506295 Holfontein Ecological Impact Section Final 2015 06 23 Kvdw

PROPOSED HOLFONTEIN PROJECT: Ecological Impact Assessment

SEF Reference No. 506295

Prepared for: Prime Resources (Pty) Ltd P.O. Box 2316 Parklands 2121 Tel No.: (011) 447 4888 Fax No.: (011) 447 0355

Prepared by:

Strategic Environmental Focus (Pty) Ltd P.O. Box 74785 Lynnwood Ridge 0040 Tel. No.: (012) 349-1307 Fax. No.: (012) 349-1229 E-mail: [email protected]

June 2015

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Holfontein: Ecological Impact Assessment 506295

Compiled by: Authorised by: Karin van der Walt Cert. Sci. Nat. Byron Grant Pr. Sci. N at. Terrestrial Ecologist Principal: Specialist Services SACNASP Reg. No. 300028/12 SACNASP: Reg. No. 400275/08

______Date: 09/07/2015

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Declaration of Independence

I, Karin van der Walt, in my capacity as a specialist consultant, hereby declare that I - • Act as an independent consultant; • Do not have any financial interest in the undertaking of the activity, other than remuneration for the work performed in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA); • Have and will not have vested interest in the proposed activity proceeding; • Have no, and will not engage in, conflicting interests in the undertaking of the activity; • Undertake to disclose, to the competent authority, any material information that has or may have the potential to influence the decision of the competent authority or the objectivity of any report, plan or document required in terms of the NEMA; • Will provide the competent authority with access to all information at my disposal regarding the application, whether such information is favourable to the applicant or not; • As a registered member of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), will undertake my profession in accordance with the Code of Conduct of the Council, as well as any other societies to which I am a member • Based on information provided to me by the project proponent, and in addition to information obtained during the course of this study, have presented the results and conclusion within the associated document to the best of my professional judgement; • Reserve the right to modify aspects pertaining to the present investigation should additional information become available through ongoing research and/or further work in this field; and • Undertake to have my work peer reviewed on a regular basis by a competent specialist in the field of study for which I am registered.

______06/07/2015 Karin van der Walt Cert. Sci. Nat. Date Terrestrial Ecologist SACNASP Reg. No. 300028/12

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of the Holfontein Project is to supplement the drop in production once the New Kleinfontein Goldmine (Pty) Ltd Modder East Mine (MEM) tonnage profile begins to decline. The life of mine schedule for Holfontein has been incorporated into the MEM life of mine so as to maintain a profitable production profile for the combined entity. The Holfontein section will include various infrastructure such as winders, access control facility, a containerised office, chemical toilets, haul truck loading area, ventilation shaft and outlet, power lines between MEM and Holfontein, standby generators, surface water storage infrastructure, pollution control dam etc. The study area is located in the Grassland Biome, which can be further divided into vegetation units. The proposed shafts as well as the eastern section of the proposed haul road are located in the Eastern Highveld Grassland vegetation type (currently listed as Endangered), while the remainder of the haul road is located in the Soweto Highveld Grassland vegetation type (currently listed as Endangered). Eastern Temperate Freshwater Wetlands are associated with the Blesbokspruit and are located north and east of the haul road.

According to the latest C-Plan, various areas which are associated with the proposed Holfontein project have been listed as Ecological Support Areas and/or Important Areas due to the presence of suitable habitat for Red and Orange Listed plant species, Red Listed mammal species, Red Listed bird species as well as the presence of primary habitat. In addition to this, the proposed shaft and portion of the haul road falls into the Blesbokspruit Highveld Grassland ecosystem (original extent) which is currently listed as Critically Endangered, while the remainder of the haul road is located in the Soweto Highveld Grassland ecosystem which is currently listed as Vulnerable. These ecosystems are listed in terms of Section 52 of NEMBA.

The study area and immediate surroundings consisted of dry grasslands, moist grasslands (including the Blesbokspruit), disturbed areas dominated by alien species, and transformed areas (agricultural fields and residential areas).

The dry grassland, moist grasslands (including the Blesbokspruit) as well as the disturbed area west of the shaft location were all classified as medium to high ecological sensitivity. The dry grassland was considered to be intact and dominated by indigenous vegetation, including one species which is of conservation concern (and Orange Listed) namely Hypoxis hemerocallidea. In addition to this, the dry grassland is classified as Important according to the latest Gauteng C-Plan. From a faunal perspective, the grassland also provides suitable habitat for at least two mammal species of conservation concern namely Atelerix frontalis (South African Hedgehog; currently listed as Near Threatened), and Leptialurus serval (Serval; currently listed as Near Threatened). The moist grasslands associated with the Blesbokspruit was also considered to be of medium to high ecological sensitivity with at least one plant species of conservation concern, Crinum bulbispermum (currently listed as Declining), confirmed adjacent to the Blesbokspruit. In addition to this, the Blesbokspruit Important Bird Area (IBA) is located less than 10km south of the study area. In addition to

Strategic Environmental Focus (Pty) Ltd iv Holfontein: Ecological Impact Assessment 506295 this, the moist grassland east of the Blesbokspruit supported healthy populations of the rare butterfly, Metisella meninx (Marsh Sylph), while providing suitable habitat for mammal species of conservation concern such as Leptailurus serval (Serval; currently listed as Near Threatened) and Dasymys incomtus (African Marsh Rat; currently listed as Near Threatened). The disturbed area east of the proposed shaft (north of the eastern portion of the haul road) was also classified as medium to high ecological sensitivity with at least two plant species of conservation concern, Hypoxis hemerocallidea (currently listed as Declining) and Kniphofia typhoides (currently listed as Near Threatened) confirmed in this area. All the areas which have been classified as medium to high ecological sensitivity are listed as Important and/or Ecological Support Areas on the latest Gauteng C-Plan, and also play an important role as dispersal corridors through a transformed landscape.

Although portions of the study area was considered to be of medium to high ecological sensitivity, it is possible that the impacts associated with the proposed project can be mitigated to minimize to adverse effects on the fauna and flora.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... vi LIST OF FIGURES ...... vii LIST OF TABLES ...... vii 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Project Description ...... 1 1.2 Methodology ...... 2 1.3 Limitations ...... 3 2 BACKGROUND ...... 3 2.1 Location ...... 3 2.2 Climate ...... 3 2.3 Regional Vegetation ...... 3 2.4 Gauteng Conservation Plan ...... 4 2.5 Listed Ecosystems and Centres of Endemism ...... 4 2.6 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and Ramsar Wetlands ...... 5 3 OVERVIEW OF ECOLOGICAL RESULTS ...... 9 3.1 Flora ...... 9 3.2 Fauna ...... 9 4. ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY ...... 10 4.1 Areas of Medium-High Sensitivity ...... 10 4.2 Areas of Low Sensitivity ...... 10 5 IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION ...... 15 5.1 Background: Impacts of Developments on Biodiversity ...... 15 5.2 Assessment Criteria ...... 16 5.3 Impact Assessment ...... 17 5.3.1 Impacts Relevant during the Construction Phase ...... 19 5.3.2 Possible Additional Impacts Arising during the Operational Phase ...... 22 5.3.3 Possible Impacts Relevant to the Decommissioning Phase ...... 26 5.3.4 Possible Cumulative Impacts Related to the Post Closure Phase ...... 27 6 CONCLUSION ...... 27 GLOSSARY ...... 32 APPENDIX A: RECOMMENDED BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE HOLFONTEIN PROJECT ...... 35

