Olympus AH Eco Assessment

39 Pages·2016·7.75 MB·English

by  Robert Mortimer

TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE
PROPOSED ANGLO OPERATIONS (PTY) LIMITED (AOL)
SETLABOTSHA PROJECT NEAR STANDERTON,
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE

Prepared for

SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd

April 2016

Section A – Summary and Background Info

Prepared by: Scientific Aquatic Services
Report authors: E. van der Westhuizen
C. Hooton
S. Swanepoel
Report reviewer: S. van Staden (Pr.Sci.Nat)
Report Reference: SAS 215279
Date: April 2016
Scientific Aquatic Services CC
CC Reg No 2003/078943/23
Vat Reg. No. 4020235273
PO Box 751779
Gardenview
2047
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
SAS 215279 – Section A April 2016

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Based on the findings of the ecological assessment, it is the opinion of the ecologists
that the proposed mining and infrastructure project be considered favorably. However,
all mitigation measures and recommendations presented in this report should be
adhered to as to ensure the ecology within the proposed disturbance areas as well as
surrounding zone of influence is protected or adequately rehabilitated in order to
minimize the deviations from the Present Ecological State. Particular attention needs to
be paid to the location and extent of wetland systems in order to ensure that decant and
possible dewatering do not affect surrounding wetlands and surface water resources.

Scientific Aquatic Services (SAS) was appointed to conduct a faunal and floral ecological investigation
for the proposed Anglo Operations (Pty) Limited (AOL) Setlabotsha project near Standerton,
Mpumalanga Province. The proposed Setlabotsha project is located approximately 15km north west of
Standerton, which falls within the Lekwa Local Municipality and Gert Sibande District Municipality (SRK,
2016). The study will focus on the two shaft complexes and alternative conveyor route options, hereafter
collectively referred to as “study area”. In addition, the proposed Mining Rights Area (MRA) was
considered as part of the desktop assessment.
The purpose of this report is to define the ecology of the area including terrestrial ecological aspects as
well as mapping of the resources and defining areas of increased Ecological Importance and Sensitivity
(EIS) and to define the Present Ecological State (PES) of the study area in the vicinity of the proposed
mining and infrastructure development. Where applicable, the drivers of the habitat types were defined.
It was the objective of this study to provide detailed information to guide the activities associated with
the proposed activities to ensure that the ongoing functioning of the ecosystem in such a way as to
support local and regional conservation requirements and the provision of ecological services in the
local area. The following sections provide brief summaries of each ecological aspect assessed.
Flora:
The findings of the field assessment indicate that the habitat associated with the study area is mostly
of moderately high to low ecological sensitivity. Habitat degradation and alien floral invasion is moderate
to high as a result of current and historical mining and agricultural activities. Furthermore, two floral
SCC are present and several medicinal species were recorded during the assessment.
Fauna:
The findings of the field assessment indicate that the faunal habitat associated with the study area is
mostly of medium to low sensitivity. With the exception of the wetlands and secondary grasslands, the
overall faunal habitat disturbance is considered to be low. The study area is known to provide habitat
to a number of faunal SCC, to which the secondary grasslands and wetlands are of primary importance.
Conclusion:
It is the opinion of the ecologists that this study provides the relevant information required in order to
implement Integrated Environmental Management and to ensure that the best long term use of the
ecological resources in the study area will be made in support of the principle of sustainable
development.

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SAS 215279 – Section A April 2016

