Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Detailed Botanical Assessment for proposed Kalukundi
Copper-Cobalt Mining Project ESIA
Client
Envirolution Consulting
Unit 25 Sunninghill Office Park
4 Peltier Road, Sunninghill, 2157
Author
Jamie Pote
Postnet Suite 277, Private bag x1672
Grahamstown, 6140
Email: jamiepote@aerosat.co.za
Cell: (+27) 083 743 9353, Fax: (+27) 086 690 3704
12 May 2008
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May 2008
Indemnity and conditions relating to this project
The findings, results, observations, conclusions and recommendations given in this report are based
on the author’s best scientific and professional knowledge as well as available information. The
report is based on survey and assessment techniques which are limited by time and budgetary
constraints relevant to the type and level of investigation undertaken and the author reserves the
right to modify aspects of the report including the recommendations if and when new information
may become available from ongoing research or further work in this field, or pertaining to this
investigation.
Although the author exercises due care and diligence in rendering services and preparing
documents, he accepts no liability, and the client, by receiving this document, indemnifies the
author against all actions, claims, demands, losses, liabilities, costs, damages and expenses arising
from or in connection with services rendered, directly or indirectly by the author and by the use of
this document.
Author
The author (Jamie Pote) has a BSc honours degree in Botany and Environmental Science, specialising
in Ecology, Rehabilitation and Invasive Alien Plant management with 5 years part-time and 3 years
full time experience in southern Africa across a broad spectrum of habitats and operations (mining,
other developments, conservation).
Copyright
This report must not be altered or added to without the prior written consent of the author. This
also refers to electronic copies of this report that are supplied for the purposes of inclusion as part of
other reports, including main reports. Similarly, any recommendations, statements or conclusions
drawn from or based upon this report must refer to this report. If these form part of a main report
relating to this investigation or report, this report must be included in its entirety as an appendix or
separate section to the main report.
Limitations of the study
A number of limitations affect the compilation of the report including:
1. No high-resolution satellite imagery was available during the compilation of the report due
to almost permanent cloud cover during the rainy season (October through March). This has
had limitations on the detailed mapping of vegetation (as per the Terms of Reference) within
the concession area and also resulted in less detailed surveying of flora due to increased
time pressures;
2. The time frame in which all the field survey was conducted was very limited and the floral
survey was conducted during January and March 2008, whilst optimal flowering period is at
the beginning and end of the rainy season (October/November and April). Many species do
however flower sporadically throughout the year enabling the successful identification of
some species that do not flower during the abovementioned peak flowering periods. Species
identification was completed as best possible within the limitations of these constraints and
final identification of some species was not possible. Relevé sampling during non-flowering
season is time-consuming and a transect approach was favoured which limits the
quantitative value of the assessment (as per the Terms of Reference).
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3. Fieldwork conducted during the rainy season resulted in at least three full days worth of
time being lost because of very wet conditions during the planned fieldwork period, which
was determined in the Terms of Reference for this study. A second trip was conducted for
the botanical assessment to overcome this problem, but time constraints have imposed
some limitations on the report content. A detailed Riparian Vegetation Index was also not
conducted (as per the original Terms of Reference) since accessible sites tended to be highly
modified, which may have resulted in skewed results being obtained.
Definitions and terminology used in this report:
Aglomeration degrade (Fr): built-up/degraded land.
Annual: Completing the cycle from seed to death in one year or season.
Arboreal: Living in trees
Biennial: Completing the cycle from seed to death in tow years or seasons.
Boundary: Landscape patches have a boundary between them which can be defined or fuzzy
(Sanderson and Harris 2000). The zone composed of the edges of adjacent ecosystems is the
boundary.
Champs/Clairere seche (Fr): Clearings/fields
Composition: refers to the number of patch types (see below) represented on a landscape,
and their relative abundance.
Connectivity: the measure of how connected or spatially continuous a corridor, network, or
matrix is. For example, a forested landscape (the matrix) with fewer gaps in forest cover
(open patches) will have higher connectivity.
Corridors: have important functions as strips of a particular type of landscape differing from
adjacent land on both sides.
Disturbance: an event that significantly alters the pattern of variation in the structure or
function of a system, while fragmentation is the breaking up of a habitat, ecosystem, or
land-use type into smaller parcels. Disturbance is generally considered a natural process.
ECO/ESO: Environmental Site/Control Officer – person responsible for the Day-to-Day
Environmental Management on-site during construction.
Ecocline: a type of landscape boundary, with a gradual and continuous change in
environmental conditions of an ecosystem or community. Ecoclines help explain the
distribution and diversity of organisms within a landscape because certain organisms survive
better under certain conditions, which change along the ecocline. They contain
heterogeneous communities which are considered more environmentally stable than those
of ecotones.
Ecosystem: All of the organisms of a particular habitat, such as a lake or forest, together
with the physical environment in which they live
Ecotone: the transitional zone between two communities. Ecotones can arise naturally,
such as a lakeshore, or can be human-created, such as a cleared agricultural field from a
forest. The ecotonal community retains characteristics of each bordering community and
often contains species not found in the adjacent communities. Classic examples of ecotones
include fencerows; forest to marshlands transitions; forest to grassland transitions; or landwater interfaces such as riparian zones in forests. Characteristics of ecotones include
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May 2008
vegetational sharpness, physiognomic change, and occurrence of a spatial community
mosaic, many exotic species, ecotonal species, spatial mass effect, and species richness
higher or lower than either side of the ecotone.
Edge: the portion of an ecosystem near its perimeter, where influences of the adjacent
patches can cause an environmental difference between the interior of the patch and its
edge. This edge effect includes a distinctive species composition or abundance in the outer
part of the landscape patch. For example, when a landscape is a mosaic of perceptibly
different types, such as a forest adjacent to a grassland, the edge is the location where the
two types adjoin. In a continuous landscape, such as a forest giving way to open woodland,
the exact edge location is fuzzy and is sometimes determined by a local gradient exceeding a
threshold, such as the point where the tree cover falls below thirty-five percent.
Emergent trees: Trees that grow above the top of the canopy
Endemic: Referring to a species that is native to a particular place and found nowhere else.
Exotic: Non-Native; introduced from elsewhere, may also be a weed or invasive species.
Fragmentation: causes land transformation, an important current process in landscapes as
more and more development occurs.
Function: refers to how each element in the landscape interacts based on its life cycle
events.
Gallery forest: A forest along a river or stream
Heterogeneity: A landscape with structure and pattern implies that it has spatial
heterogeneity or the uneven, non-random distribution of objects across the landscape.
Indigenous: Native; naturally occurring.
Invasive: a non-indigenous plant or animal species that adversely affect the habitats it
invades economically, environmentally or ecologically.
Matrix: the “background ecological system” of a landscape with a high degree of
connectivity.
Network: an interconnected system of corridors while mosaic describes the pattern of
patches, corridors and matrix that form a landscape in its entirety.
Patch: a term fundamental to landscape ecology, is defined as a relatively homogeneous
area that differs from its surroundings. Patches are the basic unit of the landscape that
change and fluctuate, a process called patch dynamics. Patches have a definite shape and
spatial configuration, and can be described compositionally by internal variables such as
number of trees, number of tree species, height of trees, or other similar measurements.
Pattern: is the term for the contents and internal order of a heterogeneous area of land.
Refuge: a location of an isolated or relict population of a once widespread animal or plant
species
Rill: A very small stream of water
Riparian: pertaining to, situated on or associated with a river bank
Savanne Boisse (Fr): Forest Savanna
Savanne Herbeuse (Fr): Grassy Savanna
Shrub: A woody plant that produces no trunk but branches from the base.
STEP: Sub-Tropical Ecosystem Planning.
Understory: the area of a forest which grows in the shade of the canopy. Plants in the
understory consist of a mixture of seedlings and saplings of canopy trees together with
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understory shrubs and herbs. Young canopy trees often persist as suppressed juveniles for
decades while they wait for an opening in the forest overstory, which will enable their
growth into the canopy. On the other hand, understory shrubs are able to complete their life
cycle in the shade of the forest canopy.
Structure: is determined by the composition, the configuration, and the proportion of
different patches across the landscape.
Terre Inondables (Fr): Dambo wetland/Riparian, including wet areas; and
Tributary/Drainage line: A small stream or river flowing into a larger one.
Understory: "The lowest forest level, between the ground and 10 meters.
Vegetation Dense/Foret (Fr): Dense Forest Savanna
Weed: a native or non-native plant that grows and reproduces aggressively. Weeds may be
unwanted because they are unsightly, or they limit the growth of other plants by blocking
light or using up nutrients from the soil. They also can harbour and spread plant pathogens.
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1 Executive summary
A. Vegetation Description
The project region is within the Miombo woodland belt of central Africa. Regionally, 475 higher
plants have been identified. Based on the literature, many more species have the potential to exist
in the region. However, the local area is relatively fragmented and modified by man, reducing the
numbers of species that presently exist. The following natural habitats can be distinguished within
the study area:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Miombo woodland
Copper-cobalt outcrop associated vegetation
Dambo Wetland
Gallery forest
All habitat types support numerous species of flora and are of some value regardless of the state of
disturbance. However, it is notable that three of the most biologically valuable habitat types (gallery
forest and the two copper-cobalt habitats) are rare and already under threat in baseline conditions.
Of all vegetation types, the Miombo woodland has the greatest flora species diversity. Miombo
woodland is under pressure from human activities. Clearing for agricultural purposes, charcoal and
fuelwood collection, urbanization, infrastructure and industrial development are all reducing the size
of the Miombo woodland community. The copper-cobalt habitat types also have high flora species
diversity. Many of the species have a restricted distribution. Habitat potentially classifiable as
‘critical’ under the guidelines of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) was identified on the CopperCobalt Rocky outcrops. In the past, artisanal mining impacted these habitat types.
Shifting agricultural practices are common and result in abandoning of sections of the land, likely
due to the soil becoming too impoverished or perhaps because weed infestation was too high.
Natural vegetation is generally re-establishing in these highly disturbed areas.
The Kisankala and Kii rivers can generally be regarded as degraded. In the upper reaches, this is
mainly due to the extent of deforestation in the catchments as well as poor cropping activities into
riparian zones. Both of these activities cause extensive sedimentation in the rivers. However, a few
areas along the margins of the rivers (Kisankala and Kii) still exist where the riparian forests are
intact. In the lower catchment, the level of degradation is greater due to artisanal ore-washing.
B. Social and cultural environment relating to flora and vegetation
Natural Resources and Rural Livelihoods
The Kisankala community is dependent on natural resources occurring in the vicinity of their homes ,
providing a variety of uses such as fuel (charcoal), timber (for poles and building), food (including
fruits, mushrooms, roots and leaves), medicines (all parts used, but leaves predominant in the
region).
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C. Direct and Indirect Impacts
Fourteen issues relating to environmental impacts have been identified and deemed important, as
follows:
1) Direct localised loss of rare habitats, in copper-cobalt vegetation communities within the
concession;
2) Direct localised loss of local endemic/protected species, in copper-cobalt vegetation
communities within the concession;
3) Direct localised loss of biodiversity including rare habitats and local endemic species, in
Miombo vegetation communities;
4) Direct localised loss of Miombo vegetation habitat;
5) Direct localised loss of habitat within the riparian vegetation communities;
6) Improved access to rare habitats and local endemic species leading to removal of rare
species;
7) Reduction in connectivity of habitats affecting movements of wildlife species that may be
pollinators or dispersal agents of flora within Miombo;
8) Reduction in connectivity of habitats affecting movements of wildlife species that may be
pollinators or dispersal agents of flora within Copper deposits;
9) Introduction of exotic species (terrestrial and aquatic);
10) Changes in water flows or quality from development associated with mining during
operations may affect adjacent Riparian plant communities (including Gallery Forest and
Dambo Wetlands);
11) Long-term changes in Miombo Woodland may occur as a result of dewatering activities that
could lower the water table in the affected area;
12) Destruction of natural habitats in downstream areas (terrestrial and aquatic) in the case of a
tailings storage facility failure;
13) Indirect loss of habitat quality due to dust, sedimentation and air quality associated with the
mining process;
14) Intensification of utilization of areas outside of the concession area as a result of
displacement of people from within the concession area.
D. Cumulative Impacts
Cumulative impacts identified included:
1. Permanent and seasonal changes to Riparian vegetation downstream of the concession as a
result in dewatering, seasonal extraction and returns, the exact extent and subsequent
result of which is poorly understood at this stage;
2. Permanent and seasonal changes to Miombo vegetation in the area as a result of continuous
dewatering is likely to affect groundwater levels permanently, which may have a long term
effect on structure, function and composition of the Miombo woodland vegetation within
the study area and outside area of influence.
3. Relocation and densification of Kisankala village and the subsequent reliance on vegetation
in surrounding areas is likely to result in permanent increased harvesting of Miombo for
charcoal, timber, agriculture and food harvesting.
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4. Possible long-term additional vegetation clearing activities to access new deposits, present
but not yet fully prospected and not forming part of this assessment.
5. Due to the poor levels of development and infrastructure within the DRC, the long-term
potential exists for the growth of new cities because of economic opportunities, outside of
the existing Kolwezi, Likasi, Lubumbashi areas, which could result in loss of vegetation at a
mass scale, as can be seen on the outskirts and surrounds of these cities presently.
E. Conclusions
Mining activities will result in the removal of natural copper-cobalt outrop vegetation, although
there will be relocation of Species of Special Concern and creation of artificial habitat. No species
extinction is expected to occur. Mining activities will result in clearing of Miombo vegetation for
infrastructure and waste rock dumps. No species extinction is expected to occur. Upgrading of
roads is expected to result in a short term increase in vegetation loss and soil erosion, but in the
long-term improved roads are likely to reduce erosion relating to stormwater runoff.
F. The way forward
Detailed Botanical/Ecological Assessment during early spring before commencement of mining.
Floral survey of all outcrops before commencement of mining to be undertaken in parallel to
preparation, relocation and construction activities with input from local flora expertise.
Experimentation with horticultural aspects of the local flora (seed germination, biophysical
requirements, etc.).
A long-term monitoring programme should be initiated during construction and conducted during
operations and after mine closure for a suitable time period.
a. An annual/bi-annual audit should be conducted to assess the various facets relating to
vegetation by a qualified botanist in conjunction with local copper flora experts;
b. An annual Landsat image should be obtained and classified (early at the end of the rainy
season) to assess any indirect changes in vegetation that may occur as a result of
dewatering, dust plumes and other indirect impacts of mining activities.
