230418001314 - APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (ECC-01746) to include exploration for INDUSTRIAL MINERALS in addition to the already approved and ongoing prospecting of dimension stone quality rocks within Exclusive Prospecting License

APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (ECC-01746) to include exploration for INDUSTRIAL MINERALS in addition to the already approved and ongoing prospecting of dimension stone quality rocks within Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) 6217 in the Erongo Region. As the appointed Environmental Assessment Practitioner for this project, we have been requested to launch an amendment to the current Environmental Clearance Certificate, ECC-01746, which was issued by your esteemed office on 13th November 2021 to allow JTD Mining Group (Pty) Ltd to undertake prospecting/ exploration of granites and dolerite rocks for dimension stone production purposes. Exploration for dimension stone quality rocks on this license has been ongoing since the issuance of the ECC in late 2021 with a great degree of success; however, during the ongoing exploration program the proponent has encountered industrial minerals of economic value within the same license which they would like to explore, subject to the successful amendment of this Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) by the Directorate of Mines to include Industrial Minerals under its scope. The first Environmental Performance Monitoring Report for this license was submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Forestry between late November and early December 2022, and this report is also attached herein. Considering the above, this letter and Background Information Document (BID) serves as an official launch for the amendment process which aims to have the scope of ECC-01746 (which is attached herein) increased or updated to include the prospecting of Industrial Minerals by the project proponent, JTD Mining Group (Pty) Ltd. The background information document, attached, puts the proposed changes into perspective and aims to assist your esteemed office in making an informed decision on what documentation we as the appointed Environmental Assessment Practitioner need to submit to your good office for such an amendment to ECC-01746 to be effected promptly.