The document summarizes a meeting between the proponents of the Mrima Hill Niobium and Rare Earth Mining Project and the National Environment Management Authority of Kenya (NEMA). The objectives of the meeting were to discuss NEMA's technical questions about the project's Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, address other technical queries, review recent public feedback, and assist the project's technical advisory committee. The project team provided responses, reports, and evidence to NEMA's questions regarding studies on colobus monkeys, archaeology, radiation levels, public participation, environmental education, degazettment notices, and exploration licenses.

1. Mrima Hill Niobium and
Associated Rare Earth Mining
Project – ESIA clarifications
NEMA Technical Meetings
24th October 2012
NEMA HQ office Nairobi

2. Summary
 Introductions
 Meeting Objectives
 NEMA Technical Issues
 EIA Project Team
 Technical Responses
 Other Issues and TAC
 Questions and Answers

3. Meeting Objectives
1. To discuss technical response and
clarification re NEMA’s Eight questions
(letter 19th July 2012)
2. To answer any other technical
questions from NEMA
3. To be advised by NEMA of recent
feedback from public
4. To respond to reports in the media
5. To assist TAC in their review

4. The ESIA Project Team
 Client - Cortec Mining Kenya (6 years of consultations)
 International and Local Team of EIA experts
 32 contributors 30 BSc, 8 MSc, 5 PhD or Post Grads
 8 NEMA Registered Experts
 Subject Expertise including:
Geology, Mining, Forestry, Ecology,
Flora/Fauna, Water, Waste, Social,
Radiation, Archaeology, Public Awareness

5. Ken Wade ESIA Team Leader
35 years experience in Environment Profession
 15 years Regulator
 20 years EIA Expert
 Global experience on major development projects
for Government and Private Sectors
 Published Technical Papers - Nature Conservation
and Environmental Pollution Assessment
 Equator Principles compliant projects to date
exceed U$50 billion and advisor for new cities
 Member of WWF for > 50 years – NEMA Expert

6. NEMA Points of Clarification
1. Study Report of Colobus monkeys
2. Archaeological Report in conjunction with NMK
3. Radiation Survey Report
4. Evidence of Public participation including Kwale
County Council
5. Environmental Public Education Programme
6. Evidence of degazettment notices
7. Evidence of Prospecting License including Mrima Hill

7. Colobus Survey Report (Q1)
Published Survey Report by Dr Jane Anderson of the
Zoological Society of London showed the following:
•Transect surveys undertaken - 123 coastal forest patches
•Colobus found in 54 of the forest patches
•>10% found alongside rivers, mangroves, plantations
•Threats – agriculture, settlements, logging, tourism
•Mrima accounted for 2% of the total no of groups
•Mrima accounted for 2.5% of the total no of individuals
•Survey Results quoted on Colobus Trust website Oct 2012

8. Kenya Southern Coastal Forests

9. Forest Fragmentation (Q1)
Effects of Forest Fragmentation Report by Dr Jane Anderson of
the Zoological Society of London based on the following:
•Colobus occurrence and abundance patterns studied in 46
coastal forest areas
•Study areas from 1ha to >1400 ha (Mrima 382 ha)
•Mrima habitat is <1.8% of Kenya’s coastal forests
•14 tree species linked to >75% Colobus feeding records
•Positive habitat attributes i) closed canopy and ii) density of
major food trees
•ESIA (2011) provides survey data on Colobus habitat

10. Colobus Habitat Mrima Hill (Q1)
Forest Sweep Survey of Colobus on Mrima Hill (August 2012)
overseen by KFS using local community volunteers:
•Sweep survey approach from around base of hill
•Locations marked on sketch map and show most sightings on
mid to lower slopes of the hill (few on the summit)
•Mrima Population estimates 20 groups and 270 individuals
•ESIA Vegetation Survey (May 2011)
• 8 tree species (preferred food) on lower slopes
• 3 trees species (preferred food) in upper “mining zone”
•CONCLUSIONS – Habitat on lower slopes already ensures that
Colobus rarely encountered in mining zone

11. Colobus Survey August 2012 (Q1)

12. Colobus Report Conclusions (Q1)
Proposed mining plans and restoration of forest will have
positive effect on Mrima Colobus population:
1.Mrima Hill provides <1.8% of the coastal forest habitat and <
2.5% of the population groups (Anderson et al 2007)
2.Closed forest canopy and preferred foods (14 trees) are the
two most important attributes affecting Colobus
3.Reforestation will lead to replanting of preferred food sources
and closing canopy in existing open spaces.
4.ESIA Vegetation survey has demonstrated that most preferred
food sources for Colobus are on lower slopes outside the
mineralized zone).

