230420001327 - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the Tubussis Small-scale Mining (SSM) hotspot in Erongo Region

The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) has recognized the need to enhance the quality of life for artisanal and small-scale miners working outside of formal legal and economic systems. Although it is recognized that small-scale mining creates employment opportunities for many and encourages entrepreneurship, majority of the small-scale mining activities have been taking place illegally. Farm Tubussis is one the hotspots in Erongo Region where small-scale mining activities have been taking place for many years without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study done and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in place. Small-scale Miners (SSMs) have in the past been issued with Environmental Clearance Certificates (ECCs) upon completion of the Environmental questionnaire and signing a pro-forma Environmental Contract. In terms of the Environment Management Act (EMA) (Act No. 7 of 2007), all mining and quarrying activities cannot be undertaken without an EIA being carried out and ECC being obtained, hence this study. The MME is assisting SSMs to transition to the formal system and to enhance the contribution of the small-scale mining sub-sector to sustainable development. As such, MME with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is facilitating the development of the EMP and subsequent issuing of ECCs to SSMs operating at Farm Tubussis in Erongo region. The first application was done in 2021: Reference: APP002347 but the application was lost due to the EIA system shut down.