Ferrum Substation EMP May 2010

Environmental Management Plan for the proposed Upgrade of Ferrum substation and realignment of lines 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN PLAN FOR FOR THE THE PROPOSED PROPOSED UPGRADE 

UPGRADE 

OF OF FERRUM FERRUM SUBSTATION SUBSTATION IN IN KATHU, KATHU, NORTHERN NORTHERN CAPE CAPE CAPE PROVINCE 

PROVINCE 

(REF (REF 12/12/20/1682) 

12/12/20/1682) 

SUBMITTED SUBMITTED TO: 

TO: 

NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT OF OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS (DEA) (DEA) 

(DEA) 

Submitted by: 

MOKGOPE 

MOKGOPE 

CONSULTING 

CONSULTING 

MAY 2010 

Ck No. 2007/196934/23 

Income Tax Registration: 9455120163 

Physical Address, 49 3rd Avenue, Highlands North, 2192, Postal Address, P.O. Box 2363, Highlands North, 2037. 

Tel (011) 4401817 

Contact Persons • Mpho Nenweli : 082 567 3099 • Manako Matemane : 082 554 4032 • 

Email: Mokgope@gmail.com • Fax: 0866 079 841 

Website: www.mokgope.co.za

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Environmental Management Plan for the Upgrade of Ferrum substation and realignment of lines 

1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 8 

1.1. EMP PRINCIPLES AND CONDITIONS ............................................................................. 8 

1.2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................... 10 

1.2.1. Reporting Structures .............................................................................................................. 10 

1.2.2. Responsibilities ...................................................................................................................... 11 

1.2.3. General responsibilities for the project team ...................................................................... 12 

1.3. AUDITING ......................................................................................................................... 13 

1.4. TRAINING, AWARENESS RAISING AND CAPACITY BUILDING ................................. 14 

2. PROJECT BACKGROUND ....................................................................................... 15 

2.1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF AREA AFFECTED BY CONSTRUCTION ...................... 15 

2.2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RECEIVING AREA .......................................................... 16 

2.3. PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK ......................................................................................... 18 

3. ENVISAGED ACTIVITY SCHEDULE AND ASSOCIATED IMPACTS ...................... 20 

4. PHYSICAL ISSUES AND THEIR CONTROL ............................................................ 23 

4.1. SITE ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT ............................................................... 23 

4.1.1. Ablution Facilities and Waste Management ........................................................................ 23 

4.1.2. Noise Pollution........................................................................................................................ 24 

4.1.3. Dust Pollution ......................................................................................................................... 24 

4.2. WORKSHOP, STORAGE AREAS AND SAFE HANDLING OF HAZARDOUS 

CHEMICALS ............................................................................................................................... 24 

4.3. CAMPING SITE AND AESTHETICS ................................................................................ 25 

4.4. MANAGEMENT OF THE SUBSTATION TERRAIN AREA ............................................. 25 

4.5. NATURAL DRAINAGE..................................................................................................... 26 

4.6. ACCESS ROADS TO THE SITE ...................................................................................... 26 

4.7. CONSTRUCTION RUBBLE DISPOSAL AND WASTE MANAGEMENT ........................ 26 

4.8. LITTERING CONTROL .................................................................................................... 27 

4.9. DISPOSAL OF OLD EQUIPMENT .................................................................................. 27 

4.10. DUST POLLUTION ....................................................................................................... 27 

4.11. SITE CLEARING ........................................................................................................... 28 

4.12. FENCING REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................ 28 

4.13. FIRE PREVENTION ...................................................................................................... 29 

4.14. NOISE POLLUTION ..................................................................................................... 29 

4.15. MATERIAL STORAGE AREAS .................................................................................... 29 

4.16. TRANSPORTATION OF EQUIPMENT ......................................................................... 29 

4.17. INFRASTRUCTURE ..................................................................................................... 30 

4.18. SOCIAL ISSUES AND THEIR CONTROL ................................................................... 30 

4.18.1. Prevention Of Diseases ........................................................................................................ 30 

4.18.2. Interaction with Affected Parties .......................................................................................... 31 

4.18.3. Claims for Damages ............................................................................................................... 31 

4.18.4. Crime, Safety and Security ................................................................................................... 31 

4.19. BIOLOGICAL ISSUES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT .................................................. 32 

4.19.1. Fauna ....................................................................................................................................... 32 

4.19.2. Flora ......................................................................................................................................... 32 

4.19.3. Herbicide Use .......................................................................................................................... 32 

4.20. CULTURAL ISSUES AND THEIR CONTROL ............................................................. 32 

4.20.1. Archaeology ............................................................................................................................ 32 

4.21. SITE REHABILITATION ............................................................................................... 33 

5. LAND OWNER CONDITIONS ................................................................................... 34 

6. SOURCES OF WATER .............................................................................................. 34 

7. EXPECTED POTENTIAL PROBLEMS ...................................................................... 35 

7.1. PRE-CONSTRUCTION..................................................................................................... 35 

2 Mokgope Consulting May 2010


7.2. DURING CONSTRUCTION .............................................................................................. 35 

7.3. AFTER CONSTRUCTION ................................................................................................ 35 

8. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO POTENTIAL PROBLEMS ........................................... 36 

9. SITE SPECIFIC PROBLEM AREAS .......................................................................... 37 

10. METHOD STATEMENTS FOR THE CONTRACT ..................................................... 37 

11. SITE DOCUMENTATION, MONITORING AND REPORTING ................................. 37 

12. REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 39 

ANNEXURE A: ACTIVITY SCHEDULE ............................................................................ 40 

ANNEXURE: B: DECLARATION OF UNDERSTANDING BY THE CONTRACTOR ....... 56 

ANNEXURE C : EXAMPLE OF METHOD STATEMENT FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT 

57 

ANNEXURE D: LIST OF METHOD STATEMENTS REQUIRED TO ASSIST IN THE 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS EMP. ................................................................................. 60 

ANNEXURE E: SITE LAYOUT FOR THE PROPOSED UPGRADE AND REALIGNMENT 

OF LINES. ......................................................................................................................... 61 

ANNEXURE F: LANDOWNER CONSENT LETTER. ....................................................... 62 



TITLE AND APPROVAL PAGE 

DEA REF NO 

12/12/20/1682 

TITLE: EMP for the Upgrade of Ferrum Substation and 

Realignment of Lines. 

PROPONENT Eskom Holdings Limited (Pty) Ltd 

CONTACT Vuledzani Thanyani: (Tel: 011 800 5601) 

PREPARED BY 

Mokgope Consulting CC 

49 3 rd Avenue 

Highlands North 

2036 

AUTHOR: Mpho Nenweli 

APPROVED BY: 

ESKOM PROJECT Vuledzani Thanyani 

MANAGER: 

MOKGOPE CEO: Manako Matemane 

Signature Date 

Signature Date 



EDITING AND SPECIALIST REVIEW 

EDITOR : CHRISTINE KNEIDINGER (FAUNAL HOUNDS) 

SPECIALIST REVIEWER : CHRISTINE KNEIDINGER (FAUNAL HOUNDS) 


i. DEFINITIONS 


Mitigation: To allay, moderate, palliate, temper or intensify. Mitigation of negative impact 

would mean that the effects are reduced whereas the mitigation of positive impact would 

imply the increasing or optimisation of the activities. 

Construction site: Area demarcated by Eskom and shown on the site plans (See 

Annexure E). 



ii. LIST OF ACRONYMS 

Name of Act / Eskom Specification/ Procedure/ Etc. 

7 Mokgope Consulting May 2010 

Abbreviation 

Access to Farms TRMPVACV2 

REV1 

Agricultural Pests Act of 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983) APA 

Air Quality Act of 2004 (Act No 39 of 2004) NAQA 

Animals Protection Act of 1962 (Act No. 71 of 1962 APA 

Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act of 1965 (Act No. 45 of 1965) APPA 

Biodiversity Act of 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) BDA 

Bush Clearing ESKASABG3 

Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act of 1993 (Act No. 43 of 1983) CARA 

Construction Environmental Liaison Officer CELO 

Construction Manager CM 

Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries DAFF 

Department of Environmental Affairs DEA 

Department of Water Affairs DWAF 

Environment Conservation Act of 1989 (Act No. 73 of 1989) ECA 

Environmental Control Officer ECO 

Environmental Impact Report EIR 

Environmental Management Plan EMP 

Eskom Manual on Storage and Handling of Flammable and combustible liquids ESKAMAAD1 

Fencing Act of 1963 (Act No. 31 of 1963) FA 

Fencing Act of 1963 (Act No. 31 of 1963) FA 

Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies 

FFASA 

(Act No. 36 of 1947) 

Game Theft Act of 1991 (Act No. 105 of 1991) GTA 

Hazardous Substances Act of 1973 (Act No. 15 of 1973) HSA 

Integrated Environmental Management IEM 

Key Performance Indicator KPI 

Labour Relations Act of 1995 (Act No.66 of 1995) LRA 

Material Safety Data Sheet MSDS 

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development (Act No. 28 of 2002) MPRDA 

Minerals Act of 1991 (Act 50 of 1991) MA 

Mountain Catchment Areas Act of 1970 (Act No. 63 of 1970) MCAA 

National Environmental Management Act of 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) NEMA 

National Forests Act of 1998 (Act No. 84 of 1998) NFA 

National Veldt and Forest Fire Act 1998 (Act No. 101 of 1998) NVFFA 

National Water Act of 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) NWA 

Natural Heritage Resources Act of 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) NHRA 

Non Conformance Report NCR 

Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993) OHSA 

Protected Areas Act of 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) PAA 

Protected Areas Amendment Act of 2004 (Act 31 of 2004) PAAA 

Record of Decision/Environmental Authorization RoD 

Skills Development Act of 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998) SDA 

South African Heritage Resources Association SAHRA 

Transmission Line Towers and Line Construction TRMSCAAC1 

REV3 

Water Services Act of 1997 (Act 108 of 1997) WSA 

World Heritage Convention Act of 1999 (Act No. 49 of 1999) WHCA

1. INTRODUCTION 


An application for the upgrade and realignment of power lines at the Ferrum substation in Kathu, 

Northern Cape was submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on 25 September 

2009. This Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is submitted in terms of Regulation 385 (34), 

which stipulates that an EMP should form part of the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) 

submitted to the DEA. It should be noted that this is the final EMP. 

This EMP is aimed at highlighting and pre-empting risks, as well as, identifying guidelines for 

construction personnel to help them protect, sustain and conserve the environment during 

construction. This document will emphasize numerous risks associated with the extension and 

upgrade of the substation and the required management interventions. It further makes 

recommendations and outlines constraints, which are enforceable under the general conditions of 

a contract between the Eskom and the Contractor (See Annexure B). It is therefore deemed to 

have contractual standing on the basis that its contents are a detailed extension of the EIR and 

requirements of the Environmental Authorisation and non compliance of the conditions laid out in 

the EMP will constitute non-compliance to National Environmental Management Act No. 107 of 

1998 (NEMA). 

The principles and conditions prescribed in this document are in line with the Integrated 

Environmental Management (IEM) philosophy which is aimed at achieving a desirable balance 

between development and conservation (DEAT, 1992). IEM is a key instrument of NEMA, which 

prescribes the methodology for ensuring that environmental management principles are fully 

integrated into all stages of the development process. IEM advocates for the use of a variety of 

environmental management tools, of which the EMP is a case in point. 

