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ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
SIERRA MINERALS HOLDINGS 1 LIMITED
BAUXITE MINING PROJECT
PREPARED BY:
TEDA: Environmental Consultants
(TEDA)
63 Wellington Street
Freetown
Sierra Leone
Tel: 232 22 228426om
Fax: 232 22 226327
e-mail: teda@limezone.c
November 2012
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TEDA would like to sincerely thank the entire team that
were responsible for the compilation of this report and the
specialist reports that contributed to it. Special thanks also
go to the management and staff of Vimetco SMHL for their
support.
Executive Summary
Project Background
Sierra Minerals Holdings Ltd. (SMHL) is a joint venture known as VIMETCO Group that owns license to
mine bauxite in the south eastern Province of Sierra Leone. The lease area is located in five chiefdoms
within Bo, Moyamba and Bonthe Districts.
For SMHL to continue with its operations in the Concession area, the Environment Protection Agency
(EPA/SL) is requesting for an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) before a License can be
renewed. The ESIA should outline the existing environmental and social conditions within the mine site
and the surrounding communities identify potential impacts of the project and propose mitigation
measures that SMHL should undertake during its project operations.
Tropical Environmental Design Associates (TEDA) was retained by SMHL to prepare this ESIA with the
following Terms of Reference (TOR).
1. Describe and assess the prevailing baseline environmental and socio-economic conditions of the
study area.
2. Produce project overview including: management, Infrastructure and methods of production.
3. Describe the national and international regulatory framework applicable to bauxite mining in
Sierra Leone.
4.
Determine project alternative scenarios.
5. Identify, predict and determine the intensity of the impacts on the receptors using the
information obtained from objective 1.
6. Propose mitigation measures that would be used to minimize these impacts.
7. Produce a summary of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) based on the information
obtained and that contained in the EMP and,
8. Conduct a Public Consultation and Disclosure meetings with all stakeholders including the
affected communities at chiefdom, district and regional levels. These will be held to solicit
feedback from all stakeholders’ concerns, and if possible propose further mitigation measures.
Brief Description of the Project
SMHL produces about 1.4 million metric tonnes of bauxite annually from five main deposits at Gbonge,
Gondama, Jenega, Konta, and Wunde. It has a complex washing facility at Gondama with a capacity of
300t/hr. and a recovery of more than 65 percent. The bauxite mined is shipped to Constanta in Romania
for ALUM Tulcea the primary alumina manufacturing company that produces 600,000 tpa.
The proven washed bauxite reserves in the SML lease area are 12.5 million metric tonnes with an overall
grade of 51% Al203, 48% available alumina (av. Al2O3) and 3.0 % Si02 but total reserves should be at least
30 million metric tonnes. This reserve estimate will support production for approximately 20 years at an
annual production rate of 1.7 million metric tonnes. The bauxite reserves are dispersed 20% around the
washing plant and 80%, 14-18 km haulage distance from the washing plant.
The exploration program involves line cutting, pitting, drilling, sampling and assaying. The entire lease
area was prospected and classified by an earlier company, Sieromco into measured, indicated or
inferred resources. Based on this available information, SMHL has primarily been engaged in validating
these reported resources in four deposits (Konta, Wunde, Jenega and Gbonge) by generating its current
reserve base and the extension of SMHL mine life.
Infrastructure and Machinery
Summarily, the existing facilities and owner assets include:
Senior staff Camp – 14 double houses and lodging facilities with 7 rooms.
Two administrative buildings, 2 canteens, mechanical workshop area, laboratory, store,
warehouse and a fuel station at the main plant site at Gondama.
Harbour facility with dryer, 9 barges, 4 tug boats, fuel storage tanks and conveyors at Nitti.
Five power Generating plants.
Tailing storage facilities,
Stockpile facilities (ROM & Washed).
A fleet of vehicles including 30 MAN trucks and 32 Volvo trucks.
A fleet of mining machinery including
excavators, dozers, frontal loader, graders,
compactors and a wide range of support equipments.etc.
Project Access (Land and Sea).
Water resources within/proximity to SMHL lease are abundant. Due to the large quantities of water
required by bauxite wash process, water is sourced at the Taia River and pumped to a 5000 m 3 capacity
reservoir which in turn runs to the plant site by gravity flow.
SMHL has a highly skilled and experienced workforce with an organizational management capable of
running the project at management and supervisory level. More than 95% of the workforce is Sierra
Leonean and majority of the employees are skilled with technical expertise in handling mining related
jobs.
Regulatory Framework
In accordance with the national and international regulatory framework for mining and due diligence
requirements of the lending institutions, the submission and acceptance of this ESIA is a mandatory
precursor for the renewal of license for this project. These regulatory framework and policies were used
in the preparation of this report.
Baseline Conditions
The baseline data used in the preparation of this report was based on field visits carried out between
September and November 2012. They complemented those previously collected from other sources.
Stakeholder consultations were undertaken to determine the additional data required for the evaluation
of the baseline conditions and potential impacts of the project. Following the stakeholder consultations,
a field survey was undertaken with the purpose of obtaining an overview of the entire study area that
would further complement the information gathered during the consultative meetings.
Environmental baseline conditions studied include: topography, climate, drainage, geology, water
resources, flora, fauna, and socio-economic data including demography, health and sanitation,
education, water supply, agricultural practices and land tenure.
Project Impacts and Mitigation
Project Benefits
The exploitation of mineral resources such as bauxite is benefitting SMHL and its allied companies
financially. Apart from this direct benefit to the company, an array of other direct and indirect benefits
that the project could have on the mining community and the country at large are as follows:
Economic Benefits: In 2010 SMHL Vimetco acquired the bauxite mines from Titanium Resources Group
(TRG) with a market capital of $189 million. The injection of capital expenditure in foreign exchange has
boosted the economy of Sierra Leone in terms of foreign exchange earnings. The project is also
generating economic benefits to the GOSL in terms of taxes, duties and royalties as specified in the
mining code.
Job Creation: The project directly and indirectly is injecting money into the local economy through
salaries to workers and supplies outsourced locally which thereby increases the purchasing power of the
local population. This is indirectly benefitting the small business groups in the community and the local
tax collection system.
Roads Infrastructure: Since operations started, SMHL has reconstructed and resurfaced all roads in the
lease area and it has continued to invest in maintenance of local roads with other neighboring
companies in the project area. This is facilitating a speedy movement of goods, agricultural produce and
people within and outside the concession area.
Community Development Initiatives: Since November 2012, the company has been financing community
development initiatives within the purview of SMHL Foundation in the five chiefdoms and in the
following priority areas of interventions:
Continued rehabilitation of major roads and haul roads in the concession area and Joint venture
rehabilitation of other major roads in the Moyamba District;
Construction of Maternity and Child Health Post, hand dug wells fitted with pumps and classroom buildings.
Provision of building materials to households affected by fire accidents in the community;
Provision of services and supplies to the Serabu Hospital and Mokanji Police Station; and
Offer of scholarships and tuition to students resident in the mining community.
Notwithstanding the above positive impacts, SMHL operations continue to have various negative
biophysical and socio-economic impacts in its operations. These were predicted using established
procedures, standards and by means of professional and subjective judgments. Most of these impacts
were rated from insignificant to moderate. With no mitigation measures applied, most of these are
either minor or moderate. The table below presents a summary of the projects’ impacts and mitigation.
When all the impacts are considered the two most prominent are those that are prevalent on surface
water, including the hydrology and natural drainage systems in the natural environment and the
disconnect existing between the communities expectations and apprehensions and the realistic gains
which may accrue through a more equitable transfer mechanism. Although there will be a number of
social impacts of high significance, the majority of the impacts on social conditions are of moderate
significance. These social impacts must be compared with the predicted benefits of the mining activities,
as indicated in Section 1. The positive economic impact of the mines is highly significant, and the
revenue from taxation that will accrue to government provides resources that can be used to
significantly improve the condition of infrastructure in the South east region of the country. The
economic benefit to the local economy is also significant, since the project will not only support several
hundred employees directly, but it will also support significantly more of their dependents. It is
estimated that, on average, each employee will support eight dependents or family members. This
should result in a general improvement in standards of living in the study area and provides an
alternative livelihood to the current subsistence farming.
Summary of Project Impacts: SMHL Bauxite Mining Project.
No Environmental
Issue
Source of Impact
(Activity)
Impact
Affected
Significance
Community(ies) Timescale Area Magnitude Likelihood
/Receptors
Bio-Physical
1
2
3
Topography
Geology
Air
Vegetation
Removal ,
Excavation of
Overburden,
Opening of Mine
Panels,
Back Filling,
Leveling,
Grading.
Removal of
overburden,
Excavation from mine
panels.
Land Clearing,
Excavation,
Earthmoving,
Storage of materials,
Handling and
Transportation.
Land Disturbance,
Soil Compaction,
Slope Displacement.
Gondama
Konta
Jenega
Wunde
Gbonge
Permanent Local
Moderate
(Low
severity)
Likely
Soil erosion,
Sedimentation in
streams and valleys
Gondama
Konta
Jenega
Wunde
Gbonge
Permanent Local
Moderate
(Low
severity)
Very Likely
Air Pollution
Machine
operators,
Nearby
Communities,
Villages along
haul roads,
Personnel at
plant site
Short-term
Moderate
Likely
Local
Noise Pollution
4 Noise
5
6
Surface
Water
Visual
Resources
Machine operation,
Hauling of ore,
Ore beneficiation,
Stockpiling,
Power generation,
Bauxite drying,
Loading.
Vegetation remova,l
Excavation,
Construction and
rehabilitation of road
infrastructure,
Construction and
rehabilitation of mine
facilities,
Ore beneficiation,
Stockpiling,
Mine Reclamation and
Closure.
Mining operations,
Construction,
Demolition.
Soil erosion,
Run-off,
Sedimentation in streams and
valleys,
Water pollution,
Changes in local hydrology.
Negative effect on the View
Shed in the rural environment
Gondama plant site,
Nitti Port,
Mine panels,
Haul roads,
Matta camp.
Shortterm
Local
Low Moderate
Likely
Shortterm
Local
Locally
high
Very
Likely
Medium
Local
Moderate
(Low
severity )
Likely
All communities
located within the
mine lease
All communities
located within the
mine lease,
Communities located
along haul roads and
out of the lease area
Ore beneficiation
7
Accidental
Release of
Sludge
from TSF
8
Wildlife
Protected
Areas and
Cultural
Properties
9
Borrow
Pits and
Quarry
Sites
10
Flora and
Fauna
Release and discharge of
sludge into dams and local
drainage systems,
Increase in turbidity,
conductivity and in-organic
particulates in the drainage
system.
Communities in the
downstream
sections of the lease
area,
Gondama plant site.
No Significant Impact - NSI
(NSI)
Quarrying and Road
rehabilitation work.
Soil erosion,
Open pits become breeding
ground for insect disease
vectors,
Intrusion of sediments into
farm lands.
Loss of flora and fauna
Villages along main
haul and access
roads.
Accidents,
Incidents,
Spread of communicable
diseases.
Accidents
SMHL personnel
Communities within
operational area.
Vegetation removal
(NSI)
Entire lease area.
Short-term
Local
(NSI)
(NSI)
Shortmedium
term
Local
Permanent Local
Low
(NSI)
High
Likely
(NSI)
Likely
LowVery
Moderate Likely
Socio-economics
Community
11 Health and
Safety
Traffic and
12
road Safety
Mine related activities
Vehicular transportation
Motor bike riders
Pedestrians.
SMHL personnel
Communities along
haul roads.
Short-term
Local
Low
Likely
Short-term
Local
Low
Likely
Migration
13
Population
Movements
Socio-economics
14
Gender
Impacts
Spread of communicable
diseases,
Prostitution,
Disruption of Social and
Cultural values,
Drug and alcohol abuse
Theft,
Domestic Violence.
Noise.
Land Ownership,
Teenage pregnancy and
early Marriage,
Increase in early school dropout.
Entire mining
community
Long
Local
Moderate
Very
Likely
Long
Local
Low Moderate
Very
Likely
Entire mining
communities
No
Environmental Issue
Mitigation Measures
Bio-Physical
Topography
Reclaim Mined-out Areas, Reclaim Stockpile Areas, Use designated routes
in the wet season.
Geology
Separation of super soil from sub soil during removal.
Proper grading and reshaping of the disturbed
Adequate crop suitability procedures for reclamation work.areas.
Prompt timing of re-vegetation on reclaimed lands to avoid top soil removal
in the early rain events.
Establishment of sediment raps, bunds and where necessary construction
of diversion ditches.
Regular inspection of reclamation and repair works where needed; and
Use of rock mulch on unprotected surfaces.
Air
Dust Suppression in the Dry season, Provision of mask to employees in
dusty areas,
use of gaseous control equipment at plant site,
apply traffic safety rules and regulations,
reduce speed limits,
construct speed bumps in villages along haul roads,
Noise
Future facilities with high noise impacts should be located well away from
noise sensitive areas.
Mine faces should be used as noise barriers in the immediate vicinity of
villages such as Gbonge, Jenega and Konta.
Protective hearing devices should be used when employees are at work
especially at or near earth-moving equipment, wash plants and power
houses.
Surface Water
Stockpiles and overburden should not be placed at nearby drainage ways.
Waste oil, fuel and other lubricants should be stored in strong
containments.
Tailings Management Plan should be properly implemented.
As much as possible, leakages into earth fill dams should be avoided.
Efforts should be made in the wet season to ensure that rain water is
diverted from the TSF
6
Visual Resources
Where construction of power lines would be required, features should be
designed so as to achieve landscape designs
Impoundment dams should be rehabilitated to meet international
standards.
Burrow pits and mine faces should be graded
7
Accidental Release of Sludge
from TSF
Rehabilitation, development and implementation of the Tailings
Management Plan coupled with regular inspection programme
1
2
3
4
5
No
Environmental Issue
Mitigation Measures
8
Wildlife Protected Areas and
Cultural Properties
(NSF)
9
Borrow Pits and Quarry Sites
The pits should be closed up immediately after use
Quarry sites must be included in mines closure and reclamation plans
Flora and Fauna
Prompt mine reclamation activities in the mined out areas should be
enhanced.
If vulnerable or endangered species exist within the mine sites, measures
should be taken to create alternative sites.
10
Socio-economics
11
12
13
14
Community Health and Safety
Traffic and Road Safety
Population Movements
Gender Impacts
Provision of additional health facilities to the five affected chiefdoms;
Provision of health services to all workers and their families, which will
avoid new demands on health services by Project out-of-area workers.
Avoid and minimize environmental effects that have potential to affect
health, including dust, noise,
Preventions should be taken against fire accidents
Provide driver safety training to all workers.
Impose speed limits;
Schedule truck traffic along the public highways to avoid peak hours; and
Introduce safety campaigns for the communities.
Give job preference to the local population
Job opportunities such as poultry and piggery farming, vegetable gardening,
bakery, brick making, entertainment centres
Training;
establishing micro credit schemes and through serving as a market for the
agricultural produce
Analyses of Alternatives
Analyses of alternatives constitute part of this ESIA. The purpose is to improve on project design,
construction and operation decision making based on feasible project alternatives as prescribed by the
International Finance Corporation (IFC, 2006). It provides the basis for identifying optimal project
alternatives that are consistent with the goals of the mining company, funding organization, the
government, the mining community and the policy and regulatory framework established for the mining
industry.
Project alternatives that were considered for SMHL project include:
No Action alternative;
Alternative for location of staff accommodation;
Bauxite processing location;
Mine closure.
The adoption of the no-action alternative would mean that the project would remain in its current
condition with no mine-related development activity by SMHL. This scenario would mean that the
Environmental Management Plan and the community Development Action Plan (CDAP) that are
prepared would not be implemented. As such, the anticipated project benefits such as employment,
foreign exchange earnings, infrastructure development and community development initiatives would
not improve in the concession area and the country as a whole. This will result in the continuation of in
migration into the area and the resultant poor state of local economy, infrastructure and other public
services.
Following the depletion of the Mokanji deposits in 1982, Sieromco relocated its operations to Gondama.
The accommodation provided for SMHL staff are located 20 – 40 miles away from the plant site. The
mining activities at the Gondama site do not require total off-site accommodation especially for
supervision work during the second and third shifts. The option therefore is the relocation or expansion
of staff accommodation closer to the mine site. Proximity to the mine site would lead to the following
benefits:
Reduction in travel time to work;
Increased work supervision at all times;
Proximity to the only Medical Hospital in the mining area;
Decrease in the running cost of vehicles;
Extension of overtime work for certain staff categories;
Increase in the opportunity for the expansion of the Gbonge deposits and future expansion of
shipping facility closer to the four bauxite deposits at Mattru.
The existing processing plant is in a closer proximity to the five major deposits. For operational
considerations, the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) is located as close as possible to the plant site to
reduce cost of transportation of the slurry. The potential for the existing facility to near its storage
capacity is high considering mine life of SMHL operations. Consideration should be given for an
alternative storage facility in the near future.
Tailings Disposal and Storage will involve a construction of mine pits in the Gbonge area into tailings
storage containment. The slurries would be deposited in the pits as mining continues. Filling would
continue for less than a year and after a decanting period, revegetation would start followed by a full
reclamation work based on the mine reclamation plan.
The major disadvantages of this alternative would be related to short term mine plan as this operation
will concurrently go on with other mining operations.
Construction of a new storage facility would require concurrent construction work and mining
operations with little obstruction. Construction work would however be more expensive as materials
such as sand and gravel would have to be transported from a distance outside the mining area.
Preferred alternative for the two options would be controlled by key factors including costs, time of
construction, and availability of equipments, weather conditions and the expected life of the mine
operations.
Mine reclamation and closure activities at SMHL operations are implemented to establish a beneficial
post-mining land use, in the case of this project it will consist primarily of agricultural lands. This option
requires millions of dollars in earth moving activities, and it cannot be considered as the best option for
the open pits. The preferred options would be to identify those pits (especially those around Gbonge) to
fill with water in the wet season for use by the community at the end the mine life. Backfilling of these
pits with tailings slurries would be another feasible option considering the life of the existing tailings
facilities at the plant site.
Public Consultation and Disclosure
This section defines the Sierra Leone requirements for conducting stakeholder consultation and
disclosure activities during the ESIA process.
Public Consultation and disclosure meetings for this ESIA were held in respect of the renewal of license
at chiefdom, district and regional levels between January 25th and 28th 2013.
1. Serabu on the 25th January 2013 – Chiefdom level
2. Moyamba District on the 26th January 2013 – District level
3. Bo Town on the 28th January 2013 – Regional level
The meetings were meant to allow all stakeholders stay informed on the current updates on SMHL
operations, allow all stakeholders voice their opinions, grievances and provide meaningful suggestions
for sustained operations of the project.
The key objectives of the public consultation and disclosure as set-out by the Sierra Leone
Environmental Protection Agency (SLEPA) as part of the international requirement for public hearings to
be undertaken for the approval/renewal and issuance of an Environmental Licence are;
Inform stakeholders (individuals, communities, local interest groups, Government officers, local
NGOs, Community Based Organizations, affected and interested parties) of the important
aspects of the SMHL-Vimetco Bauxite Project;
Provide an opportunity to consult with local communities, stakeholders, civil activists etc to
voice out their concerns and perceptions regarding the project;
Consult comprehensively as far as possible by disseminating information about the nature of the
project, identify, and discuss the public concerns( potential project’s impacts) about the project;
Obtain feedback on perceptions and concerns by means of a public exposure of the ESIA draft
document;
Solicit public comments and encourage input on preferred alternatives, mitigation measures and
similar aspects on project implementation.
Respond to all stakeholders as far as possible and address the concerns and issues that are
raised.
To ensure full participation and contribution of community and stakeholders, notification via the local
media, print media, letters, telephone calls and display of banners, indicating time, date and locations of
the public hearing were undertaken prior to the disclosure process.
The following are the summary of the findings, comments and input from key government officials,
participants and affected communities at the three levels where the consultations and disclosure
meetings were held. These inputs have played a definitive role in shaping the focus of the ESIA
document and the development of mitigation/amelioration measures.
Community Development undertaken by the company.
Environmental impacts of the project on communities (e.g.: Noise, Pollution of air and water
bodies)
Socio-Economic benefits to the community (e.g. Youth employment, skills training etc.)
Environmental degradation of community agricultural land.
Disposal of used / scrap items (e.g. tyres, chemicals etc.).
Tailings outflow and threat to nearby water sources.
Construction / tarring of nearby road networks.
Effective Monitoring and Evaluation of the implementation of the ESIA report and the EMP
especially on the part of the EPA and the Ministry of Mines etc.
Collaboration and Consultation with the local people by the company.
Company to expand on the road rehabilitation work to other surrounding areas (e.g. RutileBumpeh road).
Company to embark on capacitating its workers in relevant areas, providing skills training
opportunities and the promotion of other economic activities for the community.
EPA-SL and the Mines Ministry to liaise up with local councils to enforce the implementation
and Monitoring of all these plans by the company.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Section One – Introduction......................................................................................................2
1.2 Background........................................................................................................................2
1.2 Terms of Reference...........................................................................................................2
1.3 Structure of the Report.....................................................................................................3
1.4 Project Setting...................................................................................................................4
1.5 History and Ownership of Bauxite Deposits........................................................................5
1.6 Purpose and Objectives of Sudy..........................................................................................7
1.7 Scope of Study..................................................................................................................8
1.8 Study Constraints and Limitations.......................................................................................9
1.9 Study Approach...............................................................................................................10
1.10 Methodology...............................................................................................................11
1.11 Project Benefits...........................................................................................................16
Section Two – Project Description.........................................................................................19
2.1 Project Management and Workforce................................................................................19
2.2 Infrastructure and Machinery...........................................................................................20
2.3 Ore Resources and Exploration Methods.............................................................................23
2.4 Mining and Ore Beneficiation.............................................................................................24
2.5 Bauxite Product Shipping........................................................................................................28
2.6 Power Generation...................................................................................................................28
2.7 Water Management............................................................................................................... 28
2.8 Mine Security.................................................................................................................29
Section Three – Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework.....................................................31
3.1 National Legislations.......................................................................................................31
3.2 International Regulatory Framework................................................................................36
3.3 Institutional Framework..................................................................................................47
Section Four - Analyses of Alternatives......................................................................................................50
Section Five – Environmental Baseline Conditions...............................................................53
5.1 Biophysical Environment................................................................................................53
5.1.1 Topography and Landforms............................................................................................53
5.1.2 Climate and Weather...................................................................................................54
5.1.3 Drainage and Hydrology................................................................................................55
5.1.4 Geology.......................................................................................................................57
5.1.5 Surface and Ground Water............................................................................................59
5.1.6 Soils and Land Use Capability.........................................................................................60
5.1.7 Terrestial Biological Environment..................................................................................69
5.1.8 Threats to Vegetation...................................................................................................71
5.2 Socio-economic Environment............................................................................................75
5.2.1 Demography...................................................................................................................75
5.2.2 Public Health and Sanitation.........................................................................................76
5.2.3 Water Supply.................................................................................................................77
5.2.4 Education......................................................................................................................78
5.2.5 Land and Water Resources...........................................................................................79
5.2.6 Transport and Communications...................................................................................79
5.2.7 Social and Political Organizations.................................................................................79
5.2.8 Land Tenure..................................................................................................................80
5.2.9 Economic Activities........................................................................................................81
5.2.10 Surface Land Ownership...............................................................................................83
Section Six – Potential Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures.......................................84
6.1 Biophysical Impacts...........................................................................................................84
6.1.1 Topography.....................................................................................................................84
6.1.2 Air Quality.......................................................................................................................85
6.1.3 Noise................................................................................................................................86
6.1.4 Geology and Soils..............................................................................................................88
6.1.5 Surface Water....................................................................................................................89
6.1.6 Visual Resources.................................................................................................................90
6.1.7 Accidental Release of Sludge from Tailings Storage Facility................................................90
6.1.8 Wildlife, Protected Areas and Cultural Practices.................................................................90
6.1.9 Burrow Pits and Quarry Sites...............................................................................................90
6.1.10 Flora and Fauna............................................................................................................91
6.2 Socio-economic Impacts....................................................................................................92
6.2.1 Community Health and Safety.........................................................................................92
6.2.2 Traffic and Road Safety....................................................................................................93
6.2.3 Population Movements....................................................................................................94
6.2.4 Gender Impacts................................................................................................................94
6.2.5 Community Expectations and Apprehensions...................................................................95
6.3 Cumulative Impacts..............................................................................................................96
Section 7 – Environmental Management Plan........................................................................98
7.1 Environmental Monitoring Plan...........................................................................................98
7.2 Emergency Response and Contingency Plan.......................................................................99
7.3 Tailings Dam Management Plan..........................................................................................101
7.4 Waste Management Plan....................................................................................................104
7.5 Occupational Health and Safety Plan..................................................................................107
7.6 Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan....................................................................................118
7.7 Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan...............................................................................121
Section Eight – Conclusions and Recommendations............................................................127
8.1 Conclusions...........................................................................................................................127
8.2 Recommendations.......................................................................................................127
References........................................................................................................................128
Annexes.............................................................................................................................129
Annex A – Tables
Table 1 Summary of Surface and Ground Water Quality........................................................130
Table 2 Flora and Fauna Species.........................................................................................131
Table 3 Species of Agricultural value...................................................................................134
Table 4 Common Animal Species........................................................................................136
Table 5 Summary of Project Impacts......................................................................................137
Table 6 Summary of Mitigation Measures...........................................................................141
Annex B Socio-Economic Analysis.......................................................................................143
Annex C Summary of issues discussed in FGDs across the surveyed communities....................167
Annex D Soci-Economic Baseline Survey Questionnaire...........................................................172
List of Tables
Table 1 Environmental Significance Rating Scale………………………………………………………………………13
Table 2 Summary of Personnel Distribution……………………………………………………………………………..20
Table 3 Volumetric Analyses of flow rates of the Taiai River........................................................29
Table 4 Summary of Rainfall Data.................................................................................................54
Table 5 Weather Cycle..................................................................................................................55
Table 6 Land Suitability for rain fed agriculture in the Lease area...............................................68
Table 7 Species Conservation Status............................................................................................72
Table 8 Demographic Profile of Communities..............................................................................76
Table 9 Main Sources of Income in Selected Villages……………………………………………………………..82
Table 10 Summary of Noise Monitoring Results..........................................................................87
Table 11 Identification of Potential Hazards ..............................................................................109
Table 12 Risk Analyses of Potential Hazards...............................................................................111
Table 13 Summary of Issues and Concerns Raised at the PDCP Meeting.................................123
List of Maps
Map 1 SMHL Lease Area (ML1/05)..........................................................................................5
Map 2 SMHL Areas of Influence................................................................................................7
Map 3 Sampling Locations SMHL Project Area........................................................................63
List of Figures
Figure 1 SMHL Organizational Structure…………………………………………………………………………………..22
Figure 2 Wide-Angle view of Administrative Building; Processing Plant; and Environs……………..25
Figure 3 SMHL Washing Plant Flow Diagram…………………………………………………………………………….27
Abbreviations/Acronyms
CAM
Community Affairs Manager
CDAP
Community Development Action Plan
CHC
Community Health Centre
CITES
Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species
db
Decibel
EHSG
Environmental and Health Safety Guidelines
EMP
Environmental Management Plan
ERCP
Emergency Response and Contingency Plan
EPA/SL
Environmental Protection Agency/ Sierra Leone
EPCC
Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning
ESHIA
Environmental; Social; and Health Impact Assessment
ESAP
Environmental and Social Action Plan
ESMP
Environnemental and Social Management Plan
EU
European Union
GOSL
Government of Sierra Leone
Km
Kilometre
IUCN
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
MCHP
Maternal and Child Health Posts
MRCP
Mines Reclamation and Closure Plan
ML
Mining Lease
NGO
Non-Governmental Organization
PFC
Perflouronated Carbon
PHU
Peripheral Health Unit
SMHL
Sierra Minerals Holdings Ltd
STD
Sexually Transmitted Disease
T/hr
Tonnes per hour
TEDA
Tropical Environmental and Design Consultants
TOR
Terms of Reference
TOC
Total Organic Compounds
UNFCC
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
WHO
World Health Organization
Currency Exchange Rate {Mid-November; 2011}
1 US$ = € 1.29 =Le 4350
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Section 1.0 - Introduction
1.1 Background
Sierra Minerals Holdings Ltd. is a joint venture known as VIMETCO Group that owns license to mine
bauxite in the south eastern Province of Sierra Leone. The lease area is located in five chiefdoms within
BO, Moyamba and Bonthe Districts. A brief description of the company’s business overview is presented
below:
About 1.4 million tonnes of bauxite is produced annually from five main deposits at Gbonge,
Gondama, Jenega, Konta, and Wunde.
It has a complex washing facility at Gondama with :
-
A capacity of 300t/hr.
-
A recovery of > 65%
-
A total content of Al203>53% and;
-
A low content of SiO2 <4%.
Its harbor facilities located at Nitti (40km. from Gondama) include: a bauxite dryer, push boats,
barges and a loading facility.
The bauxite mined is shipped to Constanta in Romania for ALUM Tulcea the primary alumina
manufacturing company that produces 600,000 tpa.
For SMHL to continue with its operations in the Concession area, the Environment Protection Agency
(EPA/SL) is requesting for an Environmental Impact Assessment (ESIA) before a License can be renewed.
The ESIA should outline the existing environmental and social conditions within the mine site and the
surrounding communities to identify potential impacts of the project and the proposed mitigation
measures that SMHL should undertake during its project operations.
1.2 Terms of Reference
This Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report has been prepared in accordance with the
stipulations of the EPA/SL and the following Terms of Reference (TOR) received from SMHL.
1. To describe and assess the prevailing baseline environmental and socio-economic conditions
of the study area and secondary data collection.
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2. Produce project overview including: management, Infrastructure and methods of
production.
3. Describe the national and international regulatory framework applicable to bauxite mining
in Sierra Leone.
4.
Determine project alternative scenarios.
5. Identify, predict and determine the intensity of the impacts on the receptors using the
information obtained from objective 1.
6. Propose mitigation measures that would be used to minimize these impacts.
7. Produce a summary of an Environmental Management Plan based on the information
obtained and that contained in the EMP.
8. Conduct a Public Consultation and Disclosure meetings with all stakeholders including the
affected communities at chiefdom, district and regional levels. These will be held to solicit
feedback from all stakeholder’s concerns, and if possible further mitigation measures.
Tropical Environmental Design Associates, Architects, Engineers, Environmental Designers and
Development Consultants (TEDA) were retained by SMHL to prepare this ESIA.
1.3 Structure of the Report
As much as possible, this ESIA followed the Guidelines provided by the EPA/SL.
Section One: This section presents the introduction that explains project background, Terms of
Reference, purpose, scope, objectives, study limitations and methodology.
Section Two presents the project description including management, infrastructure, machinery, ore
reserves, mining and security.
Section Three is a summary of the legal and institutional framework for environmental issues related to
mining in Sierra Leone.
Section Four presents details if the environmental baseline conditions.
Section Five presents the direct impacts associated with the project and mitigation measures needed to
address the impacts.
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Section Six presents a summary of the Environmental Management Plan proposing residual impacts with
the pertinent measures to be addressed during project operations.
Section Seven presents conclusions and recommendations for sustained bauxite operations in the lease
area.
1.4 Project Setting
The project setting is divided into two impact areas: a. Areas of direct social and environmental impacts
immediately and directly affected by the mining operation namely, mine panels, plant site, haul roads,
Nitti Port, Matta Camp and the affected communities within the lease area. b. Areas of project influence
where most of the environmental impacts are influenced by project activities either within or outside
the lease area. Examples of these are villages outside the lease area but linked to the haul roads and
portions of those chiefdoms that are out of the lease area.
The lease area is about 163 kilometers south east of Freetown with the plant site and shipping facilities
located at Gondama and Nitti respectively. The bauxite concession covers an area of 321.2 square
kilometers as delineated in Exploration License EXPL 2/2001. Its principal deposits are concentrated in
Gbonge, Gondama, Jenega, Konta and Wunde. The road leading to Mattru from Freetown which
constitutes part of the haul road passes through the lease area for about 59.5 km. There are many
villages that are affected by the mine activities, but those mostly affected currently include: Gbonge,
Gondama, Jenega, Konta and Wunde. SMHL owns a residential camp at Matta (out of the concession
area) where accommodation and recreation facilities are located 20 km from Gondama and Nitti
respectively. The entire camp is fenced and guarded. It consists of 14 duplex houses for senior staff, 1
building for kitchen and a recreational area, 1 gym building; other building/utility/services that house
the generator and, laundry.
The entire project area is traversed by unpaved roads with the major ones leading to the five chiefdom
head quarter towns of Gbonge, Bumpeh, Gbangbatoke Banta Mokele and Mano Dase. A number of
haulage and access roads constructed during the early mining period that were not reclaimed are used
as foot paths to farms and villages
The proven washed bauxite reserves in the SML lease area are 12.5 million metric 4eigh with an overall
grade of 51% Al203, 48% available alumina (av. Al2O3) and 3.0 % Si02 but total reserves should be at least
30 million metric 4eigh. This reserve estimate will support production for approximately 20 years at an
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annual production rate of 1.7 million metric 5eigh. The bauxite reserves are dispersed 20% around the
washing plant and 80%, 14-18 km haulage distance from the washing plant.
Map 1. SMHL Lease Area (ML1/05).
1.5 History and ownership of Bauxite Deposits
The exploration of Bauxite in Sierra Leone started in the 1920’s with the recording of low-grade bauxites
in and around the Freetown Peninsular and Kabala in the Northern Province. In 1958, the bauxite
potential in the Kasila Group Geology was initiated with the mapping of the Mokanji and Gbonge Hills.
On the basis of this study, the Sierra Leone Ore and Metal Company Limited (Sieromco) was formed as a
wholly owned subsidiary of a Swiss Company, Alusuisse.
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In 1961, Sieromco signed an agreement with the GOSL entitling Sieromco to prospect for and mine
bauxite in certain parts of the country. Sieromco commenced mining bauxite in Sierra Leone in
September 1963 in the Banta/Gbangbatoke and Dasse Chiefdoms in the Moyamba District. Sieromco
mined in the Mokanji area continuously for more than 19 years.
In 1982, following the depletion of the Mokanji deposits, Sieromco relocated its operations to Gondama
(approximately 26 km south-east of Mokanji) and resumed mining in the Banta Mokelleh Chiefdom.
Sieromco mined the Gondama deposits continuously until January 18, 1995, when the company
suspended operations and abandoned the mine site as a result of the civil war.
Alusuisse requested a consulting Firm BH&P to prepare a feasibility study in April 1995 for a possible
reopening of the Sieromco mines. The objectives of the evaluation were to:
Confirm the practicality of the mining and transportation methods;
Evaluate possible alternatives; and
Confirm and update the cost of projections.
Other considerations were also given to the possibility of combining the operations with Sierra Rutile
with arrangements made for contract mining.
Observations made took cognizance of many aspects of mining based on a ten year operating
experience and detailed operational data that were proven accurate.
On October 19, 2000, the GOSL reached an agreement with Alusuisse to acquire the assets and minerals
and mining rights of the company under the Sieromco Share Purchase Agreement. In December 2000,
Sieromco finally shutdown all its business dealings in Sierra Leone and handed over its assets to the
GOSL and relinquished Mining Lease 2131.
Sierra Rutile Limited (SRL) purchased these assets from the GOSL under the Sale and Purchase
Agreement of 20th. November 2001; and on December 1st of the same year, SRL was granted exploration
license EXPL 2/2001 for the area formerly covered by the Sieromco Mining Lease 2131. On 7th
December, 2001, SRL, with consent of the GOSL, assigned its rights under the above exploration license,
to Sierra Minerals Holdings Ltd.1. (SMHL) to fulfill all its obligations, title and interest.
SMHL was incorporated in British Virgin Islands and registered on October, 2001. On 3rd. June 2004,
SMHL entered into engineering, Procurement, construction and commissioning (EPPCC) Agreement with
PW Mining.
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Another feasibility study was prepared and presented to the Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL) in May,
2003. The study which formed the basis of a re-start Plan was based on sound financial and technical
fundamentals considering the infrastructural and administrative synergies between SRL and SMHL1.
