environmental impact statement

Legal mining activities begin with prospecting and measurement, and take precedence over actual mining activities in mining license, but small-scale ore mining has a certain impact on the environment.

6.3.3. 1 exploration and survey business

After obtaining a mining license, prospectors usually camp in areas with mining rights. Typical exploration and survey includes indiscriminate excavation and, in some cases, trench excavation to determine possible ore trends and geological structure types. These excavated caves are usually very narrow, only more than 5 meters deep, and there is a platform every 1.5 meters. These jobs are labor-intensive, mainly using hammers, shovels and trolleys to break ground, carry and handle. The excavated materials are dumped in pits and ditches at will. A professional geologist usually lists the contents of these projects at the end of the permit and finally writes a geological report so that the mining application can be approved.

Mining in 6.3.3.2

Mining includes expanding and deepening mining openings and shallow wells, or re-digging new mining openings to obtain ore. Bulldozers, hoes, excavators and other self-owned or rented earth-moving equipment are widely used, especially in some mineral products found in Ndola rural emerald reserve and Kalomo amethyst area. Blasting is usually the last method to deal with hard rocks. In addition to these projects, groundwater should be extracted from the rural emerald reserve in Ndola. Water is pumped from the lowest part of the borehole by the oil pump. Places where large heavy bulldozers are used may be particularly prone to produce a lot of garbage. Because of the desire for so-called gems and the idea of getting money faster, these rubbish were dumped at will without a plan. This leads to the accumulation of garbage. Some caves may be as shallow as 1.5 meters, such as in Kalomodo Mountain; Some may be as deep as 70 meters. For example, in the Emerald Reserve in Ndola village, it is basically a plain.

6.3.3.3 closes coal mines.

According to the provisions of the Mineral Law, the mining right holder should apply for pit closure before partially or completely closing the mine. It is necessary to confirm that this exploration and exploitation land has been completely restored, sorted out, restored and afforested, and all dangerous objects must be closed or isolated. Unfortunately, most construction sites are abandoned, and the dangers caused by mining openings and other mining tunnels remain in place, often accumulating soil and rainwater.

6.3.3.4 mineral processing

Small mines in Zambia are monopolized by four places: the emerald in Ndola village, the amethyst in Kalomoh area, the emerald in Chipata-Lundazi area and the emerald in Petuk area. Gemstone processing includes cleaning and cutting, using pliers, awls, chisels, lenses, etc. And grading the chromaticity of the chips obtained by tapping and crushing, and removing unnecessary parts. Waste is usually produced at the bottom and surface of ore.

Environmental impact of 6.3.3.5.

A report on the influence of some small minerals in the field of the Southern African Development Community has been published. This method is used in field trips, receptions and research-based documents. However, they lack tracking or analysis data to support their arguments, and lack clear standards that can objectively consolidate their conclusions and be considered meaningful. These potential impacts make it possible to classify these mineral mining according to environmental impact, pollution impact, occupational health, socio-economic and cultural impact. These are:

The first is the environmental impact. Including the destruction of the natural living environment of mining areas and waste disposal sites; Damage to the surrounding natural living environment caused by radiation and dumping of wastes; The damage of population inflow to the surrounding natural living environment; Changes of water body and ecology caused by sedimentation and flow path change; Changes in groundwater level; Land subsidence caused by insufficient recovery and instability after pit closure; Dangers caused by buildings and dams, legacy equipment and unstable buildings; Unprotected caves; Soil erosion, etc.

The second is the influence of pollution. Drainage at mining point; Sediments produced at mining sites; Pollution caused by river bed mining; Sewage discharge in mining area; Oil and fuel leaks; Dust emission is close to the living area and living environment.

The third is the impact of occupational health. Including inhalation of dust that may cause respiratory problems and discomfort; Influence of transportation and blasting on air in narrow space: exposure to high temperature, noise and vibration; Personal risks of working in the mine workshop; Unsanitary living conditions, etc.

The fourth is the social, economic and cultural influence. The increase of social income around; Interference of cultural values; Population growth, regional mining brings new diseases; Illegal mining and tax evasion; Lack of schools and medical institutions.

When examining the environmental factors of gem mining, V.Malango pointed out that small-scale mining is out of proportion to the impact on the environment. The influence of gem mining is river siltation, mainly because the miners have no experience and skills, resulting in erosion.

Page (abbreviation of page) m Banda (1995) emphasizes the environmental problems caused by industrial minerals in Zambia, such as conflict of use, air pollution, water pollution, solid pollution management, ecological destruction and socio-economic impact. Land use conflicts are attributed to radiation caused by blasting, quarrying and crushing, as well as land subsidence caused by mining and dumping soil used by large earth-moving trucks for other purposes.

Indiscriminate excavation of red soil and stones led to ground subsidence in Lusaka. Air pollution is attributed to gas emission from blasting and crushing operations. These emissions have affected the local population and ecology, especially vegetation and soil. The main pollution examples are: Lusaka combined quarrying, which caused air and noise pollution; Chilanga Cement Company polluted the environment due to dust emission, which led to the destruction of Mount Makulu workstation; The grinding and crushing operation of Mindeco and the air pollution in the form of dust emission caused by Lusaka limestone grinding workshop.

Considering that waste management includes toxic substances in dust leachate, especially on windy days. The environmental pressure of trees, fuel and soil around human settlements leads to ecological destruction in the form of deforestation and hunting animals. Socio-economic impact led people to emigrate, interrupt family life and start mining. The mine closed, resulting in unemployment and the closure of local supporting industries. 1990July-August, Wolf Fetus completed the investigation of 50 small mines and related industries in Zimbabwe and Zambia, and assessed the environmental pollution caused by mining. The impact of the assessment is as follows:

Smoke, gas and dust pollution, harmful pollutants and soil pollution.

Water pollution, minerals and dumping caused by discharge lead to oil deposition and oil erosion of soil.

Destruction of vegetation and wildlife caused by land subsidence, deforestation, natural gas, river erosion and land use.

Direct health loss caused by toxic substances, noise and unprotected excavation.