MPRDA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN - SAHRA · 2018. 1. 20. · reference number: mp/30/5/1/3/2/10676 mp environmental management plan submitted in terms of section 39 and of regulation

MPRDA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

MPRDA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF AN OPENCAST SILICA MINE AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE ON A PORTION OF PORTION 1 OF THE FARM VYGENHOEK 10 JT, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE

DMR REF. NO: MP/30/5/1/3/2/10676 MP ENVASS REF. NO: 177-14_15

Submitted to: Department of Mineral Resources

Corner of Botha Avenue and Paul Kruger Street

Emalahleni

1035

Document No: Revision: Date:

MPRDA-EMP-177-14_15 Vygenhoek Version: 0.0 February 2015

Environmental Assurance (Pty) Ltd

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Author: M. Niehof

NAME OF APPLICANT: Pewstar Investments (Pty) Ltd

REFERENCE NUMBER: MP/30/5/1/3/2/10676 MP

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

SUBMITTED

IN TERMS OF SECTION 39 AND OF REGULATION 52 OF THE MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES

DEVELOPMENT ACT, 2002,

(ACT NO. 28 OF 2002) (the Act)




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Author: M. Niehof

STANDARD DIRECTIVE

Applicants for prospecting rights or mining permits, are herewith, in terms of the

provisions of Section 29 (a) and in terms of section 39 (5) of the Mineral and

Petroleum Resources Development Act, directed to submit an Environmental

Management Plan strictly in accordance with the subject headings herein, and to

compile the content according to all the sub items to the said subject headings

referred to in the guideline published on the Departments website, within 60 days

of notification by the Regional Manager of the acceptance of such application. This

document comprises the standard format provided by the Department in terms of

Regulation 52 (2), and the standard environmental management plan which was in

use prior to the year 2011, will no longer be accepted.




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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 REGULATION 52 (2): DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE

PROPOSED PROSPECTING OR MINING OPERATION ................................................................................. 1 1.1 THE ENVIRONMENT ON SITE RELATIVE TO THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE SURROUNDING AREA. ........ 1 1.2 THE SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES ON THE SITE APPLIED FOR WHICH MAY REQUIRE

PROTECTION, REMEDIATION, MANAGEMENT OR AVOIDANCE. ............................................................. 26 1.3 MAP SHOWING THE SPATIAL LOCALITY OF ALL ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL/HERITAGE AND

CURRENT LAND USE FEATURES IDENTIFIED ON SITE. ........................................................................... 27 1.4 CONFIRMATION THAT THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT HAS BEEN COMPILED WITH

THE PARTICIPATION OF THE COMMUNITY, THE LANDOWNER AND INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES...................................................................................................................................... 27

2 REGULATION 52 (2) (B): ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED PROSPECTING OR MINING OPERATION ON THE ENVIRONMENT, SOCIO- ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE. ................................................................................................. 27

2.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROSPECTING OR MINING OPERATION ....................................... 27 2.1.1 THE MAIN PROSPECTING ACTIVITIES (E.G. ACCESS ROADS, TOPSOIL STORAGE SITES AND

ANY OTHER BASIC PROSPECTING DESIGN FEATURES) ......................................................................... 27 2.1.2 PLAN OF THE MAIN ACTIVITIES WITH DIMENSIONS ................................................................................. 28 2.1.3 DESCRIPTION OF CONSTRUCTION, OPERATIONAL, AND DECOMMISSIONING PHASES .................... 29 2.1.4 LISTED ACTIVITIES (IN TERMS OF THE NEMA EIA REGULATIONS) ........................................................ 30 2.2 IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS (REFER TO THE GUIDELINE) .............................................. 31 2.2.1 POTENTIAL IMPACTS PER ACTIVITY AND LISTED ACTIVITIES................................................................ 31 2.2.2 POTENTIAL CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ............................................................................................................ 37 2.2.3 POTENTIAL IMPACT ON HERITAGE RESOURCES ..................................................................................... 37 2.2.4 POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON COMMUNITIES, INDIVIDUALS OR COMPETING LAND USES IN CLOSE

PROXIMITY. .................................................................................................................................................... 38 2.2.5 CONFIRMATION THAT THE LIST OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS HAS BEEN COMPILED WITH THE

PARTICIPATION OF THE LANDOWNER AND INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES. ........................ 39 2.2.6 CONFIRMATION OF SPECIALIST REPORT APPENDED. ............................................................................ 40 3 REGULATION 52 (2) (C): SUMMARY OF THE ASSESSMENT OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE

POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND THE PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES TO MINIMISE ADVERSE IMPACTS. ........................................................................................................................................................ 41

3.1 ASSESSMENT OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS ................................................... 41 3.1.1 CRITERIA OF ASSIGNING SIGNIFICANCE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS....................................................... 41 3.1.2 POTENTIAL IMPACT OF EACH MAIN ACTIVITY IN EACH PHASE, AND CORRESPONDING

SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENT ...................................................................................................................... 47 3.1.3 ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL CUMULATIVE IMPACTS. ........................................................................... 47 3.2 PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES TO MINIMISE ADVERSE IMPACTS. .............................................. 54 3.2.1 LIST OF ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES, OR PROCESSES THAT HAVE SUFFICIENTLY SIGNIFICANT

IMPACTS TO REQUIRE MITIGATION. ........................................................................................................... 54 3.2.2 CONCOMITANT LIST OF APPROPRIATE TECHNICAL OR MANAGEMENT OPTIONS ............................. 56 3.2.3 REVIEW THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE IDENTIFIED IMPACTS .................................................................... 89 4 REGULATION 52 (2) (D): FINANCIAL PROVISION. THE APPLICANT IS REQUIRED TO- .......................... 89 4.1 PLANS FOR QUANTUM CALCULATION PURPOSES. ................................................................................. 89 4.2 ALIGNMENT OF REHABILITATION WITH THE CLOSURE OBJECTIVES ................................................... 90 4.3 QUANTUM CALCULATIONS. ......................................................................................................................... 90 4.4 UNDERTAKING TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL PROVISION ............................................................................... 91 5 REGULATION 52 (2) (E): PLANNED MONITORING AND PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF THE

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN. .................................................................................................... 92 5.1 LIST OF IDENTIFIED IMPACTS REQUIRING MONITORING PROGRAMMES. ........................................... 92 5.2 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MONITORING PROGRAMMES. ....................................................... 93 5.3 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE EXECUTION OF MONITORING PROGRAMMES. ................. 99 5.4 COMMITTED TIME FRAMES FOR MONITORING AND REPORTING. ....................................................... 102 6 REGULATION 52 (2) (F): CLOSURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES. ........................................... 103 6.1 REHABILITATION PLAN ............................................................................................................................... 103 6.2 CLOSURE OBJECTIVES AND THEIR EXTENT OF ALIGNMENT TO THE PRE-MINING

ENVIRONMENT. ........................................................................................................................................... 117




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6.3 CONFIRMATION OF CONSULTATION ........................................................................................................ 117 7 REGULATION 52 (2) (G): RECORD OF THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND THE RESULTS

THEREOF. ..................................................................................................................................................... 117 7.1 IDENTIFICATION OF INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES. ............................................................... 118 7.2 THE DETAILS OF THE ENGAGEMENT PROCESS. ................................................................................... 119 7.2.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITY, LANDOWNERS, AND

INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES. .................................................................................................. 120 7.2.2 LIST OF WHICH PARTIES IDENTIFIED IN 7.1 ABOVE THAT WERE IN FACT CONSULTED, AND

WHICH WERE NOT CONSULTED. .............................................................................................................. 120 7.2.3 LIST OF VIEWS RAISED BY CONSULTED PARTIES REGARDING THE EXISTING CULTURAL,

SOCIO-ECONOMIC OR BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. .......................................................................... 120 7.2.4 LIST OF VIEWS RAISED BY CONSULTED PARTIES ON HOW THEIR EXISTING CULTURAL,

SOCIO-ECONOMIC OR BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT POTENTIALLY WILL BE IMPACTED ON BY THE PROPOSED PROSPECTING OR MINING OPERATION. .................................................................... 121

7.2.5 OTHER CONCERNS RAISED BY THE AFORESAID PARTIES. ................................................................. 121 7.2.6 CONFIRMATION THAT MINUTES AND RECORDS OF THE CONSULTATIONS ARE APPENDED. ........ 121 7.2.7 INFORMATION REGARDING OBJECTIONS RECEIVED. ........................................................................... 121 7.3 THE MANNER IN WHICH THE ISSUES RAISED WERE ADDRESSED. .................................................... 122 8 SECTION 39 (3) (C) OF THE ACT: ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS PLAN. ............................................ 122 8.1 EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION PROCESS ................................................................................................ 124 8.2 DESCRIPTION OF SOLUTIONS TO RISKS ................................................................................................. 125 8.3 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS TRAINING .............................................................................................. 125 9 SECTION 39 (4) (A) (III) OF THE ACT: CAPACITY TO REHABILITATE AND MANAGE NEGATIVE

IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT. ............................................................................................................ 126 9.1 THE ANNUAL AMOUNT REQUIRED TO MANAGE AND REHABILITATE THE ENVIRONMENT. ............. 126 9.2 CONFIRMATION THAT THE STATED AMOUNT CORRECTLY REFLECTED IN THE PROSPECTING

WORK PROGRAMME AS REQUIRED. ........................................................................................................ 126 10 REGULATION 52 (2) (H): UNDERTAKING TO EXECUTE THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

PLAN. 126 11 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................................. 127




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TABLE OF FIGURES FIGURE 1: LOCALITY MAP..................................................................................................................................................... 2 FIGURE 2: REGULATION 2.2 MAP ......................................................................................................................................... 2 FIGURE 3: PHOTOGRAPH OF THE STUDY AREA TAKEN FROM THE NORTH TOWARDS THE SOUTH ....................... 5 FIGURE 4: OLIFANTS WATER MANAGEMENT AREA 4 ....................................................................................................... 6 FIGURE 5: UTILISABLE GROUNDWATER EXPLOITATION POTENTIAL ........................................................................... 8 FIGURE 6: RAINFALL EROSIVITY MAP............................................................................................................................... 10 FIGURE 7: PRECIPITATION ................................................................................................................................................. 10 FIGURE 8: TEMPERATURE .................................................................................................................................................. 11 FIGURE 9: WIND SPEED ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 FIGURE 10: SOUTH AFRICAN BIOME DISTRIBUTION MAP .............................................................................................. 13 FIGURE 11: VEGETATION TYPE OF THE STUDY AREA ................................................................................................... 15 FIGURE 12: CONSERVATION STATUS OF THE STUDY AREA ......................................................................................... 16 FIGURE 13: CLUSTER OF ACACIA MEARNSII TO THE EAST OF THE STUDY AREA .................................................... 17 FIGURE 14: PHOTOGRAPH OF AN ACACIA MEARNSII TREE TO THE EAST OF THE STUDY AREA ........................... 18 FIGURE 15: PALAEONTOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY MAP OF THE STUDY AREA ............................................................... 23 FIGURE 16: LOCATION OF THE OPEN PIT ........................................................................................................................ 29 FIGURE 17: MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE GEOLOGIST ............................................................................ 40 FIGURE 18: CONTOUR MAP ................................................................................................................................................ 90

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1: LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES IN EHLANZENI DISTRICT .......................................................................................... 19 TABLE 2: PALAEONTOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY CLASSES ................................................................................................. 23 TABLE 3: MAIN ACTIVITIES AND DIMENSIONS ................................................................................................................. 28 TABLE 4: CONSTRUCTION, OPERATIONAL AND DECOMMISSIONING PHASES .......................................................... 29 TABLE 5: IMPACT SUMMARY WITH SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION ...................................................................... 31 TABLE 6: LIST OF ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES, OR PROCESSES WITH SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ......................................... 54 TABLE 7: CONSTRUCTION PHASE DUST MANAGEMENT PLAN ..................................................................................... 65 TABLE 8: COLOUR CODING OF WHEELIE BINS DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE ............................................. 68 TABLE 9: OPERATIONAL PHASE DUST MANAGEMENT PLAN ........................................................................................ 79 TABLE 10: CLOSURE / CARE AND MAINTENANCE PHASE .............................................................................................. 88 TABLE 11: FOUR-BAND SCALE EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR DUST DEPOSITION (SANS 1929:2004) ....................... 94 TABLE 12: ACCEPTABLE DUST FALL RATES (GN 827) .................................................................................................... 94 TABLE 13: PARAMETERS TO BE ANALYSED WITH SURFACE WATER SAMPLING: ..................................................... 95 TABLE 14: TYPICAL RATING LEVELS FOR NOISE IN DISTRICTS (SANS 10103:2008) .................................................. 97 TABLE 15: SOIL CONSERVATION PROCEDURE ............................................................................................................... 97 TABLE 16: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE EXECUTION OF MONITORING PROGRAMMES ...................... 99 TABLE 17: ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR EXECUTION OF MITIGATION MEASURES ....................................... 100




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Author: M. Niehof

Document Control, Quality Control and Disclaimer

DOCUMENT CONTROL

Document Title MPRDA Environmental Management Plan for the Proposed Extension of an Opencast Silica Mine and Associated Infrastructure on a Portion of Portion 1 of the Farm Vygenhoek 10 JT, Mpumalanga Province

Report Number MPRDA-EMP-177-14_15

Version 0.0

Date February 2015

Submitted to

Person: Mr Nicholus Maloba

Position: Project Specialist

Email: [email protected]

Distribution

1X Pewstar Investments (Pty) Ltd

1X Environmental Assurance (Pty) Ltd

1X Mpumalanga Department of Mineral Resources

QUALITY CONTROL

Originated By Reviewed By Approved By

Name Monica Niehof Rachelle Stofberg Emile van Druten

Designation Environmental Consultant Quality Reviewer Director

Signature

Date 2014/02/19 2015/02/25 2015/02/26

DISCLAIMER

A Copyright ENVASS. All Rights Reserved - This documentation is considered the intellectual property of ENVASS.

Unauthorised reproduction or distribution of this documentation or any portion of it may result in severe civil and criminal

penalties, and violators will be prosecuted to the maximum extent possible under law.




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Author: M. Niehof

IDENTIFICATION OF THE APPLICATION IN RESPECT OF WHICH THE ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT PLAN IS SUBMITTED.

ITEM COMPANY CONTACT DETAILS

Company: Pewstar Investments (Pty) Ltd

Name: Mr Nicholus Maloba

Cellular no: 083 476 1247

E-mail address: [email protected]

Postal address:

317 Stonewall Lane

Faerie Glen

Pretoria

0184

ITEM CONSULTANT CONTACT DETAILS (If applicable)

Company: Environmental Assurance (Pty) Ltd

Name: Ms Monica Niehof

Tel no: 012 460 9768

Fax no: 012 460 3071

Cellular no: 072 607 8719

E-mail address: [email protected]

Postal address: 394 Tram Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria 0181

mailto:[email protected]




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Author: M. Niehof

1 REGULATION 52 (2): Description of the environment likely to be affected by the proposed

prospecting or mining operation

1.1 The environment on site relative to the environment in the surrounding area.

LOCALITY

The study area is located on a portion of Portion 1 of the Farm Vygenhoek 10 JT, approximately 40 km to the

west of the town of Mashishing (previously known as Lydenburg). The farm Vygenhoek 10 JT falls within the

municipal boundaries of the Ehlanzeni District Municipality and the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality. Refer to

Figure 1 and Figure 2 below.




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Author: M. Niehof

Figure 1: Locality Map

Figure 2: Regulation 2.2 Map




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Author: M. Niehof

SOILS AND GEOLOGY

The Kaapvaal Craton underlies the north-eastern part of the country. It is made up largely of Archaeoan

gneisses and granitoids (Basement Complex), along with lesser volumes of metamorphosed, volcano

sedimentary rocks (greenstone belts).

In Mpumalanga the Basement Complex is found in the Lowveld and as scattered patches in the southern

Highveld. This stratum consists of various rocks such as dolerite, granite, gneiss, gabbro, norite, tuff, and shale.

The gneiss and granites are weakly mineralised but do host pegmatite minerals (including feldspar, mica, and

silica), corundum, graphite, and epigenetic copper and gold in places.

The Barberton Supergroup represents the greenstone belts in Mpumalanga. This stratum is found in the

Barberton and northern part of the Eerstehoek areas. The greenstones are economically important, hosting

gold, antimony, copper-zinc, iron, asbestos, talc, mercury, magnesite and gemstone deposits. Rocks found in

this stratum are arenite, conglomerate, shale, lava, pyroclastic, lutaceous arenite and volcanic rocks. The

Barberton Mountain Land is the most-significant gold producing greenstone belt in South Africa.

A small patch of the Murchison Supergroup is found in the northern part of the Kruger National Park and is a

source of antimony. Rocks in this stratum include lava and schist. Large sedimentary basins of the Kaapvaal

Craton hold some of South Africa’s richest mineral resources.

The sedimentary strata of the Witwatersrand Supergroup and the West Rand Group (lower layers of

Witwatersrand Supergroup) and Central Rand Group (upper layers of Witwatersrand Supergroup) are confined

to the Balfour area in Mpumalanga. This stratum constitutes the world’s largest repository of gold. Rocks that typically forms part of this strata are quartzite, conglomerate and shale. The Pongola Supergroup is of similar

strata and is found in the Piet Retief and eastern part of the Ermelo districts. Rocks in this stratum include

basalt, andesite, quartzite, shale and hornfels.

Volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Ventersdorp Supergroup, which overlies the Witwatersrand Supergroup,

host gold concentrations along parts of their basal contact with the Witwatersrand strata. The Ventersdorp

Supergroup is found in the Balfour are and small patches in the western part of the Standerton area. Rocks

found in this stratum include andesite and tuff. The Transvaal Sequence was formed by the infilling of the

Transvaal basin. This stratum is located in the north-western part of Mpumalanga, and stretches from Pilgrim’s Rest to Delmas.

The Bushveld Complex intrudes the Transvaal Supergroup. The complex covers the northern part of the

Northern Highveld. The economic value of this stratum is the significant resources of chrome, platinum, cobalt,




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Author: M. Niehof

copper, nickel, vanadium, tin, fluorite, black norite, red syenite, titaniferous magnetite uranium, baddeleyite,

gold, silver, vermiculite and merchant grade phosphate (apatite).

The Waterberg Group covers part of the Transvaal Sequence in the Kwa-mahlanga, Witbank and Middelburg

areas. The vast Karoo basin that covers about two thirds of South Africa, hosts the fluviodeltaic sediments and

coals of the extensive Ecca Group. The southern part of Mpumalanga up to the southern half of Witbank,

Middelburg, Belfast, the western half of Carolina, Delmas, Kriel, Ermelo, Bethal, Balfour, Standerton,

Amersfoort, Volksrust, Wakkerstroom and patches in the Piet Retief district, are covered by the Ecca Group.

Sediments of the Karoo Sequence are also found in the north-western part and on the eastern border of

Mpumalanga.

The dominant vegetation type on the study area is the Sekhukhune Montane Grassland. These overlie shallow

lithosols and well-developed, sometimes leached, mature soils, respectively. The main geological types are

quartzites, shales, basalts, andesites, conglomerates, irons, granites and gneiss.

The lithology of the proposed mining site is characterised by the below mentioned soil types:

The soils are mostly derived from shale and quartzite as well as lavas and dolomites of the Pretoria Group of

the Transvaal Supergroup (Vaalian Erathem). Land types Ac and Fa cover areas of approximately equal size

(Mucina & Rutherford 2006). Glenrosa and/or Mispah forms (other soils may occur), lime is rare or absent in the

entire landscape. Red-yellow apedal, freely drained soils; red, dystrophic and/or mesotrophic, freely drained

soils; red and yellow, dystrophic and/or mesotrophic.

The below stated geological facets are key contributors to the above mentioned lithology:

Gabbro and norite of the Rustenburg Layered Suite, Bushveld Complex, Shale and quartzite of the Pretoria

Group; diabase. Quartzite of the Steenkampsberg Formation, Pretoria Group; diabase.

TOPOGRAPHY

The topography of a particular area will determine the following factors:

Flow of surface and groundwater;

Depth of soils and the potential for soil erosion, dependent on the slope of the study area;

Type of land use;

Aesthetic appearance of the area; and

Climatic factors such as wind speeds and direction.




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Changes in the topography caused by the mining activities could therefore alter all of the above mentioned

aspects of the environment. Project-related activities have the potential to alter the topography of the site

through the establishment of both temporary and permanent infrastructure.

The topography of Mpumalanga can be split into three broad zones, namely Highveld, Escarpment and

Lowveld. The study area falls within the Escarpment region. The Municipal Area of Lydenburg is situated on the

Lowveld escarpment with an average elevation of 1400m above sea level and altitudes varying between 600 to

2160masl. The escarpment and related mountains provide an attractive variety to the landscape promoting

scenic tourism. The majority of the area contains steep to very steep slopes and, thus, potentially not fit for

urbanisation and agriculture. Moderate and flat slopes occur in 42.6% of the area.

The area surrounding the study area is mountainous with valleys in between. The study area is characterised

by a ridge in the middle, which slopes down into a valley to the east. The elevation of the study area ranges

between 1600masl and 1700masl. The ridge will partly shield the mining activities from the western

viewpoints. Please refer to Figure 3 below which demonstrates the slope of the study area from west to east.

Figure 3: Photograph of the study area taken from the north towards the south




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HYDROLOGY:

The study area is largely situated within the B41G quaternary catchment area, but borders on the B42F

quaternary catchment, within Water Management Area (WMA) 4, which is known as the Olifants WMA. The

Olifants River originates to the east of Johannesburg and initially flows northwards before gently curving

eastwards towards the Kruger National Park (KNP), where it is joined by the Letaba River before flowing into

Mozambique. The Olifants WMA, covers an area of 54, 570 km2. The Olifants WMA is divided into four sub-

WMAs, namely the Upper, Middle and Lower Olifants and the Steelpoort Sub-WMA (refer to Figure 4 and

below).

Figure 4: Olifants Water Management Area 4 (Source: Department of Water and Sanitation)

The Steelpoort sub-WMA covers an area of 7 135 km2. The middle section of the Steelpoort River and its

associated catchment is characterised by notable rural occupation as well as mining and associated activities.

The Thaba Chweu Local Municipality disposes of four river systems, the Elands River, the Blyde River, the

Sabie River Timavati River and the Steelpoort River, flowing from the Highveld Plateau over the Drakensberg

Escarpment towards the Indian Ocean.




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Water Quality and Quantity Problems

The Olifants WMA is one of South Africa’s most stressed catchment areas in terms of water quantity and quality. The catchment’s major challenges are in relation to the following factors:

Presence of Alien Invasive Species: the Olifants catchment also has some alien invasive plants, which

uses a significant amount of the available water;

Increased domestic demand: The trend of urbanisation has led to migration of rural residents into towns,

necessitating an increase in water usage;

Mining activities: there are numerous existing mines in the catchment, with many more opening and further

exploration taking place. The water requirements for mining are also relatively high; and

Irrigation schemes; There is currently a need for water allocation reform so as to provide and make it

possible for previously disadvantage communities to enter into farming. In terms of water allocation for

irrigation the most significant volumes are directed towards the Loskop irrigation scheme.

Water Usage in the Olifants Water Management Area

The water requirement in the Olifants WMA have increased substantially over the last number of years due to

increased water use in a range of sectors, such as mining, the steel industry, urban development, eco-tourism

and agriculture. Irrigation is the largest water user in the Olifants River catchment, with the two largest

schemes situated downstream of the Loskop and Blyderivierspoort Dams. The total estimated irrigation

requirement is 681 million m3/a. In terms of urban and rural water requirements there is a high water demand

and inefficient water use in the northwest. According to the Reconciliation Strategy for the Olifants River Water

Supply System (2011) it is often difficult to quantify industrial water requirements because industries are

generally supplied from municipalities and are not separately licensed. The water requirements and water

usage by the industrial sector is significantly less than that used by the mining sector, power generation and

irrigation.

Water Availability in the Olifants Water Management Area

Groundwater is available throughout the Olifants WMA, although varying in quantities depending upon the

hydrogeological characteristics of the underlying formations. The overall results of the groundwater yield

modelling in the catchment area have indicated that there is a surplus of groundwater in the range of 70 million

m3/a. There are areas in the catchment area which have been identified as stressed aquifer units and termed

“hotspots”. However the quaternary catchments B41G and B42F where the mine is to be located is not one of

these areas (refer to Figure 5 below).




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Author: M. Niehof

Figure 5: Utilisable Groundwater Exploitation Potential

The surface water resources of the Olifants catchment are well developed, especially the upper reaches, with

several large dams which were constructed to supply water to large irrigation schemes as well as to domestic

and industrial water users.

No surface water features were observed on the study area itself, however there is a drainage line to the east of

the study area, which are dried up by a cluster of Acacia Mearnsii (Black Wattle) trees. Refer to Figure 13 and

Figure 14 below.

CLIMATE

Climate can influence the potential for environmental impacts and related mine design. Specific issues are

listed below:

Rainfall could cause erosion of areas cleared of vegetation and temporary secondary roads; evaporation,

vegetation growth, rehabilitation planning, dust suppression, and surface water management planning;

Temperature could influence air dispersion through impacts on atmospheric stability and mixing layers,

vegetation growth, and evaporation which could influence rehabilitation planning; and

Wind could influence erosion, the dispersion of potential atmospheric pollutants, and rehabilitation

planning.




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Author: M. Niehof

To understand the basis of these potential impacts, a brief baseline situational analysis is described below.

