Mozambique - Mineral Resources Management Capacity Building Project : environmental assessment

E1030 Mining Sector Environmental and Social Assessment, Mozambique Final Report DECEMBER 2003  Mining Sector Environmental and Social Assessment, Mozambique Final Report, December 2003 Contents Contents 1 1. Introduction 1 1.1. The mining sector of Mozambique 1 1.2. The Project 1 1.2.1. Objectives 1 1.2.2. Project execution 2 1.2.3. Consultant's staff being engaged in the Project 2 1.2.4. The Client's participation 2 1.2.5. Acknowledgements 3 2. Baseline information 3 2.1. Socio-economic indicators 3 2.2. Existing documentation regarding mining environmental questions 4 2.3. Protected Areas 4 2.4. Background data regarding natural water quality 6 3. Policy, legal and institutional framework 7 3.1. Policy 7 3.2. Legislation 7 3.2.1. The Environmental Law (Lei no 20/97) 7 3.2.2. The Land Law (Lei no 19/97) 8 3.2.3. The Mining Law (Lei no 14/2002) 9 3.2.4. Inconsistencies and debilities in the legislation 11 3.3. Institutional framework 12 3.3.1. General organizational framework 12 3.3.2. The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy (MIREME) 12 3.3.3. The National Directorate of Mines (DNM) 13 3.3.4. The Department of Environment (within DNM) 14 3.3.5. The Department of Mine Safety (within DNM) 14 3.3.6. The Ministry for the Coordination of Environmental Affairs 15 3.3.7. Provincial Directorates (DPREME) 15 3.4. Human resources 16 3.5. Laboratories and analytical services 17 3.5.1. Laboratory analysis in environmental work 17 3.5.2. Present market for analytical services 18 3.5.3. Existing laboratory capacity 18 3.5.4. Recommendations 19 4. Environmental conditions 20 4.1. Potential problems related to mining 20 4.2. Analysis of the various environmental aspects related to mining 21 4.2.1. Prospecting and Exploration 21 4.2.2. Non-efficient use of natural resources 22 4.2.3. Effects on landscape and morphology 23 4.2.4. Accumulation and spread of solid waste 25 4.2.5. Water use and/or pollution 26 4.2.6. Air pollution 30 Swedish Geological AB - IMPACTO 1  Mining Sector Environmental and Social Assessment, Mozambique Final Report, December 2003 4.2.7. Soil pollution 31 4.2.8. Effects on flora and fauna 32 4.2.9. Noise and vibration 33 4.2.10. Radioactivity 33 4.2.11. Environmental emergencies 34 4.2.12. Issues common to industrial establishments in general 36 4.2.13. Occupational health and safety (OHS) 36 5. Socio-economic conditions within the mining sector 38 5.1. Socio-economic issues within the formal mining sector 38 5.1.1. Employment conditions in the active mining companies 38 5.1.2. Outlook for the future 39 5.2. Socio-economic issues within the informal (artisanal) sector 39 5.2.1. The deposits and their exploitation 40 5.2.2. The work force and its organisation 42 5.2.3. Socio-economic factors 43 5.3. Summary of socio-economic conditions 45 6. Strategic priorities for evironmental and socio-economic supervision 46 6.1. Environmental and socio-economic planning 46 6.2. Definition of actions to be taken and future studies to be carried out 47 6.2.1. General approach for the development of capacity 47 6.2.2. Strategy for the raising of capacity 47 6.2.3. Objectives and organisation 48 6.2.4. Main environmental issues to be treated 49 7. Consultation and participatory procedures 50 8. References 50 Annexes Annex 1. Literature Annex 2. Quality of natural waters in Mozambique and worldwide Annex 3. Comments by Swedish Geological AB on "Regulamento sobre padrao de qualidade ambiental e emissoes" Annex 4. Summary of national laws governing land, resettlement and compensation Annex 5. Environmental reviews of mining sites Annex 6. Environmental capacity building within the MIREME - Terms of Reference Annex 7. Overview of new major mineral projects Swedish Geological AB - IMPACTO 2  Mining Sector Environmental and Social Assessment, Mozambique Final Report, December 2003 1. Introduction 1.1. The mining sector of Mozambique Despite a favourable geological environment, mining is still a less developed sector in Mozambique. Thus, mechanised mining is today limited to a moderate number of comparatively small operations exploiting gold, coal, tantalum, bauxite, industrial minerals and dimension stones. In contrast to this, artisanal mining for gold and gemstones is widespread. Besides these traditional exploitations, a number of very large heavy minerals (titanium) projects are at an advanced stage of development and it can be expected that one or more of these will turn into operation within the next few years. This would dramatically change the mining scene of Mozambique. Another possibility for large scale mining in the not too distant future would be a reopening of the once large coal mines in the Tete province for which efforts are made presently. This would, however, require a rehabilitation of the Tete-Beira railway. An overview of the new major projects that may come on-stream during the next few years is presented in Annex 7. 1.2. The Project 1.2.1. Objectives It is the Mozambican Government's policy to support private investments for the development of the country's mineral resources. In order to achieve a sustainable development, the Government will need to supervise such developments regarding the environmental and social performance. Besides, the already ongoing artisanal and small scale mining activities are often carried out without regard to such aspects. The capacity of the Government to perform this supervision is not yet well developed. The present Project regarding Mining Sector Environmental and Social Assessment is one of the efforts to resolve this debility. The objectives of the Project are summarised as six points in the Terms of Reference: 1. Compilation of existing information 2. Evaluation of the policy, legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks 3. Assessment of the environmental and social conditions within the mining sector 4. Definition of strategic priorities for future studies and work 5. Consultation and participatory procedures 6. Training Swedish Geological AB - IMPACTO 1  Mining Sector Environmental and Social Assessment, Mozambique Final Report, December 2003 1.2.2. Project execution The execution of the Project has included the following main components: Field visits to obtain information and data regarding environmental and social conditions at mine sites, including water quality determinations: