MALAWI UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS AND APPLIED
SCIENCES
MINE AND ENVIRONMENT
INTRODUCTION
MAYESO CYDRECK
[email protected]
0997770074 / 0886021095
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
i. Air Pollution and Control.
ii. Water Pollution and Control.
iii. Noise pollution and ground vibration.
iv. Tailings design
v. Environmental planning and ESIA.
vi. Solid Waste Management in Mines.
vii. Reclamation.
viii. Erosion.
ix. Subsidence and Strata Control.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
ASSESSMENT
❑Examinations: 70%
❑Coursework: 30% (broken down as follows: 10% Labs; 10%
Assignments; 10% Tests.)
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
❑Blight, G, (2009). Geotechnical Engineering for Mine Waste Storage
Facilities, CRC Press.
❑Hanna, K, (2009). Environmental Impact Assessment: Practice and
Participation. (2nd ed), Oxford University Press.
❑Noble, B, (2010). Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment:
A Guide to Principles and Practice, (2nd ed), Oxford University Press,
Canada.
❑Spitz, K., Trudinger J, (2009). Mining and the Environment: from ore to
metal, CRC Press.
❑Panigrahi, D.C., (2001). Mine environment and ventilation, Taylor
and Francis.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
OVERVIEW OF MINING
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
RECONNAISSANCE LICENSE.
ELIGIBILITY.
❑A Company duly incorporated; or,
❑Registered as Foreign Company
✓Under the Companies Act, 2013 that has technical competence
and financial ability to fulfil the license obligations.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
RECONNAISSANCE LICENSE.
APPLICATION.
❑An application for the grant of Reconnaissance License shall be
submitted to the Registrar in the prescribed form and manner and
shall have attached to it-
a) A schedule in the prescribed form, describing the corners of the
proposed reconnaissance license area.
b) A sketch map, in the prescribed form, showing the boundary of
proposed reconnaissance license area.
c) A copy of the Company’s Certificate of registration in Malawi.
d) A proposed reconnaissance work program giving particulars of the
work proposed to be carried out in the area.
i. Describe in detail the activities in detail.
ii. Gives an estimate of the cost of the activities to be performed.
iii. Gives the time period required for the completion of the program.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
RECONNAISSANCE LICENSE.
APPLICATION.
e) A statement giving particulars of the technical and financial
resources available to the applicant.
f) A statement describing the potential effect of the reconnaissance
work program on the environment, including a description of the
applicant’s plans for environmentally responsible reconnaissance
work.
g) The prescribed application fee or proof that the fee has been paid.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
RECONNAISSANCE LICENSE.
TERM.
❑ A term for a Reconnaissance License shall be twelve months.
❑ A Reconnaissance License may be extended for an additional term
of twelve months.
❑ A term of a Reconnaissance License shall commence on the date
on which the license is granted.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
RECONNAISSANCE LICENSE.
AREA SIZE AND SHAPE.
❑ The area of land over which a Reconnaissance License is granted
or its term extended shall be;
❖ No more than 100,000 square kilometers.
❖ No less than one hectare.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
RECONNAISSANCE LICENSE.
RIGHTS.
❑ Where the holder’s approved reconnaissance work program so
allows, the holder of a Reconnaissance License shall have the right
in its license area, subject to environmental and all other applicable
Law, to-
i. Erect camps and temporary buildings and installations.
ii. Erect installations in any waters.
iii. Remove any camps, temporary buildings, or installations the holder
erected.
iv. Fly over the area for the purpose of performing geophysical or aerial
surveys.
v. Use remote sensing to gather data and useful information to
understand the area’s geological, environmental and geographical
attributes.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
RECONNAISSANCE LICENSE.
RIGHTS.
vi. Take and remove specimens and samples not exceeding such
limit as is required for reconnaissance and to analyze said specimens.
vii. Enter upon any part of the land for the purpose of carrying out
reconnaissance on that land, subject to first obtaining permission to
lawful occupiers and landowners, in any, in that part of the land.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
RECONNAISSANCE LICENSE.
OBLIGATIONS.
❑A holder of a Reconnaissance License shall;
1. Conduct reconnaissance activities in accordance with its approved
reconnaissance work program, the conditions of this License, this Act
and applicable written Law, in a professional manner consistent with
good practice in the mining industry.
2. Commence reconnaissance fieldwork within 90 calendar days of the
license granting date.
3. Expend annually at least the minimum amount specified in its license.
4. Pay compensation for damages caused by its work.
5. Submit reports.
6. Pay the prescribed annual ground rent.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
EXPLORATION LICENSE.
APPLICATION.
❑An application for the grant of an Exploration License shall be
submitted to the Registrar in the prescribed form and manner and
shall have attached to it-;
a) A schedule in the prescribed form, describing the corners of the
proposed Exploration license area.
b) A sketch map, in the prescribed form, showing the boundary of
proposed Exploration license area.
c) A copy of the Company’s Certificate of registration in Malawi.
d) A proposed exploration work program giving particulars of the work
proposed to be carried out in the area.
i. Describe in detail the activities in detail.
ii. Gives an estimate of the cost of the activities to be performed.
iii. Gives the time period required for the completion of the program.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
EXPLORATION LICENSE.
