Case Decision - 198345

Interim CommentThe SAHRA's APM Unit acknowledges receipt of the DSR and the attached specialist heritage report as well as the recommendation contained therein.  SAHRA has noticed that the submitted HIA reported was initially conducted in 2005 and updated in 2013. The 2005/6 report was submitted for a Rhovan mine back-filling application in 2019 (https://sahris.sahra.org.za/cases/rhovan-mine-back-filling-opencast-pits...) which was left in DRAFT and SAHRA never provided comments on.As the submitted HIA report is almost 10 years old and it is noted that Site MIA/LIA03 was destroyed by mining activities it is clear that site conditions have changed and the threat to heritage is high. SAHRA request that the applicant undertakes a new field-assessment to assess the impact of the proposed Solar Energy Generation Facility at the Rhovan mining Operations as the submitted report was conducted for Mining activities and not the proposed solar proejcts. As such a project specific field-based HIA is required.As the proposed development is located in an area of insignificant palaeontological significance no further assessment of the impact to palaeontological resources is required. Further comments will be issued upon receipt of the above requested report and the submission of the draft EIA with appendices.