1.1. EMP PRINCIPLES AND CONDITIONS 

The EMP for Ferrum Substation aims to meet the following principles: 

• Continuous improvement: the proponent or implementing agency must commit to review and 

continually improve environmental management; 

• Integration across operations: This EMP must integrate across existing operational units 

such as Safety, Health and Environment; 

• Legislation: The developer, engineer, Contractor and sub-Contractor must take cognisance of 

the fact that certain activities conducted during construction may require further licensing or 



environmental approval, e.g. bulk fuel storage, waste disposal, etc. The Contractor must 

continuously consult the Environmental Control Officer (ECO) in this regard; 

• Broad level of commitment: the effective implementation of this EMP hinges on broad 

commitment from management and the entire workforce; 

• Flexible and response: The construction team and all relevant personnel must be prepared to 

make rapid short-term responses to problems or incidents. This EMP is not “cast in stone”, and 

this implies that it must be continuously reviewed in consideration of the emerging dynamics of 

the proposed upgrade of the substation; and 

• Sustainability: The actions of both the developer and Contractor during the construction 

process should aim at promoting sustainability and adhere to all the mitigations prescribed in 

this document 

ESKOM requires the Contractor to comply with the following conditions: 

• Take into consideration the legal rights of affected communities and Eskom Regional staff. 

• Always behave professionally on and off site. 

• Ensure quality in all work done, technical and environmental. 

• Resolve problems and claims arising from damage immediately to ensure a smooth flow of 

operations. 

• To underwrite Eskom Transmission’s Environmental Policy at all times. 

• To preserve the natural environment by limiting any destructive actions on site, avoiding 

sensitive areas and actively implement the conditions of the EMP. 

EMP general conditions 

• The ECO to be appointed by Eskom shall be independent and ensure compliance to the EMP. 

• The ECO on site shall in conjunction with the Contractor, ensure that all site staff are informed 

of the details of the EMP, as well as the conditions thereof. The ECO shall convey the 

contents of the EMP to the Contractor site staff and discuss the contents in detail with the 

Project Manager and Contractor. The ECO will also determine compliance with the 

recommendations. 

No construction work shall commence until final EMP is authorised by DEA 



1.2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1.2.1. Reporting Structures 

Both the ECO and Construction Manager (CM) are obliged to report any incidents and non- 

compliance to the Eskom Project Manager. The Construction Environmental Liaison Officer 

(CELO) is responsible for advising and reporting to the Construction Manager during the 

construction process. Open communication between CELO and ECO (Figure 1) should be 

encouraged so as to ensure that incidents identified are reported and rectified timeously. 

Figure 1. Communication channel between ECO, CELO, CM and Eskom PM. 

All monthly and quarterly reports produced by the ECO should be submitted to both the 

construction manager and Eskom Project Manager. These reports should be kept in a file on site 

at all times. 

PM (Eskom) 

ECO CELO 

CM 

The successful execution of this EMP will require active involvement of all participating 

stakeholders. It is important that all the stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities 

clearly. There must be clear communication lines to receive and convey information on the project. 

The following potential role-players and their responsibilities are listed in Table 1 below. The 

names and contact details of the various role-players must be completed and given to all relevant 

stakeholders at the beginning of the project or awarding of the contract. 



1.2.2. Responsibilities 

Table 1: Responsibility Matrix 

FUNCTION NAME & TEL RESPONSIBILITY 

Project 

Manager 

(PM) 

Site Supervisor/ 

Contract 

Manager 

(CM)/ 

Contractor 

Environmental 

Control Officer 

(ECO) 

Construction 

Environmental 

Liaison Officer 

(CELO) 

Eskom 

Environmental 

Advisor (EEA) 

• Tasked with the overall management of the project, Contractors, 

consultants and EMP implementation. 

• Ensures implementation of EMP conditions, Environmental 

Authorisation, and relevant legislation. 

• Report all incidents identified during construction period to 

Transmission Environmental Manager. 

• Oversees site works, liaison with Contractor, PM and ECO. 

• Implement and comply with recommendations and conditions of the 

EMP, appoints / delegates a dedicated person to work with ECO. 

• Ensures adherence to the conditions and standards of the EMP, 

Environmental Authorisation. 

• Reports all incidents as they happen to ECO officer through the 

CELO on a regular basis. 

• Reports to the PM as required. 

• Act as a liaison between Eskom, the Contractor and the Sishen Iron 

Ore Company (Pty) Ltd. 

• Monitor compliance to EMP, condition of authorisations, & relevant 

legislation. 

• Provide monthly reports to Eskom Project manager in relation to 

implementation of the above. 

• Report legal contravention to Eskom and DEA within required 

timeframes. 

• Handle information from whistle blowers as confidential and inform 

DEA as soon as possible. 

• Provides advisory and auditing role. 

• Advises Contractor or CM or Site supervisor on the possible ways of 

implementing and complying with the EMP, relevant legislations and 

other conditions imposed by relevant authorities. 

• Works with ECO to implement EMP on site. 

• Regularly communicate with ECO on incidents identified on site. 

• Provide environmental advice to the PM. 

• Conducts spot auditing at least one every two weeks to check 

compliance. 

• Ensures all conditions of Environmental Authorisation are met and 



adhered to. 

• Compiles a project close out report to be submitted to the PM. 

1.2.3. General responsibilities for the project team 

The general responsibilities that the project team should adhere to are listed below: 

• It is the developer’s (Eskom’s) responsibility to prevent any site degradation due to non- 

compliance during construction; 

• All construction personnel must not be allowed to go beyond the demarcated construction 

area; 

• The convenience of local communities to commute, especially when going or returning from 

work and school must not be compromised. If this cannot be avoided, local communities and 

the local authority must be notified in advance; 

• All damages that can be caused to neighbouring properties must be repaired in consultation 

with the owner; 

• All relevant neighbouring landowners must be notified of the construction and the duration; 

• There must be daily monitoring of site works; 

• The Contractor must adhere to all conditions of this EMP. 

ECO shall record all Non-Conformances and action plans to ensure that measures are put in place 

to remedy possible effect. 

1.2.3.1. Contractor 

The general responsibilities of the Contractor/s are as follows: 

• To provide all necessary supervision during the execution of the project. The Contractor 

should be available on site at all times. 

• To appoint a competent CELO. 

• To implement the projects as per the approved project plan. 

• To ensure that implementation is conducted in an environmentally acceptable manner. 

• To fulfil all obligations as per the agreed contract. 

• To comply with special conditions as stipulated by Landowners during the negotiation process. 

• To inform and educate all employees about the environmental risks associated with the 

different activities that should be avoided during the construction process and lessen 

significant impacts to the environment. 



1.2.3.2. Eskom Environmental Practitioner (During Operational Stage) 

The general responsibilities of the Eskom Environmental Practitioner are as follows during the 

Operation Stage of the Project: 

• To implement and integrate environmental management systems by ensuring compliance to 

ISO 14000. 

• Report environmental incidents. 

• Provides environmental training. 

• Ensures compliance to legislations, the EMP and other legally binding documents 

1.2.3.3. Environmental Consultants 

The general responsibilities of the Environmental Consultants are as follows: 

• Investigate and assess the impacts on the environment related to the project. 

• Ensure the implementation of a thorough public participation process. 

• Draft and submit a Scoping Report and EIR to relevant Government Departments. 

• Draft an EMP and submit the document to the relevant Government Departments for approval. 

1.2.3.4. Authorising Department. 

The Authorising Environmental Department has the responsibility to provide a Record of Decision 

(RoD) on all applications lodged for the proposed Transmission lines, substations and related 

activities. 

1.3. AUDITING 

Continuous audits must be conducted during and upon completion of the project to identifying the 

following issues: 

• Incidents such as fuel spills, concrete spills, etc. and actions taken; 

• Incidents that can lead to legal contraventions and litigation; 

• Environmental damage that needs rehabilitation. 

• Complaints from affected parties (including neighbouring businesses, communities) should be 

recorded and suitable actions taken to solve the problem. 



1.4. TRAINING, AWARENESS RAISING AND CAPACITY BUILDING 

All personnel working for Eskom and the Contractor should be trained and educated on the 

contents and implementation of the EMP. This should include training and communication on how 

to work in an environmental-friendly manner. 

Continuous communication to all employees on environmental matters will be an integral part of 

implementing this EMP. Awareness raising and capacity building to increase compliance with the 

EMP and relevant environmental legislations will be monitored on a daily basis focusing on specific 

activities related to the proposed development. 



2. PROJECT BACKGROUND 

2.1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF AREA AFFECTED BY CONSTRUCTION 

The proposed upgrade will mainly take place in the already developed Ferrum substation in the 

Northern Cape. However, a small portion of land has been acquired from Sishen Iron Ore 

Company (Pty) Ltd to accommodate the extension of the substation. Figure 1 provides an aerial 

view of the Ferrum substation. Ferrum substation is located approximately two kilometers from 

Kathu. The substation is located on farm Sekgame 461 in Kathu within the Gamagara local 

municipality which is part of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality. 

The proposed upgrade and extension of the Ferrum substation will take place within the existing 

ESKOM property and extend towards the east of the property, over a portion of farm Sekgame 461 

that has also been bought by Eskom. The construction area will be demarcated on the ground as 

per the site development plan provided by the project manager (refer to the attached site 

development plan in Annexure E). During construction, the Project Manager or Contractor must 

obtain written agreements for any activities that must be taken in an area outside of the 

demarcated construction site. This may be necessary for facilitating access, building construction 

camps or material storage areas. 

Figure 1: An aerial view of Ferrum substation 



2.2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RECEIVING AREA 

Ferrum substation is found near Kathu in Gamagara Local municipality, within the John Taola 

Gaetsewe District Municipality, which was formerly known as Kgalakgadi District Municipality. The 

area is dominated by the savannah biome which can support limited grazing for cattle. 

CLIMATE AND TOPOGRAPHY: Gamagara local Municipality is located in an area that receives 

an average rainfall of between 200 – 500 mm per annum. However, the region is considered a 

drought risk area with irregular rainfall patterns that are detrimental to agriculture and food security. 

The municipality is situated within the southern rim of the Kalahari Desert and thus experiences 

extreme temperature ranges. 

GEOMORPHOLOGY AND SOILS: The proposed project will take place in Kathu in the Northern 

Cape. The Northern Cape is composed of different soils that include the Griqualand West 

Supergroup, dominated by dolomite, banded ironstone and mudstone ((Illgner, Rynhoud and 

Holland, 2006). 

FAUNA AND FLORA: As indicated above, the Ferrum area is composed of the grassland biome. 

There is a possibility that protected fauna and flora species can be found in the proximity of the 

substation. A Flora and Fauna study done by Machetcha Development Associates in 2007 found 

that the area is not too sensitive for developments like powerlines. The proposed upgrade will not 

have a significant impact on fauna and flora, however all protected species found on site must be 

removed or relocated once the relevant authorisation and permits have been obtained from the 

Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) (Machetcha Development Associates, 

2007). 

AVI-FAUNA: Ferrum substation is located in the savannah biome. This area thus provides a 

habitat for Kori Bustard and Secretary birds, as well as vultures and eagles. The proposed upgrade 

will not have significant impact on the avi-fauna of the region once the mitigation measures have 

been put in place (Endangered Wildlife Trust, 2007). 

VISUAL LANDSCAPE OF THE STUDY AREA: The substation is located in an area that is visually 

affected by existing powerlines, mining and residential areas. The proposed upgrade is not likely to 

affect the sense of place negatively. 

WATERCOURSES: The substation is not located in the vicinity of any water courses, i.e. rivers or 

streams. Therefore, the proposed upgrade is not likely to impact on any water features. 



LAND USE: The land uses near to the substation is comprised of mining and residential areas for 

local community. The proposed upgrade will not have a significant impact on any current land 

uses. 

HERITAGE: The Northern Cape is considered a very sensitive area in terms of archaeological, 

cultural and historical issues. The DEA suggested that a Heritage Assessment would be the best 

way to ensure that sensitive areas are identified, so that the upgrade can be done in consideration 

of the study recommendations. However, a Heritage Assessment done by Cobus Dreyer for the 

Mercury to Ferrum powerline in 2005 indicated that the area does not seem to have any areas with 

historical, archaeological and cultural features. Despite these findings, Mokgope appointed Dolphin 

Mabale to conduct another study and found that development will not have a negative impact on 

heritage, history and culture (Mabale, 2009). 

SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION: The area, within which the Ferrum substation is located, has 

high levels of poverty, unemployment and illiteracy. The area also has a high level of female 

headed households. The main economic activities are commercial agriculture, mining and 

quarrying wholesale and retail. The proposed development can create several construction job 

opportunities, but it will not have a major socio-economic impact in Kathu (Master Q Research, 

2007). 

AGRICULTURE: The area surrounding the substation is composed of land that is not being used 

for agricultural purposes. The substation is a few kilometres from the Kumba Iron Ore Open Pit 

mine that is located to the south-west of the station and the town of Kathu. There is no potential 

impact envisaged from the extension and realignment of lines on agricultural activities in the area. 

TRAFFIC: The substation is accessed through a tar road that is linked to the R380 road passing 

through Kathu. The R380 road is located along the northern side of the substation, while the 

eastern side the substation is bordered by the N14 road. The R380 road next to the substation 

does not have a high concentration of traffic. Therefore, it is assumed that the proposed upgrade 

of the substation will not have a significant impact on traffic flow. 

SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTS: Various specialist studies done at the Ferrum substation have 

found that the proposed upgrade is not likely to have a detrimental environmental impact, provided 

that the mitigation measures included in the EIR and specialist studies are adhered to. The 

upgrade will occur in an area that has already been ecologically impacted. 



2.3. PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK 

The proposed upgrade of Ferrum substation will entail the integration of a new 400kV bus system 

at Ferrum 275/132/66kV Substation, comprising the following: 

• 400kV section 

o 1x400kV full equipped feeder bay with a 100MVAr line reactor having double busbar 

selectrion and bypass (Vryburg 1) 

o 3X400kV future feeder bays 

o 3X400/132kV 500MVA transformers with associated switchgear and transformer bays 

o 1X400kV capacitor bank 

o 1X400kV SVC bay 

o 1 x fully equipped transfer bus coupler bay (Bus Coupler ”A”) 

o 1 x unequipped bus coupler bay (Bus Coupler ”B”) 

o 2 x unequipped bus section bays (Busbar 1 Bus Section 1, Busbar 2 Bus Section 1) 


• 132kV 

o 2 x 275kV feeder overpasses over the 2 x bus sections (Olien 1 and Olien 2) 

o Relocation of the Garona 275kV feeder bay including Shunt reactor 

o 1x72MVAr capacitor bank 

o 4x132kV feeder bays 

o Busbar extension to accommodate: 

o 2x132kV feeder bays i.e Rerouted Ferrum Sishen (Feeder 1), Ferrum Bulkop (Feeder 


2) and 2x132kV future bays 

o 5X66kV feeder bays 

o Reroute 1 x 66kV Line, equipment to remain in existing bay 

• Re-alignment of existing power lines. 

The realignments of existing power lines is necessary because the substation must be extended 

and current lines must be moved and reconnected to the substation at their new feeder points. 



The activities mentioned in the project scope will take place in an already established ESKOM 

substation, and also a small portion of land that has been acquired from the Sishen Iron Ore 

Company as shown in Annexure E. All identified impacts will be confined to the demarcated 

construction area. 



3. ENVISAGED ACTIVITY SCHEDULE AND ASSOCIATED IMPACTS 

This section of the EMP provides the following: 

• A lists of predicted negative environmental impacts for which mitigation measures are required, 

• Description of mitigation measures, when these should be implemented and monitored and who 

will be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of these measures. 

• Description of monitoring programme, which describes the implementation programme and 

monitoring system. 

• Use of Key Performance Indicators, measuring methods, and threshold that will signal the need 

for corrective actions. 

Table 2 below provides a summary of all possible impacts and aspects to be noted during the 

construction period. Details of impacts and aspects can be accessed under Annexure “A”. 

Table 2: Summary of aspects and impact during construction 

Activities Aspects Possible Impacts Areas to be 

affected 

1. Site 

Establishment 

1.1. Set up living quarters, site office, 

assembly area and workshops 

• Bush clearing and levelling, install 

concrete floor, develop waste 

collection area. 

• Cast concrete slabs for buildings & 

concrete bundled area for servicing 

vehicles. 

• Appointment of Contractors and 

labourers. 

1.2. Use of ablution facilities and 

kitchen facilities 

Install drainage system for toilets (unless 

temporary structures are used), waste 

water, and water supply. 

1.3. Set up batching plant 

1.4. Set up store area 

• Install fencing & digging holes, 

• Insert poles & concrete, erect fence, 

grading and clearing the area. 

• Create fire breaks. 

• Storage of hazardous substances. 

1.5. Use of vehicles for material, 

equipment and personnel 

transportation. 

Negative Impacts 

• Damage to protected / endangered 

vegetation. 

• Damage to topsoil. 

• Damage to environment due to waste 

concrete. 

• Compacting of ground. 

Positive Impacts 

• Employment and skills development. 


• Ground water pollution and damage to 

vegetation. 

• Health risk: Spreading of diseases 

when using veldt for toilet. 

• Damage to top soil. 

• Dust nuisance from the excavated and 

stockpiled material. 

• Disturbance of topsoil. 

• Waste concrete. 


vegetation. 

• Wire off cuts. 

• Fire risks. 

• Servicing vehicles resulting in draining 

oil and removing filters & emergency 

repairs due to breakages. 

• Oil, lubricants or fuel spills. 

• Waste material containers / packaging. 


Construction site 




Construction site

2. Access road 

construction 

3. TOWER 

CONSTRUCTI 

ON 


1.6. Tower Pegging (Surveyor pegging 

towers) 

1.7. Bush clearing 

• People cutting vegetation by hand. 

• Bulldozer clearing vegetation. 


vegetation. 

1.8. Gate installation 

• Flattening of fences to gain access. 

• Tying off fence and straining fence 

wires. 

2.1. Building of access roads 

2.2. Bulldozer blading access roads 


vegetation. 

• Damage to heritage sites 

• Oil Spills. 

• Littering of packaging & pegging 

materials. 

• Disturbance of topsoil 

Damage to heritage sites. 

• Erosion and invader plants. 


vegetation. 

• Clearing of vegetation on river banks 

• Excessive clearing of servitude. 

• Access gained through unauthorised 

points leading to injuries and deaths in 

some instances. 

• Damage to fences. 

• Damage to electrical fencing risking 

security of equipments. 

• Wire off cuts and broken fences. 

• Claims as a result of gates being left 

open. 

• Dig holes. 

• Insert gate and pour concrete. 

• Installation of concrete sill in Vermin 

proof fence. 

• Illegal use of private roads 


vegetation. 

• Unauthorised access to private 

properties. 


vegetation. 

• Damage to heritage sites, damage to 

private roads. 

• Erosion and loss of top soil. 

3.1. Excavation of foundation. • Disturbance of topsoil and vegetation. 

• Loss of topsoil. 

3.2. Drilling of foundation. 

3.3. Installation of steel reinforcing. 

3.4. Casting of concrete & washing of 

concrete truck on site. 

3.5. Assembling of towers and: 

Dressing of towers with hardware 

and insulators Punching and 

painting. 

4. Stringing 4.1. Installation of phase and earth 

conductors. 

5. Waste 

Management 

4.2. Clearing of drum, tensioner and 

which stations and Creating fire 

breaks around drum stations 

4.3. Using bulldozer for tension 

purposes. 

4.4. Jointing and crimping of 

conductors. 

5.1. Erect temporary houses and tents, 

erect store for oil, lubricants and 

parts, install waste collection bins 

Waste material / littering. 

• Noise and dust pollution. 

• Waste material. 




Insert area to be 

affected 


affected 


affected 


affected 


affected 


affected 

• Waste concrete. Insert area to be 

affected 

• Waste bolts and nuts. 

• Insulator breakage littering glass shards 

in veldt of nuts. 

• Paint spillages. 

• Possible Impacts: Damage to structures 

and agricultural crops. 


vegetation. 

• Disturbance of topsoil and vegetation 

and archaeological artefacts. 

• Discarding wooden cable drum material 

on site. 

• Waste material littering in veldt. 

• Waste foodstuff and food containers. 


affected 

Line servitude 




Construction site


6. Rehabilitation 6.1. Re-seeding of barren areas. • Wrong seed used 

• Seeds planted in wrong season 

6.2. Picking up all rubble and litter. 

7. General 7.1. Damaging of fences. 

7.2. Fire control: Making fires in winter 

due to cold weather. 

7.3. Settling of all outstanding claims and 

signing off all neighbouring 

landowners. 



• Servitude left clean and neat Construction site 

and surrounding 

areas 

• Possible Impacts: No protection for 

fences during stringing thereby causing 

damage to fences 

Surroundings 

• Wildfire. Construction site 

• Landowners happy. 

Construction site & 

neighbouring areas


4. PHYSICAL ISSUES AND THEIR CONTROL 

4.1. SITE ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT 

The Contractor must make sure that a proper site camp is developed to accommodate workers 

before construction starts. 

4.1.1. Ablution Facilities and Waste Management 

Ferrum substation already has Eskom offices with infrastructure that can be used to connect to the 

site camp facilities. In the event the Contractor cannot connect to the existing facilities, they are 

responsible to provide mobile chemical toilets. The Contractor shall inform all site staff to use the 

supplied ablution facilities and under no circumstances shall indiscriminate excretion and urinating 

be allowed other than in supplied facilities. 

There should be enough toilets available to accommodate the workforce (minimum requirement is 

one toilet for every 20 workers). Toilets shall be serviced regularly and the ECO shall inspect 

toilets regularly to ensure compliance to health standards. 

The Contractor must also supply a wastewater management system that will comply with legal 

requirements and be acceptable to Eskom. The Contractor shall supply waste collection bins 

where such is not available and all solid waste collected shall be disposed of at a registered waste 

dumping facility. A certificate of disposal for chemical waste shall be obtained by the Contractor 

and kept filed on site at all times. Where a registered waste disposal site is not available close to 

the construction site, the Contractor shall provide a method statement with regard to waste 

management. Under no circumstances may solid waste be burned on site as there is no 

incinerator on site. Littering by employees is prohibited, and the site must be kept aesthetically 

attractive. 

In circumstances where the camp is not clean, the ECO must ensure that this is immediately 

rectified. The Contractor, Site Manager and the ECO must enforce cleanliness of the construction 

site camp. The ECO must monitor and report on this requirement.


4.1.2. Noise Pollution 

Noise must also be managed and controlled, especially outside of agreed working hours. 

4.1.3. Dust Pollution 

Dust must also be minimised, especially during windy days (For more details on dust management 

refer to Section 4.10 of this document). 

4.2. WORKSHOP, STORAGE AREAS AND SAFE HANDLING OF HAZARDOUS 

CHEMICALS 

Properly demarcated areas for the maintenance workshop and equipment storage areas must be 

identified before construction commences. Where possible and practical all maintenance of 

vehicles and equipment shall take place in a workshop area. During servicing of vehicles or 

equipment, a suitable drip tray (with a minimum depth of 10cm) shall be used to prevent carbon 

spills onto the soil, especially where emergency repairs are done outside the workshop area. All 

employees must be notified about the dangers of soil and water pollution related to spillages of 

chemical. Spill kits made of environmentally-friendly material must be available on site and all 

vehicles that transport hydrocarbons. The ECO and the site manager must ensure all leaking 

equipments are repaired immediately or removed from site to facilitate repair. All potentially 

hazardous and non-degradable waste must be collected and removed to a registered waste 

disposal site. 

