Photographs of site notices at the entrance of Transnet’s property.

Photographs of site notice at Site Alternative 1

Photographs of site notice at Site Alternative 2

Photographs of site notice at Site Alternative 3

OMGEWINGSIMPAKSTUDIE (BASIESE STUDIE):

VOORGESTELDE TRU-OSMOSEAANLEG, YSTERERTSHANTERINGSFASILITEIT,

SALDANHAHAWE

AGTERGRONDINLIGTINGSDOKUMENT

SRK Projek 364470/42G Junie 2007

1. AGTERGROND

Meer water is nodig vir stofvermindering by die ysterertshanteringsfasiliteite in die Saldanhahawe. Transnet Beperk (“Transnet”) is van voornemens om aan die groter waternavraag te voldoen deur ‘n Tru-Osmose-aanleg (TO) by die hawe te bou vir die ontsouting van seewater. Die Saldanhahawe lê ongeveer 120 kilometer noord van Kaapstad in die Wes-Kaapse Provinsie (sien Figuur 1). SRK Consulting en PD Naidoo & Associates (Edms) Bpk is gesamentlik deur Transnet aangestel (as die PDNA/SRK Gesamentlik Onderneming) om die nodige Basiese Studie vir die voorgenome Tru-Osmose-aanleg in die Saldanhahawe te onderneem. Hierdie proses word vereis deur die Wet op Nasionale Omgewingsbestuur, No 107 van 1998 (bekend as NEMA), soos gewysig, en die Regulasies op Omgewingsimpakstudies van 2006. Die omgewingstudie sal die moontlike positiewe en negatiewe omgewingsimpakte van die voorgestelde TO-aanleg uitlig en aanspreek. Die sukses van hierdie proses hang af van aktiewe openbare deelname. Hierdie Agtergrondinligtingsdokument (AID) bied:

• ‘n kort beskrywing van die projekvoorstel;

• die redes waarom die Basiese Studie gedoen word;

• ‘n beskrywing van die Basiese Studieproses; en

• inligting oor hoe u kan deelneem aan die Basiese Studieproses.

2. PROJEKBESKRYWING

Die Ysterertshanteringsfasiliteit in die Saldanhahawe (met inbegrip van die voorgestelde opgraderings van die fasiliteit) benodig altesaam 3 600 kl water per dag. Tans verskaf die munisipaliteit water aan die hawe, maar Transnet is van voornemens om hierdie voorraad aan te vul of moontlik te vervang met ontsoute seewater. Dit sal die bou van ‘n TO aanleg vereis.

Figuur 1: Kaart van die Terreinligging

Die komponente van die TO-aanleg sluit in:

• ‘n Gebou met ruimte vir drie TO-modules, ‘n elektriese substasie, ‘n motorbeheerkamer, ‘n pomphuis, ‘n stoorkamer, kantoor en wasgeriewe en parkeerruimte (vloeroppervlakte van ongeveer 600m²);

• Pype vir seewatertoevoer vanaf onttrekkingspunte en pekelwaterafvoer met pype;

• Dompelpompe en pypleidings om seewater in en af te voer;

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Page 2

• ‘n Bergingstenk vir seewater langs die TO-gebou;

• ‘n Bergingstenk vir ontsoute water langs die TO-gebou;

• Bergingsreservoir(s) met ‘n totaal van 5Ml, 48-uur bergingskapasiteit vir ontsoute water langs die bestaande reservoir;

• ‘n Klein dienspad wat die TO-gebou met die naaste padinfrastruktuur verbind; en

• Alle nodige elektriese en kommunikasiegeriewe tussen die TO-installasie en die ysterertshanteringsfasiliteit.

Die basiese proses vir watersuiwering in die voorgestelde TO-aanleg word onder bespreek (verwys na Figuur 2): Seewater word eers deur onttrekkingspunte gefiltreer en na ‘n bergingstenk gepomp. Die seewater word dan teen hoë druk deur die TO-membrane gepomp. Die ontsoute water word per pyp na die ontsoute water tenk gevoer en die gekonsentreerde seewater (pekelwater) word weer in die see vrygelaat.

3. PROJEKMOTIVERING

Die uitvoer van ystererts lewer ‘n groot bydrae tot veral die Noord- en Wes-Kaapse ekonomie en die bruto binnelandse produk van Suid-Afrika. Gedurende afgelope paar jare het die internasionale aanvraag na die ystererts drasties toegeneem met gepaardgaande druk op Saldanha se ysterertshanteringsfasiliteit. Groter hoeveelhede erts genereer meer stof, as gevolg waarvan meer water vir stofvermindering gebruik moet word. Die ysterertsfasiliteite is geleë in die gebied van die Weskus Distriksmunisipaliteit, ‘n streek met beperkte waterbronne en beheerde munisipale watertoekenning. Alternatiewe waterbronne moet dus ontwikkel word om aan die huidige en toekomstige aanvraag as gevolg van stofvermindering te voorsien. Die gebruik van water uit alternatiewe bronne sal meer drinkwater beskikbaar stel vir ander gebruike in die gebied.

4. ALTERNATIEWE ‘n Uitvoerbaarheidstudie wat deur Transnet aangevra is, het gewys dat ontsoute seewater, die gehalte en koste van die water in ag genome, die geskikste bron vir water vir hierdie bepaalde doel is. Alternatiewe bronne vir water wat in die studie ondersoek is, sluit bykomstige drinkwater, herwinde riool (gesuiwerde rioolwater), grondwater, seewater en ontsoute seewater (met hulp van tru-osmose) in. As gevolg van potensiële omgewingsimpakte word ander bronne, buiten tru-osmose, nie verder gedurende hierdie OIS-proses oorweeg nie. Drie alternatiewe liggings in die Saldanhahawe word oorweeg vir die ligging van die TO-aanleg, soos aangedui in Figuur 3. Hulle is:

• Alternatief 1: Oos van die ysterertshanteringsfasiliteit. Die TO-aanleg lê dan in die omgewing van die kusduine, met pekelwaterstortingspunte in die sand op die strand en op die strand oos van die bestaande drooglêdam se keermuur. Die afgevoerde pekelwater gaan dan na die groter Saldanhabaai.

• Alternatief 2: Noord en noordwes van die ysterertshanteringsfasiliteit. Die TO-aanleg word aangebring op ‘n gebied wat tans gruis en bourommelhope bevat. As gevolg van die klein strandgebied kan seewateronttrekkings en pekelwaterstortingspunte nie ingerig word nie en toevoer- en afvoerpype moet oorweeg word. Pekelwater word in Kleinbaai uitgelaat.

• Alternatief 3: Suidelike deel van die ysterertshanteringsfasiliteit se kaai. Die TO-aanleg word opgerig op ‘n gruisgebied langs die Meerdoelkaai. Daar is geen strand in hierdie gebied nie. Seewatertoevoer en pekelwaterafvoer deur pype moet geskied pleks van onttrekkingspunte en stortingspunte. Die pekelwater sal in Kleinbaai uitgelaat word.

Figuur 2: Aanduidende komponente van ‘n TO-aanleg

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Page 3

Pyplyne en verwante infrastruktuur verskil in lengte en ligging vir elk van die alternatiewe. Die ligging van die bergingsreservoir(s) bly dieselfde, onafhanklik van die alternatiewe, d,w.s. langs die bestaande reservoir.

5. TERREINBESKRYWING

Saldanhahawe is geleë in Saldanhabaai, aan die weskus

van Suid-Afrika, ongeveer 120 km noord van Kaapstad.

Saldanhabaai is die noordelike uiteinde van ‘n groot

ingeslote marienestelsel, wat die Langebaan-strandmeer

insluit.

Elk van die drie liggings wat vir die TO-aanleg oorweeg

word, word in groter detail in Afdeling 4 beskrywe. Al drie

liggings is binne die Saldanhahawe, op eiendom in besit

van Transnet en gesoneer vir hawe-aktiwiteite.

6. WAAROM WORD ‘N BASIESE STUDIE

ONDERNEEM?

Die OIS-regulasies1 lys aktiwiteite wat as potensieel skadelik aan die omgewing geag word. Hiervolgens word ‘n Basiese Studieproses vereis. Hierin word na aktiwiteite verwys: :

• (2) Die konstruksie van grondverskuiwings-

aktiwiteite in die see of binne 100 meter bokant die hoogwatermerk van die see, ten opsigte van: (d) strandwalle; (e) stabiliseringsmure; (f) geboue en (g) infrastruktuur;

• (3) Voorkoming van vrye beweging van sand, insluitende erosie en gewasse, deur middel van die aanplant van plantegroei, plaas van sintetiese materiaal op duine en blootgelegte sandoppervlaktes binne ‘n afstand van 100 meter bokant die hoogwatermerk van die see;

• (5) Verwydering of beskadiging van inheemse plantegroei op ‘n gebied groter as 10 vierkante meter binne ‘n afstand van 100 meter bokant die hoogwatermerk van die see;

1 Basiese Studieregulasies, 2006 ingevolge die Wet op Nasionale

Omgewingsbestuur (No 107 van 1998)

Figuur 3: Alternatiewe terreine se liggings

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Page 4

• (6) Uitgrawing, verskuiwing, verwydering, stort of kompaktering van grond, sand, rots of rommel wat ‘n gebied dek wat groter is as 10 vierkante meter in die see of binne 100 meter bokant die hoogwatermerk van die see; en

• (12) Transformasie of verwydering van inheemse plantegroei van ‘n gebied groter as 3 hektaar van enige grootte waar die transformasie of verwydering plaasvind binne ‘n krities bedreigde of ‘n bedreigde ekostelsel gelys ingevolge artikel 52 van die Wet op Nasionale Omgewingsbestuur: Biodiversiteit, 2004 (Wet no 10 van 2004).

Voordat enige gelyste aktiwiteite onderneem word, word van die voorsteller (in hierdie geval Transnet Beperk) verwag om magtiging by die betrokke owerheid te kry ingevolge die Wet op Nasionale Omgewingsbestuur. Die betrokke owerheid is die Departement van Omgewingsake en Toerisme (DOT). Om aansoek te doen om die magtiging van sodanige gelyste aktiwiteite moet die voorsteller ‘n onafhanklike omgewingskonsultant (in hierdie geval PDNA/SRK) aanstel om die Basiese Studie te onderneem. Die Basiese Studie moet die owerhede van voldoende inligting oor die potensiële omgewingsimpakte en voordele van die voorgestelde aktiwiteite voorsien, sodat hulle ingeligte besluite oor die aansoek kan neem. Die voorsteller moet ook verseker dat voldoen word aan die beginsels van volhoubare ontwikkeling soos in die NEMA uiteengesit.

7. WAT IS BETROKKE BY DIE BASIESE STUDIEPROSES?

Die Basiese Studieproses bestaan uit twee stappe soos in Figuur 4 geïllustreer. Stap 1: Die eerste stap behels die voorlegging van ‘n Kennisgewing van Voorneme om ‘n Aansoek in te dien vir die voorgenome ontwikkeling. Hierdie vorm is op 25 Mei 2007 by DOT ingedien. Erkenning van Ontvangs is op 12 Junie 2007 van DOT ontvang. Hierin word aangedui dat die voorgestelde Basiese Studie kan voortgaan. Stap 2: Die volgende stap is die Basiese Studie wat die opstel en verspreiding van hierdie dokument (die AID), ‘n Basiese Konsepstudieverslag en ‘n Finale Basiese Studieverslag behels. Sodra die finale kommentaartydperk verstryk het, word die Aansoekvorm en Finale Basiese Studie (wat ‘n Openbare Kommentaarverslag insluit) aan DOT voorgelê. Hierna besluit die owerhede of die ontwikkeling voort mag gaan of nie.

Figuur 4: Diagram van die Basiese Studieproses Die doelwitte van die Basiese Studieproses is soos volg:

• Om die publiek oor die voorgestelde ontwikkeling in kennis te stel;

• Om die publiek oor die Basiese Studieproses in te lig;

• Om die publiek inligting oor die uitvoerbaarheid van die voorgestelde alternatiewe liggings vir die ontwikkeling te verskaf;

• Om die publiek die geleentheid te gee om doeltreffend aan die proses deel te neem en om relevante kwessies en kwellinge te identifiseer;

• Om die verwysingsraamwerk vir die studies wat nodig mag wees om potensiële impakte te bepaal, op te stel;

• Om te verseker dat kwessies en kwellinge van Belanghebbende en Geaffekteerde Partye (B&GPs) in die studie aangespreek word en korrek

Kennisgewing van voorneme om aansoek te doen

BASIESE STUDIE

Dokument vir Agtergrondinligting (AID)

Openbare oorsig

Spesialisstudies (indien benodig)

Basiese Konsepstudieverslag

Openbare oorsig

Finale Basiese studieverslag

Openare oorsig

Voorlegging van finale basiese studieverslag en aansoekvorm

aan owerheid

Omgewingsmagtiging / weiering van magtiging

Volgende stap

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Page 5

aangeteken in die Basiese Studie- en Openbare Kommentaarverslag verskyn;

• Om die potensiële positiewe en negatiewe van die verskillende alternatiewe liggings te bepaal; en

• Om aanbevelings te doen oor hoe die potensiële negatiewe impakte doeltreffend verminder, en die voordele verhoog, kan word.

Oorleg met die publiek, betrokke insethouergroepe en owerhede vorm ‘n belangrike deel van die Basiesestudieproses. Die openbare deelname proses bied ‘n aantal geleenthede aan B&GPs om kwessies en kwellinge te opper wat in die Basiese Studieproses aangespreek moet word.

8. PROGRAM

‘n Kennisgewing van Voorneme wat DOT van die voorgenome ontwikkeling in kennis stel, is op 25 Mei 2007 ingedien. Daar word beoog dat om die Finale Basiese Studieverslag en die Aansoekvorm in April 2008 aan DOT voor te lê. Tabel 1 som die beoogde aktiwiteite en beraamde skedule vir die proses op. Tabel 1: Verwagte program vir Basiese Studie

Taak Geskatte datums

Voorlegging van Kennisgewing van Voorneme om by DOT aansoek te doen

25 Mei 2007

Advertensies om die begin van Basiese Studie aan te kondig en B&GPs te registreer

Middel-Junie 2007

Versprei dokument oor agtergrondinligting

Middel-Junie 2007

1ste Kommentaarperiode Middel-Junie – Vroeg-Augustus 2007

Studies Middel-Junie – laat-Augustus 2007

Vrystelling van Basiese Konsepstudieverslag vir openbare oorsig

Laat-September 2007

2de Kommentaarperiode Vroeg-Oktober – Vroeg-November 2007

Openbare vergadering (indien nodig) Middel-Oktober 2007

Vrystelling van Finale Basiese Studieverslag vir openbare oorsig

Laat-November 2007

3de Kommentaartydperk Laat-November 2007 – Middel-Februarie 2008

Voorlegging van Finale Basiese Studieverslag & Aansoekvorm aan DOT

Vroeg April 2008

9. HOE KAN U BETROKKE RAAK?

PDNA/SRK GO waardeer u insette in die Basiese Studie proses. Gedurende die proses is daar verskeie maniere waarop u kan deelneem aan, en kommentaar lewer oor, die voorgestelde projek. Indien u of u organisasie op hierdie stadium in die Basiese Studieproses betrokke wil raak en verdere inligting verlang of van enige individu of organisasie weet wat graag sou wou deelneem aan die Basiesestudie proses, moet u asseblief u kontakbesonderhede vir registrasie as ‘n B&GP op ons databasis teen 6 Augustus 2007 ingedien het. Indien u verder enige voorlopige kommentaar of vrae oor die projek het nadat u hierdie dokument gelees het, stuur asseblief u skriftelike kommentaar teen 6 Augustus 2007 aan Sharon Jones of Monique Sham van die PDNA/SRK GO. SHARON JONES MONIQUE SHAM PDNA/SRK GO PDNA/SRK GO

PDNA/SRK GO p/a SRK Consulting Postnet Suite #206, Privaatsak X18 7701, RONDEBOSCH Epos: sjones@srk.co.za of msham@srk.co.za

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (BASIC ASSESSMENT) PROCESS:

PROPOSED REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT, IRON ORE HANDLING FACILITY,

PORT OF SALDANHA

BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT

SRK Project 364470/42G June 2007

1. BACKGROUND

Reducing the dust generated by the Iron Ore Handling Facility at the port of Saldanha will require increased water supplies. Transnet Limited (“Transnet”) proposes to construct a Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant at the port for the desalination of sea water to meet the increased water demand. The Port of Saldanha is located approximately 120 kilometres north of Cape Town in the Western Cape Province (see Figure 1). SRK Consulting and PD Naidoo & Associates (Pty) Ltd have been jointly appointed by Transnet (as the PDNA/SRK Joint Venture) to undertake the required Basic Assessment for the proposed Reverse Osmosis plant at the Port of Saldanha. This is an environmental assessment process required by the National Environmental Management Act No: 107 of 1998 (NEMA), as amended, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of 2006. The environmental assessment will highlight and address the potential positive and negative environmental impacts associated with the proposed RO plant. Its success depends on active public participation. This Background Information Document (BID) provides:

• a brief description of the project proposal;

• the reasons why the Basic Assessment is being undertaken;

• a description of the Basic Assessment process; and

• information on how you can participate in the Basic Assessment process.

2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Iron Ore Handling Facility at the Port of Saldanha (including the proposed upgrades to the facility) requires a total of 3600 kl of water per day. The municipality currently supplies water to the Port, but Transnet propose to supplement or possibly offset this supply with desalinated sea water. This will require the construction of a Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant.

