SLP Environmental was appointed by Ball Corporation to perform enhanced environmental site assessments (ESA’s) for two industrial properties located in Yangon Division, Myanmar as part of the clients transaction due diligence and site selection process. One of the potential locations for the clients manufacturing operations was Thilawa Special Economic Zone located in Thanlyin Township where Myanmar’s first international standard industrial park is being developed by a Myanmar-Japan joint venture.

The primary objectives of the studies were to assess whether there were any potential environmental liabilities associated with the acquisition of either subject property and to conduct groundwater and surface waters resource evaluation studies. The studies were conducted and reported in accordance with practice presented in ASTM E1527 – 13; Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process” and cognisant of the IFC EHS Guideline for the proposed activity. The scope of works comprised of a detailed inspection of each property and their environs, interviews with key informants, consultations with regulators, desk study and data mining pertaining to the physical and biological environment, resource availability, historic landuses, protected areas as well as an operational regulatory compliance assessment for the proposed operation.

As an add on to the standard format of a Phase 1 ESA soil samples were also collected from each site and submitted to an ISO 17025 accredited environmental testing laboratory as part of a preliminary contamination screening exercise. The reporting included an assessment of the environmental sensitivity of each study site area and a qualitative risk assessment for each identified potentially vulnerable environmental receptor and an overall environmental risk rating for each study site. The reports also included an initial assessment regarding the groundwater resource potential underlying the project sites, the availability of utilities and solid and liquid waste disposal options for the planned development.

Ball Corporation chose Thilawa SEZ as the location of their manufacturing operation and the investment project was unveiled at a signing ceremony for the memorandum of understanding on June 6 2014. Construction works are due to commence in October 2014 and this is the first US investment project into Thilawa Special Economic Zone.