240130002744 - Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Proposed Hope & Gorob Mining Project for ML 246 on EPL 5796 in the Namib Naukluft National Park, Erongo Region

The Hope and Gorob mineral deposits are situated on EPL 5796 in the Namib Desert of Namibia within the Swakopmund District, Erongo Region. The capital of Namibia, Windhoek is approximately 250km northeast of the property and Walvis Bay is about 120km northwest of the property. Walvis Bay is the closest town to the property and is the main port city of Namibia. The property has been extensively explored by several companies dating back to the 1970s. In 2020 drilling was carried out to confirm the resource and to re-evaluate the gold contents of the deposit. Recent exploration work conducted in 2021 and 2022 includes more than 2000m of drilling to confirm shallow resource potential and geophysics interpretations. Environmental studies were done for exploration purposes in the area as required by the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Environmental clearance certificates were issued in 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism for this purpose. Furthermore, an internal screening study was completed in February 2022 by Namisun in support of the Scoping study update. This was to be pro-active in the development approach to the project and to prepare for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) studies to follow. The study identified areas of sensitivity for vegetation, fauna, and heritage/archaeological importance. This was done as the project owners are aware of the location of the proposed mine site within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, and the associated preventative and remediating planning that will need to be incorporated as part of a development in such a sensitive environment. Hope and Gorob Mining (Pty) Ltd (hereafter referred to as the proponent) plans to fully develop the necessary infrastructure at Hope and Gorob to support the mining operations. As a result, the proponent commissioned the ESIA and appointed Environam Consultants Trading (ECT) to undertake the necessary activities to enable an application for an Environmental Clearance Certificate with the Environmental Commissioner as prescribed by the Environmental Management Act (No. 7 of 2007) and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (Government Notice No. 30 of 2012).

Prpject status REVIEW IN PROGRESS

For further information contact:

Ministry of Environment and Tourism

Department of Environmental Affairs

(+264 -61) 284 2701 (T)

(+264-61) 240 339 (F)

http://www.met.gov.na