Heritage Cases

Tshedza 3 Investments (Pty) Ltd proposes to construct a PV facility capable of generating up to 40 MW, as assessed through this scoping report. The aim of the proposed project is to add onto the approved Phase 1 project (19.9 MW PV, substation, 100MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), and 11km of 22kV overhead powerlines) to generate up to 59.9MW of energy in total to sustainably supply the existing Ergo Mining Brakpan Plant and the Brakpan/Withok Tailings Dam facility with clean and stable electricity during grid curtailments and outages through embedded generation. It is intended that excess energy produced by the solar energy facility (SEF) will be fed back into the grid. The mine can therefore contribute toward alleviating the current pressure on the Eskom grid through the construction of the proposed SEFs. Heritage Scoping summary: The area is characterised by cultivation and mining activities from the 1940’s onwards that altered the landscape. A grave site is indicated on the 1976 topographical map of the area (Figure 25 of Draft Scoping Report) but not on subsequent or previous maps and it is not certain if the grave site still exists. Based on the desktop study sites dating to the following periods are known to occur in the study area: • Based on the SAHRA paleontological sensitivity map, the study area is indicated as of insignificant, low, moderate and high sensitivity and further studies will be required in the HIA phase. • The Stone Age; • Historical structures older than 60 years; and • Graves can be expected anywhere on the landscape. Every site is relevant to the Heritage Landscape, but it is anticipated that few sites in the study area could have conservation value. From a heritage viewpoint, the proposed project is viable and impacts to heritage resources can be successfully mitigated. This will however be confirmed through the Heritage Impact Assessment to be undertaken.