Case Decision - 198856

The SAHRA supports the mitigation measures proposed on page 44-48 of the UHIA, with the specific recommendations on page 48 suggesting which conditions must be met for the proposed works to be supported. The following additional measures must be included to ensure that accidental heritage resource encounters are also covered:

If any heritage material, be it archaeological or palaeontological, is accidentally encountered, work must cease in the directly affected area immediately to avoid damage to the heritage resource(s). The SAHRA must be notified as soon as possible and only once the contractor(s) has complied with any additional mitigation measures, as specified by the SAHRA, can the work continue, and;
Where possible, if any heritage material is accidentally recovered, photographs must be taken, noting the date, time, location, as well as type of artefacts, and this information must be shared with the SAHRA. Please note that under no circumstances may any artefacts be removed, destroyed, or interfered with, without an appropriate permit from the SAHRA.

SAHRA reiterates, that according to section 35(3) of the NHRA, if any heritage resource is discovered this must be reported to SAHRA immediately. Heritage resources that might be applicable in this case, include, but are not limited to; archaeological fossils, palaeontological fossils, and pieces of shipwreck material older than 60 years.
Please note that all updates and/or changes to the project, supporting documentation, correspondence, reports, or any other work relating to the project must be uploaded to the case on SAHRIS to provide SAHRA with the opportunity to comment. SAHRA does not accept emailed documents or hard-copy documents received via post.