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Gannabosch Vlakte 51 Mining Rights Application

NAME OF APPLICANT: GANNABOSCH CLAY MINE (Pty ) Ltd.

DMR REFERENCE NUMBER: WC30/5/1/2/2/10082MR

UMVOTO REFERENCE NUMBER: 856/05/01/2016

FARM NAMES: Gannabosch Vlakte 51

PROVINCE: Western Cape

DATE: April 2016

AS REQUIRED IN TERMS OF REGULATION 49 OF THE MINERAL AND PETROLEUM

RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT (ACT 28 of 2002), AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STANDARD DIRECTIVE FOR THE COMPILATION THEREOF AS PUBLISHED ON THE

OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MINERAL RESOURCES.

SCOPING REPORT

Prepared for: Prepared by:

Gannabosch Clay Mine (Pty) Ltd

Final Draft

April 2016

Umvoto Africa (Pty) Ltd. Earth. Water. Science. Life

P.O. Box 61 Muizenberg 7950. Telephone: (021) 709 6700. Fax: 086 685 5725

E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.umvoto.com

Reg. No.: 2001/013609/07

Directors: E R Hay, C J H Hartnady Associates: K Riemann, R T Wonnacott, F S Botha, W J Gouws

REPORT TITLE : Scoping Report

CLIENT : Gannabosch Clay Mine (Pty) Ltd PROJECT : Gannabosch Vlakte 51: Mining Rights

Application AUTHORS : Greg Molzen

Paul Lee Luke Towers Eddie Wise

REPORT STATUS : Final Draft REPORT NUMBER : 856/03/01/2016 DATE : April 2016 APPROVED BY :

Gannabosch Clay Mine (Pty) Ltd Umvoto Africa (Pty) Ltd Director Project Manager Morne Swanepoel Paul Lee

This report is to be referred to in bibliographies as: Umvoto Africa. (2016). Gannabosch Vlakte 51: Mining Rights Application – Scoping Report. Prepared by G. Molzen, P. Lee, L. Towers and E. Wise of Umvoto Africa (Pty) Ltd for Gannabosch Clay Mine (Pty) Ltd. Report No. 856/03/01/2016, April 2016, 45pp.

http://www.umvoto.com/

GANNABOSCH CLAY MINE (Pty) Ltd.

Scoping Report Page 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Description Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

LIST OF TABLES 3

LIST OF FIGURES 3

DEFINITIONS 4

DMR STANDARD DIRECTIVE 5

DESCRIPTION OF EIA PROCESS 5

BACKGROUND 6

1. SCOPING 7

2. DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 11

3. IDENTIFICATION OF THE ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL,

SOCIAL OR CULTURAL IMPACTS, INCLUDING THE

CUMULATIVE IMPACTS, WHERE APPLICABLE. 26

4. LAND USE OR DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES, ALTERNATIVE

MEANS OF CARRYING OUT THE PROPOSED OPERATION AND

THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PROCEEDING WITH THE

PROPOSED OPERATION. 35

5. A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS OF ENGAGEMENT OF

IDENTIFIED INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES,

INCLUDING THEIR VIEWS AND CONCERNS 38

6. DESCRIBE THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF FURTHER

INVESTIGATIONS REQUIRED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT REPORT INCLUDING ANY SPECIALIST

REPORTS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED 42

7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 44

8. REFERENCES 45

APPENDIX A – MAPS I

APPENDIX B- INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES REGISTER I

APPENDIX C: INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTY RESPONSES VIII

APPENDIX D: CIPRO (GANNABOSCH CLAY MINE (PTY) LTD. XXVIII

APPENDIX E: TITLE DEED ( GANNABOSCH VLAKTE 51) XXIX

APPENDIX F: LAND AFFAIRS RESPONSE XXX

APPENDIX G: NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT XXXII

ANNEXURE A: BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENTS XXXV

ANNEXURE B: CLAY ANALYSIS XXXVI



LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Listed affected parties 8

Table 2 : Noise limits per sector 15

Table 3: Stratigraphy 17

Table 4: Wind speeds (km/h) between January 2014-December 2015 (saexplorer,

2015). 21

Table 5: Wind direction summary table 23

Table 6 : Listing Notice 1 (No. R. 983) Triggers in terms of 24 (2) and 24D 27



Table 9 : Heritage impacts 28

Table 10 : Socio-economic impacts 28

Table 11 : Community impacts 29

Table 12 : Biophysical impacts 31

Table 13 : Land Use 35

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Composite climate diagram of the Robertson region. Blue bars show the

median monthly precipitation. The upper and lower red lines show the mean

daily maximum and minimum temperatures respectively (After Mucina and

Rutherford, 2006). 19

Figure 2 : Average, maximum and minimum daily temperatures throughout the day, with

the horizontal axis representing months of the year, starting with January (1)

and ending with December (12). 20

Figure 3 : Predominant Wind Direction January 2014 - December 2015 (weatheronline,

2015) 21

Figure 4 : Wind rose of the Worcester/Robertson region 22

Figure 5: Regional Topographic Map II

Figure 6: Locality Map III

Figure 7: Geology Map IV

Figure 8: Land type/soil cover Map V

Figure 9: Vegetation Map VI

Figure 10: Biodiversity Map VII

Figure 11: Mine Layout Map VIII



Acronyms

DRDLR - Department of Rural Development and Land Reform

SANBI - South African National Biodiversity Institute

CBA - Critical Biodiversity Area

BID - Background Information Document

BP - Before Present

DMR - Department of Minerals and Resources

DWA - Department of Water Affairs

EIR - Environmental Impact Report

EMPr - Environmental Management Program

EMP - Environmental Management Plan

Ha - Hectares

IAP - Interested and Affected Parties

IDP - Integrated Development Plan

IDZ - Industrial Development Zone

Ma - Million Years

Mt - Million Tons

NEMA - National Environmental Management Act

NID -

WCDM - West Coast District Municipality

DEFINITIONS

Consultation – A two-way communication process between the applicant and the

community or interested and affected party wherein the former is seeking, listening to

and considering the letters response which allows openness in the decision making

process.

Community – A group of historically disadvantaged persons with interests or rights in a

particular area of land on which the members have or exercise communal rights in terms

of an agreement, custom or law: Provided that, where as a consequence of provisions of

the Act negotiations or consultations with the community are required, the community

shall include members or part of the community, directly affected by prospecting or

mining, on land occupied by such members or part of the community.



Interested and affected parties’ include but are not limited to:

1. Host communities

2. Land owners (traditional and title deeds owners)

3. Traditional authorities

4. Land claimants

5. Lawful land occupier

6. The department of land affairs

7. Any person (including on adjacent and non-adjacent parties) whose socio-economic

conditions may be directly affected by the proposed prospecting or mining operation

8. The Local Municipality

9. The relevant Government Departments, agencies and institutions responsible for the

various aspects of the environment and for infrastructure which may be affected by

the proposed project

DMR STANDARD DIRECTIVE

All applicants for mining rights in terms of the provisions of Section 29(a) and in terms of

Regulation 49(4) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act are directed

to submit a report in strict accordance with the following format and subject headings, as

informed by the guidelines posted on the Department’s Official Website within 30 days of

notification by the regional manager of the acceptance of such application.