An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment was undertaken by Aqua Terra Consulting during the
period February and March 2003 that served as the basis for the environmental impacts of the project
discussed in the Feasibility Study. In January 2005, SMHL was granted Mining Lease ML1/05 covering an
area of 321.7 km.
SMHL operated with two major contractors: PW Mining International, a full service contract mining
company which operates throughout Africa, and, CZAK Group which was involved in the shipping of the
ore product and other port operations. In 2008, SMHL was acquired to Vimetco Group and two years
later, SMHL, being a subsidiary of Vimetco Group continued with its mining operations selling all
products to ALUM Tulcea Refinery in Romania.
Map 2. SMHL Areas of Influence
1.6 Purpose and Objectives of the Study
This ESIA has been prepared to address potential impacts associated with SMHL bauxite operations
including the issues and concerns raised by the affected communities. It:
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Describes the prevailing baseline environmental and socio-economic conditions of
the study area and secondary data collection.
Produces project overview including: management, Infrastructure and methods of
production.
Describes the national and international regulatory framework applicable to bauxite
mining in Sierra Leone.
Determines project alternative scenarios.
Identifies, predicts and determines the intensity of the impacts on the receptors
using the information obtained from objective 1.
Proposes mitigation measures that would be used to minimize these impacts and,
Produces a summary of an Environmental Management Plan based on the
information obtained and that contained in the EMP.
During the preparation of the ESIA, the consultant was expected to conduct a Public Consultation and
Disclosure meetings with all stakeholders including the affected communities at chiefdom, district and
regional levels. These were held to solicit feedback from all stakeholder’s concerns, and if possible
further mitigation measures.
1.7 Scope of Study
In pursuance of achieving the above objectives, the Consultant has encompassed the following
tasks/scope of works:
1. Worked closely together with the Company’s Environmental Health and Safety Department.
2. Referred to all
relevant existing environmental documents including local, national, and
international legal and regulatory framework for bauxite mining, especially with particular
reference to literature, documentations and data source of Vimetco SMHL Ltd in Sierra Leone.
3. Ensured that the final ESIA conformed to ‘best practice’ norms; and met conventional
International Standards for Environmental, Social Policy and Procedures, and National
requirements.
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4. Described and assessed salient environmental and social concerns within the mining and
processing activities of the Company, with particular emphases on the area of Influence 1.
5. Determined the current environmental and social baseline conditions of the project site and its
surroundings on the basis of the existing data on geology, hydrology, ambient air and water
quality, biological diversity, demography and socio-economic parameters.
6. Identified and assessed the environmental and social issues associated with the mining,
production and exporting activities of the Company; and determined mitigation measures to
minimize any potential adverse environmental and social impacts during the operational and
post-mining phases of the activities.
7. Prepared an ESIA document based on the requirements of EPA-SL.
The environmental and socio-economic baseline for the ESIA has been based on data already gathered;
as well as baseline conditions observed in the course of our field visits to the site (3 visits from 5 th to 10th
October 2012); and other available relevant documents obtained through local governmental and nongovernmental organizations.
1.8 Study Constraints and Limitations.
This ESIA was expected to commence in August 2012 with the aim of submitting the report to the client
in October 2012. Thereafter, an onward submission and feedback from EPA would take place before a
public consultation and disclosure process. Although the consultant worked closely with the client, some
delay was caused in finalising the report and to receive the license.
Othe factors that acted as limitations to the study include:
Absence of government officials, NGOs and and other local leaders in the consultative meetings
during the field work;
Inadequacy of updated documentation including maps and other unclassified documents;
Absence of some community members to participate fully in the consultative meetings due to
the limited time available between farm work, meeting gatherings and other domestic
responsibilities;
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Secondary data that were collected on the villages were not reliable as these have not been
frequently updated. This is particularly so in the case of demography and agricultural production
trends.
It was not possible to undertake a detailed taxonomic assessment of fauna and flora species due
to the limited time available;
Instead, the assessment presented here supplements other studies already undertaken in previous
years.
1.9 Study Approach
The approach to this ESIA consists of the following phases as outlined in the EPA Act of 2008 as
amended in 2010: Screening, Scoping, Impact Assessment and Public Disclosure.
Screening: This is the initial phase which decides if an ESIA is required for the project and to determine
the extent to which the assessment will be. According to the EPA Guidelines and safeguard policies of
the lending institutions, this is a Class A project because it has the potential to have significant
environmental impacts, which in turn may have an effect on the facilities and those communities that
are affected by mining operations. As required by EPA Act, a Screening form was completed and
submitted to EPA detailing the need and level of the assessment, the acceptability of the consultant and
the public participation process.
Scoping: The scoping phase involved identification of key issues in the screening phase that were further
investigated based on desktop study of relevant environmental and social data collected from published
reports and previous studies of the project area. Stakeholder consultations were undertaken to
determine additional data required for the evaluation of the baseline conditions and the potential
impacts of the project. Public meetings were held in which a diverse group of community members
including local authorities, traditional leaders, opinion leaders, local council representatives, youths and
women’s groups were invited to participate in the surveys.
A door to door sample socioeconomic survey (using a semi-structured questionnaire) was conducted in
43 communities spanning the five chiefdoms (Upper Banta, Lower Banta, Kpanda Kemoh, Bumpe Ngao
and Dasse Chiefdoms respectively).
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Other key environmental issues associated with the project that were identified and discussed during
scoping consultation include impacts on:
Biophysical Environment: Air quality, Noise quality, Surface water quality, Ground water quality,
Soils, Land use capability and Biodiversity.
Socio-economic and cultural Environment: Demography, education, health and sanitation, water
supply, agriculture and farming practices, Social and Political organizations.
Impact Assessment Phase: This involved an assessment of the significance of the potential impacts
including the cumulative impacts and recommended mitigation measures that could minimise impacts.
The methodology applied for this assessment is presented in the methodology section that is outlined
below. An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been prepared that clearly defines all the
residual and other specific actions that SMHL undertakes to implement the measures that will minimise
and mitigate any negative impacts on the human, social and environmental aspects within the project
area. A summary of the EMP is produced under a separate chapter of this report. The plan includes an
Environmental Monitoring Plan, Emergency Response and Contingency Plan (ERCP), Tailings
Management Plan (TMP) and Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan (MRCP).
1.10 Methodology
The methodology for collecting data for the preparation of this ESIA was based on desk study,
stakeholder consultation and field survey.
Desk Study: Relevant reports, literature and other documents were collected and a detailed review of
the secondary data was undertaken during the course of the study. The major reports included the
following:
Feasibility study report of 2003
SMHL ESIA and Environmental Social Action Plan (ESAP) reports of 2003
Exploration and survey reports prepared for SMHL and previous owners the bauxite deposits.
Community Development Action Plan (CDAP) report of 2010.
Environmental Management Plan report of 2010.
SMHL 3rd.quarterEnvironmental Monitoring report of 2012.
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SMHL Environmental Report of 2012 for License renewal.
National and International Policy Documents and,
Public Data that is available from the Internet.
All of these provided more information about the project and contributed to the improvement of the
data collection.
Impact Prediction: An assessment of the significance of the impacts was made using established
standards and professional judgment. The conventions that were adopted include: a. Significant Rating
Scales; b. Timescales; c. Spatial Scale; d. Likelihood and, e. Severity.
The significant rating scale developed by Weaver and Caldwell (1999) was adapted for this study. This is
explained in Table 1. Timescales are related to the estimated duration of the impacts. The timescales
for rating the impacts in this report are short-term (0-5yrs) medium term (6- 20 years) and long-term
(more than 20 years). Short-term impacts are those that occur during construction and initial operation
activities that may or not be mitigated during the construction period or after.
Spatial scales which describe the spatial extent of an impact in terms of the amount of area affected, i.e.
localized or widespread were expressed as follows:
Localised i.e. an impact limited to a small part of the project’s operational area e.g. a few
hundred hectares in extent.
Study Area i.e. impact limited to the immediate vicinity of the project area.
Regional i.e. impact limited to the general vicinity of the project area.
National i.e. impact limited to the country as a whole.
Global i.e. impact limited to the global environment.
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Likelihood is the probability that the impact would occur or not. It is explained as: very unlikely, unlikely
and likely. This criterion was applied to all the potential negative impacts in order to determine whether
or not the impacts can be minimised.
The severity of an impact was determined by the magnitude of the significance based on the extent to
which the impact would change under existing conditions or how it would impact upon another
receptor. It is explained as very severe, severe, moderately severe, slightly severe and no effect.
The application of checklists and interaction matrices finally enabled the assessment to arrive at: a. Brief
description of the expected or predicted environmental changes that would result during the operation
of the project. b. Measures that would be implemented to avoid adverse impacts on the environment
and, c. An assessment of the possible alternatives including proposed actions.
Table 1 Environmental Significance Rating Scale
Very high
High impacts
Moderate
Low
Very low
No effect
Of the highest order possible within the bounds of impacts which would occur.
In the case of negative impacts, there would be no mitigation and/or remedial
activity to offset the impact at the spatial or timescale for which it was predicted.
In the case of positive impacts there is no real alternative to achieving the
benefit.
In the case of negative impacts, mitigation and/or remedial activity would be
feasible but difficult, expensive, time-consuming or some combination of these.
In the case of positive impacts, other means of achieving this benefit would be
feasible, but these would be more difficult, expensive, and time-consuming or
some combination of these.
Impact would be real but not substantial within the bounds of those, which could
occur. In the case of negative impacts, mitigation and/or remedial activity would
be both feasible and fairly easily possible. In the case of positive impacts, other
means of achieving this benefit would be about equal in time
Impact would be of a low order and with little real effect. In the case of negative
impacts, mitigation and/or remedial activity would be either easily achieved or
little would be required, or both. In the case of positive impacts, alternative
means for achieving this benefit would likely be easier, cheaper, more effective,
less time-consuming, or a combination of these
Impact would be negligible. In the case of negative impacts, almost no
mitigation and/or remedial activity would be needed, and any minor steps that
might be needed would be easy, cheap and simple. In the case of positive
impacts, alternative means would almost all likely to be better, in one or a
number of ways, than this means of achieving the benefit.
No impacts, not even a very low impact on the system or any of its parts.
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Stakeholder Consultation: Stakeholder engagement provided the team an opportunity for the
stakeholders to ask questions discuss the project and express any concerns they have, so that SMHL will
be able to respond to comments received. The main objectives of the stakeholder consultation process
were to:
Facilitate open communication with all interested stakeholders;
Build an open relationship with the local community of the lease area;
Provide timely and easily understood information to stakeholders in an appropriate nontechnical format;
Open consultation with all stakeholders to ascertain and discuss their opinions and concerns;
Propose and establish formal and informal public consultation and participation procedures;
Establish accessible and effective systems for reporting, investigating and resolving grievances
separately for both SMHL and the affected community; and
To establish stakeholder engagement as an integral part of on-going environmental and social
impact assessment activity, making sure that mitigation measures are addressed.
The surveys gathered consensus information about key existing conditions, such as infrastructure and
microeconomic trends. The questions in the community survey covered the following areas:
Community infrastructure, including education, health care facilities etc.
Social and cultural institutions.
Gender issues.
Social and economic trends.
General opinion on the operation of SMHL.
Crop Compensation and,
Drinking water facility.
Field Survey: Following the stakeholder consultation, a field survey was undertaken with the purpose of
obtaining an overview of the entire operational area that would complement information gathered
during the consultative meetings. Specifically, site walks were conducted particularly around the mine
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sites and dams and the routing of the biophysical and social issues that arise as a result of project
operations. Topographic maps at a scale of 1:50,000 were used as a base for mapping of the biophysical
features. GIS technology and software were used for capturing and analysing field data.
Socio-economic Survey: A door to door sample socioeconomic survey (using a semi-structured
questionnaire) was conducted in 43 communities spanning the five chiefdoms (Upper Banta, Lower
Banta, Kpanda Kemoh, Bumpe Ngao and Dasse Chiefdoms respectively). The questionnaire were
administered by trained enumerators (9) drawn among resident community members of mostly
teachers. They were closely supervised to ensure effective administration of survey questionnaire and in
turn report to the consultant in charge. The data collected were coded and entered into the SPSS
version 16.0 spread sheet by a trained data entry clerk. Detailed analysis undertaken using frequency
counts, descriptive statistics, cross tabulations, to identify statistically significant differences between
the results of the various segments.
The household survey was based on a random sample of 180 households and focuses on gathering data
on the socioeconomic baselines of the community influenced by the mining operations. The questions
were designed to seek information on the population and dwelling units, income, livelihood, health,
community participation, resource use and general attitude towards Vimetco SMHL and
concerns/opinions and expectations of the community in the project area. The questionnaire were
administered by trained enumerators (9) drawn among residence community members mostly teachers.
They were closely supervised to ensure effective administration of survey questionnaire and in turn
report to the consultant in charge. The data collected were coded and entered into the SPSS version
16.0 spread sheet by a trained data entry clerk. Detailed analysis undertaken using frequency counts,
descriptive statistics, cross tabulations, to identify statistically significant differences between the results
of the various segments.
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Focus Group Discussions: Focus Group Discussions were conducted in which a diverse group of
community members including local authorities, traditional leaders, opinion leaders, local council
representatives, youths and women’s groups were invited to participate. These generally consisted of
focus group discussion/meeting. A total of 5 focus group discussions were held in each of these
chiefdoms as shown below. The issues discussed covered the following areas: a. Community
infrastructure. B. Social and cultural institutions. C. Access to public Services such as education, health
and sanitation. D. Gender issues. E. Social and economic trends and, f. Agricultural production.
All the views expressed by the affected communities helped to identify and evaluate the social and
environmental impacts and the formulation of the mitigation measures. Details of the socio-economic
survey are presented in the Annex of this report.
The household survey was based on a random sample of 180 households and focused on gathering data
on the socioeconomic baselines of the community influenced by the mining operations. The questions
were designed to seek information on the population and dwelling units, income, livelihood, health,
community participation, resource use and general attitude towards Vimetco SMHL and
concerns/opinions and expectations of the community in the project area.
1.11. Project Benefits
Apart from the direct financial benefit to the company, an array of other direct and indirect benefits
that the project could have on the mining community and the country at large are outlined below.
Economic Benefits: The capital expenditure over the life of mine was estimated in 2003 at $28.6 million
in nominal terms excluding capital investment by contractors. This was mainly associated with
refurbishment and purchase of new equipment. In 2010 SMHL Vimetco acquired the bauxite mines from
Titanium Resources Group (TRG) with a market capital of $189 million. The injection of this amount of
money in foreign exchange has boosted the economy of Sierra Leone in terms of foreign exchange
earnings. The project is also generating economic benefits to the GOSL in terms of taxes, duties and
royalties as specified in the mining code.
Secondly, the project directly and indirectly is injecting money into the local economy through salaries
to workers and supplies outsourced locally which thereby is increasing the purchasing power of the local
population.
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Job Creation: SMHL is continuing to create permanent employment in its operation for over 700
permanent staff and about 200 for casual workers. Job creation is benefiting people at the local and
national levels going well beyond welfare improvements for employees themselves. This is having a
positive effect throughout the local economy resulting in increased demand for goods and services, and
for business and income improvement.
Roads Infrastructure: Most of these roads built before SMHL operations were totally damaged during
the war. The haulage roads to the Gbonge deposits required major road construction work. The existing
road from Gondama to Nitti harbour was also in a serious state of disrepair as a result of lack of
maintenance during inter-war years. Since operations started, SMHL has reconstructed and resurfaced
all roads in its operational area and is investing in maintenance of local roads with other 17eighbouring
companies in the project area. This is facilitating a speedy movement of goods, agricultural produce and
people within and outside the concession area.
Community Development Initiatives: Since November 2012, the company has been financing
community development initiatives within the purview of SMHL Foundation in the five chiefdoms and in
the following priority areas of interventions:
Continued rehabilitation of major roads and haul roads in the concession area;
Joint venture rehabilitation of other major roads in the Moyamba District;
Construction of Maternity and Child Health Post with facilities at Kanga in the Lower Banta
Chiefdom;
Construction of hand dug wells fitted with pumps in six towns and villages;
Construction of class-room building for a junior secondary school at Badjia Junction in Dasse
Chiefdom;
Provision of building materials to households affected by fire accidents in the community;
Provision of services and supplies to the Serabu Hospital and Mokanji Police Station; and
Offer of scholarships and tuition to students resident in the mining community.
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All the above interventions by SMHL are measures that are expected within the framework of the
Company’s corporate responsibility. Implementation plans are being developed, with initial efforts
scheduled for next five years in terms of quality of life improvements, and long-term social and
economic improvements.
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Section 2 – Project Description
This section gives an overview of the project including mining methods and infrastructure. Details of
SMHL project overview presented here are those obtained during the field survey.
2.1 Project Management and Workforce
The SMHL has a highly skilled and experienced workforce with an organizational management capable
of running the project at management and supervisory levels. It comprises the General Manager,
Department Managers, Supervisory positions, Foreman positions and the General Staff in the form of
administration, maintenance, and support services.
SMHL’s General Manager is based at the mine site, and reports to the CEO and manage the SMHL
operations through a structure of Five (5) Departmental Managers and Five (5) Unit Managers. SMHL
Organizational Structure is presented in Figure 9. The General Manager has the overall responsibility for
SMHL operations and collaborates with the other Departmental Managers, including the Production and
Geology Manager, Technical and Repairs Manager, Procurement and Logistics Manager, Finance and IT
Manager, Human Resource and Administration Manager. The responsibilities of these Departmental
Managers will encompass the whole SMHL operations, thus providing valuable human resources for the
SMHL Manager to utilize.
An effective recruitment methodology and an ongoing training and development programs improve the
quality of the personnel to maintain efficiency and sustainability.
A further reduction of the SMHL workforce by contracting operations with clearly defined boundaries
and measurable production units reflect reduction in operating cost models. The operations that are
wholly or partly contracted are as follows:
10% Transportation of ore mined to the Washing Plant;
10% Transportation of washed bauxite to Nitti; and
Security Service provision.
SMHL Department/Unit personnel numbers classified into expatriates, and SL employees and contract
are summarized in the following table. Beginning February 2012, the mine has operated on three (3)
shifts each on eight (8) hours schedule for a twenty-four (24) hours period. Haulage fleets will be run on
two (2) shifts beginning at 700 am to 2300 pm at night. The remaining third (3rd) shift is schedule for ore
processing, repairs and maintenance only at the plant site.
Vimetco, like any other mining projects in a production stage and with a good human personnel
management record world-wide, operates it’s mine with normal hours of work not less than or more
than 44 hours per week.
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Table 2. Summary of Personnel Distribution
Personnel
Expatriates
SL
Managers
SL
Supervisors
General
Staff
134
5
2
2
125
Technical and Repairs
304
7
2
295
3
Procurement
Logistics
12
2
2
8
4
Financial and IT
1
3
1
5
Human Resources and
25
Administration
2
1
2
20
6
Mechanical Energy
1
1
7
Community Affairs
2
8
No
Departments
1
Production
Geology
2
and
and
5
0
1
1
0
Environmental Health
15
and Safety
1
1
3
9
Quality
Laboratory
1
10
Goods Receipt
1
Total
532
11
Security G4S
166
12
Sub-Total
688
and
33
32
1
17
7
13
485
2.2 Infrastructure and Machinery
The existing facilities and owner assets for SMHL operations include:
Senior staff Camp – 14 double houses and lodging facilities with 7 rooms.
Two administrative buildings, 2 canteens, mechanical workshop area, laboratory, store,
warehouse and a fuel station at the main plant site at Gondama.
Harbour facility with dryer, 9 barges, 4 tug boats, fuel storage tanks and conveyors at Nitti.
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Five power Generating plants.
Tailing storage facilities,
Stockpile facilities (ROM & Washed).
A fleet of vehicles including 30 MAN trucks and 32 Volvo trucks.
A fleet of mining machinery including
excavators, dozers, frontal loader, graders,
compactors and a wide range of support equipments.etc.
Project Access (Land and Sea).
Water resources within/proximity to SMHL lease are abundant. Due to the large quantities of water
required by bauxite wash process, water is sourced at the Taia River and pumped to a 5000 m 3 capacity
reservoir which in turn runs to the plant site by gravity method.
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Fig 1.
SMHL ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Board of Directors
General Manager
Production &
Geology Direction
Geology &
Survey
Drilling
Department
Wash Plant
Section
Mining
Production
Technical &
Repairs Direction
Procurement &
Logistics
Department
Financial
& IT
Departm
ent
H.R. &
Admin.
Departme
nt
Mechanical Energy
Community
Affairs
Technical
Department
Purchasin
g
Transport
Section
Fuel Station
E.H.S.
Department
Store
Quality &
Laboratory
MAN &
Volvo
Repair
Section
CAT Repair
Section
Planning
Production
River
Transport
Department
Roads
Repairs
Drying
Section
Mata Camp
Goods Receipt
Security - G4S
(contractor)
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Page
2.3 Ore Reserves and Exploration Methods
In 2003 the proven and probable bauxite reserves in the lease area were estimated at 12.5 million
metric tonnes with an overall grade of 53.1 percent Al2O3, 50.1 percent available alumina (av. Al2O3)
and SiO2. This reserve estimate has supported the production for the last ten years at an annual
production of 1.2 million metric tonnes. These reserves were established from the systematic drilling
and sampling carried out by Sieromco.
SMHL accepted the estimated resource figures during the course of their due diligence study in late
2009 undertaking by SC BELEVION IMPEX SRL. Based on historical data and those recently generated by
SMHL-Vimetco, a proven and probable reserve of 31 million tonnes of washed bauxite ore, grading 50.1
to 49.1% Al2O3 and 3.0 – 4.0% SiO2 have been reported. This reserve estimate will support production
for approximately 18 years at an annual production rate of 1.7 million metric tonnes. The current
reserves have been estimated from the Gondama Konta, Wunde and Gbonge groups of deposits.
Exploration work programme is in progress (i.e. mapping, drilling and sampling) to verify the tens of
millions of bauxite within or around the beneficiation plant and the Gbonge deposits in order to
establish newer deposits and to increase the current reserve status of SMHL lease. Development drilling
and sampling are also being carried out to support mine planning and eventual mining.
The exploration program involves line cutting, pitting, drilling, sampling and assaying. The entire lease
area was prospected and classified by Sieromco into measured, indicated or inferred resources. Based
on this available information, SMHL has primarily been engaged in validating these reported resources
(Konta, Wunde, Jenega and Gbonge) in generating its current reserve base and the extension of SMHL
mine life. Exploration pitting and drilling are initially done on a wide grid of 160 X 40 meters and then
closed in to 80x40 meter grid spacing for a resource purpose. Drill/pit grids are further reduced to a
40x40 or 40X20 meter grid for the purpose of estimating reserves.
Drilling is done using EVH Explorer 2012 Reverse circulation rig. The rig generates chips of laterite or
bauxite that are cut by drill bits down hole. The drill chips are sent to a sample collecting bin by an air
pressure. The drill chips are sampled and logged in approximately 1m intervals. Each sample is bagged
and labelled for assaying at Gondama Laboratory.
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At mine site laboratory samples are weighed to determine the bulk weight of each sample. Particle size
of samples which are +16mm, are reduced to ensure sample is 100% passing 16mm screen. Samples are
mixed to obtain a homogeneously representative sample and then split into two. One half is stored as
reserve sample and the remaining portion is oven dried at 105oC. Dried sample are crushed and
pulverized to 95% passing 500microns for PIMA and XRF analyses. Using the Portable Infra-red Mineral
Analyzer (PIMA), all the samples were analyzed for Total Alumina, Total Silica and Iron Oxides.
Ore Modeling
Preliminary ore modeling has been undertaken on the few of the deposits using Mine Map, a
resource/reserve modeling and mine planning software program which uses both inverse distance
weighting (IDW) and geostatistics to estimate reserves.
The drill hole data on the deposits are processed to meet the database upload requirements of the
software. Initial investigations on grade are made in terms of Available Alumina (AA), which is defined
as “percent alumina minus percent silica”. Definition of the database and upload of data are done,
followed by extraction of drill hole sections.
The drill holes are colored on the basis of grade. Using cut-offs of 48% AA, mineralized zones on each
section were demarcated, which would subsequently serve as constraints for block grade assignment.
Grade interpolation is done in a regularized block model using inverse distance weighting (IDW)
techniques. Block sizes are 10m by 10m in the y and x directions, and 5m in the z direction. Powers of 2
and 3 respectively were used, to enforce preferential weighting along strike over the cross-strike
direction.
This is done in compliance with the notion that controls on mineralization (primarily
lithological) have a greater influence along the strike of the ore body than across.
2.4 Mining and Ore Beneficiation
SMHL bauxite project at Gondama, southern Sierra Leone is based on auto-generated ‘self-mining’;
however, the project still requires significant level of capital expenditure inflows to procure the required
mining fleet and necessary support equipment. Prior to this time, the project was on contract mining
which became more costly on a unit cost basis and in November 2010, SMHL-Vimetco took over the
mining operation.
The production planning periods include the short-term plan (One Year) and a long-term plan (or more
years). The short-term plan is target oriented and driven more by Alum-Tulcea demand and
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specifications of the washed bauxite product while the long range plan are covered by mining options,
mining sequence, mine development, operating cost estimates and strategic issues related to the overall
improvement of the mining operations.
Fig 2. Wide-Angle View of Administrative Building; Processing Plant; and Environs
The SMHL bauxite mining is an open cast mining which requires no blasting of the ore prior to its
excavation. The overburden is removed by dozers and the ore is freely dug or ripped with dozers (D8,
D9). Prior to mining a deposit, the area is demarcated of its ore limit (Staking-out done by mine
surveyors); the demarcated area is then striped/cleared of vegetation and Topsoil, Overburden
removed, using a D8/D9 CAT bulldozer. The vegetation and Topsoil are stored and the overburden
stockpiled. The rotted vegetation and or Topsoil are stored for subsequent use in land re-forestation and
the overburden for reclamation purposes after depletion.
The exposed ore is then mined and excavated, loaded into 20 -25 tonne class off-highway rear dump
trucks, and transported to the washing plant. Multiple mining faces are developed and mined
simultaneously to achieve required blending. The material processing consist of feeding, crushing,
washing, vibratory-screening, classifying and storing of the bauxite ore to produce an exportable
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material with a grade and reactive silica content that will satisfy costumer/market demands. Process
water for the plant is pumped from the Taia River over a distance of about 1.8 km to an existing water
reservoir of about 5,000 m3 from where the water gravitates to the washing plant.
The washing operation involves the removal of clays, silicate and ferruginous minerals/materials which
enters into the slimes as tails and the hand picking of gangue materials from the conveyor belts. The
aim is to upgrade the alumina content and reduce the silica content from the run of mine feed to a
marketable product.
To yield the 1.7 million tonnes of washed bauxite per year the plant operates at a minimum of 18.3
hours per day and 310 days per year. The maximum production rate depends upon the efficiency of the
mining methods and grade controls, since grades and ore recovery are the principal issues in achieving a
marketable product.
A supplementary new water pump has been installed in the plant to recycle used water in order to
reduce/decrease the quantity of water extracted from the Taia River. In an effort to reduce the amount
of slimes discharged into the tailings pond, the granulometric cut of the finest recovered bauxite in the
plant have been reduced from 2mm to 1mm to increase plant recovery/production and hence reduce
the volume of tails disposed into the ponds and hence the streams/rivers down valley. Figure3
represents a simplified processes flow diagram involved/employed in the recovery of washed bauxite
ore through the beneficiation plant.
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Fig: 3 SMHL Washing Plant Flow Diagram
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2.5 Bauxite Product Shipping
Final bauxite product is transported by road to the marine port at Nitti in haulage units of 30 tonne
capacity. The distance between the Gondama Washing Plant and Nitti is 38 kilometers. At Nitti, the
bauxite is stockpiled in preparation for shipment.
The existing dryer located at Nitti harbour is reported to have a rated drying capacity of 110 mtph. The
moisture content of washing plant bauxite product is expected to be 14-15% without the use of any
dewatering agents or dewatering screens. However, high moisture content bauxite is difficult to handle
due to its ‘stickiness’ and tendency to freeze in extremely cold weather conditions in parts of Europe.
Moisture reduction from 14-15% down to around 10%, will therefore be necessary to improve its
handling characteristics.
During shipment, the bauxite is loaded from the stockpile by front end loaders onto the conveyor and
into the barges of 2,000 tonne capacity. The loaded barges are moved by pushboat down the Sherbro
River to the Atlantic to meet the ore carriers that are specially adapted with mobile lifting cranes fitted
with grabs to load the bauxite into the ship. These ore carriers are generally compartmentalized into
hatches so that they can load more than one type of product in one shipment. The capacities of the ore
carriers that have been loaded from this port vary from 25,000 to 40,000 metric tons.
2.6 Power Generation
SMHL runs three Power Generation each located at Nitti, Gondama and Mata camp where
accommodation and recreation facilities are located 20 km from Gondama and Nitti respectively.
Back-up generators will be stationed at the village and construction camp in case of a power outage in
the distribution grid that will normally supply these sites.
2.7 Water Management
The main sources of water in the mines are from the Taia River and the dams that have been
constructed not far from the mining locations. Process water for the plant is pumped from the Taia River
over a distance of about 1.8 km to an existing water reservoir of about 5,000 m3 from where the water
gravitates to the washing plant naturally. The table below (Table 5) is a survey carried out to measure
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the volumetric flow rate of the Taia River along and across a cross-section of the river, where SMHL
pump station is erected.
The major water uses at SMHL include:
Ore beneficiation;
Dust suppression;
Water use in toilet facilities;
Vehicle wash-down; and
Irrigation at the nursery site.
All these sources meet the demands at SMHL with no recycling methods applied as yet.
Ground water abstraction is negligible even though one hand dug well has been constructed for drinking
purposes.
Consistent wet weather conditions during the first half of the reporting period there was an increase in
the need for dust suppression along haul roads and other surface activities.
Table
3
Volumetric
Analyses
No.
At a given cross - Width
section
(m)
Depth
(m)
Speed of Discharge/Recharge
Rate (m3/h)
River
(m/h)
1
Taia River
Volumetric Flow
rate (Discharge) =
1.2
1000
1,723,200
2
Reservoir Recharge
0.086
Rate
(Pipe)=
4000
342
1436
of
Flow
Rates
of
the
Taia
River
2.8 MINES SECURITY
During the period from January 2003 to December 31, 2007, the mine site was under the protection of
SRL security force on a fulltime basis. In 2008, the G4S security service providers took over that
responsibility on January 1, 2008. All SRL personnel with good records were absorbed into the new G4S
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security force. Suitable applicants were recruited and trained to fill the remaining vacant positions and
provide protection for all SMHL mine facilities.
The current G4S security force consists of 168 guards comprising 2 expatriate managers, 3 senior
supervisors, 15 junior supervisors, 12 master guards and 136 general security guards. The G4S and the
Sierra Leone Police Force (SLPF) establish a dual-purpose force comprising a Security Protection Force
(i.e. SLPF) who are armed to provide defensive capability in and around the mine facilities and a Security
Guard Force (G4S) to protect company assets against theft.
Over the past years, the SMHL mining areas have been incident free and the main focus of the security
force has been loss prevention. The SMHL Security Force has an excellent relationship with local
community leaders and local government authorities.
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Section Three - Policy, Legal and Instituitional Framework
3.1 National Legislations
Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991
For the purpose of mining activities, the Constitution makes provision for the protection of the rights of
individuals to private property, and also sets principles under which citizens may be deprived of their
property in the public interest as described in Section 21. It also makes provision for the prompt
payment of adequate compensation and access to the court or other impartial and independent
authority for the determination of the land owner’s interest or right, and the amount of any
compensation to which he/she is entitled and for the purpose of obtaining prompt payment of that
compensation.
Relevance to the Project: SMHL project is a central development activity that makes use of the human
and biophysical environment. As such, an EMP and crop compensation procedures are implemented to
address these issues.
The National Environmental Policy: 1990
The National Environmental Policy (NEP) was approved by cabinet since 1990 and was subsequently
revised in 1994 (GOSL, 1994). The policy objectives are to:
Secure for all Sierra Leoneans a quality of environment adequate for their health and well-being;
Conserve and use the environment and natural resources for the benefit of present and future
generation; restore, maintain and enhance the ecosystems and ecological processes essential
for the functioning of the biosphere; to preserve biological diversity, and uphold the principle of
optimum sustainable yield in the use of living natural resources and ecosystems;
Raise public awareness and promote understanding of the essential linkages between the
environment and development and to encourage individual participation in environmental
improvement efforts.
Relevance to the Project: This ESIA was carried out to fulfil the obligatory requirements of the NEP since
mining is likely to have significant impacts on the environment.
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The Mines and Minerals Act, 2009
This has been established to
consolidate and amend the law on mines and minerals;
to promote local and foreign investment in the mining sector by introducing new and improved
provisions for exploration, mine development and marketing of minerals and mineral secondary
processing for the benefit of the people of Sierra Leone;
to ensure that management of the minerals sector is transparent and accountable in
accordance with international best practice;
to promote improved employment practices in the mining sector;
to improve the welfare of communities adversely affected by mining;
To address mining leases and license’s requirements;
to introduce measures to reduce the harmful effects of mining activities on the environment
and;
to provide for other related matters.
The Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972
The Wildlife Conservation Act of 1972 was enacted to help regulate the utilization and protection of
wildlife resources. However, the bill is characterized by inadequate capacity for implementation and
enforcement and insufficient and unsustainable sources of funding. The bill is also outdated and merits
review and update to reflect current trends in wildlife protection.
Factories Act 1974
The Factories Act of 1974 addresses workers health and safety issues associated with factories. Portions
of the construction activities fall within the definition of a factory based on the following conditions:
Part II section 3(v)-“any premises in which mechanical power is used in connection with the
making or repair of articles of metal or wood incidental to any business carried on by way of
trade or for purposes of gain”.
The Factories Act also includes machines safety, safe working conditions, sanitary amenities, periodic
inspections, factory registration, and guidelines for reporting injuries, accidents and industrial diseases.
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Relevance to the Project: SMHL Environmental Health and Safety Plans have been designed to conform
to the provisions of this Act. All persons employed by SMHL are required to undergo medical
examinations to ascertain their fitness and also to maintain their health and safety at the workplace.
Forestry Act: 1988
The mining of bauxite involves the clearing of the natural vegetation or forest within its operational
area.
Section 18 of this Act stipulates that: The Chiefdom Council of any chiefdom may conclude an
agreement with the Chief Conservator of forests providing for the constitution as a community forest of
any land within the chiefdom, subject to the approval of the District Officer for the District in which the
land is situated.
Every Agreement under this section shall:
Describe the area included in the forest by reference to geographical features, markers, coordinates and measurements and indicate the same on a map of suitable scale, which shall be
annexed to the agreement.
Describe the forest resources and potential of the area.
Indicate the purpose of the forest, such as supply of fuel, building poles, production of
commercial timber, protection of soil and water supplies.
Contain a detailed inventory of any rights that will be suppressed upon the constitution of the
forest and provide for adequate compensation for such rights; either in money or through the
allocation or equivalent rights in other land within the chiefdom.
Contain a list of existing rights that will be confirmed by the agreement.
Be valid for such period not exceeding 99 years as is reasonable in view of the purpose for which
the forest is to be constituted.
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Relevance to the project:
SMHL’s commitment to the Factories’ Act is detailed below in the Convention Concerning the Protection of
Workers against Occupational Hazards in the Working Environment due to Air Pollution, Noise, and Vibration (ILO
No. 148).
The National Minerals Agency Act 2012
The National Minerals Agency Act is established to:
Promote the development of the minerals sector by effectively and efficiently managing the
administration and regulation of mineral rights and minerals trading in Sierra Leone.
To undertake geological surveys;
To establish a National Minerals Agency Board that will provide technical and other support to
the agency.
Environmental Protection Agency Act, 2008 and Environmental Protection Agency
(Amendment)
Act, 2010
This Act established the Sierra Leone Environmental Protection Agency (SLEPA), to provide for the
effective protection of the environment and for other related matters. It mandates the EPA among
others to:
Advise the minister on the formulation of policies on all aspects of the environment.
