Heritage Cases

The focus of the Environmental Impact Assessment is on the development of the proposed Block L Opencast section which lies within the bounds of the 2020 Mangweni EMP due to its close proximity to the existing Processing Plant area that is covered by this EMP. Block L will consist of a small opencast pit to be mined for approximately 60 months five (5) years. As the open pit progresses, a topsoil layer of approx. 300mm will be removed and stockpiled, separate from overburden to facilitate effective rehabilitation. The topsoil stockpile will be minimal as the material will be used in annual rehabilitation. The coal seam will be removed using drill and blast in combination with mechanised truck and shovel to expose ore. The ore (anthracite) will be hauled to the plant for processing through use of the existing haul road. The roll over method of mining will be used as far as practically possible to ensure effective use of the area. Due to the location of Block L, it is possible for the area to be extended to the North and South in future should it be desired, however, this will be subject to the necessary approvals. If the pit is extended it will be possible to fully fill the put with overburden, however for only Block L mining, a stockpile outside the open pit will be required. An overburden quantity of approximately 3.3million m3 will be placed inside the pit to limit the overburden stockpile footprint, whilst approximately 3.7million m3 of overburden will be stockpiled on the Northern side of Block L on an area current used for sugarcane farming. 19,5 Ha of natural vegetation will be disturbed and 40 Ha os sugarcane. Nkomati Anthracite Mine - Un-surveyed state land under the jurisdiction of Tribal Authorities, Madadeni, Mpumalanga