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2 Table of Contents
1
Executive summary ......................................................................................................................... v
2
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... viii
3
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1
3.1
Copper-Cobalt Flora ................................................................................................................ 1
3.1.1
Typical Copper Communities of the Katanga Province ................................................... 2
3.1.2
Types of mineral workings and associated pollution ...................................................... 3
3.2
Miombo Woodland ................................................................................................................. 3
3.2.1
Biodiversity Features....................................................................................................... 5
3.2.2
Types and Severity of Threats ......................................................................................... 6
3.2.3
Justification of Ecoregion Delineation ............................................................................ 6
3.3
Riparian Vegetation (Dambo) ................................................................................................. 7
3.3.1
4
Project description .......................................................................................................................... 9
4.1
5
6
Anthropogenic disturbances typical in riparian areas .................................................... 7
Description of alternatives ...................................................................................................... 9
Methodology: Performance Standard 1 ....................................................................................... 11
5.1
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 11
5.2
Objective ............................................................................................................................... 12
5.3
Terms of Reference ............................................................................................................... 12
5.4
Scope of the Work................................................................................................................. 12
5.5
Methods ................................................................................................................................ 12
5.5.1
Field Floral Survey ......................................................................................................... 12
5.5.2
Vegetation Unit Mapping .............................................................................................. 13
5.5.3
Ecological Integrity and Sensitivity Assessment ........................................................... 13
5.5.4
Review of existing studies ............................................................................................. 13
Vegetation and Flora ..................................................................................................................... 13
6.1
Regional and National Conservation Institutions ................................................................. 13
6.2
Landsat Classification ............................................................................................................ 14
6.3
Vegetation Mapping ............................................................................................................. 15
6.4
Vegetation Description ......................................................................................................... 16
6.4.1
Miombo woodland ........................................................................................................ 16
6.4.2
Copper-Cobalt Outcrop associated Vegetation (Metalliferous Flora) .......................... 17
6.4.3
Wetland (Dambo) and Riparian areas ........................................................................... 18
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6.4.4
7
Gallery forest................................................................................................................. 19
Floral composition ................................................................................................................ 19
6.6
Species of Special Concern (Protected and Endemic Flora) ................................................. 26
6.6.1
Endemic Flora................................................................................................................ 26
6.6.2
Protected Flora ............................................................................................................. 27
6.6.3
Alien Invasive Species ................................................................................................... 27
Ecological State and Sensitivity of Vegetation .............................................................................. 27
Perceived Reference State (PRS)........................................................................................... 27
7.1.1
Miombo woodland ........................................................................................................ 27
7.1.2
Copper-Cobalt Outcrop associated Vegetation (Metalliferous Flora) .......................... 28
7.1.3
Wetland (Dambo) and Riparian areas ........................................................................... 28
7.1.4
Gallery forest................................................................................................................. 28
7.2
Present Ecological State (PES) ............................................................................................... 28
7.2.1
Miombo woodland ........................................................................................................ 28
7.2.2
Copper-Cobalt Outcrop associated Vegetation (Metalliferous Flora) .......................... 28
7.2.3
Wetland (Dambo) and Riparian areas ........................................................................... 29
7.2.4
Gallery forest................................................................................................................. 29
7.3
Vegetation Sensitivity Assessment ....................................................................................... 31
7.3.1
Miombo woodland ........................................................................................................ 31
7.3.2
Copper-Cobalt Outcrop associated Vegetation (Metalliferous Flora) .......................... 31
7.3.3
Wetland (Dambo) and Riparian areas ........................................................................... 31
7.3.4
Gallery forest................................................................................................................. 31
Social and cultural environment relating to flora and vegetation ................................................ 35
8.1
9
May 2008
6.5
7.1
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Botanical Assessment Report
Natural Resources and Rural Livelihoods.............................................................................. 35
8.1.1
Rural Livelihoods ........................................................................................................... 35
8.1.2
General Findings ........................................................................................................... 38
8.1.3
Conclusions ................................................................................................................... 39
Prediction of environmental impacts ........................................................................................... 40
9.1
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 40
9.2
Protected Areas .................................................................................................................... 40
9.3
Natural Habitats and Biodiversity Threats ............................................................................ 40
9.4
Existing Impacts .................................................................................................................... 40
9.5
Proposed Project Actions ...................................................................................................... 41
9.6
General Impact Rating Scale for Specialists/ Baseline data .................................................. 42
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9.6.1
The Severity/ Beneficial Scale ....................................................................................... 42
9.6.2
Spatial and Temporal Scales ......................................................................................... 43
9.6.3
The Degree of Certainty and the Likelihood Scale ........................................................ 44
9.6.4
The Environmental Significance Scale........................................................................... 45
9.6.5
Absence of Data ............................................................................................................ 45
9.7
Identified environmental impacts......................................................................................... 46
9.7.1
Direct localised loss of rare habitats, in copper-cobalt vegetation communities within
the concession .............................................................................................................................. 46
9.7.2
Direct localised loss of local endemic species, in copper-cobalt vegetation
communities within the concession ............................................................................................. 47
9.7.3
Direct localised loss of biodiversity including rare habitats and local endemic species
or protected flora, in Miombo vegetation communities .............................................................. 48
9.7.4
Direct loss of Miombo vegetation habitat .................................................................... 49
9.7.5
Direct loss of habitat within the riparian vegetation communities .............................. 49
9.7.6
species
Improved access to rare habitats and local endemic species leading to removal of rare
50
9.7.7
Reduction in connectivity of habitats affecting movements of wildlife species that may
be pollinators or dispersal agents of flora within Miombo. ......................................................... 51
9.7.8
Reduction in connectivity of habitats affecting movements of wildlife species that may
be pollinators or dispersal agents of flora within Copper outcrops. ............................................ 51
9.7.9
Introduction of exotic species (terrestrial and aquatic) ............................................... 52
9.7.10 Changes in water flows or quality from development associated with mining during
operations may affect adjacent Riparian plant communities (including Gallery Forest and
Dambo Wetlands) ......................................................................................................................... 53
9.7.11 Long-term changes in Miombo Woodland may occur as a result of dewatering
activities that could lower the water table in the affected area .................................................. 53
9.7.12 Destruction of natural habitats in downstream areas (terrestrial and aquatic) in the
case of a tailings storage facility failure. ....................................................................................... 54
9.7.13 Indirect loss of habitat quality due to dust/mud, sedimentation/siltation and air
quality associated with the mining process .................................................................................. 54
9.7.14 Intensification of utilization of areas outside of the concession area as a result of
displacement of people from within the concession area ........................................................... 55
9.8
Cumulative Impacts .............................................................................................................. 56
9.9
Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 57
10
Recommendations .................................................................................................................... 61
10.1
Mine Layout .......................................................................................................................... 61
10.1.1
Option B layout ............................................................................................................. 61
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10.1.2
Option C layout ............................................................................................................. 61
10.1.3
Waste Rock Dumps ....................................................................................................... 61
10.1.4
Relocated Kisankala Village ........................................................................................... 62
10.2
Mine Environmental Management Plan ............................................................................... 62
10.3
National and Regional Conservation Planning ...................................................................... 63
11
Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 63
12
Way forward ............................................................................................................................. 63
12.1
Additional studies required................................................................................................... 63
12.2
Monitoring ............................................................................................................................ 63
13
Environmental Management Plan ............................................................................................ 65
13.1
Objective ............................................................................................................................... 65
13.2
Detailed Floral survey ........................................................................................................... 65
13.3
Materials ............................................................................................................................... 65
13.3.1
Shrubs and trees ........................................................................................................... 67
13.3.2
Grass.............................................................................................................................. 68
13.3.3
Mulch ............................................................................................................................ 70
13.3.4
Slope stabilizers and anti-erosion measures ................................................................ 71
13.3.5
Soil stabilizers ................................................................................................................ 72
13.3.6
Topsoil and subsoil ........................................................................................................ 72
13.3.7
Boulders and rocks ........................................................................................................ 72
13.4
Facilities................................................................................................................................. 72
13.4.1
Seed store ..................................................................................................................... 72
13.4.2
Site-specific nursery ...................................................................................................... 72
13.4.3
Irrigation........................................................................................................................ 73
13.5
Vegetation clearing and relocation ....................................................................................... 73
13.5.1
13.6
Infrastructural Requirements .................................................................................... 73
Construction .......................................................................................................................... 76
13.6.1
Preparation of ground surfaces .................................................................................... 76
13.6.2
Soil stabilization ............................................................................................................ 77
13.6.3
Slope modification and stabilization ............................................................................. 78
13.6.4
Timing of planting ......................................................................................................... 80
13.6.5
Planting guidelines ........................................................................................................ 80
13.6.6
Traffic on revegetated areas ......................................................................................... 83
13.6.7
Establishment................................................................................................................ 83
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13.7
May 2008
Rehabilitation and mine closure ........................................................................................... 85
13.7.1
Rehabilitation Objective.............................................................................................. 85
13.7.2
Rehabilitation Plan ........................................................................................................ 85
13.7.3
Monitoring and Reporting .......................................................................................... 87
13.8
14
Botanical Assessment Report
Testing ................................................................................................................................... 87
13.8.1
Seed ............................................................................................................................... 87
13.8.2
Responsibility for establishing an acceptable cover ..................................................... 87
References ................................................................................................................................ 89
Appendix 1: Maps ................................................................................................................................. 90
Appendix 2: Plates ................................................................................................................................ 93
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3 Introduction
The project region is within the Miombo woodland belt of central Africa. Regionally, 475 higher
plants have been identified. Based on the literature, many more species have the potential to exist
in the region. However, the local area is relatively fragmented and modified by man, reducing the
numbers of species that presently exist. The following natural habitats can be distinguished within
the study area:
1. Copper-cobalt outcrop associated vegetation
a. Uapaca robynsii shrubby savanna belt;
b. Loudetia simplex-Monocymbium ceresiiforme steppe savanna with Acalypha
cupricola as characteristic copper differential;
c. Xerophyta spp. stone-packed steppe;
d. Crevice vegetation on rocky outcrops;
e. Hymenocardia acida wooded savanna;
f. Haumaniastrum robertii sward on reworked copper soil;
g. Rendlia altera sward on compacted soil;
h. Bulbostylis pseudoperennis sward.
2. Miombo woodland
3. Dambo Wetland
4. Gallery forest
3.1 Copper-Cobalt Flora
The Katangan Copper Bow (Francois, 1973), known for its copper/cobalt deposits (Malaisse, 1999)
has shown to contain a number of endemic floral species showing high levels of endemism and often
recorded from a narrow distribution range. Heavy metal ore bodies occur throughout the Katangan
Copper Bow and the Zambian Copperbelt on about 70 sites. They are expressed in more than 120
metalliferous deviating features, in the form of grasslands, mostly developed on hills emerging from
the medium middle plateau covered with Miombo woodland. These grasslands support several
unique plant community types, including a Uapaca robynsii shrubby savanna belt, a Loudetia
simplex– Monocymbium ceresiiforme steppe savanna, a Xerophyta spp. Stonepacked steppe and
other herbaceous swards (Malaisse et al., 1994). Extractive heavy metal activity started a long time
ago in South Central Africa where copper was already an important commodity of trade. Copper
metallurgy has been reported as already existing during the 14th century in Katanga (De Plaen et al.,
1982). Several sites of exploitation of copper minerals and of furnaces traditionally used in precolonial days for the production of small copper crosses were respectively located from excavations
on rocky slopes and by the remains of old furnaces, but even more effectively by the presence of
carpets of Haumaniastrum katangense (S. Moore) P. A. Duvigneaud & Plancke. The presence of this
annual metallophyte away from copper outcrops on man-made substrates which are slightly or
heavily mineralized has led to interesting archaeological discoveries and is an original approach to
phytoarchaeology. With the development of the heavy metal industry during the beginning of the
colonial period, some severe pollution events occurred involving air, soil and water contamination.
Recent political changes in Democratic Republic of Congo have induced important modifications to
ore exploitation policy. If some multinational groups or companies were obliged by financial backers
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to realize biodiversity studies, and previous environmental approaches allowing to estimate the
natural destruction before work, the exploitation of others layers was granted to smaller
unscrupulous groups. Many smaller mining companies have been allowed to commence mining
without undertaking preliminary environmental studies. Consequently, the setting up and
publication of any phytogeochemical information, incomplete as it is, constitutes a high importance
documentation origin.
Among the 120 metalliferous deviating features (copper-cobalt outcrops) noted in Katanga, only 54
have been explored geobotanically (Leteinturier, 1999). This has led to the establishment of an
unpublished preliminary inventory of about 400 higher plants that have been collected and
deposited at the Belgian National Herbarium (BR). These plants were observed in eight different
plant communities. The ecological characteristics of the particular flora observed on mine workings
in Katanga includes annual, herbaceous dicotyledons as well as grasses and sedges. It comprises
both plants mainly occurring in the natural vegetation of the copper-cobalt outcrops and alien
species frequent on Katangan mine workings in the form of grasslands, mostly developed on hills
emerging from the medium middle plateau covered with Miombo woodland. These grasslands
support several unique plant community types, including a Uapaca robynsii shrubby savanna belt, a
Loudetia simplex– Monocymbium ceresiiforme steppe savanna, a Xerophyta spp. Stonepacked
steppe and other herbaceous swards (Malaisse et al., 1994).
3.1.1
Typical Copper Communities of the Katanga Province
The eight plant communities with metalliferous deviating features in the Katangan Copper Bow and
in the Copperbelt (Figure 3.1) as described by Leteinturier (1999) are:
A. Uapaca robynsii shrubby savanna belt;
B. Loudetia simplex-Monocymbium ceresiiforme steppe savanna with Acalypha cupricola as
characteristic copper differential;
C. Xerophyta spp. stone-packed steppe;
D. Crevice vegetation on rocky outcrops;
E. Hymenocardia acida wooded savanna;
F. Haumaniastrum robertii sward on reworked copper soil;
G. Rendlia altera sward on compacted soil;
H. Bulbostylis pseudoperennis sward.
Variations of these described vegetation communities can be identified within the Copper outcrops
of the study areas, with some differences in composition.
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Figure 3.1: The eight plant communities with metalliferous deviating features in the Katangan Copper Bow and in the
Copperbelt (source: Leteinturier, 1999).
3.1.2
Types of mineral workings and associated pollution
The main kinds of heavy metal mineral workings common within the Katanga Bow as well as
anthropogenic heavy metal pollution processes include (Leteinturier, 1999):
1. Pre-colonial sites of metallurgy, present
o along streams
o in Miombo woodlands
2. Prospecting trenches from early colonial times including:
a. the bottom of the trench
b. the bare vertical faces with shaded conditions,
c. the exposed, dry rocky skeletal fragmented rocks accumulated on the upper side of
the trench.
3. Open quarries
4. Heaps of overburden materials with
a. soils formerly overlying mineralization;
b. large blocks of rocks and pitheads
5. Railway tracks enriched with cupriferous rocks
6. Alluvial mineralized deposits downstream processing plants polluted by waste waters
7. Soil-surfaced paths and trackways reinforced with “sterile rocks” and the adjacent affected
areas.
8. Sites of mineral separation and washing
9. Settling tanks where mineralized muds are discharged
10. Heavy metal enriched dusts deposited downwind of smelting works
3.2 Miombo Woodland
Miombo woodland is characterized by the dominance of trees in the genera Brachystegia and
Julbernardia and covers an estimated 2.7 million square km in southern, central and eastern Africa
(Frost, 1996). In Zambia, Miombo woodland covers 53% of the country (Chidumayo, 1997) and is
economically important for the supply of timber, poles, firewood and charcoal (Fanshawe, 1971;
Chidumayo, 1997). Modern man has lived in Miombo woodlands for at least 55 000 years (Lawton,
1978) and through cultivation, grazing and burning has played a key role in the modification and
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transformation of the landscape in Miombo woodlands (Frost, 1996). Different kinds of shifting
cultivation are practiced in Miombo woodland (Araki, 1992; Chidumayo, 1987; Stromgaard, 1985;
Trapnell, 1953) and these are often blamed for causing deforestation (Ministry of Environment and
Natural Resources, 1994). Serious deforestation often occurs when there is a shortage of land and
the fallow period is reduced, especially around villages and along major roads (Araki, 1992;
Chidumayo, 1987; Sprague and Oyama, 1999). The high dependency of urban households on
firewood and charcoal for cooking in many southern African countries also contributes to
deforestation of Miombo woodland and this has raised fears about land degradation because of loss
of soil productivity (Moyo et al., 1993; Chidumayo, 1989). Such deforestation also has implications
for global climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases.
The vegetation of the mining concession has been described as tropical dry forest (Atlas du Congo,
1998) and chiefly falls into the Zambezian Domain (White, 1965). Covering all of central Angola and
extending into the Democratic Republic of Congo, the extensive Angolan Miombo Woodlands are
part of an even larger Miombo ecosystem that covers much of eastern and southern Africa. The
Miombo is characterized by several unique ecological factors, including its propensity to burn, the
importance of termites, and the unusual browsing conditions found here.
Most of the Angolan Miombo Woodland is found at elevations between 1,000 and 1,500 m above
sea level. The ecoregion lies mainly in the Cubango-Zambezi Basin, which is an extensive area of
gently undulating hills drained by rivers that flow eastwards into the Zambezi River. It is also drained
by the endorheic Cuando-Cubango system and the Cunene River. The northern portion of the
ecoregion is part of the Congo Basin, while in the west, it extends onto the Old Plateau which
includes the highlands of Huíla, Huambo, and Bié (Huntley 1974).
The geology of the area comprises a mixture of gritty sandstones of the Karoo sediments, deep
aeolian sands of the Pleistocene Kalahari system and gneisses, gneissic granites and metamorphosed
sediments of the Precambrian basement complex (Huntley 1974). The combination of the crystalline
nature of many of the rocks, low relief, moist climate and warm temperatures has produced highly
weathered soils that are commonly more than 3 m deep (Frost 1996). The soils are typically welldrained, highly leached and nutrient-poor and tend to be acid with low organic matter. In some
areas, drainage is restricted by shallow depth, low relief, clay subsoils or indurated laterite, and this
may result in seasonal waterlogging.
The area experiences a tropical climate with rainfall strongly concentrated in the summer months.
Rainfall increases, and temperatures decrease, with decreasing latitude and increasing elevation.
Mean annual rainfall in the ecoregion ranges from less than 800 mm in the south to about 1,400 mm
in the north and west (Huntley 1974). Mean maximum temperatures are around 30° C in the south,
falling to about 27° C over most of the area, and declining to about 24° C at the higher elevations.
Minimum temperatures range from 15° to 18° C in the low-lying areas to 9° C over much of the
higher elevation areas in the western and central parts of the ecoregion.
The vegetation comprises extensive woodlands with a canopy height from 5 to 10 m, little or no
shrub layer and grassy ground cover. These are interspersed with grassy plains and drainage lines, as
well as patches of denser forest. The physiognomy and floristic composition varies considerably
across the ecoregion (Huntley 1974).
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Miombo woodland is distinguished from other African savanna, woodland and forest formations by
the dominance of tree species in the family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae, particularly in the
genera Brachystegia, Julbernardia, and Isoberlinia which are seldom found outside Miombo
(Campbell et al. 1996). The more widespread large tree species in the Angolan Miombo ecoregion
are Brachystegia spiciformis, Julbernardia paniculata, and Copaifera baumiana, while Brachystegia
floribunda, B. boehmii, B. gossweileri, B. wangermeeana, B. longifolia, B. bakerana, Guibourtia
coleosperma, and Isoberlinia angolensis are locally dominant (Werger and Coetzee 1978, Huntley
1994, Dean 2000). The grass layer is up to 2 m tall and several species of Loudetia, Hyparrhenia,
Tristachya, and Monocymbium ceresiiforme predominate. Most of the Miombo tree and shrub
species shed their leaves in the late dry season, and the Miombo vegetation is bare for a short time,
usually less than three months. A few weeks to a month before the onset of the rains, the trees flush
again and colour the countryside with their predominantly bright reddish new foliage. Brilliant green
young foliage is also found in some species (Werger and Coetzee 1978). Most of the Miombo trees
and shrubs also flower in the same period immediately before the rainy season
(September/October).
On seasonally waterlogged soils along drainage lines, especially on Kalahari sands, the woodland
gives way to grasslands dominated by Loudetia, Andropogon, Trachypogon, and Tristachya species
(Huntley 1974). Open woodlands with scattered Uapaca, Piliostigma, Annona, Entadopsis, and
Erythrina species often develop on the ecotone between the woodland edge and drainage lines
(Dean 2000). In some parts in the centre and the northeast of the ecoregion, extensive gallery
forests occur along rivers flowing into the Congo River Basin. These represent part of a transition
with the Guineo-Congolian Center of Endemism to the north (White 1983, Huntley 1994).
Fire is an important ecological factor in Miombo woodland. The strong seasonality in precipitation
leaves the vegetation dry for several months of the year, and thunderstorms at the start of the rainy
season can easily set the vegetation alight (Werger and Coetzee 1978). In addition to being naturally
fire-prone, the vegetation has been regularly set alight by humans for agriculture, hunting, to chase
snakes away and to improve pastures. Humans have probably burned the vegetation for millennia
(Frost 1996). Late dry season fires are particularly destructive to trees, as their great intensity
coincides with trees breaking their dormancy. Where they occur regularly, they result in more open
savanna with scattered fire-tolerant trees.
Human populations in Miombo woodland areas are generally low, due to the nutrient-poor soils that
limit agricultural potential, as well as the widespread presence of tsetse fly (Glossina spp.). Tsetse
flies are vectors of trypanosomiasis that affects humans as well as domestic livestock. In most of
Angola, human population density is less than five people per km2 (Huntley and Matos 1994)
although the human population is not evenly distributed throughout the ecoregion. Population
density increases in the higher elevation areas in the southwest, but population densities are lowest
in the southeast, and large areas are nearly uninhabited.
3.2.1
Biodiversity Features
Overall species richness of the ecoregion’s flora is high, though the diversity of canopy tree species is
relatively low. Miombo is notable among dry tropical woodlands for the dominance of tree species
with ectomycorrhizal rather than vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal associations (Frost 1996). These
may enable them to exploit porous, infertile soils more efficiently than groups lacking
ectomycorrhizae. Many of the fungal species involved in these associations produce mushrooms,
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some of which are edible. This has resulted in a culture of mushroom-gathering among indigenous
people that is widespread in Miombo, but largely absent in other tropical African woodlands.
Within the Miombo vegetation, "islands" of other vegetation types, such as eutrophic savanna on
richer soils, river terraces and floodplains, provide superior forage.
Invertebrates (termites and caterpillars in particular) are important ecological agents in Miombo
woodlands and probably remove more biomass than large mammals. While termite consumption is
continuous throughout the year, caterpillars feed in spectacular outbreaks that can remove
considerable proportions of leaf biomass of their preferred forage species (Frost 1996). Termites are
widespread and produce enormous mounds throughout the Miombo region. These mounds change
soil properties and produce patches rich in nutrients and organic matter within an otherwise
nutrient-poor landscape. They support vegetation markedly different in structure and composition
from the rest of the ecoregion. The Angolan termite mound flora has been poorly studied compared
to that of many other areas, but general trends apply, such as an increased incidence of woody
plants with small or sclerophyllous leaves, prickles or thorns, and animal-dispersed seeds. The fauna
of termite mounds is also distinctive as the mounds provide shelter, lookout points and food such as
fruit and insects. Characteristic food webs develop on active and deserted termite mounds (Malaisse
1978, Frost 1996).
3.2.2
Types and Severity of Threats
Hunting for subsistence and for valuable body parts of some species, much of it illegal, is the most
serious threat to the wildlife in the region. Wildlife had already been decimated outside protected
areas prior to independence (Huntley 1974), and the civil war, shortage of food in many areas, and
lack of security hinder measures to control poaching and manage protected areas.
Most of the ecoregion is sparsely settled at present. Thus, habitat fragmentation and modification
through settlement and agriculture, woodcutting and livestock impacts are minimal in much of the
Angolan Miombo woodlands. Around cities, however, human population pressure is more intense
and Huntley (1974) described the vegetation and soils in these areas as degraded. The present
extent and severity of degradation are not documented.
The breakdown in the distribution of fuel supplies has forced more and more people to cut trees for
firewood and charcoal manufacture (Huntley and Matos 1994). Charcoal manufacture in Miombo
woodlands has resulted in large cleared areas that are slow to recover (Dean 2000). The impact of
this is, again, highest around cities.
