MARTINS DRIFT KIMBERLITE EIA

EIA for DiamonEx Botswana Limited Martin’s Drift Diamond Project., Central District, Botswana

Wellfield Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd., P. O. Box 1502, Gaborone.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Objectives.................................................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Diamonds in Botswana ............................................................................................................. 1

1.3 The Martin’s Drift Diamond Mine............................................................................................ 2

1.4 DiamonEx Botswana Ltd. ......................................................................................................... 2

1.5 Existing Facilities ..................................................................................................................... 2

1.6 Approach of the EIA Study........................................................................................................ 3 1.6.1 Report Structure ............................................................................................................. 3

1.7 Applicable Legislation .............................................................................................................. 3

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................. 8

2.1 Location .................................................................................................................................... 8

2.2 Mine Development .................................................................................................................. 11 2.2.1 The Process .................................................................................................................. 11 2.2.2 Equipment, Facilities and Materials ............................................................................. 13 2.2.3 Transportation corridors ............................................................................................... 16 2.2.4 Resource Requirements................................................................................................ 17 2.2.5 Manpower, Housing and Accommodation...................................................................17 2.2.6 Health and Safety ......................................................................................................... 18 2.2.7 Transport to and from the Mine.................................................................................... 18

3 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................................ 19

3.1 Geology................................................................................................................................... 19 3.1.1 The Archean Basement Complex................................................................................. 19 3.1.2 The Middle Precambrian Palapye Group ..................................................................... 21 3.1.3 Quaternary Deposits ..................................................................................................... 22 3.1.4 Geological Structures ................................................................................................... 22 3.1.5 Geology Local to the Martin’s Drift Mining Lease......................................................22 3.1.6 Hydrogeology............................................................................................................... 24

3.2 Climate.................................................................................................................................... 24

3.3 Topography............................................................................................................................. 31

3.4 Soil .......................................................................................................................................... 31

3.5 Pre-development Land Capability ......................................................................................... 33 3.5.1 Soil Erosion .................................................................................................................. 33



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3.6 Land Use within 2km Radius of the Mining Area ................................................................... 34

3.7 Ecology ................................................................................................................................... 35 3.7.1 Veld products ............................................................................................................... 37 3.7.2 Medicinal plants ........................................................................................................... 37 3.7.3 Fire ............................................................................................................................... 38

3.8 Fauna...................................................................................................................................... 38 3.8.1 Mammals...................................................................................................................... 38 3.8.2 Avifauna....................................................................................................................... 39 3.8.3 Reptiles and Amphibians.............................................................................................. 39 3.8.4 Insects........................................................................................................................... 40

3.9 Old and Current Prospecting in the Lease Area..................................................................... 40

3.10 Surface Water.......................................................................................................................... 41

3.11 Hydrogeological Regime......................................................................................................... 41 3.11.1 Aquifer Characteristics................................................................................................. 41 3.11.2 Groundwater Quality.................................................................................................... 43 3.11.3 Current Groundwater Abstraction. ............................................................................... 44 3.11.4 Current Supply/Demand and Monitoring..................................................................... 45

3.12 Air quality ............................................................................................................................... 48

3.13 Noise and Vibration ................................................................................................................ 48

3.14 Archaeological and Cultural Aspects ..................................................................................... 48 3.14.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 48 3.14.2 Previous Research ........................................................................................................ 49 3.14.3 Previous Development ................................................................................................. 49

3.15 Sensitive Landscapes and Protected Areas............................................................................. 49

3.16 Visual Aspects ......................................................................................................................... 49

3.17 Regional and Socio-Economic Structure ................................................................................ 49

3.18 Communication links............................................................................................................... 50

3.19 Public Services........................................................................................................................ 50

3.20 SWOT Analysis........................................................................................................................ 50

3.21 Employment Pattern................................................................................................................ 51

3.22 Sources of Income................................................................................................................... 51

3.23 Potential for Economic Diversification................................................................................... 52

4 SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT................................................................................................ 54

4.1 Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 54

4.2 Knowledge of the Proposed Project........................................................................................ 56



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4.3 Impacts of the Project as perceived by the Affected Community ............................................ 56

5 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS .................... ....................................................... 59

5.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 59

5.2 Construction Impacts .............................................................................................................. 60 5.2.1 Biophysical Impacts ..................................................................................................... 64 5.2.2 Socio-economic Impacts .............................................................................................. 74 5.2.3 Archaeology and Cultural Aspects............................................................................... 76

5.3 Operation Impacts................................................................................................................... 80 5.3.1 Biophysical Impacts ..................................................................................................... 80 5.3.2 Socio-economic Impacts .............................................................................................. 90

5.4 Closure Impacts .................................................................................................................... 105 5.4.1 Biophysical Impacts ................................................................................................... 105 5.4.2 Socio-economic Impacts ............................................................................................ 108

6 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...................... .................................................... 110

6.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 110 6.1.1 Environmental Management Plan Objectives ............................................................ 110 6.1.2 Environmental Management Plan Format ..................................................................110

6.2 Operational Impacts ............................................................................................................. 111 6.2.1 Biophysical Impacts ................................................................................................... 111 6.2.2 Socio-economic Impacts ............................................................................................ 123 6.2.3 Archaeology and Cultural Aspects............................................................................. 128

6.3 Mine Closure Management Plan .......................................................................................... 129 6.3.1 Closure Recommendations......................................................................................... 129

6.4 Summary ............................................................................................................................... 135

7 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING........................... .............................................................. 138

7.1 Monitoring ............................................................................................................................ 138

7.2 Summary of monitoring requirements................................................................................... 138 7.2.1 Slimes and Tailings Dams.......................................................................................... 139 7.2.2 Boreholes.................................................................................................................... 139

7.3 Monitoring Responsibilities .................................................................................................. 139

7.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 139

8 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................... 141

9 REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY..................................................................................... 146



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LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1.1 Applicability of Various Acts to the Martin’s Drift Diamond Project Construction

and Operation ........................................................................................................ 6 TABLE 2.1 Location of the Target Kimberlites ..................................................................... 11 TABLE 2.2 Materials to be Stored at Site .............................................................................. 14 TABLE 2.3 Proposed Manpower Structure for the Mine. ...................................................... 17 TABLE 3.1 Summary of Stratigraphic Units.......................................................................... 19 TABLE 3.2 Major Soil Types in the Project Area..................................................................31 TABLE 3.3 An Assessment of Erosion Risk .......................................................................... 34 TABLE 3.4 Average Woody Biomass for Different Vegetation Types ................................. 37 TABLE 3.5 Scree Aquifer Borehole Yields............................................................................ 42 TABLE 3.6 Basement Complex Aquifer Properties............................................................... 43 TABLE 3.7 Summary Details of Boreholes in the Mining Area ............................................ 43 TABLE 3.8 Distribution of Water Points Identified during the Reconnaissance Survey....... 44 TABLE 3.9 Recommended Yields from WCS, 1999 (Remarks from Reconnaissance Survey,

April 2005) .......................................................................................................... 46 TABLE 3.10 Production Borehole Information in Lerala Wellfield........................................ 47 TABLE 3.11 Production Borehole Information in Seolwane ................................................... 48 TABLE 3.12 SWOT Analysis................................................................................................... 51 TABLE 3.13 Livestock Numbers.............................................................................................. 52 TABLE 5.1 Water Demand for Lerala, Majwaneng and Seolowane Villages ....................... 82 TABLE 5.2 Revised Water Demand Projections for Adjacent Villages................................. 83 TABLE 5.3 Revised Demand Projections for the Mining Lease and Adjacent Villages........ 83 TABLE 5.4 Approximate Distances from Mine Sites to Nearest Cattleposts and

Waterpoints. ........................................................................................................ 98 TABLE 6.1 EMP Format ...................................................................................................... 111 TABLE 6.2 Summary of EMP Components......................................................................... 136 TABLE 6.3 Summary of the Key Impacts and their Overall Significance after Mitigation

........................................................................................................................... 137 TABLE 7.1 Summary of Monitoring Programme Responsibilities...................................... 140 TABLE 8.1 Environmental Impact Matrix ...........................................................................142 TABLE 8.2 Identification and Ranking of External Aspects associated with the Project .... 143 TABLE 8.3 Summary Assessment of Project Impacts after Mitigation. .............................. 144



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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1 Location of Martin’s Drift Diamond Project in Botswana........................................ 8 Figure 2.2 Principle Landmarks showing the areas of operations. ............................................ 9 Figure 2.3 Plan view of the five project Kimberlites............................................................... 10 Figure 2.4 Schematic Diagram of the Mining Process ........................................................... 12 Figure 2.5 Chemical Structure of Flocculant ........................................................................... 16 Figure 3.2 Vertical Section of the Kimberlite pipe, K002 ....................................................... 23 Figure 3.3 Rainfall Distribution Map (after Bhalotra, 1987) ................................................... 25 Figure 3.4 Mahalapye Met Station Annual Rainfall Totals 1995-2003................................... 26 Figure 3.5 Malahapye Met Station Mean Monthly Rainfall 1995-2003.................................. 26 Figure 3.6 Rainfall from Surrounding Minor Met Stations ..................................................... 27 Figure 3.7 Mahalapye Met station – Temperature Mean of Monthly Highest, Lowest and

Mean Maxima 1991-2000 ...................................................................................... 27 Figure 3.8 Mahalapye Met Station – Temperature Mean of Monthly Highest, Lowest and

Mean Minima 1991 - 2001 ..................................................................................... 28 Figure 3.9 Wind data, Mahalapye Met Station, Averaged over 30 years ................................ 29 Figure 3.10 Mean Monthly Wind Speeds and Direction – Mahalapye Met. Station ................. 29 Figure 3.11 Evaporation (mm) Mean of Most Recent Available Data...................................... 30 Figure 3.12 Mahalapye Met Station – Wind and Evaporation Conditions (30 yrs data) .......... 30 Figure 3.15 Number of Livestock within the Affected Cattleposts .......................................... 52 Figure 5.1 Number of fatal and non-fatal blasting accidents in metal and non-metal ..surface

mining (from Kecojevic and Radomsky, 2005; p740). .......................................... 92 Figure 5.2 Blasting accident causes in coal surface mining (1978–2001). From .... Kecojevic

and Radomsky, 2005; p741)................................................................................... 93 Figure 5.3 3-D representation of Blasting Pattern ................................................................... 95 Figure 5.4 Typical Blasting Hole in Surface Mining...............................................................96 Figure 5.5 Relative Positions of Cattleposts, Boreholes, and Kimberlites ............................ 100 (CP# - Cattlepost; Bh - Borehole;K#-Kimberlite)................................................ 100



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LIST OF PLATES

Plate 2.1 Processing plant during the trial mining stage from top of

tailings dump. 13

Plate 2.2 Typical access road in project area 16

Plate 3.1 Kimberlite as seen in outcrop 23

Plate 4.1 Public Consultation. Stakeholders being addressed by a

representative from DiamonEx at Lerala Kgotla 55

Plate 4.2 Attendance at the Lerala Kgotla meeting 55

Plate 5.1 View of the plant site and slimes dam from the tailings dump.

61

Plate 5.2 At Site K002, the most southerly kimberlite 61

Plate 5.3 At Site K003 clearly showing the bulk sample pit. 62

Plate 5.4 At Site K004 62

Plate 5.5 At Site K005. 63

Plate 5.6 At Site K006 63

Plate 5.7 Gully erosion on the tailings at main site 65

Plate 5.8 Rill and gully erosion from spoil at K003 65

Plate 5.9 Cleared cutline within the lease area 69

Plate 5.10 Spoil heap at K003 as seen from ground level 71

Plate 5.11 Artefacts from K003 77

Plate 5.12 Kimberlite K006 where artefacts were found that may have come from 2 metres depth

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Plate 5.13 Artefacts from K006 79

Plate 5.14 Flyrock generation in blasting process 94

APPENDICES

Appendix I - Prospecting Licences Appendix II - Datalists. Flora Appendix III - Datalists, Fauna Appendix IV - Stakeholders Meetings, Participants, etc. Appendix V - ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems – Subset General Guidelines of Supporting Techniques



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Project Team

Project Manager/Environmentalist Perkins, Dr. J. Project Coordination Harrison, M. Socio-Economist Dithapo, B. Geologist/Hydrogeologist Farr, J. Archaeologist Walker, Dr. N. GIS Specialist Khondowe, C.



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Abbreviations used in the Report

°C degrees Celsius AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ADT Articulated Dump Trucks Approx approximately CDC Central District Council CKGR Central Kalahari Game Reserve CSO Central Statistics Office DAHP Department of Animal Health and Production dB decibel DEA Department of Environmental Affairs DGS Department of Geological Survey E East EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Management Plan EMS Environmental Management System EMV Earth Moving Vehicles ESE east south east ha/LSU hectares per livestock unit HDPE High Density Polyethylene HIV Human Immuno-deficiency Virus Hr hour IAPs Interested and Affected Parties ISO International Standards Organisation IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature kg/ha kilograms per hectare km2 square kilometres

LSA late stone age LSU livestock unit m metres m3 cubic metres m3/day cubic metres per day m3/hr cubic meters per hour Ma million years ago mbgl metres below ground level Met. meteorological mg/l milligrams per litre mm millimetre MSA middle stone age MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet MW Megawatts NAAMPAD National Master Plan for Arable Agriculture and Dairy Development NCSA National Conservation Strategy Agency NDP National Development Plan ppm parts per million psi/ft pounds per square inch, per foot STDs sexually transmitted diseases TDS total dissolved solids TGLP Tribal Grazing Land Policy VDC Village Development Committee WCS Wellfield Consulting Services WNW west-north-west



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Executive Summary

DiamonEx Botswana (Pty) Ltd proposes to re-open the old Tswapong Diamond mine and re-commence mining and processing activities at the site, and in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Act of 2005 has commissioned an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed development. Trial mining operations were previously undertaken by De Beers at Tswapong, approximately 20km north-east of Lerala in the Central District of Botswana, from September 1997 until October 2000, with all mining operations ceasing in December 2000. During this period five kimberlite pipes were sampled and a treatment plant, tailings dump and slimes dam established. Under the proposed DiamonEx project, the pits are to be re-opened and a new processing plant, slimes dump, tailings dam and return water dam brought into commission, directly upon, or in close proximity to the areas previously utilised for this purpose. The potential impacts associated with the provision of this mine infrastructure, as well as the operation and closure of the mine itself after its predicted life of ten years, is discussed in this report. The associated wellfield and water supply pipeline to the proposed mine will be subject to a separate EIA. In accordance with DiamonEx requirements the proposed development is referred to throughout this EIA report as the Martin’s Drift Diamond Project (MDDP). The diamond industry is well established in Botswana and the implementation of the Martin’s Drift Diamond Project can be seen as a welcome development for the people of Lerala and surrounding areas, who are suffering from chronic un/under-employment and a general lack of income-earning opportunities. It is estimated that the MDDP will have a workforce of 233 direct employees and 60 contracted employees when in full production, with the construction phase providing temporary work for some 60 persons. The MDDP will provide a major boost to local employment and business opportunities in the area, and will be a major positive socio-economic development for the region. An essential prerequisite for the latter will be good corporate governance and an awareness of, and some social responsibility for, the broader context in which the proposed mine development takes place on the part of DiamonEx. The land around the mine lease area is generally used for cattle and small stock rearing, with no other form of land use emerging as a direct or indirect result of the former De Beers trial mining project. The average annual rainfall for the region is 400mm and, as for the rest of the country, drought is endemic and evapotranspiration very high and far in excess of rainfall. The soils are generally infertile and shallow arenosols, with patches of clayey or black cotton soil, occur along the gently sloping ground between the Tswapong Hills and the mine lease area that forms part of the Lotsane River catchment. A mixed Colophospermum mopane and Acacia Tree savanna dominates the project area, with common wildlife species confined to the occasional duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), impala (Aepyceros melampus) and scrub hare (Lepus saxatillis). The present existence of five open pits and the‘re-opening’ status of the Martin’s Drift Diamond Project means that many of the key biophysical impacts, such as vegetation and overburden removal, have already occurred. Consequently, one of the main recommendations from this report is that the current ‘ecological footprint’ of the mine should not be unduly extended. Even though the planned full operation of the mine by DiamonEx is clearly different to the trial mining activities undertaken by De Beers, it is not unrealistic to assume that the impacts of the planned future operations will resemble those of the past.



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A critical issue, the supply of water for the mine operations could not be addressed within this EIA as the groundwater investigations were still ongoing at the time of preparation. Nonetheless, the key hydrogeological issues are commented upon within this report together with the recommendation that the proposed wellfield and associated pipeline to the mine be subject to a full and independent EIA. The potential environmental impacts associated with the MDDP in this EIA report are detailed according to the ISO 14001/ISO 14004 guidelines for the three main phases of mine construction, operation and closure. For significant environmental aspects and their related impacts an environmental management plan (EMP) is detailed together with a monitoring programme to ensure the key potential impacts, foreseen or otherwise, are detected. In this regard critical aspects of the EMP concerning hydrogeology, noise, dust, waste management, road safety, emergency procedures, health and safety and HIV/AIDS, with management strategies and control measures for protecting the environment and minimizing adverse impacts, provided in each case. The MDDP must ensure that the regional groundwater supplies will not be adversely affected by the mining activity. Consequently, as far as is possible the process water will be recovered and recycled, including that from any pit dewatering activities. A monitoring programme that quantifies water abstraction, drawdown and water quality will be initiated from the outset and throughout the life of the project. As in the case of the previous Tswapong project the tailings and slime dams will not be lined as the FeSi and flocculants used in the diamond recovery process are environmentally inert and bear no toxicity. However, daily inspection of the these facilities and the return water dam is recommended, with monitoring linked to the detection of any substantial leakages and other such potential impacts as the attraction of wild fowl and game to the open water bodies. The latter is only likely to be problematic in the unlikely case of elephants being drawn into the area, for example during a drought, in which case the services of the Problem Animal Control Unit within the regional DWNP office will have to be drawn upon. Significant noise levels arising from the mining activities, such as crushing, blasting and on-site power supply from five 500KVA generators, will be managed through the use of mufflers, containers and natural vegetation to baffle the noise. The environmental impacts surrounding the use of generators is felt to be far less than those related to overhead powerline provision, which could have been particularly damaging to aesthetics and the region’s raptor populations. The mine site itself is remote from the village of Lerala, with blasting only taking place during working hours. Haulage, crushing and conveying of ore will result in dust pollution that will be managed by wetting of the main haulage routes and by keeping the ore wet prior to crushing. The issue of flyrock and blast area security is considered to be one of the most critical health and safety concerns during the operation of the mine. The monitoring of potential damage to structures of local people due to blast induced vibration will be undertaken for those dwellings within 500m of the blast area, via a photographic record of any structural damage, that will form the basis of repairs that will be undertaken by DiamonEx. It is recommended that two cattlepost dwellings that lie within 500m of K004 are compensated or relocated. Owing to a high presence of domestic stock throughout the area and no boreholes occurring within 500m of the open pits, the relocation of cattlepost boreholes is not recommended. All persons and livestock within 500m of the blast will be evacuated from the blast area, with personnel placed at the entrance to all access roads to prevent traffic access. As in the case of the Tswapong Trial Mine it is recommended that the mine carries only a small stock of boosters and detonators, with emulsion delivered on demand and immediately used up for each blast and therefore not stored on site.



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Five disparate open pits all feeding a central processing area, surrounded by extensive livestock grazing and subsistence activities such as fuelwood and veld product collection, raises the issue of road safety and the need for the proposed mine to enforce strict speed and safety guidelines during its operation. In this respect extensive community consultations and strategic signposting warning of the hazards of flyrock and mine related traffic are essential mitigation measures. Within the potential health and safety concerns surrounding the re-opening of the Martin’s Drift Diamond Project, concerns over the spread of HIV/AIDS figure prominently and it is essential that the positive effects of income generation and employment opportunities that come with the mine do not contribute to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Consequently, a number of mitigation measures are recommended together with the need for a strong corporate responsibility on the part of DiamonEx over this issue. The housing of staff in Lerala and the transport of mine workers to and from the mine are causes for concern and it is recommended that the mine management team keeps in regular contact (i.e. monthly) with the relevant District Authorities (Kgosi of Lerala, Councillors, VDC, other District officials) in order to identify and effectively mitigate any other negative impacts that may arise, directly or indirectly, from these two aspects of the mine’s operation. Significantly all the required infrastructure can be superimposed on the environment with minimal impact provided what are regarded as fairly standard procedures are followed by the various contractors. The only exception concerns the tailings dump and slimes dams that can be covered with topsoil on closure, although its land capability will be adversely affected by mineral contamination of the subsoil. It is recommended that the closure plan include the removal of all infrastructure so enabling the complete rehabilitation of all remaining land surfaces. If alternate uses are ever identified for some of the infrastructure then the closure objectives could be modified at a later stage. The conclusions made in this EIA are made with some confidence in light of the earlier operation of the trial diamond mine at Tswapong by De Beers, which has provided an insight into the nature and extent of the impacts, albeit for a scaled down operation. Therefore, provided an independent EIA is undertaken for the water supply wellfield and water pipeline to the mine, and operational concerns and mitigation measures surrounding flyrock and blasting area security measures outlined in this report are fully implemented by DiamonEx, the MDDP should be a positive development for Lerala and the surrounding area specifically, and for the country in general.



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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Objectives

DiamonEx Botswana Ltd. intends to re-open the diamond mine formerly operated by De Beers in eastern Central District. Within the terms of the Prospecting Licence, (Mines and Minerals Act 1999) it is the responsibility of the holder “to conduct his operations in such a manner as to preserve in as far as is possible the natural environment, minimise and control waste or undue loss or damage to natural and biological resources, to prevent and where unavoidable, promptly treat pollution and contamination of the environment and shall take no steps which may unnecessarily or unreasonably restrict or limit further development of the natural resources of the concession area or adjacent areas”. It further states that:- “the applicant for a mining licence…..shall prepare and submit a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment as part of the Project Feasibility Study Report”. The proposed installation, being subject to the requirements of a Mining Licence therefore necessitates this EIA to be carried out. The new Environmental Assessment Act (2005), formalizes the protocols and provides a framework within which the EIA will be carried out. An important part of this development is therefore the undertaking of a comprehensive EIA which identifies positive and negative impacts, which result from the implementation of this project, together with the recommended mitigation measures.

DiamonEx Botswana Ltd. has commissioned Wellfield Consulting Services (WCS) to conduct the EIA. The primary objectives of the EIA are:-

• To identify and evaluate the environmental effects which will be caused by the proposed developments

• To identify and describe procedures and activities that will mitigate adverse impacts and enhance beneficial effects.

1.2 Diamonds in Botswana

The importance of diamond mining to Botswana is manifest by its facilitation of the country’s rapid development into the democratic well administered, stable country that it has become. The experience of neighbouring South Africa’s longstanding leadership in the industry has been imparted to Botswana, and the significance of diamond mining to Botswana cannot be overstated. Many companies over the last few decades have prospected for and evaluated the kimberlite pipes or diatremes in which the diamonds are found. Not all kimberlites are economically viable to exploit, and these are manifest by the spectrum from Botswana’s AK1 pipe at Orapa, the world’s second largest at 110.6ha, to the massive 200ha M1 pipe in the Tsabong field – which is non diamondiferous. Similarly, the grade or “richness” of a deposit may be economically viable to one company, and not to another. Historically, diamonds have played a pivotal role in Botswana’s development. Having been prospected for since the mid 1950’s, they were only



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discovered in 1967, when the presence of the Orapa field was proven. Since diamond mining began in 1971, Botswana has shown uninterrupted growth with soaring per capita income in most years. The Orapa, Jwaneng and Letlhakane diamond fields have established Botswana as one of the most prominent diamond producers in the world. Current production stands at approximately 30,000 carats per month and is set to plateau from the beginning of the new millennium, with no new large sources likely to be revealed. However, Debswana’s success has attracted the interest of junior diamond companies, and applications for precious stones prospecting licences have shown a meteoric rise in volume in recent years.

1.3 The Martin’s Drift Diamond Mine

The diamonds in the project area occur in 5 kimberlite pipes, described by DiamonEx as K002 to K006. K001 was identified, but found to be non diamondiferous. They are small in area, ranging from 0.16 ha to 2.34 ha., and cover a maximum distance from one to the other of 6.8km. Prospecting licences covering the kimberlite field located approximately 20km north-east of Lerala are held by DiamonEx Botswana Ltd. (86 and 87/2002, 39 and 40/2003, see Appendix 1) The area had previously been held by De Beers under Prospecting Licences 30 to 35/88. Having followed the due procedures, De Beers applied for and were awarded a mining licence, M.L. 97/1, and the Tswapong Mining Company (Pty) Ltd was formed. Trial mining commenced, but the company found the deposit to be sub economic and closed the mine down and rehabilitated the area prior to abandonment. It was in this marginal commercial feasibility climate that DiamonEx applied for and were awarded the licences covering the area. Their assessment of the grade of the deposit was 0.3 carats per tonne, and with this knowledge have commenced the feasibility study for the mine, of which this EIA forms a part.

1.4 DiamonEx Botswana Ltd.

The Company was founded in 2000 and the focus of its exploration effort is in Botswana. It is listed on the Australian and Botswana stock markets. Their stated intention is to reopen the diamond mines in an environmentally sensitive manner, and by doing so to uplift the quality of life for the local community. Their exploration initiatives are also to expand to surrounding areas.

1.5 Existing Facilities

The main Lerala to Maunatlala road is tarred and passes within 12 km of the Kimberlite outcrop closest to Lerala, K002. The area is generally one of cattleposts which contain the typical structures of kraals, borehole and water troughs, together with rondavels. K004 lies approximately 6 km north west of the boundary between tribal territory and the freehold ranches of the Tuli Block, in particular Stevensford 5-MQ. After the relinquishment of the area by De Beers, the areas around each kimberlite were rehabilitated, and the excavations graded according to the Company’s closure plan. They were thus rendered safe. DiamonEx’s re-excavation of the sites has not extended the original footprint of the areas, and the intention is to use the same plant site as De Beers. At the time of the EIA field visits all trace of De Beers exploration efforts had been removed, apart from the crusher foundations, the dried slimes dam and the tailings dump. Should the feasibility study show positive results,



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the Company intends to use the same area for the same purpose of processing the quarried kimberlite, and reprocessing of the tailings dump. No new areas are to be cleared.

1.6 Approach of the EIA Study.

The EIA study has been based on: (a) consulting existing reports (b) impact identification (c) site visits and (d) extensive consultation with stakeholders and other Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs).

1.6.1 Report Structure This report is composed of eight chapters:- Chapter 1 – provides a general overview of the project and introduction to the study. Chapter 2 – is a description of the diamond project. Chapter 3 – describes the existing physical and socio-economic environment of the project area. Chapter 4 – provides details of the community consultation undertaken for the study and explicitly details the concerns of the Interested and Affected Parties. These concerns over the impact of the project are then addressed further in Chapter 5. Chapter 5 – details the potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures for the three main phases of the project, construction (establishment), operation and closure, according to ISO 14001/14004 guidelines. Flyrock and blasting area security are dealt with in some detail as they constitute some of the primary impacts of the operational phase of the project. Chapter 6 – provides an Environmental Management Plan for the project. It provides an easy to use summary of the construction, operation and closure impacts resulting from the project, together with the associated recommendations and mitigation measures. The intention is that it could be provided as a separate document to contractors working on the project during its various stages, so as to help ensure that they minimise the impacts and implement the required mitigation measures.

Chapter 7 – provides details of the environmental monitoring that should accompany the project. Chapter 8 – details the main conclusions and recommendations that emanate from the study by way of a series of tables that follow ISO 14001/14004 assessment guidelines and provide a concise summary of the main impacts and recommendations. The references and appendices follow with the intention being to provide the reader with as comprehensive set of information as possible. This includes details of the ISO14001/14004 guidelines used in this EIA.

1.7 Applicable Legislation

Government legislation and policies that may apply to the proposed development must be considered and complied with prior to commencement of the project. In this respect, this study has been undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the



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EIA legislation overseen by the DEA. Apart from the Environmental Impact Assessment Act of 2005 the other relevant legislation and policies which may apply to the project are detailed below, with the relevant sections of each Act detailed in Table 1.1. The following outlines these instruments and their applicability to this Project, namely; Botswana’s Policy for Wastewater/Sanitation Management The Policy for Wastewater/Sanitation Management (1999) is based on the same principles as the Waste Management Strategy, i.e.

• To preserve, protect and improve the quality of the environment • To contribute towards protecting public health • To ensure a prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources.

The policy states that, “The way in which wastewater and sanitation systems are managed is one of the key factors which can have an impact on the environment. Sustainable wastewater and sanitation management may be defined as that which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Guidelines for the Disposal of Waste by the project The guidelines were set in 1997 to give guidance on handling and disposal of waste by presenting ways for the safe disposal of waste by the project. Waste Management Act Under this Act (65:06) the establishment of the Department of Sanitation and Waste Management is provided for; to make provision for the planning, facilitation and implementation of advanced systems for regulating the management of controlled waste in order to prevent harm to human, animal and plant life; to minimise pollution of the environment, to conserve natural resources; to cause the provisions of the Basel Convention to apply in regulating the trans-boundary movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal; and for matters incidental to and connected to the foregoing. The Water Act The main legislation controlling water pollution is the Water Act (34:01), which dates back to 1967. Section 7 (1-4) details the right to water for mining purposes under the Mines and Minerals Act, with several different statutes imposing penalties for water pollution, including Section 36 (1), which makes it an offence to pollute or foul any public water through discharge into or in the vicinity of any public water supply.

Precious and Semi-Precious Stones (Protection) Act This Act prohibits the unauthorised export of rough diamonds unless accompanied by a ‘Kimberley Process Certificate’.



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Tribal Land Act This Act (32:02) details the establishment of Tribal Land Boards and their powers and duties and is important only for the developer to take general note of their role and functioning. Road Traffic Act Many Sections of this Act (69:01) are relevant to the proposed development just as they are to everyday life on the roads of Botswana, with general compliance clearly essential to the health and safety of all road users. Monuments and Relics Act This Act (59:03) is particularly important in regard to the notification of discoveries (Section 12) and Section (19) concerning the pre-development impact assessment, with the penalties for non-compliance detailed in Section (23) Atmospheric Pollution (Prevention) Act This Act (65:03), introduced in 1971, seeks to control the emission of ‘objectionable matter’, which is defined in Section 2 as “smoke, gases including noxious or offensive gases, vapours, fumes, grit, dust or other matter capable of being dispersed or suspended in the atmosphere which is produced or is likely to be produced by any industrial process”. Strict air pollution regulations exist in ‘controlled areas’, around the main townships and mines of the country, with the general pollution statutes (Part IV) Section (14-15) and the penalties for non-compliance (Section 16) most relevant to the proposed project. Explosives Act This Act (24:02) provides for the control of the manufacture, importation, sale, transport, storage, use and disposal of explosives and for matters incidental thereto. Public Health Act The Public Health Act (63:01) provides for a wide range of public health measures, including the regulation of sanitation and housing. Certain ‘nuisances’, including, any factory or trade premises causing or giving rise to smells or effluents, which are offensive or which are injurious or dangerous to health and any chimney sending forth smoke in such quantity or in such a manner as to be offensive, injurious, or dangerous to health are prohibited under the Act. Sections (43-54 and 62-63) elaborate further on ‘nuisances’ and Section (87) details the penalties for non-compliance. Mines, Quarries, Works and Machinery Act This Act (44:02) provides for the safety, health and welfare of persons engaged in prospecting, mining and quarrying operations including any works which are part of and ancillary to mining and quarrying operations and to make provisions with respect to the inspection and regulation of mines, quarries, works, and of machinery used in connection therewith, and for matters incidental thereto.



