Kibo’s Mbeya coal to power project progresses ESIA

Phase 1 of Kibo Mining’s Mbeya coal to power project’s (MCPP) environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) was successfully completed upon receiving notice from the Tanzanian government that the ESIA studies for the Mbeya coal mine and Mbeya power plant have both been accepted and officially registered.

Environmental Certification for the MCPP requires that the Mining and Power components must be registered as separate ESIA’s, while successful registration requires the submission of a comprehensive project specific ESIA brief and official registration documentation. Successful registration is in turn dependent on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and insight into all the project specific and general environmental issues that will and could have an environmental impact, as per the Tanzanian EIA and Audit Regulations and guidelines.

Following a review of the submitted ESIA briefs and registration documents, the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) reached a decision that the MCPP-application (Mining and Power) met with all the required criteria for registration and acceptance and may continue with the rest of the assessment. Phase 2 of the ESIA has already commenced, with most of the specialist studies that are required for Phase 2 nearing completion.

Louis Coetzee, CEO of Kibo Mining, stated: “We are very pleased with progress on the ESIA and particularly with the fact that the registration was accepted at the first attempt. ESIA registrations frequently fail on the first attempt and can become a significant delay factor. Our strong and cooperative relationship with the Tanzanian government coupled with our understanding of the process has enabled us to expedite this stage of the project. We have already commenced preparatory work for Phase 2 ahead of submitting the final ESIA to the NEMC. The ESIA is the third key component, alongside the mining and power definitive feasibility studies, for the integrated bankable feasibility study.”

Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/exploration-and-development/19052016/kibo-mining-mbeya-coal-to-power-project-progresses-esia-809/