02014V

A REPORT ON AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED FAIRVIEW TSF AND RECLAMATION OF HISTORIC DUMPS AT THE FAIRVIEW MINE CLOSE TO BARBERTON, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE

The original report was submitted to SAHRA as part of the Scoping Phase of the application for Environmental Authorization. SAHRA issued Interim Comment on Case ID14681 on 24 January 2020, stating that the potential impacts of the Project on the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site (WHS) had not been comprehensively addressed and advised that a geological heritage survey be undertaken and that heritage-specific consultation should be undertaken to include the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountain Management Authority and Mpumalanga Parks Board (currently known as the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, MPTA).

 

The Geological Heritage Assessment that was submitted to SAHRA on 14 February 2020 is included as Appendix F to this report. Section 6.3 of this report elaborates on the consultation that was undertaken.

 

On 27 February 2020 SAHRA issued additional interim comment stating that the Geological Heritage Assessment that was undertaken did not meet their requirements. Subsequent telephonic and e-mail correspondence between the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) and SAHRA confirmed SAHRA’s requirements as follows:

  • The Heritage Report must elaborate on the heritage significance of the Barberton Area and also the history of the Mine, considering it is one of the oldest mines in the country;
  • The Heritage Report must include details of consultation that was undertaken, specifically with reference to heritage matters, the World Heritage Site and its management;
  • The Heritage Report must discuss each of the dumps that are proposed for reclamation individually and provide details of age where such information is known / can be determined. Reclamation of the dumps will be subject to Section 34 applications (to be undertaken after the EIA is concluded) and the Heritage Report must specifically state that requirement.

This updated Heritage Report is submitted to SAHRA as part of the EIA Phase of the Application for Environmental Authorization and addresses the stated requirements.

Report by

Prof. A.C. van Vollenhoven (L.AKAD.SA.) Accredited member of ASAPA Accredited member of SASCH