BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT RADIMPE SAND (PTY) … · The proposed small-scale mining operation will involve mining of Concrete sand (Silica)- QO, Building sand (Silica)- QB,

Page | 1

MINING RIGHT APPLICATION FOR THE PROPOSED

RADIMPE VOGELFONTEIN SAND MINE ON PORTION 0, 5

AND 7 OF THE FARM VOGELFONTEIN 69, BETHLEHEM

MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT, FREE STATE PROVINCE

BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT

RADIMPE SAND (PTY) LTD

NOVEMBER 2018

DMR REFERENCE NO.: FS 30/5/1/2/2/(10051) MR

Background Information Document Mining Right Application

Page | 2

1 PROJECT BACKGROUND

Radimpe Sand (Pty) Ltd has lodged an application for a Mining Right in terms of section 22 of

the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002).

The proposed Radimpe Vogelfontein Sand Mine is located on portion 0, 5, and 7 of the farm

Vogelfontein 69, within the Magisterial District of Bethlehem, Free State Province. The

proposed project is located approximately 2 km south-east of Bohlokong and 5 km northwest

from the town of Bethlehem. Fouriesburg lies about 52 km south-west from the project site,

whilst the town of Phuthaditlhaba is situated at 62 km south-east of the farm Vogelfontein 69

in the Free State Province.

The proposed small-scale mining operation will involve mining of Concrete sand (Silica)- QO,

Building sand (Silica)- QB, Crusher sand (Silica)- QC, Filling sand (Silica) QL, Foundry sand (Silica)-

QF, Glass sand (Silica)- QG, Sand (General)- QY, Silica sand- QD, Attapulgite/Sepiolite Clay, Ball

Clay, Bentonite Clay, Clay General, Fuller`s Earth (Clay), Illite-Montmorillonite Group (Clay),

Kaolin Clay, Nontronite/Saponite Clay, Refractory Clay (Flint), Fire Clay, Shale/Brick Clay,

Vermiculite-Chlorite Group (Clay) using truck and shovel mining method. The operation will

have following support infrastructure:

Processing plant

Screening and crushing machine

Mobile office complex

Portable water tank (Jojo tanks)

Ablution facility

Workshop

1 x Komatsu D 155 Bulldozer

2 x Volvo 460 Hydraulic Excavators

6 x Volvo A30 Articulated 6X6 Dump Trucks

6 x Volvo D65 Bulldozer

1 x Volvo 72 Motor Grader

1 x 12 000 litre Water Browser for dust suppression


Page | 3

Weight-bridge

Security gate (boom gate) and fence (five strand barbed wire or Clear-Vu fence)

General waste bins

The extent of the area applied for covers approximately 414.8561 hectares. The project area is

represented in the figure below. The life of mine (LoM) is estimated at 10 (ten) years with Run

of Mine (RoM) of 30 000 tonnes per month (tpa). The construction phase is expected to

commence in the 3rd quarter (Q3) of 2019, with first sealable product delivered in Q4 of 2019.

Process water supply will be sourced from Liebenbergsvlei River and borehole to be drilled on

site.

Radimpe Sand has appointed Sakal and Tebo (Pty) Ltd, as an independent assessment

practitioner, to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process to evaluate the

potential environmental and social impacts of the proposed Radimpe Vogelfontein Sand mining

project. An integrated scoping and environmental impact assessment process will be conducted

for the Environmental Authorisation application as well as integrated water use licence

application for a Mining Right. An application for Environmental Authorisation (EA) in term of

Section 16 of the NEMA EIA 2017 regulations was submitted to the DMR.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

The Radimpe Vogelfontein Sand Mine will involve mining of Concrete sand (Silica)- QO, Building

sand (Silica)- QB, Crusher sand (Silica)- QC, Filling sand (Silica) QL, Foundry sand (Silica)- QF,

Glass sand (Silica)- QG, Sand (General)- QY, Silica sand- QD, Attapulgite/Sepiolite Clay, Ball Clay,

Bentonite Clay, Clay General, Fuller`s Earth (Clay), Illite-Montmorillonite Group (Clay), Kaolin

Clay, Nontronite/Saponite Clay, Refractory Clay (Flint), Fire Clay, Shale/Brick Clay, Vermiculite-

Chlorite Group (Clay) mineral deposits contained within the Beaufort Group Geological

Formation.

Mining will commence with the removal of the first 100 mm of topsoil using an excavator and

frontend loader. The topsoil from the first block will then be stored in a topsoil berm on the


Page | 4

mining area. Due to the rich source of seeds contained in the topsoil, vegetation will usually

establish naturally. However, if self-establishment does not occur, the topsoil stockpile will be

seeded to ensure the effective management of topsoil. Mining will involve the use of

mechanised earth moving equipment (excavator and front-end loader also known as “truck and

shovel”) to move the unconsolidated material in bulk. Mining will continue to a depth of

approximately ±40 m.

The sand will be mined, stockpiled and sold to road construction companies, glass

manufacturing companies, and building companies. Sand washing activities will be required and

a processing plant will be constructed on the proposed mine site. The mining process will only

require 81 full time workers on site, and 4 – 8 drivers transporting mined sand from the site to

clients. Dump trucks (heavy vehicles) will be used to transport the sand from site to clients

(buyers) and only 8 trucks will transport sand from site. The excavators and front-end loaders

that will be used on site will be stored in a small workshop to be developed on site. Only

support equipment and infrastructure required to conduct mining will be on site. All

infrastructure will be developed on portion 0 of the farm Vogelfontein 69.

Radimpe Vogelfontein Sand Mine comprises 3.6 Million tons of silica sand material in the

estimated mineable resources category. The proposed mining operation involves mining of

silica occurring in the Beaufort Group geological formation using conventional truck and shovel

opencast mining method, with Run of Mine (RoM) processed in a crushing and screening unit

plant. The Life of Mine (LoM) is estimated at ten (10) years with production at 360 000 tonnes

per annum.

The mined-out will be sloped after mining and covered with the topsoil (concurrent

rehabilitation) to ensure establishment of vegetation on site after mining. The proposed land

use after mine rehabilitation will include cattle grazing.


Page | 5

2.1 CONSTRUCTION PHASE

The proposed Radimpe Vogelfontein Sand Mine Life of Mine is estimated at 10 years.

Construction is expected to commence in the third quarter (3rd) of 2019, whilst the operational

phase (production) is scheduled for the fourth quarter (4th) of 2019. Mining will commence in

the northern part of portion 0 of the farm Vogelfontein 69 as per the mining schedule below.

Figure 1: Proposed Mining Schedule for Radimpe Vogelfontein Sand Mine


Page | 6

Crushing

RoM is fed to the crushing plant by tipping it into a feed chute feeding a grizzly screen which

screens the RoM before the oversize material is crushed. The crushed RoM is fed via conveyor

to a screen with the upper and lower decks consisting of larger and smaller screening panels

respectively. The oversize material from the upper deck is fed with a conveyor to a jaw crusher

which crushes the material to the desired size. Sand product is stockpiled (undersize) while the

oversize together with a recycle stream and the crushed product is discharged into a chute. The

final crushing plant screen consists of varying screening panels to yield different grades of

material which are used as feed stocks for the various wash plant products. The -20 mm

particles are screened out in the front of the screen while the undersize is collected at the rear

of the screen. The oversize material of is fed to a Gyro crusher with conveyor and the crushed

product (100% passing 40nmm) is recycled for washing. The material is drawn from underneath

the -5 mm stockpile by a tunnel conveyor that feeds the wash plant.

Screening Process

A vibratory feeder feeds the feedstock onto conveyor which discharges the material onto a

grizzly screen which cuts at the desired size. The material from the grizzly screen is wet

screened on the main screen. The oversize from the first screen is discharged onto the

dewatering screen containing a mixture of screening panels (arranged in increasing aperture

size in the direction of flow). The oversize material from the second screen is fed to a vertical

shaft impactor from where the material crushed to -5 mm which is recycled and recombined

with the raw feed.

The slurries collected underneath the first screen and the front section of the dewatering

screen gravitates into a pot in which slimes overflow to the thickener pot and the underflow is

pumped, dewatered and stacked with a separator on the product stockpile. The overflow from

the separator returns to the pot below the screens.