DESCRIPTION OF EIA PROCESS

Phase 1: Scoping Report and Consultation with Authorities

Phase 2: Stakeholder Engagement

Phase 3: Specialist Studies

Phase 4: Impact Assessment

Phase 5: Compilation and Review of Draft EIR / EMP

Phase 6: Authority Decision



BACKGROUND

Umvoto Africa (Pty) Ltd has been appointed by GANNABOSCH CLAY MINE (Pty.) Ltd.

(Enterprise No. K2015446995/07) (See Appendix D: Cipro (Gannabosch Clay Mine

(Pty) Ltd.) for the application of a Mining Right with the Department of Mineral

Resources for the abstraction of shale/brick clay from the Gannabosch Vlakte 51

property (see APPENDIX B- Interested and Affected Parties Register) after being

identified to be overlying the natural resource of sufficient grade (See Annexure B: Clay

Analysis). Umvoto was identified as an independent consultant to perform the

Environmental Impact Assessment



1. SCOPING

NAME THE COMMUNITIES AS DEFINED IN THE GUIDELINE, OR EXPLAIN WHY NO

SUCH COMMUNITY WAS IDENTIFIED

There are no HDSA communities, or occupants on the proposed mining site of

Gannabosch Vlakte No. 51 within Ward 6 of the Langeberg Local Municipality of the

Cape Winelands District Municipality, approximately 15.5 km west outside of Robertson

on the R60 and ~ 130km ENE from Cape Town, Western Cape. The nearest dwellings

are on a neighbouring property ~2km away, along the banks of the Noree River to the

SE of the proposed mining property and consist of farm houses and labourer cottages.

The nearest town is Robertson, located ~15 km to the SE of the property (Appendix A –

Maps: Local Map).

STATE WHETHER OR NOT THE COMMUNITY IS ALSO THE LANDOWNER

The land is privately owned by the H R Grobbelaar Family Trust (Refer to Appendix E:

Title Deed)

STATE WHETHER OR NOT THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AFFAIRS HAS BEEN

IDENTIFIED AS AN INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTY

The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) has been identified

as one of the Interested and Affected Parties. A letter has been sent informing them of

the intended application (see APPENDIX B- Interested and Affected Parties Register).

STATE SPECIFICALLY WHETHER OR NOT A LAND CLAIM IS INVOLVED

No land claim is involved. An enquiry was made on 30 November 2015 to the

Commission on Restitution of Land Rights within the Department of Rural Development

and Land Reform (DRDLR) concerning any possible restitution claims against the

property of Gannabosch Vlakte No. 51. The department confirmed that there are no

current claims on this property (Appendix F: Land Affairs Response).



NAME THE TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY IDENTIFIED BY THE APPLICANT

Traditional Authorities are recognised in terms of section 211 of the 1996 Constitution of

South Africa. The Robertson office of the Langeberg Local Municipality has been

contacted telephonically to confirm that no Traditional Authority is present in the area.

LIST THE LANDOWNERS IDENTIFIED BY THE APPLICANT. (TRADITIONAL AND

TITLE DEED OWNERS)

The portion of Gannabosch Vlakte No. 51 in question is lawfully owned by the H R

Grobbelaar Family Trust (Tittle Deed Reference Number: T 41359-95 issued on the 22nd

of March 1995) (Appendix E: Title Deed).

LIST THE LAWFUL OCCUPIERS OF THE LAND CONCERNED

Site visits which occurred on the 30th and 31st of October and 5th of November 2015

revealed no individuals occupying the land, and no dwellings (formal or informal)

constructed within the property boundary. The surface landowner H R Grobbelaar

Family Trust confirmed via telephonic communications that as of November 2015 no

persons occupy the land, permanently or temporarily.

OTHER PARTIES THAT MAY BE DIRECTLY AFFECTED

Other parties that may be directly affected include the landowners on the adjacent and non-

adjacent properties (as listed in the table below) and the associated land tenants and farm

workers. It is noted that this list could be expanded upon up to and including the 7th of April 2016,

the termination date for closure of IAP registration.

Table 1: Listed affected parties

Property Description Surface Owner Note in Relation to Project

Infrastructure

Middelburg Portion 9, No.10 Hennie Retief Neighbour

Middelberg Portion RE, No.10 Johan Fourie Neighbour

Alwynbos Vlakte No.299 Nellis Grobbelaar Neighbour

Noree No.300 Nellis Grobbelaar Neighbour

De Hex Rivier Portion 18, No.50 Ernst Botha Neighbour



Property Description Surface Owner Note in Relation to Project

Infrastructure

Lange Vallei Portion 5, No.52 Nellis Grobbelaar Neighbour

THE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY IDENTIFIED BY THE APPLICANT

The proposed Mine Right application site is located within Ward 6 of the Langeberg

Local Municipality, Robertson Magisterial / Administrative District in the Western Cape

Province. They have been included as Registered Interested and Affected Parties and

have been alerted to the application by email and registered post. Ward Councillors of

Ward 6 have also been individually contacted by email and registered letter. The Local

Municipality has been contacted and an application submitted for land use change as

per requirements of Land Use Planning Ordinance (LUPO).

OTHER STAKEHOLDER

Departments, agencies and institutions that may be affected by the proposal have been

identified among the Interested and Affected Parties list (See APPENDIX B- Interested

and Affected Parties Register). The listed parties in the table may be expanded upon up

to and including the 7th April 2016.

The relevant government departments, agencies and institutions responsible for the

various aspects of the environment, land and infrastructure that may be affected by the

project are listed below:

Regulatory authorities:

Department of Mineral Resources (DMR)

Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs

(DEDTEA)

Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS)

Heritage Western Cape

Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR)

Regional Land Claims Commission: Western Cape

Cape Nature

Department of Transport

Local authorities:



Cape Winelands District Municipality

Langeberg Local Municipality (Utrecht)

Ward councillor: Ward 6

Transnet

Parastatals:

Eskom

PRASA

Other:

Cape Lime

CONFIRM WITH EVIDENCE THAT THE LANDOWNER OR LAWFUL OCCUPIER OF

THE LAND IN QUESTION, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES

INCLUDING ALL THOSE LISTED ABOVE, WERE NOTIFIED.

Proof that the landowners, lawful occupiers and IAP’s were notified of the project is

provided in APPENDIX B- Interested and Affected Parties Register. The description of

the Public Participation Process (PPP) (including the notification of the various IAPs) is

provided in Section 5.



2. DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

This section has been compiled by means of a desktop baseline study using sources

from various specialists, site visits and available information. Further input and/or

amendments will be included once the public participation process has taken place with

identifies IAP’s. The baseline information is aimed at giving the reader perspective on

the existing status.

AGREEMENT ON EXISTING STATUS OF ENVIRONMENT

IAP’s have been sent letters and information on the existing status of the environment in

the form of a Background Information Document (BID) (See Annexure a: Background

Information Documents for BID and APPENDIX B- Interested and Affected Parties

Register for proof of sending). The BID will both inform and elicit comments from IAP’s.

All identified IAP’s were asked if they could identify and provide contact details for any

other parties which should specifically be consulted and whom may be affected by the

proposed clay mine.

EXISTING STATUS OF THE CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT THAT MAY BE AFFECTED

A site visit on 30th, 31st October 2015 and 6 November 2015 proved there is no cultural

environment on the land unit or within the immediate surrounds. The land unit is

undeveloped, uninhabited and currently not utilised for any agricultural purpose. It may

be concluded therefore that there is no visible evidence of any cultural environment

which may be affected by the proposed mining operation.