3.2.3
Justification of Ecoregion Delineation
The Angolan Miombo Woodland ecoregion falls within the Zambezian Regional Center of Endemism
outlined by White (1993). Bordered on the east by the Zambezi River, it forms the western portion of
‘wetter Zambezian Miombo woodland,’ and includes ‘mosaic of Brachystegia bakerana thicket and
edaphic grassland,’ which shares similar faunal patterns.
This ecoregion is part of larger complex of Caesalpinoid woodland ecoregions that support wet and
dry Miombo, mopane, thicket, dry forests, Baikiaea woodland, and flooded grassland habitats,
among others. The dominance of Caesalpinoid trees is a defining feature of this bioregion (i.e., a
complex of biogeographically related ecoregions). Major habitat types (e.g., mopane and Miombo)
and the geographic separation of populations of large mammals are used to discriminate ecoregions
within this larger region. All of these ecoregions contain habitats that differ from their assigned
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biome or defining habitat type. For example, patches of dry forest occur within larger landscapes of
Miombo woodlands in several areas. More detailed biogeographic analyses should map the less
dominant habitat types that occur within the larger ecoregions.
This type of vegetation is also characteristic of lower Katanga and is dominated by leguminous trees
of Brachystegia ssp. and Julbernardia paniculata (Benth Malaisse et al., 1975). It is generally derived
from the Guineo – Congolian type of vegetation and is typified by remnants of tropical forest species
assemblages and occasional occurrence of such species is common in areas where disturbances are
few. The vegetation is affected by settlements, artisanal mining, exploration activities, and
cultivation of agricultural crops. The effect is apparent from the introduction of exotic shrub and tree
species within and around settlements and the frequent use of fire in surrounding woodlands for
field clearance. Vegetation suppression is also a major factor along the powerline that passes
through the area. Harvesting for various forest products including poles/timber, firewood and herbal
medicines is another activity that has contributed to the visible alteration of the woodland structure.
Regeneration in various forms and stages of growth is evident around the mining concession. Woody
species commonly found regenerating in abandoned fields and around the settlement included
Diplorhynchus condylocarpon, Uapaca kirkiana, Uapaca bangweolensis, Albizia adianthifolia,
Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia, Combretum zeyherii, Monotes katangensis, Monotes angolensis,
and Erythrophleum africanum.
3.3 Riparian Vegetation (Dambo)
3.3.1
Anthropogenic disturbances typical in riparian areas
Human alterations of riparian areas
Because humans worldwide use more than half of the geographically accessible river runoff, their
significant impact on the structure and functioning of riparian areas is not surprising. Effects include
changes in the hydrology of rivers and riparian areas, alteration of geomorphic structure, and the
removal of riparian vegetation.
Hydrologic and Geomorphic Alterations
Manipulation of the hydrologic regime via the construction of dams and other structures and
irrigation has served to disconnect rivers from their riparian areas. Changes in hydrologic
disturbance regimes and patterns of sediment transport include alteration of the timing of
downstream flow, attenuation of peakflows, and other effects. Dams have an immediate upstream
effect—the complete loss of riparian structure and functioning due to inundation. Downstream
effects include changes in the transport of sediment due to retention behind the dam such that
channels below a dam can become increasingly “sediment starved.” A second type of downstream
alteration is related to the pattern of river flow following dam construction. Large dams can dampen
the magnitude of high flows that would occur normally, increase the duration of moderate flows, or
even dewater downstream reaches causing substantial declines of riparian forests.
Channelization converts streams into deeper, straighter, and often wider waterbodies to facilitate
conveyance of water downstream so that the immediate floodplain area will not flood as long or as
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deeply, resulting in reduced soil water content. Channelization has the direct effect of destroying
riparian vegetation via the use of heavy equipment or by moving the stream channel to a new
location where no natural riparian vegetation exists. Indirectly, channelization reduces the
survivability of riparian vegetation by lowering the water table and reducing the frequency of
overbank flow. The increased flow capacity afforded by channelization compresses the period of
water conveyance, making streams “flashier” and increasing erosion rates.
Water withdrawals, both from surface waters and groundwater, can have serious deleterious effects
on riparian area functioning caused by the lowering of water tables in the vicinity of riparian
vegetation. Groundwater pumping for water supply is increasingly common. Because groundwater
and surface water are generally connected in floodplains, declines in groundwater level can
indirectly be caused by surface water withdrawals or by the regulation of surface water flow by dam
construction. Lowering groundwater levels by just one meter beneath riparian areas is sometimes
sufficient to induce water stress in riparian trees.
Phreatophytic (water-loving) plants historically have been cleared from riparian areas in arid and
semiarid climates because they have been viewed as competing with other users of water,
particularly irrigated agriculture and municipalities. However, phreatophyte eradication destroys
nearly all ecological and geomorphic benefits provided by riparian vegetation, including stabilization
of alluvial fill, shading, and provision of wood and microhabitats.
Agriculture
A second major impact to riparian areas is their conversion to other plant species via land uses such
as forestry, crop agriculture, and livestock grazing. The periodic removal of trees by forestry has the
potential to alter the long-term composition and character of riparian forests. Where large portions
of the standing timber is harvested or where the period between harvest operations is short,
substantial changes to the composition, structure, and function of riparian forests will almost
certainly result. The harvest of riparian forests can increase the amount of solar radiation reaching a
stream, which can increase water temperatures and affect aquatic primary production. The removal
of vegetative cover can impair the ability of riparian areas to retain water, sediment, and nutrients
such as nitrogen and phosphorus. In general, the effects of forestry on riparian structure and
function are much greater when forests are clear-cut or harvested right up to streambanks and lake
shorelines.
Traditional agriculture is probably the largest contributor to the decline of riparian areas. Conversion
of undeveloped riparian land to agriculture has the potential to decrease infiltration and increase
overland flow volumes and peak runoff rates. This results in high erosion rates that inundate riparian
vegetation with sediment and limit the filtering functions of the riparian area.
The primary effects of livestock grazing include the removal and trampling of vegetation, compaction
of underlying soils, and dispersal of exotic plant species and pathogens. Grazing can also alter both
hydrologic and fire disturbance regimes, accelerate erosion, and reduce plant or animal reproductive
success and/ or establishment of plants. Long-term cumulative effects of domestic livestock grazing
involve changes in the structure, composition, and productivity of plants and animals at community,
ecosystem, and landscape scales. Livestock have a disproportionate effect on riparian areas because
they tend to concentrate in these areas, which are rich in forage and water. Although native
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ungulates can inflict similar types of damage to riparian vegetation, their impact is generally much
less than that of livestock in areas that support both.
Industrial, Urban, and Recreational Impacts
A variety of mining practices can severely degrade riparian areas. Depending upon the type, size, and
location of the mining operation, total hillsides can be excavated and their stream systems moved or
buried. Mining spoils are sometimes deposited along stream channels and can destroy riparian
vegetation, particularly if they contain toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper,
lead, mercury, and zinc. When a mining operation exposes large areas of bare ground, substantial
increases in overland flow and sediment production can occur during rainfall. Unless a well-designed
and operated system of detention ponds is in place, such runoff may greatly increase sediment
delivery to nearby riparian areas.
Bridges or culverts require the construction of abutments along the bank to provide roadway
support. Because the abutments physically constrain the stream, future lateral adjustments by the
stream are effectively eliminated. Highway systems and urban roads outside of riparian areas can
also increase peak overland flow, thus fundamentally altering the hydrologic disturbance regime of
adjacent riparian areas.
Increasee in impervious surfaces profoundly modifies watershed hydrology and vegetation, and
consequently the structure and functioning of riparian areas. As vegetation is replaced by
impervious surfaces (roads, buildings, parking lots), infiltration, groundwater recharge, groundwater
contributions to streams, and stream base flows all decrease, while overland flow volumes and peak
runoff rates increase. Stream channels respond by increasing their cross-sectional area to
accommodate the higher flows. This channel instability triggers a cycle of streambank erosion and
habitat degradation in riparian areas similar to that seen with channelization. Above a certain
percent imperviousness (approximately 10 to 20 percent), urban stream quality is consistently
classified as poor. A secondary effect of urbanization is caused by changes in how overland flow and
shallow subsurface flow enter and transverse riparian areas following development. Development
promotes the formation of concentrated flows that are less likely to be dispersed within riparian
areas, greatly reducing their potential for pollutant removal. For the most part, urbanization and
development permanently impair the functioning of riparian areas.
The introduction of exotic plant and animal species for various purposes has had a substantial effect
on riparian areas. The most common concern about exotic organisms is their displacement of native
species and the subsequent alteration of ecosystem properties. This situation has been exacerbated
by a reduction in flood flows caused by dams and by the lowering of water tables caused by water
withdrawal.
4 Project description
As per the EAP and project description in the full ESIA report.
4.1 Description of alternatives
Two mine layout alternatives for the positioning of the Plant, Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) and mine
village as follows:
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The first alternative being “Option B” with the processing plant north of the existing
powerline servitude on the eastern boundary and the tailings storage facility directly south
of the powerline servitude (Figure 4.1);
The second alternative being “Option C” with the Tailings Storage Facility and processing
plant on the western boundary south of the Kisankala River (Figure 4.2).
Figure 4.1: Layout alternative B, with plant and tailings storage facility to the southeast.
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Figure 4.2: Layout Option C, with plant and tailings storage facility to the north-west.
5 Methodology: Performance Standard 1
5.1 Introduction
Performance Standard 1 underscores the importance of managing social and environmental
performance throughout the life of a project (any business activity that is subject to assessment and
management). An effective social and environmental management system is a dynamic, continuous
process initiated by management and involving communication between the client, its workers, and
the local communities directly affected by the project (the affected communities). Drawing on the
elements of the established business management process of “plan, implement, check, and act,” the
system entails the thorough assessment of potential social and environmental impacts and risks
from the early stages of project development, and provides order and consistency for mitigating and
managing these on an ongoing basis. A good management system appropriate to the size and nature
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of a project promotes sound and sustainable social and environmental performance, and can lead to
improved financial, social and environmental project outcomes.
5.2 Objective
To identify and assess social and environment impacts, both adverse and beneficial, in the
project’s area of influence;
To avoid, or where avoidance is not possible, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for adverse
impacts on workers, affected communities , and the environment;
To ensure that affected communities are appropriately engaged on issues that could
potentially affect them;
To promote improved social and environment performance of companies through the
effective use of management systems.
5.3 Terms of Reference
To undertake appropriate studies to determine the terrestrial flora within the Study Area
and assess its conservation status and ecological importance, and make recommendations
to minimise/ mitigate impacts.
A basic modified Riparian Vegetation Index will also be performed to assess the health of
riparian vegetation.
5.4 Scope of the Work
Undertake floral survey and vegetation assessment to determine species composition,
assessment of the ecological integrity and ecological status of the terrestrial and riparian
habitats using recognised methodologies.
Undertake desktop study to determine conservation status of the respective flora.
Liaise with other specialists where necessary
Participate in workshops with specialists and attend meetings with the project managers
during report compilation.
5.5 Methods
5.5.1
Field Floral Survey
Site visits were conducted during January 2007 and again during March 2007. The focus of the
survey was on areas that had not been adequately covered during the previous environmental
assessment, as per the Environmental Adjustment Plan (EAP). The focus was thus on four key areas
deemed to be inadequately covered in the EAP, as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Copper outcrops
Non-tree flora within the Miombo woodlands
Riparian areas
Non-Timber Wood Products and species used by the local inhabitants
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In order to achieve this, a botanical collection was made concentrating on the specific habitats
indicated above. All key outcrops were visited and a list of species present compiled; the
surrounding Miombo woodland was also surveyed, focusing in areas that would be affected by the
proposed mining project and a list of species compiled; riparian areas were visited and surveyed. A
transect was conducted with four local people from Kisankala village, who were deemed to be
experts on local flora The object was to identify plants that were said to have useful properties,
focusing on medicinal and food species.
During the second site visit, the survey of the copper outcrops was intensified, with specialist
assistance from Mr Bruno Mongoli, a PhD student from Lubumbashi University who is an expert on
the local copper-cobalt flora,. The survey specifically focused on identifying and surveying the
copper endemics. A collection was made of surveyed flora and additional assistance was obtained
from Mr Emile Kisimba whom is a technician of the Lubumbashi Botany department Herbarium, with
many years experience under the supervision of Prof. Mallaisse. Mr Kisimba was the most
knowledgeable expert in the identification of local species available. As far as possible, when
identifying species, the most recent name has been used, but in some cases, where there is
uncertainty, the most widely used name has been used. In addition some species are in the process
of being fully described and published so could only be determined to Genus level. The collection
will ultimately be housed at the Lubumbashi university herbarium, with an on-site field herbarium
compiled for the duration of mining.
5.5.2
Vegetation Unit Mapping
Since no satellite imagery was made available during the writing of this report, no vegetation
mapping was completed.
5.5.3
Ecological Integrity and Sensitivity Assessment
Vegetation was assessed for various ecological indicators including levels of degradation, erosion,
floral diversity, sensitivity to disturbances and rehabilitation potential. A series of photographs have
been included in this report to indicate some key features of the vegetation within the concession
(Appendix 2: Plate 1 to Plate 18)
5.5.4
Review of existing studies
This report also serves to consolidate all information available concerning the flora of the study area
and relevant literature that is pertinent to this particular study. Available literature has been
included in the report as far as possible, to supplement findings.
6 Vegetation and Flora
6.1 Regional and National Conservation Institutions
Formal conservation within the DRC is relatively extensive, although civil historical unrest has led to
declining infrastructure with a resulting collapse of formal conservation networks. Reports of
hunting, looting; intimidation and murder of park officials in National Parks in the DRC appears to be
a frequent occurrence. Two official National Parks are present in the region, namely the Upemba
National Park, occurring north-east of the mining concession and Kundelungu National Park, sited
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just east of Likasi. An additional declared reserve is at Kolwezi, but is categorized as a ‘Hunting Zone’
according to the UNEP-WCMP. Copper-cobalt flora is unlikely to be well-represented and protected
within the Upemba National Park, and the contribution of the Kundulungu National Park to the
conservation of the endemic copper flora is unknown. It is possible that some of the central and
eastern copper bow flora is represented within this protected area.
6.2 Landsat Classification
Due to the absence of high resolution aerial photography, vegetation mapping has been based on
the Landsat classification undertaken for the EAP (sensu AMC, 2007; Map 2 & Map 1). This has been
adjusted and modified based on field observations (including GIS mapping of main units) and
available low resolution aerial imagery. The spatial accuracy of this data is limited by the accuracy of
handheld GPS units and is not of survey accuracy.
Regional land classification based on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards
indicates medium to low potential for sustainable development. This classification is mainly based
on regional soil classification and the deeply developed, extremely weathered, iron and aluminium
rich soils characteristic of the area. These soils are nutrient deficient and have poor water retention
abilities, though they are easily worked. Landsat 7 satellite data has been used to identify and
outline the distribution of land cover found in the Kalukundi area. Based on satellite data
interpretation and field observations, the natural land cover in the area can generally be described
as predominantly woodland dissected by the Kisankala Stream and Kii River with associated riparian
forest. Agricultural land is located outside the permit area at the confluence of the Kii and Kisankala
watercourses. Kisankala Village in the centre of the permit area forms the only major settlement. A
land classification map has been produced from analysis and interpretation of the satellite data and
from field observations. The satellite data used was a quarter LANDSAT 7 Enhanced Thematic
Mapper scene acquired in June 2002 (Landsat-7 ETM+, 174-67). The quarter scene covering 8,100
km2 was of good quality with no cloud cover. The data has a resolution of 30 metres for 5 spectral
bands and 15 metres for a panchromatic band. The classification follows common and well
researched classification methods and was verified by thorough ground truthing. The higher
resolution panchromatic data allowed mapping of roads and watercourses, the 5 bands in the visible
and infrared spectra were used for vegetation classification and identification of agriculture land,
wetlands and settlements.
Six land cover classes were selected from observations made on the ground. These are:
Savannah / grassland;
Dambo/wetland;
Dense vegetation/forest;
Woodland;
Clearing/field; and
Built-up/degraded land.
Land class, definition and image characteristics are described in Table 6.1. Map 1 shows the
distribution of land classes and proportional land cover within the mine permit area.
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Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Table 6.1: Land class definition and characteristics (sensu AMC, 2006).
Land Class
Definition
Image character
% coverage
Woodland
Often typical Miombo
Woodland. Well distributed
Reflectance in the near infrared
spectral band with more signal
from the soil than in dense
vegetation. Large and uniform
areas.
70%
Dense
vegetation/
Forest
Dense vegetation often along
watercourses and sometimes
on wetland.
Very strong signal in the nearinfrared spectrum. As strips along
Watercourses and as “islands” in
wetlands.
1.6 %
Built-up/
Degraded
land
Land used for housing and bare
agricultural land. Generally rural
villages (Kisankala village)
High reflectance in all bands.
Forming patchy features
0.2 %
Clearing/
Fields
Open non-forested land.
Vegetated with grass or crops.
Strong reflectance from mineral
soil and some reflectance in the
near-infrared spectrum.
13 %
Dambo/
Wetland
Permanently or temporarily
waterlogged area. No or few
trees. Mostly sedges and
grasses.
High absorption due to wetness
but some response from
vegetation. Commonly forming
lake or drainage patterns.
13.4 %
Open
Savanna
Open Savanna Grassland. Few
trees mostly grass found on
plateaux or upland areas.
Strong reflectance from mineral
soil and some reflectance in the
near infrared spectrum.
2.2 %
Built-up or degraded land in this case is clearly seen as the area occupied by Kisankala
Village.
Dense vegetation/forest occurs along watercourses where human exploitation is minimal
and soil conditions favourable. This vegetation type when found away from the main
drainage network is present as very dense woodland and along watercourses as riparian
forest (Gallery Forest).
The clearing/field category includes agriculture land, grassland and to some extent other
woodland and forest openings. Part of the existing artisanal workings fall into this category,
due to the lack of vegetation on the siliceous hills where the fragments are prominent. This
is due to the copper poisoning which results in the development of copper clearings.
There is much evidence of logging and charcoal burning by the local inhabitants residing
within and surrounding the concession.
6.3 Vegetation Mapping
No high-resolution imagery was available during the timeframe of this assessment, due to
unfavourable weather conditions, so imagery as used in the EAP has been utilised (Map 1). A basic
15
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
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May 2008
map has been compiled to indicate important features such as location of the outcrops, rivers, as
well as some roads, Dambo wetland and Gallery Forest (Map 2).
6.4 Vegetation Description
All habitat types support numerous species of flora and are of some value regardless of the state of
disturbance. However, it is notable that three of the most biologically valuable habitat types (gallery
forest and the two copper-cobalt habitats) are rare and already under threat in baseline conditions.
Of all vegetation types, the Miombo woodland has the greatest flora species diversity. Miombo
woodland is under pressure from human activities. Clearing for agricultural purposes, charcoal and
fuelwood collection, urbanization, infrastructure and industrial development are all reducing the size
of the Miombo woodland community. The copper-cobalt habitat types also have high flora species
diversity. Many of the species have a restricted distribution. Habitat potentially classifiable as
‘critical’ under the guidelines of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) was identified on the CopperCobalt Rocky outcrops. In the past, artisanal mining impacted these habitat types.
Shifting agricultural practices are common and result in abandoning of sections of the land, likely
due to the soil becoming too impoverished or perhaps because weed infestation was too high.
Natural revegetation is generally re-establishing in these highly disturbed areas.