APPLICATION.
e) A statement giving particulars of the technical and financial
resources available to the applicant, including proof of adequate
funds to pay for the first two years of the proposed exploration work.
f) A statement describing the potential effect of the exploration work
program on the environment, including a description of the
applicant’s plans for environmentally responsible exploration work.
g) The prescribed application fee or proof that the fee has been paid.
h) A detailed description of any infrastructure requirements.
i) a description of any circumstances that may require the
license to be granted subject to particular conditions
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
EXPLORATION LICENSE.
TERM.
❑ The initial term of an exploration license shall be three years.
❑ A term of an exploration license shall commence on the date
the license is granted.
❑ A holder of an exploration license may apply for an extension
of the term of its license for up to two years.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
EXPLORATION LICENSE.
SIZE AND SHAPE.
❑ An area of land over which an exploration license is granted
or its term extended shall be;
✓ No more than 2,500 square kilometers.
✓ No less than one hectare.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
EXPLORATION LICENSE.
RIGHTS.
❑ A holder of an exploration license shall have the right, within its
license area, to-
✓ Search for all types of minerals and mineral occurrences.
✓ Erect camps and temporary buildings.
✓ Remove any camps and temporary buildings or installations, the
holder erected.
✓ Fly over the area for the purpose of performing geophysical or
aerial surveys.
✓ Conduct drilling, trenching and pitting works.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
EXPLORATION LICENSE.
OBLIGATIONS.
❑ A holder of an exploration license shall;
✓ Conduct exploration in accordance with the approved
exploration work program.
✓ Commence exploration fieldwork within 180 calendar days.
✓ Pay compensation for damages caused by its work.
✓ Submit all reports.
✓ Pay the prescribed annual ground rent.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
MEDIUM AND LARGE SCALE MINING LICENSE.
❑A large-scale mining license shall be required for any mining operation
that exceeds any of the following limits.
i. In the case of mineral extraction from alluvial mineral deposit, if annual
throughput is more that 𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟎, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒎𝟑 per year.
ii. In the case of underground Mining operations, where annual combined
ROM ore and waste production is more than 500,000 tonnes per year.
iii. In the case of open-cast mining operations extracting minerals primarily
from non-alluvial, where annual combined ROM ore, rock and
overburden production is more than 500,000,000 tonnes per year.
iv. Where capital investment in the mining project over its first ten years will
or does exceed $250,000,000.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
MEDIUM AND LARGE SCALE MINING LICENSE.
ELIGIBILITY.
A medium-scale mining license holder or a large-scale mining
license holder shall-
❑Be a Company duly incorporated under the Companies Act (2013)
and;
❑Have the technical competence and financial ability to fulfill the
license obligations.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
MEDIUM AND LARGE SCALE MINING LICENSE.
ELIGIBILITY.
A medium-scale mining license holder or a large-scale mining
license holder shall-
❑Be a Company duly incorporated under the Companies Act (2013)
and;
❑Have the technical competence and financial ability to fulfill the
license obligations.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
MEDIUM AND LARGE SCALE MINING LICENSE.
APPLICATION
An application for the grant of a medium-scale mining
license or large-scale mining license shall be submitted to the
Registrar in the prescribed form and manner and shall have attached to it—
❑A proof of the Company’s incorporation or registration under the
Companies Act.
❑Names and nationalities of directors.
❑Evidence that the applicant has the technical competence to fulfill license
obligations.
❑A documentation that the project has received approval by the
Environmental Management Act.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
MEDIUM AND LARGE SCALE MINING LICENSE.
APPLICATION
❑A sketch map in a prescribed form describing the corners of the proposed mining
license area.
❑A justification for the period for which the license is sought.
❑Where the area applied for is subject to an exploration license that is held by the
applicant, a copy of an exploration license.
❑A description of plans and initiatives for planned, sustained economic and social
development in the region and local communities affected by the mining
operations. The plans include the following;
1. Community Engagement Plan
2. Prefeasibility study
3. Mining operations study.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
MEDIUM AND LARGE SCALE MINING LICENSE.
APPLICATION
4. A mine site plan.
5. A mine waste management plan.
6. A rehabilitation and closure plan.
7. A resettlement plan.
8. An employment and training plan.
9. A goods and procurement Plan.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
MEDIUM AND LARGE SCALE MINING LICENSE.
A medium-scale or large-scale mining license shall not be granted over land which;
❑constitute any part of an existing Mining license.
❑constitute any part of a retention license or exploration license.
❑Is otherwise closed to mining.
A medium-scale or large-scale mining license shall not be granted to an applicant
unless;
❑The applicant meets all eligibility requirements
❑The applicant has demonstrated adequate and available access to financial
resources, technical competence and experience to carry out its proposed
operations.
