Richards' Bay Minerals - Zulti North Mining Heritage Resources Management Permit.

RBM is a 24/7 mine that has been in operating since 1976. The archaeological work began in 1995. Since then, regular surveys and excavations have been undertaken. Currently, the mine is visited every two weeks, and a survey is undertaken. Sites are sampled and/or excavated according to their significance before they are permanently destroyed by the mining process. Surveys occur after vegetation clearance and before dune mining. If sites are noticed by HME operators then they are reported through various channels and mitigation is undertaken within 1 - 2 days. Sites cannot be seen before some form of dune clearance as the vegetation is dense coastal dune forest. This occurs as the mine cannot stop, the site may be lost soon afterward due to dune slumping, and/or continued exposure will result in damage to the site and/or artifacts. Immediate mitigation is thus required. This year's permit renewal was slightly delayed due to staff changes at RBM in January causing a delay in acquiring signatures.