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Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015
Project Phase 2: Concentrator Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
Volume 9: Legacy Environmental Issues
March 2013
Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues
in the
Former LAMCO Mines and Industrial Areas
VERSION DATE: 6 FEBRUARY 2013
ArcelorMittal Liberia Ltd.
P.O. Box 1275 Tubman Boulevard at 15
th Street
Sinkor, Monrovia Liberia
T +231 77 018 056
www.arcelormittal.com
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 2 of 100
Contents
1. LEGACY DAMAGE FROM LAMCO................................................................................................ 3
1.1 LAMCO and LIMINCO ............................................................................................................ 3
1.2 The legal position .................................................................................................................... 3
2. OVERVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY DAMAGE ...................................................... 4
2.1 Mount Nimba mine area .......................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Mount Tokadeh ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.3 Yekepa .................................................................................................................................... 8
2.4 Yekepa-Buchanan railway .................................................................................................... 10
2.5 Buchanan .............................................................................................................................. 14
3. CONTAMINATION OF SOILS ...................................................................................................... 19
3.1 Contaminated soils assessment, 2008 ................................................................................. 19
3.2 Contaminated soils assessment: Yekepa, Nimba mine and Tokadeh.................................. 20
3.4 Contaminated soils assessment at Buchanan, 2011-12: Introduction .................................. 44
3.5 Contaminated soils assessment: Buchanan main tailings area ............................................ 49
3.6 Contaminated soils assessment: Buchanan wash plant area .............................................. 55
3.7 Contaminated soils assessment: Buchanan fuel tank farm area .......................................... 59
3.8 Other contamination investigations at Buchanan.................................................................. 66
4. DAMAGE TO RIVERS .................................................................................................................. 68
4.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................... 68
4.2 Summary assessment of Nimba rivers, 2008 and 2009 ....................................................... 69
4.3 Detailed assessment: geomorphology and channel forms ................................................... 69
4.4 River-borne sediment characteristics .................................................................................... 77
4.5 Particle size analysis ............................................................................................................. 79
4.6 Sediment fingerprinting ......................................................................................................... 81
4.7 Aquatic habitats ..................................................................................................................... 88
5. ASBESTOS ................................................................................................................................... 90
5.1 Presence of asbestos ............................................................................................................ 90
5.2 Initial asbestos investigation, Yekepa LAMCO Rail Workshop ............................................. 90
5.3 Detailed asbestos investigation, Yekepa .............................................................................. 94
6. LEGACY CONDITIONS AT GREENHILL QUARRY, BONG COUNTY ....................................... 95
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
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1. LEGACY DAMAGE FROM LAMCO
1.1 LAMCO and LIMINCO In 1953 the Liberian government gave permission for a group of foreign geologists to begin exploring northern Nimba County in search of iron ore reserves. In 1955 a geologist found what he described as „a world of iron ore‟ on Mount Nimba, and the Liberian American-Swedish Minerals Company (LAMCO) was formed by a group of US and Swedish investors in order to exploit this ore body. A 273 km railway was rapidly built between 1960 and early 1963, connecting northern Nimba County to the coast at Buchanan. Production began in 1963, and in its first ten years LAMCO excavated 84 million tons of iron ore from the Nimba mine. Mount Tokadeh was also mined from 1972, but closed in 1982 due to a depressed world iron ore market. As the project grew, the residential area was moved from Grassfield to Yekepa, which became a thriving town, with a population of over 20,000 by the late 1970s. To encourage their workers to stay on the project, LAMCO installed a number of leisure facilities, including a swimming pool, golf course, cinema, air strip and library. The company also funded a hospital and a number of schools. As the resources at the Nimba mine started to be depleted, plans were made to exploit iron ore reserves discovered on Mounts Gangra and Yuelliton, and to connect the railway to a new project in Guinean Nimba. A new company, the Nimba International Mining Company (NIMCO) was to be formed in order to do this. However, the political situation in Liberia was deteriorating, and in 1989 mining was stopped. Soon afterwards the Liberian government terminated its contract with LAMCO and the company‟s expatriate employees were forced to leave. LAMCO‟s assets were given over to the Liberian Mining Company (LIMINCO), but in early 1990 insurrectionist forces came over the border from Ivory Coast to Nimba County, Yekepa was captured and all mining activities stopped. Much of the mining equipment and LAMCO infrastructure was looted and damaged during the civil war, as a series of war lords invaded the town. Peace was eventually restored, and in 2005 the Interim Government signed a concession with ArcelorMittal, whereby there would be limited restoration of the LAMCO-era mining infrastructure, including the port and railway, in order to mine on Mounts Tokadeh, Gangra and Yuelliton.
1.2 The legal position The Minerals Development Agreement between the Government of Liberia and ArcelorMittal, as amended, states (at Article XV), “the CONCESSIONAIRE shall not be liable for pre-existing environmental damage within the Concession Area”. The company therefore has no legal obligation to resolve environmental damage caused by LAMCO and LIMINCO. Notwithstanding the fact that the government assumed liability for the legacy environmental damage, the company is restoring environmental conditions where it encounters problems in areas of restoration or very close to its areas of operations. Once this restoration work is undertaken, then the situation is covered by the relevant Environmental Management Plan, and the company undertakes to meet the appropriate standards as specified in its Environmental Standards Manual.
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Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
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2. OVERVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY DAMAGE
2.1 Mount Nimba mine area Mine pit. The main pit worked by LAMCO in the Nimba range lowered a section of the ridge by about 400 metres. The ore body dipped steeply into the ridge, leading to the removal of large volumes of overburden that was tipped down the slopes (see below). The sides of the pit were benched in lifts of 15 to 20 metres, and these benches now have a limited vegetation cover, mainly of grasses and other colonising herbs. The bottom of the pit is flooded. There has been no rehabilitation of this pit, and it represents devastation of the Nimba range on a truly massive scale. An access road makes the pit readily accessible, and hunters regularly set fire to the grasslands on the benches. The Nimba pit in May 1989, almost at its end... ... and the pit as it is today
Other mined areas. In addition to the main pit, there are extensive mine benches towards the south, along the upper slopes of the main ridge as far as Mount Gbalm. It appears that LAMCO stripped the higher grade ores from the top of the ridge, lowering it by up to perhaps 100 metres in places. Around 2 km of the Nimba ridge are affected by this, and now remain as sparsely revegetated benches and risers, again dominated by grass and other small pioneer plants. As with the main pit, there is very little re-afforestation. An access road to Mount Gbalm and tracks along some of the benches mean that the area is easily accessible, and so is now put to some other uses. The most noticeable of these are telephone transmitter towers, which have a particular impact on the nocturnal Lepidoptera due to their bright lights. LAMCO mine terraces visible on the main Nimba ridge
Spoil tips. The overburden from the main pit was disposed of by LAMCO in the most reckless fashion possible: it was simply tipped down steep slopes into the upper catchments of three rivers. One of these drains north-eastwards, and the other two are on the western side and are tributaries of the Dayea river that flows through Yekepa. All three of these spoil tips are still unstable, with a combination of deep gully erosion and shallow landsliding, extending to several hectares of active failures and supplying enormous volumes of sediment into the rivers. There have so far been no attempts to rehabilitate this damage.
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Consultation with the Sehyigeh community led to information about a “landslide” that occurred in Nimba during the LAMCO period. “It took place in June/July 1977. Apparently the mine had been dumping waste (rock with 40-45 %ore) over the back of the blue lake (on the left side) into the valley below. (I was told the slope/valley had thick forest on it.) The landslide took place and caused the water pressure to rise on the slope which consequently caused the pressure on the water table at the bottom of the slope to also rise and several months after the initial slide, water started bubbling up in the community below and swamped it (Dulay). LAMCO relocated the village.” This description sounds as if some kind of debris flow occurred that altered the hydrology significantly. Views of the eroding LAMCO spoil tips on the north-western side of the old mine
Effects on rivers. The debris entrained in the catchments from the Nimba mine spoil tips affects two main rivers, one on each side of the ridge. For both, the biggest areas of sedimentation are where the gradients of the river profiles become gentler in the piedmont areas below the mountains. That on the north-east side is inaccessible and has not been investigated on the ground although it is highly visible in satellite imagery as an active outwash deposit. The Dayea valley above Yekepa has a similar large active outwash area. Investigations of river quality as part of ESIA preparation show that the Dayea is polluted by the sediment throughout its remaining course to the confluence with the much bigger St John river. Iron-rich sand- and silt-sized particles smother aquatic flora and have led to an almost complete loss of aquatic fauna in this river section. The damaged catchments have been mapped and are strongly contrasted in quality with the otherwise relatively pristine catchments, even those with considerable areas of slash-and-burn agriculture. Deposition of eroded material from the LAMCO spoil tips, in the headwaters of the Dayea River, 2009
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Crusher and conveyor. The crusher at the main pit was very large, consisting of a reinforced concrete framework and drop structure feeding into the actual crusher jaws, and located on a steep slope to utilise gravity in feeding material. It has been badly looted and damaged, and now remains as a dangerous structure with a deep, unprotected pit. The conveyor from the crusher to the rail loading hoppers has either been looted or has collapsed through neglect. Parts still remain in the forest. Views of the Nimba mine crusher in 2009
Workshop and machinery. The workshop has had its roof removed and has been looted for anything of value that could be removed and taken. The shells of haul trucks, excavators and other machines are mostly littered around the workshop, but there are others scattered around the mine benches. A large pump is beached at the side of the lake. The extent to which the ground around these has been polluted by fuels and lubricants has not been investigated. The soil around the workshop is most likely to be affected. Abandoned machinery at Nimba mine The LAMCO workshop at Nimba mine
Access roads. There are two metalled access roads to the former Nimba mine areas. One leads to the main pit and the other to Mount Gbalm (see above). Although there is little traffic, the road to the main pit is clearly used by pedestrians to give easy access to the Nimba ridge. These people are often said to be smugglers moving to and from Ivory Coast, but this is hearsay.
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2.2 Mount Tokadeh Failed and eroding mine benches. Two areas of Tokadeh were partially worked by LAMCO and LIMINCO between 1974 and 1982. The main DSO body was the most exploited. This was benched in lifts of 15 to 20 metres, and these benches now have a limited vegetation cover, mainly of grasses and other colonising herbs. A large active erosion feature is present in the middle of the mined area, with some large gullies eating back into the benches and fed by shallow landslides and slumps of unconsolidated material around the tops and sides. This erosion feature supplies large volumes of suspended sediment into the Madayea and lower Dayea catchments. It has caused significant sedimentation of, and consequently destruction of, the wetlands and actual river channels throughout their length. Although clay-sized particles appear to remain in suspension, the aquatic biota have been devastated by the deposition of iron-rich silt- and sand-sized particles. The continued supply of this sediment from the failing mine benches means that the rivers cannot recover but continue to be damaged. Abandoned mine benches at Mount Tokadeh The large erosion feature at Mount Tokadeh
Workshop and machinery. As at the Nimba mine, the workshop has had its roof removed and has been looted for anything of value that could be removed and taken. The shells of haul trucks, excavators and other machines are mostly littered around the workshop, but there are others scattered around the mine benches. The extent to which the ground around these has been polluted by fuels and lubricants has been investigated. The soils around the workshop are affected to some extent. Looted and destroyed excavators and haul trucks at the roofless Tokadeh workshop
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Crusher site and stockpile yards. These cover a considerable area between the mine and the railway. Parts of the crusher, the conveyor and the loading hopper remain, but are damaged beyond repair. The ground has been severely disturbed through levelling, storage of iron ore, the operation of heavy machinery and other operations. It remains largely bare, although some parts have been colonised by a dense growth of large grasses. Since the photographs below were taken, the crusher has been dismantled, the retaining wall strengthened and a new crusher installed in the same location. The remaining structural steel for the conveyor from the stockpile into the rail loading silo has been removed for safety reasons, but the massive concrete double silo has been left intact.. The LAMCO crusher at Tokadeh The LAMCO rail loading silos at Tokadeh
2.3 Yekepa Housing. Most of the LAMCO houses had been damaged in some way, and many were left only as shells, with no roofs or internal fittings. About a third of the housing stock has been reconditioned for use by ArcelorMittal. Some of the others remain ruined, but a considerable number have been inhabited by displaced people and other incomers. These are in a mixed but generally poor condition. Former LAMCO housing area at Yekepa, before rehabilitation by ArcelorMittal
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Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
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Recreational facilities. Extensive recreational facilities were constructed, but most have been overgrown or have been converted to other uses. These include stables, a golf course, tennis courts and a swimming pool. These facilities include a number of concrete structures which remain in the ground or covered by bush. The Yekepa swimming pool in LAMCO days... ... and as it is today, after 20 years of neglect
Water supply and sewerage. The water supply for LAMCO was a river abstraction and uplift system, which is completely defunct. New boreholes are being used by ArcelorMittal for the company houses, but these do not supply the non-company housing. The main pipework for the sewerage is still in the ground, but not always flowing properly. The sewage treatment works and recovery unit are ruined and completely dysfunctional. At present sewage is sucked out of inspection pits in the pipework for disposal by tanker lorry. The housing that does not have piped water also does not have functioning sewerage. Workshops and rail yards. On the eastern side of Yekepa lie the extensive rail yards and workshops. Most of the LAMCO rolling stock was abandoned here, and it is here that the carcasses remain. The locomotives and rail maintenance machines have been systematically stripped of everything that could be removed. This has left the heavy frames with asbestos lagging spilled out and exposed to the air. The ore wagons are generally intact and most are being re-used after they have been fitted with new bogies. The workshop roofs and contents were stripped, leaving the steel frames, block walls and heavy items that could not be moved. Over most of the rail yards, the track is still in place under the rolling stock. With the extensive concrete standings of the workshops and the ballasted rail yards, this is a very extensive area of permanently damaged land. The extent of contamination of the surrounding soil by fuels and oils is not known. Remains of rolling stock at Yekepa The LAMCO rail workshop at Yekepa
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Power plant and loading hoppers. Situated at the end point of the railway, where the access road starts to climb the steeper slope towards the Nimba ridge, the LAMCO power plant was located beside the river. This has also been thoroughly looted, leaving only the frame and block walls of the building, the concrete mountings and main turbine blocks. There are numerous inspection pits and underground access points here, which make it somewhat dangerous. There is also evidence of underground fuel stores, apparently still containing a significant residue of hydrocarbons. Exposed asbestos lagging is also to be found in places. Near the power plant are the large concrete ore loading hoppers at the foot of the conveyor from the mine. These are generally intact, but many of the steel fixtures have been stripped off. Wrecked turbine hall at the Yekepa power plant End of the Nimba conveyor and rail loading hoppers
2.4 Yekepa-Buchanan railway The railway. The railway consists of 273 km of single track, with sidings and passing loops approximately every 20 km. There are numerous cross drains, of either steel or concrete bridges, or Armco culverts. The bridges are still in surprisingly good condition, but the culverts are mostly corroded. Radio masts, camps, other fixtures, sidings and a few ore wagons are to be found at intervals along the line. These are all ruined, some more than others. Some of the old radio masts are potentially dangerous, especially where the stay cables have been stolen. The railway itself, plus the passing loops, has been refurbished by ArcelorMittal as far as Tokadeh. Views of the railway in 2008, before the start of rehabilitation
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Views of the railway in 2008, before the start of rehabilitation
Road and rail crossings of the St John River, before and after rehabilitation
Views of the railway in 2010, after rehabilitation
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Derailed train at km 162. A locomotive and eight ore wagons lie upturned beside the track at km 162, where they are said to have derailed in 1992, towards the end of LIMINCO‟s operating period. There was presumably a fuel spillage at the time of the derailment, but the effects of this are now presumed to have been negated through natural rehabilitation. The derailed locomotive and ore wagons beside the railway at km 162
Greenhill Quarry. This quarry provided much of the ballast for the railway. It is in a hard gneiss and has a series of low benches up to a maximum of about 10 metres in height. The skeletons remain of the crushers. The dam of the water supply reservoir was breached during the civil war, so the water level has been reduced, and silt and plants have encroached. The LAMCO housing is in poor repair and includes roofs of corrugated asbestos-concrete, some of which is visibly crumbling. The houses are occupied by squatters displaced during the war. There are some shallow wells of unknown quality, and a deep borehole which is defunct. There is a rail spur in poor repair, about 500 metres long and connecting to the mainline. Neekreen Quarry. This large quarry in a hard gneiss formerly provided the rock for the Buchanan breakwaters, as well as ballast for the railway. It is stable, but there are some vertical rock faces up to about 15 metres in height. Some parts are poorly drained, providing good wet season habitat for insects and birds if left undisturbed. The water supply reservoir remains largely intact, but appears to be partly silted up. There is nothing left of any crushing facilities. The 4-km spur to join the railway at km 12 had had the rails removed and has been regraded to form a haulage road. ArcelorMittal briefly re-opened the quarry in 2008. Views of Neekreen Quarry in 2008
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Communications towers. A survey located and assessed eleven tower sites: that is, one site at each end of the railway, Lower Buchanan and Tokadeh, and nine intermediate sites located near the railway sidings: (north-east from Buchanan):
Mokra Town
Gaye Peter Town
Blezi
Grebo
Bakhon
Yila
Tropoi
Kitoma, and
Sanniquellie There was hope to re-use most of the LAMCO telecommunication towers for the new systems, as they were of robust design (from the description in the legacy documents) and because of the relatively high cost and lead time required to replace them. However the results of the survey were very disappointing.
Only five of the original eleven towers are still standing: Lower Buchanan, Gaye Peter Town, Bakhon, Yila and Sanniquellie. The other six have fallen or been torn down.
Three of the 5 remaining towers are squatted by local GSM cellular operators, with very badly installed antennas and feeder cables – Lower Buchanan, Gaye Peter Town and Sanniquellie. At Gaye Peter Town, the tower structure is bending badly from the weight of cell phone provider‟s antennas and is located in the middle of a housing village.
All five remaining towers are in very poor state of maintenance. Two – Lower Buchanan and Gaye Peter Town – represent public or workers safety hazards. A third – Yila – could also fall down and obstruct the railroad.
All of the aviation warning lights are defunct. Arcing tower at Gaye Peter Town Detail of typical decay of a tower (Sanniquellie)
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2.5 Buchanan Housing. The housing is built in a series of loops on a sandy Quaternary raised beach area. Some of the houses have not been rehabilitated by ArcelorMittal and remain as derelict shells. Some have roofs of corrugated asbestos-concrete, which is sometimes crumbling at the edges. The majority have been renovated and brought back into use. Water supply and boreholes. There are thought to be six boreholes from the LAMCO period, drilled into an aquifer at 120 to 150 metres depth. Only two are now serviceable. The rest of the water supply has been partly refurbished and partly replaced, but it is to be expected that further unknown buried pipework exists. Sewerage. The sewerage system from the residential areas is only partially functional as regards pipework, and the treatment and recovery plant are completely inoperable. Workshops. The workshops had decayed to the steel frames and concrete standings of the buildings. Some of these have been restored by ArcelorMittal, and others are being used for open-air storage. One of the old LAMCO workshops being refurbished An ArcelorMittal locomotive in a restored shed
Rail yards. The rails have been mainly removed, leaving bare ground with, in places, partial recolonisation by herbs. The derelict car dumper remains in place, as do several crumbling conveyors and large concrete hoppers. There are also many tall poles for flood lights, but with all the fixtures removed. The derelict rail car dumper at Buchanan Derelict silos and conveyors at Buchanan
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Wash plant area. This consists of the steel and concrete frames of some large buildings, concrete thickener tanks and disturbed ground. It was thought that this process may have led to contamination of the soil in the area, and details of an assessment are given in section 3.4 of this document. Although the structure of the main plant is sound, damage by scrappers during the war years has led to some half-removed steel members being in a precarious state of stability. Most dangerous is the extensive network of underground access below the wash plant, which is below the permanent water table. Views of the old LAMCO wash plant
Stockpile yards. There is a mainly bare surface with iron-rich residues. Some hardy herbs have recolonised some parts of the stockpile yards. It is known to have a residue of iron ore. Power plant. The power plant is completely derelict, and is said to have been comprehensively looted and stripped around the end of the civil war. It may contain dangerous substances (e.g. asbestos) but has not been investigated.
Fuel farm. Several large tanks remain. One was holed by shell fire during the civil war and an explosion caused. The tanks are now empty, but there is significant pollution from hydrocarbons, derived from both diesel and heavy fuel oil that used to be stored in the tanks.. Geotechnical drilling revealed a plume of heavy hydrocarbons in the soil to the south, extending towards the stockpile yards and the port. This was investigated in some detail (see section 3.5).
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Evidence of hydrocarbon pollution from the LAMCO fuel tank farm
Tailings area. The tailings area extends to perhaps 2 km
2, between the housing loops and the sea.
The tailings are (characteristically) completely flat and retained by a laterite bund about 5 metres high. Investigations have shown that the tailings become saturated during the wet season, to the extent that a car sinks in to the axles. Detailed sampling was undertaken in 2011 and a large number of samples analysed for contaminants (see section 3.6). LiDAR map of the former LAMCO tailings dam
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Port. The port facilities are derelict, with the quays composed of crumbling concrete and corroded steel fittings. Some bollards have been removed (some are thought to be at the bottom of the harbour). The access walkway-bridges to the mooring dolphins have gone, and are lying on the seabed. Silt has drifted in from the seaward side and settled at depths of up to about one metre over much of the harbour basin. Several small ships lie wrecked around the fringes of the port, badly corroded and washed through by the waves. It is not known if there is any pollution resulting from these. The LAMCO fuel quay Raising the wreck of a LAMCO tug in 2010
The surge bin, iron ore quay and mooring dolphins Wrecks in the Port of Buchanan
Oil contamination at the fuel quay. Excavations of the fuel quay during repair works in 2012 revealed significant contamination with oil residues in some of the cells of the quay. These cells are encased in circular steel piles with smaller sub-cells filling the arcuate gaps between them. It appears that corrosion or other damage to the LAMCO fuel pipes led to leakage of oil residues in the pipes. This may have occurred during hot weather, and there is no evidence that it has happened in the last five years, suggesting that all of the residues have now flowed out of the pipes. The oil was found about 1.5 to 2 metres below the surface of the quay, approximately at the level of the permanent seawater table. The oil seems to have seeped into the ground and spread out above the water table (since it is lighter than the water filling the voids and does not mix). It was found in one main cell and two sub-cells, and the contaminated material was removed by ArcelorMittal for bioremediation. Other cells that were not excavated may contain oil. Two other main cells that were excavated did not show contamination. Marine dumping. It is understood from fisherman that LAMCO formerly dumped silt dredged from the harbour in an area centred about 4 km straight off the entrance to the port. There are no reported effects on fisheries.
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Oil contamination removal from excavated cells at the Buchanan fuel quay, 2012
Beach erosion. Severe erosion along the Buchanan city frontage. A recent report indicates that, since 1969, around 250 m of erosion has occurred at Balehwreh Town in the centre of the bay (average rates of 6.6 m/year), with 100m lost at Buchanan City over the same time period (average rate of 2 m/year). The report states that over 1000 people have been made homeless as a result of the shoreline erosion. According to another report, 100 homes were lost in Buchanan in August 2007. The erosion has been widely attributed to sand extraction and the disruption of northwards longshore sand transport by the Buchanan breakwaters built by LAMCO. The coastal dynamics of this are described in detail in reports commissioned by ArcelorMittal, which appear to indicate that the LAMCO breakwaters might be a factor, but are probably not the most dominant reason for shore erosion. These reports have not been formally published but are available on request to the company. The eroding sea front of Buchanan City at the southern end of Waterhouse Bay
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3. CONTAMINATION OF SOILS
3.1 Contaminated soils assessment, 2008 Soil contamination was assessed for ArcelorMittal in 2008 by specialists from W. S. Atkins, at the two main industrial and residential areas: Yekepa, Nimba mine and Tokadeh; and Buchanan, covering the industrial and port areas. The detailed sampling and analysis tables are given in the following sections, and the paragraphs below summarise the main findings. Yekepa and Tokadeh (see section 3.2). All of the metal determinands within all of the samples were below the adopted lower soil guidance values (SGV) used to assess contamination levels in residential land, with the exception of chromium, which was above the SGV for all sites. This appears to be a natural feature of the soils in the area, however, and high chromium levels were encountered at both legacy and non-legacy sites. The majority of samples were also analysed for extractable petroleum hydrocarbons. There are currently no guidelines available for this analyte. The highest reported concentration was 3.656 mg/kg for sample IDGQ2 (a former oil storage area). High values were also encountered at a number of other sites around the old processing area at the foot of Mount Tokadeh, including sites ID66 and ID68 (former stockpiling and operations), and site IDGQ4 (near the old electricity transformer). Some contamination was also evident at three of the old workshop sites. Such hydrocarbon contamination is likely to be associated with spilled or leached hydrocarbons, probably heavy-end diesel or oil. Buchanan (see section 3.3). Iron contamination is evident across most of the site and within site boundary ditches. However, drainage is generally to the bottom of the Savage river or into the sea (via intermediate drainage ditches), neither of which appear to be sensitive receptors. Some acid generation is evident in a number of areas, but based on the geology of the ore material this is likely to be relatively weak and low pH only occurs due to the lack of buffering and alkalinity in the legacy ore materials and ditch systems that receive the leachate. Although low pH levels were found in the ditches, this was not evident in the Savage River, which receives much of the drainage from the site. Some leaching of other metal contaminants may therefore have occurred as a result of this acid generation, but this will have drained directly to the lower part of the Savage River or the sea. Some precipitation and accumulation in marine sediments is therefore possible, although previous contaminated land samples have only shown hydrocarbons or arsenic at elevated levels within the ground. Sample locations for contaminated land are shown in the map at the end of section 3.3. There is a very large area of hydrocarbon contamination to the southeast of the old fuel storage depot (see section 3.5), but this appeared to be in the ground and to have little impact on the surface water environment. Accumulation within local marine sediments is possible, but has not been assessed. There is some evidence of arsenic contamination in the north-west part of the main stockpile area. This is associated with the former LAMCO tailing pond, pellet plant and associated ore stockpile. Arsenic levels are only just above threshold values (with the exception of the area around the old pellet plant), and therefore this is not an immediate human health issue. However, it could cause human health problems and groundwater contamination if the land is disturbed without being treated properly.
