29 Jul 2015

The Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama is aware of the presence of wildlife at the Sua Mine based on an aerial survey conducted by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) between 1994 and 2012.

Answering a question in Parliament, Mr Khama said the department had consulted the mine authorities and information received indicated that the wildlife populations were manageable.

He said general areas had up to 450 different species of birds, including both the lesser and greater flamingos which come to the area for breeding.

In relation to the environmental management and monitoring of the mine environs, the minister said the Department of Environmental Affairs continues to monitor the implementation of the 2010 Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMP) of the Sua Mine which followed the Environmental Impact Assessment study (EIA) for the whole property in 1993.

“The EMP has since been supplemented with additional reports approved in 2012 and 2013 to ensure the security and integrity of the mine environment,” he said.

Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga had wanted to know if the minister was aware that numbers of wildlife at Sua Mine had increased a lot in the recent years due to the secure environment of the mine, and if so, what plans were in place regarding the management of the environment and monitoring services. ENDS