Issue environmental permits and pollution abatement notices for controlling the volume, types,
constituents and effects of waste discharges, emissions, deposits or other sources of pollutants
of substances which are hazardous and dangerous to the quality of the environment.
Prescribe standards and guidelines relating to ambient air, water and soil quality, air pollution,
water, land and other forms of environmental pollution including the discharge of waste and
the control of toxic substances.
Ensure compliance with any environmental impact assessment procedures laid down in the
planning and execution of development projects.
Impose and collect environmental protection levies in accordance with this Act or regulations
made under this Act.
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Section 24 of the Act lists project activities requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment license which
include mining.
Sections 25 and 26 describe factors for determining whether a project requires an environmental
impact assessment and the contents of the environmental impact assessment respectively.
The Act describes the procedures to be followed to obtain permits for both existing and proposed
undertakings through the conduct of environmental impact assessments.
The Environmental Protection Agency (Amendment) Act, 2010 gave executive powers to the Board.
Relevance to the Project: Land, water, forest and air resources are major components of the natural
environment. Bauxite mining operations at all stages are impacting on these resources.Extractive uses of
these resources are guided by the various programmes, plans, regulations under the EPA/SL. Adherence
to the relevant legal provision is a requirement in the entire course of SMHL operations.
Local Government Act, 2004
The Act establishes the Local Council (LC) as the highest political authority in the locality and confers
legislative and executive powers to be exercised in accordance with this Act. This Act in its First Schedule
under Section 2 establishes the localities, namely: districts, towns and cities. Part II of this schedule also
establishes the number of Paramount Chiefs in each LC. The Third Schedule establishes the functions
devolved to the LCs. The Fourth and Fifth Schedules establish departments under each LC, and a
Valuation List and Rate Books respectively.
Relevance to the Project: Public consultation and community involvement constitute a core element of
SMHL operations. The implementation of the Community Development Action Plan is done in
collaboration with the local council.
National Lands Policy, 2005
As provided in the Constitution, the 2005 National Land Policy makes provision for the compulsory
acquisition of land in the public interest. The principles of the land policy include among others:
The principle of land as a common national or communal property resource held in trust for the
people and which must be used in the long term interest of the people of Sierra Leone.
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Compensation to be paid for lands acquired through compulsory government acquisition will be
fair and adequate and will be determined, among other things, through negotiations that take
into consideration government investment in the area.
Local Authorities (City and District Councils) may negotiate for land for project development
purposes, but all such grants should be properly documented and processed.
No interest in or right over any land belonging to an individual or family can be disposed of
without consultation with the owner or occupier of the land.
No interest in or right over any land belonging to an individual or family can be compulsorily acquired
without payment, in reasonable time, of fair and adequate compensation.
Relevance to the project: During mining, large land areas are acquired for exploration, excavation and
removal of bauxite deposits. SMHL management will therefore be required to ensure proper
reclamation work.
3.2 International Regulatory Framework
Sierra Leone is signatory to many regulatory framework relevant to mining. Below is a summary of the
key conventions, treaties and protocols.
United Nations Convention on Biodiversity
Sierra Leone became signatory to this Convention in 1994. This is one of the tools that translate the
Principles of Agenda 21 also known as the Rio Summit. Parties to this convention affirm their right over
their biological resources making sure that these resources are used in a sustainable manner.
The relevance of the CBD stems from the fact that mining activities result to:
Loss of habitat and fragmentation and the resultant development of waste rock dumps;
Pollution of habitats and water supplies and the creation solid waste such as tailings;
Green House gas emission resulting from the use of heavy duty machinery.
If adequate mitigation measure measures are not undertaken biodiversity in the project area could be
threatened or lost.
Relevance to the Project: As much as possible SMHL operations will involve implementation of
mitigation measures for biodiversity conservation. Sierra Minerals Holdings Ltd. will develop a strategic
response to biodiversity conservation and management to enable it to meet the wide range of
expectations of all stakeholders with interests in the company and its activities.
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In the area of biodiversity conservation, SMHL will develop partnership with leading international
organizations and institutions through local institutions and NGOs who will provide a conservation
perspective on the challenges and opportunities raised by mining operations. An outline of strategic
biodiversity issues will be carried out with a concept note setting out a case for biodiversity conservation
and management. Key elements of the strategic thrust will be developed to help SMHL improve on its
biodiversity performance through:
Identification of major threats, challenges and opportunities to the conservation and
management of biodiversity in the mining area;
Identification and development of partnership for biodiversity conservation;
Identification of cross cutting issues addressed by other community organizations; and
Development of small projects on biodiversity conservation.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)
As a signatory to this convention in 1995, Sierra Leone gathers and share information on greenhouse gas
emissions. The mining of bauxite requires enormous use of fossil fuel in the heavy equipment with
negative implications for the production of harmful emissions. Further, Aluminum is produced by the
electrolysis of alumina. Carbon dioxide is produced by the chemical reaction of oxygen in the carbon
lined steel pots in which alumina is produced. In this process, the perflouronated carbon compound
(PFC), tetraflouramethane (CF4) and hexaflouroethane C2F6) are the powerful greenhouse gases
generated.
Relevance to the Project: An Environmental Monitoring Plan for air pollution has been prepared to
address air emission in the mining operations. In the area of climate change, SMHL will work with the
(IMMC) and other companies to increase energy efficiency across its production processes in the
following ways:
Identification of climate related risks and opportunities and development of responses that will
be implemented and monitored using the existing Environmental Management Systems;
Long-term modeling of likely changes in temperature and rainfall that could pose a hazard to
SMHL’s operations;
Assessment of climate change impacts for both the operations and affected communities;
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Ensuring that SMHL’s operations will withstand increased frequency and magnitude of extreme
weather events;
Joint venturing with nearby SRL to invest in biodiesel production and other agricultural
production as alternative energy resources; and
Assess other risks that do not have an immediate risk but will harm mining operations in other
ways.
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat:
(Ramsar
Convention).
The objectives of the Ramsar Convention are to ensure the wise use of wetlands through stemming the
progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, while recognizing their
fundamental ecological functions, and economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar) signed by Sierra Leone on 13 December 1999, became
effective on 13 April 2000. Signatory countries to the Ramsar Convention agree to:
Include conservation of wetlands in land use planning throughout the country, including
the promotion of ‘wise use’ of wetlands;
Establish nature reserves within wetland areas;
Promote training in the fields of research, management; and
Consult with other signatory countries about implementation of the convention
especially in areas of shared wetlands, shared water systems, and shared species.
As a party of the Ramsar Convention, Sierra Leone has designated two coastal wetlands as Ramsar Sites,
which are managed under Ramsar regulations.
Based on current information, no Ramsar-specific issues are associated with SMHL mining activities.
Convention Concerning the Protection of Workers against Occupational Hazards in the
Working Environment due to Air Pollution, Noise, and Vibration (ILO No. 148).
Sierra Leone became signatory to this convention in 1961. Participating parties may accept the
obligations of this convention separately in respect of air pollution, noise, and vibration. Measures
instituted to occupational hazards associated with these impacts, shall be prescribed by national laws
and regulations as outlined in the Factories Act of 1974.
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Relevance to the Project
The Management of SMHL recognises that the safety and security of its employees and the communities
in which it operates are an integral part of its operations. It sets up an environment in which people
believe it is possible to work injury free, regardless of what role they perform. This is based on the
following guiding principles and policy:
It makes sure that all injuries are preventable. As such, any work that cannot be done safely
should not be done;
It ensures that training is provided for all employees so that people will work in a safe and
responsible manner;
It ensures that its health and safety performances comply with relevant legislation and exceed
community expectations; and
Avoid the unnecessary use of any hazardous chemicals. Promote awareness with regard to the
storage of all hazardous chemicals and substances throughout the business. Ensure adequate
steps to protect both human health and the environment where the use of such chemicals or
substances is unavoidable.
As part of its Environmental Management Plan, an Occupational Health & Safety Plan is prepared with
the following objectives:
Define and communicate the principles, practices and expectations of Health & Safety
objectives, SMHL project;
Set out how the project is designed to manage and reduce risks associated with both routine
activities and unplanned events;
Define the criteria against which Health & Safety performance will be judged;
Describe areas of Health & Safety responsibilities for the SMHL Project team, including
Contractors;
Describe the Occupational Health & Safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that will
ensure that Health & Safety activities are organised, managed and reported in a systematic and
consistent manner;
Describe the development of the safety cases and safety plans;
Ensure that the Project provides inherently safe and secure facilities;
Address the process of ongoing assessment and continuous improvement of health and safety
performance;
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To provide education and training for staff at SMHL’s operations in health and safety issues;
The plan is applicable to all SMHL project related activities including camp and port facilities and
contractors. In all cases, Contractors will be required to submit their safety management plans to SMHL
for review and approval for use if is of a higher standard or exceed those provided by the Contractors.
Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)
The Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) requirements went into effect
in Sierra Leone on 16 January 1995. CITES is a convention that provides for the elimination and/or
reduction in the trade of certain species, including endangered species. CITES provides a list of species
that are required for protection against trade. Species listed in CITES are also those for which trade is
strictly prohibited except in exceptional circumstances. The majority of the species listed in CITES are
also listed as endangered or threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources (IUCN). CITES also includes species that are not necessarily threatened but for which
trade must be controlled to avoid the species becoming threatened or endangered. While a number of
species exist in the project area, there are no specific issues related to them.
African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
This convention was signed by Sierra Leone in 1968.The African Union (AU) took into force the
protection of the natural environment. The main goals of the convention were to draw up a document
that enhanced environmental protection fostered the conservation and sustainable use of natural
resources, and brought together and coordinated policies in these fields. The states are to recognize the
importance of the natural environment, and create laws and regulations that protect it.
World Health Organization (WHO 1999)
World Health Organization (WHO 1999) has established Noise Level Guidelines for various Land Uses.
For residential dwellings or areas used for human habitation, WHO recommends that sound levels be no
higher than 50-55 dB for 16-hours of exposure during daytime hours and 45 dB for 8-hours of exposure
at night. WHO also recommends that persons should never be exposed to a maximum sound level
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(Lmax) greater than 110 dB or a peak sound pressure level (instantaneous, not fast Lmax) greater than
140 dB for adults and 120 dB for children.
Relevance to the Project
An Environmental Monitoring Plan has been prepared specifically designed and implemented
for collecting data on ambient air, water quality, noise level including release of pollutants of
major concern and weather.
The Equator Principles (2003)
This is a set of guidelines signed by ten Banks from seven countries for assessing and managing
environmental and social risk in project financing. The EPs, is based on the International Finance
Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards on social and environmental sustainability and the World Bank
Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines (EHS Guidelines). They are intended to serve as a
baseline and framework for implementation by each adopting institution on its own social and
environmental policies, principles and practices to its project financing activities.
The banks are pledging to apply this framework to all projects with a capital cost above US$ 50 million,
in all industries globally, and commit ‘not to provide loans directly to projects where the borrower will
not or is unable to comply with [the banks’] environmental and social policies and processes’.
In a first step, banks will categorize a project in one of three groups, A, B, or C, (group A comprises the
more risky projects) following the environmental and social screening criteria of the International
Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group.
For all group A and B projects, sponsors are requested to carry out an Environmental Assessment (EA) in
line with the IFC Safeguard Policies, and World Bank and IFC Pollution Prevention and Abatement
Guidelines. For all group A projects and certain group B projects the sponsor will also prepare and
implement an Environmental Management Plan (EMP), consult with various stakeholders, and report on
the implementation of the EMP.
A number of quality controls are envisaged: compulsory independent expert reviews of EAs and EMPs
for group A projects; and independent expert review of compliance when judged necessary.
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SMHL Response to these Policy Issues of the EQUATOR PRINCIPLES
Policy Issue 1.
The Banks categorize this project as a class A project and thus requires an Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment.
Response
This document presents the ESHIA for Vimetco smhl to obtain a EPA-SL license of compliance to operate
and manage its business.
It contains an assessment of all aspects to ensure that they are
environmentally sound taking into consideration the following:
Evaluates a project’s potential impacts in both the area of impacts and its surroundings.
Evaluates project alternatives, mitigation measures and environmental management plans.
Examines project alternatives, identifies ways of improving project selection
Proposes implementation by preventing, minimizing, mitigating, or compensating for adverse
environmental impacts and enhancing positive impacts; includes mitigating and managing
adverse environmental impacts throughout the implementation of the project.
Policy Issue 2
The borrower consults project-affected groups, a comprehensive program of stakeholder and local nongovernmental organizations about the project's environmental aspects and takes their views into
account.
Response
Public Consultation will be undertaken involving all stake holders to outline the mitigating, monitoring
and other measures require to prevent or minimize adverse effects and to enhance the project’s
beneficial effects. The report is summarily presented as part of this document.
Policy Issue 3
That an EMP be undertaken to bring the project into compliance with applicable national and
international environmental requirements and the Banks with a view to outlining the mitigating,
monitoring and institutional measures required to prevent, minimize, mitigate for negative impacts.
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Response
An Environmental Management Plan has been undertaken and the report is presented under separate
cover. The report is summarily presented as part of this document.
Policy Issue 4
Land acquisitions for mining are also likely to cause social disruption and economic loss for communities.
As such, it is important that disturbance and loss to the affected communities due to the project are
minimized through proper planning from a very early stage of the project.
Response
A base line socio economic survey is part of the scoping study to identify the degree of impact of the
project on the affected communities and explore the possibility of minimizing these adverse impacts. No
resettlement is envisaged in the existing project. Should there be any possible resettlement, a
Resettlement Plan for the affected people will be prepared and implemented. In addition, extensive
measures are currently taken to avoid displacement of people or other resettlement impacts.
The Equator Principles are aligned with the requirements of the International Finance Corporation (IFC),
which has established a set of Performance Standards that govern environmental considerations of
project financing. The IFC‟s Performance Standards have therefore been used as the yardstick against
which to measure compliance with the Equator Principles. A summary of the IFC Safeguard Policies is
presented below.
WORLD BANK/INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION: SAFEGUARD POLICIES and GUIDELINES.
The following IFC/World Bank Operational Policies (OP) and guidelines are relevant to the SMHL Project.
The World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and World Health Organization (WHO)
Standards World Bank projects must address effects of the project on biodiversity. Biodiversity
is defined at three levels (ecosystem, species, and genetic) and is often interpreted as a measure
of biological complexity and variation within Project areas. Although there is little specific
regulatory guidance on methods of assessing and monitoring biodiversity, the concept is widely
interpreted, especially internationally, as a measure of ecosystem integrity and stability.
Key principles defined within both set of guidelines are as follows:
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Physical and economic dislocation should be avoided or minimized as much as possible.
Unavoidable displacement should involve the preparation and implementation of a
Resettlement Action Plan, which demonstrates how international best practices have been/will
be met and defines a detailed approach and work plan to guide implementation, handover, and
monitoring and evaluation.
Resettlement should be viewed as a sustainable development program designed to improve the
quality of life of those affected.
Legal standing is not synonymous with eligibility: even those people with no recognizable legal
right or claim to the land they are occupying should be considered eligible for resettlement
assistance.
Resettlement should be a consultative and participatory process: affected people should be
consulted thoroughly, participate in the definition of resettlement policies and procedures, and
in the end choose for themselves from among acceptable and clearly defined alternatives.
OP 4.30 – Involuntary Resettlement: International best practice for private sector-related
resettlement is commonly defined by the June 1990 World Bank Operational Directive 4.30. This
Operational Directive is applied around the world by private investors to govern involuntary
resettlement associated with natural resource and infrastructure development. The Directive
sets the benchmark against which such projects are gauged by international financial
institutions, both private and multi-lateral. Operational Directive 4.30 is internationally
acknowledged as one of the most comprehensive and efficient set of international standards
with respect to the protection of the rights of affected people.
The key principles of this policy are:
Physical and economic dislocation should be avoided or minimized where feasible;
Unavoidable displacement should involve the preparation and implementation of a
resettlement plan. All involuntary resettlement should be conceived and executed as
development programs, with resettlers provided with sufficient investment resources and
opportunities to share in project benefits;
Displaced persons should be (i) compensated for their losses at full replacement cost prior to
the actual move; (ii) assisted with the move and supported during the transition period in the
resettlement site; and (iii) assisted in their efforts to improve their former living standards,
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income earning capacity, and production levels, or at least to restore them. Particular attention
should be paid to the needs of the poorest groups to be resettled;
Community participation in planning and implementing resettlement should be encouraged.
Appropriate patterns of social organization should be established, and existing social and
cultural institutions of resettlers and their hosts should be supported and used to the greatest
extent possible;
Resettlers should be integrated socially and economically into host communities so that adverse
impacts on host communities are minimized; and Introduction 1 - 28
Land, housing, infrastructure, and other compensation should be provided to the adversely
affected population. The absence of legal title to land should not be a bar to compensation.
OP 4.01 – Environmental Assessment: All projects proposed for IFC financing require an
Environmental Assessment (EA) to ensure that they are environmentally and socially
sustainable. Instruments used to perform the EA may include an environmental impact
assessment, an environmental audit, a hazard or risk assessment, and an environmental action
plan. All IFC projects must be categorized. This policy also sets forth the minimum requirements
for public consultation and public disclosure for projects.
OP 4.04 – Natural Habitats: This policy affirms IFC’s commitment to promote and support
natural habitat conservation and improved land use, and the protection, maintenance, and
rehabilitation of natural habitats and their functions in its project financing. IFC does not
support projects that involve significant conversion or degradation of critical natural habitats.
OP 4.09 – Pest Management: This policy outlines IFC’s support of the use of biological or
environmental control methods instead of pesticides where there is a need for pest
management. Criteria for the use of pesticides, when required, are described.
OP 4.11 - Safeguarding Cultural Property: International best practices with respect to
safeguarding cultural property in IFC-financed projects includes sites having archaeological
(prehistoric), paleontological, historical, religious, and unique natural values. Operational Policy
(OP) 4.11 specifies that the general policy of the World Bank is to assist in preserving cultural
properties and to seek to avoid their elimination.
OP 4.37 – Safety of Dams (September 1999 draft): IFC requires that dams be designed and
constructed by experienced and competent professionals. For dams that are over 15 meters
high; and dams between 10 and 15 meters that present special design complexities, IFC requires
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reviews by a panel of independent experts, preparation of detailed plans, and periodic safety
inspections.
The policy covers mine tailing dams as well as water storage dams.
OPH 11.03 – Management of Cultural Property: IFC projects must comply with World Bank’s
OPH 11.03, Cultural Property, as appropriate in a private sector context.
1995 – Open Pit Mining/Milling: The open pit mining and milling guidelines describe
requirements for tailing disposal, liquid effluent discharge, and air pollution control (including
workplace air quality compliance). In addition, other general requirements are included for
erosion and sediment control, development of a mine reclamation plan, sewage sludge and solid
waste disposal management, workplace noise, confined space, hazardous material handling and
storage, sanitation, worker safety, employee training, and record-keeping and reporting.
1995 – World Bank Environment, Health and Safety Guidelines: These guidelines for mining
and milling at open pit mines include information for tailings disposal, liquid effluents, ambient
and workplace air quality, erosion and sediment control, mine reclamation, sewage sludge
disposal, solid waste disposal, workplace noise, work in confined spaces, hazardous material
handling and storage, general health and safety, training, and record keeping and reporting.
1998 – Disclosure Policy: IFC is open about its activities and welcomes input from affected
communities, interested members of the public, and business partners and will seek out
opportunities to explain its work to the widest possible audience. This policy was developed in
recognition of the importance of accountability and transparency in the development process.
1998 – General Environmental Guidelines: For financed projects in which no other specific
environmental guidelines have been developed, general environmental guidelines may be used.
These guidelines emphasize pollution prevention, and are intended to minimize resource consumption,
including energy use, and to eliminate or reduce pollutants at the source. General Environmental
Guidelines include requirements for air emissions, liquid effluents, hazardous chemicals and wastes,
solid wastes, and ambient noise.
1999 – Child Forced Labor Statement: IFC will not support projects that use forced or harmful
child labor. Forced labor, as defined in the policy statement, consists of all work or service, not
voluntarily performed, that is exacted from an individual under threat of force or penalty.
Harmful child labor consists of employment of children that is economically exploitive, or is
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likely to be hazardous to, or interfere with, the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s
health, or physical, mental, spiritual, moral, or social development.
2001 – Hazardous Materials Management Guidelines: Requirements of this guideline include
screening to determine characteristics and threshold quantities for hazardous materials,
development of a Hazardous Materials Management Program, and community involvement
and awareness.
2003 – IFC Environmental Guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety: This guideline covers
general aspects of occupational health and safety and would be supplemented, as needed, with
the appropriate national or international standards. Under this guideline, an Occupational
Health and Safety Management Systems are required. Such a system would require provisions
for ensuring an organizational framework to support the occupational health and safety
program, a hazard prevention program, performance monitoring, and evaluation.
3.3 Institutional Framework
Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources: The management of all mineral resources in Sierra Leone
is within the purview of the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources (MMR) headed by a Minister. The
Ministry has two divisions, Mines and Geological Surveys, both headed by Directors. The administrative
wing of the ministry is headed by a Permanent Secretary. The main responsibility of this Ministry is to
develop policies and programmes for the systematic and economic exploitation of the nation’s mineral
resources and to formulate regulations for the mining industry and related activities to ensure that the
nation derives maximum benefit from the mineral resources. The specific responsibilities include:
Formulation of policies for mines and minerals;
Mining negotiations;
Granting of concessions
Mining and minerals exploration
Geological surveys;
Control of explosives for mining;
Inspection of mining machinery and mine sites;
Establishing relations with international mining and geological organizations and
agencies; and
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Collaboration with relevant national and international organizations.
The National Minerals Agency: This is a new semi-autonomous government agency that is
established by an Act of Parliament (National Minerals Agency Act 2012). It is responsible for the
administration and regulation of the minerals sector. While the MMMR takes full responsibility of policy
implementation, the NMA handles the responsibility of policy implementation. It works closely with
other government agencies with the responsibilities in the mineral sector to support them in
implementing those policy areas from which they are responsible and impact upon the mineral sector. It
is also empowered to hire professionals and reward them according to their performance. The agency is
overseen by a Board of Directors, which helps to remove it from day-day politics.
Environment Protection Agency: This is the agency responsible for the monitoring and enforcing all
environmental regulations in Sierra Leone. Details of the roles and responsibilities are outlined in the
EPA Act presented above.
Other Institutions and line Ministries responsible for environmental management issues in Sierra Leone
include:
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security: To increase agricultural productivity, output,
rural income and employment while ensuring adequate protection of the environment.
Ministry of Lands, Housing, Country Planning and the Environment: Conserves and manages the
natural environment of the country; b. to address the issues of land acquisition, ownership and use.
Ministry of Transport and Communications: Addresses the issues related to transport and
communications. This ministry is involved in land degradation and the introduction of pollutants in the
natural environment, and as such mitigation measures are set for the ministry to implement in the
amelioration of pollution.
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development: Provides support to the MMMR to manage
certain development funds, monitor the reclamation of mined out areas and coordinate the Diamond
Area Community Development Fund (DACDF).
Ministry of Tourism and Culture: To protect the country’s heritage including monuments, cultural and
historical sites. The development of tourism often leads to infrastructural activities that deter sound
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environmental management. This ministry is therefore charged with the responsibility of environmental
management in the Tourist industry.
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Section 4 – Analyses of Alternatives
Analyses of alternatives constitute part of this ESIA. The purpose is to improve on project design,
construction and operation decision making based on feasible project alternatives (IFC, 2006). It will
provide the basis for identifying optimal project alternatives that are consistent with the goals of the
mining company, funding organization, the government, the mining community and the policy and
regulatory framework established for the mining industry.
Project alternatives that were considered for SMHL project include:
No Action alternative;
Alternative for location of staff accommodation;
Bauxite processing location;
Mine closure.
No Action Alternative
The adoption of the no-action alternative would mean that the project would remain in its current
condition with no mine-related development activity by SMHL. This scenario would mean that the
Environmental Management Plan and the community Development Action Plan that are prepared would
not be implemented. As such, the anticipated project benefits such as employment, foreign exchange
earnings, infrastructure development and community development initiatives would not improve in the
concession area and the country as a whole. This will result in the continuation of in migration into the
area and the resultant poor state of local economy, infrastructure and other public services.
The negative effect would also be seen in the physical environment where in the Taia River and its
tributaries will be continuously impacted by discharge of effluents thereby reducing the surface water
quality of the basin.
Location of staff Accommodation
The first plant site for bauxite mining including all mining activities was first around the Mokanji area.
Following the depletion of the Mokanji deposits in 1982, Sieromco relocated its operations to Gondama
(approximately 26 km south-east of Mokanji) and resumed mining in the Banta Mokelleh Chiefdom.
Sieromco mined the Gondama deposits and has since continued operations there.
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The two styles of accommodation provided for SMHL staff are located 20 – 40 miles away from the plant
site where most of the mining activities take place. The mining activities at the site do not require total
off-site accommodation especially for supervision work during the second and third shifts. The option
therefore is the relocation or expansion of both junior and senior staff accommodation closer to the
mine site. Proximity to the mine site would lead to the following benefits:
Reduction in travel time to work;
Increased work supervision at all times;
Proximity to the only Medical Hospital in the mining area;
Decrease in the running cost of vehicles;
Extension of overtime work for certain staff categories;
Increase in the opportunity for the expansion of the Gbonge deposits and future expansion of
shipping facility closer to the four bauxite deposits.
Ore Processing Plant
The original ore processing plant for the bauxite mine was located at Mokanji. The plant was abandoned
when mining relocated to the Gondama area in 1982. The existing processing plant is in a closer
proximity to the five major deposits and is located within a valley thereby reducing noise level that
impact on the surrounding village communities. For operational considerations, the tailings storage
facility was located as close as possible to the plant site to reduce cost of transportation of the slurry.
The potential for the existing facility to near its storage capacity is high considering mine life of SMHL
operations around the five deposits. Consideration should be given for an alternative storage facility in
the near future.
Two alternative methods for the disposal of the tailings generated at the site are proposed: a. Disposal
and storage of existing slurries in a min pit and reuse of the existing infrastructure; b. Construction of a
new facility within the same area close to the washing plant.
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Tailings Disposal and Storage
This option will involve a construction of a mine pit into a tailings storage contained by perimeter
embankments. The slurries would be deposited in the pit as mining continues. Filling would continue for
less than a year and after a decanting period, revegetation would start followed by a full reclamation
work based on the mine reclamation plan.
With perimeter fencing, the area would be secured with no additional impacts.
The major disadvantages of this alternative would be related to short term mine plan as this operation
will concurrently go on with other mining operations.
Construction of a new storage facility
This option would require concurrent construction work and mining operations with little obstruction.
Construction work would however be more expensive as materials such as sand and gravel would have
to be transported from a distance outside the mining area. Also, the extent of land disturbance would
expect to be greater.
Preferred alternative for the two options would be controlled by key factors including costs, time of
construction, and availability of equipments, weather conditions and the expected life of the mine
operations.
Mine Reclamation and closure alternatives
Mine reclamation and closure activities at SMHL operations are implemented to establish a beneficial
post-mining land use, in the case of this project it will consist primarily of agricultural lands. The key
activities will include re-grading disturbed areas to provide topographic relief that blends with the
surrounding areas. Some of the structural measures that will be put in place will include diversions,
backfilling and the construction of grass waterways. On the Gbonge Hills for example, cut and fills are
part of the extraction and reclamation activities.
This option is requires millions of dollars in earth moving activities, and it cannot be considered as the
best option for the open pits. Backfilling of these pits with tailings slurries would be another feasible
option considering the life of the existing tailings facilities at the plant site.
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Section Five – Environmental Baseline Conditions
This section presents the existing baseline conditions within the vicinity of the SMHL mine footprint
against which the predicted impacts of the projects are analysed. It is divided into two main sections:
Biophysical environment and socio-economic environment.
5.1 Biophysical Environment
5.1.1 Topography and Landforms
The topography of the project area is in the interior plains of the African continental mass approximately
80 to 100 km. wide. The elevation rises from the coast to the interior ranges between 50 and 300m
above sea level. Conspicuous topographic features include: a. residual hills, b. High and low river
Terraces, c .Lateritic Uplands, d. Undulating hills, e. Bottomlands and f. Inland Valley Swamps.
Residual Hills: The two residuals hills which are formed in a ridge like manner are the Mokanji and
Gbonge Hills. The Mokanji Hills which trends in a south-west direction has nearly flat summits with
elevations ranging from 45 to 100 meters. The colluvial foot-slopes occurring on the right hand of the
ridge were excessively mined out by former Sieromco. The Gbonge hills trends in a north-northwest
direction with outcrops on top of the ridge. The hills rise The hills rise above 152 meters above sea level
running from Senjehun on the Sewa river through Gbonge to Kangahun covering a distance of 64 km.
Terraces: These cover a significant portion of the mined out area especially between Mosenesie and
Gondama. They are generally related to the Taia River and its tributaries. They are relatively younger
than the uplands and become more pronounced as the river flows south.
Laterites: Laterites occur in various forms and are mostly hard, brown, porous with hydrated ferric
oxides and alumina and little silica. At higher elevations, they occur as crust of weathered rock masses
and at lower elevations they occur as duricrust.
Undulating Hills: Theses are toposequences that are nearly level with concave slopes near the
bottomlands. The bottomlands have shallow residual soils that develop from the weathering of bedrock
of the colluvial foot slopes.
Inland Valley Swamps: Inland valley swamps are found in the bottomlands and are characterized by
alluvial soils that are silty and poorly drained. They often tend to be narrow, long and flanked by
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concave slopes on each side. Very often, there are small streams that are not deeply incised and dry up
in the dry season. The width of these swamps varies between 20 and 80 metres and the length of the
individual segments are usually between 3 and 5 km. Because of their low gradient and dense
vegetation, the swamp has a very low rate of discharge.
5.1.2 Climate and Weather
The climatic conditions like many areas in Sierra Leone are warm and hot, with marked rainy season and
dry season. The weather cycle is as follows: Harmattan, Dry but humid, Disturbance line squalls, Steady
rains, Disturbance line squalls, Dry but humid and Harmattan.
The harmattan period occurs from late December to late January. Usually after the middle of January,
the rainless and dry harmattan is replaced by a dry but humid period, which extends to the end of
March. This is caused by a retreat of the harmattan air masses to the north and penetration of humid
air from the Atlantic Ocean. The winds come mainly from the west. Often, heavy dew and fog occurs
during the night and early mornings.
From March to the end of June, showers become more frequent, usually accompanied by
thunderstorms. The storms travel east to west against the general wind direction. These disturbance
line storms are usually preceded by a squall of easterly wind; they increase in intensity and frequency to
the end of June. During this period, the weather is very changeable with high humidity. July, August,
and into September are periods of heavy and usually persistent rains. A pause of dry weather conditions
occurs in the rainy season during August with clear and humid weather.
Ninety percent of this rain falls during the rainy season from May to November, leaving the other five
months with no more than 250mm of rainfall. Rainfall data obtained from a nearby station
representative of the project area is presented in Table 8. The relative humidity ranges between 95 to
100 and the mean monthly temperature is almost constant varying from 25oC in August to 28oC in
March. The mean daily maximum temperature is at its lowest in August and highest in March. The
mean daily minimum is at its lowest in January and at its highest in May. A summary of the weather
conditions that are experienced in the project area is presented in Table 3.
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Table 4.
Year
Summary of Rainfall Data: SMHL Concession Area.
Total
Annual
Rainfall
Max Rainfall/Year
Min Rainfall/Year
Mean
Standard
deviation
2001
104.71
20.9
0
8.73
6.33
2002
103.16
24.51
0.28
8.6
6.17
2003
128.22
32.02
0
10.69
9.71
2004
96.65
22.99
0.18
8.05
5.4
2005
107.93
25.45
0
8.99
6.74
2006
104.49
26.53
0
8.73
6.36
2007
125.7
33.23
0
10.48
9.16
2008
108.31
24.05
0
8.33
5.79
2009
87.2
28.53
0
7.27
4.41
2010
120.72
26.26
0.08
10.06
8.44
2011
98.6
22.7
0
8.22
5.63
2012
18.3
11.59
0.02
1.53
2.34
Source: Sierra Rutile Environmental Monitoring Report.
51.3 Drainage and Hydrology
The Jong/Taia River constitutes the major drainage system in the project area. The Jong River drains
from the Sula Mountains and Kangari Hills in the north central of Sierra Leone. The main tributaries
include: Tikote, Kapui, Kwiva, Kati, Kpeyei, and Kwasi. They all flow in a southerly direction in a series of
zig-zag and meanders that reflect the lines of structural weaknesses. In nearly all cases, the drainage
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basins do not follow the Crestline of the two ridges but are imprinted on lower ground on the inland
side of the ridges. Some of these basins have developed into inland valley swamps in their head and
middle waters.
TABLE 5 Weather Cycle
Weather
Period/Duration
1. Harmattan
Late
December
Characteristics
to
late
January
2. Dry Humid
Mid January to mid March
-
Low relative humidity
-
Increased wind strength
-
Dustry haze
-
High aftermoon temperature
-
High evaporation
-
Heavy dew and fog at night and early
mornings
3.Disturbance Line squalls
4. Steady rains
5. Line squalls
March – end of June
July – September
-
Humid air from the ocean
-
Thunder storms & showers
-
Line squalls of easterly winds
-
High humidity
-
High Intensity rains
-
High humidity
-
Low Temperatures
-
Long duration rains
-
Monsoonal
-
From Mano Dasse to Mattru, the river flows southerly in a series of meanders crossing the MokanjiGbonge ridge in a steep sided valley. At Wubange, it meanders south and it is joined by the Tikote river
draining east from Gbangbama Hills; then by the Kwiva, which drains southwest from a flatland area
around Serabu and crosses the Gbonge ridge in a deep valley at Badui.
The Kapui rises in a dissected plain northeast of the Mokanji Hills. It crosses the hills in a deep straight
valley from Taninahun to Monghere, to receive the Kati, Kpeye and Kwesi tributaries in a wide flatland
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and finally crosses at Yebeima in a series of incised meanders which continue westward to the Gbonge
confluence. The Yebei and Gbendeye rise from a flat ground close to the head of the Kwesi from where
they flow southwesterly across the strike ridge line at Gbangbatoke and Gbanbama respectively.
Some of these drainage patterns have developed into numerous inland valley swamps in their head and
middle waters. The swamps tend to be long and narrow and are generally flanked by convex slopes.
Actual widths of these swamps vary considerably, but the average is about 60m wide while the lengths
of individual segments are usually between 3 and 5km. Many of the swamps dry up entirely in the dry
season and those with low gradients become flooded in the wet season with a low rate of discharge.
The Taia river discharge has a mean flow rate of 668 m3sec in the rainy season with maximum rates
between 1000-1500 m3sec in August and September. During the dry season, the mean discharge falls to
89 m3sec but because of occasional storms there is generally an appreciable amount of water flow.
Runoff is moderate with a mean of 89mm and 15mm in the wet and dry season respectively (Jayakaran,
1987). Like many other areas in the country, there is an annual excess of precipitation over
Evapotranspiration demand. This lends itself to an analysis of a simple water budget accounting that will
provide an opportunity to monitor the water status in the project area throughout the year. Further, it
will provide numerical estimates of the amount of water surplus or water deficit and the periods of their
duration that will be used to monitor changes in the groundwater status area.
The hydrology follows the seasonal rainfall pattern as the flow of the rivers is influenced by the inflow
from their catchments. Annual peak flow, which is about 700m3/sec usually, occurs in August and
September. The flow starts to decrease in October when the rainfall is less and decreases to as low as
about 5m3/sec in April (ESCG, 1988).
During the rainy season there is an excess of precipitation over the reference Evapotranspiration that
cannot be stored as soil water and therefore roughly represents that amount of rainfall input that
becomes available for groundwater storage and runoff. The difference between annual precipitation
and water lost in deep percolation and or surface runoff (EP) is also of interest, since it represents the
actual use of water under local conditions imposed by the environment.