Page | 7

The material collected in the collection pan at the rear section of the dewatering screen

gravitates into another pot in which slimes are removed in the overflow to the thickener pot

and the underflow is pumped to a separator, dewatered and stacked onto the Filter Product

stockpile.

Finally, the overflow from this separator returns to a pot. All the overflows from the various

pots in the screening and hydro-sizing plants combine into a pot from where it is pumped to the

thickener.

Screening with Hydro-Sizing Process

Feedstock is fed onto a conveyor with a vibratory feeder that combines with the recycled

oversize material from screen the dewatering float glass screen onto a single conveyor. This

feeds the vertical side impactor (VSI) that crushes the -40 mm feed to 100% passing 5 mm. The

crushed material from the VSI is fed onto the main screen consisting of only 1 mm screening

panels and the oversize from the screen is discharged onto the dewatering screen which

consists of 1mm panels in the front and 4 rows of panels with 5mm apertures at the rear

section of the screen.

The material screened out in the main and dewatering screens is collected and together both

are discharged into a pot. From this pot it is pumped to a dewatering cyclone where the solids

are dewatered in preparation of further washing. The cyclone overflow is returned to the pot

under the main screen and the overflow from this pot is gravity fed to the pot that goes to the

thickener.

The cyclone underflow comprises the feed to the primary classifier where the D50 cut size of

665μm is achieved by an upward flow of water. The underflow of the cyclone gravity feeds to a

pot from where the underflow is dewatered with a separator and stacked as filter product. The

overflow of the separator is returned to another pot and the overflow from this pot gravitates

to the thickener pot.


Page | 8

The overflow from the first classifier gravitates into a secondary classifier of which the D50 cut

size is 75μm. The underflow of this classifier is fed into a pot from where the underflow is

pumped to and dewatered with a separator and stacked as the final product. The overflow of

the separator is returned to a pot and the overflow from the pot gravitates to the thickener

return pot. Finally, the overflow from the secondary classifier flows into a pot, the underflow of

which is pumped to a dedicated separator, dewatered and stacked onto the chemical sand

product stockpile. The separators overflow is returned to the pot and the overflow from this

pot feeds into the thickener pot by gravity.

Drier Plant

After being dried in the respective stockpiles to a moisture content of 5% amber and float glass

filter products are fed with a tunnel conveyor into a silo from which it is fed to driers with

vibratory feeders.

The energy required to dry the material to a desired moisture content of less than 1% is

obtained by combusting a heavy hydrocarbon fuel blend. The combusted fuel (flue gas) heats

the filter sand thereby evaporating the moisture associated with the sand. Flue gas exits the

drier and entrained dust is removed in a dust suppression system before the gas is discharged

into the atmosphere. The dried filter product is discharged from the drier onto conveyors and is

stockpiled in the dry sand shed before being sized in the screening plant according to product

specifications.

Material that is not fed through the driers is placed on drying beds adjacent to the plant. Water

runoff from the drying beds are collected in a sump and channelled to the process water dam

located to the south-west of the plant for re-using in the plant.

The dried filter sand is fed by means of conveyor to the dry screening plant where it is sized into

fractions by means of vibratory screens in accordance with product specifications.


Page | 9

Access Roads

Existing access road will be used on site. No new roads will be constructed. Access to the site is

via a gravel road connected to the R714 main road approximately 1.7 km south-east of

Bohlokong.

Security and Access Control

A permanent security house and boom gates will be constructed at the mine entrance. The

structures will comprise of brick and mortar and will be supplied with electricity from a diesel

driven generator.

Water Supply

Water supply for Radimpe Vogelfontein Sand Mine will be sourced from groundwater through

boreholes and Liebenberg River. The water will be stored in a reservoir with a gross storage

capacity of approximately 800 m3 to allow for no less than seven (7) days retention. The water

requirement is for activities including those listed below, with more than 15 % of the total

demand estimated for losses:

Hydro-sizing processing plant: 100 m3/day

Dust suppression: 40 m3/day

Human consumption, ablution and house-keeping: 60 m3/day

A water purification system will be installed for the raw water component required for human

consumption.