6

Agricultural Resource Conservation Act

This Act (35:06) provides for the conservation and improvement of the agricultural resources (i.e. soils, water, fauna and flora) of Botswana, with Section 18(1) concerning the protection of such resources and Section (29) the penalties for contravention, of relevance to the proposed project. Herbage Preservation (Prevention of Fires) Act This Act (38:02) is to prevent and control bush and other fires with Sections (4,6 and 9) concerning fire control and firebreaks, and the penalties for contravention (Section 14) pertinent to the proposed project. Noxious Weeds Act This Act (35:04) concerns the eradication and destruction of noxious weeds and in particular the burweed (Xanthium spinosum) (Section 3).

TABLE 1.1 Applicability of Various Acts to the Mart in’s Drift Diamond Project Construction and Operation

Planning tool Relevant Sections Mines and Minerals Act (1999) Part IX Environmental Obligations Environmental Impact Assessment Act (2005) EIA procedures and reporting Agricultural Resource Conservation Act (35:06)

Section 18(1) and Section (29)

Explosives Act (24:02) All sections Noxious Weeds Act (35:04) Section (3) Water Act (34:01) Section 7 (1-4), Section 36 (1) Mines, Quarries, Works and Machinery Act (44:02)

All sections

Public Health Act (63:01) Sections (43-54), (62-63) and Section (87) Road Traffic Act (69:01) General Relevance – most Sections Atmospheric Pollution (Prevention ) Act (65:03)

(Part IV) Section (14-15) and Section (16)

Monuments and Relics (59:03) Section (12) and (19) and Section (23)

Herbage Preservation (Prevention of Fires) Act (38:02)

Sections (4,6 and 9) and Section (14)

Tribal Land Act and its amendments (32:02) General – recognition of their role and purpose

National Settlement Policy (1998) General – understanding of broad aims and goals

Waste Management Act (65:06) General Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Regulations, 2004 (66:03)

All sections

Botswana’s Policy for Wastewater/Sanitation Management (1999)

General

Botswana’s Strategy for Waste Management (1998)

General – particularly waste oil disposal

Central District DDP 5 General Land Board policy General

It must be emphasised that the proposed project is cross-sectoral in nature and while the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Affairs is of critical importance, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Environment (through Land Boards) as well as the



7

Ministry of Agriculture, are all important. Critically important to the MDDP will be the issue of Water Apportionment as overseen by the Department of Water Affairs, particularly with regard to the proposed wellfield at Tswapong, which is detailed in a separate EIA. The MDDP should also be aware of, and contribute to, the realisation of Vision 2016, which is a national manifesto for the people of Botswana.



8

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 Location

Figure 2.1 shows the location of the proposed diamond near Lerala while Figure 2.2 provides a map image of the project area and the existing features.

Figure 2.1 Location of Martin’s Drift Diamond Proje ct in Botswana

Lerala Kimberlites

Gope

Orapa

Gaborone

Jwaneng



9

Figure 2.2 Principle Landmarks showing the areas of operations.

Lerala Village

Areas of Lerala

Kimberlite intrusions

Martin’s Drift Border

Crossing

Limpopo

River

10 Km

Susulela River



10

Scale approx, 1:30,000

Figure 2.3 Plan view of the five project Kimberlites

K002

K003 K004

K005

K006

K006 ( 0.16 ha )

K005 ( 0.92ha )

K004 ( 0.73 ha )

K003 ( 2.34 ha )

K002 ( 2.18 ha )

PLANT SITE

THE KIMBERLITES



11

2.2 Mine Development

Five kimberlite pipes are to be mined simultaneously. This is in order to obtain an average grade over the life of mine. Table 2.1 below indicates the size and position of approximate centres of each.

TABLE 2.1 Location of the Target Kimberlites

Coordinates (UTM) Kimberlite Name

Area (ha) South East

K002 2.18 7485092 588359 K003 2.34 7489376 590794 K004 0.73 7489444 592255 K005 0.92 7490879 591400

K006 0.16 7491197 591205

Contour grading has already demarcated the limits of each development, beyond which no further clearing is envisaged.

2.2.1 The Process

The excavation of each pipe will be run as an open pit. It is planned that by year 10 of the mine’s operation, vertical mining technology will be used to mine below the 110m level. The process of extracting diamonds can be characterised as follows (see also Figure 2.4): • kimberlite will be drilled and blasted using drill rigs and bulk explosives, and

thence loaded into the 30 t articulated dump trucks (ADT) with excavators. • the blasted material will be transported to the crusher at the plant site (app. 4000t

of ore per day, and app. 2,500t of waste) • ore will be tipped onto a stockpile, from where it will be fed into the plant • ore will be crushed to approximately -25mm size. • The ore is then processed through the Dense Medium Separation (DMS) plant • Concentrate from the DMS is fed into the “Flowsort” unit which uses X-ray

technology, after which the diamond sort is done • The diamonds are then kept in a safe before been transported to Gaborone for

final sale • The tailings and slimes from the plant process are disposed of onto a tailings

dump and into a slimes dam respectively



12

Figure 2.4 Schematic Diagram of the Mining Process

Raw water feed

ROM Feed Material

Final concentrate

ProMet

CLIENT

ProMet

CLIENT

Recovery tails

Plant tails

ProMet

CLIENT

4

3

2

41

45

1

19

8

7

6

363738

39

44

5

28

26

27

25

22

23

24

21

12

30

35

29

11

10

33

42

43

55

20

13

15 16 17 18

53 47

31

32

34

14

50

51

52 48

54

56

49

46

9

40

11

5

2

1

10

8

7

4

2221

18

26

24

23

31

2827

25

19

1

33

35

17

38

37

36

34

39

2930

20

32

6

3

12

13

1415

16

9

40



13

Plate 2.1 Processing plant during the trial mining stage from top

of tailings dump.

• The plant will process some 200 tonnes of head feed ore per hour

• The tailings generated from the plant will be dumped in close proximity to the

plant and will grow at +/- 53,000 tonnes per month.

• The slimes generated from the process will be pumped to a slimes dam and will

grow at +/- 22,000 tonnes per month.

• The explosives magazine, for the storage of detonators and detonator cord, and

the bulk storage of the emulsion will be situated at a safe distance from the plant

area.

• The remainder of the facilities will consist of workshops for earth moving

vehicles (EMV) and other plant, and office accommodation

2.2.2 Equipment, Facilities and Materials

During the operational phase, the support facilities with respect to the mining operation will be located at the plant site. The mining and general equipment that will be in use will consist of the following: (note the volume and number of machines could change) the volume and capacity of the equipment is designed to cater for the supply of app. 110,000 tonnes of ore to the processing plant per month. The expected life of the mine is 10 years, although DiamonEx continues to prospect in the area.



14

The main elements of these will consist of the following:-

• 2 Drill rigs - 1200DS Furukawa HD712

• 2 Compressors – Ingersol Rand

• 2 Lighting plants - Caterpillar

• 2 Dozers - 850CII Bell

• 1 grader - 670CH Bell

• 2 in-pit impact breakers - 220A Bell Rough Terrain Breaker

• 1 explosives blend truck - AEL standard hired

• 3 front end loaders - L2306C Bell

• 3 excavators - HD2045II Bell

• 5 ADTs - B30D ADT Bell

• 1 water bowser trailer

• 1 fuel & lube trailer

• 2 tractors - 1866H Bell

• 1 TLB - 315SG Bell

• 1 crane - All terrain

• 8 Light motor vehicles - LDV Toyota

Materials for the operation which will be consumed and stored on site are indicated by the following table:

TABLE 2.2 Materials to be Stored at Site

Material Units Quantity

Processing Chemicals

FeSi 250 kg drums 140 drums

Flocculant 25 kg bags 600 bags

Automotive fuels and oils

Diesel Above ground tanks 40,000l

Gas 48 kg Cylinders 20

Grease 100kg drums 50

Hydraulic Oil 210l drums 100

Engine Oil 210l drums 50

Gear Oil 210l drums 20

Drilling materials/consumables

Explosive Emulsion Above ground tanks 120,000l

Accessories Detonators, detonator cord, explosives magazine

Various volumes



15

• The explosives magazine, for the storage of detonators and detonator cord, and

the bulk storage of the emulsion will be situated at a safe distance from the plant area.

• The remainder of the facilities will consist of workshops for earth moving vehicles (EMV) and other plant, and office accommodation

Hazardous Chemicals None of the chemicals used in either the mining or diamond recovery processes, with the exception of the explosives, are considered hazardous. FeSi and flocculant will be the main reagents used in the treatment process. These substances are considered to be environmentally inert and are non-toxic.

The Waste Management Act of (1998) defines hazardous waste, as ‘controlled waste which has the potential even in low concentrations, to have significant adverse effect on public health or the environment on account of its inherent chemical and physical characteristics, such as toxic, ignitable, corrosive, carcinogenic or other properties’(p.4). In this respect, even the ferrosilicon and flocculants will need to be stored and managed in a secure and bunded area. Emergency spill response procedures for these and other potentially hazardous chemicals are outlined in the EMP with visual monitoring of the area adjacent to the works, for any waste products impacting on the environment, conducted daily, and work practices modified if necessary. FeSi

FeSi is a chemical that is used in the Dense Medium Circuit as a separation medium. It is a compound of iron and silicon used in a ratio of 85:15. Most FeSi consumption occurs through adhesion to the tailings portion of the DMS product. When discharged into either the tailings or the slimes dam, the iron component oxidises and forms eithrt FeO3 or Fe(OH)2. The silicon is thence released to react with soil nutrients. Flocculent

The flocculent which controls the viscosity of the fluid is an inert polymer consisting of anionic polyacrylamides, whose structure is shown below (Figure 2.5). It is delicate, and shears easily and thus denatures on exposure to turbulence. The weak CH2 link breaks down on exposure to sunlight, as when the material is deposited on the surface of the slime dam. On this breakdown, the release of hydrogen causes total chemical breakdown of the structure.

Formatted: Bullets andNumbering





16

Primary Amide Group Carboxyl Group

Figure 2.5 Chemical Structure of Flocculant

Explosives

The explosives to be used will be emulsion, which will be kept in above ground tanks. Power cord and detonators will be stored in a magazine to be established under existing regulations as detailed in the 1962 Explosives Act and subsequent amendments.

2.2.3 Transportation corridors

The project area is well serviced by unsealed tracks (Plates 2.1 and 2.2) as well as a number of cattlepost tracks. The national network of sealed roads extends to the village of Lerala.

Plate 2.2 Typical access road in the Project Area.

OH

H

O NH2 NH2

H

C CH2 C CH2 C



17

2.2.4 Resource Requirements

Electrical power will be supplied by five 500KVA generators on the mine site. It is envisaged that water will be supplied from a wellfield situated at the foot of the Tswapong Hills, which together with the delivery pipeline from the wellfield to the mine will be covered in a separate EIA.

2.2.5 Manpower, Housing and Accommodation

It is estimated that the MDDP will have a workforce of 233 direct employees and 60 contracted employees when in full production. The anticipated manpower structure during mining operations is shown in Table 2.3. Senior staff will probably be drawn from predominantly expatriate labour due to the lack of required skills locally, and will work on a 7 day on 5 day off shift cycle overseen by a Senior Manager.

TABLE 2.3 Proposed Manpower Structure for the Mine.

GENERAL

MINE MANAGER PLANT OPERATIONS CHIEF SECURITY Financial Clerk x 2

Community Medical / Safety

Logistics Manager

Safety Officer x 2 Medical Assistant

Logistics General Driver x 2

Industrial Security

Industrial Security

Industrial Security Industrial Security

Chief Sorter A1

Chief Sorter B1

Met. Shift

Met Shift Overseer

Met. Shift

Met. Shift

Eng Overseer

Picker A1 Picker A1

Picker B1 Picker B1

Headfeed Att A Impact Breaker DMS Att A x 2 Slimes Att A FEL/Bobcat

Plant Att A x 2

Headfeed Att B Impact Breaker DMS Att B x 2 Slimes Att B FEL/Bobcat

Plant Att B x 2

Headfeed Att C Impact Breaker DMS Att C x 2 Slimes Att C FEL / Bobcat

Plant Att C x 2

Headfeed Att D Impact Breaker DMS Att D x 2 Slimes Att D FEL / Bobcat

Plant Att D x 2

Eng Data Capture Shift Clerk / Shift Clerk /

Mine Shift

Mine Shift

Mine Shift

Mine Shift

Mine Planning

Senior EMV

Senior EMV

EMV Mechanic A1 EMV Assistant A1 EMV Greaser A1 x EMV Boilermaker

Geology Assistant Surveyor

Data Capture

Excavator ADT Operator D x Dozer / Grader / FEL Operator D

Fuel / Water Impact Breaker

Drill Rig Operator Drill Rig Assistant

Excavator ADT Operator C x Dozer / Grader / FEL Operator C


Drill Rig Operator Drill Rig Assistant

Excavator ADT Operator B x Dozer / Grader / Fel Operator B


Drill Rig Operator Drill Rig Assitant B

Charging Unit Charger B x 4

Senior Plt Fitter

Senior Plt Fitter

Senior Plt Elect A1

Senior Plt Elect B1

Senior Plt B/Maker

Senior Plt B/Maker

Plt Inst.

Plt Inst.

Plant Fitter A1 x 2

Plt Electrician A1 x

Plt Plt B/Maker A1

Plt Inst.

General Labour A

General Labour B

General Labour C

General Labour D

Plant Fitter B1 x 2

Plt Electrician B1 x

Plt Plt B/Maker B1

Plt Inst.

Excavator ADT Operator A x Dozer / Grader / Fel Operator A


Drill Rig Operator Drill Rig Ass A X 2

Charging Unit Charger A x 4

General Labour A

General Labour B

General Labour C

General Labour C

EMV Mechanic B1 EMV Assistant B1 EMV Greaser B1 x EMV Boilermaker

EMV Tyre

EMV Tyre

Security Contract

Industrial Security Industrial Security Security Officer A2 Security officer B2

Security Officer A1 Security Officer B1

Security Shift Security Guard Security Guards Security Guards



18

It is not DiamonEx’s intention to provide housing for the employees, except for senior staff that will have to live within the Lerala area. DiamonEx’s stated policy is to provide sufficient remuneration to its workers to allow for construction and/or improvement of their own existing properties. Housing for approximately 30 such expatriate persons will be required, although this will be reduced if the skills can be sourced locally. It is intended that the housing for Senior Staff will be provided in Lerala, with all such construction approved by relevant Government and Planning Authorities, and will be passed to the local community after the closure of the mine. The construction phase will provide temporary work for some 60 persons. Visitors to the mine will be allowed from time to time but will be limited.

2.2.6 Health and Safety

The MDDP will provide an on-site emergency medical and stabilisation facility as well as an ambulance for evacuation. All mine personnel will be covered by medical insurance including air evacuation if required. The on site mine medical facility will be used for medical and in service medical tests, such as eye and ear testing, and be able to provide its employees with full medical reports. DiamonEx’s target is a zero accident rate.

2.2.7 Transport to and from the Mine

DiamonEx anticipates that transport for employees to and from the mine will be provided by a local entrepreneur rather than the company itself.



19

3 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

The EIA study is aimed at ensuring that the negative impacts of the proposed development are minimised through effective mitigation measures, and that potential benefits are realised. In order for the EIA to achieve its intended objectives, a sound understanding of the environmental setting of the area is necessary and is briefly outlined in the following section.

3.1 Geology

The geology of the study area has been mapped by Jones (1966), and subsequently revised by Key (1979). Much of area is underlain by undifferentiated gneisses (Figure 3.1), which constitute part of the Limpopo Mobile Belt, which are commonly referred to as “The Basement Complex”. It is through these Basement Complex units that the kimberlitic pipes to be worked by the proposed mine have been intruded. The Tswapong Hills, which dominate the western portion of the study area, consist of strata of the Palapye Group, which unconformably overlie this Basement Complex. The Tswapong Hills form pronounced elevations and have steep hill scarps, which in places are partially obscured by scree. Table 3.1 below indicates the general geological sequence in the area and a formation by formation lithological description follows.

TABLE 3.1 Summary of Stratigraphic Units

Age/Group Formation Brief Lithological Description

Quaternary Recent deposits, including scree (off the Palapye Group), sandy and silty alluvium, and cretes.

Lotsane Purple to red flagstones, siltstones and shales

Tswapong Medium to coarse grained purplish red ferruginous quartzites

Moeng Grey-purple to red shales, siltstones and minor limestone lenses.

Middle Pre-Cambrian/Palapye

Selika Massive ferruginous quartzites with minor conglomerates and a manganese member.

Archaean/Basement Complex

G1, G2, G3, G4 Monzonites, adamelites amphibolies, granulites and undifferentiated banded gneisses.

3.1.1 The Archean Basement Complex

These undifferentiated gneisses belong to the Limpopo tectono-metamorphic Mobile Belt association of rocks, and are commonly referred to as “The Basement Complex”. They have been divided into a group of para-gneisses and ortho-gneisses. The former includes magnetic-quartzite and various para-gneisses. The ortho-gneisses consist of mafic to ultramatic intrusions and intrusive granitic rocks, and concordant amphibolite bands are very common. Epidote, chlorite and quartz veins infill the abundant fractures. Four ‘formations’, G1 to G4, have been mapped in the project



20

area and are essentially defined on mineralogical composition and are not easy to differentiate in the field. The formations are briefly described below.



21

• G1 Formation

The formation is made up of two members. The first is a massive, layered equigranular amphibolite, consisting of hornblende and plagioclase with minor quartz, pyroxene, magnetite, sulphides, garnet and biotite. The other member of the G1 formation comprises undifferentiated grey gneisses, with garnet, sillimanite and pyroxene.

• G2 Formation

This formation consists of banded gneisses which are extensively developed in the north and east.

• G3 Formation

Two adamellite plutons are found in the northwest of the study area. They are pink, medium grained and homogenous, with foliations defined by parallel quartz plates and biotite. The eastern pluton also contains porphyroblastic adamellite.

• G4 Formation

This formation is found near Maunatlala, and underlies the area between the Tswapong and Tshweneng Hills and consists of a pink-red brecciated quartz monzonite.

3.1.2 The Middle Precambrian Palapye Group

The Palapye Group has been subdivided into four formations as listed in Table 3.1. The Selika and Tswapong Formations are predominantly arenaceous, and the Moeng and Lotsane Formations are essentially argillaceous in character.

• Selika Formation

This unit comprises massive, poorly bedded, ferruginous quartzites with quartz conglomerates. The formation outcrops south of the Tswapong Hills.

• Moeng Formation

The Moeng Formation is composed of a sequence of soft brown, grey, red and purple shales, micaceous siltstones, thin limestones and minor quartzites.

• Tswapong Formation

This formation, which overlies the Moeng Formation, outcrops in the east-central and south-western side of the hills. It consists of a sequence of quartzites, conglomerates, grits and quartzitic sandstones, with a thin ironstone band near the base.



22

• Lotsane Formation

Outcrops of this formation are rare, and most of the information has been derived from borehole data and road excavations. The unit consists of purplish, micaceous sandstone, siltstone and sandy shale.

3.1.3 Quaternary Deposits

These are the youngest deposits in the area. They include calcrete, sandy alluvium and scree (gravel and boulders) derived from Palapye Group formations. Calcrete has been mapped northeast of Seolwane, at the confluence of Seolwane River and two minor streams. Sandy alluvium underlies most of the low land around the Tswapong Hills, and also occurs along the streams emanating from the hills. With respect to scree and hillwash deposits, considerable thickness of this material has been encountered along fault zones southwest of Seolwane village in boreholes BH 5941 and BH 5943, and similar deposits occur elsewhere around the Tswapong Hills.

3.1.4 Geological Structures

The Basement Complex has been subjected to several generations of folding and faulting. Re-activation of some of this earlier deformation probably also gave rise to the Palapye Group faulting system.

Archaean Basement units in the area exhibit an approximate north-south linear fabric which most probably reflects a regional D2 deformation (Key, 1979). This deformation produced major north-south trending synformal folds plunging southwards at shallow angles, later deformed by open asymmetric D3 folding on northwest-southwest trends. Deformation and minor folding within the Palapye Group is thought to be as a result of such faulting. Prevailing fault attitudes in the area are north-west and south-east and most faults appear as shears, either original or reactivated. It is such shears and their intersections which have been regarded as primary groundwater targets. Weathering profiles are generally deep along drainage zones, and are greatly enhanced by fracturing. Aeromagnetic data interpretation (WCS, 1995) has also indicated a number of prominent E-W dykes transecting the area.

3.1.5 Geology Local to the Martin’s Drift Mining Lease

In the vicinity of the proposed mining area the local geology consists almost entirely of Basement Complex gneisses and amphibolites, with minor occurrence of schistose units. Examination of drilling results indicates a generally thin weathered profile, usually considerably less than 15 metres in thickness and grading downwards into less weathered gneissic strata.

The Kimberlite

Kimberlite may be characterised as a volatile rich, potassic, ultrabasic igneous rock, consisting of essential minerals phlogopite, bronzeite and chrome diopside, with non essential calcite, serpentinite, monticellite, apatite, spinels, and ilmenite. Diamond may be present as a rare accessory mineral. The Tswapong kimberlites are considered to belong to the older group which were intruded at a date greater than 90 Ma. They were intruded through the host gneissic basement, large xenoliths of which can be seen entrained in the kimberlite prior to solidification. (Plate 3.1)



23

Plate 3.1 Kimberlite as seen in outcrop

The kimberlitic bodies themselves comprise six ‘pipes’ or diatremes in close proximity, all more or less weathered to some 10’s of metres depth. This kimberlite field spans a few kilometres, the individual pipes ranging up to approximately 2.5 ha in extent Figure 3.2 illustrates the cross section of the pipe at K2 showing the typically vertical/subvertical attitude of these intrusions.

Figure 3.2 Vertical Section of the Kimberlite pipe, K002

Scale 1.8cm = 100m



24

3.1.6 Hydrogeology

The project area is completely devoid of perennial surface water and virtually all water supplies for human, industrial and livestock consumption are derived from groundwater. The groundwater potential of part of the region, mostly around the villages, has previously been investigated by Aqua Tech Groundwater Consultants (Aqua Tech, 1985) Department of Water Affairs (DWA, 1986, 1989 and 1994) and Wellfield Consulting Services (DWA, 1984, 1987, 1989 and 1997). However, in the immediate area of the kimberlite field, very little groundwater information exists except the few boreholes tested by WCS during their earlier groundwater investigations for De Beers in 1997.

The hydrogeological environment of the study area is one of secondary aquifers created by fracturing and fissuring, with permeability potentially enhanced by weathering processes. No primary aquifers exist except for the Quaternary alluvial and scree deposits at the foot of the Tswapong Hills. Due to the absence of thick alluvial river sands along the Lotsane River and tributaries, the groundwater resources from these sands are considered to be limited (DWA, 1987b).

3.2 Climate

An overriding feature of the Kalahari climate is the pronounced variation shown by both rainfall and temperature. The latter can rise over 40°C during the summer months of October to March and can regularly fall below freezing during the winter. Daytime temperatures, and consequently potential evapotranspiration, are high at all times. Rainfall is concentrated in the summer months from November to April and typically falls in high intensity convectional showers which are often very localised (Bhalotra, 1987). The area has a long average rainfall total of approximately 400mm per annum with a coefficient of variation of some thirty five per cent (Bhalotra, 1987). Drought is endemic due to the interior’s peripheral and topographically isolated location in respect to the region’s northern and eastern rain bearing air masses (Bhalotra, 1987). Analysis of the limited rainfall records has shown the existence of a pronounced quasi-eighteen-year oscillation, with 9 below average years followed by 9 above average years, within which a typical 3 to 4 year succession of good or bad years is common (Tyson, 1978). Although the precise timing and intensity of droughts is impossible to predict, such climatic variation is a major driving force behind the dynamics of the Kalahari savanna ecosystem. A national rainfall distribution map is shown in Figure 3.3 (after Bhalotra). The average annual precipitation for the region is 400mm (Figure 3.4). Rainfall is variable both temporally and spatially as depicted by the long-term monitoring at stations in Mahalapye (Figure 3.5) and Palapye, Lerala, Martin’s Drift, Machaneng, Maunatlala and Bobonong (Figure 3.6).

The minimum temperature in the region ranges between 12.5ºC (summer months) and -6ºC (winter months). Maximum temperatures are generally very high and range between 21.5ºC (winter months) and 40.5ºC (summer months). Mean minimum and maximum temperature ranges are approximately 5 - 22ºC in July and 19 – 32 ºC in January. Like the rest of the country, evaporation is very high (up to 2512mm as per monitoring in Mahalapye weather station) and far exceeds rainfall. The annual



25

evapotranspiration (Etp) and evapouration Eo) based on measurements from the Mahalapye synoptic weather station are, 1667mm and 1963mm, respectively.

Figure 3.3 Rainfall Distribution Map (after Bhalotr a, 1987)

The meteorological station with the most complete and reliable record in the vicinity of the project area is Station 106 at Mahalapye, approximately 110km to the south-west. A rain gauge at the school in Kodibeleng does collect rain data manually, but this is considered to be less reliable. The climate of the project area is classified as Semi-Arid and Tropical. Precipitation occurs in high intensity localized convectional showers and thunderstorms (Bhalotra 1987). Winters are very dry, with July being the month during which usually, there is no precipitation at all. Rainfall occurs in short, high intensity events between November and March, and normally yields less than 500mm per annum, the average from 1995 to 2003 being 446mm. The variation in maxima during this period ranged from 246mm in 1999 to 714mm in 1995. (Figure 3.4). Figure 3.5 illustrates the mean of the monthly precipitation between 1995 and 2003, while Figure 3.6 illustrates annual rainfall totals for the decade from 1991 to 2001, from the manual rain gauges at sites closer to the project area.



26

0100200300400500600700800

19

95

19

96

19

97

19

98

19

99

20

00

20

01

20

02

20

03

Year

(mm

)

Annual rainfall (mm)

Figure 3.4 Mahalapye Met Station Annual Rainfall Totals 1995-2003

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

JAN

FEB

MAR

APRM

AYJU

NJU

LAUG

SEP

OCTNOV

DEC

Month

(mm

)

Rainfall (mm)

Figure 3.5 Malahapye Met Station Mean Monthly Rainfall 1995-2003



27

Figure 3.6 Rainfall from Surrounding Minor Met Stat ions

The minimum temperature in the region ranges between 12.5ºC (summer months) and -6ºC (winter months). Maximum temperatures are generally very high and range between 21.5ºC (winter months) and 40.5ºC (summer months). Mean minimum and maximum temperature ranges are approximately 5 - 22ºC in July and 19 – 32 ºC in January (Figures 3.7 and 3.8). Considerable range in both seasonal and diurnal temperatures are usual. This is a function of relatively high altitude (approximately 800m at the proposed plant site, 1005m at Mahalapye met station), and clear dry air – a combination that allows for high insolational heating by day, and high radiational heat loss at night. Temperatures are high in summer with the mean maximum reaching over 38o in October for the years 1991 – 2000, falling to a mean minimum of 5.7o occurring in July over the same period, although the lowest temperatures were recorded in August, and undoubtedly fall below freezing.

05

1015202530354045

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Month

To

Highest Max. TempLowest Max. TempMean Max. Temp

Figure 3.7 Mahalapye Met station – Temperature Mean of Monthly Highest, Lowest and Mean Maxima 1991-2000

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year

(mm)

Martin’s

Drift Palapye Lerala

Machaneng Francistown

Bobonong



28

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

JAN

FEB

MAR

APRM

AYJU

NJU

LAUG

SEPOCT

NOVDEC

Month

To

Highest min. Temp

Lowest min. Temp

Mean min Temp

Figure 3.8 Mahalapye Met Station – Temperature Mean of Monthly Highest, Lowest and Mean Minima 1991 - 2001

The pronounced seasonality is to be noted with the summer months (October –April) contrasting starkly with the winter months (May – September). Data from the Mahalapye Meteorological station shows wind directions to be fairly constant throughout the year, with wind speeds typically between 1 – 10 knots (Figure 3.9). Wind direction is consistently from the north-east throughout the year (Figure 3.10). These wind roses indicate the percentage of time for each octant with an analysis of wind force. The number in the middle of the wind rose represents the percentage of time in which there are calm conditions. These data are averaged for the past 30 years.



29

Figure 3.9 Wind data, Mahalapye Met Station, Averaged over 30 years

Figure 3.10 Mean Monthly Wind Speeds and Direction – Mahalapye Met. Station



30

Like the rest of the country, evaporation is very high (up to 2512mm as per monitoring in Mahalapye weather station) and far exceeds rainfall, often by a factor in excess of five. The annual evapotranspiration (Etp) and evaporation (Eo) based on measurements from the Mahalapye synoptic weather station are, 1667mm and 1963mm, respectively. The variation ranges from the minimum of 71mm in July 1986 to the maximum of 350mm in December of 1992. Evaporation occurs mostly during the rainy season (Oct-March) with a strong seasonal contrast between summer and winter months clearly evident (see Figure 3.11 and Figure 3.12). Evaporation is highest in the afternoons between 1300 and 1600 hours. Humidity is highest in the early morning and in the evening.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Month

(mm

)

Gaborone 1980 to 1993

Mahalapye 1986 - 1992

Figure 3.11 Evaporation (mm) Mean of Most Recent Available Data

0

10

20

30

40

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Month

%

0

50

100

150

200

250

(mm

)

% of Wind from the NE% Calm ConditionsEvaporation (mm) 1987

Figure 3.12 Mahalapye Met Station – Wind and Evaporation Conditions (30 yrs data)



31

3.3 Topography

The project area lies within the catchment of the Lotsane River. More immediately the pattern of kimberlites straddles one of the tributaries of Lotsane, the Susulela, with the rivers joining approximately 20 kilometres to the east in the freehold farms only a few kilometres before debouching into the Limpopo River. Both are ephemeral. The immediate area around the project site is relatively flat lying, the gradient being less than 1:1000. It is punctuated with frequent small oval grassy pans, usually less than 100 metres in the longest axis. The region is dominated by the Tswapong Hills which have a plateau altitude of 1,310 metres above mean sea level and form a prominent steeply sided range of eastwardly trending hills. From the base of these hills, the flood plains of the Lotsane River slope gently northwards, towards the river channel. The Tswapong Hills themselves are dissected by sometimes deep and often spectacular gorges cut by seasonal streams which rise in the hills. They typically follow fault lines and through a long running process of stream capture have led to a prominent and complex drainage pattern dissecting the plateau of the range and extending to the floodplains below. From Palapye eastwards the Lotsane River dominates the regional drainage and it is towards this feature the outlying areas drain. Between Palapye and Maunatlala the principal tributary is the Dikabeya River from the north.

