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

EIA-REP-325d-11
October 2012
12. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF
SPECIALISTS REPORTS (Reg 31(2)(j))
12.1 Ecological assessment
The Usutu Colliery is located in the Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MP302) 5-10 kilometers south East of Ermelo
in the Mpumalanga Province. From a biodiversity point of view, the area has no formal land base protected
areas, thus it has been prone to extensive natural habitat loss due to land-use activities within the area.
The study has found and concluded that the proposed mining activity will cause a significant environmental
impact to the remaining natural environment. The study area contains numerous wetlands types. A few of those
wetland types, mainly the floodplains still maintain their functionality and offer a series of species ecological
important ecosystem services. These include their use as breeding sites and as general species habitat.
The proposed activity will include the removal of vegetation thus causing habitat loss for species such as African
grass owl. The obstruction of water flow would result in wetland drainage or dryness which will prevent species
functioning, mainly for birds that use this environment for breeding and migratory purposes. Further disturbance
to the area will lead to more alien species invasion and remaining natural area loss.
It is therefore recommended that the proposed mining, should it be authorized, includes rehabilitation, especially
of wetlands in their Environmental Management Plans. Furthermore, there should be an allowance for species
movement by leaving strips of natural vegetation that would serve as corridors for species movement. The client
should adhere to the buffering zones recommended by the specialists. Lastly, further monitoring of the ecological
function pre- and during mining should be considered in order to maintain and manage the biodiversity of the
area prior to rehabilitation.
Due to the intensity of land-use activity in the area, it should be understood that the cumulative environmental
impacts on the area are the results of the combination of the agricultural, infrastructure and mining activities in
the vicinity. Therefore, it is important to consider the severity of each activity and where they interlink in order to
implement a correct ecological management of the area.
12.2 Ambient air quality report
The South and East are the only monitoring points that exceeded the lower limit of 600 mg/m 2 /day. None of the
monitoring point exceeded the 2400 mg/m 2 /day limit and none of the monitoring points exceeded the 1200
mg/m 2 /day limit more than 3 times in a calendar year. The North monitoring point is the only monitoring point that
exceeded the 1200 mg/m 2 /day limit in two sequential months. It can be concluded that the current mining
operation is compliant with the South African National Standards 1929:2004 most of the time. The Ambient Air
Quality at Usutu Mine is of a very high standard and although the mining activities, such as blasting and
transportation of coal is having a negative effect on the receiving environment. This impact is mitigated by means
of dust suppression and other management measures to such a level that the impact is negligible small.
It is recommended that the following area be managed to ensure that dust fallout across the site do not increase
to such levels that the dust exceeds the 2400 mg/m 2 /day.
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