NAMAGROEN EMPR Amendment.pdf - DLIST Benguela

Addendum to EMPR for Concessions 8(a), 9(a) and 8(b) 46• Effects of an accidental oil spill on the marine environment, especially seabirds,through grounding or sinking of the dredger (Unknown, as it depends on the vesselcapabilities).Since the loss of organisms in the mining area due to the removal of sediments is anunavoidable impact of mining operations, there can be no mitigation.Proposed mitigation measures that will bring the other aspects to acceptable levels are:• To allow impacted communities to recover to functional similarity, mining target areasshould preferably be mined to completion, and then not be re-visited for at least fiveyears. Efficient, high intensity mining methods are thus preferable to repeated, smallerscale operations, provided that the larger scale operations do not cause unacceptableimpact on adjacent sensitive rocky-outcrop areas.• Determine and clarify the capabilities of dredgers to operate in inshore waters on theSouthern African west coast, and what measures are in place to prevent these fromwrecking in adverse weather and sea conditions. Ensure that oil spill contingency plansand adequate insurances are in place. Reduce the probabilities of accidental and/oroperational spills through enforcement of stringent onboard oil spill managementsystems, which should incorporate plans for emergencies.Aspects assessed with medium significance are:• Habitat alteration due to excavation of sediments when dredging in deeper water in the(b)-concession (Definite).• Smothering of vulnerable deep water reef habitats and associated biota adjacent to themining targets by depositing overspill (Highly Probable).• Effects on archaeology – wrecks and buried terrestrial artefacts (Unknown butImprobable).• Impacts on the terrestrial environment from stockpiling of marine gravels (Highlyprobable).Since the removal of sediments is an unavoidable impact of mining operations, there can be nomitigation.Because the archaeological value of the area is largely unknown, the precautionary principleshould be applied. The mitigation measures proposed for shipwreck material or otherarchaeological artefacts encountered in the course of mining or land-based processingoperations are:• Immediately inform the Project Manager who will inform the South African HeritageResources Agency (SAHRA).• Retain artefacts recovered and where possible take photographs of them. Note thedate, time, location and types of artefacts found in the Operator’s logbook.• Contract a marine archaeologist to survey the site (if feasible).• Avoid mining within 500 m from the centre of the site until the area has been surveyedand clearance to continue activities has been obtained from the National MonumentsCouncil.Namagroen Prospecting & Investments October 2008