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MONGBWALU PROJECT:



ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY AND ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT PLAN OF THE PROJECT

Non-technical summary

Front Page



1



TABLE OF CONTENTS



1



Introduction



4



2



Project location



5



3



Project overview



7



4



The environmental assessment process



12



5



Public consultation and disclosure



16



6



The physical environment



19



7



The biological environment



25



8



The social environment



30



9



Environmental management plan of the project



37



10



Closure plan and financial provisioning



38



11



Sustainable development plan



39



12



Conclusions and recommendations



40



13



EIS and EMPP report for public disclosure



41



14



Summary table of impacts identified for the project



42



15



Contact details



48



Above: (left) Baglafecht Weaver (Groundtruth 2011) and

(right) Surroundings of Kanga village (SRK Consulting)



2



ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS



AGA



AngloGold Ashanti Limited



AGK



Ashanti Goldfields Kilo S.A.R.L.



ARD



Acid Rock Drainage



ASM



Artisanal and Small-Scale mining



BID



Background Information Document



CBO



Community Based Organisation



CDC



Le Cadre de Concertation



CITES



Conservation on International Trade in Endangered Species



CO2



Carbon Dioxide



CSI



Corporate Social Investment



DPEM



Directorate Responsible for the Protection of the Mining Environment



DRC



Democratic Republic of Congo



EBA



Endemic Bird Areas



EIS



Environmental Impact Study



EMPP



Environmental Management Plan of the Project



LOM



Life-of-mine



NGO



Non-Governmental Organisation



NO2



Nitrogen Dioxide



PM10



Particulate Matter



RAP



Resettlement Action Plan



RWD



Return Water Dam



SDP



Sustainable Development Plan



SOKIMO



Société des Mines d‟Or de Kilo-Moto



SO2



Sulfur Dioxide



SRK



SRK Consulting



TOR



Terms of Reference



TSF



Tailings Storage Facility



WRD



Waste Rock Dump



Above: (left) Mussaenda arcuata (GroundTruth 2011) (right)

Children in one of the villages near the project site (SRK

Consulting)



3



Chapter 1



INTRODUCTION

Ashanti Goldfields Kilo (AGK) is

undertaking gold exploration activities in

north eastern Democratic Republic of

Congo (DRC), focussing mainly on the

Mongbwalu

area.

The

proposed

Mongbwalu project will involve the

development of an underground mine and

associated processing and surface

infrastructure that will be used to produce

gold. AGK is a joint venture between

AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) and the DRC

state mining company Société des Mines

d’Or de Kilo-Moto (SOKIMO).



An EIS and EMPP are required for mining

permit approvals in terms of DRC law

(Code de Minier). The EIS and EMPP

carried out by SRK is compliant with DRC

requirements, AGA Standards and aligns

with international good practice.



Purpose of this document:



SRK

Consulting

South

Africa

in

collaboration with SRK Congo (SRK) was

appointed by AGK to conduct an

independent Environmental Impact Study

(EIS) and compile an Environmental

Management Plan of the Project (EMPP)

for the Mongbwalu Project. The EIS and

EMPP involved the assessment of

environmental, social and health impacts

as well as the development of

management plans for the project. This

aims to ensure that all possible impacts

are identified, understood and managed.



Above: Views of the general project area (SRK Consulting)



4







Provide background information on the

proposed project;







Recap the EIS process that was

undertaken, including the rounds of

consultation with stakeholders;







Present the main findings of the EIS and

EMPP report. This includes:

o



Brief descriptions on the present

environmental

and

social

environment;



o



A summary of the major impacts

identified; and



o



A summary of the

management measures.



proposed



Chapter 2



PROJECT LOCATION AND SETTING

AGK holds mining permits for a 5,487 km2

area (the Kilo Regional Exploration area)

within the former Concession 40. The

project is located in the Ituri District of the

Orientale Province, north eastern DRC.

The site is close to the town of

Mongbwalu, ~ 48 km north west of Bunia,

~ 500 km north east of Kisangani (the

provincial capital) and ~ 320 km north

west of Kampala in neighbouring Uganda.



range from the densely populated urban

centre of Mongbwalu, and similar

surrounding settlements to several

traditional villages. Communities have

poor water, infrastructure and sanitation

services with a weak health care system

and under resourced education system.

The project area falls within the

Equatorial/Tropical Rainforest biome, and

is located approximately 30 km to the east

of the Ituri-Epulu-Aru Conservation

Landscape, a priority landscape area of

the Congo Basin Forest Partnership.

Despite this, the immediate project

environment is substantially deforested

and degraded due to past and current

mining activities, notably existing artisanal

mining, as well as land clearance for

agriculture. Water quality in local water

courses is poor, and they contain high

levels of sediments.



The closest town is Mongbwalu, but 15

villages and settlements surround the

project area (the area of the proposed for

mining

operations

and

associated

infrastructure).

The area has experienced a long history

of gold exploration and mining, which has

been both formal and traditional in the

form of artisanal and small scale mining.

Formalised mining established between

1935 and 1940 resulted in the

development of local infrastructure. Much

of this infrastructure was destroyed during

civil war or has been lost through no

maintenance or upkeep over the last

twenty years.

The area‟s complex social, political and

economic history is characterised by

conflict, violence, political and economic

instability associated with the second

Congo War, local conflict and competition

for local resources. The area is currently

experiencing a fragile level of peace and

co-existence.

Communities around the project area

5



Above: Makala Mine Dam (GroundTruth 2011)



6



Above: Location of the Mongbwalu project



Chapter 3



PROJECT OVERVIEW

The mine will operate 24 hours a day, 7

days a week, with the exception of the

crushing plant which will only operate for

16 hours a day.



3.1. Introduction

AGK will mine gold bearing ore from the

Adidi-Kanga area of the Mongbwalu

resource. The gold will be mined using

underground mining methods for a period

of five years. While AGK does not intend

to stop mining after five years, the life of

production is based on AGK‟s current

planning. Preliminary information indicates

that it will be possible to extend the life of

the project but further studies will be

required to confirm this.



3.3. Mineral Processing

A metallurgical gold plant will process

mined ore into unrefined gold at a rate of

40,000 tonnes per month for Phase One,

with an increase to 80,000 tons per month

in Phase Two.

The following processes will be used:

crushing, screening and grinding /

classification (milling), followed by gravity

concentration. After this, the concentrate

will undergo cyanide leaching, elution,

electrowinning and smelting to produce

the final product, which will be unrefined

gold bullion. The product will be transport

off site by helicopter for final processing.

The main reagent to be used is cyanide.



An overview of the proposed mine layout

is shown in the figure below.



3.2. Mining Method

The underground mine will be accessed

using an excavated portal and decline

shaft. During the Phase One about

500,000 tons of ore per year will be

processed with an additional 500,000 tons

per year processed during Phase Two.



3.4. Waste Management

Tailings Storage Facility



Ore from underground will be transported

by underground vehicles to the run of

mine pad for processing or to the waste

rock dump.



Waste from the plant will undergo cyanide

detoxification before being pumped to a

tailings storage facility (TSF). The TSF will

be a valley filled facility and will be

approximately 16 hectares in size and 44

metres high. Previous mining started in

1935 disposed tailings in the valley and

more recently artisanal mining has

occurred there.



The waste rock dump (WRD) will be

located near the portal and will be

approximately 11 hectares in size. As the

WRD will be located in a watercourse, a

pipeline will be installed under the WRD to

preserve the original flow of the water

course and measures will be implemented

to prevent water contamination.



7



8



Above: Layout of the proposed mine



Pollution Control Dams

Drainage systems will be built around the

TSF to allow removal of water from the

tailings and also around the base of the

TSF walls to collect any seepage. A

watercourse diversion will be required to

separate clean and dirty water.



A desilting pond will be constructed

downstream of the WRD. This dam will

desilt any runoff from the WRD. A pollution

control dam will be constructed at the

portal area. This pond is designed as a

balancing pond for the underground water

pumped from the mine. The portal area

will also have sumps that will collect dirty

water. This water will be pumped back to

the plant.



A return water dam (RWD) will be

constructed and any decanted water from

the TSF will be pumped to the RWD from

where it will be pumped back to the

processing plant and re-used.



There will also be a pollution control dam

in the plant area for the plant workings.

Water from the pollution control dam will

be reused in the process (milling and

thickening).



Waste Disposal

Domestic waste will be disposed of in a

dedicated domestic waste landfill. If

possible, the domestic waste will be

recycled. The location of this facility is not

yet known.

Recyclable waste will be decontaminated

and once declared safe, distributed to

local communities.

Industrial waste will be decontaminated

and recycled if possible; otherwise it will

be disposed of in a designated industrial

landfill site. The location of this facility is

not yet known.



Above: Earth moving activities (GroundTruth 2011)



3.5. Other Mine Infrastructure

Temporary Facilities



Hazardous waste will be stored in

appropriate containers which in turn will be

stored in a designated hazardous waste

area/container. Disposal options will be

investigated with suppliers and local

government.



During the construction

following will be required:



Medical waste will be incinerated.

Domestic effluent including sewage and

grey water will be treated in a sewage

treatment plant.