Climate is influenced by the topography of an area. In Mpumalanga climate in the Highveld differs from the

Lowveld area and therefore the vegetation types differs significantly. Mpumalanga has a summer rainfall

season and the average rainfall in the province is approximately 610 mm of rain per year. The average

maximum temperatures ranges from 20.6°C in June to 26.5°C in February. The coldest month is July when

the temperature drops to 7.1°C on average during the night.

The Thaba Chweu Local Municipality’s rainy season normally lasts from October to March. Orographic

precipitation and mists throughout most months of the year support a unique flora, including rich mesophytic

plants such as the Orchidaceae. The Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) is 858 mm (660-1 180 mm), augmented

by the frequent mists (Figure 6 and Figure 7 below). Frost occurs 21 days per year, varying greatly between 3

and 40, generally more frost occurs to the west (Mucina & Rutherford 2006).

The average temperature range (including absolute minimums and maximums) are given in the graph in Figure

8 below. The average daily maximum temperatures throughout the year range from 22 – 28 ˚C, whereas absolute minimum temperatures of as low as 0 ˚C have been recorded in the winter months between May and July. The area is not abnormally windy throughout the year as daily wind speeds ranging between 5 and 7 km/h

(Figure 9). The information presented below gives detailed historical monthly average weather conditions along

with exceptional weather occurrences. To maintain relevance to current weather trends the displayed

information has been calculated using data collected over the past two decades. The climate profile is taken

from closest available data source to Lydenburg.




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Author: M. Niehof

Figure 6: Rainfall Erosivity Map (Source: TCLM, GIS unit 2013)

Figure 7: Precipitation (www.weather2.com)




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Author: M. Niehof

Figure 8: Temperature (www.weather2.com)

Figure 9: Wind Speed (www.weather2.com)

http://www.weather2.com/




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BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity forms one of the most crucial environmental considerations of a development and it is used to

formulate decisions pertaining to activities with significant environmental impacts. The inclusion of biodiversity in

decision making has been aimed to bridge a gap between economic development and land destruction, thus

mitigating the environmental effects these developments may pose while still maintaining a functioning

biodiversity. Therefore, as part of the EIA guidelines it is important to assess the potential impact of these

proposed activities as they can impact directly or indirectly on the receiving environment. In general, biodiversity

represents the variety of species within a specified ecosystem and can thus be used to assess the ecosystem

health.

The Southern African region contains nine biomes namely, desert, succulent Karoo, fynbos, Nama-Karoo,

grassland, savanna, Indian Ocean coastal belt, Albany thicket and forest. Mpumalanga Province contains three

of South Africa’s nine biomes: Grassland (highveld and escarpment hills), Savanna (escarpment foothills and

lowveld) and Forest (south and east facing escarpment valleys) (Ferrar & Lötter, 2007).

The proposed site falls within the Grassland Biome (Figure 10 below) which covers approximately 28% of South

Africa and is the dominant biome on the central plateau and inland areas of the eastern subcontinent (Manning,

2009). Grasslands are typically situated in moist, summer rainfall regions, which experience between 400 mm

and 2000 mm of rainfall per year. Vegetation consists of a dominant ground layer comprising of grass and

herbaceous perennials with little- to no woody plant species present.

The upper catchments of the Vaal, Crocodile-Komati and Usutu-Pongola river systems are all highveld

grasslands. The Grassland biome covers approximately 61% of the Mpumalanga Province and is essential in

conserving and providing water. Several hundred plants species listed as threatened in the SANBI red data list

occurs in this biome. Most of the plant species are herbaceous e.g. arum lilies, red hot pokers, aloes,

watsonias, gladioli, orchids as well as many medicinal and culturally important species.

The grassland biome is also the most vulnerable to invasion by alien plants (Ferrar & Lötter, 2007). In addition

Grassland is the most exploited landscape in South Africa and approximately 50% of the biome has been lost

due to anthropogenic activities especially coal mining and agriculture. Of the 61% of the province that was

covered by Grasslands only 17% of this has not been transformed yet. This substantial and irreversible

reduction of the biome is due mainly to cultivation, especially industrial scale cultivation and timber growing.

These land uses destroy biodiversity (Ferrar & Lötter, 2007). Approximately 50 % of South Africa’s 34 endemic mammals, occurs in the Grassland biome.




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Author: M. Niehof

Figure 10: South African Biome Distribution Map (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006)

Vegetation types provide a good representation of terrestrial biodiversity because most animals, birds, insects

and other organisms are associated with particular vegetation types (Rouget et al. 2004, as cited by Ferrar and

Lötter, 2007). In 2005 SANBI produced an extensively revised vegetation map for South Africa, Lesotho and

Swaziland (Mucina et al. 2005), with 441 vegetation types. Each vegetation type in the South African vegetation

map has a biodiversity target set by the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment. This vegetation map, with

minor refinements, was used to define 68 vegetation types for Mpumalanga. According to the Mpumalanga

Biodiversity Conservation Plan (MBCP) Handbook (Ferrar & Lötter, 2007), the study area falls within the

Sekhukhune Montane Grassland vegetation type area.

The Sekhukhune Mountainlands Ecosystem

The Sekhukhune Montane Grassland vegetation type falls within the threatened terrestrial ecosystem:

Sekhukhune Mountainlands (MP 9) (SANBI, 2014). The ecosystem threat status is classified as Endangered

(EN). It is also listed under criterion F, which translates to it being part of priority areas for meeting explicit

biodiversity targets as defined in a systematic biodiversity plan. The ecosystem is classified as very high

irreplaceability and high threat. The ecosystem occurs in both Limpopo and Mpumalanga within the grasslands

and savannah biomes including the Greater Tubatse, Emakhazeni and the Thaba Chweu Local Municipalities.

Its geographical location is between Roossenekal, Die Berg, and towards Steelpoort (2429DD, 2430CC,

2430CD, 2529BB, 2530AA, 2529BD and 2530AC). High-lying norite mountainlands occurring in

Sekhukhuneland Centre of Endemism. Landtypes, altitude and species distribution ranges delineate the




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Author: M. Niehof

ecosystem boundary. The original extent of the Sekhukhune Mountainlands ecosystem is 121000 ha and

approximately 94% of this area remains natural. This ecosystem is not protected.

There are 29 species of special concern in the ecosystem including threatened or endemic plant and animal

species listed below:

Species important to biodiversity in this ecosystem include two mammal species including Juliana’s Golden Mole and Gunning’s Golden Mole; eight bird species including Blue Crane, Blue Korhaan and Cape Vulture, Grey Crowned Crane, Rudd’s Lark, Southern Ground Hornbill, Wattled Crane, Yellow-breasted Pipit; nineteen

plant species for example Aloe fourei, Gladiolus rufomarginatus, Lydenburgia cassinioides, Resnova

megaphylla, Scilla natalensis and Zantedeschia pentlandii; and five vegetation types including Sekhukhune

Montane Grassland, Sekhukhune Mountain Bushveld, Steenkampsberg Montane Grassland, Lydenburg

Thornveld and Ohrigstad Mountain Bushveld. The ecosystem forms part of the Sekhukhuneland Centre of

Endemism; it includes important subcatchments, pans and wetlands and is important for grassland processes

(SANBI, 2014).

The Sekhukhune Montane Grassland Vegetation Type

As mentioned before, the study area falls within the Sekhukhune Montane Grassland (GM 19) vegetation type.

(Ferrar & Lötter, 2007). This vegetation type occurs on the major series of hills, cutting through the area from

north to south, which creates slopes with mainly eastern and western features. Large norite boulders and

stones covers shallow soils on the slopes and dense, sour grassland are found on the slopes of mountains and

hills, with scarce clumps of trees and shrubs. Dense, tall grassland is found on the plains and alien species

such as microphyllous tree species are abundant in certain areas. About 30% of the area is used for industrial,

commercial or subsistence cultivation purposes. Large areas are mined for vanadium by strip mining. This

vegetation type is not protected (OLEMF). Refer to Figure 11 below.




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Author: M. Niehof

Figure 11: Vegetation Type of the Study Area

Important species occurring in this vegetation type include:

Small trees: Protea caffra subsp. caffra (d), Acacia caffra, Apodytes dimidiata subsp. dimidiata, Canthium

suberosum, Cussonia transvaalensis, Seemannaralia gerrardii; woody climbers: Rhoicissus tridentata (d),

lasminum quinatum, Triaspis glaucophylla. Austroafricana; tall shrubs: Euclea crispa subsp. crispa (d),

Brachylaena ilicifolia, Diospyros austro-africana, Euclea linearis, Pavetta zeyheri; low shrubs: Gnidia caffra (d),

Senecio microqlossus (d), Dyschotiste rogersii, Elephantorrhiza praetermissa, Leonotis leonurus, Polygala

uncinata, Rhus discolor, R. tumulicola var. meeuseana, R. wilmsii; geoxylic suffrutex: Elephantorrhiza

elephantine (OLEMF).

Conservation Status of the Study Area

According to the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Conservation Plan (MBCP) Map (Ferrar & Lötter, 2006), the study

area falls within the highly significant sensitivity class. A small section in the north of the study area overlaps the

irreplaceable sensitivity class. Refer to Figure 12 below.




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Author: M. Niehof

Figure 12: Conservation Status of the Study Area

The following have been extracted from the MBCP Map, 2006:

“…Highly significant areas are those where biodiversity has been heavily compromised and very few options remain to meet biodiversity targets. Natural vegetation cover in these areas should be maintained or restored.

Any significant habitat loss may cause these areas to become irreplaceable. Approved developments or

changes in land use must be compatible with conservation objectives, e.g. well managed livestock grazing. If

development is unavoidable, such land uses must be made sufficiently dispersed and/or small scale, so as to

be biodiversity friendly. Decisions on land use changes will require a biodiversity specialist study as part of the

EIA. Irreplaceable areas are those of highest biodiversity value outside the formal PA network. They support

unique biodiversity features, such as endangered species or rare habitat patches that do not occur anywhere

else in the province. These features have already been so reduced by loss of natural habitat, that 100% of what

remains must be protected to achieve biodiversity targets. All land in this category must be managed for

biodiversity conservation to meet the targets set. All development must be strictly controlled in line with

biodiversity conservation objectives…”

“…Irreplaceable areas are those of highest biodiversity value outside the formal PA network. They support

unique biodiversity features, such as endangered species or rare habitat patches that do not occur anywhere

else in the province. These features have already been so reduced by loss of natural habitat, that 100% of what

remains must be protected to achieve biodiversity targets. All land in this category must be managed for




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Author: M. Niehof

biodiversity conservation to meet the targets set. All development must be strictly controlled in line with

biodiversity conservation objectives…”

It is recommended that an ecological specialist study be conducted to assist in the decision making process of

the proposed land use and that the small area in the northern part of the study area labelled as ‘irreplaceable’ be excluded from development with an appropriate buffer zone as will be recommended by the specialist.

Alien, invasive plants and noxious weeds

Alien and invasive plants are opportunistic plants that invade disturbed areas, thus competing and replacing

endemic plants. They have the potential to degrade the area and make it more susceptible to fire as their fuel

content is high and they use more water than indigenous plant species.

Very little Alien Invasive Plants (AIPs) have been observed on the study area, however to the east of the study

area there were a cluster of Acacia Mearnsii (Black Wattle) trees. Refer to Figure 13 and Figure 14 below.

Figure 13: Cluster of Acacia Mearnsii to the east of the study area




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Author: M. Niehof

Figure 14: Photograph of an Acacia Mearnsii tree to the east of the study area

Disturbance as a result of the mining activities may trigger alien invasion; thus, rehabilitation measures should

be considered and be implemented accordingly should the proposed activity be authorised. Replacement of

weedy plants with indigenous or economical important plant species should be a priority.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE

Mpumalanga is a relatively small province and is located in the north-eastern part of South Africa bordering

Swaziland and Mozambique to the east and Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal within South

Africa. The land area is approximately 76 495 km2, with a population of approximately 4 039 939. The capital is

Mbombela (previously known as Nelspruit), which is also the capital of the province and the administrative and

business centre of the Lowveld area. Other important cities and towns include eMalahleni (previously known as

Witbank), Standerton, eMkhondo (previously known as Piet Retief), Malelane, Ermelo, Barberton and Sabie.

Mpumalanga contains three district municipalities including Ehlanzeni, Nkangala and Gert Sibande Districts and

has eighteen local municipalities.

The study area falls within the Ehlanzeni District Municipality (EDM), which is located in the north eastern part

of the Mpumalanga Province. EDM is bordered by Mozambique and Swaziland in the east, Gert Sibande

District in the south, Mopani and Sekhukhune Districts of Limpopo in the north and Nkangala District in the

west. The EDM contains five local municipalities: Mbombela, Umjindi, Bushbuckridge, Nkomazi and Thaba

Chweu. The major Economic Sectors of the district include mining, agriculture, textiles, tourism and hospitality.




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Author: M. Niehof

Table 1: Local municipalities in Ehlanzeni District

EDM DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Source: Census 2011 Municipal Fact Sheet, published by

Statistics South Africa

Population = 1 688 615

Age Structure

Population Under 15 = 33.10%

Population 15 To 64 = 62.40%

Population Over 65 = 4.60%

Dependency Ratio

Per 100 (15-64) = 60.40

Sex Ratio

Males per 100 females = 90.80

Population Growth

Per annum = 1.54%

Labour market

Unemployment Rate (official) = 34.40%

Youth Unemployment Rate (official) 15-34 = 44.20%

Education (aged 20 +)

No Schooling = 16.60%

http://beta2.statssa.gov.za/




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Author: M. Niehof

Higher Education = 9.50%

Matric = 29.00%

Household dynamics

Households = 445 087

Average Household Size = 3.70

Female Headed Households = 44.10%

Formal Dwellings = 91.80%

Housing Owned = 65.40%

Household services

Flush Toilet Connected To Sewerage = 21.50%

Weekly Refuse Removal = 24.70%

Piped Water Inside Dwelling = 26.40%

Electricity for Lighting = 88.90%

Thaba Chweu Local Municipality

Thaba Chweu Local Municipality has a land area of approximately 5 719km2. The major towns of the

municipality include Graskop, Lydenburg, Mashishing, Pilgrim's Rest, Sabie. Main Economic Sectors include

mining, agriculture, tourism and forestry. The contribution of agriculture (33%), manufacturing (22%),

community services (16%) and trade and catering (11%) to the Thaba Chweu Gross Geographic Product

(GGP), provides the economic base for future development. Mining is currently playing an increasing role in the

Thaba Chweu Local Municipality economy and may cause significant economic growth in the Thaba Chweu

and Greate Tubatse Municipalities, which will lead to significant growth of Mashishing (previously known as

Lydenburg).

Thaba Chweu municipality is one of the major tourist attraction areas in South Africa. Mashishing (Lydenburg) is

the oldest town in the province, and a heritage hub, where the famous Lydenburg Heads, which are said to date

back to 400AD, were found in the 1950s. Also found here are old stone houses. Most of all, this is the home of

trout fishing. Graskop is home to the Three Rondavels, The Blyde Canyon, Potholes, God’s Window, The Pinnacle, Berlin, Lisbon, and Graskop Falls, all of which are World Heritage Sites, and form the Panorama

Route. In the Sabie area, when travelling east of Mashishing through the Long Tom Pass, there are hectares of

pine plantations. These mountains are part of the Drakensberg Mountain Range.

The study area also borders Limpopo Province and specifically the Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality

and the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality. Limpopo ranks fifth in South Africa in both surface area and




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Author: M. Niehof

population, covering an area of 125 754km² and being home to a population of 5 404 868. The capital is

Polokwane (previously Pietersburg). Other major cities and towns include Bela-Bela (previously known as

Warmbad), Lephalale (previously known as Ellisras), Makhado (previously known as Louis Trichardt), Musina

(Messina), Thabazimbi and Tzaneen. Limpopo is rich in mineral deposits, including platinum-group metals, iron

ore, chromium, high and middle-grade coking coal, diamonds, antimony, phosphate and copper, as well as

mineral reserves such as gold, emeralds, scheelite, magnetite, vermiculite, silicon and mica and therefore

mining is the major Economic Sector of the province. There are five district municipalities and 25 local

municipalities within the province.

The Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality consists of three Local Municipalities, including the Greater

Tubatse Local Municipality, bordering the study area.

Benefits of the proposed activity

The proposed extension of the existing silica mine, will have a positive impact on the baseline socio-economic

conditions of the local communities, since unemployment is a major problem within the district. The mine will

create employment opportunities and preference will be given to the locally unemployed wherever possible.

Employment should be sourced from the local community and the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) be

implemented. Employment will be created in phases including the construction, commissioning, production

(operational), decommissioning and rehabilitation phases. During these phases, employees will mainly be

recruited from the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality then the District Management Area. During the operational

phase the mine will employ approximately 23 full time employees, including:

1 x Mine Manager;

1 x Mine Health and Safety Officer;

1 x Mine Surveyor;

1 x Environmental Officer;

3 x Machine Operators;

10 x Unskilled Labourers; and

8 x Drivers.

The mine will also employ 1 x part time Mine Surveyor and 1 x part time Environmental Officer, as well as 2 x

mechanics on contract.

The mining site is accessible through a well maintained dirt road which is connected to the tarred road, which

connects to the R540 between Lydenburg and Dullstroom.




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Author: M. Niehof

VISUAL

It is important to bear in mind that determining a visual resource in absolute terms is not achievable.

Evaluating a landscapes’ visual quality is both complex and problematic, as many quality standards apply and

it is largely subjective, with individuals basing evaluations on experiences, their social level and their cultural

background.

Furthermore, natural features are inherently variable. Climate, season, atmospheric conditions, region and

sub-region all affect the attributes that comprise the landscape. The surrounding area is scarcely populated

and is characterised by mining and agricultural activities as well as rural villages, and is far from main tourist

routes. In addition to this, the landscape is undulating with ridges occurring on and around the study area. The

visual impact of the mine will thus be limited.

HERITAGE RESOURCES

Cultural resources are all non-physical and physical man-made features as well as natural features associated

with human activity. These include all sites, structures and artefacts of importance; whether individually or in a

group, in the history, architecture and archaeology of human (cultural) development. Graves and cemeteries

are included in this.

The significance of the sites, structures and artefacts is determined by means of their historical, social,

aesthetic, technological and scientific value in relation to their uniqueness, condition of preservation and

research potential. The various aspects are not mutually exclusive, and the evaluation of any site is done with

reference to any number of these aspects.

No significant features on the site were observed, however, due to archaeological artefacts generally occurring

below the surface, the possibility exists that these maybe exposed during construction and operation of the

mine. Should any artefacts be exposed, all activities must cease and an independent, qualified archaeologist

need to investigate the findings and make recommendations. This is a requirement of Section 36 (6) of the

National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999).

Palaeontological Resources

According to the website of the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA)

(http://www.sahra.org.za/map/palaeo) the site falls into an insignificant (grey) / low (blue) sensitivity class and

therefore it is unlikely that fossils will be discovered during mining. Please refer to Figure 15 and Table 2

below.

http://www.sahra.org.za/map/palaeo




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Author: M. Niehof

Table 2: Palaeontological Sensitivity Classes

Colour Sensitivity Required Action

RED VERY HIGH Field assessment and protocol for

finds is required.

ORANGE/YELLOW HIGH Desktop study is required and based

on the outcome of the desktop study,

a field assessment is likely.

GREEN MODERATE Desktop study is required

BLUE LOW No palaeontological studies are

required, however a protocol for finds

is required.

GREY INSIGNIFICANT

/ ZERO

No palaeontological studies are

required.

WHITE/CLEAR UNKNOWN These areas will require a minimum of

a desktop study. As more information

comes to light, SAHRA will continue to

populate the map.

Figure 15: Palaeontological Sensitivity Map of the Study Area (Source: www.sahra.org.za)

The study area

http://www.sahra.org.za/




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Author: M. Niehof

NOISE AND VIBRATION

Existing noise sources on site and the immediate surrounds include:

Prospective Mining Permit and mineral processing activities adjacent to the site;

Vehicles servicing the existing mine;

Nearby informal settlement; and

Traffic on the tar road, approximately 5km to the west of the study area.

In terms of Regulation 66 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002),

Regulations GN R527, a holder of a permit or right in terms of the Act must comply with the provisions of the

Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996), as well as other applicable legislation regulating noise

management and control.

Many aspects of the Mining Permit operations lead to an increase in noise levels over the ambient

environmental levels. This can be temporarily enhanced or the regional impact increased in any direction

under the influence of specific climatic factors such as wind direction, cloud cover and temperature inversion

layers.

The impacts of noise levels can be both physical and physiological at the high end of the spectrum, but more

commonly impact on communication or create psychological effects at the lower level of the spectrum.

The highest magnitude noise impacts are commonly the high intensity, short duration noise levels created by

blasting during mining. Blasting should not be carried out under very overcast conditions or low level cloud

cover as this increases the noise and vibration transmission. The impact can be reduced through selection of

explosives, sequencing the blasts, deflection by structures and timing of the blasts to coincide with periods of

high activity or increased ambient noise levels. Drilling and blasting contractors will monitor the blast noise,

shock and vibration felt at the boundary of the mine.

In terms of Regulation 67 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of

2002), Regulations GN R527, a holder or a permit or right in terms of the Act, must comply with the provisions

of the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996), as well as other applicable legislation relating to

blasting, vibration and shock control and management.

The repetitive operation of machinery also creates a range of noise levels. Although of low intensity these

have an impact due to long periods of operation at the crushing plant and mills. The MPRDA requires these

areas be effectively screened to reduce or deflect noise and stipulates that cladding on structures be

adequately fastened and separated with soft spacers and washers. Vehicle engines or loading noise and even

reverse warning alarms on trucks and loaders can impact communities near and around the mine. Machinery




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Author: M. Niehof

such as compressors, generators, metal workshops tools such as angle grinders, pneumatic drills and

jackhammers create high noise levels that are difficult to screen.

AIR QUALITY

Sulphur Dioxide and other particulates represent pollutants that raise concerns in assessing the impact of the

mine operations. The levels of these pollutants are also known to be elevated in parts of South Africa and

especially in Mpumalanga (renowned for mining) as a result of mines as well as ESKOM electricity generation

activities.

Air quality monitoring and modelling should for future activities concentrate on dust fallout and ambient PM

(Particulate Matter) and sulphur dioxide monitoring. Dust fallout monitoring will be undertaken to assess

compliancy with dust fallout limits and will be reviewed annually. Monitoring will also be undertaken during the

mining phase to assess sulphur dioxide compliancy with the ambient air quality guidelines and standards. The

monitoring is conducted according to the main impact zone of the mine operations.

According to Rego, 2008 (as cited by Environmental Working Group, 2014), Silica can hinder breathing and

cause respiratory problems in humans. Chronic exposure may cause e.g. silicosis, which is a serious lung

disease (Hnizdo, 2003, as cited by Environmental Working Group, 2014). Silica dust forms part of particulate

matter, which consists of minute airborne particles of organic chemicals, metals, minerals and soil (Reff 2009).

Smaller particles pose the greatest danger because they can get deeper into the respiratory system. Fine

particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter are more harmful than larger particles (Lepeule 2012). Very

fine silica particles can enter the deepest parts of the lungs i.e. the alveoli, where inhaled air enters the

bloodstream, it becomes harmful (US EPA, 1996, as cited by Environmental Working Group, 2014). Particles

larger than 2.5 micrometers in diameter do not get as deep into the lungs, but PM10-size pollutants do

exacerbate respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, and cause heart failure (Shah 2013; Weinmayr 2010).

Dust originating from disturbed areas and mining operations as well as vehicle emissions may contribute to

poor air quality. Current sources of pollution (predominantly in the form of dust) in the vicinity of the site

include the following:

Dust from silica opencast mining;

The handling including loading and off-loading of silica ore;

Dust arising from the crushing and milling plant;

Stockpiled materials at the existing mining operations;

Disturbed land or land denuded of any vegetation; and

Vehicle movements on un-surfaced roads;




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Author: M. Niehof

Mining activities in the general region as well as burning of wood and coal by the residents of many of the

local communities (due to there being no formal electricity infrastructure), are primary contributors to the air

pollution experienced in the region.

1.2 The specific environmental features on the site applied for which may require protection,

remediation, management or avoidance.

TOPSOIL

The significant impact of loss of topsoil will occur due to the initial vegetation clearing on site, the establishment

of the construction camp as well as due to the movement of people and vehicles on bare ground on site. These

areas are highly susceptible to erosion as the lower density of vegetation reduces the energy dissipation effect

on water flow. This effect will be more pronounced on slopes, therefore increasing the erosion potential and the

amount of sediment carried to the neighbouring waterways.

WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY

Surface water quality may deteriorate due to insufficient stormwater management and spills of hydrocarbons

and other chemicals as a result of the mining activities. Groundwater quality may also deteriorate due to spills of

hydrocarbons and other chemicals infiltrating into the ground, and if groundwater is going to be abstracted for

mining activities, the quantity of groundwater may also decrease.

BIODIVERSITY

The study area lies within the endangered Sekhukhune Mountainlands Ecosystem and in an area which is

described by the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Conservation Plan (MBCP), 2006 as Highly Significant. A small

portion of the site is also described as irreplaceable.

AIR QUALITY

Dust fallout levels and ambient air quality may deteriorate as a result of mining activities, such as crushing and

milling of Silica.

AMBIENT NOISE LEVELS

Ambient noise levels, which are currently relatively low, may increase during all phases of the development.




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AESTHETIC APPEAL OF THE STUDY AREA

Visual quality of the study area is currently relatively undisturbed with few signs of anthropogenic activities and

may deteriorate as a result of activities during all phases of the development.

