5. general description of the affected ......5.1 location and topography the preferred site is...

Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the Proposed Pumped Storage Power Generation Facility in the Steelpoort area, Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces

General Description of the Affected 22/06/2007

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5. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

5.1 Location and Topography

The preferred site is located in the Limpopo Province on the eastern escarpment of

the Nebo Plateau, to the west of the Steelpoort River and is situated within the Elias

Motsoaledi Local Municipality, on the farms of Keerom 151 JS and Luiperhoek 149

JS. In addition, the extended route alternatives traverse the Mpumalanga Province.

There is a difference in elevation of approximately 600m between the upper and

lower reservoir sites.

5.2 Land Use

The study area is largely rural in nature with rolling hills and valleys. The main land

use features in the study area include agriculture (mainly in the form of citrus,

vegetables and maize), low industrial development, various mining activities,

residential areas and tourism.

5.3 Climate

5.3.1 Precipitation and Evaporation Data

Rainfall patterns in the area are typical of the eastern half of South Africa, with the

highest rainfall occurring during the summer months (October to March). Annual

rainfall for the area is approximately 878mm, with the highest 24-hour rainfall

occurring in December.

The study area comprises various properties, which are situated within the lower

parts of the B41C Quaternary Catchment as well as within the middle to lower parts

of the B41D Quaternary Catchment. The B41C Quaternary Catchment receives an

annual average rainfall of 694 mm, the majority of which falls during the months of

October to March, according to the Surface Water Resources of South Africa Report

(Water Research Commission 1990). The month of January has the highest average

monthly rainfall of 123.1 mm. Mean annual evaporation for the region is 1500 mm.

Frost occurs yearly for an average duration of 25 days per year, normally between

May and September, but frost may occur as early as March and as late as October

(Soil and Irrigation Research Institute, 1987).

5.3.2 Temperature

The average monthly temperatures for the region are provided in Table 5.1 below.

The average maximum and minimum temperatures for the region are 20.3 degrees



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Celsius and 7.3 degrees Celsius, respectively. The area generally experiences warm

summers and cold winters.

Table 5.1 Average monthly temperatures for the region (in degrees Celsius).

Month T max T min

January 23 12

February 22 12

March 22 11

April 20 8

May 18 4

June 15 1

July 16 1

August 18 3

September 22 6

October 22 8

November 22 10

December 23 11

Reference: South African Weather Services, 2006.

5.4 Geology

The rocks in the area fall within the Bushveld Igneous Complex and comprise

felsic rocks of the Rashoop Granophyre Suite overlying the mafic rocks of the

Upper and Main Zones of the Rustenburg Layered Suite. The high plateau is

underlain by granophyre in the south of the area and by mixed granite and

granophyre in the north. These felsic rocks are several hundred metres thick and

form the steep scarp slopes. Below the bottom of the scarp at the base of the

felsic rocks is a leptite formation approximately 250m thick, dipping

approximately 10 degrees westwards into the slope. This is in turn underlain by

diorite beneath the pediment slope, grading into olivine-bearing diorite and

gabbro beneath the valley floor. These mafic rocks underlying the leptite

formation contain bands of anorthosite and magnetite, and all of the horizons dip

around 10 degrees towards the west.

All of the rocks discussed above have been intruded by dolerite/lamprophyre

dykes, generally trending northeast (roughly parallel to the Steelpoort fault) and

west of northwest (roughly perpendicular to the fault).

5.5 Soils and Agricultural Potential

The soils that occur in the study area can be divided into three broad classes.

These are summarised in Table 5.2 below.



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Table 5.2 Soil types in the study area

Soil

Unit

Depth

(mm)

General

Characteristics

Agricultural

Potential

Ms 50-350 Brown to reddish-brown, structureless, sandy

loam to sandy clay loam topsoil, often stony,

on hard (occasionally weathering) rock. Rock

outcrops occur in many parts of the map unit.

Mainly soils of the Mispah (Ms) or Hutton (Hu,

shallow phase) form.