9



phase







Contractors‟ camp;







Offices;







Equipment and furnishings;







Ablutions and sewerage;







Power;







Water and water treatment;



the







Voice and data communications; and



Access Roads and Haul Roads







Laydown

area

for

construction

equipment and materials.



Main access to the Mongbwalu project site

is mainly via an 86 kilometre gravel road

from Bunia. This road is currently being

upgraded and will need to be maintained

during the Life-of-Mine (LOM).



After construction these will be removed

and the area rehabilitated.



Internal access roads will comprise of

service roads in the mine portal and plant

area (to be constructed).



Processing Plant

This will be located 200 metres north of

the portal and will include:





A gold processing plant;







Administration block (including a basic

laboratory);







Meeting rooms and training facility;







Workshop;







Stores;







Bulk fuel storage

messing facility;







Change house;







Electricity generation;







Pollution control; and







A helipad.



Expansion

Camp



to



Power Supply



and



Existing



Power will be a combination of

hydropower from the existing (and soon to

be rehabilitated) Budana hydropower

station and thermal generated (diesel)

power supply generated on site.



refuelling,



Transport of People and Materials

Transport of people will be via helicopter

and road. Busses will be provided from the

operations camp to the construction site.

Transport of materials, cyanide and

explosives will be via road. Unrefined

bullion will be transported from the gold

plant to Bunia via helicopter. Fuel will be

transported to site in tankers. All reagents,

parts and spares, where possible, will be

transported in containers for sea and road

transport.



Exploration



The exploration camp will be expanded to

provide

accommodation

for

the

operational phase for approximately 150

employees.

This

will

include

accommodation units, kitchen, messing

facilities, power, ablutions, laundry,

potable water, water treatment, sewerage

and waste disposal. The mine camp will

also have a clinic.



Borrow Pits

Borrow pits will be required for hard rock,

gravel and sand. The majority of this

material will be used in the construction of

the plant and infrastructure. Existing

borrow pits will be used wherever

possible.

10



Water Supply



was removed. There will

underground water storage.



Raw water supply will be from mine

dewatering and possible extraction from a

groundwater supply.



no



Water from the TSF will be pumped to the

RWD, from where it will be pumped back

to the plant and re-used.



Abstraction boreholes will be used to

actively dewater the mine. This water will

feed the plant raw water supply and

excess water will be channelled back into

the river catchment system from which it

was dewatered. There is also the

opportunity to re-use passive dewatered

and treated fissure water from the

underground workings to the plant area.



3.6. Employment

It is envisaged that the mine will employ a

total of 1,352 people during construction of

which approximately 886 will be sourced

from the local area, 192 will be national

from the DRC and a further 273 will be

Third Country Nationals. At full production,

it is envisaged that a total of 618 people

will be employed of which 486 will be

sourced locally, 78 nationally from the

DRC and 54 from Third Country Nationals.



The underground mine will have small

sumps to collect groundwater or water

used from mining activities. The water will

be pumped to a centralized pumping

position where it will be pumped directly to

the surface. Water will be treated and

recycled for use in the plant or for

discharge to the catchment from which it



Above: Community members in Masisi village (SRK

Consulting)



be



11



Chapter 4



THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS

4.1. Process followed

Regulations), AGA standards and to align

with international standards.



The EIS and EMPP processes were

geared to ensure compliance with the

DRC‟s

environmental

process

requirements (specified in the Code

Miniere and its regulations, specifically the

Directive on the Compilation of EIS and

EMPP‟s contained in Schedule IX of the



The assessment and public consultation

processes followed during the EIS and

EMPP compilation are as follows:



12



artisanal and small scale mining. The

studies were led by Synergy Global

Consulting. The relevant results from

these studies have been incorporated into

the EIS and EMPP report.



4.2. Screening

SRK conducted an environmental and

social screening of the project as part of

the tender process. This involved a site

visit to identify potentially important issues

and to understand the extent of social and

environmental assessment required. The

results of the screening exercise were

incorporated into the Scoping and Terms

of Reference (TOR) report referred to

below.



4.5. Assessing impacts and

management measures

Informed by issues identified during

scoping, specialists identified, defined and

evaluated project impacts as part of their

studies.

The

core

environmental

assessment team then reviewed and

integrated the specialist findings into the

main EIS and EMPP report.Impacts were

rated using a significance rating system

(see table below) which involves four

parts:



4.3. Scoping and Terms of

Reference

The formal EIS process began with a

scoping exercise to determine the nature

and extent of the environmental and social

assessment necessary for the project.

Information was gathered from a number

of sources, including site visits, project

meetings, stakeholder meetings, spatial

data and an Environmental and Social

Adjustment Plan compiled in 2008 for the

Mongbwalu Tailings Retreatment Project.



4.4. Overview of specialist studies

A number of specialist studies were

undertaken as part of the EIS and EMPP

process, in order to address the issues

identified during screening and scoping.

These included a range of physical,

biological and social studies. Local DRC

specialists and fieldworkers were involved

wherever possible.







Part

A:

Define

the

impact

consequence using it‟s magnitude,

spatial scale/ population and duration;







Part B: Using a matrix, determine the

consequence rating;







Part C: Use the matrix to determine

the significance of each described

impact; and







Part D: Define the confidence interval.



Using the matrix, the significance of each

impact was described before management

measures were applied. The rating

assumed the management measures

forming part of the project design were in

place. Practicable management measures

were then recommended to enhance

positive impacts and avoid negative ones

(if avoidance is not possible, then reduce,

restore and off-set negative impacts). The

significance

of

the

impact

„after

management‟ was then rated.



In addition to the EIS and EMPP specialist

studies,

additional

studies

were

undertaken to determine ways to manage

complex issues over the entire exploration

area. These studies included: indigenous

peoples; land and resettlement; conflict,

human rights, regional economics and

13



Method for rating the significance of impacts:

PART A: DEFINING CONSEQUENCE IN TERMS OF MAGNITUDE, DURATION AND SPATIAL SCALE

Use these definitions to define the consequence in Part B

Impact

characteristics



MAGNITUDE



SPATIAL SCALE OR

POPULATION



DURATION



Definition



Criteria



Major



Substantial deterioration or harm to receptors; receiving environment has an

inherent value to stakeholders; receptors of impact are of conservation importance;

or identified threshold often exceeded



Moderate



Moderate/measurable deterioration or harm to receptors; receiving environment

moderately sensitive; or identified threshold occasionally exceeded



Minor



Minor deterioration (nuisance or minor deterioration) or harm to receptors; change

to receiving environment not measurable; or identified threshold never exceeded



Minor+



Minor improvement; change not measurable; or threshold never exceeded



Moderate+



Moderate improvement; within or better than the threshold; or no observed

reaction



Major+



Substantial improvement; within or better than the threshold; or favourable publicity



Site or local



Site specific or confined to the immediate project area



Regional



May be defined in various ways, e.g. cadastral, catchment, topographic



National/

International



Nationally or beyond



Short term



Less than 18 months



Medium term



18 months to 5 years



Long term



>5 years



PART B: DETERMINING CONSEQUENCE RATING

Rate consequence based on definition of magnitude, spatial extent and duration

SPATIAL SCALE/ POPULATION

Site or Local



Regional



National/

international



MAGNITUDE

Long term

Minor



Moderate



Major



DURATION



DURATION



DURATION



Medium



Medium



High



Medium term



Low



Low



Medium



Short term



Low



Low



Medium



Long term



Medium



High



High



Medium term



Medium



Medium



High



Short term



Low



Medium



Medium



Long term



High



High



High



Medium term



Medium



Medium



High



Short term



Medium



Medium



High



PART C: DETERMINING SIGNIFICANCE RATING

Rate significance based on consequence and probability

CONSEQUENCE



PROBABILITY

(of exposure to impacts)



Low



Medium



High



Definite



Medium



Medium



High



Possible



Low



Medium



High



Unlikely



Low



Low



Medium



PART D: CONFIDENCE LEVEL

High



Medium



14



Low



4.6. Optimisation study



4.8. Future steps



An optimisation study was undertaken by

AGK from April to August 2011 to reduce

costs and increase ore throughput. This

resulted in a:



The following tasks need to be undertaken

before the social and environmental

assessment can be completed:







Phased approach to the project with

an increased ore throughput; and







Refined layout with a smaller land

take.



SRK reassessed impacts and identified

management measures based on the

results of the optimisation and these are

presented in this report.







Present the final draft EIS and EMPP

report to stakeholders for review

(round 4). Feedback will be in the form

of public meetings held in October

2011;







Finalise the report based

comments from stakeholders;







Submit the finalised EIS and EMPP

documentation

to

the

DRC

government (Directorate Responsible

for the Protection of the Mining

Environment (DPEM)) for decision

making; and







Notify stakeholders about the DPEM‟s

decision.



4.7. Independent review

The Scoping and Terms of Reference

report has undergone an external

independent review process to ensure

quality and independence, as well as to

advise on the environmental process. The

draft EIS and EMPP report will be

reviewed before the fourth round of public

disclosure (now). The independent

reviewer/advisor for the project is Bryony

Walmsley, Director of the Southern African

Institute for Environmental Assessment

(SAIEA).