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Locality of the proposed Holfontein project ...... 6 Figure 2: Regional vegetation in relation to the study area...... 7 Figure 3: The Gauteng C-Plan in relation to the study area ...... 8 Figure 4: Vegetation units recorded within the study area...... 13 Figure 5: Ecological sensitivity in relation to the proposed shafts and haul road...... 14

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Summary of the vegetation units recorded in the study area ...... 11 Table 2: Scale used to determine significance ranking ...... 17 Table 3: Impacts likely to occur during the construction phase ...... 18 Table 4: Additional impacts likely to occur during the operational phase ...... 18 Table 5: Impacts likely to occur during the decommissioning phase ...... 19 Table 6: Additional impacts likely to occur during the post closure phase ...... 19 Table 7: Management requirements for selected moist grasslands ...... 36 Table 8: Management requirements for the dry grassland ...... 37

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1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Description The purpose of the Holfontein Project is to supplement the drop in production once the New Kleinfontein Goldmine (Modder East operations) tonnage profile begins to decline. The underground extent for the mining at the Holfontein Project is 126ha and the above ground extent required for infrastructure, roads, servitudes etc. at the Holfontein Project is 17.66ha. The area to be cleared for infrastructure is however only 4.5ha.

The Life of Mine (LoM) will consist of two years of construction and development (2019-2020), and eight years of gold production (2021-2028). A further six months to a year is assumed for decommissioning and closure. The mine will be operated as a section of Modder East operations with all services and support being provided by Modder East operations. Employees will be sourced from the existing Modder East operations. No new employment opportunities will be created. Mine employees will be transported by bus from Modder East operations.

Mining Construction Access to the Main Reef will be through an existing shaft that was closed / sealed in the early 1940s. In order to refurbish this shaft, the shaft will concurrently be dewatered and re-equipped. This process will require 20-24 months. Construction of associated site infrastructure will also occur concurrently.

Mining Operation The mining operation will include the following: • Mining is conventional stoping with trackless access; • The shaft will consist of a steel headgear, with two winders (between 40-50m in height), to be constructed above the existing rectangular shaft that will operate 24 hours a day on the main shaft, hoisting men, material and ore; • Rock hoisting will be limited to a 12 hour day shift to limit noise associated with tipping of ore. Hoisting will take place 23 days a month at 1 200 tonnes per day. The skip (5 tonne capacity) will tip every two minutes into a concrete bin (200 tonne capacity); • The bin will discharge into trucks below the ambient ground level. At steady state production a truck will load every 15 minutes. Loading will be by chute and will not require a front end loader. The material loaded will be wet therefore dust will be limited. There will be a trucking loop to avoid trucks having to reverse; • Overburden and ore will be transported from the Holfontein Project to Modder East operations plant by road using conventional 30 tonne road trucks. The estimated hauling cycle (i.e. return trip) time between Holfontein Project and the Modder East plant for a 30 tonne road truck is 30 minutes. Two trucks will operate for 12 hours a day during daylight hours. The haul route consists of 3km of existing gravel road and 3km of existing tarmac surface. The gravel portion will need to be upgraded but will be no wider than 6.4m;

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• There will be two x 9 hour shifts per day, with an estimated 400 employees operating per shift.

Mining – Decommissioning After the operations are finalised, decommissioning will commence. All shafts will be sealed, all surface infrastructure will be dismantled and removed, and all disturbed areas will be ripped, covered with a layer of topsoil and returned as closely as possible to the present state.

Surface infrastructure and services at Holfontein will include: • Fuel storage (23m³ capacity tank); • Electricity, sourced from ME operations via 2 x 6MVA lines (5.5m in height, 6.3m in height above roads and railways); • Waste management (general waste storage area, salvage yard, timber yard, laydown area); • Containerized toilets and modular sewage treatment plant (effluent treated on site and discharged to Holfontein stream, and brine to be disposed of at a licensed landfill facility); • Ventilation shaft (± 30m in height), with single fan station on surface, and compressor running continuously to supply air to underground refuge bays. The ventilation shaft will also be equipped with a small headgear for purposes of emergency evacuation; • Potable water will be trucked in from Modder East operations; • Water treatment plant to treat underground water to meet required standards as specified by DWS. Water will then be discharged to the Holfontein Stream. The current available information indicates that discharge will occur at a rate of 1.2l/s during initial dewatering (2 years), increasing to 83l/s at full operation; and • Pollution control dam (1600m²).

1.2 Methodology The field survey for the ecological baseline report of the area associated with the proposed Holfontein project (shafts and haul road) was conducted on the 26 th and 27 th of March 2015. The methodology entailed the following: • Review of relevant literature, which included the conservation status of floral species that might occur in the study area and the distribution data of fauna within the study area; • Review of available information layers within the Geographical Information System (GIS); • Field surveys to record floral and faunal species within the study area and immediate surroundings; • Field surveys to confirm the presence or absence of threatened, endemic, rare or protected faunal and floral species on the study site and to identify suitable habitat for these species; and

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• Description of the impacts that the proposed Holftontein project might have on the fauna and flora, and recommend mitigation measures to minimize these impacts.

1.3 Limitations It should be noted that in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of the fauna and flora on the site, studies should include investigations through different seasons, over a number of years and should include extensive sampling. Due to project time constraints, such long term research was not feasible, and impacts described in this report was based on a two day field survey conducted in March 2015;

2 BACKGROUND 2.1 Location The site is located approximately 9km north east of Springs, in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng. The proposed shaft is located north of the Holfontein road, and immediately south of the N12 while the proposed haul road follows the Holfontein road turning south into Pansy Avenue before heading west on Carnation road. The shaft and haul road is located between 26° 09’ 53.26” and 26° 11’ 22.12” S; 28° 30’ 12.46” and 28° 27’ 19.10” E within Quarter Degree Grid Cells (QDGC) 2628AB and 2628BA (Figure 1).

2.2 Climate The region usually receives around 560mm of rain per year, with most rain falling in summer between December and January. The region is the coldest in July with a high incidence of frost (more than 43 days) are recorded (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006).

2.3 Regional Vegetation The study area falls within the Grassland Biome (Rutherford and Westfall, 1994) which is characterized by high summer rainfall and dry winters. Frequent frost during the winter nights as well as marked diurnal temperature variations is unfavourable for tree growth resulting in the Grassland Biome consisting mainly of grasses and plants with perennial underground storage organs, such as bulbs and tubers. A large number of Rare and Threatened plant species in the summer rainfall regions of South Africa is restricted to high-rainfall grassland, making this the vegetation type in most urgent need of conservation.

Frost, fire and grazing within grasslands maintain the herbaceous grass and forb layer and prevent the establishment of thickets (Tainton, 1999). Fire is a natural disturbance caused by lightning, and natural fires (or controlled burning every 3 years or so) is therefore essential for maintaining the structure and biodiversity of this biome. However, if prevented due to activities such as agriculture and mining, thicket forming tree or alien species eventually dominate the natural vegetation and place an additional burden on already scarce resources such as water.

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The Grassland Biome can be divided into smaller sections known as vegetation units. The proposed shafts as well as the eastern section of the proposed haul road are located in the Eastern Highveld Grassland vegetation type, while the remainder of the haul road is located in the Soweto Highveld Grassland vegetation type, both these vegetation types are currently listed as Endangered (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006). Eastern Temperate Freshwater Wetlands are associated with the Blesbokspruit and are located north and east of the haul road (Figure 2).