The Kisankala and Kii rivers can generally be regarded as degraded. This is mainly due to the extent
of deforestation in the catchments as well as poor cropping activities into riparian zones. Both of
these activities cause extensive sedimentation in the rivers. Further downstream, outside of the
concession, the riparian vegetation is highly disturbed through artisanal ore washing. However, a
few areas along the margins of the rivers (Kisankala and Kii) still exist where the riparian forests are
intact.
6.4.1
Miombo woodland
The most prevalent vegetation unit, covering vast areas.
Defining characteristics: typical Miombo species dominate this vegetation unit, with a distinct grass
layer covering the understory. Canopy cover, influenced by anthropogenic clearing of vegetation for
timber, charcoal crop production varies from area to area. Where there was no evidence of
vegetation removal the canopy tends to be medium dense (50 – 75% cover) but this is reduced
depending on the extent of tree removal.
Termiteria are common, often associated with distinct species including species such as Azanza
garckeana, Allophylus africanus, Combretum molle, Erythrina abyssinica, Mystroxylon aethiopicum,
Carissa edulis, Markhamia obtusifolia and Premna senensis.
Indicator species: Typical tree species include Brachystegia spiciformis, Combretum molle,
Combretum platypetalum, Cussonia arborea, Diplorhynchus condylocarpon, Ekebergia benguelensis,
Hymenocardia acida, Hymenodictyon floribundum, Monotes africana, Pavetta schumanniana,
Pericopsis angolensis, Psorospermum febrigum, Pterocarpus angolensis, Strychnos spinosa, Swartzia
madagascarensis, Syzygium guinese subsp. huillense, Uapaca kirkiana, Uapaca nitida var.
musocolowe and Zanthoxylum sp. Numerous herb shrub and grass species were also recorded as
well as various fungi, which are an important component of the Miombo. Weedy species were
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Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
present in disturbed areas (including road verges and along pathways, but none appeared to be
highly invasive or problematic at present.
Description: Typical Miombo woodland with disturbed areas.
6.4.2
Copper-Cobalt Outcrop associated Vegetation (Metalliferous Flora)
A number of plant communities can be distinguished in mineralized sites associated with coppercobalt outcrops (Map 2). They contain a number of endemic and non-endemic species known as
metalliferous flora, which are able to grow on sites with the soil having a high copper/cobalt
content.
Shrubby Savanna belt
Defining characteristics: Characterised by the small tree Uapaca robynsii, occurring on lower slopes
of outcrops and on aspects not having exposed copper-cobalt outcrops. Derived from Miombo
Woodland and with soils which do not have the especially high copper-cobalt levels of areas with
exposed ore.
Indicator species: Uapaca robynsii
Description: Typical of the community described above.
Copper-Cobalt steppe-savannah
Defining characteristics: Occurring on the lower slopes of the copper cobalt hills, this grassdominated vegetation occurs on soils derived from the copper cobalt outcrop and tends to be
restricted to the aspect where the outcrop is exposed. Aspects not having exposed copper-cobalt
outcrops tend to be vegetated with a number of typical, but most likely slightly copper tolerant
Miombo species. Although some species are common to the surrounding Miombo, a distinct suite
of dominant species can be identified, of which a number are endemic to this type of habitat and
their distribution is restricted to the Katanga Copper Belt (or parts thereof).
Indicator species: Dominant species include the grasses Pennisetum polystachium, Loudetia simplex,
Monocymbium ceresiiforme, Diheteropogon sp. and Digitaria nitens; the Herbs Acalypha cupricola,
Indigophora sutherlandioides and, Adenodolichos rhomboides as well as varius members of the
Iridaceae (Gladiolus spp.) and Cyperaceae (Bulbostylis spp., Cyperus spp.).
Description: Typical of the community described above.
Stone-Packed Steppe
Defining characteristics: Dominated by Xerophyta spp. (Resurrection plant).
Indicator species: Xerophyta sp.
Description: Large exposed boulders on the surface of the outcrop, with abovementioned species
occurring between and on boulders.
Crevice vegetation
Defining characteristics: Contains a wide variety of copper endemics particularly belonging to the
Lamiaceae, Scrophulariaceae and Pteridophyta (ferns). Large boulders (as above) provide habitat for
numerous species that tend to grow from small crevices and depressions in the rocks.
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Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
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May 2008
Indicator species:
Haumaniastrum robertii, Haumaniastrum rosulatum, Haumaniastrum
timpermanii and Cheilanthes inaequalis.
Description: Large exposed boulders on the surface of the outcrop, with abovementioned species
occurring in crevices.
Hymenocardia acida wooded savanna;
Defining characteristics:
Indicator species: Hymenocardia acida
Description: Typical the community described above.
Haumaniastrum robertii sward on reworked copper soil;
Defining characteristics: Secondary in nature, found on soils that have been disturbed – associated
with mine disturbance.
Indicator species:
timpermanii
Haumaniastrum robertii, Haumaniastrum rosulatum and Haumaniastrum
Description: Typical of the community described above.
Rendlia altera sward on compacted soil;
Defining characteristics: Not observed in the concession, secondary in nature on compacted soils
associated with mining activities.
Bulbostylis pseudoperennis sward.
Defining characteristics: Secondary vegetation on piles of compacted high copper soils removed
from artisanal mining pits.
Indicator species: Bulbostylis pseudoperennis
Description: Typical of the community described above.
6.4.3
Wetland (Dambo) and Riparian areas
Defining characteristics: In general Dambos are characterized by grasses, rushes and sedges (Photo
4), contrasting with surrounding Miombo woodland. They are substantially dry at the end of the dry
season, revealing grey soils or black clays, but unlike flooded grasslands, they retain wet lines of
drainage through the dry season. They are inundated (waterlogged) in the wet season but not
generally above the height of the vegetation. Any open water surface is usually confined to streams,
rivers and small ponds or lagoons at the lowest point, generally near the centre. Dambos are
defined as seasonally waterlogged, predominantly grass covered, depressions bordering headwater
drainage lines. However distinction can be made between ‘hydromorphic/phreatic’ Dambos
(associated with headwaters) and ‘fluvial’ Dambos (associated with rivers).
Indicator species: Typical species composition includes grasses (Diheteropogon grandiflorus,
Digitaria nitans, Monocymbium ceresiiforme, Sporobolus sp., Tristachia sp., Monocymbium sp., and
Andropogon schirensis); various sedges (Cyperaceae spp.) and some herbs, Irids and small shrubs
(Loudetia simplex, Blepharis acuminata, Gnidia kraussiana, Tinnea coerulea, Triumpheta likasiensis,
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Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Disa welwitschii, Ocimum obovatum, Vernonia rigidifolia, Haumaniastrum timpermanii, Protea
welwitschii, Protea angolensis and Diospyros pallens). A small copper-cobalt outcrop is present
adjacent to the Kisankala Dambo on the northern edge, which may have some influence on its
species composition with some typically copper flora species occurring. Twenty-three plant species
were recorded in total in the Kisankala Dambo.
Description: In terms of the habitat on site, a moderate sized, intact Dambo is present at the upper
reach of the Kisankala stream (Map 2), feeding into the stream via a natural spring, which is
surrounded by a small pocket of Gallery Forest. The Dambo is predominantly intact with an unsurfaced road running at right angles through its centre. Siltation of the Dambo is currently
occurring during heavy rainfall from runoff from the road network and the nearby Kisankala village.
The upper catchment of the Kii River is likely to historically have had a small Dambo present, but is
disturbed through agricultural activities, although it was not being heavily cultivated during the site
visit. Similar to the Kisankala stream, the spring feeding the Kii stream is surrounded by a small
pocket of gallery forest.
The portions of the river downstream of the spring tend to be vegetated with a mix of Dambo
(having characteristic sedges and reeds present), Gallery Forest (dominated by trees rather than
sedges), and cultivated or agricultural areas (disturbed/transformed), making it difficult to
determine the original composition.
6.4.4
Gallery forest
Defining characteristics: Found along the margins of the rivers and streams, consisting of a dense
canopy of trees.
Indicator species: Typical tree species include Raphia farinera, Ilex mitis and various lianas.
Description: Occurrence of Gallery forest tends to be scant along the Kii and Kisankala rivers isolated
to pockets along the edges of the streams (Map 2). This is partly due to vegetation removal along
the river margins to make way for agricultural activities (crop cultivation) and for use as timber; as
well as the Dambo wetland being present. Without having historical information regarding
composition of Dambo and Gallery Forest, it is difficult to determine the original (i.e. pre
Anthropogenic disturbance) distribution thereof, but it can safely be assumed that Gallery Forest has
been substantially reduced in extent. Some pockets of Gallery Forest are found along the river
margins.
6.5 Floral composition
Regionally, 475 higher plants have been identified as being present, and based on the literature,
many more species have the potential to exist in the region. However, the local area is relatively
fragmented and modified by man, potentially reducing the numbers of species that presently exist.
Leteinturier (2002; Table 6.2) identifies 34 flora copper-cobalt endemic species as follows:
Table 6.2: Copper-Cobalt endemics identified by Leteinturier (2002) as being present within the Katangan Copper Bow.
Botanical Name
Acalypha cupricola*
Actiniopteris kornasii
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Actiniopteridaceae
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Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Name
Ascolepis metallorum
Basananthe cupricola
Becium grandiflora var metallorum*
Becium grandiflorum*
Bulbostylis cupricola *
Bulbostylis fusiformis *
Bulbostylis pseudoperennis *
Cheilanthes aff. perlanata sp. Nov *
Commelina zigzag *
Crepidorhopalon perennis
Crotalaria cobalticola *
Crotalaria peschiana*
Cyanotis cupricola *
Cyperus kibweanus *
Dissotis derriksiana *
Eragrostis dikuluwensis *
Faroa chalcophila *
Faroa malaissei *
Hartliella cupricola
Haumaniastrum robertii *
(~Acrocephalus robertii)
Justicia metallorum *
Monadenium cupricola *
Pandiaka carsoni
Pellaea pectiniformis*
Silene burchelli
Silene cobalticola
Streptocarpus rhodesianus *
Thesium pawlowskianum
Vernonia duvigneaudii*
Vernonia ledocteana*
Vigna dolomitica
Wahlenbergia malaissei*
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Family
Cyperaceae
Passifloraceae
Lamiaceae
Lamiaceae
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae
Adiantaceae
Commelinaceae
Scrophulariaceae
Fabaceae
Fabaceae
Commelinaceae
Cyperaceae
Melastomataceae
Poaceae
Gentianaceae
Gentianaceae
Scrophulariaceae
Lamiaceae
Acanthaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Amaranthaceae
Adiantaceae
Caryophyllaceae
Caryophyllaceae
Gesneriaceae
Santalaceae
Asteraceae
Asteraceae
Fabaceae
Campanulaceae
* Species either recorded as being present or having the potential to be present within the copper-cobalt outcrops within the concession.
Within the study area a total of 266 plant species were identified during the field trips during
January and March 2008, with an additional 11 species occurring but not identifiable to Family or
Genus level due to lack of flowering material. The most represented Families are:
1. Fabaceae:
38 species
2. Poaceae:
24 species
3. Asteraceae:
18 species
4. Lamiaceae:
16 species
5. Rubiaceae:
12 species
6. Euphorbiaceae:
11 species
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May 2008
Of the identified species, Miombo Woodland was the most diverse, having 183 species recorded,
followed by Copper Outcrops (69 species); Riparian (35 species); Dambo (24) and Disturbed areas
having approximately 17 species recorded respectively.
All habitat types support numerous species of flora and are of some value regardless of the state of
disturbance. However, it is notable that the most biologically valuable habitat types (riparian and the
copper-cobalt habitats) are rare and already under threat in baseline conditions. Of all vegetation
types, the Miombo woodland has the greatest flora species diversity. Miombo woodland is under
pressure from numerous human activities. Clearing for agricultural purposes, charcoal and fuelwood
collection, urbanization, infrastructure and industrial development are all reducing the size of the
Miombo woodland community. The copper-cobalt habitat types also have high flora species
diversity. Many of the species do however have a restricted distribution. In the past, artisanal
mining affected these habitat types.
Shifting agricultural practices are common and result in abandoning of sections of the land, likely
due to the soil becoming too impoverished or perhaps because weed infestation was too high.
Natural revegetation is generally re-establishing in these highly disturbed areas, although species
diversity was found to be lowest in recently disturbed areas (of the 17 species, most common are
grasses and ruderal weeds).
Table 6.3 provides a list of floral species identified on site, with their respective habitats indicated.
Table 6.3: Species present on the concession, with habitat indicated.
Botanical Name
Family
Strata
Riparian
Miombo
P
P
Dambo
Outcrops
Acacia seyal
Fabaceae
Tree
Acalypha cupricola
Euphorbiaceae
Herb
Acalypha senensis
Euphorbiaceae
Herb
Aciphylla boehmii
Apiaceae
Adenodolichos rhomboides
Fabaceae
Adenostephila sp
Annonaceae
Aeollanthus saxatilis
Lamiaceae
Herb
P
Aeollanthus sp.
Lamiaceae
Herb
P
Aeollanthus subacaulis var. ericoides
Lamiaceae
Herb
P
Aeschynomene pararubrofanariceae
Lamiaceae
Herb
Aframomum albovianum
Zingiberaceae
Herb
Albizia adianthifolia
Fabaceae
Tree
Albizia antunesiana
Fabaceae
Tree
P
Albizia sp.
Fabaceae
Tree
P
Allophylus africanus
Sapindaceae
Tree
P
Aloe sp.
Aloaceae
Shrub
P
Andropogon schirensis
Poaceae
Grass
Andropogon sp.
Poaceae
Grass
Anemia sp.
Schizaeaceae
P
Anisophylla pomifera
Rhizophoraceae
P
Anthocleista schweinfurthii
Gentianaceae
Asparagus sp.
Asparagaceae
Herb
P
Aspidia sp.
Asteraceae
Herb
P
Asteraceae sp.
Asteraceae
Herb
Barleria descampsii
Acanthaceae
Herb
Begonia sp.
Begoniaceae
Herb
Bidens oligoflora
Asteraceae
Herb
Disturbed
P (E)
P
P
Herb
P
P
P
21
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
Botanical Name
Family
Strata
Riparian
May 2008
Miombo
Dambo
Outcrops
Blepharis acuminata
Acanthaceae
Herb
Blepharis cuanzensis
Acanthaceae
Herb
Boophone sp.
Amaryllidaceae
Herb
P
Boscia sp.
Capparaceae
Tree
P
Bowiea sp.
Asclepiadaceae
Climber
P
P
Brachystegia boehmii
Fabaceae
Tree
Brachystegia longifolia
Fabaceae
Tree
Brachystegia spiciformis
Fabaceae
Tree
P
P
Brachystegia stipulata
Fabaceae
Tree
P
Bridelia duvigneaudii
Euphorbiaceae
Buchnera quadrifaria
Scrophulariaceae
Herb
Bulbophyllum congolanum
Orchidaceae
Herb (Arb)
P
Bulbophyllum oreonastes
Orchidaceae
Herb (Arb)
P
Bulbostylis filamentosa
Cyperaceae
Sedge
P
Bulbostylis pseudoperennis
Cyperaceae
Sedge
P (E)
Cantherellus elongisporus
Fungi
Fungi
P
Canthium venosum
Rubiaceae
Tree
P
Chamaecrista mimosoides
Fabaceae
Herb
P
Cheilanthes inaequalis
Pteridaceae
Herb
Chlorophytum sp. 1
Liliaceae
Herb
Chlorophytum sp. 2
Liliaceae
Herb
Clemaspora sp.
Rubiaceae
Tree
Clematopsis homblei
Ranunculaceae
Herb
Clerodendrum buchneri
Lamiaceae
Tree
Clerodendrum capitatum
Lamiaceae
Tree
Cof landolophia
Apocynaceae
Tree
P
Combretum mechowianum
Combretaceae
Tree
P
Combretum molle
Combretaceae
Tree
P
Combretum platypetalum
Combretaceae
Tree
Combretum sp.
Combretaceae
Tree
P
P
Combretum zeyherii
Combretaceae
Tree
P
P
Commelina africana
Commelinaceae
Herb
Commelina africana subsp. africana
Commelinaceae
Herb
P
P
Commelina diffusa
Commelinaceae
Herb
Commelina erecta
Commelinaceae
Herb
P
Crassocephalum rubens
Asteraceae
Herb
P
Crotalaria cobalticola
Fabaceae
Herb
Crotalaria sp.
Fabaceae
Herb
Cryptosepalum maraviense
Apocynaceae
Cussonia arborea
Araliaceae
Tree
Cynorkis hanningtonii
Orchidaceae
Herb
Cyperaceae sp.
Cyperaceae
Sedge
P
Cyperus alternifolius
Cyperaceae
Sedge
P
Cyperus margaritaceus
Cyperaceae
Sedge
P
P
Cyperus sp.
Cyperaceae
Sedge
P
P
Cyphia sp.
Lobeliaceae
Herb
P
Dasystachys colubrina
Anthericaceae
Tree
P
Dasystachys sp.
Anthericaceae
Tree
Desmodium repandum
Fabaceae
Herb
P
Desmodium salicifolium
Fabaceae
Tree
P
Desmodium sp.
Fabaceae
Herb
Disturbed
P
P
P
P
P
22
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P (E)
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Name
Botanical Assessment Report
Family
Strata
Riparian
May 2008
Miombo
Dambo
Outcrops
Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Orchidaceae
Herb (Arb)
P
Diaphananthe rutila
Orchidaceae
Herb (Arb)
P
Dicoma poggei
Asteraceae
Herb
Dicoma sp.
Asteraceae
Herb
P
P
Digitaria nitens
Poaceae
Grass
P
P
Digitaria sp.
Poaceae
Grass
P
P
Diheteropogon grandiflorus
Poaceae
Grass
Diheteropogon sp.
Poaceae
Grass
P
Dioscorea dumetorum
Dioscoreaceae
Climber
P
Diospyros pallens
Ebenaceae
Tree
Diplolophium zambesianum
Apiaceae
Diplorhynchus condylocarpon
Apocynaceae
Tree
Disa welwitschii
Orchidaceae
Herb
Dissotis derriksiana
Melastomataceae
Herb
P
Dolichos sp.
Fabaceae
Herb
P
Droogmansia munamensis
Fabaceae
Herb
P
Dyschoriste verticillaris
Acanthaceae
Herb
P
Ekebergia benguelensis
Meliaceae
Tree
P
Elephantopus mollis
Asteraceae
Herb
P
Eragrostis chapelieri
Poaceae
Grass
P
Eragrostis racemosa
Poaceae
Grass
P
Eragrostis sp.
Poaceae
Grass
Erigeron sp.
Asteraceae
Herb
Erythrina abyssinica
Fabaceae
Tree
Erythrophleum africanum
Fabaceae
Tree
Eucomis sp.
Amaryllidaceae
Herb
Euphorbia ingens
Euphorbiaceae
Tree
Faroa malaissei
Gentianaceae
Herb
Faurea rochetiana
Proteaceae
Tree
P
Faurea saligna
Proteaceae
Tree
P
Ficus spp.
Moraceae
Tree
P
Friesodielsia obovata
Annonaceae
Tree
P
Garcinia huillensis
Clusiaceae
Tree
P
Gardenia jovis-tonantis
Rubiaceae
Tree
Gladiolus cf. robiliartianus
Iridaceae
Herb
P
Gladiolus sp.
Iridaceae
Herb
P
Gloriosa superba
Colchicaceae
Climber
P
Glycine sp.