Key aims and objectives of the EIS

and EMPP:



















Present the project;

Analyse the physical, biological and

social environments affected by the

project;

Identify and assess potential impacts

that the proposed mining project will

have on the environment;

Identify ways to avoid the negative

impacts and optimise positive

impacts; and

Present an EMPP to ensure that

management measures are in place

from the first day of construction.



Above: Aerial view showing the degraded nature of

streams in the area (GroundTruth 2011)



A summary table of identified

impacts is included in chapter 12.

This table lists each impact during

each phase of the project as well

and includes an impact rating.



15



on



Chapter 5



PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE

5.1. Stakeholder engagement

An Integral part of the EIS and EMPP is

the process of stakeholder engagement.

Public

consultation

and

disclosure

provides all stakeholders with the

opportunity to raise concerns, questions

and issues about the proposed project and

the EIS and EMPP process, giving them

the opportunity to influence project

planning and design. These meetings are

also important as potential impacts and

mitigation measures are discussed with

stakeholders. They also explain to

stakeholders how their issues and

concerns have been incorporated and

addressed in the EIS and EMPP.



Above: Children in Pluto Mine (SRK

Consulting)



Stakeholders identified:











5.1. Mongbwalu stakeholder

engagement





















Stakeholder

engagement

for

the

Mongbwalu EIS and EMPP has been

undertaken to meet DRC requirements,

those of international good practice and

AGA‟s policies and standards. Five rounds

of public consultation meetings with

stakeholders and community members will

accompany the EIS and EMPP, with three

rounds and an update round completed to

date.













Impacted communities

Indigenous peoples

Artisanal miners

International watchdog

organisations

Biodiversity organisations

Local civic organisations

Government institutions

Traditional authorities

Trade unions

AGK employees

Commerce and business

Multilateral organisations and

donor agencies

Security agencies

Media

Shareholders

Service parastatals



A

summary

of

the

stakeholder

engagement activities is provided in the

table below:



16

Above: Community meeting (including the

Mbuti) in Nzebi Avenue (SRK Consulting)



ROUND



METHOD



STAKEHOLDERS



DATE



Round 1: Information

sharing and issues

identification



 12 meetings were held.

 Advertisements were



Mongbwalu Mayor, security

team, tax officer, Mongbwalu

stakeholder forum, village

leaders in directly affected

area, village leaders in

indirectly affected area, local

non-government and

community based

organisations, Nzebi

community, Mongbwalu

community, AGK employees,

Cadre de Concertation

(CdC), OKIMO, Regional

government, MONUC



May – June 2010



OKIMO, CdC, civil society,

government officials,

Mongbwalu stakeholder

forum, Mbuti community,

Mabalindey community, Pluto

Mine community, Msisi

community, Nzebi Village,

Nzebi Mine and Gaingo

communities, Sayo

community, Kanga Usine and

Kanga Alluvion communities,

AGK employees, NonGovernmental Organisations

(NGO‟s), Ministry of Mines,

Institut Congolaise de la

Conservation de la Nature

(ICCN), Department

Responsible for the

Protection of the Mining

Environment (DPEM),

Ministry of Environment,

Nature Conservation and

Tourism



October 2010



Chef de Cité, civil society,

NGO‟s and Community

Based Organisations

(CBO‟s), Government

officials, OKIMO, community

leaders, CdC



February 2011



Chef de Cité, Kanga Poste

and Kanga Alluvion leaders,

Nzebi leaders, Mbalamuno

and Masisi leaders, Pluto

leaders, Mbuti community,

NGO‟s and Cadre de

Concertation



April 2011







Round 2: Feedback on

scoping and further

issues identification



 17 meetings were held.

 Advertisements were











Round 3: Interim EIS

and EMPP meetings



placed, invitation letters

and BIDs distributed to

identified stakeholders.

Radio adverts were also

used to notify

stakeholders of

upcoming meetings.

French posters and

presentations were used

during the meetings.



 6 meetings were held.

 Invitation letters and





Update round:

Feedback to

stakeholders on

changes to the EIS and

EMPP process



placed, invitation letters

and Background

Information Documents

(BIDs) distributed to

identified stakeholders.

French posters and

presentations were used

during the meetings.



BIDs were distributed to

identified stakeholders.

French posters and

presentations will be

used during the

meetings.



 10 meetings were held.

 Invitation letters and





BIDs were distributed to

identified stakeholders.

French posters and

presentations were used

during the meetings.



Round 4: Final EIS and

EMPP feedback

meetings



-



-



To be undertaken in

October 2011



Round 5: Feedback

meetings on the

Governments Record

of Decision



-



-



To be undertaken in

the first quarter of

2012



(undertaken by AGK)



17



Key issues raised by stakeholders during

stakeholder engagement are addressed in

the EIS and EMPP. The key concerns

included the following:



Key issues raised by stakeholders:





















Air and water pollution

Payment of pensions for Ex-KIMIN

employees

Employment

Community engagement

Current impacts and compensation

Compensation for lost and damaged

land

Economic and physical displacement

Infrastructure and social development

needs

Relocation and economic

displacement of artisanal miners

Meetings with the local communities in Mabalindey

(above) and Nzebi Avenue (below) (SRK Consulting)



The EMPP includes a detailed stakeholder

engagement plan to guide future

engagement.



Above: Children in Nzebi Avenue (SRK Consulting)



18



6.3 Geochemistry



Chapter 6



Geochemical tests of the material that will

be mined or deposited on the waste rock

dump show that there are high

background levels of trace metals.

However, these have low potential to

mobilise.



THE PHYSICAL

ENVIRONMENT

6.1 Topography and landscape

The project area is characterised by hilly

terrain covered with degraded and

transformed lands, grasslands, remnants

of forest, small subsistence farms, AGK

exploration activities and artisanal mining.

Slopes are gentle to moderately steep,

with numerous steep cuts made by

artisanal workings. The area is incised by

several watercourses, the most notable of

which are the Ituri and Abombi Rivers. The

main river in the project area is the

Mongbwalu River which flows from the

north of Mongbwalu southwards to join the

Abombi River.



Although there are sulfides present in the

waste rock and tailings material, there is

generally an excess of buffering potential

which will likely neutralise the acidity

produced by the oxidation of the sulfides.

Test-work conducted on tailings is limited,

but has indicated that there does not

appear to be a significant potential to

generate acidity. The risk of future acid

rock drainage (ARD) arising from the

waste rock dump or TSF thus appears to

be relatively low.

Minor concentrations of trace metals were

detected under acidic conditions, with the

concentration of iron in the waste rock

exceeding the DRC low risk standard in

some instances. Although iron is

mobilised, based on available information,

it is not believed to be a significant

environmental risk and does not

necessarily warrant the lining of the waste

facilities.



6.2 Geology

The project area lies within an Archaean

granite-greenstone belt that extends

approximately west-northwest of Lake

Albert. There are 12 main rock types and

three major dykes found within the project

area. There is potential risk of tremors and

earthquakes in the area from the African

Rift Belt, but the seismic study showed

this to be a low probability. Mylonites are

a type of parent rock that hosts the gold

mineralisation.



Further testwork on the proposed tailings

material is required.



Impacts: Failure of the tailings dam and

return water dam would impact on lives

and livelihoods including artisanal

miners. The Village of Pluto Mine and

Pluto Yalala, and the upper parts of the

Sharpa River environment and forest

areas and farmland would be affected.

Key management measures: Ensure

that the TSF and RWD are built,

managed and monitored to meet

international standards. Emergency

preparedness and response plans must

be put in place and the risks of an

incident must be communicated to

those that can be affected.



6.4 Soil, land capability and land

cover

Nitisols are the only type of soil found in

the project area. These soils are naturally



19



Above: Topography of the general Mongbwalu area



productive and are able to support a

variety of crops. Uncultivated, nitisols are

also productive as they tend to be erosion

resistant, particularly when covered by

natural vegetation.



cultivation. The project area is dominated

by secondary scrub (~58%) followed by

forest (~15%) and cultivation (~8%).



Impacts:

Mine infrastructure will

marginally reduce land available for

cultivation and food production and also

result in a loss of livelihood for a small

number of farmers. The TSF and WRD

will remain after mine closure and the

soils underneath them (26.3 ha) will be

lost permanently. Pollution from runoff,

spills and accidents could contaminate

soils, making them unsuitable for

agriculture. Mining activities could also

increase erosion if surface water flow

and storm water is not properly

managed.



Above and below: Soils in the project area and

surrounds (SRK Consulting)



However, soil fertility in the project area is

low as a result of leaching from high

rainfall and agricultural practices. Another

factor limiting agricultural activity in the

project area is the steepness of the

slopes: as slopes get steeper, deeper soils

are required to sustain agricultural activity.

Slopes steeper than 6% are potentially

susceptible to erosion.



Key management measures: As

planned in the feasibility study, minimise

the infrastructure area and avoid

cultivated areas wherever possible

throughout the project life. Alternatively,

compensate for economic displacement

(loss of land) in accordance with

international standards.

