Heritage Cases

ndatory condition.  SITE PLANNING Before site establishment, mine operation and closure and rehabilitation can occur, careful planning must take place which will lay the foundations and plan of action for the subsequent phases. This will ensure that impacts can be identified at the earliest stage possible and appropriate mitigation measures employed. This in order to prevent/ minimise impacts to acceptable levels. The Basic Assessment Report and associated Appendices, forms part of this process.  SITE PREPARATION/ESTABLISHMENT While no infrastructure development will occur on site, the site will however be prepared for mining commencement. These activities will include:  Environmental training and awareness for workers;  The removal and storage of topsoil that will be kept for the closure and rehabilitation phase;  The demarcation of the mining site and ‘no-go’ areas;  The erecting of signage and fences;  The placement of a portable toilet, bins, spill kits and first aid kits;  Facilitating the access road to mining site;  Preparing equipment and vehicles for operation;  Ensuring that there are no protected trees or fauna on site; and  Implementing erosion control on site.  MINE CLOSURE AND REHABILITATION During decommissioning, the working areas will be rehabilitated and re-vegetated, as per the approach outlined in the closure/rehabilitated plan. It is important that the applicant and the landowner’s liability for the site persist until a closure certificate has been issued by the DMR, accordingly, once the vegetation has been established, a closure report will be submitted to the DMR. Post-closure monitoring will assist in determining the success of the rehabilitation and also identify whether any additional measures need to be taken to ensure the area is restored to a reasonable and acceptable condition.