3.4 Soil

Arenosols and luvisols are the dominant types of soils in the District (Utrecht University, 1990). The soils of the Lotsane catchment are mostly sandy loams and loamy sands, with small areas of heavy (clay-rich) soils in depressions and valley bottoms, and shallow stony soils on hills (Timberlake, 1980). The soils are generally infertile and porous sandy soils, although patches of clayey, or black cotton, soils occur in the Lotsane floodplain. On the escarpment and plateau areas of the main range of hills the soils are skeletal, while at escarpment bases deeper soils occur, formed mostly of colluvial and alluvial material eroded from the hills. The soils of the project area are classified using the FAO (1988) soil classification with a broad contrast to be made between the heavier soils of the low lying areas and the dominantly thin sandy soils of the surrounding areas (Figure 3.13). The soil types found in the broader area are:-

TABLE 3.2 Major Soil Types in the Project Area

Soil type Major characteristics Arenosols, Poor profile development, moderately acidic, infertile, high electronic

conductivity Luvisols Well developed soils, contains argillic B horizon in the subsurface soil,

relatively fertile Leptosols Shallow soils, associated with hilly areas (unconsolidated material), and are

often found in association with Regosols Planosols Deep to very deep, imperfectly drained, brownish in colour and sandy clay

loams, sandy clay and clays in texture. Lixisols Deeper soils, imperfectly to moderately well drained, coarse sandy loams to

sandy clay loams. Acrisols Moderately deep to very deep, moderately well to well drained, coarse sandy

loams to sandy clays



32



33

3.5 Pre-development Land Capability

The cambic arenosols, and chromic, ferric and haplic luvisols which cover almost 80 % of the District, are very marginal in terms of their suitability for maize production (Barnhoorn et al, 1994). Their suitability for sorghum is better, although the latter authors point out that inadequate footholds for roots and low moisture and nutrient availability are the limiting factors. The potential for irrigated farming is also reported to be limited with only 136 hectares made up of the better suited chromic luvisols (Barnhoorn et al, 1994). Following Barnhoorn et al (1994) the land suitability index for traditional dryland farming (maize, sorghum and millet) indicates that the majority of soils in the District are of marginal suitability for maize. The controlling factor is soil moisture, with severe deficits throughout the year attributable to the low rainfall and high evaporation rates. With much of the rain falling as high intensity convectional showers high surface run-off volumes and widespread sheet and gully erosion can be a major problem (see below). As a result, water stress is a major problem for crop production, with the length of the growing season estimated to be no more than 88 days in one out of two years and less than 39 in one out of four years (Barnhoorn et al, 1994). The potential of dryland crop production in the Tswapong Hills area is therefore limited. Domestic livestock production in the area is mainly based on extensive beef production, often integrated with small stock (sheep and goats). Stocking rate figures are not available, but are likely to be between the Ministry of Agriculture’s recommended carrying capacity figure of 14 ha/LSU (where one cow = one LSU, Livestock Unit), and the reality of 4-5ha/LSU which is typical on many communal lands. Livestock numbers tend to increase during runs of wet years and decrease, due to drought related mortality in poor rainfall years.

There are no game ranches in the immediate area, although the finding that game ranches are not economically viable (Conybeare and Rozemeijer, 1992) should in the short term be viewed against the current situation of low wildlife numbers in many areas, and the difficulties in outcompeting a highly subsidised beef industry. There is a trend towards game ranching in many areas of the country, although experiences in South Africa and Namibia suggest that the economic viability of isolated fenced ranches in a drought prone environment is at best marginal. Therefore the returns from secondary production of either domestic or wild stock ranching in the area does not compare with that from mining, particularly for an area as small as the proposed lease and for an operation that has spatially confined ‘ecological footprint’.

3.5.1. Soil Erosion

An assessment of erosion risk using the USLE (Wischmeier and Smith, 1978) (Table 3.3) reveals a conservative estimate of 1 tonne/ha/year or 1mm of soil from the catchment being lost through water erosion. The striking difference between grazing and cultivated land should be noted, with the high soil losses from the latter reduced by almost fifty per cent through simple soil conservation procedures like cross contour ploughing.



34

TABLE 3.3 An Assessment of Erosion Risk

Storm Details

40mm storm (2hrs) Max. intensity 50mm/hr



2 storms. 40mm over 3 hrs

Max intensity 30mm + 60mm in 1hr

Soil type Sandy loam Clay Sandy loam Sandy loam

Organic matter

(%) < 0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5

Soil structure massif Massif massif massif

Slope steepness

(%) 2 4 4 4

Slope length (m) 50 50 50 50

Cropping Mgt. fallow/bare soil Grazing pasture Cropping Cropping

Productivity Low Low Low Low

Conservation fallow/bare soil None None None

Grass cover (%) < 10 20 na na

Av. Soil loss

tonnes/ha/yr 1 0.98 2.32 4.3

Conservation

Contouring 0.67 1.1

Agroforestry

20-30% cover

>40% cover

0.49

0.17

Soil loss over the extensive grazing lands can be extensive with simple measures like contouring helping to reduce the impact of soil losses through surface runoff quite dramatically.

3.6 Land Use within 2km Radius of the Mining Area

Cattleposts and extensive grazing dominate the land use within a 2 km radius of the proposed area. Cattleposts comprise a borehole, kraals - fenced or thorn bush enclosures where the cattle are kept at night, and the, often adjoining, huts of herders. The water point includes the borehole itself, a storage tank and the water trough, though the quality of this infrastructure can vary considerably, with some boreholes pumping directly into a flooded water trough area. Infrastructure costs are therefore minimal. Under the cattlepost system, the ‘borehole is the herder’ with their operation displaying a uniform rhythm of night kraaling, and release in the morning following milking, with the herd returning to the borehole in the late afternoon. It is a remarkably simple system, with routine herding confined to the collection and kraaling of animals around the water-point at dusk, and their subsequent release in the morning, in a daily cycle that is clearly adapted to avoid working in the extreme heat



35

of the day, and is more generally based upon the minimum expenditure of energy (Abel et al., 1987).

The Moremi Manonnye Conservation Trust is actively developing Moremi Gorge to protect, conserve and develop its resources for tourism to the benefit of the Moremi Village Community (see section x.y below).

3.7 Ecology

Designation of the area as a Mixed Mopane/Acacia Tree savanna (Weare and Yalala, 1971) captures the broad scale variation in the area up to the Tswapong Hills, where hillslope and talus woodland dominates. These latter vegetation types are not described here as they lie some 20kms from the proposed project site, but should however form part of the EIA for the groundwater supply project. The generalised vegetation map of the area is illustrated in Figure 3.14. Field visits to the Project Area identified the following communities:-

o Colophospermum Mopane woodland

Colophospermum mopane as a shrub and/or tree savanna dominates extensive areas of the catchment. The relatively fine sands it occupies are typically overlain by coarser alluvial material, often heavily dissected due to heavy grazing which by removing the surface herbaceous cover, has led to sheet and gully erosion after intensive convectional showers. Acacia nilotica, Combretum apiculatum and Commiphora pyracanthanoides occur in the tree layer, with Acacia mellifera, Dichrostachys cinerea and Grewia flava, occuring in the shrub layer.

o Riparian woodland

Common associations include Combretum imberbe, Ziziphus mucronata, Terminalia sericea, Acacia tortilis, Acaia erioloba, Acacia nigrescens, Acacia grandiconuta and Peltophorum africanum which typically make up a tall woodland with generally greater than 80 per cent cover. The shrub layer is also mixed, with Combretum eleaganoides, Maytenus senegalensis, Diosppyros lycoides and Euclea divinorum. The herbaceous layer is mixed with Panicum maximum dominating immediately under canopies, Eragrostis rigidior and Pogonarthria squarrosa, occurring on more open ground, with Cymbopogon excavatus and Urochloa trichopus lining the river bank itself. The narrow tributary channels that extend from broader, open, flat and seasonally flooded areas appear to be important for the dry season grazing in proximity to water, that they provide livestock. The woodland itself, while closed, is a narrow strip, dominated by Acacia karroo, with Acacia erubescens, Acacia mellifera, Acacia nigrescens and Ziziphus mucronata also present.

Grass species were entirely absent at the time of the field survey, due to the prevailing drought and heavy stocking pressure, but are likely to include Aristida congesta, Stipagrostis uniplumis, Chloris virgata, Eragrostis trichophora, Urochloa trichopus, Cynodon dactylon and Digitaria sp., with Setaria verticellata occurring around the isolated Acacia trees.



36



37

Field survey revealed the following points:-

• Woody cover is relatively high (>50 per cent) at all times, probably reflecting the bush encroachment that has resulted from decades of heavy grazing by domestic stock.

• Woody densities are highest in the Colophospermum mopane/Dichrostachys cinerea dominated areas, reflecting the fact that these species are often multi-stemmed.

• Grass cover is generally negligible or low due to the relatively high grazing pressure in the area.

• Bare ground is relatively high throughout the area. • Forb cover is relatively low. • Fire has been absent from the area for many years. • Aesthetics is low throughout the area, due to the thick woody layer, which

provides for few vantage points.

TABLE 3.4 Average Woody Biomass for Different Vegetation Types

3.7.1. Veld products

All the major vegetation communities within the project area are expected to contain a diverse array of veld foods. For instance, berries such as Ximenia species (Meretologa), Pappea capensis (Mothata/Mopeneweng), Sclerocarya birrea (Morula), Vanguera infausta (Mmilo) are expected a component of the hilly woodland. Whilst berries such as Grewia species (Moretlwa, Motsotsojane, Mogwana) are a common component of Mopane woodland, Terminalia sericea tree savanna and the Riparian woodland. Phane occurs wherever there are mopane trees.

3.7.2. Medicinal plants

Great varieties of traditional medicinal plants occur in Botswana and are used at a subsistence level across the whole spectrum of ailments. In South Africa indigenous forests which cover 0.3% of the country, provide over 130 commercially exploited traditional plants (Cunningham, 1991). However, as the latter author points out, the consequences have been rapid over-exploitation, due to such activities as ring-barking, which has led to increasingly exclusive access to the medicines as prices have spiralled in response to resource scarcity. This experience coupled with the

Main Vegetation Type Woody Biomass (Kg/Ha)

High Density Riparian Woodland 75,984.78

High Density Tree Savanna 45,242.44

High Density Bush Savanna 15,310.40

Medium Density Tree Savanna 16,895.12

Medium Density Bush Rocky Slope 8,567.83 Low Density Tree Savanna 10,342.02 Medium Density Bush Savanna 7,201.17

Low Density Bush Savanna 4,501.31 Abandoned Fields 650.78



38

general failure of law enforcement in protecting the key species, led Taylor (1985) to recommend that, apart from one exception, this admittedly lucrative market should not be developed in Botswana. The exception is Harpagophytum procumbens (grapple).

White (2001) points out that many of the plants growing in the gorge at Moremi and on the Tswapong Hills are sustainably collected by members of the local community for subsistence use and for sale where a market existed. Hoodia gordonii, that has shown promise in the development of an anti-obesity drug, after centuries of use by Khoisan peoples, does occur in the region.

3.7.3 Fire

Fire has been largely excluded from eastern Botswana for a number of decades due to heavy grazing pressure and an often dense woody canopy that does not allow the critical herbaceous fuel load of 3500Kg/ha to be reached (Trollope, 1982). As a result, if fires do occur they tend to be patchy and localised.

3.8 Fauna

3.8.1 Mammals

Cattle and goats dominate the large herbivore biomass in the area. Migratory wild ungulates such as wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) and hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) have perished and are now excluded from the area by extensive human activities throughout the region. Elephants (Loxodonta africana) are not found in the immediate area, but are known to occur further east. These are most likely to be small groups of bull elephants, which tend to disperse more widely than the larger matriachal groups. The wild ungulate population around Tswapong Hills is made up of kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), impala (Aepyceros melampus), duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), bushbuck (rare) (Tragelaphus scriptus) and steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) in low numbers, with warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) also present. Klipspringers (Oreotragus oreotragus) and rock dassies (Procavia capensis), together with baboons (Papio ursinus) and Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) also occur. In the Tswapong Hills, predators such as lions (Panthera leo) and wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are locally extinct, while leopard (Panthera pardus), the black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) African wild cat (Felis lybica) and the bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) remain. The mining site itself is dominated by domestic stock with no wild ungulates sighted during the field survey and subsequent site visits.

Medium and Smaller Mammals. There are possibly in the order of 53 species of medium and smaller mammals whose range coincides with the project area. Scrub hares (Lepus saxatillis) are common while Jameson’s red rock rabbit (Pronolagus randensis) and porcupine (Hystrix africaeaaustralis) occur throughout the area. Almost 80% of this group are at least partly nocturnal, and hence difficult to see.



39

3.8.2 Avifauna

According to Birdlife Botswana 229 species of bird have been recorded from the half degree square into which the Project area falls (Appendix III). White (2001) reports a total of 340 species as having been recorded from the whole of the Tswapong Hills. Raptors

‘Raptor’ is a generic term referring to hawks, falcons, eagles, vultures and owls, which are also known as birds of prey. There are 88 species of raptor in Africa (Weidensaul, 1996) and while all are carnivorous, several species are experiencing a dramatic downward trend in all or part of their ranges in southern Africa. This is especially true of Vultures, many of which have become extinct. Raptors have helped shape the ecology of deserts in terms of prey population stability, species composition and the evolution of anti-predator behaviour. They can regulate a prey population and promote between-year stability and have limited the diversity of desert birds to those that are adapted to the risks associated with inhabiting such an exposed environment (Cook, 1997). The Peregrine Falcon is listed on Appendix I of CITES, while all hawks, eagles and falcons are listed on Appendix II (Weidensaul, 1996). The ‘globally threatened’ Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres has probably bred in the Tswapong Hills for well over a century, and currently breeds at three sites within the hills complex (Tyler and Bishop, 1998). Other locally rare cliff nesting birds such as the Black Stork (Cicinia nigra), Black Eagles (Aquila verreauxii) and Booted Eagles (Hieraaetus pennatus) are also found there. However the only raptor observed in the immediate project area, was a solitary Wahlberg’s Eagle. Cape Vultures at Tswapong

In light of its ‘globally threatened’ status the conservation of the Cape Vulture is regarded as an important environmental issue surrounding the development of diamond mine at Lerala. Consequently, it is important to understand the nature and distribution of this species, in order to appreciate the regional significance of the Tswapong Hills nesting sites. Unlike most other vulture species in southern Africa which nest in trees, the Cape Vulture is a cliff nesting bird. They breed together in colonies, varying in size from six to several hundred pairs. Their nests are placed on ledges, not necessarily inaccessible, but often overhung. They are built mostly of grass, sometimes with a few sticks laid round them. Some of the nesting material is gathered near the colony and pairs rob sticks from other nests nearby. An average nest is eighteen inches across by six inches deep, with a shallow depression nine inches across in the centre, but they vary from a scrape with a few tufts of grass to elaborate structures decorated with sticks. They are used year after year, and become plastered with droppings in the course of the season. Nest construction takes up to two months.

3.8.3 Reptiles and Amphibians

A total of 94 species of reptiles and 23 species of amphibian occur in the quarter degree square into which the Project area falls. A number of species of dangerous snakes occur, including the Boomslang (Dispholidus typus typus), Cape Cobra (Naja



40

nivea), Puff Adder (Bitis arietans), Horned Adder (Bitis caudalis), Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje), Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica), Twig Snake (Thelotornis capensis) and the Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis). The Rock Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus albigularis) is also present. Others are the Bushveld Lizard (Heliobolus lugubris), Common Rough-scaled Lizard (Ichnotropis squamulosa), Spotted Sandveld Lizard (Nucras intertexta), Ground Agama (Agama a. aculeate), Kalahari Ground Gecko (Colopus w. wahlbergii), Bibron's Gecko (Pachydactylus bibronii), Cape Gecko (Pachydactylus c. capensis) and the Common Barking Gecko (Ptenopus g. garrulusgeckos). Lizards and skinks, include the Yellow-throated Plated Lizard, (Gerrhosaurus flavigularis) Variable Skink (Mabuya varia) and Striped Skink (Mabuya striata). Appendix III contains a list of all species expected to be present in the region (based on the distribution data found in Auerbach, 1987 and Branch, 1988).

Unsurprisingly amphibians are poorly represented in the project area, though one specimen each of the Foam Nest Frog (Chiromantis xerampelina), and an Eastern Olive Toad (Bufo garmani) were observed at the site of the project’s exploration camp at E591686, S 7488854.

3.8.4 Insects

Unlike the conspicuous fauna, however, our knowledge of invertebrate groups and microorganisms is extremely poor, such that there are undoubtedly many hundreds of species that have yet to be detailed by taxonomists, with even crude inventories lacking for most habitat types. No insects or other invertebrates are listed in the Red Data List for Botswana (IUCN 2004). An exhaustive invertebrate survey is beyond the scope of this study, but due to the high mobility of this group, a list of the species whose status has been evaluated and that occur in neighbouring South Africa, have been included in Appendix III. These belong exclusively to the highly visible orders, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera and Odonata. The status of the listed species is also recorded. The grass harvester termite (Hodotermes spp) occurs in abundance in the Kalahari and is of great importance in terms of nutrient and energy cycling and ecosystem functioning. No data are available on the composition or numbers of the insect or microfaunal populations. A few large termitaria were evident in the project area, one close to the plant site, though in an area of previously cleared ground.

Taylor and Moss (1982) report that Botswana has a great diversity of insects, some of which do have economic potential, like the mophane worm (Gonimbrasa belina), that occurs within the Project Area. Well established invasive insects in urban areas in South Africa include such tramp species as cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) and (Blatella germanica) and the fly (Musca domestica) (Richardson et al, 2000). In this respect Botswana is no different, with the bedbug (Cimex lectularius) also present.

3.9 Old and Current Prospecting in the Lease Area

There are no other mining operations currently active in the immediate vicinity but Albidon hold prospecting licences abutting to DiamoneX’s Licence area for base metals, precious stones and Platinum Group Minerals (PLs 23 and 24, 2005).



41

3.10 Surface Water

The Lotsane River represents a sand-bed, sixth order stream with intermittent flow which drains a dry, temperately sloping catchment, and it is classified as an irregular meandering river. The western boundary of the Lotsane catchment follows the general line of the Kalahari/Zimbabwe axis of uplift. Ephemeral flows occur in shallow channels that occur throughout the project area, which is otherwise devoid of major tributaries or channels. The principle tributaries which enter the Lotsane upstream from Maunatlala are the Dikabeya, the Morupule and the Maitshokwane. Significant runoff occurs from the Tswapong Hills, with about 400km2 draining into the Lotsane River from the south through a large number of small steep tributaries between Palapye and Maunatlala.

3.11 Hydrogeological Regime

The regional groundwater flow appears to be generally eastwards towards the Limpopo River, although at a local scale drainage systems tend to constitute the focus of groundwater flow. The Tswapong Hills are generally considered to be an area of recharge, and groundwater flow assumes a radial pattern away from the hills, and hydraulic gradients adjacent to the hills are locally steep. A groundwater divide has been mapped between Lerala and Moeng, and appears to extend further westwards along the crest of the hills. Potential aquifers in the area can be subdivided into three categories i.e. the secondary fractured aquifers of both the Palapye Group and the Basement Complex, and the primary Quaternary aquifers along the foot of the hills. A separate study was commissioned by Diamonex to investigate the aquifer potential for process water.

3.11.1 Aquifer Characteristics

Alluvial and Hillwash/Scree Aquifers

Alluvial and scree aquifers are mostly utilized by hand dug wells along the foot of the Tswapong Hills and in several of the main water courses. Studies by Thomas and Hyde (1972), Wikner (1980) and Nord (1985) indicate that one single flow event in the sand river channels is sufficient to replace all natural losses despite the exploitation by abstraction from hand-dug wells, shallow pits and boreholes. The Tshokane calcrete area located northeast of Maunatlala village has the highest density of wells. Borehole and well yields from these aquifers are extremely variable, although six boreholes drilled in the Tswapong Hills scree zone (see Table 3.5) indicate an average yield of 10 m3/hr. In all these four boreholes drilling difficulties were experienced, and the simple slotted casing used in construction resulted in sand ingress during pumping.



42

TABLE 3.5 Scree Aquifer Borehole Yields

Borehole No. Depth (m) Yields (m3/hr)

5946 30 4,5+ 5944 31 10 3784 23 12 6116 100 15

BH 10 110 10 BH 18 60 17

Palapye Group Aquifers

Potential aquifers comprise fractured arenaceous units of the Moeng and Tswapong Formations, with their potential generally enhanced by topography which creates improved recharge areas. On average, groundwater strikes are deep (greater than 50 mbgl) when compared to other aquifers in the region. In some places (Moeng area) several water strikes are encountered in one borehole. Existing records indicate confined aquifers, with elevated rest water levels (about 10 mbgl), and airlift yields averaging about 7 m3/hr. Borehole BH 6234 recorded the highest yield in the area (24 m3/hr from a water strike at 224 m depth). Along the hill slopes in the Lerala-Maunatlala area, these aquifers are likely to be in hydraulic continuity with the scree aquifers and are thought to be the source of most springs that emanate from the Tswapong Hills. Borehole BH 5940, west of Seolwane and located at foot of the hills, intercepted a good aquiferous zone in the Palapye Group aquifer in this environment.

Recent work by Wellfield Consulting Services in the Tswapong Formation of the Palapye Group on the northwest margin of the hills (DWA, 1997) has also indicated extremely good aquifer potential, with very high yields (> 80 m3/hr) from individual boreholes, albeit with water strikes at considerable depths (> 200 m) in a fractured quartzitic sandstone environment.

Basement Complex Aquifers

Groundwater potential in the Basement Complex has been categorized as ‘uniformly poor’ (DGS, Hydrogeological Reconnaissance Map, Sheet 8), and borehole yields are generally less than 2 m3/hr, with the aquifer having low storage and poor transmitting properties. Groundwater levels in the gneissic terrain are relatively shallow (less than 30 mbgl.) and an average regional hydraulic gradient of approximately 1% in the easterly direction has been noted. Most shallow groundwater occurs in a combination of weathered zones and alluvial deposits along rivers. In highly fractured areas water strikes can be deeper and aquifer parameters can be somewhat improved. Aquifer properties of several such tested boreholes in a small wellfield developed by WCS in a Basement aquifer to the south of Kgagodi (DWA, 1989) are shown in Table 3.6. In 1997 WCS developed a few boreholes around the Mining Lease area and these are tabulated in Table 3.7.




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TABLE 3.6 Basement Complex Aquifer Properties

Borehole

No. SWL (m)

Airlift Yield (m3/hr)

Test Yield (m3/hr)

Transmissivity (m2/d)

Specific Capacity (m3/h/m)

6115 24.6 5 6.1 8-15 0.36 6120 24.0 4 5.8 3-8 0.12 6121 34.4 15 11.7 30-34 1.48 6122 19.6 3 2.4 3-4 0.13 6127 23.3 12 6.6 9-10 0.32

(All Data from DWA, 1989).

TABLE 3.7 Summary Details of Boreholes in the Mining Area

BH No SWL (m)

Depth (m)

Airlift (m3/hr)

Test Q (m3/hr)

TDS (mg/l)

Recom. Abstraction

(m3/hr)

Location Details

22o 42’ 40” BH 1 6.02 120 2 3.5 535 3

27o 53’ 50” 22o 42’ 48”

BH 2 26.25 120 18 33 478 18 27o 52’ 38” 22o 44’ 54”

BH 5 3.24 108 2 5 600 6 27o 51’ 36” 22o 42’ 46”

BH 5 35.10 120 15 5.5 483 4 27o 52’ 32” 22o 42’ 12”

BH 16 6.0 120 13 20 531 18 27o 52’ 51”

K 3/2 22.76 90 * 6 354 3

K 4/1 1.41 91 * 5 582 5

(Note: * no yield estimates) (all data flow WCS 1997 report) The data in Tables 3.6 and 3.7 indicate an average airlift yield of 8 m3/hr, which, however, is still lower than the Palapye Group fractured aquifers. These aquifers, together with the fractured and weathered amphibolite aquifers at Sunnyside Farm and Seleka, provide an example of potentially the best aquifers that have been encountered in the gneissic terrain.

3.11.2 Groundwater Quality

The proximity of the Tswapong Hills which is considered as an area of recharge, probably accounts for the water quality in the productive boreholes in the area. Residence times are likely to be low, and this is reflected in the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) values indicated in Table 3.7 The hillwash and scree aquifers yield good quality water. Partial hydrochemical analyses carried out by DWA on samples from these boreholes indicate potable groundwater with low TDS averaging about 110 mg/l.



44

The Palapye Group aquifers yield good quality water, and TDS values of less than 1000 mg/l are common. Water quality from the Basement Complex aquifers is generally good, although high levels of nitrate have been reported. It is generally believed, however, that the nitrates are a result of wellhead pollution. All the above waters fall within the World Health Organisation (WHO) limits for potable supply, as well as those of the Government of Botswana, Bureau of Standards.

3.11.3 Current Groundwater Abstraction.

A reconnaissance field survey was undertaken (WCS 2005) in three principal investigations areas, namely Susulela Lands where the Mining Lease is situated, in Lerala Village area where mine employees are scheduled to be accommodated and the Seolowane-Mmakgabo-Lerala lands area where prospects of good yielding boreholes are anticipated from the scree and alluvium aquifers identified by WCS in 1997. 53 boreholes were identified within the three areas described above. A summary of use and distribution is shown in Table 3.8 below.

TABLE 3.8 Distribution of Water Points Identified during the Reconnaissance Survey

Location Susulela Lerala Majwaneng Seolowane/ Mmakgabo

De Beers Mine

10

0

0

1 (Z8126/No.10) Abstr. 17m3/hr

Dept Water Affairs 0 6 1 8 Central District Council 0 6 0 5

Ownership

Syndicate (farmers) 13 0 0 3

Totals 23 12 1 17

Industrial/domestic � � Exploration /Domestic � � � Usage Livestock watering � �

Equipped/In use (Mine) 2

(Z8181 /Z8135)

0

0

0

Equipped/In use (Syndicate)

6 0 0 1

Equipped/In use (Council)

0 2 0 2

Equipped/abandoned (CDC)

0 4 0 0

Status

Not equipped/ condition unknown

15 7 1 13

Storage Reservoirs Estimated Capacities (m3)

30 100 300

0 75

In general, boreholes within the Susulela Lands area were found to be shallower in depth with rest water levels in the region of 5.0m below ground surface around the



45

Mining Lease, becoming slightly deeper further away where rest water levels of around 20.0m depth were recorded. Unfortunately rest water levels could not be established for most boreholes because they were sealed and had caps welded.

In the Lerala and Seolowane areas boreholes are significantly deeper, with some in the Palapye Group aquifers in the region of 300m with water levels of the order of 50 mbgl (BH 8726). With regards to monitoring, none of the boreholes in the entire area surveyed are properly monitored, including those operated by Central District Council and the DiamonEx Mining Lease boreholes. There is no monitoring of the actual individual borehole output for Mining Lease and syndicate boreholes, and records for abstraction volumes at District Council boreholes are sketchy despite boreholes being operated on a continuous basis (almost 24hrs per day). Abstraction volumes are generally only measured in terms of reservoir capacities and times taken to fill i.e. boreholes are only switched off when the tanks overflow.

According to District Council pump operators, water levels measurements in the Lerala wellfield have also not been maintained for the last six months due to equipment failure (broken dippers and flat batteries) and lack of dipper access in some of the boreholes. The later was proved correct as current investigations failed to gain access to several operational boreholes in the area. One important point to be noted is that there are several cattle syndicate boreholes within the Mining Lease area (Susulela) whose water levels ought to be monitored to avoid future problems with local farmers. If in the future the mine may have to dewater the pits for ease of excavation then groundwater levels in the area may decline, affecting those close to the mine and sharing the same resource. It would thus be advisable that the mine has some baseline data to counteract any claims.

3.11.4 Current Supply/Demand and Monitoring

Water Supply for the Martin’s Drift Mining Lease an d Adjacent Villages

The current supply situation at the Mining Lease and at the adjacent villages has been investigated and is described below.

Water Supply Situation at the Martin’s Drift Mining Lease

Processing water for the pilot plant and domestic requirements for at least 20 employees are currently met from one borehole (BH Z8181) and a standby borehole (BH Z8135) developed during the previous WCS programme in 1997 adjacent to the Mining Lease area. Some water conservation measures are being taken by recycling used water within the plant but the exact amount of water being drawn from the boreholes is not known. There is no monitoring mechanism for water levels within the boreholes themselves and no one knows the size of the three ‘pipe reservoirs’ on site. Crude measurements taken during the reconnaissance survey indicate that the three tanks (height and diameters inaccessible) installed by De Wet Drilling during earlier site development by De Beers probably have a combined capacity of 30m3. It was also understood that in several of the core holes drilled by De Wet Drilling, large amounts of water were encountered. However, since they are located within the





46

kimberlitic pipes their utilization must be questionable and some of these borehole sites have become isolated mounds because of excavation around them. It should be noted also that the local water table is very shallow, with most boreholes registering +/-5.0mbgl rest water levels, and thus dewatering may have to be considered in the near future.

A clearer picture of the available water resources at the mine has been extrapolated from data available from the hydrogeological investigations undertaken by WCS in 1999 supplemented with data from the WCS survey of 2005 (Table.3.2).

TABLE 3.9 Recommended Yields from WCS, 1999 (Remarks from Reconnaissance Survey, April 2005)

Temp BH No

Official BH No

Pump Setting (mbgl)

Allowable drawdown

(m)

Recommended Abstraction

Rates (m3/hr) Remarks

BH 1 Z8136 80 10 2

Near Mafoko’s cattle post bh. Low yield. May interfere with cattle post abstraction. Not recommended.

BH 2 Z8135 80 20 13.0 ?

6 (ok)

Equipped with submersible. The 20m drawdown allows dewatering, 7.5m drawdown should be critical. Yield to reduce to 50% to avoid dewatering.

BH 5 Z8137 80 10 3 Low yield bh, could be re-equipped at the recommended production abstraction rate

BH 15 Z8173 80 50 4 Bh close to Z8135 and may interfere with pumping of that borehole if both equipped.

BH 16 None 80 10 17

Bh has no official ID and not located on ground but coordinates indicates near Mafoko cattle post. (Not available for use)

BH 10/18 Z8126 55 11 17

Bh available in Mmakgabo (+25km away) with 6m screen at 26m and 56m Pump installed above bottom screens recommended.

BH K3/2 - 80 18 2.5

Within pit and excavations around borehole maybe problematic for reticulation purposes

BH K4/1 - 80 4 3

Within pit and excavations around borehole maybe problematic for reticulation purposes

Total water resource from existing and available boreholes within Susulela and Mmakgabo areas 30

Note: Bh yields highlighted in smaller font are not recommended. Yields shown in larger fonts would be acceptable



47

Water Supply Situation at Lerala and Majwaneng Villages

The Reconnaissance Survey established from the pump operators, the chief and VDC members that there is water shortage within Lerala village. The chief was, however, quick to point out that he was not sure whether the shortage was due to pipeline loses or borehole failures but the water shortage was apparent and very consistent. On discussing the issue with the operators and visiting the borehole sites, it became very clear that the water shortage problem is operational deficiencies and mechanical problems as opposed to leakage or reduced supply from the sources. The main Lerala wellfield boreholes are located approximately 20km from the village on the Tswapong Hills slopes, an area not easily navigable even using four wheel drive vehicles. Pump operators on bicycles navigate through thick forests known to be home of vicious wild game and poisonous large snakes, black mamba and pythons. At the bottom of the hills, operators leave their bicycles and walk to borehole sites on the other side of the hills to switch on the boreholes at times as early as 6:30am. It is the fear of aggravating some of the known predators and possibly loss of life that inhibit operators from constantly monitoring their boreholes. Currently three high yielding boreholes are pumping (BHs 3771, 8927 and 8926) in the Tswapong Hills scree aquifer. Several other boreholes in the valley wellfield have been abandoned and these include BHs 4310, 6148, 6149, 6130 and 6232. The operational boreholes are operated for 24hrs per day except for 20 to 30 minutes spent diesel fuelling or filter cleaning. The diesel engine at one borehole (BH 8926) in particular often switches off at night and since the borehole site is remote and dangerous for anyone to travel after hours, no one knows exactly how long and how much the borehole pumps before switching itself off. With such data, the actual output cannot be reliably quantified. However, some estimates have been made from the available sketchy data (Table 3.10). It was estimated that at least 34m3/hr is pumped from three boreholes per 23.5hr pumping day (BH 3771 output estimated at 12m3/hr, BH 8926 at 9.4m3/hr and BH 8927 at 12.6m3/hr), making a combined potential daily output of approximately 700m3. This figure is twice the estimated reservoir capacities of 400m3 for the two tanks in Lerala.

However, since there are continuous shortages of water at the village it is apparent that the system operation has numerous faults that need rectifying and that the resource is available and is not being managed properly.

TABLE 3.10 Production Borehole Information in Lerala Wellfield

Water Supply Situation at Lerala and Majwaneng Villages

Water Source BH No.

