (http://maravi.blogspot.com/2009/06/times-small-scale-miners-cry-for-equal.html) as well as material transport, labour and safety concerns (Public Participation interviews, 2013). The Federation of Small-Scale Mining Association of Zambia coordinates mining activities for small-scale mining. Small-scale miners are supposed to obtain permits from the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, but many admit they continue their activities illegally and report that it is a problem to acquire the necessary permits. This group is vulnerable and at high risk of being exploited. Figure 23: Excavations and abandoned samples at an abandoned (presumably illegal) malachite mining operation outside of but in close proximity to the site Figure 24: An old mining shaft that has been 'closed' (left) and general surface conditions at the past artisanal mining sites (right) From on-site observations the companies responsible for the illegal mining activities in close proximity of the project site do not conduct their activities in an environmentally responsible way and do not AGES Gauteng -53- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study adhere to good labour practises, which have resulted in resentment towards these groups among local people. Such destruction of pristine environments could create negative perceptions among local communities and Zambian Authorities towards mining projects. 5.7.3 Conservation and Tourism The Kafue National Park (KNP), located to the west of the proposed mining area, is the oldest (established in the 1950s) and largest National Park in Zambia and covers an area of approximately 22,500 km2 (http://www.zambiatourism. com/travel/nationalparks/kafue.htm). It is a declared national park and is one of the five largest national parks in the world. The park is also surrounded by nine Game Management Areas (www.zambiatourism.com). In recent years the Park has seen an increase in the number of Safari Camps and Lodges that operate in and around the Park, and this has been associated with an increase in visitors to the area and associated increase in investment. Importantly the area enjoys an increased level of protection by the Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) supported by conscientious efforts of the safari camp and lodge operators (http://www.zambiatourism.com/travel/nationalparks /kafue.htm). The park is managed by ZAWA but the camps and lodges are owned and managed by private operators (Aucamp, 2013). Major tourist activities include game drives or viewing by boat, walking and birding safaris, canoeing, angling, boating, rock climbing, photographic opportunities and trips to hot springs. The camps closest to the proposed project are the Hippo Lodge and McBrides Camp. Hippo Lodge has four chalets and two safari tents (www.hippolodge.com) and is situated on the banks of the Kafue River. One of the four airstrips in the park is at Hippo Lodge. McBrides Camp is also situated on the banks of the Kafue River. McBrides Camp has seven two-person chalets as well as a campsite and a bush camp (www.mcbridescamp.com) (Aucamp, 2013). The Mushingashi Conservation area is situated to the north west of the site and covers an area in excess of 40,000 hectares. The conservation area borders the KNP and the Kafue River forms its northern border. The area is not fenced, allowing game to roam freely, but also presenting challenges in keeping poaching under control. Intense conservation efforts have enabled growth in local wildlife populations (http://www.mushingashi.net/index.html). Major tourist activities at Mushingashi include safaris, hire of boats and equipment for fishing trips and walking trails with a tracker. Three main categories of tourists visit Mushingashi namely fishermen, photographers and hunters. The majority of visitors to Mushingashi are Zambians. The hunting season is from May until December. (Aucamp, 2013). Both Mushingashi and KNP can be reached by air travel, but as the presence of the Zambian Air Force (ZAF) in the region restricts air traffic, most visitors use the local roads to access these areas. AGES Gauteng -54- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.7.4 Agriculture There are a number of farms in close proximity to the proposed site. Some farmers are locals while others are farmers from South Africa or Zimbabwe. The Mumbwa Farmer’s Association represents many of the local small-scale farmers (Aucamp, 2013). Livestock farming (mainly cattle) as well as small and medium scale subsistence farming are currently undertaken towards the south-west and east of the site. Small scale cattle farms in Zambia are family holdings characterized by low input and low output. Medium-scale farmers cultivate between 5 and 20 ha, while small-scale farmers cultivate less than 5 ha (Henning, 2012). Cattle play an important role in rural households and are also the main food and cash source for most people in the cattle keeping areas (Henning, 2013). Crop-livestock mixed systems are the most common system used in the study area and allow diversification of risks, using of more efficient labour, recycling of crop residues, adding value to crops and crop products while providing cash for purchasing farm inputs (Henning, 2012). The German company Amatheon invested in large-scale irrigation farming in the Mumbwa district in 2012 (http://www.sedarmag.com/blog/2012/11/29/amatheon-investment-to-boost-mumbwa-farming/). The small-scale farmers stated that Amatheon has bought the farms with the best soils and water in the area. The company is reported to enlist local farmers in their agricultural extension scheme. There are differences in the farming practices of the small-scale and commercial farmers, mainly due to availability of resources such as finances and equipment. Very limited crop cultivation occurs in the direct vicinity of the site mostly due to the climatic conditions and soil forms. Limited livestock grazing occurs in the area at the start of the rainy season when burned areas support the palatable growth stage of the grasses. The presence of tsetse fly also limits these activities. No agricultural activities are supported in the Mushingashi Conservation area or within the Kafue National Park or the applicable buffer zones (Henning, 2012). The Mumbwa prison farm (see below) grows approximately 240 Ha of maize, some of which is sold externally. Soya beans will be planted in the near future. The prison also has large vegetable gardens that are used to feed the prisoners, but the prison would like to commercialise their produce in future (Aucamp, 2013). 5.7.5 The Mumbwa Prison Farm The Mumbwa Prison Farm is located to the south east of the project site and hosts approximately 201 prisoners that work on the farm with the purpose to integrate them back in society. The duration of a prisoner’s stay depends on their sentence. Most prisoners are there for petty crimes and the farm does not have fences or any other form of access control. AGES Gauteng -55- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.7.6 The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) The Air Force has a bombing practise range close to the proposed site and the area is consequently a no-fly zone without the consent of the ZAF. Locals have indicated that the Air Force also has a vegetable farm in the area, but this could not be confirmed. 5.7.7 Infrastructure The roads in the vicinity of the site generally comprise dirt tracks, many of which are virtually impassable in the wet season. The Rural Roads Unit (RRU) and the Roads Development Agency (RDA) reportedly have plans to upgrade a number of these roads over the mid to long term. Electricity supply infrastructure is in the process of being installed but it is unknown what the delivery schedule entails. The area has no sewage or storm water drainage networks. 5.8 Landscape and Visual Resource The value of a visual resource is determined by evaluating the landscape character, landscape quality and “sense of place” of a particular area. Additionally the viewers in the existing environment are considered, as the value of a visual resource and potential alteration of that resource are inevitable perception-based to some degree. During March 2013 a specialist visual impact assessment was carried out for the proposed project and the following paragraphs are based on the baseline characterization contained in that study (Cilliers & Young, June 2013). 5.8.1 Landscape character and visual resource (scenic quality) Landscape character is dependent of the individual elements that comprise the landscape, including prominent features such as hills, valleys, woods, trees, water bodies, buildings and infrastructure. Thus landscape character is defined by the dominant land form and land use features. Generally, landscapes with greater diversity and / or landscapes that contain distinctive features are considered as having a higher scenic value than landscapes containing little diversity and more common elements. The greater the diversity of form, line, texture and colour in a landscape, the greater the potential for high scenic value or landscape character. The overall study area can be regarded as having a high visual resource value. While the landscape may be ‘common’ on a regional scale, the area boasts a variety of land forms and a variety of land use practices. 5.8.2 Landscape Quality Both objective and subjective factors are considered in the determination of the quality of a visual resource. Where landscape quality, aesthetic value and a strong sense of place occur, the perceived value of the landscape increases. AGES Gauteng -56- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study High value visual resources, such as that associated with the proposed project site, are areas that exhibit a positive character and that have a strong sense of place with unity, richness and harmony. The landscape is expected to be sensitive to change and may be detrimentally affected if change is dealt with inappropriately 5.8.3 Sense of Place Sense of place is the unique value that is allocated to a specific place or area through the cognitive experience of the user or viewer. The largely unspoilt environs give the area a ‘natural’ sense of place. Human interventions such as agricultural and communal activities, small scale mining as well as man- made structures including roads and other infrastructural elements adds a rural element to the ‘unspoilt’ environment. The sense of place of the study area can thus be described as ‘natural’ with a rural element. 5.8.4 Viewer sensitivity The existing topography as well as the lush, dense vegetation in the area limits the extent of what can be viewed from certain vantage points. The Mumbwa Prison Farm was the only viewer location with a day time view of the project site that could be identified. A view of the project area from the Mumbwa prison farm is presented in Figure 25. The hilly topography and vegetation cover possibly providing significant visual screening are illustrated in Figure 26. Figure 27 shows the night-time scene. The presence of the project would be much more prominent during the night time due to the existing night-time landscape being very dark, with very few artificial lights operating in the area. Possible sensitive viewer locations are illustrated in Figure 28 AGES Gauteng -57- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 25: View of the site from Mumbwa Prison Farm Figure 26: Hilly topography and vegetation Figure 27: Existing night view (top) - project site hidden by topography and (bottom) potential night view (sky glow from unmitigated light impacts from project) AGES Gauteng -58- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 28: Visual receptors in the vicinity of the project site AGES Gauteng (PTY) LTD -59- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.9 Noise and Vibration During March 2013, Ben van Zyl of Acusolv carried out a specialist noise impact assessment at the project site. The following description is based on the findings of his investigations. The study (Van Zyl, May 2013) covered the total audible noise footprint of a typical underground mine and processing plant similar in size to the proposed project, and a study area with a radius of 10 km from the site was considered more than adequate. A good sense of the regional noise climate and of typical ambient noise levels was obtained by means of a series of samples taken at different sites in the vicinity of the project site, and some detailed surveys covering a 24-hour period at fixed locations. These sites and the relative distances to the project site are illustrated in Figure 29. The region surrounding the project site is sparsely populated, with only a few small communities located to the east and south. The remainder of the surroundings are vacant and/or used for conservation purposes. There are no industrial, mining or substantial agricultural activities in the study area, apart from some small-scale, informal mining activities to the north, and the activities of Amatheon Agri Zambia Ltd. There is practically no audible traffic noise in the area. The only trace of (hardly audible) noise noted during the course of the noise study, was a single event of what appeared to be aircraft noise in the distance. This occurred during daytime and was attributed to air-force flying activities. The rating of baseline ambient noise conditions in the Kitumba study area should take cognisance of the two main states of human occupation or land use in the vicinity: rural residential (villages and dwellings) and conservation or wilderness area (eco-tourism). The most fitting noise rating for the areas surrounding the proposed mine site would be Rural District, the lowest ambient noise category with a nominal night-time rating of 35 dBA. This is also 5 dB lower than the actual levels (40 dBA) recorded at M1 and M2. There are currently no sources of vibrations at the study area. AGES Gauteng -60- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 29: Sites where noise monitoring / measurements were taken 5.10 Biodiversity and Ecology (Flora and Fauna) The following section is based on the specialist ecological and biodiversity assessment carried out by Dr B Henning in 2013 (Henning B. J., May 2013). The study area falls within the Central Zambezian Miombo Woodland ecoregion, one of the largest ecoregions in Africa. The ecoregion covers about 50% of Zambia, predominantly in the wetter parts. (Henning B. J. May 2013). Ecoregions of Zambia are illustrated in Figure 30. Mature miombo woodland trees in this area are usually 15 to 20 m tall, with a broadleaf shrub and grass understory beneath. The area has a much higher proportion of evergreen trees than drier Zambezian miombo, but trees in this area are primarily deciduous and predominantly of the subfamily Caesalpinioideae, particularly species belonging to the genera Brachystegia, Julbernardia, and Isoberlinia, which seldom occur outside Miombo. Termitaria or anthill vegetation covers about 3% and is present in all regions except in areas of pure sand and the woodland is interspersed with dambos (grassy wetlands forming the headwaters and margins of rivers which increase biodiversity of the ecoregion) on the flat central African plateau (Henning B. J., May 2013). In Miombo Woodland, fire is an important ecological factor as the highly seasonal rainfall pattern leaves the vegetation dry for several months of the year, and thunderstorms at the start of the rainy season can easily set AGES Gauteng -61- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study the vegetation afire. In addition to being naturally fire-prone, miombo is frequently intentionally burned to clear land for cultivation and other practices (Henning B. J., May 2013). The ecoregion has suffered extensive deforestation, especially in the highly-urbanised Copperbelt Province, the centre of Central Province and around Kasama and Mansa due to charcoal production, mining and, clearing for farming and ranching (Henning B. J., May 2013). Zambia has a long history in the conservation and management of its biological resources and 44% of the country’s surface comprises protected areas in the form of 19 national parks, while 32 Game Management Areas (GMAs) and several protected forests and woodlands cover a further 8.6% of the country (Henning, 2012b). The landscape of the study area is characterised by moderately undulating hills and ridges (resource area) with valleys and footslopes on sandy to gravelly shallow soils in typical Miombo woodland comprising a two- storeyed woodland with an open or partially closed canopy of semi-evergreen trees 15 to 20 m high, with a forest floor covered by a more or less dense grass cover. Relic patches of evergreen thicket may also occur. Small pockets of moist grassland areas associated with hardpan ferricrete that occur in between the miombo create perched water table conditions during the wet season. Ravines (non-perennial drainage channels) occur along the slopes of the mountainous region, but these small non-perennial channels do not feed any major tributaries of the major rivers in the larger area and therefore contribute very little to the hydrological regime of the area (Henning B. J., May 2013). AGES Gauteng -62- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 30: Ecoregions of Zambia 5.10.1 Vegetation types of the study area During March 2013, Dr B Henning carried out a survey of the project site and the following section is based on the results of his study (Henning B. J., May 2013). The following vegetation units were identified and mapped: (Refer to Figure 31). · Isoberlina angolensis Hill Miombo woodland · Isoberlina angolensis – Uapaca kirkiana eastern footslopes and undulating plains · Open Brachystegia boehmii woodland on deep sandy-loam soils · Loudetia simplex – Tristachys rehmanni moist grassland · Closed Miombo Forest associated with ravines 5.10.1.1 Isoberlina angolensis Hill Miombo woodland This vegetation unit forms part of the moderately to very steep hills, outcrops and ridges occurring throughout the site. Common tall trees include Brachystegia longifolia, Isoberlinia angolensis and Julbernardia paniculata. Small trees only occur occasionally. Shrubs include Acrocephalus rupestris, Schistostephium artemisiifolium AGES Gauteng -63- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study and Uapaca pilosa, and subshrubs are mainly Aloe chabaudii, Sphenostylis marginata, Strobilanthopsis linifolia and Vellozia equisetoides. The vegetation unit is classified as being moderately – highly sensitive due in most part to the rockiness, steep slopes (erosion risk), plant species composition, pristine state of the vegetation, microhabitats and potential red data fauna that utilise this area as habitat. 5.10.1.2 Isoberlina angolensis – Uapaca kirkiana eastern footslopes and undulating plains This vegetation unit occurs on the slightly undulating eastern and southern footslopes and valleys surrounding the hill miombo woodland. The woody layer forms dense, tall woodland with a more prominent shrub layer by comparison to the former. Common tall trees include Brachystegia boehmii and other Brachystegia, Erythrophleum africanum, Isoberlinia angolensis, and, locally, Marquesia macroura. Small trees include Bauhinia petersiana, Diplorhynchus condylocarpon, Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia, Syzygium guineense subsp. Macrocarpum and Uapaca kirkiana. Baphia massaiensis subsp. obovata (on sandy soils), Hymenocardia acida, and Uapaca pilosa are common shrubs. The herbaceous layer forms dense, tall stands of Hyparrhenia bracteata and medium tall Themeda triandra. Isolated termitaria bushclumps occur in this vegetation unit. These miombo termitaria are characterized by Albizia amara, Boscia angustifolia, Combretum molle, Euphorbia candelabrum and Ziziphus mucronata in their upper storey. Degradation of this miombo woodland as the result of repeated heavy burning leads to invasion by munga elements such as Acacia species. AGES Gauteng -64- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 31: Vegetation Types of the Site AGES Gauteng -65- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.10.1.3 Open Brachystegia boehmii woodland on deep sandy-loam soils This vegetation unit occurs on slightly undulating to flat plains along the western section of the study area. The woody layer is characterised by open tall woodland dominated by Brachystegia boehmii trees. Smaller tree species such as Terminalia and Combretum species are more prominent in the woody layer. Typical woody species occurring here also include Pericopsis angolensis and Combretum adenognoium. Some isolated termitaria bushclumps occur in the more clayey patches. The grass layer is dominated by tall grass species such as Hyparrhenia bracteata and Themeda triandra. 5.10.1.4 Loudetia simplex – Tristachys rehmanni moist grassland The moist grassland vegetation unit occurs as isolated pockets throughout the study area, although being more prominent in the western sections. It can also be referred to as Munga scrub on seasonally flooded dambo soils. The soils are often very shallow that creates a perched water table during the wet season. On the site, these lanosols support moist grassland dominated by Loudetia simplex and Tristachya rehmanni, often with scattered shrubs and trees that have shallow root systems that can cope with temporary waterlogging. The woody species composition in the moist grassland areas is restricted to seven tree species, namely Acacia nilotica, A. seyal, Bauhinia petersiana, Combretum ghasalense, Diospyros kirki, Piliostigma thonningi and Terminalia stenostachya, with a ground cover of scattered woody Ipomoea vernalis, Lannea edulis and Conyza welwitschi, and herbaceous Hygrophila pilosa and Sphaeranthus humilis. No red data species occur in this vegetation unit, although its value as grazing land during the wet season for game species and livestock should be considered as an important ecological component in the area. 5.10.1.5 Closed Miombo Forest associated with ravines The ravines in the hill miombo woodland vegetation unit represent small non-perennial drainage channels characterised by a steep slopes on both sides and a tall, dense woody layer that can be classified as forest. While the forest vegetation unit represents a type of miombo woodland, it is distinguished by typical characteristics of natural forests (multi-layered woody structure with overlapping crowns and little or no grasses present in the herbaceous layer). The forests also differ from the surrounding miombo woodland by diagnostic species such as Parinaria exelsa, Ficus tettensis, Syzigium guineense and Mimusops zeyheri, and indicator species of the moist soil conditions such as fern and moss species occur in the lower herbaceous stratum. No red data species occur in this vegetation unit, although its value as grazing land during the wet season for game species and its uniqueness in the larger landscape in terms of interconnectivity and as a fauna corridor has high significance. AGES Gauteng -66- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study The cover and height of the floristic components of each of the relevant vegetation units is summarised in Table 10 along with photographs illustrating the typical state of the vegetation. The respective sensitivity of each of the vegetation units is illustrated in Figure 32 Table 10: Summary of Vegetation Types in the study area Isoberlina angolensis hill miombo woodland Percentage Avgerage Height (m) cover Trees 20-25 8-20m Shrubs 1-2 1-3m Grass 10-15 1.2 – 2.4m Forbs <1 0.5m Isoberlina angolensis – Uapaca kirkiana eastern footslopes and undulating plains Percentage Avg. Height (m) cover Trees 20-25 8-20m Shrubs 10 1-3m Grass 70-80 1.2 – 2.4m Forbs <1 0.5m Open Brachystegia boehmii woodland on deep sandy-loam soils Percentage Avg. Height (m) cover Trees 10 - 15 3-6m Shrubs 10 1-2m Grass 70-80 1.2 – 2.8m Forbs <1 0.5m Loudetia simplex – Tristachya rehmanni moist grassland Percentage Avg. Height (m) cover Trees 2-5 3-6m Shrubs <1 1-2m Grass 60-70 0.2- 0.8m Forbs <1 0.2m Closed Miombo Forest associated with ravines Percentage Avg. Height (m) cover Not surveyed during the dry Trees 20 - 25 3-15m Shrubs 10 - 15 1-2m season Grass 10 - 15 0.8-1.2m Forbs 2 - 5 0.2-0.5m AGES Gauteng -67- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 32: Sensitivity of the vegetation types found on the site AGES Gauteng -68- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.10.2 Wetlands of the study area Swamps, floodplains and dambos are the three major wetland types that occur in Zambia. Of these, only dambo wetlands (which are fairly common on the African plateau) occur in the study area. The word “dambo” is used for a class of complex shallow wetlands in central, southern and eastern Africa, particularly in Zambia and Zimbabwe. They are generally found in higher rainfall flat plateau areas, and have river-like branching forms. Two major Hydro-Geomorphic (HGM) units were identified that represent wetlands on the proposed development site and direct surroundings, namely “Channel Wetlands” associated with the drainage channels of the Kitumba Hills and “Flat Wetlands” occurring as small pockets of moist grassland. Channel wetlands associated with the ravines of the Kitumba hills represents non-perennial drainage channels characterised by periodic concentrated flow of water for short periods immediately after and during precipitation events. As a result of the erosive forces associated with concentrated flow, channels characteristically have relatively obvious active channel banks. The water does not discharge from these channels and they do not connect to any other river or water source in the larger Kafue River catchment. Water will either flow from the channel onto the plains and quickly drain in the highly permeable sandy soils, or will collect in the low-lying moist grasslands (flat wetlands). The vegetation structure of the drainage channels can be described as closed forest woodland with little or no grass cover. The diagnostic species associated with the ravines include Parinaria exelsa, Ficus tettensis, Syzigium guineense and Mimusops zeyheri, while indicator species of the moist soil conditions such as fern and moss species occur in the lower herbaceous stratum. The pockets of moist grasslands underlain by ferricrete bedrock that creates perched water table conditions are defined as Flat wetlands. A flat is defined as a wetland area with little or no relief or gradient. Precipitation represents the primary source of water and dominant hydrodynamics are bidirectional vertical fluctuations, although there may be limited multidirectional horizontal water flow in some cases. Water exits a flat through evaporation and infiltration. Due to its isolated location in the study area, these flats are considered unique despite their high interconnectivity in terms of its value as grazing “hotspots” for wildlife. The flats in the study area developed as a result of perched water table conditions caused by the underlying hardpan ferricrete. These characteristics encourage poor infiltration of surface flow and high surface run off. The consequence is soil erosion that was observed in the study area. These areas support moist grassland dominated by Loudetia simplex and Tristachya rehmanni, often with scattered shrubs and trees that have shallow root systems able to cope with temporary waterlogging. The wetlands present on the project site are illustrated in Figure 33. AGES Gauteng -69- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 33: Wetlands of the study area AGES Gauteng -70- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.10.3 Fauna Some 1,234 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles occur in Zambia of which 1.5% is 1 endemic , and 1.9% is threatened. During August 2012 and again in March 2013, the study area was surveyed to identify specific faunal habitats and compare these with habitat requirements of fauna recorded in the quarter degree grid. Species were identified by visual sightings, spoor, droppings, burrows or roosting sites. The following section is based on the specialist ecological report by Dr B.J. Henning (Henning B. J., May 2013). 5.10.3.1 Mammals Mammal diversity in the study area is well represented in terms of species richness and functional roles in the ecosystem. Movement of mammals through the area is largely dependent on water availability, but large mammals (elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, sable antelope, impala and baboon) periodically utilise the area (especially further away from anthropogenic impacted areas), and these species have in fact been sighted in close proximity to Kitumba Camp in the past. Herds of up to 30 individuals of Sable Antelope were sighted during the surveys. Conservation of the habitat of this sensitive species should be considered a high priority. A number of medium sized and smaller antelope species were also encountered. Elephant occasionally migrate to the area during the wetter months, although it would appear as though they prefer cultivated lands (e.g. Kitumba prison area) and sweet Munga woodland areas further south of the proposed mining area. Predators such as lion, wild dog and leopard occur in the surrounding areas and have extremely large territories. These species are expected to only move through the area when prey becomes scarce in the Mushingashi and KNP. The small ravines and rocky areas associated with the Kitumba Hills represent ideal areas for these predators to raise their young due to the shelter provided in these areas. 2 The connectivity of the project site is excellent. The site is surrounded by areas with similar veld condition and with no dispersal encumbrances occurring. 5.10.3.2 Avifauna (Bird species) Zambia’s avifauna includes a total of 779 species, one of which is endemic, one has been introduced, 4 are rare or accidental and 11 are globally threatened. Three major bird habitat systems occur in the study area. 1 Endemic species are those that occur in one geographic area only and are not found anywhere else in the world. 