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3.2 Contaminated soils assessment: Yekepa, Nimba mine and Tokadeh
20 Tokadeh Former operations 03/05/2006 09.30 AM 538765 822656
21 Tokadeh Workshop assessment 03/05/2006 10.10 AM 538732 822684
22 Tokadeh Workshop assessment 03/05/2006 10.30 AM 538686 822732
23 Tokadeh Workshop assessment 04/05/2006 12.50 PM 538695 822701
24 Tokadeh Workshop assessment 04/05/2006 01.10 PM 538645 822803
X3 Tokadeh Workshop assessment 04/05/2006 02.00 PM 538593 822774
25 Tokadeh Former operations 04/05/2006 03.47 PM 539709 822656
26 Tokadeh Former operations 03/05/2006 02.30 PM 539720 822831
27 Tokadeh Former stockpile 04/05/2006 03.10 PM 539647 822870
28 Tokadeh Former operations 05/05/2006 03.03 PM 539411 822932
29 Tokadeh Former operations 03/05/2006 02.45 PM 539757 822951
X4 Tokadeh Former stockpile 04/05/2006 04.00 PM 538924 822556
30 Tokadeh 18/04/2006 01.25 PM 535499 823917
31 Tokadeh 18/04/2006 03.45 PM 535500 824499
32 Tokadeh 18/04/2006 11.05 AM 536001 823499
33 Tokadeh 17/04/2006 03.13 PM 536000 823992
34 Tokadeh 25/04/2006 04.28 PM 536016 824495
35 Tokadeh 25/04/2006 03.32 PM 536000 824999
36 Tokadeh 02/05/2006 12.30 PM 536524 823125
37 Tokadeh 17/04/2006 10.30 AM 536518 823495
38 Tokadeh 17/04/2006 12.20 PM 536502 823995
39 Tokadeh 25/04/2006 11.35 AM 536498 824518
40 Tokadeh 25/04/2006 01.45 PM 536509 824992
41 Tokadeh 01/05/2006 04.30 PM 536516 825520
42 Tokadeh 01/05/2006 02.35 PM 536427 825958
43 Tokadeh 19/04/2006 04.05 PM 536995 823008
44 Tokadeh 26/04/2006 12.39 PM 536976 823505
45 Tokadeh 26/04/2006 10.36 AM 537001 823999
46 Tokadeh 24/04/2006 12.30 PM 536993 824508
47 Tokadeh 24/04/2006 02.45 PM 537006 825000
48 Tokadeh 22/04/2006 03.30 PM 537007 825507
49 Tokadeh 21/04/2006 02.50 PM 536992 825993
50 Tokadeh 20/04/2006 01.00 PM 537013 826505
51 Tokadeh 27/04/2006 11.41 AM 537513 823028
52 Tokadeh 27/04/2006 12 Noon 537466 823575
53 Tokadeh 27/04/2006 10.40 AM 537490 824023
54 Tokadeh 24/04/2006 02.30 PM 537307 824979
55 Tokadeh 22/04/2006 02.00 PM 537491 825522
56 Tokadeh 21/04/2006 12.55 PM 537408 825952
Easting NorthingId. No. Location Date Time
57 Tokadeh 20/04/2006 02.55 PM 537497 826500
58 Tokadeh 28/04/2006 04.02 PM 537983 822449
59 Tokadeh 28/04/2006 01.45 PM 537963 822979
60 Tokadeh 29/04/2006 04.20 PM 538496 821493
61 Tokadeh 28/04/2006 05.07 PM 538440 822109
62 Tokadeh 29/04/2006 10.40 AM 538606 822107
63 Tokadeh 29/04/2006 03.30 PM 538866 821598
64 Tokadeh 03/05/2006 12.20 PM 539004 822502
65 Tokadeh Former stockpile 03/05/2006 11.25 AM 539052 822750
66 Tokadeh Former stockpile 03/05/2006 01.30 PM 539271 822643
67 Tokadeh Former stockpile 04/05/2006 02.33 PM 539367 822841
68 Tokadeh Former operations 03/05/2006 02.00 PM 539505 822745
69 Tokadeh Former stockpile 04/05/2006 02.45 PM 539472 822928
70 Tokadeh Former operations 05/05/2006 11.40 AM 539808 822427
71 Tokadeh Oil storage area 05/05/2006 12.35 PM 539838 822714
72 Tokadeh Former stockpile 05/05/2006 02.15 PM 539067 822477
74 Tokadeh Former operations 05/05/2006 01.40 PM 539753 823244
75 Tokadeh Former operations 05/05/2006 11.00 AM 539916 822472
76 Tokadeh Former operations 05/05/2006 10.30 AM 539991 822741
77 Tokadeh Former operations 05/05/2006 10.10 AM 540011 822961
78 Tokadeh Former operations 05/05/2006 09.40 AM 540026 823286
117 Tokadeh 27/04/2006 01.29 PM 537493 824662
118 Tokadeh 01/05/2006 11.20 AM 536326 825612
119 Tokadeh 02/05/2006 12.30 PM 535634 823669
120 Tokadeh 28/04/2006 11.41 AM 537602 822708
121 Tokadeh 29/04/2006 01.28 PM 538995 822001
122 Yekepa Former Ore Storage area 07/05/2006 02.00 PM 554455 835974
123 Yekepa Former oil storage area 09/05/2006 01.20 PM 554400 835799
124 Yekepa Former Ore Storage area 07/05/2006 03.45 PM 554303 835725
125 Yekepa Water treatment works 09/05/2006 12 Noon 554747 837147
126 Yekepa General operational area 06/05/2006 01.25 PM 550425 836239
127 Yekepa Workshop assessment 06/05/2006 02.00 PM 550635 836434
128 Yekepa Workshop assessment 06/05/2006 02.30 PM 550399 836560
129 Yekepa General operational area 06/05/2006 03.45 PM 550911 836806
GQ1 Green Hill Crusher site + railway track 15/05/2006 11.25 AM 479793 756197
GQ2 Green Hill Near Oil tank 15/05/2006 12 Noon 479951 756296
GQ3 Green Hill Workshop assessment 15/05/2006 12.35 PM 480024 756266
GQ4 Green HillNear Electricity distribution
transformer15/05/2006 12.50 PM 479875 756262
GQ5 Green Hill General operational area 15/05/2006 01.26 PM 479890 756284
Easting NorthingId. No. Location Date Time
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 21 of 100
20 21 22 23 24 X3 25 26 27 28 29 X4 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh
Former
operations
Workshop
assessment
Workshop
assessment
Workshop
assessment
Workshop
assessment
Workshop
assessment
Former
operations
Former
operations
Former
stockpile
Former
operations
Former
operations
Former
stockpile
03/05/2006 03/05/2006 03/05/2006 04/05/2006 04/05/2006 04/05/2006 04/05/2006 03/05/2006 04/05/2006 05/05/2006 03/05/2006 04/05/2006 18/04/2006 18/04/2006 18/04/2006 17/04/2006 25/04/2006 25/04/2006 02/05/2006
09.30 AM 10.10 AM 10.30 AM 12.50 PM 01.10 PM 02.00 PM 03.47 PM 02.30 PM 03.10 PM 03.03 PM 02.45 PM 04.00 PM 01.25 PM 03.45 PM 11.05 AM 03.13 PM 04.28 PM 03.32 PM 12.30 PM
538765 538732 538686 538695 538645 538593 539709 539720 539647 539411 539757 538924 535499 535500 536001 536000 536016 536000 536524
822656 822684 822732 822701 822803 822774 822656 822831 822870 822932 822951 822556 823917 824499 823499 823992 824495 824999 823125
Upper Grass Grass Grass Workshop Workshop WorkshopOperational
area
Operational
areaStockpile
Operational
area
Operational
areaRoad Bush Grass Barren Grass Forest Forest Barren
Down Grass Grass Grass Workshop Bush BushOperational
area
Operational
areaStockpile
Operational
area
Operational
areaStockpile Bush Grass Barren Grass Forest Forest Barren
95% grass
covered
85% grass
covered
95% grass
covered
currently 50%
grass covered
currently 50%
grass covered
currently 80%
grass covered
100% grass
covered and
trees on
southwestern
and eastern
side
95% grass
covered
currently 50%
grass covered
90% grass +
constructed
area
< 5% grass
covered
80% grass
covered
90% bush,
10% exposed
and no trees
90% grass,
10% exposed
and no trees
15% grass,
85% exposed
and no trees
85% grass,
15% exposed
and no trees
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
10% grass,
90% exposed
and no trees
10°N 5°N Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat < 5deg slope Flat Flat Flat Flat 50°S 36°N 40°E 51°E 40°NW 50°E 31°N
Rills splashNo evidence
of erosionsplash splash
gullies are
seen
No evidence
of erosion
No evidence
of erosionRills are seen
No evidence
of erosion
road side
erosion
road side
erosion and
gullies are
seen
Gullies are
seen (mining)
Gullies are
seen (mining)
Gullies are
seen (mining)No evidence
Gullies are
seen (natural
floods)
No evidence Splash
top soil
sandy clay
loam (gravel
free and red
coloured)
Loamy sand
(black colour
and gravel
free)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and gravel
free)
sandy loam
(black colour)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and gravel
present)
sandy clay
(red colour
and less
gravelly)
Loamy sand
(black colour
and less
gravelly)
subsoil
sandy clay
loam (red
colour and
gravel free)
Loamy sand
(black colour
and gravel
free)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and gravel
free)
sandy loam
(black colour)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and gravel
present)
sandy clay
(red colour
and less
gravelly)
Loamy sand
(black colour
and less
gravelly)
0.7 0.84 0.82 0.8 0.59 0.5 0.8 0.44 0.8 >1 m 0.51 0.9 0.53 0.56 0.51 0.53 0.55 0.35 0.78
50 54 52 52 55 50 50 42 50 50 46 52 10 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-10 10-30
Source
Workshop
50m away
and Road 3m
away
Wagon at 2m,
workshop
30m and
transmitter
5m
Workshop @
20m away
5m from
workshop
waste
within the
workshop
wastes site
At the corner
of the
workshop
area -
drainage
point of
workshop
waste
30m from the
conveyor belt
Near loading
rack to the
iron ore
crusher
stockpile
damaged
mini crusher
is found near
the site
operational
area
stockpile and
road drainage
Past mining
area
Past mining
area
Past mining
area
Transformer
and damaged
vehicle
No NoPast mining
area
Distance
Sample
collected
away from
exact location
due to swamp
Sample
location has
been shifted
by 10m
50m moved
towards the
possible
contamination
source
Water level at
90cm15m
Mining area Mining area Mining area Mining area Mining area
Sample locations have been shifted to give fair
representation of the entire workshop
Id. No.
Location
Date
Time
Easting
Northing
Depth of soil samples
(cm)
Contamin-
ation
Any other commentsAny other comments
Land use
pattern
Surface cover
Gradient (Deg)
Erosion
Soil Texture
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 22 of 100
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55
Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh
17/04/2006 17/04/2006 25/04/2006 25/04/2006 01/05/2006 01/05/2006 19/04/2006 26/04/2006 26/04/2006 24/04/2006 24/04/2006 22/04/2006 21/04/2006 20/04/2006 27/04/2006 27/04/2006 27/04/2006 24/04/2006 22/04/2006
10.30 AM 12.20 PM 11.35 AM 01.45 PM 04.30 PM 02.35 PM 04.05 PM 12.39 PM 10.36 AM 12.30 PM 02.45 PM 03.30 PM 02.50 PM 01.00 PM 11.41 AM 12 Noon 10.40 AM 02.30 PM 02.00 PM
536518 536502 536498 536509 536516 536427 536995 536976 537001 536993 537006 537007 536992 537013 537513 537466 537490 537307 537491
823495 823995 824518 824992 825520 825958 823008 823505 823999 824508 825000 825507 825993 826505 823028 823575 824023 824979 825522
Upper Bush Barren Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Barren Forest Forest Forest Forest
Down Bush Barren Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Barren Forest Forest Forest Forest
95% bush,
5% barren
and less no of
trees
90% barren,
10% grass
and no trees
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
95% shallow
rooted trees
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
85% shallow
rooted trees
85% shallow
rooted trees
and some
deep rooted
trees are
seen
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
90% barren,
10% grass
and no trees
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
upland and
lower side
barren
85% shallow
rooted trees
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
37°E 45°E 40°NE 50°NE 40°E 50°E 39°E 50°E 35°N 40°NW 50°NE 50°E 52°E 51°E 60°E 50°E 40°E 56°NE 31°E
Larger rills
(width 1 feet)
Gullies are
seen
Gullies are
seen (natural
floods)
No evidence No evidence No evidence No evidence No evidence No evidence No evidence No evidence No evidence No evidence No evidenceGullies are
seen
Gullies are
seenNo evidence No evidence No evidence
top soilLoamy sand
(red colour)
Loamy sand
(black colour)
Clay (Red
colour and no
gravel)
sandy clay
(red colour
and less
gravelly)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and gravel is
present)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and gravel
present)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and murrum
type soil)
Loamy sand
(reddish
brown and
gravel
present)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and gravel
present)
Sandy clay
(brown colour
and less
gravelly)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and murrum
type soil)
Sandy clay
(black colour
and more
gravel)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and murrum
type soil)
Clay (Red
colour and no
gravel)
Loamy sand
(black and
less gravel)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and gravel
present)
Clay (brown
colour and
rare gravel
present)
Sandy clay
(reddish
brown and
gravel
present)
Sandy loam
(brown colour
and less
gravelly)
subsoilLoamy sand
(red colour)
Loamy sand
(black colour)
Clay (Red
colour and no
gravel)
sandy clay
(red colour
and less
gravelly)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and gravel is
present)
Sandy loam
(red colour
and gravel
present)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and murrum
type soil)
Loamy sand
(reddish
brown and
gravel
present)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and gravel
present)
Sandy clay
(brown colour
and less
gravelly)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and murrum
type soil)
Sandy clay
(black colour
and more
gravel)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and murrum
type soil)
Clay (Red
colour and no
gravel)
Loamy sand
(black and
less gravel)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and gravel
present)
Clay (brown
colour and
rare gravel
present)
Sandy clay
(reddish
brown and
gravel
present)
Sandy clay
(brown colour
and less
gravelly)
0.5 0.42 0.54 0.45 0.46 0.55 0.19 0.54 0.5 0.51 0.53 0.4 0.42 0.5 0.57 0.46 0.5 0.57 0.35
5-15 10-30 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-10 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15
SourceMay be
deforested
Past mining
areaNo No No No No No No No No No No No
Past mining
area
Past mining
areaNo No No
Distance
Road at 50m Mining area Mining area Mining area
Id. No.
Location
Date
Time
Easting
Northing
Depth of soil samples
(cm)
Contamin-
ation
Any other commentsAny other comments
Land use
pattern
Surface cover
Gradient (Deg)
Erosion
Soil Texture
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 23 of 100
56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 74 75
Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh
Former
stockpile
Former
stockpile
Former
stockpile
Former
operations
Former
stockpile
Former
operations
Oil storage
area
Former
stockpile
Former
operations
Former
operations
21/04/2006 20/04/2006 28/04/2006 28/04/2006 29/04/2006 28/04/2006 29/04/2006 29/04/2006 03/05/2006 03/05/2006 03/05/2006 04/05/2006 03/05/2006 04/05/2006 05/05/2006 05/05/2006 05/05/2006 05/05/2006 05/05/2006
12.55 PM 02.55 PM 04.02 PM 01.45 PM 04.20 PM 05.07 PM 10.40 AM 03.30 PM 12.20 PM 11.25 AM 01.30 PM 02.33 PM 02.00 PM 02.45 PM 11.40 AM 12.35 PM 02.15 PM 01.40 PM 11.00 AM
537408 537497 537983 537963 538496 538440 538606 538866 539004 539052 539271 539367 539505 539472 539808 539838 539067 539753 539916
825952 826500 822449 822979 821493 822109 822107 821598 822502 822750 822643 822841 822745 822928 822427 822714 822477 823244 822472
Upper Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Barren Forest Forest Stockpile Bush Stockpile stockpile Stockpile Railway line
Small hillock
covered with
bush
stockpile road railway line
Down Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Barren Forest Forest Bush Stockpile Bush bush bush railway line Railway line burnt bush bush forest
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
90% shallow
rooted trees
90% shallow
rooted trees
85% shallow
rooted trees
90% shallow
rooted trees
90% barren,
10% grass
and no trees
100% forest
cover
95% shallow
rooted trees
95% bush on
the
downslope
and very few
deep rooted
trees are
seen
95% bush
cover
80% bush
covered
90% grass on
the upstream
slope
90% bush
covered on
the
downstream
side (shallow
ropoted trees)
100% grass
covered and
no trees
100% bush
covered
Burnt bush
area
80% grass
covered
100% forest
on the
downstream
with deep
rooted trees
51°E 51°E 50°E 53°E 50°E 62°E 40°E 39°E 40°E 20deg E-W 20degN-S 30degN-S 48degN-S 45degS-N <5deg slope Flat 60deg E-W flat flat
No evidence No evidence No evidenceGullies are
seenNo evidence No evidence
Gullies are
seenNo evidence No evidence
No evidence
of erosion
No evidence
of erosion
No evidence
of erosion
gullies are
seen
gullies are
seen
No evidence
of erosion
No evidence
of erosion
gullies are
seen
No evidence
of erosion
No evidence
of erosion
top soil
Sandy clay
(brown colour
and less
gravelly)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and gravel
free)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and murrum
type soil)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and less
gravelly)
Sandy clay
(black colour
and more
gravel)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and murrum
type soil)
Loamy sand
(black colour
and more
gravel)
Sandy clay
(Red colour
and more
gravel)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and gravel
present)
subsoil
Sandy clay
(brown colour
and less
gravelly)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and gravel
free)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and murrum
type soil)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and less
gravelly)
Sandy clay
(black colour
and more
gravel)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and murrum
type soil)
Loamy sand
(black colour
and more
gravel)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and less
gravel)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and gravel
present)
0.4 0.48 0.46 0.58 0.5 0.49 0.48 0.52 0.55 0.78 0.5 0.72 > 1m > 1m > 1m 0.61 > 1m > 1m > 1m
5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 48 40 58 50 52 50 48 53 52 50
Source No No No No No NoPast mining
areaNo No stockpile
Stockpile
10m and
road 25m
Stockpile
10m and
road 25m
road and
stockpile
drainage
stockpile
drainage and
road is at
30m away
Railway line
and related
operations
fuel tank
20m, loading
system 50m
and railway
line 30m
stockpile roadside
drainage
Railway line
and related
operations
Distance
the location is
shifted
towards the
sources of
contamination
the location is
shifted
towards the
sources of
contamination
sample
collected near
stream which
runs at 20m
away and it is
on the valley
slope
55m away
from the
actual
location,
which is on
top of the
small hillock
position is
changed
towards source
of contamination
(fuel tank) and
considering the
swampy area
sample
location is
shifted
towards the
source of
contamination
Mining area
Id. No.
Location
Date
Time
Easting
Northing
Depth of soil samples
(cm)
Contamin-
ation
Any other commentsAny other comments
Land use
pattern
Surface cover
Gradient (Deg)
Erosion
Soil Texture
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 24 of 100
76 77 78 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5
Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Tokadeh Yekepa Yekepa Yekepa Yekepa Yekepa Yekepa Yekepa Yekepa Green Hill Green Hill Green Hill Green Hill Green Hill
Former
operations
Former
operations
Former
operations
Former Ore
Storage area
Former oil
storage area
Former Ore
Storage area
Water
treatment
works
General
operational
area
Workshop
assessment
Workshop
assessment
General
operational
area
Crusher site +
railway trackNear Oil tank
Workshop
assessment
Near
Electricity
distribution
General
operational
area05/05/2006 05/05/2006 05/05/2006 27/04/2006 01/05/2006 02/05/2006 28/04/2006 29/04/2006 07/05/2006 09/05/2006 07/05/2006 09/05/2006 06/05/2006 06/05/2006 06/05/2006 06/05/2006 15/05/2006 15/05/2006 15/05/2006 15/05/2006 15/05/2006
10.30 AM 10.10 AM 09.40 AM 01.29 PM 11.20 AM 12.30 PM 11.41 AM 01.28 PM 02.00 PM 01.20 PM 03.45 PM 12 Noon 01.25 PM 02.00 PM 02.30 PM 03.45 PM 11.25 AM 12 Noon 12.35 PM 12.50 PM 01.26 PM
539991 540011 540026 537493 536326 535634 537602 538995 554455 554400 554303 554747 550425 550635 550399 550911 479793 479951 480024 479875 479890
822741 822961 823286 824662 825612 823669 822708 822001 835974 835799 835725 837147 836239 836434 836560 836806 756197 756296 756266 756262 756284
Upper Railway line Railway line Railway line Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Workshopoperational
areaBush
constructed
areaWorkshop
railway
workshopWorkshop Workshop Workshop forest Workshop Workshop Quarry site
Down forest forest railway line Forest Forest Deep valley Forest Forest bushOperational
areaStockpile
Operational
areaWorkshop
railway
workshopWorkshop Workshop Railway workshop Workshop Workshop
Operational
area
100% forest
on the
downstream
with deep
rooted trees
100% forest
on the
downstream
with deep
rooted trees
80% grass
covered
90% shallow
rooted trees
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
100% forest
cover (deep
rooted trees)
85% shallow
rooted trees
and 15%
Exposed
85% shallow
rooted trees
and 15%
Exposed
100% bush
covered with
few deep
rooted trees
95% grass
covered
50% bush
and 50%
grass
90% grass
covered area
30% grass
covered
otherwise
constructed
area
stoney
surface
100% grass
covered
currentlly
95% grass
covered
85% barren
75% grass
cover down
slope and
100% forest
upstream
85% grass
covered
Barren
surface and
stockpile of
ballasts
85% Grass
covered
flat Flat20deg SW-
NE51°E 42°E 50°E 50°E 42°E 20degW <10deg slope 40deg slope 10degW Flat Flat 20deg S-N flat Flat
45% upper
slope and flat
surface oat
the d/s
Flat 15deg 25deg
manmade
drainage line
passes
through
manmade
drainage line
passes
through
Rills are seen No evidence No evidence No evidence No evidence No evidenceNo evidence
of erosion
No evidence
of erosion
No evidence
of erosion
manmade
road drainage
passes
through
No evidence
of erosion
No evidence
of erosion
No evidence
of erosion
No evidence
of erosion
rills and
gullies are
seen
No evidence
of erosion
No evidence
of erosion
Sheet erosion
observed
No evidence
of erosion
top soil
Clay (Red
colour and no
gravel)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and gravel
present)
Loamy sand
(black colur
and gravel
free)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and more
gravel)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and murrum
type soil)
subsoil
Clay (Red
colour and no
gravel)
Sandy clay
loam (red
colour and
more gravel)
Loamy sand
(black colur
and gravel
free)
Loamy sand
(red colour
and more
gravel)
Sandy clay
(red colour
and murrum
type soil)
> 1m > 1m > 1m 0.43 0.76 0.56 0.6 0.56 0.6 > 1m 0.63 0.55 > 1m 0.5 > 1m > 1m 0.47 > 1m > 1m > 1m > 1m
52 49 52 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 52 50 52 50 51 50 50 52 45 52 54 50 52
Source
Railway line
and related
operations
Railway line
and related
operations
road and
railway line
related
contamination
No No No No No
30m power
plant, ore bin
15m, 10m
road and
below the
conveyor belt
10m from oil
storage tank
and 20m from
the road
stockpile
electrical
materials
seen. It is a
old water
treatment
plant
tanker wagon,
railway line at
5m distance
partly burnt
railway parts
and the
workshop
wastes
Workshop,
located at a
distance of
75m)
drainage
passes
through this
point
drainage from
stone
crusher, radio
station,
damaged
heavy
machines and
general
workshop
crusher 25m
away and
railway line
5m away
oil tank
platform at
5m
service
garage of
equipments
and workshop
at 10m away
20m from
distribution /
transformer
box and it is a
quarrying site
Located on
the sides of
quarrying site
and road
crosses
nearby
Distance
sample
location is
shifted
towards the
source of
contamination
running water
is 10m away
sample
location is
shifted
towards the
source of
contamination
10m from the
stream ans
sample
location is
shifted
towards
source of
contamination
sample
location is
shifted
towards the
source of
contamination
sample
location is
shifted
towards the
source of
contamination
sample
location is
shifted due to
concrete
surface
sample taken
at the
drainage line
Deviated from
original
position due
to deep valley
Deviated from
original
position due
to deep valley
Id. No.
Location
Date
Time
Easting
Northing
Depth of soil samples
(cm)
Contamin-
ation
Any other commentsAny other comments
Land use
pattern
Surface cover
Gradient (Deg)
Erosion
Soil Texture
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 25 of 100
20 21 22 23 24 X3 25 26 27 28 29 X4 30 31 32 33 34
03/05/2006 03/05/2006 03/05/2006 04/05/2006 04/05/2006 04/05/2006 04/05/2006 03/05/2006 04/05/2006 05/05/2006 03/05/2006 04/05/2006 18/04/2006 18/04/2006 18/04/2006 17/04/2006 25/04/2006
0.50 0.54 0.52 0.52 0.55 0.50 0.50 0.42 0.50 0.50 0.46 0.52 0.10 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
Residential,
with Plant
Uptake
Commercial/
Industrial
Playing
Fields
Former
operations
Workshop
assessment
Workshop
assessment
Workshop
assessment
Workshop
assessment
Workshop
assessment
Former
operations
Former
operations
Former
stockpile
Former
operations
Former
operations
Former
stockpile
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Total Sulphate 554 140 96 63 471 140 915 891 550 762 567 589 - - - - -
Arsenic 20 500 1900 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Cadmium2 1 1400 545 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Chromium3 130 5000 2800 36 8 14 20 18 7 60 39 9 86 333 63 116 <1 <1 <1 86
Copper 653 760000 330000 <1 <1 <1 4 1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Iron - - - 258500 352500 254800 57900 42250 163600 279400 290200 379000 50620 164200 199700 310900 360300 334300 328100 214600
Lead 450 750 - 17 5 25 65 63 16 41 25 18 63 44 17 25 6 6 7 34
Manganese - - - 303 1206 321 90 199 323 1295 261 345 47 140 250 630 628 544 610 108
Mercury 8 480 220 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2
Nickel 50 5000 930 <1 <1 <1 <1 2 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Selenium 35 8000 3600 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Zinc 139 >1000000 390000 36 34 38 23 28 80 22 33 30 10 24 29 23 30 30 26 37
Conductivity (at 25 deg.C) - - - - - - - - - - - - 2.330 2.430 2.420 2.420 2.260
Acid Soluble Sulphide <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 - - - - -
Total Organic Carbon 0.18 0.04 0.21 0.10 0.02 0.07 0.16 0.22 0.11 0.16 0.41 0.22 - - - - -
Asbestos Presence Screen -No Fibres
Detected- - - -
No Fibres
Detected- - - - - - - - - -
pH Value 5.81 5.71 7.52 6.48 5.66 6.21 5.86 6.17 5.96 5.37 6.25 5.67 5.41 6.46 6.10 6.04 5.19
EPH (DRO) (C10-C40) 80 3 170 2 22 40 21 34 36 7 8 83 - - - - -
PAH by GCMS
Naphthalene 4.4 98 620 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - 0.05 - 0.03 - 0.08 0.09 - - - - -
Acenaphthylene - <0.005 - <0.005 - - <0.005 - <0.005 - <0.005 0.017 - - - - -
Acenaphthene 536 88000 14000 - <0.014 - <0.014 - - <0.014 - <0.014 - <0.014 0.030 - - - - -
Fluorene 454 57700 8820 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 0.070 - - - - -
Phenanthrene - <0.021 - <0.021 - - 0.021 - <0.021 - <0.021 0.105 - - - - -
Anthracene 4300 351000 68500 - <0.009 - <0.009 - - <0.009 - <0.009 - <0.009 0.009 - - - - -
Fluoranthene 796 57700 8820 - <0.025 - <0.025 - - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 <0.025 - - - - -
Pyrene 590 43400 6850 - <0.022 - <0.022 - - <0.022 - <0.022 - <0.022 <0.022 - - - - -
Benz(a)anthracene 4.79 290 45.6 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - 0.027 - 0.027 - 0.023 <0.012 - - - - -
Chrysene 479 29000 4560 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - 0.01 - 0.01 - 0.01 <0.01 - - - - -
Benzo(b)fluoranthene 5.54 290 45.6 - <0.016 - <0.016 - - <0.016 - <0.016 - <0.016 <0.016 - - - - -
Benzo(k)fluoranthene 55.4 2900 456 - <0.025 - <0.025 - - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 <0.025 - - - - -
Benzo(a)pyrene 0.54 29 4.56 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 <0.012 - - - - -
Indeno(123cd)pyrene 6.04 290 45.6 - <0.011 - <0.011 - - <0.011 - <0.011 - <0.011 <0.011 - - - - -
Dibenzo(ah)anthracene 0.61 29 4.56 - <0.008 - <0.008 - - 0.010 - <0.008 - 0.010 <0.008 - - - - -
Benzo(ghi)perylene 62.6 2900 456 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - 0.01 - 0.01 - 0.01 <0.01 - - - - -
PAH 16 Total - <0.025 - <0.025 - - 0.131 - 0.083 - 0.142 0.322 - - - - -
PCB 7 Congeners
PCB congener 28 - <0.001 - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 52 - <0.001 - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 101 - <0.001 - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 118 - <0.001 - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 153 - <0.001 - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 138 - <0.001 - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 180 - <0.001 - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - - - - - -
Total of 7 Congener PCBs - <0.001 - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - - - - - -
Contaminent
Contaminant Soil Screening Value
(mg/kg)
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 26 of 100
35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51
25/04/2006 02/05/2006 17/04/2006 17/04/2006 25/04/2006 25/04/2006 01/05/2006 01/05/2006 19/04/2006 26/04/2006 26/04/2006 24/04/2006 24/04/2006 22/04/2006 21/04/2006 20/04/2006 27/04/2006
0.05 0.10 0.05 0.10 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
Residential,
with Plant
Uptake
Commercial/
Industrial
Playing
Fields
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Total Sulphate - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Arsenic 20 500 1900 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Cadmium2 1 1400 545 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Chromium3 130 5000 2800 65 <1 4 11 186 122 156 85 108 28 90 438 65 64 40 106 18
Copper 653 760000 330000 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 8 <1 <1 6 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Iron - - - 347800 353300 366900 282500 171900 204500 289500 306000 294500 374700 376700 208700 330600 310000 340100 188000 344400
Lead 450 750 - 25 6 17 4 34 31 16 23 33 7 19 29 18 20 12 31 6
Manganese - - - 138 259 430 364 106 152 109 94 230 365 137 82 75 229 197 165 223
Mercury 8 480 220 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 1.2 1.3 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 1.3 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2
Nickel 50 5000 930 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Selenium 35 8000 3600 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Zinc 139 >1000000 390000 38 32 35 29 32 33 31 38 49 33 38 50 30 48 34 31 33
Conductivity (at 25 deg.C) 2.320 2.460 2.270 2.540 2.330 2.430 2.410 2.370 2.290 2.430 2.350 2.280 2.390 2.530 2.460 2.440 2.460
Acid Soluble Sulphide - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Total Organic Carbon - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Asbestos Presence Screen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
pH Value 3.91 5.13 5.89 5.63 4.23 4.49 4.18 5.30 4.41 5.85 4.66 4.64 4.95 4.42 4.31 4.94 6.18
EPH (DRO) (C10-C40) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PAH by GCMS
Naphthalene 4.4 98 620 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Acenaphthylene - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Acenaphthene 536 88000 14000 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Fluorene 454 57700 8820 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Phenanthrene - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Anthracene 4300 351000 68500 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Fluoranthene 796 57700 8820 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Pyrene 590 43400 6850 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Benz(a)anthracene 4.79 290 45.6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chrysene 479 29000 4560 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Benzo(b)fluoranthene 5.54 290 45.6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Benzo(k)fluoranthene 55.4 2900 456 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Benzo(a)pyrene 0.54 29 4.56 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Indeno(123cd)pyrene 6.04 290 45.6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dibenzo(ah)anthracene 0.61 29 4.56 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Benzo(ghi)perylene 62.6 2900 456 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PAH 16 Total - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB 7 Congeners
