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Background…. Lake
Natron Resources Ltd (the proponent), a company jointly owned by the Government
of Tanzania, represented by its agency the National Development Corporation (NDC)
and TATA Chemicals Ltd of Mumbai, India is considering developing a soda ash
facility at Lake Natron in Arusha Region. The Lake falls into Ngorongoro (west)
and Loliondo (east) districts with the present access road in Monduli District. The
proposed development covers the establishment of a soda ash extraction and
processing plant and associated infrastructure at Lake Natron and as well as
access road to the plant. Since
the 1950’s Tanzania has considered the potential to abstract soda ash from
Lake Natron; 1950 (Guest and Stevens); 1972-76 (Toyo Soda Manufacturing) and
1993 (Ingenierie). In 1996 an EIA was carried out on one proposed site near
Engare Sero for the abstraction of 150,000 tons of soda ash per annum.
Commercial abstraction of soda ash in Lake Magadi in Kenya has been ongoing for
over a century. After
the 1996 EIA study and a proposal by Kenya to develop the Ewaso Ngiro (South) Multpurpose
Project, that would affect the main source of fresh water into the Lake, the
Ministry of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division, registered the Lake as a
Ramsar site (July 2001). By virtue of the environmental importance of the
location in which the development is intended and the number of known
environmental and social impacts that are associated with the process during the
engineering works i.e. design, construction and operation, a comprehensive
assessment to address these impacts is recommended. Tanzania
has designed guidelines for developers (proponents) outlining appropriate
procedures for the identification and address of impacts and ensuing mitigation
measures with the aim to minimise all negative impacts and enhance positive
impacts. The outcome of this procedure is the ESIA, which enables the write-up
of an environmental impact statement (EIS). The EIS provides the environmental
authority with a basis to certify the project as being environmentally sound
having adequately addressed all potential impacts. The guidelines ensure that
the proponent is in PROJECT
BACKGROUND IN DETAIL Studies A number of studies have been conducted on Lake Natron Soda
Ash deposits since it became known to European commercial interests, in the late
nineteenth century. The Geological Surveys undertaken to date include several
exploratory investigations in the area and geological mapping conducted during
1950’s. Detailed studies conducted on Lake Natron Soda Ash include the
following:- §
Study on Soda/Salt Crust of Lake Natron by N.J. Guest -
Geologist, Geological Surveys of Tanganyika 1951. §
Preliminary Survey report on Lake Natron Soda Ash deposits
by Toyo Menka and and Toyo Soda Manufacturing Company Ltd. 1973. §
Evaporation of Volcanogenic Sediments in Playa Environments
of the Lake Natron Area and their Implication for Metallogenesis by Dr. Joseph
Mushi of the Mineral Resources Division, Dodoma 1985. §
The Prefeasibility Study Report on Natural Soda Development
through Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA) and carried by M/s Toyo
Soda Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Toyo Menka Keisha Ltd. Tokyo during 1978. The pre-feasibility studies carried out revealed that there
were enough Soda Ash reserves for utilization, and that the resources get
replenished annually. The current development initiative
is based on the Feasibility study conducted by M/s MDPA Inginerie of
France, during 1992 – 1993. The study revealed that a plant for soda ash
extraction can be constructed at Lake Natron and a Caustic Soda plant can be
constructed at Tanga for easy exportation. The development of the project is
based on this study and confirmatory studies are being carried out for
implementation. Project
Promotion NDC started to promote the project all over the World for
development after being mandated by the Government in 1996 to attract private
investors. The development of the project was structured to be carried out
jointly with private sector (Joint Venture) who possesses modern and appropriate
technology in soda ash/chemical industry. NDC will be the minority shareholder
in the project, while the rest will be for the private companies. The first step
was to conduct a full feasibility study involving an environmental impact
assessment study, evaluation of technical and financial viability and
development of a business plan through Public Private Partnership arrangements. There were a quite good number of private investors all over
the world who were interested in developing the project but Tata Chemicals
Limited (TCL) of India was able to qualify to enter partnership with NDC to
develop the project at Lake Natron to utilize the soda ash resources. The
utilization of Lake Natron resources and establishment of Soda Ash manufacturing
facility would facilitate Tanzania to put foundations for inorganic chemical
industry in the country and spur further economic growth. TCL and NDC signed
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2005 to commission a feasibility study for
this project aimed at ascertaining techno-commercial viability of setting up a
500,000 Tonnes per annum manufacturing facility to produce Natural Soda Ash. 3.0
PROJECT BENEFIT TO THE COUNTRY The Government in establishing the Soda Ash manufacturing
plant at the Lake Natron, in Arusha Region and Caustic Soda Plant in Tanga
Region, intends to utilize the rich natural soda resources in the Lake Natron to boost and transform the
country’s economy in terms of industrial value chain. The project will benefit
