RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES LTD. – MOTOTOLO: NOTICE OF THE APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PARKING AREA AT BORWA SHAFT
This advertisement 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 Mine (hereafter referred to as “Mototolo Mine”) is an existing operation situated in the Limpopo Province, near Steelpoort. The mine proposes to construct an additional parking area at the Borwa Shaft to accommodate more vehicles at the shaft and avoid near-hits associated with the limited parking space on site. The study area associated with the proposed project is situated on Portion 7 of the farm Thorncliffe 374 KT and the area that will be cleared for the additional parking area will extend approximately 19 000 m². The new parking area will accommodate approximately 120 parked vehicles. 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 was submitted to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (“DMRE”) on 22 September 2022.
Listed activities applied to the application.
The activities that will be applied for include Listed Activity 27 of Listing Notice 1 (GNR 983 of GG 38282 of 4 Dec 2014, as amended):“The clearance of an area of 1 hectares or more, but less than 20 hectares of indigenous vegetation, except where such clearance of indigenous vegetation is required for—
(i) the undertaking of a linear activity; or
(ii) maintenance purposes undertaken in accordance with a maintenance management plan.”,
and Listed Activity 12 of Listing Notice 3 (GNR 983 of 4 December 2014, as amended): “The clearance of an area of 300 square metres or more of indigenous vegetation except where such clearance of indigenous vegetation is required for maintenance purposes undertaken in accordance with a maintenance management plan.
- e) Limpopo
- Within any critically endangered or endangered ecosystem listed in terms of section 52 of the NEMBA or prior to the publication of such a list, within an area that has been identified as critically endangered in the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004;”
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 Mine 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 September 2022 to 24 October 2022 on the Shangoni’s website (www.shangoni.co.za) and at the Mototolo Mine Borwa Shaft security entrance.
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: Renate Steffens
Tel: 012 807 7036
E-mail: renate@shangoni.co.za
Fax: 012 807 1014
Postal Address: P. O. Box 74726, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040