Low

Sw 400-1200 Brown to reddish-brown, structureless, sandy

clay loam topsoil on brown to reddish-brown,

moderately structured, sandy clay loam to clay

loam (occasionally calcareous) subsoil on rock.

Occasional rock outcrops occur. Mainly soils of

the Swartland (Sw), Valsrivier (Va) or

Glenrosa (Gs) form.

Low to

moderate

Oa 600-

1200+

Brown to reddish-brown, structureless, sandy

loam to sandy clay loam topsoil on brown to

reddish-brown, structureless to weakly

structured, sandy clay loam, occasionally

calcareous subsoil. Occurs close to stream

channels. Mainly soils of the Oakleaf (Oa)

form.

Moderate

Most of the upper and lower reservoir sites consist of shallow soils (Ms map unit),

often rocky, either on the flat terrain on top of the escarpment or on the lower

slopes. Close to the streams, a zone of deeper, alluvial soils occurs (Oa map unit),

but this is usually no more than 100-150 m wide, and often slopes steeply down to

the stream in places. In the east of the lower reservoir site, some deeper, but more

structured soils occur (Sw map unit), with varying depth and rockiness.

No areas of high agricultural potential are present in the study area.

5.6 Geohydrology, Surface Water and Drainage and Groundwater

The study area comprises of various properties, which is located within the B41D

Quaternary Catchment. The properties involved are Portion 1 of the farm Keerom

151 JS for the upper off-channel reservoir and Portions 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the

farm Luipershoek 149 JS for the lower reservoir.

The following characteristics have been noted for the B41D Quartenary Catchment:

• The general geology of these quaternary catchments comprises Bushveld

Igneous Complex rocks and basic/mafic and ultramafic intrusives.

• Soils in this region vary from moderate to deep sandy loam, with steep relief.

• Vegetation for this area comprises of Savannah (Simplified Acocks Veld Types).



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5.6.1 Geohydrology

From a geohydrological perspective, the main points regarding the preferred site

are as follows:

Groundwater occurs typically in faults and shear zones.

• The aquifer type is intergranular (i.e. weathered) and fractured.

• The mean annual recharge is between 27-37 mm per annum.

• The contribution of groundwater to the base flow of streams and rivers in the

area is considered negligible.

• The average depth to groundwater is between 10 and 20 m.

• The harvest potential1 for the Steelpoort area is seen to be between 10 000

and 15 000 m3/km2/annum.

• The factor restricting the harvest potential of the groundwater in this area is

the limited effective storage. Recharge occurs regularly during most years

but cannot all be absorbed into the aquifer because of the low storage. The

limiting factor is how much groundwater can be stored in the wet season to

bridge abstraction during the drier season.

5.6.2 Surface Water Quantity

• Catchment boundaries

The study area is located within the Steelpoort River Catchment and its

tributaries. The Steelpoort River Catchment drains into a northerly direction

and eventually flows into the Olifants River. The boundaries of the catchment

are occupied by some dense rural residential related activities, some small scale

farming activities, as well as some game farming areas.

• Mean Annual Run-off (MAR)

Water Research Commission publications (Surface Water Resources of South

Africa- Volume 1) were used to obtain the Mean Annual Run-Off (MAR) for each

Quaternary drainage region. The B41B Quaternary Catchment has an

estimated MAR of 17.8 x106 m3 per annum while the B41D Quaternary

Catchment has an estimated MAR of 16.6 x106 m3 per annum.

• Flood Peaks and Volumes

Flood calculations were determined in the feasibility study. Water storage

reservoirs were be classified according to Chapter 12 of the National Water Act,

1 The harvest potential is defined as “the maximum volume of groundwater that may annually be

abstracted per surface area of an aquifer system to preserve a sustained abstraction”.



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1998 (Act 36 of 1998) and relevant Government Notices, as dams with a Safety

Risk. Social, economic, and environmental impacts were used during the

classification process. Freeboard and spillway sizes will be determined

according to the relevant SANCOLD (South African National Commission on

Large Dams) publications.

