Case Decision - 196739

Interim Comment
The SAHRA Archaeology, Palaeontology and Meteorites (APM) Unit requests that a field-based assessment of the impact to heritage resources be conducted as part of the EA application process. The assessment must comply with section 38(3) of the NHRA. Additionally, the assessment of the impact to archaeological resources must be conducted by a qualified archaeologist and comply with the 2007 SAHRA Minimum Standards: Archaeological and Palaeontological Components of Impact Assessments.
As the prospecting rights application area is located in an area of moderate sensitivity for palaeontological resources as per the SAHRIS PalaeoSensitivity map, a desktop Palaeontological Impact Assessment (PIA) must be required to be undertaken by a qualified palaeontologist. (See https://www.palaeosa.org/heritage-practitioners.html for a list of qualified palaeontologists). The report must comply with the 2012 Minimum Standards: Palaeontological Components of Heritage Impact Assessments.
The applicant is advised to extend the EA application process in terms of section 19(1)b of the NEMA EIA regulations in order to comply with this comment. Further comments will be issued upon receipt of the above requested reports and a revised DBAR that incorporates the results of the heritage specialists reports.