Environment
Mwana Africa limits the impact of its operations on the environment through responsible waste disposal and prevention of pollution, and optimizing the use of resources such as water, fuel and electricity. Proactive measures are taken to conserve local biodiversity, and to re-establish habitats disrupted by vehicle movement, waste rock dumps and tailings dams.
In all but one of our operations, internal and external environmental audits were completed this year. No significant non-compliances were found, and Freda Rebecca received a complimentary report from the Zimbabwean Chamber of Mines for overhauled environmental management systems. Monitoring of water discharged by pumping after the flooding incidents at Klipspringer Mine showed no contamination of the groundwater. Geohydrological studies at Freda Rebecca Mine established that the groundwater has not been contaminated with Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) or industrial pollution or effluent. Proactive water quality practices have sufficiently improved on Freda Rebecca Mine to reduce its discharge permits from red to blue.
Freda Rebecca has successfully implemented an Environmental Management Programme, prepared in accordance with the Equator Principles and the performance standards of the IFC/World Bank/World Health Organisation Guidelines. This Mine has begun the process of obtaining ISO14001 certification for environmental practices.
Mwana Africa recognises its obligation to rehabilitate the sites where it has operated. Financial provisions are in place for costs associated with the closure of the company’s operations in Zimbabwe and South Africa, as prescribed by local laws.