2.4 Gauteng Conservation Plan The Gauteng Biodiversity Conservation Plan (C-Plan) was started in 2000 and the aim was to revise this plan at least every five years. The small size of Gauteng province made it feasible to conduct extensive biodiversity surveys which aimed to provide the information on spatial occurrence of biodiversity which was necessary for conservation planning. C-Plan 3 is based on the principles of complementarity, efficiency, defensibility and flexibility, irreplaceability, retention, persistence and accountability (GDARD, 2012).

The C-Plan also makes provision for Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA’s) and Ecological Support Areas (ESA’s). According to the latest C-Plan, the following areas which are associated with the proposed Holfontein project have been listed as Important and/or ESAs due to the presence of suitable habitat for Red and Orange Listed plant species, Red Listed mammal species, Red Listed bird species as well as the presence of primary habitat and important rivers (Figure 3): • The areas north east of the proposed Holfontein shaft were classified as Important while the areas west as well as a small portion in the south of the shaft footprint were classified as ESAs; • The moist grassland (wetland) north and south of the eastern portion of the proposed haul road were classified as ESAs; • The Blesbokspruit crossing is classified as Important as well as and ESA.

2.5 Listed Ecosystems and Centres of Endemism The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) provides for listing threatened or protected ecosystems, in one of four categories: Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU) or protected (Government Gazette, 2009). The main purpose of listing threatened ecosystems is to reduce the rate of ecosystem and species extinction and includes the prevention of further degradation and loss of structure, function and composition of threatened ecosystems.

The proposed shaft and portion of the haul road falls into the Blesbokspruit Highveld Grassland ecosystem (original extent) which is currently listed as Critically Endangered, while the remainder of the haul road is located in the Soweto Highveld Grassland ecosystem which is currently listed as Vulnerable. These ecosystems are listed in terms of Section 52 of NEMBA (Government Gazette, 2011). The Blesbokspruit Highveld Grassland ecosystem is listed under criterion F, indicating that the area is prioritized for meeting explicit biodiversity targets as defined in the

Strategic Environmental Focus (Pty) Ltd 4 Holfontein: Ecological Impact Assessment 506295 systematic biodiversity plan and is considered to be highly irreplaceable and highly threatened. In addition to this, the Blesbokspruit Highveld Grassland ecosystems provides suitable habitat for 26 known species of special concern (threatened and/or endemic plant and animal species). The key biodiversity features include: • Red or Orange Listed plant species such as Delosperma leendertziae and Khadia beswickii ; • Red or Orange Listed mammals such as Lutra maculicollis (Spotted-necked Otter) and Hyaena brunnea (Brown Hyena); • Red or Orange Listed bird species including Tyto capensis (African Grass Owl), Phoeniconaias minor (Greater Flamingo), Phoeniconaias minor (Lesser Flamingo), Circus ranivorus (African Marsh-Harrier), Sagittarius serpentarius (Secretary Bird), Mycteria ibis (Yellow-billed Stork), Hydroprogne caspia (Caspian Tern), Mirafra cheniana (Melodius Lark), Falco naumanni (Lesser Kestrel), Eupodotis senegalensis (White-bellied Korhaan) and Crex crex (Corncrake); • Red or Orange Listed priority invertebrates including Chrysoritis aureus (Heidelberg Copper Butterfly) and Pterinochilus murinus (Golden Starburst Baboon Spider); and • Seven vegetation types including Andesite Mountain Bushveld, Eastern Highveld Grassland, Eastern Temperate Freshwater Wetlands, Gold Reef Mountain Bushveld, Rand Highveld Grassland, Soweto Highveld Grassland and Tsakane Clay Grassland.

The Soweto Highveld Grassland ecosystem is listed as Vulnerable under criterion A1 due to irreversible loss of natural habitat. Although this ecosystem does not support any known special species (species of conservation concern and/or endemic species), only 60% of the ecosystem is still considered natural, with only a few patches protected.

2.6 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and Ramsar Wetlands The Important Birds and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) programme, is a conservation initiative of BirdLife International which identifies and works towards conserving a network of sites which are critical for the long-term survival of a bird species that: • Are globally threatened; • Have a restricted range; • Are restricted to specific biomes or vegetation types; or • An area that supports significant bird populations.

South Africa has 101 global IBAs and an additional 21 regional IBAs (Birdlife, 2015), one of these is the Blesbokspruit IBA which is located south of the proposed Holfontein project site. The Blesbokspruit IBA provide habitat for more than 220 bird species (SABAP2) and regularly supports more than 20 000 waterbirds and was therefore proclaimed as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance for Waterbirds in 1986. The Blesbokspruit IBA is highly productive, providing ample food for Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor (Lesser Flamingo), Phoenicopterus roseus (Greater Flamingo). The system further supports a diversity of waterbird species,

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Figure 1: Locality of the proposed Holfontein project

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Figure 2: Regional vegetation in relation to the study area.

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Figure 3: The Gauteng C-Plan in relation to the study area

Strategic Environmental Focus (Pty) Ltd 8 Holfontein: Ecological Impact Assessment 506295 including Ardea goliath (Goliath Heron), A. purpurea (Purple Heron), Platalea alba (African Spoonbill), Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis), Recurvirostra avosetta (Pied Avocet), Fulica cristata (Red-knobbed Coot) and Chlidonias leucopterus (White- winged Tern). In addition to this, Circus ranivorus (African Marsh Harrier), which has been displaced from much of the surrounding veld as a result of intense industrialisation, urbanisation and habitat modification, is a breeding resident within the Blesbokspruit IBA (BirdLife, 2015).

3 OVERVIEW OF ECOLOGICAL RESULTS 3.1 Flora The study area and immediate surroundings consisted of dry grasslands, moist grasslands (including the Blesbokspruit), disturbed areas dominated by alien species, and transformed areas (agricultural fields and residential areas). These vegetation units including dominant species at the time of the survey, species of conservation concern and alien plant species are summarized in Table 1 and illustrated in Figure 4. For a detailed description of the vegetation units please refer to the Ecological Baseline Report (SEF, 2015).

3.2 Fauna The area has a high avifaunal diversity with approximately 400 bird species confirmed within QDGC 2628AB and 2628BA according to Roberts Multimedia version 7 (2011) and the South African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP) 1 and 2. During the field survey, 28 bird species were confirmed to occur within the study area and immediate surroundings, including one species of conservation concern namely Glareola nordmanni (Black-winged Pranticole; currently listed as Near Threatened). In addition to this, ten species of conservation concern were considered to have a medium likelihood of utilizing the study area for foraging, based on the presence of suitable habitat within the areas associated with the proposed haul road and shaft.

The region displays a moderate diversity of mammals with approximately 91 species expected to occur within the geographical area associated with the study area (IUCN, 2011). Five species were confirmed during the field survey, namely Atilax paludinosus (Water Mongoose), Canis mesomelas (Black-backed Jackal), Lepus saxatilis (Scrub Hare), Cryptomys hottentotus (African Mole Rat) and Hystrix africaeaustralis (Cape Porcupine), none of which are of conservation concern. However four species of conservation concern, Leptailurus serval (Serval; currently listed as Near Threatened), Dasymys incomtus (African Marsh Rat; currently listed as Near Threatened), Rhinolophus clivosus (Geoffroy’s Horseshoe Bat; currently listed as Near Threatened) and Atelerix frontalis (Southern African Hedgehog; currently listed as Near Threatened) were given a high probability of occurring in the study area based on the presence of suitable habitat. One rare Lepidopteran (butterfly) species, Metisella meninx (Marsh Sylph), was confirmed in the moist grassland east of the Blesbokspruit.