Figure 1: Site Location Map The components of the RO plant installation include:

• An RO plant containment building (approximately 600m² surface footprint) with room for three RO modules, an electric sub station, a motor control room, a pump house, a store room, office and ablution facilities and space for parking;

• Sea water supply and brine discharge via pipelines or beach wells;

• Submersible pumps and piping for the extraction and discharge of sea water;

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Page 2

• A sea water storage tank alongside the RO building;

• A potable water storage tank alongside the RO building;

• Storage reservoir(s) totalling 5Ml, 48 hour potable water storage capacity next to the existing reservoir;

• A small service road connecting the RO building to the nearest road infrastructure; and

• All requisite electrical and communication facilities between the RO installations and the Iron Ore Handling Facility.

The basic process for the treatment of water in the proposed RO plant is discussed below (refer to figure 2): Sea water is pre-filtered through beach wells and pumped to a buffer storage tank. The salt water is then pumped at high pressure through to the RO membranes. The desalinated water is piped to the potable water tank and the concentrated sea water (brine) is released back in to the ocean through beach wells or outfall pipes.

3. PROJECT MOTIVATION

Iron ore exports are a major contributor specifically to the Northern and Western Cape economies and the gross domestic product of South Africa. International demand for iron ore increased rapidly in recent years resulting in increased exports through the Saldanha Iron Ore Handling Facility. This has resulted in an increased demand on site for the suppression of dust generated by the facility. The iron ore facility is situated within the West Coast District Municipality, a region with limited water resources and controlled municipal water allocation. Alternative water resources are therefore needed to meet present and future demands from dust mitigation activities. This will make more potable water available for other uses in the area.

4. ALTERNATIVES A Transnet feasibility study has indicated that desalinated sea water is the most appropriate source of water for the specific purpose in terms of water quality and costs. Alternative water sources investigated in the study include additional potable water, reclaimed sewage (treated effluent), groundwater, seawater and desalinated seawater (using reverse osmosis). Due to the potential environmental costs, these alternative water sources will not be considered any further by this EIA process. Three alternative locations within the Port of Saldanha are being considered for the location of the RO plant, as indicated in Figure 3. These are:

• Alternative 1: Located to the east of the Iron Ore Handling Facility. The RO plant would be situated in the vicinity of the coastal dunes, with the brine discharge wells and seawater supply wells located on the beach to the east of the existing reclamation dam stone revetment. Brine discharge would be into the larger Saldanha Bay.

• Alternative 2: Located north and northwest of the Iron Ore Handling Facility. The RO plant would be established in an area currently containing stockpiles of gravel and construction rubble. Due to the relatively small area of beach, sea water supply and brine discharge wells potentially can not be accommodated, and supply and outlet pipes would need to be considered. Brine discharge will be into the smaller Saldanha Bay.

• Alternative 3: Located on the southern section of the Quay of the Iron Ore Handling Facility. The RO plant would be positioned on a gravel area adjacent to the Multipurpose Terminal. There is no beach in this area. Sea water supply and brine discharge would need to be via pipes rather than discharge wells. Brine discharge would be into the smaller Saldanha Bay.

Figure 2: Indicative components of an RO Plant

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Page 3

Pipelines and associated infrastructure would differ in length and location for each of the alternatives. The storage reservoir(s) would be located in the same area for all three alternatives i.e. adjacent to the existing reservoir.

5. SITE DESCRIPTION

The Port of Saldanha is located in Saldanha Bay, on the

west coast of South Africa, approximately 120km north of

Cape Town. Saldanha Bay forms the northern end of a

large enclosed marine system, which includes the

Langebaan lagoon.

Each of the three sites being considered as alternatives for

the establishment of the RO Plant have been described in

more detail in Section 4. All three alternative sites are

situated within the Port of Saldanha, on property owned by

Transnet and zoned for activities associated with the port.

6. WHY IS A BASIC ASSESSMENT BEING

UNDERTAKEN?

The EIA Regulations

1 list certain activities that are

considered potentially harmful to the environment, and thus require a Basic Assessment process to be followed. In respect of the proposed RO Plant there are a number of applicable listed activities which require a Basic Assessment to be undertaken. These activities may include:

• (2) The Construction of earthmoving activities in the

sea or within 100 metres inland of the high water mark of the sea, in respect of: (d) embankments; (e) stabilising walls; (f) buildings and (g) infrastructure;

• (3) The prevention of the free movement of sand, including erosion and accretion, by means of planting vegetation, placing synthetic material on dunes and exposed sand surfaces within a distance of 100 metres inland of the high-water mark of the sea;

• (5) The removal or damaging of indigenous vegetation of more than 10 square meters within a distance of 100 metres inland of the high-water mark of the sea;

1 Basic Assessment Regulations, 2006 in terms of the National Environmental

Management Act (No 107 of 1998)

Figure 3: Alternative site locations

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Page 4

• (6) The excavation, moving, removal, depositing or compacting of soil, sand, rock or rubble covering an area exceeding 10 square metres in the sea or within 100 metres inland of the high water mark of the sea; and

• (12) The transformation or removal of indigenous vegetation of 3 hectares or more of any size where the transformation or removal would occur within a critically endangered or an endangered ecosystem listed in terms of section 52 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004).

Before undertaking any listed activity, the proponent (in this case, Transnet Limited) is required to obtain authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act from the competent authority. The competent authority is the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). To apply for the authorisation of such listed activities, the proponent must appoint an independent environmental consultant (in this case, PDNA/SRK JV) to undertake a Basic Assessment. The Basic Assessment must provide the authorities with sufficient information on the potential environmental impacts and benefits associated with the proposed activities to enable them to make an informed decision regarding the application. The proponent must also ensure that the principles of sustainable development espoused in the NEMA are adhered to.

7. WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS?

The Basic Assessment process consists of two steps as illustrated in Figure 4. Step 1: The first step is the submission of a Notice of Intent to Submit an Application for the proposed development. This form was submitted to DEAT on 25 May 2007 and acknowledgement of the receipt, indicating that the proposed Basic Assessment could proceed, was received from DEAT on 12 June 2007. Step 2: The next step is the Basic Assessment process which comprises the compilation and public review of this document (the BID), a Draft Basic Assessment Report and a Final Basic Assessment Report. Once the final comment period is complete, the Application Form and Final Basic Assessment including a Public Comment Report is submitted to DEAT, whereafter the authorities take a decision on whether the development can be authorised or not.

Figure 4: Diagram of the Basic Assessment Process The aims of the Basic Assessment process are to:

• Notify the public of the proposed development;

• Inform the public about the Basic Assessment process;

• Provide the public with information about feasible conceptual development alternatives for the site;

• Provide the public with the opportunity to participate effectively in the process and identify relevant issues and concerns;

• Develop the Terms of Reference for specialist studies which may be required to assess potential impacts;

• Ensure that the issues and concerns of Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) are addressed in the assessment and are accurately recorded and reflected in the Basic Assessment and Public Comments Reports;

• Assess the potential positive and negative impacts associated with the proposed land-use options for the site; and

Notice of Intent to Apply

BASIC ASSESSMENT

Background Information Document (BID)

Public Review

Specialist Studies (if required)

Draft BA Report

Public Review

Final BA Report

Public Review

Submission of Final BA and Application form to Authority

Environmental Authorisation / Refusal of Authorisation

NEXT STEP

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Page 5

• Make recommendations as to how the potential negative impacts can be effectively mitigated and the benefits enhanced.

Consultation with the public, relevant stakeholder groups and authorities forms a critical part of the Basic Assessment process. The public participation process provides all I&APs with a number of opportunities to raise issues and concerns that should be addressed in the Basic Assessment process.

8. PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES

A Notice of Intent notifying DEAT of the proposed development was submitted on 25 May 2007. It is envisaged that the Final Basic Assessment report and Application Form will be submitted to DEAT in April 2008. Table 1 outlines the envisaged activities and approximate timing for the process. Table 1: Anticipated Programme for the Basic Assessment

Task Approximate Dates

Submission of Notice of Intent to Apply to DEAT

25 May 2007

Advertisements to announce commencement of Basic Assessment and register I&APs

Mid June 2007

Distribution of Background Information Document

Mid June 2007

1st Comment Period Mid June – Early August 2007

Specialist studies Mid June – late August 2007

Release of Draft Basic Assessment Report for public review

Late September 2007

2nd Comment Period Early October – Early November 2007

Public Meeting (if required) Mid October 2007

Release of Final Basic Assessment Report for public review

Late November 2007

3rd Comment Period Late November 2007 – Mid February 2008

Submit final Basic Assessment Report & Application Form to DEAT

Early April 2008

9. HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

PDNA/SRK JV would value your input into the Basic Assessment process. There are a number of ways in which you will be able to participate in, and comment on, the proposed project throughout the process. At this stage if you or your organisation would like to be involved in the Basic Assessment process and receive further information, or know of any individual or organisation who would like to participate in the Basic Assessment process, please submit your contact details for registration as an I&AP on our database, by the 6 August 2007. Additionally, if you have any preliminary comments or questions regarding the project following the review of this document, please submit your comments, in writing, to Sharon Jones or Monique Sham of PDNA/SRK Joint Venture, by 6 August 2007. SHARON JONES MONIQUE SHAM PDNA/SRK JV PDNA/SRK JV

PDNA/SRK Joint Venture c/o SRK Consulting Postnet Suite #206, Private Bay X18 7701, RONDEBOSCH Tel: (021) 659 3060, Fax: (021) 685 7105 Email: sjones@srk.co.za or

Indien u ‘n Afrikaanse kopie van hierdie dokument benodig, kontak ons asseblief onmiddell ik.

Name Organization Address1 Address2 Address3 Code Email Phone Fax Mobile

Ah Shene, Carolyn Birdlife South Africa Lewis House

239 Barkston Drive

Blairgowrie, Johannesburg

2194 advocacy@birdlife.org.za 011 789 1122 011 789 5188 082 776 8333

Anton Wolfaardt CapeNature 12 Station Street

Darling 7345 awolfaardt@capenature.co.za 0224923528 0865289648 0824454091

Antonio Manuel Cardoso De Lima Net Fish Right Holder P.O. Box 127

Saldanha Bay 7395 022 714 2442 022 714 2442 082 871 4566

Brand, Hein PetroSA P O Box 117

Saldanha 7395 heinbrand@petrosa.co.za 022 703 6202 022 703 6229 082 522 4498

Carruthers, Hugh Gordon PO Box 568 Langebaan 7357 hugh@lbyc.co.za 022 772 1945 084 948 8790

Carstens, JC Saldanha Primary School

P O Box 30 Saldanha 7395 jcc@imaginet.co.za 082 925 7387

Coetzee, Fanie Franette Vervoer debbosblom@telkomsa.net De Villiers, Daniel Saldanha Bay

Municipality Private Bag X12

Vredenburg 7380 daanv@saldanhabay.co.za 022 701 7051 022 715 1101 083 652 8186

Duckitt, Mr. Mark Cape Lowlands Environmental Services

PO Box 70 Darling 7345 mduckitt@cles.co.za 022 492 3435 022 492 3435 076 851 0476

Eichstadt, Larry Resource Management Services

PO Box 4296

Durbanville 7551 larry@rmsenviro.co.za 021-9757396 021-9757396 082 4442630

Engledow, SallyAnne Resource Management Services

P O Box 4296

Durbanville 7551 sally@rmsenviro.co.za 021 975 7396 021 975 1373

Fabricius, Mr. Piet West Coast District Municipality

P O Box 242

Moorreesburg 7310 pietf@saldanhabay.co.za 022 713 5950 022 713 5952 082 337 6131

Fatuse, Headman Elukuselweni Transport

47 Karp Street

White City Saldanha 7395 022 714 2564

Gaffley, Lindsey Saldanha Bay Municipality Town Planning

LindseyG@saldanhabay.co.za 022 701 7000 022 715 1101

Geeringh, John DEAT JGeeringh@deat.gov.za 012 310 3491 012 320 7539 Giliomee, Prof. JH. Omgewingsmoniterings

komitee Saldanhabaaihawe

1 Rowan Street

Stellenbosch 7602 jhg@sun.ac.za 021 808 2718 021 808 2405 072 432 4666

Goosen, Johan PAWC Department of Health

Jgoosen@pgwc.gov.za 027 213 4070 027 213 4315

Name Organization Address1 Address2 Address3 Code Email Phone Fax Mobile

Harrison, Keith West Coast Bird Club 1 Hofmeyer Street

Vredenburg 7380 keithhbharrison@lando.co.za 022 713 3026 022 713 3026

Johannes Ernest De La Guerra Net Fish Right Holder No. 9 10de Laan Saldanha 7395 022 714 1965 073 521 6545

Julyan, Andrew Spoornet Iron Ore Line

Private Bag X11

Vredenburg 7380 andrewj@spoornet.co.za 022 703 3568 022 703 3480 083 284 6739

Jumat, Mogamat Zain Deputy Director, Coastal Management

Private Bag X9086

Cape Town 8000 zjumat@pgwc.gov.za 021 483 2889 021 483 4527 0844023030

Kewana, Z. MCM Head of Saldanha

zkewana@deat.gov.za 022 714 1710 022 714 3996

Kloppers, Wilna Dept of Water Affairs and Forestry

Private Bag x16

Sanlamhof 7532 Wilna@dwaf.gov.za 021 950 7141 021 950 7224 082 807 6191

Lawrence, Raphael Mandla Holdings 20 De Visch Street

Saldanha 7395 raphaell@telkomsa.net 022 714 0888 022 714 0888 082 644 6981

Lewis, Graham Cape Nature Saldanha Area

glewis@capenature.co.za 082 445 5288

Linde, Hans DEA&DP Private Bag X9086

1 Dorp Street Cape Town 8000 Hlinde@pgwc.gov.za 021 483 2891 021 483 4425

Loebenberg, Ms. W. Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve

P O Box 283

Darling Western Cape 7345 info@capebiosphere.co.za 022 492 2750 022 492 2750

LT CDR R.L. Uys Military Academy Private Bag X2

Saldanha 7395 Louw@ma2.sun.ac.za 022 702 3151 022 702 3060 082 411 0101

Malan, Niel Dept of Environmental Affairs and Tourism MCM

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Roggebaai 8012 dmalan@deat.gov.za 021 402 3021 021 402 3009 082 574 9807

Malherbe, Charles West Coast District Municipality

PO Box 242 Moorreesburg 7310 cjmalherbe@wcdm.co.za 022 433 8400 022 433 8484

Maritz, Pierre Saldanha Bay Municipality

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Vredenburg 7380 pierrem@saldanhabay.co.za 022 701 7113 022 715 1304 083 252 3160

Metcalfe, Lyndon National Ports Authority

Private Bag X1

Saldanha 7395 lyndonm@npa.co.za 022 701 4338 022 714 2285 082 405 2811

Mgoqi, Vivid Saldanha Bay Local Municipality

5 Dageraad Street

White City Saldanha 7395 vivid.mgoqi@saldanhabay.co.za 022 713 5666 082 553 9795

Miessenheiner, Helene P O Box 1446

Vredenburg 7380 helene.miessenheiner@media24.com

072 149 1969

Mokolo, Dineo DEA&DP Private Bag X9086

Cape Town 8000q

Dimokolo@pgwc.gov.za 021 483 5827 021 483 4372

Naude, Gerhard PetroSA PO Box 117 Saldanha 7395 gerhardnaude@petrosa.co.za 022 703 6203 022 703 6229 082 496 5628

Name Organization Address1 Address2 Address3 Code Email Phone Fax Mobile

Palmer, N.G. PAWC Cape Nature Conservation

Private Bag X5014

Stellenbosch 7599

Paul Seward DWAF Private Bag X16

Sanlamhof 7532 SewardP@dwaf.gov.za 021 950 7268 021 950 7150

Peterson, Yazeed DEAT: Marine and Coastal Management

Private Bag X2

Rogoe Bay Cape Town 8012 ypeterson@deat.gov.za 021 402 3185 021 407 3009 0835303127

Rothenburg, Mr. Mike Posbus 1547

Saldanha 7395 mikean@imaginet.co.za 022 714 3624 022 714 3624 076 976 7321

Schlettwein, Natasha Namakwa Sands P O Box 435

Vredenburg 7380 nschlettwein@namakwa.co.za 022 701 3133 022 701 3075 083 565 1108

Schrauwen, Yntze Velddrift Salt Company (Pty) Ltd

P O Box 166

Velddrif 7365 yntze@telkomsa.net 022 783 0942 022 733 0415 083 650 8888

September, Bewin Heritage Western Cape

Private Bag X9067

Cape Town 8000 bseptemb@pgwc.gov.za 021-4839691

Silbernagl, Wally Dept. Transport & Public Works: Roads

P O Box 2603

9 Dorp Street Cape Town 8000 wsilbern@pgwc.gov.za 021 483 2170 021 483 2205

Smit, Jan Department of Agriculture: Western Cape

Private Bag X1

Elsenburg 7607 JanS@elsenburg.com 021 8085093 021 8085092

Smith, Walter Posbus 328 Darling 7357 waltersm@spoornet.co.za 022 772 1001 022 703 3480 083 256 3376

Steyn, Naude Botanical Society, West Coast Branch

PO Box 356 Langebaan 7357 022 772 1076

Teale, Antony Langedag and Langebaan Beach Groups

P O Box 208

Langebaan 7375 cwcsa@intekom.co.za 022 772 1114 022 772 1115 082 658 1114

Theron, Wade MCM Regional Manager

wtheron@deat.gov.za 0227141710 0227143997 082 771 8910

Titus, Wilfred Saldnha Bay Municipality

Private Bag X12

Vredenburg 7380 wilfredt@saldanhabay.co.za 022 701 7091 022 715 1304 083 304 4048

Van Ballegooyen, Roy CSIR P O Box 320

Stellenbosch 7599 rvballeg@csir.co.za 021 888 2575 021 888 2693 082 293 9380

van den Berg, Coenraad J. Langebaan Bel.betalers & Inwoners Vereniging

Posbus 672 Langebaan 7357 022 772 2961 083 703 3061

Van Litsenborgh, Pieter West Coast Region pieter@deat.gov.za 082 829 3910

Name Organization Address1 Address2 Address3 Code Email Phone Fax Mobile

Walsh, Jimmy Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve

35 Heuningbos Close

Myburgh Park Langebaan 7357 plattnergm@mweb.co.za 022 772 1673 072 327 0075

Walsh, Sean Colin Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve

35 Heuningbosslot

Myburgh Park Langebaan 7357 hilltopcottage@telkomsa.net/ plattnergm@mweb.co.za

072 327 0075

Williams, Dr. Tony UCT Tony.Williams@uct.co.za

The BirdLife South Africa Branch on the West Coast Peninsula. 1 Hofmeyer Street, Vredenburg, 7380. 01.08.07 Re – Reverse Osmosis Plant for Iron Ore Handling Facility Port of Saldanha. Dear Sharon Jones, Thank you for sending the information to me. Please register the West Coast Bird Club as an I&AP. For an additional daily requirement of 3,600 kl fresh water per day,

desalination is the only route on the West Coast. However I have two questions:- 1. Will there be designed into the project additional capacity to supply the

surrounding port area and community as well?

