EMA renews Invictu’s environmental impact assessment
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has renewed an Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan by Invictus Energy, which is scouting for oil and gas at the Cabora Bassa Basin in Muzarabani and Mbire districts.
The approval by EMA entails that Invictus proceeds with Mukuyu-2 appraisal well and Phase 2 exploration programme, which has already commenced following post well analysis of the Mukuyu-1 prospect and confirmation of hydrocarbons in Muzarabani.
The discovery of hydrocarbons provides Zimbabwe with extra sources of energy and opens avenues for massive economic growth and development in line with the aspirations of the Second Republic to achieve an upper middle-income society by 2030.
In an update, Invictus managing director, Scott Macmillan, said his company is grateful to have the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Environmental Management Plan renewed by EMA.
“The EIA survey has been one of the most comprehensive surveys undertaken for a natural resources project in the country and we thank them for their thorough and professional work.
“It clears the way for our upcoming 2D seismic campaign and drilling of the Mukuyu-2 well, allowing us to follow up our initial exploration work at Mukuyu-1, which confirmed a working hydrocarbon system in the Cabora Bassa Basin and the presence of light oil, gas-condensate and helium,” he said.
“Our community liaison officers and team members on the ground have maintained open dialogue with the local community, both during the CB21 seismic campaign and the drilling of Mukuyu-1/ST1, and I am pleased our upcoming work programme continues to have the full support of the communities in which we operate.
“We are also pleased to have our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme recognised for the impact it is having in local communities and success at Mukuyu-2 will enable us to expand our programme further.”
He said their shared prosperity approach with shareholders, the host Government and local communities strives to ensure all stakeholders benefit from finding, developing and producing natural resources.-ebusinessweekly
