GEOCAM MINING CAMEROON S.

A
Forge your way

PROJECT FOR THE RESEARCH OF GOLD, COPPER, WOLFRAMITE

AND RELATED SUBSTANCES ON THE BENOUE PERMIT

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL

MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
(ESMF)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Directed by

Ing HERVE CHARLOT TAKLIEU

Environmental and Social Assessment Consultant

13th February 2022

(+237) 652 18 33 66 / 699 25 00 31 geocam.mining.cameroon@gmail.com

P.O. Box 4313 Yaounde, Madagascar, Cameroon - Contr. N°M051812705938R - RC/YAO/2018/B/393
 SYNOPTIC PRESENTATION

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

Title of the document : (ESMF) FOR THE GOLD, COPPER, WOLFRAMITE AND RELATED
SUBSTANCES RESEARCH PROJECT ON THE BENOUE PERMIT

Status Exécutive summary

Date of publication 13th February 2022

PROJECT FOR THE RESEARCH OF GOLD, COPPER,

Project name WOLFRAMITE AND RELATED SUBSTANCES ON THE BENOUE
PERMIT

Location Arrondissements of TCHOLLIRE

Project number No 663

Author HERVE CHARLOT TAKLIEU

Reviewed and
amended by Alain Le 13th February 2022
Takougang

Reviewed by Ing
Le 13th February 2022
Taklieu

Project owner GEOCAM MINING CAMEROON S.A

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Objectives of the ESMF.................................................................................................4

2. Methodological approach...............................................................................................4
3. Brief description of the project.........................................................................................4
4. Brief description of the environment of the project area.........................................................4
5. Policy, strategic, legal and institutional framework...............................................................5
6. Summary of public consultations.....................................................................................5
7. Impacts / risks and generic management measures.............................................................6
8. Environmental and social management procedure..............................................................7
9. Communication/Public Consultation Plan..........................................................................7
10. Capacity building..........................................................................................................7
11. Indicators for monitoring the implementation of the ESMF.....................................................7
12. Action plan for the implementation of the ESMF..................................................................8

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 1. Objectives of the ESMF
The objectives of the ESMF are to:

 To institute a reliable and effective process of environmental and social consideration in the planning
and implementation of the Mineral Exploration Project;
 To identify the potentially damaging elements but also all the contributions and benefits of the project to
the targeted territories;
 Define the principles, rules, guidelines and procedures that will enable the assessment of the
environmental and social risks and impacts of the project;
 Identify and analyse the capacities of the structures responsible for managing the environmental and
social risks and impacts of the project;
 Define the institutional arrangements for the implementation of the ESMF.

2. Methodological approach
The methodological approach adopted for the elaboration of the ESMF of the present Project was based on an
analytical approach which allowed the integration of environmental and social considerations to be anticipated
from the planning stage of the project. In general, a participatory and consultative approach was applied in order
to take into account the opinions and arguments of the various stakeholders. The methodological approach is
based on three interlocking and complementary stages:

 the collection and analysis of data mobilised through the document review ;
 the collection and analysis of data from field visits and consultations with key stakeholders
 synthesis of the data analysis and drafting of the report;
 presentation of the results and integration of suggestions for improvement.

3. Brief description of the project

In October 2020, a mining research permit was issued by the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Technological
Development to GEOCAM MINING CAMEROON S.A., in accordance with Order
N°000323/A/MINIMIDT/SG/DM/SDCM. This permit n° 663 named BENOUE, is valid for a period of three (3)
years, renewable four (4) times (for periods of validity of 2 years each). It covers an area of 428 (Four hundred
and twenty-eight) Km2 and authorises the said company to carry out geological and mining exploration of
potential deposits of gold, copper, wolframite and related substances in the area concerned.

As part of its activities, GEOCAM MINING CAMEROON S.A. conducted a high-resolution aeromagnetic survey
using a flyover of the project area. The aim was to select the areas of greatest interest (where the magnitude of
the magnetic anomaly is appreciable) and to determine their approximate extent. This allowed the detailed
magnetic map of the area to be drawn up. Ongoing field surveys are producing outcrop data for the project area.
The completed magnetic map and these outcrop data will be used to produce a detailed geological map of the
licence.

The results of these initial studies made it possible to sketch out a route for the access roads and tracks to the
drilling points, to identify the area where the lifeboat could be installed, the water withdrawal points for supplying
the lifeboat, the area for carrying out the test drilling on the potential exploration sites in the licence area.