Separate clean and dirty stormwater and

design the TSF and infrastructure to

avoid pollution of the environment from

leachates, oil and diesel spills. Incident

procedures for oil and diesel spills should

be actioned within 12 hours of the spill

and an emergency preparedness and

response

plan

that

covers

soil

contamination

issues

should

be

developed.



Prepare and implement a closure and

rehabilitation plan. Preserve topsoil for

rehabilitation, and implement erosion

control measures during all project

phases.



As soil depth across the site is greater

than 2 m, soil depth does not influence

land capability. Instead, land capability in

the region is determined by slope.

There is widespread soil degradation in

the project area, mainly through artisanal

mining and removal of organic content for

20



emissions include dust from the road

network, limited levels from domestic

wood and charcoal burning, seasonal

biomass burning and vehicle emissions.



6.5 Climate and air quality

Climate

The climate is usually warm throughout

the year, with humid and wet conditions

prevailing. There is also very little

difference between the seasons.

Although temperatures do not vary much

(range from 190C to 220C), maximum

temperatures occur in January and

February whilst minimum temperatures

occur in August. Rainfall is received

throughout the year, most of which falls

between August and November, with no

single day experiencing heavy rain, but

rather short periods of gentle rain. The

area has a positive water balance with

more rainfall per year than evaporation.



Above: Dust generated by motorcycles and vehicles



Impacts: Increased dust levels during

mine construction and operation (mainly

from the TSF) can have an impact on

human health (from being inhaled) and

will also be a nuisance.



Highest PM10 concentrations will be

located south of the TSF, but no villages

are located within the pollution plume

hotspots. The hilly topography and low

wind speeds contribute to the low

concentrations of dust in the project

area. When the incinerator is operating,

chemical concentrations in the air will

increase, but this will be a low impact.

The incinerator is therefore not expected

to be a significant source of pollution in

the mine concession area.



Above: Environments in the project area



Winds are relatively consistent throughout

the year, but patterns do differ during the

day and night. Prevailing winds originate

from the east and southwest with lower

occurrences from the west to southwest

and east to northeast.



Key management measures: Reduce

vehicle speeds, sweep up dust and use

water sprayers and suppressants to

control dust. Cover bare ground with

vegetation.

Use

high

burning

temperatures to ensure total destruction

of waste and install suitable air cleaning

mechanisms on the incinerator.



Air quality

Dust fallout, particulate matter (PM10)

levels and levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2)

and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gases in the

ambient air are all low in the project area.

This is a good indication that inhalable

dust in the area does not pose a risk to

sensitive human receptors close to the

project area. Existing sources of air

21



Local communities use surface water for

livestock watering, domestic uses such as

washing and for artisanal mining. The

latter activity has impacted severely on the

water flow and quality of the streams,

which through erosion and soil loss have

resulted in high levels of sedimentation.

Surface water is rarely drinkable and so

most water comes from springs.



Greenhouse gas emissions

In 2009, the DRC released 2.64 million

metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). This

compares with the 1,155 million metric

tons of CO2 released by Africa and the

30,400 million metric tons released

globally. The DRC has a low CO2 intensity

and its annual CO2 footprint is among the

lowest in the world. The project will emit

about 257,590 tons of CO2e over its life,

which deemed insignificant relative to

DRC and global emissions. Opportunities

do exist to manage emissions and it is

recommended that AGK implement a

carbon and energy management strategy.



Impacts: The river ecosystem and

downstream users may be impacted

by pollution (including cyanide) from

the tailings facility and the return

water dam. There may be reduced

water quantities in the rivers

downstream of the RWD and TSF.

This will affect aquatic ecology and

downstream users. The consequence

of this flow reduction will, however, be

low as there are few water users

directly downstream of the TSF.



6.6 Surface water

The main river in the project area is the

Mongbwalu River which flows from the

north of Mongbwalu, southwards to join

the Abombi River. The Abombi lies 9 km

south east of the site and flows in a south

westerly direction to join the larger Ituri

River which lies 8 km to the west of

Mongbwalu. The Mongbwalu River is fed

by a number of tributaries and springs.

Major tributaries (from upstream) include

the Creek, Kanga and Killi and Sharpa.

The Mongbwalu concession area is

divided into five main catchments.



Key

management

measures:

Watercourses will be diverted around

the RWD and TSF to avoid reducing

their normal flows and minimising

pollution. Cyanide in the tailings

material will be detoxified. Monitoring

will be in place to ensure pollution

treatment and discharges of water

meet DRC effluent quality standards.

Water will be recycled as far as

possible. The TSF and RWD will be

designed to withstand 1:50 year flood

events and the partial or complete

lining of the TSF may prevent further

water pollution (however, more

studies regarding the lining of the

TSF

are

needed).

Excess

groundwater that cannot be used in

the process will be discharged into

rivers, making up for any reductions

in river flow.



Above: A source of water for Mbalumuno and Masisi

communities (SRK Consulting)



22



6.7 Groundwater



6.8 Water quality



Water table levels in the project area vary

and the groundwater flow directions follow

the local topography. There is a rapid

response to rainfall and the majority of the

springs are recharged by rainwater. Two

types of rock (saprolite and saprock) have

high storage capacities and permeabilities,

and are therefore an important source of

recharge to the structural flow zones.



High levels of suspended solids and

elevated metals (iron and manganese),

resulting from erosion and artisanal mining

activities, downgrade the surface water

quality for domestic use. It is probably for

this reason that most communities in the

area rely on the water from springs for

drinking water. These springs are

generally fed from sources that are not

subject to contamination from the

underlying geology or the mining activities

in the area.



Drinking water supply for the communities

in the project area comes from 13 natural

springs. Mine dewatering may impact on

the quantity of the water in some springs

and should this occur, AGK will need to

ensure that that alternative springs or

water sources are available to meet

community supply.



The WRD, TSF and WRD are likely to

result in seepage to groundwater.

Seepage will flow to the south east from

the WRD, and to the north east from the

RWD and TSF. This will discharge at a

point downstream of the TSF before it

joins the Creek River. The dissolved solid

levels in the river will be less than

international and national guideline levels.

Excess groundwater to be discharged will

also likely be within guideline levels but

will need to be tested prior to discharge.



Impacts: Depletion of groundwater will

occur during the operational phase as a

result of mine dewatering.

Water

availability from springs used by local

communities may also be affected as

the mine dewaters.

Groundwater

quality may also be reduced due to

contaminated seepage and aquifer

degradation.

Key

management

measures:

Groundwater must be monitored before,

during and after the completion of

mining. An alternative water supply will

need to be provided for affected users.

Revegetate and shape the land to

minimise pollution of groundwater.

Cyanide in the tailings material will be

detoxified. Seepage through the TSF

base or wall will be limited by

compaction of the base and lining if

necessary. Seepage from the TSF wall

will be captured in seepage ponds and

pumped back to the TSF.



Creek Stream (above) and a relatively undisturbed

and well vegetated site in the project area

(GroundTruth 2011) (below)



23



6.9 Noise, blasting and vibrations

The population in the project area is

concentrated in large towns such as

Mongbwalu as well as several smaller

villages. Noise caused by community

activities is therefore limited to small areas

of influence. Apart from the present

exploration operation, the noise levels are

dominated by community activities, local

traffic and natural sounds. The hilly

topography of the general area prevents

the propagation of noise over long

distances.



Impacts: There will be increased

noise levels particularly in Nzebi

Avenue and other settlements as a

result of mining and processing

activities. There may be impacts on

community safety and damage to

structures (including Sayo Dam) from

fly rock and vibrations that result from

blasting activities.

Most of the noise impacts have been

avoided through careful location of

infrastructure, such as the crusher.



The general baseline ambient noise levels

in the project area are 44 dBA for the

daytime and 39 dBA for the night time.

Therefore, general baseline ambient noise

levels in the project area fall within the

DRC and international guidelines.



Key management measures: Use

noise

reduction

measures

for

machinery and equipment. Select

equipment with low noise emission

levels and avoid traffic through

community areas wherever possible.

Limit the operation of specific

equipment and blasting to the

daytime. Make sure that no

community members are within 1 km

of the blasting impact zone during

blasting. Monitor blasting amplitudes.



Left and below: Houses and communities may be

affected by blasting, vibrations and noise (SRK

Consulting)



24



Chapter 7



THE BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

these areas being the Okapi Faunal

Reserve, approximately 100 km west of

the project site. Other protected areas in

the region include two internationally

protected areas, Virunga National Park

and Garamba National Park, as well as a

DRC protected area, Maiko-TaynaKahuzi-Biega.



7.1. Regional ecology and sensitive

environments

Several protected areas are located in the

north eastern DRC; however, none are

within close proximity of the study area.

The

Ituri-Epulu-Aru

Conservation

Landscape is the closest priority

landscape to the project area (about 30

km west). This landscape contains the

Okapi Faunal Reserve (about 100 km

west), a World Heritage Site that is home

to the Okapi, and also supports a number

of

endangered,

vulnerable,

near

threatened and data deficient bird species.