2. The brine discharged (presumably triple strength?) will have had a considerable energy input. Why discharge this into the sea? Could commercial salt pans be developed inland to utilise it. This would also benefit the birds as a night roost like the Berg River Pans and also tourism?

Keith Harrison, (West Coast Bird Club - Conservation)

The Western Cape Nature Conservation Board trades as CapeNature

Board Members: Prof Mohammed Bayat, Mr Mark Botha, Mr Christopher Clarke, Mr Russell du Plessis, Ms Fikiswa Fesi,

Mr Elton Jefthas, Adv Mandla Mdludlu, Ms Yasmina Pandy, Mr Hoosain Kagee, Ms Nomtha N Dilima, Mr Frederick Orban

Sharon Jones and Monique Sham PDNA/SRK JV e-mail: sjones@srk.co.za, msham@srk.co.za Dear Sharon

Proposed reverse osmosis plant, iron ore handling facility, Port of Saldanha: inputs

from CapeNature on the BID

CapeNature would like to thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposed

activity and wish to make the following inputs.

Our main concerns about the proposal relate to the discharges into the greater Saldanha

Bay – Langebaan lagoon system. This system is a RAMSAR site, a Marine Protected Area

and forms part of the West Coast National Park. It is world renowned for its avifauna,

which is attracted to the area due to the diversity and integrity of habitats provided by the

system. Large discharges of brine are considered to be especially dangerous if they enter

closed systems, which is essentially the case with the Saldanha Bay – Langebaan lagoon

system. Given the importance of this system, and the fact that it is effectively a closed

system and consequently more susceptible to pollution discharges, it is crucial that a

cautious, risk-averse approach is adopted.

Internationally, discharges of wastewater brine have been shown to increase local salinity

and to reduce oxygen levels. These effects have in turn been shown to have a negative

impact on benthic fauna – a critical component of the Saldanha Bay – Langebaan lagoon

system.

Scientific Services

postal 12 Stasie Straat, Darling 7345

website www.capenature.co.za enquiries Anton Wolfaardt

telephone +27 22 492 3528 fax 0865289648 email awolfaardt@capenature.co.za

reference SSD 14/2/6/1/8/4_Saldanha_Port date 6 August 2007

Discharges may also contain heavy metals due to corrosion of the plant. Further, anti-

fouling, anti-scaling, anti-corrosion and anti-foaming additives, chlorine and various acids

are all commonly applied in pre-treatment stages to extent the working life of the plant.

Discharges of any of these agents are likely to have negative impacts on the receiving

environment.

The cumulative impacts of the discharges, and possible bio-magnification over time, are

especially concerning. There is often a time-lag before negative impacts can be

demonstrated, and because the technology is relatively new, there have been no adequate

assessments of the long-term environmental impacts.

It is therefore of crucial importance that a rigorous assessment of the potential impacts is

carried out to inform the decision-making process. We strongly recommend that a

specialist with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Saldanha Bay - Langebaan

lagoon system is appointed to carry out the assessment. The assessment should

investigate inter alia the potential impacts on water quality, benthic fauna, and the avi-

fauna as well as the system as a whole. The assessment should also rigorously assess

the potential accumulative effects of the discharges. It is our view that, given the

international importance of the Saldanha Bay – Langebaan Lagoon system, any

uncertainty regarding the potential impacts would represent a fatal flaw to the process.

For your use, I have included below a selection of references on the subject that would be

useful to consult. CapeNature reserves the right to revise initial comments and request

further information based on any additional information that might be received.

Yours sincerely

Anton Wolfaardt For: Manager (Scientific Services)

cc. Sam Ralston (CapeNature)

The Western Cape Nature Conservation Board trades as CapeNature

Board Members: Prof Mohammed Bayat, Mr Mark Botha, Mr Christopher Clarke, Mr Russell du Plessis, Ms Fikiswa Fesi,

Mr Elton Jefthas, Adv Mandla Mdludlu, Ms Yasmina Pandy, Mr Hoosain Kagee, Ms Nomtha N Dilima, Mr Frederick Orban

REFERENCES

AHMED M, SHAYYA WH, HOEY D, MAHENDRAN A, MORRIS R & AL-HANDALY

J. 2000. Use of evaporation ponds for brine disposal in desalination plants.

Desalination 130: 155-168.

AREIQAT A & MOHAMED KA 2005. Optimization of the negative impact of power

and desalination plants on the ecosystem. Desalination 185: 95-103.

CAMPBELL RL & JONES AT 2005. Appropriate disposal of effluent from coastal;

desalination facilities. Desalination 182: 365-372.

EINAV R, HARUSSI K & PERRY D. 2003. The footprint of the desalination process on

the environment. Desalination 152: 141-154.

GIAMMONA CP & DARNELL RM 1990. Environmental effects of the strategic

petroleum reserve program on Louisiana continental shelf communities.

American Zoologist 30: 37-43.

HOPNER T & WINDELBERG J. 1997. Elements of environmental impact studies on

coastal desalination plants. Desalination 108: 11-18.

HOEPNER T 1999. A procedure for environmental impact assessments (EIA) for

seawater desalination plants. Desalination 124: 1-12.

HOEPNER T & LATTEMAN S. 2002. Chemical impacts from seawater desalination

plants – a case study of the northern Red Sea. Desalination 152: 133-140.

MEERGANZ VON MEDEAZZA GL. 2005. “Direct” and socially-induced

environmental impacts of desalination. Desalination 185: 57-70.

MIRI R & CHOUIKI A 2005. Ecotoxicological marine impacts from seawater

desalination plants. Desalination 182: 403-410.

MOHAMEDD KA, ODEH M & AREIQAT A. 2005. Environmental impact assessment

on a plant located inside a lagoon. Desalination 185: 45-56.

PURNAMA A, AL-BARWANI HH & SMITH R. 2005. Calculating the environmental

cost of seawater desalination in the Arabian marginal seas. Desalination 185:

79-86.

Dr Williams Brine

1 Dredging & blasting 1.1 Dredging will disturb sediments including heavy metals and other pollutants which will potentially enter the lagoon system. This is inevitable but difficult to quantify and impacts depend upon hydrological dynamics applicable at the time of dredging 1.2 Dumping of the dredged material will cause localized pollution either at sea or on land. The impacts depend on where the material is dumped. If at sea it depends on the hydrological dynamics and the sensitivity of marine life in, near, and downstream, of the dump area. 1.3.1 Blasting during the previous development stage caused the death of many seabirds (Cooper

report in 1995). It will also disturb sediments with similar effects to 1.1 2 Iron ore dust Iron is a limited nutrient in seawater and additions of iron can lead to algal blooming including the development of red tides. This linkage has been established in California. I have a thick file of literature on this topic. 3 Iron dust pollution along the Orex line Specifically off Baboon Point iron dust will cause, or enhance, the occurrence of harmful algal blooms. 4 Desalination plant Discharges of brine will increase local salinity and reduce oxygen levels, especially impacting benthic fauna. Wastewater brine must be disposed of in an ecologically sound and economically feasible manner. Currently engineers lack adequate tools for predicting the fate of brine underflows in coastal waters. The long-term disposal of brine into an enclosed system, such as Saldanha Bay/ Langebaan Lagoon, is considered environmentally negative. A desalination plant should only be situated on an open coast. Discharges will contain heavy metals due to corrosion in the plant, it is also likely to contain:

• anti-fouling, anti-scaling, anti-corrosion and anti-foaming additives, chlorine, acids: all commonly applied in pre-treatment stages to prolong the working life of the plant.

• heat all these have potential negative impacts on the receiving environment. Since the technology is relatively new there have been no adequate assessments of the longer-term environmental impacts. Massive discharge of brine into an enclosed system is considered especially dangerous Noise pollution due to the high pressure pumps needed Increased use of energy Negative socio-economic attitudes towards water conservation

Monique Sham

From: Smit, Jan [JanS@elsenburg.com]

Sent: 28 June 2007 06:55 PM

To: msham@srk.co.za

Subject: FW: 035 - Vredeburg

Follow Up Flag: Follow up

Flag Status: Completed

Page 1 of 2

05/02/2008

Jan Smit Grondgebruiksbestuur Departement Landbou: Wes-Kaap Tel: 021 8085093 Fax: 021-8085092

From: Smit, Jan

Sent: 28 June 2007 06:54 PM

To: Arai, Zaibu; Smit, Jan; Alie Van Jaarsveld

Cc: msham@skr.co.za

Subject: 035 - Vredeburg PD Naidoo and Associates & SRK JV Your ref: 364470/42G Our ref: 20/9/2/2/11/35 Dear Sharon Jones & Monique Sham PROPOSED REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT: IRON ORE HANDLING FACILITY: PORT OF SALDANHA PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS Your E-mail of 14 June 2007 has reference. In the Site Description it is stated that:

� "All three alternatives sites are situated within the Port of Saldanha, on property owned by Transnet and zoned for activities associated with the port."

The Department of Agriculture: Western Cape has no objections in terms of land use for the purpose of agriculture to the proposed construction of a Reverse Osmosis plant to supplement the water supply with desalinated sea water. Yours sincerely A Roux No copies: Jan Smit Grondgebruiksbestuur Departement Landbou: Wes-Kaap Tel: 021 8085093 Fax: 021-8085092

Attention: The legal status of this communication is governed by the terms and conditions published at the following link: http://www.elsenburg.com/emailterms.html Aandag: Die wettigheid van hierdie kommunikasie word bepaal deur die terme en voorwaardes soos bepaal in the volgende verwysing: http://www.elsenburg.com/eposterme.html Qaphela: Ubulunga obusemthetheni bolu thungelwano bulawulwa yimigago nemiqathango epapashwe kweli khonkco lilandelayo http://www.elsenburg.com/iemailterms.html

Page 2 of 2

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1

Monique Sham

From: Sharon Jones [sjones@srk.co.za]Sent: 21 January 2008 01:27 PMTo: 'Monique Sham'Subject: FW: Proposed reverse osmosis plant

-----Original Message-----From: JC Carstens [mailto:jcc@imaginet.co.za]Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 9:51 PMTo: sjones@srk.co.zaSubject: Proposed reverse osmosis plant

Re: ROP, Iron ore port Saldanha

I want to register as an interested party.J.C. Carstens Saldanha Primary School Saldanhae-mail: jcc@imaginet.co.zaCell: 082 925 7387Saldanha Primary SchoolBox 30Saldanha7395

Preliminary commentsIn its long term planning Portnet indicated the claiming of land to build jetties in the region of site no.1 and no.2

Site2 and 3 will have a serious negative effect if brine is pumped back, because of the effectec the higher sal concentration will have on what is left of marine life in that area. The circulation of water in small bay is not very good (info from research of the Saldanha Bay Water Quality Forum)

Site1 is better suited, because the waveaction and the size of Big bay will minimise the effect of the higher salt concentration. This site, however, have a problem of a shifting beach. Pipes running from and into the water can be affected by strong water/storms, as the beach get washed away /build up again over time.

Site1 will also be less visible from either Saldanha or Langebaan.Site1 will also be less affected by a possible oilspill then Site3 or 2.

Site2 used to be a sacrificial beach to catch an oil spill.(PetroSA should be able to advice on this) This waterarea is very shallow. A jetty being build here will create its own problems.

Site3 has an immediate deeper channel to pump water from, or to discharge brine into.That small beach also shifts with strong water. This seems to be the safest place, but with a longer distance from the iron ore handling facility.

Preliminary questionsWhat is the salinity of the brine?Will the brine be pumped back into the surface layer of water or into deeper water?Will the brine have a lesser effect if discharged at a depth of, lets say+-10m, than into the surface layer?

An important question (for me)Re:The photo used, indicating the three sites: where can I get hold of this photo - preferably electronic(email)or a hardcopy?I am a diver (spearfishing) and angler and have dived all these areas intensively over the past 20 years. I am interested in the forming and movement of sandbanks/bars over the years. It also help me plan possible hunting/angling areas.

RegardsJC Carstens

Monique Sham

From: Monique Sham [msham@srk.co.za]

Sent: 21 January 2008 02:08 PM

To: Monique Sham

Subject: FW: SRKProject 364470/42G RO Plant @ SBay Portnet

Page 1 of 2

05/02/2008

From: Mark Duckitt [mailto:mduckitt@cles.co.za]

Sent: 14 June 2007 09:28 PM

To: Christelle Van Der Merwe Corporate JHB; Conrad Steenkamp

Cc: Walsh Jim (home); Martin Halvorsen; 'Cape Biosphere'

Subject: SRKProject 364470/42G RO Plant @ SBay Portnet Your BiD document just to hand No email address reflected for SRK/PDNA Query Can this possibly be a basic assessment only? Surely GNR387 is activated by any of the 7 listed EIA trigger activities following? 1(e) release of effluent or waste 1(f) handling of waste –50 tons or more daily (brine /caustic) 1(g) final disposal of h:h waste (caustic) 1 (n) transfer 20000cumecs water between impoundments per day 1(p) treatment of waste water /effluent ---with annual capacity of 15 000 cumecs or more 9( c ) Construction in inter tidal and sub tidal zones to entrap sand 9(h) structures for draining parts of the sea Please revert by return of email to clarify your position / take rgds Mark Duckitt Cape Lowlands Environmental Services P.O.Box 70 Darling 7345 Tel/Fax:+27 022 492 3435 DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this communication is subject to copyright and intended only for the use of ellen.campbell@transnetprojects.net. Unauthorised use, disclosure, or copying is strictly prohibited. Should a virus infection occur as a result of this communication the sender will not be liable. If you have received this communication in error, please notify christelle.vandermerwe@transnet.net.

This e-mail has been scanned and cleared by MailMarshal from Marshal Ltd

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this communication is subject to copyright and is for the intended recipients only. Unauthorized use, disclosure, or copying is strictly prohibited. Should a virus infection occur as a result of this communication the sender will not be liable. If you have recieved this communication in error, please notify Ellen.Campbell@transnetprojects.net.

Page 2 of 2

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1

PDNA/SRK Ref. (364470/42G) DEAT Application Number: 12/12/20/958 22 June 2007 Mark Duckitt Cape Lowlands Environmental Services P.O. Box 70 Darling 7345 Dear Mr Duckitt

PROPOSED REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT, IRON ORE HANDLING FACILITY PORT OF SALDANHA

Your email dated 14 June 2007 refers. We must apologise for omitting our email addresses from the Background Information Document (BID) transmitted on 14 June 2007. Should you wish to contact us directly via email you can contact Sharon Jones at sjones@srk.co.za or Monique Sham at msham@srk.co.za. After rigorous examinations of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations and the Listed Activities PDNA/SRK JV submitted a Notice of Intent to Submit a Basic Assessment Application to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) on 25 May 2007. The activities triggering a Basic Assessment (GN R386) included the following:

• 2 (d), (e), (f) & (g) – Construction of earthmoving activities in the sea or within 100 metres inland of the high water mark of the sea, in respect of: (d) embankments; (e) stabilising walls; (f) buildings and (g) infrastructure.

• 3 – The prevention of the free movement of sand, including erosion and accretion, by means of planting vegetation, placing synthetic material on dunes and exposed sand surfaces within a distance of 100 metres inland of the HWM of the sea.

• 5 - The removal or damaging of indigenous vegetation of more than 10m2 within a distance of 100m inland of the HWM of the sea.

• 6 - The excavation, moving, removal, depositing or compacting of soil, sand, rock or rubble covering an area exceeding 10m2 in the sea or within a distance of 100m inland of the HWM of the sea.

• 12 - The transformation or removal of indigenous vegetation of 3 hectares or more or of any size where the transformation or removal would occur within a critically endangered or an endangered ecosystem listed in terms of section 52 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act no 10 of 2004).

A letter acknowledging receipt of the Notice of Intent to submit a Basic Assessment was received from DEAT on 12 June 2007. This letter stated that PDNA/SRK JV may proceed with the process to submit a Basic Assessment Report, thus indicating that a full EIA process would not be required, and assigned a reference number to the application (12/12/20/958).