The workshop area shall be monitored for oil and fuel spills and such spills shall be cleaned and 

re-mediated to the satisfaction of the ECO. The Contractor must have a method statement 

identifying procedures for dealing with possible emergencies that can occur, such as fire, 

accidental leaks and spillages. The Contractor must ensure that all hazardous substances such as 

oil, paint, insecticides, acids, herbicides and fuel are stored in suitable containers and that storage 

areas are bundled. A register must be kept listing all substances and be available for inspection at 

all times. 

The whole site must be monitored for spills. Any spills must be contained, cleaned and 

rehabilitated immediately. Any leaking containers shall be repaired or removed from site (see the 

actions below remediation after spillages). Safety signs depicting “No smoking”, “no open 

flames/lights” and “Danger” must be used in the storage area. Containers shall be clearly marked 

to indicate contents as well as safety requirements. The Contractor shall supply a Materials Safety 



Data Sheet (MSDS) and method statement for the storage of hazardous materials. Storage and 

use of hazardous materials will be done in compliance with the Eskom’s Safety, Health and 

Environment policy statement. 

In cases where there are accidental spillages the following shall apply: 

• All contaminated soil / yard stone shall be removed and be placed in containers. 

Contaminated material can be taken to a central point where bio-remediation can be done or 

disposed off at a suitable site; 

• Smaller spills can be treated on site, and selected employees must be trained in spill 

remediation methods; 

• A specialist Contractor shall be used for the bio-remediation of contaminated soil where the 

required remediation material is not available on site; and 

• All spills of hazardous substances must be reported immediately to the appointed 

Transmission Engineering Environmental Advisor or alternatively to the Regional 

Environmental Advisor for further remedial action that may require engaging with relevant 

authorities (e.g. the Department of Water Affairs in cases where there is water pollution). 

4.3. CAMPING SITE AND AESTHETICS 

The site shall be kept visually and aesthetically pleasing, especially in and around the construction 

camp. The ECO shall regularly inspect the site to ensure that it is neat and clean. Where required 

the campsite shall be screened by the Contractor to ensure that there is no unacceptable visual 

intrusion. Screening can be done by use of shade cloth or corrugated fencing. The camp must 

have dedicated wash areas that are situated away from areas with shallow groundwater. The area 

must also have bins for waste disposal. 

4.4. MANAGEMENT OF THE SUBSTATION TERRAIN AREA 

The upgrading of Ferrum substation will require terracing for the development of the proposed 

transformers. However, it is important to note that the site where terracing will occur is already 

ecologically disturbed and not very sensitive. Consideration should be made to the fact that where 

terracing will be done the topsoil must be collected and retained for the purpose of re-use later to 

rehabilitate disturbed areas not covered by yard stone. Such areas include terrace embankments 

and areas outside the high voltage yards. Where required, all sloped areas shall be re-vegetated 

using indigenous vegetation and stabilised to ensure proper rehabilitation is effected. These areas 

can be stabilised using design structures or vegetation as specified in the design to prevent 

erosion of steep embankments. 



The retained topsoil shall be spread evenly over areas to be rehabilitated and suitably compacted 

to effect re-vegetation of such areas to prevent erosion. Where required re-vegetation can also be 

enhanced using a grass seed mixture. 

4.5. NATURAL DRAINAGE 

Rubble from the construction process shall be removed from site and may under no circumstances 

be dumped into any natural drainage channels. The normal flow of runoff water must not be 

impeded, as this will enhance erosion. 

4.6. ACCESS ROADS TO THE SITE 

Access to Ferrum substation will be obtained from the existing well-managed tarred-roads leading 

to the site. The substation can be accessed via the R380. Minor access routes may need to be 

established on-site to facilitate construction. If this is necessary, the areas must be properly 

demarcated with relevant signage to avoid confusion and accidents. 

Where necessary suitable measures shall be taken to rehabilitate damaged areas related to 

access of the site. The Contractor must adhere to permissible access points and haul roads. 

4.7. CONSTRUCTION RUBBLE DISPOSAL AND WASTE MANAGEMENT 

The Contractor must provide and maintain a Method Statement for solid waste management. In 

this method statement, licensed facility(ies) for waste disposal must be identified. The method 

statement will also outline the proposed record-keeping of waste disposal certificates for auditing 

purposes. No hazardous material shall be left on site. Broken, damaged and unused spares such 

as porcelain, glass, nuts, bolts and washers shall be picked up and removed from site. Surplus 

concrete may not be dumped indiscriminately on site, but shall be disposed of in designated areas. 

Concrete trucks shall not be washed on site after depositing concrete into foundations. Any spilled 

concrete shall be cleaned up immediately. Illegal waste disposal will be fined and reported to the 

relevant government authority. Waste must also be separated according to the following categories 

and suitably disposed of: 

. 

Hazardous waste: This includes old oil, paint, solvents, etc. 

General waste: This includes construction rubble. 

Reusable/ recyclable waste: Recyclable material must be deposited in separated bins: 



This includes glass, paper, plastic and tins. 

4.8. LITTERING CONTROL 

Littering by the employees of the Contractor shall not be allowed under any circumstances. The 

ECO shall monitor the neatness of the work sites as well as the Contractor campsite and ensure 

that there is provision of marked waste disposal bins. 

4.9. DISPOSAL OF OLD EQUIPMENT 

All old equipment removed during the upgrade of Ferrum substation shall be stored in such a way 

as to prevent pollution of the environment. Oil containing equipment shall be stored to prevent 

leaking or be stored on drip trays should such equipment already be leaking. All scrap steel shall 

be stacked neatly and any disused and broken insulators shall be stored in containers. 

Once material has been scrapped and the contract has been placed for removal, the Contractor 

shall ensure that all equipment is removed in such a way as to prevent spillage and pollution of the 

environment. A method statement shall be developed for that purpose. The Contractor shall also 

be equipped to contain and clean up any pollution causing spills. Disposal of unusable material 

shall be at a registered waste disposal site and a certificate of disposal shall be obtained and a 

copy shall be provided for Eskom. 

4.10. DUST POLLUTION 

It is important that the Contractor be responsible for dust control on site to ensure no nuisance is 

caused to the local Landowners, neighbouring communities or regional staff at the substation. 

Watering of any temporary access road is recommended to reduce dust pollution. Any complaints 

or claims emanating from the lack of dust control shall be attended to immediately by the 

Contractor. The possibility of using grey water for dust control must be investigated as an 

alternative should the need arise. The control of cement and concrete dust, which is toxic to soil 

properties, is also vital (no water must be used for this purpose). Cement bags must be disposed 

of in the allocated disposal bin to prevent the spread of cement dust. All vehicles transporting 

material that can be blown off must be covered by tarpaulin and speed limits of 20km/h must be 

adhered to. 



4.11. SITE CLEARING 

The proposed installation work will take place in an existing substation with limited extension on 

the eastern side of the substation. Limited vegetation will be removed for the extension of the 

substation. All alien vegetation shall be removed from site during the project and disposed of in 

suitable areas. Protected or endangered species of plants shall be retained or relocated where 

possible. Where such species have to be removed due to interference with structures, the 

necessary permission and permits shall be obtained by the ECO from the regional office of the 

Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries prior to commencement of site works. Search, 

rescue and replanting of indigenous, valuable and protected species is highly recommended where 

possible and viable. 

Herbicides should only be used when the type of vegetation, the herbicide suitable for this type of 

vegetation and the long-term effects and effectiveness of the herbicide has been determined. 

Eskom guidelines regarding the use of herbicides (TRR/S91/032) shall be adhered to strictly. 

Application shall be done under the direct supervision of a qualified technician. All surplus 

herbicide shall be disposed of in accordance with the Supplier’s specifications. 

The Contractor for vegetation clearing, if needed, shall comply with the 

following parameters: 

• The Contractor must have the necessary knowledge to be able to identify 

different species 

• The Contractor must be able to identify declared weeds and alien species that 

can be totally eradicated. 

• The Contractor must be in possession of a valid herbicide applicators licence 

• The Contractor shall supply a method statement regarding vegetation clearing at 

the tender stage. 

4.12. FENCING REQUIREMENTS 

Ferrum substation is already appropriately fenced. During construction the substation must be kept 

locked at all times, especially when works are stopped during weekends and holidays. All claims 

arising from gates left open shall be investigated and if at fault, settled in full by the Contractor. If 

any fencing interferes with the construction process, such fencing shall be deviated until 

construction is completed. The deviation of fences, if necessary, shall be negotiated and agreed 

with the affected landowner in writing. 



4.13. FIRE PREVENTION 

Taking into consideration the location of the substation and its surrounding land uses, no open 

fires can be allowed on site under any circumstance (The Forest Act, No 122 of 1984). All cooking 

shall be done in demarcated areas that are safe and cannot cause runaway fires. The Contractor 

shall have operational fire-fighting equipment available on site. 

4.14. NOISE POLLUTION 

The substation is located approximately 2.5 kilometres from the town of Kathu. It is therefore 

envisaged that the construction activities on site is not likely to have a significant noise impact on 

the local community. However, during the substation upgrade process, the Contractor shall ensure 

that noise levels remain within acceptable limits. Excessive noise is prohibited outside of working 

hours (6h00 – 18h00) and on a Sunday. 

4.15. MATERIAL STORAGE AREAS 

Specifications require the protection of Eskom supplied material on site, especially conductor 

drums. This normally requires that a firebreak is created around a material storage area Once 

construction has been completed on site and all excess material has been removed, the storage 

area shall be rehabilitated. If the area was badly damaged, re-seeding shall be done. 

4.16. TRANSPORTATION OF EQUIPMENT 

Ferrum substation is located next to major roads, viz., R380 and N14. It is very crucial that all 

equipment moved onto or off site during the project is subject to the legal requirements as well as 

Eskom specifications for the transport of such equipment. Oil filled equipment such as CT’s, VT’s 

and capacitor cans have specific safety requirements regarding their handling, transport and 

storage. The Contractor shall meet these safety requirements under all circumstances. All 

equipment transported shall be clearly labelled as to their potential hazards according to 

specifications. All the required safety labelling on the containers and trucks used shall be in place. 

If the transportation of material will disturb the flow of traffic, local residents must be notified in 

advance and alternative routes must be identified for their use. The Contractor must avoid 

transportation of material during peak traffic hours if possible. 



The Contractor shall ensure that all the necessary precautions against 

damage to the environment and injury to persons are taken in to 

consideration in the event of an accident and shall supply a method 

statement to that effect. 

4.17. INFRASTRUCTURE 

No interruptions, other than those negotiated, shall be allowed to any essential services. Damage 

to infrastructure shall not be tolerated and any damage shall be rectified immediately by the 

Contractor. A record of any damage and remedial actions shall be kept on site. 

All existing private access roads used for construction purposes, shall be maintained at all times to 

ensure that the local people have free access to and from their properties. Speed limits shall be 

enforced in such areas and all drivers shall be sensitised to this effect. 

Any possible disruptions to essential services must be kept to a minimum and should be well 

advertised and communicated to the surrounding communities. The position of all pipelines in the 

vicinity of a site must be obtained from the local community and clearly marked. Where required 

such lines shall be deviated. 

4.18. SOCIAL ISSUES AND THEIR CONTROL 

4.18.1. Prevention Of Diseases 

The Contractor shall take all the necessary precautions against the spreading of disease such as 

measles, HIV and AIDS, foot and mouth, etc. A record shall be kept of drugs administered or 

precautions taken and the time and dates when this was done. This can then be used as evidence 

in court should any claims be instituted against Eskom or the Contractor. 

The workforce shall also be sensitised to the effects of sexually transmitted diseases 

(STDs), especially AIDS. General health issues shall be brought under the attention 

of the site staff and condoms shall be supplied on site. 



4.18.2. Interaction with Affected Parties 

Successful upgrade of the Ferrum substation will depend on the maintenance of good relations 

with the affected local communities and Eskom Regional staff. The ECO and the Contractor must 

establish good relations with all the affected parties. All negotiations related to the project for any 

reason shall be between the ECO, the affected parties and the Contractor. No verbal agreements 

shall be made. All agreements shall be recorded in writing and all parties shall co-sign the 

documentation. 