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For a detailed description of the faunal species which have been confirmed in the study area and/or likely to occur in the study area, please refer to the Ecological baseline report (SEF, 2014).

4. ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY The site was assessed in terms of its conservation importance from a biodiversity (floral and faunal) perspective, as well as the ecological sensitivity (towards the proposed location of the shafts and haul roads) and connectivity to other natural areas of the site to the proposed activity.

4.1 Areas of Medium-High Sensitivity The dry grassland, moist grasslands (including the Blesbokspruit) as well as the disturbed area west of the shaft location were all classified as medium to high ecological sensitivity. The dry grassland was considered to be intact and dominated by indigenous vegetation, including one species which is of conservation concern (and Orange Listed) namely Hypoxis hemerocallidea. In addition to this, the dry grassland is classified as Important according to the latest Gauteng C-Plan. From a faunal perspective, the grassland also provides suitable habitat for at least two mammal species of conservation concern namely Atelerix frontalis (South African Hedgehog; currently listed as Near Threatened), and Leptialurus serval (Serval; currently listed as Near Threatened). The moist grasslands associated with the Blesbokspruit was also considered to be of medium to high ecological sensitivity with at least one plant species of conservation concern, Crinum bulbispermum (currently listed as Declining), confirmed adjacent to the Blesbokspruit. In addition to this, the Blesbokspruit Important Bird Area (IBA) is located less than 10km south of the study area. Furthermore, the moist grassland east of the Blesbokspruit supported healthy populations of the rare butterfly, Metisella meninx (Marsh Sylph), while providing suitable habitat for mammal species of conservation concern such as Leptailurus serval (Serval; currently listed as Near Threatened) and Dasymys incomtus (African Marsh Rat; currently listed as Near Threatened). The disturbed area east of the proposed shaft (north of the eastern portion of the haul road) was also classified as medium to high ecological sensitivity with at least two plant species of conservation concern, Hypoxis hemerocallidea (currently listed as Declining) and Kniphofia typhoides (currently listed as Near Threatened) confirmed in this area. All the areas which have been classified as medium to high ecological sensitivity are listed as Important and/or Ecological Support Areas on the latest Gauteng C-Plan, and also play an important role as dispersal corridors through a transformed landscape.

4.2 Areas of Low Sensitivity All the existing agricultural fields, residential areas and the railway line were classified to be of low ecological sensitivity due to the absence of indigenous vegetation and low faunal activity. In addition to this, these areas are not considered as an important dispersal corridor.

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Table 1: Summary of the vegetation units recorded in the study area Dry Grasslands Moist g rasslands Disturbed a reas Transformed areas (including the dominated by alien (agricultural fields and Blesbokspruit) species residential areas) Indigenous species at the time of the Graminoid species: Graminoid species : Graminoid species : None survey: Aristida junciformis Agrostis lachnantha Chloris virgata Cymbopogon nardus Arundinella nepalensis Cynodon dactylon Diheteropogon amplectens Leersia hexandra Hyparrhenia hirta Eragrostis spp. Themeda triandra Herbaceous species: Herbaceous species: Berkheya echinaceae Cucumis zeyheri Herbaceous species: Cyperus congestus Elephanthorriza Ajuga sp. C. esculentus elephantina Commelina benghalensis Mentha aquatic Ledebouria cooperi Dicoma speciosa, Persicaria sp. Solanum panduriforme Gladiolus sp., Satyrium sp. Hypoxis spp.

Plants of conservation concern Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Declining) Crinum bulbispermum Hypoxis hemerocallidea None confirmed to occur: (Declining) (Declining) confirmed less than 20m north of the current shaft location; Kniphofia typhoides confirmed in the disturbed moist grassland west of the shaft and north of the haul road Plants of conservation concern for Habenaria bicolor (Near Threatened) Kniphofia typhoides (Near Habenaria bicolour None

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which suitable habitat was observed: Threatened) (i mmediately north of the shaft location) Provincially protected plants confirmed Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Orange Lis ted) Crinum bulbispermum Hypoxis hemerocallidea None to occur: (Orange Listed) Kniphofia typoides (Orange Listed) Provincially protected plants for which Habenaria bicolor Kniphofia typhoides None None suitable habitat was found: Argyrolobium campicola Nationally protected tree species None None None None confirmed: Alien species: Acacia mearnsii Cosmos bipinnatus Acacia mearnsii Bidens pilosa Bidens pilosa Verbena bonariensis Bidens pilosa Cosmos bipinnatus Cosmos bipinnatus Salix mucronata Cosmos bipinnatus Dactyloctenium australe Eucalyptus grandis Cultivated crops ( Zea Melia azedarach mays, Clycine sp.) Prunus persica

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Figure 4: Vegetation units recorded within the study area.

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Figure 5: Ecological sensitivity in relation to the proposed shafts and haul road.

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5 IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION 5.1 Background: Impacts of Developments on Biodiversity Any developmental activities in a natural system will impact on the surrounding environment, usually in a negative way. The purpose of this phase of the study was to identify and assess the significance of the impacts caused by the proposed activity and to provide a description of the mitigation required so as to limit the perceived impacts on the natural environment.

There are various impacts resulting from any development within natural areas and these can be divided into the following four categories: • Direct Impacts : These impacts are directly as a result of the development and include clearing of land, contamination of natural habitats, ground clearing activities, sedimentation and changes in water tables; • Indirect Impacts : These impacts occur beyond the boundaries of the project site and could include pollution of water sources; • Induced Impacts : The impacts are not directly attributed to the project, but occur because of the presence of the project in the area such as the increase of residential settlements leading to pressure on biodiversity; and • Cumulative Impacts : These are impacts from the past, existing and foreseeable future projects which are all affecting the same biodiversity.

There is an international demand towards greater transparency and accountability from companies to look beyond traditional ideas and to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts of the project or activity with regards to issues such as biodiversity, climate change and water use.

Mitigation The term mitigation covers all the components of the “mitigation hierarchy” (described below) and involves selecting and implementing measures to conserve biodiversity and to protect users of biodiversity as well as other affected stakeholders from potentially detrimental impacts as a result of the development (DEAT, 2013).

Mitigation measures should aim to achieve “no net loss” of biodiversity which is defined by the International Finance Corporation (2012) as “the point at which project-related impacts on biodiversity are balanced by measures taken to avoid and minimise the project’s impacts, to undertake on-site restoration and finally to offset significant residual impacts, if any, on an appropriate geographic scale”.

Mitigation is a broad term and involves the following steps of the mitigation hierarchy: 1. Avoid or prevent loss to biodiversity and ecosystem services: This is the first option and refers to project location and layout of the project, and rolling projects out in phases to avoid impacts on biodiversity. These areas need to be identified early in the development’s lifecycle so that impacts can be avoided; 2. Minimise impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services: The location, layout, technology and phasing of the project should minimise the impacts on biodiversity.

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This should be considered even in areas where the environmental constraints are not particularly high and every effort should be made to minimise these impacts; 3. Rehabilitate concurrently or progressively with the activity and on cessation of the activity: This refers to the rehabilitation of areas where impacts were unavoidable and impacted areas should be returned to a condition ecologically similar to their “pre-mining natural state”. Unfortunately, rehabilitation is a limited process that usually falls short of replicating the diversity of natural systems. Rehabilitation should occur progressively; and 4. Offset significant residual negative impacts on biodiversity or ecosystem services: This refers to the compensation for the remaining and unavoidable negative impacts on biodiversity.