DESCRIBE THE EXISTING STATUS OF ANY HERITAGE ENVIRONMENT

Similarly to Section 2.2, site visit on the above mentioned dates showed no visible

heritage environment. However a Professional Heritage Practitioner will be sub-

contracted to undertake further investigation into the heritage environment of the site

and to submit a report for inclusion into the Environmental Impact Assessment report.



DESCRIBE THE EXISTING STATUS OF ANY CURRENT LAND USES AND THE

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT THAT MAY BE AFFECTED

Current on Site Land Use

The land in the mine zone (See Appendix A – Maps: Land Types) is still in its original

state consisting of indigenous karroid vegetation (Breede Alluvium Renosterveld).

Multiple site visits on 30th, 31st October 2015 and 6 November 2015 confirmed that there

are no cultivated fields, no stock farming and grazing on the land.

Surrounding Land Use

Located along ~500 metres from the well trafficked R60 national road, which runs

through the Cape Winelands district, Gannabosch Vlakte No.51 is situated within a rural

farming area. As such, the primary land usage consists of cultivation of wine grapes,

minor stone fruit (peaches), as well as small scale grain cultivation to supply fodder for

the minor non-intensive livestock farming occurring on adjacent and non-adjacent

properties.

Located at the foothills of the Langeberg Mountain, the farm property lies at its closest,

~3 km from the Langeberg-West Mountain Catchment conservation area which forms

part of the Mountain Catchment Conservation. The smaller Dooringkloof Private Nature

Reserve is located ~4 km to the north.

On a non-adjacent property, ~2km to the North, a limestone quarry (Cape Lime)

operates to supply the limestone to the processing plant on the adjacent property, just to

the south of Gannabosch No.51. property.

Socio-economic Environment

i) On Site Use and Immediate Surrounding Areas

As there is no current on-site land use and there are no residents living

on the current proposed mining area the land has no socio-economic

sensitivity to the proposed mining.



Utilising the GIS tool “Cape Farm Mapper

http://gis.elsenburg.com/apps/cfm/), a ~5 km search radius was

implemented to, within which 19 dwellings were located. These dwellings

were primarily located along the banks of the Noree River, ~3 km to the

east of the proposed mine property, and further SE of the confluence of

the Noree and Vink River (See Appendix A – Maps: Land Types) and

serve as dwellings for individuals living/working on the respective

properties.

As described in Section 2.4.2, the nearby neighbouring land use is that

of rural agricultural practices, with low population densities. The majority

of the individuals living in the surrounding areas are farm labourers who

generally work on the farm on which they live. The socio-economic

environment revolving around the agricultural sector in the Western Cape

is that of a relatively marginal income and poor housing facilities for the

average farm labourer. While access to education is on average poor, the

immediate surrounding area is above the norm for its rural setting given

the proximity to Robertson.

ii) Nearby businesses/ tourist places

The economic activity in the area consists mainly of the limestone quarry

mining and the Cape Lime processing plant. The proposed mining site

falls within the Breede River Valley wine route, and is a feeder road into

the R66 Klein Karoo tourist route which serves as an alternative to the

highly popular N2 Garden Route. Viticulture and related tourist interest is

a noted activity in the region.

iii) Nearby residential communities

The closest residential settlements to the proposed mining site are found

in the town of Robertson, which includes the town suburbs and the

outlying Nkqubela Settlement. The primary employment provider is that of

the grape and wine production industry, with the smaller proportion

working in industrial portion of Robertson. The proposed mining operation

will encourage employment opportunities, with likely positive socio-

economic impact. This is further addressed in detail in the Social and

Labour Plan (Umvoto, 2016).

http://gis.elsenburg.com/apps/cfm/



DESCRIBE THE EXISTING STATUS OF ANY INFRASTRUCTURE THAT MAY BE

AFFECTED

The proposed mine property has no current infrastructure on it that could be affected by

mining activities.

DESCRIBE THE EXISTING STATUS OF THE BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT THAT

WILL BE AFFECTED, INCLUDING THE MAIN ASPECTS SUCH AS WATER

RESOURCES, FLORA, FAUNA, AIR, SOIL, TOPOGRAPHY ETC.

Topography & Drainage

2.6.1.1. Topography

The project site is situated in the low lying shrub lands which slope gently toward the

Buitenstekloof River south of the site.

The proposed mine property is located within the Cape Winelands district (previously

known as the Boland region). This area is located in the middle-upper courses of the

Berg and Breede Rivers, situated within the central Cape Fold Belt Mountains and within

the Breede Valley, situated between the ~1400 mamsl tall Langeberg and ~ 1300 mamsl

Riviersonderend Mountain ranges to the north and south respectively. Locally the

property is situated on slightly southward sloping, lower lying and level shrub lands, with

an elevation of ~265 to 275 mamsl.

2.6.1.2. Drainage

The property is located within the H40H quaternary catchment of the Breede-Gouritz

Catchment Management Area (CMA). The Breede River is the most significant

perennial river in the region. The perennial Vink River is located south of the property

and feeds the Breede River. Due to the low permeability of the clay soils, the property

experiences a significant amount of surface water run-off, which drains into the non-

perennial stream on the property and/or feeds into the Vink River.

Noise and Air Quality

The proposed mining property is located in a rural setting with no on-site producers of

noise or sound pollution. Located ~2 km to the north is the Cape Lime open cast quarry

which extracts lime which is sent to the processing plant ~200 m to the south on the

immediate southern bordering property..



Ambient noise levels are expected to be within the range of 0dBA and 45dBA/ 35dBA

during the daytime and nighttime respectively. In accordance with SANS-10103:2003

(South African National Standards)

Table 2 : Noise limits per sector

Type of District

Equivalent Continuous Rating Leven For Noise (dBA)

Outdoors Indoors with open windows

Daytime Night-time Daytime Night-time

RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

Rural Districts 45 35 35 25

Suburban districts

(little road traffic) 50 40 40 30

Urban districts 55 45 45 35

NON-RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

Urban districts

(workshops,

business premises

and main roads)

60 50 50 40

Central business

districts 65 55 55 45

Industrial districts 70 60 60 50

Soil

The region consists of soils derived from transported material which includes the sandy

and loamy alluvial soil, as well as the red clay loam and clay Karoo soils. As well as

residual soils which include the shale soils of the Malmesbury and Bokkeveld soil

families. The red clay loam and clay Karoo soils are the most dominant soil types in the

area of interest and are often very calcareous.



The proposed mining property overlies soils of a Eutric Brunisol (EB) nature, as

classified by the Canadian System of Soil Classification, with an approximate depth of <

450 mm (CFM, 2016). These soils exhibit minimal development and are usual of

shallow soils overlying on hard or weathering rock. Lime is generally present in part or

most of the landscape as is shown by the relatively high degree of base saturation as

indicated by their pH and lack a well-developed mineral-organic surface horizon. These

soils are common of parent material of high base status (clay/lime) and under forest or

shrub vegetation in a wide range of climates.