❑All required plans have been submitted and such plans are to the satisfaction of the
Mineral Resources Committee.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
MEDIUM AND LARGE SCALE MINING LICENSE.
TERM OF MEDIUM-SCALE AND LARGE-SCALE MINING LICENSE
❑Shall be for a period of up to 25 years.
❑The term begins on the date which the license is granted.
❑A holder can apply for an extension of up to 15 years.
❑No limit on the number of extensions.
SIZE & SHAPE OF MINING LICENSE AREA
❑Necessary for the purpose of mining the known minerals.
❑At least 1 Hectare.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
MEDIUM AND LARGE SCALE MINING LICENSE.
OBLIGATIONS
❑Conducting mining operations during the term of the license as described
in its approved plans, according to conditions and in accordance with
Mines and Minerals Act (2019).
❑Notifying the Commissioner of Mines when there is a change in control of
the company that holds the license.
❑Submitting all reports.
❑Giving notice of the commencement of development and commercial
production.
❑Paying the prescribed ground rents.
❑Paying compensation for damages as a result of mining operations
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
❑The Mineral Resources Committee or the Commissioner, whichever is
the approving authority, in deciding whether or not to approve any
mineral tenement, shall take into account;
1. Environmental protection and management principles set out in the
Environment Management Act.
2. Principles of sustainable development in order to ensure that
exploitation of mineral resources serves present and future
generations.
3. Effects on human health and the environment.
4. Where the development of the proposed project may affect a
neighboring Country, consultations with the respective relevant
government authorities of the respective Countries.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
REHABILITATION AND MINE CLOSURE PLAN.
❑An application for a medium-scale or large-scale mining license shall
be accompanied by the applicant’s proposed rehabilitation and mine
closure plan, which shall contain such information as prescribed.
❑A holder of medium or large scale mining license shall comply with its
approved rehabilitation and mine closure plan.
❑A holder of a large scale mining license shall in its operations take into
account rehabilitation and mine closure provisions, if any, set out in its
community development agreements, if any.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
CONTENTS OF REHABILITATION AND MINE CLOSURE PLAN.
❑A rehabilitation and mine closure plan proposal submitted with a
mining license application shall include;
1. A physical closure plan, which includes dismantling of infrastructure,
machinery, equipment and buildings, underground and open pit
workings.
2. Environmental rehabilitation of the land area affected by mining
operations including rehabilitation throughout the life of the mine.
3. A social mitigation plan for the workforce and affected communities
from the beginning of mining operations and up to and including post
closure.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
MINES AND MINERALS ACT (2019)
PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
CONTENTS OF REHABILITATION AND MINE CLOSURE PLAN.
4. Mechanisms for consultations with affected and interested
communities and mine workers from the commencement of operations
up to and including mine closure.
5. Post closure monitoring to ensure the safety and health of affected
environment and communities.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
PHASES OF MINING PROJECTS
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
PHASES OF MINING PROJECTS
EXPLORATION.
❑Exploration takes place in many forms, by both prospectors and
exploration companies, and usually begins with research to select
target areas.
❑This phase provides information about the location and value of the
mineral ore deposit.
❑Activities undertaken include;
✓Geochemical and Geophysical surveys.
✓Drilling test boreholes and other exploratory excavations.
❑Exploration activities may require ESIA.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
PHASES OF MINING PROJECTS
DEVELOPMENT.
❑Exploration phase may lead to the discovery of economic mineral
deposit that the society needs for much of the raw materials.
❑This phase of mining project has distinct components;
✓Construction of access roads.
✓Site preparation and clearing.
✓Construction of surface and underground facilities.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
PHASES OF MINING PROJECTS
ACTIVE MINING.
EXPLOITATION.
❑Several factors are considered to select a suitable mining method;
geologic, geographic, economic, environmental and societal safety.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
PHASES OF MINING PROJECTS
ACTIVE MINING.
BENEFICIATION.
❑The next step in mining is grinding or milling the ore and separating
the relatively small quantities of metal and gangue.
❑Milling is one of the most costly parts of mineral processing and
results in very fine particles that allow better extraction of the metal.
❑Milling allows more complete release of contaminants when these
particles become tailings.
❑Tailings are what remain after milling of the ore to fine particles and
extraction of the valuable minerals.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
PHASES OF MINING PROJECTS
ACTIVE MINING.
BENEFICIATION.
❑Mineral processing includes physical and chemical separation
techniques such as;
✓Gravity concentration.
✓Magnetic separation.
✓Electrostatic separation.
✓Froth flotation.
✓Solvent extraction.
✓Electrowinning
✓Leaching.
✓Precipitation.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
PHASES OF MINING PROJECTS
RECLAMATION AND MINE CLOSURE.
❑This is the restoration of the site affected by mining project.
✓Removal of plant and buildings.
✓Reclamation of waste and tailings dumps.
✓Monitoring of discharges.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
THE END
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING.
