2 Otjikoto Final EIA Report 5MB - Asecnam.com

SLR Namibia (Pty) Ltd
SLR Ref. 733.01023.0002
Report No.1
Page 2-9
impacts on the affected communities. Community engagement should ensure the “free, prior, and informed
consultation of affected communities, leading to broad community support 2 for the project” 3 .
2.7 EQUATOR PRINCIPLES
The Equator Principles are further international benchmarks and are based on the IFC’s Performance
Standards and on the World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines (EHS
Guidelines). The Equator Principles 4 are a framework and set of guidelines for evaluating social and
environmental risks in project finance activities (table 2-1). They apply to all new projects with a total
capital cost of US$10 million or more, no matter what industry sectors, without geographic requirement, and
not specific to mining.
TABLE 2-1: EQUATOR PRINCIPLES
High level description of Principles Comments in relation to the proposed
project.
Equator Principle 1: Review and Categorisation
All projects are categorised based on the magnitude of
their potential environmental and social risks and impacts.
Category A projects have potential significant adverse
social or environmental impacts that are diverse,
irreversible, or unprecedented. Category B projects have
limited adverse social or environmental impacts, which are
site-specific and largely reversible, while Category C
The proposed project is considered to be
a category A project.
projects have minimal social or environmental impacts.
Equator Principle 2: Social and Environmental Assessment
A social and environmental impact assessment (SEIA) The EIA and EMP reports address most
process, relevant to the nature and scale of the project, of the related issues as set out in Exhibit ii
must be undertaken to address the potential social of Principle 2. Some aspects not covered
environmental risks and impacts of the project, in the EIA and EMP report will be covered
incorporating specialist studies where necessary. The as part of ongoing environmental, health,
assessment is also required to propose relevant mitigation
and management measures.
safety and social management.
Equator Principle 3: Applicable Social and Environmental Standards
For projects located in non-OECD* countries, the While the EIA and EMP cover many of the
assessment will refer to the IFC** Performance Standards applicable aspects of these performance
(1-8) and the applicable industry-specific Environment, standards, some will be covered through
Health and Safety Guidelines. The performance standards the proposed on site management
address Social and Environmental Assessment and
Management Systems, Labour and Working Conditions,
Pollution Prevention and Abatement, Community Health,
Safety and Security, Land Acquisition and Involuntary
Resettlement, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable
Natural Resource Management, Indigenous Peoples and
Cultural Heritage. The relevant EHS Guidelines include:
General EHS Guidelines (environment, occupational
systems and procedures.
2 Broad community support is a collection of expressions by the affected communities, through individuals
or their recognised representatives, in support of the project. There may be broad support even if some
individuals or groups object to the project.
3 IFC Policy on Social and Environmental Sustainability (paragraph 20).
4 www.equator-principles.com
Otjikoto Gold Mine EIA Report June 2012