Fabaceae
Herb
P
Gnaphalium luteo-album
Asteraceae
Herb
Gnidia kraussiana
Thymelaeaceae
Herb
Habenaria amoena
Orchidaceae
Herb
Haumaniastrum robertii
Lamiaceae
Herb
Haumaniastrum rosulatum
Lamiaceae
Herb
Haumaniastrum timpermanii
Lamiaceae
Herb
Heteropogon contortus
Poaceae
Grass
P
Hexalobus monopetalus
Annonaceae
Tree
P
Hibiscus acetosella
Malvaceae
Herb
P
Hibiscus rodantes
Malvaceae
Herb
Hymenocardia acida
Euphorbiaceae
Tree
Hymenodictyon floribundum
Rubiaceae
Hypoestes verticillaris
Acanthaceae
Disturbed
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
23
P
P
P (E)
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P (E)
P
P
P
P
P
P
P (E)
P
P
P
P
P
P
Herb
P
P
P
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Name
Botanical Assessment Report
Family
Strata
Tree
Riparian
May 2008
Miombo
Dambo
Outcrops
Ilex mitis
Aquifoliaceae
Indet
Cucurbitaceae
Indigofera spicata
Fabaceae
Herb
Indigofera sutherlandioides
Fabaceae
Herb
Ipomoea alpina
Convolvulaceae
Climber
Ipomoea sp.
Convolvulaceae
Climber
Iridaceae sp.
Iridaceae
Herb
P
Iridaceae sp.
Iridaceae
Herb
P
Isoberlinia sp.
Fabaceae
Tree
P
Julbernardia paniculata
Fabaceae
Tree
P
Justicia sp. (metallorum)
Acanthaceae
Herb
Keetia crassum (fm. Canthium crassum)
Rubiaceae
Landolphia parvifolia
Apocynaceae
Lannea stuhlmanni
Anacardiaceae
P
Lannea versicolor
Anacardiaceae
P
Lapeirousia welwitschii
Iridaceae
legume
Fabaceae
P
legume
Fabaceae
P
Lonchocarpus sp.
Fabaceae
Loranthus sp.
Loranthaceae
Small Tree
P
Loudetia aff. simplex
Poaceae
Grass
P
Manihot esculentus
Euphorbiaceae
Shrub
P
Maprounea africana
Euphorbiaceae
Mariscus compactus
Cyperaceae
Sedge
P
Markhamia obtusifolia
Bignoniaceae
Tree
P
Marquesia acuminata
Dipterocarpaceae
P
P
Marquesia macroura
Dipterocarpaceae
P
P
Melinis repens
Poaceae
Memecylon flavovirens
Melastomataceae
Monocymbium ceresiiforme
Poaceae
Grass
P
Monotes africana
Dipterocarpaceae
Tree
P
Monotes angolensis
Dipterocarpaceae
Tree
P
Monotes katangensis
Dipterocarpaceae
Tree
Mucuna poggei
Fabaceae
Climber
Ochna pulchra
Ochnaceae
Tree
Ochna schweinfurthiana
Ochnaceae
Tree
Ochna schweinfurthii
Ochnaceae
Tree
Ocimum 3
Lamiaceae
Herb
Ocimum homblei
Lamiaceae
Herb
Ocimum obovatum
Lamiaceae
Herb
Ocimum sp
Lamiaceae
Herb
Olax obtusifolium
Oleaceae
Oplismenus sp.
Poaceae
Grass
Ornithogalum sp.P
Amaryllidaceae
Herb
P
Ornithogalum sp.2
Amaryllidaceae
Herb
P
Panicum chionachne
Poaceae
Grass
Parinari capensis
Chrysobalanaceae
Tree
P
Parinari curatellifolia
Chrysobalanaceae
Tree
P
Parinari curatifolia
Chrysobalanaceae
Tree
P
Parinari spp
Chrysobalanaceae
Tree
P
Passiflora sp.
Passifloraceae
Climber
P
Disturbed
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P (E)
P
Tree
P
Herb
P
P
P
P
P
P
Grass
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
24
P
P
P
P
P
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Name
Botanical Assessment Report
Family
Strata
Riparian
May 2008
Miombo
Pavetta schumanniana
Rubiaceae
Tree
Pennisetum polystachion
Poaceae
Grass
Pericopsis angolensis
Fabaceae
Peucedanum nyassicum
Apiaceae
Herb
P
Peucedanum wildemanianum
Apiaceae
Herb
P
Phyllanthus muellerianus
Euphorbiaceae
Tree
P
Phyllocomos lemaireanus
Ixonanthaceae
Piliostigma thonningii
Fabaceae
Climber
P
Pimpinella acutidentata
Apiaceae
Herb
P
Pleiotaxis rogersii
Asteraceae
Herb
P
Pleiotaxis dewevrei
Asteraceae
Herb
P
Poaceae sp.
Poaceae
Grass
Polygala sp.
Polygalaceae
Herb
Protea angolensis
Proteaceae
Shrub
P
Protea gaguedi
Proteaceae
Shrub
P
Protea petiolaris
Proteaceae
Shrub
P
Protea welwitschii
Proteaceae
Shrub
P
Pseudoeriosema andongense
Fabaceae
Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia
Euphorbiaceae
Psorospermum febrifugum
Clusiaceae
Tree
P
Pterocarpus angolensis
Fabaceae
Tree
P
Raphia farinera
Arecaceae
Rothmannia engleriana
Rubiaceae
Rourea orientalis
Connaraceae
Sacciolepis transbarbata
Poaceae
Salacia rhodesiaca
Celastraceae
Tree
P
Sansevieria sp.
Hyacinthoides
Herb
P
Satyrium buchananii
Orchidaceae
Herb
P
Satyrium sp.
Orchidaceae
Herb (Arb)
P
Scabiosa sp.
Dipsacaceae
Herb
P
Securidaca longipedunculata
Polygalaceae
Tree
P
Setaria barbata
Poaceae
Grass
Setaria pallida-fusca
Poaceae
Grass
P
P
Smilax anceps (kraussiana)
Smilacaeae
Climber
P
P
Solanum incanum
Solanaceae
Herb
P
Solanum mauritianum
Solanaceae
Shrub
P
Solanum nigrum
Solanaceae
Herb
P
Sopubia mayombensis
Scrophulariaceae
Herb
Sopubia neptunii
Scrophulariaceae
Herb
Spermacoce dibrachiata
Rubiaceae
Sphenostylis marginata var. erecta
Fabaceae
Herb
Sporobolus sp.
Poaceae
Grass
Spuriodaucus quarrei
Apiaceae
Stephania abyssinica
Menispermaceae
Climber
Streptocarpus sp. (rhodesianus)
Gesneriaceae
Herb
Strobilanthes linifolia
Acanthaceae
P
Strophanthus kombe
Apocynaceae
P
Strophanthus sarmentosus
Apocynaceae
Strychnos spinosa
Loganiaceae
Tree
P
Strychnos cocculoides
Loganiaceae
Tree
P
Strychnos innocua
Loganiaceae
Tree
P
Dambo
Outcrops
Disturbed
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Tree
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P (E)
P
25
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Name
Botanical Assessment Report
Family
Strata
Riparian
Tree
May 2008
Miombo
Strychnos pungens
Rubiaceae
Stylosanthes sp.
Fabaceae
Swartzia madagascariensis
Fabaceae
Tree
P
Syzygium caudatum
Myrtaceae
Tree
P
Syzygium guineense subsp. huillense
Myrtaceae
Tree
P
Temnocalyx fuchsioides
Rubiaceae
Tree
P
Temnocalyx verdickii (Fadogia verdickii)
Rubiaceae
Shrub
P
Tephrosia elegans
Fabaceae
Herb
P
Tephrosia ringoetii
Fabaceae
Herb
Terminalia mollis
Combretaceae
Tree
Tinnea coerulea
Lamiaceae
Herb
Tristachya inamoena
Poaceae
Triumfetta likasiensis
Tiliaceae
Uapaca kirkiana
Euphorbiaceae
Tree
P
Uapaca nitida var musocolowe
Euphorbiaceae
Tree
P
Vangueriopsis lanciflora
Rubiaceae
Tree
P
Vellozia equisetifolia
Velloziaceae
Vernonia chloropappa
Asteraceae
Herb
Vernonia melleri
Asteraceae
Herb
Vernonia rigidifolia
Asteraceae
Herb
Vernonia sp. P
Asteraceae
Herb
Vernonia sp. 2
Asteraceae
Herb
Vernonia sp. 3
Asteraceae
Herb
Vernonia stenosepala
Asteraceae
Herb
Vigna sp.
Fabaceae
Herb
Virecteria major
Rubiaceae
Vitex madiensis
Lamiaceae
Tree
P
Vitex mombassae
Lamiaceae
Small Tree
P
Wahlenbergia sp.
Campanulaceae
Herb
P
Xerophyta sp.
Velloziaceae
Shrub
Zanthoxylum sp.
Rutaceae
Tree
Zonotriche dichroa
Poaceae
Dambo
Outcrops
Disturbed
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P = Present; (E) = Species listed by Leteinturier (2002) as being copper-cobalt endemics; (arb) = Arboreal.
* Where possible specimens have been identified to the lowest possible level, but in some cases it was only possible to determine to Genus or Family level.
* Certain cases are recorded where the Botanical name and also local name could not be determined, but specimens were collected and recorded and being
used (indicated ‘Indet’)
6.6 Species of Special Concern (Protected and Endemic Flora)
6.6.1
Endemic Flora
Copper-Cobalt flora recorded as being present, listed as being endemic by Leteinturier (2002)
include:
Justicia sp. (metallorum), Bulbostylis pseudoperennis, Acalypha cupricola, Crotalaria
cobalticola, Faroa malaissei, Dissotis derriksiana, Streptocarpus sp. (rhodesianus) and
Haumaniastrum robertii.
Copper-Cobalt endemics listed as endemics by Leteinturier (2002) deemed to potentially be present
but not recorded during field surveys: Acalypha cupricola, Becium grandiflora var metallorum,
Becium grandiflorum, Bulbostylis cupricola, Bulbostylis fusiformis, Bulbostylis pseudoperennis,
26
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Cheilanthes aff. perlanata sp. Nov, Commelina zigzag, Crotalaria cobalticola, Crotalaria peschiana,
Cyanotis cupricola, Cyperus kibweanus, Dissotis derriksiana, Eragrostis dikuluwensis, Faroa
chalcophila, Faroa malaissei, Haumaniastrum robertii (Acrocephalus robertii), Justicia metallorum,
Monadenium cupricola, Pellaea pectiniformis, Streptocarpus rhodesianus, Vernonia duvigneaudii,
Vernonia ledocteana and Wahlenbergia malaissei. Time and seasonal constraints limited the ability
to exhaustively search for these, but investigations that are more detailed will be required to
determine their presence or absence. It is recommended that before construction or earth-moving
activities commence on the outcrops a detailed investigation be undertaken (with the assistance of
local experts) to ascertain the presence or absence of species not recorded during this baseline
study.
6.6.2
Protected Flora
Recorded flora were screened for possible listing on the IUCN list of protected flora, but no species
found within the concession are categorized on the list. It is however highly likely that this could be
due to insufficient data for the region and the Democratic Republic of Congo in particular. No
national lists for the DRC are available at present. Groups known to contain species tending to have
either highly localized distributions or potential to be listed as protected species (based on the IUCN
criteria) include the following Orchidaceae:
Bulbophyllum congolanum, Bulbophyllum oreonastes, Cynorkis hanningtonii, Diaphananthe
fragrantissima, Diaphananthe rutila, Disa welwitschii, Habenaria amoena, Satyrium buchananii and
Satyrium sp.
6.6.3
Alien Invasive Species
Alien invasive species found scattered throughout the concession area included various Solanum
species in disturbed areas around fields and the village, particularly Solanum mauritianum, a bird
dispersed species that is likely to become problematic in the future if left unchecked. No other alien
invasive species of particular concern were found to occur in both terrestrial and riparian habitats,
although various common weedy species are present, usually as isolated individuals or in small
patches. Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae) was however found along road verges and river margins
on the main Kolwezi - Likasi road outside of the concession.
7 Ecological State and Sensitivity of Vegetation
7.1 Perceived Reference State (PRS)
Whilst the exact original vegetation that would have been present without human influence is not
known (partly due to lack of historical information and long anthropogenic association in the region
between humans and Miombo) some general assumptions can be made as follows:
7.1.1
Miombo woodland
Typical of the intact portions of Miombo Woodland still present, with a distinct tree and grass/herb
strata present, with a healthy mix of various cohorts (age-categories).
27
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
7.1.2
Copper-Cobalt Outcrop associated Vegetation (Metalliferous Flora)
Typical of the intact portions of the copper outcrops, with the various communities present as
described above.
7.1.3
Wetland (Dambo) and Riparian areas
Undisturbed Dambo at the source of rivers and tributaries and dotted along the course of the river
where conditions permit (seep environments) with a mix of typical riparian vegetation (composed of
sedges grasses and other semi aquatic species) along the course of the rivers with pockets of Galley
Forest depending on biophysical conditions (soil type, depth, sensitivity to fire, etc).
7.1.4
Gallery forest
Typically composed of a narrow band of large trees along the river margins composed of
hydromorphic tree species, depending on localized environmental conditions.
7.2 Present Ecological State (PES)
Present Ecological State has been assessed for the four key vegetation types found within the
concession. Since historical data is lacking, some estimations have been required. A summary of
factors that were recorded is provided in Table 7.1.
7.2.1
Miombo woodland
Relative remaining intact habitat:
Greater than 50% of the Miombo Woodland within the concession is still fully or partially intact, with
a range of disturbances from large areas relatively undisturbed (intact structure, function and
composition) through to large areas that are highly disturbed with high levels of vegetation clearing
and cultivation (structure, function and composition highly modified).
Disturbances:
1. Anthropogenic clearing of vegetation for habitation, charcoal, timber and crop cultivation;
2. Some livestock grazing present;
3. Seasonal burning during dry winter months;
Level of Degradation:
Low to High depending on the area of the concession. Areas adjacent to Kisankala village, roads,
pathways and commonly used routes (such as to artisanal mine areas and fields near rivers) tend to
be more degraded than outlying parts relative to the Kisankala village.
7.2.2
Copper-Cobalt Outcrop associated Vegetation (Metalliferous Flora)
Relative remaining intact habitat:
Less than 50% of the outcrops within the concession are still fully or partially intact, with a range of
disturbances from large areas relatively undisturbed (intact structure, function and composition)
through to large areas that are highly disturbed with high levels of excavation from artisanal mining,
prospecting and commercial mining (structure, function and composition highly modified).
28
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Disturbances:
1. Anthropogenic disturbances relating to mining activities (artisanal mining and prospecting
activities;
a. Principal – almost 100% transformed, with some small outcrops still almost
completely undisturbed to the north;
b. Anticline – mostly transformed, on top of portion where camp is located and mined
section to the south;
c. Kalukundi – Intact on the northern side and top with some artisanal pits; main
workings on the eastern side with some trenching on the south;
d. Kii – largely undisturbed on the northern side and top; major workings on the
eastern side from artisanal mining;
e. Kesho - mostly transformed, especially where original Swanmines activities
occurred; some portions of some communities still intact.
Level of Degradation:
Low to Very High depending on area. Areas that have been heavily mined tend to be completely
transformed with vegetation of a secondary nature, but original habitat is still present, although
patchy.
7.2.3
Wetland (Dambo) and Riparian areas
Relative remaining intact habitat:
Greater than 50% of the Riparian areas within the concession are still fully or partially intact, with a
range of disturbances from large areas relatively undisturbed (intact structure, function and
composition) through to large areas that are highly disturbed with high levels of disturbance
(structure, function and composition highly modified).
Disturbances:
1. Anthropogenic clearing of vegetation for crop cultivation along river banks with localised
disturbances to riparian vegetation due to activities such as ore washing, bathing, laundry,
mud quarrying for building; digging of small wells for drinking water;
2. Some ad hoc livestock grazing present (goats, pigs and chickens);
3. Seasonal burning during dry winter months;
4. Existing road passes directly through the Dambo with excessive runoff and high levels of
sedimentation (silt accumulation);
Level of Degradation:
Low to High depending on area. Areas adjacent to Kisankala village, roads, pathways and commonly
used routes tend to be more degraded than outlying parts relative to the Kisankala village. Outlying
areas tend to be favoured for crop cultivation.
7.2.4
Gallery forest
Relative remaining intact habitat:
Some intact pockets of Gallery Forest still fully or partially intact along the river course, with a range
of disturbances from some patches relatively undisturbed (intact structure, function and
29
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
composition) through to patches that are highly disturbed with high levels of vegetation clearing
and/or disturbance (structure, function and composition highly modified).
Disturbances:
1. Anthropogenic clearing of vegetation for crop cultivation along river banks with localised
disturbances to riparian vegetation due to activities such as ore washing, bathing, laundry,
mud quarrying for building; digging of small wells for drinking water;
2. Existing ore washing area below Kisankala village with excessive runoff and very high levels
of sedimentation (silt accumulation).
Level of Degradation:
Low to High depending on area. Areas adjacent to Kisankala village, roads, pathways and commonly
used routes tend to be more degraded than outlying parts relative to the Kisankala village. Outlying
areas tend to be favoured for crop cultivation.
30
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
7.3 Vegetation Sensitivity Assessment
7.3.1
Miombo woodland
Sensitivity to Disturbance: Low
Rehabilitation potential: High
Resilience: High
Distribution: Widespread
Relative Conservation importance: Low
7.3.2
Copper-Cobalt Outcrop associated Vegetation (Metalliferous Flora)
Sensitivity to Disturbance: Very High
Rehabilitation potential: Low
Resilience: Low
Distribution: Localised (Katangan Bow)
Relative Conservation importance: Very High
7.3.3
Wetland (Dambo) and Riparian areas
Sensitivity to Disturbance: Moderate
Rehabilitation potential: Moderate
Resilience: Moderate
Distribution: Localised to river areas, but widespread in the region
Relative Conservation importance: Very High
7.3.4
Gallery forest
Sensitivity to Disturbance: High
Rehabilitation potential: Moderate
Resilience: Low
Distribution: Localised to river areas, but widespread in the region
Relative Conservation importance: Very High
31
May 2008
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Table 7.1: Summary of ecological factors assessed for various areas within the concession.