5.1.4 Geology
The geological formations (Precambrian age) found in the SMHL lease have a general NNW –SSE strike
and dipping in a West-South-West direction. Bauxite mineralization in the SMHL exploration license area
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is a result of tropical weathering of alumina-rich facies rocks of the Kasila belt, which formed the
Mokanji, Gondama and Gbonge deposits. The bauxite in the project area is derived mainly from
anorthosites (Mokanji type with 53-56% Al203), leuco-gabbro (Gondama standard type with 52-54%
Al203), norite (Gondama 47-49% Al203) and hornblende/hypersthene gneisses (Mokanji West type with
45-48% Al203). These deposits do not form a continous ore body but rather, a chain of deposits with
topographically controlled breaks in echelon to one another (Mackenzie, 1961).
The petrology of the hypersthenes gneisses indicates a typical texture of the fresh rock and bauxite
laterites. Pale hard gibbsite material represents the plagioclase matrix, while red brown spongy spots
rich in limonite represents the hypersthenes (ibid). The bauxite is fine-grained, generally friable and
shows very little resistance to shock. The Gbonge anorthosite splits into two bands, probably becoming
discontinuous, irregular with highly deformed lenses. The anorthosite comprises alternances of layers
with almost pure plagioclase and layers rich in hypersthene. Quartzite with or without garnet and/or
magnetite occurrences are visible on both sides of the anorthosite belts.
Gabbros and leuco-gabbro occur mainly in the Gondama and Gbonge areas as massive and largely
undeveloped bodies with several elongated bands. The bands are highly deformed and have foliations.
Norites are more abundant than originally reported and bauxite derived from this type of rock is
massive, with low alumina and low silica. A long band of gabbros, leuco-gabbro and norite is also visible
in the western part of the project area, (Wunde IVA, IVB).
Texturally, the Mokanji depositse is fine-grained, generally friable and shows very little resistance to
shock. The Gondama deposits made up of anorthosite splits into two bands, probably discontinuous,
forming irregular and highly deformed lenses. The anorthosite comprises alternating layers of pure
plagioclase and hypersthene. Quartzite with or without garnet and/or magnetite occurrences are visible
on both sides of the anorthosite belts.
Gabbros and leuco-gabbro occur mainly in the Gondama and Gbonge areas as massive and largely
undeveloped bodies with several elongated bands. The bands are highly deformed and have foliations.
Norites are more abundant than originally reported and bauxite derived from this type of rock is
massive, with low alumina and low silica.
A long band of gabbros, leuco-gabbro and norite is visible in the Western part of the project area
(Wunde IVA, IVB).
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Gneiss bodies with hypersthene and hornblende generally surround the gabbros and anorthosite.
Structurally, the project area has a relatively simple tectonics generally comprising two fault systems
that are visible in southern portion around Konta and Gbonge. The first fault system has a NNW – SSE
orientation, delineating in the South the leuco-gabbro and norite formations (rich in bauxite) from
Gbonge Hills. The second fault system has WNW – ESE, developed between the Gbonge bauxite deposits
and Konta bauxite deposits. Generally, the bauxite deposits tend to have an iron-rich cap and pass down
to silicious bauxite.
5.1.5 Surface and Groundwater
Detailed surface and groundwater studies previously prepared and those in past ESHIA reports provide
the baseline information that facilitated the preparation of this impact assessment report. Tables 10 and
Table 11 present a summary of the analytical results obtained for the two periods.
Results for the 2003 study indicate that pH for the selected sampling sites ranged from 4.6 to 6.4. These
values are well below the WHO permissible limits. Electrical Conductivity results are within the threshold
limit recommended by WHO for potable water. Faecal Coliform bacteria were found in 60percent of the
samples while non-faecal coliforms were present in all the water samples. As such, drinking water from
the contaminated sample points was a health risk. Nine out of the 15 samples had dissolved iron far in
excess of WHO limits while manganese ions were below the 0.1mg/1 concentration. Concentrations of
nitrate/nitrogen in all samples were also below the threshold limit and all other chemical ions were
either zero or very minimal and within the permissible limits recommended by WHO.
The 2012 study indicate that Temperature of all the water samples measured was found to range from
26.1oC to 25.2oC with a mean value of 25.570C. These values are within the permissible limits for good
drinking water.
Water turbidity found to be above the WHO limits were at the following sources:
Tailings out flow – 25-9 NTU
Meseki (enfluent) – 10.2 NTU
Makepi Village Taia river – 12.6 NTU
Tailings pond No. 5 – 5.2 NTU
The Conductivity values for all sample points were far below the tasted threshold. These values ranged
from 16.10 -224µ/cm. with the largest variability for Mokepi well. Generally, the TDS for all locations
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was low with a higher content in the Mokepi well. Aluminum ranged from 0.0 to 0.2mg/l all the sources
are above the WHO limits, with the exception of Wunde (0.14mg/l).
According to WHO Limits. All the sources are above the WHO limits, except for Motuowo (0.05mg/l).
Iron concentration above WHO limits were found in the following points: Maseki (Elfluent, 0.44mg/l)
Mokepi (0.49mg/l Taia River). All the water points proved positive for E Coli with Moseki effluent and
Mokepi Hand dug well too numerous to count (TNTC).
All but three of the water sampling points proved positive for Faecal Coliform with the highest
compliance recorded for Mokepi well. Moseki effluent and Mokepi Taia River recorded the lowest
compliance. The measured physico-chemical parameters happen to be within WHO maximum
permissible levels, which implies that both the ground and surface water quality are not all that
polluted. The high content of TDS mostly as the discharge suggests that wastes are being added to the
Tailings dam from the washing plant. The Mokepi River shows high bacteria count indicating that the
river is receiving organic pollutant from the nearby villages.
The heavy metal contents Fe, indicates some potential threat to aquatic life, as they are above WHO
permissible limits. However, to sustain the ecological status of the Taia River, waste management
practice of waste re-use through the use of the dams should be encouraged.
5.1.6 Soils and Land Use Capability
The soils that occur in the project area are mainly derived from the metamorphic rocks of the Kasila
Group and on a minor scale from the igneous rock of the interior plains. The controlling soil forming
processes include:
Weathering of primary minerals to form toxic horizons.
Leaching of soluble substances and the subsequent formation of secondary minerals.
Plinthization and segregation of iron and subsequent formation of hardened plinthite, duricrust
and laterite.
Accumulation of surface soils to form epipedons (Odell et al, 1974).
As a result of the high rainfall and temperature, the silicate structures are broken with the resultant
release of silica, aluminum, iron and bases. Hardened laterites, plinthites and duricrust form mostly on
the uplands, though plinthite is often present in the poorly drained hydromorphic soils of the
bottomlands.
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On the colluvial foot-slopes are soils that are generally shallow to moderately deep, very gravelly loams
to clays. On the hill-crests are residual soils that are well drained. Further down slope, the soils become
moderately shallow to moderately deep, gravelly and well drained.
Land capability evaluation was undertaken for this assessment to enhance the matching of crop
requirements in the reclamation processes using both the physical characteristics of the land and
climatic factors. Representative of typical soils of the land facets were evaluated for their agricultural
capability to produce various crops, using the following land attributes or qualities: Rooting space(r),
Soil fertility (f), Availability of moisture (n), Availability of oxygen (o), and resistance to erosion (e). The
FAO survey and land evaluation used in this report define 4 major landforms or facets within the lease
area which were grouped under land system 21 here in known as the Makondu land system
(UNDP/FAO, 1979).
Land quality was interpreted from the measurement of land factors taken in the field as follows:
Measurement of effective soil depth (d) as a land factor defined rooting space (r) as a land
quality.
Measurement of nutrient status (n) , salinity ( c), and soil reaction ( a) defined Soil Fertility (f), as
a land quality.
Measurement of available water capacity ( x) and Climate type (z) both defined Availability of
moisture as a land quality as a land quality
Measurement of drainage (w), flooding (fl) and permeability ( p) as land factors defined
availability of oxygen( o) as a land quality
Measurement of slope steepness (s) and surface stones and rocks (y) both defined resistance to
erosion (e) as a land quality.
Eight crops were selected for the pre-mining evaluation scenario based on the potential for Agricultural
Land use. Table 6 shows the number of crops for which land suitability was systematically evaluated for
all the 4 land facets in the study area:
The suitability classes defined within the FAO land system are as follows:
S1: High to Moderate: land with no or moderate to slight limitations for the sustained cultivation of a
given crop. Relatively high yield and a good return on investment can be expected.
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S2:
low: Land with moderately to severe limitations for the sustained cultivation of a given crop.
Adequate yields and a moderate return on investment can be expected.
S3: Very low: land with very severe limitations for the sustained cultivation of a given crop. Very low
yields and only a marginal return on investment can be expected.
N: Nil, i.e. land having limitations which appears as severe as to preclude any possibility of successful
sustained use of a given crop.
(Subscripts such as e, r, f, and m indicate the soil limitations that should be addressed by proper
management for the sustained economic production of a crop at suitability classes of S2 and S3).
Location of Sampling Points and Rationale for Selection.
In order to evaluate land capability in the mining lease area, 3 auger borings were made in swamps, and
2 pits were dug at locations indicated on map 3. The rationale for choosing this sampling point was to
assess the effectiveness of the reclamation process on land quality.
Site 2: The top –soil or overburden pile at the pile site of the on-going excavation at Gbonge hills. The
rationale for choosing this sampling point was to evaluate the process of top soil management and its
effects on soil fertility while piled up and waiting re-use for reclamation.
Site 3: An undisturbed coffee plantation with steep slope (24% slopes) in Jojohun. The rationale for
choosing this sampling point was to provide a reference soil for the steep upland soils of facet 3 by
which reclaimed land that were once on similar slopes before mining could be compared in terms of
their agricultural capability.
Site 4: Swamps in close proximity to the mine sites at Gbonge. The rationale for choosing this
sampling point was to assess whether the process of sedimentation ( predicted in the 2003 ESHIA
report for the resumption of mining by Vimetco by the Aqua Terra Consulting Firm) by runoff water
flowing downhill from ore excavation sites is active ( during the rainy season) and affecting soil fertility
and crop production in any way.
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Map 3 Sampling Locations SMHL Project Area.
Site 1: A reclaimed upland site at Gondama.
Site 5: A swamp site unaffected by mining activity was selected to provide a reference soil morphology
by which swamps affected (if found) by mining activity may be compared and significant variations (if
any) assessed for their implication on soil fertility.
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At each location the following soil factors were estimated as follows:
Nutrient status: darkness/blackness of colour, thickness of A or black horizon, root
density and crop performance.
Erosion hazard: presence and size of gullies, exposed crop/plant roots, slope percent,
and stoniness and Percent land cover.
Thickness of the true soil: (A, E and B horizons) in auger borings, gully or soil.
Analysis of the results: Results for the 5 sampling points indicated the following:
Land unaffected by mining activities in land facets 3 and 4 (see soil profile descriptions below), continue
to exhibit similar land capability rating for agricultural use as determined prior to mining. This was
evident in the morphology of the soils on the upland and low lands: The soils unaffected by mining were
dark in colour (10YR 2/1, black, moist), thick in their A or surface horizons and had high density of roots
from both crops and forest species. There was also 100% vegetative cover and absence of gullies on the
uplands and sedimentation in lowland at the foot of its slope. Crop performance (e.g. Coffee on the
upland and paddy rice in the swamps) was also very high. The current land uses on these soils appear to
support productive, sustainable and environmentally sound.
Typical soil profile in land
facet 3
Soil profile description of a typical soil in
land facet 3, land system 21
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District: Bonthe Chiefdom: Kpanda- Kemoh Village: Jojohun : GPS location: 29207896E, 0846012N
Parent Material: Landscape position: backslope: Slope: 25% Vegetation: Coffee Plantation under
secondary bush
Land use: Cash crop production. Land system : 21 Facet: 3
Date : 21st October,2012
Pit Location: Coffee under Secondary forest
Horizon
Description
A(0-10cm)
Very dark Brown (10YR 2/2. Moist); silty loam; strong sub-angular blocky; slightly sticky;
slightly plastic;
Common course to very fine roots; diffuse boundary to horizon below.
E(10-30cm)
Very dark greyish brown ( 10 YR 3/2, moist); gravelly silty loam; slightly sticky, slightly
plastic, common coarse
To fine roots; diffuse boundary to horizon below.
Bx (30-
Yellowish brown (10 YR 5/4, moist); Very gravelly silty loam; weak, fine sub angular
40cm)
blocky; slightly plastic,
slightly sticky
Typical soil profile in land
facet 4
Soil profile description of typical soil in land
facet 4, land system 21
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District: Bonthe Chiefdom: Kpanda - Kemoh Village: Jojohun:
GPS location: 28N 0822397
0852458 Parent Material: colluvium
Landscape position: Footslope Slope: 0-3 degrees
Vegetation: Grasses.
Land use: Rice and vegetable production
Date : 21st November, 2012
Location of Monolith: Virgin IVS representing original state of soil before mining
Horizon
Description
A(0-
Black( 10YR 2/1, moist); Silty clay; weak, fine sub-angular blocky; very friable,
10cm)
slightly sticky; common, Coarse to very fine roots; abrupt boundary to horizon below
Bx (10-
Dark Yellowish Brown( 10YR 4/6, moist), very gravelly coarse silty loam; massive structure;
20cm)
friable,
slightly sticky; few fine to very fine roots; abrupt boundary to water table
1. The top–soil overburden was lighter in colour (see soil colour below: value and chroma of 4/5) ,
with little to zero land cover and absence of structural aggregates compared to the reference
soils in 1 above. The process of overburden management as reported by the mining and
environmental staff of Vimetco seemed to promote soil nutrient loss through volatilization,
leaching , sheet or rill erosion, little or no addition of organic matter through composting ,
mulching or the planting and incorporation of leguminous cover crops. Since the reclamation
process is delayed until after ore excavation has been completed for a mining site, the
overburden is exposed to destructive climatic agents for as long as the excavation period lasted
which, in some cases went on for over 3-4 years. The team of consultants in Aqua Terra
consulting (2003), indicated in their ESIA report that there was need to “stabilize the soil
material” in order to prevent “severe erosion and landslide”. Evidence of low quality top soil
may be seen in the low tree crop cover and deep gullies that characterize almost all reclaimed
sites. Soil fertility (f) as a land capability quality for tree crops and annual crops is further
degraded by these processes reducing the agricultural capability of the reclaimed lands to as low
as S3 or N.
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Non -use of cleared vegetation in composting- tree trunks,
twigs, branches and leaves are buried or abandoned
A sharp deterioration in top soil colour of the original soil from a
dark organic Value and chroma of 2/1 to a light value and
chroma of 4/5 of exposed heaps of overburden on the Gbonge
hills piled some 40 meters from the ore excavation zone.
2. Soils in swamps at the foot slopes (Land facet 4) of active mining hills are at a high risk of being
buried by sediments from runoff during the rainy season. In their ESIA report on the impact of
mining operations on Topography and Soils in the Vimetco concession area, the team of
consultants in Aqua Terra consulting (2003) explained how “erosion and sedimentation “can
release “large quantities of sediments” with “surface sludge moving down slope”. Nine years
following this prediction, heavy sedimentation was evident on swamp soils proximal to the
Gbonge mining site. This was regarded an environmental flashpoint that should not be allowed
to expand into community swamps as it has the potential to reduce the agricultural capability of
the soils form S1 for paddy rice to as low as S3 or even N due to low fertility (f). Fertility decline
can be caused by the burial or mixing of the organically rich and dark A or surface horizons with
low nutrient inert materials from exposed soil parent materials or “not-soil” from the mining
hills.
The following summarizes the evaluation of soils on the land facets assessed within the mining area:
Land that was unaffected by the mining operations of Vimetco maintained their agricultural
capability class in which they were originally classified.
Poor topsoil management appears to have reduced the agricultural capability of the reclaimed
lands to as low as S3 or N, making tree crop establishment largely unsuccessful.
Sedimentation in some parts of the lowland appears to reduce the agricultural capability of the
soils form S1 for paddy rice to as low as S3 or even N. This negative impact should be addressed
through appropriated cost effective mitigates.
Based on pre mining crop suitability, the following conclusions are made:
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That the colluvial soils of the plains were rated as having the highest crop suitability of S1 for
the cashew cash crop.
That the soils of the Foot slope and Swamps were rated as having the highest crop suitability of
S1 for paddy rice.
The Cashew crop was the most suitable /adaptable for growing on all upland facets compared to
other tree crops evaluated.
Soils at the top of isolated hills were rated as unsuitable (N) for all the arable crops evaluated
and rated as very low (S3) for growing tree crops. Erosion was cited as the most limiting factor
to producing crops on the soils of this land facet.
Soils on the steep side slopes show suitability ranging from S1 to S3 for all tree and arable crops,
except rice.
Four soil/land limitations to agricultural productivity, e, r, f, and m denoting, erosional hazard,
low soil volume for adequate root space, soil fertility and moisture availability, were identified
for soils in the lease area. These are the soil characteristics that need to be maintained or
improved for the land capability rating of the soils to increase. They can therefore serve as
indicators for monitoring mining impact on soil/land agricultural productivity.
The limitation of erosion attributed to the upland poses a potential risk to sedimentation in the
low lands.
The above baselines on land capability of soils within the Vimetco concession area may now be used
to compare evaluate and predict mining impacts on soil productivity.
Table 6 Land Suitability of soils on 4 landform types under rain fed agriculture in the mining area.
Landforms ( facets)
Land suitability class ( S1, S2, S3, N)
within Land system
21
Tree crops and cassava
Cashew
Cassa
Annual crops
Citrus
Coconut
Coffee
maize
g/nut
Paddy rice
S3e
N
N
N
N
N
va
Thin soils on hill tops ( S3e
S3e
land facet1)
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Moderately deep
S1
S2r
S3f
S3r
S3m
S2
S3r
N
S1
S2r
S3f
S2r
S3r
S2
S3
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
S1
Colluvial soils on
Plains( land facet 2)
Thin soils on steep
backslope ( land
facet3)
Swamps/drainage (
land facet 4)
Source: Adapted from UNDP/FAO (1979)
Legend
S1= highly to moderate suitability
e= erosion hazard
m= moisture availability
S2= low suitability
r= rooting space
S3= Very low suitability
f= Soil fertility N= Nil
5.1.7 Terrestrial Biological Environment
Flora
Four main terrestrial biological units are found in the concession area: High moist Fragmented Forest,
Forest Re-growth, Upland Grasslands and swamps. The high moist fragmented forest is further divided
in to three units: the Moist Evergreen forest, Moist Semi- deciduous forests and Secondary or Forest
Regrowth.
Moist High Fragmented Forest: The moist evergreen is fragmented mostly found in clusters in the
lowlands, along streams and river courses. Around settlements are also found moist evergreen (rain)
forest interspersed with tree crops. But in the last few years, these have been drastically reduced as a
result of timber exploitation for war rehabilitation works. The original dominant tree species mainly
used as timber include: the mahogany Khaya anthotheca*,Entandrophragma utile*, E. angolensi*, E.
cylindricum’ Tetracarpidium conophorum, African cedar – Afzelia africana, African oak - Oldfieldia
africana*, Terminalia ivorensis, T. superba, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Daniellia thurifera,
Klainedoxa gabonensis, Brachystegia leonensis, Albizia ferruginea, Parkia biolor, Xylia evansii,
Ricinodendron heudelotii, Hannoa klaineana, Erythrophleum ivorense, Irvingia gabonensis*,
Mimusops heckelii, Cathormion altissimum, Amphimas pterocarpoides, Cynometra leonensis,
Tieghemella heckelii*, Heritiera utilis, Lophira procera, Sacoglottis gabonensis*, Triplochiton
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scleroxylon* and Parinari excelsa. Non-timber tree species include: Musanga cecrotodes, carapa
procera and myranthus arboresus.
Moist Semi-deciduous Forest: The moist semi-deciduous forest has similar characteristics to the
moist evergreen (rain) forest, but with a higher proportion of deciduous forest trees existing. They
are concentrated in the Gbonge Hills area south west of the concession area and relatively closer to
the coast. Before mining activities started, these forests found on hill tops were used mainly for
logging and farming activities. The original dominant tree species that existed here include:
Terminalia ivorensis, T. superb, Parkia bicolour, chlorophora regioa, Parinari excels,
Erythrophleum ivorense and many other evergreen species listed above.
Secondary forests are the dense forests found in clusters representing the last stages of succession into
mature forest after a long period of fallow. Their existence is due to their far away occurrences from
settlements and former sites of villages that are now of extinction. Common tree species found here
include: Musanga cecrotodes, carapa procera and myranthus arboresus. Typical timber species of
younger ages could be found including the Terminalia ivorensis, T. superb and Erythrophleum ivorense.
Forest Regrowth (Farm Bush): Forest Re-growth is commonly known as farm bush that is derived from
either of the above vegetation as a result of bush fallow cultivation. These farm bushes are found
scattered throughout the area and are of varying ages ranging between five to twelve years. One to two
years of fallow represents the early stages of regrowth consisting of very low shrubs, grasses and
remnants of the previous root crops. Typical species include: Lantana Camara, Cissus afzelli,
Manniophytum fulvum, Abrus precatorius, Smilax krausina and bovini. As the fallows tend to develop
further, pioneer forest species succeed the farm bushes and thickets if that area is no longer used for
farming for a period of time. Typical species include: Dicrostachys glomerata, Harungana
madagascariesis, Nauclea latifola, Alchorinear cordifolia and Trema guieenses and Elaesis guineensis.
Older fallows often have common tree species such as Anisophyllea laurina and Alchornaa cordofolia.
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Upland Grasslands: Upland grasslands are found mainly in mined out areas that have not been
revegetated and farm bushes that have been excessively been farmed and colonized by grassy
vegetation due to poor and shallow soils and frequent burning in the dry season. Common grass
species include: Andropogon gabonensis, Chasmodium Caudatum and Hyparrhenia rufa.
Chasmodium caudatum is a valuable grazing grass that does not widely occur but gradually been
replaced by Imperata Cylindrica and Pennisetum species.
In the mined out areas are exotic and indigenous flora in the process of regeneration. Common among
these are the fast growing Acacia leptocarpa and Paspalum plicatulum that were once used for
rehabilitation by SIEROMCO Mines. The advantage of using these exotic trees is their ability to fix
nitrogen in their nodules and their fire tolerant properties.
Inland Valley Swamps and Other Aquatic Vegetation: These are aquatic types of vegetation that
occur in seasonally or perennially flooded valley bottoms. They are drained by sluggish fresh water
streams that drain into the main rivers. Typical aquatic species include the raphia palm characterized by
stilt roots and buttresses, mitragyna stipulosa and aquatic grasses and other water tolerant species
which creep as undergrowth.
In addition to inland valley swamps are other wetlands encountered in the mining area. These are either
artificially constructed or partially destroyed as a result of mining activities. They are either ponds that
are in use or abandoned containing biodiversity with minor threats from damming and contamination.
Gallery forest: Gallery forest is found along the margins of the Taia River and other major streams,
consisting of a dense canopy of trees.
Gallery forest tends to be scanty along the main streams and minor rivers partly due to removal of
vegetation along the river margins to make way for farming activities.
5.1.8 Threats to Vegetation
Because of the current threat of deforestation on Sierra Leone’s biological resources, studies have been
carried out on over a thousand under-exploited economic plants (Cole & Macfoy, 1992; Turay; 1997;).
Five main categories of uses have been mentioned with over 40% of these as medicinal, 21% as food
and cash crops, 20% as timber trees and cottage industries and 15% as ornamentals used in horticulture.
This list has been compiled and reproduced in Annex Table A-2.
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Fauna
The mine site is located in an area that has been previously surveyed and reported in other studies
(I.M.C. Mackay & Schnellman 1995; Knight Piesold Consulting 2003; Aqua Terra Consulting 2003). Many
of the large birds and mammals are not present in large numbers due to human induced impacts. No
detailed field studies were undertaken but reference was made to these previous studies with list of
fauna species used during field survey for confirmation by local residents on the past and current
presence of all species. This list was further used to determine the conservation status in terms of the
following IUCN status:
EX (Extinct): No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
EW (Extinct in the wild): Known only to survive in captivity or as naturalized populations well outside its
previous range.
CR (Critically Endangered): The species is eminent risk of extinction in the wild.
EN (Endangered): The species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
VU (Vulnerable): The species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
NT (Near Threatened): The species does not meet any of the criteria that would categorize it as risking
extinction but it is likely to do so in the future.
LC (Least Concern): There are no current identifiable risks to the species.
DD (Data Deficient): There is inadequate information to make assessment of the risks to this species.
Some species were assessed using an earlier set of criteria. The Species assessed using this system have
the following instead of Near Threatened and Least Concern categories:
Table 7 Species Conservation Status
LR/cd
Lower Risk/conservation
Species which were the focus of
dependent
conservation programmes and
may have moved into a higher
risk category if that programme
was discontinued
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LR/nt
Lower Risk/
Species which are close to being
classified as Vulnerable but are
near threatened
not the subject of conservation
programmes.
LR/lc
Lower Risk/
Species for which there are no
identifiable risks.
least concern
Notes:
The taxonomy and naming of the individual species is based on those used in existing Wikipedia
articles as of 21 May 2007 and supplemented by the common names.
The Convention of International Trade in endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The following is a summary of the description of the fauna that exist in the concession area as
categorized above.
Primates: A total of 9 primates are said to have existed and recorded in and around the mining area.
Four of these are listed as Endangered and Lower risk concern. They include:, Olive and Green monkey,
the western Baboon, Olive Baboon, the Gorrila, Chimpazee, Colobus monkey, Black and white monkey
and the Patas. The widespread of vegetation removal due to mining and farming makes it difficult for
most of these species to be visible. The widespread trade in bush meat and the hunting of animals to be
used as pets are also responsible for the gradual dwindling of these primates.
Rodents: Rodents make up by far the largest order of mammals. Depending on the type of habitats, they
can live in large numbers, and are smaller in sizes though often weighing up to 25kg. The most popular
of these include: the ground squirrel, the flying squirrel, cane rats and mouse of different order and
genus. They are more widely distributed in young farm bushes and grassy vegetation. The scaly tailed
squirrel is found around old and abandoned settlements and very thick and moist shrubs.
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Ungulates: Ungulates are even-toed animals such as antelopes whose weight is borne about equally by
the third and fourth toes. They are of great economic value to humans all over the world. They are
preferred game species with very high prices in the mining towns and villages. Eight of these are
commonly found existing in the area. These include duikers of the common duiker, maxwell’s duiker,
yellow-backed duiker, bongo, royal duiker, black duiker and the bushbuck and Jetinks duiker. Their
status has been affected by the extensive alteration of the natural habitat combined with hunting and
trapping. Most of the mining area has been severely overhunted and the antelope population is critically
low.
Lagamorphs (Hares & Rabbits): The two families that exist include: hare/rabbits and Pikas that
resemble rodents but classed as super-families and thus classed under separate order. They have four in
scissors and an upper jaw instead of two. Common are the Lepus microtis and hares.
Hedge Hogs/Shrews and Moles: These are recognized by their spines though they look like rats. The
most common is the four-toed hedgehog. The African Pygmy hedge hog for example, is a nocturnal
animal that begins foraging from dusk to dawn. It has a lifespan of about two to three years in the wild.
Shrews are insectivorous mammals that seldom resemble mice and moles and are stout bodied
burrowers. Common among these are the tiny musk shrew and the mouse-tailed shrew.
Amphibians/Bats/Reptiles: No threatened amphibians are recorded in the area. They are mostly found
to exist in the mine area in the narrow corridors of the Taia river and other main streams, open
woodlands and swamps. Common among these include: the Buffalo toad, banana frog, lime red frog,
mottled squeaker, long-tailed running frog and the river frog.
Bats are animals whose forelimbs are developed as wings making them the only mammals capable of
flying. Common among them are fruit bats, Light-winged Lesser House Bat, Gland-tailed Free-tailed Bat,
Little Free-tailed Bat, Sierra Leone Free-tailed Bat, and the Dwarf Free-tailed Bat. Some of these bats are
identified as a source of protein for the local residents.
Throughout the area are numerous reptiles ranging from lizards to snakes. The common agama (Gecko)
that is red headed is the most common lizard. It can be found climbing rocks and walls preying on
insects. The dwarf African crocodile is said to be common in the Taia river banks. It is very slow,
nocturnal and digs out burrows to hide and rest in the day. Very numerous snakes are found to exist in
the area. They range in size from small snakes like the red spitting cobra to the King cobra. Other
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common snakes include the green and yellow mamba, the adder, viper, yellow bellied house snake and
the python. A list of these venomous snakes is produced in the Annex Table A.
Birds: Of the 626 birds recorded in Sierra Leone, 23 are said to be of global concern, 12 are globally
threatened. Moreover, 437 of this total are recorded to be residents in Sierra Leone and 137 are regular
visitors. Ten sites are established as important Bird Area (IBA) of which 3 are unprotected. There is a
high degree of endemism, but relatively few are threatened. Subsistence hunting of large birds and
game birds has led to a general decline in bird populations. The mining area does not fall within any of
the above categories. However there exist many bird species that are characteristic of the coastal and
interior plain area of south west of the country.
5.2 Socio-economic Environment
5.2.1 Demography
The population of Moyamba District using the last 2004 census figure is 260,910. The total density is
estimated to be 60 persons per square km. This is almost the average figure for the mining population
that concentrates along the main roads in towns like Mokanji, Moriba Town, Mogwemo and
Gbangbatoke. The population is unevenly dispersed among the chiefdoms within the mining
community. As expected, there is a greater concentration of population in villages around mining sites
and chiefdom headquarters. The civil conflict ten years ago and its adverse impacts on all types of
economic activities have certainly caused the population to migrate from some chiefdom.
Another common feature of the population is its youthfulness with over 40% aged less than 15 years.
There is a relative shift in the age pattern of fertility with an earlier onset of reproduction, and an earlier
peak of fertility, and a high ratio of performance in the younger ages for the entire project area. The
reasons that seem to account for these include:
the relatively low status of women in the communities;
the relatively younger population;
earlier onset of child bearing, especially through teenage pregnancies;
high dropout rates from schools which give younger women little alternatives than to start their
families; and
relative absence of family planning methods.
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Table 8 Demographic Profile of Communities in the Zone of Influence.
District
Chiefdoms
Total population
Male
Female
Moyamba
Bumpeh
32,363
15,172
17,191
Moyamba
Dasse
10,879
5,082
5,797
Moyamba
Lower Banta
25,954
12,369
13,585
Moyamba
Upper Banta
8,219
4,087
4,132
Bonthe
Kpanga Kemoh
7,661
3,688
3,973
Source : 2004 National Population Census
Public Health is within the purview of the Peripheral Health Unit (PHU) of the Ministry of Health and
Sanitation. It is the delivery point for primary health care with three main categories. The Community
Health Centre (CHC) found in almost all chiefdom headquarters carries out health prevention measures,
cures, promotes health activities. It is also in charge of overseeing the other PHUs in the area. All of the
five chiefdoms have at least one community Health Centre. Community Health Posts perform similar
functions to CHCs but have fewer facilities and often refer patients to health centres. Maternal and Child
Health Posts (MCHP) are the first level of contact on the ground and are found in most villages in all
chiefdoms. All these health units refer difficult cases and emergencies to Serabu Hospital, which is the
general hospital with medical, surgical, laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic and treatment
services.
Maternal health has remained poor. Although accurate statistics for the chiefdoms as a whole are not
available, it is estimated that the maternal mortality ratio high. Contributory factors are cultural
practices such as gender power imbalances, the low level of education among girls, and poor access to
skilled birth attendance.
One recent innovation in the public health sector is the introduction of “Free Health Care Medical
Insurance” that was launched in 2010. It is a system of free health care for pregnant and breast feeding
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women and children under five funded by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA),
The World Bank and the Department for International Development (DFID).
Malaria is the main reason why outpatients consult in local health centers. It is responsible for about 30
percent of all hospital attendances and is listed first in the top ten causes of mortality in all age groups
under the age of 16 years. People are however willing to use bed nets which can be treated with
permethrin to control mosquitoes.
Children under five are predisposed to outbreaks of immunizable diseases such as measles, tetanus and
whooping cough since there is both low immunization coverage and poor mother-child health
monitoring in the area. The overall immunization coverage has however increased over the years. Poor
nutrition and inadequate growth monitoring may lead to malnutrition and delayed mental and physical
development among children under five.
The reproductive health of adolescents and youth also continues to be a major health challenge.
Contributory factors include forced marriages, and poor access to information and youth-friendly
reproductive health services. High levels of sexual debut, teenage pregnancy, school drop-outs and
resultant low level of education are manifestations of this health challenge for the girl child. The
communities also have their own stock of indigenous knowledge about the treatment of a variety of
illnesses such as malaria, fever, general pains or sicknesses, post-natal sickness, poisoning, etc.
5.2.3 Water Supply
The main sources of drinking and domestic water are from shallow wells, streams, swamps and the
ponds that are constructed by the mining company. Even though some of these wells were constructed
by NGOs over the years, they are not regularly treated or monitored to ascertain the quality of water.
Without the provision of various water sources by SMHL, access to water for many in the community is
lacking. There are more much evidence of water pollution as a result of the bauxite mining and
processing operations. Sanitation facilities are limited especially in the smaller settlements where often
no pit latrines exist.
Water sources in the mining community are from rivers, streams and wells with some fitted with hand
pumps. The Taia River and its tributaries serve as a permanent and valuable source of water which is
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used mainly for mining, fishing, and for human consumption. Apart from those noted above, other
perennial surface-water sources available in the area are the reservoirs and ponds that have been
constructed for mining which were abandoned a long time ago by the then SIEROMCO Minerals. The
main water body that constitutes ground water occurrences is the Kasila series, the Taia river terraces
and the Inland Valley swamps. The Kasila is usually shallow in the wet season rising to about 0.5m below
the ground surface in some areas. Generally, ground water level decreases with seasonal fluctuation in
precipitation. In the dry season, ground water drops linearly with no recharge from rainfall.
Ground water analyses have been previously undertaken in villages around project sites from existing
hand dug wells. The results indicate that ground water quality characteristics are controlled by
fluctuations in water levels in the systems (ESCG), 1990; IMC Mackay and Schnellman, 1997; Aqua Terra
Consulting, 2004). In the wet season, water from most of the wells is often clean with pleasant taste. In
the dry season on the other hand, some of the water in the wells become dry or coloured with
unpleasant taste. The laterites become highly soluble in the wet season making the water acidic. The
study by Aqua Terra Consulting indicates that pH for the selected water points ranged from 4.6 – 6.4
with a mean value of 5.6. These values are outside permissible limits of 6.5 – 8.5 as recommended by
World Health Organization (WHO). All the points had turbidity value of 5NTU, which is the maximum
threshold for clear water as recommended by WHO. Faecal coli form bacteria were discovered in 60 of
the samples. As such, drinking water from these points is a health risk.
5.2.4 Education
The level of education in the mining community is relatively low. There are less than 20 Secondary
schools in the entire concession area, even though few primary schools exist. Of these, Lower Banta has
the largest number of all the schools, followed by Bumpe and Dasse respectively. Overall, the number of
students enrolled at both primary and secondary schools has drastically increased in the last three to
four years. This has led to the increase in the density of classes that is far beyond average. The increase
is affecting the efficiency and capacity of the educational system especially at the primary stage.
The GOSL and a number of NGOs are providing educational services in terms of construction of
buildings, provision of teaching and learning materials. However, certain factors are standing the way of
improving the educational processes within the chiefdoms including: overcrowding classrooms; poor
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quality of school buildings; poor spatial distribution of schools; inadequacy of school buildings; low
wages for teachers; high failure rates of school children in public exams; and a large number of overaged children.
5.2.5. Land and Water Resources
The right to land in the area is vested in the community. Ownership is inherited for specific lineages or
household with the eldest male administering the land. At community level, authority over land is
vested in the chiefs and the overall power over land in the entire chiefdom is vested in the paramount
Chief. Land acquisition for mining has a direct adverse impact on the livelihood especially when
agriculture is the main livelihood source for the community. Though land shortage is not a major
concern raised by the community, the issue of proper and adequate rehabilitation of mined out areas is
raised as a matter of concern. The communities argued that there would be adequate land for farming if
the mined out areas could be adequately rehabilitated with fertile top soil.