PCB congener 28 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 52 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 101 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 118 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 153 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 138 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 180 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Total of 7 Congener PCBs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Contaminent
Contaminant Soil Screening Value
(mg/kg)
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 27 of 100
52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68
27/04/2006 27/04/2006 24/04/2006 22/04/2006 21/04/2006 20/04/2006 28/04/2006 28/04/2006 29/04/2006 28/04/2006 29/04/2006 29/04/2006 03/05/2006 03/05/2006 03/05/2006 04/05/2006 03/05/2006
0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.48 0.40 0.58 0.50
Residential,
with Plant
Uptake
Commercial/
Industrial
Playing
Fields
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Former
stockpile
Former
stockpile
Former
stockpile
Former
stockpile
Former
operations
Total Sulphate - - - - - - - - - - - - - 635 1357 326 556
Arsenic 20 500 1900 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Cadmium2 1 1400 545 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Chromium3 130 5000 2800 308 72 136 41 42 52 32 25 92 17 28 68 89 <1 603 185 46
Copper 653 760000 330000 2 <1 <1 <1 6 18 <1 <1 3 <1 <1 18 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Iron - - - 169700 75230 308200 30680 28730 67140 321300 367000 157400 348000 330000 118300 213200 274500 193300 130500 61690
Lead 450 750 - 21 30 21 35 38 26 12 8 20 11 15 28 32 15 43 41 36
Manganese - - - 64 47 94 50 63 65 93 183 27 191 818 202 393 398 187 263 112
Mercury 8 480 220 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2
Nickel 50 5000 930 <1 <1 <1 2 4 2 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 2 <1 <1 7 <1 <1
Selenium 35 8000 3600 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Zinc 139 >1000000 390000 22 17 28 21 21 20 34 32 25 37 42 46 86 30 65 20 19
Conductivity (at 25 deg.C) 2.460 2.400 2.480 2.520 2.470 2.390 2.390 2.370 2.380 2.340 2.390 2.330 2.280 - - - -
Acid Soluble Sulphide - - - - - - - - - - - - - <50 <50 <50 <50
Total Organic Carbon - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.22 0.58 0.63 0.13
Asbestos Presence Screen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
pH Value 4.28 4.07 4.72 5.15 4.22 4.75 4.43 5.57 4.89 4.44 5.67 4.61 5.17 5.78 4.84 5.12 5.73
EPH (DRO) (C10-C40) - - - - - - - - - - - - - 32 489 92 710
PAH by GCMS
Naphthalene 4.4 98 620 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.05 - <0.01
Acenaphthylene - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.005 - <0.005
Acenaphthene 536 88000 14000 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.014 - <0.014
Fluorene 454 57700 8820 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.012 - <0.012
Phenanthrene - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.021 - <0.021
Anthracene 4300 351000 68500 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.009 - <0.009
Fluoranthene 796 57700 8820 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.025 - <0.025
Pyrene 590 43400 6850 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.022 - <0.022
Benz(a)anthracene 4.79 290 45.6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.017 - <0.012
Chrysene 479 29000 4560 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.01 - <0.01
Benzo(b)fluoranthene 5.54 290 45.6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.016 - <0.016
Benzo(k)fluoranthene 55.4 2900 456 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.025 - <0.025
Benzo(a)pyrene 0.54 29 4.56 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.012 - <0.012
Indeno(123cd)pyrene 6.04 290 45.6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.011 - <0.011
Dibenzo(ah)anthracene 0.61 29 4.56 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.008 - <0.008
Benzo(ghi)perylene 62.6 2900 456 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <0.01 - <0.01
PAH 16 Total - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.064 - <0.025
PCB 7 Congeners
PCB congener 28 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 52 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 101 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 118 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 153 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 138 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 180 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Total of 7 Congener PCBs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Contaminent
Contaminant Soil Screening Value
(mg/kg)
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 28 of 100
69 70 71 72 74 75 76 77 78 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124
04/05/2006 05/05/2006 05/05/2006 05/05/2006 05/05/2006 05/05/2006 05/05/2006 05/05/2006 05/05/2006 27/04/2006 01/05/2006 02/05/2006 28/04/2006 29/04/2006 07/05/2006 09/05/2006 07/05/2006
0.52 0.50 0.48 0.53 0.52 0.50 0.52 0.49 0.52 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.52 0.50 0.52
Residential,
with Plant
Uptake
Commercial/
Industrial
Playing
Fields
Former
stockpile
Former
operations
Oil storage
area
Former
stockpile
Former
operations
Former
operations
Former
operations
Former
operations
Former
operations
Former
operations
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Baseline soil
sampling
Former Ore
Storage area
Former oil
storage area
Former Ore
Storage area
Total Sulphate 304 798 482 378 729 816 426 356 1023 - - - - - 394 367 263
Arsenic 20 500 1900 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 1
Cadmium2 1 1400 545 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Chromium3 130 5000 2800 17 446 58 178 157 280 170 506 659 31 101 8 20 95 163 239 29
Copper 653 760000 330000 <1 <1 <1 <1 13 21 10 16 30 13 <1 <1 <1 <1 79 219 <1
Iron - - - 347800 141800 256500 342600 95820 68500 93860 132000 116500 26230 304800 317900 357700 313900 200600 151500 233900
Lead 450 750 - 12 94 20 13 42 41 33 46 31 56 22 13 13 30 30 38 5
Manganese - - - 522 101 265 481 68 101 80 54 87 21 106 626 322 194 1146 1116 570
Mercury 8 480 220 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 1.5 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2
Nickel 50 5000 930 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 12 <1 <1 50 4 <1 <1 <1 <1 40 63 <1
Selenium 35 8000 3600 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Zinc 139 >1000000 390000 28 22 29 37 18 24 17 24 36 18 34 29 37 37 100 140 36
Conductivity (at 25 deg.C) - - - - - - - - - 2.300 2.290 2.550 2.510 2.260 - - -
Acid Soluble Sulphide <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 - - - - - <50 <50 <50
Total Organic Carbon 0.26 0.39 0.19 0.15 0.31 0.29 0.53 0.51 0.25 - - - - - 0.33 - -
Asbestos Presence Screen - - -No Fibres
Detected- - - - - - - - - - - - -
pH Value 6.14 5.09 5.49 5.55 6.35 5.63 5.51 5.44 5.52 5.46 4.56 6.04 5.56 5.36 5.87 6.01 5.73
EPH (DRO) (C10-C40) 1 28 6 6 4 7 5 4 4 - - - - - 55 52 31
PAH by GCMS
Naphthalene 4.4 98 620 - <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - - - - - - <0.01 -
Acenaphthylene - <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 - <0.005 - <0.005 - - - - - - - <0.005 -
Acenaphthene 536 88000 14000 - <0.014 <0.014 <0.014 - <0.014 - <0.014 - - - - - - - <0.014 -
Fluorene 454 57700 8820 - <0.012 <0.012 <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - - - - - - <0.012 -
Phenanthrene - <0.021 <0.021 <0.021 - <0.021 - <0.021 - - - - - - - 0.037 -
Anthracene 4300 351000 68500 - <0.009 <0.009 <0.009 - <0.009 - <0.009 - - - - - - - <0.009 -
Fluoranthene 796 57700 8820 - <0.025 <0.025 <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - - - - - - - <0.025 -
Pyrene 590 43400 6850 - <0.022 <0.022 <0.022 - <0.022 - <0.022 - - - - - - - <0.022 -
Benz(a)anthracene 4.79 290 45.6 - <0.012 <0.012 <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - - - - - - 0.019 -
Chrysene 479 29000 4560 - <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - - - - - - <0.01 -
Benzo(b)fluoranthene 5.54 290 45.6 - <0.016 <0.016 <0.016 - <0.016 - <0.016 - - - - - - - <0.016 -
Benzo(k)fluoranthene 55.4 2900 456 - <0.025 <0.025 <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - - - - - - - <0.025 -
Benzo(a)pyrene 0.54 29 4.56 - <0.012 <0.012 <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - - - - - - <0.012 -
Indeno(123cd)pyrene 6.04 290 45.6 - <0.011 <0.011 <0.011 - <0.011 - <0.011 - - - - - - - <0.011 -
Dibenzo(ah)anthracene 0.61 29 4.56 - <0.008 <0.008 <0.008 - <0.008 - <0.008 - - - - - - - <0.008 -
Benzo(ghi)perylene 62.6 2900 456 - <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - - - - - - <0.01 -
PAH 16 Total - <0.025 <0.025 <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - - - - - - - 0.056 -
PCB 7 Congeners
PCB congener 28 - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 52 - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 101 - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 118 - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 153 - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 138 - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 180 - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Total of 7 Congener PCBs - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Contaminent
Contaminant Soil Screening Value
(mg/kg)
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 29 of 100
125 126 127 128 129 GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5
09/05/2006 06/05/2006 06/05/2006 06/05/2006 06/05/2006 15/05/2006 15/05/2006 15/05/2006 15/05/2006 15/05/2006
0.50 0.51 0.50 0.50 0.52 0.45 0.52 0.54 0.50 0.52
Residential,
with Plant
Uptake
Commercial/
Industrial
Playing
Fields
Water
treatment
works
General
operational
area
Workshop
assessment
Workshop
assessment
General
operational
area
Crusher site
+ railway
track
Near Oil tankWorkshop
assessment
Near
Electricity
distribution
transformer
General
operational
area
Total Sulphate 1176 1577 160 266 183 <50 576 206 650 498
Arsenic 20 500 1900 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Cadmium2 1 1400 545 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Chromium3 130 5000 2800 547 253 136 173 242 10 7 23 23 11
Copper 653 760000 330000 24 <1 <1 <1 <1 2 <1 <1 28 <1
Iron - - - 178800 101300 71300 95940 79240 18340 26470 12250 29390 30200
Lead 450 750 - 37 70 58 76 64 12 65 31 56 54
Manganese - - - 262 136 143 115 94 297 122 23 234 113
Mercury 8 480 220 1.4 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2
Nickel 50 5000 930 11 15 10 17 14 4 3 5 16 4
Selenium 35 8000 3600 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Zinc 139 >1000000 390000 50 24 36 28 34 45 34 12 211 46
Conductivity (at 25 deg.C) - - - - - - - - - -
Acid Soluble Sulphide <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50
Total Organic Carbon - 0.36 - - - - - - - -
Asbestos Presence Screen -No Fibres
Detected-
No Fibres
Detected- - -
No Fibres
Detected- -
pH Value 5.55 5.78 8.29 6.50 6.58 7.11 5.69 5.16 5.41 5.80
EPH (DRO) (C10-C40) 72 30 227 51 51 31 3656 23 2446 122
PAH by GCMS
Naphthalene 4.4 98 620 0.26 - 0.30 - - - - 0.10 0.33 -
Acenaphthylene 0.010 - 0.009 - - - - 0.011 0.014 -
Acenaphthene 536 88000 14000 0.107 - 0.147 - - - - 0.043 0.274 -
Fluorene 454 57700 8820 0.127 - 0.150 - - - - 0.059 0.146 -
Phenanthrene 0.558 - 0.613 - - - - 0.252 0.140 -
Anthracene 4300 351000 68500 0.118 - 0.151 - - - - 0.052 0.032 -
Fluoranthene 796 57700 8820 0.386 - 0.456 - - - - 0.235 0.046 -
Pyrene 590 43400 6850 0.276 - 0.371 - - - - 0.190 0.041 -
Benz(a)anthracene 4.79 290 45.6 0.147 - 0.193 - - - - 0.128 0.031 -
Chrysene 479 29000 4560 0.15 - 0.19 - - - - 0.11 0.03 -
Benzo(b)fluoranthene 5.54 290 45.6 0.102 - 0.197 - - - - 0.113 <0.016 -
Benzo(k)fluoranthene 55.4 2900 456 0.057 - 0.094 - - - - 0.090 <0.025 -
Benzo(a)pyrene 0.54 29 4.56 0.076 - 0.119 - - - - 0.069 0.013 -
Indeno(123cd)pyrene 6.04 290 45.6 0.030 - 0.050 - - - - 0.054 <0.011 -
Dibenzo(ah)anthracene 0.61 29 4.56 0.016 - 0.028 - - - - 0.030 <0.008 -
Benzo(ghi)perylene 62.6 2900 456 0.03 - 0.05 - - - - 0.05 <0.01 -
PAH 16 Total 2.450 - 3.124 - - - - 1.580 1.102 -
PCB 7 Congeners
PCB congener 28 <0.001 - - - - - - - <0.001 -
PCB congener 52 <0.001 - - - - - - - <0.001 -
PCB congener 101 <0.001 - - - - - - - <0.001 -
PCB congener 118 <0.001 - - - - - - - <0.001 -
PCB congener 153 <0.001 - - - - - - - <0.001 -
PCB congener 138 <0.001 - - - - - - - <0.001 -
PCB congener 180 <0.001 - - - - - - - <0.001 -
Total of 7 Congener PCBs <0.001 - - - - - - - <0.001 -
Contaminent
Contaminant Soil Screening Value
(mg/kg)
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
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Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
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Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
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3.3 Contaminated soils assessment: Buchanan: industrial and port areas
Id Location
1 Buchanan Assessment of former tailings facility 19/05/2006 10.10 AM 384874 647208
2 Buchanan Assessment of former tailings facility 24/05/2006 12.25 PM 384542 647261
3 Buchanan Oil storage facilities 25/05/2006 10.42 AM 384611 647895
4 Buchanan Oil storage facilities 25/05/2006 10.30 AM 384690 647950
5 Buchanan Oil storage facilities 25/05/2006 10.10 AM 384772 648046
6 Buchanan Oil storage facilities 25/05/2006 09.55 AM 384833 648095
7 Buchanan Oil storage facilities 25/05/2006 09.36 AM 384926 648173
8 Buchanan Oil storage facilities 25/05/2006 09.10 AM 384953 648260
9 Buchanan Former PCB usage 23/05/2006 12.20 PM 385049 648637
10 Buchanan Former PCB usage 22/05/2006 08.34 AM 384727 648777
11 Buchanan Waste fuel discharge area (into swamp) 23/05/2006 09.56 AM 385416 648843
12 Buchanan Waste fuel discharge area (into swamp) 23/05/2006 09.43 AM 385479 648906
13 Buchanan Diesel car fuelling facility 23/05/2006 11.54 AM 385297 648762
14 Buchanan Diesel car fuelling facility 23/05/2006 10.40 AM 385277 648594
15 Buchanan Diesel car fuelling facility 23/05/2006 11.16 AM 385167 648632
16 Buchanan Diesel car fuelling facility 22/05/2006 12.10 AM 385407 649135
17 Buchanan Diesel car fuelling facility 23/05/2006 08.30 AM 385310 649104
18 Buchanan Assessment of former tailings facility 20/05/2006 08.55 AM 383523 648310
19 Buchanan Assessment of former tailings facility 23/05/2006 12.42 PM 383339 648598
79 Buchanan General sampling 19/05/2006 12.15 PM 383509 648004
80 Buchanan General sampling 19/05/2006 11.56 AM 383763 647773
81 Buchanan General sampling 20/05/2006 09.59 AM 383760 647996
82 Buchanan General sampling 19/05/2006 11.27 AM 383992 647529
83 Buchanan General sampling 19/05/2006 12.46 PM 384005 647752
84 Buchanan General sampling 20/05/2006 09.38 AM 384000 648001
85 Buchanan General sampling 20/05/2006 10.35 AM 384006 648257
86 Buchanan General sampling 19/05/2006 09.15 AM 384251 647250
Time Easting NorthingArea Date
Id Location
87 Buchanan General sampling 19/05/2006 08.50 AM 384299 647463
88 Buchanan General sampling 24/05/2006 09.20 AM 384337 647697
89 Buchanan General sampling 19/05/2006 01.09 PM 384244 647752
90 Buchanan General sampling 20/05/2005 11.13 AM 384288 648227
91 Buchanan General sampling 20/05/2006 12.26 PM 384234 648498
92 Buchanan General sampling 24/05/2006 08.37 AM 384462 647545
93 Buchanan General sampling 24/05/2006 09.57 AM 384486 647769
94 Buchanan General sampling 24/05/2006 11.53 AM 384666 648081
95 Buchanan General sampling 20/05/2006 02.11 PM 384498 648250
96 Buchanan General sampling 20/05/2006 12.10 PM 384514 648499
97 Buchanan General sampling 20/05/2006 01.11 PM 384480 648743
98 Buchanan Oil storage facilities 24/05/2006 09.40 AM 384749 648005
99 Buchanan General sampling 24/05/2006 11.10 AM 384783 648261
100 Buchanan General sampling 20/05/2006 01.50 PM 384777 648493
101 Buchanan General sampling 22/05/2006 08.24 AM 384753 648746
102 Buchanan General sampling 22/05/2006 09.03 AM 384752 648994
103 Buchanan Oil storage facilities 25/05/2006 08.56 AM 385002 648252
104 Buchanan Diesel car fuelling facility 25/05/2006 11.00 AM 385005 648525
105 Buchanan General sampling 24/05/2006 01.15 AM 384997 648759
106 Buchanan General sampling 22/05/2006 09.20 AM 384994 649005
107 Buchanan General sampling 22/05/2006 09.34 AM 385012 649252
108 Buchanan Diesel car fuelling facility 23/05/2006 10.52 AM 385242 648501
109 Buchanan General sampling 23/05/2006 11.42 AM 385248 648751
110 Buchanan General sampling 23/05/2006 09.01 AM 385246 649002
111 Buchanan General sampling 22/05/2006 10.04 AM 385256 649254
112 Buchanan General sampling 22/05/2006 10.30 AM 385248 649510
113 Buchanan Diesel car fuelling facility 23/05/2006 10.20 AM 385498 648744
114 Buchanan General sampling 23/05/2006 09.20 AM 385501 649001
115 Buchanan General sampling 22/05/2006 11.27 AM 385483 649249
116 Buchanan General sampling 22/05/2006 10.54 AM 385494 649491
117 Buchanan General sampling 22/05/2006 11.35 AM 385747 649240
Time Easting NorthingArea Date
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
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Page 33 of 100
Id 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Location Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan
Type R R R R R R R R
easting 385086.199 384797.433 384610.411 384679.759 384752.490 384852.284 384908.100 384955.460
northing 647214.829 647439.424 647898.056 647952.181 648033.369 648141.619 648209.276 648253.252
CommentsAssessment of
former tailings facility
Assessment of
former tailings facilityOil storage facilities Oil storage facilities Oil storage facilities Oil storage facilities Oil storage facilities Oil storage facilities
Assessment of
former tailings facility
Assessment of
former tailings facilityOil storage facilities Oil storage facilities Oil storage facilities Oil storage facilities Oil storage facilities Oil storage facilities
19/05/2006 24/05/2006 25/05/2006 25/05/2006 25/05/2006 25/05/2006 25/05/2006 25/05/2006
10.10 AM 12.25 PM 10.42 AM 10.30 AM 10.10 AM 09.55 AM 09.36 AM 09.10 AM
384874 384542 384611 384690 384772 384833 384926 384953
647208 647261 647895 647950 648046 648095 648173 648260
Upper Tailing pond Swampy areaFuel storage tank
area
Fuel storage tank
area
Fuel storage tank
areaWorkshop Workshop Operational Area
Down Tailing pond Swampy areaFuel storage tank
area
Fuel storage tank
area
Fuel storage tank
area
Fuel storage tank
areaWorkshop Operational Area
50% grass and 50%
barren100% bush covered
50% Barren & 50%
grass covered80% grass covered
80% Barren but lot of
dugouts filled with
water and oil mix
90% grass30% grass and 70%
barren
60% grass covered &
40% barren
10degW Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat
No evidence of
erosion but sheet
erosion is possible
No evidence of
erosion but sheet
erosion is possible
No evidence of
erosion but sheet
erosion is possible
No evidence of
erosion but sheet
erosion is possible
No evidence of
erosion but sheet
erosion is possible
No evidence of
wrosion
No evidence of
wrosion
No evidence of
erosion
0.57 (WL) 0.75 (WL) 0.45 (WL) > 1m 0.43 (WL) > 1m > 1m >1m
52 52 40 57 30 51 51 51
Contaminatio
n
Source &
distanceTailing pond
roadside erosion and
former tailing pond
area
fuel storage tanks
and pipelinesFuel storage tanks Fuel storage tanks
Workshop area & fuel
tanks is 3m away
Workshop wastes are
seen at all places
Workshop wastes are
seen at all places
sample location
shifted to nearly 60m
away due to
appearance of
groundwater level at
20cm depth
Entire area is
swampy and so the
sample location is
shifted
Location is shifted
35m away from the
designed location due
to hard concrete
surface
Location is shifted
10m away from the
designed location due
to hard concrete
surface
0.52 0.52 0.40 0.51 0.30 0.51 0.51 0.51
Brown Brown Black Light Brown Light Brown Rust Light Brown Rust
<0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm
Area
Date
Time
Easting
Northing
Land use
pattern
Surface cover
Gradient (Deg)
Erosion
Depth to bed rock (m)
Depth of soil samples
(cm)
Any other comments
Depth (m)
Colour
Grain Size
Description Top Soil with some Stones Clay with some StonesTop Soil with some Stones Top Soil with some Stones Sand with some Stones Sand with some Stones Clay with some Stones Sand with some Stones
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
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Page 34 of 100
Id 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Location Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan
Type R R R R R R R R R R R
easting 385063.710 384722.045 385440.895 385469.649 385330.953 385270.062 385177.035 385423.981 385310.656 383522.833 383336.778
northing 648638.895 648779.282 648826.641 648860.470 648769.133 648588.152 648640.586 649119.256 649100.650 648312.452 648591.535
Comments Former PCB usage Former PCB usageWaste fuel discharge
area (into swamp)
Waste fuel discharge
area (into swamp)
Diesel car fuelling
facility
Diesel car fuelling
facility
Diesel car fuelling
facility
Diesel car fuelling
facility
Diesel car fuelling
facility
Assessment of
former tailings facility
Assessment of
former tailings facility
Former PCB usage Former PCB usageWaste fuel discharge
area (into swamp)
Waste fuel discharge
area (into swamp)
Diesel car fuelling
facility
Diesel car fuelling
facility
Diesel car fuelling
facility
Diesel car fuelling
facility
Diesel car fuelling
facility
Assessment of
former tailings facility
Assessment of
former tailings facility
23/05/2006 22/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 22/05/2006 23/05/2006 20/05/2006 23/05/2006
12.20 PM 08.34 AM 09.56 AM 09.43 AM 11.54 AM 10.40 AM 11.16 AM 12.10 AM 08.30 AM 08.55 AM 12.42 PM
385049 384727 385416 385479 385297 385277 385167 385407 385310 383523 383339
648637 648777 648843 648906 648762 648594 648632 649135 649104 648310 648598
Upper Workshop Workshop Workshop Bush Workshop Workshop Workshop Railwayline Railway line Tailing pond Tailing pond
Down Workshop Workshop Workshop Farm land Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop Operational Area Tailing pond Tailing pond
80% barren 70% grass coveredroad side slope and
otherisde is swampfarming
90% grass cover and
10% barren100% grass covered 80% grass covered 95% grass covered 100% grass covered 100% grass covered 90% grass covered
Flat Undulated 45deg 10degW Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
0.68
> 1m but hard
surface started at
0.75m
> 1m 0.7 > 1m > 1m > 1m 0.84 0.57 > 1m 0.5
55 50 55 52 51 53 48 50 50 55 47
Contaminatio
n
Source &
distance
Workshop wastes are
seen at all places
Fuel tanks and road
sifde drainages and
powerlines are also
seen
Road side drainage Swamp 10m awayWorkshop wastes are
seen at all places
Fuel tank at 3m
distance
Workshop wastes are
seen at all places
diesel car fuelling
wastes
railway line and
related contaminationTailing pond Tailing pond
Location is shifted
due to swamp
Location is shifted
due to swamp
Location is shifted
due to presence of
water in the surface
Location is shifted by
10m due to the
location of fuel tank
Location is shifted
20m away from the
designed location due
to hard concrete
surface
Location is shifted
towards
contamination source
canal runs at a
distance of 7m
0.55 0.50 0.55 0.52 0.51 0.53 0.48 0.50 0.50 0.55 0.47
Rust Grey Rust Dark Brown Dark Grey Light Brown Brown Rust Black Light Brown Black
<0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm <0.063mm
Sand with some Stones Top Soil with some Stones Top Soil with some Stones Sand with some Stones Top Soil with some StonesGravel with some Stones Top Soil with some Stones Clay with some Stones Clay with some Stones Clay with some Stones
Any other comments
Depth (m)
Colour
Grain Size
Description Sand with some Stones
Land use
pattern
Surface cover
Gradient (Deg)
Erosion
Depth to bed rock (m)
Depth of soil samples
(cm)
Area
Date
Time
Easting
Northing
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Id 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89
Location Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan
Type 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G
easting 383500.000 383750.000 383750.000 384000.000 384000.000 384000.000 384000.000 384250.000 384250.000 384250.000 384250.000
northing 648000.000 647750.000 648000.000 647500.000 647750.000 648000.000 648250.000 647250.000 647500.000 647750.000 648000.000
Comments General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling
General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling
19/05/2006 19/05/2006 20/05/2006 19/05/2006 19/05/2006 20/05/2006 20/05/2006 19/05/2006 19/05/2006 24/05/2006 19/05/2006
12.15 PM 11.56 AM 09.59 AM 11.27 AM 12.46 PM 09.38 AM 10.35 AM 09.15 AM 08.50 AM 09.20 AM 01.09 PM
383509 383763 383760 383992 384005 384000 384006 384251 384299 384337 384244
648004 647773 647996 647529 647752 648001 648257 647250 647463 647697 647752
Upper Operational Area Operational Area Tailing pond Operational Area Operational Area Tailing pond Drainage area Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area
Down Operational Area Operational Area Drainage area Sea Operational Area Tailing pond Drainage area Sea Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area
70% grass covered 85% grass covered 100% bush covered 100% grass covered 100% bush covered60% grass and 40%
barren100% bush covered
100% bush covered
and road & boulders
on one side
Grass in eastern
direction and bush in
western direction
(95%)
85% bush and 15%
barren100% bush covered
Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat Undulated terrain Flat Flat Flat Flat
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
> 1m 0.62 > 1m 0.6 0.6 > 1m > 1m 0.5 0.61 > 1m 0.53
55 49 54 48 48 52 50 49 48 52 50
Contaminatio
n
Source &
distance
Near the port office
and road
Metal scraps lie all
over the placeTailing pond
Sea port office and
10m away from Sea
Conveyor belt and
drainage line at 1m
distance
Tailing pond
Drainage from
workshop area, road
embankment 15m
away
Tranformer poles at
3m, Road 1m and
Sea at 10m
Fuel pipeline at 8m,
drainage stream
crosses at 3m and
road at 5m
railway line and
related contamination
Oil tank and
workshop at 30m and
it is nearby road
The location moved
towards land surface
Farming is going on
the embankment
slopes
sample location
shifted to nearly 30m
away due to
appearance of
groundwater level at
20cm depth
sample location
shifted 10m from the
location due to
swamp
0.55 0.49 0.54 0.48 0.48 0.52 0.50 0.49 0.48 0.52 0.50
Light Brown Black Brown Brown Brown Brown Brown Brown Brown Brown Brown
<0.063mm <0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm
SandSand Sand with some Stones Sand with some Stones Sand with some Stones Sand Sand
Grain Size
Description Sand with some Stones Top Soil with some Stones Sand with some Stones Sand
Area
Date
Time
Easting
Northing
Land use
pattern
Surface cover
Gradient (Deg)
Erosion
Depth to bed rock (m)
Depth of soil samples
(cm)
Any other comments
Depth (m)
Colour
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
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Id 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
Location Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan
Type 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G
easting 384250.000 384250.000 384500.000 384500.000 384500.000 384500.000 384500.000 384500.000 384750.000 384750.000 384750.000
northing 648250.000 648500.000 647500.000 647750.000 648000.000 648250.000 648500.000 648750.000 648000.000 648250.000 648500.000
Comments General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling Oil storage facilities General sampling General sampling
General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling Oil storage facilities General sampling General sampling
20/05/2005 20/05/2006 24/05/2006 24/05/2006 24/05/2006 20/05/2006 20/05/2006 20/05/2006 24/05/2006 24/05/2006 20/05/2006
11.13 AM 12.26 PM 08.37 AM 09.57 AM 11.53 AM 02.11 PM 12.10 PM 01.11 PM 09.40 AM 11.10 AM 01.50 PM
384288 384234 384462 384486 384666 384498 384514 384480 384749 384783 384777
648227 648498 647545 647769 648081 648250 648499 648743 648005 648261 648493
Upper Tailing pond Workshop Bush Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area Workshop Oil storage tank Operational Area Operational Area
Down Tailing pond Workshop Road Bush Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area Workshop Oil storage tank Operational Area Operational Area
95% bush 100% Bush 100% bush 100% bush 100% grass covered 100% barren 100% bush 100% grass covered Barren 100% grass covered 100% grass covered
5-10deg slope < 5deg slope 10-15deg slope 10deg < 5deg slope Flat Flat Road side slopeUndulated and lot of
pitsFlat Flat
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosionrills were seen
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
0.74 > 1m > 1m 0.78m WL > 1m > 1m 0.85 > 1m 0.57 0.60m WL0.5 Water appears
after sometime
52 53 50 52 49 50 55 52 38 48 45
Contaminatio
n
Source &
distanceTailing pond
Pond at 5m, Washing
plant at 5mNo speific sources
Fuel pipeline at 2m
and swamp closeby
railway line and
related contamination
and conveyor belt pits
Iron ore stock pile Pellet plant Workshop Fuel storage wastes Conveyor beltsRoad and iron ore
stock pile
sample location
shifted to nearly 30m
away due to
appearance of
groundwater level
around 20cm depth
sample location
shifted to nearly 60m
away due to swamp
sample location
shifted to nearly 20m
away due to swamp
Water starts Oozing
out from sides after
sometimes
sample location
shifted to nearly 15m
away due to concrete
surface
sample location
shifted to nearly 13m
away due to water
level at around 20cm
sample location
shifted to nearly 40m
away due to swamp
sample location
shifted to nearly 28m
away due to swamp
0.52 0.53 0.50 0.52 0.49 0.50 0.55 0.52 0.38 0.48 0.45
Brown Rust Rust Brown Brown Rust Rust Brown Red Brown Brown
0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm
Area
Date
Time
Easting
Northing
Land use
pattern
Surface cover
Gradient (Deg)
Erosion
Depth to bed rock (m)
Depth of soil samples
(cm)
Any other comments
Depth (m)
Colour
Grain Size
Sand with some StonesSandy Clay Sand Sand Sand Sand with some Stones Sand Sand Sand with some Stones SandSandDescription
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 37 of 100
Id 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111
Location Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan
Type 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G
easting 384750.000 384750.000 385000.000 385000.000 385000.000 385000.000 385000.000 385250.000 385250.000 385250.000 385250.000
northing 648750.000 649000.000 648250.000 648500.000 648750.000 649000.000 649250.000 648500.000 648750.000 649000.000 649250.000
Comments General sampling General sampling Oil storage facilitiesDiesel car fuelling
facilityGeneral sampling General sampling General sampling
Diesel car fuelling
facilityGeneral sampling General sampling General sampling
General sampling General sampling Oil storage facilitiesDiesel car fuelling
facilityGeneral sampling General sampling General sampling
Diesel car fuelling
facilityGeneral sampling General sampling General sampling
22/05/2006 22/05/2006 25/05/2006 25/05/2006 24/05/2006 22/05/2006 22/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 22/05/2006
08.24 AM 09.03 AM 08.56 AM 11.00 AM 01.15 AM 09.20 AM 09.34 AM 10.52 AM 11.42 AM 09.01 AM 10.04 AM
384753 384752 385002 385005 384997 384994 385012 385242 385248 385246 385256
648746 648994 648252 648525 648759 649005 649252 648501 648751 649002 649254
Upper Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area Workshop Workshop Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area Railway line Operational Area
Down Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area Workshop Workshop Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area
80% grass covered 100% bush covered 90% grass 95% grass covered 100% grass covered 95% bush 60% bush 100% grass covered 100% grass covered60% bush and 40%
grass90% grass covered
Undulated Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat Flat Undulated terrain Flat
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
> 1m 0.74m WL > 1m > 1m > 1m 0.7 > 1m > 1m > 1m 0.90m WL 0.67m WL
55 50 50 52 50 55 55 56 52 52 52
Contaminatio
n
Source &
distance
Electrical
transformersNo speific sources Road
Workshop wastes are
seen at all places
Workshop wastes are
seen at all placesroad at 2m
stream running at
20m and there are
more stagnant small
water bodies
Office areaWorkshop wastes are
seen at all places
Railway line and
related contamination
Metal scraps lie all
over the place
sample location
shifted to nearly 28m
away due to
workshop and whole
area is dug up
sample location
shifted to nearly 10m
away due to water
level at around 20cm
0.55 0.50 0.50 0.52 0.50 0.55 0.55 0.56 0.52 0.52 0.52
Brown Orange Brown Brown Rust Rust Brown Grey Brown Beige Beige
0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm
Sand Sand Sand Sandy Clay Sandy ClaySandSand Sand with some Stones Sand Sand Sand with some Stones
Grain Size
Description
Depth to bed rock (m)
Depth of soil samples
(cm)
Any other comments
Depth (m)
Colour
Easting
Northing
Land use
pattern
Surface cover
Gradient (Deg)
Erosion
Area
Date
Time
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 38 of 100
Id 112 113 114 115 116 117
Location Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan Buchanan
Type 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G 250G
easting 385250.000 385500.000 385500.000 385500.000 385500.000 385750.000
northing 649500.000 648750.000 649000.000 649250.000 649500.000 649250.000
Comments General samplingDiesel car fuelling
facilityGeneral sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling
General samplingDiesel car fuelling
facilityGeneral sampling General sampling General sampling General sampling
22/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 22/05/2006 22/05/2006 22/05/2006
10.30 AM 10.20 AM 09.20 AM 11.27 AM 10.54 AM 11.35 AM
385248 385498 385501 385483 385494 385747
649510 648744 649001 649249 649491 649240
Upper Road Bush Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area Operational Area
Down Swampy area Bush Bush Operational Area Swampy area Bush
100% grass covered85% bush and 15%
grassBarren 80% grass covered 100% bush 85% bush
10deg EtoW Flat Flat Flat 60deg roadside slope 45deg roadside slope
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
No evidence of
erosion
> 1m > 1m > 1m > 1m > 1m > 1m
54 52 50 50 53 59
Contaminatio
n
Source &
distanceNo speific sources
No sources of
contaminationNo speific sources
Workshop wastes
and road
No specific sources
except road drainage
No specific sources
except road drainage
sample location
shifted to nearly 20m
away due to water
level at around 20cm
sample location
shifted to nearly 10m
away due to swamp
sample location
shifted to nearly 10m
away due to swamp
0.54 0.52 0.50 0.50 0.53 0.59
Beige Black Brown Brown Red Brown
0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm 0.1mm - 0.063mm
Sand Sandy Clay Sand
Colour
Grain Size
Description Sandy Clay Sand Sandy Clay
Gradient (Deg)
Erosion
Depth to bed rock (m)
Depth of soil samples
(cm)
Any other comments
Depth (m)
Date
Time
Easting
Northing
Land use
pattern
Surface cover
Area
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 39 of 100
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
19/05/2006 24/05/2006 25/05/2006 25/05/2006 25/05/2006 25/05/2006 25/05/2006 25/05/2006 23/05/2006 22/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 22/05/2006
0.52 0.52 0.40 0.51 0.30 0.51 0.51 0.51 0.55 0.50 0.55 0.52 0.51 0.53 0.48 0.50
Residential,
with Plant
Uptake
Commercial/
Industrial
Playing
FieldsTailing pond
Roadside
erosion and
former tailing
pond area
Fuel storage
tanks and
pipelines
Fuel storage
tanks
Fuel storage
tanks
Workshop
area & fuel
tanks is 3m
away
Workshop
wastes are
seen at all
places
Workshop
wastes are
seen at all
places
Workshop
wastes are
seen at all
places
Fuel tanks &
road side
drainages &
powerlines
Road side
drainage
Swamp 10m
away
Workshop
wastes are
seen at all
places
Fuel tank at
3m distance
Workshop
wastes are
seen at all
places
diesel car
fuelling
wastes
Total Sulphate 191 115 135 101 <50 842 514 449 563 83 222 210 152 92 66 147
Arsenic 20 500 1900 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 7 <1 8 <1 6 1 5
Cadmium2 1 1400 545 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Chromium3 130 5000 2800 <1 5 15 51 24 700 111 181 240 17 154 34 71 18 17 158
Copper 653 760000 330000 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 <1 284 1 <1 15
Lead 450 750 - 18 10 8 11 15 40 28 35 37 29 27 23 241 7 10 31
Mercury 8 480 220 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2
Nickel 50 5000 930 <1 <1 2 2 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 43 <1 <1 2
Selenium 35 8000 3600 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Zinc 139 >1000000 390000 31 21 17 8 10 26 11 43 27 38 29 81 300 22 14 64
Acid Soluble Sulphide <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50
Total Organic Carbon 0.08 - - - - - - - - - 0.56 - - - - -
Asbestos Presence Screen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
pH Value 5.95 6.58 6.18 6.32 5.80 5.90 5.55 6.67 5.42 6.35 6.14 6.52 7.61 6.56 7.44 7.44
EPH (DRO) (C10-C40) 33 62 2123 99 136 17 221 1483 98 1 185 306 252 1 134 483
PAH by GCMS
Naphthalene 4.4 98 620 - 0.13 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - 0.63 - 1.34 - 0.64 - - -
Acenaphthylene - <0.005 - <0.005 - <0.005 - - 0.047 - 0.082 - 0.035 - - -
Acenaphthene 536 88000 14000 - 0.018 - <0.014 - <0.014 - - 0.022 - 0.056 - 0.022 - - -
Fluorene 454 57700 8820 - 0.016 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - 0.067 - 0.135 - 0.045 - - -
Phenanthrene - 0.113 - <0.021 - <0.021 - - 0.073 - 0.145 - 0.052 - - -
Anthracene 4300 351000 68500 - <0.009 - <0.009 - <0.009 - - <0.009 - 0.010 - 0.010 - - -
Fluoranthene 796 57700 8820 - 0.053 - <0.025 - <0.025 - - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - - -
Pyrene 590 43400 6850 - 0.050 - <0.022 - <0.022 - - <0.022 - <0.022 - <0.022 - - -
Benz(a)anthracene 4.79 290 45.6 - 0.047 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - -
Chrysene 479 29000 4560 - 0.06 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - -
Benzo(b)fluoranthene 5.54 290 45.6 - 0.029 - <0.016 - <0.016 - - <0.016 - <0.016 - <0.016 - - -
Benzo(k)fluoranthene 55.4 2900 456 - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - - -
Benzo(a)pyrene 0.54 29 4.56 - 0.015 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - -
Indeno(123cd)pyrene 6.04 290 45.6 - <0.011 - <0.011 - <0.011 - - <0.011 - <0.011 - <0.011 - - -
Dibenzo(ah)anthracene 0.61 29 4.56 - <0.008 - <0.008 - <0.008 - - <0.008 - <0.008 - <0.008 - - -
Benzo(ghi)perylene 62.6 2900 456 - 0.02 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - -
PAH 16 Total - 0.549 - <0.025 - <0.025 - - 0.839 - 1.769 - 0.800 - - -
PCB 7 Congeners
PCB congener 28 - - - - - - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - -
PCB congener 52 - - - - - - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - -
PCB congener 101 - - - - - - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - -
PCB congener 118 - - - - - - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - -
PCB congener 153 - - - - - - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - -
PCB congener 138 - - - - - - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - -
PCB congener 180 - - - - - - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - -
Total of 7 Congener PCBs - - - - - - - - <0.001 <0.001 - - - - - -
Contaminant
Contaminant Soil Screening Value1
(mg/kg)
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 40 of 100
17 18 19 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91
23/05/2006 20/05/2006 23/05/2006 19/05/2006 19/05/2006 20/05/2006 19/05/2006 19/05/2006 20/05/2006 20/05/2006 19/05/2006 19/05/2006 24/05/2006 19/05/2006 20/05/2005 20/05/2006
0.50 0.55 0.47 0.55 0.49 0.54 0.48 0.48 0.52 0.50 0.49 0.48 0.52 0.50 0.52 0.53
Residential,
with Plant
Uptake
Commercial/
Industrial
Playing
Fields
railway line
and related
contamination
Tailing pond Tailing pond
Near the port
office and
road
Metal scraps
lie all over
the place
Tailing pond
Sea port
office and
10m away
from Sea
Conveyor
belt and
drainage line
at 1m
distance
Tailing pond
Drainage from
workshop area,
road
embankment
15m away
Tranformer
poles at 3m,
Road 1m and
Sea at 10m
Fuel pipeline at
8m, drainage
stream crosses
at 3m and road
at 5m
railway line and
related
contamination
Oil tank and
workshop at
30m and it is
nearby road
Tailing pond
Pond at 5m,
Washing
plant at 5m
Total Sulphate 213 501 177 315 81 84 118 <50 204 115 272 150 189 156 <50 277
Arsenic 20 500 1900 15 8 8 <1 <1 <1 <1 9 <1 11 <1 <1 5 <1 54 <1
Cadmium2 1 1400 545 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Chromium3 130 5000 2800 30 27 23 20 6 22 37 <1 <1 <1 53 112 32 4 <1 <1
Copper 653 760000 330000 62 3 <1 149 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 95 <1 3 <1 <1 <1
Lead 450 750 - 14 11 21 15 25 5 18 7 8 8 30 18 18 8 4 14
Mercury 8 480 220 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 1.3 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2
Nickel 50 5000 930 16 2 <1 3 <1 <1 5 <1 <1 <1 23 <1 8 <1 <1 <1
Selenium 35 8000 3600 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Zinc 139 >1000000 390000 53 20 30 34 35 25 24 27 23 29 67 11 27 30 23 31
Acid Soluble Sulphide <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 59 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50
Total Organic Carbon - 0.43 - 0.27 0.10 0.21 0.20 0.09 0.02 0.41 0.57 0.25 0.54 0.43 0.07 0.14
Asbestos Presence Screen - - - -No Fibres
Detected- - -
No Fibres
Detected- - - - -
No Fibres
Detected-
pH Value 8.07 5.56 7.85 6.79 6.49 6.08 8.33 6.46 6.02 6.84 6.16 6.09 5.43 7.19 6.23 5.94
EPH (DRO) (C10-C40) 159 2 108 2 127 1 45 <1 25 43 57 36 33 105 25 54
PAH by GCMS
Naphthalene 4.4 98 620 0.26 - 0.29 - 0.07 - <0.01 - <0.01 - 0.09 - 0.07 - <0.01 -
Acenaphthylene 0.046 - <0.005 - <0.005 - <0.005 - <0.005 - 0.018 - <0.005 - <0.005 -
Acenaphthene 536 88000 14000 0.033 - <0.014 - <0.014 - <0.014 - <0.014 - 0.026 - <0.014 - <0.014 -
Fluorene 454 57700 8820 0.077 - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - 0.031 - <0.012 - <0.012 -
Phenanthrene 0.092 - <0.021 - <0.021 - <0.021 - <0.021 - 0.063 - <0.021 - <0.021 -
Anthracene 4300 351000 68500 0.020 - <0.009 - <0.009 - <0.009 - <0.009 - 0.032 - <0.009 - <0.009 -
Fluoranthene 796 57700 8820 <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - 0.089 - <0.025 - <0.025 -
Pyrene 590 43400 6850 <0.022 - <0.022 - <0.022 - <0.022 - <0.022 - 0.090 - <0.022 - <0.022 -
Benz(a)anthracene 4.79 290 45.6 <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - 0.074 - <0.012 - <0.012 -
Chrysene 479 29000 4560 <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - 0.10 - <0.01 - <0.01 -
Benzo(b)fluoranthene 5.54 290 45.6 <0.016 - <0.016 - <0.016 - <0.016 - <0.016 - 0.167 - <0.016 - <0.016 -
Benzo(k)fluoranthene 55.4 2900 456 <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - 0.084 - <0.025 - <0.025 -
Benzo(a)pyrene 0.54 29 4.56 <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - 0.072 - <0.012 - <0.012 -
Indeno(123cd)pyrene 6.04 290 45.6 <0.011 - <0.011 - <0.011 - <0.011 - <0.011 - 0.033 - <0.011 - <0.011 -
Dibenzo(ah)anthracene 0.61 29 4.56 <0.008 - <0.008 - <0.008 - <0.008 - <0.008 - 0.010 - <0.008 - <0.008 -
Benzo(ghi)perylene 62.6 2900 456 <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - 0.04 - <0.01 - <0.01 -
PAH 16 Total 0.532 - 0.289 - 0.070 - <0.025 - <0.025 - 1.016 - 0.074 - <0.025 -
PCB 7 Congeners
PCB congener 28 - - - - <0.001 - - - <0.001 - - - - - <0.001 -
PCB congener 52 - - - - <0.001 - - - <0.001 - - - - - <0.001 -
PCB congener 101 - - - - <0.001 - - - <0.001 - - - - - <0.001 -
PCB congener 118 - - - - <0.001 - - - <0.001 - - - - - <0.001 -
PCB congener 153 - - - - <0.001 - - - <0.001 - - - - - <0.001 -
PCB congener 138 - - - - <0.001 - - - <0.001 - - - - - <0.001 -
PCB congener 180 - - - - <0.001 - - - <0.001 - - - - - <0.001 -
Total of 7 Congener PCBs - - - - <0.001 - - - <0.001 - - - - - <0.001 -
Contaminant
Contaminant Soil Screening Value1
(mg/kg)
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 41 of 100
92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107
24/05/2006 24/05/2006 24/05/2006 20/05/2006 20/05/2006 20/05/2006 24/05/2006 24/05/2006 20/05/2006 22/05/2006 22/05/2006 25/05/2006 25/05/2006 24/05/2006 22/05/2006 22/05/2006
0.50 0.52 0.49 0.50 0.55 0.52 0.38 0.48 0.45 0.55 0.50 0.50 0.52 0.50 0.55 0.55
Residential,
with Plant
Uptake
Commercial/
Industrial
Playing
Fields
No speific
sources
Fuel pipeline
at 2m and
swamp
closeby
railway line
and related
contamination
and conveyor
belt pits
Iron ore
stock pilePellet plant Workshop
Fuel storage
wastes
Conveyor
belts
Road and
iron ore
stock pile
Electrical
transformers
No speific
sourcesRoad
Workshop
wastes are
seen at all
places
Workshop
wastes are
seen at all
places
road at 2m
stream
running at
20m and
there are
more
stagnant Total Sulphate 95 384 311 113 173 120 159 152 185 79 279 <50 54 138 62 205
Arsenic 20 500 1900 6 <1 <1 45 21 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 3 <1 <1
Cadmium2 1 1400 545 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Chromium3 130 5000 2800 74 <1 76 2 18 30 32 7 <1 3 27 9 9 37 15 34
Copper 653 760000 330000 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 3 31 <1 3
Lead 450 750 - 20 8 17 14 32 16 11 12 6 4 10 1 6 261 20 18
Mercury 8 480 220 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2
Nickel 50 5000 930 1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Selenium 35 8000 3600 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Zinc 139 >1000000 390000 11 25 17 21 44 32 18 18 23 18 12 1 8 121 28 14
Acid Soluble Sulphide <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50
Total Organic Carbon 0.36 0.22 0.30 0.07 0.55 0.21 - 0.24 0.14 0.17 0.12 - - 0.70 0.19 0.26
Asbestos Presence Screen - - - -No Fibres
Detected- - - - - - - - - - -
pH Value 8.33 6.54 6.05 6.10 6.12 7.12 5.76 6.06 6.12 5.97 6.25 6.21 5.82 7.92 6.33 5.78
EPH (DRO) (C10-C40) 46 55 35 57 91 67 4211 77 80 41 26 32 66 407 46 28
PAH by GCMS
Naphthalene 4.4 98 620 <0.01 - 0.07 - <0.01 - - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01
Acenaphthylene <0.005 - <0.005 - <0.005 - - <0.005 - <0.005 - <0.005 - <0.005 - <0.005
Acenaphthene 536 88000 14000 <0.014 - <0.014 - <0.014 - - <0.014 - <0.014 - <0.014 - <0.014 - <0.014
Fluorene 454 57700 8820 <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012
Phenanthrene <0.021 - <0.021 - <0.021 - - <0.021 - <0.021 - <0.021 - <0.021 - <0.021
Anthracene 4300 351000 68500 <0.009 - <0.009 - <0.009 - - <0.009 - <0.009 - <0.009 - <0.009 - <0.009
Fluoranthene 796 57700 8820 <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025
Pyrene 590 43400 6850 <0.022 - <0.022 - <0.022 - - <0.022 - <0.022 - <0.022 - <0.022 - <0.022
Benz(a)anthracene 4.79 290 45.6 <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012
Chrysene 479 29000 4560 <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01
Benzo(b)fluoranthene 5.54 290 45.6 <0.016 - <0.016 - <0.016 - - <0.016 - <0.016 - <0.016 - <0.016 - <0.016
Benzo(k)fluoranthene 55.4 2900 456 <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025
Benzo(a)pyrene 0.54 29 4.56 <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012 - <0.012
Indeno(123cd)pyrene 6.04 290 45.6 <0.011 - <0.011 - <0.011 - - <0.011 - <0.011 - <0.011 - <0.011 - <0.011
Dibenzo(ah)anthracene 0.61 29 4.56 <0.008 - <0.008 - <0.008 - - <0.008 - <0.008 - <0.008 - <0.008 - <0.008
Benzo(ghi)perylene 62.6 2900 456 <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01 - <0.01
PAH 16 Total <0.025 - 0.069 - <0.025 - - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025 - <0.025
PCB 7 Congeners
PCB congener 28 - - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 52 - - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 101 - - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 118 - - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 153 - - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 138 - - - - <0.001 - - - - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 180 - - - - 0.002 - - - - - - - - - - -
Total of 7 Congener PCBs - - - - 0.002 - - - - - - - - - - -
Contaminant
Contaminant Soil Screening Value1
(mg/kg)
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108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117
23/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 22/05/2006 22/05/2006 23/05/2006 23/05/2006 22/05/2006 22/05/2006 22/05/2006
0.56 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.54 0.52 0.50 0.50 0.53 0.59
Residential,
with Plant
Uptake
Commercial/
Industrial
Playing
FieldsOffice area
Workshop
wastes are
seen at all
places
Railway line
and related
contaminatio
n
Metal scraps
lie all over
the place
No speific
sources
No sources of
contamination
No speific
sources
Workshop
wastes and
road
No specific
sources
except road
drainage
No specific
sources
except road
drainage
Total Sulphate <50 143 196 775 994 52 164 269 136 380
Arsenic 20 500 1900 <1 2 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 21 <1
Cadmium2 1 1400 545 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Chromium3 130 5000 2800 9 30 46 59 91 6 45 59 28 67
Copper 653 760000 330000 12 31 <1 8 3 2 2 <1 <1 <1
Lead 450 750 - 2 112 15 22 32 2 16 12 8 12
Mercury 8 480 220 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 <1.2
Nickel 50 5000 930 <1 14 3 2 <1 1 1 <1 <1 <1
Selenium 35 8000 3600 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Zinc 139 >1000000 390000 4 129 9 49 15 3 9 8 29 6
Acid Soluble Sulphide <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 <50
Total Organic Carbon - 0.41 0.29 0.30 0.25 - 0.34 0.25 1.08 0.37
Asbestos Presence Screen -No Fibres
Detected- - - - - - - -
pH Value 6.25 6.52 5.55 5.50 5.48 5.97 7.42 5.51 6.38 5.09
EPH (DRO) (C10-C40) 20 150 1 54 27 40 22 48 42 46
PAH by GCMS
Naphthalene 4.4 98 620 - <0.01 - 0.32 - 0.65 - 0.34 - 0.41
Acenaphthylene - <0.005 - 0.041 - 0.051 - 0.028 - 0.025
Acenaphthene 536 88000 14000 - <0.014 - 0.024 - 0.027 - 0.024 - <0.014
Fluorene 454 57700 8820 - <0.012 - 0.096 - 0.089 - 0.055 - 0.054
Phenanthrene - <0.021 - 0.240 - 0.212 - 0.133 - 0.103
Anthracene 4300 351000 68500 - <0.009 - 0.039 - 0.039 - 0.025 - 0.014
Fluoranthene 796 57700 8820 - <0.025 - 0.164 - 0.163 - 0.087 - 0.055
Pyrene 590 43400 6850 - <0.022 - 0.141 - 0.139 - 0.075 - 0.047
Benz(a)anthracene 4.79 290 45.6 - <0.012 - 0.073 - 0.080 - 0.056 - 0.044
Chrysene 479 29000 4560 - <0.01 - 0.07 - 0.06 - 0.04 - 0.02
Benzo(b)fluoranthene 5.54 290 45.6 - <0.016 - 0.066 - 0.086 - 0.035 - 0.025
Benzo(k)fluoranthene 55.4 2900 456 - <0.025 - 0.052 - 0.045 - <0.025 - <0.025
Benzo(a)pyrene 0.54 29 4.56 - <0.012 - 0.05 - 0.042 - 0.036 - 0.025
Indeno(123cd)pyrene 6.04 290 45.6 - <0.011 - 0.034 - 0.033 - 0.021 - 0.016
Dibenzo(ah)anthracene 0.61 29 4.56 - <0.008 - 0.015 - 0.015 - 0.008 - 0.008
Benzo(ghi)perylene 62.6 2900 456 - <0.01 - 0.05 - 0.05 - 0.03 - 0.02
PAH 16 Total - <0.025 - 1.474 - 1.783 - 0.994 - 0.864
PCB 7 Congeners
PCB congener 28 - <0.001 - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 52 - <0.001 - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 101 - <0.001 - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 118 - <0.001 - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 153 - 0.002 - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 138 - <0.001 - - - - - - - -
PCB congener 180 - 0.002 - - - - - - - -
Total of 7 Congener PCBs - 0.004 - - - - - - - -
Contaminant
Contaminant Soil Screening Value1
(mg/kg)
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3.4 Contaminated soils assessment at Buchanan, 2011-12: Introduction Aim and initial layout The main aim is to gain a comprehensive picture of possible contamination in a number of sites in the Buchanan industrial area, before Phase 2 construction works affect the sites. This report covers the following areas:
Cluster A – a representative set of samples across the entire main tailings dam of the LAMCO period;
Cluster B – a transect acrposs the area of the LAMCO fines wash plant and settling ponds;
Cluster C – around and downslope of the LAMCO fuel farm. Sampling was done using hand augers to a maximum depth of 5 metres. Tests conducted: Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd, Hg, As, Fe, TOC (total organic carbon), Phenols and EPH (extractable petroleum hydrocarbons). For the area around the tank farm, PAH (polyaromatic hydrocarbons) were also tested. Methodology The following equipment is required.
Soil auger set. The set should comprise: T-handle; 4 auger rods; 2 auger heads; 2 small rings for disengaging the couplings.
GPS unit.
Small bar or large screwdriver to remove soil from the auger head.
Large plastic bucket or washing bowl for mixing samples.
Sample containers: small bags; large bags; glass bottles (for hydrocarbon samples).
Permanent marker pens.
Paper for sample labels.
Notebook.
Steel tape measure (5 metres minimum) to record depths.
Container and supply of water.
Boxes to store the samples. 1. Assemble a work crew. This should consist of the following:
(a) supervisor who will take charge of the operation, measure the depths to check that the sample is coming from the right place, record all the sampling details and ensure that the bags are properly sealed, labelled and stored;
(b) three labourers. 2. Ensure that the workers are equipped with helmets, gloves, hi-vis vests, overalls and boots. 3. Instruct the workers on the two main principles behind the exercise:
(a) to provide an accurately measured, clean and uncontaminated sample in each bag; (b) to ensure that each hole is treated carefully, and that all working and tools are kept
well away from it so that nothing falls into it. 4. Use a GPS to identify the locations of the sample points. Mark these out using flags so that
the auger team knows where to work. Use the maps attached as a guide, and try to position each hole as accurately as possible on the assigned grid for each cluster. If there is an obstruction in the actual position, place the hole as close to it as possible.
5. Record the GPS co-ordinates for the hole at the time of actual sampling. This ensures the
final accuracy of the sample.
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6. Use the large auger blade in all cases if it is possible to do so. Only use the small auger blade if the hole proves to be in stony ground.
7. Always ensure that the auger clips are properly engaged when fitting the parts together. 8. Never join or disconnect parts of the auger within 2 metres of the hole: there is a high risk of
losing parts down the hole. 9. When using the auger, always turn it in a clockwise direction. 10. Auger into the ground until the auger head is full. This does not take very long, as the head
quickly fills with sample. 11. Pull up the auger and hold the head over the bucket. Use the small bar or screwdriver to
scrape off the sample and put it into the bucket. 12. Use the tape measure to ensure that the sample from the correct depth is placed in the
bucket. For samples with a 25 cm range (e.g. 0 to 0.25 m), it will probably take only two head-fulls of soil or less; for samples with a 1 metre range (e.g. 0.to 1.0 m), it may take a lot of head-fulls.
13. When soil from the entire required sample depth has been obtained, mix it by hand to ensure
that it is fully blended. Then place a sub-sample from the bucket into the bag or jar, to provide the quantity required. Discard the unused portion at a point well away from the hole. Clean out the bucket so that the next sample does not include any part of the last sample.
14. Record the sample as follows.
(a) Write the sample identity on the bag or bottle using a permanent marker pen. (b) Place the bag or bottle inside an outer bag. (c) Write the sample identity on the outer bag. (d) Write the sample identity on a piece of paper and place it inside the outer bag. (e) Record the sample identity in the notebook, along with the depth of sample, GPS co-
ordinates, time and date, weather conditions at the time of sampling, and brief description of the site (e.g.: level ground in tailings area; disturbed location beside fuel tank).
(f) Store the sample carefully in a box, away from the working area. 15. If there is a gap before you reach the depth of the next sample, continue augering and discard
the soil at a point well away from the hole, until the next sample depth is reached. Then repeat steps 11 to 14.
16. Always finish an auger hole in one session. Never stop for a break in the middle of a hole. 17. Once a hole is finished, place a rock over the hole to stop small mammals and reptiles falling
into it: core holes are death traps to such creatures. The actual period of sampling was 10 to 22 November 2011. Samples were sealed and stored in cool conditions until they were air freighted to ALcontrol Laboratories in the United Kingdom for analysis.
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Analyses The ALcontrol Laboratories‟ details of analysis are given below. These show the analytical units, the levels of detection (LOD) and analytical methods used. The results presented here do not show the accreditation record given in the certificate of analysis. The laboratory provides ISO17025 accreditation for iron and total organic carbon analyses, and mCERTS for all of the other tests except the five PAH percentage recovery and total PAH (USEPA) analyses.
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Levels of contamination screening There are no guidelines for soil contamination screening values in Liberia. The discussion below is therefore taken from the ArcelorMittal Liberia Environmental Standards Manual, which provides guidelines accepted by the Liberian Environmental Protection Agency for interim use, until national regulations are put in place. Heavy metals and acidity Soil is a highly complex medium with infinite variability in its biological, chemical and physical composition, and is dynamic over time. The setting of values for acceptable levels of contamination is therefore difficult. Also, the level of contamination that can be accepted depends on the use of the soil and the likelihood of contaminants entering food chains. Guideline soil screening values for individual elemental contaminants used by ArcelorMittal Liberia and accepted by the Liberian Environmental Protection Agency are shown in the table below.
Contaminant Contaminant soil screening value (mg/kg)
Land use Residential,
with plant uptake Commercial/industrial
Playing fields and recreational
Total Sulphate tbd tbd tbd
Arsenic 20 500 1,900
Cadmium1 1 1,400 545
Chromium2 130 5,000 2,800
Copper 653 760,000 330,000
Lead 450 750 -
Mercury 8 480 220
Nickel 50 5,000 930
Selenium 35 8,000 3,600
Zinc 139 >1,000,000 390,000
Acid Soluble Sulphide tbd tbd tbd
Total Organic Carbon tbd tbd tbd
pH Value tbd tbd tbd
Source: ArcelorMittal Liberia Environmental Standards Manual (standard 5.4), adapted from Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment (CLEA) from the UK Environment Agency (December, 2004), supplemented by Atkins Soil Screening Values. 1
Depends on soil pH: value given is for pH6. Changes to SSV of 2 for pH7 and SSV of 8 for pH8. 2
Assumes that all chromium is chromium IV. tbd Denotes values yet to be determined through research.
Hydrocarbons Interpretation of hydrocarbon contamination is difficult due to the complex chemistry of these compounds. In general, health concerns are related to the following:
The degree of contamination.
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The volatility and rate of decomposition of the contaminants.
The different fractions within the particular hydrocarbon, and whether they are known to be carcinogenic.
The length of exposure to the contaminants. Ecological concerns are related to uptake pathways through the food chain and other vectors, and again this is a complex bio-chemical assessment. In the case of diesel, assessment is based on a wide range of different fractions. Screening of the C10 to C14 fractions are typically based on criteria for naphthalene (typically 3% of diesel). Screening of the C15 to C36 fractions are often based on pyrene (typically 0.4% of diesel). The relatively high acceptability criteria for the heavier C15 to C36 fractions are related to the low concentrations of the heavier, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds in diesel (generally the concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene and other carcinogenic PAHs are very low (below detection limits). However, an additional uncertainty lies in the differential degradation of the PAHs compared to other diesel components, and so it is necessary to introduce a safety factor to account for this. There are no international standards or Liberian standards for acceptable concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbon products in soils. It is therefore necessary to rely on other national standards. As for the heavy metals above, for some hydrocarbon groups are given in the table below.
