Case Decision - 198419

Interim CommentThe SAHRA Archaeology, Palaeontology, and Meteorites (APM) Unit cannot make an informed decision based on the information provided to the case. There is no detailed finalised mining plans provided in the desktop heritage study, therefore the nature and extent of the development is not fully understood to determine the likely impact to heritage resources. Mining significantly changes the landscape and a desktop study is never sufficient to for such an activity therefore a field based heritage assessment must be undertaken.In order for SAHRA to process this application further, then:The field survey by a suitably qualified archaeologist must be undertaken once the mines infrastructure plan is finalised and the HIA must contain maps of the the mine layout plans. The study area is underlain by geology that is mapped on the SAHRIS palaeomap is being moderately to very highly significant for palaeontological resources as such a suitably qualified palaeontologist must be appointed to undertake a field based palaeontological impact assessment. The results of that assessment must also be considered in the HIA as an overall impact assessment.The HIA and PIA must be submitted within the Environmental Authorisation application public participation periods.An amended .kml file that maps the proposed mine right area as it appears in the supplied locality map must be uploaded to the palaeosensitivity map in the case on SAHRIS.The supporting documents for an environmental application, be it a Basic Assessment or a Scoping & Environmental Impact Assessment must be submitted to the case along with the requested HIA report.SAHRA awaits the submission of these reports.