Other constraints to land resource utilization in the farming communities include:
Low capital base and high costs of inputs;
Lack of mechanization as a result of terrain configuration;
Low level of management skills;
Low level of incentives for farmers such as lack of cooperatives that can assist farmers in bulk
purchasing and access to attractive markets.
.
5.2.6. Transport and Communications
Apart from the principal Mokanji – Gbangbatoke – Nitti Port road, which is regularly maintained by
SMHL, the road network other than the feeder haulage roads in the mining area is poorly maintained.
Feeder roads to most of the villages are hardly ever graded, although SMHL has also done considerable
work in maintaining the road to Gbonge from Gondama. Modes of transport are limited especially
during the wet season.
5.2.7. Social and Political Organizations
There is a strong social and political influence within the communities ranging from strong community
spirit, special bonds, civic bonds, networks, extended friendships and trust to enable communities to
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act together effectively to pursue common objectives. There is a low level of social ties that influences
community development especially in areas of decision making. The ability to mobilize resources is
generally low in all four chiefdoms, so also is their capacity for financial management and revenue
generation. Based on membership, the predominant social institutions are highly skewed towards men.
The members of a group interviewed were usually heads of households and therefore almost always
males; the number of women members remains negligible. The extent to which women and, to a lesser
degree, youth, can draw on this form of social capital is, therefore, limited. The wide variety of
community or village level institutions and organizations that may have impact on community
development programmes in the area can be divided into: Governmental, Indigenous and NonGovernmental Organizations.
Government Institutions include: Associations established to promote specific development activities
under the supervision of extension officers, e.g. Project Management Committees (PMC); Village
Development Committees; Ward Development Committees (WDC); Local level Party Organizations set
up to organize elections or act as channels of government based on political patronage.
Indigenous Organizations include: Traditional Authorities- chiefs and elders; Groups set up to organize
mutual support activities; Producers’ Unions; Women’s Associations; Work Groups; Social Clubs of
young men and women set up to achieve social activities; Church/Mosque Organizations with strong
political and social structures.
Non-Governmental Organizations are the key actors in the community development process. They
operate in all the communities by providing them with schools, wells and pumps, clinics, micro-credits,
etc.
Local Council is a recent innovation in public administration after its demise in the early 1970’s. As an
entity, they are bedeviled by the lack of adequate logistical support and capacity to effect the desired
change in the communities. Community’s awareness for development in the area id therefore limited.
5.2.8. Land Tenure
Land acquisition for mining has a direct adverse impact on the livelihood especially when agriculture is
the main livelihood source for the community. Though land shortage is not a major concern raised by
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the community, the issue of proper and adequate rehabilitation of mined out areas is raised as a matter
of concern. The communities often argue that there would be adequate land for farming if the already
mined out areas could be adequately rehabilitated with fertile top soil. Community engagement with all
stakeholders will therefore constitute the cornerstone to establishing and maintaining long term
support for the implementation of the MRCP.
5.2.9. Economic Activities
Cash cropping and subsistence farming are the two major systems of agriculture. The main cash crops
grown today are oil palm, coffee and whilst there has recently been extensive planting of cassava for
garri production. The main subsistence food crops grown are rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, maize,
beans, groundnuts, cocoyam, millet, sorghum, peas, sesame, and yams. A range of vegetables are grown
throughout the year including tomatoes, spring onions, pepper, eggplants and cucumber.
Trees planted on reclaimed mined out lands are used for a wide range of reasons including: a source of
fuel and building materials and, to improve soil moisture and fertility. The main fruit trees are jackfruit,
avocado, mango, oranges and pawpaw.
While socio-economic and cultural changes are impacting upon the community development with
evidence of a growing appreciation of gender concerns, the differences in gender roles and rights
remain intact and distinct in all the chiefdoms. The farming production economy, which is prevalent in
most parts of the chiefdoms, typifies this - a family enterprise with clearly defined gender roles with
men as the key decision-makers, except for women-headed households who often get engaged in petty
trading. Men control about 70% of the family expenditure with women controlling about a 25% and
other members of the family, mainly sons, control the rest. Women still control only a limited range of
activities and have restricted access to decision-making in the community. They lack decision-making
power on land tenure issues and rarely own productive resources such as land or tree crops. They have
limited sources of income compounded by the inability to access markets for their products. Other
challenges faced by women include constrained access to information and a paucity of resources to
address issues such as sanitation in the homestead.
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Besides people working in the mines, about 90% of the households in the community are farmers, while
many other people undertake other occupations such as petty trading, fishing and bike taxi driving.
Based on the 2010 survey, the average sustainable land holding in the chiefdoms is 0.90 ha per
household with an annual agricultural income of about $350. Those engaged in fishing have a higher
income of about $1250 per year. The important categories of expenditure are education,
food/household essentials, health care, farming, taxes, transport, credit and home building. The costs
that are considered to impose hardships on a family are,- education, acquiring a piece of land for
housing, and health services. People are able to save during the productive seasons of November to
February. However, savings are inadequate to address needs during the wet season months of June, to
September when incomes are low and expenditures high.
Table 9 Main Sources of Income in Selected Villages
Income Source/Combination
Frequency
%
Farming
1017
90.56
Petty Trading
12
1.07
Cottage Industry
9
0.81
Government Workers
27
2.41
SML Employees
32
2.85
SRL Employees
11
0.98
Others
15
1.34
Total
1123
100
Source: Baseline CDAP Survey, July, 2010
There are some variations in the ways the population derives its income. The larger settlements of
Gbangbatoke, Mokanji, Gbonge and Mosenesie and Walihun, carry higher populations derive their
incomes from either government or NGOs due to the level of education attained by these people.
Employment with the two mining companies operating in the area offers another source of income for
some of the local community although this is limited by the low education and skills level available.
Company employment policy has a preference for locals in the recruitment of unskilled jobs.
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The community is further constrained in exploiting more fully its financial capital as it lacks access to
credit facilities. Financial services, such as banking and savings services, are under-developed or
unavailable. For instance, there are no micro-credit lending institutions to facilitate the expansion of
micro-enterprise development.
5.2.10. SURFACE LAND OWNERSHIP
Surface land ownership in the mining lease area and other parts of the provinces is vested in indigenous
families. Landowners generally use surface lands for permanent occupation in the form of physical
structures, tree plantations and temporary occupation in the form of shifting cultivation and cattle
grazing.
The agreement with the GOSL through the Mining Agreement, establishes SMHL’s right to occupy and
utilize permanently and temporarily within its mining lease such parts of the surface land, whether
government owned or otherwise, as may be reasonably required for accessory works and installations
that are necessary or useful for its operations, and such part of the surface as may be required for its
prospecting and mining operations.
SMHL pays annually, in advance, a surface rent under the mining lease for all land occupied or used.
This amount will be distributed among the Paramount Chiefs, Landowners and Chiefdom
Administration.
Through the Ministry of Agriculture, with its listing of fees for economic and subsistence crops, SMHL
makes satisfactory arrangements for payment of a fair and reasonable compensation for damage to any
crops, trees, farms, Permanent and temporary structures or works that occur as a result of prospecting
and or mining operations.
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Section SIX – Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
This section discusses the existing and potential environmental and social impacts that are associated
with SMHL operations and the mitigation measures required to minimize these impacts to acceptable
levels. The section only deals with the existing project operations and not past activities and impacts
that were conducted by previous studies or future mining operations other than the current deposits
that are being mined.
6.1. Biophysical Environment
6.1.1 Topography
Mining activities at SMHL operational areas involve the removal of vegetation and the opening up of
mine panels. Vegetation is also removed in areas that are used for the stockpiling of overburden and
ore. Topsoil removal and subsequent stripping of the overburden is done with the use of bulldozers and
excavators with the resultant alteration of the topography and landforms. Mining progresses further
with backfilling of mine panels that are levelled to match the pre-existing landscape as much as possible.
Other concurrent activities involve haulage and other road rehabilitation works undertaken especially
during the wet season.
A total of about 1300 acres of land area has been disturbed as a result of this activity and the impact is
expected to last forever though with less severity. Under the current mining methods, the significant
rating scale for this activity is moderate. The use of heavy equipment such as bulldozers, excavators and
trucks utilized during the mine’s operation is also resulting in soil compaction in the wet season often
beyond permeability which can lead to the creation of pools after periods of heavy rainfall.
The major mitigation measure for the above impacts is the reclamation of mined out areas to a near
original habitat. The Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan (MRCP) that has been prepared for SMHL that
details the major activities involved in grading and levelling of the local topography that is currently
been disturbed. A summary of this plan is presented under a separate chapter of this report.
The overburden materials and the ore stockpiles are often susceptible to erosion and can lead to
sedimentation of waterways. To mitigate this impact, detention storages should be constructed to
collect open pit water and runoff drainage to ensure that the receiving environment water quality is
achieved prior to discharge.
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The use of heavy equipment such as bulldozers, excavators and trucks utilized during the mine’s
operation is also resulting in soil compaction in the wet season often beyond permeability which can
lead to the creation of pools after periods of heavy rainfall.
To mitigate the impact of compaction in the wet season, designated routes should be utilized for the
movement of heavy vehicles and machinery and the transportation of ore and other materials from the
deposit sites. The implementation of these measures will eventually be not much of a concern for the
project.
6.1.2 Air Quality
The common operations that impact on air quality include land clearing, excavation, earth moving, and
storage of materials, handling and transportation. The mechanization includes the use of ripper
bulldozers, excavators, tippers/dumpers and graders. Other operations include the use of stockpile
materials, drying and loading of the bauxite at Nitti Port, operations at the mechanical workshop and
the burning of farm bushes during the dry season by local residents.
Air emissions that result from these activities include carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx),
sulfur SOx), Total Organic Compounds (TOC), and Carbon dioxide (CO2). The major source of air
emissions is the combustion of diesel fuel used by the mine equipment fleet, mobile mining equipment,
other transportation, process plant operations, and the production of electricity. The receptors include
machine operators and nearby personnel within the plant site. The impact of such emission on air
quality is however minimal and the impacts are insignificant in the long term.
No assessment has been undertaken on the estimated rate of emission but it is expected that the
predicted concentration of these Green House Gases would be well below the criterion for all the
receptors and dust generation would only be severe in the dry season. Air quality assessment thus
constitutes a key environmental monitoring plan for SMHL operations. SMHL should ensure that a
periodic checking on regular emissions based on monitoring instrumentation is made and subsequent
reporting that describes conditions and corrective measures to avoid future impact on air quality.
Airborne particulates become very high during the dry season but very low in the wet season when
emissions are only limited to vehicular operations from mining and ore beneficiation. The receptors
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include project site boundary, nearby villages especially those settlements along major haul roads. The
impact is only high in the dry season and insignificant in the wet season.
There is an increase in dust with increasing traffic especially on the haul roads between Gbonge,
Gondama and Nitti. This affects the local communities within the access road and this is expected to
continue throughout the life of the mining operations. The scale of the impact is however local and may
increase only in the dry season.
Mitigation measures need to be implemented to reduce the level of dust. This will include: reduction in
speed limits. Construction of speed bumps through villages and stabilization of road materials in
sensitive spots along the haul roads. Dust suppression through watering should form a major activity all
throughout the dry season to mitigate the impact of dust on the affected receptors. Vehicular operators
are also advised to adhere to the safety rules especially those introduced during training programmes.
With these mitigation measures applied, there will be no short-term and long-term impacts.
6.1.3 Noise
Most of the noise at the mine site is generated from activities of mining equipment such as excavators,
bulldozers, frontend loaders, mine trucks and stationary equipment including the wash plant, power
plant, dryer building at Nitti Port and the mechanical workshop. Heavy truck movement along the haul
road is another source of noise.
The plant site is located within a valley about 3 kilometres from the nearest village and separated from it
by farm bush. As such, it is unlikely that noise will impact on local residents. However, noise is having
effects on the workers in and around the plant site where most of the fixed noises are located. Noise is
having effects on wild life in the areas of mining activities; and since mining and ore processing go on for
two to three shifts a day. Highly significant noise levels will occur in the open pits and plant area all year
round.
It was not possible to calculate daytime sound pressure levels for the various components. But SMHL
environmental report for the third quarter of this year estimates noise levels for the various locations
and the results are reproduced in Table 16.
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Table 10 Summary of Noise Monitoring Results.
Location
SOUND
UNIT
Washing Plant
79.2
db
Volvo Garage
80.6
db
Cat Garage
83.8
db
Vulcanizer Garage
80.43
db
Laboratory
70.69
db
Gondama Stockpile
85.22
db
Gbonge Mine Pit
82.19
db
Average
80.3
Mean
80.3
SD
4.7
The noise levels for all the stations range between 70.69 and 85.22 decibels. The high noise level at the
Gondama stockpile was attributed to the high vehicular traffic (including dump trucks and light vehicles)
plying the haul road at the time of monitoring. All the equipment or noise sources however meet the
required noise limit for most mine operations of less than 85dBA. The maximum noise level at station Nl
1 (Washing Plant) would be expected to be above the measured limit of 79.2 decibels, especially when
other noise generating machinery (Loader) and the nearby generator that supplies electricity to the
entire plant site are nearer.
During the field work, it was estimated that on the average, there were not more than 100 truck trips
two ways from mine panels to wash plant and to Nitti Port. This noise traffic will have a relatively minor
effect on the noise receptors along the main haul roads. These short-term noise impacts to residents will
be minimal but can be locally significant to employees in certain work areas at the plant site and mine
panels.
Noise mitigation measures to be considered for SMHL operations are as follows:
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Future facilities with high noise impacts should be located well away from noise sensitive areas
possibly adjacent to the stock pile areas around the plant site.
All the heavy equipment and vehicles should be kept in good repair.
Some of the existing stationary noisy equipments should be insulated by screens or sheds.
Currently, no noise standard requirements have been established for Sierra Leone, but it is
recommended that in general, operations should meet the international noise standard
requirements.
Mine faces should be used as noise barriers in the immediate vicinity of villages such as Gbonge,
Jenega and Konta.
Protective hearing devices should be used when employees are at work especially at or near
earth-moving equipment, wash plants and power houses.
6.1.4 Geology and Soils
The topsoil in the area is thin and residual on both the foot slopes and hill slopes where most mining
activities take place. The major impact of mining on the local geology is visible in the removal of
overburden that is used in construction works and the excavation of ore deposit from the mine panels.
Soil erosion results due to this activity and the impact is high during heavy rainfall events when most
soils are washed and deposited in streams and valleys. This impact is unavoidable even though the
physical disturbance is low in the short and long term. Whilst these impacts could be significant,
mitigation measures follow the same procedures outlined for the reclamation of the mined out areas.
The topsoil is however recovered, stockpiled and eventually used in the reclamation works. The
suitability of these soils for crop productivity constitutes part of this ESIA as a mitigation measure. SMHL
will implement the rehabilitation programme for the soils by comparing the quality of the pre-disturbed
soil to that of the exposed soils in the mined out areas. This will set up the criteria for soil enhancement
for different crops.
Major mitigation measures include:
Separation of super soil from sub soil during removal.
Proper grading and reshaping of the disturbed areas.
Adequate crop suitability procedures for reclamation work.
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Prompt timing of re-vegetation on reclaimed lands to avoid top soil removal in the early rain
events.
Establishment of sediment raps, bunds and where necessary construction of diversion ditches.
Regular inspection of reclamation and repair works where needed; and
Use of rock mulch on unprotected surfaces.
6.1.5 Surface Water
Mining activities at SMHL project sites adversely impact on surface water quality. These processes
include:
Vegetation removal for mining leaving behind very large tracts of land exposed to direct rainfall
and soil erosion. The eroded materials are transported into waterways thereby increasing
surface water turbidity.
Runoff from solid wastes in water bodies resulting in contamination and blockage.
Spillage of fuel or oil which will contaminate nearby drainage ways.
Runoff from waste disposal sites from the plant site and Camp.
Impacts to surface water quality from these activities can have a locally high significance if no mitigation
measures are applied as a result of changes in water quality.
Currently, streams and other water bodies are being monitored at sensitive locations to ensure that
mining activities do not affect the downstream supply systems. The washing Plant does not require any
chemical reagent in ore processing. The decant water is thus expected to meet the IFC effluent
discharge guidelines.
To mitigate the adverse impacts on surface water quality, the following measures are proposed:
Stockpiles and overburden should not be placed at nearby drainage ways.
Waste oil, fuel and other lubricants should be stored in strong containments.
Tailings Management Plan should be properly implemented. As much as possible, leakages into
earth fill dams should be avoided.
Efforts should be made in the wet season to ensure that rain water is diverted from the TSF. This is
achieved by constructing ditches around the perimeter of the TSF and channelled to the nearby drainage
system.
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6.1.6 Visual Resources
The former Sieromco mine pits and the current mined out areas around Gbonge deposits are the main
intermittent views around haul roads characterized by lower shrub vegetation and secondary forests.
Activities that are associated with visual impacts include former mine pits and scars, abandoned power
lines, former Sieromco plant sites around Mokanji, perimeter fences, traffic flow, dusts and
accumulation of these on leaves, speed bumps, burrow pits, tailings storage facilities and mine faces.
The major receptors include villages along main haul and access roads. These impacts are localized and
occur in the short term especially in the dry season. The following measures are proposed to minimize
visual intrusions that are outlined above.
Where construction of power lines would be required, features should be designed so as to
achieve landscape designs.
Burrow pits and mine faces should be graded so as to achieve professional landscape designs.
Impoundment dams should be rehabilitated to meet international standards.
6.1.7 Accidental Release of Sludge from Tailings Storage Facility
The facility was constructed with mechanisms that protect direct discharge of sediments into the earth
filled dams. Any failure is likely to have a discharge into these dams and local drainage systems
downstream of the facility. This could increase turbidity, conductivity and inorganic particulates in the
systems. Because of the relative immobility of the mud and the seasonality of weather conditions, the
severity of such an impact would be expected to be local and low with an overall impact rating of
moderate (high severity; low likelihood).
Recommended mitigation measures to minimize the impact potential include rehabilitation,
development and implementation of the Tailings Management Plan coupled with regular inspection
programme.
6.1.8 Wildlife, Protected Areas and Cultural Properties
There are no significant wildlife habitats reported to exist in the concession area, no wildlife sanctuaries
or protected site habitats have been identified in the study corridor. Therefore, no mitigation measures
are recommended. No known protected cultural or historical sites were identified except those found
surrounding villages including local religious facilities, local monuments, holy trees/springs or old burial
grounds. These sites will not directly be affected by land expropriation or lie in the vicinity of the works.
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6.1.9 Borrow Pits and Quarry Sites
Borrow pits and quarries are opened within road corridors in order to supply sub-base material and
crushed stone. The principal environmental concerns relate to the visual effects of quarrying and the
effects of access road rehabilitation works. There is less concern regarding impacts on development in
agricultural lands or close to settlements, since there does not seem to be a high probability of such
sites are being developed. Nevertheless, these aspects need to be considered during future quarry site
development.
The principal concerns in relation to borrow pits include:
Access roads and borrow pits themselves may be developed in materials which are highly
erodible, and may contribute to enhanced erosion of a sensitive landscape;
Deep pits may be developed which are a safety hazard to people especially if they fill with water
during the wet season and become breeding grounds for insect disease vectors;
Since borrow pits will almost certainly be developed close to the road corridors, even if they are
not located in agricultural lands, access roads will probably have to traverse cultivated land, with
adverse effects on landholders if they are not properly reinstated when pit use ceases.
Even though the landscape has only average visual quality borrow pits will probably be
developed in elevated parts of the landscape, and scarring by working faces can permanently
spoil an otherwise pleasant view.
6.1.10 Flora and Fauna
The mining activities of SMHL operations include clearing of vegetation for mining and stockpiling and
the deposition of mine spoils in unspecified areas. All these activities are impacting on the flora and
fauna species even though some of the land areas were previously disturbed before SMHL operations.
The impact is low to moderate of ecological value such as the loss of habitat, disturbance of rare species
and wild life. With increase in population in the concession area, the demand for bush meat increases
with the purchasing power of the people working for SMHL. The modification of the habitat is expected
to last long, but with implementation of mitigation measures, short, medium and long term impacts will
be expected to be favourable.
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There is also an ensuing expansion of farming activities to meet the food demands for the mining
community. This type of farming that is practiced has negative impacts only in the short term and is
localized. The following mitigations are proposed:
Prompt mine reclamation activities in the mined out areas should be enhanced.
If vulnerable or endangered species exist within the mine sites, measures should be taken to
create alternative sites.
6.2. Socio-economic Impacts
This section analyses the negative socio-economic impacts of the project activities on the social,
economic and biophysical environment and describes the recommended mitigation measures to
minimize, or mitigate these negative impacts.
6.2.1 Community Health and Safety
The GoSL provides Free Primary Health Care to children under the age of five and their mothers. SMHL
employees and their families have access to the health clinic at the mine site and referrals are often
made to the Serabu Hospital located 11 km. from the Gondama site. The likelihood of accidents and
work-related illnesses on the job as well as accidents occurring between mining related equipment and
local vehicles are inherent at SMHL operations. Though located in a rural setting, the mining area is
about 10 km. away from the closest medical facility and the likelihood for accidents to occur is assumed
to be low.
Only a few foreign workers are hired by SMHL most of these are highly educated mine engineers.
Therefore, the risk of spreading communicable diseases as a result of the project is considered minor
(medium severity; low likelihood). However, SMHL and its senior staff personnel should initiate
discussions of communicable diseases and sexually transmitted diseases into its health and safety plans.
The mitigation measures recommended to address this impact include the following:
• Provision of additional health facilities to the five affected chiefdoms;
• Provision of health services to all workers and their families, which will avoid new demands on health
services by Project out-of-area workers.
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• Avoid and minimize environmental effects that have potential to affect health, including dust, noise,
and any effects that may negatively affect livelihood resources, such as contamination of the rivers or
farmlands.
Preventions should be taken against fire accidents and security should be imposed at all times.
6.2.2 Traffic and Road Safety
The expansion of SMHL operations to Gbonge has increased vehicular traffic over the last few years.
Heavy vehicular transportation between Gondama and Nitti Port is estimated at about 6 trips per trucks
per shift and between Gbonge and Gondama 10 trips per shift per truck. This increase is of major
significance especially when the haul roads are concurrently been used by both SMHL and other public
vehicles. In some cases these haul roads are used by commercial bike riders. Similarly, pedestrians along
the road alignment will be exposed to the greatest risk. The greatest at risk are the linear settlements
such as Gbonge, Konta, Gondama, Mosenesie, Foala and Wunde.
Drivers, bike riders and pedestrians are gradually becoming accustomed to the increased traffic and
vehicle speeds, and it is likely that the number of accidents will show any level of concern.
Most of the traffic is currently associated with the Project is between Gondama and Gbonge.This traffic
represents relatively minimal safety risk to other vehicles. But the traffic between Gondama to Nitti Port
poses a greater risk to local residents as it is being used by other public vehicles. As such, the increase in
traffic is rated a moderate impact (moderate severity; moderate likelihood).
Mitigation measures include:
Provide driver safety training to all workers, including contractors, who are expected to
drive as part of their duties, especially to be alert for pedestrians along the private haul
road;
Impose speed limits;
Schedule truck traffic along the public highways to avoid peak hours; and
Introduce safety campaigns amongst the communities.
Implementation of these measures would reduce the impact to minor scale. The unpaved road requires
excessive repairs and maintenance to support traffic flow in the wet season.
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6.2.3 Population Movements
With the existing high level of unemployment in the country, any development of projects such mining
is expected to attract a huge number of people seeking for jobs. Since the restart of bauxite mining, the
project area has attracted a large number of people seeking for job and providing support services such
as petty trading and commercial sex work. The influx in the area is cumulative as there are other mining
operations going on in nearby communities. The increase in population is expected to increase with the
demand for goods and services. The negative impacts that are occurring include; prostitution, spread of
diseases such as HIV and AIDS, STDs, disruption of social and cultural values of host communities, drug
and alcohol abuse, theft, domestic violence and noise. These impacts are expected to last for a long time
on a wider local level, but the significance is moderate.
To minimize such impacts, SMHL is expected to give job preference to the local population and only
when the local population is exhausted that hiring should be made from outside the mining community.
There is also a need for an increase in the provision of goods and services by introducing job
opportunities such as poultry and piggery farming, vegetable gardening, bakery, brick making,
entertainment centres, etc.
6.2.4 Gender Impacts
SMHL mining operations like most industries are having a severe impact on gender. These include: a.
Impacts on land ownership, b. impacts on economic activities, c. teenage pregnancy and early marriage.
Land is mainly owned by the section chiefs who are mainly male. At family level, land is mainly owned by
the eldest male (in the case of inheritance) or by the father who is the head of the household. Surveys
that have been done in the area indicate that men have more access to land for farming activities than
women. This situation may likely have a negative impact on the productive potential of women in many
of the villages in the area. The major economic activities include small scale farming, fishing and petty
trading. Due to the increase in the transportation cost, many women sell their crops at farm gate prices
to traders, thus getting less from the crops they cultivate.
There are variations in the roles and responsibilities in relation to economic activities. Women are
mainly involved in market gardening and men largely involved in working in the mines, swamp and
upland rice cultivation.
There is a high level of teenage pregnancy in the project area. They survey reported that girls generally
drop out of school at an early stage. Many of the young girls who drop out school as a result teenage
pregnancy eventually end up in the bigger settlements like Moriba Town, Mokanji and Gbangbatoke.
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Social activities such as video shows and dances are responsible for the increasing rate of teenage
pregnancy.
There are few secondary schools existing in the five chiefdoms. Failure to complete secondary school
education would mean an early marriage as there are no other socio-economic pursuits than trading.
Women in the community generally marry at an average age of 17 years and are liable to bear an
average of 8 children during the child bearing period.
These impacts outlined above are expected to last a long time occurring at a local scale. The severe
impact would be low to moderate and irreversible in some cases. Mitigation measures to address these
impacts include:
Through SMHL’s corporate social responsibility program, it can promote other sectors of the
economy through training, establishing micro credit schemes and through serving as a
market for the agricultural produce by women.
To prevent idleness among teenagers which lead to pregnancy, they should be provided with
family planning strategies and activities that promote social interaction and positive
community behaviour. Some of these social activities may include sports competitions with
the nearby schools and theatre.
Women, whose roles are mainly production and reproduction should participate actively in
decision-making processes concerning community life.
6.2.5 Community Expectations and Apprehensions
Bauxite mining has been going on the area for over fifty years by both SMHL and former SIEROMCO
Company. These have continued to provide employment opportunities and community development
initiatives in all the affected chiefdoms. These communities especially the two chiefdoms of Banta feel
that SMHL should provide more. Their job and other economic expectations continue to be high
including their proximity to the nearby SRL Ltd. Company.
Interactions between SMHL and the community continue to go on to address concerns and complaints
such as destruction of farmlands with inadequate crop compensations to farmers, dissatisfaction over
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reclamation methods, pollution in streams and rivers, inequitable implementation of development
projects etc.
Failure on the part of SMHL to address the concerns and needs of these local issues can have a direct
impact on the acceptability of the project within the host communities. The study however reveals that
the mining operations are expected to have a positive rating of project benefits to these communities.
Recommended mitigation measures to address these issues include the following:
Implement and promote a more systemic grievance resolving mechanism associated with
SMHL project; and
Implement the Community Development Action Plan (CDAP) and the ESIA (this document) that
outlines the stakeholder consultation process which is the means to optimize local economic
benefits and the promotion of SMHL’s corporate social responsibility. Successful application of
the process has the potential to increase the significant rating of the impact of the operations..
6.3 Cumulative Impacts
However, irrespective of their nature, the impacts of mining are likely to be experienced across the
region where mine concessions have been granted. Although it is not the role of this ESHIA to
recommend management for other mining operations, and the other operations must be subject to
their own EIA processes, the impacts of mining in the region must be seen holistically and appropriate
management measures must be implemented to limit the cumulative negative impacts of this and
adjacent mining concessions. It will therefore be important for the mining operations to communicate
and develop co-operative strategies to mitigate their cumulative impacts.
Both social and biophysical impacts can be expected to be cumulative in nature. The most important
cumulative impacts are:
Positive social impacts will result to improved economic conditions in the region. The creation
of a number of mining operations will result in the creation of a large, albeit dispersed market
for goods and services, which will significantly stimulate the local economy and act as a catalyst
for the government to improve service delivery in the region.
Negative social impacts, for instance:
o a population influx (due to other mining operations)
o Price inflation
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o Change in livelihood from agriculture to mining
o Increased social delinquency
Ecosystem function in terms of terrestrial faunal species is already heavily degraded. Thus the
miming activities will compound the existing faunal impoverishment due to existing land use
and settlement. Most threatened large mammals and birds have been impacted nationally by
unsustainable exploitation and previous land use patterns. Further loss of such species due to
the potential impacts would exacerbate this loss. The significant loss will need to be addressed
as post mining activities such as farming may likely not reverse this situation. These impacts
cannot be mitigated in the near future. It is however proposed that a Strategic Environmental be
made for the entire two mining communities that will address this issue.
Impacts on water quality and quantity in the Taia river system and ultimately the entire region.
Diversification of mining operations in Bonthe and Moyamba Districts: There is an ongoing
exploration programme for dry mining by SRL that likely overlap with current mining activities at
SRL and SMHL. The most important cumulative impacts that is associated withese activities are
those related to the diversification of mining operations in the two communities. These impact
may be difficult to assess as all the activities are different from each other and the ESIA that is
prepared can be considered as site specific assessing set of activities only associated with a
single operation.
The road transport infrastructure connecting the two projects to one another needs to be
recognised in terms of its cumulative effect, rather than simply relative to each of the individual
projects. Even though the infrastructure is already in place, an important public concern is dust
generated by haulage trucks and other publc transport. A mitigation action that will be pursued
by the two mines is to resurface the haul roads with bitumen especially for post mining use.
Cumulative impacts have been addressed in the mitigation measures identified in this Study; and these
mitigation measures have been incorporated in the ESMP. Some of the mitigation measures will require
the setting up of cooperative structures with other mining concessionaires within the region.
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Section Seven – Environmental Management Plan
This Environmental Management Plan for SMHL is complimentary to the Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment (ESIA) presented in this report that clearly defines all the residual and other specific
actions that SMHL undertakes to implement the measures that will minimize and mitigate any negative
impacts on the human, social and environmental aspects within and around the operational area.
Four main environmental plans are outlined for implementation including: a. Environmental Monitoring
Plan, b. Emergency Response and Contingency Plan for health and safety workers and properties, c.
Tailings Management Plan and d. Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan. Attention is also paid to specific
environmental elements including air, noise, and waste and water quality. Proper implementation of
the plans will be supported by Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), Training, Documentation,
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting. Corrective actions will be suggested for review by management.
7.1 Environmental Monitoring Plan
The Environmental Monitoring Plan is specifically designed and implemented for collecting data on
ambient air, water quality, noise level including release of pollutants of major concern and weather.
The objective of air quality management on the mine site is to minimise the generation of suspended
concentrations of deposition of mine derived dust both at the nearest residential villages around the
mine and those linear settlements along the haul roads. To monitor air quality, SMHL will operate and
maintain a network of 4 depositional dust gauges on the mine site to be monitored monthly in
accordance with National and International standards. A book keeping system will be developed for
presenting the raw data. This will be in a form of tables and graphs of the original data. The tables will
further be used to produce statistical summaries which will form the basis of further analysis and
interpretation.
The major sources of noise in mining and related operations in SMHL’s operational area include loading,
excavation, crushing, screening, beneficiation, movement of heavy earth moving vehicles and truck
loading. The locations are the mine sites at Gbonge, Konta, and Wunde, The Washing Plant at
Gondama, Nitti Port and along the main haul roads. Noise levels shall be monitored both during day and
evening on the same day while in operation.
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The water quality monitoring plan is developed to satisfy the water quality requirements of the EPA/SL.
It is designed to provide information regarding the overall water quality within SMHL project sites,
identify potential water quality problems related to the project operations and how such factors can be
controlled, and to develop measures for the protection and mitigation of water quality. In situ and
analytical water quality monitoring will be performed over a nine month period during the first week of
each month from April to December. The date, time, location, weather conditions and the in situ water
quality data will be recorded on a standard form which will later be transcribed into an electronic format
in a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet. GPS coordinates and photographs will be taken at each site to
document conditions at the time of sampling.
7.2 Emergency Response and Contingency Plan (ERCP)
This Plan is Sierra Minerals Holdings Ltd. operation’s guide to all procedures and courses of action that
should be followed in the case of any on-site emergency. It identifies those responsible for taking action
immediately after the discovery of and during the response to an emergency, as well as their respective
duties.
Specifically, it will:
address any disaster, mishaps or accidents that will disrupt the normal operations of the
industry;
guide the administration to be better prepared to respond to emergencies in its operational
area in an effective manner; and
Ultimately, help to save the lives, reduce property loss or damage as well as the company’s
liability.
The plans that have been developed for a number of emergencies include:
Fire/Explosion Emergency: In preparing for fire incidences, the Environmental Health and Safety Officer
(EHSO) will be responsible for training a team that will respond to all accidents in how to suppress fire,
rescue personnel and all other drills relating to fire incidences.
The response plan for fire or explosion will require an immediate action and to undertake a recovery
operation to restore essential services to the mine site, cleaning and replacement of materials and
equipments that were damaged.
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Accidental spills or release of hazardous materials: The purpose of the Spill Prevention and Control
Plan is to establish procedures and guidelines to prevent oil discharges on SMHL Project sites at
Gondama, Nitti Port and Mata Camp. This Plan specifically establishes proper procedures and
equipments needed to address any potential discharges of oils.
SMHL owns six barges that transport bauxite materials from Nitti Port. For spills or release of hazardous
materials in these barges, both preventive and preparatory measures have to be undertaken. A special
emergency response procedure will be developed for both measures.
Road Accidents: The major operational areas of SMHL are interspersed with villages mostly situated
along the main road from Mokanji to Nitti Port, from Mosenesie to Gondama, to Serabu and Mattru.
These roads are used both by public transport, Sierra Rutile Mines and SMHL.
Currently, SMHL outsources contractors that transport mine products to the plant and to Nitti Port. The
contractors will be required to sign agreement with SMHL for compliance with all codes and regulations
that bind transportation of mine products. All vehicles will be equipped with first aid kit and fire
extinguishers.
Floods: The overall objective of this plan is to support the timely and coordinated response to
anticipated floods in the rainy season. This will effectively minimize the impact of such floods on
personnel, infrastructure and the environment. The major receptors will include: mining sites, haulage
roads, main road between Gondama and Mosenesie, main tributaries of the Taia River and the inland
valley swamps within the project area. Other specific sectors to be affected will include: water and
sanitation, bridges and culverts, road sections, communication infrastructure, meteorological and other
monitoring equipments and disruption of electricity.
Crisis Situations/Social Strife: These situations are brought about by unpredictable circumstances that
degenerate into uncontrollable proportions causing chaos. To address these incidences, SMHL will
develop a plan for the dissemination of information to the public. This will include setting up a
mechanism for dealing with grievances in such that issues can be addressed formerly and amicably.
Roles and Responsibilities: A team of qualified personnel from within SMHL’s management will have
direct responsibilities for addressing all emergencies presented above. These include:
The General Manager is the overall head who will be responsible for coordinating all activities
and actions at the project site.
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The Environmental Health and Safety Manager who directly reports to the site manager will be
responsible for the overall implementation of the EHS Plan.
The Environmental Officer (EO) will assist the EHSM in responding to all emergencies by
coordinating efforts with other site personnel to mitigate the potential hazards, assist EHSM to
prepare reports, disseminate information on emergencies to staff, work site supervisor during
emergencies, to remediate events and report accordingly.
The Community Affairs Manager (CAM) will be responsible for all matters that have to do with
public relations. In consultation with the General Manager, he will be responsible for
communications with the public including information on incidents in particular to the affected
community and the Government.
He will lead the site Supervisors in responding to emergencies and work with the HSO to
remediate potential hazards and emergencies.
Site Supervisors who will be responsible for identifying potential events and coordinating any
response to events that occur in their work area.
