Mbeya Coal to Power Project receives final approval for ESIA scoping reports

Approval and acceptance of the scoping reports concludes Stage 2 of the required three stage statutory ESIA approval process. Completion of Stage 2 now paves the way for final ESIA certification of both the Mbeya Coal Mine and the Mbeya Power Plant.

Louis Coetzee, CEO of Kibo Mining, said: "Approval and acceptance of the MCPP ESIA scoping reports represents a critical point in the overall ESIA approval process. At this stage the majority of the ESIA work, i.e. specific ESIA terms of reference, required specialist studies as well as consultation, have been completed, submitted and accepted by the NEMC as compliant for certification. We expect Stage 3, (i.e. certification process), to be completed in a shorter time frame than usual, given the fact that the preparation work for an accelerated conclusion of Stage 3 was done whilst awaiting approval of the scoping reports.

Receipt of the scoping report approvals from the NEMC, follows a week of broad and productive consultation with various Tanzanian Government departments regarding the further development of the MCPP. These discussions once again confirmed continued support for the MCPP as a strategic energy / development project and also that the recent and still ongoing policy changes and restructuring, will have significant long-term benefits for projects like the MCPP.

Further updates in this regard as well as an update on the completion of the MCPP Integrated Bankable Feasibility Study will follow shortly".

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/16012017/mbeya-coal-to-power-project-receives-final-approval-for-esia-scoping-reports/