Case Decision - 198969

The CHIA report notes that under normal operating conditions, impacts to ICH will be low. The mitigation measures in the CHIA report seem satisfactory in attempting to reduce impacts to ICH through the recommendation of having rigorous community participation/consultation. This mitigation measure is considered especially important if categorical opposition is raised against the proposed exploration well drilling activities. As reported on page 53, in chapter 4 of the ESIA, there have been four public meetings with a total of 82 attendees, four focus group meetings with a total of 75 attendees, as well as one workshop with small-scale fishers with an unreported number of attendees. On page 58, under section 4.4.2.9 of the ESIA, details are provided stating that there will be more public meetings and various focus groups with the aims of giving stakeholders a chance to raise grievances, issues, concerns, or simply comment on the proposed exploration well drilling. SAHRA eagerly awaits the outcomes of these consultation sessions to see whether any further impacts to ICH emerge and requests that this information be shared with us.Please note that all updates and/or changes to the project, supporting documentation, correspondence, reports, or any other work relating to the project must be uploaded to the case on SAHRIS to provide SAHRA with the opportunity to comment. SAHRA does not accept emailed documents or hard-copy documents received via post.