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

SYNOPSIS
INTRODUCTION
Environmental Assurance (Pty) Ltd (Envass), as an independent environmental consultant has been appointed
by Vunene Mining (Pty) Ltd to undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed opencast
and surface coal mining on Leeuwenburg 137 IT, Roodewal 270 IT, Holbank 265 IT, Vlakfontein 266 IT,
Vlakfontein 269 IT, Mooiplaats 290 IT, Witpunt 267 IT, Transutu 257 IT and Jan Hendriksfontein 263 IT, in the
Msukaligwa Local Municipality.
The Usutu Coal Colliery opencast mine is located 18 kilometres south east of Ermelo. This is an existing coal
mine which was under care and maintenance for a period, subsequent to which mining operations were
restarted. However, subsequent to the issuing of the mining right (dated 10 July 2009); a desktop study was
undertaken which revealed that the mining area was mined before by Ingwe (Usutu Colliery). The area was
mined by means of underground mining methods.
Environmental Assurance was appointed by Vunene Mining (Pty) Ltd to undertake the environmental
authorisation process for the coal mining process. Issues which would specifically be addressed in this report are
amongst others:
• Opencast mining methods which will be used to extract the coal;
• Underground mining methods which will be used to extract deeper coal;
• Existing infrastructure at the Usutu Colliery;
• Mining and blasting operations;
• Surrounding infrastructure and land uses; and
• In detail environmental impact assessment of activities undertaken on site.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process followed is in compliance with the National Environmental
Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998), as amended and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations
of 2010 (Government Notice No’s R544, 545 and 546 in Government Gazette No. 33306 of 18 June 2010). The
proposed coal mining operations constitutes a listed activity which falls within the scheduled activities listed in
Government Notice Regulation No 545 (Scoping and EIA). Prior to such a listed activity being approved, it is
required that an environmental process is undertaken and a report is submitted to the relevant environmental
authority for consideration.
The EIA process includes the completion of the Scoping Report as well as an Environmental Impact Assessment
Report. The Scoping Report determined the issues or concerns from the relevant authorities as well as interested
and/or affected parties. In addition, an Impact Assessment Report (this report) will determine the likely
consequence that the proposed coal mining may have on the environment.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Usutu Colliery is a coal mine situated on certain portions of the farms Leeuwenburg 137 IT, Roodewal 270 IT,
Holbank 265 IT, Vlakfontein 266 IT, Vlakfontein 269 IT, Mooiplaats 290 IT, Witpunt 267 IT, Transutu 257 IT and
Jan Hendriksfontein 263 IT, in the Msukaligwa Local Municipality, approximately 18 kilometres southwest of the
EIA-REP-325d-11
October 2012
iii