The eastern part of the DRC is particularly

important for birds, supporting 11 of the 19

Important Bird Areas (IBAs) identified for

the DRC, one of



Above: Biodiversity in the general area (SRK Consulting)



The project area falls within an ecoregion

that contains the largest tract of lowland

rainforest in Africa. This ecoregion is

particularly important in terms of water

supply within the Congo Basin. The

Aruwimi-Ituri-Uélé area, within which the

project area occurs, has been highlighted

as one of thirty wetland priority areas of

the DRC. Furthermore, the project area is

located at the transition between two

recognised Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs),

indicating the potential for supporting

restricted-range species.



7.2. The project area’s ecology

Despite the regional importance, the

immediate project area has been heavily

converted and used for decades, with only

small patches of remnant forest in some

Above: Position of the study area relative to protected areas

and conservation landscapes in the north eastern DRC

(GroundTruth 2011)



25



areas and more natural forest represented

to the north and west of the site. Land

transformation in and around the mine‟s

proposed area is taking place at a rapid

rate and the project area is dominated by

degraded and transformed land cover

such as cultivated lands, degraded forests

and artisanal mines. The historic disposal

of tailings into local catchments, notably in

the proposed tailings has affected the

ecology of rivers and catchments.



No amphibian or reptile species of

international concern were recorded in the

project area during the wet (October 2010)

and dry (January 2011) season surveys;

however, one notable species of snake,

Christy‟s Banded Snake (Chamaelycus

christyi) was recorded. There have not

been any reported records of this snake

over the past several decades.



Christy‟s Tree Frog (above) and Christy‟s Banded

Snake (below) (GroundTruth 2011)



Above: Remnant rainforest on the slopes near the proposed

TSF location (GroundTruth 2011)



A total of 162 bird species were recorded

in the project area, with only two Red

Listed species of bird, the Grey Parrot

Psittacus erithacus (near threatened) and

Bedford‟s

Paradise

Flycatcher

Terpsiphone bedfordi (near threatened)

being recorded as well as a number that

are listed under the Convention on

International trade in Endangered Species

(CITES) and protected in the DRC.



7.3. Terrestrial ecology

A total of 954 floral taxa were recorded

during the wet and dry season surveys. A

number of vulnerable and near threatened

plant species were recorded in the project

area, such the tree species Milicia exels,

Turraeanthus

africanus,

Khaya

anthotheca, Entandrophragma candollei

and E. cylindricum, as well as three

endangered

tree

species,

namely:

Diospyros crassiflora, Dialium excelsum

and Brazzeeia longipedicellata (an

extremely rare tree).



26

Right: Bedford‟s Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone bedfordi)

(GroundTruth 2011)



Impacts:

Temporary

loss

and

fragmentation of remnant forest habitat

will result through clearing for mine

infrastructure. The loss in some areas

such as the tailings facility, waste rock

dump and return water dam will be

permanent.



No Red Listed mammal species were

recorded in the project area; however, a

number that are listed under CITES were

recorded in surrounding forests such as

the Blue Monkey Cercopithecus ascani,

which is also partially protected in the

DRC.



However, the extent to which patches of

forest will become further fragmented is

not considered to be significant because

of the existing degraded nature of the

area.



a



b



c



d



On top of in-migration, job seekers

moving into the area will increase the

pressure on forests by clearing for

agriculture, hunting, housing material

and exploitation of resources. The area

will also be more accessible as a result

of the upgrading and maintaining roads

by AGK and could result in cumulative

impacts on ecology. This could impact

on

species

diversity

and

local

communities reliant on surrounding

forest resources for their livelihood. The

functions that the surrounding forests

play as a buffer for the Ituri-Epulu-Aru

Conservation

Landscape

is

also

important and could therefore be

impacted.

Key management measures: Keep

the development area as small as

possible throughout the project life,

Avoid using vulnerable or rare timber

and put in place effective reforestation

procedures during rehabilitation. Ban

plant collecting, clearing and hunting

outside of the area designated for

infrastructure for AGK workers and

contractors.

Conduct

regular

biomonitoring surveys. Develop a

regional Biodiversity Action Plan to

address indirect and cumulative impacts

of the project.



e



27

Above: a) Black-crowned Waxbill; b) Brown-throated Wattle-eye; c)

Grant‟s Bluebill; d) Jameson‟s Wattle-eye and e) Cutting of degraded

forest to make way for fields for cultivation (GroundTruth 2011)



originating from the previous use of

mercury in gold processing by artisanal

miners. This is cause for concern for both

the environment and communities depend

on these systems for fresh water protein

resources. Mercury is extremely toxic to

aquatic organisms and has the potential to

bio-accumulate in the food chain.



7.4. Aquatic ecology

Artisanal mining, historical deposition of

tailings and clearing for cultivation have

resulted in a poor condition of aquatic

habitats and rivers. High levels of

sedimentation and siltation were found in

the project area, with suspended solid

loads in all surface water sites sampled

being

well

above

aquatic

macroinvertebrate and fish tolerance

levels.

As

a

result,

aquatic

macroinvertebrates and fish counts at

sampled sites were low and no Red Listed

fish species were recorded.



Impacts: Pollution from

mining

activities poses a cumulative threat (in

addition to artisanal mining and poor

aquatic

conditions)

to

aquatic

biodiversity as well as to communities

that depend on the rivers.

Key

management

measures:

Monitor the local and regional aquatic

habitats, work with and educate

artisanal miners to improve their

impact. Ban hunting, vegetation

harvesting,

clearing

and

plant

collection outside of the area

designated

for

infrastructure.

Undertake environmental awareness

programmes with AGK employees,

contractors and suppliers.



Barbus spp. cyprinids (above) and a typical rheophillic,

clear-water, current-loving fish species (below)

(GroundTruth 2011)



Analyses at the disturbed sites showed

that no diatoms (a type of algae used to

monitor environmental conditions) were

present. These results are indicative of

extremely poor river health conditions at

all sampled sites within and around the

proposed mine site. Results from the fish

tissue metal analyses indicate “strong”

mercury signal within the river systems,



Typical conditions of an aquatic environment in the project

area (above) and the Ituri river main channel showing the

effects of elevated turbidity (GroundTruth) (below)



28



7.5. Ecosystem goods and services

Even though the Mongbwalu economy is

centred around gold, livelihood strategies

are still influenced by what the

environment can provide. Ecosystem

services are the benefits that humans

derive from nature. The surrounding

forests in particular,

support the

livelihoods

of

numerous

local

communities, including the Mbuti Pygmies.

Mongbwalu town is classified as

predominantly commercial. The only place

where local ecological goods, imported

from beyond the project area, are traded is

at the Mongbwalu Town market.

Conversely, Msisi and Mbalamuno villages

were classed as being mostly agricultural.

The Mbuti group were classified as a

subsistence group, using food from the

natural forest, hunting for meat and

collecting

medicines

from

the

environment.



a



The two natural habitats surrounding the

project, rainforest and swamp forest, of

which little remain in the direct impact

area, are the most important in terms of

delivering goods and services, with the

rainforest being of particular importance.

Even though the swamp forest is relatively

less important, it must be seen as

functioning together with the rainforest.



b



c



Right: Examples of ecosystem goods and services. a) locally grown fresh

produce available at the Mongbwalu market; b) typical design and

construction of Mbuti dwellings; c) leaf known as „mangungu‟ obtained from

the forest and used to wrap a cassava product known as „kpanga‟; d)

livestock and a variety of crops in a village (GroundTruth 2011)



29

d



Chapter 8



THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

8.1. Regional context



8.2. Administrative divisions, local

and traditional authorities



Over the last decade, the project area and

the Ituri District have been characterised

by conflict, violence and instability

associated with the Second Congo War,

civil conflict and battles over natural

resources. Severe human rights abuses,

conflict

persistent

violence,

marginalisation and exploitation have all

contributed to the fragility of the socioeconomic environment. Whilst peace

currently prevails in the area, the

underlying causes of tension have not

been eliminated. Managing the project and

its impacts in this complex environment is

the most substantial challenge to

successfully developing the project.



The DRC is subdivided into Provinces,

which are further divided into Districts and

Territories. Territories are subdivided

according to two parallel administrative

systems, namely Cités, Quartiers and

Avenues on the one hand, and

Collectivités, Groupments and villages on

the other. Each of the traditional structures

is administered by a chief.

The project is situated in the Cité of

Mongbwalu, Territoire of Djuga, Ituri

District in the Orientale Province. The

project area extends beyond the Cité and

includes areas in the Groupment

Mablindey.

Benefits:

Improved

capacity

of

organisations and local governance is

expected as a result of the mine

development as well as AGKs presence

and interactions in the area.

Key enhancement measures: Foster

communication with local government

and traditional structures prior to and

during development. Communicate and

partner with NGOs and CBOs and

develop a sustainable development plan

(SDP) in conjunction with them.



8.3. Demography and population

structure

Fifteen settlements are located in close

proximity to the project area and

supporting infrastructure, with about

50 000 people estimated to be living in the

vicinity of the proposed mine.



