GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 12070

PURSUANT to section 59 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received THE KENYA GAZETTE 20th September, 2024 an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above- proposed project. The proponent, MS. China Chongqing Handu Construction Machinery Company Limited intends extraction of gold from ore through controlled chemical heap leaching, a hydrometallurgical process that uses chemical solutions to dissolve the target metals from the ore. The project components will include ore crushing, heap construction, irrigation system, chemical addition, gold recovery and processing on Plot L.R. No. Kadem/Macaldror/175 In Kalange Sub- location, Mikei Location, Nyatike Sub-County, Migori County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures Chemical contamination • Handle the dressing agent solution carefully to prevent accidental spillage. • The process should be restricted to specific places at the site and be avoided in residential areas. These sites should be at least 100 m from the nearest residential areas. • Only qualified and authorized persons to handle the dressing agent solution. • The developer must seek for appropriate licensing from appropriate authorities. • Recycle water left after the process appropriately to prevent accumulation of contaminants in the environment. Dust and air pollution • Provide workers in areas concentrated with exhaust emissions, dust and fumes with nose masks covering the mouth and the nose; and goggles to protect the eyes. • Dispose appropriately the decontaminated tailings and other wastes regularly to prevent them from accumulating at the site. • Run and service/maintain machinery and vehicles regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions in order to ensure efficiency in working. • Sprinkle water on all dust-active areas to suppress dust and/or pave or apply non- toxic soil stabilizers on all unpaved access roads and parking areas. • Use appropriate fuel that is free from adulteration. • Sprinkle water to earthen and dusty ground before sweeping to prevent dust production. • Regularly check and clean or repair areas perceived to be sources of air pollution such as manholes. • Supervise activities at the site especially burning and sweeping. • Advice workers to adhere to instruction for use of air polluting agents. For instance “DO NOT USE IN CONFINED PLACES”, “DO NOT INHALE FUMES. • Advice workers and stall operators to ensure indoor ventilation by opening windows and using exhaust fans to allow good air circulation into and out of the stalls and offices. • Where possible cover all trucks hauling loose material including the gold ore with tarpaulin and/or requiring these trucks to maintain at least two feet of freeboard. Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures Risk of release of associated gases • Ensure that barren slurry from which gold has been extracted is certified as having less than 0.1% of chemical solution before it is reused to make interlocking bricks. • Use lime to maintain the pH of the slurry at between 11 to 12 values. Noise and vibrations pollution • Posting notices at the sites to inform people of the activities, time and day. • Scheduling construction during daytime when neighbors are at work, limiting working hours to 8 hours within a 24- hour period, and implementing shifts to minimize noise-related complaints from both workers and neighbors. • Providing ear protective devices to workers and visitors in noisy environments to prevent high frequency noise emitted by the high frequency machines. • Employ modern machines that produce less noise or ones fitted with silencers. • Fitting crushing rooms with sound proof materials. Storm water flow • Design the storm drainage system in such a way that the storm does not mix with the waste water. • Design and construct curbs and channels to direct water to the lower areas. • Engage in consultations with neighbors and landowners in the lower side neighborhood of the site to ensure that storm drains exiting the site towards the valley do not cause inconvenience or disrupt activities in those areas. • Maintain open drainage lines and avoid obstructing them to prevent water stagnation, which could create breeding grounds for disease vectors like mosquitoes, rats, cockroaches, and lice. • Install gutters and tanks to harvest and store rain water from the buildings in order to reduce run-off. Generation of solid waste • Provide bins for separate collection of wastes into appropriate sorts such as recyclable and non-recyclable for each room, each corridor and each common room. These bins should be labeled. • Tailings can be used to make bricks. • Put in place an efficient, regular and appropriate waste collection and disposal scheme that will prevent the accumulation of wastes at collection areas. • Where possible material considered as waste may be re-used or recycled or be given to who may consider them useful for others uses. Increased water demand • Maximize on rain water harvesting for domestic purposes. • Provide polite notices to conserve water at the site. • Always recycle water used in the leaching tanks. 20th September, 2024 THE KENYA GAZETTE Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures Occupational health and safety risks • Install and safeguard machinery, equipment, PPE, appliances and tools appropriately and carry out regular maintenance services in accordance with their manufacturer’s safety data information. • Maintain First Aid kits at the site in easily accessible areas. • Make distinctions in all stores in such a way that non-food or poisonous materials are not stored together or mixed with food. • Store and use all materials as outlined on their manufacturers’ data safety labels. • Install and use exhaust fans and lighting systems in areas natural ventilation and lighting are not enough. • Store and use all materials as outlined on their manufacturers’ data safety labels. • Make distinctions in all stores in such a way that non-food or poisonous materials are not stored together or mixed with food. • Separate outdoor washrooms based on gender into ladies and gents and provide them with lockable doors. • Implement continuous environmental monitoring to detect and manage pollutants such as cyanide, heavy metals, and dust. • Follow best practices for cyanide handling, including adherence to the International Cyanide Management Code. • Develop and regularly update an emergency response plan in collaboration with local authorities. • Conduct awareness campaigns to educate the community on potential health risks and safe practices. Social conflict • Foster transparent communication with all stakeholders, including marginalized groups. • Establish grievance redress mechanisms to allow community members to report concerns and seek resolutions. • Promote inclusive decision-making processes that involve community representatives. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126–00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Migori County. A copy of the report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke The National Environment Management Authority invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director-General, NEMA, to assist the Authority in the decision making process regarding this project. Comments can also be emailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/6547815 National Environment Management.