Evaluation of the effectiveness of EIAs in mitigating impacts of mining projects along the great dyke of Zimbabwe

The poor quality of Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), lack, or low implementation of the proposed mitigation measures and little or none monitoring of the implemented mitigation measures (if any is implemented) are the perceived barriers to the effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in protecting the environment from project development activities. This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of EIAs in mitigating the environmental impacts of mining activities along the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe from a systems thinking perspective. The Mitigation Effectiveness Triangle (MET) which integrates the quality of EIS, mitigation implementation through project Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) and EIA follow-up in post EIA, as a system is the conceptual framework used in the study. Four specific research objectives are investigated: the quality of EISs in terms of impact identification and evaluation, and proposed mitigation measures; the extent to which the mitigation measures proposed in EISs are implemented by the project proponent; the EIA follow-up evidence on the effectiveness of implemented mitigation measures in protecting the environment from mining activities; and, the utility of the MET conceptual framework in enhancing the effectiveness of mitigation in EIA. A mixed methods research design was employed to collect and analyse the data. The research was in three phases. Phase I focused on the quality of EISs. Data from twenty-two mine EISs conducted between 2003 and 2010 were purposively sampled to provide information about the quality of EISs in terms environmental impact identification and proposed mitigation measures. The amended Lee and Colley (1992) EIS quality review package and Mitchell’s (1997) mitigation guidelines were used to gather and grade the quality of EISs in terms of the impacts and mitigation measures. Phase II focused on the practical implementation of mitigation measures proposed in the reviewed EISs. Two purposively selected case studies and their project EMPs, environmental managers, local communities surrounding them and field observations provided the required data. In phase III, the EIA follow-up evidence of environmental quality parameters after the implementation of mitigation measures was evaluated in order to assess the effectiveness of the implemented mitigation measures. The collected data was subjected to statistical analyses using STATA® version 11 (Stata-Corp, Texas, USA). The key finding of the thesis supports the MET conceptual framework. The framework is premised on systems thinking, that advocate for the integration, tieredness and interrelationship among EISs, EMPs and EIA follow-up evidence in order to enhance the effectiveness of mitigation in EIA. The quality of EISs in terms of impact identification and evaluation indicated that 15 (68 percent) out of the 22 reviewed EISs were graded as satisfactory; while 17 (77 percent) were graded as satisfactory in terms of proposed mitigation measures. Based on the quality of EISs findings, the study concluded that the EISs had the potential to influence some of the decisions during project planning. The reviewed EISs were however also fraught with some deficiencies, suggesting that some of the decisions recommended in EISs could be rejected by decision-makers during planning. Regarding the implementation of mitigation measures proposed in EISs, the research findings showed that 63 (98 percent) out of the 64 impacts identified in the EISs were included in project EMPs by the project proponent. In addition, 46 (63 percent) of the 73 mitigation measures proposed in the two EISs were also included in project EMPs. Data from the environmental managers at case study mines, field observations and the local communities living around the case study sites indicated that mitigation measures proposed in EISs were implemented. EIA follow-up evidence included water quality parameters (pH, nitrates, ammonia, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, copper, and baron), air quality (fugitive dust, sulphur dioxide, and carbon dioxide), land, biodiversity, hazardous and solid waste, occupational safety and energy consumption. This evidence was confirmed by environmental managers and members of the local communities during questionnaire interviews. The authorized pollution limits, including the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ), the World Health Organization (WHO) maximum allowable limits were used as criteria for determining the effectiveness of the implemented mitigation measures. On that basis, some mitigation measures were found to be effective while others were not. The impact of mining on members of the local communities’ health and their limited involvement in monitoring of the implemented mitigation measures seemed to influence community perceptions on the effectiveness of the implemented mitigation measures. The study concludes by providing arguments in support of the MET conceptual framework as the first step towards holistically understanding the effectiveness of mitigation in EIA in practice. The study recommends the evaluation of mitigation effectiveness in EIA by not limiting to the quality of EISs alone, but also the implementation and monitoring of the mitigation measures in order to get a holistic picture of their effectiveness in practice. These findings suggest the need to strengthen the three components: quality of EIS, implementation and monitoring of mitigation in EISs.Environmental SciencesPhD. (Environmental Management

How climate change influences the disease burden : the case of meningitis in northern Benin and malaria in Zimbabwe

The paper uses two case studies to investigate the effects of climate change on health: meningococcal disease and meningitis in Benin, and malaria in Zimbabwe. After elaborating on the nature of climate sensitive diseases, a number of recommendations are made in order to reduce occurrences and increases brought about by climate change. Location-specific manifestations of climate change determine interactions with, and effects on disease prevalence such as malaria, meningitis, and trypanosomiasis. Water borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery could experience a resurgence through a greater reproduction of different vectors (mosquitoes, flies)

Benchmarking the effectiveness of mitigation measures to the quality of environmental impact statements: lessons and insights from mines along the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe

The environmental impact statement (EIS) plays an important role in informing decision makers about the likely impacts of development projects on the environment and suggesting mitigation measures for addressing such impacts. Increased effort to improve the quality of EIS has been a focus on its proposed mitigation measures and their likely effectiveness. There is, however, a lack of such studies in Zimbabwe’s mining industry. Following a conceptual framework of EIS quality as an indicator of mitigation effectiveness, this paper assesses the quality of EIS and its likely influence on the effectiveness of its proposed mitigation measures. Twenty-two purposively sampled EISs for mines operating along the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe were reviewed using the modified Lee and Colley (Review of the quality of environmental statements, Manchester EIA Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester 1992) quality review package and Mitchell’s (EA the Magazine of IEA and EARA 28–29, 1997) mitigation hierarchy guidelines. Results show that 77 % of the EISs are of satisfactory quality, while 51 % of the proposed mitigation measures focus on adverse impact reduction. The deficiencies are traced to vagueness in the regulations regarding baseline data collection and analysis and conceptualization of mitigation. Based on the results, it is suggested that more efforts should be aimed at reviewing the EIA regulations in order to improve the quality of EISs.Institute for Corporate Citizenshi

Cotton farmers’ vulnerability to climate change in Gokwe District (Zimbabwe): impact and influencing factors

This study analyzes the vulnerability of cotton farmers to climate change in a cotton growing district in Zimbabwe. The vulnerability indicators studied include cotton output and farmers’ livelihoods from cotton farming. In order to examine climate variability and change, a time series analysis of two variables: temperature and rainfall was done for a period of 30 years, resulting in graphs of any climate anomalies. Correlation tests between the independent variable (the climate) and the dependent variable (cotton output) were assessed in order to examine the nature and the magnitude of the relationship between the two. The opinions of 100 randomly sampled farmers were analysed in an attempt to verify the climate scenarios and cotton production trends, as well as to understand their adaptation to climate change. Negative rainfall deviations from the long-term mean and positive temperature deviations dominated the climate trend scenarios’ results. Cotton production levels declined as precipitation decreased and temperatures increased across the district. The survey revealed that a significant number of farmers believed that temperatures were increasing and precipitation was declining. Farmers’ perceptions on whether the climate was changing were greatly influenced by incidences of drought and changes in the seasonal timing of rainfall, and in few cases unusual floods. The majority believed the frequency of droughts was increasing. While farmers were prepared to adapt to changes in climate, their options were very limited. The results show that farmers are highly vulnerable to climate change and that there is a need to invest in climate adaptation strategies, including policies on irrigation and early warning systems to help farmers to cope better and to reduce their vulnerability to climate change.https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v2i2.1

Monitoring SO2emission trends and residents’ perceived health risks from PGM smelting at Selous Metallurgical Complex in Zimbabwe

Abstract Background Persistently high sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from platinum group metal (PGM) smelting pose a major threat to communities located around smelters. This paper examined SO2 emission trends, emission regulations and residents’ perceived health risks from exposures to such emissions at Selous Metallurgical Complex (SMC) PGM smelting facility in Zimbabwe. Methods SO2 data from roof monitoring sites at the smelter furnace were aggregated into annual, quarterly and monthly emission trends from 2008 to 2015. The regulatory regime’s ability to protect human health from SO2 pollution in communities located around the smelter was examined. Questionnaire responses to perceived health risks from SO2exposure from 40 purposively sampled residents were assessed. The relationships between SO2 emission trends and residents’ self-reported health risks from exposure to SO2emissions were explored using STATA version 11. Descriptive statistics were used to illustrate SO2 emission trends and residents’ self-reported health risks from exposure to SO2. Results Between 2008 and 2015, annual SO2emissions increased from 7951 to 2500 tonnes. Emissions exceeded the recommended standard limit of 50 mg/Nm3, presenting considerable adverse health risks to local residents. Concerns relating to inefficient environmental impact assessment (EIA) licensing system, poor monitoring and auditing by the environmental management agency, as well as non-deterring SO2emission exceedance penalties were identified as major drivers of emission increase. Thirty-two (80%) of the forty respondents perceived exposure to SO2 emissions as adverse and the cause of their illnesses, with coughing, nasal congestion and shortness of breath the most frequently self-reported symptoms. Conclusion A set of legally-binding SO2emission standards supported by stringent EIA licensing arrangements for smelting industries are suggested for development and enforcement to reduce the SO2emission problem. Community participation in SO2emissions monitoring is also proposed as a core part of sustainable environmental management in communities located around smelters

Linking rural community livelihoods to resilience building in flood risk reduction in Zimbabwe

The increasing occurrence of disastrous flooding events and the mounting losses in both life and property values in Zimbabwe have drawn attention to the flooding situation in the country, especially the rural areas. This article explores the resilience of vulnerable rural communities to flood risks associated within increasingly frequent and severe events linked to climate change. Starting by reviewing the current literature on rural livelihoods, resilience and vulnerability research, the paper argues for a coordinated teamwork approach in flood risk mitigation in rural areas. The paper concludes with several recommendations for enhanced resilience to flood hazards

Lesotho

PRIFPRI1; CRP7EPTDCGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS

Southern African agriculture and climate change: A comprehensive analysis - Lesotho

Non-PRIFPRI2; CRP7CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS