Section 9, 62 of the Environmental Protection Act, 2008, the Board hereby makes

(1) The Executive Chairman shall, after consultation withthe Board, coordinate the preparation of a strategic environmental and social assessment for mining districts within which artisanal mining is a major activity. 22 23 Non-invasive reconnaissance Invasive reconnaissance Strategic and social assessment of artisanal mining areas (2) A strategic environmental and social assessment shall consist of - (a) a baseline description of the environmental, social and local economic conditions in the district; (b) an analysis of the existing artisanal mining practices within the area, including the number and ownership of existing licences, the physical extent of workings, the number of miners and dependants, the contribution to the local economy from mining activities and impacts of mining activities on other land uses; (c) a description of the nature and extent of adverse and beneficial environmental and social impacts, and an account of any restoration and rehabilitation work undertaken within the district; (d) a statement of prospects for further mining activities if extraction licences were to be granted; (e) a report on the opinions and attitudes of all stakeholders, including local communities; and (f) recommendations on the management of artisanal mining areas, including potential restrictions on activities, the number of artisanal mining licences to be granted at any one time, and requirements for the treatment of abandoned mining areas and rehabilitation of all existing workings either progressively or on cessation of mineral extraction. (2) All Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments shall be widely disseminated and submitted to the Minerals Advisory Board and the Director of Mines. (3) Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments which relate to a specific area shall be submitted to the relevant district authorities for consideration in preparing community development agreements.