Cement projects are legally required to prepare an EIA file in accordance with Annex I “28-Cement factories” and Annex II “21-Clinker grinding plant” of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation. For mining projects, an EIA file must be prepared in accordance with Annex I “25-a) Open pit mining planned on a land surface of 25 hectares or more (including excavation and dumping site)” and Annex II “45-a) Mineral extraction (not included in Annex-1 list)” of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation.
After “stay of execution” decision of the 6th Chamber of the Council of State, “facilities that carry out at least one of the crushing, screening, washing and ore processing of 400,000 tons/year or more” are included in Annex I while “facilities that carry out at least one of the crushing, screening, washing and ore processing of 400.000 ton/ year or less” in the Annex II.
The EIA application process for facilities listed in Annex I consists of the following steps.
• Project Owner Prepares and submits EIA application file to Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
• Ministry. Reviews the EIA application file and determines the dates of the Review and Evaluation Commission (REC) meeting and the Public Participation Meeting (PPM).
• PPM is held with the participation of interested parties in the region of the project. Information on the environmental impacts of the project and measures is provided and opinions are collected.
• EIA report. Environment. Prepared in the specific format defined by the Ministry of Urbanization and Climate Change. The report comprehensively describes the environmental impacts of the project, the measures to be taken and the commitments of the project owner.
• The project owner prepares and submits the EIA report, taking into account feedback from the PPM.
• REC reviews and evaluates the EIA report. If the report has discrepancies, the project owner may be given time for elimination.
• The final EIA report is prepared after the assessment of the REC. This report includes the views of the REC and corrections by the project owner.
• The final EIA report is reviewed and an “EIA Positive/Negative” decision is adopted. If the report is found positive, an EIA Positive Decision is issued and the project can be implemented.
The project owner must start the investment within 5 years following the positive decision. If it is found negative, the EIA Negative Decision is issued and the project becomes inapplicable.
The EIA application process for facilities listed in Annex II consists of the following steps.
• Project Owner Prepares and submits Project Identification File (PIF) to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
• The PIF is reviewed within 15 working days where a decision of “EIA required” or “No EIA required” is made. For decisions of no EIA required, the project owner must start the investment within 5 years.
Environmental impacts of cement and mining projects may include:
• Disruption of the General Structure of the Earth – Land Use
• Emissions
• Impacts on Surface/Groundwater
• Effects on Flora and Fauna
• Impact on Forest Areas
• Impact on Agricultural Areas
• Impact from Storage of Raw Material Product Fuel Waste
• Impacts from the transportation of raw materials and products
• Solid and Liquid Wastes
• Vibration, Noise, Visual Pollution
• Social Impacts
• Cultural Heritage
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process is an important tool for assessing and managing the environmental impacts of such projects. In this process, the environmental impacts of the project are identified, measures are taken to avoid or mitigate potential impacts, and the environmental impacts of the project are managed. In this way, the project’s impact on the environment can be reduced by minimizing environmental impacts.