5.2 Assessment Criteria The environmental impacts are assessed with mitigation measures (WMM) and without mitigation measures (WOMM) and the results are presented in the impact tables which summarise the assessment. Mitigation and management actions are also recommended with the aim of enhancing positive impacts and minimising negative impacts. The following risk assessment was used to determine the significance of impacts.

Significance = (Magnitude + Duration + Scale) x Probability

The maximum potential value for the significance of an impact is 100 points. Environmental impacts were therefore rated as high, medium or low significance on the following basis: • High environmental significance 60 – 100 points • Medium environmental significance 30 – 59 points • Low environmental significance 0 – 29 points

Table 2 illustrates the scale used to determine the overall ranking. The criteria against which these activities were assessed are discussed below.

Nature of the Impact This is an appraisal of the type of effect the project would have on the environment. This description includes what would be affected and how and whether the impact is expected to be positive or negative.

Scale of the Impact A description of whether the impact will be local, limited to the study area and its immediate surroundings, regional, national or international scale.

Duration of the Impact This provides an indication of whether the lifespan of the impact would be immediate, short term (0-3 years), medium term (4-8 years), long term (cesses at end of operational phase) or permanent.

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Probability of Occurrence This describes the probability of the impact actually occurring. This is rated as none, improbable (low likelihood), low, medium, high and definite.

Significance This describes the degree of significance for the predicted impact based on the available information and level of knowledge and expertise. It has been divided into low, medium or high.

Table 2: Scale used to determine significance ranking

Magnitude (M) Duration (D) Description Numerical Value Description Numerical Value Very high 10 Permanent 5 Long -term (ce ases at end High 8 4 of operation) Moderate 6 Medium -term (4 -8 years) 3 Low 4 Short -term (0 -3 years) 2 Minor 2 Immediate 1 Scale (S) Probability (P) Description Numerical Value Description Numerical Value International 5 Definite (or unknown) 5 National 4 High 4 Regional 3 Medium 3 Local 2 Low 2 Site 1 Improbable 1 None 0 None 0

5.3 Impact Assessment The underground extent for the mining at the Holfontein Project is 126ha and the above ground extent required for infrastructure, roads, servitudes etc. at the Holfontein Project is 17.66ha. The area to be cleared for infrastructure is however only 4.5ha and will consist of the following: • Fuel storage (23m³ capacity tank); • Electricity, sourced from Modder East operations via 2 x 6MVA lines (5.5m in height, 6.3m in height above roads and railways); • Waste management (general waste storage area, salvage yard, timber yard, laydown area); • Containerized toilets and modular sewage treatment plant (effluent treated on site and discharged to Holfontein stream, and brine to be disposed of at a licensed landfill facility); • Ventilation shaft (± 30m in height), with single fan station on surface, and compressor running continuously to supply air to underground refuge bays. The ventilation shaft will also be equipped with a small headgear for purposes of emergency evacuation;

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• Potable water will be trucked in from Modder East operations; • Water treatment plant to treat underground water to meet required standards as specified by DWS. Water will then be discharged to the Holfontein Stream. The current available information indicates that discharge will occur at a rate of 1.2 ℓ/s during initial dewatering (2 years), increasing to 83 ℓ/s at full operation; and • Pollution control dam (1600m²).

Possible impacts and their sources that this development is likely to have on the fauna and flora are provided in Table 3 (construction phase), Table 4 (operational phase only), Table 5 (decommissioning phase) and Table 6 (post-closure). Some impacts might be relevant during more than one phase and are therefore only discussed under the initial phase in which it is envisaged to occur.

Table 3: Impacts likely to occur during the construction phase

Impact Description Source of Impact Area to be Affected Relevant Phase Destruct ion of natural Ground clearing at shaft sit e, Shaft site, relevant haul Con struction and vegetation including plant widening of haul the road, road sections and Operation species of conservation construction of culverts and/or Holfontein Stream concern and provincially bridges and increased water protected species flow in the Holfontein Stream due to groundwater discharge Introduction and spread of alien Disturbance of the d ry and Study area and Construction, invasive plant species into moist grasslands adjacent to immediate surroundings operational and natural areas the haul road during decommissioning construction of phases culverts/bridges and widening of the road Pollution of areas containing Rubble and dust generated Dry and moist g rasslands Construction and natural vegetation during the widening of the operational phases haul road, fuel and oil from vehicles used during construction

Table 4: Additional impacts likely to occur during the operational phase

Impact Description Source of Impact Area to be Affected Relevant Phase Avifaunal collision and electrocution Overhead power lines Primarily the Operational phase with overhead power lines Blesbokspruit but will affect the entire study area Interference with faunal behaviour and Haul road including Haul road, especially Construction, movement culverts and moist grassland operational, underpasses crossings decommissioning and post closure

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Table 5: Impacts likely to occur during the decommissioning phase

Impact Description Source of Impact Area to be Affected Relevant Phase Ecological deg radation as a result of Sub -standard Shaft area Decommissioning unsuccessful rehabilitation rehabilitation practices and Post closure phase

Table 6: Additional impacts likely to occur during the post closure phase

Impact Descript ion Source of Impact Area to be Affected Relevant Phase None None None None

5.3.1 Impacts Relevant during the Construction Phase

5.3.1a Destruction of natural vegetation including plant species of conservation concern and/or provincially protected plant species

Probability of Scale Duration Magnitude Significance Confidence Occurrence Without Mitigation Local Permanent Moderate High Medium High Measures (2) (5) (6) (4) (52) (WOMM) With Mitigation None Immediate Minor Low Low High Measures (0) (1) (2) (2) (6) (WMM)

Description of Impact The clearing of vegetation at the Holfontein shaft, widening of the haul road and construction of culverts and/or bridges over the moist grasslands (Holfontein Stream and Blesbokspruit) could lead to the destruction of natural vegetation. The area associated with the Holfontein shaft was highly disturbed and dominated by alien plant species, however at least one species of conservation concern, Hypoxis hemerocallidea (currently listed as Declining and on GDARD’s Orange List), was confirmed immediately north west of the shaft area. The widening of the haul road, especially the Carnation Road section could impact on the dry grasslands as well as moist grasslands (including the Blesbokspruit) adjacent to these sections. The construction of culverts and/or bridges over the moist grassland associated with the Holfontein Stream as well as the Blesbokspruit could impact on the moist grassland species, especially Leersia hexandra which is the host plant for the rare butterfly Metisella meninx (Marsh Sylph). The discharge of treated groundwater into the Holfontein Stream could impact on the grass Leersia hexandra . Leersia hexandra typically grows in stagnant or very slow flowing water and it is possible that the increase in water flow could destroy this species. It is anticipated that there will be a marginal increase in flow during the construction phase however, it is likely that the flow will increase significantly during the operational phase.

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Mitigation Measures • The area associated with the Holfontein shaft should be fenced to prevent vehicles and workers from impacting on natural areas immediately north west of the shaft; • It is recommended that temporary construction barriers are erected to prevent construction vehicles and workers from entering areas containing natural vegetation (dry and moist grasslands); • Construction materials should not be stored within areas which contain natural vegetation (and classified as medium to high sensitivity in this report (see section 4); • Construction materials (concrete, topsoil, tar) used to widen the road and/or construct culverts should not be spilled into the moist grasslands as this will not only pollute the immediate areas, but pollutants will be transported to sensitive areas such as the Blesbokspruit Important Bird Area downstream; • Vegetation adjacent to the Carnation Road which was disturbed during any of the construction activities should be rehabilitated to prevent erosion and contamination of lower laying areas (moist grasslands); and • The amount of treated groundwater discharged into the Holfontein Stream should be carefully controlled to ensure that sensitive areas containing Leersia hexandra (Photograph 1) are not flooded. In addition to this, discharge points recommended by the aquatic (SEF, 2015b) and wetland (SEF, 2015c) impact reports should be considered to minimize this impact.