2

All activities requiring a Full Assessment (G R387), including those listed in your email, were considered in the initial phases of the application and were assessed as not applicable. Below we have provided a brief discussion of the applicability of each of the listed activities referred to in your e-mail: (1) The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for (e) any process or activity which requires a permit or license in terms of legislation governing the generation or release of emissions, pollution, effluent or waste and which is not identified in Government Notice No. R. 386 of 2006; Based on PDNA/SRK’s understanding of the proposed project, project information provided by the applicant, as well as DEAT’s response to the Notice of Intent to Submit a Basic Assessment, it is not anticipated that the proposed Reverse Osmosis Plant will release any effluent or waste for which a permit is required. In addition, initial discussions with DEAT’s Marine and Coastal Management department (MCM) indicated that the release of brine into the sea will not require a permit from them. (1) The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for (f) the recycling, re-use, handling, temporary storage or treatment of general waste with a throughput capacity of 50 tons or more daily average measured over a period of 30 days; No general waste, or waste of any other nature will go through the reverse osmosis process. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) specifically defines general waste as “waste that does not pose an immediate threat to man or to the environment, i.e. household waste, builders rubble, garden waste, dry industrial and commercial waste. It may, however, with decomposition, infiltration and percolation produce leachate with an unacceptable pollution potential.” (1) The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for (g) the use, recycling, handling, treatment, storage or final disposal of hazardous waste; There is no hazardous waste associated with the Reverse Osmosis process. Discharge associated with the Reverse Osmosis plant is limited to the disposal of returned seawater with a higher salinity than that extracted. A small amount of solid waste may be produced during the construction phase of the project, as well as a small amount of domestic waste during the operational phase (due to associated offices). Some waste may be produced as a result of cleaning of the membranes, although this would be very small quantities and is not deemed hazardous. DEA&DP defines hazardous waste as “waste other than radioactive waste, which is legally defined as hazardous in the state in which it is generated, transported or disposed of. The definition is based on the chemical reactivity or toxic, explosive, corrosive or other characteristics which cause, or are likely to cause, danger to health or to the environment, whether alone or when in contact with other waste.” (1) The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for (n) the transfer of 20 000 cubic metres or more water between water catchments or impoundments per day;

Comment [s1]: An RO plant with no effluent or waste? H:H materials are often used to clean pumps/filters etc H;h additives are often added to 'lubricate' the system to reduce wear and tear Is brine (concentrated sea water not waste?

Comment [s2]: ok

3

No water will be transferred between water catchments or impoundments. Water will be abstracted from the sea, for use at the Iron Ore Handling Facility after passing through the RO plant. It is anticipated that the volume of sea water to be extracted per day will equal 9000m³ per day. (1) The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for (p) the treatment of effluent, wastewater or sewage with an annual throughput capacity of 15 000 cubic metres or more; The Reverse Osmosis Plant will utilise sea water, not treat effluent, wastewater or sewage as per this regulation. DEA&DP defines effluent as referring to “human excreta, domestic sludge, domestic wastewater, grey water or waste water resulting from the commercial or industrial use of water” and defines wastewater as “water containing waste, or water that has been in contact with waste material”. (9) Construction or earth moving activities in the sea or within 100 metres inland of the high-water mark of the sea, excluding an activity listed in item 2 of Government Notice No. R. 386 of 2006 but including construction or earth moving activities in respect of (c) inter- and sub-tidal structures for entrapment of sand; The Reverse Osmosis Plant will not include any inter- or sub-tidal structures for the entrapment of sand. Item 2 of Government Notice No. R386 of 2006 is however triggered in terms of construction or earthmoving activities in the sea or within 100 metres inland of the high water mark of the sea. This activity is therefore not applicable as it excludes activities identified within GR 386. (9) Construction or earth moving activities in the sea or within 100 metres inland of the high-water mark of the sea, excluding an activity listed in item 2 of Government Notice No. R. 386 of 2006 but including construction or earth moving activities in respect of (h) structures for draining parts of the sea; The abstraction of water from the sea does not constitute draining parts of the sea. Therefore this section does not apply. In conclusion, all Listed Activities in terms of both Government Notices R 386 and R 387 were considered in the initial phase and it was determined that a Basic Assessment would be required. The Notice of Intent to submit an Application (Basic Assessment) was subsequently accepted by DEAT, and this process will therefore be followed. Yours sincerely Sharon Jones Monique Sham Project Manager Environmental Consultant PDNA/SRK JV PDNA/SRK JV CC. DEAT and DEA&DP

Transnet Projects

Comment [s3]: see 1st note above re H:H and H;H wastes small quantities renders no waste non H:H! WE will require full technical specs of such plant to be subjected to peer / engineering & scientific scrutiny

Comment [s4]: noted

Comment [s5]: noted

Comment [s6]: Noted but not satisfied Beaches are not water sources/ fountains/wetlands No other authority will allow private enterprise to effect such we would care to suggest Again lets see your designs specs

Comment [s7]: Only you would believe what you have written! WE ill get the language interpreted by a proficient language specialist/lawyer

Comment [s8]: DEAT have heard the case for the prosecution only! we will engage via process

Comment [s9]: Please advise what you will do with the waste water --others will call it brine MCM tell us you can only abstract from water 30meters in depth or more and discharge into an open as opposed to closed system S Bay is a closed system

Monique Sham

From: mike rothenburg [mikean@imaginet.co.za]

Sent: 14 June 2007 11:12 AM

To: 'Monique Sham'

Subject: RE: Proposed Reverse Osmosis Plant Environmental Impact Assessment Process

Follow Up Flag: Follow up

Flag Status: Completed

Attachments: Registration form.pdf

Page 1 of 2

05/02/2008

Dear Monique Thank you for the information. I’m attaching my registration form. My only comment at this time would be on the return of brine to the bay. My concern would be that this could increase the salinity of the bay. I’m sure this key aspect will be addressed and is something I will take an interest in. I like the idea and feel that a RO plant would solve the water problem in an acceptable manner. Regards Mike Rothenburg Office +27 22 714 3624 Mobile +27 076 976 7921

From: Monique Sham [mailto:msham@srk.co.za] Sent: 14 June 2007 08:40 AM Cc: machoy@iafrica.com; machoy@iafrica.com; magenthranr@npa.co.za; magmoedm@pdna.co.za; marcellevb@dsp.co.za; marilene@sefsa.co.za; mark@ecoserv.com; martiensv@saldanhabay.co.za; martin@iafrica.com; martynw@pdna.co.za; Max.Clark@transnetprojects.net; mduckitt@cles.co.za;

duckswc@wcaccess.co.za; mdyssel@uwc.ac.za; metsal@imaginet.co.za; michaelT@saldanhabay.co.za; mike@sianalytics.co.za; mikean@imaginet.co.za; mikeg@protekoncape.co.za; mikethurgood@yebo.co.za; miriamt@npa.co.za; mkedzie@pgwc.gov.za; mntene@deat.gov.za; moors@telkomsa.net; morgan.s@telkomsa.net; msimelelos@saportops.co.za; msimelelos@saportops.co.za; mspocter@parliament.gov.za; mun@saldanhabay.co.za; mwkoenze@mweb.co.za

Subject: Proposed Reverse Osmosis Plant Environmental Impact Assessment Process Importance: High Dear Stakeholder

PROPOSED REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT, IRON ORE HANDLING FACILITY PORT OF SALDANHA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS Notice is hereby given of a public participation process in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations 2006, published in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA). Transnet Limited is proposing to construct a reverse osmosis desalination plant at the Iron Ore Handling Facility situated at the Port of Saldanha. The proposed reverse osmosis plant includes a number of activities listed in terms of the NEMA EIA Regulations, and a Basic Assessment (BA) will therefore be undertaken for the proposed

development in order to assess the potential impacts of the proposed reverse osmosis plant. Please see the enclosed Background Information Document (BID) for further information on the proposed project. SRK Consulting and P.D. Naidoo & Associates (Pty) Ltd have been jointly appointed (as the PDNA/SRK JV) to undertake the BA for the proposed project. Should you require additional information or would like to comment on the proposed project, please contact Sharon Jones or Monique Sham of SRK Consulting at Postnet Suite #206, Private Bag X18, Rondebosch, 7701; Fax: (021) 685 7105, Tel: (021) 659 3060 or sjones@srk.co.za or msham@srk.co.za. If you have any preliminary comments or questions regarding the project after you have reviewed the BID, please submit your comments, in writing, by 6 August 2007. Should you want to register as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) for this study, please complete the enclosed registration form and return to PDNA/SRK at the contact details provided. Please note that only Registered I&APs will be notified of future meetings and opportunities to provide comment on relevant documentation. We look forward to hearing from you in this regard. Yours sincerely Sharon Jones Monique Sham Project Manager Environmental Consultant PDNA/SRK JV PDNA/SRK JV

Page 2 of 2

05/02/2008

Monique Sham

From: Des Visser [dvisser@srk.co.za]

Sent: 29 October 2007 12:52 PM

To: 'Monique Sham'

Cc: 'Kloppers Wilna (BVL)'; 'Sharon Jones'; 'Peter Silbernagl'; 'Andrew Woghiren'

Subject: RE: RO Plant: Beach wells

Page 1 of 4

05/02/2008

Hi Monique A hydrocensus has been done and the effects of pumping from the beach wells will also be modelled. Note that there are no groundwater users within 5 km radius of Alternative Site 1. Regards Des Visser Pr Sci Nat Principal Hydrogeologist Associate, SRK Consulting The Administrative Building, Albion Spring

183 Main Road, RONDEBOSCH, 7700, South Africa Postnet Suite #206, Private Bag X18

RONDEBOSCH, 7701, South Africa e-mail: dvisser@srk.co.za; URL: http://www.srk.com Tel: +27 (0) 21 659-3060; Fax: +27 (0) 21 685-7105; Cell: 083 261 8474 The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.

From: Monique Sham [mailto:msham@srk.co.za] Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 10:49 AM To: 'Des Visser'

Cc: 'Kloppers Wilna (BVL)'; 'Sharon Jones'; 'Peter Silbernagl'; 'Andrew Woghiren' Subject: RE: RO Plant: Beach wells Hi Des, I refer to the email below from Wilna Kloppers (DWAF). Please can you confirm that the groundwater study that you are completing for the RO Plant includes a hydrocensus to establish if there are (and if so how many) groundwater users in the vicinity of the proposed beach well area (1km - 5km radius), and the impact of possible drawdown on the surrounding groundwater users. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me. Best regards, Monique Monique Sham Environmental Consultant SRK Consulting The Administrative Building Albion Springs, 183 Main Road, Rondebosch, 7700 South Africa Tel: +27 21 659 3060 Fax: +27 21 685 7105 Cell: +27 72 989 5119 The information transmitted herein is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient

is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.

From: Kloppers Wilna (BVL) [mailto:wilna@dwaf.gov.za] Sent: 26 October 2007 05:08 PM To: Monique Sham Subject: RE: RO Plant: Beach wells Monique Sorry about the delay in response from my side. I rely a lot on the comments from our geohydro department. I only have one comment to add. I recommend that a hydrocensus be undertaken to establish if (and how many) groundwater users are in the vicinity of this proposed beach well area (1km - 5 km radius). This, together with the proposed rate of abstraction can then be used to determine the possible drawdown and therefore the likely impact on other users. Regards Wilna

-----Original Message----- From: Monique Sham [mailto:msham@srk.co.za] Sent: 25 September 2007 16:14

To: Kloppers Wilna (BVL) Subject: RE: RO Plant: Beach wells Importance: High

Hi Wilna, Do you have any comments regarding the original email I sent regarding the possibility that some groundwater (possibly saline as it will be in the beach area) may be extracted by beach wells? If you do please can you forward them to me? I have been in contact with Paul Seward and he does not have any comments. Thanks Monique

-----Original Message----- From: Van Kleef Henk (BVL)

Sent: 10 September 2007 12:58 To: Kloppers Wilna (BVL); Seward Paul (BVL) Cc: Smart Mike (BVL) Subject: RE: RO Plant: Beach wells Hallo Wilna, No, I don’t know anything about this – it is the first time I hear about it! I’ve got no comments if sea water is going to be extracted out of the bay or at the port – just have to know if the brine (waste) that is going to come from the RO Plant, if that is going to be discharged on land or in the bay. One comment/question I can think about is: The degree of the groundwater quality (the salinity) in the beach area before abstraction and during abstraction/production has taken place – will salinity stay the same or will there be an increase on the salinity? Paul, any or other comments that you have? Henk

From: Kloppers Wilna (BVL) Sent: 07 September, 2007 13:52 To: Van Kleef Henk (BVL)

Page 2 of 4

05/02/2008

Subject: FW: RO Plant: Beach wells Henk Weet jy iets hiervan? Enige kommentaar? Wilna -----Original Message----- From: Monique Sham [mailto:msham@srk.co.za] Sent: 07 September 2007 11:07

To: Kloppers Wilna (BVL) Cc: 'Jacky Burke'; 'Franciska Lake'; 'Sharon Jones'; 'Peter Silbernagl'; 'Andrew Woghiren' Subject: RO Plant: Beach wells

Dear Wilna RE: Possible additional DWAF requirements for the proposed RO Plant, Port of Saldanha I refer to our previous discussions concerning the proposed Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant at the Iron Ore Handling Facility, Port of Saldanha. The alternative of beachwells for the intake of sea water is being investigated in the Basic Assessment, and the possibility that some groundwater (possibly saline as it will be in the beach area) may be extracted in the process has been brought to our attention by the Groundwater specialist. We are aware that a permit / authorisation is likely to be required if this is the case, but as part of the initial public and authority consultation process (to identify issues of concern) we would like to bring this possibility to your attention, and provide you with the opportunity of submitting additional comments in his regard to us. If you thus have any further comments or concerns in this regard, we would appreciate it if you could forward these to us as soon as possible, so that they can be addressed in the relevant specialist assessments, and the Basic Assessment process. Should you have any queries, or require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me. Best regards, Monique Sham Environmental Consultant SRK Consulting The Administrative Building Albion Springs, 183 Main Road, Rondebosch, 7700 South Africa

Tel: +27 21 659 3060 Fax: +27 21 685 7105 Cell: +27 72 989 5119 The information transmitted herein is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.

DISCLAIMER: This message and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this message in error, please notify the system manager/sender. Any unauthorized use, alteration or dissemination is prohibited. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry further accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, whether it be direct, indirect or consequential, arising from this e-mail, nor for any consequence of its use or storage.

Page 3 of 4

05/02/2008

DISCLAIMER: This message and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this message in error, please notify the system manager/sender. Any unauthorized use, alteration or dissemination is prohibited. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry further accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, whether it be direct, indirect or consequential, arising from this e-mail, nor for any consequence of its use or storage.

DISCLAIMER: This message and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this message in error, please notify the system manager/sender. Any unauthorized use, alteration or dissemination is prohibited. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry further accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, whether it be direct, indirect or consequential, arising from this e-mail, nor for any consequence of its use or storage.

DISCLAIMER: This message and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this message in error, please notify the system manager/sender. Any unauthorized use, alteration or dissemination is prohibited. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry further accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, whether it be direct, indirect or consequential, arising from this e-mail, nor for any consequence of its use or storage.

Page 4 of 4

05/02/2008

Monique Sham

From: Christo [metsal@imaginet.co.za]

Sent: 16 July 2007 11:21 AM

To: 'Monique Sham'

Subject: RE: Proposed Reverse Osmosis Plant Environmental Impact Assessment Process

Follow Up Flag: Follow up

Flag Status: Completed

Page 1 of 1

05/02/2008

Monique, As verbally indicated to you in our meeting some months ago, The Saldanha Bay Water Quality Forum would like to comment in writing regarding the proposed RO plant as follows:

� The three proposed sites discussed in the EIA are all located within a closed marine ecosystem, alternative sites preferably outside the bay system should be included in your assessment as possible location sites.

� The SBWQFT suggest that a modeling study, based on 3-D model used in prior water quality

assessments and projections in Saldanha Bay, be implemented on the various proposed discharges of the brine into the ecosystem to determine plume movement and concentration dispersion and possible negative impacts thereof on environment.

� Specialist study should also address the effect of the brine on various environmental indicators, e.g.

plant species (like ulva and gracillaria), meiofauna, macrofauna, fish, etc. in the specific marine ecosystem.

� Studies and modeling undertaken should be done on the maximum potential effluent to be discharged

and not only the proposed first phase of the RO system. RO system to be built in phases, when water demand grow more cells could be added to current system, therefore the EIA should be done on a worse case scenario, e.g. biggest possible RO system envisaged.

� The EIA should include the option of a joint RO system for the area, sea water desalination for the

bigger water supply network is in planning and this project should not be dealt with in isolation. Regards, Christo van Wyk Chairman SBWQFT

1

Monique Sham

From: Shaun Schneier [Schneier@deat.gov.za]Sent: 27 August 2007 03:19 PMTo: msham@srk.co.zaCc: Chumani Mangcu; Niel Malan; Danie Smit; Feroza Albertus; Yazeed Peterson;

sjones@srk.co.zaSubject: Fwd: Reverse Osmosis Plant: Port of Saldanha: BID

Due to internet problems am resending this message

>>> Shaun Schneier 24-Aug-07 >>>Dear Monique

I am sorry my comments were not incorporated into M CM's comments which were sent to you. I was on leave when Yazeed sent them off. Howe ver, I hope you were able to note some of the issues I raised at our meeting.

I realize that I am probably bringing this belatedl y to your attention, but concerns did occur to me on re-reading the Background Inform ation Document. Perhaps these could be addressed during the next phase of the EIA proce ss. Alternatively, if it is not necessary to address them perhaps you could merely clarify this in writing.

Section 4 Alternatives refers to a Transnet feasibi lity study which "indicated that desalinated sea water is the most appropriate sourc e of water..." Reference is then made to "alternative water sources investigated in the study" including treated effluent and seawater." The paragraph then conclude s that "due to the potential environmental costs, these alternative water source s will not be considered any further by this EIA process". The rationale for no t considering seawater as a water source is also possibly of concern in the light of the fact that desalination is an extremely energy intensive process.

It is not clear from the paragraph above what envir onmental costs are associated with the alternative water sources. I am of the opinion that my Department (responsible as the decision-maker for evaluating the application) should be informed of these if it is to make an informed decision.

