EIA-REP-325d-12 _BB_ - 201.09.14.pdf - SAHRA

EIA-REP-325d-11
October 2012
11. ALTERNATIVES (Reg 31(2)(i))
11.1 Identification of alternatives
The IEM procedure stipulates that the environmental investigation needs to consider feasible alternatives for any
proposed development. Therefore, a number of possible proposals or alternatives for accomplishing the same
objectives should be identified and investigated. The various alternatives are assessed in terms of both
environmental acceptability as well as economical feasibility. The preferred option is to be highlighted and
presented to the authorities. The following alternatives are an example of the different kinds of alternatives that
may be considered and investigated for a particular development.
• Input alternatives;
• Activity alternatives;
• Location alternatives;
• Status quo / no-go alternatives;
• Demand alternatives / Supply alternatives;
• Scheduling alternatives; and
• Process alternatives.
11.2 Input alternatives
Various types of material can be used for the Usutu Coal Colliery. Although the suggestions are usually referring
to residential construction; it will be possible to implement some of it into the construction of offices.
These suggestions include but are not limited to:
Energy effective building construction and orientation have not been considered to date. However, the following
recommendations regarding structural designs are recommended by the environmental consultant:
• Use of building material that requires excessive amounts of energy to manufacture should be
minimised;
• Use of building material originating from sensitive or scarce environmental resources should be
minimised. E.g. no tropical hardwood may be used;
• Building material should be legally obtained by the supplier, e.g. wood must have been legally
harvested, and sand should be obtained only from legal borrow pits and from commercial sources;
• Building material that can be recycled / reused should be used rather than building material that cannot;
and
• Use highly durable building material for parts of the building that is unlikely to be changed during the life
of the building (unlikely to change due to e.g. renovation, fashion, changes in family life cycle) is highly
recommended.
11.3 Location alternatives
No alternative locations have been considered by the proponent, as this location is owned by the proponent and
therefore it is the only available site for this type of development. The investigation concluded that the subject
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