2 Connectivity (habitat connectivity) - Allowing for the conservation or maintenance of continuous or connected habitats, so as to preserve movements and exchanges associated with the habitat. AGES Gauteng -71- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study They are: · Miombo associated with valleys and plains; · Hill Miombo Woodland; and · Wetland habitats. The miombo associated with the valleys and plains of the project site lies at the centre of the miombo zone of south-central Africa which hosts a greater variety of miombo birds than any of the surrounding areas. Many of the miombo woodland bird species join mixed-species bird parties, which typically contain members of 10 to 20 species of territorial insectivorous birds. Membership changes as the party’s route enters and leaves individual territories. Species that usually join such parties include Scimitarbill, Hoopoe, barbets, honeyguides, woodpeckers, pipits, cuckoo shrikes, Miombo Barred Warbler (Endemic), flycatchers, weavers and seed-eaters. Parties are often first noticed when the presence of one of its more conspicuous members such as a Fork-tailed Drongo or Arnot’s Chat is detected. More independent birds found here are the Pale- billed Hornbill, Central Bearded Scrub Robin and many of the sunbirds. The hill miombo woodland occurring on rocky ground within the study area (and especially on the resource area itself) represents habitat for a number of somewhat localised birds including Shelley’s Francolin, Freckled Rock nightjar, Striped Pipit, Familiar Chat and Rock-loving Cisticola. Though of limited occurrence, rock exposures and precipices hosts specialised bird species such as Black Stork, Augur Buzzard, Black Eagle, Taita and Peregrine Falcons, Mottled, African Black and Little Swifts, African Rock Martin, Mocking Chat, White-necked Raven and Red-winged Starling . The study are also contains a number of dambo wetlands as discussed above. The intermediate levels in typical dambos are permanently spongy and have short grass, representing a habitat which is relatively common in northern Zambia but does not occur in many other parts of Africa. Consequently many of the birds found here have a somewhat localised distribution. They include Blue Quail, Long-toed and Streaky-breasted Flufftails, Black and Rufous Swallow, Yellow-throated, Fulleborn’s and Grimwood’s Longclaws, Pectoral-patch, Black-tailed and stout Cisticolas, Yellow-mantled and Marsh Whydahs, Fawn-breasted waxbill, Locust Finch and Black-chinned Quailfinch, Croaking Cisticola and red-billed Quelea. On the upper parts of the dambo, close to the woodland edge, scattered trees provide habitat for the White-winged Black Tit. The driest areas of the short grassland are inhabited by Temminck’s Courser, Red-capped Lark and the Dessert Cisticola. The dry montane grasslands of the Nyika Plateau have populations of Red-winged Francolin and Common Quail. A number of avifauna species occur in the study area that are dependent on mammal species occurring in the area: The yellow-billed and Red-billed Oxpeckers are dependent on large game animals or on cattle and even donkeys. Hooded, White-backed, Lappet-faced and White-headed Vultures feed at the carcasses of dead animals, including domestic cattle. They are joined by the Marabou Stork. The Cattle Egret and Wattled Starling frequently feed around cattle or game animals. Ground trampled by cattle or other animals may attract the Yellow Wagtail (migrant) or Groundscraper Thrush. AGES Gauteng -72- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Certain bird species are attracted to bush fires by the fleeing or roasted insects and other animals. Almost always present are the Fork-tailed Drongos, often in large numbers. Others often present include Marabou Stork, Yellow-billed Kite (m), Dickinson’s Kestrel, Rollers, Hornbills and Swallows. 5.10.3.3 Reptiles and Amphibians Around 200 reptile species and approximately 90 amphibian species have been recorded in the Zambesian basin, thus knowledge on amphibian and reptile biodiversity in the area is comparatively good. Very few of these species are endemic to the area. A number of reptiles have been recorded from the study area. Snake species that have been observed in the area include black mamba, African rock python, puff adder, olive grass snake and Mozambique spitting cobra. The flap-neck chameleon has also been observed at the site in the valleys between the hills during day and night. Despite this species being widespread and locally common, the flap-neck chameleon is always a good sign of the integrity of indigenous habitats. Gaboon Viper and Land Monitor Lizard are other important reptiles found in the area. No threatened reptile species occur in the project area. A number of species are involved in international trade as listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), e.g. chameleons and tortoises in the international pet trade, and monitor lizard skin for the leather trade. Important habitats within the mine area for reptile diversity include rock outcrops, gallery forest and dambo grasslands. The loss of rock outcrops will destroy habitat for reptiles. Amphibians appear to be poorly represented on the site, which is probably due to the highly permeable soils limiting the formation of pools required by amphibians as breeding habitat. There also appears to be relatively low frog diversity in the hilly areas. Important habitats within the mine area for amphibian diversity include moist grasslands, ravines and temporary pools in Miombo woodland, but no threatened amphibian species occur in the area. 5.10.4 Protected Species A total of about 505 flora species appear on the Red-Data List (RDL) for Zambia. Of the species assessed, almost half were rated as Data Deficient and as such many changes in the future conservation status of flora species may be expected. No red data flora species (currently listed as such) potentially occurring in the resource area was found during the dry or wet season surveys. According to the existing databases and field survey, a number of red data fauna species included in the IUCN red data lists can potentially be found in the study area including Elephant (Vulnerable), Lion (Vulnerable), Leopard (Near-Threatened) and African Wild Dog (Endangered). No red data listed herpetofauna occurs in Zambia according to the IUCN database. AGES Gauteng -73- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.10.5 Invasive alien species Invasive alien plants pose a direct threat not only to Zambia’s biological diversity, but also to water security, the ecological functioning of natural systems and the productive use of land. They intensify the impact of fires and floods and increase soil erosion. The most serious invaders in Zambia are from tropical South America and India. They include Lantana camara, Psidium guajava, Toona ciliata, and Solanum hispidum. Probably the most successful alien is the herb Ageratum conyzoides, although it is unlikely to have displaced any indigenous species. Solanum mauritianum (“Bugweed”) and Chromolaena odorata (“Triffid Weed”) both occur in disturbed places, but are effectively controlled by periodic droughts. The only specific alien invader species observed in the area was Tithonia rotundifolia (red sunflower) around the fence of Kitumba camp and along roadsides in the study area. This species can be easily controlled mechanically, with chemical follow-ups, if necessary, on seedlings that reappear in cleared areas. 5.10.6 Summary of Ecological Sensitivity Following ecological surveys, different sensitivity classes and development zones are assigned to specific areas based on the following parameters: · Presence, density and potential impact of development on rare, endemic and protected flora and fauna species · Conservation status of vegetation units · Soil types, soil depth and soil clay content · Previous land-use · State of the vegetation in general as indicated by indicator species The sensitivity of the project area in terms of these criteria is illustrated in Figure 34. The Map also indicates the planned project infrastructure in relation to the site sensitivities identified. AGES Gauteng -74- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 34: Ecological Sensitivity of the study area AGES Gauteng -75- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.11 Archaeological and Cultural Environment (Heritage Resources) While a large number of academic archaeological and historical studies have been conducted in Zambia, the Kafue region around Mumbwa remains relatively understudied. Available data infer a rich and diverse archaeological landscape, representative of the phases of human and cultural development in south-central Africa and number of areas of archaeological and heritage potential occur in the general surroundings. During August 2012 and again in March 2013, Mr Neels Kruger conducted surveys of the project site and surrounding landscape in order to identify and evaluate any heritage or archaeological resources which may be affected by the proposed project. The following section is based on his specialist report. No heritage resources were identified in the proposed mining area and the impact zone for the suggested mine infrastructure. Worth mentioning is that a number of flaked and broken malachite ore rocks were observed on the site, and while the site does not necessarily attest to human activity in the area, considering evidence of historical metallurgy in the larger region, the site might well have been a source of iron and / or copper for metal smiths active in communities bordering the Kitumba hills. The site is probably of limited heritage significance and, since it has been documented no further action is recommended in terms of heritage mitigation or conservation. Lack of evidence of on-site heritage resources should not exempt the project proponent from conducting the planned activities on site with due cognisance of the larger heritage landscape, and the potential for undiscovered heritage resources occurring on the site. Opportunity exists to become involved in regional heritage conservation, not as an “offset” as such, but to demonstrate respect for the project context. A number of groups from the surroundings have occupied the region for many generations and have expressed long-term cultural associations with the landscape. These groups thus associate themselves with a number of sites of “Living Heritage” occurring in the areas surrounding the project site. Due cognisance should be taken of these sites of “Living Heritage” in the cultural landscape and the possible associations that communities might have to these. Applicable conservation measures for sacred sites and any other heritage features around the project site should be considered based on the sentiments of traditional guardians, elders and the local communities. Considering the wealth of heritage occurring in the landscape around the proposed Kitumba mine, as well as the localised nature of heritage remains, a careful watching brief monitoring process is recommended for all stages of the project. Should any subsurface palaeontological, archaeological or historical material or graves be exposed during construction or mining activities, all activities should be suspended and the archaeological specialist should be notified immediately. Archaeological and heritage resources in the vicinity of the proposed project site are illustrated in Figure 35. AGES Gauteng (PTY) LTD -76- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 35: Archaeological and Heritage Resources in the vicinity of the site AGES Gauteng (PTY) LTD -77- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 5.12 Socio-Cultural and Economic Environment To understand the possible impacts that a project may have on people one needs to understand their existing, pre-development environment. The following baseline description is derived from the specialist social impact assessment report compiled by Ptersa Environmental Management Consultants (Aucamp S.-M. 2013). The description of the social environment includes the identification and analysis of relevant stakeholders; a description of the area within a national, regional and local context that will focus on the identity and history of the area as well as a description of the population of the area based on a number of demographic, social and economic variables. Zambia is divided into ten provinces and the provinces are divided into approximately 91 districts of which sixteen were established in 2012. The project site is situated in the Mumbwa District of the Central Province. The project site lies approximately 50 km North West of Mumbwa, the capital of the District. The closest villages to the site are Kafucamo and Mpundu. (Aucamp S.-M., 2013). 5.12.1 Culture and community power structures Zambia is one of the most urbanised countries in sub-Saharan Africa with 44% of the total population concentrated in a few urban areas. The remaining rural areas, including the project site and surroundings, are sparsely populated. The country is culturally very diverse, and current historians and linguistic experts can identify at least 16 major cultural groupings and more than 72 different spoken dialects in the country. Contemporary culture is a blend of traditions of more than 70 ethnically diverse tribes, most of who moved into the area in a series of migratory waves a few centuries ago. During the colonial period, the process of industrialisation and urbanisation saw ethnically different people brought together by economic interests. This, as well as the influence of western standards, generated a new culture without conscious effort. Many of the rural inhabitants have however retained their indigenous and traditional customs and values. Zambia is one of the few African countries with very little tribal animosity and the existence of so many tribes has not proved a significant political problem such as what has been seen in many other African states. The site for the proposed mine is located in an area where the Kaonde people live but there is also a number of Bemba speaking people in the area. The Bemba represents approximately 18% of the population and was historically nomadic hunter-gatherers. When copper mining began in earnest on the Copperbelt, the Bemba speaking people migrated here in search of job opportunities. The Kaonde are the descendants of the famous Luba-Lunda Empire of Zaire and were among the first Zambian tribes to carry out the mining of copper. The communities in the vicinity of the proposed project and the surrounding land are under tribal leadership of Chief Kaindu. The Chiefdom is divided in seven zones with approximately 300 villages. There are 72 headmen (appointed by the Chief) to assist with the management of the area. Approximately 9 headmen reside in proximity to the project site. There are also a number of councillors active in the surrounding communities. The neighbouring AGES Gauteng -78- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Chiefdom is ruled by Chief Mumba of the Ile/Kaonde people of Mumbwa. The community group known as the Kaindu Natural Resource Trust (KNRT) is active in the area and has in the recent past called a meeting with farmers, mining companies and other business stakeholders in the area to determine what their plans were in terms of social responsibility. The Chiefdom also has a committee that deals with community projects, called the Kaindu Project Coordinating Committee (KPCC). 5.12.1.1 Information of the cultural rights and practices in the project area The project area is adjacent to the area under the leadership of Chief Kaindu. The majority of the people speak Kaonde, but there is also a number of Bemba speaking people in the area. There is a ceremony called Musaka/Jikubi that usually takes place in September. Religion is very important and the area and there are a number of churches in the surrounding areas. The number of Kingdom Halls of the Jehovah’s Witnesses is noticeable. The local communities are conservative with very traditional values, and Lobola is still widely practiced. Houses are often still built from traditional materials. Leadership structures and rules are still accepted and obeyed by most of the community members. 5.12.2 Population, age, language, religion, education and family life The total population of Zambia according to the 2010 National Census of Population and Housing was 13,046,508 with an annual growth rate of 2.8% since 2000. The population of the Central province was 1,267,308 while the Mumbwa district had a population of 218,328 and the second-highest population growth rate (3.2%). 2 Population density nationally, provincially and in the district is 17.3; 13.4 and 10.3 people per km respectively. The average household size in the District is 5.4 people per household and consultations in the area have revealed that local households in the area tend to be large, often with more than six members. The average age of the population of Zambia is 16.5 years. Life expectancy at birth is approximately 52.57 (Aucamp S.-M. , 2013). 64% of the Zambian population is between 0 – 14 years of age. 25% of the national population rages in age from 15 – 64 years (the economically active age) and 11% are aged over 65 years. 49% of the population of Zambia are male and 51% female. This is also true of the Central Province, but in the Mumbwa district representation is 50/50. The official language in Zambia is English. The most common languages spoken in the vicinity of the study area are Kaonde and Bemba. Zambia is officially a Christian nation, but a wide variety of religious traditions exist in the country. In the immediate surroundings of the study area, many churches and Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been observed. Approximately 1 in 3 Zambians are Jehovah’s Witnesses, which is one of the largest percentages worldwide. Locals in the vicinity of the project site place high value on their respective religious AGES Gauteng -79- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study practices and expect their customs to be respected. Education in Zambia consists of Basic education from Grade 1 to 9 and upper secondary education from Grade 10 to 12. Tuition is free up to Grade 7 and the cost of schooling after Grade 7 is out of reach for most rural families. The closest school to the study area which provides tuition up to Grade 12 is in Mumbwa, adding further travelling and accommodation costs to the schooling of rural children in the region. Most children in the area reportedly do not complete secondary schooling. Local educators have indicated that the levels of illiteracy in the area is very high and that it is a great concern that especially girls drop out of school early to get married and then do not finish their education (Aucamp S.-M. , 2013). Adulthood comes at an early age for rural children and especially for girls. Few children manage to start school before the age of ten and by the age of fifteen they are considered adults with the responsibilities of marriage, child rearing and tending crops. Having a large number of children is still seen as some form of wealth or long-term insurance and females (especially in rural areas such as the study area) will typically have between 6 to 12 children. Men typically marry from the age of about 20 and Lobola is still widely practiced. Local communities thus appear to be rather conservative with very traditional values. Despite this, divorce is not uncommon or frowned upon, and in certain instances it seems to be an acceptable practice for men to have affairs with other women. This creates a very fertile breeding ground for the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Unemployment and underemployment in Zambia are serious problems. About 68% of Zambians live below the recognised national poverty line, with rural poverty rates standing at about 78%. Most rural Zambians are subsistence farmers (traditionally), but with the lure of economic opportunity in the cities, many villages are now dominated by women who have to depend on their own ingenuity to generate cash to support their children and quite often also their elders. People in the area surrounding the site of the proposed mine are generally poor as there are limited job opportunities in the area and the natural resources are not sufficient to supply in the needs of everyone. Local people busy themselves with subsistence farming (although some of the larger farms also commercialize at least some of their produce), small scale mining, charcoal production, hunting (sometimes poaching) and fishing in communities closer to the Kafue River. Some residents of local towns run shops that they stock from Mumbwa. 5.12.2.1 Illiteracy, emolument and dropout rates of people in the project area. Most schools in the proximity of the project area are community schools that go up to Grade 7 and in some instances Grade 9. The closest school in the area that offers Grade 12 is in Mumbwa and it is outside the financial reach of most parents to send their children there. According to educators in the area the levels of illiteracy are very high and it is a great concern that especially girls drop out of school early to get married and then do not finish their education. AGES Gauteng -80- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Residents have reported that there are five government schools in the area that go up to Grade 9, while the other schools are community schools. Statistics on illiteracy, emolument and dropout rates specifically for the area are not readily available, if at all. A full inventory of the local schools is also not available. The Kalenda Basic School (which is the closest known school to the site) is approximately 8 km (linear distance) from the project site, although this school is in excess of 20 km from the mine site by road. As statistics are not readily available and current, the following information is supplied (http://www.epdc.org/sites/default/files/documents/Zambia_subnatz_Mumbwa.pdf): Table 11: 2008 Mumbwa District Profile Grade 1 – 9 Grade 10 – 12 Female pupils 26 366 1 165 Male pupils 28 109 1 609 Teachers 822 138 Schools 152 13 Classrooms 663 152 Textbooks 57 018 427 These statistics (though outdated) indicate a pupil-teacher ratio of approximately 1 teacher for every 60 pupils and almost 350 pupils per school. 5.12.3 HIV/AIDS infection rate and preventative measures in the project area Although the local communities seem to be quite conservative with very traditional values, it seems to be an acceptable practise to have affairs with other women (Aucamp, 2013). Respondents who were consulted with as part of the Social Impact Assessment (See Appendix 3) have indicated belief that having intercourse with a woman while she is pregnant may cause damage to the unborn child, and thus many men have indicated that they would have affairs while their wives are pregnant in order to fulfil their sexual needs in the meantime. This creates a very fertile breeding ground for the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (Aucamp, 2013). Zambia’s rate of economic growth cannot support rapid population growth or the strain that HIV/AIDS—related issues place on the economy (Aucamp, 2013). In May 2008 “Estimates put the prevalence of HIV at 15.6% among the 15-49 year old age group in Zambia” (http://www.ghinet.org/downloads/Zambia_GHI_Briefing_Sheet_May08_Final.pdf). Reportedly, significant scale-up of HIV services has occurred throughout Zambia. Between 2004 and 2007 there was a rapid increase in anti-retroviral (ART) coverage, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), and Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services (http://www.ghinet.org/downloads/Zambia_policybrief_hr.pdf). The following statistics are relevant to the Mumbwa district where the proposed project is to be located (http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&ved=0CIEBEBYwBQ&url=ht tp%3A%2F%2Fwww.ghinet.org%2Fdownloads%2FPoster_PMTCT_Task_sharing%28Final%29.ppt&ei=qMVk UsfgDrOY1AWGrYDQBw&usg=AFQjCNGqW-xl5R- AGES Gauteng -81- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study DoVhI0CKdfPVDZHhMhA&sig2=PDeYLa7rXaT9sIcPLcef6g&bvm=bv.54934254,d.Yms): 2005 2007 PMTCT client numbers 39 2940 Staff numbers delivering 2 4 PMTCT alone Staff numbers delivering 22 32 PMTCT and other services No. of clinical staff (doctors, 98 91 nurses and clinical officers) No. of nurses/midwives 65 68 PMTCT workers as a 37% 53% proportion of all nurses/nurse midwives PMTCT workers as a 25% 40% proportion of all clinical staff Ratio of antenatal clinic clients 435 413 to nurses/midwives 5.12.4 Industry The Zambian government is pursuing an economic diversification program to reduce the economy’s reliance on the copper industry. Inflation was 30% in 2000 and decreased to 8.9% in 2007. The annual rate of inflation, derived from the revised all items Consumer Price Index (CPI) was recorded at 6.4 per cent in January 2012 (Central Statistical Office, 2012). The following paragraphs briefly discuss the main economic industries in Zambia. Agriculture is discussed under Section 5.7 of this Report as it is a common Land Use in the vicinity of the study area. Briefly it may be stated that Agriculture is and will continue to be central to the growth of the Zambian economy. Worth mentioning are the activities of Amatheon Agri Zambia Ltd, a local subsidiary of a multinational agricultural production company, in the vicinity of the project site. Energy sources in Zambia include electricity, petroleum, coal, biomass and renewable energy. Electricity demand has been growing at an approximate average of 3% per annum. Hydro-Power contributes approximately 10% to the national energy supply and is the most important energy source in the country apart from wood fuel. Zambia imports petroleum, but apart from that is self-sufficient in all its energy sources. Zambia’s current proven coal deposits are estimated to be about 80 million tonnes, but there are only two coal mines in the country, and no coal-fired power plants. Utilization of solar and wind energy has remained relatively low. The Manufacturing sector accounts for approximately 11% of the national GDP and growth in this sector is mainly attributed to the agro-processing, textiles and leather subsectors. Secondary processing of metals (including the smelting and refining of copper) is another main activity which has led to the manufacturing of metal products. Manufactured goods contribute an average of 25% of the country’s total exports. AGES Gauteng -82- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Mining has played a key role in the social and economic development of the country and is central to the Zambian economy. Zambia is the largest copper producer in Africa and the country is endowed with substantial mineral wealth including metals such as gold, copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, iron, manganese, nickel and platinum group elements, gemstones, industrial minerals, as well as uranium, coal and hydrocarbons. Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in Zambia and is seen as one of the prime sectors of the economy. The tourism sector contributes approximately 6.5% of the country’s GDP. There are 938 tourist accommodation establishments throughout Zambia. About two thirds of visitors to Zambia are from Africa and approximately 20% from Europe. Zambia offers a wealth of natural tourism assets and wildlife protected areas occupy about 10% of the country’s total land area. There are a total of 20 national parks, 34 GMAs and 23 million hectares of land devoted to conservation. Eco-tourism and adventure activities, cultural tourism and movie tourism are regarded as under-explored opportunities. In the immediate vicinity of the proposed project site lies the Mushingashi Conservancy as well as the KNP (see section 5.7) which are important tourism facilities for the region. 5.12.4.1 Local economic activities in relation to local people’s livelihood People in the area are generally very poor as job opportunities are very limited. People make a livelihood through activities like subsistence farming, small shops, small-scale mining, illegal charcoal making, hunting, poaching and fishing. Economic activities in the area that provide employment opportunities are commercial agriculture, tourism (Kafue National Park as well as private game concessions) and small-scale mining. There is a farmers’ association and a small-scale mining association in the area. 5.12.5 Service Infrastructure Infrastructure in the vicinity of the study area is generally limited. Local residents source water from boreholes, generally with hand-pumps, and residents walk or cycle in order to have access. Some residents also get water from small streams directly. There is no sewerage system in the villages of the study area. Several houses have self-constructed pit- latrines outside. It is assumed that the field is used as a toilet by some. Some of the nearby farms and the existing exploration camp have toilet facilities connected to a septic tank system, which are emptied by tankers regularly. The study area does not have electricity although there are plans to connect to the national electricity grid. Local people use mainly wood or charcoal to supply their current needs. There are also a few diesel generators in the area, including at the exploration camp, the prison farm, and some households and local businesses. AGES Gauteng -83- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study The transport system around the study area is not well developed. The roads are all gravel/dirt roads and generally in a poor condition. The primary mode of transport in the local areas is either by foot or bicycle. Social Infrastructure (health care, education, recreation etc.) is also mostly insufficient in the project area. The nearest hospital is in Mumbwa, and the clinics in local villages are often incapable of meeting demands. Traditional healers play an important role in local health care. Zambia has a relatively high burden of diseases that require high consumption of pharmaceutical products such as malaria and HIV/AIDS presenting many challenges. There are approximately five government schools in the vicinity of the project providing tuition up to Grade 9, where after children have to go to Mumbwa for schooling. There are no proper sports fields or other such recreational social infrastructure in the area. The preceding sections have highlighted a number of existing social conditions prevalent in the areas surrounding the proposed development. It is essential that the local communities be treated with respect and duly consulted about development in their area. Without a “social license to operate” any project runs the risk of significant public opposition. 