Further classification via the ENPAT broad soil classification shows soils of Fc718

category. The Glenrosa soil form have a strong structure and high clay content subsoil

and are not suitable for irrigation, being host to short shrub and bush. The Mispah form

is indicative of soil horizons overlying hard rock formed in alluvium, derived from mixed

rocks over residuum that has weathered from siltstone. These soils are generally very

shallow, have a variable fertility and water holding capacity, depending on the rock type

from which they are derived (P. le Roux, 2012; CFM, 2016).

Geology

The resistant to weathering rocks of the Table Mountain Group (TMG) sandstones of the

Cape Supergroup define and form the peaks of the Cape Fold Belt Mountains.

To the north of the proposed mining property, the south-westerly dipping normal

Worcester Fault has downthrown the southern, younger, Karoo Supergroup rocks

juxtapose those of the older basement Malmesbury Group and intrusive Robertson

Granite Suite, upon which the rocks of the unconformable overlying TMG form the

~1400 mamsl Langeberg Mountain range. To the south of the property, the steep (~50

°) northward steeply dipping Karoo Supergroup sediments transition into the

conformable and older stratigraphically underlying rocks of the Cape Supergroup, which

rise up to form the ~1300 mamsl elevation Riviersonderend Mountain Range.

On site, the property is underlain by Quaternary sediments deposited in the flood plains

of river courses controlled by the bounding mountain ranges of the Riviersonderend and

Langeberg Mountain ranges, which form the Breede Valley (see, Appendix A – Maps :

Geology). Rock units of the Ecca Group of the Karoo Supergroup underlay the

overlying Quaternary sediments and can be seen outcropping throughout the

surrounding landscape and in nearby diggings. The proposed mining will be

concentrating on these underlying clay sediments. The clays contain high amounts of

Quartz and smaller amounts of mica and feldspar. The feldspar is present in the form of

plagioclase series which is a group of related feldspar minerals that essentially have the

same formula but vary in their percentage of sodium and calcium content. Also present

are traces of Kaolinite and Smectite clay minerals. The stratigraphy in the region is as

follows:



Table 3: Stratigraphy

Age Supergroup Group Subgroup Formation Lithology

Quaternary

(~2.5-0 Ma) Undifferentiated sediments Alluvium

Early to Mid-

Permian

(~299-270 Ma) Karoo

Ecca

Waterford Feldspathic sandstone,

siltstone, shale

Tierberg Shale, mudstone, siltstone

Collingham Shale, Mudstone/tuff,

siltstone, chert

Whitehill Carbonaceous shales

cherty siltstone layers

Prince

Albert Shale, siltstone

Carboniferous

(~359-299 Ma) Dwyka Tillite, Diamictite, shale

Cambrian-

Ordovician

(~510-350 Ma

Cape Super

Group

Table

Mountain

Group

Skurweber

g

Quartzitic sandstone,

pebble stringers

Peninsula Quartzitic sandstone

Late

Precambrian

(~575-540 Ma)

Malmesbur

y

Greywacke, sandstone,

slate

Late

Neoproterozoi

c

(~600-540 Ma)

Cape Granite

Suite Granite

Prince Albert Formation

Outcrops of this formation are generally poor. It consists mainly of thinly laminated, dark

bluish-grey shale which weathers to an olive or red brown colour. In the cold Bokkeveld

and Ceres-Karoo thin (3-5 cm), silty to cherty layers occur intermittently. On exposure

they disintegrate into small yellow-brown angular chips.

Between Worcester and Robertson the formation is only intermittently exposed, with

good, fairly accessible outcrops occurring along the flanks of Aasvoelberg, north of

Eiland. According to De Villiers et al. (1964) the formation attains a thickness of

approximately 200 m south of Worcester, but more recently 120 m was measured just

east of the mine site on farm Scherpen Heuvel no.481. As elsewhere, a transitional

contact exists between the Prince Albert Formation and the overlying Whitehill

Formation.

Whitehill Formation

The Whitehill formation consists of thinly laminated, pyritic, carbon-bearing black shale

and measures about 30 m in thickness. The formation weathers characteristically to a

conspicuous greyish-white, gypsiferous to lime rich zone. Thin, grey to yellow-coloured

cherty lenses are often also apparent.



Collingham Formation

The Collingham formation, which concordantly overlies the Whitehill shales, is poorly

exposed in the Ceres-Karoo but in the Worcester-Robertson outlier, it is exposed in the

above-mentioned quarry sites as well as in road cutting. Here it is about 45 m thick,

compared to the generally accepted thickness of 30 m to the north. The Collingham

formation here consists of a rhythmically interbedded sequence of thin tabular beds of

dark grey shale, yellowish-coloured soft claystone, siltstone and cherty mudstone.

Bedding thickness varies from 20 to 40 mm, with some of the siltstone horizons

somewhat thicker in places. Parallel lamination is dominant. No trace fossils have been

found as yet.

A yellow weathering, illite-rich claystone (K-bentonite) typifies the Collingham Formation

and has a wide distribution throughout the Karoo Basin. These claystones and chertified

beds contain devitrified and replace glass shards, and have been interpreted as air fall

tuffs (Lock and Wilson 1975). Analyses have shown the potassium content of these ash

beds to vary from 4 to 10 % K2O (Verwoerd et al. 1990).

Tierberg Formation

The conformably overlying Tierberg Formation consists of grey-black (fresh) to olive-

green (weathered), well laminated shale, mudstone and siltstone. The formation is

extensively weathered and poorly exposed in the Ceres-Karoo. Occasional thin, silty

horizons are sometimes ripple marked and biogenic trails occur on Witte Wal 171, along

the Groot River.

Outcrops are somewhat in the Worcester-Robertson outlier, where the most complete

section across the Tierberg Formation in this area occurs between Aasvoelberg and

Mowershoogte, west of the Worcester-Robertson divisional boundary. From the

Tierberg-Collingham contact up to Mowers Siding the sequence is mainly composed of

mudstone, shale and siltstone. North of the railway line however, there is a gradually

increasing number of arenaceous layers. This latter succession is tentatively connected

with the Waterford Formation, the uppermost unit of the Ecca Group.

Waterford Formation

In the low range of hills, Mowershoogte, between Worcester and Robertson, numerous

fine-to medium grained sandstone beds are intercalated with politic units. These

arenaceous beds are generally massive or sometimes parallel laminated, and wave

ripple marks, clay-pellet conglomerate and brownish lime-rich lenses occur.

Climate

The mine area falls within the Mediterranean climate zone of the south-western region of

South Africa but is also influenced by the temperate interior climate zones of the Klein

Karoo. Winter rainfall dominates the area but the added impact of inland summer rainfall

over the Karoo and the eastern regions of the Cape generate a more even monthly

rainfall distribution than the Western Cape. Mean annual precipitation (MAP) is

recorded as 265 mm (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006), while monthly rainfall can vary from 8

mm in summer up to 35 mm in winter (See Figure 1).



Figure 1: Composite climate diagram of the Robertson region. Blue bars show the median

monthly precipitation. The upper and lower red lines show the mean daily maximum and

minimum temperatures respectively (After Mucina and Rutherford, 2006).

High interior temperatures are moderated by proximity to the Cape Fold mountain

system which induces lower temperatures due to adiabatic cooling (0.60 C per 100m) as

well as the occasional influx of cooler maritime air from south of the mountain divide.

