Environmental

Our high safety standards and environmentally friendly operations have yielded a clean and no casualty record over the passed seven years. An Environmental Audit Certificate issued by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) remains in place. Environment and Rehabilitation (EIA) issues have been strictly adhered to as set out in the Act. No chemicals or pollutants have been used in the conduct or our exploration work. Waste Management All undesirable materials (e.g. subsoil, drilling fluids, process residue, refuse, etc) shall be isolated, removed or otherwise disposed as appropriate in a manner providing for long-term stability and in keeping with Nigeria’s environmental standards.

The slope of the reclaimed area shall be stabilized using appropriate reshaping and earthwork measures, including proper placement of soils and other materials. Appropriate water courses and drainage features shall be established and stabilized.

The baseline survey would be conducted to identity the quantity and quality of all surface and subsurface waters which may be at risk from the proposed mineral operation. Where appropriate, action shall be taken to eliminate ground water co-mingling and contamination.

Topsoil, selected subsoil, or other materials suitable as a growth medium shall be salvaged from areas to be disturbed and managed for later use in reclamation.

A concurrent reclamation shall be applied to prevent unnecessary or undue degradation resulting from erosion. In this case the surface area disturbed during the development of this project shall be kept to the minimum necessary and the disturbed areas reclaimed as soon as practical. Soil conservation measures, including surface manipulation reduction in slope angle, re-vegetation and water management techniques shall be used. Sediment retention structures or devices shall be located as close to the source of sediment generating activities as possible to increase their effectiveness and reduce environmental impacts.

When the final landform is achieved, the surface shall be stabilized by vegetation or other means as soon as practical to reduce further soil erosion from wind or water, provide forage and cover, and reduce visual impacts.

Shaping, grading, erosion control and visual impact mitigation of possibly affected site were reviewed not only to assure that the topography of the reclaimed lands blend in as much as possible with the surrounding landforms, natural drainage patterns and visual contrasts but also to enhance the success of re-vegetation. Pit backfilling is highly desirable. It provides an effective means for reclamation of the disturbed lands to a productive post-mining land use.