Heritage Cases

The area proposed for work was previously disturbed and has pre-existing infrastructure such as water pipes. It is close to the Limpopo Riverbank where a fence used to mark the border between Zimbabwe and South Africa has been removed. De Beers holds a valid environmental authorisation and water use license for the wellfields that are powered by energy from the powerline. In 2018, a heritage impact assessment was performed in advance of the repair of well fields by De Beers (Chirikure 2018). The HIA together with a permit application were approved by SAHRA (Case ID:11803). The proposed work lies in the same area with the exception that holes will be excavated to accommodate new poles. A ground survey supported by desktop work was performed on the full 1.25 kilometres of the stretch (Chirikure and Mathoho 2019). The assessment found no heritage resources in the receiving environment. However, given the significance of the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape and the provisions of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999), all excavations must be authorised by the heritage authority. This is the purpose of this proposal: it seeks authorisation to dig holes to place new poles to repair the powerline. Although the area is dominated by thick Limpopo alluvium deposits, the excavations will be monitored by the onsite team and project Manager who have been trained on the Mine’s Heritage Resources Procedure aimed at the protection and conservation of any heritage resources. As specified in the Procedure, should any heritage resource be discovered during execution of the project,the activity will be stopped immediately, the area shall be barricaded, location marked by a GPS and a qualified archaeologist and the Parks Manager shall be notified. The archaeologist shall determine the appropriate process to be followed.