Mean annual temperature (MAT) for the region is recorded as 16.80 C (Mucina &

Rutherford, 2006). Mean daily maximums and minimums are 29.80 C and 4.70 C in

summer and winter respectively (see Figure 1). It is noted that the MAP is only 12 % of

the Mean Annual Potential Evaporation (MAPE) which is 2192 mm, leading to a high

Soil Moisture Stress Index (MASMS) of 76% which renders surface clays dry.



Figure 2 : Average, maximum and minimum daily temperatures throughout the day, with

the horizontal axis representing months of the year, starting with January (1) and ending

with December (12).

Wind data was obtained from the Agricultural Resource Council (ARC) for the period

2000 to 2015, as shown in the wind rose in Figure 4, with supporting data in Table 5.

Information was then reinforced with research on the internet for a shorter time period of

two years from January 2014 to December 2015 as shown in Table 4. The influence of

the South Atlantic and South Indian High Pressure Systems, promotes a predominant

regional wind direction from the east/south-east and from the west. The ARC data is

more robust than the internet research data, as it ranges over a 15 year average, and

shows equal axis wind directions of approximately 15% duration from the east and the

west. Wind speeds are notably stronger from the west, in the 4 to 7 m/s category while

the easterly winds are generally lighter in the 1 to 3 m/s category. The two year period

internet data shows that east and south east winds dominate for 40% of the time while

the second influential wind direction from the west makes up 18 % of the total wind

direction duration. The average two year, January 2014 to December 2015, wind speed

is observed as 7.3 km/h (2 m/s) (See Table 5). Also important is to note that calms

account for approximately 40% of the time duration as recorded by the ARC.



Figure 3 : Predominant Wind Direction January 2014 - December 2015 (weatheronline,

2015)

Table 4: Wind speeds (km/h) between January 2014-December 2015 (saexplorer, 2015).



Figure 4 : Wind rose of the Worcester/Robertson region



Table 5: Wind direction summary table



Biodiversity, Flora & Fauna

The proposed mine site falls within an area with vegetation that is listed as Endangered

(EN), as defined by the South African National Botanical Institute (SANBI) (Appendix A

– Maps: Vegetation). The vegetation in the proposed mining area consists of Breede

Alluvium Renosterveld which consists of a species poor, short, open shrub land with

dwarf succulent shrubs and grasses in the gaps, dominated by Renosterbos, Athanasia

trifurcata, Pentzia incana, Ruschia caroli and Aspalathus spinosa, amongst others. The

grasses are represented by Ehrharta longiflora, E. villosa and Themeda triandra whilst

Crassula expansa is the most commonly encountered succulent shrublet (Jacobs and

Jangle, 2008).

The proposed mine further falls within an area defined as a Critical Biodiversity Area,

which is described as an area required to meet biodiversity targets for ecosystems,

species and ecological processes, as identified in a systematic biodiversity plan as per

the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No. 10 of 2004).

The Western Cape has a relatively low concentration of large terrestrial mammals.

However, the smaller fauna such as rodents, reptiles, insectivores and birds are prolific

in the mine zone. In summary, the area is home to a variety of insects, rodents, reptiles,

birds and mammals that naturally reside in this type of habitat.

Surface water

Surface runoff in the proposed mine site potentially occurs; this is due to the low

permeability of the clays. The surface water generated on site as runoff will continue to

feed the stream south west of the area. See Section 2.6.1.2

Groundwater

The fractured Table Mountain Superaquifer forms the dominant aquifer in the greater

Western Cape region, specifically the Peninsula and Nardouw (Skurweberg and Rietvlei)

Aquifers within it. These two Table Mountain Group (TMG) aquifers are separated by

the Winterhoek Mega-aquitard (Pakhuis, Cederberg and Goudini Aquitards) which totally

isolate them from one another. The upper Nardouw Aquifer is targeted by private

Schedule 1 users and farmers because of its accessibility and shallower drilling depth

which reduces drilling costs. The Peninsula Aquifer is mainly used for large scale

municipal groundwater developments (Oudtshoorn Groundwater Project, Hermanus

Wellfield, Stanford Wellfield and Cape Town’s TMG Feasibility Study) because of its

large quantity and good quality groundwater. In general, groundwater quality of both the

Peninsula and Nardouw Aquifers is good (i.e. fresh and potable), with low electrical

conductivity (EC), low solute content, acidic pH, however high iron and manganese

concentrations are characteristic.



The Bokkeveld Group is made up of fine grained shales, mudstones and siltstones

which have low hydraulic potential. For this reason the Bokkeveld Group is known as the

Gydo Mega-aquitard. The high residence time of groundwater within the clay rich shales

and low transmissivity parent rock usually results in relatively poor groundwater quality

(e.g. high electrical conductivities and high metal concentrations) due to its marine

depositional environment.

The Witteberg Group consists of alternating units of micaceous shale/siltstone and

quartzitic sandstone. The hard, fractured sandstone units (Blinkberg, Witpoort and

Floriskraal Formations) form the aquifers of the Witteberg Group which are separated

from one another by the shale rich (low hydraulic permeability) aquitards (Wagen Drift,

Swartruggen, Kweekvlei, Waaipoort Formations). The three fractured sandstone

aquifers form relatively good yielding aquifers provided the right structure is targeted,

with yields of between 2-5 l/s. The Witpoort Aquifer is the thickest and most likely the

highest yielding aquifer within the Witteberg Group. Groundwater quality is likely to be

relatively good (electrical conductivities of <100 milliSiemens/metre [mS/m]), although

high iron and manganese concentrations are possible. The proposed mining site is

directly above Karoo sequence rocks (see Section 2.6.4) which are of little significance

with regard to groundwater in the area.



3. IDENTIFICATION OF THE ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL,

SOCIAL OR CULTURAL IMPACTS, INCLUDING THE

CUMULATIVE IMPACTS, WHERE APPLICABLE.

PROVIDE A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT INCLUDING A MAP

SHOWING THE SPATIAL LOCALITY OF INFRASTRUCTURE, EXTRACTION AREA,

AND ANY ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES

The spatial locality of the proposed project and the locality of infrastructure may be seen

in the Mine Layout Map in Appendix A – Maps: Mine Layout. Access to the proposed

mining property will make use of existing infrastructure namely the secondary road

(Lanvlei Road) off the R60 National road.

A small vehicle parking area of ~25 by 30 meteres at the entrance to the property will be

fenced off for the parking of the escavator during periods of non-use and visiting

vehicles to the minig property. The proposed mining method (open pit mining) will

require the use of a front-end loader and tipper truck to mine the clay deposits. The

process starts with the removal and safe storage of the overburden and topsoil to

expose the economic material, which is then moved to a central point by front end loader

and transported by tipper trucks to the nearby purchaser. A 19 ton excavator will be

rented from the sole consumer and buyer of the raw clay materials, Robertson Bakstene

(Pty) Ltd, for the stripping top soils from the land surface and for abstraction of raw clay

material. Robertson Bakstene shall collect the raw clay for transport to their nearby brick

production facility by making use of a single 5 ton tip truck. The storage area for

overburden can be seen in Appendix A – Maps: Mine Layout. There is no electrical

use on site. Due to the limited human presence on site during operations, a single on

site toilet will be installed. No on site office will be located on the mining property.

Minor bookkeeping and administrative tasks will be undertaken off site by

Gannabosch Clay Mine (Pty) Ltd.