Copper Outcrops
Miombo
Kalukundi
Kii
Kesho
Miombo
(Plant
Option A)
Miombo
(TSF
Option B)
Miombo
(TSF
Option A)
Kisankala
village
(current)
Kisankala
Village
(proposed)
Waste Rock
Dumps
Mine
Village
(Option C)
Mine
Village
(Option B)
Dambo
Anticline
Miombo
(Plant
Option B)
Riparian
Principal
Aspect
All
All
All
All
All
Level
Level
Level
Level
North
Level
Level
Level
Level
All
All
Slope
Steep
Steep
Steep
Steep
Steep
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Gentle
Gentle
Topography
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Flat
Flat
Flat
Flat
Flat
Flat
Flat
Flat
Flat
Gentle
Gentle
Substrate
Rock/Soil
Rock/Soil
Rock/Soil
Rock/ Soil
Rock/ Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Total Cover (%)
± 50
± 50
± 50
± 50
± 50
>90
>90
>90
>90
<10
>90
>90
>90
>90
>90
>95
Tree Canopy Cover (%)
<15
<15
<15
<15
<15
>75
>75
>75
>75
>10
>75
>75
>75
>75
50
<1
Shrub Cover (%)
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<1
Herb Cover (%)
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
>10
<5
Grass Cover (%)
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
>50
>50
>50
>50
<10
>50
>50
>50
>50
50
>95
Bare soil/rock (%)
± 50
± 50
± 50
± 50
± 50
<10
<10
<10
<10
>90
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
Estimated Tree Height (m)
<10m
<10m
<10m
<10m
<10m
>15m
>15m
>15m
>15m
>15m
>15m
>15m
>15m
>15m
>15m
<1m
Grazing (livestock):
None
None
None
None
None
Some
Some
Some
Some
Mod
Some
Some
Some
Some
Low
Low
Grazing/Browsing (game)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Agriculture (commercial)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Agriculture (subsistence)
None
None
None
None
None
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Low
Mining/Quarrying
Very High
High
High
High
Very High
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Forestry (plantation)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Forestry (indigenous)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Conservation (flora)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Conservation (fauna)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Wetland/Dam
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Present
Recreational (sport)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Criteria
Landscape Description
Community Description
32
Land Uses
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
Copper Outcrops
May 2008
Miombo
Kalukundi
Kii
Kesho
Miombo
(Plant
Option A)
Miombo
(TSF
Option B)
Miombo
(TSF
Option A)
Kisankala
village
(current)
Kisankala
Village
(proposed)
Waste Rock
Dumps
Mine
Village
(Option C)
Mine
Village
(Option B)
Dambo
Anticline
Miombo
(Plant
Option B)
Riparian
Principal
Recreational (hiking)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Residential (urban)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Residential (village)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Present
None
None
None
None
None
None
Residential (homestead)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Existing Erosion
Mod
Mod
High
High
High
None
None
None
None
Very High
None
None
None
None
Mod
Mod
Vegetation Clearing (timber/charcoal)
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Low
Very High
Mod
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Vegetation Clearing (crops)
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Low
Very High
Mod
Low
Low
Low
High
Low
Human disturbances/impacts
High
High
High
High
High
Low
Low
Mod
Low
Very High
Mod
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Mod
Stocking rate/grazing impact
None
None
None
None
None
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Mod
Visual impact (existing)
High
High
High
High
High
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Habitat fragmentation
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
Mod
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Low
IAP’s (no. of species)
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
IAP’s (density)
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Low
IAP’s (overall impact)
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Burning of crop residues
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Low
None
High
None
Mod
None
None
None
None
Use of fertilisers/Pesticides
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Erosion potential
High
High
High
High
High
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
High
Rehabilitation potential
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
Conservation importance
Very High
Very High
Very High
Very High
Very High
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
High
Indigenous SSC (R&E )
Very High
Very High
Very High
Very High
Very High
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Low
Low
Topography
High
High
High
High
High
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Mod
Extent of vegetation (local)
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Widespread
Widespread
Widespread
Widespread
Widespread
Widespread
Wide-spread
Widespread
Widespread
Localized
Localized
Extent of vegetation (regional)
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Widespread
Widespread
Widespread
Widespread
Widespread
Widespread
Widespread
Widespread
Localized
Localized
Criteria
Disturbances
33
Sensitivities
Wide-spread
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
Copper Outcrops
May 2008
Miombo
Kalukundi
Kii
Kesho
Miombo
(Plant
Option A)
Miombo
(TSF
Option B)
Miombo
(TSF
Option A)
Kisankala
village
(current)
Kisankala
Village
(proposed)
Waste Rock
Dumps
Mine
Village
(Option C)
Mine
Village
(Option B)
Dambo
Anticline
Miombo
(Plant
Option B)
Riparian
Principal
Biodiversity
High
High
High
High
High
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Importance of fire
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
Low
High
Community structure
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Complex
Resilience
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Low
High
Criteria
34
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
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May 2008
8 Social and cultural environment relating to flora and vegetation
8.1 Natural Resources and Rural Livelihoods
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are a collection of biological resources derived from both
natural and managed forests and other wooded areas (Peters, 1996). Examples include a variety of
fruits, nuts, seeds, oils, spices, resins, gums, medicinal plants and many more products specific to the
particular areas from which they originate. NTFPs are culturally important, cheap and often
accessible to local people. Gathering NTFPs can be both opportunistic and casual, or alternatively
planned expeditions. The decision to collect NTFPs is influenced by the urgency for money, the
amount expected to be earned, the time that can be spared from other activities, the likelihood of
obtaining significant volumes of product and the hardship entailed (de Beer and McDermott, 1989).
Forest biodiversity, via NTFPs (harvested or hunted biological products from wild or cultivated
sources) plays an important role in addressing poverty issues for marginalised, forest-dependent
communities. NTFPs contribute to livelihood outcomes, including food security, health and well
being, and income (FAO, 1995; Falconer, 1996). In many parts of the world these resources are
critical for the socially most marginalised people, who are the main actors in NTFP extraction and for
whom NTFPs may provide the only source of personal income (Falconer, 1997; Rodda, 1993; RosTonen, 1999).
The Kisankala community is dependent on natural resources occurring in the vicinity of their homes,
providing a variety of uses such as fuel (charcoal), timber (for poles and building), food (including
fruits, mushrooms, roots and leaves), medicines (all parts used, but leaves predominantly in this
region).
The role of forestry and trees in food production and food security has been well recognized (FAO,
1988; 1992). Although fruits and leaves are the most widely used parts of most of the edible NTFPs,
there are reports of all other parts (such as bark, stem, calyx, and even roots) of some trees being
used as food or food derivatives.
8.1.1
Rural Livelihoods
A livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets and activities required for a means of living. A
livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or
enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the future, while not undermining the natural
resource base.
At least 80 sources of timber and NTFP’s for members of Kisankala village (Table 8.1); including food
(28 species, excluding cultivated species); medicine (50 species); charcoal production (2 species);
wood and timber (4 species) bird glue (2 species); rope, soap, storage, tea and tobacco (1 species
each). Some species were recorded as having multiple uses.
Table 8.1: Plant species utilised for wood, food and medicines in the Kisankala village
Botanical Name
Family
Local Name
Part Used
Use
Acacia seyal
Fabaceae
Kaseunga
Roots
Medicine
Adenodolichos rhomboidea
Fabaceae
Kafuthulukwa
Adenostephila sp
Annonaceae
Mololo
fruit
food
Albizia sp.
Fabaceae
Kapitanzovu
Trunk
Wood
Anisophylla pomifera
Rhizophoraceae
Funko
Fruit
Food
35
medicine
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Botanical Name
Family
Local Name
Part Used
Use
Asparagus sp.
Asparagaceae
Mokowulula
Roots
Medicine
Mufisya
fruit
food
Aspidia sp.
Brachystegia spiciformis
Fabaceae
Mamba
Bark
Medicine
Brachystegia spiciformis
Fabaceae
Mamba
Whole tree
Charcoal
Brachystegia spiciformis
Fabaceae
Manga
bark strips
rope
Brachystegia spiculata
Fabaceae
Kafundula
bark
Medicine
Cantherellus elongisporus
Fungi
Katchonjo
fruit
Mushroom
Canthium crassum
Rubiaceae
Mukumbulwa
fruit
food
Canthium crassum
Rubiaceae
Katoocki
trunk
wood
Canthium crassum
Rubiaceae
Mokombulo
Clematopsis homblei
Ranunculaceae
Montukwinami
roots
Medicine
Combretum molle
Combretaceae
Mukenenekwa
Leaves
Medicine
Combretum platypetalum
Combretaceae
Kapyamupolu
Cussonia arborea
Araliaceae
Kikasa Kyantambo
Desmodium sp.
Fabaceae
Kalungi/munkuyo
Dioscorea dumetorum
Dioscoreaceae
Kilangu
Roots
food
Diplorhynchus condylocarpon
Apocynaceae
Muburi
Roots
medicine
Diplorhynchus condylocarpon
Apocynaceae
Mobule
Whole tree
Charcoal
leaves
Food
leaves
Medicine
*
Medicine
Roots
Medicine
Medicine
Dissotis sp.
Melastomataceae
Indet.
Droogmansia munamensis
Fabaceae
Munungano
Ekebergia bengalensis
Meliaceae
Nankumuna
Erythrina abyssinica
Fabaceae
Kichipichipi
Roots
Medicine
Ficus spp.
Moraceae
Kitabataba
Fruit
Food
Ficus spp.
Moraceae
Kitabataba
Sap
bird glue
Friesodielsia obovata
Annonaceae
Songwa songwa
fruit
Food
Hibiscus acetosella
Malvaceae
Ngayngay
leaves
spinach
Hibiscus rodantes
Malvaceae
Kokanto
Roots
Medicine
Hymenocardia acida
Euphorbiaceae
Kapepe
leaves
medicine
Hymenocardia acida
Euphorbiaceae
Kapepe
sap
bird glue
Hymenocardia acida
Euphorbiaceae
Moko
bark
Medicine
Hymenodictyon floribundum
Rubiaceae
Kaselesele
Roots
medicine
Moshokoto
Trunk
Wood
Ndale
bark
Medicine
Indet.
*
Indet. *
Indet.
*
Indet.
*
Indet.
Indet.
*
Indet.
*
Indet.
*
Indet.
*
Medicine
Motombotombo
*
Medicine
leaves
Medicine
Mufwifwi
sap
Medicine
Kabalabala
Leaves
Medicine
tobacco
leaves
smoked
Cucurbitaceae
calabash
fruit
storage
Indigophora sutherlandioides
Fabaceae
Kavulamamame
roots
Medicine
Landolphia parvifolia
Apocynaceae
Malembelembe
fruit
food
Indet. legume
*
Indet. legume
*
Lonchocarpus sp.
Fabaceae
Fabaceae
Fabaceae
36
Indet.
*
Medicine
Indet.
*
Medicine
Indet.
*
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Botanical Name
Family
Local Name
Part Used
Use
Manihot esculentus
Euphorbiaceae
Casava
Roots
food
Maprounea africana
Euphorbiaceae
Kavulamamame
leaves
Medicine
Memecylon flavovirens
Melastomataceae
Mfisha
Fruit
Food
Monotes africana
Dipterocarpaceae
Sole
Fruit
Food
Ochna schweinfurthii
Ochnaceae
Musango
Roots
Medicine
Ochna sp.
Ochnaceae
Mosengu
Olax obtusifolium
Oleaceae
Mange
Roots
medicine
Parinari curatifolia
Chrysobalanaceae
Pundu
Fruit
Food
Pavetta schumanniana
Rubiaceae
Indet. *
roots
medicine
Pericopsis angolensis
Fabaceae
Mubanga
Leaves
Medicine
Pericopsis angolensis
Fabaceae
Ndombe
sap
medicine
Phyllanthus melerianus
Euphorbiaceae
Molembalemba
Medicine
Phyllanthus melerianus
Euphorbiaceae
Molembalemba
Food
Protea welwitschii
Proteaceae
Indet.
Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia
Euphorbiaceae
Psorospermum febrifugum
Pterocarpus angolensis
*
Medicine
trunk
timber
Kabalabala
bark
Medicine
Clusiaceae
Mukankanka
Roots
Medicine
Fabaceae
Ntombe
Roots
medicine
Raphia farinera
Arecaceae
Matawe
Fruit
Food
Rourea orientalis
Connaraceae
Mosangala
Leaves
Medicine
Securidaca longipedunculata
Polygalaceae
Kitatati
Roots
Medicine
Siphonochilus sp.
Zingiberaceae
Intungulu pori
Roots
Food
Solanum incanum
Solanaceae
Lutuntunya
Fruit
Medicine
Solanum nigrum
Solanaceae
Musebo
leaves
food
Solanum nigrum
Solanaceae
Musebo
fruit
Food
Sphenostylis marginata var. erecta
Fabaceae
Mugimwino
Roots
medicine
Sphenostylis marginata var. Erecta
Fabaceae
Kapofu
Roots
Soap
Spuriodaucus quarrei
Apiaceae
Kikole
fruit
Medicine
Spuriodaucus quarre
Apiaceae
Kikole
Roots
Medicine
Strychnos spinosa
Loganiaceae
Munkulwiba
Roots
Medicine
Strychnos cocculoides
Loganiaceae
Kasongole
Fruit
Food
Swartzia madagascariensis
Fabaceae
Mulama
Roots
Medicine
Syzigium cardatum
Myrtaceae
Msombo
Fruit
Food
Syzygium guineense subsp. huillense
Myrtaceae
Musafwa
Fruit
food
Syzygium guineense subsp. huillense
Myrtaceae
Musafwa
Bark
medicine
Temnocalyx verdickii
Rubiaceae
Makumbukumbu
Leaves
Tea
Temnocalyx verdickii
Rubiaceae
Makumbukumbu
Fruit
Food
*
Tephrosia ringoetii
Fabaceae
Indet.
Terminaria mollis
Fabaceae
Moshokoto
Uapaca kirkiana
Euphorbiaceae
Masuku
Uapaca nitens
Euphorbiaceae
Kibubu
Uapaca nitens var. musocolowe
Euphorbiaceae
Sokolowe
Fruit
Food
Vitex madiensis
Lamiaceae
Mufutu
Fruit
Food
Zanthoxylum
Rutaceae
Pupa
Leaves
Medicine
Zanthoxylum sp.
Rutaceae
Pupa
Leaves
food
37
Medicine
Fruit
Food
Medicine
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Botanical Name
Family
Local Name
Part Used
Use
Zanthoxylum sp.
Rutaceae
Pupa
Roots
medicine
* Where possible specimens were identified to the lowest possible level, but in some cases it was only possible to determine to Genus or Family level. * *
Certain instances are recorded where the Botanical name and also local name could not be determined, but specimens were collected and use recorded
(indicated ‘Indet’).
Agriculture
Cassava is the most important crop within the concession area, followed by maize. Wild fruit and
cultivated vegetables supplement the staple diet. Small numbers of livestock (goats, pigs and
chickens) are maintained in order to feed the villagers, including chickens (rare), goats and pigs.
Vegetable fields and plantations tend to be located close to rivers on fertile soils along watercourses
and in areas of Miombo woodland that have been cleared. Non-staple foods include banana, onion,
tomatoes, cabbage, groundnut, pumpkin, beans, mango and sweet potato. A great variety of wild
plants and fruits are an important part of the diet. There is no large-scale commercial agriculture
within the concession. The lack of transport to Kolwezi or Likasi is a major constraint for the local
rural economy. It is difficult to transport crops from Kisankala Village to markets because there are
none present locally and so market gardening is limited in terms of household income generation
and food tends to be bought from neighbouring areas to feed the estimated population of 3000.
Crops tend to supplement food and there is a dependency on imported produce.
Extraction of Commercial Timber
The extraction of valuable timber has taken place in the past and is continuing, though hampered by
the poor road infrastructure. Timber is also extracted for charcoal burning. The extent and intensity
of timber extraction is intensive in parts, but tends to be confined to a few heavily cleared areas
surrounding the village, with large areas currently in a relatively undisturbed state. Under status quo
conditions, it is likely that in the long-term timber resources would become scarce as intact
woodland becomes scarce.
Artisanal Mining
Artisanal mining of the copper-cobalt outcrops has occurred on all major outcrops within the
concession to varying degrees. Ore is extracted by hand and washed and sorted predominantly
within Kisankala village and at a washing area in the Kisankala stream close to the village.
Overburden tends to be dumped haphazardly adjacent to mine pits and only incidental regeneration
of vegetation occurs. Distinct plant communities can be identified on disturbed areas comprising a
few key plant species.
8.1.2
General Findings
1. Woodland sites have been moderately to heavily affected by charcoal production and
subsistence agricultural activities surrounding Kisankala village. The degrading sequence of
these two activities has been to reduce parts of the woodlands to grasslands with scattered
trees. This is further exacerbated by the occurrence of annual late forest fires. Dried snags,
fire scars on trees and frequent die-back of tree regeneration are indicative of high intensity
fire damage in some areas.
2. The secondary revegetation of artisanal waste rock and overburden dumps is generally
minimal, although it can be well established in older workings, depending upon the extent of
38
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
disturbance and time since disturbance. Although there is regeneration, it is unlikely that
there will be much growth due to the limited soil substrate as a result of artisanal mining
related disturbance in the medium-term.
8.1.3
Conclusions
Since the people are dependent on these natural resources not only as an income source, but also to
supplement household food, medicine and building material, the natural resources contribute
substantially towards household livelihoods which need to be accounted for.
During relocation of the village, which will result not only a loss of access to the existing natural
resource base, but also a densification due to the village being in closer proximity to Kisanfu village
to the south, it is likely that access to now seemingly abundant resources will become restricted.
Whilst opportunities to increase household income may increase as a result of the proposed mining
activities, it is possible that poverty levels will increase in the long term as household will no longer
have access to free natural resources and they will be dependent on markets, making them
dependent on a financial income source. The composition of the household may further increase
this problem. For example, should a particular household be composed of members that would be
unable to qualify for job opportunities created by the mine (due to an increased percentage of
members being for example too young or too old), household livelihoods would decrease due to
decreased access to the natural resource base for food, timber, medicine etc.
Since the natural resource base is diminished and population densities have increased due to
relocation, an increase in harvesting pressure is likely to occur. This could in the long term cause a
spiralling increase in levels of land degradation and loss of biodiversity ultimately resulting in
increased poverty levels and major loss of biodiversity.
Hence the proposed mine will not only result in direct biodiversity impacts within the mine area, but
also some cumulative social impacts to people dependant on these as well as the obvious increased
biodiversity loss. In the short-term this will be negligible, but long-term cumulative impacts are
likely to be more substantial due to a denser population with access to a more restricted resource
base.
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Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
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May 2008
9 Prediction of environmental impacts
An evaluation and prediction of the likely impacts of the proposed development on the receiving
environment has been performed. This report focuses on Environmental and Social Impacts that
may result from mining activities that will affect the flora within the concession and surrounds.
9.1 Introduction
The Kalukundi Project will disturb floral communities on the ore outcrops that will be mined and in
the areas where the mine and its associated facilities will be constructed. Other potential effects to
flora include those from airborne dust, emissions from the mine fleet and the processing plant,
changes in surface water hydrology and the introduction of non-native plants. Also of concern are
effects related to the likely immigration of people to the surrounding area. This may lead to
increased clearing of forests for charcoal and agricultural production. An important issue is the
removal of rare copper-cobalt floral communities on the hills as they are mined. These hills support
unique floral communities and some species are currently only known to occur in the region.
Habitat potentially classifiable as “critical” under the guidelines of the IUCN was identified on the
copper-cobalt hills.
9.2 Protected Areas
No protected areas will be directly affected by the proposed mining project.
The Katanga Copper Bow is poorly-protected at a Regional Level within the greater Democratic
Republic of Congo and Zambian context relative to the unique and endemic nature of its vegetation.
9.3 Natural Habitats and Biodiversity Threats
Effects to natural habitats and biodiversity will be related to changes in flora and direct loss of
habitat. Key issues are to do with habitat loss or alteration, direct or indirect mortality (death) of
locally endemic (native), threatened or endangered species and fragmentation of natural habitats.
Mines and their associated infrastructure may impact terrestrial and riparian flora in multiple ways
during both the construction and operational phase. The main impacts during construction involve
the direct loss and fragmentation of habitats, with a consequent loss of biodiversity and possibly loss
of species of special concern. This may result from direct land clearance, or occur indirectly via loss
or changes in habitats due to consequent changes in drainage patterns, increased fire risk, or
secondary impacts associated socio-economic factors resulting from changes in surrounding land
use. During the operational life of the mine, small cumulative impacts can also occur, including dust
generation, change in the incidence of fire, the introduction of alien vegetation, air pollution,
chemical and sediment contamination. All of these factors may impact the surrounding flora and
ecological processes in different ways.
