Farm Roodekraal No. 249

Environmental Management Group is submitting an application for a borrow pit on behalf of the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads, and Transport (The Applicant). This Draft Basic Assessment pertains to the proposed borrow pit operation located approximately 19km south west of Lindley town and 4,5km west of Arlington town, falling
under the jurisdiction of the Senekal Magisterial district. The primary objective of this endeavour is to legalize and permitthe use of the existing borrow pit into conformity with the updated regulations set forth by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
The envisioned project encompasses an area of approximately 2,3ha, marked by disturbed indigenous vegetation. The focal point of this undertaking revolves around the extraction of weathered dolerite material, a resource vital for the forthcoming refurbishment of the R707 road, and as a critical resource for future development projects. To achieve this,
the extraction process will employ surface mining techniques, involving a series of steps, including winning, classifying, concentrating, crushing, screening, and washing, all designed to prepare the dolerite material for its intended purpose. Throughout the operational phase of the proposed borrow pit, only mobile and temporary structures will be employed. This entails the establishment of a site office and an area for vehicle parking spanning approximately 0.5ha. Furthermore, approximately 610,76m of fencing will be erected to enclose the borrow pit mining area. It is essential to highlight that due to the specific nature of the material being extracted (weathered dolerite), the
excavation process will exclusively employ Excavators and TLBs. This mining operation will be characterized as a shallow surface mining endeavour, systematically creating "cuts" or mineable faces before transitioning to the subsequent cut. It is important to note that no blasting activities will be necessary. The Environmental Assessment Practitioner overseeing this proposed project is committed to ensuring that all activities are executed in a manner that aligns with environmental responsibility and full compliance with the requisite regulations.

Province(s): Free State