AEF Erand Hotel

completed

- 2 - March 15, 1996Environmental Review Summary (ERS)Project Name Zimbabwe-Midlands MillingRegion Sub-Saharan AfricaSector Food and AgribusinessProject No. 74431. The Midlands Milling Company is a Zimbabwean company established in 1929. This project involves expansion of Midlands Milling’s existing operations with a 140 tones per day wheat mill in Harare.2. This is a category B project according to IFC''s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of information submitted by the project sponsor and the technical appraisal and site review completed by IFC''s Technical and Environment, and Agribusiness Departments staff. The following potential environmental, health and safety impacts of this project were analyzed:· site location;· air emission control;· liquid effluent treatment and discharge;· solid waste recycling or disposal;· noise emission;· fire and dust explosion prevention;· handling of additives; and· compliance of existing facilities.Information provided on how these potential impacts would be addressed in the Midlands Milling project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.3. The project site is located in an industrial area in a suburb of Harare. This industrial area is dedicated to light industry, and the mill is surrounded by other food processing facilities. The plant will have road and rail off-loading facilities with direct access to the national rail road system. The main market for the produced flour will be Harare.4. Air pollution is controlled by a combination of cyclones and bag filters. Hereby particulate emissions will be kept in compliance with local regulations and World Bank guidelines. Other air emissions are not foreseen.5. The only liquid effluent from the facility will be domestic sewage water from its 25-30 employees. This wastewater will be discharged to the Harare municipal sewage treatment facility for treatment before discharge into the Mnyane River.6. Of the 140 tones of grain processed per day, approximately 110 tones will end up as flour. The remaining 30 tones of organic material will be used for production of stock feed. Other solid wastes will be minor amounts of domestic waste and less that three tones per year of stones found in the grain. This waste will be disposed of according to local municipal waste regulations.7. The overall facility will have low ambient noise emissions well within local requirements and World Bank guidelines. The milling operation itself is resulting in high noise levels. This operation is therefore encapsulated, and employees in need of visiting this area will use hearing protection.8. Fire and dust explosion prevention is an integral part of the mill design. The air emission control system, together with negative air pressure in the processing building and good housekeeping practice, will keep the fire and dust explosion risk at a minimum. Fire escape plans have been developed, and staff is being trained by the Red Cross in life saving. A health and safety committee, with representatives from all departments, employee groups and management are meeting regularly to ensure a continuous high safety standard.9. The flour will be improved if necessary with addition of small amounts of vitamin C, fungalemylase, etc. A dedicated person will be responsible for the handling of these products in concentrated form.10. Midlands Milling is presently carrying out environmental audits for its existing mills. All mills are expected to be in full compliance with both local requirements and World Bank guidelines. Any deviation from full compliance will immediately be corrected.11. IFC will ensure ongoing compliance with World Bank environmental, health and safety policies and guidelines during the life of the project by evaluating monitoring reports submitted annually to IFC by Midlands Milling and by conducting periodic supervision.12. Based on its review of available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that Midlands Milling’s proposed project will meet World Bank environmental, health and safety policies and guidelines, and host country requirements.