13. Archaeological Report (Q2)
Prepared by Dr Christine Ogola of NMK (August 2011)
“ A systematic survey was conducted by a team of well-
trained archaeologists from the National Museums of Kenya
with a wealth of knowledge and experience in identifying
archaeological remains”
“No cultural materials were identified on the cleared surfaces
for the drill sites”
“The evidence for human activity here presents a picture of
extensive past land-use, most likely by the modern communities
and (potentially) earlier older Bantu farming groups”

14. Archaeological Actions (Q2)
Summary by Dr Christine Ogola of NMK (August 2012)
A shift in emphasis in summary although “possible antiquity is
something which has not been confirmed”
No shift in commitment by Cortec to survey areas of historical
or cultural significance……. However:
1.Further survey without vegetation clearance pointless
2.Watching Brief is clearly stated in ESIA reports (2011)
3.Clearance of selected areas of high significance will be
provide by Cortec after operations have commenced
4.The mining will NOT impact upon the Kaya site which will have
a defined buffer zone established by CMK in consultation with
NMK.

15. Radiation Survey 2012 (Q3)
Survey of 43 sites of naturally occurring gamma radiation
undertaken by expert Nick Tsurikov (Member of RCWA,
ARPS, SPERA, CRCPD, AICD):
Results indicate levels of 1 to 3 micro Sieverts/hour on Mrima Hill
and 0.3 to 0.6 uSv/h on surrounding roads
By comparison naturally occurring radiation in highly
populated areas in:
Brazil 1.96 – 63uSv/h; France up to 7uSv/h; Iran up to 11.9 uSv/h
To set this in context a 5 hour plane journey is equivalent to a
dose of 3uSv i.e 0.6 uSv/h
Radiation levels have previously been measured in all
exploratory samples collected from Mrima Hill and these meet
International safety standards

16. Radiation Survey 2012 (Q3)
Survey of naturally occurring gamma radiation
undertaken by expert Nick Tsurikov at 43 sites
CONCLUSION remains the same as in ESIA
submitted to NEMA (October 2011)
i.e. there is no cause for alarm from any survey results
either on Mrima Hill or in the surrounding area, but in line
with the precautionary principle further testing will be
undertaken during the early phase of the set-up for
mining operations to provide reassurance of compliance
with international safety standards.

17. Public/County Participation (Q4)
4 Public Consultation meetings have been held between
June-August 2011 with >2,000 attendees from local
communities, government officials, councillors and NGOs;
Regular meetings held with Kwale Councillors 2012;
Public meetings minuted and signed off by Area Chief;
6th June 2011 Mwbovo
7th June 2011 Mrima TM
20th July 2011 Mangweli Primary School
18th August 2011 Methodist Church Mamba Village
16th June 2012 NEMA Public Hearing

18. Public Education Programme (Q5)
Public Education Programme provision for local communities:
1. Public Consultations with > 2,000 local people
2. Poster boards describing the project since June 2011
3. Physical Model of the hillside to explain operations since June 2012
4. Poster Boards showing Mining areas and Reforestation Programme
5. Ongoing boards will describe the following:
1. Radiation and Health issues;
2. Reforestation proposals;
3. Archaeology (protection of cultural/historical sites and artifacts)
4. Colobus habitat and protection
5. Employment and training (micro-economy)

19. Public Education Programme (Q5)
Public Support has been provided to the communities:
1. Cortec has been working with the communities since 2006
2. Agro farming projects and training
3. Local employment and training
4. Support for new schools projects
5. New water supply wells for local community
6. New guardhouse and security gate for KFS to protect Mrima Forest
7. Proposed Healthcare facility

20. Sources/Quantity of Water (Q6)
Preliminary assessment of water use issues has already
been undertaken including a specialist study in 2011.
However:
Water is not a significant issue for the mining operations on the
hill. Usage will be minimal and supplied by bowser
The Processing Plant will be subject to a separate ESIA study
The location of the Processing Plant has not been confirmed
although water supply will not conflict with potable water supplies
for local communities
The Plant may use brackish water subject to technical design:

21. Mrima Hill Degazettment (Q7)

22. Mrima Hill Degazettment (Q7)

23. Mrima Hill SPL 256 (Q8)
Exploratory License SPL 256 in Kwale County
SPL 256 issued on the 4 April 2008 (1180km )
th 2
SPL 256 renewed 1st December 2011 (2 years) (50%)
All fees paid according to license requirements
All cores samples are divided to provide Mines & Geology
with every borehole sample taken to date
Examples of SPL 256 Technical Reports provided to NEMA

24. Mrima Hill Map of SPL 256 (Q8)

25. Mrima Hill Map of SPL 256 (Q8)

26. Misconceptions
Misconceptions have been aired about the
project including :
40,000 people will need to be moved away – FALSE
Open cast mining will destroy the forest – FALSE
The Kaya will be destroyed – FALSE
Community water supplies will be affected – FALSE
Radiation levels unsafe for communities – FALSE
Cortec has found diamonds – FALSE
Cortec has started mining – FALSE

27. Thank You

28. Niobium Mining Phases (1-16 years+)

29. Niobium Pit Location 3-D and Design

32. Post Year 16 100% Reforestation

33. Thank You