Pumping Rate (m3/hr)

Pumping Hrs Daily Output (m3)

Combined Volume (m3)

8927 12.6 23.5 296.1 8926* 9.4 12.0 112.8 3771** 11.9 23.5 279.7

688.6

Reservoir Capacity & locations: Tank 1 (100m3) 0577308 7480568

Tank 2 (300m3) 0569299 7483530

Note: * BH operated 24hrs but records show persistent engine failure for 50% of operational period, hence output reduced by half. ** BH not regularly pumped and therefore total output is exaggerated & probable surplus may not realistic.




48

Water Supply Situation at Seolowane Village

The water supply situation in Seolowane is stable and under control. Two boreholes are linked to supply. One borehole (BH 8726) located south of the village is close and easily accessible and the other (BH 8027) is approximately 2.6km further south. BH 8726 is high yielding (approximately 9.9m3/hr and operated for 12hrs per day) and basically meets the village water requirements with sufficient surplus to offer bowser supply to other villages like Mukukwane, Mosweu, Lerala and Maunatlala on an ‘as needed’ basis. The second borehole (BH 8027) was drilled some 100m away from a former De Beers high yield borehole (BH Z8126) inscribed as No.18 on the casing and No.10 on borehole certificate. This production borehole (BH 8027) is hardly pumped because it is far away and the track to site has also not been fully developed for easy access. However, records indicate that BH 8027 should be capable of producing in excess of 15 m3/hr if suitably equipped. The borehole fuel log book was not examined because the pump shelter was locked. Estimated production data is indicated in Table 3.11

TABLE 3.11 Production Borehole Information in Seolwane

Water Supply Situation at Seolowane

BH No. Pumping Rate (m3/hr) Pumping Hrs Daily Output

(m3) Combined Daily

Volume (m3) BH 8726 9.9 12 118.8 BH 8027 15 12 180

298.8

Reservoir Capacity & location: Tank1: 75m3

*Abstraction for BH 8027 has been estimated from existing data to arrive at a total daily volume

3.12 Air quality

Ambient air quality is typical of that for the area and only affected negatively by traffic, periodic fires and dust devils.

3.13 Noise and Vibration

The area is peaceful with noise, defined as an unwanted sound, an unsolicited intrusion of one’s peace and quiet, almost entirely absent. The tar road to Lerala does result in some noise in an otherwise tranquil setting.

3.14 Archaeological and Cultural Aspects

The archaeological impact assessment was undertaken by Dr Nick Walker at the University of Botswana and is described below and in the impact section of this report.

3.14.1 Introduction

The Susulela kimberlite field comprises 5 diamondiferous pipes that have been previously examined, and in some cases, mined by De Beers. They are due to be reworked by DiamonEx Botswana Ltd. In terms of the Monuments & Relics Act (2001), no development may take place before a full archaeological impact study has been carried out. This report was commissioned by Wellfield Consulting Services



49

who, in turn were commissioned by DiamonEx Botswana Ltd.in accordance with the Mines and Minerals Act (1999), and the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (2005).

3.14.2 Previous Research

Southeast Bobirwa is not well known archaeologically and in fact the only known archaeological sites within 20km of the project have been discovered through Environmental Impact studies (eg van Waarden 1989). They include a Moloko Iron Age site on the eastern slopes of the Tswapong hills and a Middle Stone Age (MSA) site south of the Lotsane River discovered by van Waarden and Campbell during a powerline survey (Campbell & van Waarden 1993). Prior to development of the Susulela field, De Deers had also commissioned a survey of the area and a low density of Late Stone Age (LSA) stone tools had been recorded (Lane 1996). Lane had given a single site reference for the whole mine area, namely 27D2.3. In order to avoid confusion, each precise location is now given a suffix, e.g. 27D2.3a.

3.14.3 Previous Development

De Beers’ exploratory strategy had been to scrape off the overlying sand and calcrete and then blast out some of the superficial kimberlite for testing. Reinstatement of the sites, after De Beers’ closure of the mine, once more filled the pit, but more recent prospecting had reopened and extended parts of the excavation. Unfortunately there were no decent profiles to try and assess where material might have come from.

3.15 Sensitive Landscapes and Protected Areas

The Tswapong Hills stand out in an otherwise homogenous landscape and vegetation setting. The Hills may well be impacted by the proposed wellfield and pipeline, which will however be subject to a full and independent EIA.

3.16 Visual Aspects

As is typical of the Kalahari, savanna visibility is low when travelling along the bush tracks and confined to the surrounding vegetation. Spectacular views occur from the top of the Tswapong Hills.

3.17 Regional and Socio-Economic Structure

The MDDP mine is located at Sesulela cattle posts, near Lerala village within Central Serowe / Palapye sub – district. Lerala is the nearest settlement with a population of 5,747. The nearest administrative and economic center is Palapye with a population of 26, 293 (2001 census). The proposed mine will affect the Lerala community to a certain extent, but will mostly affect the residents of Sesulela cattle posts which has a population of about 98 people. Out of these, sixty six (66) are male and thirty two (32) female. About fifteen (15) cattle posts and boreholes/wells in Sesulela fall within the 2km radius of the Kimberlites 2 – 6. Population projections for Central Serowe / Palapye sub – district is 179,267 for 2006 and 220,565 for 2016. Cattleposts comprise a borehole, kraals - fenced or thorn bush enclosures where the cattle are kept at night, and the, often adjoining, huts of herders. The water point includes the borehole itself, a storage tank and the water trough, though the quality of this infrastructure can vary considerably, with some boreholes pumping directly into a flooded water trough area. Infrastructure costs are therefore minimal.



50

Lerala and the surrounding cattle posts fall within the Bamangwato Tribal Territory. The overall overseer is the Bamangwato Chief, who has delegated such powers to the sub – Chief who resides at Lerala. The predominant ethnic group is the Batswapong, but there are also people from other tribes. It is important for DiamonEx to understand and appreciate the culture of the resident community necessitating a close contact with the Kgosi, in order to ensure that cultural protocols and rights are observed.

3.18 Communication links

The project area connects to the Lerala – Maunatlala tarred road approximately 10 kms from the project plant site. There are other roads which were constructed by the Debeers mine which lead to the Sesulela cattle posts. The residents of the area noted that these roads have improved communication linkage within the area. The nearest village, Lerala is linked to the rest of the country by tarred roads which have enabled the establishment of an efficient public transport. Other means of communication include a telecommunication network; railway station at Palapye; and a post office. The area is also linked to the neighbouring States through the Martin’s Drift border gate. This enables free movement of goods to / from the Tuli Block commercial farms to other markets.

3.19 Public Services While there are no services in the cattle post area, Lerala is serviced by small grocery stores, village cooperative society, primary and a community junior secondary school. The nearest police station is located at Maunatlala which is 20km away and Martin’s Drift which is 30km away. The village gets water from a borehole which is reticulated to both stand pipes and private connections. The reliability of the water supplied is sometimes low due to technical challenges.

3.20 SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis of the area revealed the following:-



51

TABLE 3.12 SWOT Analysis

WEAKNESSES STRENGTHS

o lack of technical skills

o absence of an integrated strategic plan

for Lerala/ Tswapong area

o inadequate tourism development

o High rate of unemployment

o Absence of ecotourism diversification

strategy

� Benchmarking

� Availability of funding sources like

CEDA for tourism ventures

� Current support and interest for the

development of community based

natural resources management

(CBNRM) initiatives

� Large potential for tourism product

diversification

� Effective communication and good

governance system through Kgotla

THREATS OPPORTUNITIES

� HIV/AIDS pandemic

� Globalisation

� Poor performance of the economy

� Unreliable rainfall

� International Donor interest for CBNRM

initiatives

� Infrastructural development

� Enabling policies for development

projects e.g tourism development

� NDP / DDP

� Implementation of Performance

Management system within the civil

service

� Resource diversity

(adapted from the District Development Plan 6: 2003 – 2009)

3.21 Employment Pattern

According to the 2001 labour statistics, unemployment for the whole country ranges from 15% in Cities and Towns to around 24% in urban villages. Economically active population (and current employment status) in the Central Serowe / Palapye sub – district for paid employment is 24, 275 and 263 for payment in kind. The number of people who are actively seeking work in the sub district is 9, 662. The rate of unemployed population in the Sub – district is 23.5%, the majority of are female.

3.22 Sources of Income

The affected community is predominantly rural so most of the residents are engaged in arable and livestock agriculture. Most operations are at subsistence level. Crops grown include sorghum, maize, beans, water melon, and others. However, commercial farming is practised in the nearby Tuli Block farms. Cattle rearing is the predominant land use type in the area. Below is information on the total number of livestock as established through interviewing the owners of the ten (10) cattleposts.



52

TABLE 3.13 Livestock Numbers

Figure 3.15 Number of Livestock within the Affected Cattleposts

Number of Livestock within the affected Cattleposts

0

200

400

600

800

1000

Cattle Goats Sheep Donkeys Other

Type of Livestock

Num

ber

Livestock

Other sources of income include working as a casual labourer, petty trade, sale of cattle, and performing menial tasks like herding cattle. All the respondents reported that they do not hunt in the area.

3.23 Potential for Economic Diversification

Tourism Development

Currently, most tourism development in the area takes place in the private farms. Some communities (like Moremi) in Tswapong have already started CBNRM projects for tourism purposes. Nonetheless, the industry could be improved to maximize benefits and create the much needed employment opportunities. The whole of Tswapong area is endowed with an array of natural and cultural resources, like scenic hills, and rich culture which could sustain eco – tourism development. An array of tourism activities could be developed around the Tswapong hills. The Hills were the centre of the Iron industry in prehistoric times. Moreover, there are myths surrounding these hills which could be interesting for cultural tourism. The hills are also endowed with beautiful springs and Gorges like Moremi which is already a popular feature. This feature is already used by the Moremi community for CBNRM purposes. Activities include hill climbing, nature walks, guided tours and bird watching – especially the Cape Vulture (White, 2001). The area also has adequate accommodation facilities.

The potential for tourism growth in the area could be enhanced by selling the place as a package of all the tourism activities in the area (including the activities taking place in the private farms). This constitutes a tourism niche that has not been fully

Cattle 887

Goats 407

Sheep 12

Donkeys 59

Other 5



53

developed. Tourism development could only be achieved by adopting an integrated approach via the collaboration of all stakeholders. In this respect the development of a tourism strategic plan for the entire Tswapong area would be critical.

Development of Commercial Agriculture The Government has currently introduced the NAMPAAD (National Agriculture Master plan) to transform the agriculture sector from subsistence to commercial farming. Focus is on the development of rainfed agriculture, irrigated agriculture, and dairy farming. This is based on the mixed farming model for improving production stability and for widening the commercial base of the three agriculture sectors. Emphasis is placed on creating a marketing platform that will serve as a basis for the planning of each sector. NAMPAAD presents an opportunity for rural communities like Lerala to diversify. The adjacent Tuli Blocks farms stand testimony to the potential of this sector. The Tuli Block model of farming could be cascaded to the Tswapong communities and improve food self sufficiency and sources of income at both the household and community level.



54

4 SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Diamond mining has been a very lucrative source of revenue for the country for 30 years. Most Batswana will be aware of this fact. In Lerala, the experience of the local residents in the late nineties and beyond have familiarised them to an extent with the industry by the existence of having the Tswapong Mining Company (Pty) Ltd. on their doorsteps, and some of the coincident advantages and disadvantages. The current feasibility study and the integral EIA generated a lot of interest.

4.1 Methodology

Both questionnaires and telephone surveys were used to get people’s views and opinions regarding the proposed mine. The questionnaire was administered for the Sub – Chief of Lerala, the affected Cattle post Owners, and representatives of the various district offices. The interviewed Officers were from Palapye sub - Land Board, clinic, primary and secondary schools, Brigade, Palapye district agricultural Office, and the veterinary department. There was difficulty in consulting some owners of the affected cattle posts at Sesulela. About fifteen (15) Cattle posts at Sesulela fall within the 2km radius from the project sites. Out of these ten (10) were interviewed (i.e ~67%) while the remaining 5 could not be reached. As consultation is one of the fundamental principles of development in Botswana, Wellfields facilitated a community consultation meeting on the 8th of October 2005 at the Lerala kgotla (see Appendix IV for records of the proceedings). Based on experience from similar consultative meetings, DiamonEx was invited to brief the community of the proposed project and get the two stakeholders to exchange views and opinions. The meeting was highly publicised through print media (local newspapers) and radio. the meeting was attended by stakeholders who included the members of the Lerala community, representatives of the Tuli Block Farmers Association, district Officers, representatives of DiamonEx, other interest groups and consultants from Wellfield Consulting Services.

Questionnaires were also distributed at the meeting. However only twenty six (26) completed questionnaires were returned to the Consultant.



55

Plate 4.1 Public Consultation - Stakeholders being addressed by a Representative from DiamonEx at Lerala Kgotla

Plate 4.2 Attendance at the Lerala Kgotla Meeting



56

4.2 Knowledge of the Proposed Project

Out of the fifteen (15) cattlepost owners, ten (10) were interviewed while the remaining 5 were out at the time of the interview. Seven (7) respondents from Sesulela cattleposts knew about the proposed diamond mine project, as compared to twenty three (23) out of twenty six (26) in Lerala.

Number of respondents who know about the proposed reopening of the Tswapong mine

0.00

5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

25.00

Yes No

Knowledge of the mine

Nu

mb

er

4.3 Impacts of the Project as perceived by the Affected Community

CONSTRUCTION

Negative aspects Legislation Positive aspects Legislation (i) Disturbance of the

ancestral spirits due to

noise pollution

(ii) increase in respiratory

diseases due to dust

generated through hauling.

(iii) buildings cracking as

a result of the impact of

blasting

(iv) displacement of

people

(v) relocation of cattle

posts

(vi) reduced grazing land

(vii) reduced arable land (viii) damage to property

due to fly rocks

According to the Mines &

Minerals Act (1999) …“the

Minister shall ensure, in the

public interest, that the mineral

resources of the Republic are

investigated and exploited in

the most efficient, beneficial

and timely manner”

..“no holder of a mineral

concession shall exercise any

right thereunder …without the

written consent of the Owner or

lawful occupier thereof”.

..“the lawful occupier of any

land within the area of a

mineral concession shall retain

the right to graze stock upon or

to cultivate the surface of such

land…”

(i) Employment creation

(ii) Increase in sources of

income at household level

e.g through renting out

houses and selling

agricultural produce to

mine employees

(iii) Multiplier effect –

other services will be

developed e.g English

medium schools, private

clinics etc.

(iv) Development of the

village into a town as a

result of the services

provided

According to

the Mines &

Minerals Act

(1999) …“…“the

Minister shall

ensure, in the

public interest,

that the mineral

resources shall

of the Republic

are investigated

and exploited in

the most

efficient,

beneficial and

timely manner



57

OPERATION (i) displacement of people

(ii) relocation of cattle

posts

(iii) increase in HIV/AIDS

prevalence

(iv) pressure on existing

services due to population

increase

(v) influx of people

looking for employment

(vi) increase in incidents

of crime

(vii) attraction of livestock

to slimes area and

potential drinking

contaminated water

(viii) poor performance of

agriculture due to

migration of cattle herders

to the mines

(ix) reduced aesthetics due

to scaring of the physical

environment

(x) increase in cattle theft

as a result of influx of

people from other areas

(xi) increase in student

drop out

..“the holder of a mineral

concession shall, on demand

being made by the owner or

lawful occupier of any land

subject to such concession,

promptly pay such owner or

occupier fair and reasonable

compensation for any

disturbance or rights of such

owner…”

(i) Payment of royalties

(ii) Multiplier effect – other

services will be developed

e.g English medium schools,

private clinics etc.

(iii) Development of the

village into a town as a

result of the services

provided

(iv) Increased infrastructure

development

(v) Increased security

(vi) Increased economic

growth due to payment of

royalties

(vii) Increased funding for

social activities through the

social responsibility

programme

(viii) Health cover for each

mine personnel employee

+/- 4 members of his/her

family.

(ix) Improved standards of

living due to increase in

cash income

(ix) Establishment of a

primary/critical care on-site

facility for all mine

employees

(x) Skills transfer through

training for specialised jobs

“

..”Subject to the

provisions of

this part, the

holder of a

mineral

concession shall

be liable to pay

royalties to the

Government on

any mineral

obtained by

him…”

CLOSURE

Negative aspects Legislation Positive aspects Legislation

(i) Development of

ghost town

(ii) open borrow pits

(iii) unsightly heaps of

sand

..“the holder shall… conduct

his operation in such manner

as to preserve in as far as is

possible the natural

environment…”

see also ËIA Act 2005

The above shows the impacts of the proposed project as perceived by the community, with a ranking of the significance of these impacts (as perceived by the community) shown below.



58

ACTIVITY ASPECT IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE

RANKING

CONSTRUCTION

Rock blasting / crushing

Loading/hauling

Noise and dust generation

Health & safety

Disturbance of the

ancestral spirits

Cracks on buildings

Damage to property by fly

rock

H

Employment creation

Improved sources of

income

L

Payment of royalties Economic growth

L

Development of

infrastructure

Increased budget

provisions

L

Development of Lerala

village into a town

Improved services L

Increase in theft and crime Reduced security L

Population increase Pressure on existing social

services

L

Establishment of the mine

Rural – urban Decrease in agricultural

production

L

OPERATION

Capacity building programme Training of locals on

specialised skills

Skills transfer L

Social responsibility

programme of the mine

Increased funding for village

activities

Socio – economic

development

L

Waste disposal Contaminated seepage Health and Safety

Groundwater

contamination

L

Establishment of

primary/critical care facility

for mine employees

Increase in access to health

facilities

Improved health facilities L

CLOSURE

Extension of open pit Spatial extent Loss of arable and grazing

land

Displacement of people

L



59

5 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

5.1 Introduction

The impact assessment model forms the basis of the approach used in this report to identify assess and manage environmental impacts. This model focuses on management by ensuring that the mechanisms for environmental impacts are understood. It is based on the International Standards Organisation (ISO) Environmental Management System standards (ISO 14001, 1996), where the mechanisms that can cause environmental impacts are termed environmental aspects. Environmental aspects are defined as an element of an organisation’s activity, product or service, which can have a beneficial or adverse impact on the environment. For example, it could involve a discharge, an emission, consumption or reuse of a material, or noise (ISO 14001, 1996). The following four steps are used to evaluate the impacts resulting from these aspects: • Select an activity; • Identify environmental aspects; • Identify environmental impacts; • Evaluate significance of environmental aspect management measures in

place. Impacts are qualitatively assessed through an environmental matrix. The main components of the matrix are:

IMPACT SEVERITY, classified as

LOW - minor deterioration MEDIUM - measurable deterioration HIGH - measurable deterioration which often exceeds

legislation or standards PROBABILITY:

LOW - Unlikely, seldom MEDIUM - Possible, frequent HIGH - Definite, continuous

DURATION:

LOW - Short term, quickly reversible (1 –5 years) MEDIUM - Medium term, life of the project (5-20 years) HIGH - Long term, beyond closure (> 20 years)

SPATIAL INFLUENCE

LOW - Localised, site MEDIUM - Fairly widespread, beyond site boundary HIGH - Widespread, regional/national



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The significance of the potential impacts associated with the significant aspects can be determined by considering the risk:

RISK (Significance) = PROBABILITY X CONSEQUENCE

The consequence of impacts can be described by considering the severity; duration; and spatial extent of the impact, according to the tables detailed in Appendix V. The overall significance of impacts can then be arrived at by combining the consequence of the impact and the probability of occurrence, as shown in Appendix V. The overall SIGNIFICANCE ranking is interpreted as follows: LOW - Acceptable, no specific additional management actions

required. Routine monitoring and control may, however, be required.

MEDIUM - Risk reduction management actions required. HIGH - Unacceptable, substantial additional management is required.

For all impacts with significance or risk ratings that are moderate or high, the required mitigation measures are detailed, together with the consequent reduction in the overall significance of the impact. The impacts and mitigation measures are detailed according to these ISO 14001 guidelines for the three main phases of mine construction, operation and closure, for the mine itself and all related infrastructure. This does result in some repetition, although this is regarded as essential and a necessary part of a comprehensive EIA.

5.2 Construction Impacts The existence of the pits K002-K006 (Plates 5.1 – 5.6) and the main processing area from the period in which De Beers operated the mine means that the primary ‘ecological footprint’ of the mine is already in place. Indeed, it is clear that De Beers left the existing pits and mine in good condition, in that with regard to the pits:- (i) there has been no dumping of waste material within them, (ii) the slopes have been contoured and steep sided edges minimised as far as is possible, (iii) boreholes have been capped (iv) the existing vegetation has been left to form a sharp edge with the boundary of the pit spoil. The revitalisation of the pits and the re-development of the processing plant are regarded as construction impacts. Many of the mitigation measures detailed for them apply equally to the operational stages of the project, but are detailed here in order to ensure that the mitigation measures required around the pits are put in place as soon as possible. Indeed, the existence of a former mine has made the strict separation of construction versus operational impacts difficult in the case of the pits and related waste rock and spoil heaps. A number of tracks and cutlines also run through the lease area, with the pits themselves connected by a ‘loop road’ with the processing area at its centre. Spoil heaps exist at the latter and K3 in particular, with smaller heaps around the pits of K2,



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K4, K5 and K6 showing that much of that material has been moved to the main processing area.

Plate 5.1 View of the plant site and slimes dam from the tailings dump. The foreground shows the pioneer colonisers of the dump, Argemone ochroleuca and Laggeria decurrens

Plate 5.2 At Site K002, the most southerly kimberlite



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Plate 5.3 At Site K003 clearly showing the bulk sample pit.

Plate 5.4 At Site K004



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Construction and operation impacts from the old De Beers operation have thus made a clear ‘footprint’ on the area, with the basic philosophy that this should not be unnecessarily extended a good one for the further development of the proposed mine. De Beers has clearly maintained a high standard during its tenure at the mine and it is important to maintain, and where possible improve, upon past practices. In light of the existing impacts from the old mine the majority of environmental impacts of the proposed Project will be related to the operational phases. The existing firebreaks and tracks should serve as access roads for construction equipment. No borrow pits will be required for the proposed development, with any new sites subject to an EIA.

5.2.1 Biophysical Impacts

The 'diamond mine site' is used here to refer to all mine related infrastructure at the mine site itself. It covers a miscellaneous assortment of structures, which are directly related to the operation of any diamond mine. Significantly, in comparison to the exploitation of other mineral deposits, diamond mining is relatively 'clean' as it does not involve chemical processes. It does however result in some areas becoming irreversibly degraded and it is important to be clear about the spatial extent of these highly disturbed areas, which already exist, and also about the effectiveness of the reclamation measures that will be implemented. 'Degradation' is used in its broadest sense to refer to an effectively permanent change in the primary productivity, and therefore secondary productivity of the land. 'Effectively permanent' is taken to mean that the labour, time and capital costs necessary for rehabilitation are simply not feasible (sensu, Abel and Blaikie, 1989). However, this definition does not take into account the unique context of the proposed mine in the protected area, such that attention is also paid to less tangible disturbance effects and impacts upon such factors as visual quality. Within the diamond mine site at Lerala, the open-cast pits, the spoil heaps and rock dumps, the slimes and tailings dams will all constitute severely degraded sites. They constitute the main 'ecological footprint' of the mine. The EIA team, together with DiamonEx Botswana Limited, has adopted the basic philosophy that in terms of its spatial extent this 'footprint' must be kept to a minimum. This section aims to clearly describe all the environmental impacts that are associated with the proposed diamond mine, paying particular attention to the spatial and temporal extent of the disturbed areas and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures that are proposed. The latter are essential as they form the basis for the recommendations and conclusions that will determine whether or not the proposed diamond mine should be developed. Soil erosion

The clearance of and/or disturbance to existing vegetation creates opportunities for increased soil erosion by winds and flash floods, the common transporting agents in semi-arid climates (Day and Ludeke, 1979). The mopane veld in which the pits and main processing area occurs is characterised by low herbaceous cover – due to heavy grazing pressure from domestic stock, gradual slopes and a series of small streams that run throughout the area. Clearance of vegetation around the pits themselves creates limited opportunities for soil erosion by water due to the existing low relief, and wind (dust) due to the windbreak effect provided by existing vegetation and great



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diversity of rock and particle sizes around the pits (which helps bind the smaller particles together). It is the raised spoil heaps and in particular the tailings, due to the finer particles involved, that have the greatest soil erosion potential by both wind and water, with the sediment laden runoff from overland flow entering the local stream network after rains.

Plate 5.7 Gully Erosion on the Tailings at Main Site

Plate 5.8 Rill and Gully Erosion from Spoil at K003



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With regard to the areas around the pits the policy should be one of minimising the vegetation clearance and as a result the soil erosion potential.

IMPACT SEVERITY: LOW, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: LOW SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: LOW

Significance: MEDIUM

Mitigation

i. Erosion impact due to clearing can be minimised by clearing only the areas required for development.

ii. Cleared areas should be landscaped with shortened slopes (< 15o) so as to guard against erosion.

iii. Cleared scrub vegetation should be laid on bare ground, across the slope, so as to decrease overland flow and erosion effects and facilitate natural rehabilitation of the exposed surfaces.

Significance after mitigation: LOW

Spoil Heaps

The rock dumps and spoil heaps that surround the pits are an inevitable impact of open cast mining. Raising the dumps has the advantage of reducing horizontal spread and destruction of the existing vegetation, but once raised above the tree line, detrimental aesthetic impacts also enter into the equation. The height of the rock dumps around the pits has been reduced by the transport of a considerable amount of this material to the rock crusher and tailings dam during past mining operations – which has subsequently grown in height over the years. A clear separation and stockpiling of surface sand material from the deeper sands, and rock waste is a vital pre-requisite to effective reclamation and should be undertaken in any future extension of the rock dumps i.e. the topsoil should not be buried under waste rock, but stockpiled. The amount of material to be removed from each of the pits is subject to constant revision with each cycle of blasting and investigation, but is unlikely to extend beyond the existing footprint of the existing spoil heaps. Relatively low slopes (18-20o) and ‘lifts’ (5m high) are preferred over for example 32-35o slope and 20m high lifts, as the latter scenario raises the spectre of dumps with both a high visual pollution and unstable surface, which is extremely prone to wind and water erosion. The top of the spoil should be contoured and shaped to a more natural form that does not provide such a stark contrast with the surrounding environment. The emphasis must be upon a progressive rehabilitation programme throughout the mine’s life which leaves the spoil stabilised and vegetated, in a form that blends nicely into the surrounding landscape and is maintenance free.



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IMPACT SEVERITY: MEDIUM, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: HIGH DURATION: HIGH SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM


Mitigation

(i) Low slopes (18-20o) and ‘lifts’ (5m high) to be used in landscaping/stabilising the rock dumps/spoil heaps.

(ii) Cleared areas should be landscaped with shortened slopes so as to guard against erosion.

(iii) Cleared scrub vegetation should be laid on bare ground, across the slope, so as to decrease overland flow and erosion effects.

(iv) Stockpiling of surface soil should take place before new areas are covered with waste rock/spoil.


Tailings, Slimes and Return Water Dam

The tailings and slimes dams constitutes a source of environmental concern within the project plant site. The total slimes and tailings are estimated at 3,762 and 8,778 million tonnes, respectively. It is perhaps important to emphasise that nothing ‘goes away’ when it is discarded, the elements remain in the newly disturbed ecosystem to form part of the biogeochemical cycle. In direct contrast to the surrounding soils the tailings, contain a high fraction of fines, and in particular clay, although the FeSi and flocculants used in the diamond recovery process are environmentally inert and bear no toxicity. For this reason the tailings and slimes dams need not be lined, although substantial ‘leakage’ from them must be prevented by daily inspection of their retaining walls, and maintenance of them as required, in order to prevent soil and water contamination over a large area. Reworking of the tailings, in light of advances in diamond recovery will create a new tailings dam alongside the remains of the old one, in an otherwise cleared area. A return water dam will be located in close proximity to the slimes and will be managed so as to prevent overflows and spills from the tailings dam itself. The two can therefore be considered together. As during the past operation of the mine the tailings and slimes dams will grow in height over time and rise above the tree line, but this is regarded as preferable to a greater lateral spread. Provision should be made for top-soiling the entire new slimes dam area.





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Mitigation

i. Low slopes (18-20o) and ‘lifts’ (5m high) to be used in landscaping/stabilising the tailings dam.

ii. Cleared areas should be landscaped with shortened slopes so as to guard against erosion.

iii. Cleared scrub vegetation should be laid on bare ground, across the slope, so as to decrease overland flow and erosion effects.

iv. Stockpiling of surface soil should take place before new areas are covered with waste rock/spoil.


Hydrogeology

The likely water demand of the diamond mine constitutes one of the major impacts of the operation of the proposed development and is dealt with under operational impacts below. Supply is clearly linked to the development of a wellfield and if distant from the proposed mine, also the provision of a pipeline. At the time of this EIA both the wellfield site and therefore that of the pipeline route were unknown, and the subject of ongoing investigation, such that the only recommendation that can be made at this stage is that once these details are known both the wellfield and the pipeline should be subject to an independent EIA. Apart from this potentially major impact, construction activities are not expected to pose a major problem as most of the infrastructure is already in place. However, all engineering work (drilling, pipe laying, associated construction camps etc) generates waste that is detrimental to the environment and may constitute sources of pollution to the ephemeral streams that run throughout the area, and also the underlying aquifer. Such potential pollution sources may include oil and fuel spillages, septic tanks, solid waste disposal facilities and storage areas. Furthermore the network of shallow channels that provides surface drainage in the area will rapidly concentrate any pollutants into higher order channels, downstream, such that runoff from or across polluted sites needs to be avoided.

IMPACT SEVERITY: MEDIUM, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: MEDIUM SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM


Mitigation

i. All storage of fuels/ oils or other hazardous chemicals must occur within bunded areas.

ii. All storage areas should be equipped with an appropriate spill kit and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).



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iii. Fuelling of machinery must take place within secure bunded areas.

iv. A securely fenced workshop, within a bunded area, should be used for the on-site maintenance and repair of all equipment, including plant and trucks. Proper maintenance of the vehicles/machinery to avoid oil leaks on site.

v. Particular care when working near water-courses and drainage lines. Minimal clearance of vegetation especially tall trees.

vi. Use of siltation barriers as necessary to prevent soil from entering streams and shallow depressions.

vii. Avoid blocking natural waterways with construction-related debris (e.g. soil heaps, concrete, gravel etc.) and so altering the natural path of overland flow.

viii. All organic waste (rubber, plastic and general forms of superfluous waste) related with the project to be disposed of at the Council landfill site located 11 kilometres from the mine site and along the mine route to Lerala village.


Vegetation

Existing tracks and firebreaks associated with the former mine development have already impacted greatly upon the natural vegetation. Indeed, the existing network of tracks is well established, such that it is important to try and preserve the existing vegetation, by using the firebreaks and existing tracks as access roads and as far as is possible avoid the clearance of vegetation for new access roads.

Plate 5.9 Cleared Cutline within the Lease Area

No rare or endangered plants are known to occur in the area. Hoodia gordonii, that has been investigated by the US drugs firm Pfizer to develop an anti-obesity drug, after centuries of use by Khoisan peoples, does occur in the region, but was not seen during site visits. Several phases of sampling were carried out and the assistance of the National Herbarium was invoked on several occasions. Vegetation species



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occurring within the proposed sites are well represented outside of the affected area. The Mophane and Acacia species that dominate the area grow well under local conditions and are expected to rejuvenate within a period of several years after good rainfall.

IMPACT SEVERITY: LOW, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: LOW SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM


Mitigation

i. Vegetation removal should be restricted to the perimeter of the existing rock

dumps and pit edges, equipment storage areas and to the areas around essential equipment – clearance of grasses and shrubs here may be necessary to reduce the fire hazard.

ii. Accommodation camps, equipment storage areas and vehicle storage sites should be clearly demarcated on the ground so as to minimise the ‘ecological footprint’ of the proposed project.

iii. The responsibility and protection of trees and other vegetation should rest with the contractor and be laid out in the contract documents. Penalties imposed on the contractor through the contract documents will assists in the prevention of non compliance regarding protection of trees.

iv. Cleared vegetation should either be used as firewood or laid across cleared areas to minimise soil erosion.