DESCRIBE ANY LISTED ACTIVITIES (IN TERMS OF THE NEMA EIA

REGULATIONS) WHICH WILL BE OCCURRING WITHIN THE PROPOSED PROJECT.

The following activities represent listed activities from the National Environmental

Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), which are likely to be triggered



Government Notice No.R982 National Environmental Management Act (107/1998):

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014.

Table 6 : Listing Notice 1 (No. R. 983) Triggers in terms of 24 (2) and 24D

Activity Number

Activity description Identification of Competent Authority

22 The decommissioning of any activity requiring- A closure certificate in terms of section 43 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002): The closure of the mine at the endo of the mines life: ~10-15 years

Minister responsible DMR

27 The clearance of an area of 1 hectare or more, but less than 20 hectares of indigenous vegetation,



Activity Number


17 Activity which requires a mining right as contemplated in section 22 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002: The abstraction of shale/brick clay.



Activity Number


None*

SPECIFICALLY CONFIRM THAT THE COMMUNITY AND IDENTIFIED INTERESTED

AND AFFECTED PARTIES HAVE BEEN CONSULTED AND THAT THEY AGREE THAT

THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS IDENTIFIED INCLUDE THOSE IDENTIFIED BY THEM.

Contact letters and a Background Information Document (BID) (Annexure a:

Background Information Documents) have been sent to the Interested and Affected

Parties and Communities (IAP&C) as listed in APPENDIX B- Interested and Affected

Parties Register. The process awaits any comments that they might have. Comments

and feedback from the IAP & C will inform the Environmental Impact Assessment

process and Mine Works Program.



IMPACTS

Provide a list and description of potential impacts identified on the

heritage environment, if applicable.

During the Scoping phase, potential impacts are identified for later and further

analysis during the EMP phase. This will require consultation with specialists

within respective fields of expertise. Compilation of specialist reports will be

performed and used during the EMP phase.

Table 9 : Heritage impacts

Potential impacts on heritage

environment Description

Paleontological

Positive:

Any fossils or artefacts present might be unearthed

by the mining operation if not identified by the site

visit for the planned specialist study.

.

Negative:

Machinery excavation may damage artefacts that

may be in place


socio-economic conditions of any person on the property and on any

adjacent or non-adjacent property who may be affected by the

proposed prospecting or mining operation.

Socio-economic impacts refer to the change in social behaviour and status due to the

economic impact of the mine. Site visit and discussions with the applicant indicates that

there are no existing residents / occupants on the portion of land. Current scoping

research has not identified any persons on adjacent and or non-adjacent property that

may be affected by the proposed mining operation.

Table 10 : Socio-economic impacts

Potential impacts on socio-

Economic conditions

Description



Economic Local labour from adjacent farm communities or

Robertson will be employed by the mine. This will

have a positive impact on the wellbeing of employees

with a multiplier effect on households of the

employed.

Provide a list of potential impacts (positive & negative) on:

employment opportunities, community health, community proximity,

and links to the Social Labour Plan.

Table 11 : Community impacts

Potential impacts

employment, health,

Description

Employment Positive:

The establishment of a mine would create

employment of some residents living in the

neighbouring communities. Allowing for a much

needed income into the area.

Negative:

No negative employment issues can be attributed to

the local community from the proposed mining

operation on Gannabosch Vlakte 51.

Health Positive:

Employment of staff and training thereof in health

and safety protocol, will improve health and wellbeing

of staff and their immediate households. The SLP

can provide ABET to the workers which should

spread down through the families and ultimately to

improve awareness of health issues among staff

employees and their associated households.

Negative:

No negative health issues can be attributed to the

local community from the proposed mining operation

on Gannabosch Vlakte 51.

Community proximity Due to the distance of any communities and towns



from the mine, there are no foreseeable positive or

negative issues that may impact on communities.

Transport and Infrastructure Minimal to no impact on national roads should occur

due to the fact that the clay is planned to be

transported to the neighbouring property and location

for manufacture of clay bricks.

3.4.3.1. Links to the Social and Labour Plan

The Social and Labour Plan (Umvoto, 2016) consists of the following implementation

plans for the single employee of the company.

1) Skills development programmes

2) Bursary programme for employee’s dependants

3) Career progression plan

4) Mentorship programme

The implementation of these initiatives focuses on the upliftment of the worker’s family,

which leads to further opportunities for their children, giving them improved

access/standard of education and thus better chance for skilled.




biophysical environment including but not limited to impacts on:

flora, fauna, water resources, air, noise, soil etc.

Table 12 : Biophysical impacts

Potential biophysical

impacts

Description

Flora Breede Sand Fynbos and Breede Alluvium

Renosterveld are the two predominant vegetation

types residing in Gannabosch Farm. Both are ranked

in the Vulnerable Status (VU) group as classified by

SANBI. Open trench mining will impact such

vegetation in the 14.5 ha for which Gannabosch Clay

Mine plans to extract clay from. The risk of influx of

invasive alien species due to surface disturbance and

increased vehicular access to the area will further

exacerbate the predicament (Refer to Appendix A –

Maps: Vegetation).

Fauna Large natural fauna is not present on the property.

Livestock from neighbouring properties will be actively

managed so as not to be directly affected by the mine.

Small feral mammals, insects and reptiles would be

disturbed during the mine process.

Water resource Pit mining will be utilised to mine the clay layer which

will not be mined past a depth of 10 mbgl. This is

above the ground water level and all indications point

towards a dry mining process, which will not affect the

ground water. The exposed pit from which the clay is to

be extracted will pose a water capture area from

surface runoff, implementation of necessary measures

will take place to ensure water is drained from the open

pit There is the possibility of surface water erosion

occurring due to vegetation removal and increased

sediment load / contamination runoff into nearby

streams.



Air Small scale trench mining will have minimal impact on

air quality and the proposed mining area is not in

proximity to an inhabited area This parameter is

therefore not considered to have an impact on people.

Dust Small scale trench mining may pose small impact of

dust load of air, though the cumulative impact is

considered low due to the presence of Cape Lime

processing facility on the neighbouring property.

Noise The operation of single excavator will increase noise

pollution in the area during daylight working hours on

the mine minimally. The impact to the area would be

low due to there being no inhabitants in the adjacent

farm.

Soil With the removal of vegetation from the mining area,

increased chance of soil erosion is probable unless

mitigating steps are followed. The usage of light and

heavy haulage machinery will compact the surface.

Soil compaction is the process in which a stress

applied to soil causes densification as air is displaced

from the pores between the soil grains causing soils to

become less able to absorb rainfall, and increasing

runoff and erosion. Plants and burrowing animals may

have difficulty in compacted soil because the mineral

grains are pressed together, leaving little space for air

and water, which are essential for root growth. This will

create, in general a hostile environment, as the denser

soil becomes more difficult to penetrate. Potential for

hydrocarbon spillages in the form of oil, hydraulic fluid

or diesel are possible due to the use of machinery for

mining. This can be integrated in an EMP.

Topography

The open pit mining techniques in order to access the

clay deposits will alter the surface topography by

creating trenches and stockpiles. Rehabilitation will

ensure that the pit caused as a result of mining is not

of danger to fauna or humans

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainfall

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runoff_(water)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erosion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root



Visual The proposed mining site is situated a distance away

from any road, structure or public area and is

sufficiently isolated that it will not negatively impact on

the surrounding areas.