Above: Villages within the project area (SRK Consulting)



30



Settlements include:

 Gaingo;

 Kanga Alluvion (including Kanga Usine

and Kanga Poste);

 Mablindey;

 Msisi;

 Mbalamuno;

 Mongbwalu;

 Pluto Mine;

 Pluto Yalala;

 Nzebi Avenue;

 Nzebi Village;

 Sayo;

 Sayo Gallez; and

 Ndiri



a



There are as many as 18 ethnic groups in

the area, with the most dominant being

Landu, Nyali and Alur. Mongbwalu is the

largest of the settlements and is the most

ethnically diverse of the settlements in the

area. The Mbuti people are the most

distinctive but not the only indigenous

people in the project area and warrant

attention because of their relative

marginalisation and their traditional

connection and dependence to the natural

resources and surrounding areas.



b



c



Overall

in-migration

exceeds

outmigration.

In-migration

consists

of

displaced people who left the area during

the recent civil conflict and are now

returning to re-establish themselves.

There is on-going in-migration (mostly

men) from other areas in the DRC

(particularly Bunia, Kisangani and North

Kivu) who temporarily and occasionally

permanently, settle in Mongbwalu or the

surrounding villages, to engage in gold

mining,

commerce

and/or

farming

activities. Out-migration also occurs in the

District with migrants (typically young

men) being involved in artisanal mining

and agriculture.



Above: Villages around the project site a) Mablindey, b)

Nzebi Avenue and c) Mbuti village (SRK Consulting)



Impacts: Social problems and ethnic

tension could arise from influx into the

area, with added competition over

land and access to limited resources.

Sexual exploitation of women may

also increase.



31



Key

management

measures:

Planning must ensure that benefits

are experienced by all ethnic groups

as far as possible, and an influx

management

plan

should

be

developed with key stakeholders.

There must be a „zero-tolerance‟

policy on sexual harassment and

violence for AGK and its employees

and contractors.



8.4. Access to land and settlement

patterns



8.5. Local economy and livelihood

strategies



Land is important as people rely on it for

artisanal mining, farming, charcoal,

medicinal plants, sacred sites and other

natural resources. Land ownership in the

project area is clan based, with each

village having one or more clans

controlling access to village land.

However, the legal status of land

ownership appears contradictory around

traditional ownership. The key land issue

in the project area is therefore the control

of and access to resources, primarily land

and gold.



The historical struggles over the access

and control of natural resources have

played a key role in shaping the DRC‟s

economic development path. Therefore,

the access and control of natural

resources is not only a source of revenue

but also a sign of power and legitimacy.



A number of factors influenced the

settlement of people in different villages.

The close proximity to artisanal mining

was an important consideration in villages

such as Kanga, Sayo and Nzebi North,

whilst for other settlements, access to land

was more important.



Artisanal mining forms the basis of the

local economy and is an important

livelihood for people to fight against

poverty. About 80-100% of people in the

study villages are involved, either directly

or indirectly in ASM. Many of the artisanal

gold miners in the project area are

demobilised soldiers and it has contributed

to stabilising this post conflict area by

nurturing economic growth, improving food

security and providing a productive

livelihood option for former combatants.



Most households in the project area

practice a mixed economy including, crop

cultivation, artisanal mining, commerce,

trade and to a smaller extent, animal

husbandry.



Impacts: Project land take may cause

loss of artisanal and small scale mining

(ASM) livelihoods. The project may

also

increase

competition

for

resources,

project

benefits

and

services, and could also generate

tension in communities. There could

also be an influx of job-seekers into the

area, placing pressure on services.

Key management measures: AGK

should understand and manage human

rights risks and ensure a rights-based

approach for the project. AGK should

develop and implement an ASM

management strategy aiming to ensure

that ASM can co-exist with commercial

mining despite the illegal status of ASM

in the permit area. An employment

policy and influx management plan

should be developed, as well as a

Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the

relocation of affected artisanal miners.



Above: Artisanal mining in the project area (SRK Consulting)



Traditional subsistence farming is the

main farming method in the project area.

Most farmers have small fields and do not

produce enough food for their own

families. If harvest is in excess of

32



household consumption, crops are sold

opportunistically to earn money.

Natural resources use is an integral part of

rural people‟s livelihoods. Hunting is a

common practise in the area and a

number of households produce their own

charcoal and collect timber in the forests.

Above: Agriculture in the project area (SRK Consulting)



Impacts: While the feasibility study has

avoided cultivated areas and forested areas

as far as possible, the project may result in

the loss of forest, water and other natural

resources. Communities will also lose

access to small areas of productive and

potentially productive land (fallow land).

This could increase pressure on remaining

common property resources and also

increase conflict from competition for land

and resources. Loss of natural resources

could have impacts on indigenous peoples.



8.6. Infrastructure and services

Due to the remoteness and high levels of

poverty, many settlements in the project

area lack adequate services and

infrastructure. Most settlements in the

project area do not have healthcare and

education facilities and access to these

facilities is expensive or entails travelling

great distances on foot.

Water and sanitation in the project area is

also poor. Water sources are often

unclean and only 66% of households have

access to pit latrines. There are no

sewage and refuse collection systems.

Community knowledge and practices

relating to sanitation are poor. Waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea are

common and linked to contaminated

drinking water and poor sanitation. All

villages in the area have access to at least

one spring; however it is often difficult to

access.



Project facilities and fencing may interrupt

or eliminate access routes between

communities. This will affect travel times,

travel distance, social networks, social

services, farmland and markets. Following

decommissioning, there will be loss of

employment.

Key management measures: Minimise the

area of the mine and infrastructure

throughout the project life, thus reducing

land acquisition; compensate for displaced

productive land and implement livelihood

restoration programmes where necessary.

Explore opportunities to ensure access

routes are not affected. A detailed closure

plan must be developed that addresses

social issues such as training and job

losses.



Above: Spring (SRK Consulting)



33



Energy used for cooking consists

predominantly of wood and charcoal.

Energy for light comes from burning

candles, petrol lamps and torches.



Malaria is the biggest public health threat

in the area. Tuberculosis, fuelled by HIV,

is also a major health challenge in the

area and acute respiratory infections are

among the top three most common

causes

for

childhood

mortality.

Malnutrition in babies and children is

prevalent.



Benefits:

There may be benefits

associated with improved access to

social services and infrastructure

through employment and a number of

social

development

programmes

implemented by AGK. These will be

enhanced through involvement and

partnerships with local government,

NGOs

and

CBOs.

Improved

employment

and

enterprise

opportunities through capacity building

will result from construction and

operation.



Mongbwalu has been identified as a high

risk area for HIV transmission, with

prevalence rates significantly above the

district and national averages.

Alcohol and drug abuse is widespread in

the project area, particularly amongst the

youth and at artisanal mining sites. Sexual

violence is common and there is little

support for victims.



However, following decommissioning

and closure, there could be loss of

access to social services and

infrastructure that was supported by the

mine.

Key

enhancement

measures:

Implement the sustainable development

plan (SDP) (Chapter 13) that identified

opportunities through local government

NGOs and CBOs as well as focuses on

enterprise development.

Mongbwalu Hospital (above) and Mongbwalu primary

School (below) (SRK Consulting)



8.7. Health

The most prevalent diseases in the area

are as follows:

 Malaria;

 Diarrhoea and typhoid (from unclean

water);

 Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs);

 HIV/AIDS;

 Tuberculosis;

 Meningitis;

 High blood pressure; and

 Influenza.



34



Impacts: Increased pressure on limited

healthcare infrastructure as a result of

people moving into the area for the project.

This could also lead to overcrowding in

communities which in turn will increase

communicable

diseases

such

as

tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other sexually

transmitted diseases (STDs). The inmigration of job seekers, access to

disposable income and improved mobility

will contribute to facilitating the spread of

STDs.



distances to access services and markets

in neighbouring settlements.



The workforce will be exposed to vector

related diseases such as malaria. Job

seekers building makeshift houses may

contribute to the increasing mosquito

breeding sites.

Following decommissioning and closure,

there could be loss of access to healthcare.

Key management measures: seek

assistance from NGO‟s to support the

Mongbwalu hospital whilst also supporting

their

health

programmes.

Support

improvement for local diagnostics and

treatment, as well as community based

peer educators and health care systems

with Voluntary Counselling and Testing

(VCT) centres. Implement measures for

reducing malaria and support malaria

control programmes. Set objectives to

extend beyond the life of the project and

clarify that OKIMO are responsible for the

Mongbwalu General Reference Hospital.



Above: Traffic in the surrounding areas (Aurecon)



Impacts and benefits: Traffic will

increase from mining activities but roads

utilised will be better maintained.

However there will be a significant

impact on road safety especially for

cyclists and pedestrians.



8.8. Traffic and transportation

The Bunia-Mongbwalu road is the main

transport route into the project area. Links

between settlements consist largely of

narrow unpaved roads and paths which

are difficult to negotiate during the dry

season and almost impossible during the

wet season. Transport services between

settlements and Mongbwalu are provided

by motorcycles. People walk long



Management

and

enhancement

measures: Rehabilitate and maintain

roads, and use appropriate signage.

Develop and implement policy for road

safety.



35



8.9. Cultural heritage

The project area is endowed with cultural

resources from the past and present. A

total of 37 cultural sites were found in the

project area including graves/cemeteries,

sacred trees, and archaeological artefacts.