The affected parties shall always be kept informed about any changes to the construction 

programme. If the ECO is not on site, the Contractor should keep the affected parties informed. 

The contact numbers of the Contractor and the ECO shall be made available to the affected 

parties. This will ensure open channels of communication and prompt response to queries and 

claims. 

All contact with the affected parties shall be courteous at all times, and the rights of the affected 

parties shall be respected at all times. 

4.18.3. Claims for Damages 

The ECO shall keep a photographic record of any damage to areas outside the demarcated site 

area. The date, time of damage, type of damage and reason for the damage shall be recorded in 

full to ensure the responsible party is held liable. All claims for compensation emanating from 

damage should be directed to the ECO for appraisal. The Contractor shall be held liable for all 

unnecessary damage to the environment. 

A register shall be kept of all complaints from the community. All claims shall be 

handled immediately to ensure timeous rectification / payment by the responsible 

party. 

4.18.4. Crime, Safety and Security 

The Contractor must ensure that a list of all local emergency telephone numbers / contact persons 

are kept on site and up to date. These contacts must be posted at all relevant locations throughout 

the site. The Contractor must also ensure that all employees do not engage on any criminal activity 

on site and in local communities. 



4.19. BIOLOGICAL ISSUES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT 

4.19.1. Fauna 

Ferrum substation is an already developed site with a functional electricity substation that is fenced 

and owned by Eskom. The area is already substantially altered ecologically and there are no 

animals to be conserved in the substation. 

4.19.2. Flora 

Ferrum substation does not contain any natural vegetation. As indicated above the site is not 

ecologically sensitive and no substantial impacts on fauna and flora is envisaged from the 

proposed upgrade. However, few, if any, protected or endangered species may occur on the site. If 

any are found, special care should be taken not to damage or remove any such species unless 

absolutely necessary. Permits for removal must be obtained from the DAFF should such species 

be affected. All plants not interfering with the operation of the substation shall be left undisturbed, 

clearly marked and indicated on the site plan (Machetcha Development Associates, 2007). 

4.19.3. Herbicide Use 

Herbicide use, where necessary, shall only be allowed with the approval of Eskom and according 

to contract specifications. The application shall be according to set specifications and under 

supervision of a qualified technician. The possibility of leaching into the surrounding environment 

shall be properly investigated and only environmentally friendly herbicides shall be used (See also 

Section 4.11). 

4.20. CULTURAL ISSUES AND THEIR CONTROL 

4.20.1. Archaeology 

If during construction artefacts are found they shall not be removed under any circumstances. No 

Dolomite, Breccias or Stomatolites may be removed or disturbed without the required permits from 

SAHRA. The proposed upgrade of Ferrum substation will not have a major impact on any heritage 

sites. Should any archaeological sites be uncovered during construction, their existence shall be 

reported to SAHRA and Eskom immediately, Vuledzani Thanyani to be informed at 011 800 

5601 or the Eskom Transmission Regional Environmental Advisor. 



The following recommendations from SAHRA must be taken into consideration: 

• If any evidence of archaeological sites or concentrations of stone artefacts, unmarked 

human burials or other heritage resources are found during mining activities, SAHRA APM 

Unit must be alerted immediately, and accredited professional archaeologist must be 

contacted as soon as possible to inspect findings. If the newly discovered heritage 

resources prove to be of archaeological significance, a Phase 2 rescue operation might be 

necessary at the cost of the developer; and 

• Where bedrock or river gravels are to be affected by mining or any other activity, it is the 

responsibility of the developer to ensure that a Paleontological Desktop study is undertaken 

to assess whether or not the development will impact upon paleontological resources, or at 

least a letter from accredited palaeontologist motivating for an exemption is needed to 

indicate that it is necessary. If the area is deemed sensitive, a full Phase 2 rescue operation 

might necessary. 

4.21. SITE REHABILITATION 

All damaged areas shall be rehabilitated upon completion of the contract in accordance with 

design specifications. In accordance with the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, No 43 of 

1983, slopes in excess of 2% must be contoured and slopes in excess of 12% must be terraced. 

Extra seed shall be sown on disturbed areas as directed by the ECO (see below for specifications). 

Other methods of rehabilitating disturbed sites may also be used at the discretion of the PM to 

comply with the conditions of the EMP, e.g. stone pitching, logging, etc. Contour banks shall be 

spaced according to the slopes. The type of soil shall also be taken into consideration. 

A mixture of grass seed can be used provided the mixture is carefully selected to ensure 

the following: 

• Annual and perennial indigenous grasses are chosen. 

• Pioneer species are included. 

• Species chosen will grow in the area under natural conditions. 

• Root systems must have a binding effect on the soil. 

• The final product should not cause an ecological imbalance in the area. 

To get the best results in a specific area, it is a good idea to consult with a specialist or the local 

Extension Officer of the Department of Agriculture. Seed distributors can also give valuable advice 

as to the mixtures and amount of seed necessary to seed the type of soil in Kathu where the 

substation is located. Re-seeding will always be at the discretion of the PM, unless specifically 

requested by Regional staff. 



5. LAND OWNER CONDITIONS 

To maintain good relations with the adjacent Landowner, Sishen Iron Ore Company, it essential 

that all the conditions for access as stated in the Consent Letter (See Annexure F) are adhered. 

Any of the conditions can be waived in consultation with the adjacent Landowner. 

6. SOURCES OF WATER 

Should water be required from sources other than Eskom supply, a written agreement shall be 

reached between the Contractor and the affected Landowner in the presence of Eskom’s officials. 



7. EXPECTED POTENTIAL PROBLEMS 

7.1. PRE-CONSTRUCTION 

Local communities and landowners may see the construction period as interference with their daily 

activities. This may lead to a negative attitude towards the whole construction process. 

7.2. DURING CONSTRUCTION 

Damage to fences, gates and other infrastructure may occur at any time. This will create problems 

with local Landowners and communities and should be avoided as far as possible. The substation 

must remain locked during the construction period to prevent animals or local community members 

from wandering onto site and getting injured. All works shall be limited to the fenced area and the 

Contractor workforce shall refrain from venturing outside this area onto private property. 

7.3. AFTER CONSTRUCTION 

If damaged infrastructure is not repaired to the expectations of the affected parties, they may 

engage in litigation. Outstanding claims for damages may also result in litigation. 



8. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO POTENTIAL PROBLEMS 

• Proper continuous liaison (communication) between Eskom, the Contractor and affected 

parties regarding potential problems and issues. 

• The Contractor must adhere to all conditions of the contract including the EMP. 

• Environmental awareness training shall be given to all site staff regarding the conditions of this 

EMP, and shall include relevant posters placed strategically for information purposes. 

• Proper planning of the construction process to allow for disruptions due to the weather. 

• Where existing private roads are in a bad state of repair, such road condition shall be 

documented before they are used for construction purposes. If necessary some repairs should 

be done to prevent damage to equipment. 

• All manmade structures shall be protected against damage at all times and any accidental 

damage shall be repaired immediately. 

• The Contractor shall ensure that all damaged areas are rehabilitated to the satisfaction of 

Eskom and all affected parties. 

• All outstanding claims must be settled as soon as possible. 

• Proper site management and regular monitoring of site works. 

• Proper documentation and record keeping of all complaints and actions taken. 

• Regular site inspections and good control over the construction process throughout the 

construction period. 

• Continuous adherence to Eskom’s Safety, Health and Environment Policy (Ref. TST41-61) by 

the Contractor and all employees on site during construction. 

• A positive attitude towards implementing Environmental Management by all site personnel. 

• Environmental Audits to be carried out during and upon completion of construction. 



9. SITE SPECIFIC PROBLEM AREAS 

Site specific problems, if any, must be shown on the layout plans and accompanying photographs. 

No-go areas, if any, must also be identified on the plans, and fenced off. 

10. METHOD STATEMENTS FOR THE CONTRACT 

The Contractor shall supply Method Statements for all works required as stated throughout this 

document as per specific contract requirement (See Annexure C and D for examples). All 

agreements regarding extra work for environmental compliance shall be in writing and well 

documented. Work shall only commence upon approval by Eskom. 

The ECO shall ensure that all work is done in accordance with Method Statements and Contract 

Specifications. 

11. SITE DOCUMENTATION, MONITORING AND REPORTING 

The standard Eskom site documentation shall be used to keep records on site. All documents shall 

be kept on site and be made available for monitoring purposes. Site inspections by an 

Environmental Audit Team led by the ECO may require access to this documentation for auditing 

purposes. The documentation shall be signed by all parties to ensure that such documents are 

legal and in order. Regular monitoring of site works by the ECO is imperative to ensure that all 

problems encountered are solved punctually and amicably. When the ECO is not available, the 

Contract Manager / Site Supervisor shall keep abreast of all works to ensure no problems arise. 

Environmental compliance reports, done every two weeks, shall be forwarded to the Transmission 

Engineering Environmental Advisor (appointed per project) with all information relating to 

environmental matters. The following Key Performance Indicators must be reported every two 

weeks by the ECO: 

• Complaints received from affected parties and actions taken. 

• Environmental incidents, such as oil spills, etc. and actions taken. 

• Incidents possibly leading to litigation and legal contravention. 

• Environmental damage that needs specialised rehabilitation measures to be taken. 



The following documentation shall be kept on site by the ECO: 

• Site daily diary. 

• Complaints register. 

• Records of all remediation / rehabilitation activities. 

• Copies of all reports to the Transmission Engineering Environmental Advisor for auditing 

purposes. 

• Copy of the Environmental Management Programme. 

• Minutes of site meetings including discussions on environmental issues. 

• Records of toolbox 1 talk held with employees. 

For monitoring and record keeping purposes, all complaints must be documented in 

writing. Where possible, non-compliance must be photographed for use in training 

and awareness-raising to all employees. 

1 

Toolbox talk refers to discussion held by the construction team with the purpose of discussing health and safety 

issues. This helps to improve compliance with safety requirements and make employees conscious of things to do and 

not to do. 


12. REFERENCES 


• Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, Act 43 of 1983 and amendments. 

• Corporate directive for the management of PCB, ESKADAAO3 REV 1. 

• Department of Environmental Affairs, 1992, Integrated Environmental Management Guideline 

Series 1-6, Eskom Guidelines for Herbicide Use, TRR/S91/032. 

• Endangered Wildlife Trust (2007) Ferrum-Garona 400kV Bird Impact Assessment Study. . 

• Hazardous Substances Act, 15 of 1973 and amendments. 

• Health Act, Act 63 of 1977. 

• Herbicide Management, ESKPBAAD4 REV 0. 

• Illgner, P.M., Rynhoud, M.S., Rynhoud, M. And Holland, H. (2006) A geological and 

geomorphologic assessment of the proposed Mercury-Ferrum-Garona Transmission line. 

• Mabale, Dolphin (2009) Heritage Impact Assessment of the Extension of the Ferrum 

Substation (Upgrade and Re-alignment of Lines) in Kathu, Northern Cape. 

• Machetcha development Associates (2007) Flora and Fauna Assessment for the EIA of the 

proposed for the Ferrum-Garona 400kV Transmission Power Line. 

• Master Q Research (2007) Social Impact Assessment for the EIA of the proposed for the 

Ferrum-Garona 400kV Transmission Power Line. 

• Minerals Act, Act 50 of 1991. 

• National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998. 

• National Forest Act, Act 84 of 1998. 

• National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999. 

• National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998. 

• Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993. 

• P.J. du Preez (2007) Flora and Fauna Report for the Ferrum-Garona Power Line. 

• Standard for management of PCB, ESKASAAC2 REV1. 