HERITAGE RESOURCES

Although there are no visible heritage resources present on site, resources may be uncovered during all phases

of the development and may be destroyed.

HEALTH AND SAFETY OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY STRUCTURES

The local communities may be impacted on.

1.3 Map showing the spatial locality of all environmental, cultural/heritage and current land use

features identified on site.

Please refer to Annexure 1 for a sensitivity map showing the spatial locality of all environmental,

cultural/heritage and current land use features identified on site.

1.4 Confirmation that the description of the environment has been compiled with the

participation of the community, the landowner and interested and affected parties.

The Interested and Affected Parties as identified during the notification period will be consulted in this regard

and this information will be included in the Public Participation Report to be submitted to the Department on or

before 27 March 2015.

2 REGULATION 52 (2) (b): Assessment of the potential impacts of the proposed prospecting or

mining operation on the environment, socio- economic conditions and cultural heritage.

2.1 Description of the proposed prospecting or mining operation

2.1.1 The main prospecting activities (e.g. access roads, topsoil storage sites and any other

basic prospecting design features)

PLANNED INFRASTRUCTURE:

Contractors Camp;

Haul roads;

Open pit;

Crush & Screen Plant; and

Stockpiles.




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Author: M. Niehof

PLANNED ACTIVITIES:

Planning & Survey;

Topsoil clearance for haul road construction:

Haul road construction with the road safety signs will be constructed which complies with Mine Health

and Safety Act;

Drill & blast: the rock layer is detached by drilling and blasting;

Load & haul:

The raw material is at this stage loaded on to the dumper trucks to be moved to the crushing Site;

Crush & screen:

The raw material is fed to the crusher for crushing and screening to specifications;

Stockpiles:

The crushed Silica is stockpiled according to size specification for different markets.

Loading:

At this stage, the final product is loaded on the side tippers to be transported to the various market

destinations.

2.1.2 Plan of the main activities with dimensions

Table 3: Main activities and dimensions

Planned Activity Dimensions

Drill site establishment:

- Vegetation clearance;

- Drilling;

- Geotechnical test pits/trenches

50m x 50m

- Haul roads between the crushing plant

and the new open pit

2,5m (width)

- Topsoil stockpiling (north of open pit) 75m x 75m

- Vegetation clearance for near surface

open pit with horizontal benches

2 ha

Refer to Figure 16 below for the location of the proposed Open Pit.




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Author: M. Niehof

Figure 16: Location of the Open Pit

2.1.3 Description of construction, operational, and decommissioning phases

Table 4: Construction, operational and decommissioning phases

Phases and Activities, Actions and Processes: Time frame:

Pre-construction Phase:

Permitting application and granting of:

Mining Permit

Planning & Survey;

1 year

Construction Phase:

PLANNED ACTIVITIES:

Site clearance (including vegetation and topsoil

clearance for haul road and contractors camp

construction, ore stockpiles and open pits;

Haul road construction;

Construction of stormwater berms and trenches;

Chemical toilets/ biological sewage system

installation;

Month 1-2

(The construction phase will commence

upon granting of authorisation)

Operational Phase:

Drill & blast: the rock layer is detached by drilling

and blasting;

Load & haul: the raw material is loaded onto the

Month 3-24




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Author: M. Niehof

Phases and Activities, Actions and Processes: Time frame:

dumper trucks to be moved to the crushing site;

Crush & screen: the raw material is fed to the

crusher for crushing and screening to

specifications;

Stockpiles: the crushed Silica is stockpiled

according to size specification for different

markets;

Discard dumps or dams: waste rock are stored

on discard dumps;

Loading: the final product is loaded on the side

tippers to be transported to the various market

destinations.

Renewal Application:

A renewal of the mining permit will be lodged

within the last three months of the life of mine,

which is 24 months.

Decommissioning Phase:

Decommissioning of contractor’s camp; stormwater berms and trenches; and

Chemical toilets/ biological sewage system

removal.

Rehabilitation Phase:

Rehabilitation of haul roads, open pits, rehabilitate

cleared areas with reseeding and replanting of

endemic, indigenous vegetation;

Re-contouring pit walls; and

Water quality treatment.

(Rehabilitation will run concurrently with

the mining programme, however filling of

the final void and reinstatement of roads

will commence towards the end of the life

of mine).

2.1.4 Listed activities (in terms of the NEMA EIA regulations)

The listed activities triggered by the proposed mine as defined by the National Environmental Management Act,

1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) and associated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) require authorisation from

the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (MDEDET).

The activities applicable to this development are as follows:

GNR 983 of 2014:

Activity 21: Any activity including the operation of that activity which requires a mining permit in terms of Section

27 of the MPRDA [as amended], including associated infrastructure, structures and earthworks directly related

to the extraction of a mineral resource, including activities for which an exemption has been issued.




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Author: M. Niehof

2.2 Identification of potential impacts (Refer to the guideline)

2.2.1 Potential impacts per activity and listed activities

Table 5: Impact Summary with significance after mitigation

NATURE OF

IMPACT

DESCRIPTION OF IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE

POST-MITIGATION

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE – CONSTRUCTION PHASE

GEOLOGY

AND SOILS

Loss of topsoil and soil erosion through vegetation clearance, wind and storm

water.

Very Low

Soil compaction by heavy duty vehicles. Low

Contamination of soils through:

- Indiscriminate disposal of construction waste; and

- Accidental spillage of chemicals such as hydrocarbon-based fuels

and oils or lubricants spilled from construction vehicles and other

chemicals from construction activities e.g. paints.

Low

HY

DR

OL

OG

ICA

L

SU

RF

AC

E W

AT

ER

AN

D G

RO

UN

D W

AT

ER

Stormwater and erosion impacts due to a lack of implementing temporary

measures to manage stormwater run-off quantity and quality during the

construction phase.

Very Low

Contamination of stormwater runoff and ground water, caused by:

- Spills and leaks of cement;

- Sediment release;

- Chemical toilets;

- Chemicals such as hydrocarbon-based fuels and oils or lubricants

spilled from construction vehicles;

- Other chemicals from construction activities e.g. paints; and

- Effluent discharges, due to a lack of stormwater management.

Very Low

Altered drainage patterns and stormwater runoff flows. Very Low

Impacts of dewatering on the groundwater aquifer should water be abstracted

from ground water during the construction phase.

Low

BIO

DIV

ER

SIT

Y

FA

UN

A A

ND

FL

OR

A

Decrease in biodiversity on the study and surrounding area. Low

Potential loss of vegetation type, ecologically important species and species of

conservation concern.

Medium

Spreading of alien invasive species. Low

Impact on natural migratory routes and faunal dispersal patterns. Medium

Disturbance and loss of fauna through noise, light and dust pollution and

hunting, trapping and killing of fauna.

Low

EXISTING

LAND USE

Possibility of construction activities and workers causing veld fires destroying

veld, animals and infrastructure on the study area and on adjacent farms,

impacting on the livelihood of farmers.

Very Low

Loss of land for other purposes e.g. for livestock or game farming. Very Low

Altered landforms due to construction of roads and excavation. Very Low

Impact of blasting on existing infrastructure on adjacent land. Low




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Author: M. Niehof

NATURE OF

IMPACT


POST-MITIGATION A

RC

HA

EO

LO

GIC

AL

/

HE

RIT

AG

E

RE

SO

UR

CE

S

Alteration of archaeological, historical and palaeontological resources that

may be discovered during construction.

Very Low V

ISU

AL

Visibility from sensitive receptors / visual scarring of the landscape as a result

of the construction activities.

Medium

Visibility of solid domestic waste and building rubble. Very Low

NO

ISE

,

VIB

RA

TIO

N A

ND

LIG

HT

ING

Nuisance and health risks caused by an increase in the ambient noise level as

a result of noise impacts associated with the operation of construction

vehicles and equipment.

Low

Disturbance due to vibrations caused by construction vehicles and blasting. Low

Impact of security lighting on surrounding landowners and nocturnal animals. Very Low

AIR

QU

AL

ITY

Increased dust pollution due to vegetation clearance and construction vehicles

and activities.

Very Low

Settling of dust on the surrounding area and pasture, may impact livestock and

wild animals.

Very Low

Windborne dust (soil) and vehicle fumes and particulate matter (PM10), altering

air quality.

Very Low

WASTE Generation of additional general waste, litter and building rubble and

hazardous material during the construction phase.

Low

SERVICES

Need for services i.e. water, electricity and sewerage systems during the

construction phase causing additional strain on natural resources and service

infrastructure.

Low

TRAFFIC The change in traffic patterns as a result of traffic entering and exiting the

proposed mine on the surrounding road infrastructure and existing traffic.

Low

Nuisance, health and safety risks caused by increased traffic on and adjacent

to the study area including cars, busses and other heavy vehicles.

Low

HEALTH AND

SAFETY

Possibility of construction activities and workers causing veld fires, which can

potentially cause injury and or loss of life to construction workers and

surrounding landowners, visitors and workers.

Very Low

Increased risk to public health and safety: Dangerous areas and construction

activities including blasting, poses health risks and possible loss of life to

construction workers and visitors to the site as well as residents of the nearby

informal settlement.

Very Low

Security risks: Trespassing of construction workers on adjacent properties

and possible crime e.g. poaching.

Very Low

Windborne dust (soil) and vehicle fumes and particulate matter (PM10) Very Low

SOCIO-

ECONOMIC

Negative – Socio-economic impact on farmers and surrounding landowners

due to negative impacts on groundwater, dust pollution, noise pollution etc.

Low

Positive – Creation of short term employment opportunities for the local

communities, during all phases of the development.

Medium +

Positive - Sourcing supplies from local residents and businesses boosting the

local economy.

Medium +




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Author: M. Niehof

NATURE OF

IMPACT


POST-MITIGATION

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE – OPERATIONAL PHASE

GEOLOGY

AND SOILS

Loss of topsoil and soil erosion through wind and stormwater. Very Low

Soil compaction by heavy duty vehicles. Very Low


- Indiscriminate disposal of waste; and

- Accidental spillage of chemicals such as hydrocarbon-based fuels

and oils or lubricants spilled from vehicles and other chemicals from

operational and maintenance activities e.g. paints.

Very Low

Flooding of open pits Low

HY

DR

OL

OG

ICA

L

SU

RF

AC

E W

AT

ER

AN

D G

RO

UN

DW

AT

ER

Stormwater and erosion impacts due to a lack of implementing temporary

measures to manage stormwater run-off quantity and quality during the

operational phase.

Very Low


- Spills and leaks of cement;

- Sediment release;

- Chemical toilets/biological sewage system;


spilled from heavy vehicles;

- Other chemicals from maintenance activities e.g. paints; and


Low



from ground water during the operational phase.

Low

Seepage from product stockpiles and from mining operations could cause a

contamination plume affecting the underground resources.

Low

BIO

LO

GIC

AL

FA

UN

A A

ND

FL

OR

A

Decrease in biodiversity on the study and surrounding area. Medium

Loss of vegetation type, ecologically important species and species of

conservation concern.

Medium

Disturbance and loss of fauna through noise, light and dust pollution and

hunting, trapping and killing of fauna.

Very Low


Impact on natural migratory routes and faunal dispersal patterns. Medium

EXISTING

LAND USE

Possibility of mining activities and workers causing veld fires destroying veld,

animals and infrastructure on the study area and on adjacent farms, impacting

on the livelihood of farmers.

Very Low

Impact of blasting on existing infrastructure on surrounding land. Low

AR

CH

AE

OL

OG

I

CA

L/H

ER

ITA

GE

RE

SO

UR

CE

S Alteration of archaeological, historical and palaeontological resources that

may be uncovered during the operational phase.

Very Low

VIS

UA

L

Visibility from sensitive receptors / visual scarring of the landscape and impact

on ‘Sense of Place’ as a result of the visibility of the mining site including stockpiles and waste dumps and activities.

Medium

Visibility of solid domestic and operational waste. Very Low




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Author: M. Niehof

NATURE OF

IMPACT


POST-MITIGATION N

OIS

E,

VIB

RA

TIO

N A

ND

LIG

HT

ING


a result of noise impacts associated with the operation of the mine.

Low

Disturbance due to vibrations caused by vehicles and blasting. Low

Impact of security lighting on surrounding landowners and animals. Very Low

AIR QUALITY Increased dust pollution (soil and ore fines) due to stockpiles and vehicles on

gravel roads as well as other mining activities.

Very Low

Settling of dust (soil and ore fines) on the surrounding area and pasture, may

impact livestock and wild animals.

Very Low

Windborne dust (soil and ore fines), vehicle fumes and particulate matter (PM),

altering air quality. PM2.5 and smaller particles (very fine particles) is of

particular concern as it may cause respiratory diseases (possibly life-

threatening with chronic exposure) such as silicosis. (Silica forms a major part

of particulate matter, very fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs

where it may be taken up into the bloodstream).

Low

WASTE

(INCLUDING

HAZARDOUS

WASTE)

Generation and disposal of additional general waste, litter and hazardous

material during the operational phase and operational waste i.e. reject material.

Low

SERVICES Need for services e.g. water, electricity and sewerage systems, causing

additional strain on natural resources and service infrastructure.

Low

TRAFFIC

The change in the traffic patterns as a result of traffic entering and exiting the

new mine on the surrounding road infrastructure and existing traffic.

Low

Nuisance, health and safety risks caused by increased traffic on an adjacent to

the study area including cars, busses and other heavy vehicles.

Low

HEALTH AND

SAFETY

Possibility of mining activities and workers causing veld fires, which can

potentially cause injury and or loss of life to mine workers and surrounding

landowners, visitors and workers.

Very Low

Increased risk to public health and safety: Dangerous areas and mining

activities including blasting, poses health risks and possible loss of life to

mine workers and visitors to the site.

Very Low

Security risks: Trespassing of mine workers on adjacent properties and

possible crime e.g. poaching.

Very Low







Low

SOCIO-

ECONOMIC

Negative – Socio-economic impact on farmers and surrounding landowners

due to negative impacts on groundwater, dust pollution, noise pollution etc.

Low

Positive – Creation of short term employment opportunities for the local

communities, during all phases of the development.

Medium (+)

Positive - Sourcing supplies from local residents and businesses boosting the

local economy.

Medium (+)




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Author: M. Niehof

NATURE OF

IMPACT


POST-MITIGATION

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE – DECOMMISSIONING PHASE

GEOLOGY

AND SOILS

Loss of topsoil and soil erosion through wind and stormwater. Very Low

Soil compaction by heavy duty vehicles. Very Low


- Indiscriminate disposal of waste; and

Accidental spillage of chemicals such as hydrocarbon-based fuels and oils or

lubricants spilled from vehicles and other chemicals.

Very Low

Flooding of open pits Low

HY

DR

OL

OG

ICA

L

SU

RF

AC

E W

AT

ER

AN

D G

RO

UN

DW

AT

ER

Stormwater and erosion impacts due to a lack of implementing measures to

manage stormwater run-off quantity and quality during the decommissioning

phase.

Very Low


- Sediment release;

- Chemical toilets/biological sewage system;


spilled from heavy duty vehicles;


Low



from ground water during the decommissioning phase.

Low

BIO

LO

GIC

AL

FA

UN

A A

ND

FL

OR

A

Disturbance and loss of fauna through noise, light and dust pollution as well

as hunting, trapping and killing of fauna.

Very Low


EX

IST

ING

LA

ND

US

E

AN

D L

AN

D

CA

PA

BIL

ITY

Possibility of decommissioning and rehabilitation activities and workers

causing veld fires destroying veld, animals and infrastructure on the study

area and on adjacent farms, impacting on the livelihood of farmers.

Very Low

AR

CH

AE

OL

OG

I

CA

L/H

ER

ITA

GE

RE

SO

UR

CE

S Alteration of archaeological, historical and palaeontological resources that

may be uncovered during the decommissioning phase.

Very Low

VIS

UA

L

Visibility from sensitive receptors / visual scarring of the landscape as a result

of the decommissioning and rehabilitation activities.

Medium

Visibility of solid domestic waste and building rubble. Very Low




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Author: M. Niehof

NATURE OF

IMPACT


POST-MITIGATION N

OIS

E,

VIB

RA

TIO

N

AN

D

LIG

HT

ING


a result of noise impacts associated with the operation of heavy duty vehicles

and equipment.

Low

Disturbance due to vibrations caused by heavy duty vehicles. Low

Impact of security lighting on surrounding landowners and animals. Very Low

AIR QUALITY Increased dust (soil and ore fines) pollution due to decommissioning and

rehabilitation activities and heavy duty vehicles.

Very Low

Settling of dust (soil and ore fines) on the surrounding area and pasture, may

impact livestock and wild animals.

Very Low







Low

WASTE

(INCLUDING

HAZARDOUS

WASTE)

Generation of additional general waste, litter and building rubble as well as

hazardous material during the decommissioning phase i.e. reject material.

Low

SERVICES

Need for services i.e. water, electricity and sewerage systems during the

decommissioning phase causing additional strain on natural resources and

infrastructure.

Low

TRAFFIC

The change in the traffic patterns as a result of traffic entering and exiting the

proposed mine on the surrounding road infrastructure and existing traffic.

Low

Nuisance, health and safety risks caused by increased traffic on an adjacent to

the study area including cars, busses and other heavy vehicles.

Low

HEALTH AND

SAFETY

Possibility of decommissioning activities and workers causing veld fires,

which can potentially cause injury and or loss of life to construction workers

and surrounding landowners, visitors and workers.

Very Low

Increased risk to public health and safety: Dangerous areas and

decommissioning activities poses health risks and possible loss of life to

construction workers and visitors to the site.

Very Low

Security risks: Trespassing of construction workers on adjacent properties

and possible crime e.g. poaching.

Very Low







Low

SOCIO-

ECONOMIC

Socio-economic impact on farmers and surrounding landowners due to

negative impacts on groundwater, dust pollution, noise pollution etc.

Low

Creation of short term employment opportunities for the local communities,

during all phases of the development.

Medium(+)

Sourcing supplies from local residents and businesses boosting the local

economy.

Medium (+)




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Author: M. Niehof

NATURE OF

IMPACT


POST-MITIGATION

NO-GO ALTERNATIVE

SOCIO-

ECONOMIC

AND

BIOPHYSICAL

No creation of short term employment opportunities for the local communities,

during all phases of the development.

Low

No development of the economic environment, by job provision and sourcing

supplies for and from local residents and businesses.

Low

Positive: No negative impacts as described above on the environment High (+)

2.2.2 Potential cumulative impacts

Environmental Impacts from developments may be considered relatively insignificant when assessed in

isolation; however they may potentially become very significant when assessed in the context of the impact of

other developments nearby or in the general locality.

The following cumulative impacts have been identified during the undertaking of the specialists’ studies:

Cumulative impacts on groundwater due to seepage from stockpiles and mining operations;

Cumulative impact of hydrological modifications and stormwater;

Cumulative impact of vegetation loss;

Cumulative Impact of faunal habitat and displacement;

Cumulative Impact on natural migratory routes and faunal dispersal patterns;

Positive cumulative impact on the surrounding communities, of socio-economic development including

reducing unemployment rates and creating upliftment;

Cumulative impact of increased noise pollution;

Cumulative impact of increased visual intrusion;

Cumulative impact of decreasing air quality; and

Cumulative impact of increased traffic volumes as a result of more heavy vehicles making use of the

roads in the immediate area.

2.2.3 Potential impact on heritage resources

No significant impacts on archaeological or palaeontological resources are expected. No significant features on

the site were observed and according to SAHRA’s palaeontological sensitivity map, the study area falls within a low sensitivity class. However, due to archaeological artefacts generally occurring below the surface, the

possibility exists that these maybe exposed during construction and operation of the mine. Should any artefacts

be exposed, all activities must cease and an independent, qualified archaeologist need to investigate the




38

Author: M. Niehof

findings and make recommendations. This is a requirement of Section 36 (6) of the National Heritage

Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999).

2.2.4 Potential impacts on communities, individuals or competing land uses in close proximity.

(If no such impacts are identified this must be specifically stated together with a clear explanation why this is not

the case.)

Impacts of dewatering on the groundwater aquifer should water be abstracted from ground water

during the construction phase, may result in less water available for surrounding communities and land

uses;

Possibility of mining activities and workers causing veld fires destroying veld, animals and

infrastructure on the study area and on adjacent farms, impacting on the livelihood of farmers;

Loss of land for other purposes e.g. for livestock or game farming;

Impact of blasting on existing infrastructure on adjacent land;

Alteration of archaeological e.g. graves, historical and palaeontological resources that may be

discovered during mining activities;

Visibility from sensitive receptors / visual scarring of the landscape as a result of the proposed

activities;

Visibility of solid domestic waste and building rubble;

Nuisance and health risks caused by an increase in the ambient noise level as a result of noise

impacts associated with the operation of construction vehicles and equipment;

Disturbance due to vibrations caused by heavy vehicles and blasting;

Impact of security lighting on surrounding landowners and nocturnal animals;

Settling of dust on the surrounding area and pasture, may impact livestock and wild animals;

Windborne dust (soil and ore fines), vehicle fumes and particulate matter (PM), altering air quality.

PM2.5 and smaller particles (very fine particles) is of particular concern as it may cause respiratory

diseases (possibly life-threatening with chronic exposure) such as silicosis. (Silica forms a major part

of particulate matter, very fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs where it may be taken up

into the bloodstream);

The change in the traffic patterns as a result of traffic entering and exiting the new mine on the

surrounding road infrastructure and existing traffic;

Nuisance, health and safety risks caused by increased traffic on and adjacent to the study area

including cars, busses and other heavy vehicles;

Increased risk to public health and safety: Dangerous areas and mining activities including blasting,

poses health risks and possible loss of life to mine workers and visitors to the site;




39

Author: M. Niehof

Security risks: Trespassing of mine workers on adjacent properties and possible crime e.g. poaching;

Spreading of diseases such as diarrhoea, HIV and TB;

Socio-economic impact on farmers and surrounding landowners due to negative impacts on

groundwater, dust pollution, noise pollution etc;

Creation of short term employment opportunities for the local communities, during all phases of the

development; and

Sourcing supplies from local residents and businesses boosting the local economy.

2.2.5 Confirmation that the list of potential impacts has been compiled with the participation of

the landowner and interested and affected parties.

The applicant hereby confirm that the potential impacts have been compiled with the landowner and other

interested and affected parties. (Refer to Annexure 2 for a copy of the memorandum of understanding

between the landowner and the applicant)

A mini-workshop was held with the Phakaneng Choma Community, when permission was requested to put up

site notices on and around the study area (refer to Figure 17). The Geologist (Mr Makgasane Alfred Mabelane),

accompanied the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) on the site visit on 12 February 2015 and acted

as translator to communicate with members of the community who could not understand or speak English,

including the Chief. No issues were raised during this mini-workshop, however some issues may arise during

the extensive public participation process/further consultation planned for March 2015. SAHRA, MTPA and

other organs of state were also notified of the development and should any issues arise, it will be responded to

and addressed and included in the public participation report to be submitted to the department on or before 27

March 2015.




40

Author: M. Niehof

Figure 17: Members of the community and the geologist present at the mini-workshop on 12 February

2015

2.2.6 Confirmation of specialist report appended.

(Refer to guideline)

The applicant hereby confirm that No specialist reports has been conducted or are deemed necessary to date.

However it is recommended that an ecological impact study be conducted due to the sensitivity of the

vegetation type and ecosystem the study area falls in. According to the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Conservation

Plan (MBCP) (Ferrar & Lötter, 2006) the study area falls within a highly significant area. According to the

MBCP, decisions on land use changes within this areas, will require a biodiversity specialist study as part of the

EIA.




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Author: M. Niehof

3 REGULATION 52 (2) (c): Summary of the assessment of the significance of the potential impacts

and the proposed mitigation measures to minimise adverse impacts.

3.1 Assessment of the significance of the potential impacts

3.1.1 Criteria of assigning significance to potential impacts

A “significant impact” is defined as it is defined in the EIA Regulations (2010): “an impact that by its

magnitude, duration, intensity or probability of occurrence may have a notable effect of one or more aspects of

the environment”. The objective of this EIA methodology is to serve as framework for accurately evaluating

impacts associated with current or proposed activities in the biophysical, social and socio-economical spheres.

It aims to ensure that all legal requirements and environmental considerations are met in order to have a

complete and integrated environmental framework for impact evaluations.

The process of determining impacts to be assessed is one of the most important parts of the environmental

impact assessment process. It is of such high importance because the environmental impacts identified can and

are often linked to the same impact stream. In this method all impacts on the biophysical environment are

assessed in terms of the overall integrity of ecosystems, habitats, populations and individuals affected. For

example the removal of groundcover for the sloping or scraping of an embankment, can lead to higher amounts

of water runoff which increases the rate of erosion. Further down in the river the amount of sediment increases

because of the increased erosion. A number of fish species cannot endure the high amount of sediment and

moves off. The habitat is thus changed or in the process of changing. Thus one needs to understand that the

root of the problem (removal of groundcover) is assessed in terms of the degree of change in the health of the

environment and/or components in relation to their conservation value. Thus if the impact of removal of

groundcover of a definable system is high and the conservation value is also high then the impact of removal of

groundcover is highly significant.

(a) Nature of the impact

The NATURE of an impact can be defined as: “a brief description of the impact being assessed, in terms of the

proposed activity or project, including the socio-economic or environmental aspect affected by this impact”.




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Author: M. Niehof

(b) Extent of the impact

The EXTENT of an impact can be defined as: “a brief description of the spatial influence of the impact or the

area that will be affected by the impact”.

