Case Decision - 197976

Final CommentThe SAHRA Archaeology, Palaeontology, and Meteorites (APM) Unit notes and accepts the submission of the draft EIAr, and HIA exemption letter. SAHRA has no objections to the proposed development on the following conditions:
38(4)a – The SAHRA Archaeology, Palaeontology and Meteorites (APM) Unit has no objections to the proposed development;38(4)b – The recommendations provided by the heritage specialists are supported and must be adhered to. The following additional conditions must be adhered to:A Fossil Chance Finds Procedure must be developed and included in the mines EMPr for implementation by the mine EOIn the 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.38(4)c(i) – If any evidence of archaeological sites or remains (e.g. remnants of stone-made structures, indigenous ceramics, bones, stone artefacts, ostrich eggshell fragments, charcoal and ash concentrations), fossils or other categories of heritage resources are found during the proposed development, SAHRA APM Unit (Nokukhanya Khumalo/Phillip Hine 021 202 8654) must be alerted as per section 35(3) of the NHRA. Non-compliance with section of the NHRA is an offence in terms of section 51(1)e of the NHRA and item 5 of the Schedule;38(4)c(ii) – If unmarked human burials are uncovered, the SAHRA Burial Grounds and Graves (BGG) Unit (Thingahangwi Tshivhase/Ngqalabutho Madida 012 320 8490), must be alerted immediately as per section 36(6) of the NHRA. Non-compliance with section of the NHRA is an offence in terms of section 51(1)e of the NHRA and item 5 of the Schedule;38(4)d – See section 51(1) of the NHRA for offences;38(4)e – The following conditions apply with regards to the appointment of specialists:i) If heritage resources are uncovered during the course of the development, a professional archaeologist or palaeontologist, depending on the nature of the finds, must be contracted as soon as possible to inspect the heritage resource. If the newly discovered heritage resources prove to be of archaeological or palaeontological significance, a Phase 2 rescue operation may be required subject to permits issued by SAHRA;The decision regarding the EA Application must be communicated to SAHRA and uploaded to the SAHRIS Case application.