In paragraph 7 of the BID it is stated that the aim s of the Basic Assessment Process are, inter alia, to "Provide the public with inform ation about feasible conceptual development alternatives for the site". In the ligh t of the above-mentioned statement that no further consideration will be given to "the se alternative water sources", it would seem that the information to be provided to t he public "about feasible conceptual development alternatives" will be limite d and probably lack important relevant information.

My apologies again for not providing these comments earlier.

Regards

Shaun

S M SchneierPrincipal Environmental OfficerMarine and Coastal ManagementDepartment of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

Tel: 021-4023024Fax: 021-4023009Address: Private Bag X2 Roggebaai 8012

1

Monique Sham

From: Wally Silbernagl [WSilbern@pgwc.gov.za]Sent: 14 June 2007 10:36 AMTo: Monique ShamSubject: Re: Proposed Reverse Osmosis Plant Environmental ImpactAssessment Process

Further to my previous e-mail, it occurred to me th at with the high volumes of water treated, what will become of the brine/salt residue ? Would there be ancillary works to use the by-produc ts and if so, where will these be located? Will additional raw materials need to imp orted and what will they consist of? Care to be taken to ensure safe and secure tra nsport of raw materials without leakage/spillage onto theroad. Traffic generation to be estimated and stat ed.

WM Silbernagl

Wilfried M. Silbernagl, Pr. Eng.Chief Engineer Geometric DesignDesign DirectorateRoads Infrastructure BranchDepartment of Transport and Public Works Western Ca pe Provincial Administration PO Box 2603 (9 Dorp Street) Cape Town 8000 South Africa

Tel: +27214832170Cell: 083 645 0299Fax: +27214832205e-mail: wsilbern@pgwc.gov.za

"All views or opinions expressed in this electronic message and its attachments are the view of the sender and do not necessarily refle ct the views and opinions of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape ("the PGW C').No employee of the PGWC is entitled to conclude a b inding contract on behalf of the PGWC unless he/she is an accounting officer of the PGWC, or his or her authorised representative.

The information contained in this message and its a ttachments may be confidential or privileged and is for the use of the named recipien t only, except where the sender specifically states otherwise.

If you are not the intended recipient you may not c opy or deliver this message to anyone."

1

Monique Sham

From: Wally Silbernagl [WSilbern@pgwc.gov.za]Sent: 14 June 2007 10:21 AMTo: Monique ShamCc: Ian BrittenSubject: Re: Proposed Reverse Osmosis Plant Environmental ImpactAssessment Process

Thank you for your e-mail.

As you know, I am from the Provincial Dept of Trasp ort & Public Wors and we are currently busy with the upgrading of Main Road 559 from Saldanha to Langebaan.

It is assumed that there will be very little traffi c generation from the RO plant, but we would need to know from where access to the plan t is envisaged to make provision in our plans if it is from MR559. Any new accesses al ong this road will need separate approval from this department.

WM Silbernagl.

Wilfried M. Silbernagl, Pr. Eng.Chief Engineer Geometric DesignDesign DirectorateRoads Infrastructure BranchDepartment of Transport and Public Works Western Ca pe Provincial Administration PO Box 2603 (9 Dorp Street) Cape Town 8000 South Africa

Tel: +27214832170Cell: 083 645 0299Fax: +27214832205e-mail: wsilbern@pgwc.gov.za

"All views or opinions expressed in this electronic message and its attachments are the view of the sender and do not necessarily refle ct the views and opinions of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape ("the PGW C').No employee of the PGWC is entitled to conclude a b inding contract on behalf of the PGWC unless he/she is an accounting officer of the PGWC, or his or her authorised representative.

The information contained in this message and its a ttachments may be confidential or privileged and is for the use of the named recipien t only, except where the sender specifically states otherwise.

If you are not the intended recipient you may not c opy or deliver this message to anyone."

Monique Sham

From: Kloppers Wilna (BVL) [wilna@dwaf.gov.za]

Sent: 26 October 2007 05:08 PM

To: Monique Sham

Subject: RE: RO Plant: Beach wells

Follow Up Flag: Follow up

Flag Status: Completed

Page 1 of 3

05/02/2008

Monique Sorry about the delay in response from my side. I rely a lot on the comments from our geohydro department. I only have one comment to add. I recommend that a hydrocensus be undertaken to establish if (and how many) groundwater users are in the vicinity of this proposed beach well area (1km - 5 km radius). This, together with the proposed rate of abstraction can then be used to determine the possible drawdown and therefore the likely impact on other users. Regards Wilna

-----Original Message-----

From: Monique Sham [mailto:msham@srk.co.za] Sent: 25 September 2007 16:14 To: Kloppers Wilna (BVL) Subject: RE: RO Plant: Beach wells Importance: High

Hi Wilna, Do you have any comments regarding the original email I sent regarding the possibility that some groundwater (possibly saline as it will be in the beach area) may be extracted by beach wells? If you do please can you forward them to me? I have been in contact with Paul Seward and he does not have any comments. Thanks Monique

-----Original Message----- From: Van Kleef Henk (BVL) Sent: 10 September 2007 12:58 To: Kloppers Wilna (BVL); Seward Paul (BVL) Cc: Smart Mike (BVL)

Subject: RE: RO Plant: Beach wells Hallo Wilna, No, I don’t know anything about this – it is the first time I hear about it! I’ve got no comments if sea water is going to be extracted out of the bay or at the port – just have to know if the brine (waste) that is going to come from the RO Plant, if that is going to be discharged on land or in the bay. One comment/question I can think about is: The degree of the groundwater quality (the salinity) in the beach area before abstraction and during abstraction/production has taken place – will salinity stay the same or will there be an increase on the salinity? Paul, any or other comments that you have? Henk

From: Kloppers Wilna (BVL) Sent: 07 September, 2007 13:52 To: Van Kleef Henk (BVL) Subject: FW: RO Plant: Beach wells Henk Weet jy iets hiervan? Enige kommentaar? Wilna -----Original Message----- From: Monique Sham [mailto:msham@srk.co.za] Sent: 07 September 2007 11:07 To: Kloppers Wilna (BVL) Cc: 'Jacky Burke'; 'Franciska Lake'; 'Sharon Jones'; 'Peter Silbernagl'; 'Andrew Woghiren'

Subject: RO Plant: Beach wells

Dear Wilna RE: Possible additional DWAF requirements for the proposed RO Plant, Port of Saldanha I refer to our previous discussions concerning the proposed Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant at the Iron Ore Handling Facility, Port of Saldanha. The alternative of beachwells for the intake of sea water is being investigated in the Basic Assessment, and the possibility that some groundwater (possibly saline as it will be in the beach area) may be extracted in the process has been brought to our attention by the Groundwater specialist. We are aware that a permit / authorisation is likely to be required if this is the case, but as part of the initial public and authority consultation process (to identify issues of concern) we would like to bring this possibility to your attention, and provide you with the opportunity of submitting additional comments in his regard to us. If you thus have any further comments or concerns in this regard, we would appreciate it if you could forward these to us as soon as possible, so that they can be addressed in the relevant specialist assessments, and the Basic Assessment process. Should you have any queries, or require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me. Best regards, Monique Sham Environmental Consultant SRK Consulting The Administrative Building Albion Springs, 183 Main Road, Rondebosch, 7700 South Africa

Tel: +27 21 659 3060 Fax: +27 21 685 7105 Cell: +27 72 989 5119 The information transmitted herein is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.

DISCLAIMER: This message and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this message in error, please notify the system manager/sender. Any unauthorized use, alteration or dissemination is prohibited. The Department of Water Affairs

Page 2 of 3

05/02/2008

and Forestry further accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, whether it be direct, indirect or consequential, arising from this e-mail, nor for any consequence of its use or storage.

DISCLAIMER: This message and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this message in error, please notify the system manager/sender. Any unauthorized use, alteration or dissemination is prohibited. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry further accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, whether it be direct, indirect or consequential, arising from this e-mail, nor for any consequence of its use or storage.

DISCLAIMER: This message and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this message in error, please notify the system manager/sender. Any unauthorized use, alteration or dissemination is prohibited. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry further accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, whether it be direct, indirect or consequential, arising from this e-mail, nor for any consequence of its use or storage.

DISCLAIMER: This message and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this message in error, please notify the system manager/sender. Any unauthorized use, alteration or dissemination is prohibited. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry further accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, whether it be direct, indirect or consequential, arising from this e-mail, nor for any consequence of its use or storage.

Page 3 of 3

05/02/2008

1

Monique Sham

From: Yazeed Peterson [Ypeterson@deat.gov.za]Sent: 13 August 2007 02:48 PMTo: msham@srk.co.zaCc: Feroza Albertus; sjones@srk.co.zaSubject: Re: Proposed RO Plant, Port of Saldanha

Follow Up Flag: Follow upFlag Status: Completed

Dear Monique,Please accept my apologies for the very late reply. I drew up a very short list of some of the questions that we hope would be address ed by the specialist studies, then I forwarded the list to colleagues for further inpu t. That's when we missed the deadline. In any case, please find the list of ques tions below:

1. Of the three possible sites identified, which ha s the most dispersive conditions?2. To what extent will the elevated salinity affect migration of fish away from the bay?3. Similarly, to what extent could it impact negati vely on mariculture production (i.e. seaweed and mussels)?4. What would be the anticipated daily volumes and concentration of the brine discharge? 5. Will the pretreatment and desalination processes involve the use of chemicals, and if so, how will these be neutralised or removed bef ore the brine is discharged?6. How will the discharges affect water clarity and light penetration into the water column?

Thanks for meeting us and best regards.

Dr. Yazeed PetersonDeputy-Director: Marine & Coastal Pollution Managem ent Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism Private Bag X2 Rogge Bay 8012 Cap e Town, South Africa

Tel +27 21 402 3158Fax +27 21 402 3009Mobile: +27 (0)83 530 3127Email: ypeterson@deat.gov.za

* * * *

>>> "Monique Sham" <msham@srk.co.za> 03/08/2007 11: 38 >>>Dear Yazeed

RE: Follow-up of meeting to held on 26 July 2007 to discuss the proposed Reverse Osmosis Plant, Port of Saldanha

I refer to the meeting held with your Department on 26 July 2007 to discuss the proposed Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant at the Port of Saldanha. It was agreed at the meeting that you would send through a list of infor mation requirements / comments on the project to be addressed. As mentioned at the ti me, the public comment period ends on the 6 August 2007 and it would be appreciated if the above-mentioned information could be submitted by that date.

If you are unable to forward your information reque sts and comments by the end of the comment period please can you notify us when your c omments can be expected.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have an y queries.

2

Best regards,

Monique Sham

Environmental Consultant

SRK ConsultingThe Administrative Building Albion Springs,183 Main Road, Rondebosch, 7700South AfricaTel: +27 21 659 3060Fax: +27 21 685 7105Cell: +27 72 989 5119

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SRK Consulting Comments and Response Report Page 1 of 12

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Issues Raised by Interested and Affected Parties for the proposed Reverse Osmosis Plant, Saldanha

Issue Group

Issues / Comments Date Stakeholder Commentary

Where will access to the plant be gained from as provision may need to be made in the plans for the MR559. Any new accesses from MR559 will need separate approval from the Department of Transport & Public Works.

14/06/07 WM Silbernagl (Dept of Transport & Public Works)

It is proposed that access will be from existing roads within the port boundaries for all the site alternatives, thus no new accesses from MR559 will be needed. The volume of traffic expected to and from the proposed RO Plant during the operational phase would be very small.

Access and Traffic Impacts

What will become of the brine/salt residue? Would there be ancillary works to use the by-products and if so where will they be located, as this may impact on traffic generation.

14/06/07 WM Silbernagl The brine will be discharged back into the sea via pipelines. It is not the intention to make use of the brine for other purposes (see Basic Assessment Report), and there should thus not be any impact on traffic generation as a result of this.

The increase in salinity in the bay due to brine discharge is an issue.

14/06/07 14/12/07

M. Rothenburg (I&AP)

The impact of the brine discharge has been assessed in the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study (Appendix G to the Basic Assessment (BA) report). The salinity of the brine discharge will be 63.5 parts per thousand (ppt), approximately 1.5 times the salinity of normal sea water. The marine modelling indicates that the maximum salinity brine plume footprint is very limited at all three of the sites.

Sites 2 and 3 will have a negative effect if brine is pumped back due to a higher salt concentration and the circulation of water in small bay is not very good.

18/06/07 J.C. Carstens (I&AP)

The impact of the brine discharge has been assessed in the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study (Appendix G to the Basic Assessment (BA) report). Alternative methods of brine discharge at either of the sites were assessed including a surf-zone discharge and a single port diffuser. In addition, discharge into Big Bay was also assessed as an additional alternative at Site 3. This modelling took into consideration the circulation of water in Small Bay.

What is the salinity of the brine? 18/06/07 J.C. Carstens The brine is estimated to be 1.5 to 1.6 times the salinity of normal sea water (63.5 ppt). This will however vary depending on the efficiency of the reverse osmosis process (and the state of the membranes). The maximum salinity of the brine is however not expected to exceed 63.5 ppt.

Brine discharge

What would be the anticipated daily volumes of the brine discharge?

26/07/07 Y. Peterson (MCM)

4 400m³/day of brine would be discharged once the RO plant is operating at full capacity (i.e. 3 RO modules). This has been modelled in the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study (Appendix G to the Basic Assessment (BA) report) in order to provide a holistic assessment. Initially only 1467m3/day would be discharged.

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Issue Group

Issues / Comments Date Stakeholder Commentary

Will the brine be pumped back into the surface layer of water or into deeper water and what will the effect be if it is discharged at a depth of +-10m than into the surface layer?

18/06/07 J.C. Carstens A number of alternatives have been assessed for discharge of brine, including discharge via beach wells, a surf-zone discharge and a single-port discharge at depth, and the results of this assessment are available in the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study (in Appendix G of the Basic Assessment (BA) report). The impact of discharging the brine at depth will differ depending on the location of the discharge point. The marine specialists have modelled the “worse case” scenario at each site alternative and have provided commentary on design options that can help reduce the impact of the brine discharge on the receiving environment (such as discharging the brine via a single- or multi-port diffuser).

Discharges of brine will increase local salinity and reduce oxygen levels, especially impacting benthos fauna.

02/07/07 T. Williams (I&AP)

The impact of the brine discharge on the benthos fauna has been assessed for all the discharge alternatives by the marine specialists, and presented in the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study available in Appendix G of the Basic Assessment (BA) report). The marine specialists have been in contact with the engineering team throughout the process, and have provided the engineers with relevant information to help them design a discharge option which can help to ameliorate the effects of discharging the brine by ensuring that the brine is mixed throughout the water column.

If the brine discharge point is in a calm area within the Bay it could settle as a brine-plume at the bottom of the ocean bed. The desalination plant should thus be situated where the brine is discharged in an area with continuous vigorous wave action to enable concentrated brine to be broken up. Wastewater brine must be disposed of in an ecologically sound and economically feasible manner.

02/07/07 T. Williams / C. van der Berg (Langebaan Ratepayers and Residents Association)

It is proposed that brine be disposed of into the sea, and the wastewater (resulting from the intermittent cleaning of the membranes and filters) will either be disposed of in the municipal sewer or removed by a private contractor. The impacts of discharging brine at any of the site alternatives have been assessed by the marine specialists, and the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study is available in Appendix G of the Basic Assessment (BA) report. The preferred discharge option is at the end of the quay (at caisson 3) where discharge will occur in relatively deep water, there are strong tidal flows and a potential mitigation factor of propeller wash to help disperse the effluent.

Will the pre-treatment and desalination processes involve the use of chemicals, and if so, how will these be neutralised or removed before the brine is discharged?

26/07/07 Y. Peterson (MCM)/ M. Duckitt (I&AP)/ F. Albertus-Stanley (MCM)

A list of all the chemicals that will be used in the process, as well as how and where each of them will be disposed of, has been provided in Section D of the BA Form. Some of the chemicals will be discharged with the brine, and the marine specialist has included these in the assessment of marine impacts. Other chemicals will be contained in waste water, which is not considered suitable for disposal into the sea, and will be disposed of either via the municipal sewer system for treatment, or removed for disposal at a suitable disposal site. Essential mitigation and recommendations for monitoring programmes have been provided by the marine specialist for the operational phase of the RO plant.

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Issue Group

Issues / Comments Date Stakeholder Commentary

Discharges will contain heavy metals due to corrosion in the plant; it is also likely to contain: anti-fouling, anti-scaling, anti-corrosion and anti-foaming additives, chlorine, acids, all commonly applied in pre-treatment stages to prolong the working life of the plant. All of these have negative impacts on the receiving environment.

02/07/07 T. Williams A list of chemicals that will be used in the RO process has been provided and is available in the BA form and report. All the specialists have received this list and have assessed the impact of the chemicals being discharged with the brine. The potential impact of heavy metals discharged with the brine is an incidental by-product of the RO Plant process. It is likely to be low, but monitoring of the discharge brine for heavy metals will be a requirement if the RO Plant is authorised. Refer to the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study (Appendix G to the BA report).

Is there not another means of disposing of the brine? Perhaps using it in some economically positive way such as pumping it to Cerebos where it can be used to obtain salt? Or perhaps pumping the brine into evaporation ponds and Cerebos can fetch the salt?

02/07/07 T. Williams / P. Fabricius / K. Harrison (West Coast Bird Club)

The option of using the salt from the brine has been investigated (refer to Section 7 in the Basic Assessment Report). The option of installing an evaporator and crystalliser plant (to give a zero discharge back to the sea) involves additional high capital cost and operating costs (including, but not limited to, costs associated with increased power supply). Another option that has been investigated is the use of evaporation ponds, which would allow for the recovery of salt. The area that will be needed for evaporation ponds is estimated to be 2km x 2km. There is no suitable area of this size near the port in Transnet’s jurisdiction that can be used for evaporation ponds. The construction of an evaporation pond near the Iron Ore Facility would have a negative impact on the primary dune system in the area.