EXTENT

Extent or spatial

influence of

impact

Footprint Only as far as the activity, such as footprint occurring

within the total site area

Site Only the site and/or 500m radius from the site will be

affected

Local Local area / district (neighbouring properties,

transport routes and adjacent towns) is affected

Region Entire region / province is affected

National Country is affected

(c) Magnitude of the impact

The MAGNITUDE of an impact can be defined as: “a brief description of the intensity or amplitude of the impact

on socio-economic or environmental aspects”.

MAGNITUDE

Magnitude /

intensity of

impact (at the

specified scale)

Zero Natural and/or social functions and/or processes

remain unaltered

Very low Natural and/or social functions and/or processes are

negligibly altered

Low Natural and/or social functions and/or processes are

slightly altered

Medium Natural and/or social functions and/or processes are

notably altered

High Natural and/or social functions and/or processes

severely altered




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Author: M. Niehof

(d) Duration of the impact

The DURATION of an impact can be defined as: “a short description of the period of time the impact will have

an effect on aspects”.

DURATION

Duration of the

impact

Short term Construction phase up to 3 years after construction

Medium term Up to 6 years after construction

Long term More than 6 years after construction

(e) Probability of the impact occurring

The PROBABILITY of an impact can be defined as: “the estimated chance of the impact happening”.

PROBABILITY

Unlikely Unlikely to occur (0 – 25% probability of occurring)

Possible May occur (26 – 50% chance of occurring)

Probable Likely to occur (51 – 75% chance of occurring)

Definite Will certainly occur (76-100% chance of occurring)

(f) Degree to which impact can be reversed

The REVERSABILITY of an impact can be defined as: “the ability of an impact to be changed from a state of

affecting aspects to a state of not affecting aspects”.

REVERSABILITY

Reversible Impacts can be reversed through the implementation

of mitigation measures

Irreversible Impacts are permanent and can’t be reversed by the implementation of mitigation measures




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Author: M. Niehof

(g) Degree to which impact may cause irreplaceable loss of resources

The IRREPLACEABILITY of an impact can be defined as:” the amount of resources that can(not) be replaced”.

IRREPLACEABILITY

Irreplaceable loss of

resources

No loss No loss of any resources

Low Marginal loss of resources

Medium Significant loss of resources

High Complete loss of resources

(h) Degree to which the impact can be mitigated

The degree to which an impact can be MITIGATED can be defined as: “the effect of mitigation measures on the impact and its degree of effectiveness”.

MITIGATION

RATING

MITIGATED

Degree impact can

be mitigated

High Impact 100% mitigated

Medium Impact >50% mitigated

Low Impact <50% mitigated

(i) Confidence rating

CONFIDENCE in the assessment of an impact can be defined as the:” level of certainty of the impact

occurring”.

CONFIDENCE

RATING CONFIDENCE

Unsure Amount of information on and/or understanding

of the environmental factors the potentially

influence the impact is limited.

Sure Amount of information on and/or understanding


influence the impact is reasonable and relatively

sound.

Certain Amount of information on and/or understanding


influence the impact is unlimited and sound.




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Author: M. Niehof

(j) Cumulative impacts

The effect of CUMULATIVE impacts can be described as:” the effect the combination of past, present and

“reasonably foreseeable” future actions have on aspects”.

CUMULATIVE

RATING

CUMULATIVE

EFFECTS

Low Minor cumulative effects

Medium Moderate cumulative effects

High Significant cumulative effects

Significance of Impacts

The SIGNIFICANCE can be defined as:” the combination of the duration and importance of the impact, in terms

of physical and socio-economic extent, resulting in an indicative level of mitigation required”.

SIGNIFICANCE

RATING SIGNIFICANCE

Neutral Zero magnitude with any combination of extent

and duration

Very low Very low magnitude with any combination of

extent and duration except regional and long

term

Low magnitude with a site specific extent and

short term duration

Low Very low magnitude with a site specific extent

and long term duration

Low magnitude with any combination of extent

and duration except site specific and short,

regional or long term duration

Medium magnitude with a site specific extent

and short term duration

High magnitude with a site specific extent and

short term duration




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Author: M. Niehof

Medium Low magnitude with a regional extent and long

term duration

Medium magnitude with any combination of

extent and duration except site specific and

short, regional or long term duration

High magnitude with either a local extent and

short term duration or a site specific extent and

medium term duration

High magnitude with a regional extent and

short term duration or a site specific extent and

long term duration

High magnitude with a local extent and

medium term duration

High Medium magnitude with a regional extent and

long term duration

High magnitude with either a regional extent

and medium term duration or a local extent

and long term duration

Very high High magnitude with either a regional extent

and long term duration or a national extent and

long term duration




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Author: M. Niehof

3.1.2 Potential impact of each main activity in each phase, and corresponding significance

assessment

Please refer to Annexure 3 for the Impact Assessment Tables

3.1.3 Assessment of potential cumulative impacts.

Cumulative impacts on groundwater from seepage of stockpiles and mining operations

Source of impact:

Stockpiles of silica ore for storage and general mining operations and waste rock dumps.

Description of impact:

Seepage from the stockpiles and from mining operations from fuels, oils and other chemicals, causes a

contamination plume affecting the underground resources which in turn affects surface water resources.

Significance of impact:

The significance of the impact is high before and medium after mitigation.

Mitigation:

Groundwater monitoring must be conducted; and

When chemicals e.g. paint, fuels and oils are handled during construction and maintenance

impermeable material must be placed underneath to prevent spilling on the ground.

Cumulative impact of Hydrological Modifications and Stormwater

Source of the impact:

Hardened surfaces will impact negatively on the soils and vegetation of the area as the construction of

impermeable layers on the surface will prevent infiltration and ultimately result in reduced seepage yields.

Description of the impact:

Increased stormwater runoff with an associated increased erosion potential are also directly related to the

expansion of hardened surface inside a catchment. Interventions and mechanisms can be included in the

development to facilitate a higher percentage of infiltration (e.g. porous pavements) and energy dissipaters.




48

Author: M. Niehof

Significance:

The significance of the impact is expected to be of a medium significance without mitigation, due to the removal

of vegetation and the construction of hard surfaces. With mitigation the significance of the impact will be of a

low significance even though the impact will not be reversible.

Mitigation:

Interventions and mechanisms should be included in the proposed development to reduce the impact

of stormwater on soil; and

An ecologically sensitive stormwater management plan will be required to attenuate flood peak events

and prevent excessive erosion.

Cumulative impact of vegetation loss


Removal of vegetation during construction activities for access roads, buildings and other infrastructure.

Stockpiles during the construction and operational phases.


Vegetation loss will result in decreased biodiversity on site and fragmentation of habitat. Vegetation loss also

results in increased soil erosion and stormwater runoff.

Significance of the impact:

Because the impact is of a permanent nature to a large extent it is of high significance before mitigation.

However when mitigation measures are implemented, the impact will be medium after mitigation.

Mitigation:

Removal of vegetation should be limited to the construction and mining area only;

Where possible cleared areas should be rehabilitated as soon as possible;

Cleared areas should be reseeded with endemic, indigenous vegetation and the topsoil to be used

should be declared weed free by a specialist; and

Replanted areas should be monitored until establishment took place. Should establishment not take

place, the process should be repeated until establishment occur.




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Author: M. Niehof

Cumulative Impact of faunal habitat and displacement


Destruction of faunal habitat and the displacement of species from their traditional home ranges during the

construction phases of the proposed development.


Faunal species could be displaced. This could result in higher than normal social, grazing and browsing

pressures on areas that would otherwise not have these impacts. This could result in degraded vegetation

cover from trampling, erosion, grazing or browsing and other forces.

Significance:

The significance of the impact is expected to be of a low significance without mitigation, due to the displacement

of faunal species from their habitats on site to allow for the building of the proposed development. With

mitigation the significance of the impact will be reduced to that of a very low significance.

Mitigation:

Minimising the loss of flora and fauna in areas that are not directly affected by the new development;

Where possible trees to be removed should be transplanted at another suitable location;

Reduce the levels of disturbance on the study area;

All cleared areas should be suitably top soiled and vegetated as soon as is possible preferably in

phases. Care should be taken that alien plant invasion is minimal. This must be monitored at regular

intervals and removed and replaced with endemic, indigenous plants / trees where possible; and

Disturbed surfaces to be rehabilitated must be ripped to a depth of 300mm (or as recommended by a

specialist to be site specific), and the area must be backfilled with topsoil or overburden and vegetated

as described above.

Cumulative Impact on natural migratory routes and faunal dispersal patterns


The introduction of barriers such as walls, buildings, roads and other infrastructure would have an impact on the

natural migratory routes and faunal dispersal patterns.




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Author: M. Niehof


Walls, buildings, roads and other infrastructure associated with the development may obstruct and constrict

faunal dispersal and floral dispersal by limiting and funnelling natural dispersal patterns.

Significance:

The significance of the impact is expected to be of a medium significance without mitigation, due to the

constriction of natural migratory routes and faunal dispersal patterns. With mitigation the significance of the

impact will be reduced to that of a low significance.

Mitigation:

Sensitive areas e.g. the irreplaceable area to the north, should be demarcated to prevent access

during the mining phase;

Reduce the levels of disturbance on areas indicated by the Environmental Control Officer (ECO) as

migratory routes;

All cleared areas should be suitably top soiled and vegetated as soon as is possible, preferably in

phases;

Disturbed surfaces to be rehabilitated must be ripped, and the area must be backfilled with topsoil or

overburden;

Use endemic, indigenous plants wherever possible in the landscaping of the property; and

Try to maintain the natural vegetation in its original context as far as possible as this will enable

species that are sensitive to transplanting to be maintained as well as their associated communities.

Positive cumulative impact on the surrounding communities, of socio-economic development

including reducing unemployment rates

Source of impact:

Short term employment opportunities will be created if the proposed activity is approved to clear vegetation and

building mining facilities during the construction phase as well as during the operational phase when the actual

mining will take place.


Creation of short term job opportunities during construction and operation for residents of the local community.

The mine will source supplies from local businesses, boosting the local economy.




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Author: M. Niehof

Significance:

The significance is low due to the small number of employment opportunities and the short term development

period.

Cumulative impact: decrease in air quality in the immediate surroundings of the mine

Source of impact:

Current sources of pollution (predominantly in the form of dust) in the vicinity of the site include the following:

Dust from mining operations to the north, west and south-west of the study area;

The handling of ore, at these mines;

Ore processing operations;

Stockpiled materials at the mines; and

Future sources of pollution (predominantly in the form of dust) that may result in the mining operations will

include:


Materials handling operations with mining are predicted to result in fugitive dust emissions including

the transfer of materials by means of tipping, loading and off-loading of trucks;

Wind erosion from exposed areas – significant emissions arise due to the mechanical disturbance of

granular material from open areas and storage piles;

Primary crushing and milling operations represent significant dust generating sources if uncontrolled;

and

Particulate emissions will result from the entrainment of loose material from the paved road surface

due to the vehicle traffic and crushing and milling of silica.


Sulphur Dioxide and other particulates represent pollutants that raise concerns in assessing the impact of the

mine operations. The levels of these pollutants are also known to be elevated in parts of South Africa and

especially in Mpumalanga (renowned for mining) as a result of mines as well as ESKOM electricity generation

activities.

According to Rego, 2008 (as cited by Environmental Working Group, 2014), Silica can hinder breathing and

cause respiratory problems in humans. Chronic exposure may cause e.g. silicosis, which is a serious lung

disease (Hnizdo, 2003, as cited by Environmental Working Group, 2014). Silica dust forms part of particulate




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Author: M. Niehof

matter, which consists of minute airborne particles of organic chemicals, metals, minerals and soil (Reff 2009).

Smaller particles pose the greatest danger because they can get deeper into the respiratory system. Fine

particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter are more harmful than larger particles (Lepeule 2012). Very

fine silica particles can enter the deepest parts of the lungs i.e. the alveoli, where inhaled air enters the

bloodstream, it becomes harmful (US EPA, 1996, as cited by Environmental Working Group, 2014). Particles

larger than 2.5 micrometers in diameter do not get as deep into the lungs, but PM10-size pollutants do

exacerbate respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, and cause heart failure (Shah 2013; Weinmayr 2010).

Dust originating from disturbed areas and mining operations as well as vehicle emissions may contribute to

poor air quality. Current sources of pollution (predominantly in the form of dust) in the vicinity of the site

include the following:

Dust from silica opencast mining;

The handling including loading and off-loading of silica ore;

Dust arising from the crushing and milling plant;

Stockpiled materials at the existing mining operations;

Disturbed land or land denuded of any vegetation; and


Mining activities in the general region as well as burning of wood and coal by the residents of many of the local

communities (due to there being no formal electricity infrastructure), are primary contributors to the air

pollution experienced in the region.

Significance of the impact:

The cumulative impact of PM concentrations has a significance of high before mitigation and low after

mitigation.

Mitigation:

Dust suppression activities such as water spraying are required in order to minimise dust generation;

Workers should wear protective gear to prevent inhaling harmful particulate matter; and

Air quality monitoring and modelling should for future activities concentrate on dust fallout and ambient

PM (Particulate Matter) and sulphur dioxide monitoring. Dust fallout monitoring will be undertaken to

assess compliancy with dust fallout limits and will be reviewed annually. Monitoring will also be

undertaken during the mining phase to assess sulphur dioxide compliancy with the ambient air quality

guidelines and standards. The monitoring is conducted according to the main impact zone of the mine

operations.




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Author: M. Niehof

Cumulative impact: increased traffic volumes as a result of more heavy vehicles making use of

the roads in the immediate area


Traffic will increase in and around the proposed development. The increase of especially heavy vehicle

movements surrounding the proposed land use locality, such as on local and provincial roads which are in the

vicinity of the mining complex and link up to the project area.


Due to the nature of the activity it is likely that there will be a cumulative increase in vehicular traffic on roads

adjacent to the proposed land use locality, which may cause an increase in incidences of vehicle accidents and

potholes on the surrounding roads. The new permanent and temporary access roads if not surfaced, could

contribute to dust impacts, spills and erosion and loss of soil resources.

Significance of impact:

The transport of materials, people and goods may present the only significant impact. The movement of

vehicles on the local roads within the surrounding communities may result in damage to roads from movement

of heavy vehicles. Despite the potential cumulative impacts from the traffic increase it is not anticipated that the

impact will have a ranking higher than low for as long as the permanent or any non-surfaced roads are not in

close proximity to the adjacent communities. As long as the roads are internalised, it is not anticipated that the

cumulative impact of traffic will be significant.

Mitigation:

Only main roads should be used;

Where feasible vehicles should not operate on public roads during peak hours;

Vehicles should adhere to the speed limit of the road;

Heavy vehicles should always travel with their head lights switched on;

Heavy vehicles should not stop on the road to pick up hitchhikers – No stopping on the road

approaching the mine will be allowed;

Limit the extent and degree of change to the biophysical and socio-economic environment; and

Communicate with and acknowledge concerns of the I&APs and mitigate where possible.




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Author: M. Niehof

3.2 Proposed mitigation measures to minimise adverse impacts.

3.2.1 List of actions, activities, or processes that have sufficiently significant impacts to require

mitigation.

Table 6: List of actions, activities, or processes with significant impacts

Impact Identification: Overburden, Excavation and Topsoil Stockpiling

Activities Potential Environmental Impacts

Stripping, storing and replacement of

topsoil;

Stripping, storing and replacement of

soil “overburden”. Drilling and blasting;

Excavation.

Fauna and flora habitat loss and disturbance;

Removal of vegetation;

Disturbance of animals;

Reduction in biodiversity on the study area;

Increase of alien invasive species;

Potential loss of heritage sites;

Decreased aesthetic appeal of site;

Altered landforms due to excavation;

Altered drainage patterns and runoff flows;

Increased erosion of soil due to stormwater and

wind erosion;

Loss of topsoil;

Increased siltation of surface water;

Ground surface disturbance;

Soil compaction;

Noise pollution;

Disturbance due to vibrations caused by

vehicles;

Dust and fumes from vehicles;

Dust settling on the surrounding area;

Windborne dust;

Injury and loss to workers or other visitors to the

site; and

Labour control, trespassing and bush ablutions.




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Author: M. Niehof

Impact Identification: Transport and Stockpiling of the ore / aggregate


Loading of Silica on trucks;

Stockpiling;

Road maintenance;

Dirt road transport (laden); and

Dirt road transport (empty).


Windborn dust and particulate matter;

Disturbance due to noise and vibrations;

Soil compaction;


Increased erosion due to stormwater and wind

erosion;

Increased risk to public health and safety;


site; and


Impact Identification: Crushing and Milling and Screening of Ore/aggregate


Silica crushing;

Adding of water and duff; and

Storing the final product.


Emissions from operational machines and

vehicles;

Increased risk to public health;


erosion;

Requirement for services such as water and

electricity; and

Noise pollution.

Impact Identification: Transport of Silica to the Market


Loading of Silica on trucks;

Stockpiling;

Road maintenance;

Dirt road transport (laden);

Dirt road transport (empty);

Tar road transport (laden); and

Tar road transport (empty).



Disturbance due to noise and vibrations;

Soil compaction;



erosion;

Increased risk to public health and safety;


site; and





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Author: M. Niehof

Impact Identification – Closure and post Operational Waste Management


Decommissioning of roads;

Decommissioning and dismantling of

temporary buildings;

Reseeding/planting of disturbed

areas;

Re-contouring pit walls;

Water quality treatment; and

Fencing dangerous areas.

Flooding of open pits;

Fauna and flora habitat loss and disturbance;

Spreading of alien invasive species;

Windborn dust and particulate matter and

increase in health risk to the public;

Dangerous areas that pose health and safety

risks and possible loss of life (e.g. pits and

footwalls);

Contamination of storm water runoff due to

suspended solids.

3.2.2 Concomitant list of appropriate technical or management options

(Chosen to modify, remedy, control or stop any action, activity, or process which will cause significant impacts

on the environment, socio-economic conditions and historical and cultural aspects as identified. Attach detail of

each technical or management option as appendices)

A. CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Site Establishment:

The Contractor shall establish his construction camp, offices, workshops and other infrastructure as

per the agreed site layout plan in a manner that does not adversely affect the environment;

The Contractor shall submit a method statement for site clearance for approval by the Site Manager in

consultation with the ESM. Site establishment shall take place in an orderly manner and all required

amenities shall be installed at the camp site before the main workforce move onto site;

The Construction camp shall have the necessary ablution facilities with chemical toilets at

commencement of construction activities to the satisfaction of the Site Manager. The Contractor shall

inform all site staff to make use of the supplied ablution facilities and under no circumstances shall

indiscriminate sanitary activities be allowed other than in supplied facilities;

Safe drinking water for human consumption shall be available at the site offices and other convenient

locations on site. All water used on site should be taken from a legal source and comply with the

recognised standards for drinking and other uses;

The Contractor shall provide adequate facilities for his staff so that they are not encouraged to

supplement their comforts on site by accessing what can be taken from the natural surroundings;




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Author: M. Niehof

No fires will be allowed outside of the construction camp. Activities which may pose a risk of fire should

be identified and suitable measures should be put in place to prevent any possible damage by fire.

Contractors should inform the staff of the risk of fires and fire prevention and emergency procedures in

the event of fire. Fire-fighting equipment shall be supplied by the Contractor at suitable locations. The

National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998 (Act 101 of 1998) [as amended] applies;

The Contractor shall ensure that energy sources are available at all times for construction and

supervision personnel for heating and cooking purposes; and

The Contractor shall supply waste collection bins where such is not available and all solid waste

collected shall be disposed of at a municipal registered landfill. A certificate of disposal shall be

obtained by the Contractor and kept on file. Where a registered waste site is not available close to the

construction site, the Contractor shall provide a method statement with regard to waste management.

The disposal of waste shall be in accordance with relevant legislation. Under no circumstances may

solid waste be burnt on site.

Site Clearing

Site clearing should take place in a phased matter, as and when required. Areas which are not to be

affected by construction within two months of time, should, in order to reduce erosion risk, not be

cleared. The area to be cleared should be clearly demarcated and this footprint strictly maintained;

Spoil that is removed from the site should be removed to an approved spoil site or municipal registered

landfill site;

Silt fences and erosion control measures should be implemented in areas where these risks are more

prevalent e.g. close to the watercourse;

Topsoil removed should be neatly stockpiled in stockpiles of no higher than 1.5 m adjacent to the

excavations ready for backfill when required; and

The Contractor shall ensure that all work is undertaken in a manner which minimises the impact on

vegetation outside the immediate area of the Works. No tree or shrub outside the area of the Works

shall be felled, topped, cut or pruned until it has been clearly marked for its purpose by the Site

Manager. The method of marking will be specified by the Site Manager, and the Contractor will be

informed in writing; and no tree outside the area of the Works shall be burned for any purpose.

For areas of specific importance as identified by the specialists, the Contractor shall:

Identify and demarcate the extent of the site and associated Works areas as indicated on the approved

Site plan using danger tape with steel droppers;




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Author: M. Niehof

In sensitive environments, or where access into no-go areas takes place, then a proper perimeter

fence should be erected around the Works area. The fence should be 1.8m high. Signs should also be

erected to indicate no-go areas and that no pedestrian or vehicle access is allowed;

Maintain site demarcations in positions until completion of construction works;

Maintain animal movement corridors as indicated in the specialist report and / or as specified on site

by the ESM;

Maintain the demarcation line, and ensure that no personnel or construction material move outside the

demarcated site;

Do not establish any activities or operations that are likely to adversely affect the aesthetic quality of

the environment; and

Do not paint or mark any natural feature. Marking for surveying and other purposes should be

undertaken using pegs, beacons or rope and droppers.

Soil impacts

Topsoil

- The full depth of topsoil should be stripped from areas affected by construction and related

activities prior to the commencement of major earthworks. This should include the building

footprints, working areas and storage areas. Topsoil should be reused where possible to

rehabilitate disturbed areas;

- Care should be taken not to mix topsoil and subsoil during stripping; and

- Polluted topsoil should be disposed of at a licensed landfill site.

Soil stripping

- No soil stripping should take place on areas within the site that the contractor does not

require for construction work, or on areas of retained vegetation;

- Subsoil and overburden should, in all construction and lay down areas, be stockpiled

separately to be returned for backfilling in the correct soil horizon order; and

- Construction vehicles should only be allowed to utilise existing road or pre-planned access

routes.

Stockpiles

- Stockpiles should not be positioned such that they obstruct natural water pathways and

drainage channels;

- Stockpiles should not exceed 1.5m in height;

- If stockpiles are exposed to windy conditions or heavy rain, they should be covered by

impermeable material to prevent loss of topsoil;




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Author: M. Niehof

- Stockpiles should further be protected by the construction of berms or low brick walls around

their bases; and

- Stockpiles should be kept clear of weeds and alien vegetation growth by regular weeding.

Fuel storage

- Topsoil and subsoil to be protected from contamination;

- Fuel and material storage should be away from stockpiles;

- Any storage tanks containing hazardous materials should be placed in bunded containment

areas with sealed surfaces. The bund walls should be high enough to contain 110% of the

total volume of the stored hazardous material;

- Vehicles and equipment requiring fuel should preferably be refuelled offsite or if onsite in a

demarcated area on an impermeable surface or placing drip-trays underneath to prevent

ground surface and water pollution; and

- Contaminated soil should be contained and disposed of offsite at an approved landfill site.

Concrete mixing

- No vehicles transporting concrete to the site may be washed on site;

- Cement, concrete and chemicals should be mixed on an impermeable surface and provisions

should be made to contain spillages or overflow onto the soil; and

- If a batching plant is necessary, runoff should be managed effectively to avoid contamination

of other areas of the site. Untreated runoff from the batch plant should not be allowed to get

into the stormwater system, the watercourse or existing erosion channels.

Earthworks

- To take into consideration: Soils compacted during construction, should be deeply ripped at

least to a depth of 300mm (or a depth appropriate to the site specific conditions) to loosen

compacted layers and re-graded to even running levels. Topsoil should be spread over

landscaped areas.

Erosion

- Wind screening and stormwater control should be undertaken to prevent soil loss from the

site;

- All erosion control mechanisms need to be regularly maintained;

- Retention of vegetation where possible to avoid soil erosion;

- Vegetation clearance should be phased to ensure that the minimum area of soil is exposed to

potential erosion at any one time;

- Preserve permeable, native soils and restore disturbed soils with compost and other

amendments to infiltrate and store stormwater;




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Author: M. Niehof

- Re-vegetation of disturbed areas and surfaces should occur immediately after the

construction activities are completed; and

- No impediment to the natural water flow other than approved erosion control works is

permitted.

Water quality

Sanitation

- The contractor is responsible for providing all sanitary arrangements for his and the sub-

contractors team;

- The facilities should be regularly serviced by a reputable company to reduce the risk of

topsoil, surface or groundwater pollution;

- The contractor should keep the toilets in a clean, neat and hygienic condition. The contractor

should supply toilet paper at all toilets at all times. Toilet paper dispensers should be provided

in all toilets;

- Toilets provided by the contractor should be easily accessible and a maximum of 50m from

the Works area to ensure they are utilised. All toilets will be located within the contractors’ camp. Should toilets be needed elsewhere, their location should first be approved by the

ESM;

- The contractor (who should use reputable toilet-servicing company) should be responsible for

the cleaning, maintenance and servicing of the toilets. The contractor (using reputable toilet-

servicing company) should ensure that all toilets are cleaned and emptied before the builders’ or other public holidays; and

- Toilets out on site should be secured to the ground and have a sufficient locking mechanism

operational at all times.

