Conclusion
The proposed methodology seeks to suggest ways
through which the CIA of opencast mining projects
in general, and cumulative air quality impact assessment
in particular, can be carried out in a simple
yet effective manner. Specifically, the method deals
with the practical means of addressing cumulative
impacts within the general EIA framework. Two issues
have been given special attention in the process
— scoping and analysis of impacts. For identification
of cumulative impacts during scoping, the use
of questionnaire checklists has been suggested.
To supplement the impact identification process, a practical way of delineating project impact zones for
air quality using GIS has also been described.
Analysis of air quality impact for opencast mining
projects, it has been argued, should be done through
the proper use of models such as ISCST3.