Project Reference: 750.12004.00014 File Ref. 2016-06-20 Lafarge Mobile EMP notification letter to IAPs
21 June 2016
ATTENTION: INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES
Dear Interested and Affected Party
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
PROGRAMME UPDATE FOR THE POLOKWANE QUARRY UNDER DMR REFERENCE
NUMBER LP 30/5/1/2/2/109 MR
Lafarge Mining South Africa (Lafarge) own and operate a granite quarry approximately 6km south-east of
Polokwane, referred to as the Polokwane Quarry. The quarry is located on the remaining extent of the Farm
Weltevreden 746 LS in the Polokwane Local Municipality and Capricorn District Municipality of the Limpopo
Province. Lafarge have made changes to their operations by replacing the previous fixed crushing and
screening equipment with a mobile modular plant.
Lafarge amended its environmental management programme (EMPr) in 2012 to include the changes to its
operations. As part of the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) review process, Lafarge was requested
in 2016 to conduct a public participation process for the project. Lafarge has appointed SLR Consulting
(Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SLR) to conduct the Public Participation Process.
The amended EMPr and Environmental Impact Assessment Report is available for public and authority
review for a period of 30 days from the 22nd
June 2016 until the 22nd
July 2016 at:
the Lafarge Polokwane Quarry on Silicon Road, Polokwane, Limpopo Province;
an electronic copy will be made available on request; or
the report and appendices can be downloaded from the Synergistics/SLR website as follows:
1. Go to www.synergistics.co.za
2. Click on the Report FTP page
3. Enter the following login details: Username: synergistics; Password: v9urweyf.
The executive summary of the report has been attached with this letter in Appendix 1.
SLR Consulting (Africa) (Pty) Ltd
Page 2
All comments are to be submitted in writing to SLR on the details below. Comments need to reach SLR on or
before the 22nd
July 2016:
Contact person: Mr Edwynn Louw
Fax: (011) 467-0978
E-mail: [email protected]
Postal Address: PO Box 1596; Cramerview; 2060
Tel Queries: (011) 467-0945
SLR Project Reference: 750.12004.00014
The EMPr and Environmental Impact Assessment Report will be updated with any comments received from
regulatory authorities and interested and affected parties during the review period. The updated report will be
sent to the Department of Mineral Resources for decision making.
For any queries please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.
Kind regards
Edwynn Louw Environmental Assessment Practitioner For SLR Consulting (Africa)
SLR Consulting (Africa) (Pty) Ltd
Page 3
APPENDIX 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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Project: 750.12004.00014
Report No.1
Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Environmental Management Programme Update for the Polokwane Quarry
June 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
REPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME UPDATE FOR
THE POLOKWANE QUARRY
June 2016
SUBMITTED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISTION IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT (ACT 107 OF 1998) IN
RESPECT OF ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED IN TERMS OF THE MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT (ACT 28 OF 2002)
(AS AMENDED)
NAME OF APPLICANT: LAFARGE MINING SOUTH AFRICA
(PTY) LTD
TEL NO: 015 291 3286
FAX NO: 015 291 3409
POSTAL ADDRESS: POLOKWANE QUARRY, P.O BOX 80, POLOKWANE, 0700
FILE REFERENCE NUMBER DMR: LP 30/5/1/2/2/109 MR
SLR Consulting (Africa) (Pty) Ltd Page ii
Project: 750.12004.00014
Report No.1
Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Environmental Management Programme Update for the Polokwane Quarry
June 2016
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
Title Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Environmental Management Programme Update for the Polokwane Quarry
Status For public review
Applicant LAFARGE MINING SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD
Consultant SLR Consulting (Africa) (Pty) Ltd
Project Number 750.12004.00014
Project Manager Edwynn Louw
Report Authors Vivienne Vorster/ Mari Wolmerans/ Chiara D�Egidio Kotze/ Edwynn Louw
Reviewer Alex Pheiffer
Report Number 1
Date last printed 2016/06/10 11:29 AM
Date last saved 2016/06/16 08:59 AM
Issue Date June 2016
This report has been prepared by an SLR Group company with all reasonable skill, care and diligence,
taking into account the manpower and resources devoted to it. Information reported herein is based on
the interpretation of data collected, which has been accepted in good faith as being accurate and valid.
No warranties or guarantees are expressed or should be inferred by any third parties.
This report may not be relied upon by other parties without written consent from SLR.
SLR disclaims any responsibility in respect of any matters outside the agreed scope of the work.
SLR Consulting (Africa) (Pty) Ltd Page i
Project: 750.12004.00014
Report No.1
Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Environmental Management Programme Update for the Polokwane Quarry
June 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME UPDATE FOR THE POLOKWANE QUARRY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
The Polokwane Quarry, located approximately 6km south-east of Polokwane, is owned by Lafarge Mining
South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Lafarge). It is situated on the Remaining Extent of the Farm Weltevreden 746 LS
and falls within the jurisdiction of the Polokwane Local Municipality. The mining right area is
approximately 63 ha in total, although the quarry pit only occupies an area of approximately 3.6 ha.
Access to the quarry is from Silicon Road, which is a tarred road up until the quarry entrance gate.