the country on the following: §
Establishment of a chain of World Class chemical and other
downstream industries using soda ash resource as a base §
Use of project as the anchorage for further development
initiatives in the locality and improve standard of living of the project
surrounding community §
Appropriate technology transfer in chemical industrial line §
Job creation opportunity to the Tanzanians. §
Improve balance of payment in the economy §
Further strengthening of manufacturing industries §
Stimulate development of Tanga Development Corridor §
Development of associated infrastructure in the area such as
road, railway line, power generation, power transmission and distribution and
Tanga Port §
Provide stimulus and impetus to the Service sector ABOUT THE PARTNERS
PROJECT
PARTNERS National Development Corporation
The National Development Corporation (NDC) is an economic
organization owned 100% by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania (URT),
which was established in 1962 by an Act of Parliament. Currently, NDC exists
under the Public Corporations Act of 1992 as a development organization. The NDC
plays a catalytic role in the economic development of the country with the
overall development objective of facilitating and promoting the economic
development of Tanzania. The mission of NDC is to spearhead the economic
transformation of the Country through industrialization by initiating,
developing and guide implementation of commercially viable projects in
partnership with the private sector. The Government of URT has given broad mandate to NDC to
operate on commercial principles within and outside the Country. Priority is on
commercially viable projects in key sectors such as industry, mining,
agriculture, tourism, etc., with significant impact on the economy, which
increases forex earning; utilizes natural resources and local materials; and
creates jobs and skills transfer. Mandates
NDC among others has been
mandate by the Government of URT to: §
Play a proactive role in initiating basic industrial
development projects in the country focusing on resource – based industrial
development. §
Develop Mchuchuma Coal, Liganga Iron Ore (Base Metals) and
Lake Natron Soda Ash Projects (specific project Mandates) §
Be Government agent on Spatial Development Initiates (SDI)
Programmes - Mtwara Development
Corridor (MtDC) and Central Development Corridor (CDC) §
Restructuring/Formalizing the Small Scale/Artisanal Mining
Sub-sector to enter the formal sector §
Promote agribusiness and agro-processing The
NDC was established to facilitate and promote national economic development.
Initially, it engaged itself in every important sector of the economy with the
role of identifying potentials for tapping country’s resources endowment, and
initiating their exploration by developing and implementing projects that would
contribute to the development of Tanzania. NDC is therefore one of the key
institutions with specific role of spearheading implementation of projects and
businesses conceived to be of significant importance to the future development
and transformation of the Tanzanian national production structure and export
mix. In recent times with the changes in National Economic Management Policies,
NDC is now required to undertake its role in close partnership with the private
sector. NDC’s corporate development plans of recent years have
been conceptualized with the view of enhancing the corporation’s capacity and
capability in spearheading identification of investment opportunities that will
attract investment allocations from both public and private sectors toward
poverty alleviation. Primary Object of NDCThe Corporation has the following primary
objectives: §
To identify and lead the development of projects which have
high inherent potential for economically viable exploitation, in partnership
with the private sector. §
To initiate and facilitate the establishment of a
competitive and sustainable world class industrial infrastructure in the
manufacturing, processing and packaging primarily aimed at adding value to the
output from primary production activities of mining, agriculture as well as the
exploitation of natural resources with the overall objective of spearheading
export-led growth. §
To create a human capital base for sustainable development
and implementation of economically viable projects. Tata
Chemicals Limited Tata Chemicals Limited, one of the prominent Tata Group
companies, in six decades since its inception, has been continuously raising the
bar in technological competence and gaining recognition as a leader and
innovator. The company besides being world’s third largest manufacturer and
marketer of Soda Ash is also a pioneer and market leader in the branded and
iodized salt segment in India. The company also owns and operates
state-of-the-art fertilizer complex manufacturing urea and phosphatic
fertilizers. TCL - Beyond
business
The
company has an enduring commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment,
serving and improving the communities in which it functions, and adheres to one
of the best ethical standards of corporate behaviour. TCL takes the greatest
possible care to ensure the safety, health and welfare of its staff and the
communities living around its facilities. Protecting the environment is a
crucial component of this equation. The company is a signatory to Responsible
Care, a voluntary global initiative of the chemical industry, which calls on
enterprises to demonstrate their allegiance to safety, health and environmental
issues. "What
comes from the people must go back to the people many times over"
—
this principle is an inheritance from the founding fathers of the Tata Group.
