230117000833 - (PREVIOUS APP 10445) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF LITHIUM MINING OPERATIONS ON MINING CLAIMS 70515 & 70516, LOCATED IN DAURES CONSTITUENCY, ERONGO REGION

Welwitschia Minerals and Hydrocarbons CC now Townland Investments (Pty) Ltd (the proponent) intends to carry out exploration and mining activities on Mining Claims (MCs) 70515 & 70516. The proponent has been awarded mineral rights for semi-precious stones only and intends to add base & rare metals, dimension stones, industrial minerals, non-nuclear fuels and precious metals to the list of commodities. The proposed mining activities will run for three years subject to a two-year renewal. The proponent intends to carryout exploration and mining activities on two mining claims (70515 & 70516) for lithium on the Cape-Cross-Uis lithium-cesium-tantalum (LTC) pegmatites. The targeted lithium-cesium-tantalum (LTC) pegmatites extends close to the surface, therefore it is assumed that conventional open pit mining method will be used. Drilling and blasting will be required to break in-situ rock, Run of mime (ROM) mineralized, material will be will be loaded onto a dump truck using an excavator and transported to the plant for concentration. An environmental Assessment is needed to assess the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts as well as to achieve better developmental interventions through protecting human, physical, and biotic environments. The proposed mineral exploration activities fall under the activities that are listed in the Environmental Management Act, 2007 (Act No. 7 of 2007) and EIA regulations (2012), as activities that cannot be undertaken without an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC).