Nalunaq
Social Impact Assessment - A Summary
This important study examines in detail what impact the mining operations at Nalunaq proposed by Angel Mining (Gold) A/S might have on the community and its environs. It has been prepared by Peter Watkinson, BSc, PgC, MIMMM, FIQ, MMES, AIEMA, who has worked in the mining industry for over 38 years. He has experience at a high level of responsibility in the technical, operational and managerial aspects of mining, together with experience of operational design planning and assessment, tendering and new project assessment, permitting, planning, environmental and management audit.
The Social Impact assessment process is very much dependent on the engagement and participation of the stakeholders and the general public by the Developer. The Developer must explain in clear and simple terms what the potential socio-economic impacts of the project entail and must outline and explain both the potential benefits and disbenefits of the project.
It is suggested that the information, liaison, communication and participation opportunities presented by Angel Mining in this case have been sufficient to inform the stakeholders and general public of these potential impacts, benefits and disbenefits.
The reopening of the Nalunaq Mine will provide significant socio-economic benefits to the local community and to South Greenland in general, in terms of direct employment, 45 locally filled roles in well paid non-seasonal employment, together with knock-on employment due to indirect and induced jobs created due to the mine’s operations which could amount to a further 16 to 18 jobs.
Kommune Kujalleq and the Greenland Government will receive considerable revenues from the taxes levied on individual wages and on the company’s profits.
Local businesses and suppliers will benefit from the company’s stated intention to utilise them to provide as much as possible of the mine’s requirements for supplies, materials and small works and also to source much of the mine’s foodstuffs and domestic consumables from local suppliers. The company will also encourage new businesses to provide supplies to the mine and will, where practical, unbundle contracts to allow local businesses to take part in contract tendering processes.
Angel Mining has undertaken to enter a binding social agreement with Kommune Kujalleq to facilitate the operation of the mine and will undertake regular liaison with the local community and stakeholders to inform them of progress and plans. Angel Mining intend to be a part of the community in which they operate and take an active part in community life.
The main negative social impacts of the project will occur at mine closure with the loss of jobs from the operation. The major mitigation for this is that the workforce that has been employed will have been fully trained with multi-skilled experience that will be transferrable to other mining operations or other sectors of employment.
Other mitigation includes the opportunity to enhance the local tourist industry by the possible retention of appropriate parts of the mine infrastructure, such as the harbour at Sarqa Fjord, the road connecting the harbour and the mine at the upstream section of the Kirkespir valley and the mine accommodation facilities.
It is concluded that the socio-economic benefits of the project outweigh any disbenefits.
2010 Environmental and Social Imapct Assessment (ESIA) - A Summary
This important study examines in detail what impact the mining operations at Nalunaq proposed by Angel Mining (Gold) A/S might have on the community and its environs.
Contributors to the study include Timothy Daffern, Director of Mining at Angel Mining, GBM (Minerals Processing), Golder Pastec (Ventilation, Geotechnical Design, Water, Backfill) and P I Watkinson (Technical Author and Co-ordinator of the ESIA)
The ESIA considers both positive (beneficial) and negative (detrimental) effects of projects, as well as the residual effects, after proposed mitigation measures have been taken into account.
The report has been written in accordance with the regulatory requirements in Greenland and the comments of the Statutory and Regulating Bodies have been taken into consideration in the formulation of this project.
The area disturbed by the development of Angel Mining (Gold) A/S’s Nalunaq Gold Mine is not close to and does not involve any of the following designated areas of special interest:
- Areas or sites of potential great sensitivity or unique geomorphological characteristics
- Areas of special importance to wildlife
- Areas with valuable, sensitive or representative biotopes - except for the Arctic char population in the Kirkespir River which would potentially be vulnerable to pollution from the mine but which will be fully protected by the proposed mitigation measures.
- Areas of spiritual, cultural, or other socio-economic value including areas of special importance for traditional resource use. A large Norse Farm does exist in the Kirkespir River delta but this lies outside the mine’s curtilege and some distance from the mine link road and will not be affected in any way by the mine’s operations.
The environmental impact of the previous mining operation have been seriously noted and marked by Angel Mining plc. Good environmental practice has been taken into account and built into the operational design of the mine, including the amendments and additions to the mine’s mineral process route and effective mitigation measures will be enforced to minimise the potential adverse impacts of the development. Full environmental control will be maintained to limit all adverse impacts. The mitigation measures proposed will result in no significant residual adverse impacts.
The development will have significant economic and social benefits for Greenland and the local community and Kommune Kujalleq in particular. Well paid work will be provided together with the knock-on indirect and induced economic benefits which will improve the individual, family and community economy and reduce unemployment.
It is believed that the Nalunaq Mine can successfully operate and exploit the gold resource without causing major adverse environmental impact. It is further believed that the benefits of the project to Greenland as a whole and the local community in particular far outweigh any potential disbenefits of the project.
This study is due to be updated in the near future.