A response team which will be recruited and trained by the EHSM for all emergencies on site.
Communication and Monitoring: The methods and procedures that will be applied in the event of
emergencies will include: a. Internal Communication that will be used to alert workers to hazards by
means of alarms, cell phones and radios. b. Training will be required during the workshop for all
employees on this system of communication.
SMHL will establish and maintain a monitoring system of its activities that could have an environmental
health and safety impact. This will include a recording of information on performance, and an evaluation
of compliances with legal and other requirements.
7.3 Tailings Dam Management Plan
Currently, Gondama plant site has two dumps for storing the sludge which is a slurry mixture of mineral
suspended matters and industrial water. The two sludge settling and storage dumps are built to be
operated and to function independently so that the repairs or emergency interventions do not disturb
the main activity. The sludge settling pond no.1 is built East from the washing plant and consists of
three washing sludge retention ponds separated by embankments (separating dams) and provided with
clear and storm water discharge spillways. The sludge settling pond no. 2, built west from the washing
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plant takes into consideration the settling operations and water clearing operation under normal
parameters before the water is discharged in the water streams.
SMHL’s production target is set up at 1.7 million tons of washed bauxite per year, the washing plant
operating with a production capacity of 330 tons/h. The washing operation consists of removing the
tailings with clay, ferruginous mineral silica content, pieces of rocks from the conveyor belts as well as
other materials which are in the ore composition. Therefore, as calculated in the time frame and for the
purpose reaching a good washing efficiency, the washing plant requires 10,000 cubic meters of water/
day.
CURRENT SITUATION
Volume of
Pond Current
No of
Mean Sea
Water
Water
supply
Level
Required by
Capacity (m3)
Days/Pond
Plant/Day)
POND WATER CAPACITY
Pond 6 Capacity
10,000
Pond 7 Capacity
558,645
55.86
45.6
290,181
29.02
49.6
To reduce the quantity of water used in the bauxite washing operations, a study was prepared
concerning the installation of a new pumping station in order to recirculate and reuse the clear water so
as to reduce the caught water requirement and water discharged to surface outlets. This would also
lead to a reduction in the costs associated with the electric power currently consumed from using the
open system and which could be applied in the next stage. An additional water pump has been installed
in order to reduce the quantity of water caught from Taia River.
The downstream side of the embankment shall be provided with spillways, grassy berms to prevent the
mentioned incidents (which are likely to cause failures of the hydro-technical constructions, including
dump closing, if the depression curve is above the attention level) from happening.
Monitoring: The monitoring is achieved by the sludge dump operator and the daily and/ or weekly
observations, readings are recorded in the Registry Book for the control and monitoring of the settling
pond behaviour over time, where the day, hour, data taken in the measuring points, comments and
conclusions are recorded.
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The monitoring activity is mainly focused on verifying the following elements whose purpose is to
minimize the ecological, social and economical risk situations.
The monitoring of the sludge deposit area and the embankments freeboard shall include the recording
of the area width, the hydraulic surface area and the excessive accumulation of storm waters in the
pond.
The monitoring also consists of quarterly land surveys which provide updated information regarding the
coordinates and levelling of the area as compared to reference data, so that the horizontal and vertical
movements on the sinking landmarks comply with the limits set up in the regulation and not endanger
the embankments safety.
The sludge dump operation is monitored by the following measuring and control systems:
Hydrometric gauges;
Fix and mobile topographic landmarks network;
Control and sinking landmarks, mileposts, placed in the areas sensitive to wetting;
Observation areas for possible ex-filtration’s;
Sampling and monitoring points for the quality of waters discharged into the water streams.
The current assessment activity concerning the safety of the sludge dump components mainly consists
of the following:
Daily checking by the internal personnel of the constructions, operational facilities, slurry
transport ducts slipways operation. Responsible Chief Miners, Topometer SMHL
Daily reading of the piezometric level at the observation drillings. Responsible Environmental
Labs
Verification of potential movements at the landmarks monitoring the hydro-technical
constructions safety and stability.
Verification twice a year of the topographic landmarks height levels and coordinates, of the
horizontal and vertical movement value in the case of control landmarks positioned on the crest
and slopes of the pond.
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The monitoring of the embankment constructions behaviour in time is a job assignment of the operating
personnel and the results interpretation shall be made by the engineer responsible for the sludge dump
supervision.
Monitoring of the sludge dump also includes physical- chemical analyses performed in the laboratory by
means of fix and mobile instrumentation in order to check the compliance of the emissions and
emissions within the maximum accepted limits stipulated by the regulations in force for the following
environmental factors:
Air – analysis of the air emissions shall be performed once a year in the area bordering the
sludge dump and the analyses results shall be interpreted against the suspended dust and
particulate matter maximum accepted limits stipulated by the regulations in force.
Surface water – physical- chemical analyses shall be performed on the water discharged to the
outlet at intervals as specified for each of the characteristic indicators: suspended matters,
heavy metals. The results of these analyses shall also be compared to the maximum approved
limits stipulated by the applicable regulations.
Soil – soil samples shall be taken from the sludge dump vicinity at least once a year, especially
from those areas located in the main direction of the wind and laboratory analyses shall be
performed to determine the heavy metal content at 30cm average depth.
The alternative to build successive ponds and embankment downstream from the operational ponds of
the eastern dump is under analysis, however, such possibility can only be taken into consideration
during the last years of operation and useful deposit running-off in the mining perimeter, in order not to
endanger the safe operation of the dams and possibly of the embankments raised at maximum height of
the crest as stipulated in the regulation.
7.4 Waste Management Plan
This Waste Management Plan (WMP) was prepared for bauxite mining activities by Sierra Mineral
Holdings, I. Ltd (SMHL). The plan addresses methods of handling, storing and disposing of wastes that
will generated during SMHL’s operation.
Specifically, it describes the procedures, methods and
framework that will be applied to waste generation and disposal.
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The objectives of this Management Plan are to:
Establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for SMHL construction, operations and closure
activities;
Define the company’s requirements and procedures to guide the Project Management Team
and other Project contractors;
Define roles and responsibilities of the waste management team;
Present remedial measures to minimize waste generation; and
Define monitoring and reporting procedures for waste management.
The plan addresses the management of both industrial and domestic waste. The plan covers all activities
that could result in the generation of waste and the potential adverse effects of waste and domestic
waste throughout all phases of the Project. The main issues that are addressed include:
Types of wastes to be generated:
Methods used to identify those wastes;
Handling procedures and
Methods of disposal
The types of wastes that are expected to be generated during the construction and operational stages of
the project are identified. Depending on the types to be generated, certain wastes are expended to be
disposed of at site, reused or recycled. The waste disposal facilities and methods of disposal are fully
discussed in this plan.
Waste Management Procedures
SMHL will apply the following management procedures for waste.
Waste Recycling: SMHL consults with the community on the demand for any recyclable products such
as scrap metal, used tires, cardboard and wood which may have a value or a use locally. The company
also plans to look at commercial options for recycling; if recycling facilities are available and accessible
on a commercially-justifiable basis, waste will be recycled. If not, waste will be disposed of in accordance
with this Management Plan
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Solid Waste: This includes all office wastes, concrete, steel, rubble, timber, plasterboard and mixed
construction waste. These are all classified as non-hazardous. These will mainly be generated during the
operational phase with minor amounts generated in the construction and decommissioning phases.
5.4 Liquid Wastes
The procedure for managing these wastes includes the following:
Any spills will be cleaned up using absorbent materials and placed in bins;
There will be no onsite disposal of liquid direct to the soil surface or storm water collection
system; and
Non-hazardous waste bins will be finally disposed of to the incinerator or the landfill which is
an engineered cell within the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF).
Litter: This includes any general litter on-site, and the objective is to minimise the visual impact of litter
on the site and surrounding area, and minimise the potential to attract vermin. This will be achieved
through the provision of appropriate disposal facilities around the project site.
Mine and Processing Waste: For the mine and processing wastes, it is the responsibility of the
Operation Manager to undertake waste characterization and manage the monitoring program to ensure
that the proposed waste management practices are appropriate to the wastes being generated. .
Responsibilities, Training and Record Keeping
During SML’s operation, the Environment Health and Safety Manager will be responsible for the
operation and record keeping of the Waste Management Plan.
Monitoring and Control
The following monitoring programs will be undertaken by SML and appropriate records will be kept.
Refuse quantity and material delivered to the domestic waste facility, hazardous waste
facility and composing facility;
Surface and groundwater monitoring;
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Surrounding vegetation and soils around waste facilities; and
Non-environmental features, such as, fences, roads, and signs.
Notice will be placed around the landfill and hazardous facility to promote worker and resident safety.
The Environmental, Health and Safety Manager will be responsible for distributing and maintaining
these notices and signs. The wastes facilities will be maintained with security in prevent unauthorised
access to the landfill site.
7.5 Occupational Health and Safety Plan
This Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Plan is Sierra Minerals Holdings Ltd. operation’s guide to all
procedures and courses of action that should be followed to ensure the effective management of
worker health and safety by SML Project. The plan contains the methods that shall be used to prevent
adverse effects occurring during construction and operations of the project, monitoring and determining
for effective mitigation measures.
In this regard, all employees and contractors of SMHL will adhere to the OH & S procedures contained
in this report to ensure a timely response to employees’ health and safety. It has also been prepared to
addresses the requirements that are set out in the guidelines of the International Finance Corporation
(IFC), the Environment Protection Act 2009 of Sierra Leone and the National Environmental Policy of
2000. It is also expected that the Plan will be reviewed and updated to meet the requirements of the
international safety standard, OHSAS 14001.
Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this Occupational Health & Safety Plan is to:
Define and communicate the principles, practices and expectations of Health & Safety
objectives, SMHL project;
Set out how the project is designed to manage and reduce risks associated with both routine
activities and unplanned events;
Define the criteria against which Health & Safety performance will be judged;
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Describe areas of Health & Safety responsibilities for the SMHL Project team, including
Contractors;
Describe the Occupational Health & Safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that will
ensure that Health & Safety activities are organised, managed and reported in a systematic and
consistent manner;
Describe the development of the safety cases and safety plans;
Ensure that the Project provides inherently safe and secure facilities;
Address the process of ongoing assessment and continuous improvement of health and safety
performance;
To provide education and training for staff at SMHL’s operations in health and safety issues;
The plan is applicable to all SMHL project related activities including camp and port facilities and
contractors. In all cases, Contractors will be required to submit their safety management plans to SMHL
for review and approval for use if is of a higher standard or exceed those provided by the Contractors.
Roles and Responsibilities
The General Manager is the overall head who will be responsible for coordinating all activities and actions at the
project site. He will work with other managers who will be responsible for specific activities that will have to do
with the health and safety of workers. Along with the Environmental Health and Safety Manager and the
Community Affairs Manager, he will also be responsible for all other relations outside the project site as and
when needed to make sure that the mining community is adequately informed about events.
Hazard Identification and Risk Analyses
All hazards identified at SMHL operations are assessed in accordance with the Risk Matrix prepared in
this plan which takes into account the probabilities of occurrence and severity of consequences in
relation to personnel and assets of the project and surrounding environment. In this regard, all
employees and contractors will be involved in the training of hazard identification and risk assessment
process so that day-to-day hazards are identified and control measures are determined and
implemented.
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The following steps that SMHL plans to identify and manage risks during the life cycle of its operation
will include:
Identification of hazards that exist in the project area;
Assessment of risks entailed in these hazards;
Evaluation of the degree of the risk represented by each hazard;
Evaluation of the consequences resulting from the hazards by selecting the category which best
describes the effects of the mishaps on personnel, the general public and the environment.
Identification of Hazards
This will entail gathering of information on biophysical, chemical and technical properties of the project
site and surrounding areas. Inclusive of these are artificial accidents and natural hazards such as fire,
explosion, equipment failures etc.
Table 11 Potential Hazards and associated Scenarios: SMHL Mines.
1.
Hazard
Scenario
Location
Fire
Vegetation
Haul road
Mine Facilities
Mechanical Workshop
Power Station
Administrative Building
Bauxite Drier
Wash Plant
Vehicles
Nitti Port
Barges
Residential Camp
Mining machinery (excavators, dozers Mine Panels
etc)
2.
Noise/Air/Heat/vibration Rotating and moving equipment
Wash plant, Workshop, Nitti
Port, Mine panels.
Welding.
3.
Accidents
Vehicle/Automotive Machinery
Haul
roads/workshop
stockpile area/wash plant
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Wash Plant
Wash plant
Falls of Ground
Workshop
Electrical
Wash plant, camp, Nitti Port.
Maintenance and Repairs Accidents
Wash plant, workshop, Nitti
port
4.
Oil Spills
Fuel Station
Mechanical Workshop
Barge
Parking Lot
Mechanical Workshop
Matta Camp, Nitti Port,
Plant site
Wash Plant
Power Plant
5.
Explosions
Gas Cylinders
Workshop, Kitchen
Volatile Substances
General store, workshop,
barge
Electricity
Plant site, Matta camp, Nitti
Port
Fuel Station
Workshop
Mine Panels
Gbonge, Wunde, Gondama,
Konta,
Kitchen
6.
Tailings Storage Facility Seepage within embankment
Matta camp
Plant site
Failure
7.
Flooding
Rupture of conduit
Plant site
Increase in water level
Plant site
Blockage of pipeline
Plant site
Surface inundation
Plant site, stock pile areas,
mine panels, ROM pad
Open cut drainage
Mine panels, haul roads,
plant site etc.
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Storage reservoir
8.
Release of chemicals
Analytical laboratory, welding, repairs
Plant Site
Workshop
Risk Analyses
Knowledge of potential risks from these natural hazards, in both the environment, mine facilities, mine
personnel and the public is necessary for establishing the health, safety, and environmental
management objectives and how to manage them with the most appropriate mitigation measures. The
determination of the risk of an incident/accident associated with each hazard at the project’s
operational sites will entail:
Identification of the potential failures or accidents;
Quantification of the material that may released when any failure takes place;
An estimation of the probability of occurrences; and
An evaluation of the effects of such occurrences based on certain scenarios such as most
probable and worst case events.
Table 12 Risk Analyses for potential Hazards at SMHL Mine Site
Risk
Fire
Scenario
Frequency
Consequences
Result
Pers
Env
Pub
Fac
Camp
C
a
d
c
a
Ca
Wash plant
C
a
d
d
a
Ca
Power house
C
b
d
b
b
Cb
Workshop
C
b
d
d
a
Ca
Fuel station
C
a
c
c
a
Ca
Admin. building
C
a
c
c
a
Ca
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Explosion
Nitti port
C
b
a
c
a
Ca
Barge
C
c
a
d
a
Ca
Vehicles
B
b
c
c
a
Bb
Haul roads
B
c
b
b
a
Bb
Propane gas
C
b
d
c
c
Cb
Volatile
B
b
c
c
c
Bb
Electricity
B
b
c
c
b
Bb
Fuel station
A
b
c
c
b
Bb
Fuelling
B
c
b
d
c
Bb
General stores
C
c
c
d
c
Cc
Barge
C
c
c
c
c
Cc
Workshop/wash
C
c
c
d
c
Cc
Parking lot
C
c
b
d
Seepage/outflow
A
d
b
b
c
Ab
of B
d
b
c
b
Bb
Increase in water A
d
b
c
b
Ab
substances
Spills
plant
TSF/Dam
Failure
Rupture
conduit
level
Flooding
Pipe blockage
A
d
c
d
c
Ad
Surface
A
c
b
b
b
Ab
cut B
d
b
b
c
Bb
d
c
c
d
Cc
inundation
Open
drainage
Storage reservoir
C
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Stockpile
C
d
c
d
c
Cd
Laboratory
b
b
c
c
d
Bb
Volcanizer
B
b
c
d
d
Bb
Welding
B
b
c
d
d
Bc
Overflow
C
c
c
d
c
Cc
Blockage
C
c
c
d
c
Cc
Haul roads
A
b
b
d
d
Ab
Mine panels
B
b
d
d
c
Bb
Workshop
B
b
d
d
c
Bb
Barge loading
C
b
d
d
c
Cb
Power plant
C
b
d
d
c
Cb
Wash plant
C
b
d
d
c
Cb
Kitchen
C
b
d
d
b
Cb
Mine site
A
b
d
c
d
Ab
Community
B
c
d
b
d
Bc
Haul roads
Accidental
release
of
chemicals
Sewerage
Wastes
Seepage
Accidents
Civil strife
*Frequency: Highly likely – A; Likely – B; Possible – C; Unlikely – D.
*Consequences (On personnel, Public, Environment, Facility): Catastrophic – a; Critical – b;
Marginal –c;
Negligible
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Purchasing and Control of Materials and Services
To minimize the hazards and risk associated with the supply of materials and services form contractors
and other service providers, SMHL will:
Incorporate its health and safety requirements in the tender specification all major contracts.
Reserve the right to review of the tendering of contractors’ health and safety systems and
performance prior to the commence of any business;
Require the contractor to examine SMHL’s procedures such as hazard identification and risk
assessment, permit to work, safety risk assessment, communications and emergency response;
Train employees and contractors in the health, safety and environmental implications
associated with purchases and the control measures available to minimise risks associated with
identified hazards;
Incorporate health, safety and environmental requirements into purchase specifications and
/or purchase orders;
Ensure that employees and contractors are consulted prior to purchase of materials and
equipment with potential health and safety issues;
Reserve the right to inspect and verify materials against purchase specifications;
Ensure that provision be made for a competent person to check the health, safety and
environmental implications of any new chemical and for material safety data sheets (MSDS) to
be made available to employees prior to use of the chemicals concerned; and
Keep MSDS Registers up to date and in a form accessible to employees and sub-contractors in
an emergency situation.
Standard Operating Procedures
To meet the above objective, SMHL will prepare and implement operational procedures which will be
accessible to all personnel working on the Project. All employees and contractors will be trained in the
relevant SOPs listed below.
PPE
Working at Height
LOTO
Hazardous Substances Storage & Handling
Fire & Explosion Safety
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Crusher Operations
Loading & Unloading Operations
Electrical Safety
Plant & Equipment – General Site Housekeeping
Machinery Use/ Machinery Guarding
Dust Control
Fork Lift Truck Operations
Flammable Gases - Storage & Use; and
Vehicle Operations (Driver Competence and Vehicle Maintenance).
Detailed SOPs will be required for all of the above with special emphasis placed on PPE provision. For
the provision of PPEs, SMHL will be responsible for ensuring that all personnel are provided with
appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which conforms to the relevant standards and project
requirements as listed below:
Safety helmet;
Eye protection;
Gloves;
Footwear
Skin protection by way of sunscreen;
Clothing to protect skin against burns by heat or fire;
Clothing to protect skin against toxic or volatile chemicals;
Noise/hearing protection.
Only personnel with the prerequisite training and qualifications will be authorised to use any specialist
PPEs. Other visitors to the project site including sub-contractors and suppliers shall comply with the PPE
requirements stipulated by the General Manager. For all employees entering the project site, the
minimum PPE shall include:
long sleeved protective clothing;
safety footwear;
safety helmet;
safety spectacles/goggles; and
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gloves (if conducting any manual tasks).
First Aid Responses
The key objective of the First Aid response is to demonstrate that there is an effective emergency
response process put at the mine site put in place to reduce the impact of an emergency to levels that
meet the expectations and needs of personnel, and the mining community. All the personnel at the
project site will be first trained, from which a specialist team will be set up and trained in the first aid
response plan that will involve the identification of potential risks and the provision of feedback to
improve on the response plan. First aid boxes will be installed at all strategic locations including vehicles
that are in use during operations. To achieve the above objectives, SMHL shall undertake the following:
Ensure that qualified first-aid is provided at the project site at all times;
Equipped first-aid station and eye wash points should be provided close to all work places
where immediate flushing with water is the recommended first-aid response.
Develop and maintain first-aid procedure;
Develop an emergency response plan to include the procedure and structure for emergency
response;
Develop specific potential emergencies as outlined in the risk matrix; and
Prepare and implement an emergency response manual for the project to include procedures
for integrating SMHL procedures with other contractors’ procedures.
Incident/Accident Reporting
The objective is to demonstrate that appropriate procedures are put in place for the systematic
reporting of accidents, incidents and near misses; and for an effective follow up and review of safety
performance made to prevent measures of adverse situations. The process will include:
An identification of the causes of incidents and accidents;
Ensuring a systematic approach for reporting and investigating incidents and accidents; and
Preventing future accidents and incidents.
The Safety Officer will compile and maintain records of each accident/incident occurring, including
details in each case of any corrective action taken. To achieve this, SMHL shall develop, implement and
maintain incident/accident reporting and investigating procedure to include:
Incident reporting system;
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Accident reporting system; Corrective action register with records of all occurrences and
progress on the follow up of corrective actions.
Employee Health and Safety Data System
SMHL will maintain a data system for the collection, storage, analysis, retrieval and dissemination of all
health and safety information on its employees.
In collaboration with SMHL medical personnel, the EHS Manager and the Human Resources Manager,
the Safety Officer shall develop, implement and maintain a procedure for the collection, maintenance
and confidential retention of employee health and safety information. The procedure will detail
performance indicators that will be compared to similar mining operations. Such data will be reported
on monthly basis.
To ensure the integrity of SMHL project and safety of its personnel, a health monitoring system will
established to ensure that employees are fit for work and be able to work safely at all times. To achieve
this, SMHL shall develop, implement and maintain a health monitoring procedure which will include:
A medical report prior to employment;
Injury management and return to work system; and
Fitness for work procedures.
Monitoring and Training
Occupational health and safety monitoring programs will be established to verify the effectiveness of
prevention and control strategies. The occupational health and safety monitoring program should
include: Safety inspection and testing which will include regular inspection and testing of all safety
features focusing on engineering and personal protective features, work procedures, places of work,
installations, equipment, and tools used. All instruments installed or used for monitoring and recording
of working environment parameters should be regularly tested and calibrated, and the respective
records maintained. Monitoring and analyses should be conducted according to internationally
recognized methods and standards.
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Training activities for employees and visitors should be adequately monitored and documented.
Emergency exercises, including fire drills, should be documented adequately. Other service providers
and contractors will be required to submit to SMHL adequate training documentation before start of
their assignment.
7.6 Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan
Under the current EPA/SL requirements, SMHL is required to provide updates to the reclamation Plan as
mining proceeds. These updates will include revision of the reclamation and closure plan that will
address the actual site conditions. It will include new data such as the reclaimed sites to date, proposed
waste dump sites, etc. Periodic reviews of the plan will be undertaken in accordance with EPA/SL
requirements.
The reclamation plan that is developed is in consistent with the following guidelines and regulations:
Guidelines addressed by the EPA/SL,
Best standard practices of the International Finance Corporation (IFC),
SMHL guidelines for reclamation of tailings pond and other facilities.
The reclamation objectives for the plan include:
Converting areas disturbed by mining to a condition appropriate for pre-mining uses such as
cropland and small residential development.
Decommissioning and salvaging on mine sites, facilities, buildings, equipments and ancillary
facilities.
Ensuring the mitigation of adverse impacts in the post mining scenario, including residual
problems such as soil erosion, slope failures, waste piling on slopes, and ground water seepage
from mine works.
Establish a long-term biophysical stability in the disturbed areas so as to minimize the
requirements for long-term monitoring.
Mine Reclamation and Closure Methods: SMHL has been engaged in reclamation activities concurrently
with mining, thereby reducing reclamation costs at the end of the project as well as developing and
improving reclamation techniques to maximize vegetation success and productivity.
The activities to be undertaken by SMHL will include:
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Slope Stability and Surface Water Protection: Some of the structural measures that will be put
in place will include diversions, backfilling and the construction of grass waterways. On the
Gbonge Hills for example, cut and fills will be part of the extraction and reclamation activities.
Soil Salvage and Redistribution: Materials that are used for reclamation will be collected from
previously stockpiled wastes produced prior to excavation. The quantity of soil that will be
placed over the entire site will vary according to the availability or volume of stockpiles, the
plant species that is used, and the proposed land use of the site and the steepness of the slope.
Surface Grading and Seedbed Preparation: Surface grading will be consistent with the
surrounding topography. Sediment and erosion control measures may include installation of silt
fences, diversion channels and sediment traps. The final result will be a scenario of land use that
will be safe for farming by the local community. For the mine panels, reclamation will involve
stabilizing the panel surfaces and establishing vegetation cover. Backfilling will be carried out
until a Salvaging and Demolition of Facilities: Demolition procedures for all facilities will
include removal of: a. hazardous materials from sites; b. equipments and buildings; c. power
lines; d. burial of concrete foundations etc.
Specific Reclamation Methods: Specific reclamation activities will be undertaken including:
Access roads constructed during Sieromco period. The major roads to Gbonge, Walihun, Nitti
and Mokanji are used both by SMHL and the public with repairs done by the former. These may
not be required for closure, but the repair works will be taken over by the Sierra Leone Roads
Authority (SLRA). Only access and haulage roads of no economic significance will be closed by
ripping to remove compaction and regarding to blend with the local terrain.
Waste Facilities: The closure of this facility will include salvaging of the soil to cover the dump
site shaped to enhance good drainage conditions. This cover will be revegetated using the
necessary soil treatment.
Stockpiles: Progressive reclamation of these sites will include regarding, construction of soil
cover, and revegetation. It is expected that all stockpiles will be completely processed prior to
closure. The covered and reclaimed areas will be monitored and where necessary, maintained
for years.
Tailings Pond: Currently, physical upgrading of the tailings pond at Gondama is necessary and
this will be initiated very soon. Plans are also ahead for a new tailings facility to be constructed.
Reclamation and closure of any these facilities will commence at the end of the mining
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operations. Based on the available information on the physical structure of the pond, the
establishment of vegetative cover is the most suitable strategy. Revegetation trials will be
undertaken to select the most effective method. Because of its physical properties, additional
growth medium would be required to enhance stabilization and plant growth. Once properly
stabilized, revegetation will be done accordingly.
gentle rolling topography is established. Methods of revegetation will include seeding, plant
propagation and tree or shrub planting. Alley Farming will be introduced to minimize the
commonly bush fallowing practices. The method will provide green manure from hedgerows for
the tree crops, provide shade during fallow periods, create barriers that will control soil erosion
on sloping lands and provide wood-fuel for domestic purposes.
Community Involvement: In the implementation of this MRCP, SMHL will implement an effective and
transparent engagement, communication and verifiable reporting arrangements with the company’s
stakeholders making sure that the affected communities are given the opportunity to ask questions
discuss the plan and express any concerns they may have, so that SMHL will be able to respond to
comments received.
Closure Cost Estimates, Implementation schedule and Monitoring: The closure estimate presented
herein is based on the general assumption that mining will proceed as planned, and the concurrent
reclamation activities would be based on the mine plan of operations as amended. The estimated cost
(Table 13) is $26,675,000.00. This estimate is based on the assumption that SMHL continues to
undertake the rehabilitation and future decommissioning at the end of the project. The highest cost
estimate is that for returning the land to its prior use for agriculture and forestry. It must be however
noted that although SMHL is performing concurrent reclamation, adequate monitoring report is not
available to provide details of the quality of work performed so far. Also, due to the fact that SMHL has
not produced plans indicating final limits of mining and land disturbance, the estimates have been
prepared based on professional judgment. An estimate based on actual plans may result in an estimate
higher than these provided.
Post closure monitoring will be undertaken to ensure that the reclamation and closure objectives are
met. The aspects that will be monitored will include:
Vegetation: Site inspection to determine abundance and composition, and the overall success of
revegetation.
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Slope Stability: Site inspection of physical conditions for soil erosion and slope failures at the end
of the wet season.
Water Quality: monitoring of parameters for quality and recovery.
Security Deposit: A security deposit to be provided by SMHL is considered as part of the
reclamation and closure liability for the mines. The estimate that is provided here assumes that
SMHL is performing progressive reclamation activities. As such, SMHL should be entitled to a
reduction in the security requirements agreed upon between SMHL and the GOSL. At the time
of preparing this report, no security bond has been prepared and this is anticipated as soon as
possiblic.
7.7 Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan
The Public Consultation and Disclosure meeting was held for SMHL-Vimetco Bauxite Project’s ESIA draft
report on Monday 28th January 2013 at Serabu, Moyamba and Bo City Council Hall (Regional level
meeting). The consultation was meant to provide stakeholders including local residents, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, government and other interested parties with
project information and to allow them to fully participate once more in the preparation of the ESIA final
report and its implementation process. The meeting was chaired in Krio for common understanding, a
total of about 121 participants were recorded in the attendance list. The meeting started off with both
Christian and Muslim prayers.
Key Objectives of the Public Disclosure and Consultation Process
The key objectives of the public consultation and disclosure are to:
Inform stakeholders and the broader public of the important aspects of the SMHL Bauxite
Project’s ESIA draft report,
Provide an opportunity to consult with local communities, affected parties, stakeholders, civil
activists etc to voice out their concerns and perceptions regarding the project’s ESIA draft
report,
Consult comprehensively by disseminating information about the nature of the project, scoping,
identifying and discussing the public concerns about the project;
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Obtain feedback on perceptions and concerns by means of a public exposure of the ESIA draft
document;
Solicit public comments and encourage input on preferred alternatives, mitigation measures and
similar aspects on project implementation.
Respond to all stakeholders as far as possible and feasible address the concerns and issues that
have been raised so far.
Parties in Attendance
The following groups and organizations were considered as key stakeholder groups:
Affected villages/community members;
Paramount Chiefs (PCs);
Community/Traditional Leaders;
Government Authorities ( EPA-SL and Ministry of Mines’ officials)
Special Interest Groups including the Civil Society;
Members of the Media;
Human Right Activists;
Women Leaders;
Local Council representatives;
Youth Groups;
Ordinary Community Members
NB: Findings, comments and input from key government officials, media representatives, local Council
members, human right activists, affected communities and other participants played a definitive role in
shaping the focus of the ESIA draft document and the development of mitigation/amelioration
measures.
Issues of Concern
Several related issues were designed for discussions and these include: Identification of the major positive and adverse impacts of the project;
Identification of potential benefit enhancement and mitigation measures, and
Other relevant issues
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During this consultation process, a number of other project implementation related issues were
identified by the stakeholders and these are presented in this report.
Table 13 Summary of issues and concerns raised during the rounds of Public Consultation.
Issue
Raised by
Response
Full participation in project Community
implementation
elders,
Local A logical framework for project
council
implementation is prepared in
the CDAP to address this issue
Employment opportunities for Paramount chiefs, community SMHL commits itself to use
indigenes
elders, Local council
local labour as much as
possible. Most jobs that are
available are advertised.
Community
mine
participation
administration
in Paramount
chiefs,
District Bauxite Foundation has been
and chairman, Community elders
set to district Council Chairman.
management
References
to
mitigation Al stakeholders
Mitigation measures contained
measures for noise, dust, water
in the ESIA will be applied to
pollution and biodiversity
address these issues.
Clarification of the Right of Way Paramount chiefs, community Road safety measures are put
(ROW) for public vehicles using elders, Special interest groups.
in place by the Safety Officer to
haul roads.
address this. All roads within
the
concession
area
were
constructed by SMHL and past
mining companies
Clarification on local content
Special interest groups
The need is for a local content
regulation to be established to
LC issues such as supply chains,
technological
competences,
investments and employment
Use of hazardous and toxic Special interest groups
The mineral waste from mining
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substances in mining
and processing is chemically
inert and therefore poses no
risk.
Rehabilitation
of
Tailings Paramount Chiefs, Community A Tailings Management Plan
Storage Facility (TSF)
elders, local council.
has been prepared to address
this.
Tendering
processes
contractors
Project
benefits
for Community
elders,
interest groups
to
the All stakeholders
communities.
Special Implementation framework is
prepared to address this
Communities will stand to
benefit from the project
through the royalties and taxes
paid to government.
Communities also benefit
through jobs, economic
opportunities and local
development initiatives.
Responsibility for liability
SMHL has indicated its
intention to conduct a liability
assessment. This and other past
ESIA provides an indication of
the baseline conditions before
mining, so that future impacts
can be minimised.
Conflict between the employed Community
and the unemployed
elders,
interest groups.
special Conflict, and human rights
issues
are being investigated as part
of the study. SMHL is sensitive
to these issues and will look
into this issue
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Inadequate engagement prior Paramount chiefs, land owners, Continuous stakeholder
to exploration
community elders
consultation and information
Dissemination will be
undertaken to promote
dialogue between itself and
communities
Inadequate compensation for Paramount chiefs, land owners,
In the longer term,
exploration activities
compensation will be guided by
community elders
a detailed and consulted plan.
Poor reclamation works at Paramount
Gbonge site
council,
chiefs,
Local Past mining activities at Gbonge
community
elders, were undertaken by Other
special interest groups, Line contractors.
Ministries.
SMHL
has
undertaken this responsibility
and
proper
reclamation
activities are ongoing.
Erosion and sedimentation in Affected
swamps and bottomlands.
communities, Mitigation
Paramount Chiefs
measures
are
developed in the ESIA to
address this.
Grievance
Management Community elders
Mechanism.
Grievance
management
procedures are part of this
report.
Grievance Mechanisms
The following mechanisms will be applied to ensure that grievances can be properly filed, and that fair
and appropriate consideration be given to those issues.
The Community Affairs Manager will be responsible for building relationships with the
surrounding communities and collecting and disseminating information;
Public meetings will be held on a regular basis to provide a forum for open communications;
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Relationships will be built with local, district and regional authorities, including Paramount
Chiefs, Community elders, the Chairmen of the District Councils, and other officials at the
Ministerial level;
Formal meetings with individual stakeholders and SMHL personnel will be held as needed to
assure follow up and confidentiality on identified issues and concerns;
A formal process or plan for receiving and responding to grievances will be developed and
implemented by the General Manager, through the EH&S Manager and Community Affairs
Manager;
The grievances will be reviewed by the General Manager, through the EH&S Manager and
Community Affairs Manager and appropriate action taken.
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Section 8 – Conclusions and Recommendations
8.1 Conclusions
When all the impacts are considered the two most prominent are those that are prevalent on surface
water, including the hydrology and natural drainage systems in the natural environment and the
disconnect existing between the communities expectations and apprehensions and the realistic gains
which may accrue through a more equitable transfer mechanism. Although there will be a number of
social impacts of high significance, the majority of the impacts on social conditions are of moderate
significance.
The positive economic impact of the mines is highly significant, and the revenue from taxation that will
accrue to government provides resources that can be used to significantly improve the condition of
infrastructure in the South east region of the country . The economic benefit to the local economy is also
significant, since the project will not only support several hundred employees directly, but it will also
support significantly more of their dependents. It is estimated that, on average, each employee will
support eight dependents or family members. This should result in a general improvement in standards
of living in the study area and provides an alternative livelihood to the current subsistence farming.
There is however the need for the Company to institute a more systemic mechanism for the resolution
of social contentions and provide a more effective platform for dialogue with the host communities and
other stakeholders. It would also be imperative that the Community Development Action Plan (CDAP) be
validated and implemented.
8.2 Recommendations
Agricultural Development Fund should be made available through the District Council
Ensure prompt payment of surface rent and compensation to the appropriate beneficiary
Re-assessment/re-evaluation of total land area slated as concession zone
Involve the communities in land negotiation and benefit sharing mechanism in order to avoid
future disputes and disruption in the mining operation.
Develop sustainable livelihood framework in the community – skills training, scholarships,
income diversification schemes etc
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Page 127
Implement the Community Development Action Plan. (CDAP).
Embark on effective land reclamation and rehabilitation scheme.
References:
1. Aqua Terra Consulting (2003): Environmental Impact Assessment (Volume 1) . Prepared for
Sierra Minerals Holdings, Ltd. Guma Valley Building Lamina Sancoh Street. PO Box 59, Freetown
Sierra Leone.
2. Caldwell, P & Weaver, (1999): Handbook of Environmental Impact Assessment Vol. 2.
(Blackwell).
3. IMC Mackay and Schnellman: Sirra Rutile Environmental Assessment Report; (1997).
4. FAO (1976a). A framework for Land Evaluation. FAO Soil Bulleting No. 32, 72p.
5. Mackenzie, D.H.:1961: Geological Survey of Sierra Leone: Bull. No3.Geology and Mineral
Resources of Gbangbam Area.