5.7 Wetlands

Under the National Water Act (No 36 of 1998), wetlands are termed as land that

is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems, where the water table is

usually at, or near the surface. It includes the land that is periodically covered

with shallow water, and which land in normal circumstances would support

vegetation typically adapted to life in saturated soil. Wetlands are classified as

water resources, and as such are protected and should not be subject to any

pollution or damage. It is therefore, imperative that the proposed development

should in no way disturb, damage or alter the characteristics of wetlands that

may occur on the site.

No wetlands were found to occur within the footprint of the proposed scheme

(except for a small area in the vicinity of the lower construction village). Wetland

(hydric) soils were found to exist just to the east of the footprint of the proposed

lower construction village. A number of wetlands are located close to the upper

reservoir, and may be affected if the construction footprint extends towards them

and accordingly a buffer has been drawn around these wetlands, into which the

construction footprint and associated infrastructure must not extend.

5.8 Biodiversity

5.8.1 Fauna

A large number of fauna (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates) could

possibly occur on the preferred site (upper and lower reservoir). In addition, the

Groothoek Greeff Private Nature Reserve is located a short distance to the north of

the preferred site and it is envisaged that, some of the species that occur on the

Private Reserve are likely to migrate to suitable areas surrounding the site.

5.8.2 Flora

The study area is located on two different vegetation types described by Low and

Rebelo (1998):

• Mixed Bushveld (18); and

• Moist Sandy Highveld Grassland (38)



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Mixed Bushveld, as is deduced from the name, represents a great variety of plant

communities, with many variations and transitions. The vegetation varies from a

dense, short bushveld to a rather open tree savanna. The Moist Sandy Highveld

Grassland is found in the sandy plains west of the Belfast-Carolina-Ermelo area, and

north of Volksrust in Mpumalanga, at an altitude of 1,600 to 1,800 m. The

grassland is dominated by Eragrostis plana, E. curvula, Heteropogon contortus,

Trachypogon spicatus and Themeda triandra.

The preferred site is located within the Sekhukhuneland Centre of Endemism, which

is located within the rain shadow of the Drakensberg. Climatically this region

comprises an arid (karoid) subtropical (lowveld) enclave surrounded by areas that

are temperate (frost in winter) and much wetter (particularly towards the north,

east and south) (van Wyk and Smith, 2001). A number of protected plant species

occur in the Sekhukhuneland Centre of Endemism.

5.9 Archaeological and Heritage Resources

A short overview of past human occupation in the region is presented below. This

should provide insight into the complexity of the identified cultural resources.

5.9.1 Stone Age (2 000 000 years ago to AD 200)

The larger geographical area has been inhabited since Stone Age times. One of the

more important sites, known as Bushman Rock Shelter, is located at Echo Caves

north of Ohrigstad. Early humans lived here, discontinuously, for thousands of

years, from the Early Stone Age (2 million to 150 000 years ago), through what is

known as the Middle Stone Age (150 000 to 30 000 years ago), and well into the

Late Stone Age (30 000 to 1 800 years ago).

Evidence that Stone Age people occupied the Steelpoort Valley is confirmed by the

occurrence of stone tools dating to the Early, Middle and Late Stone Age. The

majority of findings is classified as isolated surface occurrences, and mostly dates to

the Middle Stone Age.

Very few sites containing rock art are known from the larger geographical region

and none were identified in the survey area.

5.9.2 Iron Age (AD 200 – AD 1830)

Iron Age people moved into southern Africa by c. AD 200, entering the area either

by moving down the coastal plains, or by using a more central route. It seems

more likely that the first option was what brought people into the study area. From

the coast they followed the various rivers inland. Being cultivators, they preferred

the rich alluvial soils to settle on. One of the earliest dated sites is located near

Tzaneen (Silver Leaves).