Photograph 1: Leersia hexandra the host species for the rare butterfly, Metisella meninx

5.3.1b Introduction and spread of alien invasive plant species

Probability of Scale Duration Magnitude Significance Confidence Occurrence Site Permanent Moderate High Medium WOMM High (1) (5) (6) (4) (48) None Immediate Minor Low Low WMM High (1) (3) (2) (2) (12)

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Description of Impact During construction, vegetation will be removed and soil disturbed. The seed of alien invasive species that occur on and in the vicinity of the construction areas could spread into the adjacent areas containing natural vegetation (dry and moist grasslands). Although numerous alien plant species were confirmed within the study area as well as the immediate surroundings, the moist grasslands as well as the dry grasslands adjacent to Carnation Road were not heavily infested with alien species at the time of the survey.

Mitigation Measures • During construction (including construction of culverts and/or bridges over moist grasslands associated with the haul road), the areas containing natural vegetation (which have been classified as being of medium to high ecological sensitivity in this report), should be protected and no vehicles or workers should be allowed to enter these areas as this will disturb the natural vegetation, making the area vulnerable to infestations by alien plants already present in the vicinity; • All alien seedlings and saplings within the natural areas must be identified by a suitably qualified botanist or ecologist and removed as they become evident for the duration of construction and operational phase; • Manual / mechanical removal is preferred to chemical control; and • All areas which have been disturbed during the construction phase including the widening of the haul road must be rehabilitated with indigenous species to prevent alien species from colonizing these areas.

5.3.1c Pollution of the receiving environment

Probability of Scale Duration Magnitude Significance Confidence Occurrence Local Long Term Medium High Medium WOMM High (2) (4) (6) (4) (48) Site Immediate Low Low Low WMM High (1) (1) (4) (2) (12)

Description of Impact Pollution of the receiving environment could be associated with the construction phase (fuel and oil from construction vehicles, rubbish generated by construction workers, building materials such as cement, soil and tar) as well as during the operational phase (hazardous material spillages associated with the underground diesel tanks, generator, compressor, vehicles and rubbish generated by workers). Contaminants are likely to be washed into the lower laying moist grasslands associated with the Holfontein Stream and Blesbokspruit impacting on species of conservation concern and/or rare faunal and floral species. In addition to this, these contaminants could further be washed downstream impacting on the Blesbokspruit Important Bird Area which is located south of the study site. :

Mitigation Measures • All vehicles must be parked in a designated area and containers should be used to prevent any oil and/or fuel leaks;

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• An ecologically-sound stormwater management plan must be implemented during construction and appropriate water diversion systems put in place • Chemicals and fuel should be stored in appropriate rooms with concrete floors to prevent contamination of the surrounding environment; • Any oil or fuel spillages should be dealt with immediately; and • Rubbish bins must be made available at the Holfontein shaft, and waste should be disposed of at an official landfill site; • Rubbish should be picked up on a weekly basis.

5.3.2 Possible Additional Impacts Arising during the Operational Phase

5.3.2a Avifaunal collisions (and electrocution) with overhead power lines

Probability of Scale Duration Magnitude Significance Confidence Occurrence Local Permanent High High High WOMM Medium (2) (5) (8) (4) (60) Medium Site Moderate Medium Low WMM term Medium (1) (6) (2) (20) (3)

Description of Impact Electrical infrastructure comprises a significant interface between wildlife and man due to the nature and distribution of electrical structures within the landscape. The development of new electrical infrastructure poses three primary threats to avifauna and volant (flying) mammals (bats): (1) electrocution of individuals perching or roosting on or near conductors; (2) collisions with overhead wires; and (3) habitat loss through the destruction or degradation of vegetation during construction. Electrocution and collision associated with electrical infrastructure are common causes of unnatural mortality to many bird and bat species and may significantly impact on population structure (Sergio et al., 2004; Cryan and Barclay, 2009). Conversely, power supply may be interrupted which has negative economic impacts resulting from damaged equipment, loss of service to the power grid, human safety issues and veld fires. Although the risk of electrocution is considered low for the Holfontein project, the construction of the overhead power lines along the haul road could result in avifaunal mortalities due to collisions, especially where these lines cross the Blesbokspruit. Bird species with low manoeuvrability such as cranes, storks, pelicans, waterfowl and grouses are among the species most likely to collide with power lines (Barrientos et al., 2011). Shaw et al. (2010) found that 88% of avifaunal carcasses collected in the Overberg, South Africa were due to collisions and indicated that collision hotspots are a function of line placement and design as well as species specific biology. Bevanger (1994) divided causes of avian collision with power lines into four groups; (a) biological, (b), topographical, (c) meteorological, and (d) technical aspects.

Mitigation Measures Lower collision frequencies can be achieved through power line design modifications such as adjustment of the phase conductor height, wire diameter, spacing, configuration and number of circuits (Bevanger, 1994). It is important to note that between pylons, phase

Strategic Environmental Focus (Pty) Ltd 22 Holfontein: Ecological Impact Assessment 506295 conductors normally sag, often to half the original height, thereby exposing birds to collision at several flying heights. Bevanger (1994) pointed out that by grouping power lines in a common corridor will result in better visibility and causing birds to avoid lines only once, rather than multiple times.

Wire marking has been receiving increasing attention in recent years with a large variety of warning devices such as: • Wire coating (coloured plastic coating or paining of wires): The effective colour depends on the species which needs to be diverted; • Physical enlargement (balloons, spheres, spirals, plastic strips): Plastic bird flight diverters are the most common device and is attached to the transmission lines which have duplex, triplex or quadriplex configurations; • Silhouette or predator scaring methods: Scaring devices such as raptor silhouettes only work for migrating species which move through the area and don’t stay long enough to become accustomed to it; • Use of light: Mostly used to deter nocturnal species or diurnal species which migrate at night. However this method has been criticized as they blind and disorientate species; • Acoustical scaring methods: Although it appears that acoustical scaring methods were successful in keeping birds away from airports, its success to prevent collision with power lines was limited.

Although wire marking methods are not the perfect solution, it is effective when the wire marking targets specific species, especially in cases where rare or threatened species which have a high “collision potential” have been confirmed. However, from an economical perspective, marking of wires increases the physical size of the wires, thereby increasing the risk of wire break due to high winds and/or ice (Bevanger, 1994).

Since the power lines which are proposed for the Holfontein project will consist of two overhead lines of 6 MVA (11KV) each, the collision risk is lower when compared to larger power lines (32KV). However, the following it recommended to minimize the avifaunal collision risk: • Wire markings are generally only applied to higher voltage lines, and in addition to this, high risk collision wires should be marked for specific species. A possible high collision risk area within the Holfontein study area could be where the lines cross the Blesbokspruit as it is possible that this area is used as a flight corridor for water fowl moving to and from the Blesbokspruit IBA located south of the study area. Although no high risk species were observed during the ecological survey, it is recommended that that an ECO monitors the newly constructed power lines once a week (throughout the operational phase) to determine if there are bird collisions associated with the overhead lines. In addition to this, it is important to identify which bird species are affected by the collisions in the long term to ensure that wires are marked appropriately (in response to collision data); and • All the data which has been collected on bird collisions should be submitted to the Endangered Wildlife Trust and Birdlife South Africa.

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5.3.2b Interference with faunal behaviour and faunal movement

Probability of Scale Duration Magnitude Significance Confidence Occurrence Local Permanent Moderate High Medium WOMM Medium (2) (5) (6) (4) (52) Medium Site Low Medium Low WMM term Medium (1) (4) (2) (16) (3)

Description of Impact It is anticipated that two haul trucks will be used to transport rocks between the Holfontein shaft and Modder East operations. These trucks will take approximately 30 minutes per cycle and will operate for 12 hours a day (restricted to daylight hours), amounting to approximately 48 trips in a 12 hour cycle. In addition, utility vehicles will be used to transport workers between the Holftontein shaft and Modder East operations for day and night shifts. The significant increase in traffic volume within the study area could result in an increase in faunal injuries and mortalities due to collisions with vehicles.

In many areas roads are considered as barriers to animal movements (Trombulak and Frissell, 2000; Clevenger et al. , 2001). When smaller roads are upgraded to accommodate traffic increases the rate of successful wildlife crossings might decrease significantly (Oxley et al., 1974; Forman and Alexander, 1998) resulting in a reduction in mobility, increased isolation or splitting of gene pools (Mader, 1984). Roads are an important source of faunal mortality with owls and amphibians generally suffering a very high mortality rate (Beegee, 2012; Grilo et al., 2014). Higher barn owl mortality is recorded on roads during autumn and winter when road verges are used by sub-adults since these areas provide abundant cover for small prey species (Grilo et al. , 2014).

In order to assist faunal movement across linear infrastructure (roads, railways, canals), various wildlife passages have been designed but species are often reluctant to use them (Foster and Humphrey, 1995). The proximity of cover (i.e. amount, height) to road culverts, as well as road culvert dimensions are important factors which will determine the use of these culverts by small and medium sized terrestrial animals (Yanes et al. , 1995, Rodriguez et al. , 1996). However, high traffic volumes, noise levels and road width have a significant influence on the use of culverts (Clevenger et al. , 2001) with a reduction in species activity usually recorded in areas with higher traffic volumes (Clevenger et al., 2001). The dimensions (height and length) of road culverts affect species in various ways, with forest or woodland mammal species requiring deep cover and low through culvert visibility (Clevenger et al ., 2001) in contrast to lagomorphs and carnivores which will not use culverts with low visibility (Rodriguez et al., 1996).

The proposed Holfontein project is likely to increase the impact that Carnation Road is currently having on faunal species within the area through an increase in traffic volumes. In addition to this, culverts associated with the Holfontein Stream and Blesbokspruit will be upgraded to accommodate the haul trucks.

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Mitigation Measures – Roads It is anticipated that the most significant impact from the increase in traffic volumes will be between the Holfontein shaft and Pansy Road (adjacent to the disturbed moist grassland) as well as where Carnation Road crosses the moist grasslands. The following is recommended to decrease the impact on faunal species: • Speed bumps should be constructed in the sections described above to prevent speeding that would otherwise result in increase in faunal strikes; • It is recommended that the road verges of the road between the Holfontein shaft and Pansy Road is mowed in autumn and winter. This will make the area less suitable to small prey species favoured by owls; • Road related faunal mortalities should be recorded to identify any additional high collision risk areas. Mitigation measures recommended in this report should then also be adapted to these areas.

Mitigation Measures – Culverts The road culverts proposed for the Holfontein Stream and Blesbokspruit crossings could impact in faunal movement. However, to encourage faunal species to use these culverts the following is recommended: • Vegetation disturbed during the construction of the culverts should be rehabilitated with indigenous, moist grassland species to ensure sufficient cover which will encourage faunal species to enter the culverts; • The Holfontein Stream crossing currently consists of steep sides, making it unlikely that amphibians will move from the moist grassland onto Carnation Road as a means of moving along the watercourse. Therefore, no barriers for faunal movement (particularly amphibians) are required; • The Blesbokspruit crossing is likely to be a hotspot for amphibian movement and it is therefore recommended that the road is raised by at least 1m to prevent amphibians from traversing the road. To further discourage amphibian crossing, the road verges should be steeply sloped so amphibians can’t climb onto the road; and • Culverts used in the Blesbokspruit should furthermore make provision for semi- aquatic and terrestrial species, this can be achieved by constructing sufficient culverts on the edges of the moist grassland (which is not permanently inundated); • All underpasses and/or culverts should be constructed according to GDARD’s recommendations for pipelines which include the following: i. Underpasses should be at least 1.5m high and 1.0m wide and dressed with a minimum of 10cm sand layer; ii. Underpasses should be provided with small grates in the road surface to allow light penetration into the underpass; and iii. Accumulated material should be cleared at least once annually, at the start of the rainy season.

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5.3.3 Possible Impacts Relevant to the Decommissioning Phase

5.3.3a Ecological degradation as a result of unsuccessful rehabilitation

Probability of Scale Duration Magnitude Significance Confidence Occurrence Regional Permanent High Definite High WOMM High (3) (5) (8) (5) (80) Site Long term Medium Medium Medium WMM High (1) (4) (6) (3) (33)

Description of Impact Unsuccessful rehabilitation of disturbed areas can lead to a decrease in biodiversity due to the establishment of grass monocultures, invasion by alien species and erosion. Although the areas associated with the proposed shaft were dominated by alien plant species, the dry and moist grasslands supported indigenous species, including species of conservation concern. Rehabilitation of the shaft area could also have a positive effect on biodiversity through an increase in indigenous species.

Mitigation Measures • Rehabilitation programmes should be advised by a Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) to increase species diversity in rehabilitated areas. This BMP should be based on the Ecological Baseline report (SEF, 2015) and should include detailed objectives for threatened and/or protected faunal and floral species, summarise a management regime for habitats throughout the study area, and provide a plan for monitoring including the decommissioning phase. It is recommended that the BMP is developed once all the designs and layouts for the project have been finalised and approvals have been obtained. A draft BMP for the Holfontein project is supplied in Appendix A; • A qualified botanist should be consulted to assist during the rehabilitation to increase species diversity; • Rehabilitation should be done with indigenous shrubs and grasses species propagated from species dominating the surrounding vegetation types; • Fuel storage facilities should be removed immediately upon completion of decommissioning phase; • If possible, overhead power lines should be removed during the decommissioning phase; • It is recommended that shafts are not sealed completely during the decommissioning phase but gaps of approximately 20cm² are left since shafts are often used as roosting sites by various bat species. However, if this is not possible due to health and safety regulations, alternative bat roosting sources such as bat boxes or bat houses can be constructed.

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5.3.4 Possible Cumulative Impacts Related to the Post Closure Phase

No additional impacts on the biodiversity within the area are likely to occur during the post closure phase.

6 CONCLUSION The study area is located in the Grassland Biome, which can be further divided into vegetation units. The proposed shafts as well as the eastern section of the proposed haul road are located in the Eastern Highveld Grassland vegetation type (currently listed as Endangered), while the remainder of the haul road is located in the Soweto Highveld Grassland vegetation type (currently listed as Endangered). Eastern Temperate Freshwater Wetlands are associated with the Blesbokspruit and are located north and east of the haul road.

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Threatened). The disturbed area east of the proposed shaft (north of the eastern portion of the haul road) was also classified as medium to high ecological sensitivity with at least two plant species of conservation concern, Hypoxis hemerocallidea (currently listed as Declining) and Kniphofia typhoides (currently listed as Near Threatened) confirmed in this area. All the areas which have been classified as medium to high ecological sensitivity are listed as Important and/or Ecological Support Areas on the latest Gauteng C-Plan, and also play an important role as dispersal corridors through a transformed landscape.