Potable Water Supply

Potable water required for the proposed prospecting operation is approximately 40 litres per

day (ℓ/day). The water will be used for drinking purposes and will be sourced from local water

vendors within Bethlehem and nearby areas such as Bohlokong. The water will be supplied in

cooled water dispensers.


Page | 10

Ablution Facility

Waterborne sanitation will be in place for ablution facilities at the mine office, change house,

and workshop area, to be located portion 0 of the farm Vogelfontein 69. An internal sewage

reticulation system will be provided to drain all raw sewage and grey water from the mine

office complex and workshops. The sewage will be treated in a package sewage treatment plant

with a design capacity of approximately 65.15 m3/day. The treated sewage effluent will be

drained to the PCD for reuse in the processing plant and for dust suppression. The system will

employ an activated sludge process and disinfection to General Effluent Standards. In addition,

portable chemical toilets will be provided at the opencast mine workings. The raw sewage will

be collected by an authorized contractor for disposal into an authorized sewage treatment

works. Safe Disposal Certificates will be kept in record at the mine.

Mine Office Complex

Mine office complex will be established on site and will include the following:

Vehicles and equipment area

Ablution facility (chemical mobile toilet)

Mobile office (mobile container)


Page | 11

Figure 2: Final Site Layout Plan for Radimpe Vogelfontein Sand Mine

Accommodation

No accommodation for workers will be provided on site. Employment will be sourced from

Bohlokong which is a walking distance from the site.

2.2 OPERATIONAL PHASE

Given the soil profile of the land, the topsoil layer is about 50 mm thick.

The target stone and sand material will be mined in a box cut method to ensure

systematic mining in linear progression to allow for practical concurrent rehabilitation.

The box cuts will be developed in phases of 40 m x 40 m each to ensure systematic

progression. An excavator will be used to break hard matter and load it into a tipper

truck.

Mined material will be loaded into tipper trucks directly from the excavations and

hauled to the screening (sieving) plant, where the material will be screened into

different mesh sizes as per customer requirement.


Page | 12

Material will be screen into the correct mesh size and then loaded into trucks and

transported to the market (buyers).

No industrial or mine waste is generated during the mining process. All material

consisting mainly of silica (sand) is removed from the box-cut.

The depth of the mining operations will be an average depth of ±40 metres as only the

top layer of sand is mined. The total area under excavation will be approximately 395 ha

and sand will be removed over the total area. Backfilling is not an option as the sand is

completely removed.

Only minor repairs are done on site. A PVC lining and drip trays are used during

maintenance and accidental spills are cleaned up immediately by removing of the

contaminated sand. The small volume of contaminated sand is sold with the rest of the

sand.

2.3 DECOMMISSIONING AND CLOSURE PHASE

Planning for closure and restoration from the beginning of an operation makes the process

more efficient:

Waste will be removed as it is created,

Excavation will be planned so that topography restoration is less complicated, and

Topsoil can be re-used at shorter interval.

Site rehabilitation will ensure that the land more valuable and attractive for resale.

Concurrent rehabilitation will commence with the completion of each box. The material

salvaged out of screening (discard) will be used as backfill. Rehabilitation of the site will

be done in accordance with a rehabilitation plan.

3 PROJECT LOCALITY

The proposed project area lies on the eastern parts of the Free State Province within the

Magisterial District of Bethlehem. The Free State is located in the geographical centre of South

Africa, bordered by the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, North West, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal

and Gauteng provinces, as well as Lesotho. The Free State is a rural province of farmland,


Page | 13

mountains, goldfields and widely dispersed towns. Although the Free State is the third-largest

province in South Africa, it has the second-smallest population and the second-lowest

population density. It covers an area of 129 825 km² and has a population of 2 834 714 – 5.1%

of the national population. Its capital is Bloemfontein, which is South Africa’s judicial capital.

Other important towns include Welkom, Kroonstad, Sasolburg and Bethlehem.