4. Brief description of the environment of the project area

Biophysical environment

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The climate of the locality comprises two seasons of equal duration. A dry season that lasts six months and is
characterised by extreme harshness. The rainy season also lasts six months, with most of the rain falling
between July and August. As for the relief, it is fairly flat and reminiscent of the Adamaoua plateau.
In the permit area, two types of soil can be distinguished. The soils located on the higher ground with a high sand
content, which are clayey sand, lateritic soils, form the bulk of the cultivable areas.
The hydrography is particularly dominated by the Benue River and its confluences. They run through the
Commune of Tcholliré in the direction of the Benue basin.
The vegetation formation seen throughout the permit is composed of a shrub layer and a grassy layer. The shrub
layer consists of shrubs reaching 15 to 20 metres in height.
There is a diversity of wildlife species in the licence area. Antelopes, warthogs and sometimes hippos can be
found in this area.
Human environment
The local population is made up of several ethnic groups who reside in riverside villages, the main ones being the
Dourou, Mboum and Toupouri (from the Far North region).
The circulation of local actors takes into account the need for cultural, social and economic services and
exchanges.
The land tenure system is mainly managed by the farm managers and customary authorities. The various crops
grown in this area are maize, sorghum, cotton and cowpeas, with some groundnuts. Livestock farming is strongly
rooted in the culture and has a considerable influence on the way of life of the populations.
Commercial activity is booming in the project area. The population is increasing significantly, leading to increased
consumption. There is excessive exploitation of wildlife, which has significantly reduced the wildlife population in
the project area. This high pressure also affects the plants in the area, which has led to the extinction of some
plant species. In addition, artisanal gold mining is booming in the area, leading to severe degradation of soil and
forest resources.

5. Policy, strategic, legal and institutional framework

In general, the national environmental and social policy promotes the integration of environmental and social
aspects into development policies, programmes and projects. It places great emphasis on informing and
sensitising the population to environmental and social risks. Several strategies, at national, sub-regional and
international levels, offer entry points for the implementation of environmental and social management aspects in
the framework of sustainable development.
At the legal level, Cameroon has signed and/or ratified several conventions and agreements at the international
and regional level aimed at protecting the biophysical and human environment. A set of legislative and regulatory
texts covering several areas: environment, water, biodiversity, land, social, economy, etc. exist.
At the institutional level, the management of natural resources and the biophysical and human environment is
ensured by several national public institutions, including public administrations, municipalities, private developers,
civil society organisations and local communities.

6. Summary of public consultations

Preliminary meetings took place during the exploratory site visit and demarcation, as well as during the launch of
the surface sample collection campaign. These meetings were held with a number of stakeholders.
The purpose of the exploratory visit was to establish initial contact with the stakeholders concerned by the project,
to announce more detailed consultations, to inform them about the project and to gather their initial opinions. We

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met with some stakeholders, including the populations and their traditional chiefs as well as the sub-prefect of the
TCHOLLIRE district.

7. Impacts / risks and generic management measures

At the current stage of project formulation, it is not possible to accurately identify and assess all the impacts likely
to be generated by the project. Thus, the planned environmental and social assessments will allow for a better
identification of the impacts related to the project. However, we can identify the following potential impacts:
Positive impacts
 Job creation ;
 Reduction of social inequalities and improvement of living conditions of minority groups;
 Increased trade, development of economic activities, extension of use rights and improvement of
income;
 Improved road facilities.
Négative impacts
 Risk of air quality degradation;
 Impact on climate change;
 Modification of soil structure, compaction, erosion, leaching and pollution risk;
 Landscape change ;
 Noise and vibration;
 Reduction in vegetation cover, decrease in forest products and destruction of wildlife habitat;
 Increased poaching and loss of wildlife diversity;
 Risk of expansion of respiratory infections, STIs/AIDS and waterborne diseases;
 Risk of work and traffic accidents;
 Risk of electrocution and fire;
 Risk of conflict;
 Risk of crop destruction;
 Disruption of the living environment of minority groups and risk of damage to cultural heritage;
 Risk of depravity of morals;
 Damage to property rights of local residents;
 Risk of damage to pre-existing crossing structures.
Improvement and mitigation measures
 The conduct of a summary ESIA is recommended to propose management solutions that best
address environmental and social aspects;
 Give priority to hiring local labor (men and women) and purchasing local products (food, basic
materials) as much as possible;
 Train users of motorized equipment well;
 Apply preventive maintenance of equipment;
 Plan information, education and communication activities during and after project
implementation;
 Safe management of hazardous materials (hydrocarbons, chemicals, etc.);
 Plan emergency measures in case of accidental spills;
 Develop, communicate and implement safety and prevention measures for workers;

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  Implement a communication plan to inform the local population of the planned work, the
opportunities available to them, but also the potential nuisances associated with it and ways of
reducing disturbances.

8. Environmental and social management procedure

The environmental management procedure during the project implementation phase will be based on the
following main steps depending on the sub-projects and the instruments to be mobilized: Identification of the sub-
projects, categorization and validation of the environmental and social categorization of the sub-projects,
selection of environmental and social measures on the basis of the ESMF, existing environmental and social
clauses and good practices in case no specific safeguard instrument is to be mobilized, preparation of the
environmental and social safeguard instrument according to the categorization.