Mitigation measures include minimizing the project footprint, translocation of rare plant species and
habitat to ecosystem reconstruction sites, conservation of PMRs and larger areas, and reclamation.
9.4 Existing Impacts
Existing anthropogenic impacts within the study area can be divided into three key areas, namely
artisanal mining related, local habitation related impacts and prospecting related impacts and
include the following:
40
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Degradation of copper-cobalt outcrops as a result of artisanal mining;
Degradation of riparian vegetation as a result of ore-washing;
Loss of Miombo woodland as a result of construction of habitation;
Loss of Miombo Woodland, Riparian Vegetation and Gallery Forest for crop cultivation;
Harvesting of plants for various uses, including charcoal, timber, food and medicine;
Increased erosion and sedimentation of streams and rivers as a result of dense habitation
and crop cultivation, with subsequent impacts to riparian vegetation;
Increased stream and river pollution and degradation as a result of waste inputs from
bathing, washing and dumping of waste;
Loss of vegetation to undertake prospecting activities (boreholes, roads, etc);
Loss of vegetation for construction mine and security camp for mine prospecting teams
(Swanmines and Africo;
Clearing of Miombo woodland for roads and regional powerline.
9.5 Proposed Project Actions
The project will consist of the following infrastructure, requiring direct removal of vegetation:
Four or five open pits and associated waste rock dumps (Principal, Anticline, Kalukundi, Kii
and possibly Kesho and other smaller sites in the long-term;
A processing plant, tailings storage facility , offices;
Internal access roads constructed within the concession area.
Two mineworkers camps. The first within the concession area and the second for senior
managers is proposed for Lualaba outside of the concession.
Mining processes that may impact on ecological processes include:
Waste Rock and overburden will be disposed of in waste rock dumps;
Temporary storage of topsoil for use during rehabilitation and mine decommissioning;
Mine dewatering will be implemented which is likely to result in a long-term or permanent
lowering of the groundwater table;
Water for the processing plant will be derived from dewatering, with excess water pumped
to surface watercourses in the Kisankala Stream;
Water used in sewage generation and other domestic purposes will be fed into a standard
septic tank network; Effluent generated will include spent process solution and
contaminated water, excess supernatant, grey waste water from domestic purposes and
stormwater runoff from rainy season.
Excess process solution and contaminated water from the process plant activities will be
directed to the process water storage tank which will be used to supply water to the process
plant. The water will be recycled throughout the plant;
Ore processing to extract the minerals will involve the use of chemicals and reagents. Lime
will be added to neutralise the tailings slurry and water added to facilitate transport to the
tailings storage facility ;
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Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
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May 2008
9.6 General Impact Rating Scale for Specialists/ Baseline data
To ensure a direct comparison between various specialist studies, six standard rating scales are
defined and used to assess and quantify the identified impacts. This is necessary since impacts have
a number of parameters that need to be assessed.
These scales are:
1. The Severity/ Benefit Scale, which assesses the importance of the impact from a purely
technical perspective.
2. The Spatial Impact Scale, which assesses the extent or magnitude of the impact (the area
that will be affected by the impact).
3. The Temporal Impact Scale, which assesses how long the impact will be felt. Some impacts
are of a short duration, whereas others are permanent.
4. The Degree of Certainty Scale, which provides a measure of how confident the author feels
about their prediction.
5. The Likelihood Scale, which provides an indication of the risk or chance of an impact taking
place.
6. The Environmental Significance Scale, which assesses the importance of the impact in the
overall context of the affected system or party.
To ensure integration of social and ecological impacts, to facilitate specialist assessment of impact
significance, and to reduce reliance on value judgments, the severity of the impact within the
scientific field in which it takes place (e.g. vegetation, fauna etc.) was assessed first. Thereafter,
each impact was assessed within the context of time and space, and the probability of the impact
occurring was quantified using the degree of certainty scale.
The impact was then assessed in the context of the whole environment to establish the
“environmental significance” of the impact. This assessment incorporated all social, cultural,
historical, economic, political and ecological aspects of the impact.
The scales are described in detail below.
9.6.1
The Severity/ Beneficial Scale
The severity scale was used in order to scientifically evaluate how severe negative impacts would be,
or how beneficial positive impacts would be on a particular affected system (for ecological impacts)
or a particular affected party. This methodology attempts to remove any value judgments from the
assessment, although it relies on the professional judgment of the specialist.
Negative Impact
Positive Impact
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Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Negative Impact
Positive Impact
Very severe
Very Beneficiary
An irreversible and permanent change to the
affected system(s) or party (ies) which cannot be
mitigated. For example, change in topography
resulting from a quarry.
A permanent and very substantial benefit to the
affected system(s) or party(ies), with no
alternative to achieve this benefit. For example,
the creation of a large number of long-term jobs
Severe
Beneficial
Long-term impacts on the affected system(s) or
party (ies) that could be mitigated. However, this
mitigation would be difficult, expensive or time
consuming or some combination of these. For
example, the clearing of forest vegetation.
A long-term impact and substantial benefit to
the affected system(s) or party(ies). Alternative
ways of achieving this benefit would be difficult,
expensive or time consuming, or some
combination of these. For example, an increase
in the local economy.
Moderately severe
Moderately beneficial
Medium- to long-term impact on the affected
system(s) or party(ies), that could be mitigated.
For example, constructing a narrow road through
vegetation with a low conservation value.
A medium- to long-term impact of real benefit to
the affected system(s) or party(ies). Other ways
of optimising are equally difficult, expensive and
time consuming ( or a combination of these), as
achieving them in this way. For example, a slight
improvement in the (Kolwezi - Likasi) road(s)
Slight
Slightly beneficial
Medium- to short term impacts on the affected
system(s) or party(ies). Mitigation is very easy,
cheap, less time consuming or not necessary. For
example, a temporary fluctuation in the water
table due to water abstraction.
A short- to medium-term impact and negligible
benefit to the affected system(s) or party(ies).
Other ways of optimising the beneficial effects
are easier, cheaper and quicker, or some
combination of these. For example, a slight
increase in the amount of goods available for
purchasing.
No effect
Don't know/Can't know
The system(s) or party(ies) is not affected by the
proposed development.
In certain cases it may not be possible to
determine the severity of the impact.
The severity of impacts can be evaluated with and without mitigation order to demonstrate how
serious the impact is when nothing is done about it. For beneficial impacts, optimisation means
anything that can enhance the benefits. However, mitigation or optimisation must be practical,
technically feasible and economically viable.
9.6.2
Spatial and Temporal Scales
Two additional factors were considered when assessing the impacts, namely the relationship of the
impact to Spatial and Temporal Scales.
The spatial scale (shown in italics) defines the impact at the following scales.
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Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Spatial Scale
Individual Household Localised
-
Mine area Study Area District
Regional National
International
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Explanation
this scale applies to person/s in the affected area
this scale applies to households in the affected area
at a localised scale (i.e. few hectares in extent). The specific area to which this scale
refers is defined for the impact to which it refers.
the area of primary impact ( Principal, Anticline, Kii and Kalukundi fragments)
the concession area ( Principal, Anticline, Kii and Kalukundi fragments, process
plant and other infrastructure).
the administrative district of Mutshatsha, including Kisankala Village.
Katanga Province.
Democratic Republic of Congo.
The temporal scale (shown in italics) defines the impact at the following scales.
Spatial Scale
Short Term
Medium Term
Long Term
Permanent
Explanation
Less than 5 years. Many construction phase impacts will be of a short duration
Between 5 and 20 years
Between 20 and 40 years, and from a human perspective essentially permanent.
Over 40 years, and resulting in a permanent and lasting change.
9.6.3
The Degree of Certainty and the Likelihood Scale
It is also for each specialist to state the degree of certainty or the confidence attached to their
prediction of significance. For this reason, a ‘degree of certainty’ scale (shown in bold) must be used.
Degree
Definite:
Probable:
Possible:
Unsure:
Description
More than 90% sure of particular fact. To use this one will need to substantial
supportive data.
Between 70% and 90% sure of particular fact.
Between 40% and 70% sure of particular fact.
Less than 40% sure of particular fact.
The risk or likelihood (shown in normal font) of impacts being manifested differs. There is no doubt
that some impacts would occur if mining takes place, but certain other (usually secondary data)
impacts are not as likely, and may or may not result from mining and related activities in the area.
Although these impacts maybe severe, the likelihood of them occurring may affect their overall
significance and must therefore be taken into account. It is therefore necessary for the author to
state his estimate of the likelihood of an impact occurring, using the following likelihood scale:
Degree
Very unlikely to occur -
Unlikely to occur -
Description
The chance of these impacts occurring is extremely slim, e.g. natural
forces destroying a dam wall.
The risk of these impacts occurring is slight. For example, impacts such as
an increase in alcoholism and associated violence as a result of increase
of wealth.
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Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Degree
May occur -
Will definitely occur -
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Description
The risk of these impacts is more likely, although it is not definite. For
example, the chance that a road accident occurs during the mining
process.
There is no chance that this impact will not occur. For example the
clearing of vegetation ahead of the Mine area. Impacts without any
likelihood in the text fall into this category.
9.6.4
The Environmental Significance Scale
The environmental significance scale is an attempt to evaluate the significance of a particular
impact, the severity or benefit of which has already been assessed. This evaluation needs to be
assessed in the relevant context, as an impact can either be ecological or social, or both. Since the
severity of impacts with and without mitigation will already have been assessed, significance was
only evaluated after mitigation. In many cases, this mitigation will take place, as it has been
incorporated into project design. A six point significance scale must be applied been.
Significance
Very High
High
Moderate
Low
No Significance
Don't Know
Description
Impacts considered to have a major and permanent change to natural
environment and are rate as VERY HIGH, usually resulting to severe or very
severe/ beneficial to very beneficial effects.
Long term change and are rated as HIGH resulting to severe or moderately
severe effects/ beneficial to moderately beneficial.
Medium to long-term effects. Impacts are rated as MODERATE with
moderately severe or moderately beneficial effects.
Medium to short term effects. Impacts are rated as MODERATE resulting in
moderately severe or moderately beneficial effects.
No primary or secondary effects, resulting in NO SIGNIFICANT impact.
Not possible to determine the significance of impacts
9.6.5
Absence of Data
In certain instances, an assessment has to b produced in the absence of all the relevant and
necessary data, due to paucity or lack of scientific information on the study area. It is more
important to identify all the likely environmental impacts than to precisely evaluate the more
obvious impacts. It is important to be on the conservative side in reporting likely
environmental impacts. Due to the fact that assessing impacts with a lack of data is more
dependant on scientific judgment, the rating on the certainty scale cannot be too high. It is
for these reasons that a degree of certainty scale has been provided, as well as the
categories DON’T KNOW or CAN’T KNOW.
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9.7 Identified environmental impacts
Fourteen issues relating to environmental impacts have been identified and deemed important, as
follows:
15) Direct localised loss of rare habitats, in copper-cobalt vegetation communities within the
concession;
16) Direct localised loss of local endemic/protected species, in copper-cobalt vegetation
communities within the concession;
17) Direct localised loss of biodiversity including rare habitats and local endemic species, in
Miombo vegetation communities;
18) Direct localised loss of Miombo vegetation habitat;
19) Direct localised loss of habitat within the riparian vegetation communities;
20) Improved access to rare habitats and local endemic species leading to removal of rare
species;
21) Reduction in connectivity of habitats affecting movements of wildlife species that may be
pollinators or dispersal agents of flora within Miombo;
22) Reduction in connectivity of habitats affecting movements of wildlife species that may be
pollinators or dispersal agents of flora within Copper deposits;
23) Introduction of exotic species (terrestrial and aquatic);
24) Changes in water flows or quality from development associated with mining during
operations may affect adjacent Riparian plant communities (including Gallery Forest and
Dambo Wetlands);
25) Long-term changes in Miombo Woodland may occur as a result of dewatering activities that
could lower the water table in the affected area;
26) Destruction of natural habitats in downstream areas (terrestrial and aquatic) in the case of a
tailings storage facility failure;
27) Indirect loss of habitat quality due to dust, sedimentation and air quality associated with the
mining process;
28) Intensification of utilization of areas outside of the concession area as a result of
displacement of people from within the concession area.
9.7.1
Direct localised loss of rare habitats, in copper-cobalt vegetation communities
within the concession
Cause and Comments:
The copper-cobalt substrate provides a unique habitat for vegetation that is restricted to the coppercobalt outcrops and the open-cast mining process will eliminate these landscape features, thus
removing the habitat and associated flora.
a. At a localized level (Mine area), mining activities will have result in the almost
complete loss of natural habitat for copper-cobalt flora;
b. At a regional (and international) level, mining activities will contribute to the decline
in available natural habitat for the endemic copper-cobalt flora.
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Significance statement:
Both construction and operation phases will definitely have a very high significant, very severe,
permanent negative, localised impact to critical copper-cobalt flora habitat including copper-cobalt
rock outcrops and copper-cobalt steppe-savannah habitats within the mine area.
Mitigation:
Removal of endemic and ecologically important species and habitat (boulders that primarily
comprise the crevice vegetation) to a storage area for use during rehabilitation of waste rock
dumps;
Removal and storage of topsoil before construction to be stored and used during
rehabilitation;
Reconstruction of critical habitat during rehabilitation (component of the EMP);
Recreation of artificial outcrops for habitat of the copper flora;
Establishment of off-site natural areas to compensate for disturbed copper–cobalt flora
communities (at a regional level);
Establishment of Plant Micro Reserves (PMR’s) in association with adjoining mining
concessions, but will require legal, political, economic and social support for long-term
success;
Support of regional botanical studies and research programs,
Residual Impact:
Artificially created and revegetated areas may allow for the conservation of aspects of the typical
copper-cobalt outcrop habitat, but it will differ in structure and function to the existing natural
habitat most likely permanently.
9.7.2
Direct localised loss of local endemic species, in copper-cobalt vegetation
communities within the concession
Cause and Comments:
The copper-cobalt vegetation has many endemic flora with distributions restricted to copper-cobalt
outcrops within the Katanga Bow and the open-cast mining process will eliminate these landscape
features, thus removing the associated flora.
c. At a localized level (Mine area), mining activities will have result in the almost
complete loss of natural habitat for endemic copper-cobalt flora;
d. At a regional (and international) level, mining activities will contribute to the decline
in available natural habitat for the endemic copper-cobalt flora.
Significance statement:
Both construction and operation phases will definitely have a very high significant, very severe,
permanent negative localised impact to critical copper-cobalt flora including copper-cobalt rock
outcrops and copper-cobalt steppe-savannah habitats within the mine area.
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Mitigation:
Removal of endemic and ecologically important species and habitat (such as boulders that
primarily comprise the crevice vegetation) to a storage area for use during rehabilitation of
waste rock dumps;
Removal and storage of topsoil before construction to be stored and used during
rehabilitation;
Reconstruction of critical habitat during rehabilitation (component of the EMP);
Recreation of artificial outcrops for habitat of the copper flora with an adequate coppercobalt balance in the soil to recreate natural conditions;
Establishment of off-site natural areas to compensate for disturbed copper–cobalt flora
communities (at a regional level);
Establishment of Plant Micro Reserves in association with adjoining mining concessions, but
will require legal, political, economic and social support for long-term success.
Residual Impact:
Artificially created and revegetated areas may allow for the ‘ex-situ’ conservation of endemic
copper-cobalt outcrop flora, but the long-term success and survival rates of this is unknown.
9.7.3
Direct localised loss of biodiversity including rare habitats and local endemic
species or protected flora, in Miombo vegetation communities
Cause and Comments:
Construction of infrastructure, including but not limited to the tailings storage facility, processing
plant, waste rock dumps, mine village, relocated Kisankala village and road networks will result in
the clearing and removal of Miombo Woodland. Since Miombo Woodland has a wide distribution
throughout the region, the impact will be at a localized level and of low significance. Habitat tends
to be uniform throughout the region although some protected flora is likely to be present.
Significance statement:
Both construction and operation phases will definitely have a significant, moderately severe,
negative localised impact to Miombo woodland habitats within the mine area.
Mitigation:
Identification of and direct translocation of rare plants and critical habitat to off-site or PMR
areas;
Maximum utilisation of already disturbed areas, including the existing Kisankala village and
existing roads and rehabilitation of unused disturbed areas;
Transfer of microhabitat features from disturbed areas to areas unaffected by clearing (such
as branches colonised by the Orchidaceae);
Reclamation of terrestrial habitats, as much as possible during operation and
decommissioning.
Residual Impacts:
Moderate local negative impacts on Miombo woodland habitat due to remnant waste rock
dumps (to provide new habitat for copper-cobalt flora) and tailings storage facility which
will revegetated to a certain extent.
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Low regional negative impacts on woodland habitat due to relative abundance of this
vegetation unit within the region.
9.7.4
Direct loss of Miombo vegetation habitat
Cause and Comments:
Construction of infrastructure, including but not limited to the tailings storage facility , processing
plant, waste rock dumps, mine village, relocated Kisankala village and road networks will result in
the clearing and removal of Miombo Woodland. Since Miombo Woodland has a wide distribution
throughout the region, the impact will be at a localized level and of low significance. Habitat tends
to be uniform throughout the region although some protected flora is likely to be present.
Significance statement:
Both construction and operation phases will definitely have a significant, moderately severe,
negative localised impact to Miombo woodland habitats within the mine area.
Mitigation:
Restoration of some Miombo forest during construction, operation and decommissioning
(roads, processing plant and other areas having infrastructure during operational phase) will
be possible;
Reclamation of terrestrial habitats, as much as possible during operation and
decommissioning.
Use of the existing Kisankala village area for activities such as waste rock dumps and other
facilities would minimise loss of Miombo woodland to a limited extent.
Residual Impacts:
Moderate local negative impacts on Miombo woodland habitat due to remnant waste rock
dumps and tailings storage facility where successful restoration to Miombo woodland will
be limited;
Low regional negative impacts on woodland habitat due to relative abundance of this
vegetation unit within the region.
9.7.5
Direct loss of habitat within the riparian vegetation communities
Cause and Comments:
Impacts to riparian vegetation is likely to limited to the river crossing of the Kisankala stream,
resulting in the loss of some Dambo Wetland. Waste Rock Dumps have been repositioned to avoid
riparian areas (Kii stream). In the “Option C” alternative for site layout, the tailings storage facility is
sited close to the Kisankala stream and may have some impact should it be the selected option.
Significance Statement:
A low negative impact to the Dambo wetland and riparian vegetation during construction to upgrade
existing gravel road across riparian zone.
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A moderate positive impact on the Dambo wetland due to improved road surfacing and improved
runoff management after mine closure due to improved management of existing erosion and
resulting sedimentation of the upper reaches of the Kisankala stream and Dambo wetland.
Mitigation:
Road crossing the Kisankala stream should be constructed over the existing unsurfaced road,
and should be adequately surfaced and appropriate drainage structures implemented to
manage runoff and trap sediment;
Should the northern tailings storage facility and processing plant location be the selected
option, design must be such that it avoids the Kisankala River with an adequate buffer in
place (minimum 60m, but recommended to be at LEAST 100m);
Copper-Cobalt containing rock must NOT be used at or near the river crossing to minimise
pollution of the stream from runoff and seepage, which will negatively affect riparian
vegetation in the short- to long-term.
