BASIC ASSESSMENT (“BA”) PROCESS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACCOMMODATION, RECREATIONAL, RESEARCH AND TRAINING FACILITIES AT SISHEN NATURE RESERVE NEAR KATHU, GAMAGARA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE

Sishen Iron Ore Company (Pty) Ltd: Land Management (“SIOC”), proposes to develop accommodation, recreational, research and training facilities at the Sishen Nature Reserve. The Sishen Nature Reserve is located on the farms Brooks 568 and Bredenkamp 567, approximately 20km southwest of the town Kathu and directly west of the Sishen Iron Ore Mine in the Gamagara Local Municipality, Northern Cape Province. The two farms, cumulatively named the Sishen Nature Reserve, have been promulgated in April 2018 under the National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act (57 of 2003)(“NEMPAA”) with Sishen Iron Ore Company (Pty) Ltd as the management authority.

The proposed project triggers activities listed in Listing Notice 1 (GN.R. 327 of 2017) and Listing Notice 3 (GN.R. 324 of 2017), promulgated in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998) (“NEMA”). A Basic Assessment (“BA”) Process is required prior to commencement of the project. EXM Environmental Advisory (Pty) Ltd (“EXM”) has been appointed as the Independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (“EAP”) responsible for undertaking the required environmental legislative and public consultation processes.

SIOC proposes to establish facilities to accommodate overnight guests and day visitor which will provide the public assess to the nature reserve. The development will also support training, awareness and research.
The following facilities are proposed:
•Conference/ Training Centre;
•Ablution facilities;
•Tented houses;
•A lookout point;
•A solar facility and french drain; and
•A Treehouse.
The proposed location for the tree house is on Farm Brooks 568, while all other infrastructure is planned to be established on Farm Bredenkamp 567.
The total footprint of the sites on Farm Brooks 568 and Bredenkamp 567 will be approximately 3 000m2 and 7 200m2 respectively. The total project footprint is approximately 1.2 hectares.
Province(s): Northern Cape