Permits

This permit is issued to the Management Authority of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site for the establishment of infrastructure at Sterkfontein Caves to mitigate existing and prevent future water damages.

Conditions:
1. If Ms Smith is not to be present on the site at all times then SAHRA must be provided with the names and qualifications of the authorised representatives.
2. The activities will include: 
• Construction of low water deflection walls around surface openings to the caves, sufficient to prevent running surface water entering and loose rocks rolling into the openings. 
• Removal of mining debris from the mining adit.
• Construction of a retention wall inside the mining adit, close to the point of entry into the aven chute. 
• Secure all mining openings with connections to the caves to prevent entry by people.
• Treatment of accumulations of surface water in the form of ponds by the provision of small dewatering trenches.
• Monitoring and inspection of the wedge at the cave entrance and the retaining horizontal timbers. These may be replaced if necessary. 
• Inspections of the sidewalls of the caves to detect any potentially unstable rocks and removal as necessary.
• Inspection of all surface installations and barricades at weekly intervals and replacement as necessary.
3. It is understood that the COHWHS MA will photograph the affected area prior to the installation, and again after the installation has been completed.
4. A final report on the results of the installation of site safety measures must be submitted to SAHRA by the end of July 2015.
5. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to obtain permission from the landowner for each visit. Conditions of access imposed by the landowner must be observed.
6. SAHRA shall not be liable for any losses, damages or injuries to persons or properties as a result of any activities in connection with this permit.
7. SAHRA reserves the right to cancel this permit by notice to the permit holder.