Waste (solid, biodegradable,

mine dump)

Numerous waste products will be generated which will

include: Waste dumps, refuse, (bio and non-

biodegradable), human waste and sewage. The

impact of the diverse waste types will impact differently

on the biophysical, chemical and visual environment

and will have to be managed and mitigated.



Provide a description of potential cumulative impacts that the

proposed operation may contribute to considering other identified

land uses which may have potential environmental linkages to the

land concerned.

Identified potential cumulative impacts include an expected low negative cumulative

impact of noise, dust and visual, at sufficiently low cumulative level to not impact

surrounding tourism activities that are on the Breede River Wine route and on nearby

Cape Lime quarry and processing plant. The individual impacts of noise, dust,

groundwater and visual will be further assessed in the EIA in order to formulate a more

informed and qualified impact statement on potential impact on ecology, land value and

tourism activities. As mentioned earlier such cumulative impact will also consider the

positive impact of the presence of business activity in the Langeberg region. It will also

consider the threshold impact of both the lime and mine.



4. LAND USE OR DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES,

ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF CARRYING OUT THE

PROPOSED OPERATION AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF

NOT PROCEEDING WITH THE PROPOSED OPERATION.

PROVIDE A LIST OF AND DESCRIBE ANY ALTERNATIVE LAND USES THAT EXIST

ON THE PROPERTY OR ON ADJACENT OR NON-ADJACENT PROPERTIES THAT

MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED MINING OPERATION.

Primary use of the land surrounding the site is used for agrarian purposes, in the form of

vineyards. The only mining in the area around is limestone quarry mining north of the

proposed site. Adjacent to the site is the processing plant for the limestone being

mined. The following adjacent land units are noted along with land uses that are in

progress and that may be affected by proposed mining.

Table 13 : Land Use

Farm Portion Land Use Activities

Middelburg

9/10 Thicket / Dense bush & Shrubland Fynbos – Land Cover (DEA, 2014)

Middelberg

RE/10 Enterprises: Fruit - Wine grapes (Crop Census, 2013)

Alwynbos Vlakte

No.299 Shrubland Fynbos – Land Cover (DEA, 2014)

Noree No.300 Shrubland Fynbos – Land Cover (DEA, 2014)

De Hex Rivier

18/50 Enterprises: Fruit - Wine grapes (Crop Census, 2013)

Lange Vallei

5/52

Enterprises:Fruit – Mostly wine grapes and some peach (Crop Census,

2013)



PROVIDE A LIST OF AND DESCRIBE ANY LAND DEVELOPMENTS IDENTIFIED BY

THE COMMUNITY OR INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES THAT ARE IN

PROGRESS AND WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED MINING

OPERATION.

No land developments were identified or are currently taking place that would be

affected by the proposed mining operation.

PROVIDE A LIST OF AND DESCRIBE PROPOSALS MADE IN THE CONSULTATION

PROCESS TO ADJUST THE OPERATIONAL PLANS OF THE MINE TO

ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, LANDOWNERS AND

INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES.

No proposals by the landowners or IAPs to adjust the operational plans of the mine have

been made at the time of preparing the draft Scoping Report and comments from the

IAP’s will address this.

PROVIDE INFORMATION IN RELATION TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT

PROCEEDING WITH THE PROPOSED OPERATION.

If the proposed operation were not to proceed, the land may or may not be utilized for

grazing of livestock in the future. As much as the no go option may result in the

protection of the environment in situ; the consequences of not proceeding with the

proposed operation will include the forfeiture of a mining opportunity and therefore the

loss of support towards the Langeberg Municipality. It would further suggest that no new

employment opportunities would be created as well as any resultant community

upliftment and development programs would likely take place in the surrounding

communities of Robertson



A DESCRIPTION OF THE MOST APPROPRIATE PROCEDURE TO PLAN AND

DEVELOP THE PROPOSED MINING OPERATION THE APPLICANT MUST:

Provide information on its response to the findings of the

consultation process and the possible options to adjust the mining

project proposal to avoid potential impacts identified in the

consultation process.

Responses to the findings of the consultation process will be noted and discussed.

Appropriate adjustments to the mining proposal will be implemented to avoid any

stakeholder and IAP identified impacts.

Describe accordingly the most appropriate procedure to plan and

develop the proposed mining operation with due consideration of the

issues raised in the consultation process.

Appropriate planning and development of the mine and alternative procedures can only

be addressed after feedback from stakeholders and specialists have been received.

These considerations will inform the Scoping and EIA reports.

The remainder of the public participation process consists of the following phases:

1. Distribution of Scoping report to State departments (by DMR) and registered

I&AP’s

2. Tasking of specialists to conduct any further studies

3. Receipt of specialist studies

4. Preparation of draft EMP for distribution

5. Receipt of comments in respect of draft

6. Compilation of EMP for delivery to DMR before approval

The process outlined above will provide opportunity for all parties to give their input into

a document which will therefore consider all aspects and issues and adjust the proposed

mining project as may be appropriate.



5. A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS OF ENGAGEMENT OF

IDENTIFIED INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES,

INCLUDING THEIR VIEWS AND CONCERNS

PROVIDE A DESCRIPTION OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE

COMMUNITY, LANDOWNERS, AND INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES TO

INFORM THEM IN SUFFICIENT DETAIL OF WHAT THE PROSPECTING OR MINING

OPERATION WILL ENTAIL ON THE LAND, IN ORDER FOR THEM TO ASSESS WHAT

IMPACT THE PROSPECTING WILL HAVE ON THEM OR ON THE USE OF THEIR

LAND.

Background Information Documents (BID), Annexure a: Background Information

Documents and supporting letters will be sent via email and registered letters to all

Stakeholders and IAP’S. Advertisements notices will be placed in regional and local

newspaper to inform the general public of the proposed mining activity and invite public

comment, (See APPENDIX B- Interested and Affected Parties Register),provides a list

of which of the identified communities, landowners, lawful occupiers and other interested

and affected parties that were consulted.

PROVIDE A LIST OF THEIR VIEWS IN REGARD TO THE EXISTING CULTURAL,

SOCIO-ECONOMIC OR BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, AS THE CASE MAY BE.

Existing Cultural Environment

No comments, concerns or views were raised from any of the IAP’s

pertaining to the existing cultural environment of the proposed mine site.

Existing Socio-Economic Environment

The application site is zoned Agricultural Zone 1 in terms of the Section 8

Zoning Scheme Regulations. The primary use permitted is Agriculture, which

means “(a) the cultivation of land or (b) the breeding of animals, or (c) natural

veld, and comprises only of those activities and buildings that directly relate

to the main farming activities on the farm”. The proposed mining activities do

not fall within the above definition and application must be made to the

Langeberg Municipality in terms of the Langeberg Land Use Planning Bylaws

PN 264/2-15, for a temporary departure from the zoning provisions.



Refer to comments received from stakeholders and IAP’s as found in

Appendix C: Interested and Affected Party Responses.

Existing Biophysical Environment

Listed below is a summary of the comments raised by the Stakeholders and IAP’s:

The area of interest forms part of an important ecological corridor that contributes

towards an upland-lowland link between the Breede and Riviersonderend

Mountains.

The area of interest is mostly classified as a Critical Biodiversity Area.