TCL honours its legacy through the Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development
(TCSRD), established in 1979 for the benefit of the rural population in and
around the company's plants and townships. TCSRD's fundamental purpose is to
foster development that is sustainable and integrated. Be it helping with
natural resource management, livelihood support, or the building of health or
education infrastructure, TCSRD's aim is to improve the lives of the rural
communities around its facilities. The participation of the beneficiaries is
vital to the success of the programmes it undertakes, and forms the basis of all
project designs. TCL Envirocare
Some people think that environmental matters are cause for
concern. TCL on the other hand views them as an inherent duty that is part and
parcel of being in business. TCL has always striven to be responsible and
sensitive on ecological and environmental matters. This is done by protecting,
conserving and restoring natural resources, often far beyond what is mandated by
government and other institutional policies. TCL is dedicated to constantly improving performance on the
prevention of pollution, the proper use of natural resources and minimization of
hazardous impact stemming from the development, production, use and disposal of
any of its products or services. Various TCL manufacturing facilities are also demonstrating
how innovative technologies help improve the quality of life without adversely
affecting the environment. TCL’s kinship with the cause of environment and ecology
has resulted in slew of initiatives that place the good earth above bottom
lines. If awards are any measure or proof of commitment and action, then time
and again TCL has received highest recognitions at various national and
international forums for its unrelenting efforts to further this cause. Besides wide variety of initiatives involving technical and
technology innovations like those related to Conservation of resources, Waste
management, Water management, recycling treated sewage, there have been some of
the exemplary initiatives of Tata Chemicals, which are related to: Biodiversity
Tata Chemicals, which has its chemicals complex at Mithapur
in Okhamandal, is involved in a variety of programmes aimed at protecting and
enhancing the environment of the region. The company's 'biodiversity reserve plantation project',
implemented with the support of employee volunteers, works to preserve
indigenous vegetation, which is under threat from the rampant spread of a weed
called Gando Baval (Prosopis juliflora). Under the project, 30 acres have been
afforested with 12 native species of vegetation, including endangered species
such as gugal, and 18 species of herbs. About 15 acres are added to this
plantation every year. The objective is to create a botanical reserve that will
be a stronghold for endangered plant species and also an assured seed bank for
the mass regeneration of these species. Migratory Birds
Spread over 37,000 acres, the company's salt works play host
to thousands of migratory birds. During the winter months the place turns into a
bird-watcher's paradise, with flamingos and herons flocking to the pans. Tata Chemicals is also involved in making life easier for
its avian friends. The company has created a nesting platform for Caspian terns
at its Charakla salt works, which attracts hordes of migratory aquatic birds,
particularly during the winter season. A colony of Caspian terns, the only one
of its kind in the country, has been breeding at the Charakla salt works for the
past five years. Whale Shark
The whale shark was upgraded to Schedule I of the Wildlife
(Protection) Act in May 2001. Although poaching has greatly reduced subsequent
to this, legal protection is not enough. It is extremely difficult to
continuously patrol the nearly 1,600-km Gujarat coastline, which constitutes
one-third of India's coastline. Official figures reveal that before 2001, over
150 whale sharks were poached along the Gujarat coast in western part of India.
Independent figures however put this number at 500. This was particularly
alarming because the Whale Shark does not attain sexual maturity before the age
of 30 years, and poaching at this rate would pose a serious threat to its
breeding and in turn upset the fragile marine ecosystem. Building awareness
among the locals about this fish was thus perceived as the key to protecting
this species. The campaign to spread awareness about the world's largest
fish, which was till recently being brutally slaughtered along the Gujarat coast
for export, is being spearheaded by the Wildlife Trust of India and its partner,
the International Fund for Animal Welfare, is actively supported by Tata
Chemicals Limited. Tata Chemicals has played a part in making the annual visit
of the magnificent whale shark to the waters off the Gujarat coast a less bloody
affair The government had done its bit to save the whale shark, but
the creature needed more friends. Help arrived in the form of a partnership
involving the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the International Fund for Animal
Welfare and two corporate entities, Tata Chemicals and Gujarat Heavy Chemicals.