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Iron Age occupation of the study area seems to have taken place on a significant

scale and at least three different phases of occupation have been identified.

Sites dating to the Early Iron Age (AD 200 to AD 1000) were identified. Preliminary

identification of the pottery indicates that it belonged to the Doornkop phase of the

Early Iron Age, and should have a date of between AD 600 – 900. This is the same

group of people that produced the remarkable clay masks found near Lydenburg in

the 1960s.

These settlements seem to have been followed at a slightly later date by

settlements linked to the Eiland Phase of the Early Iron Age (c. AD 1000).

Early Iron Age sites are our only source of evidence for the occupation of the area

by early farming communities.

The last period of pre-colonial occupation consisted of Pedi-related and Swazi-

speaking and Ndebele-speaking people that settled on stone-walled terraced sites at

the foot on the mountains. At present it is not clear, but, judging by the pottery

found here, these sites might even date to early historic times.

5.9.3 Historic period (post ad 1840)

The historic period started c. 1840s, with the arrival of the first white settlers.

Negotiations between the trekkers and the Pedi resulted in the Steelpoort River

becoming the border between the two groups. Later, tension developed between

the two groups, giving rise to armed conflict. One of the better known incidents is

the so-called Sekhukhune Wars (1876, 1879). Remains of this event can still be

found in the larger geographical region. Other events that took place in the area

included the so-called Mapoch Wars (1863, 1883)

As time went by, the area was divided into farms. At first people were slow to

undertake any development, preferring to use the farms for winter grazing as

summers were too hot. In such cases, they established extensive camps and

existed by hunting. It was only later that they started with crop farming. This was

followed by a period when farmsteads developed, as well as infrastructure (e.g.

roads).

5.10 Visual

The proposed scheme is located between the Nebo Plateau (Thaba Ya

Sekhukhune) and the Steelpoort River Valley. The significance of the location

from a visual perspective is the cliff of approximately 700m which flattens out as

a plateau on top, and widens out into a valley at the bottom. The construction of

a feature as huge and extensive as the proposed PSS introduces a highly



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contrasting feature into the environment. The character of the study area in

general reflects a high degree of natural veld, with human activities related to

rural settlements. The escarpment-like topography of the area renders it a very

high visual quality which will be impacted upon by the proposed development.

5.11 Noise

The topography of the area will have some effect on the propagation of sound

in the study area. The escarpment between the Nebo plateau and the

Steelpoort River Valley tended to shield the upper areas to a large degree from

noise generated in the valley and vice versa. Noise will tend to be channelled

up and down the pronounced drainage valleys on the escarpment face. Noise

will be easily channelled along the Steelpoort River Valley.

The main meteorological aspect that will affect the transmission (propagation) of

the noise is the wind. The wind can result in periodic enhancement downwind or

reduction upwind of noise levels. Analysis of the wind records for the area

indicates that the main prevailing winds blow from the north-eastern quadrant

(48%). Approximately 11% of still periods are experienced annually. The wind

directions will be modified by the orientation of the hills and valleys in the

respective areas.

5.12 Social Environment

5.12.1 Demographics

• Limpopo Province

The study area is defined as the area to the east of the Sehlakwane settlement

that falls under the jurisdiction of the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM),

which in turn is confined to the Limpopo Province. The Limpopo Province is

located at the centre of regional, national and international developing markets

and therefore has the potential for growth, however it is still one of the poorest

provinces in South Africa.

Black Africans are the predominant population group (97.3%) in this province.

This is followed by Whites (2.4%), Coloureds (0.2%) and Indians/Asians (0.1%).

Tsonga speakers account for a quarter (23.0%) of the province’s population,

followed by Venda (12.0%). Afrikaans is spoken by 2.6% of the province’s

population, while English-speaking people account for less than half a percent.

Several ethnic groups are found amongst the population groups. With close to

57%, the Sepedi ethnic group makes up the bulk of the population.