6. Odell R.T. (et. al): 1974: Properties, Classification and use of Tropical Soils with special reference
to those in Sierra Leone. (Njala University Press).
7. UNDP/FAO (1979). Land in Sierra Leone: a reconnaissance survey and evaluation for agriculture.
Technical Report No 1 AC: DP/SIL/73/002.
8. Knight Piesold Consulting (2003): Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Sierra Rutile Ltd.
Vol. 1.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Final Report: Prepared by TEDAEnvironmental Consultant: November: 2012
Page 128
ANNEXES
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Annex A - Table 1. Summary of Surface and Ground Water Quality: SMHL Operational
area.
Wat
Paramet
ers
er
Tem
PH
pera
Turbi
Conduc
TDS
Alumi
dity
tivity
(mg
num
(NTU)
(µs/cm)
/l)
(mg/l)
ture
Cop
per
(mg
/l)
Dissol
ved
iron
(mg/l
)
Nitrit
e
(mg/l
)
Faecal
Phosp
E.Coil
Coliform
hate
(cfu/1
s
(mg/l)
00ml)
(cfu/100
ml)
Location
Tailing
Dam 3
Moseki
Enffluent
25.6
7.6
25.90
16.40
8.60
0.49
0.06
0.23
0.09
17.80
155.00
25.00
25.8
7.4
10.20
16.10
8.10
0.52
0.03
0.44
0.04
9.20
180.00
120.00
25.6
7.2
12.60
16.80
8.40
0.46
0.03
0.49
0.07
9.40
220.00
165.00
25.5
6.5
0.04
224.00
0.31
0.06
0.47
0.03
2.80
25.00
10.00
25.5
6.4
5.20
98.10
0.23
0.03
0.35
0.03
22.40
85.00
0.00
25.7
6.3
0.05
44.70
0.21
0.07
0.01
0.04
5.90
5.00
0.00
25.1
6.4
1.80
23.40
0.14
0.05
0.09
0.04
5.90
5.00
0.00
26.1
6.7
0.20
28.70
0.51
0.01
0.13
0.05
14.60
-
0.00
25.6
6.5
3.40
21.30
0.26
0.05
1.10
0.03
9.10
15.00
5.00
Mokepi
Taia
River
Mokepi
H.D Well
Tailing
Dam 5
Gondam
a H.D
Well
Wunde
H.D Well
Gbonge
H.D Well
Motuow
o H.D
112.
00
49.1
0
22.6
0
11.8
0
14.5
0
10.7
0
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Page 130
Table – 2. Flora [Plant Species]
Species of High Economic Value
Timber
mahogany
Khaya
Cottage Industries
Fibres
Carvings
Lonchocarpus
Ceiba
(Diospyros
and pentandra,
Dalbergia
senagalensis,
precatorius
spp.,
Medicinal
Domestic/Cosmetic
Erythrina
Dichapetalum
anthotheca*,
cyanescens
Entandrophragma
Indigofera suffructiosa Bombax
melanoxylon),
utile*,
(Blue-indigo dye),
Albizia gummifera, lachryma-Jobi
E. angolensi*,
Bixa orellana, Baphia Gossypium
E.
cylindricum*, nitida,
buonopozense,
Harungana hirsutum,
Funtumia
Abrus toxicarium
Coix back),
(broke-
Erythrophleum
(the guineense,
Afrormosia
tears
of
Job). Strophanthus hispidus,
laxiflora,
Carthomion
Rauvolfia
vomitoria,
Pterocarpus
altissimum,
Voacanga
africana,
(African walnut)
madagascariensis
Plakenetia
(orange-red dyes); Cola Calotropis procera,
erinaceus,
Tetrapleura tetraptera, Allophyllus africana,
conophora*
nitida,
Dichostachys
Lagenaria
Tetracarpidium
occidentale
glomerata.
Strychnosspinosa
Adenia cissampeloides,
Crescentia,
Strychnos
Anacardium Clapertonia
(brown ficifolia,
conophorum, (African dye),
Urena
cedar)
Afzelia
Alchornia cordifolia,
Corchorus
africana,(
African
Mucuna
oak)-
Oldfieldia (Black
africana*,
(African
pruriens olitorius,
(Craterispermum
teak) laurinum)
Chlorophora excelsa,
(Apocynaceae,
Terminalia ivorensis,
Asclepiadaceae,
dye). Triumfetta
cordifolia
sisalana),
lobata, Mitragyna
stipulosa,
siceraria,
Baphia cujete(calabashes),
nitida,
pinnata,
usambarensis,
Cnestis
Luffa aegyptica and L. ferruginea,
Spondias purpurea acutangula
Agave (Gambia plum)
Paullina
S. gourd).
Alafia
(loofah multiflora,
Dichrostachys
mombin (fits plum),
glomerata,
Gmelina arborea
Carapa
Alchornea
procera,
cordifolia
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Page
T.
superba, Solanaceae,
Piptadeniastrum
africanum,
(Musa sapientum),
Euphorbiaceae’
Daniellia Moraceae
(Funtumia
Craterispernum
laurimum,
Blighia sapida,
thurifera,
elastica F. africana)
Mareya
Klainedoxa
(Hevea
Mucuna pruriens,
gabonensis,
Albizias
Adenia
lobata’
Brachystegia
A. zygia,
Tephrosia
vogelii,
leonensis,
A. gummifera,
Cassia
Albizia ferruginea,
A. andianthifolia
Phyllanthus discoideus,
Parkia biolor,
Xylia
brasiliensis
micrantha,
sieberiana,
Terminalia macroptera,
evansii,
Butyrospermum
Ricinodendron
paradoxum,
heudelotii,
paradoxa,
Hannoa
Vitellaria
klaineana,
Hymenocardia acida,
Erythrophleum
Anthocleista procera,
ivorense,
Grewia
Irvingia gabonensis*,
Dioscorea dumetorum,
Mimusops
Urginea indica.
heckelii,
carpinofolia,
Cathormion
Ageratum conyzoides,
altissimum,
Cassia absus , Solanum
Amphimas
nigrum,
pterocarpoides,
hirta,
Euphorbia
Phyllanthus
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Cynometra leonensis,
amarus,
Tieghemella
Centella
asiatica,
Borreria
verticilata
heckelii*,
Heritiera
utilis, Lophira
Biden pilosa, Spigelia
procera,
anthelmia,
Sacoglottis
gabonensis*,
Desmondium
Triplochiton
gangeticum, Boerhavia
scleroxylon*, Parinari
diffusa,
excelsa, Bussea
gynandra.
occidentalis,
Cassia alata,
Pentaclethra
C. tora,
microphylla
C. podocarpa,
C.
Gynandropsis
occidentalis
(stinking
Corchorus
weed)
olitorius
(pot-herb kren-kren).
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Table -3. Species of Agricultural Value (Crop Plants)
Wild Fruits
Cereals
Tamarindus
(sour
indica Oryza sativa (white Lagenaria
tumbler), rice)
Tarrietia
(African
Vegetables
utilis
O.
macrocarpon
jakato)
(dita),
S.
O. barthii
trimera O.longistaminata.
Zea mais (Kus Kus)
needle),
(wild Crassocephalum
biafrae
Beverages
Coffea
Legumes/Nuts/spices
stenophylla Mentha spicata (mint),
Portulaca (Garcinia
oleracea (rat’s ear),
glaberrima Solanum
Detarium senegalense O.brachyantha
(damzon),
siceraria Bidens pilosa (bush
(white pumpkin,
almond), (brown rice)
Dacryoides
Leafy Vegetables
kola) Cinnamonum zeylanicum
(anticongestant,
(cinamon),
diuretic
and Xylopia
(bologi), antipyretic).
aethiopica
(symingi),
dasyphyllum, Basella alba (broad Cymbopogon citratus (Nicotiana
Trichosanthes
cucumerina
bologi),
(snake triangulare’
Talinum (lemon grass),
rustica).
Physiogstigma
venosum
Ocimum gratissimum (calabar beans),
Vitex doniana (black Magaritiferum
tomato)
bologi),
plum), Anisophyllea (Sorghum)
Beilshmielda
Emilia
laurinia
Pennisetum
mannia (tola) Luffa Ocimum
americanum
acutangula Citrullus (patmenji) Struchuim Thaumatococcus
(bambara groundnut).
lunatus
Diospyros heudelotii
(monkey
apple),
Spondias
mombin (Bulrush Millet)
(fits plum),
Digitaria
(tea
bush) Parkia biglobosa (kenda,
coccinea Hyptissuaveolens
basilicum (bush
tea
bitters).
beans)
bush). Voandzeia
Cucurbito sparganophora (water daniellii
exilis pepo
locust
(Ketenfe)’
(bush
and
subterranea
palm
kernels),
Flacourtia
vogelii (Fundi).
Ricinus communis
Dioscoreophyllum
Telfairea
occidentalis
(black
berry),
Arachis hypogea.
cumminsii
(oyster nuts),
Omphalocarpum
(serendipity berry).
Butyrospermum
pachysteloides
Elaeis giuneensis (oil paradoxum (shea butter)
(botlem),
palm)’
Pentaclethra macrophylla
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Chrysophyllum
Raphia
cainita (bobby water),
(raffia palm).
vinifera (fawei).
Pentadesma
butyracea (sodei)
Erythrococca
anomala (bush lime),
Mammea americana
(mammy supporter),
Passiflora
(passion
Uvaria
foetida
fruit),
chamae
(finger fruit), Salacia
senegalensis
(malombo),
Uvaria
afzelii
(monkey
finger),
Citropsis
articulata,
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Table – 4 Common Animal Species
Primates
Green Monkey,
Western Baboon,
Black and White
Colobus Monkey,
Patas Monkey,
Diana Monkey,
Antelopes/
Ungulates
Giant Eland,
Western
Hartbeet,
Rodents
Carnivores
Reptiles
Reptiles
Bats
Scaly-Tailed
Squirrel,
Cape Clawless
Otter,
Spitting Cobra
Gallinago
Media
Moloney's Flat-headed Bat
(LC)Dark-brown Serotine
(NT)
Cape Serotine (LC)
Banana Pipistrelle (LC)
Rendall's Serotine (LC)
Somali Serotine (LC)
White-winged Serotine (LC)
Allen's Pipistrelle (DD)
Tiny Pipistrelle (LC)
Light-winged Lesser House
Bat (DD)
Dark-winged Lesser House
Bat (DD)
African Yellow Bat (LC)
White-bellied Yellow Bat
(LC)
Nut-colored Yellow Bat (LC)
Schreiber's Long-fingered
Bat (LC)
Gland-tailed Free-tailed Bat
(LC)
Little Free-tailed Bat (LC)
Sierra Leone Free-tailed Bat
(LC)
Angolan Free-tailed Bat
(LC)
Dwarf Free-tailed Bat (LC)
Spurrell's Free-tailed Bat (L
Black Mamba
Ground Squirrel,
Honey Badger,
Green Mamba
Sterna
Balaenarum
Zebra Duiker,
Flying Squirrel,
African Civet,
Jetink,
Cane Rat,
Two spotted Civet,
Yellow
Mamba
Ceratogymna
Cylindricus
Red Colobus Monkey,
Red- Flank
Duiker,
Slender Mongoose,
Rhino Viper
C elata
Olive Colobus
Monkey,
Black Duiker,
Dermidoff’s
Galago,
Boa
Constrictor
Phylastrephus
Baumanni
Guinea Baboon,
Yellow-Back
Duiker,
Brush-tailed
Porcupine,
Python
Laniarus Furatti
Bush Buck,
Puff Adder
Crested Purcupine,
Malaconotus
Lagdeni
Maxwell’s
Duiker,
Gambian
Mongoose,
Blue Duiker,
Marsh Mongoose,
Royal
Antelope,
Wild Cat
Lesser-Spot Nosed
Monkey,
Campbel’s Monkey,
Olive Baboon,
Sitatunga.
Waglers Viper
Golden Cat,
Falco
naomanni: VU
Agelastes
Melleagrides:
(VU)
Illadopsis
Rufescens
Lampronis
Cupreo
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Table – 5 Summary of Project Impacts: SMHL Bauxite Mining Project.
No Environmental
Issue
Source of Impact
(Activity)
Impact
Affected
Significance
Community(ies) Timescale Area Magnitude Likelihood
/Receptors
Bio-Physical
1
2
3
Topography
Geology
Air
Vegetation
Removal ,
Excavation of
Overburden,
Opening of Mine
Panels,
Back Filling,
Leveling,
Grading.
Removal of
overburden,
Excavation from mine
panels.
Land Clearing,
Excavation,
Earthmoving,
Storage of materials,
Handling and
Transportation.
Land Disturbance,
Soil Compaction,
Slope Displacement.
Gondama
Konta
Jenega
Wunde
Gbonge
Permanent Local
Moderate
(Low
severity)
Likely
Soil erosion,
Sedimentation in
streams and valleys
Gondama
Konta
Jenega
Wunde
Gbonge
Permanent Local
Moderate
(Low
severity)
Very Likely
Air Pollution
Machine
operators,
Nearby
Communities,
Villages along
haul roads,
Personnel at
plant site
Short-term
Moderate
Likely
Local
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Noise Pollution
4 Noise
5
Surface
Water
Visual
6
Resources
Machine operation,
Hauling of ore,
Ore beneficiation,
Stockpiling,
Power generation,
Bauxite drying,
Loading.
Vegetation remova,l
Excavation,
Construction and
rehabilitation of road
infrastructure,
Construction and
rehabilitation of mine
facilities,
Ore beneficiation,
Stockpiling,
Mine Reclamation and
Closure.
Mining operations,
Construction,
Demolition.
Soil erosion,
Run-off,
Sedimentation in streams and
valleys,
Water pollution,
Changes in local hydrology.
Negative effect on the View
Shed in the rural environment
Gondama plant site,
Nitti Port,
Mine panels,
Haul roads,
Matta camp.
Shortterm
Local
Low Moderate
Likely
Shortterm
Local
Locally
high
Very
Likely
Local
Moderate
(Low
severity )
Likely
All communities
located within the
mine lease
All communities
located within the
mine lease,
Communities located
along haul roads and
out of the lease area
Medium
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Ore beneficiation
7
Accidental
Release of
Sludge
from TSF
8
Wildlife
Protected
Areas and
Cultural
Properties
9
Borrow
Pits and
Quarry
Sites
10
Flora and
Fauna
Release and discharge of
sludge into dams and local
drainage systems,
Increase in turbidity,
conductivity and in-organic
particulates in the drainage
system.
Communities in the
downstream
sections of the lease
area,
Gondama plant site.
No Significant Impact - NSI
(NSI)
Quarrying and Road
rehabilitation work.
Soil erosion,
Open pits become breeding
ground for insect disease
vectors,
Intrusion of sediments into
farm lands.
Loss of flora and fauna
Villages along main
haul and access
roads.
Accidents,
Incidents,
Spread of communicable
diseases.
Accidents
SMHL personnel
Communities within
operational area.
Vegetation removal
(NSI)
Entire lease area.
Short-term
Local
(NSI)
(NSI)
Shortmedium
term
Local
Permanent Local
Low
(NSI)
High
Likely
(NSI)
Likely
LowVery
Moderate Likely
Socio-economics
Community
11 Health and
Safety
Traffic and
12
road Safety
Mine related activities
Vehicular transportation
Motor bike riders
Pedestrians.
SMHL personnel
Communities along
haul roads.
Short-term
Local
Low
Likely
Short-term
Local
Low
Likely
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Migration
13
Population
Movements
Socio-economics
14
Gender
Impacts
Spread of communicable
diseases,
Prostitution,
Disruption of Social and
Cultural values,
Drug and alcohol abuse
Theft,
Domestic Violence.
Noise.
Land Ownership,
Teenage pregnancy and
early Marriage,
Increase in early school dropout.
Entire mining
community
Long
Local
Moderate
Very
Likely
Long
Local
Low Moderate
Very
Likely
Entire mining
communities
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Table – 6 Summaries of Mitigation Measures
No
Environmental Issue
Mitigation Measures
Bio-Physical
Topography
Reclaim Mined-out Areas, Reclaim Stockpile Areas, Use designated routes
in the wet season.
Geology
Separation of super soil from sub soil during removal.
Proper grading and reshaping of the disturbed
Adequate crop suitability procedures for reclamation work.areas.
Prompt timing of re-vegetation on reclaimed lands to avoid top soil removal
in the early rain events.
Establishment of sediment raps, bunds and where necessary construction
of diversion ditches.
Regular inspection of reclamation and repair works where needed; and
Use of rock mulch on unprotected surfaces.
Air
Dust Suppression in the Dry season, Provision of mask to employees in
dusty areas,
use of gaseous control equipment at plant site,
apply traffic safety rules and regulations,
reduce speed limits,
construct speed bumps in villages along haul roads,
Noise
Future facilities with high noise impacts should be located well away from
noise sensitive areas.
Mine faces should be used as noise barriers in the immediate vicinity of
villages such as Gbonge, Jenega and Konta.
Protective hearing devices should be used when employees are at work
especially at or near earth-moving equipment, wash plants and power
houses.
Surface Water
Stockpiles and overburden should not be placed at nearby drainage ways.
Waste oil, fuel and other lubricants should be stored in strong
containments.
Tailings Management Plan should be properly implemented.
As much as possible, leakages into earth fill dams should be avoided.
Efforts should be made in the wet season to ensure that rain water is
diverted from the TSF
6
Visual Resources
Where construction of power lines would be required, features should be
designed so as to achieve landscape designs
Impoundment dams should be rehabilitated to meet international
standards.
Burrow pits and mine faces should be graded
7
Accidental Release of Sludge
from TSF
Rehabilitation, development and implementation of the Tailings
Management Plan coupled with regular inspection programme
1
2
3
4
5
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No
Environmental Issue
Mitigation Measures
8
Wildlife Protected Areas and
Cultural Properties
(NSF)
9
Borrow Pits and Quarry Sites
The pits should be closed up immediately after use
Quarry sites must be included in mines closure and reclamation plans
Flora and Fauna
Prompt mine reclamation activities in the mined out areas should be
enhanced.
If vulnerable or endangered species exist within the mine sites, measures
should be taken to create alternative sites.
10
Socio-economics
11
12
13
14
Community Health and Safety
Traffic and Road Safety
Population Movements
Gender Impacts
Provision of additional health facilities to the five affected chiefdoms;
Provision of health services to all workers and their families, which will
avoid new demands on health services by Project out-of-area workers.
Avoid and minimize environmental effects that have potential to affect
health, including dust, noise,
Preventions should be taken against fire accidents
Provide driver safety training to all workers.
Impose speed limits;
Schedule truck traffic along the public highways to avoid peak hours; and
Introduce safety campaigns for the communities.
Give job preference to the local population
Job opportunities such as poultry and piggery farming, vegetable gardening,
bakery, brick making, entertainment centres
Training;
establishing micro credit schemes and through serving as a market for the
agricultural produce
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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ANNEX B - Socio-economic Analysis
.
1.0.
Demography
1.1.
Table A-1
Chiefdoms
Population
Basic Population figures of Sample Households
Total
Sample
No. of people in
Household
population
household
sampled
Men
women 3 4 5 6 7
>8
39
26
13
1 3 7 2 8
18
Upper
Banta
Lower Banta 39
Kpanda
41
Kemoh
Bumpe
41
Dasse
20
Source: field survey, 2012
Mean
household
size
7.67
Total number
of households
299
24
34
15
7
0
0
4
3
3
5
4
6
3
6
25
21
11.1
8.41
433
345
30
15
11
5
0
2
3
1
5
1
9
3
4
4
20
9
8.51
7.85
349
157
Table A-2
Age Distribution of Sample Households
Upper
Lower
Kpanda
Household composition
Banta
Banta
Kemoh
Bumpe
Number of household members aged 65
28
51
42
32
years and above
Number of males aged 41- 64 years
35
46
37
35
Number of females aged 41-64 years
37
57
38
41
Number of males aged 16-40 years
39
56
31
67
Dasse
Total
25
178
18
17
22
171
190
215
Number of females aged 16-40 years
32
66
50
52
16
216
Number of females aged 6-15 years
Number of males aged 6-15 years
Number of male children 0 – 5 years
Number of female children 0 – 5 years
TOTAL
Source: field survey
32
30
24
26
283
75
80
51
32
514
49
35
23
44
349
62
43
21
13
366
27
16
27
14
182
245
204
146
129
1694
1.2.
Household characteristics
Analysis of socioeconomic data at chiefdom level in the selected communities studied, show that
majority of interviewed respondents were males (71.7%). Although the nature of these are male
dominated as indicated in the number of respondents, the team solicited information from a substantial
number of women (28.3%). This implies that the reported socioeconomic issues in the chiefdoms have
included both men and women feelings and perceptions.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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As presented in Table A-3 majority of the interviewed respondents in the chiefdoms where data were
collected are married (86.7%). Cases of widowed were very low if not non-existence in some chiefdom.
With an exception of the Upper and Lower Banta Chiefdoms, where the number of widows was
reported (10.3 and 7.7% respectively), the remaining of the chiefdoms had no widows.
An overwhelming majority of respondents were heads of household while 14.8 percent were de jure
household heads that were either never married, were divorced or widowed female headed
households. Among the male respondents, the large majority (85.2%) were de facto heads of
households.
An analysis of the educational status of respondents, which was defined in terms of different levels of
schooling are presented in Table A 3. There were considerable variations observed among respondents
regarding their educational attainment. In most cases some respondents cited more than one level of
education. In addition to formal schooling some also cited Koranic education. However, 60.1% of
respondents had no formal education (illiterate), 12.3% up to primary school and 10.4% up to secondary
level. Only a small proportion had attained tertiary education. This group comprised teachers and
employed members of staff residing in the chiefdoms. In general, this implies that many people in the
project area had limited opportunities to access income generating activities that demands educational
skills.
On average, a high proportion of respondents had a mean age of 55.6 years and a standard deviation of
15.7 years. Dasse, lower Banta had the highest number of aged respondents, while Kpanda Kemoh had
the lowest number.
Other household characteristics
Table A 4 provides information on other characteristics of household dwellings in the surveyed
communities, such as ownership, roofing, wall and flooring materials. An overwhelming majority of
respondents (94.4%) indicated that they owned house in their respective communities surveyed. The
type of roofing, wall and flooring materials can be viewed as an indicator of the quality of housing, a
dimension of wealth, as well as indicator of health risk.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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Table A-3
Household
characteristics
Sex
Marital status
Education level
Age
Socioeconomic Characteristics of Respondents by Chiefdom
Male
Female
Single
Married
Widowed
Illiterate
Primary school
Secondary school
Graduate/tertiary education
Vocational/technical school
Religious school
No answer
Years (Mean)
Upper
Banta
66.7
33.3
15.4
74.4
10.3
55.3
21.1
0.0
5.3
5.3
7.9
5;3
55.8
Residential
status
Permanent resident
92.3
Resident absent
2.6
Member of non-resident 5.1
household
Source: field survey, 2012
Lower
Banta
61.5
38.5
2.6
89.7
7.7
69.2
2.6
15.4
7.7
0.0
5.1
0.0
57.9
Kpanda
Kemoh
82.9
17.1
7.3
92.7
0.0
64.9
10.8
16.2
5.4
0.0
2.7
0.0
52.7
Bumpe
Dasse
TOTAL
73.2
26.8
12.2
87.8
0.0
52.9
14.7
5.9
14.7
2.9
8.8
0.0
54.0
75.0
25.0
5.0
90.0
5.0
53.3
13.3
20.0
6.7
0.0
6.7
0.0
59.9
71.7
28.3
8.9
86.7
4.4
60.1
12.3
10.4
8.0
1.8
6.1
1.2
55.6
100
0.0
0.0
100
0.0
0.0
100
0.0
0.0
100
0.0
0.0
98.3
0.6
1.1
The Table shows that 41.4% of houses have iron sheets roofing. A significant proportion of this
galvanized iron sheets roofing were found in Dasse (61.1%) followed by communities in the Upper Banta
chiefdoms; compared to 43.9% of surveyed communities in the Bumpe Chiefdom that had their roofing
materials made up of dilapidated thatched grass. For wall materials, 40.6% of surveyed communities
Floor materials like earth and sand pose a health problem because they may be a source of dust. They
are also more difficult to keep clean
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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Table A-4
Types of Housing Facilities in the Communities
Household characteristics
Own house?
Roof materials
Wall materials
Floor
materials
Yes
No
Tiles
Iron sheets
Well-maintained thatched grass
Dilapidated thatched grass
Others
Burnt bricks with plaster
Burnt bricks without plaster
Mud bricks with plaster
Mud bricks without plasters
Well-constructed poles and mud
Poorly constructed/
maintained poles and mud
Others
Cement
Mud but smooth
Dust but smooth
Dust and rough
Others
Upper
Banta
89.7
10.3
21.8
59.5
13.5
0.0
5.4
5.4
5.4
27.0
10.8
51.4
0.0
Lower
Banta
92.3
7.7
12.8
30.8
25.6
15.4
15.4
2.6
12.8
7.7
10.3
46.2
17.9
Kpanda
Kemoh
97.6
2.4
0.0
43.6
30.8
25.6
0.0
0.0
2.5
17.5
47.5
20.0
12.5
Bumpe
Dasse
TOTAL
100.0
0.0
2.4
24.4
26.8
43.9
2.4
0.0
2.4
12.2
14.6
34.1
36.6
90.0
10.0
0.0
61.1
27.8
0.0
11.1
0.0
5.6
16.7
5.6
66.7
5.6
94.4
5.6
8.8
41.4
24.7
19.5
6.3
1.7
5.7
16.0
19.4
40.6
16.0
0.0
24.3
27.0
13.5
35.1
0.0
2.6
7.7
38.5
20.5
30.8
2.6
0.0
15.0
45.0
2.5
37.5
0.0
0.0
19.5
17.1
22.0
41.5
0.0
0.0
27.8
38.9
16.7
11.1
5.6
0.6
17.7
32.6
14.9
33.7
1.1
Source: Field survey, 2012
1.2.1. Household Assets
In general, household asset ownership is low (Table A 5). Respondents were asked whether they own
physical household assets. The responses are presented at Table xxx. The results show that:
70% (n=126) households have a radio with highest proportion in Kpanda Kemoh and Bumpe
chiefdoms. Interestingly, radios are owned only by the male headed households implying a low
asset base among female headed household members.
Slightly above half of the sampled households (53.9%) own a large pestle and mortar with high
proportion in communities in the Upper Banta chiefdoms. These are used for pounding food for
home consumption.
74 households (41.1%) have mobile phones with highest in Kpanda Kemoh Chiefdom.
Nine households, all male headed, have a TV and a generator. Six of these reside in the Lower
Banta Chiefdom. These are not found in Upper Banta and Kpanda Kemoh Chiefdom.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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Twelve households have a sewing machine, 4 of which are found in Upper Banta and Dasse
chiefdoms
In all communities surveyed only 11 (male headed) households own a bike and five had
motorcycles.
TableA-5
Distribution of Assets by Number of Households
Assets
Radio
Television/generator
Sewing machines
Pestle and mortar
Mobile phones
Wrist watches
Bikes
Motorcycles
Cars
Others
Chiefdoms
Upper
Banta
Lower
Banta
Kpanda
Kemoh
Bumpe
Dasse
Number of
household
Survey
%
21
0
4
31
11
5
2
1
0
1
21
6
0
33
18
14
4
2
2
1
36
0
3
1
27
22
2
0
0
0
31
1
1
20
5
12
1
1
0
0
17
2
4
12
13
8
2
1
0
0
126
9
12
97
74
61
11
5
2
2
399
70 .0
5.0
6.7
53.9
41.1
33.9
6.1
2.8
1.1
1.1
Source: Field survey, 2012
1.2.2. Infrastructure: Roads
The road network was generally poor in most of the company’s operational areas. This is particularly
evident in many of the communities in Bumpe, Dasse and Upper Banta chiefdoms respectively. The
roads are inaccessible during the raining season and transport is difficult to obtain due to the bad nature
of the roads. Many people in the communities therefore either travel long distances on foot or by
bicycle or motorcycle (‘okada’). The roads in Kpanda Kemoh chiefdoms are preferably accessible all year
round.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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1.3.
Household drinking water
To assess the socioeconomic conditions under which the population lives, respondents were asked to
give specific information about their household environment. The survey collected information about
drinking water, including the source, perceptions about the quality of drinking water, any treatment
prior to drinking and persons who usually collect the water. The source of drinking water is an indicator
of whether or not the water is suitable for drinking. Sources of water believed to be relatively free of
disease are improved sources such as piped water into dwelling units; public taps/standpipes, bore
holes, protected dug wells, protected spring and rainwater. Non improved sources, like unprotected dug
wells, unprotected springs, and surface water are more likely to have disease-causing agents that have a
negative impact on health.
Table xxx presents information on the drinking water of households at the chiefdom level of Vimetco
operational communities. With the exception of households in Kpanda Kemoh chiefdoms that obtain
drinking water from improved sources: 51.2% from tap and 41.5% from protected well/bore hole
respectively, more than sixty percent of the respondents obtains drinking water from non-improved
source: 26.1% from unprotected well/bore hole and 34.4% from river/streams.
Table A-6
Sources of Water for Domestic Use
Chiefdom
Tap
Sources of water for domestic use
Protected well/ Unprotected
River/
bore hole
well/bore hole stream
Spring
Rainwater
Upper Banta
2.6%
5.1%
38.5%
51.3%
2.6%
.0%
Lower Banta
2.6%
12.8%
48.7%
33.3%
.0%
2.6%
Kpanda Kemoh
51.2%
41.5%
0.0%
4.9%
2.4%
.0%
Bumpe
9.8%
22.0%
22.0%
46.3%
.0%
.0%
Dasse
5.0%
10.0%
20.0%
40.0%
20.0%
5.0%
Total
28
15.6%
35
19.4%
47
26.1%
62
34.4%
6
3.3%
2
1.1%
Source: Field survey data 2012
Most of the respondents (48.6%) were of the view that the quality of water unsafe, 32.4% said it is good
and 19% mentioned that the water is muddy.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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Table A-7
Perceived Opinion of the Quality of Water
Perception on the quality of water
Chiefdoms
Good
Muddy water
Unsafe
Upper Banta
7.7%
2.6%
89.7%
Lower Banta
5.1%
38.5%
56.4%
Kpanda Kemoh
92.7%
.0%
7.3%
Bumpe
10.0%
40.0%
50.0%
Dasse
55.0%
10.0%
35.0%
Total
32.4%
19.0%
48.6%
A significant proportion of the respondents (77.3%) do not treat water for drinking purposes. It was only
in Kpanda Kemoh and Dasse were 92.7% of the respondents indicated that the quality of water in their
community was good. This finding corroborates with the sources and treatment of drinking water in
their community.
Table A.8
Treatment of Water for Domestic Use
Chiefdoms
Yes
No
Upper Banta
5.3%
94.7%
Lower Banta
7.9%
92.1%
Kpanda Kemoh
78.0%
22.0%
Bumpe
5.0%
95.0%
Dasse
5.3%
94.7%
Total
22.8%
77.3%
1.3.1. Who Fetches Water
The traditional image of a woman as a mother and housewife underline a clear-cut division of labor
between men and women. Women perform the bulk of household work. Their domestic responsibilities
include food production, processing, preparation and storage as well as the provision of fuel and water,
sanitation, cleaning the house and laundry. Hence the role of fetching water as it has been revealed by
the respondents (men and women) is clearly the responsibility of women (48.9), men (5%), boys
(37.2%), girls (60.0%), women and girls 1.1%, However, men who do not have wives do the fetching of
water for themselves.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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1.3.2. Sanitation facilities
Poor sanitation coupled with unsafe water sources increases the risk of water-borne diseases and
illnesses due to poor hygiene in the company’s operational areas. Studies have shown that the absence
of proper toilet facilities and improper disposal of faecal material increases exposure to the risk of
diseases like dysentery, diarrhoea, and typhoid fever. Members of households with improved sanitation
facilities are less likely to contract these communicable diseases.
Figure xxx shows that overall, 54.1% of households had no toilet facility available. This is so particularly
in communities in the Bumpe, Dasse and Kpanda Kemoh Chiefdoms respectively. Others in the Upper
Banta and Lower Banta reported to have access to toilet facility. The most common toilet facility is the
open pit latrines (93.7%), which is more likely to be used by majority of the households.
Fig A-1.: Availability of toilet facilities in operation area
Yes
77.1
77.8
No
82.9
82.1
47.452.6
22.9
22.2
17.9
54.1
45.9
17.1
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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Fig.A-2 Type of toilet facility
120
100
100
96.3
100
93.7
90
89.3
80
60
40
20
3.7
10.7
10
0
0
6.3
0
Upper Banta Lower Banta
Kpanda
Kemoh
pit latrine
1.4.
Bumpe
Dasse
TOTAL
permanent materials
Economic activity
Data collected on the main economic activity of household members is presented in table A 9. The Table
shows the limited opportunities available in the chiefdoms. In the communities surveyed, most adults
are engaged in agriculture in their own account as their primary and secondary economic activities. Very
few have business as their main economic activity. In upper Banta there is a greater possibility of
accessing formal employment than the rest of the chiefdoms were Vimetco operations are taking place.
Hunting and collection of forest products are not primary economic activity of any person but is an
important subsidiary in Lower Banta and Upper Banta respectively.
Data on the use of health facilities are presented in Table xxx below. These show that, overall, 84.9% of
survey households have some form of health care available in the communities. The health care service
provision is provided through the community health centres and clinics with wider provision available to
the population.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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Distribution of Economic Activities of Household Members by
Total
Upper
Banta
Lower
Banta
38
1
3
0
0
0
0
8
0
1
0
6
6
0
1
0
64
39
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
2
44
14
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
21
142
1
10
0
0
1
4
10
1
7
2
7
6
2
2
13
208
14
5
5
1
0
0
1
3
1
0
0
0
2
1
9
0
42
7
0
5
1
3
6
1
4
0
2
7
0
0
0
0
1
37
29
2
2
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
7
3
0
0
0
45
Total
Dasse
26
0
3
0
0
1
2
0
0
2
1
1
0
0
0
5
41
Dasse
Bumpe
25
0
2
0
0
0
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
2
1
1
38
Bumpe
Kpanda
Kemoh
Secondary
Lower
Banta
Farm work own land
Livestock raising
Business
Collecting forest products
Hunting (part time)
Retired
Disabled and unable to work
Agriculture labour
Sharecropping only
Religious leader, teacher
Artisan
Transport
Unemployed
Public service
Private service
Others specify
Total Number of People
Primary
Upper
Banta
Economic activity
Kpanda
Kemoh
Table A- 9
Chiefdoms
35
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
40
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
12
87
8
14
2
3
6
2
9
1
4
7
7
5
1
10
10
176
15. Health services
Table A-10
Chiefdoms
Health Facility Available in the Community
Health centres
Clinic
TOTAL
Upper Banta
29 (87.9%)
4 (12.1%)
33
Lower Banta
18 (100.0%)
0 (.0%)
18
Kpanda Kemoh
40 (97.6%)
1 (2.4%)
41
Bumpe
23 (57.5%)
17 (42.5%)
40
Dasse
19 (95.0%)
1 (5.0%)
20
Total
129 (84.9%)
23 (15.1%)
152
Source: Field survey data 2012
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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Use of the Health Services
Upper
Lower
Kpanda
Banta
Banta
Kemoh
Antenatal check-ups
27
15
19
Giving birth in hospital
19
15
33
Vaccination services
17
14
39
Sick family members
17
15
24
Taking medicines for sick people
9
3
22
%
56.1
51.7
63.3
Table A-11
Use of the health services
Bumpe
Dasse
Total
20
7
24
6
1
45.0
20
19
20
18
2
20.6
101
93
113
81
32
Source: Field survey data 2012
When asked whether they have used this health services in the community and for what purpose,
majority of the respondents answered in the affirmative. High levels of these households reported
members of their families had used the vaccination services but there is no information available as to
what vaccinations have been given or whether courses are completed. There have been strong
campaigns to increase vaccination in rural areas and this appears to have been successful.
