AE01168
A report on a detailed baseline cultural heritage impact assessment for the proposed Eloff Mining Development in the Mpumalanga Province
Summary
Archaetnos cc was requested by GCS to conduct a detailed baseline cultural heritage impact assessment (HIA) for the proposed Eloff Mining Company Project. This entails various farms on the Mpumalanga Higveld, close to the town of Eloff in the Mpumalanga Province.
The client indicated the areas where the proposed development is to take place and the survey was confined to this area. A survey of the available literature was also undertaken in order to obtain background information regarding the area.
The area where the development is planned is almost totally disturbed by agriculture, but certain areas with natural vegetation still exist. Twenty-four sites of cultural heritage significance were located. These are discussed and mitigation measures are proposed.
As the mine is still in a planning phase it is not known exactly what the direct impact on these cultural resources would be. However it creates a valuable document for planning purposes. Once the proposed layout of infrastructure is known, it should be used to determine the impact after which final recommendations for mitigation can be made.
Report by
Dr. A.C. van Vollenhoven (L.AKAD.SA.)