Contaminant Contaminant soil screening value (mg/kg)
Land use Residential,
with plant uptake Commercial/industrial
Playing fields and recreational
Poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by GCMS
Naphthalene 4.4 98 620
Acenaphthylene tbd tbd tbd
Acenaphthene 536 88,000 14,000
Fluorene 454 57,700 8,820
Phenanthrene tbd tbd tbd
Anthracene 4,300 351,000 68,500
Fluoranthene 796 57,700 8,820
Pyrene 590 43,400 6,850
Benz(a)anthracene 4.79 290 45.6
Chrysene 479 29,000 4,560
Benzo(b)fluoranthene 5.54 290 45.6
Benzo(k)fluoranthene 55.4 2,900 456
Benzo(a)pyrene 0.54 29 4.56
Indeno(123cd)pyrene 6.04 290 45.6
Dibenzo(ah)anthracene 0.61 29 4.56
Benzo(ghi)perylene 62.6 2,900 456
Source: ArcelorMittal Liberia Environmental Standards Manual (standard 5.4), adapted from Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment (CLEA) from the UK Environment Agency (December, 2004), supplemented by Atkins Soil Screening Values. tbd Denotes values yet to be determined through research.
The table below gives details from the New Zealand national standards. These make clear that a considerable amount of professional discretion is necessary due to a general lack of information on the subject. They draw a distinction between the medium and heavy fractions, which are spanned by diesel. In most cases the Government of New Zealand is cautious on pollution issues.
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Soil screening (agricultural use) criteria for heavy fraction petroleum hydrocarbons associated with diesel (all values mg/kg)
Soil Type Contaminant Depth of contamination
Surface (<1m) 1m - 4m > 4m
Sand C10-C14 58 560 650
C15-C36 4,000 >20,000 > 20,000
Sandy silt C10-C14 58 670 5,400
C15-C36 4,000 > 20,000 > 20,000
Silty clay C10-C14 58 2,700 8,900
C15-C36 4,000 20,000 20,000
Clay C10-C14 58 2,900 9,700
C15-C36 4,000 > 20,000 > 20,000
Source: ArcelorMittal Liberia Environmental Standards Manual (standard 5.4), adapted from Guidelines for Assessing and Managing Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contaminated Sites in New Zealand: Ministry for the Environment, 1999.
Another assessment comes from the United States of America (see table below). This gives the total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration in the soils that should not be exceeded by free-phase chemicals in the soil saturation solution. These allow somewhat higher concentrations than the New Zealand standards. Maximum saturation concentrations permitted in soils (all values mg/kg)
Fraction Residual saturation concentration
Sand and gravel Silty/clayey sand Silty clay
Light C6-C12 1,000 5,000 8,000
Middle C7-C16 2,000 10,000 20,000
Heavy C16-C35 5,000 20,000 40,000
Source: ArcelorMittal Liberia Environmental Standards Manual (standard 5.4), adapted from Guidance for Assessing Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil: Environmental Protection Agency of Ohio State, USA, 2004.
3.5 Contaminated soils assessment: Buchanan main tailings area Actual sampling locations The 23 actual sampling locations are shown below, plotted on a Google Earth image of the site. The intended grid was altered on site in response to accessibility constraints. The exact locations are shown in the analytical data tables below. The sampling strategy was as follows.
23 sample points in a grid pattern across the main tailings dam.
Approximately 250 metre sample spacings.
Auger to 5 metres at 5 sites if possible.
Sample at: 0 to 0.25 m, 0.75 to 1.0 m, 1.75 to 2.0 m, 2.75 to 3.0 m, 3.75 to 4.0 m, 4.75 to 5.0 m.
Total anticipated sample numbers: 138 (6 per 5-metre sample site). In practice it was nowhere possible to sample to a greater depth than 4 metres, because of the bulk density of the fine material found. In some locations, 3 metres was the maximum depth that could be achieved. Three samples were lost in transit to the laboratory (13-2, 19-2 and 19-5). This led to a total of 103 samples from the 23 auger holes.
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Analytical results – Main LAMCO Tailings Dam The sample analytical results are shown in the extensive three-page data table below. Interpretation of results – Main LAMCO Tailings Dam Heavy metals The particle sizes vary across the tailings dam, but although a significant number of samples are sandy, the majority are silts or clays. This is of course typical of iron tailings, where the fines have been deposited after having been separated out. The analyses show that most of the heavy metals are at very low levels, and there is no significant contamination. Nowhere are the levels of chromium, copper, lead, mercury or zinc at concentrations that can cause any concern. Around half of the samples show levels of arsenic that are above the screening level for residential areas, but well within the range permitted for industrial sites. It is difficult to see a significant distribution pattern in these figures, but if anything the higher levels are found in the south-eastern
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half of the samples and closer to the sea. There is also a tendency for the surface horizons to have rather lower concentrations than those deeper in the profiles, suggesting some leaching or downward translocation. However, it is difficult to see any particular significance in these trends. Cadmium is the only other potentially toxic metal to show raised levels. Although in fifteen out of the total of 103 samples they are slightly higher than the residential screening level, none are anywhere near the threshold for industrial sites. Iron generally forms between 40 and 55 percent of the material. There are some values outside this range of concentrations, with a few figures as low as 20 percent, and one of 63.4 percent being the highest. The main tailings dam was not tested for phenols or hydrocarbons. Conclusions The main tailings dam does not contain heavy metal pollutants at levels that raise concern. A few exceed the residential threshold level, but this is not a concern since a tailings dam could never be used for housing because of potential instability. The high concentration of iron will inhibit the growth of certain plants, and so afforestation might be a slow process if it were to be attempted.
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Order details 5189136 5201309 5189099 5196053 5183421 5196055 5180965 5189090 5189118 5196040 5208954 5275943 5275963 5183410 5275958 5183412 5183394
SDG 120217-50 120220-14 120217-50 120218-58 120216-71 120218-58 120216-43 120217-50 120217-50 120218-58 120222-12 120218-42 120218-42 120216-71 120218-42 120216-71 120216-71
Sampling details
Sample Description AO1/1 AO1/2 AO1/3 AO1/4 AO1/5 AO2/1 AO2/2 AO2/3 AO2/4 AO3/1 AO3/2 AO3/3 AO3/4 AO4/1 AO4/2 AO4/3 AO4/4
LocationN 05 51 12.
5 & W 010
02 26.6
N 05 51 12.
5 & W 010
02 26.6
N 05 51 12.
5 & W 010
02 26.6
N 05 51 12.
5 & W 010
02 26. 6
N 05 51 12.
5 & W 010
02 26. 6
N 05 51 17.
9 & W 010
02 24. 9
N 05 51 17.
9 & W 010
02 24. 9
N 05 51 17.
9 & W 010
02 24. 9
N 05 51 17.
9 & W 010
02 24. 9
N 05 51 19.
2 & W 010
02 19. 5
N 05 51 19.
2 & W 010
02 19. 5
N 05 51 19.
2 & W 010
02 19. 5
N 05 51 19.
2 & W 010
02 19. 5
N 05 51 16.
5 & W 010
02 19. 8
N 05 51 16.
5 & W 010
02 19. 8
N 05 51 16.
5 & W 010
02 19. 8
N 05 51 16.
5 & W 010
02 19. 8
Sample Depth 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0
Laboratory data
Sample Description
Colour - Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Orange
Description - Silt Loam Loamy Sand Sand Silt Silty Clay Silt Clay Sand Sand Silt Clay Sand Sand Loamy Sand Silt Loamy Sand Clay Loam
Grain Size - 0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm <0.063 mm
Inclusion 1) - Stones None None None None None N/A None None None N/A None None Vegetation None None Stones
Inclusion 2) - None None None None N/A None N/A None None None N/A None None N/A None N/A None
Carbon
Organic Carbon, Total % <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 69 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2
Metals
Arsenic mg/kg 5.35 7.67 6.26 59.7 35.5 <6 <6 <6 6.88 <6 8.28 <6 <6 <6 <6 <6 10.1
Cadmium mg/kg 5.55 7.09 <0.2 4.72 <0.2 <0.2 6.11 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 4.61 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 4.63
Chromium mg/kg 27.3 21.8 16.3 39.5 16.6 13.4 11.6 18.7 20.4 13.6 19.2 14.1 17.9 12.1 23.4 12.4 23.7
Copper mg/kg <1.4 <1.4 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14
Iron mg/kg 429000 256000 395000 454000 414000 475000 362000 426000 520000 407000 409000 387000 410000 552000 398000 488000 409000
Lead mg/kg 6.5 8.9 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7
Mercury mg/kg <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 0.175 <0.14 0.168 0.156 <0.14 0.444 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 0.202 <0.14 <0.14
Zinc mg/kg 11.7 18.9 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19
Order details 5180973 5275953 5275937 5196038 5208972 5196037 5208986 5196042 5180972 5196046 5189114 5189122 5180967 5208967 5180944 5208973 5180966 5189131
SDG 120216-43 120218-42 120218-42 120218-58 120222-12 120218-58 120222-12 120218-58 120216-43 120218-58 120217-50 120217-50 120216-43 120222-12 120216-43 120222-12 120216-43 120217-50
Sampling details
Sample Description AO5/1 AO5/2 AO5/3 AO5/4 AO6/1 AO6/2 AO6/3 AO6/4 AO6/5 AO7/1 AO7/2 AO7/3 AO7/4 AO7/5 AO8/1 AO8/2 AO8/3 AO8/4
LocationN 05 51 12.
8& W 010
02 21. 8
N 05 51 12.
8& W 010
02 21. 8
N 05 51 12.
8& W 010
02 21. 8
N 05 51 12.
8& W 010
02 21. 8
N 05 51 09.
8& W 010
02 22. 9
N 05 51 09.
8& W 010
02 22. 9
N 05 51 09.
8& W 010
02 22. 9
N 05 51 09.
8& W 010
02 22. 9
N 05 51 09.
8& W 010
02 22. 9
N 05 51 02.
6& W 010
02 20. 2
N 05 51 02.
6& W 010
02 20. 2
N 05 51 02.
6& W 010
02 20. 2
N 05 51 02.
6& W 010
02 20. 2
N 05 51 02.
6& W 010
02 20. 2
N 05 51 07.
8& W 010
02 16. 3
N 05 51 07.
8& W 010
02 16. 3
N 05 51 07.
8& W 010
02 16. 3
N 05 51 07.
8& W 010
02 16. 3
Sample Depth 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0
Laboratory data
Sample Description
Colour - Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown
Description - Clay Silt Silt Silt Sand Sand Loamy Sand Silt Sandy Clay Silt Loamy Sand Silt Loam Clay Clay Silty Clay Clay Sandy Clay Sand
Grain Size - 0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm <0.063 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm
Inclusion 1) - N/A None None None None None None None None None None None None N/A N/A N/A None None
Inclusion 2) - N/A None None None N/A None N/A None None None None None None N/A N/A N/A None None
Carbon
Organic Carbon, Total % <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 68 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2
Metals
Arsenic mg/kg <6 <6 7.1 42.4 <6 <6 8.18 17 17.2 6.2 <6 22 28.1 22.3 13.6 13.7 30.2 12
Cadmium mg/kg 2.9 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 6.34 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 6.31 <0.2 2.95 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2
Chromium mg/kg 15.7 17.8 21.1 26.3 13.5 13.6 20.2 29 25.5 22.3 16.1 36.2 22.3 19 15.4 15.4 15.9 15.8
Copper mg/kg <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14
Iron mg/kg 401000 428000 404000 430000 521000 562000 459000 445000 415000 429000 554000 536000 403000 456000 395000 434000 438000 497000
Lead mg/kg <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 11.6 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7
Mercury mg/kg <0.14 0.187 0.193 0.149 <0.14 0.226 <0.14 0.176 <0.14 0.164 <0.14 0.153 <0.14 0.158 0.184 <0.14 0.269 <0.14
Zinc mg/kg <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 53 of 100
Order details 5208980 5275944 5180968 5193767 5275950 5193778 5211496 5189107 5275952 5225755 5189135 5196048 5208958 5215635 5208965 5180960 5225817 5183399
SDG 120222-12 120218-42 120216-43 120218-13 120218-42 120218-13 120222-65 120217-50 120218-42 120222-65 120217-50 120218-58 120222-12 120218-58 120222-12 120216-43 120218-58 120216-71
Sampling details
Sample Description AO9/1 AO9/2 AO9/3 AO9/4 AO9/5 AO10/1 AO10/2 AO10/3 AO10/4 AO11/1 AO11/2 AO11/3 AO11/4 AO11/5 AO12/1 AO12/2 AO12/3 AO12/4
LocationN 05 51 14.
4& W 010
02 13. 0
N 05 51 14.
4& W 010
02 13. 0
N 05 51 14.
4& W 010
02 13. 0
N 05 51 14.
4& W 010
02 13. 0
N 05 51 14.
4& W 010
02 13. 0
N 05 51 20.
9 & W 010
02 12. 7
N 05 51 20.
9 & W 010
02 12. 7
N 05 51 20.
9 & W 010
02 12. 7
N 05 51 20.
9 & W 010
02 12. 7
N 05 50 58.
7 & W 010
02 15. 0
N 05 50 58.
7 & W 010
02 15. 0
N 05 50 58.
7 & W 010
02 15. 0
N 05 50 58.
7 & W 010
02 15. 0
N 05 50 58.
7 & W 010
02 15. 0
N 05 51 02.
0 & W 010
02 08. 8
N 05 51 02.
0 & W 010
02 08. 8
N 05 51 02.
0 & W 010
02 08. 8
N 05 51 02.
0 & W 010
02 08. 9
Sample Depth 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0
Laboratory data
Sample Description
Colour - Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Red Light Brown Light Brown Light Brown Light Brown Light Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Light Brown Dark Brown
Description - Clay Sand Clay Silt Loam SiltSandy Clay
LoamSand Loamy Sand Silt Silt Loam Silt Loam Silt Clay Silt Loam Loamy Sand
Sandy Clay
LoamSilt Loam Silty Clay
Grain Size - <0.063 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm
Inclusion 1) - N/A None N/A None None None None None None None None None N/A None Vegetation Stones None Vegetation
Inclusion 2) - N/A None N/A None None None None None None None None None N/A None N/A None None N/A
Carbon
Organic Carbon, Total % <0.2 52 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 0.237 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2
Metals
Arsenic mg/kg <6 <6 <6 19.2 87.8 <6 <6 <6 <6 7.43 11.1 24.9 48.3 62.9 18.4 29.5 77.4 51.6
Cadmium mg/kg 4.43 <0.2 3.06 1.97 <0.2 2.18 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 6.13 <0.2 <0.2
Chromium mg/kg 27.2 14.2 11.8 36.5 32.3 23.1 11.7 12 15.9 30.1 22.6 32.6 28.9 28 17.9 20.6 28.3 22.7
Copper mg/kg <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14
Iron mg/kg 401000 461000 402000 545000 445000 456000 634000 475000 556000 544000 430000 428000 457000 521000 443000 385000 480000 444000
Lead mg/kg <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7
Mercury mg/kg <0.14 0.263 <0.14 <0.14 0.143 <0.14 0.282 <0.14 0.143 <0.14 <0.14 0.161 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14
Zinc mg/kg <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19
Order details 5193774 5211504 5196041 5180957 5189120 5196054 5196047 5275956 5208987 5275946 5208959 5208948 5275951 5208964 5208953 5180962 5208962 5196045 5189097
SDG 120218-13 120222-65 120218-58 120216-43 120217-50 120218-58 120218-58 120218-42 120222-12 120218-42 120222-12 120222-12 120218-42 120222-12 120222-12 120216-43 120222-12 120218-58 120217-50
Sampling details
Sample Description AO13/1 AO13/3 AO13/4 AO13/5 AO14/1 AO14/2 AO14/3 AO14/4 AO14/5 AO15/1 AO15/2 AO15/3 AO15/4 AO15/5 AO16/1 AO16/2 AO16/3 AO16/4 AO16/5
LocationN 05 51 06.
7 & W 010
02 04. 0
N 05 51 06.
7 & W 010
02 04. 0
N 05 51 06.
7 & W 010
02 04. 0
N 05 51 06.
7 & W 010
02 04. 0
N 05 51 08.
5 & W 010
02 03. 4
N 05 51 08.
5 & W 010
02 03. 4
N 05 51 08.
5 & W 010
02 03. 4
N 05 51 08.
5 & W 010
02 03. 4
N 05 51 08.
5 & W 010
02 03. 4
N 05 50 53. 9
& W 010
02 08. 6
N 05 50 53. 9
& W 010
02 08. 6
N 05 50 53. 9
& W 010
02 08. 6
N 05 50 53. 9
& W 010
02 08. 6
N 05 50 53. 9
& W 010
02 08. 6
N 05 50 59. 0
& W 010
02 00. 9
N 05 50 59. 0
& W 010
02 00. 9
N 05 50 59. 0
& W 010
02 00. 9
N 05 50 59. 0
& W 010
02 00. 9
N 05 50 59. 0
& W 010
02 00. 9
Sample Depth 0-0.25 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4
Laboratory data
Sample Description
Colour - Light Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Red Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown
Description - Silt Loam Silt Silt Silty ClaySilty Clay
LoamSilt Silt Silt Clay Silt Clay Silty Clay Silt Clay Loamy Sand
Sandy Silt
LoamClay Silt
Silty Clay
Loam
Grain Size - 0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm <0.063 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm
Inclusion 1) - None None None None Vegetation None None None N/A None N/A None None N/A Vegetation Stones N/A None None
Inclusion 2) - None None None None None None None None N/A None N/A N/A None N/A N/A None N/A None None
Carbon
Organic Carbon, Total % <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 0.618 0.417
Metals
Arsenic mg/kg 12 53.1 60.3 99.4 8.83 24.5 49.1 48.8 90.3 6.12 20.2 54.5 75.5 109 66.6 120 118 95.5 82.4
Cadmium mg/kg 2.47 <0.2 <0.2 6.72 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 4.33 <0.2 <0.2 4.61 <0.2 5.33 4.29 <0.2 <0.2
Chromium mg/kg 32.5 24.4 28.3 31.7 31.9 26.8 22.3 21.5 33.1 21.6 37.6 33.5 28.8 40 21.6 33.6 31.5 28.4 29
Copper mg/kg <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14
Iron mg/kg 471000 458000 500000 435000 661000 493000 439000 386000 501000 540000 382000 479000 536000 422000 401000 348000 349000 345000 340000
Lead mg/kg <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 7.01 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7
Mercury mg/kg <0.14 0.249 0.182 <0.14 0.156 0.189 0.195 <0.14 <0.14 0.31 <0.14 <0.14 0.217 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 0.194 <0.14
Zinc mg/kg <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 54 of 100
Order details 5215636 5201322 5180952 5189121 5189109 5208966 5189134 5208995 5275959 5180954 5201320 5211511 5208989 5208975 5208993 5208977 5189132 5193777
SDG 120218-58 120220-14 120216-43 120217-50 120217-50 120222-12 120217-50 120222-12 120218-42 120216-43 120220-14 120222-65 120222-12 120222-12 120222-12 120222-12 120217-50 120218-13
Sampling details
Sample Description AO17/1 AO17/2 AO17/3 AO17/4 AO17/5 AO18/1 AO18/2 AO18/3 AO18/4 AO18/5 AO19/1 AO19/3 AO19/4 AO20/1 AO20/2 AO20/3 AO20/4 AO20/5
LocationN 05 50 59. 8
& W 010
01 55. 6
N 05 50 59. 8
& W 010
01 55. 6
N 05 50 59. 8
& W 010
01 55. 6
N 05 50 59. 8
& W 010
01 55. 6
N 05 50 59. 8
& W 010
01 55. 6
N 05 50 51. 5
& W 010
02 04. 4
N 05 50 51. 5
& W 010
02 04. 4
N 05 50 51. 5
& W 010
02 04. 4
N 05 50 51. 5
& W 010
02 04. 4
N 05 50 51. 5
& W 010
02 04. 4
N 05 50 50. 8
& W 010
02 01. 1
N 05 50 50. 8
& W 010
02 01. 1
N 05 50 50. 8
& W 010
02 01. 1
N 05 50 56. 6
& W 010
01 50. 0
N 05 50 56. 6
& W 010
01 50. 0
N 05 50 56. 6
& W 010
01 50. 0
N 05 50 56. 6
& W 010
01 50. 0
N 05 50 56. 6
& W 010
01 50. 0
Sample Depth 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4 0-0.25 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4
Laboratory data
Sample Description
Colour - Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Light Brown
Description - Sand Loamy Sand Clay Sandy Loam Sandy Loam Silty Clay Sandy Loam Clay Silt Silty Clay Loamy Sand Silt Loamy Sand Loamy Sand Clay Loamy Sand Sandy LoamSandy Clay
Loam
Grain Size - 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm <0.063 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm <0.063 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm <0.063 mm <0.063 mm <0.063 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm
Inclusion 1) - None None None None None Stones None N/A None N/A None None Vegetation Vegetation N/A None None None
Inclusion 2) - None None None None None N/A None N/A None N/A None None None None N/A None None None
Carbon
Organic Carbon, Total % <0.2 <0.2 0.647 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 1.53 <0.2 <0.2 0.242 <0.2 <0.2 0.304 <0.2 <0.2
Metals
Arsenic mg/kg 46.3 141 146 108 82.2 87.4 104 80.5 59.3 31.7 26.9 87.5 57.8 79.1 58.3 44.6 17.9 12.8
Cadmium mg/kg <0.2 2.1 4.36 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 2.53 4.87 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 2.02
Chromium mg/kg 19.9 32.6 38.3 22.2 24.6 25.1 26.9 24 18.9 21.2 16.5 24.3 18.9 23.2 21.5 15.2 16.8 19.6
Copper mg/kg <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <1.4 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14
Iron mg/kg 424000 337000 264000 301000 299000 474000 410000 373000 314000 211000 203000 411000 336000 389000 364000 374000 345000 321000
Lead mg/kg <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7
Mercury mg/kg 0.215 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 0.181 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 0.173 <0.14 <0.14 0.15 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14
Zinc mg/kg <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 13.5 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19
Order details 5196039 5208988 5180942 5208955 5208983 5208981 5180947 5180953 5208984 5201318 5189108 5208952 5208978
SDG 120218-58 120222-12 120216-43 120222-12 120222-12 120222-12 120216-43 120216-43 120222-12 120220-14 120217-50 120222-12 120222-12
Sampling details
Sample Description AO21/1 AO21/2 AO21/3 AO21/4 AO21/5 AO22/1 AO22/2 AO22/3 AO23/1 AO23/2 AO23/3 AO23/4 AO23/5
LocationN 05 50 49. 8
& W 010
01 54. 2
N 05 50 49. 8
& W 010
01 54. 2
N 05 50 49. 8
& W 010
01 54. 2
N 05 50 49. 8
& W 010
01 54. 2
N 05 50 49. 8
& W 010
01 54. 2
N 05 50 47. 6
& W 010
01 46. 6
N 05 50 47. 6
& W 010
01 46. 6
N 05 50 47. 6
& W 010
01 46. 6
N 05 50 51. 0
& W 010
01 56. 6
N 05 50 51. 0
& W 010
01 56. 6
N 05 50 51. 0
& W 010
01 56. 6
N 05 50 51. 0
& W 010
01 56. 6
N 05 50 51. 0
& W 010
01 56. 6
Sample Depth 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4
Laboratory data
Sample Description
Colour - Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Red Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown
Description - Sandy Loam Clay ClaySilty Clay
LoamClay Loamy Sand Silty Clay Silty Sand Silty Clay Sand Sand Loamy Sand Clay
Grain Size - 0.1 - 2 mm <0.063 mm <0.063 mm <0.063 mm <0.063 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm <0.063 mm
Inclusion 1) - None N/A None Vegetation N/A Vegetation N/A N/A Vegetation None None None N/A
Inclusion 2) - None N/A None None N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A None None N/A N/A
Carbon
Organic Carbon, Total % <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 0.348 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2
Metals
Arsenic mg/kg 64.7 124 107 82.6 63.1 <6 8.57 <6 128 8 6.76 9.94 7.32
Cadmium mg/kg 4.74 <0.2 5.9 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 5.53 4.9 <0.2 4.13 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2
Chromium mg/kg 20.9 37.2 42.9 30.7 28.4 <9 <9 <9 38.3 19.1 13.3 28.3 18.3
Copper mg/kg <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14
Iron mg/kg 425000 411000 395000 385000 369000 457000 340000 278000 429000 240000 236000 370000 276000
Lead mg/kg <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7
Mercury mg/kg <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 0.181 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 0.158 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14
Zinc mg/kg <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 55 of 100
3.6 Contaminated soils assessment: Buchanan wash plant area Actual sampling locations The 5 actual sampling locations are shown below, plotted on a Google Earth image of the site. The intended grid was altered on site in response to accessibility constraints. The exact locations are shown in the analytical data tables below. The sampling strategy was as follows.
5 sample points in a single transect at increasing spacings away from the wash plant.
Auger to 5 metres at 5 sites.
Sample at: 0 to 0.25 m, 0.75 to 1.0 m, 1.75 to 2.0 m, 2.75 to 3.0 m, 3.75 to 4.0 m, 4.75 to 5.0 m.
Total anticipated sample numbers: 30 (6 per 5-metre sample site).
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 56 of 100
Analytical results – Wash Plant and Settling Ponds The sample analytical results are shown in the two-page data table below. Interpretation of results – Wash Plant and Settling Ponds Heavy metals The samples show a mainly sandy particle size, but with finer strata interspersed. In several cases a layer of silty clay is found, usually at depths greater than two metres, but on the surface for sample site B04. The analyses show that most of the heavy metals are at very low levels, and there is no significant contamination. Nowhere are the levels of chromium, copper, lead, mercury or zinc at concentrations that can cause any concern. Arsenic was found to have a raised level at 0.75 to 1.00 metre at sample point B03. But while this would have been rather high for a residential area, it is well within the industrial screening level. Cadmium was found to exceed the residential screening level in samples from sites B02 and B03. None of these samples was taken from the surface horizons, and the concentrations were nowhere near the levels of concern for industrial areas. This does not therefore constitute pollution. Not surprisingly, there is a lot of iron present. This is nowhere less than six percent and is mostly in the range of 15 to 50 percent. However, the surface horizon for point B02 shows 76.4 percent, which is close to being pure iron ore. All of the samples from site B05 show very high iron concentrations, with the deepest (3.75 to 4.00 metres depth) having the greatest concentration at 64.3 percent iron. Phenols were nowhere above the minimum level of detection. Hydrocarbons
The results for extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) show low levels present throughout the site. However, while these are generally a little higher in the samples close to the wash plant, they are not at levels which might be considered of concern. It appears that there has been minor contamination across a wide area, but if this was ever serious, it has now been reduced to acceptable levels. This includes the samples taken from depths of up to five metres, where the soil might be waterlogged for much of the year and the rate of biodegradation therefore limited. Conclusions From the sampling and analyses reported here, the LAMCO wash plant site and its associated settling ponds do not appear to have any significant contamination of heavy metals, phenols or hydrocarbons. Iron levels are very high in some locations, suggesting that residues of concentrated iron ore occur as a result of the washing process.
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 57 of 100
Order details 5196052 5183387 5183419 5196051 5183414 5196049 5183418 5183415 5180977 5193784 5277013
SDG 120218-58 120216-71 120216-71 120218-58 120216-71 120218-58 120216-71 120216-71 120216-43 120218-13 120218-13
Sampling details
Sample Description BO1/1 BO1/2 BO1/3 BO1/4 BO1/5 BO2/1 BO2/2 BO2/3 BO2/4 BO2/5 BO2/6
LocationN 05 52 04.6
& W010 02
32.1
N 05 52 04.6
& W010 02
32.1
N 05 52 04.6
& W010 02
32.1
N 05 52 04.6
& W010 02
32.1
N 05 52 04.6
& W010 02
32.1
N 05 52
02..4 & W010
02 34.6
N 05 52
02..4 & W010
02 34.6
N 05 52
02..4 & W010
02 34.6
N 05 52
02..4 & W010
02 34.6
N 05 52
02..4 & W010
02 34.6
N 05 52
02..4 & W010
02 34.6
Sample Depth 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2 2.75-3 3.75-4 4.75-5
Laboratory data
Sample Description
Colour - Dark Brown Orange Light Brown Light Brown Orange Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown
Description - Sand Sandy Loam Sandy Loam Sand Sand Sandy Loam Loamy Sand Sandy LoamSandy Clay
LoamSilty Clay Sandy Loam
Grain Size - 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm
Inclusion 1) - None Stones Stones None Stones Stones None Stones Stones N/A Stones
Inclusion 2) - None N/A Vegetation None None None N/A None None N/A None
Carbon
Organic Carbon, Total % <0.2 0.301 0.243 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2
Metals
Arsenic mg/kg <12 <6 4.92 15.6 10.4 <6 <6 <6 41.5 <6 <6
Cadmium mg/kg <0.4 <0.2 0.444 <0.02 0.704 <0.2 <0.2 4.61 <0.2 2.46 4.32
Chromium mg/kg <18 268 86.8 15.1 15.3 19.4 11.7 17.1 15.4 17.3 19.4
Copper mg/kg <28 <14 <1.4 2.61 <1.4 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14
Iron mg/kg 526000 166000 64100 16700 52500 764000 543000 400000 457000 356000 387000
Lead mg/kg <7 7.43 4.47 2.29 2.53 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7
Mercury mg/kg 0.165 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 0.186 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14
Zinc mg/kg <38 <19 10 10.2 10.1 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19
Phenols
Phenol mg/kg <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (EPH)
EPH Range >C10 - C40 mg/kg 52.4 215 183 58.4 41.7 120 224 54.9 160 169 63.2
% Surrogate Recovery % 106 102 104 109 104 107 101 104 101 85.2 108
Interpretation -
No
identification
possible
Possible
weathered
kerosene
Possible
weathered
kerosene
No
identification
possible
No
identification
possible
No
identification
possible
Possible
weathered
kerosene
No
identification
possible
Possible
PAHSPossible PAH
No
identification
possible
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 58 of 100
Order details 5183397 5180979 5189092 5277021 5277018 5201319 5193780 5183393 5213159 5277053 5213162 5213167 5183420 5277003 5225671
SDG 120216-71 120216-43 120217-50 120218-13 120218-13 120220-14 120218-13 120216-71 120222-95 120218-13 120222-95 120222-95 120216-71 120218-13 120222-95
Sampling details
Sample Description BO3/1 BO3/2 BO3/3 BO3/4 BO3/5 BO3/6 BO4/1 BO4/2 BO4/3 BO4/4 BO5/1 BO5/2 BO5/3 BO5/4 BO5/5
LocationN 05 51
56..8 & W010
02 39.7
N 05 51
56..8 & W010
02 39.7
N 05 51
56..8 & W010
02 39.7
N 05 51
56..8 & W010
02 39.7
N 05 51
56..8 & W010
02 39.7
N 05 51
56..8 & W010
02 39.7
N 05 51
50.9 & W
010 02 47.1
N 05 51
50.9 & W
010 02 47.1
N 05 51
50.9 & W
010 02 47.1
N 05 51
50.9 & W
010 02 47.1
N 05 51
40.1 & W
010 02 56.2
N 05 51
40.1 & W
010 02 56. 2
N 05 51
40.1 & W
010 02 56. 2
N 05 51
40.1 & W
010 02 56. 2
N 05 51
40.1 & W
010 02 56. 2
Sample Depth 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2 2.75-3 3.75-4 4.75-5 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4.0
Laboratory data
Sample Description
Colour - Dark Brown Light Brown Light Brown Light Brown Light Brown Orange Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Orange Orange Light Brown
Description - Sand Sand Sandy Loam Silty ClaySandy Silt
Loam
Sandy Clay
LoamSilty Clay Sand Sand
Sandy Clay
LoamLoamy Sand Sandy Loam Silty Clay Silt Loam Silt Loam
Grain Size - 0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm <0.063 mm <0.063 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm
Inclusion 1) - N/A None Stones N/A Stones Stones N/A None None Vegetation Vegetation Vegetation None None None
Inclusion 2) - N/A None None N/A N/A None N/A N/A None None None None N/A None None
Carbon
Organic Carbon, Total % 0.22 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2
Metals
Arsenic mg/kg 14.8 77.9 8.65 25.1 3.82 <6 <6 <12 14.3 12.7 <6 <6 <6 <6 11.5
Cadmium mg/kg <0.2 3.46 <0.2 0.522 0.147 0.783 2.29 <0.4 <0.2 2.76 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 2.62 <0.2
Chromium mg/kg 29 21.2 71.5 104 145 104 21.8 <18 17.9 19.4 <9 <9 13.9 19.3 20.7
Copper mg/kg <14 <14 <14 <14 <1.4 <14 <14 <28 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 <14
Iron mg/kg 115000 185000 167000 81700 108000 60400 595000 615000 624000 535000 591000 418000 560000 482000 643000
Lead mg/kg <7 <7 <7 11.5 9.92 7.95 <7 <14 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7 <7
Mercury mg/kg <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 0.157 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 0.164 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14
Zinc mg/kg <19 40.5 <19 <19 6.26 25.2 <19 <38 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19 <19
Phenols
Phenol mg/kg <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (EPH)
EPH Range >C10 - C40 mg/kg 178 95.4 62.3 132 105 149 54.4 68.3 60.4 113 94.7 57.5 201 206 141
% Surrogate Recovery % 102 101 99.2 102 101 99.8 103 103 95.4 92.3 96 97.4 103 95.2 102
Interpretation -
Possible
kerosene type
residues and
humic acids
No
Identification
Possible
No
Identification
possible
Possible
PAHs
Possible
PAHs
Possible
PAHS
No
Identification
Possible
No
identification
possible
No
identification
possible
Possible PAH
No
identification
possible
No
identification
possible
Possible
weathered
kerosene
Possible PAHPossible
PAHs
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 59 of 100
3.7 Contaminated soils assessment: Buchanan fuel tank farm area Actual sampling locations The 23 actual sampling locations are shown below, plotted on a Google Earth image of the site. The intended grid was altered on site in response to accessibility constraints. The exact locations are shown in the analytical data tables below. The sampling strategy was as follows.