Significance after Mitigation: LOW

Wildlife and Livestock

Most of the wildlife present resides in the Tswapong Hills some 20kms from the project site. However it is likely that small animals, reptiles and birds as well as livestock, will be at risk from the heavy machinery, particularly in the areas not previously used by vehicles. The influx of heavy machinery, people and increased noise levels will disturb wildlife around the site. In this respect it is important that the work crews and all site-related personnel stay clear of the prime wildlife areas, namely the riparian fringes and the uncleared, relatively more pristine, savanna areas.

IMPACT SEVERITY: LOW, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: LOW SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: LOW



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Mitigation

i. Vegetation outside of the proposed development affected areas should not be disturbed.

ii. Truck drivers need to be encouraged to be cautious of people and livestock and to drive at modest speeds.

iii. Work crews and all site-related personnel stay clear of the prime wildlife areas, the riparian fringes and areas of uncleared vegetation.

iv. The security fenced portion of the proposed mine, namely the processing plant, should have the surrounding vegetation cleared away, be buried into the ground by at least 0.3m and be clearly marked with reflectors and poles (i.e. as for a game fence) to help prevent collisions with wildlife.

Significance after Mitigation: LOW

Aesthetics

Only the tailings at the main camp and the spoil heap at K003 are visible from the ground level, as the existing spoil around the other pits (K002, K004, K005 and K006) are at a height below the tree level, and in fact cannot be seen until you are almost upon them. This is optimal in terms of impacts upon aesthetics but will probably change as the pits are extended and the walls of the rock and spoil dumps built up (as outlined above).

Plate 5.10 Spoil Heap at K003 as seen from ground level

As stressed earlier there are inevitable trade-offs between the lateral and vertical extent of the dumps, with heights above the treeline inevitable if lateral spread is to be minimised. A working compromise is that the heaps should be stable, in terms of wind and water erosion potential, and avoid unnecessary spread into the surrounding vegetation (as detailed in section 5.2.1.1.1.)



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In addition to the rock dumps and spoil heaps, construction waste (construction material, packaging, etc.) and miscellaneous waste (general rubbish from contractor’s camp, used oil, etc) if not properly disposed off will be an eyesore.

IMPACT SEVERITY: LOW, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: HIGH DURATION: HIGH SPATIAL SCALE: MEDIUM CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM

Significance: MEDIUM Mitigation

i. Minimise the ecological footprint of pits, spoil and rock dumps, tailings as well as the processing plant and accommodation facilities.

ii. All organic waste (rubber, plastic and general forms of superfluous waste) related with the project to be disposed of at the Council landfill site located 11 kilometres from the mine site and along the mine route to Lerala village.

iii. All heavy plant machinery and project related equipment to be stored at designated sites and removed from the area on completion of the project.

Significance after mitigation: MEDIUM

Topography

The main recommendations concerning the waste rock dumps, spoil heaps, tailings dump and slimes dams have been outlined above. In addition, improved surface drainage along the roadside corridor should not result in residual rock or soil heaps that will alter the topography and overland flow characteristics of the area. Surficial soil should be stockpiled at all times and used to cover over impacted areas, in order to promote the rapid growth of forbs and grasses, and subsequent stabilisation of the soil surface.

IMPACT SEVERITY: LOW, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: HIGH DURATION: HIGH SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM


Mitigation

i. Minimal clearance and disturbance of existing topography and vegetation

in the area surrounding the proposed developments. ii. Surficial soil to be stockpiled adjacent to the site and used to provide the

surface layer of soils upon rehabilitation. iii. Where possible excavations should be filled with left over soil heaps and

revegetated. iv. Tall trees and shrubs to be left wherever possible.



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Noise

The provision of surface facilities and infrastructure will require heavy machinery operating on the site and heavy goods vehicles moving between the site and supply centres. The revitalisation of the pits will require heavy earthmovers and trucks. Noise impact can be reduced by ensuring that all equipment is well maintained and exhausts fitted with silencers. The placement of the existing processing plant at the base of the tailings has also helped to minimise noise disturbance.

IMPACT SEVERITY: MEDIUM, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: LOW SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: LOW

Significance: LOW Mitigation

i. Ensure machinery is well maintained and all vehicles fitted with silencers.

Significance after mitigation: LOW Air Quality

Dust from the site may be a potential nuisance, depending upon the wind direction. However, this is expected to be only a temporary nuisance, which can be managed if vegetation clearing is restricted to cover the area required for construction. The use of construction machinery may lead to air pollution from the fumes. Though the fumes might be minimal, to manage the situation the contractors should ensure machinery and vehicles used are regularly serviced and well maintained.



Mitigation

i. The impact can be minimised by restricting vegetation clearance to

construction areas only. ii. Wetting of surface roads to reduce dust. iii. Maintenance and operation of heavy vehicles to be regulated.



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Significance after mitigation: LOW Waste Disposal Construction waste must be dealt with quickly and responsibly in order to minimise the ecological footprint of the project. The burying of biodegradable and burning of packaging (boxes and paper) is permitted, whilst everything else must be removed to a recognised waste disposal facility at an urban centre. Batteries, waste oil and diesel and any other waste fluids or lubricants, clearly do have the potential to contaminate both surface and ground water supplies and should not be dumped on site.



i. All organic waste (rubber, plastic and general forms of superfluous waste)

related with the project to be disposed of at the Council landfill site located 11 kilometres from the mine site and along the mine route to Lerala village.

ii. Waste oils and grease accumulated during mine construction to be stored for collection and removed by the supplier.

iii. All heavy plant machinery and project related equipment to be stored at designated sites.


5.2.2 Socio-economic Impacts

The proposed project will generate significant employment avenues, especially in a remote rural area like Lerala where alternative job opportunities are scarce and low paying. Apart from the direct employment contributions of small-scale mining, it also generates a substantial number of indirect jobs in other sectors of the economy. The construction phase of the proposed project will employ the most people, but even here the number is unlikely to exceed thirty individuals. As such the proposed project does not offer large numbers of people employment opportunities, in either the short or long term, and it is important that expectations within the area are not raised to unrealistic levels.

HIV/AIDS

A number of seminal studies have shown the interrelationship between migration, sexual networking, social and familial disruption, and the transmission of HIV for miners and mining communities (Yelpaala and Ali, 2005). As the latter authors point out migratory labour at mines in African countries such as South Africa has been identified as a major factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS. Although the scale of the proposed development, in terms of the relatively small number of employees needs to be taken into account, mining and HIV/AIDS, as it affects the proposed reopening of the mine is regarded as highly significant by this EIA.



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Indeed, in light of the ongoing HIV/AIDS pandemic there is tremendous potential for any influx of workers to contribute negatively to the population of the area. Indeed, this impact related to the provision of paid construction workers, probably from outside of the project area, must be considered as potentially the most devastating of the entire project and needs to be effectively mitigated. In this respect the on-site provision of a medical/safety department at the MDDP is particularly important.

IMPACT SEVERITY: HIGH, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: HIGH SPATIAL SCALE: HIGH CONSEQUENCE: HIGH

Significance: HIGH

Mitigation

i. Social problems can be minimised by drawing construction labour force from local communities

ii. Sensitise camp staff and the local communities about sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/AIDS.

iii. Provide proper sanitation and waste disposal facilities at the camp. iv. Education in HIV/AIDS awareness of project related workers. v. Ensure condoms are readily available and where necessary access to ARVs.


Health and Safety

The existence of five disparate pits all serving a central processing area means that there will be a large number of heavy trucks on the tracks that service them. Indeed, this is one of the most significant of all the impacts related to the operation of the mine and is dealt with under operational impacts. The issues are covered comprehensively in the latter because there is distinct overlap between the health and safety issues relating to the general operation of the mine itself and the mitigation of flyrock from blasting in particular. Any construction project involving heavy machinery and equipment and work crews involves an employment hazard to the workers involved and those in the immediate area. This can be minimised by relatively simple procedures, particularly designated storage areas for equipment and accommodation areas and clear signposts that inform people in the area of ongoing activities and also the potential hazards.

IMPACT SEVERITY: HIGH, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: MEDIUM SPATIAL SCALE: MEDIUM CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM



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Mitigation i. Use cleared and already impacted areas for the storage of vehicles and

equipment. ii. Use the cutlines and existing tracks as access roads. iii. Post signs along the firebreaks and all access roads warning of the potential

hazard posed by construction related traffic and also informing people about the project.

iv. No recruitment is to take place at the mine itself.


5.2.3 Archaeology and Cultural Aspects

Survey Method

As the areas to be mined had already been impacted and in light of the previous survey, it was decided to inspect the mine fields and plant area already impacted plus the area immediately adjacent to such places. In addition, it was decided to conduct transects down a portion of the Susulela river, including tributary junctions, and another area away from the river that included grassy pans, a recurrent feature of the area. It was reasoned that, in the otherwise monotonously uniform mopane woodland, most likely settlement areas would be adjacent to these features. Findings

Plant. Cobble cores (pebbles with flaking just on one end, making them rather chopper-like) and polyhedral cores (multifaceted cores – with flake scars in various planes) and flakes of quartzite and quartz were found regularly but sparsely over the site but not in the undisturbed surrounding areas, except where there had been some digging. Typically, most pieces were less than 10cm in maximum dimension and were made on red quartzite from Tswapong Hills and occasionally quartz, presumably from veins in the gneiss, which occasionally outcrops in the area. (27D2.3a). K002. This long thin pipe orientated east west appears to have been originally lightly covered in red sand. Lithics were found in the scrapings, especially the eastern side, but were not dense. They included several polyhedral and cobble cores. Typically they were about 6 to 8 cm in maximum dimension and were usually in a red quartzite. Flakes, including a few of quartz, were up to 8.5cm in maximum length.

A few quartz cores were also recovered, including a typical MSA radial core and a LSA blade core. A few formal scrapers were recovered, but these were made on a fine-grained brown (4.5, 10 cm) or black quartzite (8cm), the latter a kasouga scraper, as well as a small quartz scraper (3 cm). The former are MSA and the latter is LSA. (27D2.3b). K003. Again, the original sand covering appeared to be fairly shallow and this pit was not particularly rich. Nevertheless, some of the finest artefacts found on this trip were recovered from here and, as with K002, they were made on fine-grained brown quartzite or on quartz. A few were collected (Plate 5.11). Otherwise, a similar range of materials and artefacts were recovered. (27D2.3c).



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Plate 5.11 Artefacts from K003

K004. No formal tools were noted in this location, but the same range of red quartzite and quartz flakes and polyhedral and cobble-cores were noted, and including a few pieces in black quartzite/basalt, albeit sparser than at the previous locations. Again the kimberlite had apparently only been covered by a thin layer of soil at the time of development (27D2.3d). K005. Several stone artefacts were noted in the scrapings, again largely adiagnostic red quartzite and quartz flakes and simple polyhedral or cobble cores. One probable LSA radial core was noted in a small animal scraping just north of the pipe itself. Of interest was a decorated sherd, unfortunately too small to be diagnostic. It was grit tempered, about 8mm thick and had possible finger nail impressions. Nearby was an upper grind stone and it seems that a prehistoric farmer village had been destroyed by mining operations (27D2.3e). K006. This small pipe is of interest as it is the deepest buried, perhaps with 2 metres of overburden including possible clay deposits. The usual non-diagnostic quartzite and quartz pieces (flakes and cobble cores) are present, but it is possible that some came from some depth. A few pieces (Plate 5.13) were collected (27D2.3f)



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Plate 5.12 Kimberlite K006 where artefacts were found that may have come from 2 metres depth

The river transect. (591335; 7480433 to 592229; 7480986) A few adiagnostic sherds (at 591614; 7480780) could be from the K5 village noted above, as they were found in a gully running past that site. An old pit, now silted up, had some large red quartzite flakes and a polyhedral in the deflated soil heap (at 591929; 7480866), but the most interesting find was the sparse scatters of LSA quartz flakes and cores about 50m south of the Susulela River, one 30m scatter at 591986; 7480768 and one 50m scatter at 591876; 7480763. The former had some bone present. (27D2.3g). The pan transect. (59096; 748786 to 59166; 748753) Nothing seen, apart from an artificial pile of stones near the one pan that could feasibly have been a prehistoric structure (eg hunting blind), but is close enough to the road and a deep pit that suggests that it might just as easily be modern (27D2.3h).

Discussion

The findings bear out a general impression of the archaeology of Botswana, namely that where there are no features to attract people back time and time again, a sparse scatter accumulating over the landscape, thus making site definition difficult. The most interesting thing about the archaeology of this area is the informality or expediency of the stone tool assemblages, suggesting that hunter-gatherer people were highly mobile, perhaps visiting only in summer times when water was available, before moving back to the Limpopo or other large rivers or the Tswapong hills, where water was more reliably collected and there were more diverse plant foods and animals. Previous recorders (Lane 1996) found only occasional LSA artefacts, and this presence could be confirmed, while it seems that their main LSA camps were close to the Susulela River. MSA is however also present in more appreciable amounts, and it is surprising that the previous researchers failed to find any older



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material. It is extremely informal by and large, hinting at expediency, but a few typical MSA scrapers are present. Of interest is the large number of cobble-cores or core-choppers. These are notoriously difficult to date, but they certainly are comparable to Oldowan tools. These sites are extremely rare in southern Africa. Unfortunately it will be difficult to establish the antiquity of these artefacts, given the shallowness of the layers above most kimberlites, except possibly K006. Here it is worth noting that possible Oldowan was recovered at 8 meters depth at Damtshaa during a similar rescue excavation (Walker in prep).

Plate 5.13 Artefacts from K006

Recommendations

It is recommended that a profile be cleaned up by the developers at K006 in order to try and establish at what depth the cobble-cores occur. If successful and warranted it may be possible to excavate and recover an in situ assemblage of an extremely rare site. Apart from this, there seems little need to do any further mitigation of the diamond field, bar the proviso that a watch be kept out for any formal stone tools.

IMPACT SEVERITY: HIGH, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: HIGH SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: HIGH

Significance: HIGH Mitigation

i. Instruct all project related personnel to avoid sensitive areas. ii. Aberrant behaviour to be disciplined



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iii. In the event other unrecorded cultural heritage sites or materials that are deemed to be significant are discovered in surface or sub-surface deposits during earthworks, the following will occur:- - development work at the site concerned will temporarily cease, - the National Museum will be notified and an archaeologist approved by

them appointed by DiamonEx to recover/recommend ways of preserving the artefacts concerned.


5.3 Operation Impacts

If successful, the life of the proposed Martin’s Drift mine project is likely to be about ten years although this will depend upon the nature of the resource and the findings of the ongoing development of the mine.


The main potential impacts relate to the hazard posed by flyrock from blasting operations in the pits themselves and also meeting the water requirements for the processing of the crushed rock. The occurrence of sharp-sided chunks of bedrock on the ground surface, that are sometimes about the size of a football, within the 0-200m zone around a pit (and probably even further) is testament to the hazard posed by blasting operations and what is known as ‘flyrock’. It clearly poses a hazard to man and beast and is discussed in some detail in this section.

Geology

The open nature of the pits, the clearance of surrounding vegetation and in some cases the gradual sloping of the surrounding area towards the pit itself, all increase the potential of the pits filling up with water and pollutants seeping down to the Basement aquifer. This is even more likely where uncapped, or partially capped boreholes occur in the pits themselves - K005, for example, had more than six boreholes, raising concern over the integrity of the aquifers following possible pollution events.

IMPACT SEVERITY: HIGH, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: LOW DURATION: HIGH SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: HIGH

Significance: HIGH

Mitigation

i. Ensure high integrity borehole construction and cap all boreholes ii. Avoid channelling surface runoff from the area surrounding the pits into

the pit themselves – by surface contouring and backslopes.




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Hydrogeology

Diamond mining is a relatively clean process but does require a lot of water. In order to evaluate the potential hydrogeological impacts the findings from previous projects have been evaluated with respect to a number of factors, namely aquifer characteristics and groundwater resource potential, and supply potential from existing sources. Each is considered with regards to projected water demand (both current and accelerated growth) for the Mining Lease and the villages.

Data for this evaluation has been largely drawn from the most recent studies undertaken by WCS for Lerala (DWA, 1999) and the previous WCS study undertaken for De Beers in 1997. There are 3 aquifers recognised;

• The quartzite units of the Palapye Group in the Tswapong Hills. Secondary

aquifers with groundwater at depth in fractures, high hydraulic heads, reasonably high yields where fracture density greatest, generally good quality but relatively poor storage characteristics. Elsewhere low yields or dry holes. Overall resource difficult to quantify and predict in terms of reliability and longevity. Drilling success rate 30-50%.

• The scree aquifers at the foot of the Tswapong hills. Primary aquifers, loosely

consolidated, good storage but limited areal extent and thickness, shallow groundwater, reasonably high yields, good quality, regular recharge possible, susceptible to pollution. Overall resource amenable to quantification and modelling with adequate data. Drilling success rate > 80%, but significant borehole construction problems.

• The Basement Complex. Secondary aquifers in fracture zones, often

associated with dykes and other intrusives (kimberlites). Generally shallow groundwater, relatively low yields, good quality, limited storage, regular recharge possible, susceptible to pollution. Overall resource difficult to quantify and predict in terms of reliability and longevity. Drilling success rate 40-60%.

Water Abstraction Impacts

The projected water demand for the Mining Lease and the adjacent villages has been examined together, since the development of the Martin’s Drift Mine will unavoidably increase demand in the villages by the influx of people and expansion of facilities. Water Demand for the Martin’s Drift Mining Lease

Indications are that when the mining process is fully established the water demand for the processing plant will be of the order of 105,000 m3 per month. It is assumed that some 40% will be recovered from the process for re-use, indicating that some 63,000 m3 per month (2250 m3/day) will be necessary as ‘make up’ water for the processing. This translates into some 93 m3/hr for a continuous source abstraction, or 156 m3/hr for a recommended 10-12 hour abstraction. No demand figures are available for the likely potable requirements at the Mining Lease but since virtually all the labour force are envisaged to reside away from the



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mining area in the adjacent villages (principally Lerala), the potable demand at the Mining Lease has been regards as minimal (maximum 10 m3/day).

Water Demand for Lerala, Majwaneng and Seolwane Villages

Water demand figures for 2005 for the adjacent villages have initially been extrapolated from the DWA 1999 projections (DWA, 1999) and are shown in Table 5.1. This indicates that all villages currently have a potential supply surplus.

TABLE 5.1 Water Demand for Lerala, Majwaneng and Seolowane Villages

Locality Demand (m3/day) (2005)

Supply (m3/day) (2005)

Current Surplus (m3/day)

Demand Figure Source

Lerala +

Majwaneng 591 688.6 97.6

Extrapolated from

DWA, 1999

projections

Seolowane 98 298.8 200.8 DWA, 1999

Supply Potential from existing sources

In matching the current supply capacity against the projected resources cognisance must be taken of the likely acceleration of development and water demand in the villages, especially Lerala where mine staff are due to be housed. It is understood, although few records are available, that during the period of the De Beers pilot mining venture water demand in Lerala escalated by over 10 % over a period of 3 years, necessitating the WCS investigations for DWA in 1999. Similar increases may be anticipated with the development of the Martin’s Drift Mining Lease and must therefore be factored into this evaluation. New water demand projections incorporating accelerated village development are indicated in Table 5.2 below. From 2001 until 2005 the national population growth rate has been applied. From 2005 the new demand projections have been made assuming an accelerated growth at Lerala (not other villages) of some 14% over the next 4 years resultant on the direct influx of workers for the mine (i.e. assumed 200 persons per annum for 2006-7 and 100 persons per annum for 2008-9), plus a variation in demand patterns in the villages involving increased piped connections, new businesses and improved Government infrastructure. These latter aspects have been incorporated using the DWA Village Water Supply Design criteria which allocates the demand pattern according to assumed House Connections (15% @ 150 l/d), Yard Connections (30% @120 l/d), Standpipes (45% @ 50 l/d) and Institutional Connections (10% @ 15 l/d). Beyond 2009 a larger general growth rate of 5% has been applied to all villages to accommodate an assumed continuation of growth as a result of the mine operation.



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TABLE 5.2 Revised Water Demand Projections for Adjacent Villages

Total Total

Year Lerala Majwaneng Seolowane Population Lerala Majwaneng Seolowane Demand

2001 5747 1642 1325 8714 467 133 108 7082002 5988 1711 1381 9080 486 139 112 7382003 6240 1783 1439 9461 507 145 117 7682004 6502 1858 1499 9859 528 151 122 8012005 6775 1936 1562 10273 550 157 127 8342006 7260 2017 1628 10904 590 164 132 8862007 7556 2102 1696 11354 614 171 138 9222008 7765 2190 1767 11722 631 178 144 9522009 8087 2282 1841 12210 657 185 150 9922010 8491 2378 1919 12788 690 193 156 10392011 8916 2478 1999 13393 724 201 162 10882012 9362 2582 2083 14027 760 210 169 11392013 9830 2690 2171 14691 798 219 176 11932014 10321 2803 2262 15386 838 228 184 12502015 10837 2921 2357 16115 880 237 191 1309

Population Demand (m3/d)

Table 5.3 compares the new demand projections with the current supply capacity from all sources now operating, indicating the surplus or shortfall in supply that will have to be addressed by additional groundwater development work and/or water saving measures.

TABLE 5.3 Revised Demand Projections for the Mining Lease and Adjacent Villages

Locality Estimated Demand

(m3/day) (2015) Current Supply (m3/day) (2005)

2015 Surplus/Deficit (m3/day)

Mining

Lease 2250 720 1530

Lerala +

Majwaneng 1117 688.6 428.4

Seolowane 191 298.8 107.8

Supply Potential conclusions From examination of all information a number of conclusions can be drawn:

(i) Water demand for Mine Lease processing activities (~ 156 m3/hr) is significantly high when compared to other local demands. This cannot be satisfied in the long term from existing sources.

(ii) Water demand for the adjacent villages is currently satisfied from

existing sources but any significant increase in demand (> +/-15%) will require additional village supplies.



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(iii) Only two aquifers (Scree aquifer; Tswapong Hills quartzite aquifer) have sufficient potential to provide reliable long term supplies to satisfy these demands. Sustainable and adequate supplies are not likely to be found in the Basement aquifer.

(iv) Both aquifers are already exploited to some degree for village

supplies, especially the quartzite aquifer that provides a supply to Lerala.

(v) To meet the projected Mining Lease demand additional groundwater

sources will have to be developed virtually as soon as mining operations commence, but cognisance must be taken of both current and possible future village water supply requirements since potential aquifers are limited.


Significance: HIGH

Mitigation

(i) Full consideration be given to the fact that there will be competing

demands on relatively limited groundwater resources options in the region around the Mining Lease, and that in order to equitably and sustainably utilise these resources an integrated approach to groundwater development and water supply involving consultation with all stakeholders be taken.

(ii) Necessary groundwater exploration and development work should be

concentrated in the area of scree aquifer in the vicinity of BH 8027 with a view to defining the dimensions of the aquifer, the resource volume and replenishment potential, and installing a small wellfield of between 6 and 10 boreholes to satisfy the Mining Lease demand in the long term.

(iii) No additional groundwater investigations should be undertaken at this

stage in the quartzite aquifer, but cognisance must be taken of the likely increase in village demand for Lerala Village in particular, and if possible allowance for this should be inbuilt into the wellfield development in the scree aquifer to the northeast of the village. If this is not possible then a more costly exploration and development programme in the quartzite aquifer will be necessary, but this would have to be discussed and coordinated with DWA and Central District Council.

(iv) Additional more detailed demand projections for both the Mining Lease

and Lerala Village should be derived as a matter of priority, and full consideration should be given to all possible water conservation measures both with respect to the mining process and the adjacent village supplies.



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(v) An EIA of the possible groundwater development options should be conducted prior to full development in order to minimise impacts on the natural environment and the socio-economic fabric of the local villages.

Significance after mitigation: LOW/MEDIUM

Water Disposal Impacts (Slimes and Tailings)

Mine slimes is the waste product left over after mineral ores have been milled and the valuable minerals extracted. They are potential sources of pollution, not least because of their texture and general lack of aggregate structure. The way in which a tailings dam develops over time is perhaps akin to trying to balance a full plate of water in your hands while walking. Slight differences in elevation and relief must be compensated for unless spillages are to occur. The pumping of the slimes into the dam is carefully monitored in order to keep the open water body as central in location as possible, so maximising evaporative losses from the dam periphery and minimising the possibility of dam wall failure. Consequently, over time the dam floor and walls are built up and come to consist predominantly of dried slimes material. The slimes dam also offers opportunities to recycle water, and so in turn, minimise the potential risk of spillage. It is perhaps important to emphasise that nothing ‘goes away’ when it is discarded, the elements remain in the newly disturbed ecosystem to form part of the biogeochemical cycle. ‘Leakage’ from the slimes must therefore be managed in order to avoid soil contamination over a wider area and the contamination of groundwater. The environmental aspects that are present raise a number of significant environmental impacts, which are briefly outlined below. The tailings and slimes dam will occupy the existing site, with the return water dam nearby. Their impacts are considered together due to their similarity.



i. Daily inspections and maintenance where necessary of the retaining walls

of the tailings dump and slimes dam. ii. Place bunds around the tailings dump and slimes dam to control any

seepage. iii. Monitor abstracted water quality and quantity, ie. in respect to both pit

dewatering activities and also from nearby boreholes that can be used to detect any seepage from the slime dams’.

iv. Ensure adequate maintenance of tailings dump and slimes dam to avoid overflow.

v. Fence tailings dump, slimes dam and return water dam to avoid stock and game damage.



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Ecology

The ecological impacts relate primarily to the hazard posed by flyrock to man and beast from the blasting operations and is dealt with under health and safety below.

Water Abstraction Impacts

As stated earlier an independent EIA of the possible groundwater development options should be conducted prior to full development in order to minimise impacts on the natural environment and the socio-economic fabric of the local villages.

Water Disposal Impacts (Slimes and Tailings) Attraction of animals/wildfowl

Despite water recycling, the slime dams will contain surface water in an otherwise almost waterless environment. This will attract a diverse array of birds and create its own unique habitat – wetland vegetation and waterfowl. Such an outcome is unavoidable but should be monitored and any unforeseen negative impacts assessed, and where possible, mitigated. Exotic species will undoubtedly colonise the slimes dam. This will aid rehabilitation and reclamation of the area and will not conflict with the indigenous flora, because the exotics will necessarily be confined to the slimes dam area. Indeed, exotics will appear because of the emergence of unique habitats with opportunities to expand elsewhere in the region limited by definition. The existing pits already attract domestic stock to the water that gathers at their base when it rains. The smell of water from the slimes dam is likely to also attract wild animals, domestic stock and wildfowl. Domestic stock will be attracted to the areas of open water and will clearly conflict with operations at the slimes and return dams. It is not known if the slime dams will attract wild ungulate species which have been reported in the area, such as impala, kudu and warthog. To some extent the noise and disturbance levels associated with the operation of the dams makes it unlikely, although it is an eventuality that cannot be entirely discounted.

Moreover the inevitability of drought in the region at some point during the life of the mine, suggests that both wild and domestic stock should be excluded from these areas. Monitoring of the wildfowl/animal hazard is recommended, with persistent problem wild animal cases reported to the District Wildlife Office in Serowe and appropriate management measures undertaken by them.

IMPACT SEVERITY: MEDIUM, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: MEDIUM SPATIAL SCALE: MEDIUM CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM



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Significance: MEDIUM/HIGH Mitigation

i. Ensure adequate maintenance of slimes dam and tailings dump and return water dam to avoid overflow

ii. Fence slimes dam, tailings dump and return water dam to avoid interference by domestic stock.

iii. Monitor wildfowl/animal hazard and report persistent problems to the regional DWNP Office in Serowe.


Pollution of Waterways

There is also the possibility of run-off occurring from the slimes dam, particularly after intense convectional storms, which can result in the open water on top of the slimes exceeding the capacity of the dam to retain it. This surplus water should be captured by bunds. Pollution threats in the event of spillage and/or leakage from the slimes dam, tailings dump and return dams are determined by the following factors:-

i. Proximity to drainage channels ii. Volumes and rates of stream flows iii. Weather conditions (e.g. temperature, wind, rainfall) and soil moisture

status iv. Amount of material spilled, and v. The physical and chemical properties of the spilled material (e.g. toxicity,

stability, affinity for other substances, fluidity etc.). Shallow soils on gently sloping relief, in close proximity to the dense network of ephemeral stream channels that run throughout the area, clearly create the opportunity for serious pollution problems if spillage/seepage losses are not controlled.

IMPACT SEVERITY: HIGH, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: HIGH SPATIAL SCALE: MEDIUM CONSEQUENCE: HIGH

Significance: HIGH

Mitigation i. Adopt use of zero discharge slimes dam and tailings dump. ii. Place bunds around the slimes dam and tailings dump to control any seepage. iii. Monitor abstracted water quality and quantity. iv. Ensure adequate maintenance of zero discharge tailings dump and slimes

dams to avoid overflow v. Fence zero discharge tailings dump, slimes dam and return water dam to

avoid stock and game damage.



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Significance after mitigation: LOW Expansion of Waste Rock Dumps

Although a larger than currently required area around each pit has been cleared, the spatial expansion of the waste rock dumps will result in further permanent loss of habitat within the mine lease area. The gradual horizontal encroachment of the dump into the surrounding savanna results in the complete destruction of the vegetation at the site, which becomes buried beneath the rubble. Woodland/tree savanna habitat is therefore irreversibly lost. However, the vegetation survey revealed that there are no habitats or species that can be considered rare or endangered within the area proposed for expansion of the waste rock dump. Intuitively the spatial extent of such irreversibly degraded areas should be minimised, although the relative merits of increasing the horizontal extent of the dump in order to lower its height, needs careful attention, as the aesthetics of a much wider area could be at risk. This issue is discussed in more detail in the next section.

IMPACT SEVERITY: LOW, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: MEDIUM SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: LOW


Mitigation

i. Vegetation outside of the proposed development affected areas should not be disturbed.

ii. Work crews and all site-related personnel stay clear of the prime wildlife areas, the riparian fringes and areas of uncleared vegetation

Significance after mitigation: LOW Aesthetics

The main impacts on the aesthetics of the area will be the noise and dust but also the gradual ascendancy of the waste rock dumps and spoil heaps that will be visible over several kilometres. The pits will be deepened over time, and while it will be evident by the increasing height of the surrounding waste rock and soil dumps, the depth of the pits is not really noticeable until one is directly over them. Significantly, the final landform of the mine site after the mine closes will be an important factor controlling residual impacts over time (decades or more). However, the mine is well away from established wilderness or tourist areas, such that the local loss of aesthetics must be considered a necessary cost of the mine's development. It is an impact that is nonetheless permanent, but mitigated by effective reclamation programmes throughout the life of the mine.

IMPACT SEVERITY: LOW, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: HIGH DURATION: HIGH SPATIAL SCALE: MEDIUM CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM



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Mitigation

i. Minimal clearance and disturbance of existing topography and vegetation in

the area surrounding the proposed developments. ii. Surficial soil to be stockpiled adjacent to the site and used to provide the

surface layer of soils upon rehabilitation. iii. Where possible excavations should be filled with left over soil heaps and

revegetated. Pits to be landscaped and made safe to man and beast, but left open.

iv. Tall trees and shrubs to be left wherever possible.