5.12.6 Transport and Traffic The M9 is the main regional road in the area. The road is tarred and in good condition. From Mumbwa, this road continues in a westerly direction to the KNP and the road sees some traffic due to tourism activities in the region. This is also the road up to Mumbwa that would typically be used by tourists on their way to Mushingashi. Existing vehicle traffic volumes on local roads such as the D181 are limited. Traffic through Mumbwa is significantly more prominent than in the surrounding rural areas. Traffic on the outskirts of and through Lusaka is significantly congested although there are rumours of future plans by the Roads Development Agency (RDA) to develop a bypass (Havenga, June 2013). Thus in terms of existing transportation infrastructure, challenges presented to the Project nearer the mine site relate mainly to adequacy of infrastructure (poor road conditions) while closer to Lusaka, the main concern is related to time lost due to traffic congestion. Local roads through Mumbwa are used to gain site access. These are unpaved roads and are generally in a very poor condition. Street vendors and pedestrians occupy the sides of the street right up to the road, which is not demarcated with clear road signs or pavements. The road from Mumbwa to the project site is a dirt road in poor condition. In some areas, tall grass grows right up to the edge of the road, hampering visibility. During the rainy season, much of the area is not easily negotiable. Local inhabitants use the roads for access mostly by foot or bicycles. Few vehicles were observed. The road conditions referred to above are illustrated in Figure 36 AGES Gauteng -84- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Vehicle and pedestrian traffic through Lusaka The M9 west of Lusaka en route to Mumbwa The traffic circle in Mumbwa Road just west of the traffic circle in Mumbwa en route to site Road D181 en route to site Access to the mine from D181 Figure 36: Existing Road Conditions AGES Gauteng -85- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 6 IMPACTS The following sub-sections highlight the key environmental, socio-cultural and economic impacts potentially associated with the proposed project. Significance of an impact is a function of the severity of the potential impact (in terms of actual consequence or severity, duration or frequency and spatial scale or extent of the impact, as well as the sensitivity of the element being impacted) and the probability of the impact occurring. The key issues and potential environmental impacts discussed in this section have been identified through specialist investigations, professional understanding of the project team, and consultation with relevant authorities and a range of stakeholders. 6.1 Stakeholder Engagement and Public Participation Public Participation is one of the most important aspects of the environmental evaluation and authorization process. This stems from the requirement that people have the right to be informed about potential decisions that may affect them and that they must be afforded an opportunity to influence those decisions. Effective public participation also improves the ability of the competent authority (ZEMA) to make informed decisions as the views of all parties are considered. The Public Participation Process: · Provides an opportunity for interested and affected parties (I&APs) to obtain clear, accurate and comprehensive information about the proposed activity, its alternatives or the decisions and the environmental impacts thereof; · Provides I&APs with an opportunity to indicate their viewpoints, issues and concerns regarding the activity, alternatives and/or the decisions; · Provides I&APs with the opportunity of suggesting ways of avoiding, reducing or mitigating negative impacts of an activity and for enhancing positive impacts; · Enables an applicant to incorporate the needs, preferences and values of I&APs into the activity; · Provides opportunities to avoid and resolve disputes and reconcile conflicting interests; · Enhances transparency and accountability in decision-making. 6.1.1 Interested and Affected Parties Every individual potentially affected by this project is a stakeholder in the project. The definition of a stakeholder is: Any individual, group, or institution who has a vested interest in the social, economic or bio- AGES Gauteng -86- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study physical resources of the project area and/or who potentially will be affected by project activities and have something to gain or lose if conditions change or stay the same (Adapted from WWF, 2005). Stakeholders who were consulted in the context of the Kitumba project include: · Chief Kaindu and his tribal council consisting of several headmen · Teachers at Kaindu Basic School: Danny Dilema, Peter Chisanga, Virginia Mubuyaeta · Mr. Chabinga at Mpusu Basic School · Darryl Watt from Mushingashi Game Concession · Mumbwa Artisinal Mining Association · Mumbwa Farmer’s Association · Residents of Mpundu Village and Kafucamo Village · Mumbwa Prison Farm; · Kafue National Park (Zambia Wildlife Authority – ZAWA) · Zambia Air Force (ZAF); · Andy Fleming, CEO of Amatheon Agri Zambia Ltd, who are in the process of developing a new irrigated cropping operation for food production in the Big Concession area adjacent to the proposed project. · Mr Tandi Kamanga of African Deposits who has certain mining / exploration rights on land in the vicinity of the proposed project. · The Zambian Roads Development Agency (RDA) (consulted via the traffic engineers). Please refer to Appendix 2 for details of the consultations that took place as part of the EIS process. 6.1.2 Summary of Consultation / Issues Discussed Stakeholders who were consulted commented on the following aspects relating to the proposed project: For full details refer to Appendix 2. · Communities in the area have had bad experiences with mines in the past (promises not kept, unacceptable working conditions, low remuneration for long hours, lack of rehabilitation etc.) – there are trust issues that will have to be overcome. AGES Gauteng -87- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study · In general, communities welcome the mine because of the opportunities that it will bring – unemployment is very high in the area. · Unemployment is very high in the area and jobs are scarce. There are some skilled people (brick layers, carpenters, drivers, machine operators etc.) in the local villages, but these people often do not have the required paperwork in place. Stakeholders have indicated that they would be willing to obtain the appropriate papers if they were to get the necessary support. · Environmental aspects of particular concern are increased poaching, water pollution, environmental pollution. · Impact on tourism activities in the area should be considered (visual, quality of environment, sense of place). · The Communities have high expectations regarding the mine – care should be taken that the mine does not become a “surrogate government” that supplies things that the government should take care of. · Consultation with stakeholders is an on-going process and stakeholder engagement should be prioritized throughout the life of the mining operations. Consultation should be expanded to include grassroots communities – not only the leadership, and vulnerable parties such as women, the youth and the elderly should be included in the process. · They claimed that BHP Billiton tolerated nepotism in such that supervisors appointed friends and family members. They would like it if Blackthorn also engages with the grassroots people, not only with community leaders. It appears as though there are some trust issues with the mining industry. · There is some concern among local communities that the community representatives (who are regularly consulted) do not always bring the right issues to the table, and that grassroots people need to be consulted as well. The establishment of a community liaison forum with representatives from different groups such as women, youth and the elderly should be investigated — this practice seems to be culturally acceptable and will ensure that the views of all potentially interested and affected parties are considered. · Some of the women expressed a concern that they see no women employed in the mining arena — they would like to see more opportunities for women AGES Gauteng -88- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 6.2 Impact Assessment Methodology (After Plomp, 20043) An impact can be defined as any change in the physical-chemical, biological, cultural and/or socio-economic environmental system that can be attributed to human activities related to alternatives under study for meeting a project need. The significance of the potential impacts of the proposed project will be rated by using a matrix derived from Plomp (2004) and adapted to fit this specific proposed project. This matrix uses the consequence and the likelihood of the different aspects and associated impacts to determine the significance of the impacts. The significances of the impacts are determined through a synthesis of the following criteria: Table 12: Impact Significance Criteria Probability: This describes the likelihood of the impact actually occurring. Weight Improbable: The possibility of the impact occurring is very low, due to the circumstances, design or 1 experience. Probable: There is a probability that the impact will occur to the extent that provision must be made 2 thereof. Highly It is most likely that the impact will occur at some stage of the development. 4 Probable Definite: The impact will take place regardless of any prevention plans, and there can only be relied 5 on mitigatory actions or contingency plans to contain the effect. Duration: The lifetime of the impact Weight Short term: The impact will either disappear with mitigation or will be mitigated through natural 1 processes in a time span shorter than any of the phases of the project. Medium The impact will last up to the end of the project’s phases, where after it will be negated. 3 term: Long term: The impact will last for the entire operational phase of the project but will be mitigated by 4 direct human action or by natural processes thereafter. Permanent: Impact that will be non-transitory. Mitigation either by man or natural processes will not 5 occur in such a way or in such a time span that the impact can be considered transient. Scale: The physical and spatial size of the impact Weight Footprint: The impacted area extends only as far as the activity, e.g. footprint 1 Site: The impact could affect the whole, or a measurable portion of the property. 2 Regional: The impact could affect the area including the neighbouring residential areas. 3 Magnitude/ Severity: Does the impact destroy the environment, or alter its function. Weight Low: The impact alters the affected environment in such a way that natural processes are not 2 affected. 3 Plomp, H. 2004. A process for assessing and evaluating environmental management risk and significance in a gold mining company. Conference Papers-Annual National Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment: South African Affiliate AGES Gauteng -89- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Medium: The affected environment is altered, but functions and processes continue in a modified 6 way. High: Function or process of the affected environment is disturbed to the extent where it 8 temporarily or permanently ceases. Significance: This is an indication of the importance of the impact in terms of both physical extent and Rating time scale, and therefore indicates the level of mitigation required. Significance is equal to the sum of the duration, scale and magnitude of an impact, multiplied by the probability of the impact occurring. Negligible: The impact is non-existent or unsubstantial and is of no or little importance to any 0<20 stakeholder and can be ignored. Low: The impact is limited in extent, has low to medium intensity; whatever its probability of 20<40 occurrence is, the impact will not have a material effect on the decision and is likely to require management intervention with increased costs. Moderate: The impact is of importance to one or more stakeholders, and its intensity will be medium or 40<60 high; therefore, the impact may materially affect the decision to implement, and management intervention will be required. High: The impact could render development options controversial or the project unacceptable if it >60 cannot be reduced to acceptable levels; and/or the cost of management intervention will be a significant factor in mitigation. For example: If an impact has a high probability of occurrence, of medium term duration and a high magnitude, with site specific scale the significance of that impact is determined in the following way: Significance = Sum (Duration, Scale, Magnitude) x Probability = (3 + 2 + 6) x 4 = 44 Therefore Significance is rated as Moderate The significance of each potential impact will be rated without mitigation measures and with mitigation measures. 6.3 Impact Assessment Structure Impacts on the identified key issues will be assessed according to the following structure: · The Source of the impact: will be identified (e.g. vegetation clearance, vehicles on dirt roads, etc.). · A Description of the impact - the interaction between the activity and the environment, i.e. how and why the impact occurs and how the activity changes the environment. · Significance: an explanation of the significance rating of the impact without mitigation, as above (the impacts are rated again in Section 7 of this report, after Mitigation measures have been applied. · Mitigation: The mitigation measures that can be implemented to eliminate or minimise negative impacts or result in the optimization of positive benefits must, wherever possible be expressed as practical actions – Refer to Section 7 of this report for more details. AGES Gauteng -90- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 6.4 Impact Assessment Table 13 represents a quantitative assessment of the significance of the various potential impacts which have been identified as per the methodology described above. These impacts are rated without any mitigation, management or preventative measures in place. In Section 7 of this report, mitigation measures are identified and the impacts are rated again taking the successful implementation of these measures into account. Please refer to Table 14 The impacts are grouped in terms of the sphere of impact (environmental, socio-cultural or economic) although it must be acknowledged that some impacts will occur simultaneously in more than one of these spheres. The project phase in which the impacts are expected is also indicated. 6.5 Significant Impacts Following the impact assessment of each of the identified possible environmental impacts, the following potential impacts are deemed to be the most significant (without implementation of mitigation measures): · Air Quality Impacts resulting from All Sources at the operations, causing Incremental PM10 Impact during the operational phase of the mine. · Lowering of water levels of surrounding (within 3 km radius) water supply boreholes, due to the dewatering radius of influence. · Inrush of groundwater to mine tunnels and stopes, potentially leading to loss of life. · Groundwater and surface water contamination by copper, cobalt, cadmium and manganese due to contaminants leaching from mine waste facilities. · Radioactive contaminants from mine waste facilities, due to uranium being concentrated in the product. · Groundwater seeping into the underground workings, causing the filling up of the shaft(s) and workings and leading to impacts on operations and mining schedule. · Negative impacts on surface and groundwater quality due to Migration of TSF and WRD plume (northwest). · Damage to or destruction of undiscovered heritage or archaeological resources, during construction, operation and decommissioning of the mining project and associated projects (roads, water supply etc.). · Impacts on Health and social wellbeing: Impacts on physical health due to influx of people putting pressure on infrastructure and resources, increased disease, accidents and injuries. AGES Gauteng -91- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study · Influx of people creating a platform for opportunistic and other criminals: Impacts on Health and social wellbeing: Crime - increased theft, social ills and poaching. · Shortage of social and physical infrastructure (Impact on quality of the living environment) due to influx of people putting additional pressure on infrastructure (roads, sanitation etc.) · Habitat fragmentation due to Vegetation clearing and construction, Storage of Tailings; Laydown areas for stockpiles and waste rock, roads as well as in the subsistence zone (depression and cracks caused by SLC). · Increased soil erosion and sedimentation at the Sidewalls of depression created by SLC mining, causing increased hardened surfaces around infrastructure and exposed areas created alongside the mining area. · Increased soil erosion and sedimentation due to increased hardened surfaces created at the project site. · Dust contamination due to exposure of rock, ore and soil to rainfall and wind, stockpiling, Materials handling, vehicle entrainment and windblown dust. · Light pollution due to construction of mining infrastructure, access roads etc. · Habitat Destruction in wetlands due to Clearing of vegetation, construction of infrastructure etc., and placement of stockpiles, TSF and WRD on wetlands. · Dust contamination in wetlands due to movement of construction vehicles, stockpiling, Materials handling, vehicle entrainment and windblown dust, and movement of vehicles on site for rehabilitation. · Soil Compaction due to regular heavy vehicle movement, and laydown areas. · Soil Destruction and sterilization due to topsoil stripping and mine construction · Soil Destruction and sterilization due to the Depression created by SLC operations (will be more severe with opencast mining methods). AGES Gauteng -92- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Table 13: Impact identification and significance rating WITHOUT MITIGATION No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance 1 Air Quality (WOM) All construction Increased PM10 and PM 2.5 on activities and around the project site Construction Medium 1.1 activities Probable Term Site Medium 22 Low Decreased air quality due to Earthworks increased PM10 and PM2.5 and Construction Medium 1.2 dust Probable Term Local Low 12 Negligible Decreased air quality due to Site Development increased PM10 and PM2.5 and Construction Medium 1.3 dust Probable Term Local Low 12 Negligible Movement of vehicles and Air quality impacts from Construction personnel on increased dust Medium 1.4 unpaved roads Probable Term Site Medium 22 Low Decreased air quality due to Civil Works increased PM10 and PM2.5 and Construction Medium 1.5 dust Improbable Term Local Low 6 Negligible All Sources of emissions to the Incremental PM2.5 Impact Operational Highly 1.6 atmosphere Probable Long Term Regional Medium 52 Moderate All Sources of emissions to the Incremental PM10 Impact Operational 1.7 atmosphere Definite Long Term Regional Medium 65 High Unpaved Roads Incremental PM2.5 and PM10 Operational Highly 1.8 Impact Probable Long Term Regional Medium 52 Moderate Wind erosion Incremental PM2.5 and PM10 Operational 1.9 Impact Probable Long Term Local Low 14 Negligible 1. Materials handling Incremental PM2.5 and PM10 Operational 10 Impact Probable Long Term Local Low 14 Negligible 1.11 Ventilation shafts Incremental PM2.5 and PM10 Operational Improbable Long Term Local Medium 11 Negligible AGES Gauteng -93- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance Impact Crushing Incremental PM2.5 and PM10 Operational 1.12 Impact Probable Long Term Site Medium 24 Low 1.13 Grading Incremental PM10 Impact Operational Probable Long Term Local Medium 22 Low Bulldozing Incremental PM10 Impact Operational Highly 1.14 Probable Long Term Local Medium 44 Moderate Incline Shaft PM2.5 and PM 10 Impacts Closure Medium 1.15 Improbable Term Local Low 6 Negligible Topsoil and waste PM2.5 and PM 10 Impacts Closure Medium 1.16 dumps Probable Term Local Low 12 Negligible Processing Plant PM2.5 and PM 10 Impacts Closure Medium 1.17 Improbable Term Local Low 6 Negligible Admin and HR PM2.5 and PM 10 Impacts Closure Medium 1.18 facilities Improbable Term Local Low 6 Negligible Unpaved Roads PM2.5 and PM 10 Impacts Closure Medium 1.19 Probable Term Local Low 12 Negligible 1. Blasting PM2.5 and PM 10 Impacts Closure 20 Improbable Short Term Local Low 4 Negligible 2 Hydrogeology Establishment of construction camp Negative impacts on Groundwater Pre-construction and sanitation quality and Construction Highly 2.1 facilities Probable Short Term Site Medium 36 Low Use of explosives for Contribute to nitrates overload to Pre-construction Highly Medium 2.2 decline development groundwater and Construction Probable Term Site Medium 44 Moderate Hydrocarbon spillages Negative impacts on Groundwater Pre-construction (construction quality and Construction Highly 2.3 vehicles) Probable Short Term Site High 44 Moderate 2.4 Surface water Negative impacts on surface water Preconstruction Probable Short Term Regional High 24 Low AGES Gauteng -94- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance contamination quality and Construction Anthropogenic Negative impacts on surface and Preconstruction 2.5 activities on site groundwater quality and Construction Probable Short Term Site High 22 Low Dewatering radius of Lowering water levels of influence surrounding (3km radius) water 2.6 supply boreholes. Definite Long Term Regional Medium 65 High Inrush of groundwater to mine Loss of Life Operational Highly 2.7 tunnels and stopes Probable Permanent Regional High 64 High Dewatering radius of Lowering water levels of wetlands influence (3km radius), decrease Operational 2.8 groundwater head Definite Long Term Local Medium 55 Moderate Contaminant leaching Groundwater and surface water from mine waste contamination by copper, cobalt, Operational Highly 2.9 facilities cadmium and manganese Probable Permanent Regional High 64 High Uranium Radioactive contaminants from concentrated in the mine waste facilities Operational Highly 2.1 product Probable Permanent Regional High 64 High Chemicals used in Contamination of surface and mining activities groundwater by point source Operational Highly Medium 2.11 chemicals Probable Term Regional Medium 48 Moderate Groundwater Filling up mine shaft negative seepage to impact on mine schedule and Operational underground operations Highly 2.12 workings Probable Permanent Regional High 64 High Increased runoff due increased erosion and silt loading Operational Highly 2.13 to mining activities on surface water bodies Probable Long Term Site Medium 48 Moderate Hydrocarbon Negative impacts on groundwater Operational Highly Medium 2.14 spillages (from and surface water quality Probable Term Site Medium 44 Moderate AGES Gauteng -95- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance storage facilities or vehicles) Presence of nitrates in water Use of explosives derived from mine workings Operational Highly 2.15 (impacts on water quality) Probable Long Term Regional Low 36 Low Contaminated Negative impacts on groundwater stormwater runoff and surface water quality Operational Highly 2.16 from mine workings Probable Long Term Site Medium 48 Moderate Inrushes of water Negative impacts on production caused by subsidence and poses a safety risk Operational 2.17 and cracking Definite Long Term Local High 65 High Unstable underground Negative impacts on production Operational conditions due to the and poses a safety risk Highly Medium 2.18 effects of subsidence Probable Term Local High 48 Moderate Mine dewatering effects decreasing - Rising of water levels and increase Closure and post operational in borehole yields for water supply Post-Closure 2.19 rewatering Definite Permanent Local Low 40 Low Re-watering radius of Increased water levels of wetlands Closure and influence (3km radius) and increased Post-Closure 2.20 groundwater head Probable Long Term Local Medium 22 Low Leaching of Contamination of groundwater and Closure and contaminants from surface water by copper, cobalt, Post-Closure Highly 2.21 mine waste facilities cadmium and manganese Probable Permanent Regional High 64 High Radioactive Uranium concentrated in product. Closure and contaminants from Residual concentrations in WRD Post-Closure Highly 2.22 mine waste facilities and TSF (probably low) Probable Permanent Site High 60 Moderate 2.23 Use of explosives Groundwater contamination by Closure and Probable Medium Site Medium 22 Low AGES Gauteng -96- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance causing presence of nitrates due to blasting Post-Closure Term nitrates Post operational void lake acidification Negative impacts on groundwater Closure and caused by oxygen and surface water quality Post-Closure ingress due to Highly 2.24 subsidence Probable Permanent Regional High 64 High Migration of TDF and Negative impacts on surface and Closure and WRD plume groundwater quality Post-Closure 2.25 (northwest) Definite Permanent Site High 75 High 3 Noise All construction, site clearance and Noise disturbance and nuisance Construction Medium 3.1 preparations Improbable Term Local Low 6 Negligible Ventilation shaft, processing plant, underground mining Noise disturbance and nuisance Operational operations, Stockpiling and 3.2 dumping Improbable Long Term Site High 14 Negligible Decommissioning, dismantling, loading, Noise disturbance and nuisance Closure Medium 3.3 dozing, vehicles Improbable Term Site Medium 11 Negligible 4 Visual Impact Presence of construction Alteration of key elements, vehicles, machinery, features and characteristics of the Construction equipment and baseline visual environment Highly Medium 4.1 personnel Probable Term Regional Medium 48 Moderate AGES Gauteng -97- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance Presence of construction and Alteration of key elements, mining vehicles, features and characteristics of the Operational machinery, baseline visual environment equipment and Highly 4.2 personnel Probable Long Term Regional Medium 52 Moderate Presence of vehicles, Alteration of key elements, machinery, features and characteristics of the Closure equipment and baseline visual environment Highly 4.3 personnel Probable Permanent Regional Medium 56 Moderate 5 Impact on Heritage resources Construction, operation and decommissioning of Damage to or destruction of Construction, the mining project undiscovered heritage or operation and and associated archaeological resources closure projects (roads, Highly 5.1 water supply etc.). Probable Permanent Regional High 64 High 6 Social Impacts Development in the Change in cultural values and area causing in- integrity (Impact on Social Construction migration of Dynamics) Highly 6.1 foreigners Probable Permanent Site High 60 Moderate Influx of people to Negative impacts on existing the surrounding community cohesion (Impact on Construction villages due to Social Dynamics) Highly 6.2 opportunities Probable Long Term Site High 56 Moderate Job-creation for local people and for Social differentiation and inequity people from outside, (Impact on Social Dynamics) Construction inappropriate Highly 6.3 procurement policies Probable Long Term Regional Medium 52 Moderate AGES Gauteng -98- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance Conflict about available jobs and who should benefit from the project. Social tension and violence Construction Cultural change due (Impact on Social Dynamics) and operation to influx and economic changes Highly 6.4 for some. Probable Long Term Site High 56 Moderate Unrealistically high Aspirations and expectations of community community not realized (causing expectations of tension and distrust). (Impact on Construction benefits due to Social Dynamics) Highly 6.5 project Probable Long Term Regional High 60 Moderate Mine staff residing Alterations in Family structures. Construction away from their (Impact on Social Dynamics) and operation Highly 6.6 families Probable Long Term Regional High 60 Moderate Change in sense of Community identification and Construction belonging due to connection (Impact on Social and operation Highly 6.7 influx of people Dynamics) Probable Long Term Site Medium 48 Moderate Influx of people putting pressure on Impacts on Health and social infrastructure and wellbeing: Impacts on physical Construction resources, increased health and operation disease, accidents 6.8 and injuries Definite Permanent Regional High 80 High Impacts on water Impacts on Health and social quality/availability, wellbeing: Impacts on personal Construction increased traffic, safety (physical and and operation unfair labour psychological) Highly Medium 6.9 practices Probable Term Regional High 56 Moderate AGES Gauteng -99- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance Influx of people Impacts on Health and social creating a platform wellbeing: Crime - increased Construction 6. for opportunistic and theft, social ills and poaching and operation Medium 10 other criminals Definite Term Regional High 70 High Influx of people putting additional Shortage of social and physical pressure on infrastructure (Impact on quality Construction infrastructure of the living environment) and operation (roads, sanitation Medium 6.11 etc.) Definite Term Regional High 70 High presence of mine Alteration of sense of place / infrastructure, environmental amenity value / Construction vehicles, machinery aesthetic quality (negative impact and operation Highly 6.12 and personnel on tourism) Probable Permanent Local High 56 