9. Communication/Public Consultation Plan

A public communication and consultation plan to address and facilitate effective participation of all project
stakeholders has been proposed. It incorporates the regulatory communication and participation requirements. In
this context, it is planned to publish the final version of this ESMF, and subsequent studies, including on the
GEOCAM MINING CAMEROON S.A. website. The presence of the Bororo, considered at national level as
indigenous peoples, requires a special communication and mobilization approach in order to obtain their free,
prior and informed consent (FPIC). A complaint management mechanism to deal with the grievances of project
residents has been proposed as part of this ESMF.

10. Capacity building

A capacity building plan for the entire chain of project actors, to be implemented on the basis of a needs analysis,
has been proposed to address any gaps that may be identified. The plan emphasizes the need to ensure that the
project team and other service providers are strengthened in environmental and social safeguarding. The various
actors should also be encouraged to pool their efforts to integrate environmental considerations for the benefit of
the sustainable development of the project area.
Themes of reinforcement could concern awareness raising, information and training on national regulatory
requirements for environmental management, aspects to be taken into account for the integration of
environmental and social considerations in activities, monitoring and follow-up indicators, reporting, denunciation
and complaint mechanisms related to the respect of environmental and social requirements.

11. Indicators for monitoring the implementation of the ESMF

Under Article 27 of the 2013 decree setting out the modalities for conducting an ESIA in Cameroon,
administrative and technical monitoring is carried out by the competent administrations. The promoter is required
to produce a biannual report on the implementation of the environmental and social management plan, which it
sends to the Ministry in charge of the environment. An Administrative and Technical Monitoring Committee for
environmental and social management plans is set up in each department. The following indicators can be used
to measure the effective implementation of this ESMF:
 the completion of the summary ESIA of the project;
 the number of awareness, information and training sessions organized ;
 the number of tender and execution dossiers that have integrated environmental and social
requirements ;
 the number of monitoring and follow-up missions carried out by the project's environmental and social
experts.
Parameters to be monitored to assess the effectiveness of this ESMF in relation to relevant variables could
include

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  Water-related: Rainfall (quantity and distribution); Water quality, Water levels, Flooding;
 in relation to soil: soil quality; erosion and sedimentation;
 in relation to Fauna and Flora: Plant cover, Quality of ecosystems, Quality of wildlife habitats, Evolution
of Biodiversity;
 in relation to air: Air pollution, GHG émissions;
 in relation to cultural heritage: Preservation of cultural heritage;
 in relation to indigenous populations: Living conditions of indigenous populations;
 in relation to land use: Land use trends, Land use conflicts;
 in relation to health and safety: Number of accidents, Prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases,
Prevalence of water-related diseases, Level of safety, Social conflicts, Level of use of health facilities.

12. Action plan for the implementation of the ESMF

The implementation of this ESMF is the responsibility of GEOCAM MINING CAMEROON S.A. which should be
involved at all levels of the chain. It should facilitate and harmonize the interventions of other stakeholders,
notably public administrations, municipalities, other programmes and projects, civil society organizations and
service providers.
The ESMF provides for the following measures:
strengthening the capacities of the various actors ;
mobilization of the various actors;
the establishment of a Complaints Management Mechanism and a Conflict Management Mechanism;
the completion of the summary ESIA of the project and the impact statements of certain activities or
infrastructures as appropriate ;
 implementation of environmental and social impact management measures ;
 monitoring and follow-up of the implementation of impact management measures.
The synthesis of responsibilities and costs for the implementation of these provisions is proposed in the following
table.
Table: Summary matrix of responsibilities and costs for implementing the project's ESMF

Monitoring period Cost (CFA)

Action Project Project Project Implementers (actors)
preparatio implementation completion
n
Detailed ESIA of the ore - Project coordinator 50 000 000
mining phase (including - QHSE Manager
cumulative impact - Consultants
assessment)
Completion of the summary - Project coordinator 25 000 000
ESIA of the ore exploration - QHSE Manager
phase - Consultants
Completion of impact - Project coordinator 10 000 000
assessments where - QHSE Manager
appropriate - Consultants
Awareness raising, - Project coordinator 5 000 000
information and training for - QHSE Manager
capacity building of - Consultants
stakeholders
Implementation of measures - Project coordinator 20 000 000

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in the mining research phase - QHSE Manager
- Consultants
Monitoring the - Project coordinator 5 000 000
implementation of measures - QHSE Manager
including support to public - Consultants
services
Complaints and Conflict - Project coordinator 10 000 000
Management Mechanism - QHSE Manager
- Consultants
Monitoring the effectiveness - Project coordinator 5 000 000
of measures including - QHSE Manager
support to public services - Consultants
- Competent authorities