Significance after mitigation: LOW/MEDIUM Air Quality

Blasting and stripping operations will create some dust, although the quantities are both small and short-lived, with the most dust perhaps emanating from the heavy works related traffic on dirt roads and the operation of the primary crusher. Elevation of the spoil heaps and slime dams well above the ground does increase the dust hazard, although the high clay content of the slimes should provide a binding effect. A severe drought would accentuate the dust hazard and in such a case, irrigation water may be needed to facilitate rehabilitation of the most vulnerable areas, as is currently practised. Land cover is critical for reducing wind erosion and the impact of fugitive dust on human populations can be significant where large stretches of land is laid bare. Wind erosion is dependent on a variety of factors, most notably soil moisture, soil type, ground cover, and wind velocity. Such dust impacts will be minimised by an effective reclamation programme. Surface facilities, namely generators and engines, can also affect ambient air quality in the Project area.



Mitigation

i. Watering of haulage roads to reduce dust hazard. ii. Crush wet ore where possible. iii. Minimal clearance and disturbance of existing topography and vegetation in

the area surrounding the proposed developments.



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Noise The primary rock crusher is a major source of both dust and noise on the mine site. Indeed, within its immediate vicinity the noise from the primary crusher is almost intolerable, necessitating ear protection gear. Five 500KVA on-site generators will provide power to the MDDP. Blasting will create noise, probably at midday, and is discussed further under flyrock impacts. However, the use of time delay switches will result in nobody being present in the blast zone.

IMPACT SEVERITY: MEDIUM, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: MEDIUM SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: LOW


i. Insulate the generator(s) and fence them off from the outside. ii. Use natural vegetation as a noise screen where possible.

Significance after mitigation: LOW Sewage Disposal

There will be no accommodation on site as the workforce will be accommodated in Lerala or other nearby settlements. At the mine site office space will be provided for essential operational staff together with toilets. DiamonEx will be making use of a new design of low volume septic tank that incorporates an environmentally friendly chemical process to ensure final water release is minimal and of acceptable quality. Details are to be forwarded to the DEA during the detailed design process. However, the system will be fully compliant with the Department of Sanitation requirements as well as applying modern sanitation practices. Lighting

Lighting requirements at the mine are unlikely to change significantly under the proposed project.


In a rural community such as Lerala, where mining takes place, the activity can help reduce rural exodus, promote local economic development and contribute towards poverty reduction. In addition, mining operations are useful in basic skill development and contribute to the transformation of unskilled labour into semi-skilled and skilled workers. As stated earlier, in rural areas where other jobs are low paying or non-existent, small-scale mining appears as a valuable source of employment.



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Within the context of socio-economic impacts it is particularly important to distinguish between direct and indirect impacts. In this respect, the connections between a healthy environment and healthy productive communities are significant. There is a combination of physical, chemical, biological, political, social, economic, and cultural factors that relate to how people experience the environment around them (Yepaala and Ali, 2005), and it is important for DiamonEx to be cognisant of them and as far as is possible minimise and mitigate potential detrimental impacts. Good corporate governance and an awareness of, and some social responsibility for, the broader context in which the proposed mine development takes place are essential on the part of DiamonEx. The Directors’ of the latter at both the stakeholder and public consultation meetings have expressed a desire for both the housing and transport arrangements for personnel attached to the mine to be resolved by the employees themselves operating within the broader local communities. In light of the small number of employees involved this does not appear unrealistic and should provide a boost to the local housing market and also enable local entrepreneurs to benefit – for example, by providing a transport service to and from the mine. It is important however, that the DiamonEx management team remain in close contact with the Kgosi in Lerala in order to identify and mitigate any detrimental impacts that may arise as a result of this Policy. For example, in the interest of road safety it is important that the transport provider to the mine minimises the amount of traffic on the mine road and obeys the health and safety regulations made in this report. The broader growth and development of Lerala will be an indirect impact of the proposed project, but it is nonetheless essential that it occur in such a way so as not to cause negative direct impacts, to both the mine itself, and the broader community. As such DiamonEx must not divorce itself entirely from issues within Lerala Village, but through a policy of active and sustained contact with the Kgosi should as far as is possible attempt to mitigate the negative impacts and maximise the positive ones related to its operation.

General health and safety issues associated with operating a mine of this nature, together with the HIV/AIDS pandemic constitute the most significant potential direct socio-economic impacts. Particular attention is given in this section to flyrock and blast security measures which is always a concern when surface blasting is involved. HIV/AIDS Even during the operation phase of the project there is a need to be vigilant over the potential for any influx of workers to contribute negatively to the population of the area, via STDs and in particular HIV/AIDS.

IMPACT SEVERITY: HIGH, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: HIGH SPATIAL SCALE: HIGH CONSEQUENCE: HIGH



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i. Social problems can be minimised by drawing the labour force from local

communities ii. Sensitise all staff and the local communities about sexually transmitted

diseases, especially HIV/AIDS. iii. Provide proper sanitation and waste disposal facilities. iv. Education in HIV/AIDS awareness of project related workers. v. Monitor the behaviour of project related workers and confront inappropriate

behaviour and attitudes vi. Provide counselling and information at all stages of the project vii. Link up with local support structures and awareness campaigns where

possible


Health and Safety

Health and safety risks associated with any mining activity are complex, and dependent upon the mineral mined, depth of mining, and its scale. Mining is a hazardous occupation (Bajpayee et al, 2005). As the latter authors point out the average annual rate of fatal injuries (number of fatal injuries per 100,000 workers) in the mining industry (30.3) exceeds that of all other industries, such as agriculture, forestry, and fishing (20.1), construction (15.3), transportation and public utilities (13.4), and manufacturing (4.0). In addition, the average number of days lost (ADL) per incident in the mining industry exceeds the ADL of all other industries (Bajpayee et al, 2005). Even so, surface mines in the coal and metal/nonmetal sectors rely extensively on explosives to uncover mineral deposits, such that it is an essential component for the success of their operations. The blasting process, however, remains a potential source of numerous hazards. Even though the mining industry has improved its blasting safety, there are still reports indicating blasting-related accidents involving both people and various structures. Figures 5.1 and 5.2 show the fatal and non-fatal blasting accidents from 1978 to 1998 for metal and non-metal surface mining. A total of 25 fatalities occurred during the entire period, an average of 2.1 fatalities per year.

Figure 5.1 Number of fatal and non-fatal blasting accidents in metal and

non-metal surface mining (from Kecojevic and Radomsky, 2005; p740).



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Figure 5.2 Blasting accident causes in coal surface mining (1978–2001). From Kecojevic and Radomsky, 2005; p741).

Further historical data shows that for the period of 1978–2001, a total of 195 blasting accidents occurred in US surface coal mine operations. Of the 195 accidents, 89 accidents (45.64%) were directly attributed to lack of blast area security, 54 accidents (27.69%) to flyrock, 33 (16.92%) to premature blast, and 11 (5.64%) to misfires (Figure 5.2). Since flyrock and a lack of blast area security constitute the majority of all blasting related accidents, the cause and control of these hazards and activities are discussed in some detail below.

Fly rock

Flyrock is defined as the rock propelled beyond the blast area by the force of an explosion (IME, 1997, from Kecojevic and Radomsky, 2005). The uncontrolled material fragments generated by the effects of a blast are one of the prime causes in blasting-related accidents. When these rock fragments are thrown beyond the allowable limits they result in human injuries, fatalities and structure damages. Plate 5.14 shows flyrock occurrences during the blasting process. Research into flyrock has shown that as the charge increases, the fragmentation and the velocity of the broken material increases as well. It has also being found that the gaseous venting from the blast penetrated the fracture planes perpendicular to the hole axis and broke the material up and propelled them (Kecojevic and Radomsky, 2005). The latter quote Holmeberg and Persson (1976) who studied flyrock in field experiments with high-speed cameras and concluded that most of the collar flyrock are thrown in a direction following the drillhole axis. Their experiments also confirmed that the scatter of the angle of throw increases as the unloaded hole length decreases (Kecojevic and Radomsky, 2005).



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Plate 5.14 Flyrock generation in blasting process (Cameron et al., 2003; from Kecojevic and Radomsky, 2005; p.742).

Generally, flyrock is caused by a mismatch of the explosive energy with the strength of the rock mass surrounding the explosive charge (Kecojevic and Radomsky, 2005). Investigations of flyrock accidents have revealed one or more of the following contributing factors: (i) discontinuity in the geology and rock structure, (ii) improper blasthole layout and loading, (iii) insufficient burden, (iv) very high explosive concentration, and (v) inadequate stemming. Geology and Rock Strucure The rock structure and rock properties may vary considerably from a location to location even within the same blast area. Discontinuity in the geology and rock structure causes a mismatch between the explosive energy and the resistance of the rock, while the existence of fissures, joints, weaknesses, and voids are all likely to assist in the creation of flyrock. The compressive strength, abrasiveness and the rock density also play a very important role in the blasting process, as does the spatial distribution of rock properties. It is therefore important that:-

a) Base information (e.g. consolidation, voids, etc.) regarding the rock structure and properties of the material to be blasted can be routinely obtained from drill hole logs, and must be considered prior to hole loading.



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b) Using a spatially referenced database some form of spatial modelling (preferably 3-D) is undertaken

c) Surface rock is inspected for faults and planes before blast hole charging (as previous excavations can give significant information about the rock structure – this is best done by trained foremen and/or mine geologists).

d) Most surface mine operations plan pit sequencing and stripping on a weekly to a monthly basis.

Blast hole pattern

Inaccuracies in the design of blasting patterns, including incorrect blasthole angle can cause large deviations from the planned pattern resulting with flyrock occurrence. Commonly, the graphical design of drilling and blasting patterns is performed by using 2-D computer aided design (CAD) tools, or is generally determined by drill operator experience. However, 2-D design techniques do not consider spatial characteristics of rock properties and usually use the average value of a parameter that is of interest. An engineer’s ability to analyze interactions among rock properties, geology, and pattern design could be enhanced considerably using 3-D graphics. Recommendations: State -of-the-art technology such as MineScape (Mincom, 2004 from Kecojevic and Radomsky, 2005) enables the entire drilling and blasting domain to be visualized from different angles, thus, forewarning about possible trouble spots before drilling (e.g. Figure 5.3 below).

Figure 5.3 3-D representation of Blasting Pattern



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Burden

Insufficient burden is one of the primary causes of flyrock (Figure 5.4). Too short a distance to the bench slope wastes energy, while too great a burden distance causes improper fracturing of the rock, creating oversize boulders. Due to irregularity of bench slopes, energy generated during blasting pose the hazard at the weakest point of the bench. Furthermore, any deviation during the drilling process can increase or reduce the burden. A common problem in small mining operations is the lack of knowledge and accurate technology to identify and recognize the specific anomaly or weakness in the rock structure that leads to the subsequent flyrock problem. The blaster is aware that flyrock can occur if the hole deviates from the intended direction and goes to close to the free face.

Figure 5.4 Typical Blasting Hole in Surface Mining

Recommendations: Guidance systems for vertical and inclined drilling enable the operator to position the blast hole with centimetre accuracy. Blast hole loading

Blasthole overloading is one of the frequent causes of flyrock occurrence. Such overloading generates excessive release of energy. It appears due to the loss of powder in fissures, joints, voids, and cracks. In order to prevent hole overloading, it is necessary to load holes as designed using the correct charge weight. Additionally, a blast ratio should be ensured sufficiently high to eliminate the possibility of excessive charging, and holes have to be monitored to check the rise of the powder. Stemming

Stemming material provides confinement and prevents the escape of high-pressure gases from the blasting holes. This material must be free from rocks and properly



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tamped. Inadequate stemming results in stemming ejections from the holes resulting with flyrock. Recommendations: In general, the stemming length should be not less than 25 times the blast hole diameter. Blast Area Security

The US Code of Federal Regulations—CFR, Title 30 defines ‘Blast Area’ as the area in which concussion (shock wave), flying material, or gases from an explosion may cause injury to persons. Furthermore, the CFR states that the blast area shall be determined by considering geology or material to be blasted, blasting patterns, blasting experience of the mine personnel, delay systems, type and amount of explosive material, and type and amount of stemming. During the last two decades, lack of securing blast areas caused 55% of the fatal and non-fatal accidents in metal and non-metal surface mining due to the:- (i) failure to use appropriate blasting shelter, (ii) failure to evacuate blast area of humans, and (iii) inadequate guarding of the access roads leading to the blast area. Kecojevic and Radomsky (2005) point out that in the US the failure to evacuate humans from blast areas is complicated by the increase in accessibility to rough terrain brought on by the substantial increase in use of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) – such that even after the all-clear inspected areas can be infiltrated by non-mining personnel within seconds. At Lerala a more pressing issue is likely to be livestock herders, on foot or donkeys, and the likelihood that they may permeate the area through cattle tracks oblivious to the impending flyrock danger. As Kecojevic and Radomsky (2005) point out the issue of blast area security can be successfully addressed by providing appropriate training and education of personnel involved in blasting operations to apply the best safety practices, as well as state and government regulations. Blasting and fly-rock will be a constant consideration and a potential hazard to man and beast. In particular, around K003 and K004, where there is a relatively high population density, and a high bovine population travelling between boreholes and grazing. The following table indicates the proximity between the centre of the kimberlites, the cattleposts, and the boreholes that they use for watering (see also Figure 5.5).



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TABLE 5.4 Approximate Distances from Mine Sites to Nearest Cattleposts and Waterpoints.

Mine Site (A)

Distance from Mine Site (A) to nearest Waterpoint (km)

Cattlepost (B)

Distance from Cattlepost to Kimberlite (km)

K006 1.102 CP7 0.97

K005 .733 & .75 CP7 0.918 CP10 0.91 CP9 1.206 CP8 1.097 CP6 0.634 CP4 0.727 CP3 0.5 CP2 0.342

K004 .335 & .525

CP1 0.569 CP5 0.731

K003 1.045 CP1 0.884

De Beers mitigated this impact in the past by a series of clear warning (whistles) and red flags prior to well advertised blasting events with ground crew checking the area beforehand. A similar procedure could be followed by DiamonEx with compensation for cattle and smallstock that may be caught unawares – barring of course any human injuries. CP2 and CP3 lie within 350m and 500m of K004 (Table 5.4) and will be evacuated during blasting operations in order to prevent loss of life or limb. The relocation of cattlepost boreholes is not recommended, as all are sufficiently far enough from the open-pit mines to avoid the main flyrock hazard. In any case, relocation of boreholes will not necessarily reduce livestock presence in the area or indeed the associated risk from flyrock. It should be emphasised that under the cattlepost system, the ‘borehole is the herder’ with their operation displaying a uniform rhythm of night kraaling, and release in the morning following milking, with the herd returning to the borehole in the late afternoon. It is a remarkably simple system, with routine herding confined to the collection and kraaling of animals around the water-point at dusk, and their subsequent release in the morning, in a daily cycle that is clearly adapted to avoid working in the extreme heat of the day, and is more generally based upon the minimum expenditure of energy (Abel et al., 1987). As a result the best time for blasting might well be midday, although this should be discussed with the cattlepost owners and adjusted accordingly.

IMPACT SEVERITY: HIGH, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: MEDIUM DURATION: MEDIUM SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM



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Significance: MEDIUM Mitigation i. The following mitigation measures can be made concerning blast area

security:- ii. the blast area must be inspected to determine distances to nearby structures,

roads, public places, and due consideration must be taken in determining the degree of protection necessary, including the use of line-of-sight inspection methods to guard against 4x4s and donkey carts.

iii. all employees must be cleared from the blast area, guards should be posted at the entrance to all access roads leading to the blast area, and the blaster should communicate to the foreman about the impending blast.

iv. the blaster must go outside the blast area and after receiving the feedback from the foreman and guards, blast signal needs to be sounded.

v. ample warning must be given before blasts are fired, and all persons and livestock should be cleared and removed from the blast area.

vi. Post signs in the bush within a 500m radius of each pit warning (in Setswana) of the potential hazard posed by flyrock and the need to avoid the area when the siren sounds.

vii. Evaluate the impact on dwellings within 500m of the existing pits (i.e two cattleposts around K004) – when blasting takes place.

viii. Compensation for domestic stock killed by flyrock to be paid by the mine (in agreement with all affected parties) unless there is a clear sign of negligence on the part of the livestock owner.

ix. Blasting to take place at midday or a time agreed with nearby cattlepost owners.

Significance after mitigation: LOW Fencing was considered as a possible mitigation measure but the isolated and discrete nature of the pits, coupled with the fact that the exclusion of domestic stock would result in increased above ground biomass, was felt to be counter productive to the objective. Indeed, the enclosures would actually attract animals, especially in poor rainfall years and so increase the hazard in the flyrock zone itself.



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Figure 5.5 Relative Positions of Cattleposts, Boreholes, and Kimberlites

(CP# - Cattlepost; Bh - Borehole; K# - Kimberlite)

Safety Evaluations

The administration of mining safety rests on the foundation that accident investigation results in the identification of cause followed by the appropriate response or correction in procedure. This approach can be referred as reactive safety, since the safety response mechanism occurs after an accident. The proactive safety response mechanism occurs when corrective action is taken after a non-event called a near-miss. A benchmark safety study done in 1969 involving over 3 billion man-hours revealed for every serious or disabling or serious injury, 10 minor injuries occur, 30 property damage events occur, and 600 incidents occur with no visible injury or damage (Bird, 1974; from Kecojevic and Radomsky, 2005). The 1-10-30-600 relationships indicate the essential value of proactive safety and the prevention of accidents depends on addressing the near-misses. The approach of reporting near-misses affected safety performance in a large magnitude.



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Recommendations: Near misses are reported and supplement the usual reactive safety measures.

Education and Training

Effectively training the workforce in blasting hazard recognition and avoidance, and the safe use of explosives is an essential activity in reducing blasting incidents. In the United States mining companies are required to train miners in the hazards related to explosives and safe blasting requirements through training curriculum content presented in either what is known as comprehensive training courses, i.e., new miner, annual refresher, newly-hired experienced, new task training, or hazard training (typically provided for contactors working on mine sites, or occasional visitors and service workers). It would be accurate to say that if the mine uses explosives, the miner or contractor will be instructed at a minimum in blasting hazards and avoidance, and if the miner is assigned to a blasting crew, in the safe use of explosives. This instruction on the safe use of explosives would be provided in a task training course or a task training session within a new miner training course. As a result all miners and visitors are, at a minimum, trained in basic blast hazard awareness. The licensed blaster becomes the ‘‘blaster-in-charge’’ for each blast. In such a way the blast can be designed and executed in strict accordance with the statutory rules, and that adequate supervision, monitoring, and control of all blasting activities be administered by a certified person.



Mitigation

i. Ensure operation and monitoring procedures are clearly articulated to

staff. ii. Maintain all fences and firebreaks around equipment and infrastructure. iii. Ensure all hazard signs around equipment and infrastructure are

maintained and also contain an emergency 24 hr number to be contacted in the case of an emergency

iv. Establish safety radius from mines. v. Ensure compliance of local people.


Blast Induced Vibration

Blast induced vibration close to the operating open-pit mines is a concern. The seismic disturbances induced by blasting depend on the total explosive energy released during blasting and the nearness of the structures to operating open pit mines. Mine operators often attempt to get better fragmentation of rock even if a blast



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requires high consumption of explosives per tonne of the mineral produced, as improved fragmentation reduces the cost of loading, conveying and crushing of minerals. The quality of rock in which an opening has been created can have a significant influence on the amount of damage done by open-pit blasting. The age and nature (size, configuration, depth of foundations etc) of the affected structures have a major bearing on the extent of damage sustained from seismic loading. Geo-mining conditions vary from place to place. This introduces wide differences in effects produced by blasting from mine to mine, making generalisations difficult as to likely damage effects, and therefore necessary compensation. Strata monitoring instruments, viz. borehole extensometers, convergence indicators, strain bars, stress capsules and load cells are therefore used, with the transducers of seismographs mounted in nearby structures to monitor vibration. This is an expensive and time consuming exercise and also subject to variation in the nature of the explosives used. In built-up areas where compensation and/or relocation issues are likely to be considerable such monitoring is likely to be essential. However, in the case of the Martin’s Drift Diamond Mine Project where the structures are few, simple in their design and construction, and located at least 500m from the open pits, such monitoring could effectively be limited to periodic photographic monitoring of the condition of the structures. Significantly, those dwellings most at risk from blast-induced vibration are also those potentially most affected by flyrock, with any damage repaired or compensated for by DiamonEx, in agreement with the Affected Parties.



i. Repair any damage incurred by cattlepost dwellings as a result of blasting.

ii. Ensure that no new dwellings are erected within the mine lease area and (0-1kms) of the open pits.

iii. Monitor, by means of a photographic record, the effects of blasting on nearby structures.



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Road Safety

The existence of five discrete pits feeding a central processing area, combined with the journey distance to the mine from Lerala on a narrow dirt road, means that road safety will be a prime concern during the mine’s operation.


Significance :MEDIUM Mitigation

i. Enforcement and regular monitoring of the extent of adherence to

Environmental Guidelines/code of conduct. ii. Maintenance and operation of heavy vehicles to be regulated. iii. Ensure machinery is well maintained. iv. Post signs along all access roads warning of the potential hazard

posed by construction related traffic and also informing people about the project.

v. Ensure operation and monitoring procedures are clearly articulated to staff.

vi. Ensure the transport operator undertaking transfers from Lerala to the mine operates efficiently and safely.

Significance after mitigation: LOW Handling of Hazardous Materials

According to the US Geological Survey (2000), the US coal, metal and non-metal surface mining industry uses almost 1.8 billion kilograms of explosives annually. Between 1989 and 1999, surface coal mines have used 16.2 billion kilograms and 3.3 billion kilograms have been used in non-metal mines and quarries (Kramer, 2000). More than 90% of the domestic explosive and blasting agent formulations generally used are ammonium nitrate (AN) based (USGS, 2000). A mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil, commonly known as ANFO, gained acceptance for blasting at surface mines. The major advantages of ANFO are related to safety, economy, and ease of handling when compared to nitroglycerine (NG)-based high explosives. The storage and handling of hazardous materials is a concern from both a health and safety perspective. The MDDP will not store hazardous waste as such, although the accidental spillage/leakage of fuels, lubricants, oils and greases does constitute a hazard to the environment and need to be stored and managed in a secure and bunded area. Environmentally accidental spillage has the potential to contaminate both the soil and groundwater resources in the area. Management of this problem is discussed further in the next section, and while it is a common problem across most mining operations, the proximity of the mine to the dense network of ephemeral streams necessitates extra vigilance.



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i. Mine to carry minimal stock of boosters and detonators in a safe and

secure area. Emulsion to be delivered on demand. ii. Ensure operation and monitoring procedures are clearly articulated to

staff. iii. Maintain all fences and firebreaks around equipment and infrastructure. iv. Ensure all hazard signs around equipment and infrastructure are

maintained and also contain an emergency 24 hr number to be contacted in the case of an emergency.

Significance after mitigation: LOW Waste Disposal

Apart from explosives used for blasting there are no other hazardous chemicals stored or used in the diamond recovery process, with the FeSi and flocculants chemically reactive, but environmentally inert and non-toxic. Waste oils and grease accumulated over the operating period of the mine should be collected by the supplier (BP Botswana) for final disposal. The bulk storage of fuels and oils will take place at MDDP within a secure and dedicated area, which is to be operated by the supplier in compliance with the standards set by the petroleum industry itself. Emergency spill and fire procedures are outlined in the EMP.



i. All organic waste (rubber, plastic and general forms of superfluous waste)

related with the project to be disposed of at the Council landfill site located 11 kilometres from the mine site and along the mine route to Lerala village.

ii. Waste oils and grease accumulated during mine operations to be collected and removed by the supplier.



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5.4 Closure Impacts

As emphasised throughout this report the implementation of effective reclamation projects throughout the life of the mine are an essential prerequisite to satisfactory closure of the mine. Inevitably, some reclamation work can only occur at the closure stage, when heavy machinery has vacated the site and vehicular disturbance to sites can be prevented. The ideal objective for the closure of any natural resource utilisation project should be the return of land to its pre-project state. This is not always practical or desirable since the costs involved could render the entire project unfeasible. It is also possible that the development could have some post project value. De Beers closed down the mining operation near Lerala and so the existing impacts provide a good idea as to how the project will look after closure. As stated earlier, De Beers left the area in as good as a condition as possible, with the pits remaining open, but not a hazard to man and beast, and the area clean of any dumping of waste. It is expected that DiamonEx will leave the project site in fifteen years or so, in a similar condition to that in which they found it, at the start of their tenure.

As is standard for mining projects it is recommended that the closure plan include the removal of all infrastructure and the capping of all boreholes. Infrastructure includes, pipelines, fences and all related equipment, including any obsolete or broken down machinery. Boreholes, in particular should be capped. If alternate uses are ever identified for some of the infrastructure then the closure objectives could be modified at a later stage. Indeed, in this respect the final closure plan should be re-visited five years prior to closure.

There are a number of stages and factors to be considered in drawing up the closure plans for any mining facility and these are discussed in detail in the closure plan in the next chapter. The closure impacts for the key facilities are detailed below.


Open Pits and Spoil Heaps

Water is a major environmental issue in the context of open cast mining operations. Where mining deposits are located above groundwater level, adequate management practices focus on surface waters including rainfall. With the discontinuation of mining, recharge of groundwater is often the major issue particularly relating to groundwater quality. The open pits may also fill with water during the rainy season. Apart from attracting domestic stock and posing a hazard to them, standing water creates a breeding ground for Anopheles mosquitoes, the vector of transmission for malaria – even though Lerala is south of the malarial zone, it would be wise to be aware of this potential impact. Non-malarial mosquitoes are also a problem such that standing water as a result of mining activities should be avoided, where possible.



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There is not much that can be done with the open pits and spoil heaps. The spoil heaps should be benched (5m lifts) and landscaped (18-20o slopes) and the stockpiled topsoil spread over the benches and exposed bare ground. Steep slopes should be avoided and where an open buffer zone between the pit and remaining vegetation does not exist the pit should be filled back in, or at least landscaped to remove shear drips – that could be a hazard to man and beast.


Significance: MEDIUM Mitigation i. Benched (5m lifts) and landscaped (18-20o slopes) the spoil heaps. ii. Avoid steep sides to pits and lack of an open ground buffer zone between pit

edge and existing vegetation iii. Replace topsoil over bare areas. iv. Avoid standing water collecting in the bottom of the pit by contouring and

placing soil bunds around the pit edge, so minimising surface runoff into the pit itself.

Significance after mitigation: LOW Tailings dump, slimes and return water dams The tailings and slimes dams should be decommissioned after all the water has evaporated, at the end of the project, or as soon as possible after its termination.


Significance:MEDIUM Mitigation i. Contour the slopes of the tailings/slimes and put in benches as for the spoil heaps. ii. Place an earthen bund along the outer edge of the tailings/slimes dam surface. iii. Put topsoil on the uppermost surface of the tailings/slimes dam (if topsoil is

available). Significance after mitigation: LOW Accommodation Camp

There will be no accommodation on site and only office provision for essential staff so that there should be few further impacts related to the removal of these facilities.



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IMPACT SEVERITY: LOW, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: HIGH DURATION: MEDIUM SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: LOW

Significance: LOW No mitigation necessary. Surface Equipment Storage Area

The area used to store surface equipment should be left in the condition it was found, with all project related material removed from the area.

IMPACT SEVERITY: MEDIUM, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: HIGH DURATION: LOW SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM


Mitigation

i. No further removal or disturbance of trees or shrubs during the removal of any accommodation structures.

ii. The responsibility and protection of trees and other vegetation should rest with the contractor and be laid out in the contract documents. Penalties imposed on the contractor through the contract documents will assists in the prevention of non compliance regarding protection of trees.

iii. Removal of all concrete slabs, fencing, oil filters, etc and any waste related to the project and deposition at the official dumping site – 11kms from the mine on the road to Lerala.


Waste Disposal

The Martin’s Drift Diamond Project must minimise the ecological footprint of its activities by permitting the burying of biodegradable and inert (e.g. rubble, concrete) on site. Everything else must be removed to the Council landfill site located 11 kms from the mine site and situated along the mine route to Lerala Village. Batteries, waste oil and diesel and any other waste fluids or lubricants, clearly do have the potential to contaminate both surface and ground water supplies and should not be dumped on site, but rather collected by the supplier and disposed of accordingly.

IMPACT SEVERITY: MEDIUM, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: HIGH DURATION: HIGH



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SPATIAL SCALE: LOW CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM


i. All waste generated to be disposed of at the Council landfill located

11kms from the mine site, along the road to Lerala. ii. All heavy plant machinery and project related equipment to be stored at

designated sites and removed from the area on completion of the project.

Significance after mitigation: LOW Boreholes

The boreholes must be capped and any related infrastructure removed from the site. Removal of this infrastructure must follow the same procedure as for construction, with minimal impact to the surrounding area and careful separation and replacement of surface and sub-soil. Under no circumstances should there be any project related waste left in the pilot project area, rather it must be dumped at an official site.

IMPACT SEVERITY: MEDIUM, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: HIGH DURATION: MEDIUM SPATIAL SCALE: LOCAL CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM


i. Boreholes to be capped. ii. All waste generated to be disposed off at the Council designated waste

disposal sites – located 11kms from the mine on the road to Lerala.



The end of the mining of diamonds at Martin’s Drift Diamond Project will impact significantly on many individuals and the Lerala community since it will have provided both part- and fulltime jobs for the people at a time of absolute job scarcity. The main mitigative action will be to keep the Kgosi and other key players (e.g. businesses, transport providers, amongst others) informed as to the precise date of closure, well in advance of its occurrence.

IMPACT SEVERITY: HIGH, NEGATIVE PROBABILITY: HIGH DURATION: HIGH SPATIAL SCALE: MEDIUM CONSEQUENCE: MEDIUM



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i. Keep the Kgosi and other key IAPs fully informed as to the expected date of

closure. ii. Continuous exploration of additional kimberlites in the area.




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6 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

6.1 Introduction This Environmental Management Plan (EMP) presents the philosophies, objectives and procedures that guide DiamonEx’s management of the proposed re-opening of the ‘Martin’s Drift’ diamond mine. The management tools in the EMP will be used to ensure that all potential negative environmental impacts will be minimized, and that the construction, operation and closure of the diamond mine will be carried out in an environmentally sustainable manner. It should be emphasised that the EMP is a developing document. This initial version has been prepared during the planning and development stages, prior to the re-opening of the mine. Therefore, it addresses key issues and presents a management framework associated with the re-opening and initial operations. Changes to the EMP should be made as required during the implementation and operational phases.

6.1.1 Environmental Management Plan Objectives The overall objectives of this EMP is to:

• meet the requirements of all relevant legislation, • identify potential adverse environmental impacts resulting from construction,

operation and closure activities, • establish procedures, control measures and strategies to minimise adverse

environmental impacts and allow operation of the mine to agreed environmental standards,

• provide a system to document that the installation and operation activities of the re-opening of the diamond mine are being carried out in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner,

• provide systems to effectively monitor the operation. It is widely accepted that every possible effort should be made to restore or rehabilitate land degraded by human action. Indeed, the primary purpose for reclaiming disturbed lands in semi-arid areas is to stabilise the soil surface and prevent it from being moved by winds and flash floods, the common transporting agents in semi-arid climates (Day and Ludeke, 1979). Significantly, the fact that the main impacts are already in place from the time when the mine was ran by De Beers, means that construction and operation impacts should be minimal and closure should leave the site in a similar condition as to how it is found today.

6.1.2 Environmental Management Plan Format

The preparation of Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) during project processing plays an essential role in setting out conditions and targets to be met during project implementation. Following ISO14001/14004 guidelines this section follows the format outlined in Table 6.1.



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TABLE 6.1 EMP Format

EMP Contents Description

Environmental Aspects List of the environmental aspect requiring

management consideration

Summary of Potential Impacts Potential adverse environmental impacts

Performance Objective The overall target outcome to achieve

Mitigation & Control Measures

Description of planned mitigation (control)

measures to achieve performance objectives -

including all approvals, applications and

consultations.