Sacred trees have an important role in the

Nyali society as they represent the

foundation of a village and resting place of

important ancestors. They are used for

rituals,

ceremonies

and

medicinal

purposes. They therefore constitute part of

the population„s living cultural heritage.

Burials and cemeteries are

also

considered sacred by the Nyali. Individual

burials and cemeteries were often found in

association with sacred trees.



Above: Graves in the surrounding areas (SRK

Consulting)



8.10. Development needs

There are broad social development

needs in the area relating to the provision

of social services and infrastructure,

affordability of services, lack of community

development and limited economic

diversification. NGOs and CBOs are

present in the area and in some cases;

AGK has already partnered on community

development projects. The EMPP includes

a sustainable development plan that

addresses social development needs

(Refer to Chapter 11 for further details on

the sustainable development plan).



The archaeological material collected

indicates that this region may have been

occupied since the Late Stone Age

onwards. Identification of archaeological

material was limited to individual find spots

as no “structures” such as pits, hearths

and furnaces were identified.

No sacred trees or cemeteries occur

within the direct project footprint.

Impacts: Several archaeological finds

are located in the plant area, but the

likelihood of these being affected is low.

There may be damage to new resources

during construction but these are not

currently known to exist.



Impacts: Benefits to local service and

infrastructure

provision

through

implementation of the Sustainable

Development Plan.



Key management measures: Identified

sites should be marked and protected,

and

chance

find

procedures

implemented to address new finds that

might occur.



Key

management

measures:

Implement the Sustainable Development

Plan in collaboration with local

stakeholders.



36



Chapter 9



ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN OF THE

PROJECT (EMPP)

In order to manage the physical, biological

and social impacts identified in the EIS,

AGK has committed to implementing an

environmental management plan of the

project (EMPP). The EMPP meets the

requirements of the DRC and includes

additional

elements

required

by

international good practice.



The green box in the diagram below

indicates what can be found in the EMPP.

The other boxes provide information on a

number of policies, strategies, plans and

programmes that will be developed to

support and implement the EMPP.



STRATEGIES COVERING:







REQUIREMENTS FOR MANAGING

ISSUES RELATED TO:



ASM management

Water management



OTHER REQUIREMENTS:







DRC requirements for

managing closure and

rehabilitation

Financial provision for

closure and rehabilitation



ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

PLAN

OF THE PROJECT (EMPP)





POLICIES COVERING:













Sustainability

Employment

Local supplier

Human rights

Emergency

preparedness and

response

HIV / AIDS





























AGK accountability and

responsibility

Management of contractors

Training and awareness raising

Compliance assessment,

monitoring and reporting

Incident handling and reporting

Detailed mitigation and

rehabilitation measures

program for all project phases

and components covering all

aspects requiring management.

Closure and Rehabilitation

Sustainable Development Plan

Stakeholder Engagement Plan

Emergency Preparedness and

Response Plan















Biodiversity

Indigenous people

Artisanal mining

Human rights

Economic displacement



OTHER COMPONENTS:



















Liabilities Assessment

Design review to minimise

project footprint

Procedures for human

rights, cultural site access

and archaeological chance

finds.

Mechanisms for employee,

contractor and community

grievances

Guidelines for topsoil

stripping and management

Protocols for air, water and

biodiversity sampling

TSF operating manual



PLANS COVERING:



























Construction

Influx management

Human resources and conduct

Indigenous people

Community and occupational health

and safety

Cultural property

Blast design and management

Water, biodiversity and waste

Closure and rehabilitation

Emergency preparedness and

response

Stakeholder engagement

Sustainable development



PROGRAMMES COVERING:











37











Malaria, HIV/AIDS

management and

strengthening of the

health system

Archaeological and

cultural site relocation

Monitoring of water, air

and biodiversity

Control of invasive

species

Road safety education

Post closure monitoring



Chapter 10



CLOSURE PLAN AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONING

Whilst it is not AGK‟s intent to cease

mining after five years of operation, AGK

will still make the necessary closure

planning arrangements in accordance with

the requirements of legislation and good

practice. The closure of the Mongbwalu

mine will ensure adherence to the local,

provincial and national legislation of the

DRC.



engagement.

The biophysical liability estimate planned

for the project is given in the text box. It

must be noted that various limitations and

assumptions pertain to the cost estimate,

such as no social closure costs being

included due to the lack of available social

closure information.



A conceptual closure plan, including

estimates of the financial provisioning, has

been developed for the Mongbwalu

project.



Decommissioning phase:

Demolition costs = $1,879,011

Rehabilitation costs = $4,252,765

Maintenance costs = $99,511



Planning towards closure is a dynamic

iterative process, and AGK intends on

operating on the understanding that

current activities will impact on closure. It

may therefore be possible to limit impacts

during operations and reducing closure

requirements. The closure plan is not

based on any community and stakeholder



Above: View from Nzebi Avenue (SRK

Consulting)



Restoration phase:

Rehabilitation costs = $3,386,933

Maintenance costs = $131,977



TOTAL estimate = $9,750,196



38



Chapter 11



SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The EMPP includes a sustainable development plan as required by DRC legislation. It aims

to improve the economic, cultural and social well-being of communities affected by the

project and builds on AGK‟s existing projects and relationships with local government and

non-government organisations.

It includes the following elements:

 The DRC and international policy and legal requirements;

 A summary of AGK‟s social management standards regarding Stakeholder Engagement,

Artisanal Mining and Indigenous Peoples;

 The project description and a summary of the socio-economic baseline informing the

SDP;

 Summary of AGK‟s existing development activities;

 Community socio-economic mitigation and development opportunities, project

identification and participatory approaches to community development;

 A description of potential development partners;

 Key elements of the SDP structure including the Community Development Committee,

roles and responsibilities, schedule and budget; and

 A description of the monitoring requirements, including indicators, targets and reporting.



SDP Goals





Establish a locally appropriate and cooperative framework for social development of

affected local communities;







Enhance community participation in deciding on and implementing social development

priorities;







Ensure and sustain a social licence to operate; and







Implement AGK‟s community development policies and responsibilities.



The SDP identifies and describes six projects for implementation in the following areas:















Improved literacy

Malaria prevention

Rehabilitation and construction of water points

Sanitation awareness

Support to local enterprises

Engaging with indigenous people.



The key success factor for the SDP will be the participation, commitment and cooperation of

stakeholders involved in implementation of projects.

39



Chapter 12



CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This project is located in an area of social

sensitivity and complexity due to its history

and particularly around artisanal mining.

These together are the main challenge to

successfully developing the project. A key

recommendation is the implementation of

a stakeholder engagement process to

build trust with stakeholders through a

cooperative

and

partnership-based

approach as well as an artisanal mining

management plan.



However, AGK intends extending the

project life beyond five years and will be

conducting studies for this longer term

strategy. This will allow AGK to better plan

for an overall positive impact from the

project, which will depend on AGK‟s

relationships with stakeholders and its

approach to project governance and

implementation.

A

comprehensive

Environmental

Management Plan of the Project has been

compiled which sets the basis for AGK to

develop

a

certifiable

integrated

management system to manage the

identified risks and impacts. This includes

numerous plans required by DRC

legislation, including a mitigation and

rehabilitation

plan,

a

sustainable

development

plan,

a

stakeholder

engagement

plan,

an

emergency

preparedness and response plan, and a

closure and rehabilitation plan.



Without a definite long-term investment

strategy, the proposed short five year life

of mine creates risk for the environment

and the community.

Although direct

negative impacts will occur in an already

degraded area, overall benefits of the

project for stakeholders are limited over

the 5 year project life.



Most of the impact predictions (over 5 years)

are negative, including:





Risk

of

destabilising

the

social

environment and causing increased

conflict in communities;







Risk of livelihood impacts on artisanal

miners and local communities; and







Risk of pollution and waste affecting soil,

water, air and ecosystems.



Further

work

is

needed

before

construction to ensure the engineering

design accommodates the recommended

environmental and social management

measures (as outlined in the EMPP)

needs and to close gaps in project

knowledge.



The positive impacts include:





Slight improvement in services through

the sustainable development plan;







Contribution to taxes;







Improved road infrastructure; and







Increased local employment and skills.



40

Above: remnant swamp forest in the project area

(GroundTruth 2011)



Chapter 13



EIS AND EMPP REPORT FOR PUBLIC DISCLOSURE









This road map is intended to help readers review the EIS and EMPP documents.

Summary documents provide the least amount of detail but provide a good overview.

It is important to understand how the project will affect people and the environment and

how the impacts of the project will be managed. The diagram below shows you how to

find this information.