• Standard passive fire protection for oil-filled equipment in High Voltage yards, TRMASAAQ8 

REV 4. 


ANNEXURE A: ACTIVITY SCHEDULE 


ACTIVITY/ ASPECTS MITIGATION PERFOMANCE INDICATORS MONITORING 

1.1 

Site Establishment (set up living 

quarters, site office, assembly area and 

workshops) 

• Bush clearing and levelling, 

• Install Concrete floor, Install 

• Waste Collection Area, 

• Cast concrete slabs for buildings & 

concrete bundled area for servicing 

vehicles 

• Appointment of Contractors labourers 

Possible Impacts 



vegetation 

• Damage to topsoil / waste concrete 

• Compacting of ground 

Positive Impacts 

• Employment and skills development 

Objective: 

• Topsoil must be conserved and stockpiled for 

rehabilitation by minimise scarring of the soil surface 

and loss of topsoil. 

• Rehabilitate all disturbed areas. 

• Minimise damage to vegetation. 

• Minimise possibility of erosion due to removal of 

vegetation. 

• Employment of local labour where possible. 

Mechanisms: 

• The Contractor shall supply a wastewater management 

system that will comply with legal requirements and be 

acceptable to Eskom. 

• Location of construction camp will be negotiated with 

the affected Eskom prior to occupation. 

• Camp site will be fenced off and kept locked at all times 

• Compacted ground shall be rehabilitated by ripping to a 

minimum depth of 600mm. 

METHODS 

• Written agreement between Eskom and Contractor 

regarding occupation of site. 

• No visible erosion scars once construction is 

completed. 

• No claims regarding damage leading to litigation 

due to unauthorised removal of vegetation. 

• All damaged areas successfully rehabilitated one 

year after completion. 

• Only 8m wide vegetation clearance for access 

purposes (where applicable). 

• All alien invaders and dense vegetation removed to 

limit the fire hazard. 

• No visible herbicide damage to the vegetation along 

the servitude one year after completion of the 

contract due to incorrect herbicide use. 

• Reports on number of local labours employed. 

• Method statement that includes the layout of the 

camp, management of ablution facilities and 

wastewater management. 

Monitoring methods 

• Report on all NCRs identified. 

• Perform Spot Audits weekly. 

• Conduct final audit before site handover to Eskom. 

SCHEDULE/ 

FREQUENCY 

Before 

construction 

begins. 

Once 

construction has 

been completed 

Spot audits 

performed once 

a month. 

RESPONSIBLE 

ECO 

Eskom 

Environmental 

Practitioner / 

Advisor 

Eskom 

Environmental 

Practitioner / 

Advisor

1.2 

Use of ablution facilities and kitchen 

facilities 

Install drainage system for toilets, waste 

water and water supply. 

Possible Impacts: 

• Ground water pollution and impact on 

vegetation. 

• Pollution of underground water. 

• Health risk: Spreading of diseases when 

using veldt for toilet. 

1.3 

Set up batching plant 

• Negotiate the site for batching plant. 

• Damage to top soil. 

• Dust nuisance from the excavated and 

stockpiled material. 


Objective: 

To ensure proper sanitation is achieved and minimise the 

spread of diseases. 

Mechanism: 

• All amenities shall be installed at camp sites before the 

main workforce move onto site. 

• The construction camp shall have the necessary 

ablution facilities or mobile chemical toilets where such 

facilities are not available at commencement of 

construction. 

• Staff shall be sensitised to the fact that they should use 

these toilets at all times. 

• No use of the veldt shall be permitted, as this always 

has the potential to create problems with the 

neighbouring landowners and lead to claims for 

problems with stock diseases. 

• Toilet paper is also a source of littering in the veldt, and 

the Contractor shall be forced to clean up any litter. 

Objective: 

• To ensure all agreements with adjacent 

Landowner/Sishen Iron Ore Company are adhered to. 

• Prevention of complaints from adjacent Landowners. 

• Successful rehabilitation of disturbed areas. 

• To avoid dust nuisance from excavated material. 

• And avoid noise nuisance from operating construction 

equipment. 

Mechanisms: 

The location of batching plants shall be done in conjunction 

with Eskom. 

• The batching plant area shall be operated in such a way 

as to prevent contaminated water to run off site and 

pollute nearby streams or water bodies. To this effect 

diversion beams should be installed to direct all 

wastewater to a catchment area. 

• Implement dust suppression measures e.g. regular 

watering. 

• Concrete mixing to be carried out away from sensitive 

areas. 

• Develop and implement dust monitoring programme 

• Limit working hours of noisy equipment to daylight 

hours. 

• Fit silencers to equipments. 


No complaints received from neighbouring landowners 

regarding sanitation. This should be monitored from the 

complaints register. 

A register of drugs administered by qualified medical 

personnel and the dates when this was done. This 

should be available on site. 

• No unresolved complaints from the adjacent 

landowners. 

• All disturbed areas to be rehabilitated successfully, 

three months after construction. 

• Dust to be minimised by water spraying or 

alternative technology. 

• Noise to be confined to daylight hours and no 

construction is to take place on Sundays. 

• Sign off by Eskom after completion of project. 

Suitable 

ablution/ toilet 

facilities must be 

installed before 

construction 

commences. 

Toilets to be 

inspected and 

cleaned as 

necessary. 

Drug 

administration 

register to be 

filled in every 

time drugs are 

administered. 

During and after 

completion of 

construction 

process 

As required to 

minimise dust. 

ECO 

ECO & supplier of 

chemical toilets 

Qualified medical 

personnel 

ECO Officer, Site 

Manager & 

Contractor

1.4 

Set up store area 

• Install fencing & digging holes, 

• Insert poles & concrete, erect fence, 

grading and clearing the area 

• Create fire breaks 

• Storage of hazardous Substances 



• Waste concrete 

• Damage to protected/endangered 

vegetation 

• Wire off cuts 

• Fire risks 

1.5 Use of vehicles for material, 

equipment and personnel transportation 

• Trucks delivering material to store area. 

• Servicing vehicles resulting in draining 

oil and removing filters & Emergency 

repairs due to breakages. 

• Transport of personnel and material to 

site. 


• Oil, lubricants or fuel spills. 

• Waste material containers / packaging. 


Objectives: 

• To prevent fire breakout. 

• To prevent soil pollution. 

Mechanisms: 

• Fencing in of the storage areas for drums on site is also 

proposed, as this will keep out animals and prevent 

injury. Should the Contractor want to leave guards on 

site, this should be discussed and negotiated with 

Eskom. 

• All gates installed in electrified fencing shall be reelectrified. 

All gate positions shall be three metres off 

centre to allow for continued access when stringing takes 

place. 

• All storage tanks to be protected underneath by plastic 

sheeting and a trench or bund wall will be installed 

around them to avoid ground pollution. 

• Contractor to remove all polluted soil to an approved 

toxic site or to be treated chemically. 

• All spills to be cleaned and rehabilitated immediately. 

• All hazardous substances (fuel, oil herbicides, battery 

acid etc) shall be stored in suitable containers. Storage 

areas shall be bunded. 

• Areas shall be monitored for spills and any spills shall be 

contained, cleaned and rehabilitated immediately. 

• Any leaking containers shall be repaired or removed 

from site. 

• A register shall be kept on all substances and be 

available for inspection at all times. 

• Regular monitoring will take place and spills will be 

recorded in a register. 

Objectives: To prevent and minimise pollution to the 

environment and to prevent transgressing acts that governs 

pollution 

Mechanisms: 

• Where possible and practical all maintenance of 

vehicles and equipment shall take place in the 

workshop area. 

• During servicing of vehicles or equipment, a suitable 

drip tray shall be used to prevent spills onto the soil, 

especially where emergency repairs are effected 

outside the workshop area. 

• Leaking equipment shall be repaired immediately or be 

removed from site to facilitate repair. 

• All potentially hazardous and non-degradable waste 


• All recorded incidents to be reported as per EMP 

conditions. 

• Certificate of treatment of soil shall be obtained. 

• A register on all substances available on site shall 

be kept on site. 

• All spills must be rehabilitated. 

Monitoring Methods 

• The Environmental Control Officer shall approve the 

gate positions. 

• ECO to report all non-conformance reports (NCR). 

• Monitor register. 

• No oil spills 

• A register shall be kept of all hazardous substances 

and shall be available for inspection at all times. 

• Areas shall be monitored for spills and any spills 

shall be recorded rehabilitated immediately. 

• Updated Spills and rehabilitation register. 

• Certificate of disposal. 

• Updated Register for monitoring. 

• Vehicles that require oil changes, services or repair 

on site, must be dealt with in a suitably bunded area 

fitted with a drip tray. 

• A register of vehicle repairs shall be kept on site. 

• A fully function spill kit will be kept on site and 

replaced immediately once used. 

Monthly 

Monthly 

Daily 

Immediately as 

required. 

ECO 

ECO 

ECO 

Contractor 

ECO 

CELO

1.6 Tower Pegging (Surveyor pegging 

towers) 


vegetation 

• Damage to heritage sites 

• Oil Spills 

• Littering of packaging & pegging 

materials 

1.7 Bush clearing 

• People cutting vegetation by hand 

• Bulldozer clearing vegetation 

• Damage to protected/endangered 

vegetation. 



Damage to heritage sites 

• Erosion and invader plants 


vegetation. 


shall be collected and removed to a registered waste 

site. 

• A certificate of disposal shall be obtained by the 

Contractor and kept on file 

• Workshop areas shall be monitored for oil and fuel spills 

and such spills shall be cleaned and re-mediated to the 

satisfaction of the ECO. 

• The Contractor shall be in possession of an emergency 

spill kit that must be complete and available at all times 

on site, 

• All hazardous substances shall be stored in suitable 

containers and storage areas shall be bunded. This 

includes all carbon substances like fuel and oil as well 

as herbicides and battery acid. 

• Any leaking containers shall be repaired or removed 

from site. 

Objective: To minimise environmental impact 

Mechanisms: 

Re-seeding shall be done on disturbed areas as directed by 

the Environmental Control Officer. In accordance with the 

Conservation of Slopes in excess of 2% must be contoured 

and slopes in excess of 12% must be terraced. Other 

methods of rehabilitation of tower sites may also be used at 

the discretion of the ECO, e.g. stone pitching, logging, etc. 

Contour banks shall be spaced according to the slope on 

tower sites. The type of soil shall also be taken into 

consideration. 

Refer to littering under site establishment. 

Objectives: 


• Minimise interference by vegetation to flow of electricity. 

• Minimise removal of plant material on river and stream 

embankments thereby causing erosion and subsequent 

siltation of rivers, streams and dams. 

• Eradication of alien invader and dense bush species 

that cause a fire hazard. 

• Minimise erosion damage on donga crossings. 

• Minimise impeding the natural flow of water. 

• Minimise initiation of erosion through donga 

embankments. 

• Minimise erosion of embankments and subsequent 

siltation of rivers, streams and dams. 


Ensure that suitable indigenous plant seeds are used. 

Ensure that seeds are sown in the correct season to 

maximise growth of vegetation. 

• Only 8 metres of vegetation should be cleared 

along the centre of the servitude for access 

purposes. 

• No vegetation should be planted that will interfere 

with structures and statutory safety requirements 

upon completion of the contract. 

• No removal or interference of vegetation on river 

and stream embankments. 

• All alien invaders and densifiers removed to limit 

fire hazard. 

• No visible herbicide damage to the vegetation along 

the servitude one year after completion of the 

contract due to incorrect herbicide use. 

• No litigation due to unauthorised removal of 

vegetation. 

• No interference to dongas embarkment. 

Once 

rehabilitation is 

required. 

Bush clearing to 

be done when it 

is necessary 

only, to prevent 

soil erosion. 

ECO 

Site Manager 

Site Manager/ 

Contractor

• Clearing of vegetation on river banks. 