DOCUMENT GUIDE
The table below provides the NEMA (2014) Requirements for Biodiversity Assessments and also the
relevant sections in the reports where these requirements are addressed.
NEMA Regulations (2014) - Appendix 6 Relevant section in report
Details of the specialist who prepared the report Section A: Appendix E
The expertise of that person to compile a specialist report including a curriculum vitae
Section A: Appendix E
A declaration that the person is independent in a form as may be specified by the competent
authority Section A: Appendix E
An indication of the scope of, and the purpose for which, the report was prepared Section A: Section 1.2
The date and season of the site investigation and the relevance of the season to the outcome
of the assessment Section A: Section 1.3
Section A: Section 2
A description of the methodology adopted in preparing the report or carrying out the Section B: Appendix A
specialised process Section C: Appendix A
The specific identified sensitivity of the site related to the activity and its associated structures Section B: Section 4
and infrastructure Section C: Section 4
Section B: Section 4
An identification of any areas to be avoided, including buffers Section C: Section 4
A map superimposing the activity including the associated structures and infrastructure on the Section B: Section 4
environmental sensitivities of the site including areas to be avoided, including buffers; Section C: Section 4
A description of any assumptions made and any uncertainties or gaps in knowledge; Section A: Section 1.3
A description of the findings and potential implications of such findings on the impact of the Section B: Section 5
proposed activity, including identified alternatives, on the environment Section C: Section 5
Section B: Section 5
Any mitigation measures for inclusion in the EMPr Section C: Section 5
Section B: Section 5
Any conditions for inclusion in the environmental authorisation Section C: Section 5
Section B: Section 5
Any monitoring requirements for inclusion in the EMPr or environmental authorisation Section C: Section 5
Not applicable for the baseline
A reasoned opinion as to whether the proposed activity or portions thereof should be phase, will be assessed in detail
authorised and during the EIA phase
If the opinion is that the proposed activity or portions thereof should be authorised, any
avoidance, management and mitigation measures that should be included in the EMPr, and Section B: Section 5
where applicable, the closure plan Section C: Section 5
A description of any consultation process that was undertaken during the course of carrying
out the study N/A
A summary and copies if any comments that were received during any consultation process N/A
Any other information requested by the competent authority. N/A

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SAS 215279 – Section A April 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... ii
DOCUMENT GUIDE ............................................................................................................ iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................... v
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................. v
GLOSSARY OF TERMS ..................................................................................................... vi
ACRONYMS ....................................................................................................................... vii
1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background............................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Project Scope ......................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Assumptions and Limitations .................................................................................. 5
1.4 Legislative Requirements ........................................................................................ 6
2 ASSESSMENT APPROACH .................................................................................... 6
2.1 General approach ................................................................................................... 6
3 RESULTS OF THE DESKTOP ANALYSIS ............................................................... 8
3.1 Conservation characteristics of the area ................................................................. 8
4 STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT ............................................................................. 14
5 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 15
APPENDIX A – Indemnity and Terms of Use of This Report .......................................... 17
APPENDIX B – Legislative Requirements ....................................................................... 17
APPENDIX C – Ecological Impact Assessment Method ................................................. 18
APPENDIX D – Vegetation Types ..................................................................................... 20
APPENDIX E – Declaration and Specialist Details .......................................................... 23

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SAS 215279 – Section A April 2016

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Digital Satellite image depicting the location of the shaft complexes, conveyor
alternatives and MRA in relation to surrounding areas. ......................................................... 3
Figure 2: The study area and associated MRA depicted on a 1:50 000 topographical map in
relation to its surrounding area. ............................................................................................. 4
Figure 3: The vegetation type associated with the study area and MRA (Mucina and
Rutherford, 2006). ............................................................................................................... 10
Figure 4: The mining and biodiversity guidelines associated with the study area and MRA
(2013). ................................................................................................................................ 11
Figure 5: MBSP Terrestrial Biodiversity within the study area and MRA (2014)................... 12
Figure 6: Land cover associated with the study area and MRA (National Land Cover, 2013).
........................................................................................................................................... 13

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Summary of the conservation characteristics for the study area. ............................. 8
Table 2: Summary of the terrestrial conservation characteristics for the study area. ............. 8
Table 3: Method for rating the significance of impacts ......................................................... 19

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SAS 215279 – Section A April 2016

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Alien vegetation: Plants that do not occur naturally within the area but
have been introduced either intentionally or
unintentionally. Vegetation species that originate from
outside of the borders of the biome -usually international
in origin.
Biodiversity: The number and variety of living organisms on earth, the
millions of plants, animals and micro-organisms, the
genes they contain, the evolutionary history and
potential they encompass and the Ecosystems,
ecological processes and landscape of which they are
integral parts.
Indigenous vegetation: Vegetation occurring naturally within a defined area.
Perennial: Flows all year round.
RDL (Red Data listed) species: Organisms that fall into the Extinct in the Wild (EW),
critically endangered (CR), Endangered (EN),
Vulnerable (VU) categories of ecological status.
Species of Conservation Concern The term SCC in the context of this report refers to all
RDL (Red Data) and IUCN (International Union for the
Conservation of Nature) listed species as well as
protected species of relevance to the project.