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• Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality2

The EMLM forms part of the greater district municipal area known as the Greater

Sekhukhune District Municipality (GSDM). The EMLM lies to the south and

southwest of the GSDM, on the western banks of the Olifants River. Table 5.3

below depicts the settlements that will be affected by the development of the

proposed PSS in the Steelpoort area. These include the communities of Nkosini

and Roossenekal. Nkosini was included in the study due to its proximity to

Sehlakwane. It is also proposed that operational staff of the PSS could settle in

Roossenekal, therefore Roossenekal was also included in the assessment.

However, it should be noted that not all of these settlements will be directly

affected. Indirect impacts on these settlements are mostly positive in nature and

relates to issues such as employment creation.

• Mpumalanga Province

The preferred site assessed in this EIR is located within the Limpopo Province,

however, the impact of the PSS is not restricted to this province as the road

alternatives assessed in order to gain access from the upper to lower reservoir

sites traverse through the Mpumalanga Province.

Figure 5.1 illustrates the location of the proposed PSS in the Steelpoort area in

relation the surrounding communities.

Table 5.3 Affected Settlements

Settlement Ward Affected

Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality

Roossenekal Ward 16 Directly (housing during

operation)

Sehlakwane (± 1km from site) Ward 16 Directly (construction and

operation)

Mathula (± 5km from site) Ward 17/19 Indirectly (off-stream impacts)

Nkosini (±15km from site) Ward 19 Indirectly (off-stream impacts)

2 Unless otherwise specified, the data contained in this section has been derived from the Municipal



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Figure 5.1 Project location in relation to surrounding communities

5.12.2 Socio-Demographic and Socio-Economic Profile of the Elias

Motsoaledi Local Municipality

According to the Municipal Demarcation Board the total population of the EMLM is

estimated at approximately 221 638 people living in 48 925 separate households,

an average of 4.5 people per household. The projected growth rate for the

period 2001 to 2010 is 1% per annum.

• Economic Sectors

The local economy of the EMLM is largely dominated by agriculture, which

contributes 25.2% of the local economy, mostly due to commercial farming.

Subsistence farming only has a negligible contribution. The trade sector (21.2%)

is the second highest contributor and Government (20.6%) is the third highest

contributor.

• Municipal Services

It would appear that more than a quarter of the households make use of coal for

cooking (26.5%) and heating (34.0%). Despite this, the majority make use of

electricity for lighting (84.1%). The EMLM does not seem to have an effective

Demarcation Board (www.demarcation.org.za). The MDB make use of data from Census 2001.



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and operational refuse removal system, since three quarters (72.8%) of the

households make use of their own refuse dump for this purpose. Also, three

quarters (75.9%) only have access to a pit latrine without ventilation. Close on

one fifth (19.6%) have no access to piped water, followed by piped water within

the yard (13.4%). A lack of sufficient municipal services has an impact on

people’s quality of life, and this makes them vulnerable.

• Infrastructure

Roads and storm water management in rural areas fall under the control of the

province. However, this is largely confined to stormwater control on the

provincial main roads. Most roads are in a state of disrepair, with the provincial

roads largely in need of resealing. This has a negative impact on the local

economy.

The area has two hospitals supported by health centres and clinics. The hospitals

are in Groblersdal and Philadelphia (Moutse). These facilities are inadequate as

the norms prescribe that one clinic is required for every 10 000 people.

The settlements within the EMLM that could potentially be affected by the

proposed project are Roossenekal, Sehlakwane, Mathula and Nkosini. As

previously mentioned, these wards are also discussed as part of the impact tables

in the social rating matrix.

5.12.3 Directly Affected Communities

Roossenekal and Sehlakwane can be regarded as directly affected communities,

although Roossenekal will only be affected during operational phase with mostly

positive impacts in terms of housing and municipal infrastructure development.

Roossenkal and Sehlakwane consist mostly of young people, i.e. people under the

age of 19 (60.8%). The total population is estimated at approximately 8 835

people living in 1 867 separate households, at an average of 4.7 people per

household. The predominant population group is Black African (99.9%) with the

remainder 0.1% being Coloured. Just over half (54.9%) of the total population is

female.