Estimated 23 sample points in a triple transect at spacings of 50 x 50 and 50 x 100 metres.
Auger to 2 metres at all sites.
Auger to 5 metres at 5 sites.
Sample at: 0 to 0.25 m, 0.75 to 1.0 m, 1.75 to 2.0 m.
For deep samples, also sample at 2.75 to 3.0 m, 3.75 to 4.0 m, 4.75 to 5.0 m.
Total anticipated sample numbers: 54 (2-metre samples); 30 (5-metre samples).
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 60 of 100
Analytical results – LAMCO Tank Farm The sample analytical results are shown in the extensive four-page data table below. Interpretation of results – LAMCO Tank Farm Heavy metals There is no significant contamination with heavy metals. Many are below the level of detection and the great majority are within residential screening limits, which are much lower than the limits for industrial areas. Arsenic levels are slightly raised in the upper one metre of the soil profile of sample C02 and in at least the top two metres of the soil in sample C13, though most noticeably in the surface horizon. C13 is clearly affected by the former nearby tailings, as it contains around 30 percent iron. Slightly raised levels of cadmium were detected in the profiles of samples C01, C02, C04 and C07. These are clustered to the south of the main LAMCO heavy fuel oil tanks and have the highest levels of hydrocarbon contamination (see below). Chromium levels are slightly raised in the surface horizons of samples C03, C17 and C19. These do not demonstrate any clustering or pattern, and the levels are not of concern. The surface soil at point C16 has the only slightly raised mercury level, and also the highest recorded zinc value. But both of these are within residential screening limits and do pose a hazard. Nowhere do the levels of copper or lead approach the accepted screening level for residential areas. Iron is a special case given the history of the site (part of the LAMCO iron ore processing and handling site). As a result, iron is present as a significant proportion of all of the samples. Most noticeable are the levels in the 250,000 to 350,000 mg/kg range, in samples C01, C02, C04, C07 and C13. However, all of these are in the top metre of the profiles and the iron concentrations are considerably less below this point. This suggests that these parts of the site may have been used as a temporary stockpile or tailings pond before it was used for fuel handling. High iron levels are not of concern for toxicity in an industrial site, especially one where iron ore continues to be handled. However, they might inhibit the growth of certain plants. The very high organic carbon record (30.4%) at 1.75 to 2.00 metres depth in sample C02 is surprising, and suggests a buried organic-rich soil horizon. This is reflected at a similar depth, but a lower proportion (8.6%), in sample C07. These two samples are located close to each other, and may show some buried relict of the mangroves that formerly occupied some parts of the area. Phenols were all below the level of detection. Hydrocarbons Hydrocarbons are present in all of the samples, but in most cases the levels would not be considered as polluted soils, particularly considering that the site is close to former fuel handling areas and remains an industrial site. Exceptions to this are found for samples C01, C02, C04 and C07, throughout the profiles to a depth of at least two metres. These four samples form a cluster to the south of the two main LAMCO heavy fuel oil tanks, as shown in the image below. At these points the extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) are a little above the guideline screening levels. There is also a raised hydrocarbon level in the surface horizon at sample C06. This is close to the current diesel fuel storage site and may be the result of relatively recent and localised contamination.
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 61 of 100
The analyses of the polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) do not show any significant evidence of pollution by a particular compound, but demonstrate a fairly broad spectrum of hydrocarbon fuel constituents. None of these appear to be at worrying levels. Naphthalene, which is often used as an indicator of diesel contamination, is not high in any location, although there is a surprising value of 241 μg/kg recorded at 1.75 to 2.00 metres depth at sample point C15 (though not above even the screening level for residential areas). It is notable that there are no raised levels of hydrocarbons found at sample points C03, C05 and C08, despite their close proximity to the pollution noted above. This suggests that the pollution is very limited in its areal extent. Nor does there appear to be a plume of pollution moving down the gentle slope gradient towards the coast, as had been suspected. Detected levels of hydrocarbon pollution (red circles)
Conclusions The hydrocarbon pollution appears to be confined to the area immediately around the two large LAMCO heavy fuel oil tanks. Here it extends to a depth of at least two metres. Levels of contamination are not particularly high, but these soils are nevertheless polluted. Other sites surveyed show low levels of hydrocarbon presence. It is clear that some of these areas have been subjected to contamination in the past, but this appears to have been largely rectified through natural biodegradation.
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 62 of 100
5277014 5277007 5180969 5193782 5277023 5277009 5276996 5183400 5193787 5275949 5189104 5201313 5201314 5189101 5213158 5276983 5189113 5211502
120218-13 120218-13 120216-43 120218-13 120218-13 120218-13 120218-13 120216-71 120218-13 120218-42 120217-50 120220-14 120220-14 120217-50 120222-95 120218-13 120217-50 120222-65
C01/1-8 C01/2-8 C01/3-9 C02/1-8 C02/2-8 C02/3-8 C03/1-8 C03/2-7 C03/3-8 C04/1-4 C04/2-1 C04/3-10 C05/1-10 C05/2-1 C05/3-2 C06/1-8 C06/2-1 C06/3-3
N 05 51
41.6 & W
010 02 25. 7
N 05 51
41.6 & W
010 02 25. 7
N 05 51 41.6
& W 010 02
25. 7
N 05 51
40.7 & W
010 02 25. 8
N 05 51
40.7 & W
010 02 25. 8
N 05 51
40.7 & W
010 02 25. 8
N 05 51
41.2 & W
010 02 27. 5
N 05 51
41.2 & W
010 02 27. 5
N 05 51
41.2 & W
010 02 27. 5
N 05 51
40.0 & W
010 02 26. 2
N 05 51
40.0 & W
010 02 26. 2
N 05 51
40.0 & W
010 02 26. 2
N 05 51
40.2 & W
010 02 28. 3
N 05 51
40.2 & W
010 02 28. 3
N 05 51
40.2 & W
010 02 28. 3
N 05 51
39.6 & W
010 02 28. 9
N 05 51
39.6 & W
010 02 28. 9
N 05 51
39.6 & W
010 02 28. 9
0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.00 0.00-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.00 0-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.00 0.00-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.00 0-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.00
Colour - Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Light Brown
Description -Sandy Clay
LoamClay Loam Silty Clay Silty Clay Silty Clay Clay Loam
Sandy Clay
LoamSand Sand Sand Sand Silt Loam Loamy Sand Loamy Sand Sand
Sandy Clay
LoamSand Sand
Grain Size - 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm
Inclusion 1) - Vegetation Vegetation N/A N/A N/A Vegetation Stones N/A Stones Stones None None Vegetation None None Vegetation None None
Inclusion 2) - None None N/A N/A N/A None None Stones None None None None None None None None None None
Organic Carbon, Total % 3.83 12 6.5 2.89 0.876 30.4 0.412 0.373 0.379 2.78 1.99 9.97 0.455 1.4 1.48 1.93 0.226 <0.2
Arsenic mg/kg 12.2 9.29 <6 33.5 28.6 5.1 7.23 4.9 6.37 18.8 10.2 <6 15.2 6.12 7.96 12.9 3.99 2.67
Cadmium mg/kg 1.94 1.77 1.53 1.95 1.92 0.438 0.488 0.24 0.22 <0.2 <0.2 2.98 1.58 <0.02 0.632 <0.2 0.153 <0.02
Chromium mg/kg 22.6 48.6 20.9 22.9 23.9 8.43 188 35 55.2 19.3 25 14.1 18.1 39.8 37.3 57.7 46.6 35.1
Copper mg/kg <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 1.5 <1.4 <1.4 2.27 <14 <14 <14 <14 2.69 <1.4 <14 <1.4 <1.4
Iron mg/kg 237000 205000 99300 281000 251000 39100 70300 18600 22600 296000 326000 171000 160000 45900 56700 87000 15900 13400
Lead mg/kg 10.7 29.1 <7 <7 <7 3.05 14.1 6.44 6.36 8.07 <7 7.41 <7 4.98 4.59 19.6 6.43 3.86
Mercury mg/kg <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 0.182 <0.14 0.155 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14
Zinc mg/kg 24.3 26 <19 <19 <19 3.49 22.7 9.37 8.71 <19 <19 <19 <19 10.4 9.61 48.5 5.99 5.6
Phenol mg/kg <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.02 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
EPH Range >C10 - C40 mg/kg 15400 40800 21000 6480 813 13000 139 246 189 5210 10800 17100 190 300 268 5520 251 193
% Surrogate Recovery % 88 111 91 92.3 93.2 94.1 100 140 107 103 95.6 92 99.8 94 97.6 105 103 110
Interpretation -Biodegraded
DieselBitumen/tar
Possible
Bitumen/TarBitumen/tar
Possible
PAH/bitumen/
tar
Bitumen/tarPossible
PAH/humics
Possible
bitumen/tar
and humic
Possible
PAHs/Humic
Acids
Possible
bitumen/tar
Possible
Bitumen/Tar
Possible
Bitumen/Tar
Kerosene
Type
Residues/Car
Humic Acids Humic AcidsBiodegraded
diesel
Possible
PAHsPossible PAH
Acenaphthene µg/kg - - - - - - <8 <8 <8 - - - <8 <8 <8 - - -
Acenaphthene-d10 % recovery** % - - - - - - 102 96.4 98.8 - - - 89.2 97.1 97.6 - - -
Acenaphthylene µg/kg - - - - - - <12 <12 <12 - - - <12 <12 <12 - - -
Anthracene µg/kg - - - - - - <16 <16 <16 - - - <16 <16 <16 - - -
Benz(a)anthracene µg/kg - - - - - - <14 <14 <14 - - - <14 <14 21.2 - - -
Benzo(a)pyrene µg/kg - - - - - - <15 <15 <15 - - - <15 <15 <15 - - -
Benzo(b)fluoranthene µg/kg - - - - - - <15 <15 <15 - - - <15 <15 <15 - - -
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene µg/kg - - - - - - <24 <24 <24 - - - <24 <24 <24 - - -
Benzo(k)fluoranthene µg/kg - - - - - - <14 <14 <14 - - - <14 <14 <14 - - -
Chrysene µg/kg - - - - - - <10 <10 <10 - - - <10 <10 <10 - - -
Chrysene-d12 % recovery** % - - - - - - 102 91.5 100 - - - 82.1 94.4 93.9 - - -
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene µg/kg - - - - - - <23 <23 <23 - - - <23 <23 <23 - - -
Fluoranthene µg/kg - - - - - - <17 <17 <17 - - - <17 <17 <17 - - -
Fluorene µg/kg - - - - - - <10 <10 18.3 - - - <10 <10 <10 - - -
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene µg/kg - - - - - - <18 <18 <18 - - - <18 <18 <18 - - -
Naphthalene µg/kg - - - - - - <9 <9 121 - - - <9 33.8 27 - - -
Naphthalene-d8 % recovery** % - - - - - - 102 98.4 100 - - - 91.6 95.2 95.8 - - -
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, Total USEPA 16 µg/kg - - - - - - <118 <118 165 - - - <118 <118 <118 - - -
Perylene-d12 % recovery** % - - - - - - 103 89.6 101 - - - 78.1 101 97.8 - - -
Phenanthrene µg/kg - - - - - - <15 <15 25.8 - - - <15 23.2 <15 - - -
Phenanthrene-d10 % recovery** % - - - - - - 98.2 93.4 95.7 - - - 85.5 96 96.2 - - -
Pyrene µg/kg - - - - - - <15 <15 <15 - - - <15 <15 <15 - - -
Order details
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Laboratory data
Sampling details
Sample number
Sample Depth
Location
SDG
Sample Description
Carbon
Metals
Phenols
Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (EPH)
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 63 of 100
5276985 5276995 5189125 5180971 5189106 5183386 5276981 5189123 5213161 5201316 5213156 5180975 5277016 5277015 5183426 5183391 5180940
120218-13 120218-13 120217-50 120216-43 120217-50 120216-71 120218-13 120217-50 120222-95 120220-14 120222-95 120216-43 120218-13 120218-13 120216-71 120216-71 120216-43
C07/1-8 C07/2-8 C07/3-1 C08/1-9 C08/2-1 C08/3-7 C09/1-8 C09/2-1 C09/3-2 C010/1-10 C010/2-2 C010/3-9 C011/1-8 C011/2-8 C012/1-7 C012/2-7 C012/3-9
N 05 51
39.5 & W
010 02 26. 3
N 05 51
39.5 & W
010 02 26. 3
N 05 51
39.5 & W
010 02 26. 3
N 05 51
39.2 & W
010 02 27. 5
N 05 51
39.2 & W
010 02 27. 5
N 05 51
39.2 & W
010 02 27. 5
N 05 51
36.4 & W
010 02 31. 6
N 05 51
36.4 & W
010 02 31. 6
N 05 51
36.4 & W
010 02 31. 6
N 05 51
35.4 & W
010 02 32. 4
N 05 51
35.4 & W
010 02 32. 4
N 05 51
35.4 & W
010 02 32. 4
N 05 51
34.1 & W
010 02 35. 4
N 05 51
34.1 & W
010 02 35. 4
N 05 51
31.7 & W
010 02 38. 4
N 05 51
31.7 & W
010 02 38. 4
N 05 51
31.7 & W
010 02 38. 4
0-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.00 0-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.00 0.00-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.00 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 0.00-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.00
Colour - Dark Brown Red Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Light Brown Light Brown Light Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Light Brown Light Brown Light Brown Light Brown
Description - Silty ClaySandy Clay
LoamLoamy Sand Sand Sand Loamy Sand Sand Sand Sand Sand Sand Silty Clay
Sandy Silt
LoamSand Sand Sand Sandy Loam
Grain Size - 0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 2 - 10 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm
Inclusion 1) - N/A Stones None Stones Stones Vegetation Stones None Stones Vegetation Stones N/A N/A None Vegetation None None
Inclusion 2) - N/A None None None None N/A None None None Stones None N/A N/A None Stones None None
Organic Carbon, Total % 1.37 1.5 8.64 0.366 0.28 0.353 0.213 <0.2 <0.2 0.558 <0.2 2.39 0.234 <0.2 0.219 <0.2 0.224
Arsenic mg/kg 37.8 <6 8.47 8.73 11.1 21.5 8.79 11 17.2 10.5 7.24 5.95 32.1 12 6.3 3.93 4.3
Cadmium mg/kg 1.98 <0.2 <0.2 0.169 <0.02 0.501 0.252 <0.02 0.217 0.205 0.142 0.17 0.464 0.27 0.172 0.218 0.0856
Chromium mg/kg 23.2 23.9 18.5 9.85 27.7 19.2 27.3 22.8 29.5 34.1 21.1 24.4 11.4 9.61 19.1 32.5 16.5
Copper mg/kg <14 <14 <14 2.07 2.07 <1.4 5.3 4.28 1.88 6.4 3.02 3.96 <1.4 <1.4 5.15 2.45 2.59
Iron mg/kg 243000 342000 159000 8550 20900 82100 20300 14700 21400 23800 12400 13100 78600 28300 14500 16900 6920
Lead mg/kg <7 <7 <7 2.87 3.2 1.83 6.04 4.5 5.92 24.3 4.3 6.55 1.24 2.62 8.39 3.85 2.56
Mercury mg/kg <0.14 <0.14 0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14
Zinc mg/kg <19 <19 <19 8.77 10 11.6 20.6 19.5 23 28.2 15.4 19.3 6.39 7.99 19.9 8.05 5.89
Phenol mg/kg <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
EPH Range >C10 - C40 mg/kg 1940 4200 3840 144 196 90.4 330 80.6 57.4 248 36.7 475 107 101 105 42.4 129
% Surrogate Recovery % 87 107 87.6 103 96.8 101 106 94.6 98 100 98.2 98.2 94 99.4 104 107 101
Interpretation -Bitumen/tar,
possible PAHBitumen/tar
Possible PAH,
bitumen/tar
Possible
PAHS
Possible
bitumen/tar
No
identification
possible
Biodegraded
diesel
No
identification
possible
No
identification
possible
Biodegraded
Diesel
No
identification
possible
Carboxylic
Acids
No
identification
possible
No
Identification
Possible
Possible
weathered
kerosene
No
identification
possible
Possible
PAHS
Acenaphthene µg/kg <8 <8 52.6 - - - <8 <8 <8 - - - <8 11.1 - - -
Acenaphthene-d10 % recovery** % 90.5 95.6 139 - - - 97.4 93.1 102 - - - 96.4 93.6 - - -
Acenaphthylene µg/kg 44.1 <12 89.1 - - - <12 <12 <12 - - - <12 <12 - - -
Anthracene µg/kg 41.2 <16 71.7 - - - <16 <16 <16 - - - <16 <16 - - -
Benz(a)anthracene µg/kg 47.2 <14 <14 - - - <14 <14 <14 - - - <14 <14 - - -
Benzo(a)pyrene µg/kg 47.5 17.1 <15 - - - <15 <15 <15 - - - <15 <15 - - -
Benzo(b)fluoranthene µg/kg 33.5 25.1 37.7 - - - <15 <15 <15 - - - <15 <15 - - -
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene µg/kg 339 <24 <24 - - - <24 <24 <24 - - - <24 <24 - - -
Benzo(k)fluoranthene µg/kg <14 <14 <14 - - - <14 <14 <14 - - - <14 <14 - - -
Chrysene µg/kg 35.4 24.6 52 - - - <10 <10 <10 - - - <10 <10 - - -
Chrysene-d12 % recovery** % 97.2 96.4 144 - - - 97.8 87.9 107 - - - 98 95.3 - - -
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene µg/kg 34.9 <23 <23 - - - <23 <23 <23 - - - <23 <23 - - -
Fluoranthene µg/kg <17 <17 <17 - - - <17 <17 <17 - - - <17 <17 - - -
Fluorene µg/kg <10 <10 118 - - - <10 <10 <10 - - - <10 <10 - - -
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene µg/kg 40.5 <18 <18 - - - <18 <18 <18 - - - <18 <18 - - -
Naphthalene µg/kg 71.4 <9 74.1 - - - <9 16.2 <9 - - - 18.3 <9 - - -
Naphthalene-d8 % recovery** % 89.2 95.8 132 - - - 98.4 92.2 96.4 - - - 98.2 94.9 - - -
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, Total USEPA 16 µg/kg 779 <118 793 - - - <118 <118 <118 - - - <118 <118 - - -
Perylene-d12 % recovery** % 103 103 152 - - - 99.1 87.7 110 - - - 99.1 97.8 - - -
Phenanthrene µg/kg 20.5 19.4 181 - - - <15 <15 <15 - - - <15 <15 - - -
Phenanthrene-d10 % recovery** % 88.7 93 136 - - - 94.2 91.5 101 - - - 94.3 91.3 - - -
Pyrene µg/kg 23.6 21.2 117 - - - <15 <15 <15 - - - <15 <15 - - -
Order details
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Laboratory data
Sampling details
Sample number
Sample Depth
Location
SDG
Sample Description
Carbon
Metals
Phenols
Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (EPH)
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 64 of 100
5276993 5277017 5277011 5276991 5211508 5277047 5276999 5180941 5277001 5276994 5277024 5193797 5183388 5276997 5211510 5276990 5213166 5276987
120218-13 120218-13 120218-13 120218-13 120222-65 120218-13 120218-13 120216-43 120218-13 120218-13 120218-13 120218-13 120216-71 120218-13 120222-65 120218-13 120222-95 120218-13
C013/1-8 C013/2-8 C013/3-8 C014/1-8 C014/2-3 C014/3-8 C015/1-8 C015/2-9 C015/3-8 C015/4-8 C015/5-8 C016/1-8 C016/2-7 C016/3-8 C016/4-3 C017/1-8 C017/2-2 C017/3-8
N 05 51
31.0 & W
010 02 37.
6
N 05 51
31.0 & W
010 02 37.
6
N 05 51
31.0 & W
010 02 37.
6
N 05 51
30.0 & W
010 02 39.
5
N 05 51
30.0 & W
010 02 39.
5
N 05 51
30.0 & W
010 02 39.
5
N 05 51
30.3 & W
010 02
40.1
N 05 51
30.3 & W
010 02
40.1
N 05 51
30.3 & W
010 02
40.1
N 05 51
30.3 & W
010 02
40.1
N 05 51
30.3 & W
010 02
40.1
N 05 51
35.4 & W
010 02
35.4
N 05 51
35.4 & W
010 02
35.4
N 05 51
35.4 & W
010 02
35.4
N 05 51
35.4 & W
010 02
35.4
N 05 51
37.0 & W
010 02
29.9
N 05 51
37.0 & W
010 02
29.9
N 05 51
37.0 & W
010 02 29.
9
0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.0 3.75-4.0 0.00-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.0 2.75-3.00 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0
Colour - Light Brow n Light Brow n Light Brow n Dark Brow n Light Brow n Grey Light Brow n Light Brow n Dark Brow n Light Brow n Light Brow n Light Brow n Light Brow n Grey Light Brow n Light Brow n Light Brow n Light Brow n
Description - Silt LoamSandy Clay
LoamSilty Clay Silt Loam Silt Loamy Sand Sand Sand Silty Clay Sandy Loam Sand Sand Sandy Loam Silty Sand Sand Loamy Sand Sand Sand
Grain Size - <0.063 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm <0.063 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm
Inclusion 1) - Vegetation None N/A Vegetation None None Stones Stones Stones Stones Stones Vegetation Vegetation N/A Stones Stones Stones Stones
Inclusion 2) - None None N/A None None None None None N/A None None None N/A N/A None None None None
Organic Carbon, Total % 0.7 0.31 0.3 1.65 0.4 0.413 0.394 0.204 0.906 0.235 0.3 0.47 0.497 0.226 0.202 0.304 <0.2 <0.2
Arsenic mg/kg 88.7 17.3 20.4 3.65 3.81 8.84 7.12 4.81 7.48 4.75 4.71 6.15 3.09 1.88 2.57 5.82 9.1 8.85
Cadmium mg/kg <0.2 0.359 0.655 0.133 <0.02 0.148 0.421 0.253 0.158 0.183 0.128 0.525 0.183 0.0426 <0.02 0.434 <0.02 0.288
Chromium mg/kg 24.5 12.9 19.1 22.2 21.4 28.2 38.4 45.6 25.6 36.3 24.6 50.2 53.1 17.8 37.4 190 47 46.6
Copper mg/kg <14 <1.4 <1.4 6.29 2.78 3.07 4.99 40.7 18.9 1.97 2.16 10.7 <1.4 <1.4 2.06 <1.4 2.91 2.99
Iron mg/kg 306000 51000 74300 12100 6140 12600 31500 30100 19700 16300 13700 23000 22400 5490 15300 80800 24200 26600
Lead mg/kg <7 2.91 2.98 5.34 3.64 3.45 19.6 6.68 6.45 5.96 4.46 12.7 5.81 3.26 5.57 6.6 4.64 5.03
Mercury mg/kg <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 6.77 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14
Zinc mg/kg <19 3.58 13.2 13.1 7.6 23.6 23.6 28.1 16.1 13.6 11.9 73.2 9.28 5.38 17.2 16.6 16 21.6
Phenol mg/kg <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
EPH Range >C10 - C40 mg/kg 182 78.8 204 534 175 114 61.2 110 294 83.8 156 116 172 223 97.1 123 83.4 90.4
% Surrogate Recovery % 105 104 91.8 101 109 106 106 103 82.2 101 97.7 106 104 89.8 113 102 97.8 101
Interpretation -Possible
PAH/humics
Possible
PAHs/Humic
Acids
Possible
PAH/humic
acids
Possible
PAH/humics
Possible
PAH
Possible
petroleum
naphthas/
No
identif ication
possible
Possible
PAHS
Possible
PAH
No
identif ication
possible
Possible
PAH/humic
acids
Possible
PAH/humics
Possible
w eathered
kerosene
Possible
PAH/humic
acids
No
identif ication
possible
Possible
w eathered
kerosene.
No
identif ication
possible
No
identif ication
possible
Acenaphthene µg/kg <8 <8 <8 - - - <8 <8 <8 <8 <8 - - - - <8 <8 <8
Acenaphthene-d10 % recovery** % 101 97.9 95.8 - - - 93.1 91.4 99.5 97.9 95.6 - - - - 102 97.5 109
Acenaphthylene µg/kg <12 <12 <12 - - - <12 <12 <12 <12 <12 - - - - <12 <12 <12
Anthracene µg/kg <16 <16 <16 - - - <16 <16 <16 <16 <16 - - - - <16 <16 <16
Benz(a)anthracene µg/kg <14 <14 <14 - - - <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 - - - - <14 17.9 <14
Benzo(a)pyrene µg/kg <15 <15 <15 - - - <15 <15 <15 <15 <15 - - - - <15 <15 <15
Benzo(b)fluoranthene µg/kg <15 <15 <15 - - - <15 <15 <15 <15 <15 - - - - <15 <15 37.9
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene µg/kg <24 <24 <24 - - - <24 <24 <24 <24 <24 - - - - <24 <24 <24
Benzo(k)f luoranthene µg/kg <14 <14 <14 - - - <14 <14 <14 <14 <14 - - - - <14 <14 22.9
Chrysene µg/kg <10 <10 <10 - - - <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 - - - - <10 <10 <10
Chrysene-d12 % recovery** % 98.2 98.6 90.6 - - - 93.6 92.8 91.8 97.5 97.4 - - - - 103 96.2 108
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene µg/kg <23 <23 <23 - - - <23 <23 <23 <23 <23 - - - - <23 <23 <23
Fluoranthene µg/kg <17 <17 <17 - - - <17 <17 <17 <17 <17 - - - - <17 <17 <17
Fluorene µg/kg <10 <10 <10 - - - <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 - - - - <10 <10 21.7
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene µg/kg <18 <18 <18 - - - <18 <18 <18 <18 <18 - - - - <18 <18 <18
Naphthalene µg/kg 12.8 <9 <9 - - - 10.5 <9 241 <9 <9 - - - - <9 12.1 16.2
Naphthalene-d8 % recovery** % 100 99 97.5 - - - 94.9 93.9 101 98.9 97.4 - - - - 99.3 98.5 106
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, Total USEPA 16 µg/kg <118 <118 <118 - - - <118 <118 241 <118 <118 - - - - <118 <118 <118
Perylene-d12 % recovery** % 104 100 88 - - - 94.9 93.9 92.2 100 98.8 - - - - 111 97 116
Phenanthrene µg/kg <15 <15 <15 - - - <15 <15 <15 <15 <15 - - - - <15 <15 <15
Phenanthrene-d10 % recovery** % 98.8 95.2 92 - - - 90.5 89 95.1 93.9 93.8 - - - - 101 95.3 107
Pyrene µg/kg <15 <15 <15 - - - <15 <15 <15 <15 <15 - - - - <15 <15 <15
Order details
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Laboratory data
Sampling details
Sample number
Sample Depth
Location
SDG
Sample Description
Carbon
Metals
Phenols
Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (EPH)
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 65 of 100
5276980 5189110 5189115 5213154 5189103 5189130 5276986 5277005 5193783 5275948 5277006 5183406 5277000 5276988 5275939 5277019 5201317 5213152
120218-13 120217-50 120217-50 120222-95 120217-50 120217-50 120218-13 120218-13 120218-13 120218-42 120218-13 120216-71 120218-13 120218-13 120218-42 120218-13 120220-14 120222-95
C018/1-8 C018/2-1 C018/3-1 C019/1-2 C019/2-1 C019/3-1 C020/1-8 C020/2-8 C020/3-8 C021/1-4 C021/2-8 C021/3-7 C022/1-8 C022/2-8 C022/3-4 C023/1-8 C023/2-10 C023/3-2
N 05 51
41.7 & W
010 02 31. 3
N 05 51
41.7 & W
010 02 31. 3
N 05 51
41.7 & W
010 02 31. 3
N 05 51
40.0 & W
010 02 36. 6
N 05 51
40.0 & W
010 02 36. 6
N 05 51
40.0 & W
010 02 36. 6
N 05 51
38.5 & W
010 02 35. 1
N 05 51
38.5 & W
010 02 35. 1
N 05 51
38.5 & W
010 02 35. 1
N 05 51 36.
