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Samancor ECM MR, EA and WML Application for the proposed Mareesburg Mine

CaseViews

CaseHeader

Status: 

HeritageAuthority(s): 

Development Type: 

ProposalDescription: 

Mareesburg Chrome Mine comprises of the farm Mareesburg 8 JT situated in the Steelpoort area. The portions are as follows: Portion 0 of the Farm Mareesburg 8 JT (RE Extent); Portion 1 of the Farm Mareesburg 8 JT; Portion 2 of the Farm Mareesburg 8 JT; Portion 6 of the Farm Mareesburg 8 JT; and Portion 7 of the Farm Mareesburg 8 JT. This farm lies within the provincial boundaries of the Limpopo Province, and falls within the Sekhukhune District Municipality of the Limpopo Province, approximately 34km south-west of Steelpoort and 32km west of Lydenburg.

Expanded_Motivation: 

The study area, consisting of two areas demarcated for underground and opencast mining, revealed several sites dating the Early Stone Age (ESA), Middle Stone Age (MSA), Late Iron Age (LIA) and Historic Period. Proposed underground section No buildings or structures were observed on historical aerial imagery and historical topographical maps. However, previous heritage studies conducted by Van der Walt & Fourie (2007) and Coetzee (2017) recorded several stone cairns potentially indicating the location of graves, as well as LIA stone-walled enclosures, terrace walling, potsherds belonging to the Early Moloko Tradition, upper and lower grinding stones and grain bin foundations. These sites are in a dilapidated state and are unlikely to be impacted by the proposed underground mining. Proposed opencast area Two sections of the area demarcated for opencast mining are associated with a high density of LIA structures and artefacts, as well as ESA and MSA tools (Sensitive Area 1 & 2). The LIA structures and artefacts include a high number of upper and lower grinding stones, potsherds, terrace walling and a stone-walled enclosure. The remains are in a dilapidated state and hampered delineating the boundary of the sensitive area. Therefore, LIA structures and artefacts might be located to the outside of the demarcated sensitive area as well. Late Iron Age settlement sites are often associated with unmarked burial sites and care should therefore be exercised when developing in the general vicinity. Due to the sensitivity of the demarcated Sensitive Areas, these areas must be avoided by the proposed mining development. Should this not be possible, a Phase 2 AIA inclusive of detailed site mapping and test pit excavations must be conducted, as well as a surface collection of stone tools. Two LIA sites (K09 & K10), consisting of an upper and lower grinding stone, a section of dilapidated stone walling, as well as a stone cairn (K03), potential grave (K02), MSA scraper (K06) and a ploughshare with bricks (K01) were recorded outside of the demarcated sensitive areas. The LIA sites (K09 & K10) and the MSA scraper (K06) are not associated with additional surface remains or nearby sites. The recording done during this study is therefore considered to be sufficient. The ploughshare and bricks (K01) are not considered to be significant from a heritage perspective and the recording done during this study is considered to be sufficient. The stone cairn (K03) is located on solid rock and is therefore unlikely to indicate a burial site. The recording done in this study is therefore considered to be sufficient. Potential grave (K02) consists of a stone cairn on soil. The site is not associated with material remains or inscriptions, but might indicate the location of a grave. The site should therefore be treated as such. Therefore, a fenced-off conservation buffer of 10 m should be erected around the site. Alternatively, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) operated by a suitably qualified heritage specialist may be employed to determine the presence of human remains. Another option is to initiate a grave relocation process. Subject to adherence to the recommendations and approval by SAHRA, the proposed Mining Development as per the indicated boundaries may continue. Should skeletal remains be exposed during development and construction phases, all activities must be suspended and the relevant heritage resources authority contacted (See National Heritage and Resources Act, 25 of 1999 section 36 (6)). Also, should culturally significant material be discovered during the course of the said development, all activities must be suspended pending further investigation by a qualified archaeologist.

ApplicationDate: 

Friday, March 25, 2022 - 12:27

CaseID: 

18231

OtherReferences: 

CaseReferenceDepartmentApplicationTypeDeadlineDateContactPerson
LP 30/5/1/2/3/2/1 (10219) EM
20/04/2022

ReferenceList: 

 
 

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