BMR Mining - Re: BMR Stream Log - Environmental Permitting Process The Company...

Environmental Permitting Process The Company commenced its EIA studies and approval processes in 2009 with a public consultation meeting attended by over 130 people. Initial terms of reference for the EIA were submitted to the ZEMA for review and were approved in November 2009. Baseline studies were subsequently undertaken during 2010 and 2012 to establish positive and negative impacts from the proposed development and to provide enhancement and mitigation through management plans. A Public Disclosure meeting to inform stakeholders about the EIA findings was conducted on site in September 2012 and was attended by 95 people. This allowed further local community concerns to be taken into consideration prior to the submission of a first draft EIA to ZEMA at the end of 2012. After consultation with ZEMA a final EIA submission was made in May 2013 with the accompanying fee of approximately $US74,000. ZEMA requested additional information specifically in the areas of, water balance, HIV/Aids management, surface rights, assessment of adjacent settlements and a groundwater assessment. This further information was submitted in the form of an addendum to the EIA in July 2013. At a Public Hearing, requested by ZEMA, held at the site on 30 August an estimated 150 people gave their unanimous support for project development. In their letter dated 15 October 2013 ZEMA confirmed that they had formally approved the Company’s EIA. The principle conditions attached to the decision are that the Company re‐settle 4 families living in close proximity to the proposed processing plant and that Luiri provide an alternative borehole water supply to the Zambia Air Force base. The Company has already commenced the process of discharging these, and other minor conditions. In addition, ZEMA also stipulate that the project shall be implemented within 3 years from the date of the approval.