Basic Assessment Report - Transnet

Transnet LimitedProposed RO Plant: Port of SaldanhaFinal Basic Assessment Reportto the Multi-purpose Terminal and discharge of brine into the sea via a pipeline,towards the end of the quay (at caisson 3 – i.e. Alternative 3d). Discharge would thusessentially be into Big Bay.7.3 No-Go AlternativeTransnet are required to suppress dust at the iron ore handling facility and if the ROPlant is not approved alternative water sources for dust control will still need to beestablished (i.e. the “no-go” alternative does not mean that current status quo cancontinue. Additional water is needed immediately to suppress dust generated fromcurrent activities and future, already authorised expansions, i.e. Phase 1B). Transnethave identified possible alternatives including obtaining additional potable waterfrom municipal supplies and reclaimed sewage. However, due to the potential lack ofavailable yields, environmental costs, and to ensure suitable water quality, thesealternative water sources were not considered as feasible or viable options. Ifadditional water for the suppression of dust is not obtained it is likely that alternativewater sources would have to be re-sought to reduce dust levels omitted from the Port.7.4 Additional Alternatives Considered and Eliminated (pre-EIA)This section discusses all the alternatives considered by the project team, from theinception of the project planning process, and thus shows the “development” of thepreferred alternative discussed above (Section 7.2.1). The alternatives are discussedin order to provide some insight into all alternatives considered in both the prefeasibilitystage of the project – leading up to, and informing the alternatives in theBA process. These alternatives were not taken to the final design stage for reasonsthat will be set out in more detail below. Alternatives considered prior to the initiationof the BA process include alternative dust suppression methods, alternative watersources for dust suppression and alternative options for disposing of the brine byproduct.7.4.1 Alternative methods of Dust SuppressionTransnet has undertaken a number of prefeasibility investigations, and considered anumber of alternative methods of dust suppression (i.e. alternatives to the use ofwater) as part of the studies related with the previous and proposed future expansionsto the iron ore terminal. Alternative dust suppression methods considered include:• Enclosing the iron ore stockpiles in warehousesThe point sources of dust within the iron ore handling facility include the stockpilesand the transfer points (i.e. from conveyors to stockpiles, shiploaders etc). The optionof enclosing the entire iron ore stockpile area and transfer points in a warehousebuilding at the iron ore handling facility would allow for dust to be managed as a31Prepared by the PDNA/SRK Joint Venture