Water resources

- Compaction of backfilled material should attain low soil permeability;

- Site design and operation should ensure that surface- / stormwater be diverted away from

excavation trenches; and

- Backfilling of trenches should be undertaken in such a way that water ponding and erosion of

the backfilled trench be avoided.




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Author: M. Niehof

Stormwater

In accordance with Government Notice 704 (GN 704), the onsite management should:

Keep clean and dirty water separated;

Contain any dirty water within a system; and

Prevent the contamination of clean water.

In order to achieve these objectives, the following stormwater management measures must be implemented on

the site to ensure that that potential stormwater impacts are kept to a minimum:

- The construction of the structures must be carried out under the supervision of a professional

Civil Engineer, registered under the Engineering Profession of South Africa Act, 1990 (Act

114 of 1990), as approved by the designer;

- Uncontaminated stormwater runoff from internal access roads and other surfaced areas

should not be allowed to mix with process effluent, stored chemicals or stormwater runoff

from areas susceptible to chemical spills;

- Liquid hazardous waste shall be contained and stored according to the following measures:

Storage and classification of hazardous waste to be in accordance with the waste classification and

management regulations GNR 634-635;

A designated skip for all hazardous waste must be made available on site. Skips should also be closed

- no rain water to enter the skips; and

All drip trays / bunds / other temporary storage containers must be inspected for freeboard after rain

and appropriate spill kits used to remove content;

- In the event of pollution caused as a result of construction activities, the Contractor, according to

Section 20 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) [as amended] will be responsible for

all costs incurred by organisations called to assist in pollution control and/or to clean up polluted areas;

- Immediate reporting of any polluting or potentially polluting incidents so that appropriate measures can

be implemented;

- Fuel and oil spills shall be Fuel and oil spills shall be treated immediately by appropriate mop-up

products. Several hydrocarbon absorption/remediation products (i.e. Spill kits) must be placed

throughout the site;

- Use of bunds or traps to ensure full containment of hydrocarbon and other hazardous materials are

mandatory’ - Any contaminated material is disposed of in an appropriate manner and the potential risks associated

with such spills are limited;




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Author: M. Niehof

- Exposed surfaces shall be kept to a minimum to minimise the volume of dirty run-off generated;

- Site operators and designated staff should be trained to supervise the response to spill incidents;

- Increased runoff during construction should be managed using berms and other suitable structures as

required to ensure flow velocities are reduced; this should be done in consultation with the Resident

Engineer (RE) as well as the ESM;

- Stormwater, wherever possible, should be allowed to soak into the land in the area on which the water

fell;

- All runoff generated within the site camp and substation area must be collected in a formalised

stormwater infrastructure system and shall be managed accordingly;

- All stormwater infrastructure on site shall be maintained and kept clean throughout construction period.

- The Contractor should ensure that excessive quantities of sand, silt and silt-laden water do not enter

the stormwater system. Design of the stormwater drainage system should ensure that the local and

surrounding natural systems are not negatively impacted. Appropriate measures, e.g. erection of silt

traps, or drainage retention areas to prevent silt and sand entering drainage or watercourses should be

taken. These measures should be reviewed and audited by the ESM.

- No wastewater may run freely into any of the surrounding naturally vegetated areas. Runoff containing

high sediment loads should not be released into natural or municipal drainage systems or nearby

watercourses. If this becomes a problem it is recommended that an attenuation pond be constructed to

allow solids to settle prior to runoff leaving the site;

- Impediments to or blockage of natural water flow should be avoided wherever possible;

- All stormwater that would naturally run across the pollution areas shall be diverted via channels and

trapezoidal drains designed to contain the 1:50 year flood;

- Damage to the environment (botanical and geo-hydrological) due to the construction activities shall be

minimised at all times;

- The loss of topsoil must be minimised;

- Erosion and subsequent siltation must be limited;

- Impedance of the flow of both surface and sub-surface water associated within the drainage areas

must be minimised;

- All access roads shall be constructed according to the design specifications;

- Any drainage channels shall be suitably designed to ensure that erosion does not occur;

- All areas susceptible to erosion shall be protected and stabilisation measures implemented:

Packing of sandbags, gabions, straw bales or brush to reduce the speed of water flow where

water is scouring the topsoil and results in the formation of erosion gullies;

The installation of water cut-off and flow channels; and

Protection of road crossings across the drainage lines;




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Author: M. Niehof

- Baseline data from sampling of ground and surface water should be obtained relevant to the activity

and sensitivity of the area. Regular sampling should then be carried out to determine deviations from

the baseline data (Surface Water Assessment, SiVEST, 2014);

- A relevant specialist should be consulted prior to the demarcation of drainage lines and the

watercourse buffer zone;

- “NO ENTRY” signs should be strategically placed along the watercourse buffer zone or other natural or man-made drainage lines which are in close proximity to access routes; and

- All equipment shall be well maintained and fully operational at all times.

- Any surface runoff generated which has a high suspended solid content shall be collected at the point

source in an appropriate containment facility, then be allowed to settle before discharged into the

environment/

- All water discharged to the environmental shall first be cleared of hydro-carbons and subsequent

release into the environment shall be within the allowable limits as per DWS General Limits.

- Removal of spills, rainwater and waste produced during cleanup of the bunds – shall be done in

accordance to relevant specifications.

Biodiversity

- Ensure that construction activities are limited to the proposed mining infrastructure area according to

the layout;

- Construction activities should be geographically restricted; this should be achieved by demarcating the

mining operations in agreement with the ESM. Vehicles may only move within demarcated areas;

- Construction staff should be prohibited to catch or kill any animals found or encountered during

construction;

- Only vegetation falling directly in demarcated access routes or project sites should be removed where

necessary;

- Any animals rescued or recovered will be relocated in suitable habitat away from the mining operations

and associated infrastructure;

- Cleared vegetation can be used to form wood piles and logs and stumps, dead or decaying wood piles

should be created as these will provide valuable refuge areas especially due to the clearance of

vegetation cover;

- Logs and stumps also provide important habitats for several reptile species as well as smaller

mammals, amphibians etc. With time they will eventually be reduced to evaluable compost by several

animal species. Dead trees and stumps will also be used for nesting purposes as well as perching or

hunting platforms for bird species;




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Author: M. Niehof

- Any lizards, snakes or monitors encountered should be allowed to escape to suitable habitat away

from disturbance. No reptile should be intentionally killed, caught or collected during any phase of the

project;

- General avoidance of snakes is the best policy if encountered. Snakes should not be intentionally

harmed or killed and allowed free movement away from the area;

- Appropriate foot wear should be worn in the field;

- During construction activities wherever possible work should be restricted to one area at a time. This

will give smaller birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians an opportunity to move into undisturbed

areas close to their natural habitat. The Contractor should ensure that no faunal species are disturbed,

trapped, hunted or killed during the construction phase;

- No further vegetation clearance except for the removal of alien invasive species will be allowed. All

remaining indigenous riparian vegetation should be conserved wherever possible;

- No roads shall be cut through river – and stream banks (riparian vegetation) as this may lead to

erosion causing siltation of the rivers, streams, wetlands and pans in the immediate area;

- Care must be taken to avoid the introduction of alien plant species to the site and surrounding areas.

Particular attention must be paid to imported material; and

- Alien invasive plants, must be removed and controlled.

Animal control

- Wild animals encountered on site may not be trapped, captured, disturbed, injured or killed. ESM to be

notified immediately of animal encounters. Note: Animals may be trapped when such an animal (e.g.

venomous snake) poses a hazard to staff or where the animal itself is in danger of being harmed by

activities in the area;

- Venomous Snake encounters:

ESM to be contacted immediately to advise on the capture and release of the animal;

Local conservation staff / reptile handlers to assist with capture and release (if required); and

The ESM will provide basic snake awareness training to all staff and sub-contractors; and

- No domestic animals may be brought to site.




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Dust control

Table 7: Construction Phase Dust Management Plan

Aspects Management action or objective Responsible

Person(s)

Timeframe

Removal of

Vegetation

Spray areas to be cleared with water.

Ensure minimum travel distance

between working areas and stockpiles.

Ensure that topsoil for stockpiles is

sprayed with water before tipping to

prevent dust generation.

Ensure graded areas are sprayed with

water.

Minimise the amount of graded areas.

Ensure that shortest routes is used for

material transport.

Load and offload material, as far as

possible, downwind of stockpiles.

Actively monitor dust fallout generated

in the 8 major wind directions on the

borders of the site.

Implement monthly site inspection to

check for possible areas of dust

generation not addressed or not

effectively managed.

Environmental

Site Manager

Contractors &

Sub-Contractor

Safety and

Environmental

Officers

Duration of

the

construction

phase

Emissions control

- Regular servicing of vehicles in order to limit gaseous emissions (to be done offsite);

- Regular servicing of onsite toilets to avoid potential odours; and

- Allocated cooking areas should be provided.




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Author: M. Niehof

Fire prevention

- All cooking shall be done in demarcated areas that are safe in terms of runaway or uncontrolled fires;

- The Contractor shall have operational fire-fighting equipment available on site at all times. The level of

fire-fighting equipment should be assessed and evaluated through a typical risk assessment process. It

may be required to increase the level of protection, especially during the winter months.

Noise and Vibration

- Construction site yards, workshops and other noisy fixed facilities should be located well away from

noise sensitive areas. Once the proposed final layouts are made available by the contactor(s), the

sites should be evaluated in detail and specific mitigation measures designed into the system;

- Heavy vehicle traffic should be routed away from noise sensitive areas, where possible;

- Noise levels should be kept within acceptable limits. All noise and sounds generated should adhere to

SABS specifications for maximum allowable noise levels for construction sites. No pure tone sirens or

hooters may be utilised except where required in terms of SABS standards or in emergencies;

- Blasting operations are to be strictly controlled with regard to the size of explosive charge in order to

minimise noise and air blast, and timings of explosions. The number of blasts per day should be

limited, blasting should be undertaken at the same times each day and no blasting may be allowed at

night;

- With regard to unavoidable very noisy construction activities in the vicinity of noise sensitive areas, the

contractor should liaise with local residents and how best to minimise impacts, and the local population

should be kept informed of the nature and duration of intended activities;

- The Contractor should take measures to discourage labourers from loitering in the area and causing

noise disturbance;

- Noise generating activities should be restricted to between 06h00 and 18h00 Monday to Friday, and

06h00-13h00 on Saturdays and no work to be conducted on Sundays or Public Holidays, unless

otherwise approved by the appropriate competent person in consultation with adjacent landowners or

potentially affected persons;

- Noise impacts should be minimised by restricting the hours during which the offending activities are

carried out and, where possible, by insulating machinery and/or enclosing areas of activity;

- Regular monitoring of noise levels at various, pre-determined locations. This will serve as the core of

noise mitigation as it will enable the determination of problem areas;

- Personal Protective Equipment to all persons working in areas where high levels of noise can be

expected; Signs where it is compulsory;




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Author: M. Niehof

- Proper design of the plant areas and machinery where measures are taken to prevent noise

generation such as silencers, mufflers and sound suppressing enclosures for parts/processes which

can generate noise; and

- Regular inspections and maintenance of equipment, vehicles and machinery to prevent unnecessary

noise.

Visual and Lighting

- Ensure that as much existing vegetation (other than exotic invaders) is retained wherever possible

incorporated into the site design, especially on the periphery of the project area, during the

construction phase. This will act as dust collectors and break the monotony of large expanses of

exposed earth;

- The absolute minimum amount of vegetation and topsoil should be removed from the project area;

- Rehabilitate exposed construction areas with grasses and/or groundcover vegetation as soon as is

practical to do so;

- Dust suppression measures should be in place at all times;

- Security lighting should be designed in such a way as to minimise emissions onto undisturbed areas

on site and neighbouring properties. Light fittings should face downwards; and

- Avoid high mast security lighting along the periphery of the site and use only lights that are activated

by movement upon illegal entry to the site.

Heritage Resources

- Should culturally significant material or skeletal remains be exposed during development and

construction phases, all activities must be suspended pending further investigation by a qualified

archaeologist (Refer to the National Heritage and Resources Act, 25 of 1999 section 36 (6)).

Waste Management

All waste generated during construction shall be managed in accordance with the requirements of the National

Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act 59 of 2008) [as amended] Waste Classification and

Management Regulations, 2013 (GNR: 634 – 635):

Waste stream identification and classification

- All waste generated shall be classified into separate waste streams (i.e. general waste, hazardous

waste and recyclables);

- Waste shall not be mixed prior to classification and all waste types generated must be kept separate;




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Author: M. Niehof

- Classification of any hazardous waste shall be done in accordance with SANS 10234 requirements;

- Safety data sheets shall be kept for any hazardous waste in accordance with SANS 10234

requirements;

Safety sheets must be prepared in accordance with SANS 10234 for the product that the waste

originates from;

Safety sheets must be prepared in accordance with SANS 10234 reflecting the details of the

specific hazardous waste/s or hazardous chemicals in the waste; and

All safety data sheets must be kept on file.

Waste management (collection, storage and handling)

- A central waste storage and transition area shall be established within the site camp;

- The location of this central waste storage and transition area shall be decided upon by the ESM and

ECO (external);

- The central waste storage and transition area shall be surfaced and demarcated appropriately;

- Portable wheelie bins shall be placed throughout the site camp as well as at the remainder of the site

and at all working areas in the field;

- Wheelie bins shall be colour coded and labelled to identify the waste stream for which it is intended.

Table 8: Colour coding of wheelie bins during the construction phase

Colour coding as follows:

General Waste White (Waste type labelling)

Hazardous Waste Red (Waste type labelling)

Fluorescent tubes and E-Waste Yellow (Waste type labelling)

Scrap Metal Green (Waste type labelling)

Wood Brown (Waste type labelling)

Recyclables Grey (Waste type labelling)

Signs with English wording.

Full descriptions of the waste are required to assist site and external personnel to handle the

material safely.

Any unidentified wastes will be treated initially as hazardous and will be subject to the

classification process outlined above.




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Author: M. Niehof

All waste containers on-site (bins, skips, drums, etc.) will be clearly labelled to show which

wastes can be disposed into them and which wastes they contain.

Any previous labelling will be removed or covered to avoid confusion.

- All portable wheelie bins and other containers shall be emptied at the central waste storage and

transition area a minimum of once a week as to avoid waste build up;

- The waste shall be removed (within 30 days) by a licensed waste service provider as shall be disposed

of at a licensed waste landfill site and records of safe disposal (as required for hazardous wastes) shall

be supplied to the Contractor. These records shall be kept on site by the ESM.

Waste specific management measures

Hydrocarbons and hazardous waste

All hazardous waste generated shall be kept separate and shall not be mixed with general waste;

All hazardous waste shall be stored within a sealed drum on an impermeable surfaced area within the

central waste storage and transition area;

All hazardous waste shall have material safety data sheets and such waste shall be disposed of as per

the product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS);

Hazardous waste shall be collected by a licensed waste service provider and be disposed of at a

licensed landfill site with certificates of safe disposal;

Certificates of safe disposal shall be acquired from the service provider for record purposes and these

shall be maintained by the ESM on site;

The total quantity of hazardous waste stored at the site at any one time shall not exceed 35m3;

All containers (skips) within the central waste storage/ transition area must be labelled, or where

labelling is not possible, records must be kept, reflecting the following:

Date on which waste was first placed in the container;

Date on which waste was placed in the container for the last time and when the container was

filled, closed, sealed or covered;

Dates when, and quantities of waste removed;

Proof of safe disposal by licensed contractor must be kept by the ESM.

Scrap metal

Steel and any other scrap metals are to be collected and stored within the central waste storage/

transition area within a skip or other suitable container;

Scrap metal material shall be collected by a licensed waste management company and taken to an

approved and licensed local recycling company / scrap metal dealership; and

Documentary proof of delivery to the recycling facility will be maintained on site by the ESM.




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Author: M. Niehof

Timber

Timber generated will be collected and stored within the central waste storage/ transition area;

The timber shall be kept free of any water (rain) and other hazardous leachate;

The timber shall be collected and transported to a designated waste / recycle site; and

Documentary proof of delivery to the recycling facility will be maintained on site by the ESM.

Building rubble

The ESM shall ensure that the entire site (including the site camp/ contractor’s laydown area and any other working area) is cleaned of waste at least once a week; and

Clean rubble* shall be temporarily stockpiled in a waste skip / central stockpile (away from any

drainage / sensitive areas) and shall be used as a base course material or removed from site to a

crusher plant or licensed landfill site;

*No plastics, shrink wrap, paint buckets or any other debris that does not constitute clean building rubble, shall

be stored at such stockpile sites.

Domestic waste

The ESM shall ensure that the contractor’s camp and eating areas are cleaned dail;

All domestic waste generated shall be disposed of into bins;

Bins shall be provided at all eating areas;

Bins shall be emptied once a week or when capacity is reached; and

No staff shall be allowed to deposit waste / litter anywhere on the site except into the bins provided.

Waste water

Discharge of any waste water directly into the environment shall be prevented at all times;

Waste water from toilets, kitchen facilities etc. shall be pumped into a conservancy tank and temporary

stored for removal and safe disposal by accredited contractor; and

Records of removal and safe disposal shall be kept by the ESM.

Recyclables

Wherever possible and practical, waste materials generated on site must be recycled;

Recyclable materials includes the following:

Paper / cardboard

Metals

Glass

Plastic




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Author: M. Niehof

Timber

Clean rubble; and

Separate containers (with appropriate colour coding) must be provided for recyclable materials. The

Applicant should provide and maintain a method statement for “solid waste management”. The method statement should provide information on proposed licensed facility to be utilised and details of

proposed record keeping for auditing purposes;

Waste should be separated into recyclable and non-recyclable waste, and should be separated as

follows:

Hazardous waste: including (but not limited to) old oil, paint, etc.;

General waste: including (but not limited to) domestic waste;

Reusable operational material; and

Recyclable waste should preferably be deposited in separate bins. The Contractor is advised

that “Collect-a-Can” collect tins, including paint tins, chemical tins, etc. and “Consol” collect glass for recycling;

Health and Safety

- Excavations for whatever purpose will only remain open for a minimum period of time and during this

time they should be clearly demarcated and barriers and warning signs should be established to

prevent accidental ingress of people, animals or vehicles as well as to prevent soil erosion.

Worker safety

- Implementation of safety measures, work procedures and first aid should be implemented on site;

- A health and safety plan in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996) [as amended],

should be drawn up to ensure worker safety;

- Contractors should ensure that all equipment is maintained in a safe operating condition;

- A record of health and safety incidents should be kept on site and made available for inspection;

- Any health and safety incidents should be reported to the Site Manager immediately;

- First aid facilities should be available on site at all times;

- Workers have the right to refuse work in unsafe conditions; and

- Material stockpiles or stacks should be stable and well secured to avoid collapse and possible injury to

site workers.




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Author: M. Niehof

Worker facilities

- Eating areas should be regularly serviced and cleaned to ensure the highest possible standards of

hygiene and cleanliness;

- Fires are not to be allowed, unless in a demarcated area identified by the ECO;

- Cigarette butts should be disposed of safely in buckets of sand or other method to prevent veld fires

and safety hazards to workers;

- The contractors should provide and maintain a method statement for “fires”, clearly indicating where and for what fires will be utilised plus details on the fuel to be utilised;

- Absolutely no burning of waste is permitted;

- Fires will only be allowed in facilities especially constructed for this purpose within fenced Contractors’ camps. Wood, charcoal or anthracite are the only fuels permitted to be used for fires. The contractor

should provide sufficient wood (fuel) for this purpose;

- Fires within the designated areas should be small in scale so as to prevent excessive smoke being

released into the air;

- No wood is to be collected, chopped or felled for fires from private or public property as well as from

no-go or sensitive areas within the site and any surrounding natural vegetation;

- Smoking should be prohibited in the vicinity of flammable substances;

- The Applicant should ensure that fire-fighting equipment is available on site, in particular where

flammable substances are being stored or used;

- Any welding or other sources of heating of materials should be undertaken in a controlled environment

wherever possible and under appropriate supervision, in such a manner as to minimise the risk of veld

fires and/or injury to staff;

- Open fires for heating and cooking shall only be permitted in protected areas designated by the ESM

for this purpose.

- The construction campsite or staff facilities need to be placed where these will cause the least impact

on the biophysical and social elements of the area; this site needs to be approved by the ESM and site

manager; and

- Skips or containers for refuse and litter will be provided, used and cleaned regularly by the contractor.

Protective gear

- Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) should be made available to all staff and the wearing and use

of PPE should be compulsory. Hard hats and safety shoes should be worn at all times and other PPE

worn where necessary i.e. reflective vests, dust masks, ear plugs, hard hats, safety boots and overalls

etc.; and




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Author: M. Niehof

- No person is to enter the site without the necessary PPE.

Hazardous Materials Handling, Storage and Disposal

- The Contractor should provide method statements for the “handling & storage of oils and chemicals”, “fire”, and “emergency spills procedures” at the tender stage;

- All fuels/flammable including other hazardous substances shall be stored within a demarcated area in

the Contractor’s camp/ laydown area on site;

- The hazardous storage area and perimeter must be free of vegetation and be well away from buildings

or stored combustible materials;

- Storage areas should display the required safety signs depicting “no smoking”, “No Naked lights” and “Danger” containers should be clearly marked to indicate contents as well as safety requirements;

- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) should be prepared for all hazardous substances on site and

supplied by the supplier where relevant. MSDSs should be updated as required;

- The contractors should provide and maintain a method statement for “Diesel tanks and refuelling procedures”;

- Bulk fuel storage tanks on the site should be on an impermeable surface that is bunded and able to

contain at least 110% of the volume of the tanks. The filler tap should be inside the bunded area where

possible and the bund wall should not have a tap or valve;

- A Flammable Liquid License should be obtained for diesel volumes greater than 200 m3;

- Environmental Authorisation is required for volumes greater than 80 m3;

- Bulk fuel storage tanks should be located in a portion of the construction camp where they do not pose

a high risk in terms of water pollution (i.e. they should be located away from water courses);

- No bulk fuel storage will be allowed within the wetlands and water courses or their buffer zones;

- Bulk fuel storage tanks should be placed so that they are out of the way of traffic, so that the risk of the

tanks being ruptured or damaged by vehicles is minimised;

- Bulk fuel storage areas should be covered during the rainy season;

- All materials to be stored in accordance with the MSDS requirements;

- All hazardous substances shall be stored in containers with lids, which are kept firmly shut;

- All containers must be kept in such a condition as to be reasonably safe from damage and to prevent

leakage there from;

- Flammable liquids in small quantities for e.g. paints, thinners, oils, etc. can be stored in a fireproof

cabinet and marked with relevant fire prevention signs and have a copy of the MSDS posted up;

- The requirements of fuel storage and management as detailed in SANS 10089 part 1 and SANS

10131 must be implemented by the Safety Manger;




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Author: M. Niehof

- All vehicles and equipment must be maintained in a good condition in order to minimise the risk of

leakage and possible contamination of the soil or stormwater by fuels, oils and hydraulic fluids;

- All vehicles / plant requiring servicing, or which are on site as well as any static plant e.g. generators

and concrete mixers are to make use of a drip tray placed strategically to avoid incidental spillage of

oils and fuels onto the ground;

- Drip trays shall be inspected at least weekly (daily, if affected by rainwater) and appropriate spill kits

used to remove spillages;

- Drip trays shall be closely monitored during rain events to ensure that they do not overflow;

- All drip trays to be emptied in clearly marked, predetermined hazardous waste bin/drum for removal

and appropriate disposal;

- All hazardous material spills must be cleaned up immediately;

- All hazardous materials must be classified (as detailed), recorded in register and be reported to the

ESM;

- Vehicles and machinery must be refuelled at designated refuelling areas only;

- Should decanting be necessary the spill precaution as recommended on the MSDS must be adhered

to;

- Decanting of liquids will only be done over drip trays;

- When hazardous substances are decanting into other containers, all such containers must be labelled

correctly;

- Containers into which decanting is being done must be of the same material as in which the original

substance is contained;

- Storage and classification of hazardous waste to be in accordance with the waste classification and

management regulations GNR 634-635;

- Temporary storage of hazardous waste must be avoided insofar possible;

- A designated skip for all hazardous waste must be made available on site;

- All hazardous chemical, hydrocarbons and contaminated containers will be removed and disposed of

by a certified hazardous waste removal company and dumped at a certified Hazardous waste site;

- Skips should also be closed - no rain water to enter the skips;

- All drip trays / bunds / other temporary storage containers must be inspected for freeboard after rain

and appropriate spill kits used to remove content;

- When hazardous substances are decanted into other containers, all such containers must be labelled

correctly;

- Containers into which decanting is being done must be of the same material as in which the original

substance is contained;




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Author: M. Niehof

- All contents pumped from bunded area sumps must be placed in appropriately marked containers for

removal by an approved/reputable hazardous waste contractor;

- Any liquid pumped out from bunded area sumps must be put through an oil-water separator before

disposal;

- Ensure safe disposal certificates are obtained and kept on site;

- Ensure a reputable/approved waste removal contractor is appointed for the safe removal of all

hazardous waste on a regular basis;

- An inventory of all chemicals and other substances should be kept on site, along with a description of

possible ill effects and treatment of health-related afflictions resulting from accidents, should be kept in

the storage area as well as by the appropriate site manager. Such areas should be securely locked;

- Workers should at all times be made aware of the health risks associated with the use of all chemicals

(e.g. smoking near storage areas), and should be provided with appropriate protective clothing or

equipment in case of spillages or accidents;

- Cement and other potential environmental pollutants should be stored and mixed on an impermeable

substratum. There should be no opportunity for environmental contamination;

- All temporarily stockpiled material should be stockpiled in such a way that the spread of materials are

minimised;

- The stockpiles may only be placed within demarcated areas of which the location is to be determined

together with the ESM;

- The Contractor should avoid vegetated areas that will not be cleared;

- Stormwater runoff from the stockpile sites and other related areas should be directed into the

stormwater system with the necessary pollution prevention measures such as silt traps and may not

run freely into the immediate and surrounding environments; and

- Materials such as fuel, oil, paint, herbicide and insecticides should be sealed and stored in bermed

areas or under lock and key, as appropriate, in well-ventilated areas.

