NAMAGROEN EMPR Amendment.pdf - DLIST Benguela

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Addendum to EMPR for Concessions 8(a), 9(a) and 8(b) 47Mitigation measures recommended to ensure that impacts associated with land-basedoperations are minimised include:• avoiding areas where vegetation has recovered after historic disturbance until thestatus of the plant communities has been documented by an appropriate vegetation andrehabilitation specialist;• stockpiling marine gravels only in previously-disturbed areas, and keeping thereclamation area to the minimum required for operations.Given the limitations imposed on nearshore mining operations by the sea conditions, and thearea’s current low level of use, the actual and potential negative effects of the proposedoperations will not be substantial if properly managed, and will be outweighed by the potentialbenefits accruing to society. If the management procedures and guidelines contained in Part Bare implemented and adhered to, the negative effects should be reduced to a level acceptableto all stakeholders and interested parties.4.5 Assessment of Cumulative ImpactsEvaluation and monitoring of the cumulative impacts of mining are important aspects toconsider. Cumulative impacts can be separated into three main categories:• Impacts arising as a consequence of the “knock-on” effects of an activity (e.g. uncontainederosion of roads and tracks used to access mining sites, damage to vegetation, disturbanceof seals, seabirds and terrestrial animals, effects on eco-tourism),• Impacts resulting from multiple effects of the same activity (e.g. repetitive mining of thesame bay), and• Impacts arising due to increases of an activity on a spatial and temporal scale (e.g. increasein number of mining vessels).Most of the incidental or “knock-on” impacts, as well as multiple effects of the same activity inthe concessions under review are covered in this EMPR. Management of these throughmitigation and/or monitoring will be implemented as part of the EMP, and the informationforwarded to DME on a regular basis. Cumulative impacts arising due to increases in dredgingon a spatial and temporal scale are, however, difficult to assess at this stage, and wouldrequire co-ordinated monitoring of biological and physical impacts by all mining companiesoperational along the coast.The BCLME Project on cumulative effects of marine diamond mining operations on the SouthAfrican and Namibian coastlines (Penney et al. 2007) placed mining impacts in context with thenatural disturbances inherent in the Benguela ecosystem. This study suggested that at themining rates currently typical of inshore areas in the scope of the proposed dredging project,there is no cause for concern of enduring cumulative impacts. Nonetheless, if dredging provesto be a feasible approach to diamond production on the 8(a), 9(a) and 8(b) Concessions,Namagroen should consider implementing monitoring programmes to ascertain the magnitudeNamagroen Prospecting & Investments October 2008
Addendum to EMPR for Concessions 8(a), 9(a) and 8(b) 48and duration of dredging impacts on benthic communities, and be in a state of readiness toimplement mitigation measures if any cumulative impacts are detected.4.6 Monitoring RecommendationsConfidence in impact predictions for the proposed dredging project is relatively high.However, baseline and monitoring data should be collected prior to, during and afteroperations, from control and impact sites, to inform the assessment and to improve theaccuracy of predictions for expanded mining operations. Well-structured baseline andmonitoring surveys of key aspects should therefore be implemented and continued duringfuture dredging operations. Recommendations for such studies are detailed below:• Monitoring of suspended sediment concentrations and water quality in the vicinity ofdredging and at the discharge points of the reclamation area is essential in establishingcompliance with the water quality guidelines.• Conduct high resolution geophysical surveys (SSS and seismic profiling) of the dredgetargets prior to dredging, and then ~1 year post-dredging (2-3 years post dredging whentargeting Concession 8(b))to determine the depth, wall steepness and infilling rates ofthe dredged areas.• Develop a carefully designed Before-After/Control-Impact benthic macrofaunalmonitoring programme and implement this programme before operations commence.Surveys using relevant benthic sampling techniques should be conducted prior todredging, and regular monitoring of impacted sites should commence once geophysicalsurveys have determined that sufficient infilling of dredge pits has occurred to enablequantitative grab sampling (~1-2 years after disturbance). In this way recovery ofbenthic communities following dredging can be monitored.• A mammal watch programme should be put in place during dredging and dischargeoperations. The number of large mammals sighted, together with their proximity to thevessel and behaviour patterns should be recorded.• Measure and periodically assess the levels of water and electricity consumption at theproject site and implement extra saving measures where necessary.• Monitor the production of waste and the amount of waste that is recycled. Frequentlyassess the integrity of all waste storage containers.4.7 ConclusionIf all environmental guidelines, appropriate mitigation measures and monitoringrecommendations in line with the Environmental Management Plan are implemented, there isno reason why the project should not proceed.Namagroen Prospecting & Investments October 2008
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NAMAGROEN EMPR Amendment.pdf - DLIST Benguela

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