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New businesses also require an EIA licence issued by the Department of Environment in the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture. This requirement applies to a broad number of projects and activities including construction, transportation, mining, forestry-related activities, agriculture, the processing and manufacturing industries, energy and electric infrastructure, waste handling, storage, transport, treatment and disposal, and communications.

The mining lease can be granted for a maximum period of 10 years and renewed for another 10 years. To apply for a mining lease, investors must first obtain an environmental impact assessment (EIA) licence from the Department of Environment in the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture. (...)

The SACU Agreement (Schedule 1) also allows for the application of certain levies such as environmental levies (Main Report, Section 3). However, the authorities indicated that Lesotho does not use them.

Table 3.1 Prohibited imports, 2015
Prohibited goods - Reason for prohibition
Hazardous waste, chemicals and substances - Security and environment

Pending the creation of the Standards Bureau, in 2011 Lesotho established three technical committees supervised by the Department of Standards and Quality Assurance of the MTI: one on quality management systems, one on environmental management systems and another on food products. These committees are in charge of developing voluntary standards based on ISO standards. Once the Standards Bureau has been implemented, it will absorb the activities of these committees.

In addition, Lesotho requires an export permit for cereals, legumes, diamonds, drugs, medicines, weapons, and hazardous waste and substances (Table 3.3). In the case of diamonds, an export permit from the Ministry of Mining is required in addition to the Kimberley Process Certificate delivered by the Commissioner of Mines and Geology of the same ministry.

Table 3.3 Goods requiring an export permit, 2015
Hazardous waste or substances Environment Act 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008) Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture
(...)

The Mine Safety Act 1981 provides for safety, health and environmental conditions in the mining industry. (...)

Mining and Energy policies have also been finalised and elements are in the process of being implemented. The objective of Mining policy is to adhere to best practices and to allow responsible and globally competitive exploitation of the country's mineral resources in a manner that results in sustainable socio-economic development. The Energy policy is meant to contribute towards the improvement of livelihoods, economic growth and investment, protection of the environment as well as ensuring security of supply.

(...) in April 2011 Lesotho established the Lesotho Electricity Generation Authority to develop, implement and operate electricity generation projects (solar, wind, hydro and biomass) to supply Lesotho and the Southern African region in general. (...)