Abstract:
This thesis examines the application of environmental impact assessment in the management of the mining industry in the Caribbean island of Dominica. Mineral exploration is an industry that requires substantive management efforts to minimize the negative environmental and socio-economic impacts associated with its development. A tool of immense significance is environmental impact assessment (EIA). Its importance is related to the sustainability principles that underlie its development and utilization. The aim of the study is to determine whether the procedural features, the reports and the substantive outcomes of the EIA process are allowing for effective management of the mining industry by facilitating the reduction of environmental impacts and improvement in socio-economic conditions in the small island developing state of Dominica. A qualitative assessment was conducted by interviewing relevant stakeholders including governmental officials, consultants, mining companies, village councils and members of the public. The results were organized according to themes derived largely from the review of literature, analyzed with Microsoft Excel and supported with the use of photographs. The ensuing discussion was framed by Wood's evaluation criterion to evaluate the procedural aspects, UNEP's list of required EIA components to assess the quality of the EIA reports and selected indicators to evaluate the substantive outcomes. The findings illustrate that the EIA process is currently not supporting effective management of development and therefore not enhancing the sustainable development of the country. The relevance of the study is the contribution it makes to contemporary literature in inadequately discussed areas such as the substantive outcomes of the EIA process as well as the effectiveness of the process in the Caribbean and in the management of a specific industry. Additionally, the study facilitates the suggestion of feasible recommendations relevant to the maturity of EIA as a management tool in Dominica's struggle for sustainable development of the economy.