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ACRONYMS
AATC Anglo American Thermal Coal
AOL Anglo Operations (Pty) Ltd
BAR Basic Assessment Report
BGIS Biodiversity GIS
CBA Critical Biodiversity Area
DMR Department of Mineral Resources
EAP Environmental Assessment Practitioner
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EIS Ecological Importance and Sensitivity
EMP(r) Environmental Management Programme
EN Endangered
ESA Ecological Support Area
GN General Notification
Ha Hectares
IBA Important Bird Area
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
MAP Mean Annual Precipitation
MAPE Mean annual potential evaporation
MASMS Mean annual soil moisture stress
MAT Mean Annual Temperature
MBSP Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan
MPRDA Minerals and petroleum Resource Development Act
MRA Mining Rights Area
NBA National Biodiversity Assessment
NEMA National Environmental Management Act
NEMBA National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act

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SAS 215279 – Section A April 2016

NOMR New Order Mining Rights
NPAES National Protected Area Expansion Strategy
ONA Other Natural Area
NWA National Water Act
PCD Pollution Control Dam
PES Present Ecological State
PPP Public Participation Process
PRECIS Pretoria Computer Information Systems
QDS Quarter Degree Square
SANBI Southern African National Biodiversity Institute
SAS Scientific Aquatic Services
SAPAD South Africa Protected Area Database
SCC Species of Conservational Concern
TSP Threatened species programme
VU Vulnerable

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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Scientific Aquatic Services (SAS) was appointed to conduct a faunal and floral ecological
investigation for the proposed Anglo Operations (Pty) Limited (AOL) Setlabotsha project near
Standerton, Mpumalanga Province. The proposed Setlabotsha project is located
approximately 15km north west of Standerton, which falls within the Lekwa Local Municipality
and Gert Sibande District Municipality (SRK, 2016). The study will focus on the two shaft
complexes and alternative conveyor route options, hereafter collectively referred to as “study
area” (Figure 1 & 2). In addition, the proposed Mining Rights Area (MRA) was only considered
as part of the desktop assessment.
Anglo Operations (Pty) Ltd (AOL) proposes to develop the following (SRK, 2016):
 Two shaft complexes (East and West Shaft), each of which will consist of an incline
shaft for material and coal extraction and a vertical shaft for ventilation, personnel and
small material access. Each shaft complex footprint area will be approximately 100
hectares (ha);
 An office complex of approximately 60ha situated between the East and West Shafts;
 Associated with each shaft complex:
• Overburden stockpile;
• Pollution Control Dam (PCD);
• Ablution facilities and associated sewage treatment plant;
• Access roads; and
• Other surface infrastructure.
The extracted coal will be transported from the shaft complexes via an overland conveyor belt
which is approximately 32km long and 55m wide servitude to AOL’s existing New Denmark
Colliery, where the coal will be washed and processed (SRK, 2016). No processing or storage
of discard at the Setlabotsha shaft complexes will occur.
The purpose of this report is to define the terrestrial ecology of the area as well as mapping of
the resources and defining areas of increased Ecological Importance and Sensitivity (EIS) and
to define the Present Ecological State (PES) of the study area in the vicinity of the proposed
shaft complexes and conveyor route options. It is the objective of this study to provide detailed
information to guide the activities associated with the proposed mining activities in the vicinity
of the resources to ensure that the ongoing functioning of the ecosystem in such a way as to

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SAS 215279 - Section A April 2016

support local and regional conservation requirements and the provision of ecological services
in the local area.

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