AE01411V
A report on the updating of a previous cultural heritage impact assessment for the Empr Alignment and Consolidation Process at Anglo American Platinum: Rustenburg Platinum Mines – Rustenburg Section, Northwest Province
Summary
Archaetnos cc was requested by WSP Environmental (Pty) Ltd to conduct the
necessary assessment for the update of a previous cultural heritage impact
assessment (HIA). This is for the EMPR Alignment and Consolidation Process at
Anglo American Platinum: Rustenburg Platinum Mines: Rustenburg Section. This is
close to the town of Rustenburg in the Northwest Province.
The previous HIA report was done in 2005 and it was uncertain whether some of the
recommendations in that report had been done. Therefore the South African
Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) requested an update.
A survey of the available literature was undertaken in order to obtain background
information regarding the proposed project area and the surrounding environment.
As part of this the previous HIA report was also studied. This was followed by the
field survey which was conducted according to generally accepted HIA practices.
However, it was not aimed at identifying new sites, but only to visit and re-assess
known sites. However, four new sites were identified. These are:
New Sites:
Bathopele Mine | |||
25 41 38.5; 27 41 42.8 | Graves | High Should be mitigated | |
25 41 38.5; 27 41 42.8 | Recent stone walling | Low | |
Turffontein North Mine | |||
25 37 58.7; 27 21 30.4 | Late Iron Age walling | Moderate | |
25 40 54.1; 27 25 10.6 | Grave yard | High | Should be mitigated |
Some sites have already been disturbed by mining and related activities, but this is
in line with the previous HIA report. Some of these have been destroyed. The
updated report discusses all the sites and gives the necessary recommendations in
this regard. Five sites from the Huffman report were never mitigated and two of the
four new ones also need mitigation.
It should be noted however that the subterranean presence of archaeological and/or
historical sites, features or artefacts is always a possibility. As such, care should be
taken during any work in the entire area, that if any historical sites, features or
artefacts are discovered, a qualified archaeologist should be commissioned to
investigate. It is also important to take cognisance of the applicant’s responsibility to
submit this report via the SAHRIS System on the South African Heritage Resource
Agency (SAHRA) website. No work on site may commence before receiving the
necessary comments from the SAHRA.
Report by
Dr. A.C. van Vollenhoven (L.AKAD.SA.) Accredited member of ASAPA Accredited member of SASCH & Cherene de Bruyn (BA), BA (Hons) Archaeology