AE01377V
A report on a cultural heritage impact assessment for the proposed Eskom Lethabong Project, close to Brits, Northwest Province
Summary
Archaetnos cc was requested by Landscape Dynamics to conduct a cultural heritage
impact assessment for the proposed ESKOM Lethabong Project. The project entails
the erection of a new substation at Lethabong and approximately 20 km of power
line between the Lethabong Substation and the Dam Switching Station. This is close
to Brits in the Northwest Province. Three options for the route were investigated.
The position of the Lethabong Substation was not investigated as it will be handled
as a separate project.
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.
During the survey no sites of cultural heritage significance was located in the area to
be developed. From a heritage perspective it means that there is no specific
preference for any of these route alternatives. Therefore any of these may be used.
No mitigation is necessary and 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. Care should
therefore be taken when the development commences that if any of these are
discovered, a qualified archaeologist be called in to investigate.
Report by
Dr. A.C. van Vollenhoven (L.AKAD.SA.)