Small Bay is already very affected by the discharge from the fishing industries in Saldanha. This must be considered in the overall impact of the brine discharge.

05/07/07 W. Kloppers (DWAF)

The marine specialist has considered the existing discharges in Small Bay in the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study (refer to Appendix G of the Basic Assessment (BA) report), and commented on the cumulative impacts on water quality in the Bay.

A modelling study, based on 3-D model used in prior water quality assessments and projections in Saldanha Bay, should be implemented on the various proposed discharges of the brine into the ecosystem to determine plume movement and concentration dispersion and possible negative impacts thereof on environment. The impact in the case of no current movement in the Bay (i.e. very calm weather) should also be investigated.

16/07/07 C. van Wyk (SBWQFT) / F. Albertus-Stanley (MCM)

A marine specialist from the CSIR was appointed and has undertaken 3D hydrodynamic and water quality modelling of the proposed brine discharge points into the marine environment. The worse-case scenario of very calm weather and no current movement was modelled. The scenarios that have been modelled are summer (highly stratified water column), winter (well-mixed water column) and a representative calm period (calmest month over a long period [April to June]). Refer to the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study (available in Appendix G of the BA Report) for further details.

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Issue Group

Issues / Comments Date Stakeholder Commentary

Specialist studies should also address the effect of the brine on various environmental indicators e.g. plant species (like ulva and gracillaria), meiofauna, macrofauna, fish, etc. in the specific marine ecosystem.

16/07/07 C. van Wyk (SBWQFT)

A marine ecologist specialist has assessed the effect of the brine discharge on various environmental indicators in the specific marine system at each of the site alternatives (refer to the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study in Appendix G of the BA Report).

Studies and modelling undertaken should be done on the maximum potential effluent to be discharged and not only the proposed first phase of the RO system.

16/07/07 C. van Wyk (SBWQFT)

All specialist studies have investigated the maximum potential effluent that will be discharged once the plant is operating at full capacity (3 RO modules), with a brine discharge of 4,400m3/day although it is planned to only install one (1) RO module with a brine discharge of 1467m3/day initially with a further two to follow in accordance with future phasing requirements.

To what extent will the elevated salinity affect migration of fish away from the bay and to what extent could the elevated salinity impact negatively on mariculture production (i.e. seaweed and mussels)?

02/07/07 Y. Peterson (MCM)

The Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study (available in Appendix G of the BA Report) has assessed the impact of the brine discharge on the migration of fish species and mariculture. There are no known migration pathways in the system, however the main impact on the migration of fish is not due to the increase in salinity but rather due to the increase in temperature (thermal barriers). It is anticipated that the discharge will only vary by approximately 1 degree Celsius as compared to the intake water. For thermal barriers to limit or alter marine organisms’ migration paths they need to be persistent over time and cover a large cross-sectional area of the water body - the marine modelling has indicated that the brine plume distributions will not meet these conditions in Saldanha Bay. The Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study takes cognisance of the fact that discharge at Site 2 will occur in the relatively poorly-flushed Small Bay system that supports a number of mariculture activities and would thus inherently pose greater risks compared to the other sites.

How will the discharges affect water clarity and light penetration into the water column?

02/07/07 Y. Peterson (MCM)

The impact of brine discharge on water clarity and light penetration in the water column has been addressed in the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study (available in Appendix G of the BA Report). The brine discharge can increase water turbidity which is likely to reduce light penetration and which may disrupt photosynthetic processes and the productivity of phytoplankton and algal growth. Although this indirect impact is difficult to quantify it has not been identified as a significant impact by the marine specialists.

Water availability

What will happen to the current water being supplied by the municipality for dust suppression?

02/07/07 S. Schneier (MCM)

This water will not be re-allocated. Additional water over and above current municipal supply is needed for dust suppression at the terminal.

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Issue Group

Issues / Comments Date Stakeholder Commentary

The RO Plant is definitely a positive in terms of water supply and reducing the pressure on the municipality to supply water.

14/06/07 05/07/07 06/07/07

M.Rothenburg / W.Kloppers / P. Fabricius

Noted. It should however also be noted that the existing municipal water supply to the port, and the use thereof will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the RO plant, although this plant would provided ADDITIONAL water for increased dust mitigation, and will eliminate the need for additional water to be obtained from the municipal supply. The RO plant will also provide the iron ore terminal with a more sustainable and reliable water supply particularly during times of drought, when the municipal supply may be limited.

Is the option of a joint RO system to supply water to the surrounding port area being included in the EIA?

16/07/07 C. van Wyk (SBWQFT) / K. Harrison (West Coast Bird Club) / C. van der Berg

The option of linking to the municipal water supply could be considered by Transnet in the future, although the planning in this regard for the larger area is not far enough advanced to meet Transnet’s immediate need for additional water requirements in time.

Can the RO Plant only be a basic assessment?

23/07/07 M. Duckitt DEAT have confirmed that this proposed activity requires a basic assessment. DEAT have also indicated that an RO Plant will specifically require a basic assessment in the amended EIA regulations, expected to be promulgated in April 2008. The specialist assessments which have been undertaken are however of the same detail and standard as would have been required in the case of a Scoping and EIA process.

Referring to Listed Activity 1(f) in GN 387, how can an RO Plant have no effluent or waste, materials are often used to clean pumps/filters, additives are often added to lubricate the system to reduce wear and tear. Is brine not waste? Is this activity not triggered?

23/07/07 M. Duckitt Listed activity 1(f) in GN 387 is “the construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for the recycling, re-use, handling, temporary storage or treatment of general waste with a throughput capacity of 50 tons or more daily average measured over a period of 30 days”. No general waste exceeding 50 tons (daily average) will go through the reverse osmosis process.

Basic Assessment Process

Referring to Listed Activity 1(n) in GN 387, we will require full technical specs of such a plant to be subjected to peer/engineering & scientific scrutiny to determine if water will be transferred between catchments or impoundments.

23/07/07 M. Duckitt Listed Activity 1(n) is “the construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for the transfer of 20 000 cubic metres or more water between water catchments or impoundments per day”. No water will be transferred between water catchments or impoundments. Water will be abstracted from the sea, for use at the Iron Ore Handling Facility after passing through the RO plant. It is anticipated that the volume of sea water to be abstracted will equal 8000m³ per day.

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Issue Group

Issues / Comments Date Stakeholder Commentary

We are not satisfied that Listed Activity 9 in GN 387 is not triggered. Beaches are not water sources/fountains/wetlands. No authority will allow private enterprise to effect such.

23/07/07

M. Duckitt

Listed Activity 9 is “the construction or earth moving activities in the sea or within 100 metres of the sea, excluding an activity listed in item 2 of GN R386 but including construction or earth moving activities in respect of (a) facilities associated with the arrival and departure of vessels and the handling of cargo; (b) piers; (c) inter- and sub-tidal structures for entrapment of sand; (d) breakwater structures; (e) rock revetments and other stabilising structures; (f) coastal marinas; (g) coastal harbours; (h) structures for draining parts of the sea; (i) tunnels; or (j) underwater channels”. Item 2 of Government Notice No. R386 of 2006 is triggered in terms of construction or earthmoving activities in the sea or within 100 metres inland of the high water mark of the sea. This activity is therefore not applicable as it excludes activities identified within GR 386. No additional activities are triggered in R387.

In its long term plan Portnet indicated the claiming of land to build jetties in the region of site 1 and 2.

18/06/07 J.C. Carstens It is important to consider the Port Master Plan in its broader context. It is a plan that reflects potential demand trends for various commodity types at the time the plan was compiled. The Port Master Plan of 2005 (medium and long term plans) has been reviewed in the location of the RO Plant building and associated infrastructure. The location of the RO Plant building can be accommodated in all three proposed locations.

Site 1 is better suited because the wave action and the size of the Big bay will minimise the effect of the higher salt concentration.

18/06/07 J.C. Carstens This is noted. The impacts of discharge of brine from each of the three sites have been modelled in the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study (Appendix G of the Basic Assessment (BA) report), and have been considered in identification of the preferred alternative.

Site 1 will have a problem of a shifting beach. Pipes running from and into the water can be affected by strong water/storms, as the beach gets washed away / build up again over time.

18/06/07 J.C. Carstens This is noted. These factors have been taken into consideration in the identification of the preferred development/site alternative. Due to its position within a shifting dune system, site 1 is not the preferred alternative.

Alternatives

Site 1 will also be less visible from either Saldanha or Langebaan.

18/06/07 J.C. Carstens This is noted. The proposed RO Plant will not have a significant visual impact as it is fairly small (50mx30m) and will be in a building (approximately 5m high). This is fairly small in comparison to the existing buildings, stockpiles, infrastructure and equipment at the iron ore terminal.

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Issue Group

Issues / Comments Date Stakeholder Commentary

Site 1 will also be less affected by a possible oil spill than Site 3 or 2.

18/06/07 J.C. Carstens This is noted. This impact of potential oil spills will be taken into consideration by the engineering team when designing the intake infrastructure. The RO Plant is likely to be more susceptible to oil spills in the case where direct pipeline intake is used, however intake via beachwell or borehole should reduce the impact of potential oil spills on the RO Plant, as it allows for a certain level of natural filtration.

Site 3 has an immediate deeper channel to pump water from, or to discharge brine into. The small beach at Site 3 also shifts with strong water. This seems to be the safest place, but with a longer distance from the iron ore handling facility.

18/06/07 J.C. Carstens Site 3 is now the preferred option, with intake via boreholes at the Multi-Purpose Terminal and discharge at caisson 3. The RO Plant building will be located on existing land adjacent to the multi-purpose terminal.

Concern over Site 1 from an environmental perspective. Perhaps Sites 2 and 3 are better?

05/07/07 W. Kloppers The Basic Assessment Report has comparatively assessed the environmental suitability of each of the three sites. Site 3 is the preferred alternative.

The beach site definitely needs specialist studies to be completed.

06/07/07 W. Titus (Saldanha Bay Municipality)

This is noted. Specialist studies have been completed for all the sites and include: marine study, vegetation study, heritage study, geohydrological (groundwater) study.

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Issue Group

Issues / Comments Date Stakeholder Commentary

The three proposed sites are all located within a closed marine system. Discharge of brine into an enclosed system is considered especially dangerous. Alternative sites preferably outside the bay system should be included as possible locations.

02/07/07 16/07/07 06/07/07 28/07/07 (PH 1B EMC)

T. Williams / C. van Wyk / P. Fabricius / J. Walsh

Saldanha Bay is a natural deep water harbour with a large body of wave sheltered water. It is not an enclosed bay, but rather a “less-flushed” system which is affected by tides. Water circulation within Saldanha largely follows wind patterns. The water in the Bay is also affected by evaporation which leads to inflow into the Bay. The net evaporation at Saldanha is about 1000mm per year. Therefore there is net inflow into the bay of at least the surface area x1m deep per year, over and above any exchanges due to tidal, wind, salinity or temperature driven currents. The option of a fourth site outside the bay has been investigated. The main issue with locating the RO Plant outside the site is that it will be vulnerable to vandalism and sabotage, and thus only the intake and discharge pipes were assumed to be installed at the external location. The option of having an intake and discharge point outside the Bay has many concerns including being very costly and time consuming to acquire land servitudes and associated permissions and approvals. The need for additional water for dust suppression is immediate. In addition the operational costs and energy requirements for pumping intake water and brine discharge over such large distances will also be very high making this option unfeasible. The marine specialist has assessed the impact of the brine discharge on the marine ecosystem at a number of site alternatives within the bay and has concluded that the preferred alternative has an insignificant impact (assuming mitigation measures are effectively implemented) on the marine environment (Site 3 with a discharge at Caisson 3, on the quay).

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Issue Group

Issues / Comments Date Stakeholder Commentary

Have other options of dust suppression been investigated? What about building big warehouses to store the iron-ore in? What is the financial implication of alternative dust suppression methods compared to the RO plant? Iron-ore silos are recommended for the stock-piling of iron-ore prior to export loading, instead of the current open stockpiling. Thus being a closed system, iron-ore dust pollution could almost be 100% eliminated in the stockpiling and loading process.

16/07/07 Z. Jumat (Coastal Management) / C. van der Berg (Langebaan Ratepayers and Residents Association) / J. Kotze

Other methods of dust suppression, (thus reducing the amount of water required) are currently in place and include: • Conveyor covers to shield ore dust from wind • Road surfacing for sweeping and cleaning to reduce dust agitation by

vehicles • Adding dust suppressing surfactant at tipplers • Vacuum and sweeper trucks to sweep and vacuum dust from roads and

from difficult areas • Dust monitors in stacks to monitor dust exiting dust plant stacks In addition to the above, Transnet have also investigated the option of enclosing the entire area in a warehouse as well as using silos to store the iron ore. Enclosing the whole area in a building is very capital intensive and would not reduce the need to further suppress dust using water, which would be a requirement in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In addition, the size of the building required is likely to have a significant visual impact. Due to the nature of the iron ore, using silos to store the iron ore is not practical as the iron ore could block the silos. In addition, the size of the silos that will be needed will make this option impractical and unfeasible. Neither of these options will reduce the need for further dust suppression due to the transfer points on the conveyors, which causes a large proportion of the dust.

(In the BID) The feasibility study done by Transnet indicated that desalinated sea water is the most appropriate source of water. It is not clear what the environmental costs are associated with the alternative water sources. In light of the fact that no further consideration will be given to the alternative water sources, it would seem that the information to be provided to the public “about feasible conceptual development alternatives” will be limited and probably lack important relevant information.

27/08/07 Shaun Schneier (MCM)

A discussion on the alternative options considered, but excluded from the EIA process, are provided in Section 7 of the Main BA Report.

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Issue Group

Issues / Comments Date Stakeholder Commentary

Of the three possible sites identified, which has the most dispersive conditions?

14/08/07 Y. Peterson (MCM)

Site 3, with discharge at caisson 3 is the alternative with the most dispersive conditions as there are strong tidal flows here and there is the potential mitigation factor of propeller wash to further disperse the brine (refer to the Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study in Appendix G). This is the preferred alternative.

Technology Since the technology is relatively new there have been no adequate assessments of the longer-term environmental impacts.

02/07/07

T. Williams

The Marine Impact Assessment Specialist Study (Appendix G, to the Basic Assessment (BA) report) makes recommendations for monitoring programmes to be implemented once the RO plant is operational, and this monitoring programme is strongly recommended in the BA Report as being part of a condition of authorisation by DEAT. In the case that significant impacts are detected engineering solutions would need to be identified which could inform environmental processes for similar developments in the future. Monitoring includes the study of the impact of the brine on potentially affected communities, particularly the subtidal benthic communities, monitoring of the RO plant effluent after commissioning for heavy metals, toxicity testing of the RO Plant effluent at discharge point for a full range of operational scenarios (i.e. shock-dosing, etc) and monitoring (or audit of process chemical once RO Plant is commissioned) to ensure that tainting substances are absent from the RO Plant effluent.

Noise An assessment of noise pollution, due to the high pressure pumps, is needed.

02/07/07

T. Williams The noise stipulations for all the equipment will be 85 decibels measured 1m from the source as per the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Motors will be mounted on elevated plinths and standard sound proofing materials will be used within the RO Plant building (if mitigation of noise is required to meet the acceptable standard). According to Mackenzie Hoy and Associates, Consulting Acoustics Engineers (refer to Appendix H to the BA report) the actual reverse osmosis plant makes very little noise, however, the pressurisation pumps and, most importantly the brine discharge pumps often operate at very high pressure heads and create noise in the immediate plant area and this noise can be carried beyond the plant. Mitigation measures, if required (i.e. should 85 decibels be exceeded) can include brick walls, sound proofing material and acoustic louvers.

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Issue Group

Issues / Comments Date Stakeholder Commentary

Energy Increased use of energy is an issue that needs to be investigated.

02/07/07 27/08/07 31/05/07 (Ph 1B EMC)

T. Williams / S. Schneier / C. van der Berg / M. Duckitt

According to Mackenzie Hoy and Associates, Consulting Acoustics Engineers, an energy consumption of 5000kWh equates to an average power of 200kW or 235kVa. Approximately, this demand is 1.8% of the existing maximum demand of the terminal and thus it is comparatively insignificant. An energy recovery turbine is to be provided which recovers the residual energy in the brine stream. This energy will be used to boost the feed pressure to the RO membranes (for further details on the energy recovery module refer to Point 4 in Section D of the BA Report Form).

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VOORGESTELDE TRU-OSMOSE-AANLEG, YSTERERTSHANTERINGSFASILITEIT

SALDANHAHAWE

NUUSBRIEF TER OPDATERING VIR BELANGHEBBENDE EN GEAFFEKTEERDE PARTYE

DOT se VERWYSNR.: 12/12/20/958 Desember 2007 Hierdie nuusbrief verskaf ʼn opdatering vir belanghebbende en geaffekteerde partye (B&GPs) oor die Basiese Invloedbepalings

(BIB) proses vir die voorgestelde Tru-Osmose-aanleg (TO) vir die ontsouting van seewater by die Ystererts-hanteringsfasiliteit,

Saldanhahawe, wat in Mei 2007 ʼn aanvang geneem het.