Moderate Animal human Conflicting land uses with interaction and neighbouring activities Construction resultant industry (conservation vs. mining) and operation Medium 6.13 conflicts Definite Term Local High 60 Moderate 7 Impacts on Biodiversity Vegetation clearing Destruction of habitat Construction 7.1 and construction Definite Permanent Local Medium 60 Moderate Storage of Tailings; Laydown areas for stockpiles and waste Direct habitat destruction Operational rock, depression and cracks from SLC 7.2 Mining method Definite Long Term Local Medium 55 Moderate Vegetation clearing Habitat fragmentation Construction 7.3 and construction Definite Permanent Local High 70 High Storage of Tailings; Habitat fragmentation Operational 7.4 Laydown areas for Definite Permanent Local High 70 High AGES Gauteng -100- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance stockpiles and waste rock, depression and cracks from SLC Rehabilitation of SLC depression (filling Habitat Fragmentation Closure and levelling of Highly 7.5 cracks) Probable Permanent Local Medium 48 Moderate Exposure of rock, ore and soil to rainfall Soil erosion Construction Highly 7.6 and wind Probable Long Term Regional Medium 52 Moderate Sidewalls of SLC depression and Increased soil erosion and Increased hardened sedimentation Operational surfaces created at 7.7 the project site Definite Long Term Regional High 75 High Rehabilitation soil erosion Closure Highly 7.8 activities Probable Permanent Regional Medium 56 Moderate Movement of Spillages of harmful substances Construction 7.9 vehicles on site Probable Long Term Regional Medium 26 Low Domestic and hazardous waste Spillages of harmful substances Operational storage and disposal, 7.10 sewage treatment Probable Long Term Regional Medium 26 Low Movement of Spillages of harmful substances Closure 7.11 vehicles on site Probable Long Term Regional Medium 26 Low Exposure of rock, ore and soil to rainfall Dust contamination Construction 7.12 and wind Definite Long Term Regional High 75 High AGES Gauteng -101- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance Stockpiling, Materials handling, Dust Operational vehicle entrainment 7.13 and windblown dust Definite Long Term Regional High 75 High Rehabilitation Dust Closure Highly 7.14 activities Probable Permanent Regional Medium 56 Moderate Continued movement of personnel and Spread of alien invasive species Construction vehicles on and off site, and deliver of Highly 7.15 materials Probable Permanent Regional Medium 56 Moderate Transporting of people and Spread of alien invasive species Operational Highly 7.16 equipment Probable Permanent Regional Medium 56 Moderate Movement of Spread of alien invasive species Closure Highly 7.17 vehicles on site Probable Permanent Regional Medium 56 Moderate Construction of Negative impacts of human infrastructure, roads activities Construction Highly Medium 7.18 etc. Probable Term Site Medium 44 Moderate workers Negative effects of human accommodation on activities on flora Operational Highly Medium 7.19 site Probable Term Site Medium 44 Moderate Presence of Negative effects of human Closure 7.20 labourers on site activities on flora Probable Long Term Site Medium 24 Low Continued movement of personnel and Fauna mortality on roads Construction vehicles on and off Highly Medium 7.21 site, and deliver of Probable Term Site Medium 44 Moderate AGES Gauteng -102- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance materials Movement of vehicles on and off Fauna mortality on roads Operational site and delivery of Highly Medium 7.22 materials Probable Term Regional High 56 Moderate Movement of Fauna mortality Closure 7.23 vehicles on site Probable Long Term Site Medium 24 Low Construction of mining Light pollution Construction infrastructure, 7.24 access roads etc. Definite Long Term Regional High 75 High Mining operations Light pollution Operational Medium 7.25 during night time Definite Term Regional Medium 60 Moderate 8 Impacts on Wetlands Clearing of Pre-construction vegetation, Habitat Destruction and construction of construction 8.1 infrastructure etc. Definite Permanent Local High 70 High Placement of stockpiles, TSF and Direct habitat destruction Operational 8.2 WRD on wetlands Definite Long Term Local High 65 High Increased hardened Soil compaction and erosion Pre-construction surfaces and leading to sedimentation and Highly 8.3 exposed areas construction Probable Long Term Regional Medium 52 Moderate Increased hardened Increased soil erosion and surfaces and sedimentation Operational Highly 8.4 exposed areas Probable Long Term Regional Medium 52 Moderate Rehabilitation Increased soil erosion and Closure and Highly 8.5 activities sedimentation Post-Closure Probable Permanent Regional Medium 56 Moderate AGES Gauteng -103- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance Exposure of rock, ore Pre-construction and soil to rainfall Water pollution from spillages of and and wind, and harmful substances construction 8.6 vehicle movement Probable Long Term Regional Medium 26 Low Large vehicles - oil and fuel spillages, building waste, batching plants, Water pollution from spillages Operational sewage and domestic waste, 8.7 topsoil storage Probable Long Term Regional Medium 26 Low Movement of Closure and vehicles on site for Water pollution from spillages Post-Closure 8.8 rehabilitation Probable Long Term Regional Medium 26 Low Movement of Pre-construction construction vehicles Dust contamination and 8.9 construction Definite Long Term Regional High 75 High Stockpiling, Materials handling, Dust contamination Operational 8. vehicle entrainment 10 and windblown dust Definite Long Term Regional High 75 High Movement of Closure and vehicles on site for Dust contamination Post-Closure 8.11 rehabilitation Definite Long Term Regional Medium 65 High Movement of personnel and Spread of alien invasive species in Pre-construction vehicles on and off wetland systems and site and delivery of construction Highly 8.12 materials Probable Permanent Regional Medium 56 Moderate Movement of Spread of alien invasive species in personnel and wetland systems Operational Highly 8.13 vehicles on and off Probable Permanent Regional Medium 56 Moderate AGES Gauteng -104- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance site and delivery of materials Movement of personnel and Spread of alien invasive species in Closure and vehicles on and off wetland systems Post-Closure site and delivery of Highly 8.14 materials Probable Permanent Regional Medium 56 Moderate 9 Impacts on Soils, land capability and agricultural potential Regular heavy Pre-construction vehicle movement, Soil Compaction and 9.1 and laydown areas construction Definite Long Term Local High 65 High Regular heavy vehicle movement, Soil Compaction Operational 9.2 and laydown areas Definite Long Term Local High 65 High Regular heavy vehicle movement Soil Compaction Closure and for rehabilitation Post-Closure Highly 9.3 activities Probable Long Term Local Medium 44 Moderate Vegetation clearance, mine Pre-construction construction and Soil erosion and activities leaving soil construction Highly 9.4 exposed Probable Long Term Regional Medium 52 Moderate Hardened surfaces, slopes of stockpiles Soil erosion Operational Highly 9.5 and WRD Probable Long Term Regional Medium 52 Moderate General Closure and rehabilitation Soil erosion Post-Closure Highly 9.6 activities Probable Long Term Regional Medium 52 Moderate Construction Pre-construction vehicles contributing Soil pollution and 9.7 to oil and fuel construction Probable Long Term Regional Medium 26 Low AGES Gauteng -105- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance spillages, building waste, batching plants, sewage and domestic waste Construction vehicles contributing to oil and fuel spillages, building Soil pollution Operational waste, batching plants, sewage and 9.8 domestic waste Probable Long Term Regional Medium 26 Low Oil and fuel leakages from vehicles and Soil pollution Closure and machinery for Post-Closure 9.9 rehabilitation Probable Long Term Regional Medium 26 Low Topsoil stripping and Pre-construction 9. mine construction Soil destruction and sterilization and 10 construction Definite Permanent Local High 70 High Topsoil stripping and Soil destruction and sterilization Operational 9.11 mine construction Definite Permanent Local High 70 High Construction of mine Pre-construction and infrastructure Loss of land capability and 9.12 construction Definite Long Term Local Medium 55 Moderate Dumping of waste rock, mining and Loss of land capability Operational 9.13 stockpiling Definite Long Term Local Medium 55 Moderate Loss of grazing value due to lower grazing Loss of land capability Closure and capacity after Post-Closure 9.14 rehabilitation Probable Long Term Local Medium 22 Low AGES Gauteng -106- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 7 MITIGATION MEASURES FOR ALL IDENTIFIED IMPACTS The following paragraphs explain in detail the mitigation measures that have been identified in order to ensure that the impacts identified in Section 6, can be mitigated or managed to acceptable levels, or entirely avoided. Mitigation is not applicable to all of the identified impacts, either because the impact significance is of such little consequence that mitigation is not warranted, or because the impact cannot be mitigated or avoided. A summary of the relevant mitigation measures is also provided in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) contained in Section 9 of this report. The following paragraphs mention the significant environmental impacts which remain of significance even after the implementation of mitigation measures. 7.1 Significant Environmental Impacts that remain significant after mitigation The only significant environmental impact which remains significant even after the implementation of mitigation measures is: · Soil destruction and sterilization due to topsoil stripping and mine construction · Increased risk of soil erosion and sedimentation due to Sidewalls of SLC depression 7.2 Significant Socio-cultural Impacts that remain significant after mitigation The only significant impacts on the social environment which remain significant even with the implementation of mitigation measures are: · Influx of people putting pressure on infrastructure and resources, increased disease, accidents and injuries causing impacts on physical health and social wellbeing. 7.3 Significant Economic Impacts that remain significant after mitigation There are no negative economic impacts on surrounding communities expected to be associated with the proposed project. AGES Gauteng -107- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Table 14: Identification of mitigation measures, and impact ratings AFTER mitigation WM/ No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase WOM Significance (WOM) Mitigation Significance (WM) 1 Air Quality Increased PM10 and All construction PM 2.5 on and around Construction WOM Water sprays for dust suppression activities the project site to be applied according to 1.1 WM Low Negligible activities 22 prevailing site specific conditions 6 Movement of vehicles and Air quality impacts Construction WOM Water sprays for dust suppression personnel on from increased dust to be applied according to 1.4 unpaved roads WM 22 Low prevailing site specific conditions 6 Negligible All Sources Incremental PM2.5 Operational WOM All mitigation listed for subsequent 1.6 Impact WM 52 Moderate source groups 48 Moderate All Sources Incremental PM10 Operational WOM All mitigation listed for subsequent 1.7 Impact WM 65 High source groups 52 Moderate Unpaved Roads Incremental PM2.5 Operational WOM 75% control efficiency by water 1.8 and PM10 Impact WM 52 Moderate sprays on roads 48 Moderate 1. Materials handling Incremental PM2.5 Operational WOM 50% control efficiency through 10 and PM10 Impact WM 14 Negligible water sprays 7 Negligible Crushing Incremental PM2.5 Operational WOM 50% control efficiency through 1.12 and PM10 Impact WM 24 Low water sprays 11 Negligible 2 Hydrogeology Establishment of Pre- WOM construction camp Negative impacts on construction Chemical sanitary facilities should and sanitation Groundwater quality and be used. Facilities to be located 2.1 facilities Construction WM 36 Low away from drainage systems 18 Negligible Use of explosives Contribute to nitrates Pre- WOM for decline overload to construction Monitoring boreholes to monitor 2.2 development groundwater and WM 44 Moderate and evaluate water quality 36 Low AGES Gauteng -108- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Construction Hydrocarbon Pre- WOM spillages Negative impacts on construction Store fuels and chemicals in (construction Groundwater quality and secured and bunded area - prevent 2.3 vehicles) Construction WM 44 Moderate spillages and leakages 16 Negligible Surface water Negative impacts on Preconstruction WOM contamination surface water quality and Limit construction to the dry 2.4 Construction WM 24 Low season where possible 12 Negligible Anthropogenic Negative impacts on Preconstruction WOM activities on site surface and and Adequate camp management, 2.5 WM Low Negligible groundwater quality Construction 22 good housekeeping rules 18 Lowering water levels WOM Monitor radius of influence (local Dewatering radius of surrounding (3 km and regional water level of influence radius) water supply Operational measurements monthly). Provide boreholes. alternative water to affected 2.6 WM 65 High parties/ecosystems 60 Moderate Inrush of WOM groundwater to Loss of Life Operational Dewatering design which covers mine tunnels and drilling and pre-dewatering or 2.7 stopes WM 64 High sealing 9 Negligible Lowering water levels WOM Additional site characterisation to Dewatering radius of wetlands (3 km determine wetland mechanism. of influence radius), decrease Operational Monitoring boreholes. Specific groundwater head discharge into wetlands to 2.8 WM 55 Moderate maintain biodiversity 30 Low Groundwater and WOM Contaminant surface water More detailed geochemical leaching from mine contamination by Operational investigations. Mixing of lime in waste facilities copper, cobalt, plant to neutralize tailings waste cadmium and and seepage capturing during 2.9 manganese WM 64 High operational phase 32 Low AGES Gauteng -109- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Seepage capturing during WOM operational phase. Bleeding off Uranium Radioactive uranium in process water to concentrated in contaminants from Operational prevent build-up. Separate the product mine waste facilities uranium in the plant and develop 2. small norm waste facility, dispose 10 WM 64 High at licensed facility or sell. 16 Negligible contamination of All materials, fuels and chemicals Chemicals used in surface and Operational WOM must be stored in specific secured mining activities groundwater by point and bunded area. Spillages and 2.11 source chemicals WM 48 Moderate leakages are to be prevented. 26 Low Groundwater Filling up mine shaft WOM seepage to negative impact on Operational underground mine schedule and Water to be pumped out and re- 2.12 workings operations WM 64 High used in mine circuit (contact water) 16 Negligible Increased runoff increased erosion and WOM Erosion control measures and due to mining silt loading on surface Operational stormwater management plan to 2.13 activities water bodies WM 48 Moderate be implemented 24 Low Hydrocarbon Negative impacts on Maintenance of mine vehicles and spillages (from groundwater and Operational WOM machinery. Use spill trays when storage facilities or surface water quality necessary. Oil separators at 2.14 vehicles) WM 44 Moderate workshops 22 Low Presence of nitrates in WOM water derived from Use of explosives mine workings Operational (impacts on water Groundwater monitoring and 2.15 quality) WM 36 Low treatment if necessary 14 Negligible Contaminated Negative impacts on WOM A stormwater management plan stormwater runoff groundwater and Operational should be implemented to ensure from mine surface water quality effective containment. Silt traps to 2.16 workings WM 48 Moderate capture sediment load. 24 Low 2.17 Inrushes of water Negative impacts on Operational WOM 65 High Implementation of emergency 32 Low AGES Gauteng -110- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study caused by production, and poses standby pumping system and subsistence a safety risk procedure cracking WM Unstable underground Negative impacts on WOM Implementation of early 2.18 conditions due to production, and poses Operational 48 Moderate geotechnical detecting warning 40 Low the effects of a safety risk system subsistence WM Mine dewatering Rising of water levels WOM Sealing of decline and access effects decreasing - and increase in Closure and tunnels to reduce oxygen ingress. post operational borehole yields for Post-Closure Liming of mine void to neutralise 2.19 rewatering water supply WM 40 Low post operational flooding 36 Low Increased water levels WOM Re-watering radius of wetlands (3 km Closure and of influence radius) and increased Post-Closure Channel rehabilitated storm water 2.20 groundwater head WM 22 Low to wetlands 30 Low Contamination of WOM Leaching of groundwater and Additional geochemical studies to contaminants from surface water by Closure and increase understanding of the mine waste copper, cobalt, Post-Closure system. Neutralise waste during facilities cadmium and operational phase. TSF 2.21 manganese WM 64 High rehabilitation 16 Negligible Additional geochemical and Radioactive Uranium concentrated WOM radiological studies. Bleeding off contaminants from in product. Residual Closure and uranium in process water to mine waste concentrations in WRD Post-Closure prevent build-up. Separate facilities and TSF (probably low) uranium in plant and develop norm waste facility, dispose at licensed 2.22 WM 60 Moderate facility or sell. 30 Low Use of explosives Groundwater Closure and WOM causing presence contamination by Post-Closure Nitrates would dissipate as blasting 2.23 of nitrates nitrates due to WM 22 Low stops 8 Negligible AGES Gauteng -111- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study blasting Post operational void lake Negative impacts on Altering location of the decline to 2.24 acidification ground water and Closure and WOM 64 High be situated at a higher elevation or 32 Low caused by oxygen surface water quality Post-Closure effective sealing of decline to ingress due to prevent direct decant subsistence WM Migration of TSF Negative impacts on WOM and WRD plume surface and Closure and WM (northwest) groundwater quality Post-Closure TSF rehabilitation (and capping) to 2.25 WM 75 High minimise ingress 52 Moderate 3 Noise Noise-related impacts were found to be negligible, even without mitigation (See Table 13) thus no mitigation is required. Negligible Negligible 4 Visual Impacts Presence of Alteration of key Retain existing vegetation where construction elements, features WOM possible (especially along site vehicles, and characteristics of Construction boundary and roads). Implement machinery, the baseline visual dust suppression. Concurrent equipment and environment rehabilitation. Strict speed limits. 4.1 personnel WM 48 Moderate Careful consideration of lighting. 48 Moderate Presence of Alteration of key Dust suppression. Develop construction and elements, features WOM sustainable final landform design mining vehicles, and characteristics of Operational for TSF, WRD and water storage machinery, the baseline visual facilities. Concurrent rehabilitation equipment and environment of TSF and WRD. Strict speed limits. 4.2 personnel WM 52 Moderate Careful consideration of lighting 52 Moderate Presence of Alteration of key WOM Dust suppression. Design of TSF, vehicles, elements, features Closure WRD etc. to minimise final heights. 4.3 machinery, and characteristics of WM 56 Moderate Concurrent rehabilitation and 40 Low AGES Gauteng -112- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study equipment and the baseline visual monitoring of success of rehab. . personnel environment 5 Impact on Heritage resources Construction, Environmental awareness training operation and and brief watch monitoring decommissioning Damage to or programmes throughout of the mining destruction of Construction, WOM development - know what to look project and undiscovered heritage operation and out for. Archaeological surveys on associated projects or archaeological closure associated projects' sites prior to (roads, water resources development. Consultation with supply etc.). local communities (protect living 5.1 WM 64 High heritage). 16 Negligible 6 Social Impacts Development in Change in cultural Stakeholders must be capacitated the area causing in- values and integrity Construction WOM to recognize changes that the migration of (Impact on Social project and an influx of people may 6.1 foreigners Dynamics) WM 60 Moderate bring to their communities: Discuss 52 Moderate Influx of people to Negative impacts on the potential for in-migration with the surrounding existing community Construction WOM community leaders (political and villages due to cohesion (Impact on traditional) and obtain their views 6.2 opportunities Social Dynamics) WM 56 Moderate on how to manage the process 48 Moderate Job-creation for with input from all parties local people and involved; Decide on recruitment for people from Social differentiation policies (especially for unskilled outside, and inequity (Impact Construction WOM labour) in conjunction with the inappropriate on Social Dynamics) leadership structures. Ensure procurement policies are fair and equitable (and 6.3 policies WM 52 Moderate perceived as such). Communicate 48 Moderate Conflict about Social tension and the policies as early as possible. A available jobs and violence (Impact on Construction quota system from each affected who should benefit Social Dynamics) and operation village in the project area usually 6.4 WOM 56 Moderate works well. Involve schools, 48 Moderate AGES Gauteng -113- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study from the project. churches and clinics to assist with Cultural change awareness creation through due to influx and pamphlets, lectures and posters economic changes about potential social ills e.g. for some. WM drugs, alcohol and teenage Aspirations and pregnancy. Implement a Unrealistically high expectations of WOM community relations plan that community community not includes all relevant stakeholders expectations of realized (causing Construction and was compiled with input of all benefits due to tension and distrust). the affected stakeholders. Establish project (Impact on Social a community liaison forum (CLF) 6.5 Dynamics) WM 60 Moderate with representatives from all the 56 Moderate stakeholders (including in- Mine staff residing Alterations in Family Construction migrants, woman, the youth and away from their structures. (Impact on and operation WOM the elderly). Involve religious, families Social Dynamics) security and cultural groups in 6.6 WM 60 Moderate stakeholder forums. 56 Moderate Participate in community events such as sport days, national days WOM and other celebrations. Make communication the responsibility of one person to Change in sense of Community ensure representatives of the mine belonging due to identification and Construction do not contradict each other. It is influx of people connection (Impact on and operation important to consider that the Social Dynamics) mine will need the input from government (local and traditional) and a number of community institutions to successfully manage this process. The change cannot be 6.7 WM 48 Moderate avoided, but must be managed. 44 Moderate AGES Gauteng -114- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Cooperate with existing health services and engage with the Influx of people Health Department. Support and putting pressure Impacts on Health and align with existing community on infrastructure social wellbeing: Construction WOM health programmes. Rotation of and resources, Impacts on physical and operation district health personnel through increased disease, health the site clinic for skills accidents and enhancement and training. injuries Monitor air and water quality. 6.8 WM 80 High Ensure that there are no standing 70 High pools of water that can act as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Impacts on water Impacts on Health and Community outreach programmes quality/availability, social wellbeing: to improve knowledge, attitudes, increased traffic, Impacts on personal Construction WOM practices, and beliefs surrounding unfair labour safety (physical and and operation malaria. Ensure all buildings practices psychological) created by the project are mosquito proof. 6.9 WM 56 Moderate Establish and maintain road safety 36 Low signage, along project roadways. Collaborate with local authorities and local law enforcement WOM (prevent speeding, reckless driving; enforce seat belt usage, accident Influx of people Impacts on Health and response etc.). creating a platform social wellbeing: Crime Construction Provide health care services to for opportunistic - increased theft, and operation workers. Abide by VPSHR. Deploy and other criminals social ills and poaching two guards in critical locations. Deploy guards on the borders of the mining property and involve them in anti-poaching activities. 6. Educate the work force about 10 WM 70 High poaching. Support anti-poaching 48 Moderate AGES Gauteng -115- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study initiatives initiated by neighbouring properties and ZAWA. Influx of people Input from different role players is putting additional Shortage of social and essential: adhere to the mitigation pressure on physical infrastructure Construction in other specialist studies. Utilise infrastructure (Impact on quality of and operation WOM the existing exploration camp to (roads, sanitation the living house construction workers. Put etc.) environment) workers from similar areas in the 6.11 WM 70 High same shift and provide transport to 48 Moderate Alteration of sense of and from these areas. Engage with presence of mine place / environmental the government about upgrade of infrastructure, amenity value / Construction WOM infrastructure (mutually beneficial vehicles, aesthetic quality and operation to project and surrounding machinery and (negative impact on communities). Include upgrade of personnel tourism) social or physical infrastructure in 6.12 WM 56 Moderate CSI initiatives. Develop a “code of 48 Moderate conduct” to guide staff interaction with local communities and include guidelines on interaction with WOM conservation areas. Make provision for a buffer zone around the Animal human Conflicting land uses physical footprint of the project interaction and with neighbouring Construction and erect a fence around the resultant industry activities (conservation and operation buffer zone. Interact with conflicts vs. mining) conservation parties about how to elephant-proof water structures and how to scavenger-proof waste areas. Include animal-human interaction procedures in health and safety procedures of the 6.13 WM 60 Moderate operations. 50 Moderate Impacts on 7 Biodiversity AGES Gauteng -116- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Retain vegetation where possible. Vegetation clearing Destruction of habitat Construction WOM Construction should preferably and construction take place in winter (reduce 7.1 WM 60 Moderate disturbance to breeding fauna and 40 Low flowering flora). Relocate plants of WOM ecological significance; Do not clear the entire footprint simultaneously; Clearly demarcate the entire development footprint and prevent creep; Implement Storage of Tailings; monitoring to ensure minimal Laydown areas for Direct habitat Operational impacts; Regular environmental stockpiles and destruction training should be provided; waste rock Trenches should be adequately cordoned off and constant excavating and backfilling of trenches should occur. Poisons for the control of rats, mice or other vermin should only be used after 7.2 WM 55 Moderate approval from an ecologist. 35 Low Use existing facilities as far as Vegetation clearing Habitat fragmentation Construction WOM possible. Ensure as little and construction disturbance as possible to the 7.3 WM 70 High sensitive habitats such as ravines 60 Moderate and moist grassland pockets. Storage of Tailings; WOM Establish protective buffers to Laydown areas for exclude unintentional disturbance stockpiles and to sensitive areas. Construction waste rock, Habitat fragmentation Operational activities must remain within depression and defined construction areas and the cracks of SLC road servitudes. Unnecessary mining method driving around or bulldozing 7.4 WM 70 High natural habitat must not take 60 Moderate AGES Gauteng -117- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study place. No disturbance will occur outside demarcated areas. Exposure of rock, Topsoil stripping and excavation ore and soil to Soil erosion Construction WOM should be scheduled for the dry 7.5 rainfall and wind WM 52 Moderate season where possible; Ensure that 36 Low Sidewalls of SLC the exposed areas are minimal at depression, and any specific time – construction Increased Increased soil erosion WOM and rehabilitation should occur hardened surfaces and sedimentation Operational concurrently; Cover disturbed soils; created at the Control runoff to move water 7.6 project site WM 75 High safely off site after removal of 65 Moderate sediment without destructive gully formation; Install sediment control WOM devices (Grass filter strips, Sediment filters, Sediment traps, Drop inlet filters). Implement stringent erosion and dust control practices. Rehabilitation Institute a storm water activities soil erosion Closure management plan. Do not let surface water or storm water to be concentrated, Design storm water discharge points to prevent erosion; Repair all erosion damage as soon as possible; Gravel roads must be well drained in order to 7.7 WM 56 Moderate limit soil erosion. 