Heritage Cases

The Chapudi Project has shown a robust return in challenging market conditions. The primary product, hard coking coal, has demand in both South Africa and internationally, whilst the secondary thermal product (Eskom grade) adds significant value as a product booster. Coupled with the rest of the assets in the province, the Chapudi Project is uniquely placed to contribute significantly and responsibly to developing Limpopo’s mineral wealth, as well as participation in industrial growth as planned by the provincial government. The Chapudi Project is situated in the magisterial district of Vhembe, in the Limpopo Province, approximately 20 km (direct) and 35 km (via road) north-west of the town Makhado in the Makhado Local Municipal area. Musina is situated approximately 65 km to the north. The N1 national road pass the mining right application (MRA) area (Wildebeesthoek and Chapudi Sections) in the east with the R523 running through the site from east to west. Both of these roads carry sufficient traffic to impact on the ambient sound levels a distance away from these roads. There is an undefined road just west of the Waterpoort Station that appears to carry heavy traffic. The Makhado-Musina railway line runs in a north-south direction through the Chapudi Project area. Socio-economic activities in the area are mixed between intensive irrigated agriculture, hunting and tourism. The intensive irrigated agricultural activities are focused along the Sand River catchment and neighbouring areas. The land use in the Wildebeesthoek Section of the Chapudi Project is predominantly hunting, game farming and ecotourism. The Chapudi Section has a combination of hunting/game farming and irrigated / dry land agriculture. The Chapudi West Section has portions of intensive agriculture, while the further south-west portions are utilised for conservation, hunting and ecotourism. The area covered by the NOMR applications includes forty-two (42) farms, the majority of the properties are privately owned.