Since 1974, the international community has celebrated World Environment Day every 5 June. Its commemoration aims to raise awareness and encourage action to protect the environment. The theme of World Environment Day on 5 June 2023 will focus on solutions to plastic pollution as part of the “Fight Plastic Pollution” campaign. The environmental news website https://minesactu.info asked Dr Alain P.K. Gomgnimbou, Director General of the National Environmental Assessment Agency, for an interview on environmental protection in Burkina Faso’s mining sector. In this first part, he presents his organisation, the legal framework that protects the environment in the mining sector and ANEVE’s role in environmental protection in the mining sector.
Could you tell us about ANEVE?
The National Environmental Assessment Agency (Agence nationale des Évaluations environnementales, ANEVE) is a public administrative body created in 2020. Historically, it was a department housed within the Environmental Preservation Directorate of the Ministry of the Environment until 2009. In 2008, the department was transformed into the National Office for Environmental Assessments and Special Waste Management. In 2012, the department became the National Environmental Assessment Office (Bureau national des Evaluations environnementales, BUNEE). The current name, National Environmental Assessment Agency (Agence Nationale des Evaluations environnementales, ANEVE), dates from 2020, following its transformation into a public administrative body.
ANEVE is generally responsible for implementing all environmental assessment strategies in the country. In addition to this, the agency must promote good practice in environmental assessments in collaboration with other structures within the ministry, participate in the work of interministerial structures responsible for environmental issues, organise environmental inspections, provide advisory support and train stakeholders in environmental improvement, and also examine applications for approval from environmental assessment consultancies.
What role does ANEVE play in environmental protection in general?
ANEVE is a central structure. It is at the heart of the environmental assessment process, both upstream and downstream. As a cross-cutting body, the Environment Code clearly states that all activities that are likely to have a significant impact on the environment must first receive the opinion of the Minister in charge of the Environment. Environmental assessments must be carried out before the activity is implemented. And even when the activities are carried out, the ministry in charge of the environment, through ANEVE, has oversight of the activities in question, so that it can monitor environmental management within these production units.
Speaking of the mining sector, why is environmental protection so important?
Environmental protection in the mining sector is very important because mining projects are technically and economically complex due to the nature of the activities involved. This means that all incoming and outgoing flows, and probably mining products, can have an impact on the ecosystem. Before mining sites are established, there are natural landscapes. But after a mine closes, the landscape changes completely. So it’s important to preserve the environment.
You mentioned the Environmental Code. What do the texts say about environmental protection in the mining sector?
Mining projects are like all industrial projects, and the legislation is clear. All mining projects undergo an environmental assessment prior to start-up. From prospecting to construction, even when the project units are in operation, environmental assessments are required. At closure, they are obliged to draw up a rehabilitation and closure plan.
What is ANEVE’s role in protecting the environment in the mining sector?
In terms of its remit and missions, ANEVE plays a key role in environmental protection in the mining sector. ANEVE is responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental protection legislation, particularly with regard to environmental assessments. In other words, mining projects are obliged to operate in compliance with environmental protection regulations. These requirements are set out in the environmental feasibility opinions that are issued prior to implementation. Generally, these opinions are accompanied by recommendations in favour of environmental health, the global ecosystem and local residents.
Interview conducted by Rachid Ouédraogo
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