Case Decision - 184639

Although it is stated in section 2.2.3 of the EMP form that no heritage sites occur on the property, no indication of a professional assessment is given, furthermore, the cumulative area to be disturbed by the prospecting activities is greater than 5 000m2.  Please also note that that clearing of vegetation and building for access roads may also destroy or damage archaeological and/or palaeontological sites.  SAHRA therefore requests that a Heritage Impact Assessment is conducted.Consequently, the quickest process to follow for the archaeological component would be to contract a specialist (see www.asapa.org.za) to provide a Phase 1 Archaeological Impact Assessment Report.  This must be done before any prospecting drilling, trenching or mining takes place. The Phase 1 Impact Assessment Report will identify the archaeological sites and assess their significance. It should also make recommendations (as indicated in section 38 of the NHRA) about the process to be followed. For example, there may need to be a mitigation phase (Phase 2) where the specialist will collect or excavate material and date the site. At the end of the process the heritage authority may give permission for destruction of the sites.Where bedrock is to be affected, or where there are coastal sediments, or marine or river terraces and in potentially fossiliferous superficial deposits, a Palaeontological study must be undertaken to assess whether or not the proposed activities will impact upon palaeontological resources - or at least a letter from a Palaeontologist motivating for an exemption is needed to indicate that this is unnecessary. If the area is deemed sensitive, a full Phase 1 Palaeontological Impact Assessment will be required and if necessary a Phase 2 rescue operation might be necessary (see www.palaeontologicalsociety.co.za for a list of accredited Palaeontologists).Any other heritage resources that may be impacted such as built structures over 60 years old, sites of cultural significance associated with oral histories, burial grounds and graves, graves of victims of conflict, and cultural landscapes or viewscapes must also be assessed.