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

8.1.10 Heritage Resources
Based on what was found during the initial site evaluation and the recommendation of the EAP a Heritage Impact
Assessment was undertaken. The Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 states:
“Section 38 (3) of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999) states that subject to the
provisions of subsections (7), (8) and (9), any person who intends to undertake a development categorised as-
(c) any development or other activity which will change the character of a site-
(i) exceeding 5 000 m 2 in extent
must at the very earliest stages of initiating such a development, notify the responsible heritage resources
authority and furnish it with details regarding the location, nature and extent of the proposed development.”
The proposed development area lies to the south of Ermelo (10km). The area has been intensively mined over a
long period of time which would have destroyed any possible heritage sites.
8.1.11 Noise
Existing noise sources on site and the immediate surrounds include:
• Agricultural activities on surrounding land;
• Processing Plant: Transportation of raw materials to site, product from the site and transport of staff to
and from site;
• Blasting as a result of mining operations;
• Mining and mineral processing activities at the mining areas to the south east and north east of the site;
and
• Vehicles serving the existing mines and farming communities.
In terms of Regulation 66 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Act (Act 28 of 2002) Regulations GN R527, a
holder of a permit or right in terms of the Act must comply with the provisions of the Mine Health and Safety Act
(Act 29 of 1996); as well as other applicable law regarding noise management and control.
Many aspects of mining operations lead to an increase in noise levels over the ambient environmental levels.
This can be temporarily enhanced or the regional impact increased in any direction under the influence of
specific climatic factors such as wind direction, cloud cover and temperature inversion layers.
The impacts of noise levels can be both physical and physiological at the high end of the spectrum but more
commonly impact on communication or create psychological effects at the lower level of the spectrum.
The highest magnitude noise impacts are commonly the high intensity, short duration noise levels created by
blasting in surface or opencast mines. Blasting should not be carried out under very overcast conditions or low
level cloud cover as this increases the noise and vibration transmission. The impact can be reduced through
selection of explosives, sequencing the blasts, deflection by structures and timing of the blasts to coincide with
EIA-REP-325d-11
October 2012
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