Tata Chemicals, which has its soda ash plant in Mithapur, one of the breeding
areas of the whale shark, is providing financial and infrastructural assistance,
besides the committed support of its employees. The company's other environmental efforts include providing
logistical and other support to non-governmental organisations such as the
Gujarat Nature Conservation Society and the World Wide Fund for Nature (India).
This support is mainly in the form of assistance to school and college students
who come observe and study the rich marine life found off the Mithapur coast. PROJECT LOCATION General Description
Lake
Natron is located in the Northern part of Tanzania, at latitude 2o
20’ South, and longitude 36o 10’ East. The Northern shore of the
lake touches the territorial boundary with Kenya. The nearest town to Lake
Natron is Arusha at a distance of 179 km and the nearest port is Tanga, which is
at a distance of 617 km. In the Country Biodiversity profile of 2002, Tanzania
is recorded to have three sites befitting Ramsar categorization. Lake Natron is
one of these sites and was designated as the Lake Natron Basin Ramsar site in
2001. The area adjoins the world famous Serengeti Wildlife area and is within
the Lake Natron Controlled Game Area. Lake
Natron is a soda lake situated in the bottom of the Rift Valley basin (Gregory
Rift) at an elevation of around 600 m above MSL and surrounded by Rift Valley
escarpments and volcanic mountains whereof the mountain of Oldonyo Lengai in the
south is still active. The area is considered to be in “2A” Seismic zone.
The volcanic rocks surrounding the Lake generally show a high alkalinity. Hot
springs having high water alkalinity and salinity flow out of these volcanic
rocks. These springs are said to be the major source of the brine and trona
crust formation in the lake. Administrative
Areas of Lake
Project
Site Alternatives
Evaluated:
As
a part of Environment and Social Impact Assessment study, a sensitivity analysis
was used to carry out preliminary site selection and to ensure that there is low
likelihood of fatal flaws occurring. A ranking and buffering system for various
environmental and social themes was used. The results indicated that the
proposed site at Wosi – Wosi would be the preferred site due to limited impact
on key habitats and flamingos. Activities Status Update 1.
ESIA 2.
Hydrology & Resource Assessment –
Phase I 3.
Infrastructure & Logistics 4.
Process Development 1. Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA): Norconsult A.S., Norway in association
with Norconsult, Tanzania has been entrusted with carrying out a comprehensive
ESIA in accordance with guidelines of National Environment Management Council (NEMC),
Tanzania. Chronology of Milestones of ESIA process: v
Application
in prescribed form submitted to NEMC informing about the proposed project along
with proposed project brief (September ’06) v
Scoping
Notice to the Public & / or Interested and Affected Parties (IAP’s)
published in leading English and Kiswahili language newspapers of Tanzania
(September ’06) v
Scoping
Report inclusive of Terms of Reference for ESIA was submitted to NEMC (November
’06) v
Reconnaissance
and data collection Field trips and further consultations with IAP’s followed
and were continued in the ESIA Phase. v
First
Stakeholders Workshop was conducted at Monduli District Headquarters (January
’07). o
The participants included representatives from Villages and
Wards in the vicinity of proposed project area and from the district authorities
having jurisdiction over the proposed project site. v
Second
Stakeholders Workshop at Dar es Salaam (July ’07). o
Besides others participation from Central and Regional Govt.