The quarry was purchased by Lafarge in 2000, although it was owned and operated by Ready Mix
Materials (RMM) for approximately 30 years prior to Lafarge purchasing it. The quarry is a granite mine
and the crushed product is used primarily in road building and the construction industry.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
The quarry was originally operated in terms of the old Minerals Act (DME reference number OT 5/3/2/29)
and in 2012 converted its old order mining rights to new order rights (New DMR reference number LP
30/5/1/2/2/109 MR) as per the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) (No. 28 of
2002).
No significant changes to mining activities have occurred between 1995 and 2016, subsequent to the
approval of the original EMPr in 1995. In 2003, Lafarge amended its EMPr to cater for the conversion of
its old order mining rights to new order mining rights. The approved 2003 Environmental Management
Programme Report (EMPr) covers all existing mining areas and activities at the Polokwane Quarry. In
2011, Lafarge submitted an amended EMPr to address changes at the operation; however no decision
on the amended EMPr was taken by the then DME. Following liaison between Lafarge and the
Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) (previously known as the DME) on the 10th July 2015 and a
site visit undertaken on the 26th August 2015, it was agreed that the 2011 EMPr would be updated to
address the change to processing equipment. In late 2015, Lafarge revised the amended EMPr to cater
for the replacement of the fixed processing equipment with a mobile modular plant. The motivation for
this was that the existing processing equipment was becoming unreliable and had poor energy efficiency.
During consultation between Lafarge and the DMR in 2016, it was requested by the DMR that the
updated EMPr provide for public consultation and conform to the requirements of the new DMR report
template. This report is therefore the updated EMPr for the site taking into account the use of a mobile
modular plant and the new DMR report template.
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Report No.1
Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Environmental Management Programme Update for the Polokwane Quarry
June 2016
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The mineral being mined is granite and the aggregate produced is used in various processes such as
construction operations and road building. It is envisaged that due to improvement in the economic
market demand in the region, production will be 500 000 tons per annum with the use of the mobile
modular plant. Decommissioning is currently anticipated in 2028.
The method of mining is open cast, undertaken using drill and blast, excavation, load and haul, and
crushing and screening techniques. The majority of the available topsoil and overburden has already
been stripped by the previous quarry operators and has been stockpiled on the outskirts of the quarry pit
for use during rehabilitation. Blasting takes place by a licensed sub-contractor.
The mobile modular plant incorporates a primary crusher, a secondary crusher, a tertiary crusher,
screens and conveyors.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The stakeholder engagement process comprised notification of IAPs through a newspaper
advertisement, placement of site notices and distribution of a background information document. To date
no comments from IAPs and authorities have been received. IAPs will have an opportunity to review the
updated EIR and EMPr report. All comments will be included in the report submitted to DMR.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
The potential biophysical, socio-economic and environmental impacts of changes to operations at the
quarry were assessed as outlined below.
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS
Section Potential impact Significance of the impact
(the ratings are negative unless otherwise specified)
Unmitigated Mitigated
Climate Potential minor changes to local micro-climates around the pit and stockpile areas.
Low Low
Geology Loss and sterilization of mineral resources Low Low
Topography Change in natural topography of the site. M M
Soils Potential loss of topsoil. Low Low
Risk of soil contamination. Low Low
Biodiversity Physical destruction of biodiversity due to quarrying operations Medium Medium
Sensitive and protected areas
Physical disturbance of sensitive and protected areas. Neutral Neutral
Surface water Minimal surface water used and there is thus no impact on surface water resources.
Neutral Neutral
Groundwater Minimal groundwater use from a single borehole. No impact on groundwater resources.
Neutral Neutral
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Project: 750.12004.00014
Report No.1
Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Environmental Management Programme Update for the Polokwane Quarry
June 2016
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS
Section Potential impact Significance of the impact
(the ratings are negative unless otherwise specified)
Unmitigated Mitigated
Water quality Risk of surface water contamination. Medium Low
Risk of groundwater contamination. Medium Low
Air quality Potential health impacts and nuisance dust for employees. Low Low
Vehicle emissions produced by haul trucks. Low Low
Noise Noise pollution Medium Low
Blasting Blasting increases noise and dust levels. Low Low
Safety aspects (such as injury) associated with blasting activities. Neutral Neutral
Traffic Road disturbance and traffic safety Neutral Neutral
Visual Visual impact on sensitive receptors. Medium Medium
Heritage Loss of heritage, palaeontological and cultural resources Medium Low
Socio-economic Economic Development Neutral Neutral
Employment and livelihoods Neutral Neutral
Public safety and security Neutral Neutral
Housing, services and infrastructure Neutral Neutral
Land use and land capability
Quarrying operations and resource extraction. Medium Medium
CONCLUSIONS
The Polokwane Quarry is an existing quarry and the impacts associated with it remain largely unchanged
since the approval of the EMPR in 1995. The impacts are confined to the mining area and no impacts of
a high magnitude were found to occur on the site. There is a large demand for the aggregates which the
quarry supplies to the surrounding market and the overall benefits of the quarry outweigh the negative
impacts associated with it. It follows that provided the EMPr is effectively implemented there is no
environmental, social or economic reason why the project should not proceed.