Security

- Unsociable activities such as consumption or illegal selling of alcohol, drug use or selling on site are

prohibited;

- Any persons found to be engaged in such activities shall have disciplinary and / or criminal action

taken against them;

- No person shall enter the site unless authorised to do so by the contractor, Site Manager and ESM;

- If any fencing interferes with the construction process, such fencing shall be deviated until construction

is completed. The deviation of fences shall be negotiated and agreed upon with the landowner in

writing by the ESM;




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Author: M. Niehof

- Trespassing on private / commercial properties adjoining the site is forbidden; and

- The site should be secured in order to reduce the opportunity for criminal activity in the locality of the

construction site.

Social environment

- All contact with affected parties shall be courteous at all times. The rights of the affected parties shall

be respected at all times;

- A complaints register shall be kept on site. Details of complaints, including the manner in which it was

addressed and resolved, should be incorporated into the audits as part of the monitoring process. The

register is to be tabled during monthly site meetings;

- No interruptions other than those negotiated shall be allowed to any essential services;

- Damage to infrastructure shall not be tolerated and any damage shall be rectified immediately by the

Contractor. A record of all damage and remedial actions shall be kept on site;

- Road rehabilitation should take place during and once construction is completed;

- Construction traffic should only make use of approved routes;

- Where possible unskilled or skilled labour opportunities should be afforded to local community

members;

- Equal opportunities for employment should be created to ensure that the local female population also

have access to these opportunities. Females should be encouraged to apply for positions; and

- Payment should comply with applicable Labour Law legislation in terms of minimum wages.

Traffic management

- All vehicle (construction and private) movement must be controlled on site and all vehicles must

remain on designated routes.

- Temporary road signs must be erected during the construction phase.

- Single directional traffic shall be controlled through a stop-go system or any other appropriate traffic

control method.

- During all stages of the construction, the Applicant shall be responsible to for ensuring that suitable

access in maintained for public traffic to all relevant businesses and properties.

- The final position of the temporary signs and the proposed traffic accommodation plan must be

approved by the Engineer.

- All traffic accommodation measures are to conform to the latest edition of the South African Road

Signs Manual.




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Author: M. Niehof

B. OPERATIONAL PHASE

Stormwater and erosion control

- Clean and dirty water must be separated on-site at all times.

- Dirty / contaminated water must be contained at all times.

- The operation and maintenance of the stormwater and waste water containment facilities shall be done

in accordance with the requirements of the IWUL and IWWMP.

- Stormwater shall be diverted from the infrastructure, open pit and roads and must be managed in such

a manner as to disperse runoff and concentrating the stormwater flow.

- All stormwater that would naturally run across the pollution areas shall be diverted via channels and

trapezoidal drains designed to contain the 1:50 year flood.

- Damage to the environment (botanical and geo-hydrological) due to the mining activities shall be

minimised at all times.

- The loss of topsoil must be minimized.

- Erosion and subsequent siltation must be limited.

- Any drainage channels shall be suitably maintained to ensure that erosion does not occur.

- All areas susceptible to erosion shall be protected and stabilisation measures implemented:

Packing of sandbags, gabions, straw bales or brush to reduce the speed of water flow where water is

scouring the topsoil and results in the formation of erosion gullies.

The installation of water cut-off and flow channels; and

Protection of road crossings across the drainage lines.

- All runoff generated within the stockpiling area must be collected in pollution control dam and shall be

managed accordingly.

- All stormwater infrastructure on-site shall be maintained and kept clean throughout the operational

period.

- Use of bunds or traps to ensure full containment of hydrocarbon and other hazardous materials are

mandatory.

- Fuel and oil spills shall be treated immediately by appropriate mop-up products.

- Any contaminated material is disposed of in an appropriate manner and the potential risks associated

with such spills are limited.

- Immediate reporting of any polluting or potentially polluting incidents so that appropriate measures can

be implemented.

- Exposed surfaces shall be kept to a minimum to minimise the volume of dirty run-off generated.




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Author: M. Niehof

- All operational areas shall be kept clean by regular washing or sweeping and such waste material

generated is disposed of accordingly.

- Stormwater leaving the site must in no way be contaminated by any substance, whether such

substance is a solid, liquid, vapour or gas or a combination thereof which is produced, used, stored,

dumped or spilled on the premises.

- Any access roads or temporary crossings must be:

Non-erosive, structurally stable and shall not induce any flooding or safety hazard; and

Be repaired immediately to prevent further damage.

- Strict access procedures must be followed in order to gain access to the property. Access to the dirty

water management: Facilities (all dams) must be limited to authorised employees. Notices prohibiting

unauthorized persons from entering the areas, as well as internationally acceptable signs indicating

the risks involved in case of an unauthorized entry must be displayed along the boundary fence of

these areas;

- The ESM must conduct weekly visual inspections of stormwater infrastructure and discharging

stormwater for the presence of:

Suspended sediment;

Turbidity;

Discoloration;

Emulsification; and

Oil sheen.

Dust and Air Quality

General Measures:

- Generation of dust shall be minimised and dust nuisance for the surrounding community shall be kept to a

minimum wherever possible;

- Dust from exposed soil surfaces shall be minimised at all times;

- Reasonable measures must be undertaken by to ensure that any exposed areas and material stockpiles

are adequately protected against the wind;

- Dust screens of a suitable height should be erected wherever required and possible;

- All exposed surfaces should be minimised in terms of duration of exposure to wind and stormwater.

- Potable water shall not be used for the dust suppression of stockpiles;

- Product stockpiles shall not exceed 1.5m;




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Author: M. Niehof

- Excavation, handling and transportation of erodible materials shall be avoided under high wind conditions

(excess of 35km/hr) / when visible dust plume is present; and

- Specific dust source management is detailed in Table 9 below.

Table 9: Operational Phase Dust Management Plan


Person(s)

Timeframe

Product transport

via conveyers

Ensure conveyer infrastructure minimises

the amount of possible dust generation by

either enclosing or spraying of material.

Ensure that shortest routes are used for

material transport.

Ensure crushers are properly enclosed

and/or fitted with water sprays to reduce

dust generation.

Ensure that stockpile height is kept to a

minimum and that any stockpiling occurs

downwind of the stockpiles.

Ensure that tailings is properly covered

with vegetation/netting/waste rock to

prevent dust generation.

Ensure that areas where bulk

earthmoving will occur is properly wetted

in advance.

Spray unpaved roads with water/dust

binding materials and limit travel speed to

a minimum.

Minimise travel speed on paved roads.

Ensure that products and material

handling occur as far as possible

downwind of stockpiles.

Implement and actively monitor dust

fallout generated in the 8 major wind

directions on the borders of the site.

Environmental

Site Manager

Duration of

the

operational

phase




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Author: M. Niehof

Implement monthly site inspection to

check for possible areas of dust

generation not addressed or not

effectively managed.

Emissions control

- Regular servicing of vehicles in order to limit gaseous emissions (to be done offsite);

- Regular servicing of onsite toilets to avoid potential odours;

- Odour control to be implemented and sewage treatment facility; and

- Allocated cooking areas should be provided.

Fire prevention

- All cooking shall be done in demarcated areas that are safe in terms of runaway or uncontrolled fires;

- All hot work such as welding need to be done under strict supervision; and

- The ESM shall have operational fire-fighting equipment available on site at all times. The level of fire-

fighting equipment should be assessed and evaluated through a typical risk assessment process. It

may be required to increase the level of protection, especially during the dry winter months.

Noise and Vibration

- Heavy vehicle traffic should be routed away from noise sensitive areas, where possible;

- Noise levels should be kept within acceptable limits. All noise and sounds generated should

adhere to SABS specifications for maximum allowable noise levels for construction sites. No pure

tone sirens or hooters may be utilised except where required in terms of SABS standards or in

emergencies;

- Blasting operations are to be strictly controlled with regard to the size of explosive charge in order

to minimise noise and air blast, and timings of explosions. The number of blasts per day should be

limited, blasting should be undertaken at the same times each day and no blasting may be

allowed at night;

- With regard to unavoidable very noisy construction activities in the vicinity of noise sensitive

areas, the contractor and ECO should liaise with local residents and how best to minimise

impacts, and the local population should be kept informed of the nature and duration of intended

activities;

- The Contractor should take measures to discourage labourers from loitering in the area and

causing noise disturbance;




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Author: M. Niehof

- Noise generating activities should be restricted to between 06h00 and 18h00 Monday to Friday,

and 06h00-13h00 on Saturdays and no work to be conducted on Sundays or Public Holidays,

unless otherwise approved by the appropriate competent person in consultation with adjacent

landowners or potentially affected persons;

- Noise impacts should be minimised by restricting the hours during which the offending activities

are carried out and, where possible, by insulating machinery and/or enclosing areas of activity;

- Regular monitoring of noise levels at various, pre-determined locations. This will serve as the core

of noise mitigation as it will enable the determination of problem areas;




generation such as silencers, mufflers and sound suppressing enclosures for parts/processes

which can generate noise;

- Regular inspections and maintenance of equipment, vehicles and machinery to prevent

unnecessary noise;

- Noise breaking barriers can be erected such as netting, walls or high growing indigenous trees;

and

- Placement of noise generating activities can be planned as far away as possible from affected

areas or persons.

Visual and Lighting

- Stockpile heights must be kept as low as possible;

- Rehabilitation of the area must be done as the mining is completed;

- Dust suppression techniques, as per the specifications of the Dust Control Regulations should be in

place. This is specific to areas where vegetation has been removed, soil stockpiles, on temporary /

permanent unpaved road and any other areas where soil will be exposed;

- As much vegetation as possible should be kept during site clearance;

- Housekeeping on site should be enforced;

- Downscaling of operations:

- Keeping infrastructure at minimum heights;

- Introducing landscaping measures such as vegetating berms;

- Avoid the unnecessary removal of vegetation during;

- Avoid the use of highly reflective material in operations;

- Unnecessary lights should be switched off during the day and / or night to avoid light pollution;

- Operational operations must occur during daylight hours;




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- If lighting is required, the lighting will be located in such a place and such a manner so as to minimise

any impact on the surround community;

- Lighting must not be unreasonably intrusive into the landscape; and

- Any lighting nuisance complaints received must be recorded in complaints register by the ESM.

Heritage Resources

Should culturally significant material or skeletal remains be exposed during development and construction

phases, all activities must be suspended pending further investigation by a qualified archaeologist (Refer to

the National Heritage and Resources Act, 25 of 1999 section 36 (6)).

Waste Management

All waste generated during the operational phase shall be managed in accordance with the requirements of

NEMWA and the Waste Classification and Management Regulations, 2013 (GNR: 634 – 635): Waste

management activities shall continue in the operational phase as detailed in the construction phase above.

Health and Safety

- A health and safety plan in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996) should be drawn

up and implemented to ensure worker safety;

- A health and safety control officer should monitor the implementation of the health and safety plan for

the operational phase; and

- Regular health and safety audits should be conducted and documented; and

- Most health and safety management actions and measures during the construction phase also applies

to the operational phase.

Safety and Security

- Unsociable activities such as consumption or illegal selling of alcohol, drug use or selling within the

mining operations area are prohibited;

- Any persons found to be engaged in such activities shall have disciplinary and / or criminal action

taken against them;

- No person shall enter the site unless authorised to do so by security personnel;

- Trespassing on private / commercial properties adjoining the site is forbidden;

- The site should be secured in order to reduce the opportunity for criminal activity in the locality;

- Fencing must be accompanied by signage indicating the site and contractors, emergency numbers,

and good practice safety and security signs;




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- No personnel, except for security staff, are allowed to stay/live on the site. Security staff is to be

provided with accommodation and ablution facilities and communication equipment;

- Visitors are to complete the site visitor diary as well as a brief induction. The site visitor diary is to be

kept at the site camp by the ESM for record purposes. Induction must include an introduction to the

site and project, the authorised and unauthorised accesses as well as good practice safety procedures

i.t.o.;

- All personnel working for, or on behalf of, the contractor as well as all visitors are to be outfitted with

the required PPE;

- Site and operational personnel are prohibited from special environments which may be prohibited from

access or activities;

- Ablution facilities and areas are to be clearly demarcated and clear signage to be erected;

- Ablution facilities are to be maintained weekly and kept clean as well as be inspected for any leaks that

could lead to water loss;

- Potable water points are to be clearly demarcated and maintained;

- Ensure potable water complies with the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) (NWA) general

limit requirements for drinking water. If necessary potable water must be treated prior to consumption.

If no filtration system is available, the Applicant must supply all employees, Contractors and visitors

with potable water (at least 2 litres daily);

- Eating areas must be clearly demarcated and maintained;

- The potential fire hazards must be managed by ensuring that no fires are permitted on site and that the

Contractors must be aware of the consequences of starting a fire on site to avoid damage to the

neighbouring farms;

- Fire extinguishers must be supplied to vehicles, security quarters, etc. Fire extinguishers must be

serviced on a six-monthly basis; and

- The mine must train safety representatives, managers and workers in workplace and site safety. All

applicable safety standards and regulations, including for subcontractors must be enforced. Training

should include emergency procedures.

Hazardous Material Storage

The construction mitigation measures associated with the hazardous material handling and storage/ disposal as

described above, will continue through the operational phase.




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Social Environment

The construction mitigation measures associated with the social environment as described above, will continue

through the operational phase.

Traffic Management

The construction mitigation measures associated with traffic management as described above, will continue

through the operational phase.

C. DECOMMISSIONING PHASE

During decommissioning many of the operational impacts will continue briefly as infrastructure is slowly

removed. The operational management plan will therefore still be applied during the initial stages of

decommissioning. Only additional decommissioning phase management and mitigation measures are

discussed below.

Decommissioning and rehabilitation of all infrastructure areas will follow the following principles:

Dismantle project related infrastructure. Load and remove from site for re-sale or disposal at an

approved waste site;

Demolish and remove concrete foundations and slabs to an approved waste disposal facility;

Inert ceramics such as bricks, concrete, gravel will be used as backfill or disposed of in a permitted

waste disposal site;

Inert waste, which is more than 500mm underground, such as pipes will be left in place;

Dismantle and remove redundant fence for salvage;

Cover the fence line with topsoil;

The company contracted to supply fuel will be requested to remove all fuel storage and reticulation

facilities;

All structures will be demolished and terracing and foundations removed to the lesser of 500 mm

below the original ground level;

Rip and grade the above areas for placement of topsoil;

Rip and grade access roads for placement of topsoil;

Maintenance of roads required for maintenance and monitoring;

Load from stockpile, haul, place and spread a layer of topsoil on all areas on which vegetation will be

established;




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Establish vegetation on top-soiled surfaces, including analysis of topsoil, application of fertilisers,

application of seed and hand planting as necessary;

Active maintenance of planted areas for a period of at least a year, including re-seeding and

replanting, weed and alien vegetation control as required;

Passive maintenance of planted areas, including re-seeding and re-planting, weed and alien

vegetation control as required;

Undertake complete groundwater quality and water level monitoring in order to establish long-term

groundwater levels and quality trends;

Access roads will have consolidated basement materials lifted and disposed in to pit. Footprint of

access roads will be ripped to a depth of 1.0 meters. Topsoil will be spread over the ripped access

road footprint to a depth of 300 mm and reseeded; and

Piping and water treatment infrastructure will be maintained on site until water quality monitoring data

proves that the water quality is acceptable for direct release to the receiving environment.

Topography: Surface Infrastructure

Management objectives

- Return topography as close as possible to pre-operational topography.

Management principles and criteria

- Remove all concrete or steel structures that cannot be used by the community;

- Topsoil and rehabilitate open areas; and

- Rehabilitation includes planting and shaping to fit in with the natural topography.

Soil: Erosion


To prevent erosion.


- Vegetation establishment in disturbed areas will be undertaken during the rainy season;

- PS Invest (Pty) Ltd will observe the requirements of the Department of Agriculture Forests and

Fisheries (DAFF) in the design of effective erosion control measures on bare soils. These

requirements are as follows:




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Erosion control measures are required in all areas where slope gradients exceed 2%;

Engineered erosion control measures are required where slope gradients exceed 7º (15%);

The following activities will be included:

Ensure that all slopes are safe in the long term;

Submission of closure report and application for closure to the authorities;

Environmental monitoring and maintenance for three (3) years after closure; and

Rehabilitation of the land will be maintained until a closure certificate is granted or until the land use is

regarded as sustainable.

Land Capability: Loss of Grazing Land


- Restore disturbed land to grazing potential; and

- After rehabilitation the site will be returned as close as possible to the pre-operational land capability.


- Construction and operation phase land use management will continue through decommissioning as

and when required until activities on the site cease;

- Land use will be restored, as far as possible, to its original use or pre-determined status.

- Rehabilitated areas demarcated as arable areas should be covered with topsoil to a depth to be

determined by a specialist;

- During rehabilitation, soil samples should be taken to determine soil chemical and physical parameters

to determine amelioration requirements. Treatments specifications from pedologist should be applied;

- Ensure soils are replaced to an adequate depth and ensure soil quality is adequate;

- Re-vegetate any bare soil immediately. Activity should be limited to area of disturbance. Where

required the compacted soils should be disked to an adequate depth and re-vegetated with indigenous

plants;

- Activity should be limited to area of disturbance. Where required the compacted Erosion control

measures must be considered in areas of high risk for erosion;

- All vehicles will be regularly serviced to ensure they are in proper working condition and to reduce risk

of leaks. All leaks will be cleaned up immediately using an absorbent material and spill kits in the

prescribed manner and spill kits in the prescribed manner;

- Concurrent rehabilitation will need to take place, in such ensuring that exposed pyrites are water

locked fast and so reducing extreme or extended oxidation and subsequent acid formations;




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- Materials should be backfilled such that the last two layers are that of soft materials (treated with lime

high mg) and on top the topsoil’s layers; and

- Recommended that the soft materials (prior to topsoil) be contoured and that topsoil’s be spread evenly afterwards.

Natural Vegetation: Loss of Biodiversity and Ecological Function


Restore disturbed land to grazing potential at all sites.


- Rehabilitated areas of grazing capability will comprise a grass community dominated by grasses of

pasture origin. These areas will be managed by a combination of grazing or mowing or veldt burning to

effect defoliation. Re-grassed areas should be monitored as indicated in order to demonstrate the

trend towards the areas becoming self-maintaining in these rehabilitated systems.

Visual Aspects: Negative Visual Impact


To limit the visual impact of the project on both the surrounding landowners and surrounding Local

Municipalities.


- All disturbed areas to be rehabilitated;

- Areas to be re-vegetated with endemic trees and grass species; and

- Remaining waste areas to be flattened, sloped, covered with topsoil and vegetated.

Waste Management

Management and removal of waste generated during the operational left on site and generated during the

decommissioning phase shall be in accordance with the requirements of NEMWA and the Waste Classification

and Management Regulations, 2013 (GNR: 634 – 635): Waste management activities shall continue in the

decommissioning phase as detailed in the construction phase above.




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Air Quality/Dust fallout

Table 10: Closure / Care and Maintenance Phase


Person(s)

Timeframe

Vehicle movement

Restrict site access.

Minimize speed limit of vehicles on site.

Ensure stockpiles are limited to a

minimum height.

Ensure stockpiles / tailings are

sufficiently covered with

vegetation/netting/waste rock to prevent

dust generation.

Environmental

Site Manager

Duration of

decommissioning

and rehabilitation

Noise

- Regular monitoring of noise levels at various, pre-determined locations. This will serve as the core of

noise mitigation as it will enable the determination of problem areas;




generation such as silencers, mufflers and sound suppressing enclosures for parts/processes which

can generate noise;

- Regular inspections and maintenance of equipment, vehicles and machinery to prevent unnecessary

noise;

- Major noise generating activities can be restricted to between 06h00 and 18h00 on Monday to Friday,

and 06h00-13h00 on Saturdays; and

- Placement of noise generating activities can be planned as far away as possible from affected areas or

persons.

Socio-economic impacts

Mitigation and management activities shall continue in the decommissioning phase as detailed in the

construction and operational phase as described above.




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3.2.3 Review the significance of the identified impacts

(After bringing the proposed mitigation measures into consideration)

The impact assessment showed that the potential negative impacts resulting from the construction phase are

generally low or medium in significance before mitigation. One impact have a high significance before

mitigation. After mitigation most negative impacts have a very low or low significance and four impacts a

medium significance. During the operational phase most negative impacts generally have a low or medium

significance and two impacts have a high significance before mitigation. After mitigation most negative impacts

will have a very low to low significance, one impact a neutral significance and three impacts a medium

significance. During the decommissioning phase all impacts have a medium or low significance before

mitigation and a low or very low significance after mitigation.

Two positive impacts have been identified during the construction phase, four during the operational phase and

two during the decommissioning phase. The significance of the positive impacts are rated as medium and the

nature of the impacts are generally socio-economic.

4 REGULATION 52 (2) (d): Financial provision. The applicant is required to-

4.1 Plans for quantum calculation purposes.

(Show the location and aerial extent of the aforesaid main mining actions, activities, or processes, for each of

the construction operational and closure phases of the operation)

The area applied for, as per appended regulation 2.2 map. The geophysical survey have been completed.

Please refer to Figure 18 below.




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Author: M. Niehof

Figure 18: Contour map showing general increase in SiO2 from south to north of the drilled area

4.2 Alignment of rehabilitation with the closure objectives

(Describe and ensure that the rehabilitation plan is compatible with the closure objectives determined in

accordance with the baseline study as prescribed)

REHABILITATION PLAN

Refer to Chapter 6, Section 1 and Section 2

The open pit and the waste rock dumps will be secured to restrict access of residents and animals.

4.3 Quantum calculations.

(Provide a calculation of the quantum of the financial provision required to manage and rehabilitate the

environment, in accordance with the guideline prescribed in terms of regulation54 (1) in respect of each of the

phases referred to)

Please refer to the appended Annexure 4: Quantum Calculations table.




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4.4 Undertaking to provide financial provision

(Indicate that the required amount will be provided should the right be granted)

I, Mr Nicholus Maloba the undersigned and duly authorised thereto by the board of directors of Pewstar

Investments (Pty) Ltd, have studied and understand the contents of this document in its entirety and hereby

duly undertake to adhere to the conditions as set out therein including the amendment(s) agreed to by the

Regional Manager. I understand that this undertaking is legally binding and that the failure to give effect hereto

will render me liable for prosecution in terms of Section 98 (b) and 99 (1)(g) fo the Mineral and Petroleum

Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002) [as amended]. I am also aware that the Regional

Manager may, at any time after consultation with me, make such changes to this plan as he/she may deem

necessary. Furthermore, Pewstar Investments (Pty) Ltd undertakes to commit the required financial provision of

the amount of R 467 849.52.

Signed at…………………………..on this……………………day of February 2015.

_______________________ _______________________

Signature of applicant: Designation:




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5 REGULATION 52 (2) (e): Planned monitoring and performance assessment of the environmental

management plan.

5.1 List of identified impacts requiring monitoring programmes.

Dust and Air Quality Impacts, including gaseous emissions;

Surface Water Impacts;

Ground Water Impacts, quantity and quality;

Biodiversity impacts including rehabilitation and alien invasion;

Soil degradation and erosion impacts;

Noise and Vibration;

Generation of waste and increased volumes of landfills and spillage of hazardous waste impacts; and

Socio-economic change including land use changes.

The overall objective of environmental and social monitoring is to ensure that mitigation measures are

implemented and that it is effective. Environmental and social monitoring will also enable responses to new and

developing issues and concerns. The activities and indicators that have been recommended for monitoring are

presented in the EMP.

Environmental monitoring will be carried out to ensure that all activities comply and adhere to environmental

provisions and standard specifications. The contractor shall employ an ESM responsible for implementation of

social and environmental requirements.

The environmental monitoring program will operate through the pre-construction, construction, operational and

decommissioning and rehabilitation phases. It will consist of a number of activities, each with a specific purpose

with key indicators and criteria for significance assessment. The following aspects will be subject to monitoring:

Dust and air quality;

Quality of surface water and quality and quantity of ground water;

Noise, vibration and shock levels and disturbance;

Soil conservation;

Biodiversity including encroachment into sensitive areas, control of alien invasive species and

rehabilitation; and

Waste management.

Monitoring should be undertaken at a number of levels. Firstly it should be undertaken by the contractor at work

sites during construction, under the direction and guidance of the ECO who is responsible for reporting the




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monitoring to the implementing agencies. It is not the Contractors’ responsibility to monitor land acquisition and

compensation issues.

Environmental monitoring is also an essential component of project implementation. It facilitates and ensures

the follow-up of the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures as they are required. It helps to

anticipate possible environmental hazards and / or detect unpredicted impacts over time.

Periodic ongoing monitoring will be required during the life of the project and the level can be determined once

the project is operational.

5.2 Functional requirements for monitoring programmes.

Dust and Air Quality Monitoring:

- An ambient monitoring network provides management with an indication of what the increase

(or decrease) in ground level concentrations and dust fallout are.