36 Low Contain polluted water. Excess or Movement of Spillages of harmful Construction WOM waste material or chemicals should vehicles on site substances be discarded in an environmental 7.8 WM 26 Low friendly way. Hazardous chemicals 18 Negligible AGES Gauteng -118- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Domestic and to be stored on an impervious hazardous waste Spillages of harmful WOM surface protected from rainfall and storage and substances Operational storm water; Ensure refuelling disposal, sewage stations are constructed to prevent 7.9 treatment WM 26 Low spillages. Ensure that accidental 18 Negligible spillages are contained and cleaned up promptly; treat sewage in a WOM suitable plant or remove from site for treatment elsewhere; Spill kits should be on-hand to deal with Movement of Spillages of harmful spills immediately; Inspect all vehicles on site substances Closure vehicles regularly for oil and fuel leaks. Vehicle maintenance should be done in a designated facility and drip trays should be used. Drip trays should be emptied into a 7. holding tank and returned to the 10 WM 26 Moderate supplier. 18 Low Exposure of rock, Undertake dust suppression and a ore and soil to Dust contamination Construction WOM dust monitoring programme. 7.11 rainfall and wind WM 75 High Implement the air quality 45 Moderate Stockpiling, management programme, and Materials handling, monitor regularly to ascertain the vehicle Dust Operational WOM dust load and emission rates and entrainment and particle size distribution; 7.12 windblown dust WM 75 High Implement standard dust control 45 Moderate measures, including periodic spraying and chemical dust Rehabilitation Dust Closure WOM suppression and monitor activities efficiency. Implement strict speed 7.13 WM 56 Moderate limits to reduce dust formation. 36 Low Continued Spread of alien Construction Kill the alien invasive plants 7.14 movement of invasive species WOM 56 Moderate present, the seedlings which 36 Low AGES Gauteng -119- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study personnel and emerge, and establish an vehicles on and off alternative plant cover to limit re- site, and deliver of growth and re-invasion; Institute materials WM strict control over materials Transporting of brought onto site, inspect for seeds people and Spread of alien Operational of noxious plants and eradicate invasive species WOM before transport to site. Routinely 7.15 equipment WM 56 Moderate fumigate or spray with appropriate 36 Low herbicides; Rehabilitate disturbed areas as quickly as possible; WOM Institute a monitoring programme to detect alien invasive species Movement of Spread of alien early; Institute an vehicles on site invasive species Closure eradication/control programme for early intervention if invasive species are detected; A detailed plan should be developed for control of noxious weeds and 7.16 WM 56 Moderate invasive plants.. 36 Low Construction of Staff should preferably be infrastructure, Negative impacts of Construction WOM accommodated on site to reduce roads etc. human activities impacts such as dust and ensure a 7.17 WM 44 Moderate safe working environment; Staff 28 Low workers Negative effects of WOM accommodation should be fenced accommodation on human activities on Operational to prevent movement of people 7.18 site flora WM 44 Moderate and animals into ‘no-go’ areas. 28 Low Adequate rubbish bins and sanitation facilities should be Presence of Negative effects of WOM provided; Maintain proper labourers on site human activities on Closure firebreaks around entire flora development footprint. Educate construction workers regarding 7.19 WM 56 Moderate risks and correct disposal of 36 Low AGES Gauteng -120- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study cigarettes and other waste materials. Continued movement of WOM personnel and Fauna mortality on Construction vehicles on and off roads site, and deliver of 7.2 materials WM 44 Moderate 28 Low Movement of vehicles on and off Fauna mortality on Operational WOM Enforce a speed limit no more than site and delivery of roads 40 km/hour. Install speed bumps in 7.21 materials WM 56 Moderate sections where the speed limit 32 Low tends to be disobeyed. Avoid Movement of Fauna mortality Closure WOM travelling at night. Lights should be vehicles on site positioned 5 m from the roads or 7.22 WM 56 Moderate paved areas. 36 Low Construction of Eliminate as much external lighting mining Light pollution Construction WOM as possible; Use recommended infrastructure, light sources and fittings; Wherever 7.23 access roads etc. WM 75 High possible long-wavelength light 18 Negligible sources should be used. WOM Fluorescent lights should not be Mining operations used outdoors. External light during night time Light pollution Operational sources should be directed inward; Lights should be positioned 5 m from roads or paved areas; Internal 7.24 WM 60 Moderate lighting should be shielded. 40 Low Impacts on 8 Wetlands Clearing of Pre- Prevent impact by applying vegetation, Habitat Destruction construction WOM recommended buffer zones construction of and altering the base case layout plans 8.1 infrastructure etc. construction WM 70 High to fall outside of these wetlands 16 Negligible AGES Gauteng -121- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study and buffer zones; Limit WOM development activities including storage areas to demarcated appropriate areas. Adapt layouts to fit natural patterns rather than imposing rigid geometries; Regular environmental training should be provided to construction workers to ensure the protection of the wetland habitat; The removal of indigenous plants associated with the wetlands and riparian areas should be prohibited; Limit and control pesticide use; Implement environmental monitoring to Placement of Direct habitat ensure that minimal wetland stockpiles, TSF and destruction Operational impact; Work in rivers, streams and WRD on wetlands wetlands should preferably be avoided, but if necessary should be done during the dry season; Pipelines or roads constructed across drainage channels should be guided by a rehabilitation plan. Cross drainage channels at a 90 degree angle to prevent erosion. Minimize changes to natural drainage patterns and crossings to drainages. Perform scheduled maintenance to be prepared for storms. Ensure culverts are cleaned, and that channels are free of debris. Keep cut and fill slopes as 8.2 WM 65 High flat as possible and stabilized to 14 Negligible AGES Gauteng -122- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study minimize slumping and surface erosion. In-stream diversions at constructions in drainages must avoid damming). No construction of new channels. Appropriate measures must be taken to manage storm water run-off and potential flooding Increased Soil compaction and Pre- Minimize the amount of land hardened surfaces erosion leading to construction WOM disturbance; Topsoil stripping and and exposed areas sedimentation and excavation activities should be 8.3 construction WM 52 Moderate scheduled for the dry season if Low possible; Ensure that the exposed 36 Increased Increased soil erosion WOM areas prone to erosion are minimal hardened surfaces and sedimentation Operational at any specific time; Cover 8.4 and exposed areas WM 52 Moderate disturbed soils as completely as 36 Low possible; Move runoff water safely WOM off the site without destructive gully formation, trap the sediment before releasing the run-off water off site; Sediment control devices need to be installed to capture mobilised sediment. Implement Rehabilitation Increased soil erosion Closure and stringent erosion and dust control activities and sedimentation Post-Closure practices. Install temporary drains and minimize concentrated water. Control stormwater velocity where necessary and divert run-off around disturbed areas. Institute a storm water management plan; Have both temporary (during construction) and permanent 8.5 WM 56 Moderate erosion control plans; Protect areas 18 Negligible AGES Gauteng -123- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study susceptible to erosion and repair all erosion damage as soon as possible; Gravel roads must be well drained in order to limit soil erosion; Exposure of rock, Pre- Treat water emerging from the ore and soil to Water pollution from construction WOM mine and water that accumulates rainfall and wind, spillages of harmful and in the backfilled and rehabilitated and vehicle substances construction voids; Water falling on areas 8.6 movement WM 26 Low polluted with hazardous 18 Negligible Large vehicles - oil substances must be contained. Any and fuel spillages, excess or waste material or building waste, Water pollution from WOM chemicals should be removed from batching plants, spillages Operational the site and discarded in an sewage and environmental friendly way; domestic waste, Inspect construction vehicles for oil 8.7 topsoil storage WM 26 Low and fuel leaks regularly, service 18 Negligible vehicles regularly. Situate maintenance yards away from WOM drainage lines; Construct refuelling stations to prevent spillage of fuel or oil and implement measures to deal with accidental spills. Fit Movement of temporary inlet pit filters near vehicles on site for Water pollution from Closure and wash-down areas to prevent rehabilitation spillages Post-Closure pollutant entry into the drainage system; Sewage should either be treated in a suitable plant or removed from the site for treatment elsewhere; Maintain a good standard of housekeeping. Store all litter carefully so it cannot 8.8 WM 26 Low contaminate stormwater drainage 18 Negligible AGES Gauteng -124- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study systems; Provide (scavenger proof) bins at appropriate locations, particularly where food is prepared and consumed. Avoid poisons for the control of problem animals where possible. Movement of Pre- Implement dust suppression and construction Dust contamination construction WOM monitoring. Implement and vehicles and monitor the air quality 8.9 construction WM 75 High management programme. Mine 45 Moderate Stockpiling, health and safety requirements for Materials handling, WOM the use of dust masks must be vehicle Dust contamination Operational adhered to and compliance audited 8. entrainment and regularly; Implement standard dust 10 windblown dust WM 75 High control measures, including 45 Moderate chemical dust suppressants where Movement of appropriate and periodic spraying; vehicles on site for Dust contamination Closure and WOM Soil dumps may be covered if rehabilitation Post-Closure necessary; A speed limit (no more than 60 km/hour) should be 8.11 WM 65 High enforced on dirt roads; 45 Moderate Movement of Pre- personnel and Spread of alien construction WOM Kill the alien plants present and vehicles on and off invasive species in and seedlings which emerge, and site and delivery of wetland systems construction establish alternative plant cover. 8.12 materials WM 56 Moderate The control of AIS at the site should 36 Low Movement of commence prior to construction. personnel and Spread of alien WOM Prevent AIS from establishing, vehicles on and off invasive species in Operational detect AIS that do establish early, site and delivery of wetland systems eradicate AIS that establish or 8.13 materials WM 56 Moderate control population is eradication is 36 Low Movement of Spread of alien Closure and not feasible. Develop and personnel and invasive species in Post-Closure implement a detailed AIS 8.14 WOM 56 Moderate eradication and monitoring plan. 18 Negligible AGES Gauteng -125- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study vehicles on and off wetland systems site and delivery of materials WM Impacts on Soils, land capability and 9 agricultural potential Regular heavy Pre- Soil should be handled when dry to vehicle movement, Soil Compaction construction WOM reduce the risk of compaction; and laydown areas and Vegetation is to be stripped 9.1 construction WM 65 High together with topsoil; Avoid soils 40 Low Regular heavy with risk of compaction wherever vehicle movement, Soil Compaction Operational possible. Unnecessary driving WOM around in the veld or bulldozing 9.2 and laydown areas WM 65 High natural habitat must not take 20 Negligible place. Vehicles should also stick to haul roads when dumping of waste WOM rock and topsoil are done. Existing roads and tracks are to be utilized as far as this is possible. Rip and/or Regular heavy scarify compacted areas on a vehicle movement Closure and continuous basis. Do not rip and/or for rehabilitation Soil Compaction Post-Closure scarify areas under wet conditions. activities Soil should be sampled and analysed prior to replacement during rehabilitation. If necessary, and under advisement from a suitably qualified restoration ecologist, supplemental 9.3 WM 44 Moderate fertilisation may be necessary. 28 Low Vegetation Pre- Schedule topsoil stripping and clearance, mine construction WOM excavation in the dry season where construction and Soil erosion and possible; Clearance and excavation activities leaving construction activities should occur concurrently 9.4 soil exposed WM 52 Moderate with construction and 36 Low AGES Gauteng -126- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Hardened surfaces, rehabilitation activities; keep slopes of stockpiles Soil erosion Operational WOM exposed surfaces at a minimum. 9.5 and WRD WM 52 Moderate Cover disturbed soils as completely 36 Low as possible; Control the flow of WOM runoff to avoid gully formation; Sediment control devices need to be installed to capture mobilised sediment. Implement stringent erosion and dust control practices. Control dust using water-sprayers or chemical dust suppressants to prevailing site conditions; Institute storm water management plans (temporary and permanent); Protect all areas susceptible to erosion and repair all erosion General Closure and damage as soon as possible; Gravel rehabilitation Soil erosion Post-Closure roads must be well drained in activities order to limit soil erosion; Implement erosion monitoring procedures; Re-vegetate or stabilise all disturbed areas as soon as possible. Monitor vegetative cover on stockpiles to maintain a high basal cover. Conservation of topsoil should be prioritized; Plant species that have been rescued or removed and relocated to the temporary nursery could be used in replanting rehabilitation areas to 9.6 WM 52 Moderate prevent erosion 36 Low Construction Soil pollution Pre- Store hazardous chemicals on an 9.7 vehicles construction WOM 26 Low impervious bunded area protected 18 Negligible AGES Gauteng -127- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study contributing to oil and from rainfall and stormwater run- and fuel spillages, construction off; Construct refuelling stations to building waste, prevent spillages, and implement batching plants, measures contain and clean up sewage and accidental spillages; Sewage should domestic waste WM either be treated in a suitable plant Construction or removed from the site for vehicles treatment elsewhere; Spill kits contributing to oil WOM should be on-hand to deal with and fuel spillages, Soil pollution Operational spills immediately and employees building waste, should be trained in the use of spill batching plants, kits; Spillages or leakages must be sewage and treated according to an applicable 9.8 domestic waste WM 26 Low procedure as determined by a plan 18 Negligible of action for the specific type of WOM disturbance; Drains and intercept drains should be maintained to ensure that they continue to redirect clean water away from the Oil and fuel polluted areas. leakages from Closure and All vehicles should be regularly vehicles and Soil pollution Post-Closure maintained to prevent leakages machinery for and inspected. Vehicle rehabilitation maintenance should be done in a designated facility and drip trays should be used to capture any spills. Drip trays should be emptied into a holding tank and returned to 9.9 WM 26 Low the supplier. 18 Negligible Topsoil stripping Pre- Continually rehabilitate the soils to and mine Soil destruction and construction WOM the best possible state. Refer to the 9. construction sterilization and specialist reports on soil 10 construction WM 70 High rehabilitation 70 High AGES Gauteng -128- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Topsoil stripping Soil destruction and and mine sterilization Operational WOM 9.11 construction WM 70 High 70 High Construction of Pre- Ensure that disturbance and mine and Loss of land capability construction WOM clearing is confined to the footprint infrastructure and areas of the mine; Only a small 9.12 construction WM 55 Moderate area of the land should be 35 Low Dumping of waste disturbed at a time. Rehabilitation rock, mining and Loss of land capability Operational WOM should take place on a continuous 9.13 stockpiling WM 55 Moderate basis where after the land would 35 Low become partially available again as grazing. Once mining activities Loss of grazing have ceased, disturbed areas value due to lower Closure and should be rehabilitated and the grazing capacity Loss of land capability Post-Closure grazing capacity restored as far as after rehabilitation possible. The rehabilitation of the soils and re-vegetation is discussed 9.14 WOM 22 Low in the specialist report. 14 Negligible AGES Gauteng -129- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 8 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES The purpose of identifying and evaluating feasible alternatives in terms of a development proposal is to find the most effective way of meeting the project needs, either through enhancing the environmental benefits of the proposed activity, and / or through reducing or avoiding negative impacts (DEAT, 2004). Any environmental investigation needs to consider feasible alternative options. Feasible alternatives have been identified through discussions with authorities, discussions with relevant stakeholders, reviewing of existing environmental data, specialist inputs/studies and discussions with the project proponent. Methods for comparing alternatives range from descriptive and non-quantitative methods, through methods based on varying levels of quantification to a full quantitative comparison, in which all impacts may be expressed in monetary terms. Possible alternatives in terms of the proposed project have been identified as described in sections 8.2 to 8.7 below. Alternatives are essentially evaluated in order to improve a project’s environmental performance. The section below discusses potential opportunities and benefits associated with the proposed project. 8.1 Opportunities and Benefits Mining by nature is associated with a certain extent of ecological impacts. This does not, however, imply that mining and biodiversity conservation and socio-economic upliftment cannot co-exist. The aim of mines today is to be good stewards of the environment and strive to leave the communities in which they work better than they found them (Henning B. J., May 2013). Mines have significant conservation potential, as they are in control of large amounts of land and only utilise a small portion for mining operations. It is therefore at the local level that mining and conservation can be integrated. The proposed project presents various environmental opportunities and benefits, specifically within the socio-economic environment. These are discussed below: 8.1.1.1 Biodiversity opportunities: Various opportunities for biodiversity improvements and conservation could be utilized through the development of the project, these include amongst other: 8.1.1.1.1 Biodiversity off-set areas and contribution to conservation management: The large-scale prospecting license (reference number 8589-HQ-LPL) borders the Kafue National Park and the Mushingashi Conservancy. There are no fences around these conservation areas and wildlife is allowed free movement. The management of an ecological offset area presents an opportunity for the AGES Gauteng -130- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study project proponent to compensate for biodiversity loss in the mining area by contributing to biodiversity conservation and management at the conservation areas around the site. Biodiversity offsets are “intended to compensate for the residual, unavoidable harm to biodiversity caused by development projects, so as to ensure a situation where there is “no net loss” of biodiversity” (Henning B. J., May 2013:102). The Conservation sector and the mining industry can both benefit from biodiversity offsets: For the mining industry, the potential benefits of biodiversity offset strategies include (but are not limited to) the following: · An offset commitment may enhance a mine’s social license to operate. · The implementation of an offset can be used to demonstrate environmental responsibility, compliance and environmental performance. · Ethical environmental stewardship: by demonstrating corporate responsibility, a company will have better relationships with government departments, the community around its operations and its own employees. This will likely improve the image of the company (and potentially improve business opportunities), and improve relationships with government departments due to mutual trust. Biodiversity offsets could include a number of different strategies or types of offset contributions such as conservation management contributions at existing conservation facilities in the surroundings: It was confirmed during on-site consultations that some of the Mushingashi employees are currently contracted out to Blackthorn by prior agreement (such as guards and Professional Hunters) when required, and that the relationship between the Mushingashi Conservancy and Blackthorn has mostly been, and can remain a relationship of mutual benefit. The existing relationship can be expanded to include contributions to fire control and poaching management in order for Blackthorn to “offset” ecological damage caused by mining with positive contributions to conservation management. Potential also exists to create a biodiversity offset in terms of physical contribution of land between the mining site and the Mushingashi conservancy or the KNP (land on which Blackthorn is currently authorized to prospect). Areas in the immediate vicinity could have the following positive attributes as an offset: · The area should represent ‘like for like’ habitat and constitute a pristine area suitable for a biodiversity offset considering that the offset area has to have similar biodiversity characteristics to the proposed mining area; · The offset area should link to the Mushingashi Conservancy (or KNP) and form a buffer between the mining area and the Conservation Area(s). Access to the suggested offset area will have to be negotiated with the relevant local and government AGES Gauteng -131- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study authorities. Additional information and suggestions pertaining to biodiversity offsets are discussed in the Specialist Ecological Report (Henning B. J., May 2013). 8.1.1.1.2 Charcoal community project: As part of site clearing for the construction of the proposed project infrastructure a number of trees will be removed from the development footprint. The potential exists to involve local communities in a charcoal project to address energy demands and generate temporary income. The feasibility of such a project should be investigated further and community-related projects should be approached in such a way that communities are consulted and their needs put first. 8.1.1.2 Heritage conservation: While the proposed project may not directly affect any heritage resources, potential exists to become involved in regional heritage conservation due to the rich archaeological history of the region and to improve relationships with local communities. Sites such as the Nkoto Heritage Centre and other contemporary features such as meeting places, initiation sites, ceremonial graves and places of ancestor reverence are of local social value and are sensitive in terms of intangible heritage attributes (Kruger, 2013). If the project proponent can become involved in the preservation and management of such sites, it would not only contribute to the conservation of Zambian heritage resources, but is also likely to be seen favourably by the local communities who attach value to these sites. Such projects could include (Kruger, 2012): · Mumbwa cave conservation. · Maintenance of Sable Mine Centre. · Heritage offsets (formal conservation of heritage resources similar to any which may be affected by the project or associated development such as road upgrades and re-alignments. Such impacts on heritage resources will have to be managed under appropriate licenses from the heritage resources authorities). The opportunities related to biological diversity and heritage conservation mentioned above can potentially also contribute positively to the socio-economic environment by presenting associated job-opportunities at these facilities, and contributing to the local tourism sector. 8.1.2 Socio-economic benefits and investment: The proposed project is expected to bring about improvement in the local standards of living through job creation and other economic opportunities. Some blame existing deviant social behaviour experienced in the community such as crime (often resulting from boredom or extreme poverty) and excessive alcohol consumption, on the lack of employment and economic opportunities in the area (Aucamp S.-M. , 2013). AGES Gauteng -132- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Additionally, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment or to make a living (as is experienced in almost all African countries to some extent) can lead to political unrest. The project will undoubtedly impact on such existing social dynamics. The project should be associated with and guided by a Social and Labour Plan (SLP) or similar documented procedural guideline, which is to include details of recruitment procedures and stipulate a certain percentage of employment associated with the project to be sourced from local communities. It is acknowledged that some more specialized work will have to be conducted by employees or subcontractors from outside the local area. Training opportunities for skills development in local communities are significant and should be incorporated into the SLP. The project will lead to improvements in local road conditions (whether the improvements are directly affected by the project proponent, or in consultation with government), and could potentially improve other local infrastructure as well through community based projects. Surrounding communities may also benefit from infrastructure development in the area such as electricity and water supply to the project. Corporate Social Investment (CSI) projects will be associated with the project, and identification of these projects will be done through a continuous consultative process with representative members of the community in order to ensure that projects meet community needs and truly add value to the area. Consultation with communities to date has identified possibilities as described in Table 15: The project will also generate additional opportunities for entrepreneurs especially in associated services industries such as small scale traders and service providers especially during the construction phase, but they may remain during the operations phase if there are still opportunities (Aucamp S.-M. 2013). AGES Gauteng -133- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Table 15: Summary of Social Opportunities in response to Social Issues Stakeholder and description Community Issue Opportunity Kitumba Prison Farm: (Interviewed Assistant Want to go more commercial with vegetable production, but they do not have enough Buy vegetables from Superintendent SM Kazembe in August 2012). water. Prison for canteen Farms with maize, soya beans and cabbage. Also Plan reservoir for vegetable garden. vegetable gardens for own use. Main Challenges: transport and health care facilities (nearest clinic 17 km). No electricity – currently using generator. No shops close nearby. Have waterborne toilets, but they are not connected Concerns about dust & water quality (mining). – use pit latrines Elephants raid their maize fields. Community members High levels of unemployment and poverty. Procurement from local (interviewed August 2012) Males living in the area, Most schools in area only go up to Grade 7, a few go up to Grade 9. Must go to Mumbwa communities. working at the exploration camp for Grade 12 – most don’t have the means to travel to Mumbwa to complete their Worker education education. Many community schools in area – parents have to pay for teachers. programmes and skills Clinics in area often don’t have the medicine required – patient has to travel to Mumbwa development to get medicine. Mumbwa experiencing social problems like HIV/AIDS, unplanned pregnancies, street children, excessive drinking, prostitution, etc. Workers have been exploited previously by Chinese and Indian miners (also huge infringements on human rights!) Chief Kaindu and his headmen Expect community to benefit from Blackthorn activities. BHP Billiton made verbal Meet and liaise with (Interviewed March 2013) promises, but did not deliver. Benefits must be local (within Chiefdom). Kaindu Project No electricity Distances between clinics are quite big. Problem especially when there is a problem with Coordinating Committee Get water from boreholes, wells – some also use childbirth. to identify potential ground water Kaindu Project Coordinating Committee is looking at community projects. Suggested that projects across the area. Pit toilets – some don’t have toilets committee is introduced to consultants. Projects lined up include community schools; Transport – by feet / bicycle. Poor road distance between Government Schools; Health Care (distances); clean drinking water. infrastructure Local labour should be given preference at the mine. Concerns about working High levels of unemployment conditions of workers. Concerns about male mine workers and HIV, as well as “stealing” wives/girlfriends – leave women and babies behind when they leave. Very expensive to go to Mumbwa AGES Gauteng -134- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Stakeholder and description Community Issue Opportunity Kaindu Basic School: (Interviewed March 2013 – Mr Quality of education – high illiteracy levels. Getting books and study material is a Assist with providing Danny Dilema, Mr Peter Chisanga and Mrs Virginia challenge. Need additional classrooms. School does not have any computers – not accommodation for Mubuyaeta) AND Mpusu School: (Interviewed computer literate. Shortage of teaching staff. There are enough trained teachers, but the teachers. March 2013 – Mr Chabinga) Government is unable to put up accommodation for them. Community forced to employ No electricity. Classes very full and large community teachers (untrained). Need equipment for their feeding programme (pots, Road and electricity Almost 70% don’t go to secondary school – etc.) infrastructure financial constraints Parents marry off children for financial gain. Girls drop out of school – vulnerable, marry Have one social worker young. Water and sanitation is a problem. Few water High numbers of unemployed youth – revert to crime when they don’t have anything to points/boreholes do. Alcohol abuse is a challenge. Need recreational activities in community. Many children come to school hungry People fear that they will be displaced and loose property as a result of mining. Many children come from far (approx. 