The project site lies within ward 6 and 19 of Dihlabeng Local Municipality. The proposed project

is located approximately 2 km south-east of Bohlokong and 5 km northwest from the town of

Bethlehem. Fouriesburg lies about 52 km south-west from the project site, whilst the town of

Phuthaditlhaba is situated at 62 km south-east of the farm Vogelfontein 69 in the Free State

Province. The project covers an area of 414.8561 hectares (ha) in extent and lies at

geographical coordinates -28.201986° south and 28.359295°east. Access to the site is via a

gravel road connected to the R714 main road approximately 1.7 km south-east of Bohlokong.

In terms of the current administrative boundaries, the project area falls within Dihlabeng Local

Municipality which is under Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality. The project area falls

within Quaternary Catchment C83C (Liebenbergsvlei and Skulpspruit Catchment) of the Upper

Vaal water management area.

4 PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT

This document aims to provide you, Interested and/or Affected Party (I &AP), with information

regarding the Environmental Authorisation Process being undertaken for the proposed

Radimpe Vogelfontein Sand Mine. Any person, company, authority or other entity that might

be directly or indirectly affected by the proposed mining activities are invited to register as an

Interested and Affected Party. This includes, but is not limited to landowners, tenants,

municipal and provincial authorities, Non-Government Organisations and conservation groups.

This document details how you can become involved in the project, receive information, raise

any issues of concern or interest regarding the proposed project. The sharing of information

forms the basis of the Public Participation Process and offers you the opportunity to become


Page | 14

actively involved in the project from the onset. Inputs from the I & APs ensures that all

potential environmental issues are considered within the context of the proposed mining

project.

5 PROJECT MOTIVATION

South Africa is known for its abundance of mineral resources. It is estimated to have the world’s

fifth-largest mining sector in terms of gross domestic product value and its mining companies

are key players in the global industry. South African mining and mining real estate remains

attractive for development. Mining creates an environment that lead the community to be

more involved in the projects and result in more sustainable job creation strategies within the

surrounding communities as well as attracting foreign investment.

In addition, the South African economy heavily relies on the mining sector. Mining for Concrete

sand (Silica)- QO, Building sand (Silica)- QB, Crusher sand (Silica)- QC, Filling sand (Silica) QL,

Foundry sand (Silica)- QF, Glass sand (Silica)- QG, Sand (General)- QY, Silica sand- QD,

Attapulgite/Sepiolite Clay, Ball Clay, Bentonite Clay, Clay General, Fuller`s Earth (Clay), Illite-

Montmorillonite Group (Clay), Kaolin Clay, Nontronite/Saponite Clay, Refractory Clay (Flint),

Fire Clay, Shale/Brick Clay, Vermiculite-Chlorite Group (Clay) minerals will boost the current

struggling national economy. The mining sector has provided more employment opportunities

for the citizens in general. The provincial citizens of the Free State Province will be awarded

more employment opportunities. Should the proposed mining operation be authorized, the

following economic development activities will result:

Job creation

Development of skills

Potential for business opportunities

Establishment of bursaries and scholarships

Stimulate economic activities in the local vicinity


Page | 15

5.1 Employment

The proposed mine development will lead to jobs for 81 skilled and semi-skilled workers for 10

years of the proposed mine.

5.2 Environmental Impact

The impacts on the environment will be evaluated as part of this assessment (Environmental

Impact Assessment) of the project. Moderate to High impacts are expected in terms of air

quality, noise and visual character. It is the role of the independent environmental practitioner

to assess the impact of the development project on the environment, assess the benefit /

disadvantage of the project to the people of South Africa and to provide clear mitigation

measures and recommendations under which conditions such a project could be a sound

development project in the best interest of South Africa (including the economy, the

environment and its people). The environmental impacts and economical gains need to be

carefully weighed in order to assess whether the proposed project can contribute to a better

South Africa for all.

5.3 Rehabilitation Capacity

The project applicant has indicated and demonstrated a willingness and ability to make

financial provision for rehabilitation of the project area.

5.4 Recommendation

Period for which the environmental authorisation is required: The life of mine is expected to be

10 years and authorisation is required for 10 years.

6 IDENTIFIED LIST ACTIVITIES

In terms of the 2014 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations enacted in terms of

the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (as amended), the

proposed Radimpe Vogelfontein Sand Mine will involve activities that fall within the ambits of

Government Notice (GNR) 327 and GNR 325 (April 2017). The proposed project will require


Page | 16

authorisation from the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) through the Scoping and

Environmental Impact Assessment Process outlined in GNR 326.

A Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment Process (S&EIA) is an effective planning and

decision-making tool, which allows for the identification of potential environmental

consequences of a proposed project, and its management through the planning process. The

process will involve consultation with interested and affected parties (I &APs), compilation of

Scoping Report and specialist studies as well as compilation of Environmental Impact

Assessment Report. These documents will be submitted to the DMR for decision making

purpose.

Table 1: Project Listed Activity

NAME OF ACTIVITY

(E.g. For prospecting - drill site, site camp, ablution

facility, accommodation, equipment storage,

sample storage, site office, access route

etc…etc…etc

E.g. for mining,- excavations, blasting, stockpiles,

discard dumps or dams, Loading, hauling and

transport, Water supply dams and boreholes,

accommodation, offices, ablution, stores,

workshops, processing plant, storm water control,

berms, roads, pipelines, power lines, conveyors,

etc…etc…etc.)

Aerial extent of the Activity Ha or m²

LISTED ACTIVITY (Mark with an X where applicable or affected).

APPLICABLE LISTING NOTICE (GNR 983, 984, 985

WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORISATION (Indicate whether an authorisation is required in terms of the Waste Management Act). (Mark with an X)

Activity 11

The development of facilities or

infrastructure for the transmission and

distribution of electricity-

(i) outside urban areas or industrial

complexes with a capacity of more than 33

but less than 275 kilovolts;

(ii) Inside urban areas or industrial

complexes with a capacity of 275 kilovolts

or more.

Relevance: A power feeder will be obtained by establishing a connection to the sub station

1,7 ha X GNR 327 Listing Notice 1 (April 2017)

N/A


Page | 17

NAME OF ACTIVITY




etc…etc…etc







etc…etc…etc.)





Activity 9

The development of infrastructure

exceeding 1 000 metres in length for the

bulk transportation of water or storm

water—

(i) with an internal diameter of 0,36 metres

or more; or

(ii) with a peak throughput of 120 litres per

second or more;

3 km pipeline

X GNR 327 Listing Notice 1 (April 2017)

N/A

Activity 12

The development of –

(ii) channels exceeding 100 square metres

in size

(iv) dams where the dam including

infrastructure and water surface area,

exceeds 100 square meters in size

(vi) bulk storm water outlet structures

exceeding 100 square metres in size;

(xii) Infrastructure or structures with a

physical footprint of 100 square meters or

more. Relevance: Pollution control dams,

water channelling and evaporation ponds

will be constructed.


N/A

Activity 13

The development of facilities or

infrastructure for the off-stream storage of

water, including dams and reservoirs, with

1000 cubic metres


N/A


Page | 18

NAME OF ACTIVITY




etc…etc…etc







etc…etc…etc.)





a combined capacity of 50 000 cubic

metres or more, unless such storage falls

within the ambit of activity 16 in Listing

Notice 2 of 2014.

Activity 14

The development and related operation of

facilities or infrastructure, for the storage,

or for the storage and handling, of a

dangerous good, where such storage

occurs in containers with a combined

capacity of 80 cubic metres or more but

not exceeding 500 cubic metres


N/A

Activity 15

The clearance of an area of 20 hectares or

more of indigenous vegetation, excluding

where such clearance of indigenous

vegetation is required for—

(i) the undertaking of a linear activity; or

(ii) maintenance purposes undertaken in

accordance with a maintenance

management plan

414,856 ha


N/A

Activity 17

Any activity including the operation of that

activity which requires a mining right as

contemplated in section 22 of the Mineral

and Petroleum Resources Development

Act, 2002

414,856 ha


N/A


Page | 19

NAME OF ACTIVITY




etc…etc…etc







etc…etc…etc.)





(Act No. 28 of 2002), including—

(a) associated infrastructure, structures

and earthworks, directly related to the

extraction of a mineral resource [,] ; or

(b) [including activities for which an

exemption has been issued in terms of

section

106 of the Mineral and Petroleum

Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No.

