AE01864V
A REPORT ON A HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE NKOMATI ANTHRACITE MINE IN THE MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT OF BARBERTON, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Purpose:
Archaetnos cc was requested by the Nkomati Anthracite Mine to conduct a heritage impact assessment (HIA). A previous HIA was done for the mine in 2011 but apparently was never submitted to the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA). This report therefore serves as an update of the 2011 report.
Project description:
The HIA is relevant to the proposed opencast area on State land at Madadeni. This is between Komatipoort and Barberton in the Mpumalanga Province, but falls in the Barberton Magisterial District. The survey was however limited to the State land at Madadeni where the open cast mining is planned.
Methodology:
The methodology for the study includes a survey of literature and a field survey. The latter was conducted according to generally accepted HIA practices and was aimed at locating all possible objects, sites and features of cultural significance in the area of the proposed development.
If required, the location/position of any site was determined by means of a Global Positioning System (GPS), while photographs were also taken where needed. The survey was undertaken by doing a physical survey via off-road vehicle and on foot, the survey covered as much as and covered as much as possible of the area to be studied. Certain factors, such as accessibility, density of vegetation, etc. may however influence the coverage.
All sites, objects, features and structures identified were documented according to the general minimum standards accepted by the archaeological profession. Co-ordinates of individual localities were determined by means of the Global Positioning System (GPS). The information was added to the description in order to facilitate the identification of each locality.
Findings:
During the survey thirteen sites of cultural heritage significance were identified within the project area.
Recommendations:
- As indicated earlier there usually are two options when dealing with graves. The first option is to leave graves in situ and the second that of exhumation (see details above). This needs to be kept in mind while looking at the other recommendations.
- The mine has indicated the they would prefer Option 1, which is thus recommended. Except for grave site no. 13, all graves fall outside of the area of direct impact. There already is a fence around grave sites no. 1, 3-5, 7-8 and 10. This fence should not be removed as it serves as additional buffer with the community in order to protect these graves. However, these graves and those at sites 11 and 12, together with the Iron Age/ historical site (site no. 2) can be fenced in separately from the opencast mining area in order to assist in the preservation thereof. The fence should be at least 20 m from any Iron Age/ historical remains and at least 50 m from any graves (this incidentally is the current status).
- Site no 13 (single grave) is already fenced in. The fence should remain intact.
- Controlled access to the graves for family members (if they can be determined) should be granted, but this should be managed so as not to inflict further damage to the Iron Age/ historical site. (Of course after the phase 2 investigation on the Iron Age site has been completed this would not be applicable anymore and the situation will be much easier to manage.)
- For all these grave sites, a management plan should be drafted as indicated above.
- ,Relating to site number 7 (graves covered by high wall) things are more complex. Firstly it is inside of the area to be directly impacted on by the underground mining. However, should the high wall remain the graves will be in no immediate danger. If this is the case the site can be left as it is. However once the mine starts to move the high wall or on mine closure (whichever comes first) an archaeologist should be on site to supervise work in this area and handle the situation. The archaeologist should act according to legislation, considering the development and plans for the area at that stage as well as the information that can be obtained once the graves can be seen.
- Regarding site no. 6, the Nkosi Dam, one needs to be cautious that there indeed is substance to the allegations made that it is of importance to the community. It seems strange that a person who stayed here all his life and knows about the apparent importance does not know why it has this so-called importance. Therefore it needs to be verified that the dam indeed has such an important value to the community.
- The recommendation therefore is that background research on the local people is done and specifically into their oral traditions relating to such matters.
- Should the dam proof not to be important, the rating can be lowered, and development may commence. However should it indeed be as important as indicated mining should not commence here and the community should be allowed access in accordance with the mine’s regulations.
- Regarding site no. 9, the Marula tree, one also needs to be cautious that the site indeed is of importance to the community. Therefore it needs to be verified.
- The recommendation therefore is that background research on the local people is done and specifically into their oral traditions relating to such matters.
- Should the tree proof not to be important, the rating can be lowered, and development may commence. However should it indeed be as important as indicated mining should not commence here and the community should be allowed access in accordance with the mine’s regulations.
- The most important find of the survey is the Iron Age/ historical site (no. 2), which may be a multi component site. Although it seems as if there will be no direct impact on this site by the planned opencast mining, it has already been impacted by different things (the gravel road, current fence, encroaching community and moving of people and animals on site). It is therefore recommended that the current fence be moved to include this entire site together with the graves.
- This should be done under supervision of an archaeologist so as to minimize possible damage to the site.
- The site should be left in situ, but the mine may consider having test excavations done in order to minimize possible future damage. Together with this the site should also be mapped in order to obtain as much information as possible.
- During such a phase 2 heritage excavation project the site may be re-evaluated. However it is most likely that after completion of the heritage work, the site may be left to deteriorate through natural causes and it may even be demolished during further work in the area.
- The mine will nevertheless always have to be on the lookout for human skeletal remains being exposed by any activities. In such a case an archaeologist should be contacted immediately in order to ensure that these are handled proper according to legislation and with the necessary care and respect for human remains.
- Due to constraints indicated in this report it is possible that all heritage sites may not have been identified. Such sites found later on should be handled in accordance with this report which inter alia includes summoning an archaeologist to site to assess these.
- It should be noted that the subterranean presence of archaeological and/or historical sites, features or artifacts is always a distinct possibility. This includes graves. Care should therefore be taken when development commences that if any of these are discovered, a qualified archaeologist be called in to investigate the occurrence. In this regard the following ‘Chance find Procedure’ should be followed:
- Upon finding any archaeological or historical material all work at the affected area must cease.
§ The area should be demarcated to prevent any further work there until an investigation has been completed.
§ An archaeologist should be contacted immediately to provide advice on the matter.
- Should it be a minor issue, the archaeologist will decide on future action. Depending on the nature of the find, it may include a site visit.
- SAHRA’s APM Unit may also be notified.