Case Decision - 188041

SAHRA therefore confirms the recommendations included in the comment dated 25 March 2014 that at this stage no heritage impact assessment is necessary. However, SAHRA reserves the right to further comment on the Environmental Impact Report. In terms of the fossil heritage of the site, SAHRA is satisfied with the provisions included in the letter of the paleobotanist dated 5 June 2014 and therefore the following recommendations apply (as per page 2 of the letter):

When mining operations commence the shales and mudstones (of no economic value) must be given a cursory inspection by the mine geologist or designated person before being added to the dumps used by the mine. Any fossiliferous material should be put aside in a suitably protected place as agreed in advance with the palaeobotanist.
The Environmental Control Officer, the mine geologist or a designated person must be trained by a palaeobotanist on the recognition of plant fossils in shales and mudstones.
On a regular basis, to be agreed upon by the mine management and the qualified palaeobotanist sub-contracted for this project, the palaeobotanist should visit the mine to inspect the selected material and check the dumps where feasible. The frequency of inspections should be monthly. If the geologist/deputy is diligent and extracts the fossil material then inspections can be less frequent.
Fossil plants considered to be of good quality or scientific interest by the palaeobotanist must be removed, catalogued and housed in a suitable institution where they can be made available for further study. Before the fossils are removed from the mine a SAHRA permit must be obtained as required by s. 35(4) of the National Heritage Resources Act. Annual reports must be submitted to SAHRA for the length the schedule timeframe.
If no good fossil material is recovered then the site inspections by the palaeobotanist can be reduced to annual events until mining operations cease. Annual reports by the palaeobotanist must be sent to SAHRA for the length of the life of the mine unless written instructions is received by SAHRA.

SAHRA will further comment on this case once the Draft Environmental Impact Report is submitted.