28 of 2002)] the primary processing of a

mineral resource including winning,

extraction, classifying, concentrating,

crushing, screening or washing;

7 SCOPING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS

The Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment process being followed consists of the

following key steps:

Identifying listed activities under NEMA: EIR (2014)- GNR 327 and GNR 325

Lodging environmental authorisation applications under the National Environmental

Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA): Environmental Impact

Regulation, 2014 (EIR).

Compilation of Background Information Document (BID) and Scoping Report

Identify Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and undertake public participation in

line with EIA Regulations;


Page | 20

Compilation of specialist studies to be incorporated into the environmental impact

assessment report

Compilation of environmental impact assessment report;

Compilation of Integrated Water and Waste Management Plan Report required for

Water Use Licence application

8 SUMMARY POTENTIAL NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE IMPACTS ASSOCIATED

WITH THE PROPOSED PROJECT

Positive Impact associated with the proposed Mining Right:

Creating 81 full-time permanent jobs

Additional employment opportunities through sub-contractors

Development of skills

Potential for business opportunities

Establishment of bursaries and scholarships

Stimulate economic activities in the local vicinity

Sand will NOT be mined from a riverbed or wetland area

Sand will be used for construction (development) and manufacturing (glass)

Construction Phase

Generation of fugitive dust

Removal of existing vegetation

Potential negative impact on top soil seed bank if not stockpiled correctly.

Operational Phase: Excavation of Pits

Generation of fugitive dust

Potential hydrocarbon spillage through leaking equipment

Change of current land use, 10 years Mining Right period

Preparation of vehicle maintenance concrete padding

Fugitive dust generation

Spillage of carbonaceous material on roads or other areas


Page | 21

Decommission and Closure Phases

Fugitive dust generation

Mixing of sub soils with topsoil

Soil compaction

9 IDENTIFIED WATER USES

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) (NWA) aims to provide management of the

national water resources to achieve sustainable use of water for the benefit of all water users.

This requires that the quality of water resources is protected as well as integrated management

of water resources with the delegation of powers to institutions at the regional or catchment

level.

The purpose of the NWA is to ensure that the nation’s water resources are protected, used,

developed, conserved, managed and controlled in ways, which takes into account:

Meeting the basic human needs of present and future generations;

Promoting equitable access to water;

Redressing the results of past racial discrimination;

Promoting the efficient, sustainable and beneficial use of water in the public interest;

Facilitating social and economic development;

Providing for growing demand for water use;

Protecting aquatic and associated ecosystems and their biological diversity;

Reducing and preventing pollution and degradation of water resources;

Meeting international obligations and

Managing floods and droughts.

Section 21 of the National Water Act, 1998 (No. 36 of 1998) (NWA) lists water uses for which a

Water Use License (WUL) must be obtained. Water uses with potential relevance to the

proposed mining include:

Table 9-1: Identified Water Uses for the Proposed Radimpe Vogelfontein Sand Mine


Page | 22

Section 21 Water Use Activity Description Operational Status

21(a) taking water from a

water resource

Groundwater abstraction boreholes Proposed

Abstraction of water from Liebenberg

River

Proposed

21 (b) Storing Water Raw water reservoir Proposed

Potable water storage tank Proposed

21(g) disposing of waste in a

manner which may

detrimentally impact on a

water resource

Package sewage treatment plant Proposed

Pollution control dam Proposed

Dust suppression Proposed

21 (i) altering the bed, banks,

course or characteristics of a

watercourse

Infrastructure/mining within 500 m from

the watercourse

Proposed

21(j) removing, discharging

or disposing of water found if

it is necessary for the

efficient continuation of an

activity or the safety of

people

Dewatering of the opencast mine

workings

Proposed

10 WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?

If you consider yourself as an I & AP for the proposed project, we encourage you to make use of

the opportunities created by the Public Participation Process to become involves and raise any

issues or concerns which affect and/or interest you. By completing and submitting the

accompanying response form, you automatically register yourself as an I&AP for this project,

and ensure that your comments, concerns or queries raised regarding the project will be noted.


Page | 23

Interested I&AP’s are invited to register by submitting their name, contact information and

interest in the project to the Environmental Assessment Practitioner before the 18th of

December 2018.

