AE01364V
A report on a cultural heritage impact assessment for the proposed Manungu Colliery, close to Delmas, Mpumalanga Province
Summary
Archaetnos cc was requested by Eco-gain Consulting to conduct a cultural heritage
impact assessment for the proposed Manungu Colliery. This is on various portions
of the farm Weilaagte 271 IR as well as portion 1 of the farm Welgevonden 272 IR.
This is 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 six sites of cultural heritage significance were located in the mining
right area. These are discussed in the report. Five of these are grave sites and are
of high cultural significance. The other one are some farm buildings which are of low
cultural significance.
It seems as if four of these will be impacted on directly by the proposed mining
activities and infrastructure development. The others will however be impacted on
indirectly. Therefore the necessary mitigation measures are proposed. The
development may continue after implementation thereof.
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 archaeo logist 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.)