AE01309V
A report on a cultural heritage impact assessment for the Brakfontein 264 IR Colliery, close to Delmas, Mpumalanga Province
Summary
Archaetnos cc was requested by Cabanga Concepts to conduct a cultural heritage impact assessment for the existing Brakfontein 264 IR Colliery. This is on portion 17 and 27 of the farm Brakfontein close to Delmas in the Mpumalanga Province.
A survey of the available literature was undertaken in order to obtain background information regarding the area. This was followed by the field survey which was conducted according to generally accepted HIA practices, aimed at locating all possible objects, sites and features of cultural significance in the area of the proposed development.
All sites, objects features and structures identified were to be documented according to the general minimum standards accepted by the archaeological profession. Co-ordinates of individual localities were determined by means of a Global Positioning System (GPS). The information was added to photographs and the description in order to facilitate the identification of each locality.
During the survey no site of cultural heritage significance was located in the mining right area. The development may therefore continue.
It should be noted however that the subterranean presence of archaeological and/or historical sites, features or artifacts is always a distinct possibility. In this particular case there indeed is a fair chance of sites like graveyards being found later on as the vegetation cover was extremely high, making archaeological visibility extremely difficult. Care should therefore be taken when the development commences further that if any of these are discovered, a qualified archaeologist be called in to investigate.
It should be noted that it is the client’s responsibility to do the submission of this report via the SAHRIS System on the SAHRA website. No work on site may commence before receiving the necessary comments from SAHRA.
Report by
Dr. A.C. van Vollenhoven (L.AKAD.SA.)