GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 11997

Pursuant to Regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Gems and Industrial Minerals Limited, is proposing a simple open cast manual method of mining for the exploitation of the Manganese in Laresoro in Waso Division, Samburu County. It will involve drilling labourers who will use hand held tools such as picks and shovels to break the Manganese ore from the main rock. The broken manganese ore will then be loaded onto Lorries and transported to the clients either local or broad. The construction phase will involve the construction of a small storage house for the mining crew to store their tools and sanitary conveniences. It will also involve installation of a 15,000 litre fuel tank for fueling machines and vehicles used during the process. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Dust emissions • Keep dust to an absolute minimum by sprinkling water to bind dust particles. • Undertake mining in small portions of the total. • Cover the trucks carrying the ore. Impacts on water quality • Hazard materials should not get into natural water ways or water bodies. • Monitor the level of manganese in all water sources in the project area regularly. • Provide sanitary conveniences to manage sanitary wastes from the mining crew. Impacts on soil and land • Rehabilitate all used pits by backfilling and re- vegetation. • Fill up and secure to the satisfaction of the commissioner of mining all excavations made in the area during the course of prospecting and exploitation. Health and safety concerns • Provide periodic training and continual safety checks to all workers. • Provide personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and enforce use by all workers. • Brief all visitors on hazards and safety precautions. • Train a good number of workers on first aid. • Procure first aid materials and ensure they are available in all mining sites. • Restrict mining to during the day time only. • Set up health and safety committee. • Promote HIV/AIDS awareness among all employees. Waste management • Ensure sound solid waste management of both mining and on site mineral processing operations. • Store and manage excavated material appropriately. • Ensure a continuous review of waste management procedures with changing technologies and regulations. Oil leaks and spills • Regular inspection of underground tanks for leakages. • Double walling of underground tanks to guard against leaks. • Protecting the underground tanks with corrosion prevention materials. • Prioritizing the upgrade of equipment and installation of existing facilities of a network after a defined age. • Careful siting of the project to ensure that it lies in an environment that is far from environmental receptors including sewers, tunnels, vaults, surface water reservoirs etc. Increased noise and vibration levels • Barricading the area (erecting a boundary wall. • Construction activities to be conducted during the day. • Provision of appropriate Personal Protective equipment to protect workers from occupational noise. • Regular maintenance of plants and equipment. • Shutting down of engine vehicles when not in use to reduce on noise levels. 20th December, 2019 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Dealing with emergencies • Train staff on emergency response. • Develop and display environment management policy. • Develop self-audits plan for environmental management. Socio economic impacts • Undertake environmental management training. • Promote HIV/AIDS awareness among employees. • Develop employee’s skill through training in materials management. Destruction of soil structure • Ensure use of manual labour and hand tools where appropriate. • Ensure the contractor takes the shortest time possible. Fire risks • Identify hazardous areas and control all sources of ignition, use appropriate warning and hazard signs. • Storage tanks and dispense pumps are adequately maintained and monitored. • Ensure all staff are adequately trained (retain training records). • Keep all escape routes and fire exits clear and make regular checks to ensure that this is the case. • Install firefighting equipment and fire alarms and train staff how to use them. • Clear rubbish regularly (remember sand used for cleaning or containing petrol spills will be flammable and should be disposed of safely, by a hazardous waste disposal company if necessary). 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, Community, 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, Samburu County. 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 of the plan. MAMO B. MAMO, Ag. Director-General, MR/0447259 National Environment Management Authority.