Final CommentSAHRA Archaeology, Palaeontology, Meteorites (APM) Unit accepts the recently submitted HIA report, the PIA report and the recommendations provided. SAHRA has no objections to the development on the following conditions:
If any fossils are uncovered during construction and operation of the mine, then the ECO must be informed of the findings and a 10 m boundary around the findings must be maintained until a palaeontologist is called in to inspect the finds.
A brief training guide with images of fossils that occur in the Vryheid Formation must be compiled by a palaeontologist, and used for induction of mine workers and the ECO. It should also detail a fossil finds procedures that must be followed if any fossils are uncovered.
The Burial Grounds and Graves (BGG) Unit accepts the recommendations for the burial grounds identified in the HIA report and has no objections to the development on the following conditions:
A 20 m buffer area around site VVF006 must be maintained at all times and demarcated by a soil berm to prevent any unintentional damage from mining activities. "Fencing" with a soil berm still constitutes a change in the nature of the site which will require undertaking a social consultation process to identify the family members of the site and obtaining permission from them, and a permit from SAHRA in terms of Chapter IX of the NHRA Regulations and section 36(3) of the NHRA.
If the mine is unable to retain site VVF006 in situ then permission for relocation must be obtained from the remaining relatives. This must be done by undertaking a social consultation process to identify the family members of the site. This must be done in terms of Chapter IX of the NHRA Regulations and section 36(3) of the NHRA.
The above conditions must be included in the EMPr along with the following general conditions:
In the unlikely event that fossils are uncovered during construction then construction must cease within the immediate vicinity, a buffer of 30 m must be established, and a palaeontologist called in to inspect the finds. The palaeontologist must obtain a section 35(4) permit in terms of NHRA and Chapter IV NHRA Regulations, before any fossils are collected.
If there are any new heritages resources are discovered during construction and operation phases of the proposed development, then a professional archaeologist or palaeontologist, depending on the nature of the finds, must be contracted as soon as possible to inspect the findings at the expense of the developer.
If the newly discovered heritage resources prove to be of archaeological or palaeontological significance, a Phase 2 rescue operation may be required at the expense of the developer. Mitigation will only be carried out after the archaeologist or palaeontologist obtains a permit in terms of section 35 of the NHRA (Act 25 of 1999). You may contact SAHRA APM Unit for further details: (Nokukhanya Khumalo/Phillip Hine 021 202 8654).
If any unmarked human burials are uncovered and the archaeologist called in to inspect the finds and/or the police find them to be heritage graves, then mitigation may be necessary and the SAHRA Burial Grounds and Graves (BGG) Unit must be contacted for processes to follow (Mimi Seetelo 012 320 8490).
The Final EIAr report and its appendices must be uploaded to the case along with the Record of Decision from the competent authority.