- According to the National Dust Control Regulations (GG 36974 of 1 November 2013), dust

monitoring must be done in accordance with the ASTM D1739-98 (2010) Standard Test

Method for Collection and Measurement of Dust fall (Settleable Particulate Matter) and the

South African National Standards 1929:2011 (Ambient Air Quality – limits for common

pollution).

- A Gravimetric Dust Monitoring programme must be implemented on-site as stipulated in

section 4 of GN 827 – National Dust Control Regulations, in terms of section 53(o), read with

section 32 of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of

2004).

- A minimum of eight dust buckets must be erected around the site in the eight main wind

directions; and

- Monthly monitoring and reporting of dust fallout is required as detailed in ASTM D1739:1970,

or equivalent method approved by an internationally recognized body.




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Table 11: Four-band scale evaluation criteria for dust deposition (SANS 1929:2004)

Band

Number

Band

Description

Level

Classification Dust fallout rate

(D)(mg/m2/day, 30 day

average)

Comment

1 Residential Ideal D > 600 Permissible for residential and light

commercial.

2 Industrial Acceptable 600 < D < 1200 Permissible for heavy commercial

and industrial.

3 Action Tolerable 1200 < D < 2400

Requires investigation and

remediation if two sequential months

lie in this band, or more than three

occur in a year.

4 Alert Unacceptable 2440 < D

Immediate action and remediation

required followed the first incidence

of dust fallout rate being exceeded.

Incidents report is submitted to the

relevant authority.

Dust buckets of a standard size and shape are prepared and set up at locations on the borders of the property,

relating to the main compass points, so that dust can settle in them for periods of 30 +/- 2 days. The dust

buckets are sealed on-site and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The masses of the water-soluble and insoluble

components of the material collected are then determined and results are reported as mg/m2/day. This

methodology is described according to the South Africa National Standards 1929:2011 and the American

Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Designation: D 1739-98 (2010) standards. The results for this method

of testing are obtained by gravimetric weighing. The apparatus required for this type of monitoring include open-

top buckets / containers no less than 150 mm in diameter with a height of no less than twice its diameter. The

buckets must be placed on a stand at a height of 2 +/- 0.2 m above the ground.

The National Dust Control Regulations identified the permissible amount of gravimetric dust fallout, as indicated

below:

Table 12: Acceptable dust fall rates (GN 827)

Restriction Areas Dustfall rate (D)(mg/m2/day, 30 days

average)

Permitted frequency of

exceeding dust fall rate

Residential area D < 600

Two within a year, not sequential

months.

Non-residential area 600 < D < 1200

Two within a year, not sequential

months.




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Reporting:

Monthly air quality report will be required as per the regulations to:

- Ensure that the environmental mitigation and control measures are implemented;

- Monitor environmental performance of the mining operations;

- Tracking of progress due to pollution control measure implementation;

- Verify compliance with all relevant legal and statutory requirements;

- Promote environmental education and protection; and

- Determine sources of significant pollution.

Quality of surface water and quality and quantity of ground water:

- A Surface -and Groundwater sampling monitoring programme (surface water sampling

localities and process water sampling localities) must be in place during the operational

phase;

- Water quality is measured for compliance against the requirements and limits as set out by

the Department of Water and Sanitation;

- The following parameters must be analysed with surface water sampling:

Table 13: Parameters to be analysed with surface water sampling:

It is recommended that samples be collected and the analyses results recorded on a monthly basis

and that reports be compiled and submitted to DWS twice per year;

The DWS Domestic Class I and II limits, based on the SANS 241 drinking water standard, are the

standards used to assess water quality. These guidelines indicate the recommended operational limits

for domestic use of water. It is the ideal to have the parameters that are tested for at levels below the

DWS Class I limit. If the levels exceed the DWS Class I limit but are below the DWS Class II limit,

Variable Unit

pH Value (0-14)

Electrical Conductivity mS/m (@25°C

Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 mg/l

Chloride mg/l

Sulphate mg/l

Ammonia mg/l

Nitrate mg/l

Fluoride mg/l

Ortho-phosphate mg/l

Total Dissolved Solids mg/l

Silica mg/l




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water quality is tolerable. Exceeding the DWS Class II limit renders the water unfit for human or animal

consumption due to health risks.

The standard operating procedure providing the systematic approach by which water samples are

taken, stored, transported and analysed should be based on the following standards:

- Guidance on the preservation and handling of water samples

o SANS 5667-3:2006/ISO 5667-3:2003

o (SABS ISO 5667-3)

- Guidance on sampling of rivers and streams

o SANS 5667-6:2006/ISO 5667-6:2005

o (SABS ISO 5667-6)

- Guidance on sampling of waste water

o SANS 5667-10:2007/ISO 5667-10:1992

- Guidance on sampling of groundwater

o SANS 5667-11:1993/ISO 5667-11:1993

o (SABS ISO 5667-11)

- Guidance on quality assurance of environmental water sampling and handling

o SANS 5667-14:2007/ISO 5667-14:1998

After sample collection the samples shall be taken to a relevant SANAS accredited laboratory as

required by the NEM:AQA and NWA.

Noise, vibration and shock levels and disturbance

- Noise levels in the background of the development site will be benchmarked against the relevant

SANS code of practice for rural and industrial noise (SANS 10103:2008).

- The measurement will be focused on existing daytime and night-time activities as recommended

in SANS 10328:2003.

- Below is a table of rating levels for noise in industrial districts (as the zoning of the property is

industrial). The values in the table below should not be exceeded outdoors. Outdoor ambient

noise exceeding these levels will be considered to be annoying to the community.




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Table 14: Typical rating levels for noise in districts (SANS 10103:2008)

Type of district (The levels

given may be used as a guide

for zoning purposes)

Equivalent continuous rating level (LReq.T) for noise

dBA

Outdoors Indoors, with open windows

Day/night

LR,dna

Daytime

LR,dna

Night-time

LR,dna

Day/night

LR,dna

Dayti

me

LR,dna

Night-

time

LR,dna

a) Rural districts

b) Suburban dustricts with little

road traffic.

c) Urban districts.

d) Urban districts with one or

more of the following:

workshops; business

premises; and main roads.

e) Central business districts.

f) Industrial districts

45

50

55

60

65

70

45

50

55

60

65

70

35

40

45

50

55

60

35

40

45

50

55

60

35

40

45

50

55

60

25

30

35

40

45

50

Should monitoring be conducted, it is recommended that monitoring and reporting takes place bi-

annually and with a calibrated, integrating noise level meter according to the relevant SANS standards.

Soil Conservation

Table 15: Soil Conservation Procedure

Steps Factors to

consider

Detail

Delineation of

operating areas

Location When areas to be pre-stripped have been

identified, suitable stockpiling areas will be

identified, preferably in close proximity.

Storm water controls Stockpiles will be established within the bounds of

stormwater management infrastructure.

Footprint and height The areas set aside for soil stockpiles will be

calculated on the basis of the expected soil volume.

Designation of the areas Soil stockpiles will be clearly identified as such.




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Steps Factors to

consider

Detail

Stripping Topsoil at all sites Topsoil is difficult to distinguish from subsoil. All of

the soil is useable, that is a suitable medium for

rehabilitation of disturbed land, but the top 0.2 m

layer is expected to be more fertile (higher organic

matter content and indigenous seed reserves.

Stockpiles Topsoil / subsoil Top 0.2 m layer will be stockpiled separately from

the remaining black turf soil, which will also be

separate from the weathered rock.

Vegetation establishment

and erosion control

Rapid growth of vegetation on the topsoil stockpiles

will be promoted (e.g. by means of watering or

fertilization). The purpose of this exercise will be to

encourage vegetation growth on soil stockpiles and

to combat erosion by water and wind.

Waste No garbage or waste material will be placed on the

soil stockpiles.

Compaction Equipment movement on top of the soil stockpiles

will be limited to avoid topsoil compaction and

subsequent damage to the soils and seedbank.

Rehabilitation of

disturbed land:

restoration of land

capability

Placement of topsoil To re-establish arable land capability, the three

layers will be replaced in their original sequence –

first weathered rock, then black turf and then top

0.2m layer – so that the depth of the arable soil will

be at least 2m.

Fertilisation A few samples of stripped soils will be analysed to

determine the nutrient status of the soil. Based on

the analysis, fertilisers will be applied if necessary.

Erosion control Erosion control measures will be implemented to

ensure that the topsoil is not washed away and

erosion gulleys do not develop in the arable land.

Biodiversity including encroachment into sensitive areas, control of alien invasive species and

rehabilitation

Specialist monitoring on Faunal and Floral aspects include the monitoring of effects of the proposed activities

have on vegetation and fauna, within the immediate and surrounding areas of the operations:

- Alien vegetation control and management: Adherence to the Alien and Invasive Species

Regulations (Government Notice 598 of 2014) and the Alien and Invasive Species List, 2014 in

terms of NEMBA (Government Notice 599 of 2014) must be monitored.




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The notices provides lists of alien and invasive species that the applicant is exempted from obtaining a permit

for, a national list of invasive species and a list of prohibited species. It is the responsibility of the Applicant to

ensure that all prohibited plant and animal species are eradicated as far as possible.

Notice 2 - Exempted Alien Species in terms of Section 66 (1) of NEMBA;

Notice 3 - National Lists of Invasive Species in terms of Section 70(1) – List 1, 3-9 & 11 of NEMBA; and

Notice 4 - Prohibited Alien Species in terms of Section 67 (1) – List 1, 3-7, 9-10 & 12

- Habitat and vegetation management;

- Rehabilitation services include the rehabilitation of operational disturbed areas and hydrocarbon

spill areas;

- Re-vegetation and sloping of disturbed areas to surrounding landscape; and

- Remediation of soil at spill sites.

Waste Management

Monitoring of waste management should be undertaken by the ESM to ensure that it is sufficient and that

mitigation measures are being implemented.

5.3 Roles and responsibilities for the execution of monitoring programmes.

Table 16: Roles and responsibilities for the execution of monitoring programmes

Monitoring Programme Responsibility

Dust and Air Quality Independent Consultant appointed by the

Applicant (Pewstar Investments (Pty) Ltd)

Surface Water Quality and Ground Water Quality

and Quantity

Independent Consultant appointed by the

Applicant (Pewstar Investments (Pty) Ltd)

Noise, Vibration and Shock Levels and

Disturbance

Internal Environmental Site Manager appointed

by the Applicant (Pewstar Investments (Pty) Ltd)

Soil Conservation Internal Environmental Site Manager appointed


Biodiversity, Rehabilitation and Alien Invasion Internal Environmental Site Manager appointed


Waste Management Internal Environmental Site Manager appointed





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The Applicant, with assistance from the Site Manager, is responsible for the implementation of the EMP and for

internal compliance monitoring of the EMP. The EMP will be made binding on all contractors operating on-site

and will be included with the official contract documentation of each of the principal contractors to be appointed

to the contract. The Applicant must appoint an internal Environmental Site Manger (ESM), who will monitor and

facilitate compliance with the EMP and other conditions of approval as they relate to environmental matters. All

Contractors must inform the ESM immediately of events that have/will cause serious environmental damage or

of any breaches of the Environmental Authorisation and EMP. The ESM will then inform the Applicant which

must then immediately inform the Competent Authority (CA) and the Local Authority, within 24 hours of such

events and the measures taken to address them. Details of the management and implementation structures for

this EMP, as applicable to the construction, operational, decommissioning and rehabilitation phases showing

official communication and reporting lines (including instructions, directives and information), are presented in

Table 17 below.

Table 17: Role and Responsibilities for execution of mitigation measures

ROLE-PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES

Authority DMR is the designated authority responsible for authorising this EMP and has the

overall responsibility for ensuring that the Applicant complies with the conditions of

the Mining Permit and the EMP. DMR shall also be responsible for approving any

amendments to the EMP (if required). DMR may perform random site inspections

to confirm compliance with the EMP.

Applicant The Applicant is the Developer and has overall responsibility for compliance with

the EMP as it is a fundamental component of the authorisation requirements for

the project. The Applicant must:

Ensure that relevant authorisations and permits are obtained prior to the

commencement of construction on-site;

Ensure compliance with the EMP and conditions of the mining permit as

issued by DMR;

Appoint an ESM prior to the commencement of construction activities;

Ensure that there are sufficient resources (human resources, labour and

finances) to manage and monitor the environmental issues related to the

mining processes, especially in terms of water resources;

Ensure that the professional team and the Contractors are appropriately

briefed and that their appointment includes environmental requirements

as relevant;

Ensure that he/she is kept fully informed of the performance of the

project against the requirements of the EMP;

Ensure that appropriate action is taken where consistent incidents of

non-compliance is taking place;

Ensure that any corrective action required by the Authorities is

implemented;




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Ensure that any proposed changes to the EMP are communicated in

writing to the Authorities for approval;

Provide all Contractors with a copy / access to the EMP (as part of the

tender contract documentation).

Contractor The Contractor is required to:

Prepare site specific Method Statements in line with the EMP (as

required);

Be conversant with the requirements of the EMP;

Brief staff about the requirements of the EMP;

Comply with requirements of the Engineering Representative (ER) in

terms of this EMP;

Bear the costs of any damages / compensation resulting from non-

adherence to the EMP or written site instructions (as specified in the

contractor agreement);

Comply with all applicable legislation;

Keep records of any complaints raised by the public and record any

actions taken to address complaints;

Inform the ESM of any incidents or complaints received;

Ensure that the Applicant is timeously informed of any foreseeable

activities that will require input from the ER; and

The Contractor will conduct all activities in a manner that minimises

disturbances to and impacts on the environment.

The Contractor is deemed not to have complied with this EMP if:

There is evidence of contravention of clauses within the boundaries of

the property and adjacent areas;

If environmental damage ensues due to negligence;

The Contractor fails to comply with corrective or other instructions issued

by the Local Authority, Engineer, ER, or the Applicant within a specified

time;

Failure to take any reasonable measure to protect the environment if

there is a perceived or identified environmental risk associated with an

activity that has not been defined in the EMP; and

The Contractor fails to respond adequately to complaints from the public.

Environmental Site

Manager (Internal

Environmental

Officer)

The responsibilities of the ESM include the following:

Facilitation and monitoring (weekly) of EMP requirements and permit

conditions;

Act as a guide to the construction team and staff working on-site during

all phases of the development including preparation, construction,

operational, decommissioning and rehabilitation;




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Education of staff and contractors and to raise awareness on

environmental requirements relating to the site and onsite activities;

Review and approval of Method Statements;

Record keeping of environmental incidents / issues on-site and how it

has been addressed;

Upkeep of complaints register;

Ensure that all environmental incidents reported are dealt with timeously

and effectively;

Completing start-up and site closure checklists;

Completing a monthly summary report detailing levels of compliance to

be forwarded to the project team and case officer at DMR;

Noise, vibration and shock levels and disturbance monitoring;

Biodiversity monitoring including encroachment into sensitive areas,

control of alien invasive species and rehabilitation;

Waste management monitoring; and

Keeping a photographic record of progress on-site from an environmental

perspective for the ECO (external).

Consulting

Engineer

The Consulting Engineer runs the works contract and has overall responsibility for

managing the project engineering aspects, Contractors, and for ensuring that the

environmental management requirements are met.

Engineering

Representative

The Consulting Engineer’s Representative on-site, the ER, has the

power/mandate to issue site instructions and variation orders to the Contractor.

Independent

Consultants

The independent consultants will have the responsibility to carry out dust and air

quality monitoring, water quality and quantity monitoring, blasting monitoring,

5.4 Committed time frames for monitoring and reporting.

Monitoring Programme Timeframe and frequency Reporting

Dust and Air Quality All project phases

Monthly

Quarterly

Quality of surface water

and quality and quantity of

ground water

All project phases

Monthly

Quarterly

Noise, vibration and shock

levels and disturbance

Blasting

All project phases

Bi-annually

Bi-annually

During operation of the mine

Every blast

Monthly by specialist




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Monitoring Programme Timeframe and frequency Reporting

Biodiversity including

encroachment into

sensitive areas, control of

alien invasive species and

rehabilitation

All project phases

Monthly

Quarterly

Waste management All project phases

Weekly

Quarterly

6 REGULATION 52 (2) (f): Closure and environmental objectives.

6.1 Rehabilitation plan

(Show the areas and aerial extent of the main prospecting activities, including the anticipated prospected area

at the time of closure).

Refer to Annexure 1 for the Regulation 2.2 map showing the extent of the mining activities.

1 LEADING CLOSURE OBJECTIVES

Socio Economic

Closure Management Objectives

- The retrenchment processes will be followed as per requirements of the applicable legal process.

Specific Performance Criteria

- The rehabilitated mining environment shall be made safe and deemed safe;

- Where possible infrastructure will remain for social investment opportunities, this will be decided in

conjunction with the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the area and the local authorities (i.e.

municipality). The soils and land capability will be rehabilitated to near pre-mining conditions.

- The location and details of any buried hazards will be clearly defined and robust markers will be

installed and maintained.

- All fences erected around the mine will be dismantled and either disposed of at a permitted disposal

site or sold as scrap (provided these structures will no longer be required by the post-mining land

owner). Fences erected to cordon-off dangerous excavations will remain in place and will be

maintained as required.




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Monitoring and Reporting

- Commitments made by the mine to I&APs in the issues register will be followed up on a regular basis.

- PPP reports and meeting minutes will be made available to all who attended and copies kept on site.

This will include an issues and response register.

- The stakeholder engagement manager will be responsible for keeping all records and following up on

commitments made to affected parties.

Action Required

- Any commitments made to I&APs will be attended to the relevant I&AP satisfaction as agreed upon

between the I&APs and the mine.

Traffic and Safety.

Closure Management Objective

- Ensure that all roads rehabilitated and or left behind is safe in good working condition, ensuring public

safety and access to site and monitoring points.

Monitoring and reporting

- The site manager will inspect the roads for degradation and spillages.

- Speed limits will be enforced on site where appropriate and feasible.

- All incidences and issues will be recorded, as will the actions taken to address issues and records of

such actions kept on site.

Action required

- Any degradation to roads will be repaired with consultation of the roads department.

Topography and erosion control


- Former Digital Terrain Measurements (DTM) will be used to establish what contours were present prior

to mining and these will be used to help shape the area according to the final topographical plan.

- The area will have contours constructed to prevent soil erosion.




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- Surface water bodies shall not be left in any mining voids unless the operations manager

demonstrates there will be no significant environmental impact (such as salinisation, reduction in water

availability, toxicity, algal problems, attraction to pest species or a local safety hazard).

- All slopes which may incur erosion will be profiled in such a way that a preferential down drain can be

installed.

- Rehabilitated profiles must ensure free drainage of water and should be contoured to fit in with the

catchment dynamics.

- Erosion control measures such as contour banks and cut off berms should be constructed and soil

vegetated in rehabilitated areas. On gentle slopes, water will be encouraged to flow off the

rehabilitated surface as surface flow, as quickly as possible without causing erosion.

- Where areas of potential ponding is noted, is to be re-profiled to be free draining thereby minimising

the potential for ponding.

- All other slopes will have contour drains installed to prevent erosion at intervals of no more that 5m

vertical and have a slope of no steeper that 1:250. These contour drains will have an upslope basin

with down slope berms.

- Batter board positions at 50m intervals will be set out with the desired slope; these batter boards are to

ensure that rehabilitation is completed to within 10% of the final landform. Grid pegs will be set out

using the detailed 10m grid in the final profiling to achieve compliance.

- On achieving the profile to within 10% of the final elevation, the fill areas can be pegged out with

stakes and these cut off on the elevation of the final profile. The final fill material will be placed around

these until the stakes are covered.

- Erosion control measures such as contour banks and cut off berms should be constructed and soil

vegetated in rehabilitated areas. On gentle slopes, water will be encouraged to flow off the

rehabilitated surface as surface flow, as quickly as possible without causing erosion.

Monitoring and Proposed Actions

- During decommissioning, the environmental site manager together with the site manager will monitor

construction activities at least weekly to ensure the trenches and dams are in accordance with the

specification as per design.

- After rehabilitation the site will be monitored for any pooling or erosion on site, especially after rainfall.

This will be the responsibility of the environmental site manager.

- The area needs to be surveyed every two months to monitor differential settlement.




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- The environmental site manager will ensure annual soil assessments be conducted by specialist

pedologists after rehabilitation of the site.

- Weekly inspections will be conducted by the environmental site manager for any erosion which must

be addressed immediately if observed, and together with the site manager will inspect all pipelines and

associated dirty water channels/compartments to ensure no leaks or damage to these.

- All dirty water separation and containment facilities will also be inspected at least weekly (and after

each rainfall event), to ensure adequate functioning of all systems to prevent leaks into the

environment which will negatively impact on the soils.

- The environmental site manager will ensure monthly inspection of surrounding areas for soil

compaction.

- Ensure surface water monitoring and action plans are implemented.

- Rehabilitated sites will be inspected for soil erosion on a monthly basis, together with the visual

inspection regards to the vegetation cover abundance.

- The rehabilitated areas must be monitored for the type and depth of soil cover used.

- Monitoring of any ecologically sensitive species should they be observed on site will be done as and

when required.

- The site will be monitored for alien invasive species at least every 6 months. This will, however, be

dependent on the species of alien invasive species on site.

- Floral surveys will be conducted on rehabilitated areas on an annual basis, together with the soil

quality and depth monitoring.

- All reports will be kept at the mining offices. All incidences and issues will be recorded, as will the

actions taken to address issues. The environmental site manager will be responsible for inspection of

sites and keeping records of all monitoring activities.

- The site manager is responsible for ensuring that all vehicles, remaining on site during the

decommission phase, are serviced on a regular basis in terms of the maintenance plans.

Action Required

- Should it be noted that designs are not being followed, construction activities will cease and corrective

measures will be taken to ensure design specifications are achieved. Specialists will be consulted if

necessary.

- Any pooling will be addressed by filling depression and / or grading areas and re-vegetating such sites.

- Any erosion will also be addressed utilising contour berms, gabion structures if necessary or a

specialist will be consulted if necessary. Any eroded soils will be lifted and returned to the affected

area.

- Any deficiencies will be corrected by placing material in these areas as per the rehabilitation plan.




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- Additional material or soil will be brought in if required.

- Where topographical areas are exceeded and create storm water drainage issues, excess material will

be removed and area rehabilitated as per the rehabilitation plan.

- Any recommendations made by specialist pedologist after annual surveys of rehabilitated areas will be

considered for implementation as proposed.

- Any eroded soil will be lifted and replaced to the area which has been eroded.

- The area will be rehabilitated as per the rehabilitation plan.

- Erosion control measures, such as gabion structures, will be considered at areas where erosion is

persistent.

- Records of soil placement and package thickness will be kept on a monthly basis during the mining

phase.

- Where the soil depth is compromised the areas will be filled with topsoil.

- Material will be brought in if necessary.

- Silt build-up in water management facilities / dams will be cleared and deposited in residue deposits if

dirty.

- Any compacted soils will be ripped or disced and re-vegetated with indigenous flora. Vegetation will

then be monitored in these areas.

- Should any erosion be observed on site, it will be reported to the site manager and environmental site

manager. The issue will be addressed and consideration given to:

Increasing vegetative cover in problem areas through manual seeding/planting.

Implementing erosion control measures such as contour berms or gabion baskets.

Consulting specialists.

- Should soil depth be inadequate in the rehabilitated areas, then more soil will be brought in and

deposited on the site.

- The area will also be inspected for erosion to determine the reason for soil loss. This will be addressed

immediately.

- All recommendations made by the specialists will be implemented where deemed appropriate.

- Manual seeding or planting should vegetative cover be inadequate.

- An alien invasive management program will be implemented for the control and eradication of alien

invasive species on site. This plan will give preference to mechanical control methods. Any chemicals

utilised will be used responsibly. Where required DWS will be consulted with regards to the use of

certain chemicals.




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Surface Water Control


- Surface water will be managed as per GN704 and all clean water will be diverted around the

rehabilitated area.

- All water that falls on the rehabilitated area will be managed in such a way that no erosion will occur

through the use of contour drains.

- Potential dirty water will be directed to containment dams or silt dams.

- The filled and rehabilitated box cut will be shaped to facilitate run-off towards the catchment area.

- There shall be no long term reduction in the availability of water to meet local environmental values.


- Actions shall be taken during rehabilitation to ensure that surface and groundwater hydrological

patterns/flows will not be adversely affected by the rehabilitation.

- Surface and groundwater levels and quality will reflect original levels and water chemistry;

- Any water runoff or leaching from overburden dumps and residual infrastructure shall have quality

compatible with maintenance of local land and water values. Before rehabilitation commences, clean

water diversion drains are to be installed around the area. Once the final re-profiling has been

completed and the clean water diversions are constructed on the rehabilitated ground, the decant from

these areas should be minimal and the in-pit water will reduce.

- Run-off from un-rehabilitated areas will be directed away from any rehabilitated areas. Runoff from

rehabilitated areas will be channeled to sedimentation structures so that eroded soil does not leave the

property.

- Where seepage/decant may occur deep cut off trenches will be created to intercept the ground water

where it daylights downstream and directed or pumped to the containment dam upslope of the void.

- Natural drainage lines will be followed to reduce loss of water in the natural catchments.


- The environmental site manager will ensure that surface water quality is monitored on a monthly basis

during the closure phase.

- A water quality report will be compiled on a quarterly basis and will show all the high risk areas and

areas deviating from current background water quality.

- Specialists recommendations with regard to water quality issues observed, will be implemented as

appropriate




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- Water management features will be upgraded as necessary if water quality issues arise from these

structures.

- The rehabilitated area will be monitored for ponding.