Residual Impacts:
Low negative impacts on gallery forest and Dambo wetland habitats due to presence of road
infrastructure;
Moderate positive impact on riparian vegetation (including Dambo wetland, downstream
riparian vegetation and Gallery Forest) as a result of reduced siltation and erosion from
improved road construction and drainage;
No rare or endemic species are likely to be impacted upon negatively during construction
and operational phases within the riparian area.
9.7.6
Improved access to rare habitats and local endemic species leading to removal of
rare species
Cause and Comments:
Presence of employees and subcontractors on site could remove rare and endemic species from the
site, especially horticulturally important species such as those belonging to the Orchidaceae.
Significance Statement:
Mining will result in a localised, slightly significant, long-term possible loss of rare and endemic
species.
Mitigation:
Employees and subcontractors should not be permitted to remove vegetation from site,
unless it is part of an approved sustainable development project supervised by Africo
Environmental Department, and does not include rare or endemic species.
Residual Impacts:
Negligible to low indirect impacts on vegetation due to improved access to rare species after
decommissioning, although, apart from the Orchidaceae) they are unlikely to have a
commercial value unless medicinal properties are discovered.
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9.7.7
Reduction in connectivity of habitats affecting movements of wildlife species that
may be pollinators or dispersal agents of flora within Miombo.
Cause and Comments:
Mining activities within the Miombo Woodland may impact upon the migration of important
pollinators and dispersal agents of any localised populations of pollinator specific species;
Concession may impact upon regional migration of faunal species that are dispersal agents
and/or pollinators of Miombo flora;
Stream crossings and associated infrastructure across riparian areas may impact upon
migration along the linear river and associated riparian corridor systems;
Noise (including blasting, machinery and anthropogenic) may have localised impacts on
movement of fauna that are important dispersal agents or pollinators of flora.
Concession has a limited footprint and is unlikely to have any significant impacts on
connectivity at a regional level for Miombo Woodland.
Significance Statement:
A possible, low significance, long-term impact to connectivity of habitat may occur as a result of
mining activities within Miombo Woodland. Impacts to connectivity between copper outcrops at a
regional level is unknown.
Mitigation:
No information is available to make an assessment of the impact to the biology of the
endemic flora (and associated fauna) due to the large scale removal of some outcrops that
could form a link along the Katanga Copper Bow with adjacent outcrops, although it is
unlikely that the species that are prevalent in disturbed contaminated areas would be
affected;
Stream crossings and associated infrastructure within the riparian area are unlikely to
significantly impact upon migration along the linear river and associated riparian corridor
systems;
Use of existing disturbed areas as far as possible for infrastructure to avoid new
fragmentation;
Noise (including blasting, machinery and anthropogenic) would be localised and unlikely to
have any significant impact as the faunal species would move to adjacent areas;
Rehabilitation/Revegetation to connect fragmented habitats during decommission phase
can mitigate any impacts in the long-term.
Residual Impacts:
Moderate impact on fragmentation of habitats. For overall landscape biodiversity, low
impact on Miombo woodland and gallery forest; high impact on copper-cobalt habitats.
9.7.8
Reduction in connectivity of habitats affecting movements of wildlife species that
may be pollinators or dispersal agents of flora within Copper outcrops.
Cause and Comments:
Mining of the Copper-Cobalt outcrops may impact upon the migration of important
pollinators and dispersal agents of the endemic metalliferous flora;
Concession may impact upon regional migration of faunal species that are dispersal agents
and/or pollinators of Copper-Cobalt flora;
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Noise (including blasting, machinery and anthropogenic) may have localised impacts on
movement of fauna that are important dispersal agents or pollinators of flora.
Although the concession has a limited footprint within the Katangan Bow it is possible that
the permanent removal of outcrops may have a significant impacts on connectivity at a
regional level for Miombo Woodland;
Significance Statement:
A probable, low significance, long-term impact to connectivity of habitat may occur as a result of
mining activities within Copper-Cobalt outcrops, impacts to connectivity between copper outcrops
at a regional level is unknown.
Mitigation:
No information is available to make an assessment of the impact to the biology of the
endemic flora (and associated fauna) due to the large scale removal of some outcrops that
could form a link along the Katangan Copper Bow with adjacent outcrops, although it is
unlikely that the species that are prevalent in disturbed contaminated areas would be
affected;
Noise (including blasting, machinery and anthropogenic) would be localised and unlikely to
have any significant impact as the faunal species would move to adjacent areas;
Rehabilitation/Revegetation to connect fragmented habitats during decommission phase
may mitigate any impacts in the long-term.
Residual Impacts:
Moderate impact on fragmentation of habitats. For overall landscape biodiversity, low
impact on Miombo woodland and gallery forest; high impact on copper-cobalt habitats.
9.7.9
Introduction of exotic species (terrestrial and aquatic)
Cause and Comments:
Exotic species may be introduced from outside the mining area by trucks that could become
established as weeds within the concession, particularly Tithonia diversifolia, common along
roadsides in the area.
Significance Statement:
A long-term, moderately severe impact may occur within the study area resulting in the introduction
of exotic species.
Mitigation:
Use of local indigenous species for reclamation must be adhered to;
The weed Tithonia diversifolia noted along river courses on the Likasi road to the east should
be monitored and controlled on site in riparian areas and road verges;
As part of the social upliftment plan, it is recommended that an educational component be
implemented to address the issue of exotic species and their implications to the
environment and people.
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During decommissioning the concession area must be cleared of exotic species that could be
problematic.
Residual Impacts:
Increase in some weedy species may occur after mitigation.
9.7.10
Changes in water flows or quality from development associated with mining
during operations may affect adjacent Riparian plant communities (including
Gallery Forest and Dambo Wetlands)
Cause and Comments:
Dewatering process is likely to impact on flow within the Kii and Kisankala streams within the
concession and downstream, which is likely to have a long-term impact on Riparian vegetation.
Significance Statement:
A permanent, moderately sever, localised impact of high significance may result in changes to
riparian vegetation as a result of mine dewatering
Mitigation:
Minimize water-related effects to vegetation through maintenance of flows in the dry
season, if needed, and treatment of effluent;
Restore equivalent amount of gallery forest during decommissioning phase;
Treatment of wastewater must be adequate so as not to increase nutrient loads of water
entering the streams, which will result in impacts to Riparian vegetation.
Residual Impacts:
Negligible impact after mitigation in the very long-term after decommissioning;
Moderate to High impacts due to changes in downstream water flow as a result of
dewatering;
Low impacts due to water quality changes, mainly associated with in stream works, spills or
releases from containment ponds and groundwater affected by mine materials;
Restoration of gallery forest will result in positive impact during decommissioning.
9.7.11
Long-term changes in Miombo Woodland may occur as a result of dewatering
activities that could lower the water table in the affected area
Cause and Comments:
Dewatering process is likely to reduce the existing water table to below 30 meters, which may have
a long-term impact on Miombo Woodland. Since Miombo tree root systems are mostly confined to
depths of 4 – 15 meters, and do not have direct access to the water table, only changes to
infiltration rate might result in long-term effects.
Significance Statement:
Dewatering process may result in a lowering of the existing water table, (reducing it below the
current 30 meters), which may have a moderately severe impact on Miombo Woodland within the
study area.
Mitigation:
Other than large scale irrigation, no cost-effective mitigation is known;
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Monitoring will be required using satellite imagery to monitor changes in vegetation cover
within the areas predicted to be affected by dewatering.
Residual Impacts:
Impact after decommissioning in the very long-term is largely unknown, but could result in
the decline of Miombo Woodland from the area affected by dewatering;
Moderate to High impacts to Miombo at a regional level due to lowering of the water table
due to dewatering.
9.7.12
Destruction of natural habitats in downstream areas (terrestrial and aquatic) in
the case of a tailings storage facility failure.
Cause and Comments:
Should the tailings storage facility fail, impacts of either a terrestrial or riparian nature could occur,
depending on tailings storage facility siting.
Significance Statement:
Destruction of natural habitat as result of failure of the tailings storage facility is unlikely to occur at
a localised level.
Mitigation:
Build in conservative design features in tailings storage facility (proper safety factors);
Emergency planning to mitigate effects if a failure occurs;
Chose the southern tailings storage facility site (Option B), to reduce the risk of impacts to
the more significant riparian vegetation.
Residual Impacts:
Residual natural risks for the environment from the tailings storage facility are expected to
be in the low to moderate risk rating.
9.7.13
Indirect loss of habitat quality due to dust/mud, sedimentation/siltation and air
quality associated with the mining process
Cause and Comments:
The mining process is likely to result in the formation of dust associated with tailings storage facility,
waste rock dump, blasting, ore removal and transportation as well as mud during the wet season
(September through April), which could have a negative on surrounding terrestrial and riparian
vegetation communities.
Significance Statement:
A localised, long-term negative impact to vegetation as a result of dust, will probably occur of low
significance.
Mitigation:
Blasting is to occur a maximum of once a day at the bottom of the pit so dust is unlikely to
be problematic once sufficient depth is reached.
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Dust control measures should be implemented, especially during the dry season;
Sediment traps to manage sedimentation from surfaced areas such as roads, mine village
and other disturbed areas that may have vegetation removed, to be well-maintained during
the wet season;
Road construction and surfacing should ideally occur during the dry-season to minimise
sedimentation of streams;
Roads must be constructed in a manner that will minimise sediment loads to adjacent
streams;
Residual Impacts:
Negligible to moderate indirect impacts on vegetation due to dust, which are likely to be
positive in the long-term after mine-closure due to improved road surfacing and runoffmanagement.
9.7.14
Intensification of utilization of areas outside of the concession area as a result of
displacement of people from within the concession area
Cause and Comments:
Higher density of people using the same agricultural, grazing and other natural resources due to
immigration of people due to mining may lead to over-utilisation;
Disruptions to subsistence livelihood as people leave their land and try to re-establish themselves on
new land. This will deteriorate further by relocation of people resulting from development of nearby
mines at Goma, Kinshasa and Comide.
Significance Statement:
Intensification of utilization of natural resources outside of the concession will definitely occur as a
result of displacement of people of moderately sever significance.
Mitigation:
Co-operative forest management program;
Compensation and resettlement planning as appropriate;
Possible projects to cultivate useful species should be investigated to allow people to
supplement household income, reduce dependence on the woodland and reduce loss of
Miombo woodland.
Residual Impacts:
Low impact due to loss of access to lands;
Moderate impact due to loss of agricultural land.
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9.8 Cumulative Impacts
Potential cumulative impacts are likely to fall into the following groups:
6. Permanent and seasonal changes to Riparian vegetation downstream of the concession as a
result in dewatering, seasonal extraction and returns, the exact extent and subsequent
result of which is poorly understood at this stage;
7. Permanent and seasonal changes to Miombo vegetation in the area as a result of continuous
dewatering is likely to affect groundwater levels permanently, which will probably have a
long term effect on structure, function and composition of the Miombo woodland
vegetation within the study area and outside area of influence. The exact extent and
subsequent result of which is poorly understood at this stage;
8. Relocation and densification of Kisankala village and the subsequent reliance on vegetation
in surrounding areas is likely to result in permanent increased harvesting of Miombo for
charcoal, timber, agriculture and food harvesting. Since villages will be less spaces apart,
loss of Woodland will most likely be to a greater extent than at present, with recovery rates
reduced due to shortened resting periods.
9. Possible long-term additional vegetation clearing activities to access new deposits, present
but not yet fully prospected and not forming part of this assessment. This could result in
additional removal of Miombo vegetation for infrastructure and additional loss of coppercobalt outcrops (though smaller and less exposed in extent).
10. Due to the poor levels of development and infrastructure within the DRC, the log-term
potential exists for the growth of new cities because of economic opportunities, outside of
the existing Kolwezi, Likasi, Lubumbashi areas, which could result in loss of vegetation at a
mass scale, as can be seen on the outskirts and surrounds of these cities presently. It is
important that regional planning acknowledges this potential, but is outside of the
responsibility of the mining company.
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Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
9.9 Conclusions
Africo will need to employ a multi-faceted approach to keep impacts to flora to an acceptable level.
Options include avoiding copper-cobalt plants as much as is practical and the creation of coppercobalt plant micro-reserves (PMRs) in areas adjacent to the development site. These reserves would
need to be identified and protected from accidental disturbance. Conservation areas should be
established to protect copper-cobalt flora for the life of the mine. Africo should also set aside areas
for ecosystem reconstruction and plant propagation activities. Relocation of potential critical
habitat should also be undertaken to meet the requirements of the IFC’s Performance Standard 6.
Such activities will add to the current knowledge base for copper-cobalt flora conservation and will
aid in the future planning for possible mine expansion. Species extinction is unlikely to occur as a
result of the Africo Kalukundi project, although there is an element of uncertainty regarding this due
to lack of information. An equivalent amount of the vegetation types can be restored within the
concession after mining is completed. Some gallery forest is also located downstream from the
project site on the Kisankala and Kii rivers, but will not be directly impacted upon by mining
activities. Hydrogeological studies indicate that dewatering will result in dry season flows to the river
being sufficiently reduced to affect the health of Gallery Forest. Flows will need to be augmented by
use of irrigation and pumping of water into rivers. In addition, an equivalent amount of gallery forest
to that which may be affected by a lowered groundwater table should be restored in the concession
after mining has ceased, although since groundwater levels are predicted to take 45 years after
dewatering has ceased to recover, this is unlikely to be achievable. Miombo woodland should be
replanted over portions of the plant site and other areas soon as they are available (to minimise
erosion risk and to allow woodland time to regenerate), unless other land use options, which should
be investigated further during mine operations, are approved,.
Effects are expected to be localised and high for Miombo woodland and low Gallery forest
and riparian habitats, but very high for copper-cobalt habitats.
Gallery forest and Riparian habitat will not be directly affected by site clearing but should
there be any, an equivalent area of forest should be replanted during closure.
Copper-cobalt habitats will be impacted as the ore bodies to be mined are covered by this
vegetation.
At the landscape level, the project will increase natural habitat fragmentation (i.e. natural
habitats will decline in total area and patch size and the amount of edge will increase).
Monitoring of changes in stream flow near the mine should be undertaken and flow
augmentation undertaken if gallery forests and riparian vegetation are shown to be affected.
Monitoring of changes in vegetation, because of dewatering, should be undertake and
mitigation undertaken if habitat is shown to be affected.
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Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Table 9.1: Impact Assessment Summary Table
Impact
Risk/ Likelihood
Temporal Scale
Spatial Scale
Degree of Certainty
Severity without
Mitigation
Significance
without Mitigation
Severity with
Mitigation
Significance with
Mitigation
Impact 1: Direct localised loss of rare habitats, in copper-cobalt vegetation communities within the concession
Construction
Will definitely occur
Permanent
Mine area
Definite
Very Severe
Very High
Severe
Don’t Know
Operation
Will definitely occur
Permanent
Mine area
Definite
Very Severe
Very High
Severe
Don’t Know
Decommissioning
Unlikely
Permanent
Mine area
Definite
Very Severe
Very High
Severe
Don’t Know
Impact 2: Direct localised loss of local endemic species, in copper-cobalt vegetation communities within the concession
Construction
Will definitely occur
Permanent
Mine area
Definite
Very Severe
High
Severe
Don’t Know
Operation
Will definitely occur
Permanent
Mine area
Definite
Very Severe
High
Severe
Don’t Know
Decommissioning
Unlikely
Permanent
Mine area
Definite
Severe
High
Moderately Severe
Don’t Know
Impact 3: Direct localised loss of biodiversity including rare habitats and local endemic species, in Miombo vegetation communities
58
Construction
Will definitely occur
Permanent
Study Area
Definite
Severe
High
Moderately Severe
Moderate
Operation
Will definitely occur
Permanent
Study Area
Definite
Severe
High
Moderately Severe
Moderate
Decommissioning
Unlikely
Permanent
Study Area
Definite
Severe
High
Moderately Severe
Moderate
Impact 4: Direct loss of Miombo vegetation habitat
Construction
Will definitely occur
Permanent
Study Area
Definite
Severe
Moderate
Moderately Severe
Low
Operation
Will definitely occur
Permanent
Study Area
Definite
Severe
Moderate
Moderately Severe
Low
Decommissioning
Unlikely
Permanent
Study Area
Definite
Severe
Moderate
Moderately Severe
Low
Impact 5: Direct localised loss of habitat within the riparian vegetation communities
Construction
Will definitely occur
Long-Term
Localised
Probable
Moderately Severe
Moderate
Slight
Moderate
Operation
Will definitely occur
Long-Term
Localised
Probable
Moderately Severe
Moderate
Slight
Moderate
Decommissioning
Unlikely
Long-Term
Localised
Probable
Moderately Severe
Moderate
Slight
Moderate
Impact 6: Improved access to rare habitats and local endemic species leading to removal of rare species
Construction
Unlikely
Short-term
Localised
Definite
No effect
N/A
No effect
N/A
Operation
May occur
Long-Term
Study Area
Possible
Slight
Moderate
Slight
Low
Decommissioning
May occur
Long-Term
Study Area
Possible
Slight
Moderate
Slight
Low
Kalukundi Copper Cobalt Project
Botanical Assessment Report
May 2008
Severity without
Significance
Mitigation
without Mitigation
Impact 7: Reduction in connectivity of habitats affecting movements of wildlife species that may be pollinators or dispersal agents of flora within Miombo
Impact
Risk/ Likelihood
Temporal Scale
Spatial Scale
Degree of Certainty
Severity with
Mitigation
Significance with
Mitigation
Construction
May occur
Long-Term
District
Possible
Slight
Low
Slight
Low
Operation
May occur
Long-Term
District
Possible
Slight
Low
Slight
Low
Decommissioning
May occur
Long-Term
District
Possible
Slight
Low
Slight
Low
Impact 8: Reduction in connectivity of habitats affecting movements of wildlife species that may be pollinators or dispersal agents of flora within Copper deposits
Construction
Unsure
Permanent
Regional
Probable
Severe
High
Severe
Moderate
Operation
Unsure
Permanent
Regional
Probable
Severe
High
Severe
Moderate
Decommissioning
Unsure
Permanent
Regional
Probable
Severe
High
Severe
Moderate
Impact 9: Introduction of exotic species (terrestrial and aquatic)
Construction
May occur
Long-term
Study Area
Possible
Moderately Severe
Moderate
Slight
Low
Operation
Probable
Long-term
Study Area
Possible
Moderately Severe
Moderate
Slight
Low
Decommissioning
Unlikely
Long-term
Study Area
Possible
Moderately Severe
Moderate
Slight
Low
59
Impact 10: Changes in water flows or quality from development associated with mining during operations may affect adjacent Riparian plant communities (including Gallery Forest and Dambo Wetlands)
Construction
Will definitely occur
Permanent
Localised
Probable
Moderately Severe
High
Moderately Severe
Moderate
Operation
Will definitely occur
Permanent
Localised
Probable
Moderately Severe
High
Moderately Severe
Moderate
Decommissioning
Will definitely occur
Permanent
Localised
Probable
Moderately Severe
High
Moderately Severe
Moderate
Impact 11: Long-term changes in Miombo Woodland may occur as a result of dewatering activities that could lower the water table in the affected area
Construction
May occur
Long-Term
Study Area
Possible
Moderately Severe
Don’t Know
Moderately Severe
Don’t Know
Operation
May occur
Long-Term
Study Area
Possible
Moderately Severe
Don’t Know
Moderately Severe
Don’t Know
Decommissioning
May occur
Long-
Jamie Pote