Environmental & Social Impact Assessments

  • Impact Assessments The physical and social environment in and around the Koidu Kimberlite Project mining lease area has been subject to two Environmental and Social Impact Assessments since the formation of Koidu Holdings in 2003. Digby Wells (a South African environmental agency) and Sierra Leonean company, Cemmats Group, worked together on both of these studies to produce reports up to the standard required by the International Finance Corporation and the Equator Principles.
  • 2003 Environmental and Social Impact Assessment The first impact assessments for the 50 tph operation were completed in 2003 and an Environmental Impact Assessment Licence granted by the Environment Protection Department.
  • Expansion Project Impact Assessments The Expansion Project required a new assessment of the environment and community to be affected by the increased scale of operations. As part of the Expansion Project feasibility study, a preliminary ESIA was conducted by Digby Wells, documenting the work carried out during the first phase of the studies and identifying areas for further work and detailed specialist studies. Digby Wells operates independently to reflect both the interests of stakeholders and the Company.
  • Scope of Environmental and Social Studies There are three components to the studies carried out by Digby Wells: The first component was to undertake specialist studies of the various aspects of the existing environment to establish baseline conditions prior to the implementation of the Expansion Project and to predict the potential impacts on the various environmental and ecological systems. These studies included: Terrestrial fauna and flora assessments Aquatic/water resources assessments Surface water and ground water assessments Air quality assessments Noise assessments Archaeological and cultural heritage assessments Visual impact assessments Social impact assessments The findings were incorporated into the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report, which considered the various aspects of the planned project in terms of geology, mining, processing, infrastructure development, human resources and implementation timeframes, and highlighted the regulatory framework, both local and international (IFC Guideline and Equator Principles) within which the project is expected to operate and comply. The impacts were identified and rated according to significance on an individual as well as cumulative basis (Impact Assessment) and a plan put forward to mitigate the impacts over the life of the mine and post closure (Environmental Management Programme).
  • Scope of Environmental and Social Studies The second task for Digby Wells was to develop and implement a Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan for the Project. This aspect of the study involved the identification and analysis of stakeholder groups affected by, or with an interest in the Project, and the dissemination of project information to these groups to enable them to provide feedback on the planned activities.
  • Scope of Environmental and Social Studies The third aspect of the work carried out by Digby Wells was to undertake a household asset survey of those living within the Extended Affected Area and to formulate a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), in conjunction with all stakeholders and Koidu Holdings, for the new housing to be provided for those living within the 500 m safe blast envelope beyond the northern perimeter of the mining lease.
  • Stakeholder Engagement Digby Wells commenced work on all three of these work components in November 2011, with the first discussions with the community leaders and Village Resettlement Committee, followed by the desktop studies for the environmental studies and household surveys in December 2011.
  • Presentation of preliminary results of studies Digby Wells concluded the onsite specialist studies (air quality, noise, fauna, flora, water resources, and archaeology) at the end of January 2011 and began processing the data collected in February 2011. Stakeholder Engagement meetings in Koidu and Freetown were planned for early March 2011, with the preparation of the documentation and display materials necessary to assist in the transfer of information to the public in a manner that would be easy to understand.
  • Background Information Document The Background Information Document ( BID ) explained the main features of the Expansion Project in terms of mine design, infrastructure development, the perimeter wall and road diversion, and the and expected impacts of these on the Koidu community. The BID also explained the process and timeframes related the Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and the role played by Digby Wells.
  • Calling All Stakeholders The Registration Form for Interested and Affected Parties requested information to assist with stakeholder mapping and understanding of information requirements. Other documentation and presentation material prepared included Hand Delivery Registers to record the delivery of the BID and I&AP Registration Forms. Large and medium sized wall banners provided visual aids at the entrance to make the venue clearly visible to those wishing to attend. PowerPoint presentations were used during the public meetings to show the preliminary results of the specialist studies and to illustrate aspects of the Expansion Project.
  • Public Meetings The first public meetings for all stakeholders were held in Koidu and Freetown on 12 and 15 March 2011, respectively. The Koidu meeting was held at the Fachima Hall and was attended by 260 stakeholders. The Freetown session was held at the Miata Conference Centre and was attended by 160 stakeholders. The objective of the meetings was to provide background information, explain the project motivation and benefits, describe the EIA process, provide an opportunity for stakeholders to give input and confirm structured communication channels with all stakeholders.
  • Public Review of Draft ESIA Comments received from stakeholders during the public meetings were incorporated in the ESIA report which was then made available to stakeholders for review. Hardcopies of the Executive Summary were distributed to Koidu Library and Freetown Library, as well as to the Local Village Administrations of New Sembehun, Saquee Town, Sokogbe, Swarray Town and Manjamadu. In addition, copies were delivered to NGOs that had expressed interest in the project, including: Campaign for Just Mining, Diamond Dealers Association, Kono Student Union, German International Cooperation (GIZ), World Vision Sierra Leone, and Kono Diamond Queens FC. Hard copies of all three volumes of the ESIA and public consultation and disclosure process were provided to the Ministry of Mines, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA).
  • Invitations to Participate To reach all stakeholders, invitations to attend the Open Day sessions at Koidu and Freetown were distributed via the print media and radio channels, as well as via posters displayed in public places. In addition, previously registered stakeholders who had provided email addresses were sent invitations electronically.
  • Open Days and Presentation of Results Open Days were held in Koidu and Freetown where posters summarising the results of the studies were displayed and where Digby Wells and Cemmats were at hand for the community and other stakeholders to raise concerns and discuss issues in a personalised and constructive manner.
  • Equator Principles Review The documents prepared by Digby Wells were also subject to scrutiny by external environmental auditors to ensure that the studies undertaken were of a high standard and that the suggested strategies for developing Management Plans and systems would meet the criteria of the Equator Principles. On completion of this review and incorporation of the additional comments received, Digby Wells finalised their ESIA and PCDP documents for final submission to Government .