Develop suite of technically and financially viable low or zero-mercury alternatives small-scale operators OB1L/STTA Assess MPUs with potential to enter Better Gold Initiative (BGI) or other mechanisms OB1L/STTA Support Colombia Responde in providing technical assistance to mining associations for the management of the three pilot zero-mercury technology (gravimetric) plants completed during BioREDD+/Mining (Guarumo, Jardín, Asotramiagro) OB1L/ARC Assess technical and financial viability of additional centralized, zero-mercury processing plants in Antioquia and Chocó, services that ASMs and barequeros could potentially access OB1L; STTA Work with gold shops and CARs to better capture mercury vapors and develop protocols for handling and disposal of recovered mercury DCOP/ME&EM/ACON Provide technical assistance and training to MPUs entering the legalization process prepare EIAs or PMAs and PTOs OB1L/ARC/CRC/ ME&EM/STTA Implement initial field-level training with MPUs OB1L; STTA Objective 2: Increased government, community and private sector capacity to address environmental degradation by illegal ASM operations Expected Result 2.1: Reforestation NAMA supported in areas degraded by unauthorized ASM operations Undertake initial sourcing of potential reforestation partners DCOP Engage RIA and if possible, develop an improved plan for implementing land rehabilitation projects DCOP Engage INCODER to negotiate a special co-financed land tenancy unit dedicated to mining rehabilitation in target areas COP/DCOP Identify potential community-level participants/beneficiaries and assess their capacity to organize and contribute Identify initial sources of financing for rehabilitation activities (both Colombian and foreign) COP/DCOP/PMU Develop initial land bank of possible intervention areas in Antioquia, including legal analysis DCOP/STTA Develop initial list of contributors to machinery bank in Antioquia DCOP/STTA/ARC Source potential areas for rehabilitation (forestry and/or sustainable agriculture) in Chocó DCOP/ARC Develop macro-level plan for rehabilitation/reforestation DCOP/STTA Implement first rehabilitation activity in Antioquia DCOP/STTA/ARC/ Commercial Operator(s) Legalization of first long term agreements for rehabilitation DCOP/STTA
INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION Project Appraisal Document Environment Program (PAD) PROJECT LOCATION: Colombia TITLE: Environment Program ACTIVITY NUMBER: TBD LOP FUNDING: US$ 175,000,000 LIFE OF STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE: FY14 to FY20 IEE DRAFTED BY: Daniel Lopez, USAID/Colombia Recommended Threshold Decision: Categorical Exclusion, Negative Determination with Conditions, Positive Determination Date prepared September 26, 2014 I. Background This Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) requests from the Latin America and Caribbean LAC Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO), approval for the new Environment Program (EP) under the PAD for the DO4, approved in August 2014. Through the Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy’s Development Objective (DO) 4, “Environmental Resiliency and Low Emissions Development Strengthened,” USAID/Colombia expects to invest $170 million, during fiscal years 2014-2020 to support the achievement of a sustainable and inclusive peace in Colombia. In addition, these investments will implement the Presidential Initiative for Global Climate Change, conserve critical biodiversity, increase state presence, formalize illegal mining, and recuperate degraded mining sites. II. Project Description While a Government of Colombia (GOC) and Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia –FARC- agreement would open up economic opportunities in rural territories and bring benefits, it would carry added challenges to sustainable natural resource management and response to a changing climate. Possible consequences include irresponsible natural resource management, an unfettered expansion of the agricultural frontier leading to degradation of forests and watersheds, and low capacity at the department level to manage anticipated climate change impacts. GOC commitment to providing and enforcing ecosystem protection and sustainable land use practice would be vital. As security concerns will undoubtedly persist, environmental factors related to climate change, such as weather related displacement, drought, and flooding, could put vulnerable communities further at risk, placing additional stress on pre-existing conditions leading to social and environmental instability. Land use and the management of legal, illegal, and informal mining are intimately connected to a sustainable peace and may be scaled up as rural areas become more secure. Likewise, failure to recognize and mediate environmental conflicts through a rational framework would further exacerbate existing tensions, particularly between marginalized rural populations and the state. Sustainable environmental management is critical to protecting Colombia’s welfare and economic future.
part by the BIOREDD activity. The mine operator demonstrated gold recovery methods that are mercury free as well as mercury recycling unit. The operator also showed the team areas where Acacia. (Acacia mangium) is being planted to restore mine tailings. The mine operator appears to be compliant with local laws and policies and is making significant strides to improve environmental protection and worker health and safety. Photo 1: Active alluvial extraction area Photo 2: Re-contouring and Acacia planting site Photo 3: Recently completed reforestation Photo 4: Mercury recovery device Subsequently, the team visited the Santacruz corporative that is currently receiving assistance from USAID under the CELI Norte-Sur alternative livelihoods activity. This area was previously impacted by illegal mining operations and is a candidate for reforestation and restoration under the Oro Legal activity. It was noted that the sites in question appear to be healing under a natural succession process and the cooperative is making significant income from a variety of aquaculture activities. The final stop on Tuesday was a Dagadi S.A.S gold buyer in Caucasia. This shop only accepts mercury free gold although it does have a mercury recovery system for capturing residual mercury obtained in the refining process. It was noted however, that many gold buyers still operate mercury burners in their facilities. According to officials from Dagadi, they receive no price premium for mercury-free gold. Photo 5. One Kilogram of gold worth about $60,000. On Wednesday May 4th, the team visited the Guarumo cooperative, an association of miners that use in- river drags to extract gold-laden sediments from the river bottom. This association was also provided with technical assistance towards legalization under the BIOREDD Program. As with the Las Palmas mine, this group has replaced mercury with specialized machinery that allows them to separate gold from sediments by gravity. Of particular utility is the centrifuge seen in Photo 7. Photo 6: Sediment separator Photo 7: Sediment centrifuge