• Excessive clearing of servitude. 

1.8 Gate installation 

• Flattening of fences to gain access 

• Tying off fence and straining fence 

wires. 


Access gained through unauthorised points 

leading to injuries and deaths in some 

instances. 

• Damage to fences. 

• Damage to electrical fencing risking. 

Security of equipments. 

• Wire off cuts and broken fences. 

• Claims as a result of gates being left 

open. 

• Presence of open excavations may 

cause injury to humans and fauna. 

• Waste concrete detrimental to the 


Mechanisms: 

• Protected or endangered species of plants shall not be 

removed unless they are interfering with a structure. 

• Where such species have to be removed due to 

interference with a structure, the necessary permission 

and permits shall be obtained from Provincial Nature 

Conservation. 

• All protected species not to be removed must be clearly 

marked and such areas fenced off if required. 

• No vegetation clearing in the form of scalping or 

uprooting shall be allowed on river- and stream banks. 

Vegetation shall only be cut to allow for the passage of 

the pilot-cables and headboard. 

• No vegetation clearing shall be allowed across ravines 

and gullies, as this vegetation will very rarely interfere 

with the clearance to the strung conductor. 

Contractor requirements: 

• Contractor must be in possession of a valid herbicide 

applicators licence. 

• Contractor to have necessary knowledge to identify 

protected species as well as species not interfering with 

operation of the line due to their height and growth rate. 

• Contractor to be able to identify all declared weeds & 

alien species that can be totally eradicated. 

Objectives: 

• To install gates to control access for construction. 

• Minimise damage to existing fences and gates. 

• All fences properly tied off to the gate posts. 

• All fences properly and neatly installed according to 

specifications. 

• Manage and control waste concrete. 

Mechanisms: 

All gates shall be fitted with locks and be kept locked at all 

times during the construction phase. 

• Gates shall only be left open on request by the Eskom 

such request should be in writing, 

• All construction access gates shall be clearly marked by 

painting the posts green. 

• All claims arising from gates left open shall be 

investigated and settled in full by the Contractor. 

• If any fencing interferes with the construction process, 

such fencing shall be deviated / protected until 

construction is completed. 

• All gates installed in electrified fencing shall be re- 


• No erosion visible to donga embankment due to 

construction activities. 

• No interference with natural flow of water. 

• Licence requirement to be met where applicable. 

• No transgression of the fence act and therefore no 

litigation 

• No damage to the fence and no complaints from 

land owner 

• All gates to be kept locked at all times to limit 

access to keyholders 

• No complaints and claims due to unclosed gates 

• No claims arising from gates being left open. 

• Approval of Gate Installation position by the 

Environmental Control Officer. 

Access gates to 

be installed only 

where and when 

necessary. 

Contractor/ ECO

environment. 


electrified. 

• All gate positions shall be three (3) metres off centre to 

allow for continued access when stringing takes place. 

• At any gate poles where conventional foundations are 

installed, the Contractor shall remove the topsoil 

separately and store it for later use during rehabilitation. 

• During backfilling operations, the Contractor shall take 

care not to dump the topsoil in the bottom of the 

foundation. 

• Surplus concrete may not be dumped indiscriminately 

on site, but shall be disposed of in designated areas as 

agreed by the Eskom. 

• Concrete trucks shall not be washed on site after 

depositing concrete into foundations. Any spilled 

concrete shall be cleaned up immediately. 



ACTIVITY/ ASPECTS MITIGATION PERFOMANCE INDICATORS MONITORING 

2. ACCESS ROADS CONSTRUCTION 

2.1. Building of access roads 


• Mark access roads to ensure the yare 

identifiable. 

• Illegal use of private roads. 


vegetation. 

• Unauthorised access to private 

properties. 

• Damage to property. 

Objectives: 

• Minimize damage to protected vegetation. 

• Ensure no transgression of traffic laws. 

• Minimise nuisance to the residents. 

Mechanisms: 

• Existing roads should be used. Where this is not 

possible, a physical access plan along the 

servitude shall be compiled and the Contractor 

shall adhere to this plan at all times. This plan 

should be drawn in consultation with the ECO and 

any adjacent landowners affected. 

• All access roads should be agreed with the Sishen 

Iron Ore Company (if their land is affected) and will 

be marked. 

• No illegal use of private roads shall be allowed 

during construction as use of heavy vehicles and 

equipment this may cause damage to property. 

• All existing private access roads used for 

construction purposes shall be maintained at all 

times to ensure that the local people have free 

access to and from their properties. 

• Speed limits shall be enforced in such areas and 

all drivers shall be informed of this. 

• Upon completion of the project all roads shall be 

repaired to their original state or better. 

• All structures constructed for access purposes 

shall be properly designed and drawings of such 

structures shall be available for record purposes 

and shall only be constructed with the approval of 

Eskom and any relevant adjacent Landowner and 

at the discretion of the Environmental Control 

Officer. 

• Permanently wet areas are shown on the profiles. 

No vehicular traffic shall be allowed in such areas. 

Only existing roads through such areas may be 

used with the approval of Eskom and any adjacent 

Landowner. 


METHODS 

• Access plan approved by ECO. 

• All access roads will be marked. 

• No complaints from residents and landowners. 

• No access roads through river and stream 

banks. 

• No visible erosion scars on embankments once 

construction is completed. 

SCHEDULE/ 

FREQUENCY 

Before initiation of 

construction of 

project. 

RESPONSIBLE 

Eskom / ECO/ 

Contractor/ 

Site Manager

2.2. Bulldozer blading access roads 

Possible impacts 


vegetation. 

• Damage to heritage sites. 

• Damage to private roads. 

• Erosion and loss of top soil. 


• No equipment shall be used which may cause 

irreparable damage to wet areas. The contractor 

shall use alternative methods of construction in 

such areas. 

• No camping shall be allowed on any private 

property. If the Contractor wants to leave guards 

on site, it shall only be done with the written 

consent of the Landowners involved. 

Objectives: 

• Minimize damage to protected vegetation. 

• Minimise nuisance to the adjacent landowner. 

Mechanisms: 

• No scalping shall be allowed on any part of the 

road unless absolutely necessary. 

• The removal of all economically valuable trees or 

vegetation shall be negotiated with the Sishen Iron 

Ore Company before such vegetation is removed. 

• All trees and vegetation cleared from the site shall 

be cut into manageable lengths and neatly 

stacked at regular intervals. 

• Protected or endangered vegetation species shall 

not be removed unless they are interfering with the 

structure. 

• Where such species have to be removed due to 

interference with a structure, the necessary 

permission and permits shall be obtained from the 

relevant government authority. 

• Large trees with extensive root systems shall be 

cut manually and removed, as the use of a 

bulldozer will cause major damage to the soil 

when the root systems are removed. 

• Stumps shall be treated with herbicide 

• Smaller vegetation can be flattened with a 

machine. Any vegetation cleared shall be removed 

or flattened. 


• Only 8 metres of vegetation cleared along the 

centre of the servitude for access purposes is 

allowed. 

• No vegetation must interfere with structures 

and statutory safety requirements upon 

completion of the contract. 

• No disturbance or removal of vegetation on 

river and stream embankments. 

• All alien invaders and dense bush must be 

removed to limit the fire hazard. 

• No visible herbicide damage to the vegetation 

along the servitude one year after completion of 

the contract due to incorrect herbicide use. 

• No litigation due to unauthorised removal of 

vegetation. 

When necessary. 

Contractor/ 

ECO / 

Site Manager


ACTIVITY/ ASPECTS MITIGATION PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 

3. TOWER CONSTRUCTION 

2. Excavation of foundation 



• Loss of topsoil 

3.2. Drilling of foundation 

Possible Impact : 

• Noise and dust pollution 

Objectives: 

Mitigate erosion and loss of topsoil. 

Mechanisms: 

• Disturbance of topsoil on tower sites with severe slopes 

shall be minimised at all costs. 

• At any tower sites where conventional foundations are 

installed, the Contractor shall remove the topsoil 

separately and stockpile it for later use during 

rehabilitation of such tower sites. 

• During backfilling operations, the Contractor shall take 

care not to dump the topsoil in the bottom of the 

foundation. Correct soil layering must be implemented. 

Topsoil to be stockpiled and covered with tarp to prevent 

dust and erosion. 

• Re-seeding shall be done on disturbed areas as directed 

by the Environmental Control Officer. 

• Slopes in excess of 2% must be contoured and slopes in 

excess of 12% must be terraced. Other methods of 

rehabilitation of tower sites may also be used at the 

discretion of the Environmental Control Officer, e.g. stone 

pitching, logging, etc. 

Objectives: To avoid dust nuisance from excavated material 

And avoid noise nuisance from operating construction 

equipment. 

Mechanism: 

• Implement dust suppression measures e.g. regular 

watering. 

• Develop and implement dust monitoring programme. 

• Limit working hours of noisy equipment to daylight hours 

• Fit silencers to equipments. 


MONITORING METHODS 

Top soil stockpiled and covered if 

necessary. 

Site rehabilitated within 3 months of 

completion of construction. 

Dust monitoring within acceptable 

range. 

No complaints from neighbours. 

SCHEDULE/ 

FREQUENCY 

When required 

Dust and noise to be 

monitored daily. 

RESPONSIBLE 

ECO / 

Contractor/ 

Site Manager 

ECO / 

Site Manager

3.3. Installation of steel reinforcing 

Possible Impact: 

• Waste material 

3.4. Casting of concrete & washing of 

concrete truck on site. 


• Waste concrete. 

3.5. Assembling of towers and : 

Dressing of towers with hardware 

and insulators, punching and 

painting 

• Possible Impacts 

• Waste bolts and nuts 

• Insulator breakage, littering glass 

shards in veldt 

• Paint spillages 

Objectives: 


Mechanisms: 

• No toxic or other waste material shall be left on site that 

may cause harm to man or the environment. 

• Any broken insulators shall be removed and all shards 

picked up. 

• Broken, damaged and unused nuts, bolts and washers 

shall be picked up and removed from site. 

Objectives: 

Mechanisms: 

• Surplus concrete may not be dumped indiscriminately on 

site, but shall be disposed of in designated areas as 

agreed by the Sishen Iron Ore Company (if their land is 

affected). Concrete trucks shall not be washed on site 

after depositing concrete into foundations. 

• Any spilled concrete shall be cleaned up immediately. 

Objectives: 

To leave construction site clean and rehabilitated. 

Mechanisms: 

• No waste material shall be left on site that may harm man 

or the environment. 

• Any broken insulators shall be removed and all glass 

shards picked up. 

• Broken, damaged and unused nuts, bolts and washers 

shall be picked up and removed from site. 

• Soil is to be rehabilitated. 


No rubble/ waste on site. 

No complaints from neighbours. 

No concrete on site. 

No waste/ rubble etc on site. 

Continuous 

monitoring ECO / Contractor 

Continuous 

monitoring 

Continuous 

monitoring 

ECO / 

Site Manager / 

Contractor 

ECO / 

Site Manager / 

Contractor




4. STRINGING OPERATIONS 

4.1. Installation of phase and earth 

conductors 


• Damage to structures and agricultural 

crops. 

2.1. Clearing of drum and tensioner 

and creating fire breaks around 

drum stations 



vegetation. 

Objective: 

• Prevent damage to expensive structures and crops, 

• Prevent disruption of services. 

Mechanisms: 

• The necessary scaffolding / protection measures must be 

installed to prevent damage to structures supporting 

certain high yield agricultural crops, such as vineyards, 

orchards, nurseries, etc., as well as the crops itself. 

• All structures supplying services such as telephone and 

smaller power lines, as well as main and farm roads shall 

be safeguarded by measures to prevent disruption of 

services. 

• Use of “rugby” posts to protect roads and telephone lines 

are sufficient. 

Objectives: 


• Minimise damage to topsoil. 