9 & W 010
02 36.4
N 05 51 36.
9 & W 010
02 36.4
N 05 51 36.
9 & W 010
02 36.4
N 05 51 34.
5 & W 010
02 38.1
N 05 51 34.
5 & W 010
02 38.1
N 05 51 34.
5 & W 010
02 38.1
N 05 51 31.
7 & W 010
02 41.1
N 05 51 31.
7 & W 010
02 41.1
N 05 51 31.
7 & W 010
02 41.1
0-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.0 0.00-0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.0 0-0.25 0.75-1.0 1.75-2.00 0-0.25 0.75 -1.0 1.75 -2.0 0 -0.25 0.75-1.00 1.75-2.00
Colour - Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Grey Dark Brown Dark Brown Dark Brown Light Brown Light Brown Dark Brown Light Brown
Description -Sandy Clay
LoamSand Sand Sandy Loam Sand Sand Loamy Sand Silty Sand Silty Sand Sandy Loam Silty Clay Sand
Sandy Clay
LoamLoamy Sand Sand Sandy Loam Sand Sand
Grain Size - 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm0.063 - 0.1 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm 0.1 - 2 mm
Inclusion 1) - None None None Stones None None None N/A N/A Stones N/A None Vegetation None Stones Stones None None
Inclusion 2) - None None None None None None None N/A N/A None N/A None None None None None None None
Organic Carbon, Total % 0.454 0.281 0.86 0.585 0.305 0.233 0.559 0.31 0.202 1.12 0.937 0.365 0.324 <0.2 <0.2 0.663 <0.2 <0.2
Arsenic mg/kg 4.24 1.92 2.87 4.63 1.23 0.621 5.79 2.24 1.63 5.49 8.73 4.05 11.6 16.2 5.96 12 3.03 1.4
Cadmium mg/kg 0.448 <0.02 0.403 0.888 0.0388 <0.02 0.508 0.143 0.0746 <0.02 0.186 0.56 3.83 <0.2 <0.02 0.213 0.0461 0.0348
Chromium mg/kg 97.6 15.7 93.1 235 27.8 9.97 47.5 19.2 16.1 39.6 40.2 22.3 20.9 15.8 29.7 31.7 14 7.36
Copper mg/kg <1.4 2.14 <1.4 <1.4 1.7 <1.4 <1.4 <1.4 1.44 6.44 4.78 <1.4 <14 <14 <1.4 9.36 2.37 <1.4
Iron mg/kg 52600 7490 41400 122000 14100 4590 48200 12900 8700 22300 25000 41000 314000 306000 32700 22700 7090 2720
Lead mg/kg 7.43 3.22 13.4 12.3 3.65 1.42 5.65 2.84 3.29 6.14 7.75 4.23 <7 <7 5.2 5.99 3.1 2.5
Mercury mg/kg 0.196 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 0.701 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 <0.14
Zinc mg/kg 14.6 2.85 27.7 6.71 4.13 <1.9 14.5 3.61 7.31 33.6 45.5 18.7 36.1 <19 13 36.3 6.54 3.1
Phenol mg/kg <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
EPH Range >C10 - C40 mg/kg 90.7 109 330 150 55.7 74.9 63.6 184 219 144 324 43.7 55.5 94.5 58.2 200 114 47
% Surrogate Recovery % 101 97.2 95.4 101 97 96.6 86.8 82.9 87.5 110 85.3 99.6 106 101 110 95.4 102 96
Interpretation -No
identification
possible
Possible
PAHs
Possible
PAHsPossible PAH
No
Identification
possible
No
identification
possible
No
identification
possible
Possible
PAH/humic
acids
Possible PAH Humic AcidsPossible
PAH/humic
acids
No
identification
possible
No
identification
possible
No
identification
possible
No
identification
possible
Possible PAHPossible
PAHS
No
identification
possible
Acenaphthene µg/kg - - - <8 196 <8 - - - <8 <8 <8 - - - - - -
Acenaphthene-d10 % recovery** % - - - 95.7 95 95.7 - - - 109 102 105 - - - - - -
Acenaphthylene µg/kg - - - <12 66.1 <12 - - - <12 <12 <12 - - - - - -
Anthracene µg/kg - - - <16 45.1 <16 - - - <16 <16 <16 - - - - - -
Benz(a)anthracene µg/kg - - - <14 45.2 23.9 - - - 31.5 <14 <14 - - - - - -
Benzo(a)pyrene µg/kg - - - <15 23.8 <15 - - - <15 <15 <15 - - - - - -
Benzo(b)fluoranthene µg/kg - - - <15 25 <15 - - - <15 <15 <15 - - - - - -
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene µg/kg - - - <24 <24 <24 - - - <24 <24 <24 - - - - - -
Benzo(k)fluoranthene µg/kg - - - <14 <14 <14 - - - <14 <14 <14 - - - - - -
Chrysene µg/kg - - - <10 21.8 <10 - - - <10 <10 <10 - - - - - -
Chrysene-d12 % recovery** % - - - 91 92.4 90.2 - - - 105 97.7 101 - - - - - -
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene µg/kg - - - <23 <23 <23 - - - <23 <23 <23 - - - - - -
Fluoranthene µg/kg - - - <17 73.6 <17 - - - <17 <17 <17 - - - - - -
Fluorene µg/kg - - - <10 133 <10 - - - <10 <10 <10 - - - - - -
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene µg/kg - - - <18 <18 <18 - - - <18 <18 <18 - - - - - -
Naphthalene µg/kg - - - 17.4 47.3 86.7 - - - 28.5 <9 <9 - - - - - -
Naphthalene-d8 % recovery** % - - - 94.7 92.8 94.5 - - - 109 102 107 - - - - - -
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, Total USEPA 16 µg/kg - - - <118 904 <118 - - - <118 <118 <118 - - - - - -
Perylene-d12 % recovery** % - - - 92.4 98.7 90.2 - - - 107 102 103 - - - - - -
Phenanthrene µg/kg - - - <15 173 <15 - - - <15 <15 <15 - - - - - -
Phenanthrene-d10 % recovery** % - - - 94.3 93.8 94 - - - 105 98.1 103 - - - - - -
Pyrene µg/kg - - - <15 54.3 <15 - - - <15 <15 <15 - - - - - -
Order details
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Laboratory data
Sampling details
Sample number
Sample Depth
Location
SDG
Sample Description
Carbon
Metals
Phenols
Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (EPH)
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 66 of 100
3.8 Other contamination investigations at Buchanan LAMCO wash plant slag In January 2012, bush clearance near the former LAMCO wash plant uncovered a dump of a black granular material. A sample was taken to test for heavy metal contamination. The laboratory tests showed that there are very low and insignificant levels of heavy metals. It has less than 1% iron. However, the carbon level is 60%, so it is presumably a residue from the furnaces. From the environmental perspective this was considered sufficiently inert that it could be used for engineering purposes. Its primary use was expected to be in a mix with other material for road surfacing. Laboratory results for the black granular material found at the LAMCO Buchanan wash plant
Dump of black granular material near the LAMCO wash plant in Buchanan
Restoration of former drains in the north-western part of the Buchanan industrial area, where residual hydrocarbon contamination was found
Drainage ditch in the north-western part of the Buchanan industrial area During drainage restoration works in this area, a black substance was found to be oozing out of the soil and forming a film on the surface of the water. This was suspected to be some form of hydrocarbon, and so samples were taken for laboratory testing. This confirmed the presence of
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 67 of 100
hydrocarbons, but showed that the levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) found are well within acceptable limits. Two samples were taken and analysed: one was water and the other was a water-soil mixture, which the laboratory termed sludge. The individual PAH values are all low, many close to the level of detection. The EPH values are around 1,100 mg/kg, which indicates contamination but not at a level of concern. Generally hydrocarbons are naturally degraded by aerobic bacteria but can remain intact in the environment for prolonged periods in anaerobic conditions. It would therefore seem that the drainage works had struck an area of contamination from some LAMCO facilities, that had not been completely degraded because it had remained in an anaerobic environment in the swamp. The drainage work will have altered this. The engineers were advised to proceed with caution and be very vigilant for any evidence of further hydrocarbon presence. The danger was that they might suddenly dig into a more concentrated mass of less degraded hydrocarbon residues, that are then leached out into the new drainage system. But that seemed unlikely, at least in this area (i.e. well away from the LAMCO fuel farm) and was not in fact encountered. Laboratory results for the suspected hydrocarbon contamination in the drainage ditch in the north-western part of the Buchanan industrial area
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 68 of 100
4. DAMAGE TO RIVERS
4.1 Overview Damage to Liberia‟s rivers as a result of LAMCO‟s operations is not well recorded; or if it was well recorded, the information was lost in the war. The extract from a newspaper in 1982 given below provides a glimpse of what must have been a widespread problem for most of the LAMCO operational period. However, in the absence of a pre-LAMCO baseline of water quality, it is now impossible to ascertain whether there has been lasting damage to the rivers and their biology.
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 69 of 100
4.2 Summary assessment of Nimba rivers, 2008 and 2009 This assessment is based on the evidence collected and interpreted of the effects of past mining activities, being the legacy of the abandoned LAMCO mines, where the standards used were very different from those that would be adopted today. The legacy mining impacts resulting from the old Nimba mine on the Dayea (Mein) River, Seke River, Dayleh Gordeh, Madayea and Yiti Creek provide a useful case study for identifying the potential impacts that could occur from proposed new mining at Tokadeh, Gangra and Yuelliton if appropriate mitigation measures were not put in place. The main issues include:
Deposition of „iron rich‟ sediment bars on the channel margins;
Oversupply of sediment to the watercourses resulting in channels eroding to compensate for the increase in sediment volume;
Extensive incision and erosion of valley sides to create new drainage routes;
Channel avulsion (diversion of the river channel by sedimentation) as a consequence of oversupply of sediment;
„Choking‟ of wetlands with mine related sediment;
Creation of new wetlands from sediment deposits in vulnerable areas (break of slope);
High turbidity loads in the river during rainfall events. All of these morphological impacts have related ecological, water resource and social impacts. Based on the geomorphological and sediment baseline analysis including the existing impacts from legacy mining operations on the various watercourses studied, the sensitivity of watercourses to future impacts should they occur from new mining operations was determined. This categorisation was based on the current condition of the water.
4.3 Detailed assessment: geomorphology and channel forms The baseline fluvial geomorphological condition of the watercourses within the study area is varied as a consequence of geology, river type, catchment land use and impacts from legacy mining practices. Due to the large extent of the study area, the geomorphological baseline conditions are summarised for each of the watercourses in the following three main catchments:
Dayea (Mein) River, which includes Seke River, Kahn River, Madayea River, Yiti Creek, Dayleh Gordeh Creek;
Gba River, which includes Vellie Creek, Dehn River); and
Bee Creek. All of these sub-catchments drain into Saint John River: see Figure 4-1. The findings are summarised in Figure 4-2. Photographic notes of each of the described watercourses are given below. Dayea (Mein) River catchment The headwaters of the River Dayea (Mein) rise from the Nimba ridge which spans the borders of Liberia and Guinea. The headwaters rising from Guinea are characterised by steep gradients, meandering channel forms, low clay banks with gravel river beds. In contrast, the headwaters rising from Liberia are heavily impacted by legacy mining at the former LAMCO mine and are characterised by deeply incised channels, high sediment loads, large black sediment deposits on channel margins, bed degradation and heavily eroded channel banks. Anecdotal evidence suggests that much of this deposition is associated with the collapse of the former LAMCO mine tailings dam; however there are self-propagating erosional features in „gangue rocks‟ around the former LAMCO mine that continue to release such sediments into the river. There is no site evidence that LAMCO ever had a tailings dam, and it is assumed that this reference is related to the supposition by local people that there was one and it went wrong (though not as catastrophically as at No Way Camp on the Mano River in 1982), though in fact LAMCO never had one. A large landslide at the former LAMCO mine at the top of the Liberian headwaters of the Dayea River has delivered an enormous quantity of sediment to the river system over the years and has continued
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to do so in subsequent wet seasons. The volume of sediment delivered to the Dayea has caused major channel avulsion (flow path abandonment) in this area, and this has triggered widespread channel incision thereby releasing more sediment to the system. This process appears to be self-propagating with the impacts apparent along the length of the Dayea to its confluence with the Saint John River. Other main watercourses within the Dayea catchment impacted by legacy mining practices include Seke River, Madayea, Yiti Creek and Dayleh Gordeh Creek. All of these watercourses exhibit similar geomorphological features in a response to mining impacts (see photographs below) and these typically include:
Fine black sandy material deposited along channel margins (magnetite/haematite derived from the ore bodies);
Orange sandy sediment smothering the channel bed (iron hydroxides and iron-loving bacteria);
Exceptionally high sediment loads following rain; and
Landslide scars along the river network, usually related to legacy mining activity. Figure 4-1. Map showing the catchments with clearly identifiable legacy impacts
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Figure 4-2. Summary of watercourse characteristics in northern Nimba
WATERCOURSE FLOWCOND BNKFULL WIDTH BNKHEIGHT FLOODPUSE FLOW DEPTH BNKVEGCOVEX SECTION SHAPE PLANFORM FLOWTYPE BANK STRUCTURE1BANKMAT 2BANKMAT SED DYNAMICSNATURALNESS MODIFICATION COMMENTS
River Dayea High Flow 25.00 2.50 Farmed 1.50 80 Incised Meandering Run Cohesive Clay Sand Transfer Predominately Natural Un modified
Flow type a run, reach gradient is fairly steep. Channel bed is gravel and sand. Steep banks with
some scouring. Woody debris in channel
St John River High Flow 35.00 3.00 Forest 4.00 20 Two Stage Meandering Glide Cohesive Clay Sand Transfer Predominately Natural Partially modified
Channel very wide and in high flow during RGA. Flow was turbid and flow type in is form of a glide.
Woody debris in channel with steep banks.
Bee Ck Average Flow 5.00 1.50 Forest 0.70 100 Two Stage Meandering Glide Cohesive Clay Sand Transfer Predominately Natural Predominately unmodified
Small two stage channel with fairly steep left bank and a more gentle slope on right bank . Banks
are under cut with exposed tree roots sediment sou
River Dayea High Flow 12.00 5.00 Farmed 0.80 70 Incised Meandering Glide Non Cohesive Sand Silt Source Predominately Natural Predominately unmodified
Deep in'cised channel with very steep black sandy banks. water is brown colour and reach has a
steep gradient . Area is farmed to channel banks
Khan Average Flow 18.00 3.00 Farmed 2.00 100 U shape Meandering Ponded Cohesive Clay Sand Sink Predominately Natural Predominately unmodified
Kahn river is very deep and fairly slow flowing. The channel has a number of small islands and the
locals say it is cleaner & deeper than the Dayae .
Dehn Creek Average Flow 7.00 2.50 Forest 0.40 100 Incised Meandering Pool Glide Non Cohesive Sand Clay Sink Natural Un modified
Incised channel with small floodplain pockets. Banks scoured with exposed tree roots. Woody
debris in channel with large sand deposits. Flow not turbid
Gba Average Flow 13.00 2.00 Forest 0.90 100 Three Stage Meandering Pool Glide Cohesive Clay Sand Exchange Predominately Natural Predominately unmodified
Slow flowing reach with sandy bed. Undercut banks with woody debris in channel. Discontinuous
floodplain pockets. floodchannels apparent on floodplain
Daylea Gordeh Average Flow 3.00 0.70 Forest 0.30 100 Three Stage Meandering Cascade Non Cohesive Sand Bedrock Exchange Natural Predominately unmodified
Steep gradient with cascade flow. Black material deposited on top of gravel bars. Bed consists of
coarse gravel with bedrock outcrops. Flow slight turbid
Madayea River Average Flow 8.00 1.20 Forest 0.70 90 Two Stage Meandering Pool Riffle Non Cohesive Sand Clay Exchange Predominately Natural Predominately unmodified
Two stage channel with a gravel bed covered with red silt and woody debis. Flow turbid and
channel exhibits eorded banks.
Madayea River Average Flow 10.00 3.00 Forest 0.40 80 Two Stage Meandering Pool Riffle Cohesive Clay Sand Sink Predominately Natural Predominately unmodified Channel colour redy orange with fine gravel bed covered with red silty deposits
Yeete Creek Average Flow 15.00 5.00 Forest 0.50 80 U shape Meandering Pool Riffle Cohesive Clay Sand Exchange Predominately Natural Predominately unmodified
Steep gradient with coarse gravel bed and black deposits on channel margins. Steep eroding
banks. Channel splits into 2 before confluence with Madayae
Vellie Creek Average Flow 10.00 2.00 Forest 0.40 90 Three Stage Meandering Pool Glide Non Cohesive Sand Fines Sink Predominately Natural Predominately unmodified
Sand river with fine gravel deposits in places. Limited bank erosion on lower banks. Woody debris
in channel. Water very clear, village drinking water
St John River Average Flow 50.00 4.00 Farmed 90 Four Stage Meandering Glide Cohesive Clay Mud Transfer Steep right bank and shallow left bank with floodplain channels
River Dayea Average Flow 28.00 4.50 Cleared 80 Incised Meandering Rapid Cohesive Clay Bedrock Transfer Predominately Natural Partially modified
Steep gradient with sheer banks and bedrock intrusion. Commercial logging occcurs in close
vicinity. Flow very tubid.
No name river High Flow 15.00 2.00 Farmed 90 Trapezoidal Meandering Run Cohesive Clay fines Sink Predominately Natural Partially modified
Area of old flight runway. Black deposits on channel margins. Flow is dark brown black colour
obscuring the channel bed which is likely to be gravel
River Dayea Average Flow 7.00 1.50 Cleared 0.90 40 Three Stage Meandering Cascade Cohesive Clay Sand Source Predominately Natural Partially modified
Channel actively incising with several knickpoints along reach. Gradient is steep and flow velocity
high. Bed is degraded showing exposed clay with corase gravel.
River Dayea Average Flow 9.00 1.00 Cleared 0.60 60 Incised Meandering Rapid Cohesive Clay Mud Exchange Partially Natural Partially modified
Channel is incised below gully confluence and has the same exposed coarse gravel with clay rock
deposits as downstream. upstream channel is not incised
Daylea Gordeh Average Flow 2.00 0.20 Wetland 0.30 30 Four Stage Anastomising Glide Non Cohesive Sand Fines Sink Predominately Natural Partially modified
Open floodplain with lots of deposition of fine grained red and black material lots Of flood runners
dissecting floodplain. Some fine gravel in bed
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Dayea River and tributaries
Self propagating gullying on a old landslide at Old Nimba Mine in the headwaters of Dayea River
River channel draining Nimba Mountains in Guinea
Black sediment deposits along channel margin in the headwaters of the Dayea River
Black side bar deposit along Dayea River in the middle catchment
Sediment deposits on top of log that spans the channel in the lower Dayea River catchment
Confluence of the Dayea River (left) with St Johns River (right)
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Dayea River and tributaries (continued)
Black bar deposit on the Madayea River Deposition on the channel margin of Yeetee Creek
Recent deposition in Dayleh Gordeh due to a landslide at Tokadeh mine
Kahn River
Clean gravel bed of a tributary of the Kahn River
Slash and burn clearing adjacent to the river in the Kahn catchment
The water colour in all of these watercourses turns bright orange during a rainfall event and generally the local communities avoid drinking water from these watercourses. Consequently many of these communities have a groundwater pump to provide drinking water. The Dayleh Gordeh Creek in particular is heavily impacted by legacy activities, evident by the amount of black oxidised iron deposited on the channel margins and the red ochre silt covering the stream bed. The Dayleh Gordeh rises in the proposed mining areas of Tokadeh and drops sharply through a series of waterfalls and cascades into the Tokadeh wetland at the confluence with the Madayea.
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Several recent landslides (July 2008) on the Tokadeh former mine benches contributed significant amounts of sediment to the system. Based on field visits during the wet season, it appears that a significant proportion of coarse sediment is deposited in the Tokadeh wetland and hence this acts as a natural coarse filter for the Madayea. This is confirmed by the results from the Particle Size Distribution (PSD) analysis (see next section). The Dayleh Gordeh Creek merges into the Madayea River after the Tokadeh wetlands and represents new morphological characteristics and sediment dynamics. The Madayea is a very low gradient stream as shown in (Figure 4-3) and although it does not display the black iron deposits as in the Dayleh Gordeh, it does have extensive amounts of fine red silt that covers the sandy gravel stream bed. This fine material is stained red due to iron precipitates and is probably sourced from a combination of the former Tokadeh mine and the natural catchment (which naturally has high iron levels – see surface water quality above). This material is periodically remobilised and flushed out to the Yiti River and the Dayea during high flow events. Figure 4-3. Long profile of the Dayleh Gordeh and Madayea
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wetlands
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with the
Yeetee
Confluence
with Dayea
(Mein) River
Dayleh
Gordeh
The Kahn River is one of the few watercourses in the Dayea catchment that is currently not impacted by legacy mining activity. The Kahn rises in the outskirts of Yekepa in a steeply confined channel and follows the valley edges of Mount Yuelliton and Mount Gangra before the gradient shallows out near the confluence with the River Dayea (Figure 4-4). The main channel and the tributaries are characterised by meandering channels with bedrock intrusions and sandy gravelly bed in the upper to middle reaches and low banks with good connectivity with the floodplain in the lower reaches. The tributary channels typically have river beds with clean gravels and excellent geomorphological diversity in the form of well developed pool riffle sequences. The Kahn River is different to the tributaries in geomorphological character due to its anastomising planform in the lower reaches (i.e. it has more than one main channel) with several islands and backwaters. However, the Kahn catchment cannot be considered a pristine catchment. Whilst local communities use the Kahn River and tributaries for drinking water and for growing maize, they also clear the land adjacent to the watercourses using a slash and burn technique. The usage of this technique is prevalent in the catchment and it exposes the soil to weathering, resulting in increased sediment delivery to the watercourses. It is important to appreciate, therefore, that not all environmental damage in the area is derived from LAMCO mining.
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Figure 4-4. Long profile of Kahn River
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0 5 10 15 20 25
Distance Downstream (km)
Heig
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(m)
Road
Bridge
at Yekepa Road (River
Inn Motel)
Wetlands
Confluence
with Dayea
(Mein) River
Gba River catchment The Gba River catchment is located to the north-west of Yekepa and drains into the valleys of Mounts Beeton, Yuelliton, Gangra and Manaton. The main watercourses of the Gba catchment include Vellie Creek, Dehn Creek, Leyee Creek and Gba River (Figure 4-5). Currently all of these watercourses are used for drinking water and are not impacted by legacy mining operations. Consequently the watercourses are in good condition, exhibiting geomorphological diversity and complexity in the form of variable flow types, morphology and channel cross section shape. All of the watercourses are incised and typically consist of three to four stage channels with good riparian vegetation cover on the banks with floodplain pockets. The Dehn and Vellie creeks both have sinuous channels with eroding sandy banks and sand drapes on the channel bed. This is in contrast to most of the other watercourses observed in the study area and is likely to be a reflection of the local drift geology (i.e. deposited material), and the intensive slash and burn agriculture in this region releasing sand into the adjacent watercourses. The Gba River differs to the Dehn and Vellie Creeks in that it has cohesive clay banks with exposed bedrock intrusions on the clay channel bed. Although the Gba River has a typical upland river long profile, extensive sand deposits were observed from Lugabee to Vellie Creek, suggesting that an extensive supply of sand exists within the catchment and that the rate of supply exceeds sediment transport rates.
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Gba River and tributaries
Large sand bar in Dehn Creek Sandy bed and banks of Vellie Creek
Bedrock intrusion on Gba River Rice farming on the floodplains of the Gba catchment
Figure 4-5. Long profile of Dehn Creek and Gba River
Dehn Creek & Gba River Long Profile
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Distance Downstream (km)
Heig
ht
(m)
St John
(Mani) River
Lugabee
Bonlah Confluence with
Vellie Creek Confluence with
Lehyee Creek
Dehn Creek
Dehn Creek becomes
Gba River
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Bee Creek catchment The Bee Creek catchment is a small sub catchment of the larger Ya River catchment and is included within the spatial scope of this study because it drains the southern face of Mount Tokadeh. Bee Creek is a small, incised sinuous watercourse with clay banks and a gravel bed. It has a steep gradient with a riffle/glide flow type. At the location of the flow gauging site, Bee Creek does not appear to be impacted geomorphologically by the mining operations at Mount Tokadeh; however, there might have been minor damage in the past that has since been naturally rehabilitated. Bee Creek
Bee Creek flow gauging cross section Riffle flow type in Bee Creek
4.4 River-borne sediment characteristics The majority of sediment found in all the suspended sediment samples from the watercourses sampled can be classified as „coarse silt‟ with mean particle size ranging from 19 to 28 µm. The exceptions to this were from the former mine site on East Nimba and the Dayleh Gordeh mid-channel bar on Tokadeh, which had higher levels of „very fine sand‟ which have a larger particle size (mean particle sizes of 30 µm) than silts. Both these locations are close to the historic mining sites; it is apparent that larger, heavy particles from mining activities are not transported to the main watercourses beyond wetlands that are just below the break of slope in the mountains. The majority of sediment generated from historic mining activities at Tokadeh has been and continues to be deposited in two wetland areas where the mountain gradient reduces. Over the years these wetlands have been totally choked by sediment and this has resulted in the suffocation, flooding and burial of all vegetation in the area. This can be seen at the lower wetland at Tokadeh (Figure 4-6). Whilst the deposition of sediments in the wetland areas has had a detrimental impact on the natural ecosystem, it has the effect of protecting downstream watercourses from sediment deposition. In addition, there is no significant variation in particle size for those samples collected during different flow conditions when compared to the range for samples collected under the same flow conditions. This suggests that similar composition material is entrained in all flows (beyond the steep sections of the mountain sides) and that it is just the mass of transported material that increases during high flow events. This supports the theory that a great quantity of sediment is being deposited in wetland areas around the break of slope near the base of the mountains. Low proportions of calcium, potassium and magnesium were found in all suspended and source sediment samples indicating that buffering capacity in all watercourses is limited. Analysis found that the majority of sediment sampled in the river network is of a different composition to that of the Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) sample provided by ArcelorMittal. This indicates that the source of impact on sediment load is from collapsing spoil heaps or large, self propagating erosion features, and not just from exposed ore. This theory is also supported by results from sediment particle size distribution analysis, where plots show size distribution to all of the Dayea upstream suspended sediment samples (Figure 4-7), suggesting that the spoil heaps at the former LAMCO mine are the main source of sediment in the Dayea upstream section.
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Figure 4-6. Lower wetland at Tokadeh
Figure 4-7: Source material from Nimba mine compared to suspended sediments in the Dayea River
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%)
Dayea U/S high
Dayea D/S high
Dayea D/S low
Dayea D/S intermediate
Nimba mine crust
Dayea bank material
Dayea mid-channel bar
In general the invertebrate sampling supported the results of the geomorphological assessment, as well as that of water quality (see below). In watercourses around Tokadeh and in catchments receiving water from the old mine at Nimba, less diverse and less sensitive macro-invertebrate populations were observed than in rivers that had been unaffected by previous mining activity. In general differences in macro-invertebrate abundance were attributed to physical rather than chemical water quality issues such as high sediment loads caused by legacy mining or slash and burn agriculture.
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4.5 Particle size analysis The grade scale most commonly used for sediment grain sizes is the Wentworth Scale. The categories defined using this scale is shown in Figure 4-8. Figure 4-8. Wentworth size classes
Class (Wentworth) Particle size range (mm) Particle size range (µm)
Boulders >256
Cobbles 256 - 64
Gravel 64 - 2
Coarse Sand 2 – 0.5 2000 - 500
Fine sand 0.5 – 0.125 250 – 125
Very fine sand 0.125 – 0.0625 125 – 62.5
Coarse silt 0.0625 – 0.031 62.5 – 31
Fine silt 0.031 – 0.0039 31
Clay <0.0039 3.9
A review of the particle size classes found in suspended and potential source sediment samples follows. The general distribution of sizes is shown in Figure 4-9. Figure 4-9. Particle size distributions for river suspended sediment
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Gba
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Dayea D/S intermediate
Suspended sediments collected from the two Dayea River sites (upstream and downstream) and surrounding tributaries of the St John‟s River (Bee Creek, Dehn Creek and Gba River) have similar unimodal particle size distributions. The following observations can be made.
The majority of sediment in the samples would be classified as „coarse silt‟ with mean particle size ranging from 19 to 28 µm. The exception to this is the Gba, which has a multimodal peak and mean particle size of 44 µm. The majority of sediment in this sample would be classed as „very fine sand / coarse silt‟.
The finest sediment was found in Bee Creek (mean 19 µm).
There was no significant difference in particle size for those samples collected during different flow conditions (i.e. Dayea downstream low, intermediate and high) when compared to the variation for samples collected in the same flow conditions (i.e. Dayea upstream high). This
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suggests that similar composition material is entrained in all flows and that it is just the mass of transported material that increases during high flow events.