The area of interest is Priority Botanical Hotspot.

The area of interest is Threatened Plant Hotspot Priority Botanical Hotspot.

The area of interest is classified as top priority property by the Succulent Karoo

Ecosystem Programme (SKEP) (Central Breede River Valley), Lesley Hill

Succulent Karoo Trust (LHSKT), and the National Protected Area Expansion

Strategy (NPAES).

Threatened species that have been recorded within close proximity to the site:

Drosanthemum micans [EN], Freesia marginata [EN], Euphorbia nesemannii

[NT], Eriospermum bowieanum [VU], and Brianhuntleya intrusa [NT].

The vegetation on the land is very close to qualifying as Endangered and has

hardly any formal protection.

Concerns were raised regarding the botanical survey and whether the survey

included different season observations as there are endemic species and Red

list species that only appear at specific seasons.

Watercourses on the site are classified as Ecological Support Areas (ESAs) and

should be protected from activities which may cause degradation.

Refer to comments received from stakeholders and IAP’s as found in Appendix C:

Interested and Affected Party Responses.



PROVIDE A LIST OF THEIR VIEWS RAISED ON HOW THEIR EXISTING CULTURAL,

SOCIO-ECONOMIC OR BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT POTENTIALLY WILL BE

IMPACTED ON BY THE PROPOSED PROSPECTING OR MINING OPERATION.

Cultural Environment Impacts

No comments or responses were received from any of the IAP’s pertaining to

the potential impact that the proposed mining site and operation will have on

the existing cultural environment.

Socio-Economic Environment Impacts

While direct impacts on the socio-economic environment were not explicitly

relayed by any of the IAP’s, the potential impact may be inferred to, based on

the views of the IAP’s raised in Section Error! Reference source not found..

he impact would be the loss of zoned agricultural land.

Biophysical Environment Impacts

The seedbank in the topsoil should not be stored for longer than three months as

it will no longer be viable. Rehabilitation on its own is not considered adequate

mitigation as mining areas do not return to the same condition and level of

species diversity that were present before mining commenced.

Main concern is that the general area is an area of critical biodiversity. Therefore

the proposed mining area should be carefully assessed by especially botanists,

as most geophytes are dormant during summer, flowering in autumn, winter and

spring

Even if topsoil is rehabilitated, removal of the clay from the subsoil will

substantially change the drainage and this affects topsoil microclimate adversely

Refer to comments received from stakeholders and IAP’s as found in Appendix C:

Interested and Affected Party Responses.

PROVIDE A LIST OF ANY OTHER CONCERNS RAISED BY THE AFORE SAID

PARTIES

To date, the concerns and views raised by the stakeholders and IAP’s are all accounted

for under Sections Error! Reference source not found. and Section Error! Reference

urce not found. (Refer to: Appendix C: Interested and Affected Party Responses). This



will be tabulated when the timeline for registration and comments passes on 7th April

2016.

PROVIDE INFORMATION WITH REGARDS TO ANY OBJECTIONS RECEIVED

To date no objections have been received pertaining to the proposed mining

site and activity. If any objections are received prior to 7 April 2016, they will

be included in this section.



6. DESCRIBE THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF FURTHER

INVESTIGATIONS REQUIRED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT INCLUDING ANY

SPECIALIST REPORTS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED

SCOPE OF WORK FOR EIA

The following specialist studies will be completed for the EIA/EMP phase:

Botanical assessment of flora and rehabilitation plan

Heritage assessment (Cultural and Paleontological)

Due to the mining techniques proposed as well as well as initial impact identification,

studies of the hydrogeological, botanical and heritage environments will be the focus of

specialist studies.

Hydrogeological

The hydrogeological assessment will provide a baseline study of the geology, hydrology,

geochemistry, potential contamination at the proposed site and the impact of proposed

mining operation on the local aquifer systems and existing groundwater users.

• Desktop study for conceptual hydrogeological model and water quality

• Environmental risk assessment

• Field investigation

• Reporting of data, conceptual models and analysis of potential risks and

proposed mitigating measures to be implemented.

Botanical

Due to the conservation statuses of the endemic vegetation types in the mining

area, a more detailed baseline assessment regarding specific plant species, their

densities and conservation value need to be assessed. Issues that need to be

addressed include:

Vegetation loss during mine implementation and operation phases

Habitat fragmentation



Cumulative effects of similar proposed operations in the area

Suggested mitigation and rehabilitation procedures

Conservation opportunities identified to formally conserve areas of natural

habitat within the mine property

Heritage

The heritage assessment of the area will focus on both the paleontological and

archaeological significance of the area and assess the cumulative (positive and

negative) impacts within and around the proposed mine property

Identifying heritage resources affected by the mine and associated

infrastructural development.

Assess the significance of any identified resources within the affected area.

Consult with the affected and other interested parties in regard to the

impact on the heritage resources in the project’s receiving environment.

Identify possible mitigating measures with the view to reduce negative

impacts and enhance positive impacts on the heritage resources.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS

The method for current and future public-participation-processes has been discussed in

detail under Section 5. This will abide by and follow the required MPRDA & NEMA

process.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS

The impact assessment for the EIA report will be conducted as above. Any impacts

identified through the PPP process and through specialists studies will be included

within an assessment table which shall look at the significance of potential impacts, their

extent, duration, as well as mitigating procedures to reduce possible negative impacts.

This table will be utilized as the basis for the Environmental Management Plan (EMP).



7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

OTHER MINING OCCURRING IN THE AREA

Cape Lime currently operates an open cast pit mine for the abstraction of limestone in a

quarry ~2 km to the NE, and processes it on the neighbouring property Lange Vallei

5/52.



8. REFERENCES

Elsenberg GIS: ArcGIS Services Directory, Western Cape Government: Agriculture

[accessed 2015 Dec 05]. http://gis.elsenburg.com/app/cfm.

Mucina, L., & Rutherford, M.C. (eds). 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and

Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. ISBN: 978-

1919976-21-1

Jacobs, K. & Jangle, R. 2008. Renosterveld Ecosystem Management Plan: Western Cape.

Unpublished, The Nature Conservation Corporation, Cape Town

P. le Roux, 2012, Report on a Soil Survey as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment

of the development of a Solar Farm on the soils of Valleydora Solar Farm Springfontein,

CSIR, pp10.

SA Explorer: Information by Location [assessed 2015 Nov 25] www.saexplorer.co.za/south-

africa/climate/robertson 2000-2014

Umvoto Africa. (2016). Gannabosch Vlakte 51: Mining Rights Application – Social and

Labour Plan. Prepared by P. Lee, L. Nolakana and J. Rust of Umvoto Africa (Pty) Ltd for

Gannabosch Clay Mine (Pty) Ltd. Report No. 856/05/01/2016, February 2016, 21pp.

WeatherOnline: Weather Online Ltd. [accessed 2015 Dec 03],

www.weatheronline.co.uk/weather/maps/city, 1999-2016

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/weather/maps/city


Scoping Report Page I

APPENDIX A – MAPS

Figure 5 Regional Topographic Map

Figure 6 Local Map

Figure 7 Local Geology Map

Figure 8 Land/Soil Type Map

Figure 9 Vegetation Map

Figure 10 Critical Biodiversity Status Map

Figure 11 Mine Layout/ Infrastructure Location Map