Performance Indicators

Measurable outcomes to indicate success of

control measures in achieving performance

objectives

Monitoring Description of planned Environmental Monitoring

to measure actual performance

Corrective Action Actions to take in the event of an incident or in

the case of non-compliance

Review Mechanisms for feedback and adjustment

The most significant construction impacts concern the provision of the proposed wellfield and the water pipeline, both of which are subject to a separate EIA and so not discussed further here. As stressed earlier in this EIA report the ‘re-opening’ nature of the mine means that the primary ‘ecological footprint’ of the project is already well established such that construction impacts are in fact fairly minimal. A tailings dump and slimes dam will be constructed in close proximity to the former plant, on ground that has been disturbed by the past processing activities, and while there are some specific recommendations concerning their construction, the critical management issues concern their operation and decommissioning. Following the Department of Mines guidelines for preparing environmental impact assessment reports for mining projects (Dept of Mines, 2003) a particular management point is not detailed under the construction phase, if it is to be fully detailed under the operational phase. Consequently, the management of air quality, noise and waste are detailed under the operational phase, even though they apply equally to the construction phase of the project.

6.2 Operational Impacts

The mine already exists such that the main construction impacts in terms of physical disturbance to the land surface have already occurred.

6.2.1 Biophysical Impacts Topography

The waste rock dumps and spoil heaps need to be managed efficiently (to avoid double-handling) and effectively, to ensure the surrounding area is safe and able to rehabilitate (in terms of a stabilising vegetation cover), as quickly as possible.



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Environmental Aspects • Safety (rockfalls)

Potential Impacts

• Unstable spoil heaps and waste rock dumps provide a safety hazard • Failure to rehabilitate the disturbed areas rapidly and effectively leading to

soil erosion and dust hazard Performance Objectives

• Stabilise the waste rock and spoil heaps and enable their rehabilitation • Protect the integrity of the value of the surrounding environment and

minimise environmental harm.

Management Actions and Strategies • The slopes of excavations shallower than 1.5metres will be finished off so

that they will not be steeper than 1:3 (about 18 degrees). The sharp angle at the top of the slope will be curved to blend with the surrounding landscape.

During mining, slopes will be made safe as follows:- • In the case of the open pit, the slope of the first bench leading to the surface

will be finished off evenly at a gradient of not more than 1:2 (about 26 degrees to the horizontal at ground level). The vertical height of the second bench will not exceed 5 metres, and the horizontal portion of this will not be less than 2 metres to the top edge of the following side wall.

• All material in and around the open pit areas, whether left over material, deforestation remains, surplus piled-up gravel, oversize rocks left in the pits etc, will be levelled and where appropriate covered with topsoil (i.e. in cases where no further excavation is required).

• A clear separation and stockpiling of surface sand material from the deeper sands, and rock waste is a vital pre-requisite to effective reclamation and should be undertaken in any future extension of the rock dumps i.e. the topsoil should not be buried under waste rock, but stockpiled.

• Maintain a sharp edge between the waste rock dumps and surrounding vegetation (i.e. avoid unnecessary clearance).

• The emphasis must be upon a progressive rehabilitation programme throughout the mine’s life which leaves the spoil stabilised and vegetated, in a form that blends nicely into the surrounding landscape and is maintenance free.

Performance Indicators • Stable waste rock dumps (no rock falls) and spoil heaps (minimal earth

movements – slumps/slides). • Reduction of soil erosion hazard (loss of topsoil) • No injury to persons or animals as a result of rock falls, earth movements etc.

related to the waste rock dumps and spoil heaps are reported. Monitoring and Further Work

• The Construction Contractor will visually inspect the waste rock dumps and spoil heaps and manage them in accordance with overall mine plan for overburden stripping and excavation.

• Quarterly reporting - MSDS • The Mine Manager will be responsible for monitoring flora and fauna after

the Construction Contractor is no longer responsible.



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Soils

The topsoil, namely the top layer to a depth of 0.5 metres, covering the earth and which provides a suitable environment for the germination of seed, allows water to penetrate, is a source of micro-organisms, plant food and in some instances seed. It is essential for the effective reclamation and rehabilitation of disturbed, and especially stripped, areas (e.g. slimes dump, tailings and return water dam).

Environmental Aspects

• Safety (soil erosion) Potential Impacts

• Bare areas prone to wind and water erosion • Dust hazard • Health and safety • Loss of land capability

Performance Objectives

• Stabilise the soil surface and enable rapid rehabilitation • Protect the integrity of the value of the surrounding environment and

minimise environmental harm. Management Actions and Strategies

• Topsoil will be removed and stored at designated topsoil stockpiles until such time as it can be replaced on the areas disturbed by mining. This is particularly the case for the slimes, tailings and return water dams.

• The topsoil will be stored on level ground so that it will not cause damming up of water or washaways, or wash away itself. Piles will not exceed a height of 2 metres.

• Where subsoil is required it will be removed and stored separately from the topsoil as described above.

• Maintain sharp edges between the areas disturbed by mining and the surrounding natural vegetation (i.e. avoid unnecessary clearance).

• The emphasis must be upon a progressive rehabilitation programme throughout the mine’s life which leaves the spoil stabilised and vegetated, in a form that blends nicely into the surrounding landscape and is maintenance free.

• The effective management and utilisation of the topsoil (and subsoil) resource needs to be integrated with the detailed design plan for the mine, and updated regularly.

Performance Indicators • Stable soil surfaces (i.e. prevention/minimisation of rills and gullies caused

by overland flow) • Effective maintenance of topsoil (and subsoil) stockpiles • Rapid rehabilitation of bare areas that are no longer subject to mining

activities Monitoring and Further Work

• The Mine Manager will visually inspect the topsoil (and subsoil) stockpiles and manage them in accordance with overall mine plan for overburden stripping and excavation.

• Quarterly reporting – MSDS.



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• The Mine Manager will be responsible for overseeing the activities of the Construction Contractor in this regard.

Land Capability

Provided the management measures outlined above are put into place the surface area disturbed by mining activities will be rehabilitated and revegetated by natural processes, so as to restore the land, as far as is practically feasible, to the pre-mining production potential.

Land Use

The land, after completion of mining will revert back to grazing use, with the necessary rehabilitation measures outlined in the closure plan (see below).

Natural Vegetation/ Animal life

Mining will reduce habitat availability for some faunal species, such as reptiles, birds, rodents and small mammals. However, this impact will be limited to the affected areas at the mine site and since all species have a wide and robust distribution, the impact is not considered significant. The potential attraction of wildlife to the slimes and return water dams is considered below.

Environmental Aspects • Soil erosion/ Loss of biodiversity

Potential Impacts

• Flora that will be disturbed / removed along the surrounds of the existing pits Performance Objectives

• To minimise or prevent impacts on biota from the activities associated with the operation of the mine.

• Protect the integrity of the value of the surrounding environment and minimise environmental harm.

Management Actions and Strategies

• Cleared areas should be landscaped with shortened slopes so as to guard against erosion.

• Cleared vegetation (from within the lease area) should be laid on bare ground – that is susceptible to soil erosion, across the slope, so as to decrease overland flow and erosion effects.

• Areas that have been disturbed in the past but are now lying outside of the mining operations should be rehabilitated as detailed above, with stockpiled topsoil spread over vulnerable areas (if available) (as outlined above).

Performance Indicators • Reduction of soil erosion hazard (loss of topsoil) • No injured animals as a result of construction activities or development are

reported.

Monitoring and Further Work • All incidents with wildlife (e.g. collision with vehicles, injury by other

means) to be recorded.



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• The Mine Manager must oversee the Construction Contractor to ensure that the impacts on the flora and fauna are minimised and built into the detailed design plan.

Surface Water

The mine lease area is almost flat and the development will not negatively impact on surface water drainage. Rehabilitation of the mine should be planned and completed in such a way that is progressive and continuous and serves to minimise surface runoff that can cause soil erosion. The main potential impacts relate to leakage from the tailings dump and slimes dam.

Tailings Dump, Slimes and Return Water Dams

Leachate from the kimberlite tailings, particularly sodium, potentially can pollute groundwater. However, given the paucity of aquifers on the lease area, general poor subsurface fracturing and low rainfall, the impact is expected to be small and localized. Furthermore, given the low rainfall leaching is unlikely to continue after kimberlite waste disposal ceases. Mine slimes is the waste product left over after mineral ores have been milled and the valuable minerals extracted. They are potential sources of pollution, not least because of their texture and general lack of aggregate structure. The pumping of the slimes into the dam needs to be carefully monitored in order to keep the open water body as central in location as possible, so maximising evaporative losses from the dam periphery and minimising the possibility of dam wall failure. The slimes dam also offers opportunities to recycle water, and so in turn, minimise the potential risk of spillage and contamination of the groundwater. Environmental Aspect

• Contaminated seepage Potential impacts

• Groundwater contamination • Loss of water and slimes into rivers

Performance objectives

• Prevent groundwater contamination • Minimise water losses


• Repair of retaining walls Performance indicators

• Minimal water losses • No receipt of groundwater quality complaints from surrounding cattleposts

Monitoring and further work

• Monitoring of water quality of office area borehole and neighbouring cattlepost boreholes. Extend monitoring boreholes where necessary (i.e. to ensure potential impact of seepage from slimes will be detected).

• Monitor the quality and quantity of water in the slimes and return water dam • MSDS data sheet for recording incidents



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• Daily inspection (and inspection after heavy rainfall events) of retaining walls of tailings dump, slimes dam and return water dam to check upon their integrity and any sign of leaks – leading to repairs where necessary.

Attraction of animals/wildfowl

Despite water recycling, the slime dam will contain surface water in an otherwise almost waterless environment. This will attract a diverse array of birds and create its own unique habitat – wetland vegetation and waterfowl. Such an outcome is unavoidable but should be monitored and any unforeseen negative impacts assessed, and where possible, mitigated. Exotic species will undoubtedly colonise the slimes dam. This will aid rehabilitation and reclamation of the area and will not conflict with the indigenous flora, because the exotics will necessarily be confined to the slimes dam area. Indeed, exotics will appear because of the emergence of unique habitats with opportunities to expand elsewhere in the region limited by definition. The smell of water from the slimes is likely to also attract wild animals (potentially even elephants – especially lone or small herds of bull elephants) and domestic stock which could disrupt their operation and integrity. It is not known if the slime dams will attract wild ungulate species that have been reported in the area, such as impala, kudu and warthog. To some extent the noise and disturbance levels associated with the operation of the dams makes it unlikely, although it is an eventuality that cannot be entirely discounted. Environmental Aspect

• Creation of problem animals Potential impacts

• Attraction of waterfowl, game and domestic stock to the tailings dump, slimes dam and return water dam.

Performance objectives

• Prevent Problem Animal Control (PAC) issues (related to the attraction of large mammals and waterfowl to the open water bodies) and potential disruption to the operation of these facilities.


• Secure fencing around the water bodies • Request management assistance from PAC Unit at DWNP regional

headquarters (i.e. Serowe) for persistent problem animals. Performance indicators

• Minimal damage to fences and disruption to operations • No receipt of PAC complaints

Monitoring and further work

• MSDS data sheet for recording incidents • Daily inspection (and inspection after heavy rainfall events) of retaining walls

of tailings dump, slimes dam and return water dam to check upon their integrity and any sign of leaks – leading to repairs where necessary.



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Open Pits

Diamond mining is a relatively clean process but does require a lot of water, indeed, water demand for the Mine lease processing activities (approx 156 m3/hr) is significantly high when compared to other local demands, with additional groundwater supplies required from the Tswapong Hills quartzite aquifer and/or the scree aquifer. The potential impacts related to this development and their management will be subject to a separate EIA. However, mine dewatering during the deepening of the mine pit may be necessary and has the potential to impact upon regional groundwater flow patterns and so is discussed further here. The open nature of the pits, the clearance of surrounding vegetation and in some cases the gradual sloping of the surrounding area towards the pit itself, all increase the potential of the pits filling up with water and pollutants seeping down to the aquifer. This is even more likely where uncapped, or partially capped boreholes occur in the pits themselves - K005, for example, had more than six boreholes, raising concern over the integrity of the aquifers following possible pollution events. Dewatering also offers the possibility of reuse of the mine dewatering resource by pumping it into bowsers and using it to supplement wellfield water to be used in the mine’s processing activities.

Environmental Aspect

• Contaminated seepage Potential Impacts

• drawdown and depletion of the local/regional aquifers • deterioration of aquifer quality due to mine activity related pollution


• to minimise aquifer drawdown depletion Management Actions and Strategies

• All water pumped out of the pits during mine dewatering will be pumped into bowsers and used in the mine’s processing activities.

• Ensure high integrity borehole construction and cap all boreholes • Avoid channelling surface runoff from the area surrounding the pits into the

pit themselves – by surface contouring and backslopes.

Performance Indicators • No receipt of water quality/volume deterioration complaints from

surrounding cattleposts • No drawdown of local/regional aquifers

Monitoring and Further Work • wet and dry season water quality monitoring of the office area boreholes • monitoring of the groundwater level (if possible) and quality from the (most

suitable) boreholes around the existing open pits. • quarterly monitoring of the quality and quantity of pit dewatering activities

(i.e. record keeping of the amount and quality of dewatering activities from each pit).

• the dewatering Contractor is responsible for daily inspection to ensure the above tasks are undertaken, and for compliance with the objectives and performance indicators.



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• All complaints shall be investigated by the Construction Superintendent and used in a broader hydrogeological assessment as to whether aquifer drawdown is occurring as a result of pit dewatering activities

Air Quality

Blasting and stripping operations will create some dust, although the quantities are both small and short-lived, with the most dust perhaps emanating from the heavy works related traffic on dirt roads and the operation of the primary crusher. Elevation of the spoil heaps, tailings dump and slimes dam well above the ground does increase the dust hazard, although the high clay content of the slimes should provide a binding effect. A severe drought would accentuate the dust hazard and in such a case, irrigation water may be needed to facilitate rehabilitation of the most vulnerable areas, as is currently practised. Land cover is critical for reducing wind erosion and the impact of fugitive dust on human populations can be significant where large stretches of land is laid bare. Wind erosion is dependent on a variety of factors, most notably soil moisture, soil type, ground cover, and wind velocity. Such dust impacts will be minimised by an effective reclamation programme. Surface facilities, namely generators and engines, can also affect ambient air quality in the Project area.


• Fugitive dust Potential Impacts

• dust generated by earthmoving, material handling and construction vehicle movements; and

• gaseous and particulate emissions from machinery, plant and equipment during construction and operation


• to minimise dust and vehicle emissions arising from construction and operation activities;

• comply with Workplace Health and Safety Requirements. Management Actions and Strategies

• All dust generating areas (vehicle access paths and roads) shall be dampened to reduce the potential for dust as required.

• Crush wet ore where possible • Restrict vehicle access to sites. • A speed limit of 40 km/hr will apply to all vehicles • Personal protection equipment will be worn at all times during the operation

of mechanical dust generating activities, as required by the appropriate Workplace Health and Safety Legislation.

• Rehabilitate disturbed areas as soon as is practicable after completion of works.


• No unreasonable dust releases • No receipt of dust complaints



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Monitoring and Further Work • The Construction Contractor/Mine Manager is responsible for daily

inspection to ensure the above tasks are undertaken, and for compliance with the objectives and performance indicators.

• Daily recording, monthly reporting • All complaints shall be investigated by the Mine Manager and assessed to

determine if dust release is unreasonable. Noise

The primary rock crusher is a major source of both dust and noise on the mine site. Indeed, within its immediate vicinity the noise from the primary crusher is almost intolerable, necessitating ear protection gear. Five 500 KVA on-site generators will provide power for the MDDP. Blasting will create noise, probably at midday, and is discussed under flyrock impacts, although the use of time delay switches means that the blaster and other people will be evacuated from the blast zone.

Environmental Aspects

• Noise

Potential Impacts • Noise will be generated by construction and operation activities.


• Comply with noise level criteria in legislative requirements Management Actions and Strategies

• To minimise noise nuisance, it is recommended that the following measures be implemented during the construction and operation works;

• hours of construction and operation will be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; • all affected residents to be notified should there be a change in the above

timing of construction activities; • use of high efficiency mufflers on all construction equipment; • all plant and machinery used during construction and operation will be

maintained in a sound mechanical condition, and in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications;

• the construction depot should be located away from any noise sensitive locations such as residences;

• Personal protection equipment should be worn as specified by Work Place Health and Safety Legislation

• Any noise complaints received will be subject to a complaints management system that provides for the assessment and management of the complaint.

• For persistent noise complaints this may includes monitoring of noise to determine whether daytime levels exceed ambient + 5dBA.


• No unreasonable noise releases • Noise complaints received are dutifully acted upon.

Monitoring and Further Work

• All complaints shall be investigated by the Mine Manager or an official appointed by him/her and assessed to determine if the noise is unreasonable.



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• Such investigations may require noise monitoring to be carried out by the Mine Manager at the complainant’s residence to evaluate the offensive noise source and character.

• All complaints will be recorded and kept on file.

Aesthetics

Only the tailings dump at the plant area and the spoil heap at K003 are visible from the ground level, as the existing spoil around the other pits (K002, K004, K005 and K006) are at a height below the tree level, and in fact cannot be seen until you are almost upon them. This is optimal in terms of impacts upon aesthetics but will probably change as the pits are extended and the walls of the rock and spoil dumps built up. The visibility of activities, waste dumps and other unsightly structures from roads and residential areas will be eliminated/lessened by:- (i) the open pits and processing site will be screened by the surrounding vegetation, which includes trees (10-15m high). (ii) the waste dump and mine site will be screened by naturally occurring ridges to the north. Waste Disposal - general

At all stages of the project waste disposal, in this case of general waste, needs to be managed effectively.


• Miscellaneous waste – construction and operation activities Potential Impacts

• reduction of aesthetic amenity • reduction of workplace safety • pollution • clogging of natural drainage systems • entrainment of waste in runoff and smothering of vegetation; and • general environmental damage (through toxic effects)


• Ensure proper disposal of general waste • Ensure proper disposal of regulated waste • minimise the potential for incorrect waste disposal during the construction

and operational phases of the project. Management Actions and Strategies

• Construction Contractor/Mine Manager to ensure general waste is stored securely and not in a location or manner where it may be directly or indirectly lost to the environment.

• General and regulated waste will be disposed of at the Council Landfill • Documentation of regulated waste removal will be kept on file. • Site bins will be used to contain waste. • Waste will be managed through:



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- minimising wastage of materials and energy; - all solid wastes will be placed in appropriately designed storage areas; - disposing waste on an ‘as required’ basis to adequate off-site disposal facilities (ie. the Council landfill); - wastes will be collected for recycling and/or disposal at Local Government designated sites; - Waste separation will occur where possible to help minimise overall waste

• All staff involved in the project will be trained on the environmental sensitivity and value of the work site.


• No waste or materials lost to the environment • No environmental damage to the environment due to waste


• Visual inspection / auditing to be undertaken daily by Construction Contractor/Mine Manager for site cleanliness/tidiness.

• The Construction Contractor/Mine Manager will undertake regular visual site inspections to ensure that the solid wastes are being stored in the appropriate areas and disposal of at the appropriate time (ie solid waste storage areas are not overloaded).

• The Construction Contractor/Mine Manager will monitor the lifecycle of waste generated on site to ensure all wastes are being disposed of properly.

• Results of the site inspections and waste lifecycle monitoring should be included in the Construction Contractor/Mine Manager’s monthly report.

Waste Disposal – fuels and oils

The generators, plant machinery and other equipment will require fuel, oils and lubricants. Environmental Aspect

• Contaminated seepage

Potential Impacts • Leakage/spills of fuel, oil, hydraulic fluids spillages and other fluids to the

environment • Damage/disturbance to environment


• Minimise hydrocarbon spills to environment Management Actions and Strategies

• Store all hydrocarbons in bunded areas using plastic liners or metal trays as legally required.

• Maintenance of any plant or vehicles undertaken at the site workshop or if on-site mechanics must use a large plastic drop sheet while the machine is being worked on.

• All vehicles to be regularly maintained. • Should a spill occur, implement Fuel/Oil Spill Cleanup Procedure


• No record of spills



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• No damage to environment due to usage of hydrocarbons

Monitoring and Further Work • The Construction Contractor/Mine Manager is responsible for daily

inspection to ensure the above tasks are undertaken and for compliance with the performance objective and indicators.

• All spills will be recorded as a non-compliance and as such the appropriate form will need to be filled out and mitigation actions taken to prevent occurrence.

Hazardous Materials

The handling of explosives by the mine should be in full compliance with the Explosives Act. For other hazardous chemicals and wastes, the mine should be fully compliant with the Waste Management Act (1998). Environmental Aspect

• Accidental Spillage Background Information Relevant Standards for the Handling and Storage of each specific dangerous goods – as provided by the supplier and Workplace Health and Safety legislation. Potential Impacts The accidental discharge of environmentally hazardous materials represents a significant potential risk to the local environment and groundwater. Damage could conceivably be due to:-

• Spillage of fuels, engine fluids, concrete, paint, chemicals, and construction wastes to exposed soil surfaces and ephemeral streams, and

• Incorrect storage and usage of chemicals during construction Performance Objectives

• Ensure that storage and handling of dangerous goods does not cause pollution of the environment or harm to persons.

Management Actions and Strategies Storage Facilities

• During the event of a hazardous chemical spill, the Emergency Response EMP for hazardous chemicals will be implemented.

• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) will be available on file, and easily accessible for all fuels and chemicals stored.

• All dangerous goods will be stored in a roofed and bunded area with an impervious floor and separated and sign posted as required by the relevant Codes and Standards.

• Store fuels and other hazardous materials in a safe and secure area. • Submit a list of chemicals and other potentially hazardous materials to the

Construction Contractor/Mine Manager prior to the start of construction. • Restrict the area in which hazardous materials can be stored during

construction works. • Install spill containment measures around hazardous liquid materials storage

areas where practicable.



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• Chemical Lists and Emergency Response Procedures will be placed in all relevant locations on site.

• Storage will comply with the safety requirements stipulated by the supplier

Clean-up Materials The Construction Contractor/Mine Manager will keep appropriate absorbents, neutralising chemicals and protective equipment and clothing at any work site where dangerous goods are stored. Emergency Response

• The emergency response EMP will be implemented • The Construction Contractor will notify the Mine Manager in the event of a

hazardous materials spill.

Monitoring and Further Work The Construction Contractor/Mine Manager will:

• Ensure that site personnel training records comply with the principles of all pertinent legislation, and that personnel possess knowledge of the performance requirements of the EMP.

• Conduct weekly visual inspection of the site to ensure that the performance requirements for dangerous goods are being fulfilled and to identify any non-conformances.

• Inspect and audit the site on a weekly basis to ensure that toxic and hazardous substances are being stored and handled in an appropriate manner (see above) that fulfils both the performance requirements of this plan, and statutory and local government requirements.

• Immediately address toxic or hazardous spillage in keeping with the performance requirements of the Emergency Response EMP prepared by the Construction Contractor/Mine Manager.


Socio-economic benefits are generally positive. Visual impact and noise is unlikely to affect nature based tourism in the area, as it is centred on the Tswapong Hills some 20 kms away. Standard work and safety procedures for mines, as laid out in the Mines, Quarries, Works and Machinery Act (1978), are required to be part and parcel of DiamonEx’s operations, with the provision of an on site medical/emergency response centre clearly an important facility given the remoteness of the area. The potential impact of HIV/AIDS and potential impacts related to blasting activities only are detailed below, only because the context in which they are occurring requires them to be flagged for particular management attention.

HIV/AIDS

A number of seminal studies have shown the interrelationship between migration, sexual networking, social and familial disruption, and the transmission of HIV for miners and mining communities (Yelpaala and Ali, 2005). As the latter authors point out migratory labour at mines in African countries such as South Africa has been identified as a major factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS. Although the scale of the proposed development, in terms of the relatively small number of employees needs to



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be taken into account, mining and HIV/AIDS, as it affects the proposed reopening of the mine is regarded as highly significant by this EIA.

Indeed, in light of the ongoing HIV/AIDS pandemic there is tremendous potential for any influx of workers to contribute negatively to the population of the area. Indeed, this impact related to the provision of paid construction workers, probably from outside of the project area, must be considered as potentially the most devastating of the entire project and needs to be effectively mitigated. Environmental Aspect

• Health and Safety (HIV/AIDS) Potential Impacts

• Increased transmission of HIV/AIDS Performance Objectives

• Zero HIV/AIDS transmission rate • Effective management of HIV/AIDS cases


• As far as possible draw construction labour force from local communities • Sensitise all staff and the local communities about sexually transmitted

diseases, especially HIV/AIDS. • Provide proper sanitation and waste disposal facilities at the camp. • Education in HIV/AIDS awareness of project related workers.


• No cases of HIV/AIDS

Monitoring and Further Work • Monthly reports from on site medical centre • Mine Manager to solicit the views of District Councillors, Lerala Village

Kgosi and/or other relevant District Officials (e.g. VDC, headmen) as to the occurrence of any social problems related to the mine’s operation (initially monthly). Clear lines of communication to be established between the above parties and meetings held if necessary.

• All reported social problems to be documented by the Mine Manager and mitigated/managed where possible.

Health and Safety – Village Social issues Environmental Aspect

• Employment opportunities/Social problems Potential Impacts

• Increase in sex workers/prostitution • Increase in alcoholism • Increase noise/rowdiness in the Villages


• Ensure Village life is not disrupted.



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Management Actions and Strategies • Quarterly meetings with District/Village Councillors, Kgosi’s in order to

receive feedback on any mine related issues that occur • Involvement of relevant personnel (e.g. HIV/AIDS Organisations if

necessary) Performance Indicators

• No receipt of complaints from public, council or other IAPs. Monitoring and Further Work

• Reports from District Councillors, Lerala Village Kgosi and/or other relevant District Officials (e.g. VDC, headmen) as to the occurrence of social problems directly or indirectly related to the operation of the mine – special emphasis needs to be put upon the situation that pertains to transport and housing

• Record all complaints and feedback • Brief mine personnel as to the nature of any such problems and how they can

best be rectified. Health and Safety – Blasting related

Environmental Aspect • Health and Safety

Potential Impacts

• Blast related damage to nearby structures • Injury/Loss of life due to flyrock


• Zero flyrock/blast related damage incidences • Timely repair of any blast related damage to structures


• the blast area must be inspected to determine distances to nearby structures, roads, public places, and due consideration must be taken in determining the degree of protection necessary, including the use of line-of-sight inspection methods to guard against 4x4s and donkey carts.

• all employees must be cleared from the blast area, guards should be posted at the entrance to all access roads leading to the blast area, and the blaster should communicate to the foreman about the impending blast.

• Using time delay switches the blaster must go outside the blast area and after receiving the feedback from the foreman and guards, the blast signal needs to be sounded.

• ample warning must be given before blasts are fired, and all persons and livestock should be cleared and removed from the blast area.

• Post signs in the bush within a 500m radius of each pit warning (in Setswana) of the potential hazard posed by flyrock and the need to avoid the area when the siren sounds.

• Evaluate the impact on dwellings within 500m of the existing pits (i.e two cattleposts around K004) – when blasting takes place.

• Compensation for domestic stock killed by flyrock to be paid by the mine (in agreement with all affected parties) unless there is a clear sign of negligence on the part of the livestock owner.



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• Blasting to take place at midday or a time agreed with nearby cattlepost owners. Evaluate the impact of blasting operations on the cattlepost dwellings within 500m of the open pit and compensate or repair any damage caused.

• Ensure that no new dwellings are erected within the mine lease area and (0-1kms) of the open pits.


• No cases of blast induced damage • No injuries due to flyrock


• Photographic monitoring of nearby structures – for blast related damage (benchmark data then on the basis of receipt of complaints.

• Recording of all blast related damage (adjust blasting procedures accordingly).

• Near misses are to be reported and to supplement the usual reactive safety measures

Health and Safety – General


• Health and Safety Potential Impacts

• Injury/loss of human life • Damage to the environment • Damage/loss of materials, infrastructure, plant and vessels • Financial losses


• To protect human life; • To protect the environment • To protect the property within the work area and adjacent properties • To minimise financial loss


• Implementation of Safety Management Plans over the course of the project for preparedness in an emergency situation.

Medical emergencies • First aid kits will be in all vehicles and plants • CPR charts will be at all plant sites • Contact Med Rescue Numbers to be provided on all vehicles, machinery • Urine charts for liquids will be displayed at appropriate places • Implement emergency response procedure for medical emergency

occurrences Hazardous chemicals

• Implement Hazardous Materials EMP • Ensure immediate implementation of existing emergency and evacuation

plans • Call out internal and external emergency response teams



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• Ensure immediate safety and well being of employees and those within the immediate or potential risk area

• Secure site and any high risk or high security areas • Work with specialist medical and technical advisors to minimise harm to both

the environment and human health

Combustible materials and fire • Daily check of fire fighting equipment at site and in vehicles • Evoke specific/ general emergency plan • Implementation of engine room fire emergency response plan • Call out internal and external emergency response teams • Ensure safety and wellbeing of employees or those in immediate or potential

risk • Ensure safe evacuation of persons from the area of danger; seek to eliminate

further danger from existing storage or production facilities • Ensure site security • Liase with internal and external emergency services regarding priority

actions; and • Conduct a role call of employees, contractors and visitors.

Oil spill emergency plan

• In the event of a spill, the spill source will be immediately isolated, stopped and contained as per fuel/oil spill clean up procedure

• Additional spill prevention may include, closing valves, inverting damaged containers so that holes are at the top or placing the leaking container into a larger one.


• No record of injured or loss of life • Minimal to no damage to the environment • Minimal to no loss of materials, infrastructure, plant and vehicles


• Review of emergency response plans and procedures Health and Safety – Roads The existence of five discrete pits feeding a central processing area, combined with the journey distance to the mine from Lerala on a narrow dirt road, means that road safety will be a prime concern during the mine’s operation. Environmental Aspect

• Health and safety threats Potential Impacts

• Personal harm to members of the public • Interruption of usual traffic patterns • Public Nuisance • Disturbance to environment outside construction corridor


• Ensure public safety • Minimise disruption to traffic



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• Minimise disturbance to the surrounding environment Management Actions and Strategies

• Provide appropriate public safety and traffic warning signs of activities • Ensure work area is clearly defined and off limits to the public • Maintain condition of road to satisfactory safety levels • Maintain trafficable conditions near the vicinity of the work site • Identify preferred route for construction traffic across the site, and clearly

mark this route. • Ensure that all loads are covered and secured, preventing soil and other

contaminants being released to the road. • Implementation of the Noise EMP


• No record of physical harm to the public • No receipt of complaints from public or council • Visual condition of road remains satisfactory


• Record complaints. • Monitor condition of road. Visual inspection / auditing to be undertaken

weekly by Construction Contractor/Mine Manager. Any non-compliances to be reported to the Mine Manager.

6.2.3 Archaeology and Cultural Aspects

Environmental Aspect • Loss of archaeological/cultural heritage

Potential Impacts

• Loss/damage to artefacts • Lack of respect for local traditions and culturally important sites


• Ensure archaeological/cultural heritage is conserved. Management Actions and Strategies

• Clearing and any impacts to native vegetation will be minimized. • In the event other unrecorded cultural heritage sites or materials that are

deemed to be significant are discovered in surface or sub-surface deposits during earthworks, the following will occur:

• Development work at the site will temporarily cease; • The National Museum will be notified and an approved archaeologist

contracted to investigate the find and make recommendations concerning its conservation and future mining activities at the site

Performance Indicators • Identification and conservation of archaeological/cultural relicts • No receipt of complaints from public or council


• Record all finds • Record complaints as per complaints form



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• A profile should be cleaned up by the developers at K6 in order to try and establish at what depth cobble-cores occur. If successful and warranted it may be possible to excavate and recover an in situ assemblage of an extremely rare site.

• Machine operators should be on the look-out for any formal stone tools during their activities.

• Brief all mine personnel and their families and friends (if visiting the area) as to the sensitivity of the surrounding hills and the need to seek permission from Kgosi before clambering up them.