11 PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting will be held as follows:

Venue: Bohlokong Community Hall, Bohlokong, 9700

Date: 08th December 2018 Time: 11h00 – 13h00

12 AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT SCOPING REPORT The draft Scoping Report will be available for public review and comment from the 16th of

November 2018 to the 18th of December 2018 at the following places:

Venue: Bethlehem Public Library, c/o President Boshoff & Cambridge Street, 9700

Online at: www.sakalandtebo.co.za

13 WHO SHOULD YOU CONTACT?

Please direct all comments, queries or issues to:

Contact Person: Mr. Mandla Masango

Sakal and Tebo (Pty) Ltd

Cell: (+27) 72 714 8556 Fax: (+27) 86 560 4741

E-mail: [email protected]

Birchwood Court, West Wing, 43 Montrose Street, Vorna Valley, Midrand, 1686


Page | 24

14 APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: LOCALITY MAP

APPENDIX B: REGISTRATION AND COMMENT SHEET

APPENDIX C: CONSULTATION QUESTIONNAIRE


Page | 25


Page | 26


Page | 27


Page | 28


Page | 29

REGISTRATION AND COMMENT SHEET

DMR REF: FS 30/5/1/2/2/(10051) MR

APPLICANT: Radimpe Sand (Pty) Ltd

Please send your registration and comment sheet to:

Mr. Mandla Masango

Sakal and Tebo (Pty) Ltd

Cell: (+27) 72 714 8556

Fax: (+27) 86 719 9509

E-mail: [email protected]

Birchwood Court, West Wing,

43 Montrose Street, Vorna Valley,

Midrand, 1686

Kindly register me as Interested and Affected Party and provide me with the relevant information and communication regarding this project.

YES NO

I would like to receive information or notices by Post Email Fax

COMMENTS

mailto:[email protected]


Page | 30

Please also register the following people:

Name Tel Cell Email

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Please provide your details below:

Title & Name

Organisation/Capacity

Postal Address

Telephone

Cell phone

Email

Signature

Date

Thank you for your valuable contribution.


Page | 31

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES IN RESPECT OF

MINING RIGHT APPLICATION

The information below is requested purely for use in the updating of the Basic Assessment

Report and Environmental Management Plan for the properties referred to below.

APPLICANT: RADIMPE SAND (PTY) LTD (REG. NO.: 2016/326234/07)

PROPERTY: PORTION 0,5 , AND 7 OF THE FARM VOGELFONTEIN 69

JURISIDICTION: MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT OF BETHLEHEM, DIHLABENG LOCAL MUNICIPALITY,

THABO MOFUTSANYANE DISTRICT MUNICPALITY, FREE STATE PROVINCE

DMR REF: FS 30/5/1/2/2/(10051) MR

Name of respondent: ..............................................................................................................

Capacity/Farm residing (e.g. owner, tenant etc) ……………………………………………......…

Contact details/address: ……………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1. What type of access exists on the property?

2. Do access roads, if any, pass through other privately owned property, if so what are the

requirements to use such road (e.g. permission from neighbours or other surface

owners)

3. What is the main activity on the property (e.g. cultivation, cattle farming etc)?


Page | 32

4. Describe the dominant natural vegetation on the property, if any (savannah, grassroots,

woody, forest etc)?

5. To your knowledge, are there any protected species (plants or animals) present on the

property? If so, please provide brief details.

6. If known, what is the average depth to the water table (ground water) on the property?

7. Are there any historical buildings or grave sites on the property? If so, please provide

brief details.

8. If you are the owner of the property, are you sole owner or there other individuals,

trusts or companies that share the legal title? If so please provide contact details so that

we can consult them too.

9. Is the owner resident on the property?

10. Are there residents other than the owner on the property? If so, roughly how many

people are residents? Please provide their contact details ( or for one representative if

applicable)

11. Please also provide contact details of everyone else you think should be considered as

an interested and affected party with regard to this property.

Signature…………………………………………

Date……………………………………………….

Documents

BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT RADIMPE SAND (PTY) … · The proposed small-scale mining operation will involve mining of Concrete sand (Silica)- QO, Building sand (Silica)- QB,