1. AGTERGROND

Daar word van Transnet vereis om die stof, wat as gevolg van die hantering en opeenhoping van ystererts by die Ystererts-hanteringsfasiliteit te Saldanhahawe gegenereer word, te minimaliseer. Uitvoerbaarheidstudies het daarop gedui dat water die mees vatbare opsie vir die vermindering van stof is, en Transnet het ontsoute seewater geïdentifiseer as ʼn gepaste watervoorraad vir die vermindering van stof. ʼn Totaal van 3600m³ water sal per dag by die fasiliteit vereis word om die stof, wat as gevolg van die werksaamhede by die fasiliteit gegenereer word, te verminder. Die mees gepaste metode vir die ontsouting van seewater is deur Transnet geïdentifiseer as tru-osmose. Die konstruksie van ʼn Tru-Osmose-aanleg (TO) vereis dat ʼn Omgewingsinvloedbepaling (OIB) uitgevoer word om die potensiële invloede van die voorgestelde aanleg te evalueer en om magtiging daarvoor te verkry. Die regulasies vir OIB wat ingevolge die Wet op Nasionale Ongewingsbestuur (NEMA; Wetnr. 107 van 1998) uitgevaardig is, verskaf ʼn lys van aktiwiteite wat óf ʼn Basiese Invloedbepaling (BIB) (Regeringskennisgewing R386) óf ʼn Trefwydte en Omgewingsinvloedbepaling (Regeringskennisgewing R387) vereis. Die “gelyste aktiwiteite” wat op die voorgestelde TO-aanleg (of sekere alternatiewe wat oorweeg word) van toepassing mag wees en wat vereis dat ʼn BIB uitgevoer word, sluit die volgende in:

• 2. Konstruksie van grondverskuiwingsaktiwiteite in die see of binne 100m bokant die hoogwatermerk van die see, ten opsigte van: (d) strandwalle; (e) stabiliseringsmure; (f) geboue; en (g) infrastruktuur.

• 3. Die voorkoming van vrye beweging van sand, insluitend erosie en aanslikking, deur middel van die aanplant van gewasse en die plasing van sintetiese materiaal op duine en blootgestelde sandoppervlakke binne ʼn afstand van 100m bokant die hoogwatermerk van die see.

• 5. Die verwydering of beskadiging van inheemse plante-groei in ʼn gebied wat 10 vierkante meter oorskry binne ʼn afstand van 100m bokant die hoogwatermerk van die see.

• 6. Uitgrawing, verskuiwing, verwydering, storting of kompaktering van grond, sand, rots of rommel wat ʼn gebied van 10m2 oorskry, hetsy in die see of binne ʼn afstand van 100m bokant die hoogwatermerk van die see.

• 12. Die vervorming of verwydering van inheemse plante-groei van 3 hektaar of meer, of van enige grootte waar die verandering of verwydering plaasvind binne ʼn kritiese bedreigde of bedreigde ekostelsel ingevolge artikel 52 van

die Wet op Nasionale Omgewingsbestuur: Biodiversiteit, 2004 (Wetnr. 10 van 2004).

• 13. Die uittrekking van grondwater teen ʼn volume waar enige algemene magtiging, wat ingevolge die Nasionale Waterwet, 2004 (Wetnr. 36 van 1998) uitgereik is, oorskry sal word.

• 25. Die uitbreiding van of veranderings aan bestaande fasiliteite vir enige proses of aktiwiteit, wat die wysiging van ʼn bestaande permit of lisensie of ʼn nuwe permit of lisensie vereis, ingevolge wetgewing wat beheer uitoefen oor die vrystelling van stortings, besoedeling of afvalwater

Benewens die uitvoering van ʼn BIB, omdat bogenoemde gelyste aktiwiteite wel aan die gang gesit sal word, sal ʼn Aansoek om ʼn Watergebruikslisensie, ingevolge artikel 21 van die Nasionale Waterwet (Wetnr. 36 van 1998), ook vir die voorgestelde storting van water wat afval van ʼn industriële proses bevat of wat in enige industriële proses verhit is (21h watergebruik), aan die Departement van Waterwese en Bosbou (DWWB) voorgelê moet word. In Mei 2007 is ʼn Kennisgewing van Voorneme om Aansoek te Doen aan die Departement van Omgewingsake en Toerisme (DOT) voorgelê, as die eerste stap in die Basiese Omgewings-evalueringsproses vir die voorgestelde TO-aanleg. Die aansoek is deur DOT aanvaar en die openbare deelname-proses het in Junie 2007 ʼn aanvang geneem, toe alle Belang-hebbende en Geaffekteerde Partye (B&GPs) van die voorneme in kennis gestel is, insluitend diegene op die databasis van B&GPs vir die voorgestelde Fase 2-opgadering van die ysterertsfasiliteit. Die Agtergrondinligtingdokument (AID) wat in Junie 2007 aan B&GPs versprei is, het die omgewingsproses beskryf en ook die metode van ontsouting deur middel van tru-osmose geïllustreer. Die AID het aangedui dat drie alternatiewe persele by die Hawe oorweeg word, en dat ʼn aantal Spesialisstudies uitgevoer sou word om inligting vir die omgewingsevaluering in te win. Hierdie nuusbrief dien as ʼn opdatering aan B&GPs oor die vordering van die omgewingsproses vir die voorgestelde TO-aanleg tot dusver.

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Bladsy 2

2. ALTERNATIEWE WAT OORWEEG WORD Drie alternatiewe persele vir die ligging van die TO-aanleg word in aanmerking geneem (verwys na Figuur 1 en Tabel 1), met ʼn opsie van onttrekking van seewater en storting van pekelwater via pyplyne of strandputte. Spesialiste is opdrag gegee om die invloed van die voorgestelde TO-aanleg en verwante infrastruktuur by hierdie drie alternatiewe persele te evalueer, met inagneming van die verskeie posisies vir onttrekking en storting. ʼn Aanvanklike omgewingkeurings-oefening wat deur die spesialiste onderneem is, het potensiële omgewingsinvloede geïdentifiseer ten einde inligting in te win vir die ingenieursontwerp en ligging vir die TO-aanleg en verwante infrastruktuur. Gebaseer op die spesialiste se keuring, het Transnet variasies vir die ligging van pyplyne en strandputte geïdentifiseer om die potensiële invloede wat deur die spesialiste geïdentifiseer is, te versag. Die spesialiste is in kennis gestel van die variasies in die ligging van onttrekkings- en stortingsinfrastruktuur en sal dit by hulle evaluerings insluit.

Na Langebaan

Na Saldanha

VeeldoeligeTerminaal

Ysterhope

Perseel-alternatief 2

Klein Baai

Perseel-alternatief 1

Groot Baai

Perseel-alternatief 3N

EW

S

Figuur 1: Alternatiewe Perseelliggings

3. ONTSOUTING & TO-AANLEGTEGNOLOGIE

Ontsouting verwys na ʼn waterbehandelingsproses waardeur soute uit soutwater verwyder word om drinkbare water te produseer. Osmose is die natuurlike beweging van ʼn oplossing vanaf ʼn area van lae oplossingskonsentraat deur ʼn membraan na ʼn area van hoë oplossingskonsentraat wanneer geen eksterne druk toegepas word nie. Tru-Osmose (TO) is ʼn skeidingsproses wat gebruik word om gekonsentreerde oplossings van opgeloste minerale en soute te suiwer en word in ontsoutingsaanlegte aangewend. Tydens Tru-Osmose word die water onder hoë druk deur ʼn semi-deurlaatbare membraan geforseer, waardeur die opgeloste soute en ander oplosbare stowwe op die oppervlakte van die membraan agterbly. Die voorgestelde TO-aanleg bestaan uit ʼn groep drukhouers wat in een van etlike rakke gerangskik word (verwys na Figuur 2), hoëdrukpompe, ʼn turbine vir die verhaling van energie en pyplyne. Die basiese TO-proses (met die veronderstelling dat strandputte vir onttrekking gebruik word) word in Figuur 3 aangedui. Soutwater vir die TO-aanleg kan bekom word óf deur dit regstreeks uit die see te pomp óf vanuit strandputte of boorgate (afhangende van die ligging). Strandputte/boorgate is verkieslik vir die stortingstelsel, aangesien die voedingswater minder swewende soliede partikels bevat.

Figuur 2: Die gebou-uitleg van ʼn tipiese TO-aanleg Seewater word deur middel van die hoëdrukpompe deur die TO se drukhouers gepomp. Soos wat ʼn gedeelte van die water deur die membraan gaan, word die soutkonsentrasie in die oorblywende water verhoog. Die gevolglike vloeistof, waarna as pekelwater verwys word, bevat ongeveer 1.5 keer meer sout as die seewater en word in die oseaan terug gestort. ʼn Energieverhaling-turbine word in die TO-aanleg voorsien, wat die oorblywende energie in die pekelwater-stroom verhaal. Die verhaalde energie sal gebruik word om die voedingsdruk aan die membrane te verhoog en sal sodoende die energieverbruik in die TO-proses verminder.

Tabel 1: TO-aanleg: Alternatiewe Persele en Liggings vir Onttrekkings- en Stortingsinfrastruktuur

Alternatiewe Persele Alternatiewe liggings vir onttrekkings- en stortingsinfrastrukuur

a) Strandput-onttrekking en pyplyn-storting (Groot Baai)

b) Pyplyn-onttrekking en pyplyn-storting (Groot Baai)

Perseel 1 Geleë oos van die herwinningsdam langsaan. Die gebou vir die TO-aanleg sal net noord-oos van die herwinnings-dam naby die strand opgerig word. c) Strandput-onttrekking en strandput-storting (Groot Baai)

a) Strandput-onttrekking en pyplyn-storting (Klein Baai) Perseel 2 Geleë noord en noord-oos van die Ysterertshanterings-fasiliteit. Die TO-aanleg-gebou sou opgerig word in ʼn area wat tans voorraadhope van gruis en konstruksierommel bevat.

b) Pyplyn-onttrekking en pyplyn-storting (Klein Baai)

a) Pyplyn-onttrekking (Klein Baai) en pyplyn-storting (Klein Baai)

b) Pyplyn-onttrekking (Klein Baai) en pyplyn-storting (Groot Baai)

c) Strandput-onttrekking op die kaai (voorraadhope) en pyplyn-storting (caisson 3, Groot Baai)

Perseel 3 Geleë op die suid-oos gedeelte die Ysterertshanterings-fasiliteit se kaai. Die TO-aanleg-gebou sou op ʼn gruisarea langs die Veeldoelige Terminaal geposisioneer word. d) Strandput-onttrekking op die kaai (Veeldoelige Terminaal) en pyplyn-

storting (caisson 3, Groot Baai).

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Bladsy 3

Figuur 3: Basiese uiteensetting van TO-aanleg

4. 1 ST RONDTE VAN OPENBARE DEELNAME

Na ontvangs van bevestiging van DOT om met die BIB proses te kan voorgaan in Junie 2007, is die openbare deelnameproses van stapel gestuur. Dit het die volgende ingesluit:

• Plasing van koerant-advertensies in plaaslike en streeks-koerante;

• Kennisgewing aan alle B&GPs wat op die voorgestelde Fase 2 se OIE-databasis van die voorgenome ontwikkel-ing geregistreer is;

• Uitnodiging aan alle belanghebbende partye om formeel as B&GPs vir die BIB proses van die TO-aanleg die registreer;

• Verspreiding van ʼn Agtergrondinligtingdokument (AID) met inligting oor die voorgestelde TO-aanleg; en

• Vergaderings met verskeie staatsamptenare, insluitend verteenwoordigers van:

o Die Departement van Omgewingsake en Toerisme (DOT),

o See- en Kusbestuur (SKB), o Die Departement van Waterwese en Bosbou

(DWWB), and o Weskus se Distriksmunisipaliteit (WKDM)

ʼn Aantal B&GPs, insluitend inwoners van Saldanhabaai en omliggende gebiede en verskeie staatsverteenwoordigers, het kommentaar oor die voorgestelde aktiwiteit ingedien. Die hoof-kwessies wat gedurende hierdie 1ste rondte van openbare deelname geïdentifiseer is, en wat in die OIE-proses aangespreek word, is die volgende:

• Toenemende souterigheid in die baai weens die storting van pekelwater

• Alternatiewe metodes vir stofvermindering

• Chemiese gebruik in die ontsoutingsproses

• Alternatiewe gebruike van pekelwater

• Regmatige geldigheid van die aktiwiteit as ʼn Basiese Evaluering

• Alternatiewe persele binne en buite die hawe en Alternatiewe Onttrekking- en Stortingspunte

Die 1ste rondte van openbare deelname het ʼn aantal kwellinge en kwessies aan die lig gebring, wat gebruik is ter inligting vir die Verwysingsterme vir elkeen van die spesialiste wat in Afdeling 5 hieronder aangedui word. Alhoewel slegs die belangrikste kwessies hierbo genoem word, sal alle kwellinge wat deur die B&GPs geopper word, in die BIB verslag aangespreek en daarin vervat word.

5. IDENTIFIKASIE & EVALUERINGS VAN

INVLOEDE

ʼn Aantal spesialisstudies is opgedra, om die potensiële invloede te evalueer wat vroeg reeds in die proses deur die omgewingspan en by wyse van die openbare deelnameproses geïdentifiseer is. Dit sluit die volgende in:

• Botaniese Studie – evaluering van die invloed van die voorgestelde TO-aanleg se infrastruktuur op die sensitiewe duinstelsel by perseel-alternatief 1 en die impak op die plantegroei by elkeen van die perseel-alternatiewe;

• Seestudie – evaluering van die invloed van seewater-onttrekking en pekelwater-storting (4 400m³/dag se pekel- waterstorting met ʼn sout-inhoud van 63.5 ppt) van elke alternatief (perseel, infrastruktuur, ens.) op die see-omgewing. Dit sluit modellering van die impak van die pekelwaterstorting op seelewe in, en evaluering van die invloed van die voorgestelde TO-aanleg en verwante infrastruktuur op die strandgebiede en die ekologiese spesies wat in hierdie gebiede aangetref word;

• Grondwaterbronstudie – evaluering van die invloed van die onttrekking en storting via strandputte op die grondwater in die area; en

• Erfenisstudie – evaluering van die invloed van die voorgestelde TO-aanleg en verwante infrastruktuur op enige argeologiese kenmerke van kulturele/erfenis- belang.

Addisionele invloede, insluitend geraas en energiegebruik, is ook geïdentifiseer en sal in die BIB verslag bespreek word.

Tru-osmose is ʼn proses wat opgeloste soute en metaal-partikels uit die water verwyder deur dit deur ʼn semi-deurlaatbare membraan te forseer

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Page 4

6. HUIDIGE STATUS VAN BASIESE INVLOEDBEPALING PROSES

Die BIB proses bestaan uit twee stappe soos in Figuur 4 aangedui. Spesialisstudies is reeds aan die gang en sodra dit gefinaliseer is, sal ʼn Konsep BIB verslag vir openbare kommentaar geproduseer word. Nadat kommentaar oor die Konsep BIB verslag ontvang is, sal ʼn Finale BIB verslag geproduseer word. Hierdie dokument sal weereens vir openbare kommentaar vrygestel word as dit noemenswaardig van die konsepverslag verskil. Die Finale BIB verslag plus ʼn Verslag van Openbare Kommentaar sal dan aan DOT voorgelê word, ten einde DOT in staat te stel om ʼn besluit te neem aangaande magtiging van die voorgestelde ontwikkeling, al dan nie.

Figuur 4: Diagram van die Basiese Invloedbepaling proses

6. PROGRAM VAN AKTIWITEITE Die spesialisstudies word tans afgehandel en die Konsep BIB verslag sal na verwagting vroeg in 2008 vir openbare kommentaar beskikbaar wees. Tabel 2 gee ʼn uiteensetting van die belangrikste aktiwiteite in die BIB proses en die beoogde tydraam vir elkeen.

Tabel 2: Verwagte Program vir die Basiese Invloedbepaling proses

Taak Beraamde Datums

Indiening van Kennisgewing van Voorneme om by DOT aansoek te doen

25 Mei 2007

Advertensies ter aankondiging van aanvang van die BIB proses en registrasie van B&GPs

12 Junie 2007

Verspreiding van Agtergrondinligting-dokument

14 Junie 2007

1ste Kommentaartydperk 14 Junie – 6 Augustus 2007

Spesialisstudies Middel van Junie – Vroeg Desember 2007

Vrystelling van Konsep BIB verslag vir openbare insae

Vroeg Februarie 2008

2de Kommentaartydperk Vroeg Februarie – Vroeg Maart 2008

Publieke Ope Dag en vergaderings van fokusgroepe

Vroeg Maart 2008

Vrystelling van Finale BIB verslag vir openbare insae

Middel van April 2008

3rde Kommentaartydperk Middel van April – Middel van Mei 2008

Voorlegging van Finale BIB verslag & Aansoekvorm aan DOT

Middel van Junie 2008

7. SKAKEL ONS

Indien u bewus is van enige ander partye wat ʼn belang mag hê in die voorgestelde ontwikkeling of die voorgestelde TO-aanleg by die Ysterertshanderingsfasiliteit en wat nog nie geregistreer het nie, gee asseblief hierdie inligting aan hulle deur sodat hulle op die B&GP-databasis geregistreer kan word, en op die hoogte gehou word van die omgewingsproses. Kontakbesonderhede moet deurgegee word aan Sharon Jones of Monique Sham van die PDNA/SRK Gesamentlike Onderneming.

Let asseblief daarop dat hierdie dokument ter inligting is, en

nie verbonde is aan ʼn formele kommentaartydperk binne die

BIB proses nie. U moet egter vry voel om gerus u kwellinge

en kwessies in te dien, wat ingesluit sal word by die BIB

dokumentasie wat vir ʼn finale besluit aan DOT voorgelê sal

word.

This document is also available in English. Should you require an English copy of this document, please contact us immediately.