41



Chapter 14



SUMMARY TABLE OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS IDENTIFIED FOR THE

MONGBWALU PROJECT

Summary of the potential PHYSICAL impacts for the project per project phase:



Impact description



Timing



Significance before

management



Significance after

management



Geology

Surface developments resulting in sterilization of exploitable mineral

resources



Pre Construction

Construction

Operation

Decommissioning/Post Closure



-



-



Failure of structures as a result of subsistence, faulting or seismic activity,

leading to destruction and/ or loss of life and livelihoods and pollution of the

environment

Soils, land capability and land use



Operation

Decommissioning/Post Closure



High High -



Medium Medium -



Loss of soil resource for small scale cultivation through sterilization by

surface infrastructure



Pre Construction

Construction

Operation

Decommissioning/Post Closure

(temporary infrastructure)

Decommissioning/Post Closure

(permanent infrastructure)

Construction

Operation

Decommissioning/Post Closure

Pre Construction



Medium Medium Medium Medium -



Low Low Low Medium -



Medium -



Medium -



Medium Medium Low Medium -



Low Low Low Low -



Construction



Medium -



Low -



Soil contamination through runoff, spills, accidents and incidents



Increased erosion from mining activity and changed hydrological conditions



42



Operation



Low -



Low -



Decommissioning/Post Closure



Low -



Low -



Increased ambient respirable dust concentrations generated by construction

and operations activities



Construction



Low -



Low -



Operation



Low -



Low -



Increased levels of nuisance dust



Operation



Low -



Low -



Increased ambient chemical concentrations generated by the incinerator

during operational conditions

Surface water



Operation



Low -



Low -



The river ecosystem and downstream users may be impacted by the quality

of runoff and spillage discharging to rivers from mine infrastructure including

plant, ore stockpiles, waste rock, RWD, TSF, workshops, storage areas,

excess water made underground and sewage works

The river ecosystem and downstream users may be impacted by a reduction

in flow downstream of the RWD and TSF resulting in reduced availability for

downstream users. There could also be an increase in flow due to disposal

of excess underground water.

Ground water



Construction



Medium -



Low -



Operation



Medium -



Medium -



Decommissioning/Post Closure



Medium -



Low -



Depletion of groundwater impacting users as a result of the ongoing

dewatering of the proposed underground mine workings



Climate and air quality



Low -



Low -



Operation



Medium -



Low -



Decommissioning/ Post Closure



Medium -



Low -



Construction



Medium -



Medium -



Operation



Medium -



Low -



Decommissioning/ Post Closure



Medium -



Low -



Construction



Medium -



Low -



Operation



Medium -



Low -



Decommissioning/ Post Closure



Medium -



Low -



Construction

Operation

Decommissioning/ Post Closure



Medium Medium Low -



Low Low Low -



Community safety impacts associated with fly rock from surface blasting



Construction



Medium -



Low -



Damage to structures and nuisance related to vibrations caused by surface

and underground blasting



Construction



Medium -



Low -



Operation



Medium -



Low -



Impact on groundwater users due to degradation of the aquifer water quality

due to contaminated seepage from the Plant complex, waste rock dumps,

RWD and TSF



Construction



Noise

Increased ambient noise levels in Nzebi Avenue and other settlements as a

result of mining and processing activities

Blasting and vibrations



43



Summary of the potential BIOLOGICAL impacts for the project per project phase:



Impact description

Change in Land-cover through land transformation

resulting in loss and fragmentation of forest habitat



Indirect loss of forest habitat and associated species

through population pressure and increased access

Degradation of aquatic habitat through pollution



Timing

Pre Construction

Construction

Operation

Decommissioning/ Post Closure

Construction

Operation

Decommissioning/ Post Closure

Pre Construction

Construction

Operation

Decommissioning/ Post Closure



44



Significance before

management



Significance after

management



High High Medium Low +

Medium Medium Low +

Medium Medium High High -



Medium Medium Low Medium +

Medium Medium Low +

Low Low Low Medium -



Summary of the potential SOCIAL impacts for the projects per project phase:



Significance before

management



Significance after

management



Construction

Operation



Medium Medium -



Medium Medium -



Construction

Operation



Medium Medium -



Medium Low -



Construction

Operation

Construction

Operation



Low +

Medium +

Low +

Medium +



Low +

Medium +

Low +

Medium +



Construction



Medium -



Low -



-



-



Construction



Low -



Low -



Construction

Operation

Construction

Operation

Construction

Operation

Construction

Operation



High High High High Medium Medium High High -



Medium Medium Medium Medium

Medium Medium Medium Medium -



Impact description

Human rights

Perpetuation of loss of human rights related to

increasing vulnerability and triggering of competition

and conflict over resources as a result of impacts

associated with project land take

Population and demographic movements

Influx and spontaneous settlement due to mine

activities and infrastructure development placing

pressure on social services, water and sanitation

infrastructure

Community organisation and human rights

Improved local governance through increased

cooperation and engagement

Increased activity and capacity of local NGOs and

CBOs through engagement and cooperation

Land and natural resources

Loss of communal property through land acquisition

and infrastructure development

Increased pressure on natural resources resulting

from project related influx

Conflict arising from increased competition for

productive land and common property resources

Health

Increased pressure on limited healthcare

infrastructure due to project related influx

Increased communicable diseases linked to project

related influx

Increased exposure of workforce to vector related

diseases

Increased sexually transmitted diseases including

HIV/AIDS due to influx and improved mobility



Timing



-



45



Significance before

management



Significance after

management



Decommissioning/Post Closure



High -



Medium -



Construction

Operation

Decommissioning/Post Closure



Low +

Medium +

Medium +



Low +

Medium +

Low +



Construction

Operation



High High -



Medium Medium -



Construction

Operation

Construction

Operation



Medium Medium High High -



Medium Medium

Medium Medium -



Construction

Operation



Medium Medium -



Low Low -



Construction

Operation



High High -



Medium Medium -



Construction

Operation



Medium Medium -



Low Low -



Construction

Operation

Construction

Operation



Medium Medium Low +

Low +



Low Low Low +

Low +



Decommissioning/Post Closure



Medium +



Low +



Construction

Operation



High High -



Low Low -



Construction

Operation



Low Low -



Low Low -



Impact description

Loss of access to mine supported health services at

closure as a result of health system issues

Social services and infrastructure

Improved access to social services and infrastructure

through employment and SDP programmes

Loss of access to mine supported social services and

infrastructure at decommissioning

Economy, work and livelihoods

Loss of access to productive land and livelihoods

activities (economic displacement) through the

Project‟s acquisition of land

Economic displacement of artisanal miners due to

land acquisition and infrastructure development

Interrupted access to livelihood activities (i.e. fields

and ASM sites) through project restricted-access

roads

Loss of livelihoods and ecosystem services for

indigenous peoples through the project‟s acquisition of

forest land

Economic displacement of indigenous communities

through the Projects acquisition and transformation of

land

Loss of subsistence food sources and further shift

towards market economy through displacement from

productive land

Reduced Mbuti access to ASM opportunities due to

economic displacement of artisanal miners

Improved employment and enterprise development

opportunities through skills development and capacity

building initiatives

Loss of access to employment opportunities and

enterprise development at decommissioning

Potential of the project to significantly shrink the local

economy

Social conflict and vulnerable groups

Conflict arising from increased competition for

productive land and communal property resources



Timing



46



Significance before

management



Significance after

management



Pre Construction

Construction

Operation

Pre construction

Construction

Operation

Construction

Operation



Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium High High -



Medium Medium Medium Low Low Low Low Low -



Construction

Operation

Construction

Operation

Pre Construction

Construction

Operation



Medium High High High Medium Medium Medium -



Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium -



Pre-Construction

Construction

Operation

Construction

Operation



Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium -



Low Low Low Low Low -



Construction

Operation

Decommissioning/Post Closure

Construction

Operation

Decommissioning/Post Closure

Construction

Operation



Low Low Low Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium -



Low Low Low Medium Medium Medium Low +

Low +



Impact description

Competition over compensation claims, including nonresidents displaced by conflict, „squatters‟ and recent

arrivals

Outstanding compensation and housing grievances

interfere with Project‟s new compensation program

and related consultation

Ethnic tension from increased competition for access

to natural resources, social services and employment

opportunities

Increased social pathologies arising from influx and

presence of construction workers

Increased sexual exploitation of women

Increased anxiety and confusion regarding the scope

of AGK projects resulting from a lack of disclosure and

stakeholder engagement

Cultural heritage

Damage to cultural heritage and archaeological

resources through land transformation activities

Loss of community access to cultural heritage and

archaeological resources through fencing off parts of

project site

Traffic

Change in traffic conditions on the surrounding road

network due to additional traffic generated by mining

Reduced road safety conditions along the sections of

road where there is a high concentration of

pedestrians and cyclists

Deteriorating condition of the affected road network



Timing



47



Chapter 15



CONTACT DETAILS

SRK Consulting

(Johannesburg, South Africa)

Vuyo Matshikiza

Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator

Tel: +27 11 441 1021

Email address: vmatshikiza@srk.co.za



SRK Consulting



Or

Contact us through comment

boxes provided in:



(Lubumbashi, DRC)

Susa Maleba













Logistics and Coordination

Tel: +243 81870 1753

Email address: smaleba@srk.co.za



Ashanti Goldfields Kilo

Alain Mulumba Musangu

Community and Development Mananger

Tel: +243 990 900416

Email address: AMMulumba@AngloGoldAshanti.com



48



Mongbwalu Forum

The Mayor‟s Office

EP3 Primary School

Nzebi village