Particle size classes for the sediment samples shows that very little sand is transported in suspension (Figure 4-10). The exception is the Gba, where approximately 10% of the total suspended sediment load was sand. By far the largest proportion of the samples was „silt‟ sized (range 81-90%) and a small fraction was composed of clay sized material (range 8-11%). Figure 4-10. Particle size classes for river suspended sediment
Size category
Percentage of sample in different size categories
Dayea U/S high
Dayea U/S high
Bee Creek
Dayea D/S high
Dehn Gba Dayea
D/S low Dayea D/S
intermediate
Very coarse sand 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Coarse sand 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0
Medium sand 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 0.0 0.0
Fine sand 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.1 0.0 0.0
Very fine sand 1.2 4.9 0.7 3.6 2.1 5.9 3.5 4.3
Silt 88.6 84.6 90.2 87.6 87.3 81.2 86.7 86.4
Clay 10.2 9.7 9.1 8.8 10.6 8.0 9.8 9.3
Potential source sediments collected from the Dayea catchment and sub-catchments have a variety of unimodal particle size distributions (Figure 4-11). The samples are more poorly sorted than the suspended sediment samples with a wider range of particle sizes. At the finer end of the particle size spectrum, this could be due to poor sampling methodology (losing fine material when drawing water off suspended sediment samples). There are also a larger proportion of coarse materials larger than 100 µm in the source samples. This is due to transport selectivity – water velocities were generally not high enough to carry denser, larger quartz grains in suspension and these would be found in the bed load or deposited as channel bars. However, two suspended sediment samples (Dayea upstream high and the Gba) had particles larger than those found in the source material samples. This could mean that a different source was supplying material for these suspended samples or that source particles >2 mm were being broken down en-route to delivery as suspended sediment load. Figure 4-11. Particle size distributions for river suspended sediment
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Dayea mid-channel bar
Dayea bank material
Nimba mine outfall
Nimba mine crust
Yeetee mid-channel bar
Dayleh Gordeh mid-channel bar
Dayleh Gordeh bridge soil
Dayleh Gordeh bank soil
Nimba mine stream bank
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The majority of sediment in the samples would be classified as „coarse silt‟ with mean particle size ranging from 7 to 28 µm. This covers the range of sizes found in all the suspended sediment samples. The exceptions to this were the Nimba outfall and Dayleh Gordeh mid-channel bar, which had higher levels of „Very fine sand‟ and mean particle sizes of 30 µm. Particle size classes for the potential source sediment samples shows that very little sand was present in source areas (Figure 4-12). By far the largest proportion of the samples was „silt‟ sized (range 76-86%) and a small fraction was composed of clay sized material (range 9-17%). These proportions are similar to those for suspended sediments (Figure 4-12). However, Dayleh Gordeh bridge soil and bank soil has a lower proportion of silt and a high proportion of clay. This is due to these samples being highly weathered. Figure 4-12: Particle size classes for potential source sediment
Size category
Percentage of sample in different size categories
Daye
a m
id-c
ha
nn
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ba
r
Daye
a b
ank m
ate
ria
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ba
min
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ba
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Yiti m
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ar
Dayle
h G
ord
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ann
el b
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Dayle
h G
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V. coarse sand
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Coarse sand
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Medium sand
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Fine sand 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Very fine sand
5.2 4.6 7.7 3.4 3.9 8.0 1.8 0.2 2.8 4.3
Silt 82.2 80.9 75.5 81.0 81.2 75.7 64.8 50.9 82.2 86.4
Clay 12.6 14.4 16.8 15.6 14.8 16.2 33.4 48.9 15.0 9.3
4.6 Sediment fingerprinting Sediment sources within the Dayea catchment were assessed using data collected from the particle size, organic content, major ions and mineralogy data. A range of statistical tools were applied to these data in order to fingerprint sediment sources in the Dayea catchment. Organic content Organic matter content was in the range 7-28% in suspended sediments (Figure 4-13) and 3-14% for source sediments (Figure 4-14). Mean organic content in suspended sediments was more than twice as high compared to source sediments (18.5 and 7.3%, respectively). This suggests that organic particles were more buoyant in all flow conditions (and therefore absent in bed sediments) or that they were produced in-situ in the water column.
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Figure 4-13: Organic content in suspended sediments
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30
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high
Dayea U/S
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Bee Creek Dayea D/S
high
Dehn Gba Dayea D/S
low
Dayea D/S
intermediate
Lo
ss
on
ig
nit
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(%
)
Figure 4-14: Organic content in Source sediments
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Dayea
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Nimba
mine
outfall
Nimba
mine crust
Yeetee
mid-
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bar
Dayleh
Gordeh
mid-
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bar
Dayleh
Gordeh
bridge soil
Dayleh
Gordeh
bank soil
Nimba
mine
stream
bank
Lo
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itio
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The only suspended sediment sample with low organic matter content (7%) was collected during low flow conditions from the Dayea downstream site. This suggests that either flows were not sufficient to transport organic matter during these conditions or that previous in-channel storage of this material had been removed from the channel by antecedent storm flows. Highest organic content in the Gba (28%), Dehn (22%) and Bee Creek (27%) suggests that these non-impacted rivers have higher organic inputs (potentially from overhanging terrestrial vegetation). Particle size It is clear from the particle size distributions that material from source samples could potentially be contributing to the suspended sediment load. One interesting feature from the plots was that Nimba Mine crust (i.e. ironstone or iron-rich regolith), Dayea bank material and Dayea mid-channel bar had a very similar particle size distribution to all of the Dayea suspended sediment samples (Figure 4-15).
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Figure 4-15: Source material from Nimba mine compared to suspended sediments in the Dayea River
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000Particle size (µm)
Vo
lum
e (
%)
Dayea U/S high
Dayea D/S high
Dayea D/S low
Dayea D/S intermediate
Nimba mine crust
Dayea bank material
Dayea mid-channel bar
Major ion content Concentrations of major ions were determined for suspended and source sediment samples. The following observations can be made.
The two most dominant ions in both suspended and source soil sediments were iron and aluminium (Figure 4-16).
Iron concentrations were significantly higher in source samples (mean 44%) compared to suspended sediment samples (25%). This is due to a combination of iron minerals being selectivity less mobile than other minerals due to their high densities and desorption of those iron-bearing mineral that do enter watercourses into the soluble phase.
Slightly higher concentrations of aluminium were noted in suspended sediment samples (mean 14%) compared to source samples (11%). The exceptions to this rule were the two Dayleh Gordeh soil samples (20 and 23%). This suggests that a higher proportion of suspended sediment originates from surface soil sources because these particles will be smaller (Figure 19) and thus more mobile. These soil sources also have a higher proportion of clays, which due to their large surface area to volume ratio have a larger aluminium content.
Low proportions of calcium, potassium and magnesium were found in all suspended and source sediment samples (Figure 4-17).
Generally higher concentrations of calcium, potassium and magnesium were found in suspended sediments (0.8, 1.1 and 0.5 %, respectively) than for source samples (0.4, 0.5 and 0.5%, respectively). The exceptions to this were the Dayea mid-channel bar, Dayea bank material and Nimba mine outfall which all had similar levels to suspended sediment samples.
The chemical signatures from the Yeetee mid-channel bar and Dayleh Gordeh mid-channel bar, bridge soil and bank soil samples were all low and very similar suggesting a similar composition.
Low proportions of manganese, sodium and phosphorus were found in all suspended and source sediment samples (Figure 4-18).
Generally higher concentrations of manganese, sodium and phosphorus were found in suspended sediments (0.5, 0.2 and 0.4 %, respectively) than for source samples (0.1, 0.1 and 0.1%, respectively). The Dayea downstream intermediate suspended sediment sample had very high manganese and sodium content (1.1 and 0.4%, respectively).
The chemical signatures from the Nimba mine outfall and crust, and Yeetee mid-channel bar were very similar, suggesting a similar parent material.
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Figure 4-16: Major iron and aluminium content in suspended and source sediment samples
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Day
ea U
/S h
igh
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/S h
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nGba
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ea m
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/S in
term
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ea b
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ial
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ba m
ine
outfa
ll
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ba m
ine
crus
t
Yee
tee
mid-c
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ar
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leh
Gor
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mid-c
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el b
ar
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leh
Gor
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bridge
soil
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leh
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deh
bank
soil
Nim
ba m
ine
stre
am b
ank
Co
ncen
trati
on
(o
xid
e w
eig
ht
%)
Aluminium
Iron
Figure 4-17: Major calcium, potassium and magnesium content in suspended and source sediment samples
0
0.4
0.8
1.2
1.6
2
Day
ea U
/S h
igh
Day
ea U
/S h
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/S in
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ine
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Yee
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mid-c
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leh
Gor
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mid-c
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el b
ar
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leh
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bridge
soil
Day
leh
Gor
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bank
soil
Nim
ba m
ine
stre
am b
ank
Co
ncen
trati
on
(o
xid
e w
eig
ht
%)
CalciumPotassiumMagnesium
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Figure 4-18: Major manganese, sodium and phosphorus content in suspended and source sediment samples
0
0.3
0.6
0.9
1.2
Day
ea U
/S h
igh
Day
ea U
/S h
igh
Bee
Cre
ek
Day
ea D
/S h
igh
Deh
nGba
Day
ea D
/S lo
w
Day
ea m
id-c
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ar
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ea D
/S in
term
ediate
Day
ea b
ank m
ater
ial
Nim
ba m
ine
outfa
ll
Nim
ba m
ine
crus
t
Yee
tee
mid-c
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ar
Day
leh
Gor
deh
mid-c
hann
el b
ar
Day
leh
Gor
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bridge
soil
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leh
Gor
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soil
Nim
ba m
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am b
ank
Co
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on
(o
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e w
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ht
%)
Manganese
Sodium
Phosphorus
Mineralogy Five source sediment samples were tested for mineralogy (Figure 4-19). Suspended sediment sample masses were insufficient to test for mineralogy. Observations from this testing were as follows.
The predominant minerals found in the samples were quartz (16-57%), haematite (7-27%) and geothite (3-42%).
River Dayea bank and mid-channel bar mineralogy was similar with similar proportions of quartz, goethite and clays.
Kaolin clay was recorded in all source samples except for the Nimba mine crust. This reflects weathering of a bulk parent material in the majority of samples as opposed to selective weathering of iron-bearing minerals in the Nimba crust.
Comparison of suspended and source materials to DSO A sample called „MD1‟ is being used as the standard DSO make-up for this project. MD1 has been tested for particle size distribution and major ion content. In comparison with the suspended sediment and source samples, the following conclusions can be drawn.
The vast majority of MD1 is in the „fine sand‟ category (86%).
Only a small proportion of MD1 is composed of very fine sand, silt and clay (9%) unlike the suspended (mean 99 %) and source sediment (mean 100 %) samples.
Major ion content in MD1 is dominated by iron (94%) compared to suspended and source samples (25 and 44%, respectively). Lower concentrations of aluminium in the MD1 suggest a lower clay content.
The MD1 sample is very different from all the suspended sediment and source samples collected (including those from Nimba mine). This suggests that DSO has a very different composition to other source materials within the catchment and that the suspended load is not composed of this material.
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Figure 4-19: Semi-quantitative mineralogy of source sediments
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
River Dayea
bank material
Nimba mine
crust
Dayleh Gordeh
mid-channel bar
Dayleh Gordeh
Bridge soil
Nimba mine
stream bank
Min
era
l p
rop
ort
ion
s
Riebeckite
Gibbsite
Kaolin
Fe glaucophane
Calcian albite
Magnetite
Goethite
Mica
Chlorite
Hematite
Quartz
Sediment load To construct a suspended sediment yield, long term records of suspended sediment in rivers are required. Regressions between suspended sediment (from spot samples) and turbidity (monitored by YSIs) were attempted for the following sites in order to provide this requirement:
River Dayea upstream;
River Dayea downstream;
Gba River; and
Khan River. However, none of these regressions were robust due to insufficient flow and suspended solids data. An alternative method was therefore employed on the River Dayea upstream site, which had the most comprehensive data record. Suspended sediment loads were calculated for the Dayea upstream catchment (101.6 km
2). Loads were derived from the product of suspended solids concentrations and
flows over the July monitoring period. In the absence of long term records, it has been assumed that these loads were representative of the river over the year-long period (by examination of the flow hydrograph) and thus these loads were extrapolated to an annual figure (Figure 4-20). A suspended sediment load of 720 kg km
-2 annum
-1 or 72 tonnes ha
-1 annum
-1 was estimated using
this method.
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Figure 4-20: Suspended sediment yield for the Dayea upstream catchment
Date / Time [SS]
(mg l-1
)
Flow
(m3s
-1)
Period in between
(seconds)
Mean [SS]
(mg l-1
)
Mean flow
(m3s
-1)
Mean [SS] (kg l-1
) [SS] x flow
SS load
(kg)
10/07/2008 11:00 13 3.74 165600 7 3.12 0.000007 2.10668E-05 3.4886538
12/07/2008 09:00 1 2.502 7200 18 2.48 0.000018 4.40733E-05 0.3173274
12/07/2008 11:00 35 2.464 338400 441 6.94 0.000441 0.003061643 1036.059822
12/07/2008 11:00 35 2.464 338400 441 6.94 0.000441 0.003061643 1036.059822
16/07/2008 15:00 654 12.825
Load for 6 day July period 1236
Load for year (kg / annum) 73141
Load (kg / km2 / annum) 720
Load (kg / hectare / annum) 7.2
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4.7 Aquatic habitats Within, and adjacent to, the footprint of the mine areas there are a large number of small wetlands and vegetated watercourses. These support characteristic aquatic fauna and flora, and there are examples in several taxonomic groups of specialised species which are associated with stream-side habitat, including plants, butterflies, molluscs and birds. They also provide important ecosystem services
1. In particular they act as key sources of water, in terms of both volume and quality, to
communities downstream, and provide fish, a locally important food source. Figure 4-21 summarises the ecological categorisation of the freshwater habitats in the mine area as determined through macro-invertebrate sampling as well as the likely contributing factors derived from the freshwater resources study (Volume 2). Sampling of macro-invertebrates revealed taxa-rich and abundant communities at sites with limited adverse external (anthropogenic) impacts, indicating that the small stream and larger riverine habitats which contain these communities are of high biodiversity value, especially in headwater areas where distinct and unusual communities tend to be more common. Figure 4-21: Summary of freshwater macro-invertebrate sampling results (mine area)
Overall ecological category derived
from SASS
Site No.
Site / watercourse name Potential reasons influencing quality of
aquatic habitat
Natural (A) 4 Tributary of Dayea (Mein) (upstream)
No mining legacy
Natural (A) 5 Dayea (Mein) River (upstream) No mining legacy
Good (B) 15 Kahn River No mining legacy
Good (B) 17 Madayea River Fine silt deposition from historic mining at Tokadeh
Fair (C) 2 Vellie Creek Slash & burn agriculture leading to ingress of sand
Fair (C) 3 Dehn River Slash & burn agriculture leading to ingress of sand
Fair (C) 6 Dayea (Mein) River (mid-section) Very hostile physical environment – sediment, as a result of former mining
Fair (C) 13 Dayea (Mein) River (downstream)
Very hostile physical environment - sediment, as a result of former mining
Fair (C) 14 Bee Creek Possible high levels iron from historic mining at Tokadeh
Fair (C) 16 Yiti River Former mining at Nimba and possibly sewage pollution
Poor (D) 1 Gba River Expected to be better – possible water quality impact from village and lack of habitat diversity
Poor (D) 10 Dayleh Gordeh Creek Very hostile physical environment - sediment, as a result of former mining
Poor (D) 11 Dayleh Gordeh creek over wetland
Very hostile physical environment - sediment, as a result of former mining
Poor (D) 18 Gangra – mountain stream Naturally restricted fauna at headwater site plus impact of tree felling and access road run-off
Poor (D) 19 Gangra-Yuelliton stream Naturally restricted fauna at headwater site plus impact of access road run-off
Seriously Modified (E)
8 Tokadeh – outflow Stockpile Very high levels ochre and sediment issues, as a result of former mining
Seriously Modified (E)
9 Tokadeh – small stream over wetland
Very high levels ochre and sediment issues, as a result of former mining
1 Ecosystem services are the resources and processes provided by ecosystems that address human demand and include the
following services: provisioning e.g. food and water; regulating e.g. climate and disease; supporting e.g. nutrient cycles and pollination; cultural e.g. spiritual and recreational benefits; and preserving e.g. through maintaining biodiversity.
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In more hostile environments where there are legacy mining impacts, macro-invertebrate communities showed both reduced richness (number of taxa recorded) and also a reduction in abundance of individuals, indicative of poor wider aquatic biodiversity health. Two major possible causes for these reductions have been identified: the first is adverse water quality, most likely caused through high levels of dissolved iron and highly turbid or acidic water released during storm events (refer to the hydrology volume of the Phase 1 Environmental and Social Impact Assessment); the second, and most visible cause of the reductions in abundance and richness, was the hugely increased „hostility‟ of the physical environment where ongoing processes as a result of previous mining activities continue to cause rapid and regular movements of large amounts of coarse sediment and have scoured riverbeds.
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5. ASBESTOS
5.1 Presence of asbestos From around the 1920s until the 1980s, asbestos was commonly used in mechanical and civil engineering applications. Asbestos cement was used up until 1999 in a variety of different premises and materials. Any building that was constructed or had major refurbishment between the 1950s and mid 1980s is likely to contain some type of asbestos-containing material. The use of asbestos peaked in the 1960s and early 1970s: premises built or refurbished during this time are the most likely to contain some form of asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material, versatile, plentiful and ideal as a fire-proofing and insulation material. The three main types of asbestos that have been used commercially are:
Crocidolite (blue);
Amosite (brown); and
Chrysotile (white). All are dangerous, but blue and brown asbestos are known to be more dangerous than white. It needs a laboratory to identify properly the different types of asbestos. The conception that white asbestos is safe is incorrect: the carcinogenic risk from white asbestos has been evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and it is considered to be a category 1 human carcinogen. Inhalation of asbestos fibres (which are long and thin) can lead to them becoming lodged in the tissue of the chest, and the body‟s natural defences may not be able to break them down. This can lead to lung diseases (mainly cancers), particularly with repeated exposure to fibres over a number of years. However, in general asbestos is only a risk if it is disturbed or damaged and fibres are released into the air. If asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and in a position where they are not going to be disturbed or damaged, then it is often safer to leave them where they are and ensure that the risks are managed (this is a view expressed by some authorities such as the UK Health and Safety Executive, but is not necessarily the view of the Government of Liberia‟s Environmental Protection Agency). The LAMCO infrastructure and mechanical equipment all dates from the era of maximum use of asbestos in industry. It may therefore be supposed that asbestos would be found in a number of situations, and indeed this is the case. Surveys of LAMCO sites have shown the presence of asbestos at the following locations.
The roofing of domestic and community buildings at Yekepa, Greenhill and Buchanan.
The insulation and other fittings in the wrecked locomotives in the rail workshops at Yekepa, and particularly the old passenger rail car.
In the power plant at Yekepa (but not at Buchanan, from which it appears to have been removed during systematic looting.
5.2 Initial asbestos investigation, Yekepa LAMCO Rail Workshop Action. Samples of suspected asbestos were taken from different parts of four locomotive wrecks at the former LAMCO rail workshop in Yekepa. Purpose. To determine whether the wrecked locomotives are contaminated with asbestos; and if so, how extensive is this problem. Date. 27 November 2010 Samplers. Alvin Poure and James Davis, supervised by John Howell.
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Precautions. The following PPE was used:
Full coveralls;
Safety boots;
Breathing mask (Grade P3 valved);
Safety glasses;
Latex gloves. The team kitted themselves out with the PPE before entering the contaminated area and kept themselves fully covered throughout the operation, apart from short “breather” breaks at locations away from contamination and when all samples were fully sealed. Used gloves were sealed in a polythene bag to be sent for high temperature incineration. Coveralls and masks were carefully inspected for signs of contamination and packed in sealed bags for future use. Sampling. Approximately 200 grams of sample was taken from each location. The sample was placed in a sealable polythene bag. This was placed inside a rigid plastic tub. The tub was then placed inside a second sealable polythene bag. All layers of packaging were clearly marked with the sample identification and the warning “ASBESTOS”. Samples were taken from four different models of locomotives, which appeared to cover all of the possible options. The materials suspected to be asbestos were all insulation. No brake linings could be found for sampling, though they may still be present, hidden inside their housings. Analysis. The samples were taken to UK and sent for analysis at the ALcontrol Laboratory at Hawarden for optical microscopic analysis compliant with ISO 17025. Samples taken Locomotive Location of sample Comments
Loco 302 (mainline) Cab floor
Loco 302 (mainline) Cab back unit
Loco 310 (mainline) Engine cover (lower side)
Loco 310 (mainline) Front grill (eastern side) Hard black residue below ventilation grill
Loco 202 (shunting) Cab floor
Loco 316-A (mainline) Interior grill Thought to be fibreglass
Loco 316-A (mainline) Farr unit (eastern side) * Thought to be cardboard but some suspect fibres
* Farr R/C DynaCell panels, thought to be air filters. Manufactured by the Farr Company, Los Angeles.
Conclusions. The following conclusions were reached.
All locomotives of the model type of loco 310 contain asbestos in at least two locations. There are several wrecked locomotives of this model.
The shunting locomotives of the model type of loco 202 contain asbestos mixed in non-asbestos insulation.
Mainline locomotives of the model type of loco 316 appear not to contain any asbestos.
There may be asbestos components that were not found during sampling.
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Photos of asbestos sample locations
Loco 302 (mainline), Cab floor
Loco 302 (mainline), Cab back unit
Loco 310 (mainline), Engine cover (lower side)
Loco 310 (mainline), Front grill (eastern side)
Loco 202 (shunting), Cab floor
Loco 316-A (mainline), Interior grill
Loco 316-A (mainline), Farr unit (eastern side)
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Results of analyses Locomotive Location of sample Finding Comments
Loco 302 (mainline) Cab floor No asbestos detected
Loco 302 (mainline) Cab back unit No asbestos detected
Loco 310 (mainline) Engine cover (lower side) Amosite and chrysotile detected
Typical of asbestos insulation.
Loco 310 (mainline) Front grill (eastern side) Chrysotile detected Typical of asbestos insulation.
Loco 202 (shunting) Cab floor Chrysotile detected Loose fibres found within non-asbestos insulation.
Loco 316-A (mainline) Interior grill No asbestos detected
Loco 316-A (mainline) Farr unit (eastern side) No asbestos detected
Amosite is brown asbestos. Chrysotile is white asbestos. The samples were also assessed for: crocidolite (blue asbestos), fibrous actinolite, fibrous anthophyllite and fibrous tremolite. None of these was detected.
Locations of detected asbestos
Loco 310 (mainline), Engine cover (lower side): amosite and chrysotile in typical asbestos insulation.
Loco 310 (mainline), Front grill (eastern side): chrysotile in typical asbestos insulation.
Loco 202 (shunting), Cab floor: chrysotile fibres in non-asbestos insulation.
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5.3 Detailed asbestos investigation, Yekepa A Refurbishment/Demolition Asbestos Survey, was carried out in December 2012 by Shield Environmental Services Ltd (Surveying Division), a specialist asbestos investigation and disposal company based in the United Kingdom. This was done in accordance with that company‟s in-house asbestos surveying procedures and the UK Health and Safety Executive guidance documentation. It was conducted specifically at the Old Power Station and the Railway Locomotives at the Yekepa Rail Workshop. The purpose of this survey was to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of all suspected asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in the selected locations prior to planned demolition activities. During the survey 127 samples of suspected ACMs were taken for analysis, ACMs were found or presumed in the form of:
Loose insulation;
Thermal pipe insulation;
Insulating board;
Cloth / textile;
Cement flat sheet;
Bitumen products;
Vinyl floor tiles; and
Debris. ACMs identified to be in a poor state of repair and posing a risk to site operatives consist of asbestos debris throughout site. It was recommended by Shield Environmental Services Ltd that access to the sites must be restricted until controlled removal works are complete. The report provided gave extensive details of individual survey report forms for each of the sampling locations. Examples of asbestos survey report forms for Yekepa in the Shield Environmental Services report.
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6. LEGACY CONDITIONS AT GREENHILL QUARRY, BONG COUNTY The quarry was operated for many years by LAMCO, to provide stone for ballast and other construction. The granitic gneiss that outcrops here is one of the hardest and best rock resources in the proximity of the railway. It was opened around 1960 and used during rail construction, and then kept operational until 1990 to supply smaller volumes for rail maintenance and other purposes. The key features of the quarry are shown in the plan in Figure 6-1, their baseline conditions described in the table in Figure 6-2, and shown the photographs in Figure 6-3. The overall layout can also be seen in Figure 6-4. Figure 6-1. Layout plan of Greenhill Quarry. North is upwards.
Figure 6-2. Description of the baseline conditions of quarry and concession components.
Feature Baseline description Photograph (Figure 6-3)
Rail sidings The rail sidings were left intact by LAMCO. As with the mainline, rot and termite damage to the rail ties had made it unusable, but the rails were still in place. A number of rail wagons remained on the track. These had been partly dismantled by looters during the war. By February 2011, the rail sidings had been completely re-laid by ArcelorMittal, with new ties and ballast, and the old rails re-laid.
None
Quarry access road
This is an earth track. After brushing and grading, it could be re-used as it was.
None
Working areas These are levelled terraces on two different levels. The lower level is where the rail sidings run in. The higher level is about 10 metres above, close to the actual quarry area. These comprised rocky ground that had been partly colonised by herbaceous pioneer vegetation. There were no bushes or trees. The working areas are required for stockpiling rock and crushed ballast, for manoeuvring machinery and for access and servicing of the plant.
(b), (c)
LAMCO Camp
Reservoir
Rail sidings
Rail mainline
ArcelorMittal Camp and plant yard
Magazine
Breached dam
High quarry face on
northern and eastern sides
Working bench: flat
rock surface
Working area on two main
levels
Crushers (old and new)
Public road
Quarry access
road
500 metres
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Feature Baseline description Photograph (Figure 6-3)
LAMCO Camp and squatter community
The LAMCO Camp is composed of concrete block buildings with asbestos-concrete roofing. The houses were occupied by squatters during the war. The socio-economic baseline survey in late 2008 found that there were 31 households living in Greenhill Quarry, all of them squatting in former LAMCO property. By that time squatting was already a situation that was reducing as peace and stability continued and families were feeling more confident to return to their home areas. Nevertheless, squatters were considered a particularly sensitive case from the socio-economic viewpoint, as they are landless. Because of the proximity of the camp to the quarry, it was necessary to resettle the occupants, and this was undertaken in 2009-10, under the Resettlement Plan approved by the EPA in 2009; a later EPA evaluation of this showed that it had been implemented correctly. A school also needed to be moved, and a new building is under construction to replace it: this will be completed within 2011. The camp is in such a dilapidated state, however, that it is not now usable.
(a)
Crusher The LAMCO crusher and its associated conveyors were located on the slope between the two working areas, to maximise the use of gravity in the loading and recovery of stone. They were badly looted during the war, so that only the largest and heaviest components remained, and the machine could not be recovered. By February 2011, a new mobile crusher had been installed alongside the old one.
(b) to (d) inclusive
Magazine The old LAMCO explosives magazine was located at a safe distance from the working bench, towards the south-west. A rock bund was maintained between it and the actual quarry, to protect it from fly rock and shock waves. However, it had been damaged during the war and was completely unusable. By February 2011, a new magazine had been constructed. This consisted of a cleared compound with a high security fence and guard hut; and three widely spaced lockable shipping containers, to contain respectively detonators, ammonium nitrate and fuses.
None
Quarry bench This consists of a levelled rock platform, roughly square and about 300 metres across. Over the twenty years since it was abandoned, it has developed a thin cover of colonising grasses over about half of the surface, and the rest is bare. The western side slopes down to wetlands with open water channels: the water level is about 4 metres below the bench level. The northern side abuts on to an old working face about 10 metres high. The eastern side has a working face around 7 metres high, against the remains of a higher bench. Along the southern side is a rock bund around 8 metres high.
(g) to (l) inclusive
Quarry face The main former quarry face runs along the northern and eastern sides of the quarry bench. As described above, the northern face is around 8 metres high. This cannot be worked further, as it rapidly runs out. The eastern face is quite high, perhaps 15 metres, where successive benches have been ended against the side of the hill. There are numerous fractures in the remaining face, making it a poor prospect for quarrying. However, this high face acts as a valuable shield for the camp about 400 metres to the east, and the settlements beyond that.
(j),(k), (l)
Reservoir and dam The reservoir lies to the west of the quarry. It is quite extensive, but the earth dam was breached during the war, and so the level and extent of the water were greatly reduced. The upper parts of the reservoir have become quite silted, and now form swamps. The dam needs to be repaired to provide an adequate stock of water, and it is planned to do this in 2011.
(e), (f)
Quarry fringes The fringes of land around the quarry had been encroached by farmers during the war. In order to clear the land back to a safe buffer zone, a number of people have been compensated and resettled away from the fringes. This has the advantage of reclaiming the land needed for water management systems and settlement ponds.
Background of several pictures
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Figure 6-3. Visual baseline of Greenhill Quarry.
(a) The LAMCO Camp in February 2008. (b) The upper working area in February 2008: local
people were breaking rocks here as a small scale enterprise.
(c) Looking across the upper and lower working areas in February 2008: the remains of the LAMCO crusher can be seen.
(d) The lower working area in October 2010: the LAMCO crusher is on the left, and part of the new mobile crusher on the right; the railway sidings are being reinstated in the background.
(e) The reservoir in February 2008, looking north-west.
(f) The reservoir in February 2008, looking north from the dam.
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Figure 6-3. Visual baseline of Greenhill Quarry (continued).
(g) The southern side of the main quarry bench in January 2011, looking west.
(h) Looking north-westwards across the main quarry bench in January 2011.
(i) The eastern side of the main quarry bench in January 2011, looking north.
(j) The remaining raised bench to the east of the main quarry bench, against the high eastern quarry face, in January 2011, looking north.
(k) The higher bench level and main eastern quarry face, looking north, in October 2010.
(l) Looking east across the main quarry bench towards the remaining higher bench and the high eastern face, in February 2008.
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
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Figure 6-3. Visual baseline of Greenhill Quarry (continued).
(m) The reservoir in February 2008, looking north-west.
(n) The reservoir in February 2008, looking north from the dam.
Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia
Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Assessment of Legacy Environmental Issues from LAMCO sites
Page 100 of 100
Figure 6-4. Orthophoto mosaic of Greenhill Quarry in 2009. North is towards the left.