14 km) Malaria big problem in area. Mpundu Village: (Interviewed March 2013). Investors come with own labour – few locals benefit. Repair some of the High levels of unemployment: Have skilled people Need services like health care (also antenatal care – mothers have to walk far) and broken water pumps in community – carpentry, driving, brick layers, and schools (some schools three grades in a class). operators. Make a living from small-scale farming Get water from hand pump – far distances (4-5 times per day). Mobile phones charged with solar power, communicate via word-of-mouth or mobile phone Kafucamo Village: (interviewed March 2013) Make Issues similar to Mpundu Village a living from subsistence farming and piece work Employment seems to be for men only – don’t see women being employed Mumbwa Farmers Association: (Interviewed March Small-scale farmers do not have means to use service providers (e.g. for ploughing or 2013) spraying crops). Concern that big mine will lead to loss of casual labour. Maize, soya beans, cattle, paprika. Disease control – cattle die in large numbers. Wells for water Concern whether mine will have impact on productivity of farm, water pollution etc. Small Scale Mining Challenges in accessing small scale mining licenses – meeting requirements and (Interviewed March 2013) Mainly copper financial constraints. Problems with regulations of small-scale mining – need policy. Can’t afford mining equipment. Don’t have access to resources such as geological experts. Selling their copper is a challenge – transport costs, roads to mining areas very bad – increase transport costs Concerns related to mining: health issues, water pollution, loss of casual labour Mines can assist small scale miners with developing their skills. AGES Gauteng -135- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 8.2 Process / Mining Method Alternatives The PFS base case involves an underground mining operation involving sub-level caving as described in Section 4. Conventional underground mining as well as an open cast mine have also been considered as alternative mining methods. In terms of potential environmental impacts, technology alternatives for conventional underground copper mining would be comparable to one another as they would all be associated with similar inputs and outputs (wastes). The consideration of an open-cast mining method, however, would have a significant effect on the expected environmental impacts of the project. Sub-level caving is associated with a subsistence zone above the underground operations, which is not the case with conventional supported underground operations. Open-cast mining would necessitate the complete destruction of vast areas of natural vegetation, is associated with increased visual impacts, and is generally associated with increased pollution impacts. From an environmental perspective, underground mining is without a doubt the preferred mining method. Table 16 contains a comparison of the environmental effects associated with opencast and underground mining respectively. AGES Gauteng -136- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Table 16: Comparative assessment - Opencast Underground and Cave mining Environmental Base Case – Sub-Level Caving Alternative 1 Underground Mining (Base Alternative 2 Opencast Mining Aspect Case) Surface Water Storm water management post-closure in Storm water management measures to Impacts associated with storm water inside an the depression may prove more difficult to separate dirty and clean storm water will still open pit may be more difficult to manage. manage have to be implemented throughout the site. Increased disturbed area increases risk of erosion and siltation. Groundwater Maximum dewatering volume 82 L/s Maximum dewatering volume 48 L/s Maximum dewatering volume 100 L/s (dewatering) Groundwater (radius Radius of influence for the LOM maximum Radius of influence for the LOM maximum Radius of influence for the LOM maximum of influence) 3.6 km 1.80 km 3.7 km Groundwater Rewatering simulations as part of the 100 years 100 – 300 years (rewatering time) feasibility phase Groundwater (water Water quality affected by AMD caused by Absence of oxygen ingress reduces the risk of Water quality may be affected by AMD caused quality) oxygen ingress due to subsidence zone AMD even further by oxidation Soils and Soil The area does not contain high potential The area does not contain high potential The opencast mine will leave a permanent scar Potential agricultural land but some areas do agricultural land but some areas do provide on the landscape in the area of the open pit, provide valuable wildlife grazing potential. valuable wildlife grazing potential. The smaller likely negatively impacting on grazing potential Some grazing may be affected post footprint area associated with underground of this land in the long term. closure in the depression area mining will disturb less grazing land post- closure. Flora Impacts The footprint areas of the SLC mine will The footprint areas of the underground mine will The opencast mine will have a significant have a lower impact on the ecosystem have a significantly lower impact on the negative impact, not only on the fauna and flora compared to opencast mining, but may ecosystem compared to opencast mining. The through the destruction and fragmentation of still impact on the depression / impact on the flora and fauna will therefore be habitat, but also on the landscape since the subsistence zone. The impact on the flora lower compared to opencast alternative. Kitumba Hill will be completely removed during and fauna will therefore be lower the mining process, while the WRD and TSF compared to opencast alternative will have significantly larger footprints in the mountainous area. Fauna Impacts Some fauna may be permanently Clearing of vegetation on the smaller footprint Removal of all vegetation thereby also displaced in the subsidence zone, but this area will still displace some of the fauna, but not displacing fauna from the entire project area. area is comparatively very small when necessarily all. Fauna and avifauna are still Noise and vibrations due to blasting and compared to opencast operations affected by noise and vibrations, but less so operation of the machines drive away animals than with opencast operations. and birds. Wetland Impacts The base case will have less of a potential Less of a potential for dewatering of the The open pit will cause a limit dewatering for dewatering of the wetlands on-site. wetlands on-site. impact on the surrounding wetlands. AGES Gauteng -137- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Archaeological Some undiscovered resources may be No archaeological impacts are expected, Opencast option has greater potential to Impacts affected in the subsistence zone, but none however the likelihood for impacts on permanently destroy unidentified heritage have been identified. unidentified archaeology is significantly less for resources at the area of the open pit the underground option. Air Quality Impacts Any mining activity, including the Any mining activity, including the underground Open cast mining would be associated underground option will be associated with option will be associated with increased additional in-pit roads resulting in increased increased emissions compared to the emissions compared to the existing air quality unpaved road emissions, and increased existing air quality environment, but these environment, but these would be less compared materials handling emissions would be less compared to an opencast to an opencast scenario. scenario. Noise Impacts The current location and layout of the The current location and layout of the Kitumba Opencast mining will result in higher overall Kitumba Copper Project relative to noise- Copper Project relative to noise-sensitive noise emissions and a larger noise footprint sensitive receptors in the area is receptors in the area is acceptable and there compared to underground mining. acceptable and there are no adverse are no adverse noise impact consequences of The larger noise footprint of opencast mining noise impact consequences of concern. concern. will encroach on a larger zone of wilderness area which may be a concern for eco-tourism. Noise Impacts Because the processing plant with its large noise output is a common component in the alternatives, and due to the large distances between the mine and the nearest communities, none of the alternatives are expected to have a significant impact on the nearest communities. Visual Impacts No open pit but intrusion from subsistence The underground option has significantly less of Visual landscape is completely altered by the zone and higher TDF height due to no a visual impact due to the absence of the presence of the open pit (semi-permanent) as past backfill occurring. WRD smaller. visually intrusive open pit. Visual impacts well as mining infrastructure (for the duration of Impact comparable to underground option. associated with other mine infrastructure would mining operations). be the same for both options. Socio-economic Impacts on neighbouring communities An underground mine is the preferred option as Opencast mining would be associated with (nuisance, dust, noise etc.) are minimized it will minimise the impacts on neighbouring increased noise, dust and visual intrusion in and increased employment opportunities properties from a sense of place perspective. turn impacting negatively on the social make SLC the preferred option in terms of There will also be less nuisance impacts like environment (whether actual or perceived). economic growth dust and noise, whether it is actual or perceptual. All other impacts on the social environment will take place irrespective of the mining method. Closure and Due to the smaller exposed footprint (no Due to the smaller exposed footprint (no open Rehabilitation of opencast pits may be Rehabilitation open pit) rehabilitation (such as re- pit) rehabilitation (such as re-vegetation of significantly more costly and rehabilitation to vegetation of disturbed areas) is expected disturbed areas) is expected to be less. viable land use may prove more challenging. to be less than the opencast option. However, rehabilitation of the subsistence zone could prove challenging depending on geotechnical stability and further study is warranted. AGES Gauteng -138- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 8.3 Layout Alternatives The nature of mining activities restricts the consideration of location alternatives to a large degree, due to the fixed nature of the identified mineral resource. Alternative site layouts may however be considered. The positioning of project-related infrastructure should be practical from a project process perspective and should also take the site-specific environmental conditions into consideration. 8.3.1 Main Site Infrastructure The Main site infrastructure includes three primary components namely: 1) the processing plant, 2) administrative facilities such as offices, parking, workshops, fuel farm and refuelling area, storage areas for machinery and equipment etc., and 3) employee housing and associated facilities such as ablutions, kitchen facilities, emergency medical facilities etc. Any preferred site(s) for the main site infrastructure should consider the following: · Relatively flat area to minimise cut / fill earthworks. · Process Plant should be located so as to minimise the length of roads, but still taking safety measures into account). Access from the plant to transport routes, and access to proposed future location of power and water sources should also be considered. · Favourable topography enabling minimal water management issues. · Minimal site sensitivities in terms of ecological and/or heritage features. · Maximum distance from sensitive receptors, or no line-of-sight to receptors. It would be advisable to locate on-site housing and associated facilities at the existing exploration camp. Mine administration facilities are not currently indicated on the base case proposed layout, but the existing exploration camp would also likely be a suitable location. The proposed position for the processing plant (See Figure 38) is deemed moderately appropriate as the location meets the majority of the abovementioned criteria (Table 17). The optimal location for the plant from an environmental management point of view would however be further west of its currently planned location, so as to avoid the high sensitivity drainage channel at its current location. AGES Gauteng -139- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Table 17: Evaluation of base case process plant location Criteria Criteria Met? Comment Minimal cut / fill earthworks required Yes Area relatively flat Length of roads minimised Yes Close to Mine Access Minimal water management issues expected Yes No drainage lines No ecologically sensitive features or heritage No Partially located on area of high resources affected ecological sensitivity Distance and Line of Sight to receptors No Visibility from road used by tourists (vegetation may screen) 8.3.2 Tailings Dam Facility Alternatives The preferred site for the tailings dam facility (TSF) is usually largely influenced by existing topography, as appropriately locating the TSF in response to existing topographic features may have significant cost- saving potential. Unfortunately, such “ideal” TSF sites are usually associated with drainage lines, thus impacting on natural drainage patterns. Alternative locations have been evaluated against ecological considerations, storm water management plans, visual considerations and economics (proximity and elevation in relation to the mining area and process plant). Tenement is also a distinguishing factor in evaluating layout options as some ideal locations for a TSF may not be within the Blackthorn mining licence or surface rights area. Access between on-site infrastructure is also a determining factor as minimizing the length of haul roads is known to minimise dust impacts at mining operations and is also associated with economic benefit. Thus the detail mine design should follow a holistic approach, equally determined by environmental and economic considerations. The base case TSF site is situated on the road leading to the Mushingashi conservancy. If the TSF is to be located here, alternative access to Mushingashi will have to be devised by Blackthorn. The base case TSF location with a TSF height expected at approximately 31 meters is also expected to have significant impacts on the visual landscape. The TSF is also currently planned on sensitive wetland areas and this presents ecological as well as technical concerns as constructing the TSF on areas with perched water table conditions could prove less than ideal. Alternative TSF locations should be identified. One possibility is to move the TSF to the “dome” area inside the Kitumba Hills as this location will most likely reduce visual impact, negate the necessity for road relocation and will also be associated with lower ecological impacts. A comparative assessment of the Base Case (Figure 38: Base Case and Alternative 1 underground site layout) TSF Location and the Opencast Alternative TSF location (Figure 39: Alternative 2 Opencast site layout) is presented in Table 18. AGES Gauteng -140- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 37: Base Case SLC mine Layout and ecological sensitivity AGES Gauteng -141- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 38: Base Case and Alternative 1 underground site layout Figure 39: Alternative 2 Opencast site layout AGES Gauteng -142- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Table 18: Comparative Assessment: TSF Base Case (Alt 1) vs. Alternative 2 Environmental Aspect Base Case and Alternative 1 TSF for underground operations Alternative 2 TSF for open cast operation. Surface Water TSF on area associated with perched water table – could pose a risk TSF affects a portion of ravine (high wetland sensitivity). Storm to wetlands. water more difficult to manage in these steep areas. Groundwater Both scenarios will have to be modelled in detail to determine the potential impacts of each from a ground water management perspective. Soils and Soil Potential TSF located on area with high erosion risk, high compaction risk and TSF mostly impacting on areas of high erosion risk, but medium medium risk of impact on land capability. compaction risk and low risk of impact on land capability. Flora Impacts The location of the TSF for the underground mine will impact on The TSF will have significantly large footprint in the mountainous moist grass land and miombo woodland (medium sensitivity). area in comparison with the base case and impact on high sensitivity drainage channels. Fauna Impacts Smaller development footprint should imply less displacement of Larger TSF footprint in the mountainous regions is expected to have fauna, although fauna will still be displaced and habitats fragmented a more significant impact on fauna habitats. and destroyed. Wetland Impacts TSF location will impact negatively on medium-high sensitivity moist TSF location will impact on some areas (small and already grassland with perched water table. somewhat impacted area) of high sensitivity drainage channel in sensitive forest miombo. Archaeological Impacts No archaeological impacts are expected, however the likelihood for impacts on unidentified archaeology is significantly less for the underground option. Air Quality Impacts The base case TSF will be more exposed to wind in the low lying The alternative TSF will be located in the mountains and more valley. protected from wind. Noise Impacts NA NA Visual Impacts The TSF location is expected to be highly visible from the proposed The mountainous terrain has the potential to hide the visual intrusion location. of the TSF to some extent. Socio-economic NA NA Closure and The base case TSF has a significant smaller footprint and will result The TSF for the opencast requires a significantly larger footprint due Rehabilitation in a lower rehabilitation and closure cost. to overburden storage/stripping. AGES Gauteng -143- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 8.3.3 Waste Dump Location The Alternative 1 location for the waste dump is to the immediate south of the TSF and also obstructs the existing Mushingashi road. Additionally the waste dump is expected to impact significantly on the existing visual landscape in this location. Portions of the waste dump are also located on areas with perched water table conditions associated with ecological sensitivity. The location is relatively flat and not associated with specific heritage or ecological resources apart from the perched water table “flat wetland” areas mentioned. Alternative locations should be considered. The Base Case (SLC mining option) is associated with a significant decrease in the WRD footprint (see Figure 37 which also impacts on fewer ecologically sensitive areas. If this waste dump is to be relocated slightly more to the north-west impact on sensitive ecological features can be avoided entirely. If the current base case layout is to be implemented, the re-alignment of the Mushingashi road will be the responsibility of the project proponent. A suggested routing is provided in Figure 40. 8.3.4 Water Storage Facility Options The base case layout has identified three possible options for water storage (Figure 38) which are all in response to existing topography with the aim of minimizing construction effort. These alternatives are identified as options only and are not based on the project’s water requirements. Of these, alternative 3 is deemed to be most appropriate from a visual impact perspective, as well as from an ecological perspective as the affected drainage channel in question is already somewhat modified. The three alternatives have relevance in terms of ecological impacts and visual impacts. For all the other aspects the three alternatives are expected to present the same impacts and risks. It is recommended that the project continue with consideration of either the base case SLC or the alternative underground mining option, but that the locations of the WRD, TSF and plant be re-considered in subsequent development phases. Water storage option 3 is deemed the most appropriate option from an environmental impact management point of view. AGES Gauteng -144- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 40: Suggested route for re-alignment of Mushingashi Road AGES Gauteng -145- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 8.4 Route Alternatives Consideration of alternative routes generally applies to linear developments such as power lines, transport and pipeline routes, all of which are infrastructure associated with the proposed development. The alternatives include consideration of alternative routes and methods of transport of materials to site, transport of products and waste from the site (and its final destination in terms of the “cradle to grave” principles) and transport of personnel to and from the site. The exact routes of potential pipelines and electricity and water supply infrastructure have not yet been determined and the alignment of this infrastructure during future project phases and detail project design should consider environmental considerations. Community safety has been flagged as a project risk and will play a significant role in the finalization of the transportation route option. The current road conditions from the site to Mumbwa and through Mumbwa would likely present significant safety risks to pedestrians if mine trucks are to utilize these roads for product transport. Increased heavy traffic on these roads is likely to cause further road deterioration and dust impacts. The Regional Manager of the Central Province Road Development Agency (RDA) revealed during on-site consultations that the RDA is planning to construct Road D181 between Mumbwa and Road M8 towards the end of 2014. This would include the section of the D181 between Mumbwa and the mine access. This planned construction is essential to the future of this project. One of the route alternatives from the site to Lusaka is via the M20 (approximately 116 km) and the T2 Road (approximately 67 km). The first 60 km of Road M20 from Mumbwa was recently constructed (surfaced with surfaced shoulders) and is in a very good condition. The rest of Road M20 is currently almost impassable. The RDA has confirmed that the contract to complete the remaining section of Road M20 has already been signed and that construction should commence on this section imminently. The project will produce approximately 33,000 tonnes per annum of copper cathode and approximately 24,000 tonnes per annum of wet copper sulphide concentrate, to be shipped from site by road truck. This would amount to trip generation to and from the mine as depicted in Table 19. Table 19: Expected daily trip generation (external transport during production) Directional split Total trips New trips in New trips out Consumables 50:50 14 7 7 General Trips 50:50 70 35 35 Product 50:50 12 6 6 Total trips 96 48 48 AGES Gauteng -146- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study The current assumption is that the concentrates will be placed with local Zambian smelters on the Copperbelt, while the cathodes will be transported to an appropriate port such as Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) or Durban (South Africa) for export. From Mumbwa, either the M9 highway or the T2 road via the M20 can be used to reach Lusaka. These alternatives are discussed in the traffic impact assessment (Havenga, June 2013). For economic reasons the shortest route and best road conditions (M9) is preferred. 8.5 Services Alternatives The proposed mining operation will be associated with a number of support service infrastructure including water supply (process water, fire water, potable water etc.), power supply, waste management infrastructure and housing and transport infrastructure. These are briefly investigated below: 8.5.1 Water Supply Options 3 The project’s make-up water requirements of 4,177m /d (48 /s) could be obtained from a number of alternative sources. The water supply alternatives investigated are discussed in detail in the Water Supply Option Analysis conducted by Vivier & Mostert (June 2013), and summarised below: 8.5.1.1 Groundwater Eight high potential groundwater zones were identified for the potential development of well fields. The aquifers were mapped and possible water bearing features examined using remote sensing, drainage catchments, geological information and aerial photo interpretation. Targets were prioritised based on catchment size and groundwater recharge and areas with regional fault zones and dolomitic formations to the north of the project site were targeted. It was found that groundwater resources within a 10 km radius of the site should be able to supply the mine water demand, although only limited site characterisation boreholes were drilled to confirm this. The proposed development of an agricultural irrigation scheme for food crop production in the Big Concession farming block approximately 10 km to the north-east of the mine could pose a risk to regional groundwater development. 8.5.1.1.1 Regional Groundwater The groundwater supply potential of each delineated groundwater zone (see Figure 41) was quantified through a regional groundwater balance evaluation. Groundwater recharge is primarily determined by rainfall although factors such as topography and soil type also play a role. The MAP of the area is 819 2 mm/a. Thus with a conservative recharge of 5 % of rainfall, an area of 70 km or 5 km radius is required to provide sufficient recharge for the mine water demand (48 /s) at a 95% assurance level. The number of boreholes required to abstract the requisite volumes of water and the yields of the respective boreholes should be further investigated through a field investigation with borehole drilling and testing, although AGES Gauteng -147- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study conservative assumptions were made in this regard. Water from a combination of the identified groundwater units can be sourced to make-up the total required water supply. 