PDNA/SRK Gesamentlike Onderneming p/a SRK Consulting Postnet Suite #206, Privaatsak X18 7701, RONDEBOSCH Tel: (021) 659 3060, Faks: (021) 685 7105 E-pos: sjones@srk.co.za of msham@srk.co.za

Kennisgewing van Voorneme om

Aansoek te doen

BASIESE EVALUERING

Agtergrondinligting- dokument (AID)

Openbare Insae

Spesialisstudies

Konsep BIB verslag

Openbare Insae

Finale BIB verslag

Openbare Insae

Voorlegging van Finale BIB verslag en Aansoekvorm aan

Owerheid

Omgewingsmagtiging / Afkeuring van Magtiging

HUIDIGE STADIUM IN

PROSES

OP

EN

BA

RE

DE

EL

NA

ME

Daar is geen nuwe water op ons planeet nie. Water word gehersirkuleer deur ʼn hidrologiese siklus van verdamping (waterdampe en wolke) en neerslag (reën, sneeu, ens.).

PROPOSED REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT, IRON ORE HANDLING FACILITY,

PORT OF SALDANHA

UPDATE NEWSLETTER TO INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES

DEAT REF NO: 12/12/20/958 December 2007 This newsletter provides an update for Interested and Affected Parties (I&AP’s) on the Basic Assessment process for the

proposed Reverse Osmosis (RO) seawater desalination plant at the Iron Ore Handling Facility, Port of Saldanha, which

commenced in May 2007.

1. BACKGROUND

Transnet is required to minimise dust generated as a result of the handling and storage of iron ore at the Iron Ore Handling Facility, Port of Saldanha. Pre-feasibility level studies have indicated that water is the most viable option for dust mitigation, and Transnet has identified desalinated sea water as an appropriate water supply for dust suppression. A total of 3600m³ of water per day is required at the Facility to mitigate dust generated as a result of operations at the facility. The most appropriate method of sea water desalination identified by Transnet is reverse osmosis. The construction of a Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant requires that an Environmental Assessment be completed to assess the potential impacts of the proposed Plant on the environment and to obtain authorisation. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations promulgated under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA; Act No.107 of 1998) list a number of activities requiring either a Basic Assessment (Government Notice R386) or a Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (Government Notice R387). The “listed activities” which may be applicable to the proposed RO Plant (or certain alternatives considered), and which require that a Basic Assessment be conducted, include:

• 2. Construction of earthmoving activities in the sea or within 100m inland of the high water mark of the sea, in respect of: (d) embankments; (e) stabilizing walls; (f) buildings and (g) infrastructure.

• 3. The prevention of the free movement of sand, including erosion and accretion, by means of planting vegetation, placing synthetic material on dunes and exposed sand surfaces within a distance of 100m inland of the HWM of the sea.

• 5. The removal or damaging of indigenous vegetation of more than 10m2 within a distance of 100m inland of the HWM of the sea.

• 6. The excavation, moving, removal, depositing or compacting of soil, sand, rock or rubble covering an area exceeding 10m2 in the sea or within a distance of 100m inland of the HWM of the sea.

• 12. The transformation or removal of indigenous vegetation of 3 hectares or more or of any size where the transformation or removal would occur within a critically endangered or an endangered ecosystem listed in terms

of section 52 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act no 10 of 2004).

• 13. The abstraction of groundwater at a volume where any general authorization issued in terms of the National Water Act, 2004 (Act No. 36 of 1998) will be exceeded.

• 25. The expansion of or changes to existing facilities for any process or activity, which requires an amendment of an existing permit or license or a new permit or license in terms of legislation governing the release of emissions, pollution, effluent.

In addition to conducting a Basic Assessment due to the above listed activities being triggered, a Water Use Licence Application (WULA) will also need to be submitted in terms of Section 21 of the National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998) to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) for the proposed discharge of water which contains waste from an industrial process or which has been heated in any industrial process (21h water use). In May 2007 a Notice of Intent to Apply was submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) as the first step in the Basic environmental Assessment process for the proposed RO Plant. The application was accepted by DEAT and the public participation process commenced in June, with all Interested & Affected Parties (I&APs) being notified of the proposal, including those on the I&AP database for the proposed Phase 2 upgrade to the iron ore facility. The Background Information Document (BID) that was distributed to I&APs in June 2007 described the environmental process and illustrated the method of desalination using reverse osmosis. The BID indicated that three alternative sites at the Port were being considered and that a number of Specialist Studies would be completed to inform the environmental assessment. This newsletter provides an update to I&AP’s on the environmental process for the proposed RO Plant to date.

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Page 2

2. ALTERNATIVES BEING CONSIDERED

Three alternative sites for the location of the RO plant are being considered (refer to Figure 1 and Table 1) with an option of intake of seawater and discharge of brine either via pipeline or beach wells. Specialists were briefed to assess the impact of the proposed RO Plant and associated infrastructure at these three alternative sites, considering various positions and options for intake and discharge. An initial environmental screening exercise undertaken by the specialists identified potential environmental impacts in order to inform the engineering design and location for the RO plant and associated infrastructure. Based on this specialist screening, Transnet identified variations to the locations of pipelines and beach well infrastructure to mitigate the potential impacts identified by the specialists. The specialists have been informed of the variations in locations of the intake and outlet infrastructure and will include these in their assessments.

Site Alternative 1

Site Alternative 2

Site Alternative 3

To Langebaan

To Saldanha

Small Bay

Big Bay

Multipurpose Terminal

Stockpiles

N

EW

S

Figure 1: Alternative Site Locations

3. DESALINATION & RO PLANT TECHNOLOGY

Desalination refers to a water treatment process whereby salts are removed from saline water to produce potable water. Osmosis is the natural movement of solvent from an area of low solute concentration through a membrane to an area of high solute concentration when no external pressure is applied. Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a separation process used to purify concentrated solutions of dissolved minerals and salts and is used in desalination plants. RO involves forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane under high pressure, leaving the dissolved salts and other solutes behind on the surface of the membrane. The proposed RO Plant consists of a group of pressure vessels arranged in one or several racks (refer to Figure 2), high-pressure pumps, a turbine for recovering energy, and pipelines. The basic RO process (assuming the use of beach wells for intake) is shown in Figure 3. Saline water for the RO Plant can either be obtained through direct pumping from the sea or from beach wells or boreholes (depending on location). Beach wells/boreholes are preferred for the intake system as the feedwater contains limited suspended solids.

Figure 2: Typical RO Plant Building Setup

Seawater is pumped through the RO pressure vessels using high-pressure pumps. As a portion of the water passes through the membrane the remaining water increases in salt concentration. The resultant substance, referred to as brine, is approximately 1.5 times more saline than the seawater and is discharged back into the ocean. An energy recovery turbine is provided in the RO Plant which will recover residual energy in the brine stream. The energy recovered will be used to boost the feed pressure to the membranes and will reduce energy usage in the RO process.

Table 1: RO Plant Alternative Sites and Locations of Intake and Discharge Infrastructure

Alternative Sites Alternative intake and discharge infrastructure locations

a) Beach well intake and pipeline discharge (Big Bay)

b) Pipe intake and pipeline discharge (Big Bay)

Site 1 Located east and adjacent to the reclamation dam. The RO Plant building would be located just north east of the reclamation dam close to the beach. c) Beach well intake and beach well discharge (Big Bay)

a) Beach well intake and pipeline discharge (Small Bay) Site 2

Located north and north west of the Iron Ore Handling Facility. The RO Plant building would be established in an area currently containing stockpiles of gravel and construction rubble

b) Pipeline intake and pipeline discharge (Small Bay)

a) Pipeline intake (Small Bay) and pipeline discharge (Small Bay)

b) Pipeline intake (Small Bay) and pipeline discharge (Big Bay)

c) Borehole intake on the quay (stockpiles) and pipeline discharge (caisson 3, Big Bay)

Site 3 Located on the southern section of the Quay of the Iron Ore Handling Facility. The RO Plant building would be positioned on a gravel area adjacent to the Multipurpose Terminal d) Borehole intake on the quay (Multipurpose Terminal) and pipeline discharge

(caisson 3, Big Bay).

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Page 3

Figure 3: Basic RO Plant layout

4. 1 ST ROUND OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

After receiving confirmation to proceed with the Basic Assessment process from DEAT in June 2007, the public participation process was initiated. This included:

• Placement of newspaper advertisements in local and regional newspapers;

• Notifying all I&AP’s registered on the proposed Phase 2 EIA database of the proposed development;

• Inviting all interested parties to formally register as I&AP’s for the RO Plant Basic Assessment process;

• Distribution of a Background Information Document (BID) which provided information of the proposed RO Plant; and

• Meetings with various government officials, including representatives from:

o Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT),

o Marine and Coastal Management (MCM), o Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

(DWAF), and o West Coast District Municipality (WCDM)

A number of I&AP’s including residents from Saldanha Bay and surrounds, and various government representatives submitted comments on the proposed activity. The main issues that were identified during this 1st round of public participation, and which are being dealt with in the EIA process, include:

• Increased salinity in the bay due to brine discharge

• Alternative dust suppression methods

• Chemical usage in the desalination process

• Alternative uses of brine

• Legality of the activity being a Basic Assessment

• Alternative Sites inside and outside the Port and Alternative Intake and Discharge points

The 1st round of public participation highlighted a number of concerns and issues that were used to inform the Terms of Reference for each of the specialists listed in Section 5 below. Although only the key issues have been listed above, all concerns raised by the I&APs will be included and addressed in the BA Report.

5. IMPACT IDENTIFICATION & ASSESSMENTS

A number of specialist studies have been commissioned to assess the potential impacts identified early on in the process by the environmental team and through the public participation process. These include:

• Botanical Study – assessment of the impact of the proposed RO Plant infrastructure on the sensitive dune system at site alternative 1 and the impact on the flora found at each of the site alternatives;

• Marine Study – assessment of the impact of sea water intake and brine discharge (4 400m³/day brine discharge with a salinity of 63.5 ppt) of each alternative (site, infrastructure etc) on the marine environment. This includes modelling of the impact of the brine discharge on the marine environment and evaluation of the impact of the proposed RO Plant and associated infrastructure on the beach areas and the ecological species found in these areas;

• Groundwater Resources Study – assessment of the impact of intake and discharge via beach wells on the groundwater of the area; and

• Heritage Study – assessment of the impact of the proposed RO Plant and associated infrastructure on any archaeological features of cultural/heritage importance.

Additional impacts, including noise and energy use have also been identified and will be discussed in the Basic Assessment Report.

SEA WATER

PRETREATMENTUSING BEACH WELLS

SEA WATER BUFFER TANK

HIGH PRESSURE PUMP

RO MODULES

BRINE DISCHARGE

TURBINE FORENERGY RECOVERY

POTABLE WATER

Reverse Osmosis is a process that removes dissolved salts and metallic ions from water by forcing it through a semi -permeable membrane.

PDNA/SRK JV–Saldanha Reverse Osmosis Plant Page 4

6. CURRENT STATUS OF BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS

The Basic Assessment (BA) process consists of two steps as illustrated in Figure 4. Currently specialist studies are underway and once these have been finalised a Draft BA Report will be produced for public comment. After comments have been received on the Draft BA Report, a Final BA Report will be produced. This document will once again be released for public comment, if it differs substantially from the draft report. The Final BA Report, as well as a Public Comment Report will then be submitted to DEAT in order for DEAT to take a decision on whether the proposed development can be authorised or not.

Figure 4: Diagram of the Basic Assessment Process

6. PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES

The specialist studies are currently being finalised and it is envisaged that the Draft BA Report will be available early in 2008 for public comment. Table 2 outlines the key activities in the BA process and anticipated timing for each.

Table 2: Anticipated Programme for the Basic Assessment process

Task Approximate Dates

Submission of Notice of Intent to Apply to DEAT

25 May 2007

Advertisements to announce commencement of Basic Assessment and register I&APs

12 June 2007

Distribution of Background Information Document

14 June 2007

1st Comment Period 14 June – 6 August 2007

Specialist studies Mid June – early December 2007

Release of Draft Basic Assessment Report for public review

Early February 2008

2nd Comment Period Early February – Early March 2008

Public Open Day and focus group meetings

Early March 2008

Release of Final Basic Assessment Report for public review

Mid April 2008

3rd Comment Period Mid April – Mid May 2008

Submit final Basic Assessment Report & Application Form to DEAT

Mid June 2008

7. CONTACT US

If you know of any other parties who may have an interest in the proposed development of the proposed RO Plant at the Iron Ore Handling Facility and who have not yet registered, please pass this information on to them so that they can register on the I&AP database and be kept informed of the environmental process. Contact details must be submitted to Sharon Jones or Monique Sham of PDNA/SRK Joint Venture. Please note that this document is for information, and is

not associated with a formal comment period within the

Basic Assessment process. However, please feel free to

submit your comments or concerns which will be included

in the BA documentation to be submitted to DEAT for a

final decision.

Hierdie dokument is ook in Afrikaans beskikbaar. Indien u 'n Afrikaanse kopie van hierdie dokument benodig, kan u gerus met ons in aanraking kom

PDNA/SRK Joint Venture c/o SRK Consulting Postnet Suite #206, Private Bay X18 7701, RONDEBOSCH Tel: (021) 659 3060, Fax: (021) 685 7105 Email: sjones@srk.co.za or msham@srk.co.za

Notice of Intent to Apply

BASIC ASSESSMENT

Background Information Document (BID)

Public Review

Specialist Studies

Draft BA Report

Public Review

Final BA Report

Public Review

Submission of Final BA and Application form to Authority

Environmental Authorisation / Refusal of Authorisation

CURRENTSTAGE IN PROCESS

PU

BL

IC P

AR

TIC

IPA

TIO

N

There is no new water on our planet. Water recycles through a hydrological cycle of evaporation (water vapour and clouds) and precipitation (rain, snow, etc.).

Monique Sham

From: Mark Duckitt [mduckitt@cles.co.za]

Sent: 16 December 2007 06:26 PM

To: 'Jimmy Walsh'; 'mike rothenburg'; 'Monique Sham'; nschlettwein@namakwa.co.za; pierrem@saldanhabay.co.za; pieter@deat.gov.za; pietf@saldanhabay.co.za; raphaell@telkomsa.net; rvballeg@csir.co.za; sally@rmsenviro.co.za

Subject: RE: Proposed RO Plant: Update

Follow Up Flag: Follow up

Flag Status: Red

Page 1 of 2

05/02/2008

Gentlemen I respect your comments but do ask where the line function responsibility for the lagoon and MPA lies? SANPB for a part surely. And MCM/DEAT surely. Do we not need to engage such parties a lot more aggressively? Esp DEAT who do not show any regard locally to the EA in the DEAT based on the ground evidence Mark Duckitt Cape Lowlands Environmental Services P.O.Box 70 Darling 7345 Tel:022 492 3435 Fax: 088 022 4923435

From: Jimmy Walsh [mailto:plattnergm@mweb.co.za] Sent: 15 December 2007 07:52 To: mike rothenburg; 'Monique Sham'; mduckitt@cles.co.za; nschlettwein@namakwa.co.za; pierrem@saldanhabay.co.za; pieter@deat.gov.za; pietf@saldanhabay.co.za; raphaell@telkomsa.net; rvballeg@csir.co.za; sally@rmsenviro.co.za

Subject: Re: Proposed RO Plant: Update Dear all, I am vehemently opposed to the disposal of brine into the Langebaan Lagoon. The comment made by Dr.Tony Williams has been ignored, and obviously the likes of Dr.Tony Williams and Dr. Colin Attwood have not been consulted in this matter as the answers will not suit the polluter. So where are these studies and are they to have peer review? Regards, Jimmy Walsh.

----- Original Message ----- From: mike rothenburg To: 'Monique Sham' ; mduckitt@cles.co.za ; nschlettwein@namakwa.co.za ; pierrem@saldanhabay.co.za ; pieter@deat.gov.za ; pietf@saldanhabay.co.za ; plattnergm@mweb.co.za ; raphaell@telkomsa.net ; rvballeg@csir.co.za ; sally@rmsenviro.co.za Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 11:00 AM Subject: RE: Proposed RO Plant: Update Dear Monique I see the plan is to discharge the brine back into the bay. This I don’t think is acceptable and I will strongly oppose this.

Please note my objection. I see from the stage reached that the specialist studies have been done. Can I review the specialist studies on the impact the discharge of brine will have on the bay. Many thanks Mike Rothenburg Office +27 22 714 3624 Mobile +27 076 976 7921

From: Monique Sham [mailto:msham@srk.co.za] Sent: 14 December 2007 10:11 AM To: mduckitt@cles.co.za; mikean@imaginet.co.za; nschlettwein@namakwa.co.za; pierrem@saldanhabay.co.za; pieter@deat.gov.za; pietf@saldanhabay.co.za; plattnergm@mweb.co.za; raphaell@telkomsa.net; rvballeg@csir.co.za; sally@rmsenviro.co.za

Cc: Monique Sham Subject: Proposed RO Plant: Update Dear Stakeholder

PROPOSED REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT, IRON ORE HANDLING FACILITY PORT OF SALDANHA

UPDATE NEWSLETTER TO INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES Please find attached a Newsletter providing an update on the Basic Assessment process for the proposed Reverse Osmosis (RO) seawater desalination plant at the Iron Ore Handling Facility, Port of Saldanha. If you have any queries, or require further information please contact Monique Sham or Sharon Jones of SRK Consulting at Postnet Suite #206, Private Bag X18, Rondebosch, 7701; Fax: (021) 685 7105, Tel: (021) 659 3060 or msham@srk.co.za or sjones@srk.co.za. Yours sincerely, Monique Sham Environmental Consultant SRK Consulting The Administrative Building Albion Springs, 183 Main Road, Rondebosch, 7700 South Africa

Tel: +27 21 659 3060 Fax: +27 21 685 7105 Cell: +27 72 989 5119 The information transmitted herein is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.

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05/02/2008