authorities, Environment Regulator, Conservationists, International and
Trans-boundary Stakeholders v
A
Draft ESIA Report based on various environmental and social impacts related to
the Proposed Project has been compiled and sent to NEMC. The Draft ESIA report includes: o
Project Background and description o
Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework o
Baseline data §
Socio-Economic and cultural environment §
Biophysical environment §
Archeological environment o
Consultation with Stakeholders including Trans-boundary
consultations o
Identification of possible &/or probable positive as
well as negative impacts - including spatial and temporal considerations o
Analysis of alternatives o
Enhancement and Mitigation measures for the positive and
negative impacts respectively. o
Environment Impact Statement o
Proposed Environment and Social Management and Monitoring
Plan v
Based
on the Comprehensive ESIA carried out, the Potential impacts identified and
proposed mitigations are: Administrative / Planning Impacts v
District
administration too weak to enforce mitigation actions – Establishing
institutional structure to monitor implementation v
Loss
of Ramsar status due to cumulative change in ecosystem processes (Ewaso Ngiro;
Irrigation in highlands; Peninyi Hydro; Rail and Road to Musoma-Uganda) –
Establish Natron Ramsar Authority v
Loss
of dry season grazing along SE shore of Natron – Alternative access route v
Discharges
and emissions – prevent or limit to acceptable levels v
Change
in Lake Chemical Composition – Abstract at near sustainable rates or monitor
and suspend operations if impacts observed v
Reduced
wilderness value due to noise – Accommodation and power facilities outside of
Ramsar site v
Reduced
wilderness value and disturbance due to lighting – Minimise, focus inward, no
lights on lake surface Biological / Ecological Impacts
o
Change in freshwater inflows, springs and Lake composition
to biodiversity (endemic fish and Lesser Flamingo) – No change to dry season
inflows, springs off limits, no disturbance to Lesser Flamingo breeding sites o
Loss of Cyperus laevigatus sedgelands – Off limits and
reroute access o
Disruption to Manyara – Natron wildlife movement corridor
– Speed limits and daylight operations only o
Reduced value of Lake to Lesser Flamingos due to change and
disturbance – Key areas off limits, effective and enforceable linked
monitoring of Lesser Flamingos o
Barriers on lake surface impacting on Lesser Flamingo chicks
and adults – no barriers or permanent excavations o
Change in perennial lagoons due to abstraction resulting in
increased disturbance of Lesser Flamingo nesting sites – No reduction of
inflows o
Disturbance near or loss of Fresh Water habitats reducing
Lesser Flamingo chick survival – No change to key Fresh Water habitats nor
disturbance within buffer zones o
Uncontrolled settlement leading to non sustainable resource
use and collapse of ecosystem – “closed town” tightly controlled staff
recruitment. Social & Cultural Impacts
o
Loss of archaeological and cultural heritage – salvage
material prior to construction o
Improved livelihoods (access to wage labour) o
Loss of livelihoods (grazing land) – closed town o
Influx of migrant population – enforce employment
restrictions o
Increased Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS – induction courses
and support to District infrastructure o
Improved access to social services o
Reduced aesthetic value – limit development in Lake basin o
Diminished conservation value - limit development in Lake basin o
Pressure on water resource - weir (allow natural flows) o
Economic Impacts o
Loss of grazing land systems (dry season) – compensate
land loss, restrict access on eastern shore o
Opportunity for wage labour – limited by employment policy o
Influx of migrant population – access to plant from
‘town’ restricted to project o
Tourism – inform operators of project activity Environment Management Plan (EMP) o
Construction will be controlled through implementation of
the Environmental Management Plan. The plan operationalizes the mitigation
requirements of the ESIA o
The operational requirements of the ESIA should be
incorporated into the LNRL Environmental Management System o
Three levels of organisation: §
Environmental auditor (EA) §
Environmental Management Officer (EMO) §
Environmental Site Officer (ESO) o
The ESIA Recognizes that the plant falls within the Ramsar
site and that district administration is weak. o
For successful implementation of the ESIA during operation
there must be Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan (ESMP) Committee made up
of: §
Proponent (Senior Mgmt) §
Environmental Management Officer (EMO) §
Senior District authorities §
Natron Ramsar Authority §
NEMC
Critical
Mitigations v
Lesser Flamingo o
Site the plant as far as possible from breading areas and
ensuring site illumination is “sensitive”. Siting the plant away from Lake
foreshore. o
No permanent barriers to movement are placed on the Lake o
Entrenched / underground pipes and lines and avoid barrier
structures o
Minimize noise from pumps on the Lake and engineer plant to
produce as low noise levels as reasonably possible v
Access o
Avoid running access road alongside or parallel to the
Lakeshore. Alternative access route to be considered that runs from Longido to
site avoiding sensitive areas on south eastern shore. v
Power o
Feasibility of sourcing grid power to be explored rather
than captive power generation on-site v
Water o
Development must not abstract water such that conflicts area
caused with local communities and functioning ecosystems. o
Recycle water as far as possible o