• Successful rehabilitation of barren areas. 

Mechanisms: 

• The sitting of winch and tensioner stations shall be done 

by the Contractor in conjunction with the Eskom. 

• Specifications require the protection of Eskom supplied 

material on site, especially conductor drums. 

• This normally means that a firebreak is bladed around a 

drum station in the veldt. These areas are left to 

rehabilitate on their own which could be disastrous. Once 

the stringing of conductor has been completed in a 

certain area, the winch- and tensioner stations shall be 

rehabilitated where necessary. If the area was badly 

damaged, re-seeding shall be done and fencing in of the 

area shall be considered and carried out. 


• No claims emanating from damage to 

supporting structures and crops. 

• No complaints or claims arising from 

disruption of services. 

• No damage to vegetation outside the 

servitude. 

• No visible erosion three months after 

completion of the contract. 

• No loss of topsoil. 

SCHEDULE/ 

FREQUENCY 

Continuous 

monitoring 

Continuous 

monitoring 

RESPONSIBLE 

Contractor / ECO 

Contractor / ECO

2.2. Using bulldozer for tension 

purposes. 

Possible Impact: 


and archaeological artefacts. 

2.3. Jointing and crimping of 

conductors 


• Discarding cable drum material on site. 

• Waste material littering in veldt. 

2.4. General 


• No protection for fences during 

stringing thereby causing damage to 

fences. 


Objectives: 

• The preservation and appropriate management of new 

archaeological finds should these be discovered during 

construction. 

• Protection of sites and land considered to be of cultural 

value. 

Mechanisms: 

• Artefacts shall not be removed under any circumstances. 

• Any destruction of a site can only be allowed once a 

permit is obtained and the site has been mapped and 

noted. 

• No dolomite, breccias or Stomatolites may be removed or 

disturbed without the required permits from SAHRA. 

• Any graves shall be clearly marked and treated as no go 

areas. 

• No destruction of any site shall be allowed. 

• Should it be necessary to remove any graves, the 

necessary procedures shall be followed and permits 

obtained. 

Objective: Take construction to its original state 

Mechanisms: 

Any broken insulators shall be removed and all shards picked 

up. 

Broken, damaged and unused nuts, bolts and washers shall 

be picked up and removed from site. 

Objectives: 

No damage to fences. 

Mechanisms: 

• All fences shall be protected against damage during 

stringing operations. 

• All damage to be repaired immediately and to the 

satisfaction of Sishen Iron Ore Company (if their land is 

affected). 


• No destruction of or damage to known 

archaeological sites. 

• No litigation due to destruction of sites. 

No waste material shall be left on site that 

may harm man or animals. 

Continuous 

monitoring 

No complaints from neighbours. Continuous 

monitoring 

Contractor / ECO 

Continuous 

monitoring Contractor / ECO 

Contractor / 

Site Manager/ 

ECO

3. REHABILITATION OF SERVITUDE 

3.1. Re-seeding 

Re-seeding of barren areas 


Objective 

• Minimise damage to topsoil and environment at tower 

positions Successful rehabilitation of all damaged areas 

Prevention of erosion. 

Mechanisms: 

• Re-seeding shall be done on disturbed areas as directed 

by the Environmental Control Officer. 

• Slopes in excess of 2% must be contoured and slopes in 

excess of 12% must be terraced. 

• Other methods of rehabilitation of tower sites may also be 

used at the discretion of the Environmental Control 

Officer, e.g. stone pitching, logging, etc. Contour banks 

shall be spaced according to the slope on tower sites. 

• The type of soil shall also be taken into consideration. 

• A mixture of seed can be used provided the mixture is 

carefully selected to ensure the following: 

o Annual and perennial indigenous plants are 

chosen. 

o Pioneer species are included. 

o All the plants shall not be edible. 

o Species chosen will grow in the area without 

many problems. 

o Root systems must have a binding effect on 

the soil. 

o The final product should not cause an 

ecological imbalance in the area. 

• To get the best results in a specific area, it is a good idea 

to consult with a vegetation specialist or the local 

extension officer of the Department of Agriculture. 

• Seed distributors can also give valuable advice as to the 

mixtures and amount of seed necessary to seed a certain 

area. 

• Re-seeding, as well as fencing in of badly damaged 

areas, will always be at the discretion of the ECO 

(Specifics about the project, special tower positions, 

helicopter construction, etc.). 


• No loss of topsoil due to construction 

activities. 

• No loss of topsoil due to construction 

activities. 

• All disturbed areas successfully 

rehabilitated within three months of 

completion of the contract· 

• No visible erosion scars three months 

after completion of the contract. 

• No open fires shall be allowed on site 

under any circumstance. 

Continuous 

monitoring. 

Rehabilitated site. 

ECO / Contractor

3.2. Rubble and litter 

3.3. Claims and complaints 

3.3. Fire control 


The Contractor shall dispose of all excess material on site in 

an appropriate manner and at a designated place. All 

packaging material shall be removed from site and disposed of 

in a suitable waste facility and not burned on site. No landfill 

may be used without the consent from Eskom. Should a 

landfill on site be used for biodegradable materials only, the 

rubble shall be compacted and at least 1m of soil shall cover 

the waste material. No hazardous material, e.g. oil or diesel 

fuel shall be disposed of in any unregistered waste sites. 

Objectives: 

Minimize claims and litigation from neighbouring landowners. 

Mechanisms: 

• All anticipated crop damage shall be noted while access 

negotiations are underway. 

• All damage to commercial crops shall be recorded 

immediately. 

• The date, time of damage, type of damage and reason for 

the damage shall be recorded in full to ensure the 

responsible party is held liable. 

• All claims for compensation emanating from crop damage 

should be directed to the ECO for appraisal. 

• The Contractor shall be held liable for all unnecessary 

damage to the environment and crops. 

• A register shall be kept of all complaints from 

neighbouring Landowners and local community. 

• All claims shall be handled immediately to ensure 

timeous rectification / payment. 

Objective: 

• Minimise risk of runaway veldt fires; 

• Maintain safety on site; and 

• Minimise damage to life and private property. 

Mechanisms 

• No open fires shall be allowed on site under any 

circumstance. 

• The Contractor shall have fire-fighting equipment 

available on all vehicles working on site, especially during 

the winter months. 


• No waste disposed off on-site. Continuous 

monitoring. 

• Successful completion of the contract 

with all landowners signing the 

release form six months after 

completion of the project. 

• All claims investigated and dealt with 

in one month. 

• No litigation due to unsettled claims. 

The Contractor shall have fire-fighting 

equipment available on site, especially 

during the winter months. 

Emergency numbers including the nearest 

Fire Station shall be made displayed on 

site. 

Basic fire-fighting training and awareness 

shall be implemented by the ECO and 

qualified fire-fighting personnel. 

Continuous 

monitoring. 

Continuous 

monitoring 

3 monthly fire 

fighting training 

ECO/ 

Site Manager/ 

Contractor 

CO / 

ECO/ 

Site Manager/ 

Contractor 

CO / 

ECO/ 

Site Manager/ 

Contractor 

CO /



5. WASTE MANAGEMENT 

5.1. Temporary houses 

Objective: 

• To avoid pollution of environment with solid wastes. 

• To keep the construction site neat and clean. 

• Disposal of rubble and refuse in an appropriate manner. 

• To avoid water contaminations and soil pollution caused 

by oil spills. 

Mechanisms: 

• No material shall be left on site that may harm man or 

the environment. 

• Littering by the employees of the Contractor shall not be 

allowed. 

• The Contractor shall collect all litter and dispose thereof 

in a suitable, legal manner. 

• Where a registered waste site is not available near the 

construction site, the Contractor shall provide a method 

statement with regards to waste management. 

• Under no circumstances may solid waste be burned on 

site. 



• No solid waste stored on site. 

• No incidents recorded. 

• No complaints from neighbouring 

Landowners. 

• No litigation cases. 

• No visible spillages of oil or concrete. 

• No rubble or refuse lying around on site 

• No incidents of litigation. 

• No complaints from Landowners. 

• The ECO shall monitor the neatness of 

the work sites as well as the campsite. 

• ECO to record all incidents and report 

same to Project Manager. 

• ECO to recommend corrective action. 

SCHEDULE/ 

FREQUENCY 

RESPONSIBLE 

Continuous 

monitoring ECO/ 

Contractor/ 

Site Manager


ACTIVITY/ ASPECTS MITIGATION PERFOMANCE INDICATORS MONITORING METHODS SCHEDULE/ 

6. SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES 

6.1. Landowner relations 

Objectives: 

Maintain good relations with the 

neighbouring landowner, Sishen Iron Ore 

Company. 

Mechanisms: 

Consultation and agreements should be 

reached with the neighbouring landowner, if 

necessary before any operation commences 

on their property. 


• No claims or litigations from adjacent landowners. 

• Landowner signs final release form. 

FREQUENCY 

Before 

construction 

commences 

RESPONSIBLE 

Contractor / Eskom


ANNEXURE: B: DECLARATION OF UNDERSTANDING BY THE CONTRACTOR 

I, 

Representing: ………………………………………………………………………………………. 

declare that I have read and understood the contents of the Environmental 

Management Plan (EMP) for the Upgrade of the Eskom Ferrum Substation. 

Contract Number: 

In addition, I declare that I understand my responsibilities in terms of enforcing and 

implementing the environmental specifications for the abovementioned Contract. 

Signed: ………………………………………………….. 

Place:…………………………………………………….. 

Date:………………………………………………………. 

Witness 1:………………………………………………… 

Witness 2:…………………………………………………


ANNEXURE C : EXAMPLE OF METHOD STATEMENT FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT 

CONTRACT NUMBER: ………………………………………………………………………….. 

PROJECT CODE…………………………………………………………………………………. 

PROJECT NAME:………………………………………………………………………………… 

CONTRACTOR:…………………………………………………………………………………… 

DATE: ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 

START AND END DATE OF THE WORKS FOR WHICH THE METHOD STAEMENT IS 

REQUIRED: 

Start Date: …………………..………………. End Date: ………………………………………… 

WORK TO BE UNDERTAKEN? [give a brief description of the work to be undertaken on 

site that will generate waste (hazardous and non-hazardous waste)]. Attach additional 

pages if additional space is required. 

EXAMPLE OF METHOD STATEMENT FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTINUED 



WHERE WILL THE WORK TAKE PLACE? (Where possible, provide an annotated plan 

HOW IS WASTE TO BE MANAGED ON SITE? (provide as much detail as possible, 

including annotated sketches and plans where possible). 



DECLARATION for Method Statement: WASTE MANAGEMENT 

• ENGINEER 

The work described in this Method Statement, if carried out to the methodology 

described, is satisfactory to prevent or control environmental harm and is thus 

approved: 

(Signed) Print Name 

Dated: 

• ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OFFICER 



approved: 


Date: 

• CONTRACTOR 



approved: 


Date: 



ANNEXURE D: LIST OF METHOD STATEMENTS REQUIRED TO ASSIST IN THE 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS EMP. 

• Method statement that outlines the approximate number of people on site, the layout of the 

camp, management of ablution facilities, noise and wastewater management. 

• Method statement with regard to waste management. 

• Method statement to show procedures for dealing with possible emergencies that can occur, 

such as fire and accidental leaks and spillage of carbon fuels and oils. 

• Method statement for the storage of hazardous substances. 

• Method statement for dealing with veldt fires caused on site during construction. 

• Method statement for management of concrete and batching plants. 

• Method statement for rehabilitation of Ferrum substation. 

• Method statement for waste disposal other than in a registered waste site. 



ANNEXURE E: SITE LAYOUT FOR THE PROPOSED UPGRADE AND REALIGNMENT OF 

LINES. 



ANNEXURE F: LANDOWNER CONSENT LETTER.

Ferrum Substation EMP May 2010

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