Effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment follow-up as a tool for environmental management: lessons and insights from platinum mines along the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe

被引:0
作者
P. Gwimbi
G. Nhamo
机构
[1] National University of Lesotho,Department of Environmental Health
[2] University of South Africa,Exxaro Chair in Business and Climate Change, Institute for Corporate Citizenship
来源
Environmental Earth Sciences | 2016年 / 75卷
关键词
EIA follow-up; Mitigation; Effectiveness; Great Dyke; Zimbabwe;
D O I
暂无
中图分类号
学科分类号
摘要
The concept of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) follow-up has received considerable attention in recent years. However, a number of EIA practitioners have pointed out that there is lack of EIA follow-up evidence on the effectiveness of implemented mitigation measures in practice. This study examined EIA follow-up evidence of implemented mitigation measures and their effectiveness in protecting the environment from platinum mining and processing plants operating along the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe. Using data from environmental impact statements; environmental management plans, environment monitoring reports; and views of environmental managers and selected local residents, and field observations, the study examined the utility of EIA follow-up as a tool for enhancing the effectiveness of implemented mitigation measures. The results show that EIA follow-ups are carried out with emphasis being given to procedures. The adverse impacts of sulphur dioxide; dust and noise on local residents’ health around the platinum smeltering plant put into question the sustainability of current mitigation measures. The paper overall argues that a lot more needs to be done to bridge the gap between the current state of EIA follow-up in Zimbabwe and international best practices regarding the substantive dimension of EIA effectiveness. Using results from the study, the paper highlights the limitations of the current approach to follow-up conceptualization and suggests ways to strengthen the overall effectiveness of EIA.
引用
收藏
相关论文
共 63 条
  • [1] Ahammed A(2006)Environmental impact monitoring in the EIA process of South Australia Environ Impact Assess Rev 26 426-447
  • [2] Nixon B(2013)Environmental assessment follow-up in Ghana: challenges and opportunities J Environ Impact Assess Rev 41 38-44
  • [3] Appiah-Opoku S(2001)Environmental impact assessment follow-up: good practice and future directions-findings from a workshop at the IAIA 2000 conference Impact Assess Project Appraisal 19 175-185
  • [4] Bryan CH(2003)Evaluating the effectiveness of British Columbia’s environmental assessment process for first nations’ participation in mining development Environ Impact Assess Rev 23 581-603
  • [5] Arts J(2007)The effectiveness of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) follow-up with regard to biodiversity conservation in Azerbaijan Manag Environ Qual 18 591-596
  • [6] Caldwell P(2004)The role of science in environmental impact assessment: process and procedure versus purpose in the development of theory Environ Impact Assess Rev 24 403-426
  • [7] Morrison-Saunders A(2004)The interminable issue of effectiveness: substantive purposes, outcomes and research challenges in the advancement of environmental impact assessment theory Impact Assess Project Appraisal 22 295-310
  • [8] Baker DC(2015)Improving effectiveness of mitigation measures in EIA follow-up Manag Environ Qual 26 518-537
  • [9] Mclelland JN(1984)Guidelines for improved institutional analysis in water resource planning Water Resour 20 323-324
  • [10] Bataineh RH(1998)Importance of context in measuring the effectiveness of strategic environmental assessment Impact Assess Project Appraisal 16 255-266