Title:

APP-001893: Exploration activities on EPL 7537 for base and rare metals, precious metals in the Omaheke Region

Publication Year:
2020
Abstract:

Exploration activities on EPL 7537 for base and rare metals, precious metals in the Omaheke Region. Kuiseb Copper Company (Pty) Ltd a Namibian registered company, proposes to undertake exploration activities in search of deposits for base and rare metals, and/or precious metals. Should exploration activities lead to the possibility of a new mine or mines, a separate application will be made for specific Mining Licenses, and Environmental norms and obligations will be assessed and implemented. In terms of Section 32 (1) of the Environmental Management Act, No. 7 of 2007, ECC has determined that the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) is the competent authority for the proposed exploration project as it triggers the following listed activity that falls within the jurisdiction and mandate of MME: Forestry activities - The clearance of forest areas, deforestation, aforestation, timber harvesting or any other related activity that requires authorisation in term of the Forest Act, 2001 (Act No. 12 of 2001) or any other law. Limited vegetation clearing may be required for tracks and survey access creation, and possibly for the setup of the survey teams' field camps. Water resource development - The abstraction of ground or surface water for industrial or commercial purposes. Due to the drilling of exploration boreholes, ground and surface water will need to be abstracted, or sourced. Mining and quarrying activities - The construction of facilities for any process or activities which requires a licence, right or other forms of authorisation, and the renewal of a licence, right or other forms of authorisation, in terms of the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining Act), 1992. The proposed project requires a specific Exploration License and Environmental contract for extraction of all metals and industrial minerals. Exploration is an activity inferred to under this Act that requires a license to operate. The project scope and EIA only focus on exploration activities, rather than mining. - Other forms of mining or extraction of any natural resources whether regulated by law or not. All extraction during exploration will be for geochemical and geological sampling purposes only. Scale and scope of activity: Exploration activities shall take place within the boundaries of the EPL. The following activities are likely to take place: - Airborne geophysical surveys (non-invasive, coarse line spacing); - Potential creation of access tracks, where existing tracks cannot be utilised; - Limited vegetation clearing for the creation of tracks, and survey access; and - Ground exploration activities may include soil and rock-chip sampling, geological mapping, geophysical surveys, temporary trenching, drilling and drill-core sampling.

Item Type:
Report
Language:
en
Last date for commenting on this EIA: Monday, 28 December 2020

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