- Any areas where ponding occurs will be filled and reshaped as per the rehabilitation plan to ensure

surface water runoff from the area and discourage ponding.

Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting

- This monitoring program will include various upstream and downstream monitoring points and various

sources on site.

- Database of results will be maintained by the environmental site manager and quarterly and annual

reports will be compiled and submitted to the mine management and will be submitted to DWA.

- All samples will be submitted to an accredited laboratory for analysis.

- The following chemical parameters are recommended for the closure phase analysis:

Total Dissolved Solids;

Electrical Conductivity;

pH level;

Alkalinity;

Carbonates;

Magnesium;

Calcium;

Sodium;

Potassium;

Sulphate;

Chloride;

Fluoride;

Iron;

Manganese;

Aluminum; and

Silica

- Water use and consumption on site must be monitored at various strategic locations on site.




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Ecology


- Areas will be fenced off once seeded to prevent surface disturbance to the site and allow for

vegetation to establish and stabilise.

Specific Performance criteria

- Vegetation in rehabilitated areas will have equivalent values as surrounding natural ecosystems.

- The rehabilitated ecosystem will have equivalent functions and resilience as the target ecosystem.

- Soil properties will be appropriate to support the target ecosystem.

- The rehabilitated areas will provide appropriate habitat for fauna

- Fauna utilisation, abundance and diversity appropriate to specified post mining land use.

- Berms will be maintained. This will be undertaken by vegetating all berms to ensure that they are

stable. The berms will also be inspected to ensure that there are no cracks, which could cause

leakage. The berms will only be demolished should the area prove to be free draining with no pollution

potential after rehabilitation.


- Services of a qualified person will be used to monitor the re-vegetation of the rehabilitated areas,

- Records of the monitoring will be kept on site.

- The environmental site manager will ensure that an alien invasive monitoring, eradication and control

programme is established during closure and the area will be inspected at least every 3 months and

more frequently in areas where alien species were observed.

- The environmental site manager will be responsible for inspecting and managing any protected flora

that may be identified by specialists. Specialists will be consulted regarding relocation of these species

if necessary during rehabilitation or closure.

- All incidences and issues during closure will be recorded, as will the actions taken to address issues.

These will be filed and kept at the mine offices.

- Rehabilitation will be visually inspected at least monthly with regards to vegetation cover abundance.

- The rehabilitated area will be inspected monthly for general erosion and vegetative cover.

- Rehabilitated areas will be monitored for soil quality and depth annually.




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Action Required

- Should it be noted that designs are not being followed, rehabilitation activities will be amended to

ensure corrective measures will be taken to ensure design specifications are achieved. Specialists will

be consulted if necessary.

- The specialist’s recommendations from bio-monitoring and from annual floral surveys of rehabilitated

areas will be implemented as soon as possible.

- Should any erosion be observed on site, it will be reported to the site manager and environmental site

manager. The issue will be addressed and consideration given to:

- Increasing vegetative cover in problem areas through manual seeding/planting.

- Implementing erosion control measures such as contour berms or gabion baskets.

- Consulting specialists.

- Should soil depth be inadequate in the rehabilitated areas, more soil will be brought in and deposited

on the site.

- The area will also be inspected for erosion to determine the reason for soil loss.

- All recommendations made by the specialists will be followed.

- Manual seeding or planting should vegetative cover be inadequate.

- An alien invasive management programme will be implemented for the control and eradication of alien

invasive species on site. This plan will give preference to mechanical control methods. Any chemicals

utilised must be used responsibly.

- Should it be noted that designs are not being followed, rehabilitation activities will cease and corrective

measures will be taken to ensure design specifications are achieved. Specialists will be consulted if

necessary.

Land use

Closure Management objectives

- To ensure that rehabilitation (physical and chemical) is done to such an extent that land use potential

is regained.


- Soil samples will be taken from rehabilitated areas annually over the full period of closure to determine

soil fertility, depth compaction, acidity and mine related pollution. This should be conducted by

qualified specialist who will also recommend actions and remedial measures to correct any issues

observed on site.




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- Only after the levelled areas have been inspected and approved by the Mine Manager/Site Manager

will topsoil be placed to a depth of 0.5m (where possible the original topsoil types should be placed

back into the area where it was found). The topsoil layer must be as even as possible, i.e. it must be

smooth and the depth must remain consistent throughout.

- Once the topsoil has been replaced, vehicle movement will be restricted to prevent compaction of the

topsoil. All runoff from freshly top soiled areas will be channelled to pollution control structures so that

eroded soil does no leave the property.

- Rehabilitated areas will be vegetated within the same growing season (before or during the rainy

season). A suitable seed bed will be prepared to enhance the penetration and absorption of water,

thereby giving the seed the best possible chance to germinate. The seeding depth should be very

shallow to provide better germination. For most grass species seeding depth is approximately 5-

15mm.

- Rehabilitated areas will be re-vegetated with local indigenous flora as far as possible.

- Once the seed mixture has been sown the land must be rolled using to ensure consolidation around

the seeds and effective moisture retention. Access to seeded areas will be restricted to protect the

newly established pasture.

Monitoring and Measurement

- A detailed monitoring and reporting programme will be established and followed.

- Rehabilitated areas will be monitored for vegetation cover and alien invasive encroachment at least

monthly by visual means.

- Areas of failed growth will be fertilised if necessary and re-seeded or planted with seedling plugs. All

exotic and invasive vegetation should be removed.

Ground water

Closure Management Objective

- A cut-off intercept drain will be constructed to capture any seepage.

- Monitoring will continue to detect and report on changes in round water regime

Groundwater Quality and Quantity Monitoring and Reporting

- Up slope and down slope groundwater monitoring will be conducted on a quarterly basis during the

closure phase;

- Water management features will be upgraded as necessary if water quality issues arise from these

structures.




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- The environmental site manager will be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the

groundwater monitoring and results obtained.

- The groundwater quality and levels will be monitored on a quarterly basis.

- All monitoring boreholes must be demarcated and protected to prevent damage or tampering.

- All samples will be submitted to an accredited laboratory for analysis.

- The following chemical parameters are recommended for the analysis during the closure phase:

Total Dissolved Solids / Electrical Conductivity;

pH level;

Alkalinity;

Carbonates;

Magnesium;

Calcium;

Sodium;

Potassium;

Sulphate;

Chloride;

Fluoride;

Iron;

Nitrate;

Manganese; and

Aluminium.

- Water use and water consumption on site will be monitored at various strategic areas on site.

General Monitoring and Reporting

- The environmental site manager and site manager will ensure that the integrity of the lining of all dirty

water management facilities is tested at least annually.

- The environmental site manager and site manager will inspect all water management facilities and

associated pipelines at least weekly to ensure there are no leaks which would result in loss of water

and that they are functioning optimally.

- The groundwater flow dynamics will be calibrated every two years with updated monitoring data. This

will assist with management and long term risk prediction and management.

- The environmental site manager will be responsible for inspection of sites and keeping records of all

monitoring activities.

- All incidences and issues will be recorded, as will the actions taken to address issues. These will be

kept at the mine offices.




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Action Required

- Should significant changes in qualities or levels be observed then:

- All high risk facilities will be inspected to ensure no severe problems occur in these areas which have

resulted in poor quality leachate.

- Any issues observed will be reported to the environmental site manager and respective site manager.

- A geo-hydrologist will be consulted with regards to any additional mitigation or management activities

which can assist in resolving potential pollution, such as cut-off drains.

- Should substantial decreases in groundwater levels or quality be observed in boreholes utilised by

surrounding community then the applicant will need to find solutions in conjunction with affected

parties.

- Should spikes be observed in water consumption then these will be investigated immediately and

sources identified.

- All leaks identified will be repaired.

- Silt build-up in water management facilities / dams will be cleared and deposited in soil stockpiles if

clean or in residue deposits if dirty.

Air Quality and Noise


Dust suppression should be undertaken at site especially during the dry season and during windy conditions.

Monitoring and proposed actions

- Dust suppression techniques and/or frequency will be altered as necessary should dust levels become

excessive and exceed target values during rehabilitation.

- Air quality monitoring and reporting will be conducted according to the GNR 827 –Dust control

regulations;

- The environmental site manager will be responsible for managing the air quality database and

implementing actions, should target levels and frequencies be exceeded. PM10 and PM2.5 monitoring

will be conducted if required as per the air quality act and also fall within the responsibility of the

environmental site manager.

- Ambient noise will be monitored bi-annually on the mine boundary in at least four compass directions.

- Occupational noise will be monitored on a monthly basis as part of Safety, Health and Environment.

- The environmental site manager will be responsible for managing noise level database and implement

actions should acceptable noise levels be exceeded.




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- The site manager will be responsible for ensuring that all vehicles, including those of contractors, are

maintained as per their maintenance plan.

- All incidences and issues will be recorded, as will the actions taken to address issues. These will be

kept at the mine offices.

- Specialists will be consulted where necessary.

Action required

- Should ambient dust levels exceed recommended standards and frequencies as per the Air Quality

Act, then the management plan for dust will be re-evaluated and assessed to improve dust control on

site. Actions could include:

- Use of dust binding agents in areas of high dust generation.

- Consideration of sprinkler systems in areas of high dust generation.

- More frequent spraying.

- Should ambient noise levels exceed target levels:

- Additional noise measurements will be taken at all sensitive receptors beyond the mine boundary in

question, initially those nearest to the mine and working further away until levels are within acceptable

levels.

- Should levels at sensitive receptors still exceed target levels, and it is due to mining activities, then the

noise management plan will be re-evaluated to reduce noise at these sensitive receptors to within

acceptable limits.

- Additional actions can include:

Utilisation of sound buffers or screens around noise sources.

Enclosing point sources in sound-proof enclosures if possible.

Utilising silencers on equipment.

Considering quieter equipment.

2 DOMAIN SPECIFIC CLOSURE CRITERIA

The following is a list of domain specific criteria which can be tested and quantified. These closure criteria

include post-closure environmental outcomes which must be linked to the monitoring and measurement

schedule and program. Please refer to Annexure 4 for the financial provision for mine closure for the cost

associated with these domains.




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Domain 1 _ Office and Administration

- All material recovered from the demolition of structures will either be transported to a permitted landfill

site, sold as scrap or made available to the local community as building materials (provided they are in

a satisfactory condition (following demolition).

- It is very likely that the haul roads will remain on site. Any unnecessary haul roads traversing the

mining area will be rehabilitated as part of the overall rehabilitation of the mine.

- Any contaminated surface material will be removed and disposed of on the co-disposal dump. Waste

material will be removed to specific registered waste sites which handle that specific waste.

- Roads and infrastructure areas will be ripped down to 1m, in order to break up the severe compaction

before rehabilitation proceeds. Tillage to 30cm will be needed to break up clods. The area will be

contoured and seeded with local, indigenous species as per the recommendation of a specialist.

Slopes must be kept as shallow as possible to reduce wind friction. The soils placed on the

rehabilitated ground must be slightly compacted and not exceed a slope of 18° to ensure suitable

substrate for vegetation and to reduce risk of erosion.

Domain 2_ Plant and Associated Infrastructure

- Clean water trenches must remain where necessary and should be maintained by continuous

inspections. The cut off trenches should be clean at all times, ensuring that they contain no

obstructions. The cut off trenches will only be demolished should the area prove to be free draining

with no pollution potential after rehabilitation.

- All pollution control structures will remain on site during closure to ensure the protection of the

surrounding environment. These will only be rehabilitated once water runoff quality is of adequate

quality to release into the environment.

Domain 3 _ Waste and Water Related Infrastructure

- All pollution control structures will remain on site during closure to ensure the protection of the

surrounding environment. These will only be rehabilitated once water runoff quality is of adequate

quality to release into the environment.

- It should be noted that all clean and dirty water systems in and around the opencast pits should be

maintained, whilst these mining infrastructures remain.

- The storm water diversion trench will remain in place after decommissions to reduce run-off over the

rehabilitated area and reduce erosion.




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Domain 4_Mine and Mine Associated Infrastructure

- Any boreholes and excavations will be filled in or sealed where appropriate unless demonstrated as

necessary to support an end land use.

- Following which the placement of material will be conducted in the same sequence as that of the

original material i.e.: hards, softs, sub-soil and finally topsoil. When placing the initial spoils in the low

lying areas this material should be dozed until a firm platform is achieved.

- During rehabilitation it is imperative that the material placed against the high wall is compacted so as

to prevent differential settlement, cracking and water ingress. Compaction can be achieved by

redirecting the flow of traffic using either marker poles or drums to ensure proper tyre coverage and

thus tyre compaction.

- All voids to be closed and rehabilitated at final closure of the mine.

- Ensuring water does not infiltrate too quickly and come into contact with carbonaceous material.

Where areas of potential ponding are noted, these are to be re-profiled to be free draining thereby

minimising the potential for ponding. Where seepage /decant may occur deep cut off trenches will be

created to intercept the ground water where it daylights and this water will be diverted to dirty water

containment areas.

6.2 Closure objectives and their extent of alignment to the pre-mining environment.

Please refer to Chapter 6, Section 1 above

6.3 Confirmation of consultation

(Confirm specifically that the environmental objectives in relation to closure have been consulted with

landowner and interested and affected parties).

The applicant confirms that the environmental objectives in relation to the closure have been consulted with the

landowners and the interested and affected parties. Proof of such consultation process will be submitted as part

of the Public Participation Report to be submitted on or before 27 March 2015. (Refer to Annexure 2 for a

copy of the memorandum of understanding between the landowner and the applicant)

7 REGULATION 52 (2) (g): Record of the public participation and the results thereof.

Guideline 7 on “Public Participation in the Environmental Impact Assessment Process”, published by Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in October 2012, states that public participation is one of the most

important aspects of the environmental authorisation process. This stems from the requirement that people

have a right to be informed about potential decisions that may affect them and that they must be afforded an




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opportunity to influence those decisions. Effective public participation also facilitates informed decision-making

by the Competent Authority and may result in better decisions as the views of all parties are considered.

The benefits of public participation include the following:

Provides an opportunity for Interested and Affected parties (I&APs), Environmental Assessment

Practitioners (EAPs) and the Competent Authority (CA) to obtain clear, accurate and understandable

information about the environmental impacts of the proposed activity or implications of a decision;

Provides I&APs with an opportunity to voice their support, concerns and questions regarding the

project, application or decision;

Provides I&APs with the opportunity of suggesting ways of reducing or mitigating negative impacts of

an activity and for enhancing positive impacts;

Enables the applicant to incorporate the needs, preferences and values of affected parties into the

application;

Provides opportunities for clearing up misunderstandings about technical issues, resolving disputes

and reconciling conflicting interests;

It is an important aspect of securing transparency and accountability in decision-making; and

Contributes toward maintaining a healthy, vibrant democracy.

7.1 Identification of interested and affected parties.

(Provide the information referred to in the guideline)

Public Participation is the involvement of all parties who are either potentially I&AP by the proposed

development. The principle objective of public participation is to inform and enrich decision-making. This is also

its key role in this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

Interested and Affected parties (I&APs) representing the following sectors of society has been identified:

National, provincial and local government;

Agriculture, including local landowners;

Community Based Organisations;

Non-Governmental Organisations;

Water bodies;

Tourism;

Industry and mining;

Commerce;




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Surface Right holders;

Research; and

Other stakeholders.

7.2 The details of the engagement process.

The project was announced as follows:

Newspaper advertisement

Publication of a media advertisements in the Steelburger in both English and Sepedi, were placed on Friday 20

February 2015. Refer to Annexure 5.1 for proof of placement of the newspaper advertisements.

Site notice placement

In order to inform surrounding communities and adjacent landowners of the proposed development, four (4) site

notices were erected on site and at visible locations close to the site. Refer to Annexure 5.2 for proof of site

notice placement.

Written notification

I&APs and other key stakeholders, who included the abovementioned sectors, were directly informed of the

proposed development by e-mail. I&APs are given 30 days to comment and / or raise issues of concern

regarding the proposed development. The period to register as I&APs will expire on 22 March 2015. Refer to

Annexure 5.3 for proof of email notification.

Consultation and correspondence with I&APs and Stakeholders and the addressing of their comments:

I&APs have the opportunity to raise issues either in writing, by telephone, fax and/or email. Concerns raised, as

well as responses to these concerns, will be detailed in the Comments and Responses Report and will be

included in the Public Participation Report to be submitted on or before 27 March 2015.

All the issues and concerns that may be raised by I&APs will be captured in the Comments and Responses

Report and I&APs will receive letters acknowledging their contributions.




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7.2.1 Description of the information provided to the community, landowners, and interested and

affected parties.

Information that will be provided to the community, landowners, interested and affected parties and organs of

state include the following:

- Acceptance Letter;

- Letter of Notification; and

- The Environmental Management Plan.

7.2.2 List of which parties identified in 7.1 above that were in fact consulted, and which were not

consulted.

The following sectors have been notified of the proposed activity and will be consulted with further:

- National, Provincial and Local government departments including: MTPA, SAHRA, etc. – consulted via

email;

- Landowner, adjacent landowners and local communities – consulted via workshops and phone;

- Surface Right Holders – consulted by the applicant;

- Agricultural Organisations – consulted via email;

- Community Based Organisations – not consulted;

- Non-Governmental Organisations – consulted;

- Tourism – consulted via email; and

- Commerce – consulted.

7.2.3 List of views raised by consulted parties regarding the existing cultural, socio-economic or

biophysical environment.









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7.2.4 List of views raised by consulted parties on how their existing cultural, socio-economic or

biophysical environment potentially will be impacted on by the proposed prospecting or

mining operation.

All I&APs have the opportunity to raise issues either in writing, by telephone, fax and/or email. Concerns raised,

as well as responses to these concerns, will be detailed in the Comments and Responses Report and will be




7.2.5 Other concerns raised by the aforesaid parties.






7.2.6 Confirmation that minutes and records of the consultations are appended.






7.2.7 Information regarding objections received.









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7.3 The manner in which the issues raised were addressed.

AlI &APs have the opportunity to raise issues either in writing, by telephone, fax and/or email. Concerns raised,





8 SECTION 39 (3) (c) of the Act: Environmental awareness plan.

An environmental awareness training manual has been developed for the mine. This is included as Annexure 6

All employees must be provided with environmental awareness training to inform them of any environmental risks

that may result from their work and of the manner in which the risks must be dealt with to avoid pollution or the

degradation of the environment.

Employees should be provided with environmental awareness training before mining operations start. All new

employees should be provided with environmental awareness training.

Environmental awareness and training is an important aspect of the implementation of the EMP. The onus is on

the different parties involved in the various stages of the life cycle of the project to be environmentally conscious.

Hence, it is suggested that all members of the project team are familiar with the findings of the site-specific EA

report and the EMP. For instance, the contractor is responsible for the lack of environmental knowledge of his/her

crew members. The contractor could forward internal environmental awareness and training procedures to the

project manager and environmental officer for comment prior to the commencement of the project. Likewise, the

above is applicable to the programming, design, operations and maintenance, and decommissioning teams.

Environmental awareness ensures that environmental accidents are minimized and environmental compliance

maximized.

All staff and contractors will be submitted to an annual training / awareness course as to inform the staff of any

environmental risks which may result from their work and the manner in which the risks must be dealt with in order

to avoid pollution or the degradation of the environment.

Section 39 (3) (c) requires that an applicant who prepares an Environmental Management Programme or

Environmental Management Plan must “develop an environmental awareness plan describing the manner in which

the applicant intends to inform his or her employees of any environmental risks which may result from the work

and the manner in which the risks must be dealt with in order to avoid pollution and degradation of the

environment”. Environmental Awareness is required not only for management and employees (as described in




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Section 39 (3) (c) but also for visitors to the site. To this end, the following strategies and plans will be put into

place for each of the parties.

Visitor Environmental Awareness:

Visitor/sub-contractor environmental awareness will be generated through the provision of a signboard describing

very briefly the environmental considerations applicable to them. The signboard should contain the following

information:

Statement of the applicant’s commitment to environmental principles;

List of the “rules” to which the visitor must abide. This will include: - No littering. Dispose of all waste in the bins provided;

- No fires;

- Stay on demarcated roadways and paths only;

- Kindly report any environmental infringements they may notice;

- Check your vehicle/equipment for diesel/oil leaks

Staff of sub-contractors must also be given Environmental Induction Training as per the Environmental Awareness

Plan attached as Annexure 6.

Senior and Middle Management Environmental Awareness:

Achieving environmental awareness at upper levels of management is slightly different from the process at the

operational level. There is often a fair level of the general value of environmental awareness but site-specific

issues will most often need to be communicated. This will be achieved by:

Management must make themselves fully familiar with the EMP;

Ensuring that there is a spare copy of the approved EMP at his/her disposal; management is encouraged

to make notes in the document regarding the difficulty / ease of implementing the environmental

management measures. These notes should be sent to the consultants to assist in future revisions of the

EMP;

The manager must ensure that the operators perform regular monitoring of their workstations / areas.

During the management’s execution of their activities/being at the site, the management must be constantly be

aware of and observant of especially the following:

Dust levels - movement outside of demarcated areas;

Litter management - general housekeeping;

Topsoil management - fuel/oil management/leaks/changes;




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Success of operational re-vegetation; and

Alien vegetation.

Operator / Workforce Environmental Awareness:

Achieving environmental awareness amongst the operators and labour is probably the most important because

they are usually present at the place where most environmental transgressions take place or in fact cause them.

It is the aim of increased environmental awareness to reduce any such environmental transgressions.

Increasing environmental awareness at these levels can be achieved through the following strategies:

Induction environmental training: (As per the draft Environmental Awareness Training document in

Annexure 6: Environmental Awareness Plan) must take place prior to any contract period.

Training: Each and every employee (contractor or not) must go through an environmental training

process where at least the following items area covered:

- The oil/fuel management policy must be explained to the employees. The reason for the policy

must also be explained (i.e. to not impact on groundwater, surface water, soil quality etc.);

- The domestic and industrial waste management policy & method must also form part of the

training;

- The topsoil handling method and the reasons for preserving topsoil (i.e. post mining re-

vegetation, erosion prevention etc.);

- Alien vegetation management: How to recognize and remove such species;

- Protection of the natural veld by not driving/manoeuvring or walking through the demarcated

protection areas. Reporting that demarcation posts/tape is broken or removed;

- Emergency management procedures such as dealing with oil spills or fires must also be

drilled; and

- Such training will, in this case, be carried out by the site manager/resident engineer.

8.1 Employee communication process

(Describe how the applicant intends to inform his or her employees of any environmental risk which may result

from their work)

Operator / Workforce Environmental Awareness:

Achieving environmental awareness amongst the operators and labour is probably the most important because

they are usually present at the place where most environmental transgressions take place or in fact cause them. It

is the aim of increased environmental awareness to reduce any such environmental transgressions.




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Increasing environmental awareness at these levels can be achieved through the following strategies:

Induction environmental training: (As per the draft Environmental Awareness Training document in

Annexure 6: Environmental Awareness Plan) must take place prior to any contract period.

Training: Each and every employee (contractor or not) must go through an environmental training

process where at least the following items area covered:

- The oil/fuel management policy must be explained to the employees. The reason for the policy

must also be explained (i.e. to not impact on groundwater, surface water, soil quality etc.);

- The domestic and industrial waste management policy & method must also form part of the

training;

- The topsoil handling method and the reasons for preserving topsoil (i.e. post mining re-

vegetation, erosion prevention etc.);

- Alien vegetation management: How to recognize and remove such species;

- Protection of the natural veld by not driving/manoeuvring or walking through the demarcated

protection areas. Reporting that demarcation posts/tape is broken or removed;

- Emergency management procedures such as dealing with oil spills or fires must also be

drilled; and

- Such training will, in this case, be carried out by the site manager/resident engineer.

8.2 Description of solutions to risks

(Describe the manner in which the risk must be dealt with in order to avoid pollution or degradation of the

environment)

Refer to Chapter 3, Section 2, sub-section 2 (3.2.2) for prevention measures to avoid pollution or

degradation of the environment.

8.3 Environmental awareness training

(Describe the general environmental awareness training and training on dealing with emergency situations and

remediation measures for such emergencies)

Refer to Annexure 6 for the environmental awareness plan, describing the proposed training in detail.




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9 SECTION 39 (4) (a) (iii) of the Act: Capacity to rehabilitate and manage negative impacts on the

environment.

9.1 The annual amount required to manage and rehabilitate the environment.

(Provide a detailed explanation as to how the amount was derived)

The quantum of the financial provision is the amount necessary for the rehabilitation of damage caused by the

operation, both sudden closures (termed premature closure) during the normal operation of the project and at

final. A planned closure has been estimated to be R 467 849.52 for a detailed financial provision calculation

please refer to the quantum calculations appended as Annexure 4.

9.2 Confirmation that the stated amount correctly reflected in the Prospecting Work

Programme as required.

The amount was not included in the Prospecting Works Programme due to the fact that the Regional Manager

may request the amount to be changed.

10 REGULATION 52 (2) (h): Undertaking to execute the environmental management plan.

Herewith I, the person whose name and identity number is stated below,

confirm that I am the person authorised to act as representative of the

applicant in terms of the resolution submitted with the application, and

confirm that the above report comprises EIA and EMP compiled in

accordance with the guideline on the Departments official website and the

directive in terms of sections 29 and 39 (5) in that regard, and the applicant

undertakes to execute the Environmental management plan as proposed.

Full Names and Surname

Mr Nicholus Maloba

Identity Number

Signature




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http://www.statssa.gov.za/

Documents

MPRDA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN - SAHRA · 2018. 1. 20. · reference number: mp/30/5/1/3/2/10676 mp environmental management plan submitted in terms of section 39 and of regulation