8.5.1.1.2 Underground fissure water from mine dewatering There is an interaction between mine water supply and dewatering. The mine water supply will be required for the ramp up phase while water will be generated from dewatering after one year of the underground mining operations. Pre-dewatering could be done to also supply water to the mine. 3 The mine water demand (4 883 m /d (57 /s) could partially be met by dewatering, although the required dewatering to supply the demand would only be reached after several years of mining while the water supply to the mine plant will be required during the ramp up phase. The timing difference could be bridged by development of a well field either at the mine area or in the areas identified and discussed above. Due to the fact that the groundwater at the underground mine is not yet a proven resource, a conservative assumption is made that at least 50% of the low dewatering scenario 2 376 m3/d (28 /s) would be available for water supply. The shortfall of 2 376m3/d (28 /s) must be obtained from development of groundwater resources in the area via Piped River Water. The option to abstract water from the Kafue River approximately 30 km north of the site and pipe the water to the mine operations was also considered. The exact pipeline route and specifications for pipeline material and pumping stations, should this option be pursued, are yet to be determined. Water quality is not foreseen to present challenges, however the option is associated with considerably higher capital expense. The monetary cost of constructing such a water supply system to the mine is not the only concern associated with this water supply option: Additional environmental impact assessments over the entire pipeline route, water intake structure area, pump station locations and the Kafue River itself will have to be conducted to determine the environmental acceptability of this proposal. It is expected that such a pipeline would traverse sections of the Mushingashi Conservancy and thus also meet with resistance due to potential impacts on the local tourism sector. AGES Gauteng -148- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Figure 41: Water supply option – Groundwater AGES Gauteng -149- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 8.5.2 Power supply options Two power supply options have been identified, namely in-situ generation using diesel generator sets (gensets); or connecting to the ZESCO electricity grid. Consideration could also be given to supplementary solar or wind power, to a lesser extent. Blackthorn is currently negotiating with ZESCO for supply of electric power to the project and it is likely that emergency power back-ups will be incorporated into the detail project design during DFS. Care must be taken that over-head power lines do not pose a threat to animal (especially avifauna) safety and the visual impacts of electrical power supply to the project have also not been accounted for in this PFS study. It is however expected that the majority of visual receptors (local residents) will welcome electrical power infrastructure in the area, and that the only sensitive visual receptors who may be negatively affected by the presence of power supply infrastructure would be tourists travelling through the area to Mushingashi and KNP. 8.5.3 Waste management options Processing and technology alternatives will possibly give rise to different types of waste with different management options, and a detailed waste management plan should be compiled once more project detail becomes available. Such a waste management plan should, as a minimum: · identify all types of wastes and quantities of wastes associated with the project and associated activities, · quantify the abovementioned waste types throughout the lifespan of the project in different phases, · identify appropriate waste storage options on the site, and waste transport options from the site, and implement plans to ensure safe and legal disposal / treatment / re-use, · identify and implement procedures to avoid or minimise the generation of waste, encourage or enforce the re-use and recycling of waste, and as a last resort to dispose of waste (waste hierarchy). Waste management could include disposal to landfill in which case the landfill will have to be identified and the impacts of such disposal (including transport of waste from the site to the landfill) must be evaluated. Recycling options should also be assessed. Domestic waste from the site (papers, wrappers, cans etc.) and office waste is not expected to be hazardous and disposal of these wastes should consider recycling options – there are a number of companies in Zambia (mostly based in Lusaka) capable of recycling domestic waste. Sewage disposal / treatment options have to be investigated fully in subsequent project phases. It is AGES Gauteng -150- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study anticipated that, due to the remote location of the mine site, sewage effluent may be treated on site through package sewerage treatment plants (http://www.wpl.co.uk/), or that domestic sewage will have to be removed by specialist waste contractors on a regular basis. This second option will be associated with increased traffic and associated dust impacts, while on-site sewage treatment is associated with its own risks which should be evaluated as part of the EIA and considered in the compilation of the waste management plan. Hazardous waste which may be associated with the project include (but is not limited to) various hydrocarbons, oily solids and liquids, medical waste, batteries and electronic waste, flammable substances and explosives. Some of these may have treatment and/or disposal options within Zambia, but some may have to be transported elsewhere in order to ensure safe disposal. Zambia has formally agreed to the Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel Convention) which aims to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation, management, movement and disposal of hazardous waste. Additionally, many countries to whom hazardous waste may be sent have ratified the Basel Convention and the provisions thereof will have to be heeded in the waste management practices of the project. Zambia has also signed the 1991 Convention on the Ban of the Import into Africa and the Control of Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes within Africa (Bamako Convention) although the ratification has yet to be finalised. The convention is supplementary to the Basel Convention and covers movement of hazardous waste into or between signatory African countries. The provisions of the convention will have to be considered in the preparation of the waste management plan. Trans-boundary movements of hazardous wastes are generally approved if the country of export does not have the capability of managing or disposing of the waste in an environmentally sound manner and the receiving country has appropriate, environmentally sound facilities, and agrees to accept the waste. 8.5.4 Employee housing options Employee housing options will directly influence transport options, waste management scope, and will also potentially affect the surrounding social environment, especially if employees are to be housed in surrounding villages. Housing employees on the site is associated with its own set of challenges in terms of social considerations and service provision to name but a few. Movement of personnel between the mine site and the surrounding environment could present significant potential for animal-human interaction, which will have to be managed carefully. The current estimate is for a peak construction work force of 500 and accommodation camp for operations of 400 people. These figures are likely to be refined as the project progresses. Accommodation facilities on site will be provided at the site of the existing exploration camp. Employees will be bussed to the site from Mumbwa. AGES Gauteng -151- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 8.6 Scheduling Alternatives The proposed project comprises a number of activities and components which can be scheduled in a different order or at different times (of the day or of the year in different seasons) and as such produce different impacts. For example, conducting earth-works during construction in the dry season would significantly reduce the risk of erosion, but may give rise to higher dust impacts; blasting activities scheduled during the day-time will have a less significant perceived noise impact than blasting activities at night; and operational hours of the mining and processing operations can also alter its visual and noise impacts. Usually, scheduling of mining operations is driven by economic rather than ecological considerations. Scheduling alternatives should be considered in more detail as part of the DFS project planning. 8.7 The No-Go Alternative The No-Development Option assumes that the activity does not go ahead, implying a continuation of the current situation or the status quo. The baseline descriptions provided in Section 5 of this report will therefore remain as is, but the potential benefits arising from the implementation of the project will not be realized. Thus from a purely ecological point of view, the no-go option may be preferred as the project is located in a pristine environment. However, if the project does not go ahead, the conservation potential discussed in Section 8.1 will not be realized, and the socio-economic opportunities that the proposed project presents to local people and to the Zambian economy will not materialize. It is therefore stated that the potential benefits of the proposed project outweigh the potential negative impacts associated with project, assuming that appropriate management measures are implemented throughout all project phases in order to minimise project impacts and enhance project benefits. AGES Gauteng -152- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 9 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN The costs referred to for any monitoring or mitigation costs are indicative and will be finalized as part of the Feasibility Study. Table 20: Environmental Management Plan Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost 1 Air Quality All construction Increased PM10 and PM Water sprays for dust suppression to activities 2.5 on and around the be applied according to prevailing Refer to the 1.1 project site activities site specific conditions s Dust fallout rates should e s Air Quality Incremental PM2.5 and All mitigation listed for subsequent a not exceed 350 All Sources h 2 Impact p 1.6 PM10 Impact source groups mg/m /day t c Assessment Water sprays for dust suppression to e Movement of oj (Liebenberg- be applied according to prevailing r p vehicles and Air quality impacts from Enslin & l site specific conditions. l a personnel on increased dust Gresse, 2013 Consideration of conveyor use t unpaved roads ou - Appendix 1.4 wherever possible. h Dust fallout @ road 50% control efficiency through water g perimeter < 1 200 3.1) Section ou r 2 6: Figure 6-1 sprays or dust extraction. Reduce h mg/m /day, within mine t indicates the Materials handling Incremental PM2.5 and drop heights where possible. s boundary < 600 proposed ou 2 and Crushing PM10 Impact Increase moisture content (above u mg/m /day and < 350 n monitoring i 2 1. 4%) of material entering crusher if t mg/m /day at the network for 10 possible. on sensitive receptors. C the project. Unpaved Roads Incremental PM2.5 and 75% control efficiency by water As per 1.8 PM10 Impact sprays on roads No visible dust. Appendix 5 2 Hydrogeology Establishment of t on The mine Use chemical sanitary facilities ou i No spillages from Cost t e construction camp Negative impacts on placed away from drainages. h c s chemical sanitary environment dependant on g u a r and sanitation Groundwater quality ou t al manager is Frequent maintenance by specialist r s Phfacilities. No uncontrolled responsible 2.1 facilities contractor for removal without h on discharges (separation of charged with party (on-site T c AGES Gauteng -153- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Use of explosives Contribute to nitrates spillages. Schedule construction clean and dirty water monitoring environmenta for decline overload to during the dry season if possible. No systems). No visible and l manager or development groundwater uncontrolled discharges from the waste, litter on site. reporting on additional 2.2 construction camp shall be All fuels, chemicals etc. non- Environmenta permitted; Good housekeeping rules stored in designated and compliances l Control Hydrocarbon to be implemented at site. secured areas designed with Officer). To be spillages Negative impacts on The use of all materials, fuels and for purpose (with legislation, determined, (construction Groundwater quality chemicals must be controlled and impervious floors, spillages or but expected 2.3 vehicles) these must be stored in a specific bunded to 110% capacity any other to be in secured and bunded area to prevent of storage vessel, environment keeping with pollution from spillages and protected from al incidents mine Surface water Negative impacts on leakages; precipitation and wind). on site. The operational contamination surface water quality Construction vehicles and machines Regular maintenance of proponent costs. 2.4 must be maintained properly to vehicles and machinery as may consider Appendix 5 ensure that oil spillages are kept at a per manufacturer's appointing a minimum; Re-fuelling of specification. No visible designated construction vehicles should be done oil or fuel leaks from environment in designated re-fuelling, bunded vehicles/machinery or al control areas which must be impermeable anywhere on site. Use of officer for with sumps capturing any waste explosives to be these Anthropogenic Negative impacts on water; controlled (only used by purposes. activities on site surface and Monitoring according to the qualified designated Explosive groundwater quality monitoring protocol should persons). storage, commence before construction handling and starts, preferable at least a sampling use - run in the winter and summer before specialist and construction commences. mine Health and Safety 2.5 officer. AGES Gauteng -154- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Lowering water levels of Monitor radius of influence (local Measurement of local Monthly by Dewatering radius surrounding (3 km and regional water level and regional water levels Mine of influence radius) water supply measurements monthly). Provide (monthly). Provision of environment boreholes. alternative water to affected alternative water if and as al manager As per 2.6 parties/ecosystems needed. Appendix 5 Inrush of Only groundwater to Mine Health determinable mine tunnels and Loss of Life Dewatering design which covers No loss of life or injury to and Safety after stopes drilling and pre-dewatering or occur as inrush of water is Officer additional e 2.7 sealing s to be prevented. studies. a Additional site characterisation to h Drilling of p Lowering water levels of l Monthly by Dewatering radius wetlands (3 km radius), determine wetland mechanism. a Mine Additional on Monitoring boreholes. Specific i No nett decrease in monitoring of influence decrease groundwater t environment a discharge into wetlands to maintain r minimum wetland water boreholes – 2.8 head biodiversity e levels. al manager Appendix 5 op Groundwater and t ou surface water More detailed geochemical h Monthly by Indicative cost Contaminant contamination by investigations. Mixing of lime in plant g Chemical levels not to Mine for additional ou leaching from mine r copper, cobalt, to neutralize tailings waste and h exceed accepted environment Geochemical waste facilities cadmium and seepage capturing during T standards (neutral mine al manager AnalysisR250 2.9 manganese operational phase waste) 000 Seepage capturing during Radiological operational phase. Bleeding off Every 3 Source Uranium Radioactive uranium in process water to prevent months by Characterizati concentrated in contaminants from build-up. Separate uranium in the Mine on the product mine waste facilities plant and develop small norm waste environment Indicative 2. facility, dispose at licensed facility or No unacceptable levels of al manager budget of 10 sell. radiation in mine waste R118 000 AGES Gauteng -155- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Water Contamination of Mine Monitoring Chemicals used in surface and All materials, fuels and chemicals Environment costs included mining activities groundwater by point must be stored in specific secured al Manager in Appendix 5 source chemicals and bunded area. Spillages and will be 2.11 leakages are to be prevented. No leakages or spillages sufficient.- Groundwater Filling up mine shaft Mine Health As per seepage to negative impact on No unmanageable and Safety engineering underground mine schedule and Water to be pumped out and re- seepage of groundwater Officer operational 2.12 workings operations used in mine circuit (contact water) to underground workings costs. Increased runoff Increased erosion and Mine Stormwater due to mining silt loading on surface Erosion control measures and Effective implementation Environment Management activities water bodies stormwater management plan to be of storm water al Manager Plan – Approx. 2.13 implemented management plan. R140 000 Hydrocarbon Negative impacts on Maintenance of mine vehicles and Maintenance according to Mine Water spillages (from groundwater and machinery. Use spill trays when manufacturer Environment Monitoring as storage facilities or surface water quality necessary. Oil separators at specification. No visible al Manager per Appendix 2.14 vehicles) workshops spills on site. 5. Presence of nitrates in Use of explosives water derived from controlled (qualified Mine Water Use of explosives mine workings (impacts persons). Only acceptable Environment Monitoring- on water quality) Groundwater monitoring and nitrate concentrations in al Manager As per 2.15 treatment if necessary groundwater. Appendix 5 Contaminated Negative impacts on A stormwater management plan Mine Stormwater stormwater runoff groundwater and should be implemented to ensure Effective implementation Environment Management from mine surface water quality effective containment. Silt traps to of storm water al Manager Plan – Approx. 2.16 workings capture sediment load. s n management plan. R140 000 o i i d u Mine dewatering Rising of water levels Sealing of decline and access tunnels c m n Monitoring rise of water Mine Mine Closure e on a os 2.17 effects decreasing - and increase in to reduce oxygen ingress. Liming of d i l levels to verify Environment and m s g c AGES Gauteng -156- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost post operational borehole yields for mine void to neutralise post al Manager Rehabilitation rewatering water supply operational flooding – Appendix 3 Increased water levels Mine Re-watering radius of wetlands (3 km Environment of influence radius) and increased Channel rehabilitated storm water to No decrease in wetland al Manager As per 2.18 groundwater head wetlands water levels Appendix 5 Contamination of Only Leaching of groundwater and Contaminants in Mine determinable contaminants from surface water by Additional geochemical studies to groundwater remain at Environment after detailed mine waste copper, cobalt, increase understanding of the acceptable levels. TSF al Manager Rehabilitation facilities cadmium and system. Neutralise waste during rehabilitation according plan has been 2.19 manganese operational phase. TSF rehabilitation to specialist rehab plan compiled. Additional geochemical and Radioactive Uranium concentrated radiological studies. Bleeding off Mine contaminants from in product. Residual uranium in process water to prevent Environment mine waste concentrations in WRD build-up. Separate uranium in plant al Manager facilities and TSF (probably low) and develop norm waste facility, No unacceptable levels of As per 2.2 dispose at licensed facility or sell. radiation in mine waste Appendix 5 Use of explosives Groundwater Nitrate concentrations in Mine causing presence contamination by groundwater at Environment of nitrates nitrates due to blasting Nitrates would dissipate as blasting acceptable level and al Manager As per 2.21 stops decreasing Appendix 5 Migration of TSF Negative impacts on Monitor groundwater Mine Mine Closure and WRD plume surface and quality to northwest to Environment and (northwest) groundwater quality TSF rehabilitation (and capping) to verify migration as al Manager Rehabilitation 2.22 minimise ingress expected. – Appendix 3 4 Visual Impacts AGES Gauteng -157- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Presence of Alteration of key Retain existing vegetation where construction elements, features and possible (especially along site Mine vehicles, characteristics of the boundary and roads). Implement Environment machinery, baseline visual dust suppression. Concurrent Vegetation retained, no al Manager equipment and environment rehabilitation. Strict speed limits. visible dust, no 4.1 personnel Careful consideration of lighting. unnecessary light spillage - Presence of Landscape construction and Alteration of key Dust suppression. Develop architect, mining vehicles, elements, features and sustainable final landform design for ecologist or machinery, characteristics of the TSF, WRD and water storage No visible dust. similar and Concurrent equipment and baseline visual facilities. Concurrent rehabilitation of Concurrent rehabilitation Mine rehabilitation personnel environment TSF and WRD. Strict speed limits. Throug to satisfaction of environment as per 4.2 Careful consideration of lighting hout rehabilitation plan. al manager Appendix 3 all Only Presence of Alteration of key project determinable vehicles, elements, features and phases Mine after machinery, characteristics of the Dust suppression. Design of TSF, Environment compilation of equipment and baseline visual WRD etc. to minimise final heights. Monitor success of al Manager site specific personnel environment Concurrent rehabilitation and rehabilitation as per rehabilitation 4.3 monitoring of success of rehab. rehabilitation plan. plan Minimise light pollution: Security Complaints lighting should only be used where record Security and other Alteration of visual absolutely necessary and carefully keeping by lighting at the environment by Light directed. Reduce light “spillage” Mine project site. pollution beyond the immediate surrounds of No complaints from environment the project. Avoid white light. Light surrounding tourist al manager - pathways and roads with ‘bollard’ lodges regarding light continuous. type lights. Avoid pole top lighting. pollution. - 5 Impact on Heritage resources AGES Gauteng -158- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Construction, Environmental awareness training operation and and brief watch monitoring decommissioning Damage to or programmes throughout of the mining destruction of development - know what to look Mine project and undiscovered heritage out for. Archaeological surveys on Throug Environment associated projects or archaeological associated projects' sites prior to hout al Manager Mine Closure (roads, water resources development. Consultation with local all and supply etc.). communities (protect living project No damage to heritage Rehabilitation 5.1 heritage). phases resources – Appendix 3. 6 Social Impacts . . Development in Change in cultural Discuss potential for in-migration c ) n Social impacts associated The mine No specific t s a e the area causing in- values and integrity with community leaders (political o e with the project directly should cost t s c s i t e n migration of (Impact on Social and traditional) and obtain their u r e impact a contingency of consider the associated b u on d m i 6.1 foreigners Dynamics) views on management options; - t the projects' work force. appointment with e a s t Influx of people to Negative impacts on Decide on recruitment policies in e oc om l . Internal and external of a monitoring s r c u s a s p t s the surrounding existing community conjunction with the leadership h ( c ecomplaints register is to community and on p t e c c oc villages due to cohesion (Impact on structures. Ensure policies are fair t e oj rbe kept - performance liaison officer management c r d p e oj p n 6.2 opportunities Social Dynamics) and equitable (and perceived as oj r a g indicated by no for the of social r p e n Job-creation for such). Communicate the policies as p o or complaints received and duration of impacts apart f on oi l t s l e i g local people and early as possible. Implement a quota a b a -reaction to complaints the project. from: or i t i e L on for people from Social differentiation system from each affected village. r c received. Monitor A complaints appointment ou p y a t outside, and inequity (Impact on Create awareness of potential social h e l i community water levels register of Community g c p n n u n inappropriate Social Dynamics) ills (pamphlets, lectures, posters). ou e i and quality - no (both Liaison Officer r m h m e procurement Implement a community relations T b om deterioration in quality internal for and om o C 6.3 policies plan (include all relevant c t will be accepted. If water employees Community AGES Gauteng -159- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Conflict about stakeholders). Establish a community levels drop alternative etc. and Forum available jobs and liaison forum (CLF) with potable water has to be external for administratio who should benefit Social tension and representatives from all the supplied to the members of n as well as from the project. violence (Impact on stakeholders (including in-migrants, communities. the public) the Mine Cultural change Social Dynamics) woman, the youth and the elderly). Performance of Social should be environmenta due to influx and Participate in community events. impact management kept l Officer. economic changes Ensure consistent communication. measures should also be continuously. 6.4 for some. The mine will need the input from evaluated from within Communicati Unrealistically high Aspirations and government (local and traditional) local communities - the on between community expectations of and a number of community results / minutes of the the mine, expectations of community not realized institutions to successfully manage community forum communities benefits due to (causing tension and this process. The change cannot be meetings and feedback , government project distrust). (Impact on avoided, but must be managed. from a community liaison departments 6.5 Social Dynamics) officer will indicate and other Mine staff residing Alterations in Family whether the project is stakeholders away from their structures. (Impact on socially acceptable. should be a 6.6 families Social Dynamics) continuous Change in sense of Community process belonging due to identification and throughout influx of people connection (Impact on all of the 6.7 Social Dynamics) phases of the Influx of people Cooperate and align with existing project. putting pressure Impacts on Health and health services and programs and on infrastructure social wellbeing: engage with Health Department. and resources, Impacts on physical Skills enhancement and training increased disease, health through site clinic. Avoid standing accidents and pools of water on site (breeding 6.8 injuries ground for mosquitoes). Community AGES Gauteng -160- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Impacts on water Impacts on Health and outreach programmes to address quality/availability, social wellbeing: malaria. Buildings to be mosquito increased traffic, Impacts on personal proof. Road safety signage. unfair labour safety (physical and Collaborate with local authorities 6.9 practices psychological) and law enforcement (prevent speeding, reckless driving; enforce seat belt usage, accident response Influx of people Impacts on Health and etc.). Provide health care services to creating a platform social wellbeing: Crime - workers. Abide by VPSHR. Deploy for opportunistic increased theft, social two guards in critical locations. and other criminals ills and poaching Involve guards in anti-poaching activities and support anti-poaching 6. programs. Educate the work force 10 about poaching. Influx of people Get input from all role players. putting additional Shortage of social and Utilise existing exploration camp for pressure on physical infrastructure housing. Provide worker transport. infrastructure (Impact on quality of Engage with government for (roads, sanitation the living environment) infrastructure upgrades. Include 6.11 etc.) upgrade of social infrastructure in presence of mine Alteration of sense of CSI initiatives. Guide staff interaction infrastructure, place / environmental with local communities and vehicles, amenity value / conservation areas. Provide a buffer machinery and aesthetic quality zone around the physical footprint of personnel (negative impact on the project and fence off. Elephant- 6.12 tourism) proof water structures and Animal human Conflicting land uses scavenger-proof waste areas. Include interaction and with neighbouring animal-human interaction resultant industry activities (conservation procedures in health and safety 6.13 conflicts vs. mining) procedures. AGES Gauteng -161- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost 7 Impacts on Biodiversity Retain vegetation where possible. Vegetation clearing Reduce disturbance to breeding Successful environmental and construction Destruction of habitat fauna and blooming flora). Relocate training to all employees. plants of ecological significance; Do No activities beyond 7.1 s not clear the entire footprint e demarcated mine area, s No cost simultaneously; Clearly demarcate a and vegetation also h associated p the entire development footprint retained within mine area t c with retention and prevent creep; Implement e where possible. oj Mine of vegetation. monitoring to ensure minimal r Rehabilitation of p l Environment Training costs impacts; Provide environmental l subsistence zone as per a Storage of Tailings; al Manager to be Laydown areas for Direct habitat training; Cordon off and continually t geotechnical specialist ou determined if excavate and backfill trenches. Only h recommendations, to stockpiles and destruction use poison for vermin after approval g compile detailed not conducted waste rock ou r in-house. from an ecologist. Concurrent h rehabilitation plant in rehabilitation and detailed T consultation with an rehabilitation of subsistence zone ecologist / landscape and cracks – Geotechnical Specialist architect. 