DecisionStatus:
CaseDiscussion:
EScience Associates (Pty) Ltd has been appointed by Black Rock Mining Operations (BRMO) to manage an assessment of heritage resources related to the proposed new railway bridge with the BRMO area near Hotazel, Northern Cape Province. The proposed bridge will be parallel to the existing bridge and will be 75 m in length.
A previous SAHRIS Case (Case ID 13896 - https://sahris.sahra.org.za/cases/brmo-new-railway-bridge-and-rail-line) is referenced in this application.
Banzai Environmental (Pty) Ltd and Archaetnos cc were appointed to conduct impact assessment of heritage resources within the proposed project area as per section 38(3) of the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999 (NHRA).
Butler, E. 2019. Palaeontological Desktop Assessment for the proposed new railway bridge and rail line between Hotazel and Gloria Mine, Northern Cape Province.
The proposed project area is underlain by the Griqualand West Basin rocks which are overlain by Quaternary to recent sediments of the Kalahari Group. The Griqualand rocks are known to contain stromatolites, while the Kalahari sands may contain trace fossils, mammalian bones and teeth and tortoise shells. The specialist has concluded that the proposed development will not lead to detrimental impacts to palaeontological resources within the proposed development area. A Chance Finds Protocol is recommended and is provided in the report.
Van Vollenhoven, A. C and Smit, J. 2019. A report on a second archaeological impact assessment of the proposed new railway bridge at the Black Rock Mining Operations, close to Hotazel, Northern Cape Province.
One Early and Middle Stone Age site was identified as part of the second survey within the proposed development area, consisting of various ESA and MSA lithics over an area of approximately 50 m in diameter. Previously, 9 heritage resources were identified, all Stone Age surface scatters. As per figure 15 on page 29, sites 3, 5, 7 and 10 are located closest to the proposed development.
Recommended provided in the report include the following:
- The current bridge site may be left as it is and even still be utilised together with the new one. If not, it may be left to deteriorate naturally as this report is seen as ample mitigation thereof;
- It is unlikely that any of the Stone Age sites identified during the current and previous surveys will be impacted on. However, the mine needs to ensure that this remain the case by staying at least 20 m away from each;
- It should be borne in mind that the management for site no. 10 should be dealt with in accordance with the recommendation for the other Stone Age sites (see Van Vollenhoven 2019b). Depending on future developments in the area, it may thus need mitigation which will consist of the surface collection of artefacts. However, for now, the site can be left in situ;
- It should be remembered that due to archaeological sites being subterranean in essence, it is possible that all cultural sites may not have been identified. Care should therefore be taken when development work commences that, if any more artifacts are uncovered, a qualified archaeologist be called in to investigate.
Final Decision
The following comments are made as a requirement in terms of section 38(4) of the NHRA;
- 38(4)a – The SAHRA Archaeology, Palaeontology and Meteorites (APM) Unit no objections to the proposed development;
- 38(4)b – The recommendations of the specialists are supported and must be adhered to. No further additional specific conditions are provided for the development;
- The conditions contained within the Final Comment on SAHRIS Case ID 13896 are still valid for this development and must be adhered to;
- 38(4)c(i) – If any evidence of archaeological sites or remains (e.g. remnants of stone-made structures, indigenous ceramics, bones, stone artefacts, ostrich eggshell fragments, charcoal and ash concentrations), fossils or other categories of heritage resources are found during the proposed development, SAHRA APM Unit (Natasha Higgitt/Phillip Hine 021 462 5402) must be alerted as per section 35(3) of the NHRA. Non-compliance with section of the NHRA is an offense in terms of section 51(1)e of the NHRA and item 5 of the Schedule;
- 38(4)c(ii) – If unmarked human burials are uncovered, the SAHRA Burial Grounds and Graves (BGG) Unit (Thingahangwi Tshivhase/Mimi Seetelo 012 320 8490), must be alerted immediately as per section 36(6) of the NHRA. Non-compliance with section of the NHRA is an offense in terms of section 51(1)e of the NHRA and item 5 of the Schedule;
- 38(4)d – See section 51(1) of the NHRA;
- 38(4)e – The following conditions apply with regards to the appointment of specialists:
- i) If heritage resources are uncovered during the course of the development, a professional archaeologist or palaeontologist, depending on the nature of the finds, must be contracted as soon as possible to inspect the heritage resource. If the newly discovered heritage resources prove to be of archaeological or palaeontological significance, a Phase 2 rescue operation may be required subject to permits issued by SAHRA.
OfficialDocs:
| Attachment | Size |
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 Case 14643 - Final Decision.pdf | 101.72 KB |
