Changate Borrow Pits
STAFF WRITER | Tuesday March 3, 2026 10:05
NOTIFICATION
Notice issued in terms of Section 10 (2) of the Environmental Assessment Act, (CAP 65:07)
NOTIFICATION FOR PUBLIC REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) FOR THE PROPOSED BORROW PIT 1 & 2 AT CHANGATE VILLAGE BY LOBKOM INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD.
The major findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study undertaken for the proposed gravel extraction at borrow pits 1 & 2at Changate village in the Tutume District are summarized hereunder:
a. Description of the Project
Lobkom Investments (Pty) Ltd is proposing gravel extraction in borrow pits 1 & 2 at Changate village. These proposed borrow pits are going to be used to source gravel material which will beneficial in the construction of the Dagwi - Changate road.
b. Location of the Project/Development
The proposed borrow pits are located near Changate village, Tutume district. Borrow pit 1 is located along the Changate – Nkange main road, within agricultural area and it is about 1.5km away from the village. There is an access road from the tertiary road to the proposed site. Borrow pit 2is in the outskirts of the village and it is about 1km away from the village. It is located far from a tarred road and located next to a water course.
c. The anticipated environmental impacts of the project and the proposed mitigation measures to respond to both negative and positive environmental impacts.
The following anticipated impacts are likely to occur during the construction, operation, and decommissioning stages:
Project Activities Description of Impacts Description of Mitigation/Enhancement Measures
Construction phase impacts
Decrease air quality Air pollution from dust The access road should be sprinkled with water to suppress dust
Vegetation clearance Loss of vegetation. Bush clearing should only be carried out within the construction areas
Spillages of oil from machinery Surface and Ground water Pollution Provision of drip trays for the machinery in case of any leakages dictated.
Should spillages occur accidentally, the soil should be removed immediately and cleaned up.
Littering and poor waste handling on site Land Pollution Provide litter collecting receptacles
Litter should be disposed at the designated landfill.
Portable sanitary facilities should be provided on site and should be emptied regularly
Increase in ambient noise levels due to site preparation activities of the borrow pit Noise Pollution Regular maintenance of the machinery to reduce unwanted noise.
Scheduled site preparation period should be adhered to avoid longer than necessary exposure to noise.
Workers should be provided with noise protection gear such as ear plugs and ear mufflers.
Safety incidents during site preparations Increased risks of occupational health and safety hazards Issuance of proper protective equipment should be practiced.
First Aid Kit should be always made available at site
Increased short-term employment within the project locality area. Increased employment opportunities A recruitment procedure that abides by the provisions of the Employment Act should be implemented. There should be gender equity in the recruitment of labour
Operational phase
Decrease air quality Air pollution from dust The access road should be sprinkled with water to suppress dust
Trucks transporting construction material should be covered during transportaion.
Spillages of oil from haulage trucks Surface and Ground water Pollution Provision of drip trays for the machinery in case of any leakages dictated.
Should spillages occur accidentally, they should be cleaned up and treated immediately.
Littering and poor waste handling on site Land Pollution Provide litter collecting receptacles.
Litter should be disposed at the designated landfill.
Portable sanitary facilities should be provided on site and should be emptied regularly
Increase in ambient noise levels due to excavation activities of the burrow pit and movement of machinery and haulage trucks Noise Pollution Regular maintenance of the machinery
Scheduled construction period should be adhered to avoid longer than necessary exposure to noise.
Workers should be provided with noise protection gear such as ear plugs and ear mufflers.
Safety incidents during operational activities Increased risks of occupational health and safety hazards Issuance of proper protective equipment should be practiced.
Workers should undergo routine medical check-ups. First Aid Kit should be made available at site
Increased short- term employment within the project site locality area. Creation of Employment A recruitment procedure that abides by the provisions of the Employment Act should be implemented.
Business investment opportunities Boost to local economy Citizen owned Small Medium Enterprises (SMME’s) should be engaged where possible to facilitate the Citizen Economic Empowerment Drive
Decommissioning Phase
Decrease air quality Air pollution from dust The access road should be sprinkled with recycled water to suppress dust
Trucks transporting rehabilitation material should be covered during transportaion.
Increase in ambient noise levels due to rehabilitation activities of the borrow pit Noise Pollution Regular maintenance of the machinery
Workers should be provided with noise protection gear such as ear plugs and ear mufflers.
Scheduled rehabilitation period should be adhered to avoid longer than necessary exposure to noise.
Littering and poor waste handling on site Land Pollution Provide litter collecting receptacles for different forms of waste at strategic locations.
Litter should be disposed at the designated landfill.
Portable sanitary facilities should be provided on site and should be emptied regularly