5.12.4 Indirectly Affected Communities

Mathula and Nkosini can be regarded as indirectly affected communities, who

would mostly benefit from down-stream employment opportunities. Mathula is

located approximately 5km from the proposed Pumped Storage Scheme site,

whilst Nkosini is located some 15km away from the proposed site.



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5.12.5 Land Use Profile

The study area is largely rural in nature with rolling hills and valleys. The

Sehlakwane village is widely dispersed and mostly characterised by formal

housing structures.

The area is serviced by two provincial roads, namely the R555 via Roossenekal

and the R579 that runs through Sehlakwane. Municipal roads in the area consist

mainly of gravel roads with very few tarred or semi-tarred roads. There is only

one railway line which affects the study area, namely the railway line from the

Mapochs Iron Ore Mine to Witbank.

The area adjacent to Sehlakwane and the proposed site is characterised by

subsistence dry land farming. Sehlakwane is the closest settlement to the

proposed PSS and is located approximately 1km away from the site. The other

affected areas are located between 5km to 15km away from the site.

Farmhouses in the vicinity of the preferred site are mostly located along the road,

as depicted in Figure 5.2 (the location of farmhouses are encircled along the

road, the red areas indicate the location of the upper and lower dam). The

displacement of persons is therefore not foreseen during the construction and

operation of the proposed PSS in the Steelpoort area.

Figure 5.2 Location of Farmhouses in relation to reservoirs



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5.12.6 Land Claims

Through a thorough consultation with the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Departments

of Land Affairs and the affected Landowners, it was established that no claims

were lodged on the farms Luipershoek 149JS and Keerom 151 JS, in terms of the

Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994 (Act No 22 of 1994).

5.13 Traffic

The Steelpoort River Valley under consideration is located between the Stoffberg

to Phokwane provincial road (R579) and the Roossenekal to Steelpoort provincial

road (R555). A map highlighting these roads together with the proposed access

roads from the main provincial roads to the sites is shown in Figure 5.3 below.

The proposed De Hoop Dam is located some 20km further north along the

Roossenekal to Steelpoort Road (R555) near the Limpopo Province border at the

tributary of the Steelpoort and Klip rivers.

The R579 (Road P62-2), R555 (Road 169-1) and R579 provincial routes are not

highly trafficked with daily volumes ranging between 600 and 2000 vehicles per

day. With regard to other transport infrastructure, there is a railway line from

Middelburg to Roossenekal, but this is the nearest rail terminal to the site.



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Figure 5.3 Road infrastructure in the proposed study area



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Figure 5.4 Road infrastructure in the proposed study area including the lower

portions of R579 and R555 not included in Figure 5.3



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5.14 Tourism

The area of the Steelpoort River Valley in which the development is proposed to

occur is largely undiscovered as a tourism destination, but the tourism potential

exists. The Mpumalanga Tourism Authority has two tourism areas that meet

roughly in the Steelpoort Valley. These areas include the Cultural Heartland to

the west and the Highlands Meander to the east. This places the proposed

development site close to an existing important tourism area, namely the

Lydenburg trout fishing area which falls within the Highlands Meander area.

Linkages to existing tourism areas are important to the future tourism growth in

the area. The Kamoka Open Africa Route is also an important tourism route

which links well with the Cultural Heartland area.

The tourism industry in the Roossenekal area is presently (and previously)

dominated by the business tourism sector due to the mining activities in the area.

The land use of the area of the Steelpoort Valley in the vicinity of the proposed

development area is traditionally agriculture with limited cultivation in the fertile

areas adjacent to the Steelpoort River, and cattle ranching in the other areas of

the valley.

There are indications that these land uses are changing to tourism related

activities including ecotourism, hunting and corporate team building.

5. general description of the affected ......5.1 location and topography the preferred site is...

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