A significant proportion of households also indicated using the antenatal check-ups for the number of
births in the survey villages. The high number of reported use of ante-natal check-ups indicates increase
awareness of the risk of home deliveries and high levels of hospital deliveries. Other households
reported that someone was sick.
Overall, 50.6% of households reported deaths. There is no historical data on sickness or deaths.
Registration of births and deaths is only possible in cities and is not universal even where possible.
Figure A 3 records the family stated cause of death – these reflects the lack of medical diagnosis, the
lack of autopsy facilities and prevalence of belief in witchcraft. There was no sufficient time to
investigate what people really understand by these records and this would make an interesting.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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Fig.A-3 Households reported causes of deaths (%)
12
9.4
10
8
10
10.6
6.1
6
4.4
3.9
4
2.8
2.8
2
1.1
0.6
0.6
0
1.5.
Household income and expenditure
Table A-12
1.5.1. Household Income
Source of Household Income by Gender
Upper Banta
Lower Banta
Kpanda
Kemoh
Bumpe
Dasse
Total
Average
annual
income
(Leones)
M
F
M
F
M
F
M
F
M
F
Subsistence crops
21
15
25
1
37
3
35
6
13
2
152
856,243
Tree cash crops
22
3
22
2
12
1
19
1
4
0
66
599,378
Livestock/poultry
8
8
1
17
0
11
0
3
0
2
51
235,274
Vegetable and fruits
11
14
8
4
8
15
14
23
5
2
90
172,333
Agriculture wage labour
12
4
4
0
21
3
5
1
6
1
51
366,411
Non-farm wage labour
3
9
3
1
16
3
3
0
4
0
35
241,142
Formal employment
9
2
2
0
2
1
2
0
0
0
12
1,206,666
Income from microenterprises
4
0
1
0
4
7
1
0
1
1
15
633,000
Business
2
5
5
0
1
2
3
0
1
1
13
1,765,615
Pension/remittance
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
3
5,033,333
Rent/interest
3
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
75,000
Asset sale
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
100,000
Mining income
9
8
13
1
17
0
0
0
3
0
55
1,833,890
Selling firewood and charcoal
2
2
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
5
75,000
Selling bush meat
5
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
Others
4
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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100,000
466,666
Table A-13
Imputed Mean Household Income
Household income
Annual Income (Le.)
Total equivalent
Std. Deviation
(US$)
N
Mean
Subsistence crops
152
856,243.4211
1,454,446.88286
Tree cash crops
66
599,378.7879
1,175,001.32589
Livestock/poultry
51
235,274.5098
229,132.19577
Vegetable and fruit
90
172,333.3333
162,313.60961
Agriculture wage labour
51
366,411.7647
568,832.63537
Non-farm wage labour
35
241,142.8571
497,715.49532
Formal employment
12
Income from micro-enterprises
15
Business
13
1,765,615.3846 5,481,381.05375
Pension/remittance
3
5,033,333.3333 8,631,531.34347
Rent/interest
2
75,000.0000
106,066.01718
Asset sale
2
100,000.0000
141,421.35624
Mining income (surface rent,
compensation)
55
Selling firewood and charcoal
5
75,000.0000
64,807.40698
Selling bush meat
3
100,000.0000
86,602.54038
Others
3
466,666.6667
416,333.19989
1,206,666.6667 2,792,852.34884
633,000.0000
704,003.34821
1,833,890.9091 3,225,519.87583
The study further revealed that most of the crops cultivated by farmers are local variety sourced from
market retailers, friends and relatives and proceeds from seed bank. There are instances in which NGOs
working in the communities of the operation area provides seeds to farmers for cultivation.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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1.5.2. Average Land Size Owned and Used for Crop and ownership
by gender
Land is the basic resource depended upon by a majority of rural communities in Sierra Leone. The
amount of land owned and/or operated varies between communities’ dependence on the availability of
land resources and the nature of social structures governing access to land. In the selected villages of
the five chiefdoms, the average land size owned by individual households ranged from 1.1 to 3.5 ha with
the overall mean land size being 2.4 ha (Table A 21). The main use of the land is crop production. The
main crops that are being grown in these chiefdoms/villages are cassava and rice. In these chiefdoms,
the average land size set for cassava and rice range from 3.0 ha to 3.5 ha with an overall average being
3.25 ha.
In terms of ownership of crops grown by households, both the men and women in the households
participate in cultivation of these crops. The results show greater participation of the gender in crops
such as rice, cassava, groundnuts, vegetables and yam production. Agroforestry crop, such as oil palm,
cocoa and coffee, production activities is a mostly male dominated as reported by 58.1% of the
respondents. Also a significant proportion of the women are engaged in the production of beans and
benni seed.
Table A- 21
Gender
Crops grown
Distribution of Crops by Land area occupied (ha) and ownership by
Ownership by gender (%)
N
Average Mainly men
land area
(ha)
Mainly
women
Men and
women
equally
Rice
110
3.0
17.4
7.0
75.7
Cassava
128
3.5
16.3
11.1
72.6
Groundnuts
32
1.5
5.4
24.3
70.3
Potatoes
23
0.9
12.5
29.2
58.3
Agroforestry crops (oil palm, cocoa,
coffee)
27
3.0
58.1
9.7
32.2
Maize
66
2.0
10.0
35.7
54.3
Vegetables (leaf vegetables, pepper,
okra, egg plants)
26
1.1
3.8
34.6
61.5
Yam
48
3.5
10.0
26.7
63.4
Others (bennie, beans)
88
2.8
5.2
44.8
50.0
Source: field survey 2012
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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Table A- 22
Crops grown
Rice
Cassava
Groundnuts
Potatoes
Agroforestry crops
(oil palm, cocoa,
coffee)
Maize
Vegetables (leaf
vegetables, pepper,
okra, egg plants)
Yam
Others (benni,
beans)
Purpose of Growing Crops in Survey Households (%)
Purpose
Income/cash earner
Household food
Both
Income/cash earner
Household food
Both
Income/cash earner
Household food
Both
Income/cash earner
Household food
Both
Income/cash earner
Household food
Both
Income/cash earner
Household food
Both
Income/cash earner
Household food
Both
Income/cash earner
Household food
Both
Income/cash earner
Household food
Both
Chiefdoms
Upper
Banta
4 .2
25.0
70.8
13.6
9.1
77.3
18.2
0.0
81.8
14.3
0.0
85.7
9.1
9.1
81.8
0.0
9.1
90.9
0.0
14.3
85.7
8.3
16.7
75.0
5.9
23.5
70.6
Lower
Banta
0.0
72.2
27.8
4.0
12.0
84.0
0.0
0.0
100.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
100.0
0.0
33.3
66.7
0.0
6.2
93.8
0.0
37.5
62.5
Kpanda
Kemoh
0.0
0.0
100.0
0.0
0.0
100.0
0.0
0.0
100.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
72.2
0.0
27.8
0.0
0.0
100.0
0.0
0.0
100.0
0.0
0.0
100.0
0.0
0.0
100.0
Bumpe
Dasse
TOTAL (%)
11.4
11.4
77.1
10.8
5.4
83.8
6.7
13.3
80.0
11.1
22.2
100.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
70.0
30.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
4.8
38.1
57.1
10.3
37.9
51.7
7.7
53.8
38.5
5.3
31.6
63.2
0.0
0.0
100.0
0.0
0.0
66.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
7.7
15.4
76.9
0.0
0.0
100.0
0.0
33.3
66.7
0.0
40.0
60.0
5.4
27.0
67.6
6.8
9.8
83.5
8.8
5.9
85.3
8.3
8.3
83.3
48.3
3.4
48.3
1.4
24.3
74.3
0.0
7.7
92.3
3.4
22.0
74.6
4.4
29.7
65.9
Source: Field survey data 2012
Across chiefdoms, the overriding purpose of growing crops was for both cash income and household
food supplies. From the table above, overwhelming majority of respondents (92.3%) grow vegetables for
both cash income and household food; 85.3% groundnuts, 83.3% potatoes and 83.5% cassava. For
agroforestry crops, the survey households were divided for both income/cash earner and both.
However, agroforestry crops production were not found in Lower Banta, Bumpe and Dasse Chiefdoms.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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1.5.3. Loss of land for agriculture and other purposes
Overall, 54.3% of household’s survey revealed that they are likely to affected by the loss of land to the
project, when compared to 45.7% of respondents who said no. The most obvious impacts of this loss of
land to agricultural include:
Removal of vegetation cover, will severely alter the availability of food and loss of access to
common resources
Pose environmental and social challenge due to potential disruptions to ecosystems and local
communities
Mud erosion on swamps will lead to loss of swamps
Destroy livelihood activity
Crop yields are affected due to declining soil productivity/soil fertility
Loss of farmland will cause insecurity in farming
1.5.4. Farming system
Household respondents indicated the major farming systems commonly practiced in the
chiefdoms is mixed cropping (94.9%), mixed farming (80.8%) and sole cropping (57.1%).
Analysis is tabulated in table A 23.
Table A-23
Farming system
Mono cropping
Yes
No
Mixed cropping
Yes
No
Mixed farming
Yes
No
Livestock/pastoral Yes
No
Type of Farming System
Upper
Banta
0.0
0.0
93.5
6.5
0.0
0.0
100
0.0
Lower
Banta
100
0.0
100
0.0
100
0.0
100
0.0
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
Kpanda
Kemoh
100
0.0
100
0.0
100
0.0
100
0.0
Bumpe
Dasse
15.4
84.6
84.2
15.8
83.8
16.2
7.1
92.9
60.0
40.0
93.8
6.2
41.7
58.3
50.0
50.0
TOTAL
(%)
57.1
42.9
94.9
5.1
80.8
19.4
35.5
64.5
Page 158
1.6.
Community Involvement
1.6.1. Participation in community activities
Members of the household interviewed were active in a range of different community activities with
84.1% households reporting membership of one or more group. However, a significant proportion of
respondents (41.9%) in Upper Banta said they do not belong to any community groups.
Table A-24
Chiefdoms
Household Participation in Community Groups
Does any member of the household belong to a community group?
Yes
No
Upper Banta
58.1%
41.9%
Lower Banta
90.0%
10.0%
Kpanda Kemoh
94.1%
5.9%
Bumpe
91.7%
8.3%
Dasse
85.0%
15.0%
Total
84.1%
15.9%
Source: field survey 2012
Table A-25
Proportion of Households involved in Community Group Activities
Community
Village
water
loans and
management savings
committee
scheme
Upper Banta Male
Female
Youth
clubs
Women/ Gang Farmers Workers Cooperative
mother groups association union
group
0.0
100
66.7
0.0
100
66.7
0.0
0.0
100
0.0
33.3
100
0.0
33.3
0.0
0.0
Both
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Lower Banta Male
100
60.0
53.8
0.0
0.0
33.3
50.0
0.0
0.0
40.0
46.2
100
0.0
66.7
50.0
0.0
Female
Kpanda
Kemoh
Bumpe
Dasse
Both
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Male
100
66.7
25.0
3.6
0.0
37.5
100.0
0.0
Female
0.0
0.0
20.0
96.4
100
25.0
0.0
0.0
Both
0.0
33.3
55.0
0.0
0.0
37.5
0.0
0.0
Male
60.0
66.7
85.7
16.7
0.0
50.0
100
0.0
Female
40.0
33.3
14.3
66.7
0.0
25.0
0.0
0.0
Both
0.0
0.0
0.0
16.7
0.0
25.0
0.0
0.0
Male
0.0
0.0
83.3
0.0
0.0
66.7
0.0
100.0
100.0
0.0
16.7
100
100
33.3
100.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Female
Both
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
Page 159
Community
Village
water
loans and
management savings
committee
scheme
Upper Banta Male
Female
Youth
clubs
Women/ Gang Farmers Workers Cooperative
mother groups association union
group
0.0
100
66.7
0.0
100
66.7
0.0
0.0
100
0.0
33.3
100
0.0
33.3
0.0
0.0
Both
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Lower Banta Male
100
60.0
53.8
0.0
0.0
33.3
50.0
0.0
Female
0.0
40.0
46.2
100
0.0
66.7
50.0
0.0
Both
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Male
100
66.7
25.0
3.6
0.0
37.5
100.0
0.0
Female
0.0
0.0
20.0
96.4
100
25.0
0.0
0.0
Both
0.0
33.3
55.0
0.0
0.0
37.5
0.0
0.0
Male
60.0
66.7
85.7
16.7
0.0
50.0
100
0.0
Female
40.0
33.3
14.3
66.7
0.0
25.0
0.0
0.0
Both
0.0
0.0
0.0
16.7
0.0
25.0
0.0
0.0
Male
0.0
0.0
83.3
0.0
0.0
66.7
0.0
100.0
100.0
0.0
16.7
100
100
33.3
100.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
11
30
79
66
3
55
8
1
Kpanda
Kemoh
Bumpe
Dasse
Female
Both
Total (N)
Source: field survey 2012
Table A -26
Household Participation in Community Meetings
Does anyone in your household participate in
community meetings?
Yes
No
Upper Banta
100.0%
.0%
Lower Banta
94.3%
5.7%
Kpanda Kemoh
97.5%
2.5%
Bumpe
100.0%
.0%
Dasse
100.0%
.0%
Total
98.2%
1.8%
Source: field survey 2012
Data were collected on participation rates in community meetings. Overall, 98.2% of respondents
reported that household members do participate in community meetings. For those households that do
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
Page 160
not participate in community meetings revealed that it is as a result of the high level of poverty and
most times meetings are not called. Table A 27 presents the percentage of households having members
attending community work meetings of different types: many households attend more than one type of
meeting. Community gathering/meeting and social/religious work and club are the most commonly
attended. About 43% host political gathering and fewer communities are involved in community
construction works. The high rate declared for women’s attendance at community meeting is interesting
as the team has found that fewer women than men have been observed as attending community
consultation meetings relating the Vimetco Bauxite mining project.
Table A-27
Chiefdoms
Household Members attending Community Meetings, Percentage of Households.
Community
Political
Club
Community
Social/religious
gathering/
gathering
construction
work
meetings
/meetings
works
Others
Upper Banta
16
27
10
11
7
1
Lower Banta
31
34
34
30
31
6
Kpanda Kemoh
34
28
20
36
21
0
Bumpe
7
17
1
12
4
0
Dasse
19
17
14
4
4
5
TOTAL
107
123
79
93
67
12
PERCENT (%)
59.4
68.3
43.9
51.7
37.2
6.7
1.6.2. Women’s participation in meetings
Household perceptions of women’s participation (by contributing to decision making) were that an
overwhelming majority of them (96.4%) believed were able to participate in community meetings.
Overall, 63.7% of households believed that it was difficult for women to participate in meetings,
primarily because they had less time available, gender discrimination, farming activities and through
other work to do with childcare and domestic chores that prevented participation of women in
community/public meetings.
1.6.3. Social mobilization activities
Awareness Raising Programmes
Table A- 28
Chiefdoms
Health and
sanitation
Women and
reproductive
health
Yes
Yes
Empowerment
Yes
No
No
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
No
Women
literacy
Yes
No
adult
literacy
Yes
No
Others
Yes
No
Page 161
Upper Banta
42.9
57.1
93.8
6.2
34.6
65.4
5.0
95.0
0.0
100
0.0
100
Lower Banta
95.0
5.0
100
0.0
84.6
15.4
25.0
75.0
25.0
75.0
0.0
0.0
Kpanda
Kemoh
53.7
46.3
100
0.0
46.3
53.7
0.0
100
0.0
100.0
0.0
100
Bumpe
0.0
100.0
100
0.0
60.0
40.0
50.0
50.0
90.0
10.0
50.0 50.0
Dasse
10.5
89.5
15.8
84.2
10.5
89.5
10.5
89.5
10.5
89.5
0.0
100
Total
49.6
50.4
42.3
57.7
42.3
57.7
7.0
93.0
13.3
86.7
4.1
91.8
Source: field survey 2012
Table A-29
Chiefdoms
Income Generating Programmes
Formal
saving and
credit
Informal
savings/
osusu
Yes
No
Yes
Upper Banta 14.3
85.7
Lower Banta
75.0
25.0
No
Cooperative
Agriculture
extension
Livestock
raising
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
58.1 41.9
0.0
100
5.3
94.7
93.9 6.1
25.0
75.0 50.0
82.9 17.1
5.1
94.9 70.0
Bee keeping
No
Yes
Goat raising
Poultry
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
57.1 42.9 10.5
89.5
21.1
78.9
5.5
94.4
50.0
90.9 9.1
72.7
27.3
100
0.0
78.6
21.4
30.0
70.0 30.0
7.7
92.3
89.5
10.5
51.4
48.6
Kpanda
Kemoh
37.5
62.5
Bumpe
0.0
100
90.0 10.0 80.0
20.0 50.0
50.0
0.0
100
50.0
50.0
0.0
100
0.0
100
Dasse
0.0
100
5.0 95.0
5.0
95.0
10.5
89.5
0.0
100
0.0
100
0.0
100
0.0
100
Total
22.4
77.6 68.9 31.1
9.2
90.8 40.7
59.3
58.3 41.7 15.5
84.4
63.9
36.1
34.5
65.5
Source: field survey 2012
Informal savings (Upper Banta, Lower Banta, Kpanda Kemoh, and Bumpe)
Cooperative (Bumpe)
Agriculture extension (Lower Banta, Kpanda Kemoh, Bumpe)
Livestock raising (Lower Banta, Upper Banta, Kpanda Kemoh)
Bee keeping Lower Banta, Bumpe)
Goat raising (Lower Banta, Kpanda Kemoh)
Poultry (:Lower Banta, Kpanda Kemoh)
1.7.
General perceptions
1.7.1. Community needs and concerns
The following common concerns were raised by considerable number of FGDs participants across the
concessionary zone:
The benefits received from the mining company is not commensurate to their needs
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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Mining in the communities are done in an haphazard manner, especially in the Gbonge (Kpanda
Kemoh Chiefdom) and these was considered unacceptable as it is not economical and
environmentally friendly.
Land owners are not involved in the negotiation process for their land;
Road network in their chiefdoms are deplorable
Lack of knowledge about the acreage assigned as concession zone for the mining operation
Agricultural Development Fund is not beneficial for the farmers; rather it is benefiting only the
paramount chief and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Officials.
Frequent delay in the payment of both surface rents and compensation for land and crop loss
No positive impact on the socio-economic status of the affected communities – no alternative
livelihood opportunities are not provided by the company
No proper rehabilitation of mined areas with economic trees
1.7.2. Perceptions of Environmental Quality
There is no marked difference in the perceptions of the natural environment among the different
communities (figure A 4). Slightly more than sixty percent of the respondents (62.1%) had a negative
opinion about the environmental conditions of the operational communities in the last two years. An
overwhelming majority of respondents (97.2%) in Lower Banta felt that the quality of the environment is
very bad. In all, the communities expressed the deplorable status of health and sanitation hygiene
conditions, deforestation and soil degradation, pollution (air and noise) and health risk resulting from
dust emissions.
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Fig A-4 Perceptions of environmental quality, all surveyed households
and by
community
Very bad
Not very good
Fair
Good
120.00%
100.00%
16.20%
2.80%
0.00%
36.60%
80.00%
27.00%
60.00%
97.20%
40.00%
56.80%
30.00%
28.60%
10.00%
51.40%
60.00%
20.10%
17.20%
17.10%
46.30%
20.00%
17.10%
62.10%
0.00%
Lower Banta
Kpanda
Kemoh
Bumpe
Dasse
Total
1.7.3. Problems with Vimetco operations
When survey respondents were asked whether there were any problems associated with Vimetco
operations in the area, the most commonly reported issue was pollution (mentioned by 87.8% of
respondents), dust (83.3% respondents) and noise (75.0% respondents).
Fig. A-5 perceived problems with Vimetcos operations in the
area
100
90
80
83.3
87.8
75
70
60
50
38.3
40
33.3
30
20
10
0
Noise
Dust
Pollution
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Safety (community) Safety (workers)
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1.7.4. Advantages of Vimetco operations
When asked whether there are any advantages of Vimetco presence in the area, the most commonly
named benefits were jobs, assistance to the community and benefits to the national economy.
However, small proportion of respondents felt that the company operations will not help provide an
improved infrastructure and facilities such as the road, utilities and recreational facilities; income
diversification opportunities and brighten and modernize the area (Figure A 6). The general perception
of the bauxite mining activities in the chiefdoms was viewed as a curse than a blessing. They said that
the mining activity has not contributed meaningfully to community development initiatives rather than
the destruction of the natural environment. To reverse this trend the community recommends a
thorough review of concession agreements reached to reflect mutual benefits for all relevant
stakeholders in the mining process.
Fig. A-6 Perceived advantages of Vimetco bauxite mining in the operation
area
Benefits national economy
16.7
Brighten and modernize the area
1.7
Income opportunities
4.4
Assistance to local communities
24.4
Improve infrastructure and facilities such as the
road, utilities and recreational facilities)
3.3
Jobs
42.2
0
5
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10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Page 165
ANNEX – C Summary of issues discussed in FGDs across the surveyed communities
1. Loss of land used for agricultural and other purposes to bauxite mining by SMHL Vimetco
The community members expressed willingness to loss their land used for agriculture and other purpose
to bauxite mining operations in their community. They indicated that this can only be possible provided
the following conditions are met by the company: increase surface rent and compensation; provide
training and employment opportunities for the community; provide improved and affordable medical
facilities and prompt and appropriate rehabilitation of the mined out areas for future use.
2. Surface rent payments for mining land
The surface rents paid to community for mining land was viewed by all affected communities as too
small. While stakeholders generally clamour for the rate of surface rent payments to be increased, some
stakeholders believe that surface rents are disproportionately distributed amongst the different
stakeholder groups. Some argue that the percentage for the Paramount Chiefs is too large; others
believe Local Councils are getting the lion’s share. Some stakeholders would like the involvement of all
stakeholders in deciding the level of surface rent payments. In a focus group discussions or discussion
meetings, the communities expressed that most times these amounts are paid annually and untimely
and often the indirect payments are too bureaucratic. The distribution of surface payment rents across
the communities interviewed is as shown in the table below. Note that while the payment rates are
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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established by law, the distribution is determined in consultations among the GOSL (mainly the MLGCD),
Chiefs and Local Councils, although it is not clear how a final decision is made. There is concern that
decisions are made in a subjective and non-transparent manner for the distribution of surface rent
payment. The communities indicated that there is a need to re-negotiate the amount paid per annual
per acre of land and increase on the current amount paid and these monies are to be paid monthly, and
that direct payment should be made to the landowners themselves.
Table 3
Distribution of Surface Rents
Stakeholder group
% of Total payment
Land owners
50%
Paramount Chiefs
15%
Local Council
15%
Chiefdom Development
10%
Constituency Development Fund
10%
Total
100%
Source: FGDs meetings 2012
3. Relocation of villages
The entire affected villages/communities are unwilling to relocate to another community. They however
expressed dissatisfaction over the current status of relocated villages/communities. The participation of
affected people is limited not only because stakeholders are not actively involved in the discussions on
relocation but, more importantly, there is no assessment of the changes in lifestyles and capacities
needed to overcome successfully a major disruption of local families. Participants in a focus group
discussion indicate that in any future village relocation, the company should build modern structures
and provide all socio-cultural structures (such as place of worship, educational and health facilities etc.),
renegotiate compensation fees and provide relief services to the people in the relocated village(s) for
the first three consecutive years after relocation.
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4. Compensation payment and method
The factors that should determine the level of compensation payment for crops destroyed due to
mining activities are:
Adopt a procedure to determine the cost of crops/assets involved. This should be done in close
consultation with landowners.
Negotiate directly with the landowner and reach consensus on the amount.
Amount of payment should be commensurate to the crop/asset destroyed.
Develop a framework for compensation payment with the involvement of the local
communities
Although ministry officials are involved in the crop compensation exercise, crop owners would like the
economic life of the crops to be considered in the evaluation.
5. Economic and Community Development issues
So far the company has provided the following benefits as reported by the affected communities:
community Barry, good road network, secondary school in the chiefdom, and improved medical
facilities. The participants in the focus group meetings said that the community should address their
concerns; the most common response was to assist with improving community infrastructure and
facilities such as the road, utilities, and recreational facilities. Other recommendations that the company
should provide training for community members provide information on job opportunities and services
and adhere to the highest standards for environmental protection.
6. Contribution of mining to national economy
The general perception of the bauxite mining activities in the chiefdoms was viewed as a curse than a
blessing. They said that the mining activity has not contributed meaningfully to community development
initiatives rather than the destruction of the natural environment. To reverse this trend the community
recommends a thorough review of concession agreements reached to reflect mutual benefits for all
relevant stakeholders in the mining process.
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7. Health and Environmental Sanitation Problems:
The communities expressed deplorable status of the health and sanitation hygiene condition of their
communities. The major environmental, health and sanitation concerns resulting from the mining in the
community includes:
Pollution
Erosion
Deforestation and soil degradation
Noise
Dust
Health problems – malaria, diarrhoea, high blood pressure and problems associated with ageing.
Problem of sanitation.
To resolve these problems, the following measures were proposed:
Reduce dust emissions using appropriate measures
Develop soil erosion prevention plan
Rehabilitate mined out areas
Provide improved and affordable medical facilities for communities
Provision and maintenance of improved road network in the community
8. Increase in crime rate
The most common crime in the communities identified by focus group participants are:
Thieving
Prostitution
Disregard for local authorities
9. Issues related to safety and accidents
The major safety and accidents problems reported by the FGDs participants include:
Boulders rolling from haulers/dumper trucks
The creation of dams/ponds that does not support aqua-culture due to high concentration of
harmful chemicals
Persistence dust emissions thereby increasing the possibilities of frequent accidents. For
example two accidents reported occurred in Gbonge and Badja respectively
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With the establishment of Environment and Safety Management within the corporate environment,
health, occupational and safety issues are vigorously addressed. No serious incident of occupational
hazards and safety problems were reported resulting from the dredging operation at the moment.
10. Community concerns and needs
The following common concerns were raised by considerable number of FGDs participants across the
concessionary zone:
The benefits received from the mining company is not commensurate to their needs
Mining in the communities are done in a haphazard manner, especially in the Gbonge (Kpanda
Kemoh Chiefdom) and these was considered unacceptable as it is not economical and
environmentally friendly.
Land owners are not involved in the negotiation process for their land;
Road network in their chiefdoms are deplorable
Lack of knowledge about the acreage assigned as concession zone for the mining operation
Agricultural Development Fund is not beneficial for the farmers; rather it is benefiting only the
paramount chief and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Officials.
Frequent delay in the payment of both surface rents and compensation for land and crop loss
No positive impact on the socio-economic status of the affected communities – no alternative
livelihood opportunities are not provided by the company
No proper rehabilitation of mined areas with economic trees
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ANNEX - D - Socio-Economic Baseline Survey Questionnaire
A. IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATION INFORMATION
Date of interview:
Name of Village:
Time interview started:
Time ended:
Time
spent:
Questionnaire No. :
Distance to the project area ( Km):
Status of Road from Village to the ^project area:
(1= Accessible all year round, 2= Accessible half of the
year, 3= Inaccessible all year round)
Ethnic Groups: ( 1 =MENDE, 2 = TEMNE, 3 = LIMBA,
4 =LOKO, 4 = others specify)
GPS coordinates of residence (waypoint)
Date:
(i)Longitude: (ii)Latitude:
B. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS
Variable
Response
1. Gender [SEX]
Codes
1=Female, 2=Male
2. Age of Respondent in years [AGE]
3. Household Status [HHSTAT]
Marital status [MSTATUS]
Residential status
Religion
1 = Head, 2 = Spouse
1=Single, 2= married, 3= consensual
union 4=Widowed, 5= Divorced,
1. PRP (Permanent Resident); 2. RA
(Resident Absent) 3. Member of nonresident HH; 4. Visitor: 9. Other
(specify); 0. No Answer
1. Muslim; 2. Christian (specify
denomination) 99. Other (specify); 0.
No Answer
Number of persons in household [HHSIZE]
Household composition
Number of household members aged 65 years
and above [HHMEM]
Number of males aged 41- 64 years [MALES]
Number of females aged 41-64 years =
[FEMALES]
Number of males aged 16-40 years [MALES]
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Number of females aged 16-40 years
[FEMALES]
Number of females aged 6-15 years [FCHILD]
Number of males aged 6-15 years [MCHILD]
Number of male children 0 – 5 years[MINF]
Number of female children 0 – 5 years[FINF]
Level of education of respondent [EDUCAL]
Housing
Do you own house?
Roof materials
Wall materials (Observe and tick-off, but ask if
in doubt):
Floor materials (Observe and tick-off, but ask if
in doubt):
WATER
Source of water for domestic use
How is the quality of water
1. Illiterate; 2. Primary School; 3.
Secondary School; 4.
Graduate/Tertiary education,
5.Vocational/Technical School;
6.Religious School (literate in
Arabic); 0. No. Answer
1. Tiles
2. Iron sheets
3. Well-maintained thatched
grass
4. Dilapidated thatched grass
5. - Other, specify
1. Burnt bricks with plaster
2. Burnt bricks without plaster
3. Mud bricks with plaster
4. Mud bricks without plaster
5. Well-constructed poles and
mud
6. Poorly constructed/maintained
poles and mud
7. - Other, specify
1. Cement
2. Mud but smooth
3. Dust but smooth
4. Dust and rough
5. - Other, specify
1.
2. Tap
3. Protected well/bore hole
4. Unprotected well/bore hole
5. River/stream
6. Spring
7. Rain
1. Good, 2. Muddy water, 3.
Unsafe, 4. Other (specify)
How do you treat water before using for
domestic use?
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Who fetches water?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Economic activity
Main economic activity
Women
Men
Boys
Girls
Other (specify) ------------------
1. Farm work own land; 2. Livestock
raising; 3. Household; 4.business; 5.
Hunting; 6. Collecting forest
products; 7. Hunting (part-time); 8.
Retired: 9. Disabled and unable to
work; 10. Agriculture labour; 11.
Sharecropping only; 12. Religious
Leader, Teacher; 13. Artisan; 14.
Transport; 15. Unemployed; 16.
Student; 17. Public service; 18.
Private Service; 99. Other (specify);
0. No Answer
1. Farm work own land; 2. Livestock
raising; 3. Household; 4.business; 5.
Hunting; 6. Collecting forest
products; 7. Hunting (part-time); 8.
Retired: 9. Disabled and unable to
work; 10. Agriculture labour; 11.
Sharecropping only; 12. Religious
Leader, Teacher; 13. Artisan; 14.
Transport; 15. Unemployed; 16.
Student; 17. Public service; 18.
Private Service; 99. Other (specify);
0. No Answer
Secondary economic activity
Sources of income and expenditure
Household income
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
Mainly
who (1 –
male; 2 –
female
Annual income (Le.)
Subsistence crops
Tree cash crops
Livestock/poultry
Vegetables and fruit
Agriculture wage labour
Non-farm wage labour
Formal employment
Income from micro-enterprises
Business
Pension/remittance
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
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k) Rent/interest
l) Asset sale
m) Mining income (surface rent,
compensation)
n) Selling firewood and charcoal
o) Selling bush meat
p) Others specify
Household expenditure
Mainly who (1 –
male; 2 – female
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
Annual income
(Le.)
Food
Bush meat
Clothing
Reading/Educational materials
Medicines
Livestock
Farm inputs
Transportation/cell phone costs
Marriage and funeral expenses
Alcohol/palm wine
Expenditure for income generation activities
Saving/loan and interest payments/osusu
Others specify
Is there any work or employment done by household members likely to be affected by the loss of
land to the project?
a) Yes
b) No
If yes, describe what the impact will be? -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ownership of trees and livestock
What trees does the household own?
Types of trees
Household use code 1
Used for income code 2
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Both code 3
Fruits
Cocoa
Coffee
Kola
Oil palm
Citrus/orange
Plantain
Mango
Others specify
7. Do you keep Livestock? [LSTOCK]__________( 1 = yes, 0 = no)
8. If yes, state the five major livestock kept in your household, their number, purpose and
ownership.
Livestock
Number
Ownership
1 = mainly men, 2 =
mainly women, 3 =
men and women
equally
Purpose
1 = for food, 2 = cash income, 3
= both cash and food, 4 = work,
5 = social prestige (sign of
wealth, 6 = transport, 7 = others
(specify) -------------
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Other physical assets
radios owned
Televisions/generator
Sewing machines
Pestle and mortar
mobile phones
wrist watches
bikes
shops
motorcycles
cars
Others specify
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Farming Activities
What are the five (5) most important crops which your household cultivate? Rank in order of
importance. 1 = most important, 5 = least important [IMPCROP]
Crops
Variety
Land
Sources of Seeds
Ownership
Purpose
1=Improved area
1 =Market retailer, 1 = mainly men, 2 1 = income/cash
2=Local
occupie 5=friends/relatives, = mainly women, earner, 2 =
d (ha)
6 = other farmers,
3 = men and
household food
99 = others
women equally
supplier, 3 = for
(specify)
both cash income
and household
food
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Which of the Farming system is commonly practiced by your household? [FARMSYST]
Farming system
1.
2.
3.
4.
Response
Mono-cropping/sole cropping
Mixed cropping
Mixed farming
Livestock/pastoral
Codes
1 = yes
2 = no
Community involvement
Does any member of the household belong to a community group?
a) Yes
b) No
If yes, who belongs to which ones?
Membership
Community water management committee
Village loans and savings scheme
Youth club
Women/mother group
Gang groups
Farmers association
Workers union
Cooperative
Other groups
Gender (1 – male, 2 – female
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Does anyone in your household participate in community meetings?
a) Yes
b) No
Is yes, which ones?
a) Social/religious work
b) Community gathering/meetings
c) Political gathering/meetings
d) Club
e) Community construction works
f) Any other work (specify)
If no, why not?
Do women participate in meetings?
a) Yes
b) No
Are there difficulties about the participation of women?
a) Yes
b) No
If yes, please describe------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Does your town have the following social mobilization activities?
Awareness raising programme
Yes No Income generating programmes Yes
a) Empowerment
g) Formal saving and credit
b) Health and sanitation
h) Informal savings/osusu
c) Women and reproductive health
i) Cooperative
d) Women literacy
j) Agriculture extension
e) Adult literacy
k) Livestock raising
f) Others specify
l) Bee-keeping
m) Goat raising
n) Poultry
o) Others specify
Health services
Health facility available in the
1. Heath centres
community
2. Clinic
3. Dispensaries
4. Hospital
5. Traditional healers
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What do the use of the health services
for?
Did any member of your household
died last year
If yes, what was the cause of the death?
Does your household have a toilet
facility?
6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Other specify
Antenatal check ups
Giving birth in hospital
Vaccination services
Sick family members
Taking medicines for sick people
Yes
No
Accident
Cholera
Illness/sickness
Malaria
Acute Respiratory Tract
Infection
6. Pneumonia
7. Diarrhea
8. HIV/AIDS
9. Anemia
10. Natural causes
11. Witchcraft
12. Tuberculosis
13. Others specify
1.Yes; 2 No
If yes, mention the type e.g.
1. Pit latrine
2. Permanent materials
Asset loss
Is the household affected by asset loss for the project?
1. Yes
2. no
GENERAL PERCEPTIONS OF THE COMMUNITIES
a) In your opinion, what is your general perception of the natural environment in your
community in last two years?
1. Very bad
2. Not very good
3. Fair
4. Good
5. Very good
Why do you think so.?
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------b) Perceptions, possible concerns and expectations of the local people vis a vis the potential
employment opportunities of the proposed project
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------c) Communities attitudes towards Vimetco SMHL
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------d) Problems in the Vimetco operation in the area
1. Noise;
2. Dust;
3. Pollution;
4. Safety (communities);
5. Safety (workers)
e) What advantages does the Vimetco bauxite mining operation provide for this
community?
1. Jobs,
2. improves infrastructure and facilities such as the road, utilities and
recreational facilities,
3. assistance to local communities,
4. income opportunities,
5. brighten and modernize the area,
6. benefits national economy
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ANNEX E
1.
2.
3.
4.
ESIA Licences
SMHL Business Registration Licence
SMHL Mining Agreement
Receipt of SMHL Surface Rent Payment 2011
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