RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES LTD – MOTOTOLO: NOTICE OF THE APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION AND GENERAL AUTHORISATION APPLICATION FOR THE PROPOSED NEW STORMWATER MANAGEMENT MEASURES AT THE SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN SECTIONS OF THE HELENA TAILINGS STORAGE FACILITY (“TSF”)
This letter gives notice to potential Interested and Affected Parties (“I&APs”) about where information can be obtained in respect of the application for environmental authorisation, as well as the opportunity that I&APs have, to comment on the draft Basic Assessment Report (“BAR”).
BACKGROUND AND LOCATION OF THE PROJECT
Rustenburg Platinum Mines Ltd: Mototolo Complex (hereafter referred to as “Mototolo Complex”) is an existing operation situated in the Limpopo Province, near Steelpoort. The mine proposes to undertake stormwater management system upgrades at the Mototolo-Helena TSF. The study area associated with the proposed project is situated on Remaining extent of farm Helena 6 JT and will include the construction of a new clean water channel, sediment trap and an outlet into the watercourse at the northern section of the Helena TSF as well as a new berm, sediment trap and an outlet into the watercourse at the southern section of the Helena TSF. Due to the extent and nature of the activities associated with the proposed project, the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (“EAP”) has identified that a Basic Assessment (“BA”) process is required in terms of the NEMA EIA Regulations, GN R.982 dated 2014, as amended.
LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS
Legislation associated with the application.
A Basic Assessment Report (“BAR”) will be required in compliance with the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No.107 of 1998) (“NEMA”) and the NEMA Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 (GN R982 of 4 December 2014) (“GN R982”), as amended, for the authorisation of listed activities contained in the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Listing Notice 1 of 2014 (GN R983 of 4 December 2014) (“GNR 983”), as amended.
Applications submitted to competent authority.
An application for Environmental Authorisation has been submitted to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (“DMRE”) on the 22 February 2024.
Listed activities applied to the application.
The activities that will be applied for include: Listed Activity 19 of Listing Notice 1 (GNR 983 of GG 38282 of 4 Dec 2014, as amended): “The infilling or depositing of any material of more than 10 cubic metres into, or the dredging, excavation, removal or moving of soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles or rock of more than 10 cubic metres from a watercourse; but excluding where such infilling, depositing, dredging, excavation, removal or moving—
(a) will occur behind a development setback;
(b) is for maintenance purposes undertaken in accordance with a maintenance management plan.
(c) falls within the ambit of activity 21 in this Notice, in which case that activity applies;
(d) occurs within existing ports or harbours that will not increase the development footprint of the port or harbour; or
(e) where such development is related to the development of a port or harbour, in which case activity 26 in Listing Notice 2 of 2014 applies”,
and Listed Activity 14 of Listing Notice 3 (GNR 983 of GG 38282 of 4 Dec 2014, as amended):
“The development of—
(i) dams or weirs, where the dam or weir, including infrastructure and water surface area exceeds 10 square metres; or
(ii) infrastructure or structures with a physical footprint of 10 square metres or more.
where such development occurs—
(a) within a watercourse;
(b) in front of a development setback; or
(c) if no development setback has been adopted, within 32 metres of a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse; excluding the development of infrastructure or structures within.
- e) Limpopo i. Outside urban areas:
(ff) Critical biodiversity areas or ecosystem service areas as identified in systematic biodiversity plans adopted by the competent authority or in bioregional plans”.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
South Africans have a right to be informed about potential decisions that may affect them and to be afforded an opportunity to influence those decisions. This advertisement forms part of a Public Participation Process as part of the project. It describes the various components of the project to enable I&APs to get a better understanding of the potential environmental and social impacts that could be expected from the proposed project. It also outlines the process and the opportunities for the public to become involved during the study.
Register as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP)
Mototolo Complex has appointed Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd. as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner to undertake the Environmental Authorisation application and stakeholder engagement process. You may register as an I&AP. To register as an I&AP to this project, or to obtain more information or submit comments, please request a Registration form from Shangoni and return it together with any comments to Shangoni at the details provided below.
Availability of the draft Basic Assessment Report (“BAR”)
The draft BAR will be made available to the public for review for a period of 30 days from 22 February – 23 March 2024 on Shangoni’s website (www.shangoni.co.za) and at the Mototolo Complex Social Performance Offices.
Where to obtain more information
To obtain additional information please contact the EAP at the details provided below:
Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP): Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd.
Contact person: Seli Mahlangu
Tel: 012 807 7036
E-mail: seli@shangoni.co.za
Fax: 012 807 1014
Postal Address: P. O. Box 74726, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040