7.2 to advise. Project Use existing facilities as far as s e design To be s possible. Ensure as little disturbance a h Adequate fenced buffer should determined Vegetation clearing p as possible (especially to ravines and Habitat fragmentation t consider by project and construction c zones; no activities moist grassland pockets). Establish e avoidance of engineering oj beyond fenced protective buffers around sensitive r p sensitive team l boundaries; effective areas. Remain within defined l 7.3 a habitats. conservation/avoidance construction areas and servitudes. t Storage of Tailings; Unnecessary driving around or ou of ravines and moist Mine h Laydown areas for Habitat fragmentation bulldozing natural habitat must not g grassland pockets. Environment - ou stockpiles and r al Manager take place. No disturbance will occur h 7.4 waste rock outside demarcated areas. T to monitor AGES Gauteng -162- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost and report. Exposure of rock, Schedule topsoil stripping and ore and soil to Soil erosion excavation for the dry season where rainfall and wind possible; Ensure minimal exposed areas – concurrent construction and 7.5 s e rehabilitation; Cover disturbed soils; s Increased a Control runoff: move water without h p hardened surfaces Increased soil erosion Minimal disturbances and t gulley formation; Install sediment c created at the and sedimentation e concurrent rehabilitation. control devices. Implement stringent oj Mine 7.6 project site r Implementation of storm p erosion and dust control practices. l environment - l water management a Institute a storm water management al manager t measures. No visible plan. Do not let surface water or ou h erosion or gully formation storm water be concentrated, Design g Rehabilitation ou storm water discharge points to r soil erosion h activities prevent erosion; Repair all erosion T damage as soon as possible; Gravel roads must be well drained in order 7.7 to limit soil erosion. o t h s Adherence to the Mine -Air and Contain polluted water. Discard l c Movement of Spillages of harmful g l e e a s aprovisions of the detailed environment Water excess, waste or chemicals in an ou t oj h vehicles on site substances r u r p 7.8 environmental friendly way. Store h p waste management plan al manager Monitoring as T AGES Gauteng -163- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Domestic and hazardous chemicals on an (to be compiled) and per Appendix hazardous waste impervious surface protected from principles of the waste 5 storage and Spillages of harmful storm water; Construct refuelling hierarchy. No spillages at disposal, sewage substances stations to prevent spillages. Contain refuelling stations or treatment accidental spillages and clean up storage areas and no 7.9 promptly; treat sewage in a suitable leaks from vehicles or plant or remove from site for machinery. Sewage treatment elsewhere; Spill kits treatment as per should be on-hand to deal with spills specification. Spill kits immediately; Inspect all vehicles present and employees Movement of Spillages of harmful regularly for oil and fuel leaks. know how to use them. vehicles on site substances Vehicle maintenance should be done Appropriate vehicle in a designated facility and drip trays maintenance facility. should be used. Drip trays should be 7. emptied into a holding tank and 10 returned to the supplier. Exposure of rock, Undertake dust suppression and a dust monitoring programme. ore and soil to Dust contamination s e Implement the air quality s 7.11 rainfall and wind a management programme, and h p Stockpiling, No visible dust and no t monitor regularly to ascertain the c Materials handling, e exceedance of acceptable Air Quality dust load and emission rates and oj Mine vehicle Dust r emissions standards Monitoring As p particle size distribution; Implement l environment entrainment and l according to the air per Appendix a standard dust control measures, al manager 7.12 windblown dust t quality management 5 including periodic spraying and ou h programme. chemical dust suppression and g Rehabilitation ou Dust monitor efficiency. Implement strict r h activities speed limits to reduce dust T 7.13 formation. AGES Gauteng -164- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Continued Kill the alien invasive plants and movement of seedlings and establish an personnel and Spread of alien invasive alternative plant cover to limit re- s e vehicles on and off species growth; Institute strict control over s a site, and deliver of materials brought onto site. h p Biodiversity t 7.14 materials Routinely fumigate with appropriate c e Monitoring as Transporting of herbicides; Rehabilitate disturbed oj No alien invasive plants Mine Spread of alien invasive r per Mine p people and areas as quickly as possible; Institute l present on the project environment species l Closure and a 7.15 equipment a monitoring programme to detect site. al manager t Rehabilitation alien invasive species early, and an ou h – Appendix 3 eradication/control programme for g ou Movement of Spread of alien invasive early intervention if invasive species r h vehicles on site species are detected; A detailed plan should T be developed for control of noxious 7.16 weeds and invasive plants.. Construction of Accommodate staff on site. Fence Negative impacts of t infrastructure, c human activities area to prevent movement into ‘no- e No movement into no-go oj 7.17 roads etc. go’ areas. Provide adequate rubbish r p areas. Good l s workers Negative effects of bins and sanitation facilities; l e Mine a housekeeping practices s accommodation on human activities on Maintain firebreaks around t a environment - ou h implemented (no litter 7.18 site flora development footprint. Educate h p al manager Negative effects of construction workers regarding risks g etc.). Firebreaks Presence of ou adequate. human activities on and correct disposal of waste r h 7.19 labourers on site flora materials. T Continued Enforce a speed limit no more than l No exceedences of speed l s a e movement of 40 km/hour. Install speed bumps in s limits. No night travelling. t a Mine personnel and Fauna mortality on sections where the speed limit tends ou h Appropriate lighting (no / p h environment - g t vehicles on and off roads to be disobeyed. Avoid travelling at c little insect activity). No ou e al manager site, and deliver of night. Lights should be positioned r oj or little observed fauna h r 7.2 materials 5 m from the roads or paved areas. T p mortality on roads. No AGES Gauteng -165- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Movement of incidents involving vehicles on and off Fauna mortality on animal-human site and delivery of roads interaction. 7.21 materials Movement of Fauna mortality 7.22 vehicles on site Construction of Limit construction to day-time; s e l s mining minimise external lighting; long- l a a Light pollution h t p infrastructure, wavelength light sources should be ou No or little light spillages Mine h on 7.23 access roads etc. used. Do not use Fluorescent lights g i at night beyond project environment - t c outdoors. Direct external light ou u site boundary. al manager Mining operations r r h t during night time Light pollution sources inward; Internal lighting T s 7.24 should be shielded. on c 8 Impacts on Wetlands Alter base case layout to fall outside s e l s of wetlands; Limit development l a If the base case layout is a Clearing of h activities to appropriate areas. Avoid t p vegetation, ou altered to avoid the rigid geometries; Provide regular h on Habitat Destruction g i wetland areas, the impact Project team - construction of t environmental training; Do not c ou u is avoided and no further infrastructure etc. r r remove indigenous plants from h t T s measures are necessary. wetlands or riparian areas; Control on 8.1 pesticide use; monitor wetland water c AGES Gauteng -166- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost levels; Avoid work in rivers, streams and wetlands or limit to dry season. Implement a rehabilitation plan. Cross drainage channels at 90 degrees. Minimize changes to Placement of natural drainage patterns and Surface water monitoring Mine stockpiles, TSF and Direct habitat crossings to drainages. Perform as per monitoring environment WRD on wetlands destruction scheduled maintenance to be protocol. al manager. prepared for storms. In-stream diversions at constructions in drainages must avoid damming. No construction of new channels. Manage storm water run-off and As per 8.2 potential flooding. Appendix 5 Increased Soil compaction and Minimize land disturbance; Schedule hardened surfaces erosion leading to topsoil stripping and excavation for s 8.3 and exposed areas sedimentation winter if possible; Minimise exposed e s a areas; Cover disturbed soils; Move h p Increased runoff water without gully l hardened surfaces Increased soil erosion a formation, trap sediment before on and sedimentation i and exposed areas t discharge. Implement erosion and a 8.4 r Surface water monitoring Mine dust control practices. Minimize e op as per monitoring environment concentrated water. Control d n protocol. al manager. stormwater velocity and divert run- a off around disturbed areas. Institute on i t Rehabilitation Increased soil erosion a storm water management plan; c u activities and sedimentation r Have temporary and permanent t s erosion control plans; Protect areas on susceptible to erosion and repair C As per 8.5 erosion damage as soon as possible; Appendix 5 AGES Gauteng -167- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Gravel roads must be well drained in order to limit soil erosion; Exposure of rock, Treatment and containment of dirty ore and soil to Water pollution from water; remove excess, waste rainfall and wind, spillages of harmful material or chemicals from site and discard in an environmental friendly and vehicle substances s way; Inspect construction vehicles e s movement a 8.6 for oil and fuel leaks, service h p Large vehicles - oil regularly. Situate maintenance yards l a and fuel spillages, away from drainage lines; Construct on i t building waste, refuelling stations to prevent a Water pollution from r Surface water monitoring Mine batching plants, spillages and be prepared for e spillages op as per monitoring environment accidental spills. Prevent pollutant sewage and d n protocol. al manager. domestic waste, entry into the drainage system; Treat a 8.7 topsoil storage sewage in a suitable plant or remove on i t from the site for treatment c u r elsewhere; Maintain a good standard t As per s Movement of of housekeeping. Store all litter so it on Appendix 5 vehicles on site for Water pollution from cannot contaminate drainage C and rehabilitation spillages systems; Provide (scavenger proof) Stormwater bins. Avoid poisons for the control of Management 8.8 problem animals. h Plant Movement of Implement dust suppression and l t sSurface water monitoring Mine g l c e a e s construction Dust contamination monitoring. Implement air quality ou t oj a as per monitoring environment As per r r h 8.9 vehicles management programme. Use dust h ou p p protocol. al manager. Appendix 5 T AGES Gauteng -168- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Stockpiling, masks as per the Mine health and Materials handling, safety requirements; Implement vehicle Dust contamination standard dust control measures, Soil 8. entrainment and dumps may be covered if necessary; 10 windblown dust A speed limit (no more than 60 Movement of km/hour) should be enforced on dirt vehicles on site for Dust contamination roads; 8.11 rehabilitation Movement of personnel and Spread of alien invasive vehicles on and off species in wetland site and delivery of systems Kill the alien plants present and materials for s seedlings which emerge, and e 8.12 construction s establish alternative plant cover. The a Movement of h Biodiversity p control of AIS at the site should As per the alien-invasive t personnel and c Monitoring as commence prior to construction. e plants management vehicles on and off Spread of alien invasive oj Mine per Mine Prevent AIS from establishing, detect r procedure to be compiled p site and delivery of species in wetland l environment Closure and AIS that do establish early, eradicate l as part of the mine's a materials for systems al manager. Rehabilitation AIS that establish or control t procedures and mining operation ou – Appendix 3. population is eradication is not h guidelines. 8.13 and maintenance feasible. Develop and implement a g ou Movement of r detailed AIS eradication and h personnel and Spread of alien invasive monitoring plan. T vehicles on and off species in wetland site and delivery of systems materials for 8.14 rehabilitation 9 Impacts on Soils, land capability and agricultural potential AGES Gauteng -169- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost Only handle soils when dry to reduce o Regular heavy i t c vehicle movement, compaction risk; Strip vegetation u r Minimal compacted soils. Soil Compaction t n and laydown areas with topsoil; Avoid soils with risk of s No impacts beyond 9.1 for construction compaction wherever possible. on Unnecessary driving around or C development footprint. Regular heavy on Existing facilities are used bulldozing natural habitat must not i vehicle movement, t where possible. Soil Soil Compaction a take place. Stick to haul roads. Use r and laydown areas e quality prior to existing roads and tracks as far as p Mine 9.2 during mining possible. Rip and/or scarify O rehabilitation is environment - compacted areas on a continuous acceptable. al manager. basis. Do not rip and/or scarify areas Ensure that Geotechnical Regular heavy under wet conditions. Sample and specialist is appointed to e vehicle movement r advise, especially on Soil Compaction analyse soil prior to rehabilitation. u stability and for rehabilitation os Under advisement from a suitably l activities qualified restoration ecologist, C rehabilitation of the supplemental fertilisation may be subsistence zone. 9.3 necessary. Vegetation Schedule topsoil stripping and excavation in the dry season if on i clearance, mine t possible; Schedule clearance & c Minimal exposed u construction and Soil erosion r excavation concurrently with t activities leaving construction & rehabilitation; keep s surfaces; no visible on erosion or gully Mine 9.4 soil exposed exposed surfaces at a minimum. C formation; susceptible environment - Cover disturbed soils; Avoid gully areas are protected from al manager. formation by runoff; Install sediment s Hardened surfaces, e erosion; vegetative cover s control devices. Control dust using a is adequate. slopes of stockpiles Soil erosion h p water-sprayers or chemical dust l and WRD l 9.5 suppressants; Institute storm water A AGES Gauteng -170- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost management plans (temporary and on i permanent); Repair erosion damage t a t i l as soon as possible; Implement i b General erosion monitoring procedures; Re- a h e rehabilitation Soil erosion vegetate disturbed areas as soon as r d activities possible. Monitor vegetative cover n a on stockpiles to maintain a high e r basal cover. Conserve topsoil for use u os 9.6 in rehabilitation l C Construction Store hazardous chemicals in vehicles impervious bunded area protected contributing to oil from stormwater; Construct and fuel spillages, Soil pollution refuelling stations to prevent building waste, spillages, and implement measures batching plants, to contain and clean up accidental s e No visible leakages from sewage and spillages; Treat sewage in a suitable s a vehicles or machinery or 9.7 domestic waste plant or remove from site for h p on the site. Appropriate t Construction treatment elsewhere; Spill kits c e storage of hazardous vehicles should be on-hand to deal with spills oj Mine r materials. Appropriate p contributing to oil immediately and employees should l environment - l maintenance and a and fuel spillages, be trained in their use; Implement al manager. Soil pollution t refuelling facilities (no building waste, procedures to deal with spillages or ou h spillages visible and batching plants, leakages; Maintain stormwater g emergency response ou sewage and management system to ensure clean r h procedures in place). 9.8 domestic waste and dirty water separation. Maintain T Oil and fuel vehicles regularly to prevent leakages from leakages. Conduct vehicle vehicles and Soil pollution maintenance in a designated facility machinery for and use drip trays. Empty drip trays 9.9 rehabilitation into a holding tank and return to the AGES Gauteng -171- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study Monitoring Time and No Activity/Aspect Impact Mitigation Frame Performance indicator reporting Cost supplier. Topsoil stripping l s Soil destruction and l e a 9. and mine s Minimal areas disturbed. sterilization t a Mine 10 construction Continually rehabilitate the soils to ou h Effective rehabilitation p h environment - g t Topsoil stripping the best possible state. Refer to the c and monitoring efficiency Soil destruction and ou e al manager and mine specialist reports on soil r oj of rehabilitation sterilization h r 9.11 construction rehabilitation T p Construction of Confine disturbance and clearing to mine and Loss of land capability the footprint areas of the mine; Only s 9.12 infrastructure disturb small areas of land at a time. e s Rehabilitation should take place on a a h Dumping of waste p continuous basis where after the t rock, mining and Loss of land capability c land would become partially e Post-closure monitoring stockpiling oj Mine 9.13 available again as grazing. Once r of the success of p l environment - mining activities have ceased, l rehabilitation of the area a al manager. disturbed areas should be t to viable grazing land. Loss of grazing ou rehabilitated and the grazing h value due to lower Loss of land capability capacity restored as far as possible. g ou grazing capacity r The rehabilitation of the soils and re- h after rehabilitation vegetation is discussed in the T 9.14 specialist report. AGES Gauteng -172- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 10 DECOMMISSIONING AND REHABILITATION The Mines and Minerals Development Act, 2008 (MMDA) provides in Section 116 that (1) The conditions subject to which the mining right is granted or renewed shall include such conditions as may be prescribed by the Minister, by statutory instrument, or as the Minister may, in a particular case, otherwise determine, in relation to (c) the rehabilitation, levelling, re grassing, re foresting or contouring of such part of the land over which the right or licence has effect as may have been damaged or adversely affected by prospecting operations, mining operations or mineral processing operations; and (d) the filling in, sealing or fencing off of excavations, shafts and tunnels. The Act also states (section 123) that the holder of a mining right shall be held liable for the cost of remedial and rehabilitative measures in relation to the mining right area after cessation of mining activity. The stipulations of the MMDA are in line with the IFC and World Bank Standards as well as other international best practice requirements related to mining projects. It is thus essential that the proposed development be designed with closure in mind and that financial provision for rehabilitation and closure of the development be determined and planned for in order to ensure that the project leaves behind a positive legacy. To this end, a mine closure plan and estimate for financial provision was prepared by REDE Engineering and Management Services (Pty) Ltd (REDE) dated September 2013. This report was based on the information available at the time of the study and should be updated periodically throughout subsequent project phases. 10.1 Closure plan objectives The closure plan has aimed to: · rehabilitate all disturbed land to a state that is suitable for its post closure use; · ensure that affected areas are safe and secure for both human and animal activities; · ensure that the physical and chemical stability of the remaining structures are such that risk to the environment through naturally occurring forces is eliminated; · rehabilitate all disturbed land to a state where limited or preferably no post closure management is required; · rehabilitate all disturbed land to a state that facilitates compliance with current environmental quality objectives (air and water quality); and AGES Gauteng -173- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study · limit the impact on personnel whose positions may become redundant on decommissioning of the mine Based on the findings of the closure plan, it is recommended that the following actions be taken immediately in order to ensure adherence to the closure plan objectives mentioned above: · A geotechnical investigation focussing on the determination of the stability of the subsistence zone has to be conducted in order to define which rehabilitation options for the subsistence zone could be feasible in order to meet the closure objectives; · All uncertainties must be resolved and included in the report as soon as the information becomes available. These factors will have an influence on the final financial provision figures; · Progressive rehabilitation has been included in the closure plan and the mine must ensure that provision for progressive rehabilitation is incorporated in the Project’s business-case. 10.2 Closure activities The final rehabilitation, closure and aftercare plan will be associated with the following primary activities. Where practical, some of these rehabilitation may occur during the operational phase of the mining project. Wherever possible, progressive rehabilitation should be implemented: · Dismantling of the processing plant, administrative facilities, workshops and other buildings, which will involve the removal of all equipment for salvage or re-sale. Items with no salvage value to the mine, but which might have value to individuals will be sold. Any fixed assets that can be profitably removed, will also be removed for salvage or resale. All remaining items will be treated as waste and disposed of in a designated waste disposal area. · All rubble and waste from the dismantling of the processing plant will be disposed of in a designated waste disposal area. This excludes any tailings or slurry dam materials; · All structures are to be demolished or dismantled, and foundations to be removed to a minimum of 500 mm below the natural ground level. All excavations will be filled with 350 mm waste rock from the stockpiled waste material and 150 mm topsoil. Terraced areas will be cut back to a slope incline of no more than 18º; and the entire disturbed area will be ripped to a depth of 500 mm, covered with topsoil and vegetated. · Roads will be ripped, reshaped, covered with 150 mm topsoil and vegetated. Access portals to decline shafts will be sealed with a double-layered reinforced brick wall with concrete foundation. A 1Q thick reinforced concrete plug will be used to seal ventilation shafts. All structures and ventilation equipment are to be demolished, with all terracing and foundations to be removed to a minimum of 500 mm below the natural ground level. All excavation will be filled with 400 mm waste rock and the entire rehabilitated area will be covered with 100 mm topsoil. This applies to AGES Gauteng -174- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study the area where the ventilation infrastructure has been removed. Any other disturbed areas will be ripped to a depth of 500 mm, covered with 100 mm topsoil and vegetated. · The waste dumps will remain post-closure, but all dump slopes will be reshaped from 24° to an 18 ° incline angle. Run-off control benches will be constructed on dump slopes at 35 m intervals to prevent storm water damage on the dump slope; · The entire dump slope surface will be covered with a minimum of 100 mm topsoil and vegetated. This will serve as both a rainwater penetration cover and a dust fallout prevention measure. Paddocks will be constructed on the dump top surface to assist with evaporation and ensure the prevention of rainwater overtopping; · Surface water diversions around the WRD footprint will be left in place during and post the mining operations as part of the general operational mining infrastructure; · The TSF will remain post-closure, and if not constructed as such, the TSF walls will be reshaped to a slope incline of 18°. Run-off control benches will be constructed at 25 m intervals to prevent storm water damage on the dump slope; · The entire TSF wall surface will be covered with 100 mm topsoil and vegetated to serve as an evaporative cover and prevent dust-fallout. Paddocks will be constructed on the top surface to assist with evaporation and ensure the prevention of rainwater overtopping; · Surface water diversions around the TSF footprints will be left in place; and any associated equipment will be removed and disposed of. · General surface rehabilitation will involve the reshaping of terraced land to a maximum 18° incline angle and to resemble the natural topography. All disturbed areas not covered specifically in the details of the closure and rehabilitation plan will at least be ripped to a depth of 500 mm, covered with 150 mm topsoil and vegetated. · Fencing which has become redundant will be dismantled and removed for salvage. Where fencing is to be installed for post-closure safety, dismantled fencing will be used first. All concrete fence foundations will be demolished to 500 mm below original ground level. All fence lines are to be ripped to a depth of 500 mm, covered with 150 mm topsoil and vegetated where required. · Water related infrastructure will remain post closure and be transferred to a suitable authority/owner. · It is recommended that a geotechnical study be done to determine the stability of the depression which will inform the rehabilitation of the cone of subsidence. Depending on the geotechnical findings it is proposed that either: o The area be fenced off and handled as an open pit, if considered too unstable to AGES Gauteng -175- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study rehabilitate. The sustainability of a fence is not beyond a decade, therefore o A waste rock berm that would limit access by livestock such as cattle and especially people should be developed around the depression. This is however expected to be costly and needs to be assessed during feasibility phase. For example the waste rock could be dumped closer to the area of depression in order to be available post-closure. o If stability allows standard rehabilitation measures could be implemented such as the area being ripped, levelled, covered with topsoil and vegetated thereafter but it is currently thought to be unlikely that stability would allow for this and further geotechnical investigation is warranted. . 10.3 Financial Provision Estimates of financial provision for closure and rehabilitation, including the calculation for an end of year 1 (‘lights-out’ scenario) as well as provision for concurrent rehabilitation has been developed and will be refined as the project develops. Financial provision should be guaranteed and updated regularly (yearly) to ensure the feasibility of effective rehabilitation of the site concurrently with mining, after closure of the project, the rehabilitation of infrastructure and the post-closure maintenance and monitoring. Please refer to Appendix 3-5 for a copy of the mine closure and rehabilitation plan and estimate of financial provision. Kindly also refer to Appendix 5 which contains indicative costs related to the recommended environmental monitoring AGES Gauteng -176- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 11 CONCLUSION The purpose of this Report and the specialist studies associated therewith is to evaluate the existing socio- economic and biophysical baseline environments of the proposed project site in order to determine the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project on the receiving environment and to identify possible mitigation measures which should form part of project implementation in order to ensure that the identified potential environmental impacts are avoided or minimised to acceptable levels, and that potential positive impacts are enhanced. 11.1 Regulatory summary and way forward There are a number of regulatory requirements pertaining to environmental management to which the proposed development will have to conform. Licenses and permits that have thus far been identified in terms of environmental management legislation that are required in terms of the development of the proposed project are: · Environmental Authorisation (ZEMA) · Mining Right (ZEMA and the MMDA) · Water Use Authorisation (ZEMA and the Water Board and/or WUA) This report is the environmental impact statement compiled in accordance with the abovementioned legislation and international best practice principles. Additional authorisations may be required for project related infrastructure required off-site for the project to continue, such as access road construction, power supply and water supply. Should it come to light that Blackthorn would become the responsible party to construct or upgrade roads in the area (currently planned by the Roads Development Agency) or provide electricity supply infrastructure (currently planned by ZESCO), the need for additional environmental impact assessments and approvals will have to be determined. Two primary water supply options have been identified for the proposed project. Favourable groundwater units were delineated towards the north of the project area and it is plausible that the project may source the required make-up water demand (4 1177m3/d or 48 /s) from here through a network of boreholes and associated pipe network to the project site. Alternatively it was investigated to abstract water from the Kafue river and convey abstracted water to the site via a pipeline. No environmental fatal flaws have been identified in this study, however, a number of factors have been identified which require further investigation, consideration and/or incorporation into the current project design. These are discussed in this report and the specialist reports appended hereto. AGES Gauteng -177- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 11.2 Conclusion This EIS report was prepared by Africa Geo Environmental Services Gauteng (Pty) Ltd (AGES) and is submitted to the Zambian Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and other relevant authorities in Zambia for consideration of the project and the relevant way forward from an environmental impact management perspective. This report is in support of applications for environmental authorization, water use permissions and a mining right for the project on behalf of Blackthorn, and has been prepared in accordance with Zambian law. From an environmental management point of view, the finalization and submission of the EIS report following additional consultation with relevant stakeholders, is the next step in the environmental permitting and licensing aspect of the AGES scope of work. AGES will liaise with ZEMA in this regard should ZEMA so require. No fatal flaws have been identified in terms of environmental management considerations, a number of follow-up and additional studies need to be conducted as part of future project phases have been recommended in this report, and it is therefore recommended that the project progresses from an environmental management point of view. AGES Gauteng -178- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 12 APPENDICES Appendix 1: Consultations with ZEMA Appendix 2: Public Participation Appendix 3: Copies of Specialist Studies Appendix 4: Details of the EIA Team Appendix 5: Costs associated with monitoring and mitigation discussed in Section 9 AGES Gauteng -179- Blackthorn Resources Limited: Kitumba Copper Project Environmental Impact Study 13 REFERENCES Aucamp, S. (2012). Proposed Kitumba Copper Mine: Social Baseline Study. Pretoria: Ptersa Environmental Management Consultants. Aucamp, S.-M. (2013). Proposed Kitumba Copper Mine: Social Impact Assessment. Pretoria: Ptersa Environmental Management Consultants. Central Statistical Office - Republic of Zambia. (February 2011). Zambia 2010 Census of Population and Housing - Preliminary population figures. Lusaka: Republic of Zambia - Central Statistical Office. Central Statistical Office. (2012). 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