The NCEA advised on the assessment approach for two transport options that were identified for a sand mine in Gaza province, Mozambique. Subsequently, it reviewed the resulting SEA as well as the EIA that was prepared for one of the options.
Significant details
The environmental ministry of Mozambique (MICOA) has licensed the establishment and operation of a heavy mineral sands mining activity in Gaza province. For export of the products, the proponent plans to establish transport facilities. Two options were identified, being a rail option and a road option. For the first option, an EIA had already been undertaken.
The NCEA was asked to advice on the assessment of these options. In advisory guidelines (the first document on this page), it suggested a two-phase approach:
- SEA to facilitate the choice between the two transport options and define the optimum corridor for this option from a development and environmental point of view;
- EIA at project level to support decision-making on details including routing, design and environmental management aspects.
MICOA decided to take both steps simultaneously. This means that it initiated an SEA process and simultaneously allowed the proponent to prepare an additional EIA study that would allow for comparison of the two options. The latter was at the risk of the proponent, since chances were that the SEA would lead to a decision that could preempt one of the transport options.
When the draft SEA was finalized, MICOA asked the NCEA to review its process and contents. In an advisory review (the second document on this page), the NCEA made a number of observations. These include the following:
- The SEA process has been transparent and participatory, although stronger coordination with decision-makers could have strengthened the process;
- The SEA study does not include substantive (a.o. financial and economic) background studies and therefore lacks credibility.
The latter was not repaired when the NCEA later received the final SEA report.
When the EIA for the roads option was finished, the NCEA was asked to review the report. The NCEA issued its advisory review (the third document on this page) in which it concluded, among others, the following:
- The EIA report contains sufficient detail to facilitate decision-making on a choice between the two transport options;
- Additional information is however required on safety, risk assessment, oil spills and oil spill response;
- Although the EIA has a sufficient level of detail to facilitate comparison of the two options, it is not sufficient as a basis for granting an environmental license; therefore a second and a third tier EIA should be done for detailed design and for operation of the facility.
In its advice, the NCEA also provided recommendations for the proposed second tier EIA.