6.3 Mine Closure Management Plan

As emphasised throughout this report the implementation of effective reclamation projects throughout the life of the mine are an essential prerequisite to satisfactory closure of the mine. Inevitably, some reclamation work can only occur at the closure stage, when heavy machinery has vacated the site and vehicular disturbance to sites can be prevented. The ideal objective for the closure of any natural resource utilisation project should be the return of land to its pre-project state. This is not always practical or desirable since the costs involved could render the entire project unfeasible. It is also possible that the development could have some post project value. De Beers closed down the mining operation near Lerala and so the existing impacts provide a good idea as to how the project will look after closure. It is expected that DiamonEx will leave the project site in fifteen years or so, in a similar condition to that in which they found it, at the start of their tenure. As is standard for mining projects it is recommended that the closure plan include the removal of all infrastructure and the capping of all boreholes. Infrastructure includes, pipelines, fences and all related equipment, including any obsolete or broken down machinery. Boreholes, in particular should be capped. If alternate uses are ever identified for some of the infrastructure then the closure objectives could be modified at a later stage. Indeed, in this respect the final closure plan should be re-visited five years prior to closure. The end of the mining of diamonds at Martin’s Drift Diamond Project will impact significantly on many individuals and the Lerala community since it will have provided both part- and fulltime jobs for the people at a time of absolute job scarcity. The main mitigative action will be to keep all IAPs (e.g. businesses, transport providers, amongst others) informed as to the precise date of closure, well in advance of its occurrence, and as far as is possible build alternative uses into the area (e.g. horticulture).

There are a number of stages and factors to be considered in drawing up the closure plans for any mining facility and these are discussed below.

6.3.1 Closure Recommendations

The ideal objective for the closure of any mine should be the return of land to its pre-mining state. This is not always practical or desirable since the costs involved could render the entire project unfeasible. It is also possible that the development could have some post-mining value. In the case of the proposed Martin’s Drift Diamond Mine Project it is likely that the lease area will do little more than revert back to grazing land for domestic stock. Realistically, there seems little use for any remaining infrastructure, simply because of its location far from any other industrial activities.



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It is recommended that the closure plan include the removal of all infrastructure other than waste rock and tailings dumps and the complete rehabilitation of all remaining land surfaces. The dumps should be re-shaped and rehabilitated, with the aim of establishing a stable vegetation cover that minimises erosion and the impact on the dumps on topography. If alternate uses are ever identified for some of the infrastructure then the closure objectives could be modified at a later stage. Indeed, in this respect the final closure plan should be re-visited five years prior to closure. There are a number of stages and factors to be considered in drawing up the closure plans for any mine. Although the context may change, there is a standard closure process that needs to be followed.

Closure Objectives

Although, a return to as close a condition to the original state as possible, may well lie beyond the cost budget of the mine, it is essential that the remaining impacts are at an acceptable level and do not deteriorate over time. The worst case scenario in any mine closure plan is that of abandonment, without first making the site safe for both humans and animals. The classic mine closure process could be divided into the pre-mining, construction, mining, last five years of mining and closure phases. The closure activities that take place during each phase include: • Pre mining: 1. Identification of possible end uses for the site. 2. Identification of I&APs and possible 3rd parties who may take over responsibility for the site. 3. Consultation with the I&AP's to reach an agreement on the closure conditions. 4. Drawing up of a closure plan for inclusion in the EMS. • During mining: 1. On-going revision of the closure plan during the life of mine. 2. On-going rehabilitation of disturbed areas that will not be disturbed again. 3. During the last five years of mining: 4. Re-evaluation of the end use and closure conditions at end of life of mine. 5. Re-evaluation of the identity and requirements of I&AP's and 3rd party 6. Final amendment to the closure plan • During the decommissioning and closure of mine.

1. Removal of all assets. 2. Demolition of all remaining infrastructure. 3. Removal and/or burying of all rubble and waste, excluding rock dumps and slimes

dams. 4. Engineering works (re-shaping, earthworks, drainage, etc). 5. Rehabilitation of all disturbed land surfaces, including rock dumps and slimes dams. 6. Environmental monitoring and maintenance for several years after closure. 7. Site development (where required or desirable).



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8. Submission of closure report and application for closure to the Authorities 9. Handover / sale of site to the 3rd party.

Each of the above activities will be budgeted from operating funds of the mining company (estimated provisionally at US$50,000 per annum, operational ongoing rehabilitation will be completed with operations costs while the US$50,000 per annum will be placed in a provision account for final mine closure). The cost of the activities prior to the decommissioning and closure phase will be mostly those of specialists and consultants.

Pre Mining

o Pre-Development Phase

It is during this phase that the approximate cost of closure must be determined to a reasonable degree of accuracy so that the economic feasibility of the project can be determined. Obviously concepts will have changed by the end of the project so it is necessary to consider as many eventualities as possible in the design of the closure plan.

o Identify Possible End Uses Martin’s Drift mine lease area is located within extensive grazing land. The open pit will fill with water and should be made so that both man and beast can access the water easily (ie. steep sidewalls to the open waterbody must be avoided). It is expected that reclamation programmes will already have resulted in much of the mine spoil being revegetated, such that it is important that grazing and trampling by domestic stock does not remove this cover and lead to instability of the soil surface. In this respect fences should remain in place, and be maintained by the mining authority, until reclamation has progressed to a satisfactory state.

o Identify I&AP's and 3rd Party

The Affected parties would include the Central District Council, Lerala villagers and Chief. Central District Council is expected to take over all responsibility for the site after closure.

o Consultation with I&AP's and 3rd Party and Agreement on Closure Conditions

Conditions for closure should be the complete removal of all mining infrastructures except for the rock dump, tailings dump, slimes and return water dams and the pit itself. All surfaces should be rehabilitated with stockpiled topsoil and re-vegetation should be allowed to occur naturally. Ideally the plan will be re-evaluated five years prior to closure. Terms such as "rehabilitated" "revegetated" also need to be accurately defined since they mean different things to different people. Construction Phase

A 150mm layer of topsoil must be removed from all areas that are to be disturbed by mining activities. The topsoil must be stockpiled in two metre high windrows in an



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area set aside for that purpose. The stockpile must not be compacted by the vehicles dumping it, with reclamation activities commencing as soon as possible. Mining Phase

o Ongoing revision of the closure plan

Attention must be paid to the latest developments in the mine rehabilitation sciences. The mine closure plan must always keep pace with the current best practices.

o Ongoing rehabilitation of disturbed areas

Whenever dumping on any surface of a rock, tailings dump or slimes dam ceases, the surface must be rehabilitated as per instruction under the "Closure Phase" below.

Consideration should be given to the use of compost in the rehabilitation work. The stockpiled topsoil will have lost most of its qualities by the time it comes to using it for rehabilitation. It is, therefore recommended that the sewage plant compost the sludge with waste paper or fibre and that the compost be stockpiled with the topsoil. Pre-Closure Phase

Five years before the expected end of life of mine, it will be necessary to ensure that the closure plan is still valid.

o Re-evaluation of the end use and closure conditions

Each possible new post-mining use must be evaluated in detail as well as the current legislation. The application for closure must be handed in to the Authorities during this phase.

o Re-evaluation of the identity and requirements of I&AP's The I&AP's may be different from whom they were at the start of the project. If the mine has been managed on sound IEM principles, the I&APs will always be known and informed throughout the life of mine.

o Final amendment to the closure plan

The closure plan must be re-compiled giving more detail about the practical steps that will be taken. These changes should be added to the EMS /EMP.

Closure Phase

o Asset removal: All movable assets must be removed for salvage or resale. All fixed assets that

can be profitably removed for resale should be removed for salvage or resale. Any item that has no salvage value to the mine but could be of value to individuals must be treated as waste.



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o Demolition:

All structures must be demolished and the terracing and foundations removed to a minimum depth of 0.50 m below the original ground level. The earth below the foundations is to be scarified and the excavation filled in with soil, the top 150 mm being soil from the topsoil stockpile.

• Waste and rubble removal:

Waste is defined as all substances having no salvage value to the mine and includes rubble from demolition works. All waste is divided into three categories, which are treated differently.

• Inert ceramics such as bricks, concrete, gravel etc. which may be dumped in

the bottom of the pit. • Inert waste, which is more than 150 mm underground, such as pipes, which,

may be left there. • Inert ceramic and buried waste with a salvage value to individuals such as

scrap metal, building materials, etc must be removed for disposal at a proper facility in Francistown or some other centre.

• All other waste which must be removed for disposal in a proper facility.

o Engineering works: Construction must take place to ensure that either:- • no animals will be able to enter the pit area, or • animals are allowed safe access to water at the base of the pit. o Rehabilitation:

All disturbed and exposed surfaces, including roads within the mine site, but excluding the pit, are to be covered with at least 150 mm of topsoil. Re-vegetation must be allowed to take place naturally. Monitoring and Maintenance

Air and water quality must be monitored until they reach a steady state or for three years after closure or as long as deemed necessary at the time. Measures must be implemented to curb environmental impacts and to ensure that they do not worsen with time. The re-colonisation of the site by vegetation must also be monitored and measures must be taken to assist the process in areas where the vegetation does not establish itself. Special attention must be paid to the slimes dam which has the potential to contaminate ground and surface waters for many years after mine closure. Re-vegetation and rehabilitation of the tailings should be treated as a priority issue throughout the life of the and upon closure. Monitoring activities established during the life of the mine should continue until such time that the slimes dam is deemed stable and safe. Fencing should remain in place to facilitate rehabilitation by preventing grazing by domestic stock.



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Mining Facility

All vehicles, explosives, mining equipment and workshop equipment must be removed for salvage or resale. The roadway into the pit must be covered in topsoil that was initially removed from the overburden.

o Pit The pit will be used as the dumping site for inert waste and rubble resulting from the closure activities of the entire mine. The pit should be left such that animals are permitted to have safe access. o Workshops Any soil near the workshops that has been contaminated by oil must be treated as contaminated waste. o Slimes, Tailings and Waste

All conveyors, plant and mobile equipment are to be dismantled and removed. Some of the coarse rock will be removed from the rock dumps for rehabilitation of tailings and slimes dumps and borrow pits. All surface and buried pipes must be removed from the slimes dam in particular.

All concrete structures that protrude from or line the surface of the dumps should be demolished and the rubble left in place. All side slopes are to be reshaped, where necessary, to safe angles of no more than 18°. All sharp edges on the vertical profile must be rounded off and all benches must be reshaped to drain inward.

The slimes and tailings dumps must be entirely covered with a 500 mm layer of mixed grade waste rock. All dumps must be covered with 250 mm of the top soil that was initially removed from their footprints. Since the topsoil removed from the footprints will only make up 150 mm, the remaining 100 mm of topsoil will be that topsoil which was initially removed from the pit area or the original topsoil under the topsoil stockpile.

The environmental monitoring programme must pay particular attention to erosion of the dumps and seepage from the tailings.

o Fencing Fencing should remain in place until such time that reclamation has advanced sufficiently to result in a stable vegetation cover on the disturbed areas. In the case of the slimes dam the fence may have to remain for at least five years. o Sewage Treatment Plant All sewage sludge must be either composted and used in the rehabilitation activities or removed for disposal in a proper site. o Electrical Power Generation and Distribution All power distribution facilities are to be removed for salvage, including cable buried deeper than 150 mm underground.



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o Water supply and Reticulation Dismantle and remove all overland pipes and pumps to and from the mine.

6.4 Summary

A summary of all the EMP components, concerns, responsiblities and reporting frequencies is detailed in Table 6.2. The potential impacts and recommended mitigation measures associated with the Martin’s Drift Diamond Project during the three main phases of construction, operation and closure are summarised in Table 6.3.The assessment procedure follows the ISO 14001/14004 guidelines outlined in Appendix 5, with the overall significance referring to the impact after mitigation. In this respect the contrast between the severity of impacts and their overall significance is striking as almost all potential impacts can be mitigated to a low overall significance, despite having a medium or high severity. The exceptions notably relate to HIV/AIDS whose significance should not be underestimated throughout the life of the project. The waste rock dumps and open pits have already impacted permanently upon the aesthetics and topography of the area, with this impact carrying through to the operation and closure stages. The initiation formalities that are necessary from a spiritual/cultural perspective before the opening of the mine, as identified in the public consultation meeting at Lerala need to be followed up and respected by the mine management staff. The operational impacts relating to flyrock, blast induced vibration and blast area security must be recognised as the most significant potential impacts of the proposed project, although if mitigated effectively their overall environmental impact becomes acceptable. Many other recommendations are made concerning both the blasting procedures and blast area security, with the reporting of near misses as well as the more typical reactive safety measures used by mines, likely to be an important development. The mine should be a positive development for Lerala village and surrounding areas and while the relatively small number of employees means that DiamonEx’s desire for housing and transport issues to be resolved externally is not unrealistic, there is a need for the mine management staff to remain in regular contact with the relevant District Authorities to mitigate any negative impacts (and maximise positive ones) that arise, particularly those following closure.



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TABLE 6.2 Summary of EMP Components

Component Concern Person

Responsible Reporting

Topography Stable waste rock

dumps and spoil heaps CC/MM Quarterly – MSDS

Soils Soil erosion CC/MM Quarterly – MSDS

Vegetation/Wildlife Loss of biodiversity CC/MM Quarterly – MSDS

Tailings dump,

slimes and return

water dam

Groundwater pollution CC/MM Monthly – MSDS

Problem Animals CC/MM Monthly – MSDS

Open pits Groundwater

depletion/pollution CC/MM

Daily monitoring

(Based upon frequency

of dewatering); Monthly

reporting – MSDS

Air quality Health and Safety CC/MM

Daily recording –

monthly reporting

Complaints register

Noise Health and safety CC/MM

Complaints register –

Noise monitoring if

required

Waste Disposal –

general/fuels and

oils/ hazardous

substances

Health and safety CC/MM

Daily

inspection/Monthly

reporting

Emergency

Response Health and safety CC/MM

Weekly

inspection/monthly

reporting

HIV/AIDS Health and Safety MM Monthly reporting

Social issues

(Lerala) Health and Safety MM

Quarterly reporting;

Complaints register

Blasting Health and Safety MM/EC

Quarterly reporting –

blasts

Benchmark and

complaints based –

structural damage

Roads Health and Safety MM/CC

Daily inspection/

Weekly reporting –

MSDS

Archaeology Cultural heritage MM/CC Finds and complaints

based recoring system

CC = Construction Contractor/ MM = Mine Manager / EC = Explosives Contractor

The precise allocation of responsibilities in Table 6.2 will be contingent upon the detailed mine plan and operations. In this respect the ongoing nature of the EMP and its need for constant revision and updating must be emphasised.



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TABLE 6.3 Summary of the Key Impacts and their Overall Significance after Mitigation

Concern Probability Severity Spatial Scale Duration Overall Significance

CONSTRUCTION

Soil erosion M L L L L

Spoil heaps H M L H L

Hydrogeology M M L M L

Tailings, slimes and return water dam H M L H L

Vegetation M L L L L

Wildlife and livestock M L L L L

Aesthetics H L M H M

Topography H L L H M

Noise M M L L L

Air quality M M L M M

Waste disposal H M L L L

HIV/AIDS M H H H M

Health and Safety M H H M L

Archaeology M H L H L

OPERATION

Geology L H L H L

Water abstraction - hydrogeology M H M M L/M

Water disposal - hydrogeology M H M M L Water disposal – ecology – attract animals/wildlfowl

M M M M L

Water disposal – ecology – pollution of waterways

M H M H L

Expansion of waste rock dumps – loss of vegetation

M L L M M

Aesthetics H L M H L/M

Air quality M M L M M

Noise M M L M L

HIV/AIDS M H H H M

Health and Safety – Blast area security M H L M L

Health and Safety – Education training M M L M L

Blast-induced vibration M M L M L

Road safety M M L M L

Handling hazardous materials M M L M L

CLOSURE

Open pits and spoil heaps H M L H L

Tailings, slimes and return water dam H M L H L

Accommodation camp H L L M L

Surface equipment H M L L L

Waste disposal H M L H L

Boreholes H M L M L



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7 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

The most pressing environmental difficulty and cost associated with the proposed mine at Martin’s Drift relates to securing a reliable water supply. The location of the wellfield and resulting pipeline is yet to be finalised but will be subject to a full and independent EIA, from which a number of monitoring recommendations are likely to follow. The water EIA is purposely kept separate to the mining EIA as it is envisaged that the water supply system will remain in place on mine closure. In light of the importance of the area to borehole-based cattle-keeping, there may well be fears on the part of livestock owners that the mining process will detrimentally affect the quality and yield of water from their boreholes. This seems most probable via pollution of the aquifer as a result of the seepage of standing water in the pits, following their abandonment, or following overflow of the slimes and/or tailings dams. It is therefore proposed that monitoring focuses upon the groundwater issue in order to allay fears and prevent the possibility of extended litigation in the eventuality that the aquifer resource base does change for the worse.

7.1 Monitoring

The recommended monitoring system includes monitoring of the office area borehole for water quality. Some of the existing boreholes at the six pits (i.e. those that are most suitable) should also be used for the measurement of groundwater level and quality – the drilling of boreholes especially for this purpose is not however recommended. Periodic measurements, at least once every wet and dry season would suffice as continuous monitoring devices (data loggers) that measure water level and water quality parameters may well impose an unnecessary cost upon the project. The quantity of water in the slimes and return water dams will be monitored on a quarterly basis. In order to minimise the onset and effects of any possible impacts it is also proposed that all the mitigating actions summarised in Chapter 6 be instituted as part of the Martin’s Drift Diamond Project schedule and reported on at regular intervals as part of the overall environmental monitoring procedure. These actions should include the definition of specific abstraction rates, a blasting schedule and security programme – together with a reporting procedure for near misses to supplement the usual mine safety procedures. The mine management team should keep in regular contact (i.e. monthly) with the Kgosi of Lerala in order to identify and mitigate any negative impacts that may arise, directly or indirectly, from the mine’s operation.

7.2 Summary of monitoring requirements The minimum monitoring requirements are as follows:-

• monitor the quality of the water at the office area borehole at least every wet and dry season.

• monitor the groundwater level (if possible) and quality from the (most suitable) boreholes around the existing open pits (pre-operation benchmark data) bi-annually.



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• monitor the quantity of water in the slimes and the return water dams on a quarterly basis.

7.2.1 Slimes and Tailings Dams

The slimes dam will be inspected on a daily basis to avoid spillage. Regular inspection of the dams (initially daily and then weekly) is required to ensure both their integrity and that they do not overflow (the fences around them should also be checked and maintained where necessary). This activity should continue until the dams are decommissioned.

7.2.2 Boreholes

The quality of the water at the office area borehole should be monitored on a bi-annual basis. The existing pits have a number of boreholes drilled around them and it is recommended that the groundwater level (if possible) and the quality of water from the most suitable boreholes is collected and kept as pre-operation benchmark data – if possible these boreholes should be re-sampled on a quarerly basis during the mine’s operation). The cattlepost boreholes within 1km of the existing pits should also be subject to the same monitoring regime, where possible. The wellfield EIA is likely to recommend the collection of as much pre-wellfield production data as possible in order provide a baseline data set against which any post production changes in the quality of water in the aquifer may be compared. Monitoring should continue throughout the life of the project.

7.3 Monitoring Responsibilities

The responsibility for all monitoring activities rests with the client DiamonEx who should collect and compile the data.

7.4 Conclusion

In light of the re-opening nature of the Martin’s Drift Diamond Project monitoring requirements are seen as fairly minimal but necessary to act as a benchmark in the case of future potentially detrimental impacts. A summary of the monitoring programme, has been presented in Table 7.1. The analysis indicates the type of data, frequency and chains of responsibility/management linkage and reporting. Data and sample collection per se will be based, where appropriate, on the protocols and conventions established by the Department of Water Affairs



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TABLE 7.1 Summary of Monitoring Programme Responsibilities

Place Time Parameters Responsibility/

End point Management linkage Reporting procedure

Slimes dam

Daily (onset of pumping) 1, Week 3, week Monthly – once rate has stabilised

Water Volume (Depth assessment – dip stick) And water Quality

DiamonEx – until inflow into ponds ceases

Potential overflow of ponds to be avoided by use of a return water dam.

Internal reporting. End of project (compiled results) submission to DEA

Slimes and return water dams

Daily, weekly

Fence and dam inspection

DiamonEx – until decommissioning

Report and repair any fence damage and/or leakage of dams/problem animals

Internal reporting

Office Area borehole

Pre-production. Bi-annually

Water level and water quality

DiamonEx – life of project

Rapid changes identified and pumping rates adjusted/ monitoring programme expanded

Internal reporting. End of project (compiled results) submission to DEA/DWA/ DGS

Monitoring of selected existing boreholes *(additional boreholes may be needed to monitor slimes dam)

Pre-production – one off samples. Bi-annually thereafter

Water quality Groundwater level (if possible)

DiamonEx – Pre-operation and then monthly

Drastic changes identified

Internal reporting. End of project (compiled results) submission to DEA, DGS, Land Board, CDC

Monitoring of cattlepost boreholes within 1km radius of the existing pits

Pre-production – one off samples. Bi-annually thereafter

Water quality Groundwater level (if possible)

DiamonEx – Pre-operation and then monthly

Drastic changes identified

Internal reporting. End of project (compiled results) submission to DEA, Land Board, DGS, CDC.

Lerala Quarterly Complaints received

DiamonEx/ District Authorities/ Kgosi of Lerala

DiamonEx management provide feedback to employees

DiamonEx/ DEA/Kgosi of Lerala

Waste rock dumps/ spoil heaps

Quarterly Stability DiamonEx Benches and contouring

DiamonEx

Soils Quarterly Soil erosion DiamonEx

Loss of topsoil, rill and gully formation – contouring use of dead vegetation on bare ground

DiamonEx

Pits - Dewatering

All dewatering Water volume and quality

DiamonEx Compare with borehole data

Internal reporting

Air quality Daily Visibility/dust hazard

DiamonEx Wetting of road surfaces Internal reporting

Noise Daily Audibility/ Complaints

DiamonEx Detailed monitoring if required

Internal reporting

Wastes Daily Visual Inspection DiamonEx Performance improved Internal reporting

Blasting Benchmark data for nearby structures

Structural damage DiamonEx Repairs Internal reporting/Complaint basis

Archaeology Pits, Excavation areas

Appearance of artefacts

DiamonEx Conservation/ Recovery

National Museum



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8 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Overall it is concluded that the proposed re-opening of the mine at Tswapong, or the Martin’s Drift Diamond Project as it is known by the developer DiamonEx, represents a positive development for the Lerala area, with the potential to alleviate poverty and boost the local economy by the employment opportunities it brings. One of the potentially most important impacts, relating to water supply for the diamond mine needs to be subjected to a full and independent EIA. Provided the singularly most detrimental impacts of the project is mitigated effectively, namely the hazard posed by flyrock from blasting, there appears to be no substantive reason why the project should not be allowed to go ahead. Construction impacts have already occurred due to the prior operation of the mine by De Beers. Significantly in this respect, the infrastructure can be re-imposed on the environment with minimal impact provided what must be regarded as fairly standard procedures are followed by the various contractors. The use of existing firebreaks and tracks for access and pipeline routing, are two essential pre-requisites for ensuring construction impacts are kept to a minimum. All equipment infrastructure should stored on existing disturbed ground and the slimes, tailings and return water dams securely fenced - with the surrounding vegetation cleared away and the fence made as ‘wildlife friendly’ as possible by placing reflectors and poles within it, to make it more visible to wild ungulates. The initiation formalities that are necessary from a spiritual/cultural perspective before the opening of the mine, as identified in the public consultation meeting at Lerala need to be followed up and respected by the mine management staff. The key operational impacts surround the potential occurrence of flyrock and the hazard it poses to man and beast. A number of recommendations are made within this report concerning blasting procedures and blast area security, with the two cattlepost dwellings within 500m of K004 to be evacuated while blasting takes place – before and after blasting inspections of these dwellings is also to take place and any damages repaired. Any injuries to domestic stock from flyrock need to be handled on a case-by-case basis and compensated by DiamonEx where appropriate. The handling and treatment of explosives poses a potential hazard and it is recommended that standard mine procedures for this are followed, together with a more general mine reporting system of near misses rather than the more typical purely reactive system.

Potential changes to the aquifers due to the mine’s operations are a concern, due to the several cattle syndicate boreholes within the Mining Lease area (Susulela), and it is recommended that these cattlepost boreholes, together with those existing boreholes around the existing pits have their groundwater level (if possible) and quality measured. This is likely to be essential to avoid future problems with local farmers, more especially if the mine has to dewater the pits for ease of excavation. Pre-operation benchmark data would thus be useful in countering/resolving any claims. More generally, the mine management team should keep in regular contact (i.e. monthly) with the District Authorities, including the Kgosi of Lerala in order to identify and mitigate any negative impacts that may arise, directly or indirectly, from the mine’s operation. It is recommended that the closure plan include the removal of all infrastructure so enabling the complete rehabilitation of all remaining land surfaces. If alternate uses are



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ever identified for some of the infrastructure then the closure objectives could be modified at a later stage. Indeed, in this respect the final closure plan should be re-visited five years prior to closure. Impacts include soil erosion, the creation of unsightly scars on the topography, loss of already limited tree cover, compaction and dust pollution, vegetation clearance, soil contamination and disruption to the aesthetics of the area.

TABLE 8.1 Environmental Impact Matrix

ACTIVITY ASPECT IMPACT

Construction Surface infrastructure Spatial extent Loss of habitat/aesthetics

Waste disposal Dust generation Contaminated seepage

Health and safety Soil contamination/ groundwater pollution/ aesthetics

Handling of hazardous materials Accidental spillage Soil contamination Provision of surface infrastructure Accidents Health and safety

Construction crews

Habitat disturbance Employment HIV/AIDS

Damage to archaeological/ cultural sites

Borehole drilling (Wellfield EIA) Habitat disturbance Loss of habitat/aesthetics Water pipeline (Wellfield EIA) Spatial extent Habitat loss

Operation Flyrock Accidents Health and Safety Blast induced vibration Structural damage to buildings Health and safety Extension of open pit Spatial extent Loss of habitat/aesthetics

Slimes, tailings dump and return water dams

Open water body Contaminated seepage

Creation of new habitat Groundwater pollution Attraction of wild/domestic stock

Mine stockpiling Spatial extent Erosion of fines

Loss of habitat Stream pollution


Health and safety Soil contamination/ groundwater pollution/ aesthetics

Generators Noise disturbance Noise, Loss of aesthetics Handling of hazardous materials Accidents Health and safety Rock crushing Dust generation, Noise Health and safety Waste rock dump Spatial extent Loss of habitat/aesthetics

Mine workers Employment HIV/AIDS

Health and safety

Sewage disposal Contaminated seepage Groundwater pollution Noxious smell

Closure Handling of hazardous materials Accidental spillage Soil contamination Removal of surface infrastructure Spatial extent Habitat loss/ aesthetics


Health and safety Soil contamination/ groundwater pollution/ aesthetics, noise

Open pits Contaminated seepage Groundwater pollution



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TABLE 8.2 Identification and Ranking of External Aspects associated with the Project

Aspects Identification Significance

Ranking Justification for mitigation

Construction RELEASES TO WATER Point sources Accidental spillage of hazardous materials L Pollution of the soil/aquifer. RELEASES TO AMBIENT AIR Diffuse sources On site dust - vehicular movements L Discomfort Point sources Noise and air pollution from heavy vehicles M Discomfort LAND TRANSFORMATION

Point sources Project related personnel damage to archaeological/cultural sites

L Loss of heritage

Diffuse sources Infrastructure provision L Loss of habitat of little conservation value Point sources Change of ecosystem functioning L Limited spatial area affected SOCIAL ASPECTS Point sources Construction crews accommodation camp M Increase in STDs (especially HIV/AIDS) Diffuse sources Health and safety – heavy machinery M Injury and accidents

Operation

RELEASES TO WATER Point sources Seepage from slimes and return water dams L/M Pollution

Point sources Runoff erosion from slimes/tailings has a high proportion of fines

M Pollution

Point sources Accidental spillage of hazardous material from storage area

L Pollution

RELEASES TO AMBIENT AIR Point sources Flyrock from blasting M Health and safety – injury and accidents Point sources Dust from rock crusher M Likely to exceed recommended levels Diffuse sources On site dust from vehicular traffic M Discomfort INVISIBLE RELEASES

Point sources Deflation of salts from the slimes dam L Contamination of the surrounding soils and vegetation

LAND TRANSFORMATION

Point sources Provision of slimes dam, tailings dump and return water dams,

M Loss of habitat though areas have little conservation value

Point sources Horizontal extension of waste rock dumps M Loss of habitat/land capability

Point sources Attraction of wildlife and domestic stock to slimes and return water dams

M Health and safety – injury and accidents

SOCIAL ASPECTS

Point sources Mine Employees H Increase in STDs (especially HIV/AIDS) Point sources Handling of explosives M Health and safety – injury and accidents

Diffuse sources Health and safety – heavy machinery M Injury and accidents

Closure

RELEASES TO WATER Point sources Seepage from standing water in open pits L Pollution of groundwater

Point sources Accidental spillage of hazardous material from storage area

L Exceeds effluent standards in Botswana.

RELEASES TO AMBIENT AIR Diffuse sources On site dust - vehicular movements M Discomfort LAND TRANSFORMATION

Diffuse sources Infrastructure provision L Loss of habitat though areas have little conservation value

Point sources Change of ecosystem functioning L Limited spatial area affected SOCIAL ASPECTS Point sources Mine closure H Unemployment Point sources Closure crews accommodation camp H Increase in STDs (especially HIV/AIDS) Diffuse sources Health and safety – heavy machinery M Injury and accidents



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TABLE 8.3 Summary Assessment of Project Impacts after Mitigation.

CONSEQUENCE

ASPECT Pr Se Sc Du

O DESCRIPTION/NOTES

Construction LAND TRANSFORMATION

H M L H L

Provision of surface infrastructure.

(Affecting soils, vegetation, wildlife

and livestock, topography, air

quality)

H M L L L Waste disposal

M H L H L Damage to archaeological sites

Land Occupation

H L M H M Damage to aesthetics

EXTERNAL INCIDENTS

Dust, noise generation M M L M M Provision of surface infrastructure,

drilling rigs etc

Releases of hazardous substances M M L M L Accidental spillage/leakage of

hazardous material

SOCIAL ASPECTS

Increase in STDs M H H H M Increased risk/exposure to STDs

especially HIV/AIDS

Health and safety M H H M L Accidents and injury

Operation

LAND TRANSFORMATION

M H M M L Production of slimes and tailings

dams

M L L M M Waste rock dumps and spoil heaps Land occupation

M H M H L Pollution of aquifers by seepage

from open pit and down boreholes

EXTERNAL INCIDENTS

Flyrock M H L M L From blasting

Vibration damage to structures M M L M L From blasting

Noise M M L M L Rock crusher

Noise generation M M L M L Generators, engines


hazardous materials

SOCIAL ASPECTS

Increase in STDs M H H H M Increased risk/exposure to STDs,

especially HIV/AIDS

Health and safety M M L M L

Accidents and injury



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CONSEQUENCE ASPECT Pr Se Sc Du

O DESCRIPTION/NOTES

Closure

LAND TRANFORMATION

H L M M L Removal of surface infrastructure

H M L H L Waste disposal

H M L H L Closure of slimes dump, tailings and

return water dams

Land occupation

H M L M L Capping of boreholes

EXTERNAL INCIDENTS

Dust, noise generation M M L M M Removal of surface infrastructure

and equipment


hazardous substances

SOCIAL ASPECTS

Increase in STDs M H H H M Increased risk/exposure to STDs

especially HIV/AIDS

Health and safety M M L M L Accidents and injury

Unemployment H M M M M Health and well-being

Pr = Probability Se = Severity Sc = Spatial Scale Du = Duration O = Overall Significance



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