Case Decision - 198871

Interim Comment
The SAHRA Archaeology, Palaeontology and Meteorites (APM) Unit requests that an assessment of the impact to heritage resources be undertaken as part of the EA process that complies with section 38(3) of the NHRA as required by section 38(8) of the NHRA. The HIA must include an archaeological and palaeontological component. Many of the manganese mines in this area are older than 60 years and therefore, some structures may be protected in terms of section 34 of the NHRA, this includes mine dumps as per section 28(1)c of the NHRA.
The field-based archaeological component of the HIA must be conducted by a qualified archaeologist and must comply with the SAHRA 2007 Minimum Standards: Archaeological and Palaeontological Components of Impact Assessment Reports (see www.asapa.co.za or www.aphp.org.za for a list of qualified archaeologists). The Minimum Standards refer to a Letter of Recommendation for Exemption for further studies should the specialist deem it appropriate. SAHRA reserves the right to insist on a field-based assessment should the Letter of Recommendation not provide ample information to make an informed comment.
The proposed development is located within an area of moderate and high Palaeontological Sensitivity as per the SAHRIS PalaeoSensitivity map. Some of the mined material within the dumps may contain previously uncovered fossils. As such, desktop based Palaeontological Impact Assessment (PIA) is requested 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 Minimum Standards refer to a Letter of Recommendation for Exemption for further studies should the specialist deem it appropriate. SAHRA reserves the right to insist on a field-based assessment should the Letter of Recommendation not provide ample information to make an informed comment.
Any other heritage resources as defined in section 3 of the NHRA that may be impacted, such as built structures over 60 years old, sites of cultural significance associated with oral histories, burial grounds and graves, graves of victims of conflict, and cultural landscapes or viewscapes must also be assessed.