Considering sourcing water from higher rainfall areas on
escarpment to the east. v
Township o
To discourage unwanted secondary development, the facility
should operate as a “closed compound” o
Not to hire casual labour from new migrants – contractor
to import labour for construction period. The Environmental Impact Statement: No single or likely cumulative impacts have been identified
that would with certainty preclude project development However, o
limited knowledge available on the functioning of the Lake
Natron ecosystem as it relates to critical species suggests a probability of
significant environmental risk that may not be capable of direct mitigation Hence, o
an enforceable link between environmental monitoring and
continued project operation is proposed as an essential means of offsetting risk 2. Hydrology and Resource Assessment
Study – Phase I v
A
Hydrology and Resource Assessment Study had been commissioned for Brine and
Water resource assessment in the proposed project area as well as to study
Hydrological balance – present and in view of proposed project. v
The
study was carried out by a Hydro-geologist from Norconsult A.S. A report for the
Phase I findings has been forwarded to us. v
This
study was done in close association with ESIA facilitating both ESIA and
Hydrology findings to feed into each other. v
The
highlights of Preliminary Findings as suggested in the report are: o
The brine reserves preliminary estimate is 217 million cubic
meters. These reserves, with an estimated production capacity of 0.5 mn TPA of
Soda Ash are expected to last 46 years. This estimate for sake of simplicity is
without taking into consideration any brine recharge or ‘zero’ brine
recharge. (In reality however, it is evidently known that brine recharge does
take place.) o
Brine Quality: 7.6% to 13.5% Na2CO3 o
Report seems to be raising questions on methodology and
estimate of lake brine concentration as reported in various previous studies and
some literature. The brine concentration, as suggested in this report, is likely
to be lower than earlier being assumed / considered / reported. o
Availability of significant water (process &/or potable)
source in close proximity to the proposed project site is doubtful. Known water
sources suggested as of now would entail pumping water from a distance of 15 –
20 km. o
Report recommends conducting further detailed investigations
with respect to brine and water resources and carrying out pumping trials for
brine abstraction from the lake. 3.
Infrastructure & Logistics aspect: RITES, India had been contracted to do a complete Logistics and
Infrastructure study from Proposed Project Site to Tanga Port. This involved o
Assessing the
present Infrastructure. o
Suggesting
upgrade or construction of new facilities o
Suggesting most
cost effective and efficient mode / mode mix for transportation of raw material
and finished product v
Based on the draft report… o
From long term
perspective complete rail transport from Lake Natron to Port Tanga is suggested
to be the most cost effective. The work involved and cost implications in this
option are likely to be quite high. It would be impossible to create and upgrade
all facilities required for this in short span of time. o
Investment on
required infrastructure is suggested to be approx. 354 mn USD o
The Freight
from Plant to Tanga Port as calculated for this mode mix is suggested to be
around 22 USD/ Ton for break bulk movement and 11 USD/Ton in case of container
shipment. However, RITES does not recommend containerized movement due to
certain anticipated limiting factors. o
The most
suitable mode mix suggested by RITES as an interim arrangement, till the
complete Rail Transport becomes feasible is “By Road from Plant site to Moshi
(260 km) and then by Rail from Moshi to the Port Tanga (351 km)”. o
The requirement
of Investment on infrastructure is suggested to be approx. 219 mn USD. o
The Freight
from Plant to Tanga Port as calculated for this mode mix is suggested to be
around 47 USD/Ton (34 USD for Road transportation and 13 USD for rail
transportation) in break bulk supply and it is coming 33 USD/Ton in case of
container shipment. However, RITES does not recommend containerized movement due
to certain anticipated limiting factors. 4. Process Development: v
Based on
initial techno – commercial evaluations of various alternatives, Deca Hydrate
Process for manufacturing of Soda Ash from Lake Brine seemed to be most
promising. This process was further worked upon and a Basic Engineering document
was prepared. v
Services of
Akzo Nobel Technology & Engineering B.V. (ANT&E) were taken for
validation of various Basic Engineering techno-commercial aspects. v
The Basic
Engineering developed has been validated by ANT&E suggesting few minor
corrections. v
In addition to
this as contracted, ANT&E has come up with some attractive alternatives for
different sub-processes. These alternatives are being further studied for taking
into consideration. v
From the
analysis of preliminary lab trial results, presence of Organics in the Lake
Brine seem to be affecting the product quality. Further investigations are being
contemplated on lab scale in association with ANT&E in this regard. WAY
FORWARD
ESIA
§
Receiving Comments from NEMC §
Compilation of Final ESIA Report incorporating comments from
NEMC and submission for approval Hydrology and Resource Assessment §
Deciding on Phase II investigations, which would involve o
Brine Abstraction feasibility and methodology o
Detailed investigation on sourcing water Logisitics §
Receiving Final Report Manufacturing Process §
Process fine-tuning and finalizing parameters for various
sub-processes. |
