Environmental impact assessment project brief for dolerite mining / quarrying at Thaba- Phechela, Tsakholo , Mafeteng

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Mining and quarrying of natural resources, such as, clay diamonds dolerite and river sand, dominate Lesothos mining industry, and their extraction is exclusively by opencast mining. The mineral recovery and subsequent production of finished products entail mainly physical processes. Therefore, environmental impacts of mining are predominantly physical in nature. These includes enhanced soil erosion from removal of top soil to expose the required material underneath, mining effluent ,dust ,permanent change of topography and landscape (resulting in visual impact) and disturbance of aquatic life through water pollution. Air pollution from the mining and crushing dust is more prevalent during the windy periods, which is August. Erosion from abandoned opencast mines and mining effluent contribute to an increased suspended matter in water streams.

Quarrying often involves the use of explosives to break the rock, therefore processing it to the required final product. The blasting operation may at times cause seismic vibrations, dust, and noise. The crushing process will result in emission of dust. Trucks and earthmoving machinery driving along the gravel roads will cause noise, dust and emits exhaust fumes. Water will be sprayed on the gravel roads and parts of the crusher plant will either be fitted with mist sprayers to suppress dust or enclosed in a corrugated iron sheet housing. Exhaust fumes emissions will be minimized by ensuring that all earthmoving machinery trucks inclusive, are maintained in good running conditions through regular servicing and adopting preventive maintenance.

Erosion of stripped topsoil also represents a serious environmental impact .Compacting the stripped overburden and/or revegetating it will reduce loss of soil due to erosive forces. The impact associated with overburden soils will be minimal, as the project site has poor soil coverage.

Based on the findings of this study, the proposed mitigation measures will certainly reduce predicted impacts to acceptable levels, and the social impacts associated with the project will be insignificant and outweighed by the benefits to be derived from the project establishment. Potential benefits to be obtained by the local community include employment of, electricity supply, provision of potable water, road maintenance, provision of other temporary jobs etc. The economic spin-offs of the mine will be in the form of taxes paid to the government of Lesotho. Economic upliftment of the local community will also result in creation of other business opportunities.

Table of Contents

2EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

7CHARPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

71.1Introduction

71.2Report Structure

81.3Purpose, nature and the objective of the project

91.4Scope of work and terms of reference of the consultant

101.5 Supporting Reports

101.6Approach to the study and methodology

101.7Limitations and assumption

111.7.1General background

111.7.2Thaba-Phechela Dolerite Quarry

111.7.3Choice of Tsakholo Thaba-Phechela mountain

111.7.4Zero option

121.9 Planning policy, legal and administrative requirements

121.9.1Planning requirements

131.9.2 Legal and administrative requirements

151.9.3 International environmental agreements

151.10Permits, Plans and Notifications required for the mining operation

151.10.1Mining Right

151.10.2Environmental permit/license

151.10.3Water abstraction permit

161.10.4Permit to store explosives

161.10.5Notifications

161.11Environmental standards and technical regulations

161.11.1Water quality standards / regulations

161.11.2Emission standards

18CHAPTER TWO: LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT AREA

182.1 Basic information

182.1.1 Project Proponent

182.1.2 Project location

192.1.3 History of the project site

192.2 Description of the project area

192.2.1 Cultural, conservation, protected and historical sites

192.2.2 Fauna

202.2.3 Flora

202.2.4 Forecasts and agricultural land

212.2.5 Hydrology ground and surface water system

252.2.6 Land use- Current

272.2.7 Local geology

282.2.9 Socio-economic environment and settlement areas.

292.2.10 Soil cover

292.2.11

302.2.12 Topography and landscape

302.2.13 Wind pattern

312.3 Major elements of the surrounding environment

312.3.1 Components of the environment susceptible to the pollution from the mine

322.3.2 existing surrounding pollution sources

33CHAPTER THREE PROJECT ACTIVITIES

333.1 Description of the project

333.1.1 Equipment and infrastructure

333.1.2 Concrete aggregate quarrying process

383.1.3 Production inputs.

393.1.4 Labour requirements

423.1.5 Ablution facilities

423.1.6 General Waste

423.1.7 Projected output capacity and lifespan

423.1.8 Working hours and days

433.1.9 Project phase-out

433.2 Ancillary project facilities

433.2.1 Internal network

433.2.3 Information and communication facilities

433.2.4 Sewage works and handling facilities

433.2.5 Accommodation

433.2.6 Administration office

443.2.7 Ablution facilities

443.3 Wastewater treatment system

443.3.1 Septic tank

443.3.2 Drainfield

453.3.3 Location of the septic tank

453.3.4 Septic system management

463.4 Mining effluent management

463.4.1 Settlement ponds

473.4.2 Silt management

473.5 Project cost estimate

48CHARPTER FOUR: ELECTRICAL SUPPLY

484.1 General Background

494.2 Analysis of alternative routes for the power line

494.2.1 Alternative route

504.2.2 Recommended route

504.3 Description of the environment of the proposed route

504.3.1 Temperature rainfall and wind pattern

504.3.2 Landscape and topography

504.3.3 Vegetation

514.3.4 Socio-economic environment

514.4 Environmental issues/impacts

514.4.1 Impacts on biophysical environment

534.4.2 Socio-economic impacts

54CHAPTER FIVE: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

545.1 Key environmental issues and impacts identified

545.1.1 Pre-construction phase

545.1.2 Construction Phase

555.1.3 Operation phase

58B. Socio-Economic impacts

59C. Positive impacts

SUBMITTED TO

National Environmental Secretariat Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment

SUBMITTED BY

March 22 Mining and Civil Engineering (Pty) Ltd

SEPTEMBER 2014

Prepared by

Relebohile Khatibe

P.O. Box 1393

Maseru 100

Cell: +26658540973/ +26662747316

Email: HYPERLINK "mailto:khathiber.khathibe@gmail.com/" khathiber.khathibe@gmail.com/ HYPERLINK "mailto:khathiber@yahoo.com/" khathiber@yahoo.com/

Environmental impact assessment project brief for dolerite mining / quarrying at Thaba- Phechela, Tsakholo , Mafeteng

PREPARED IN FULFILMENT OF Environmental Act of 2001, Sections 27(1), 28(1), and 2

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