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REFERENCES Allen, W.H. (1994): Reintroduction of Endangered Plants. BioScience 44(2): 65-68. Barnes, K.N. (ed.) (1998): The Important Bird Areas of Southern Africa , Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa. Barrientos, R., Alonso, J., Ponce, C. and Palacin, C. (2011): Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of marked wire in reducing avian collisions with power lines. Conservation Biology 25(5): 893-903. Beegee, T.J.C. (2012): Effects of road mortality and mitigation measures on amphibian populations . Conservation Biology 27(4): 657-668. Bevanger, K. (1994): Bird interactions with utility structures: collision and electrocution, causes and mitigating measures, Ibis 136: 412 – 425. Clevenger, A.P., Chruszcz, B., and Gunson, K. (2001): Drainage culverts as habitat linkages and factors affecting passage by animals . Journal of Applied Ecology 38: 1340-1349. Cryan, P.M. & Barclay, R.M.R. (2009): Causes of bat fatalities at wind turbines: Hypotheses and predictions , Journal of Mammalogy 90(6): 1330-1340. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (2007): NEM:BA 2004 (Act 10 of 2004): Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Protected Species , Regulation No. 151, Government Gazette No. 29657, 23 February 2007, Pretoria: DEAT. Forman, R.T.T., and Alexander, L.E. (1998): Roads and their major ecological effects. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 29: 207-231. Foster, M.L., and Humphrey, S.R. (1995): Use of highway underpasses by Florida panthers and other wildlife. Wildlife Society Bulletin 23: 95-100. Government Gazette No 32689, (2009): Draft National List of Threatened Ecosystems in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) . Department of Environmental Affairs Notice 1477 of 2009 in Government Gazette No. 32689, 6 November 2009. Grilo, C., Reto, D., Filipe, J., Ascensao, F., and Revilla, E. (2014): Understanding the mechanisms behind road effects: linking occurrence with road mortality in owl. Animal Conservation 17: 555-564. Henderson, L., (2001): Alien Weeds and Invasive Plants. A complete guide to declared weeds and invaders in South Africa , Plant Protection Research Institute Handbook No. 12, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa. Henning, G.A., Terblanche, R.F. & Ball, J.B. (2009): South African Butterfly Conservation Assessment , Sanbi Biodiversity Series 13, Pretoria. Mader, H.J. (1984): Animal habitat isolation by roads and agricultural fields . Biological Conservation 29: 81-96. Mucina, L. & Rutherford, M.C. (2006): The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, Strelitzia 19 , Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute.

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Oxley, D.J., Fenton, M.B., and Carmody, G.R. (1974): The effects of roads on small mammals . Journal of Applied Ecology 11: 51-59. Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. & Manyama P.A., (eds) (2009): Red List of South African plants 2009, Strelitzia 25 , Nelspruit: South African National Biodiversity Institute. Rodriguez, A., Crema, G., and Delibes, M. (1996): Use of non-wildlife passages across a high speed railway by terrestrial vertebrates . Journal of Applied Ecology 33: 1527- 1540. Rutherford, M. C. & Westfall, R. H. (1994): Biomes of Southern Africa: an objective categorisation , Pretoria: National Botanical Institute. Sergio, F., Marchesi, L., Pedrini, P., Ferrer, M. & Penteriani, V. (2004): Electrocution alters the distribution and density of a top predator, the eagle owl Bubo bubo , Journal of Applied Ecology 41: 836 – 845. Shaw, J., Jenkens, A.R., Ryan, P.G. and Smallie, J.J. (2010): A preliminary survey of avian mortality on power lines in the Overberg, South Africa. Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology 81(2): 109-113. Strategic Environmental Focus (SEF) (2015a): Holfontein: Ecological Baseline Report . Project code: 506295. Strategic Environmental Focus (SEF) (2015b): Holfontein: Aquatic Impact Assessment Report . Project code: 506295. Strategic Environmental Focus (SEF) (2015c): Holfontein: Wetland Impact Assessment Report . Project code: 506295. Trombulak, S.C., and Frissell, C.A. (2000): Review of ecological effects of roads on terrestrial and aquatic communities . Conservation Biology 14: 18-30. Yanes, M., Velasco, J.M., and Suarez, F. (1995): Permeability of roads and railways to vertebrates: the importance of culverts. Biological Conservation 71: 217-222.

DIGITAL REFERENCES Animal Demography Unit: FrogMAP – South African Frog Atlas Project (SAFAP) (2013): http://vmus.adu.org.za Animal Demography Unit: ReptileMAP – South African Reptile Conservation Assessment (SARCA) (2013): http://sarca.adu.org.za Biodiversity GIS (2007): Critical Biodiversity Areas Map (CBA’s): http://bgis.sanbi.org Important Bird Areas (IBA) Project (Barnes, 1998; BirdLife International, 2012): http://www.birdlife.org.za/conservation/iba IUCN (2012): IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Version 2012.2: www.iucnredlist.org Plants of Southern Africa (POSA) (2009): http://posa.sanbi.org/searchspp.php South African National Red List (2012): http://redlist.sanbi.org

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Southern African Birding cc. (2011): Roberts VII Multimedia, Birds of Southern Africa, Computer Software. Southern African Butterfly Conservation Assessment (SABCA) (2013): http://sabca.adu.org.za

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GLOSSARY

Alien species Plant taxa in a given area, whose presence there, is due to the intentional or accidental introduction as a result of human activity.

Biodiversity Biodiversity is the variab ility among living organisms from all sources including inter alia terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.

Biome A major biotic unit consisting of plant and animal communities having similarities in form and environmental conditions, but not including the abiotic portion of the environment.

Buffer zone A collar of land that filters edge effects.

Climax community The pre sumed end point of successional sequence; a community that has reached a steady state, the most mature and fully developed vegetation that an ecosystem can achieve under the prevailing conditions. It is reached after a sequence of changes in the ecosystem, known as succession. Once climax vegetation develops, the changes are at a minimum and the vegetation is in dynamic equilibrium with its environment. Very few places show a true climax because physical environments are constantly changing so that ecosystems are always seeking to adjust to the new conditions through the process of succession.

Conservation The management of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generation while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. The wise use of natural resources to prevent loss of ecosystems function and integrity.

Conservation Plants of conservation concern are those plants that are important for South Africa’s concern conservation decision making processes and include all plants that are Threatened (see Threatened ), Extinct in the wild, Data deficient, Near threatened , Critically rare, Rare and Declining . These plants are nationally protected by the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act. Within the context of these reports, plants that are Declining are also discussed under this heading.

Conservation An indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the status near future. Many factors are taken into account when assessing the conservation status of a species: not simply the number remaining, but the overall increase or decrease in the population over time, breeding success rates, known threats, and so on.

Community Assemblage of populations living in a prescribed area or physical habitat, inhabiting some common environment.

Correspondence Correspondence Analysis simultaneously ordinat es species and samples. Analysis

Critically A taxon is Critically Endangered when it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

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Endangered in the immediate future.

Data Deficient There is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status. However, “data deficient” is therefore not a category of threat. Listing of taxa in this category indicates that more information is required and acknowledges the possibility that future research will show that threatened classification is appropriate.

Declining A taxon is declining when it does not meet any of the five IUCN criteria and does not qualify for the categories Threatened or Near Threatened, but there are threatening processes causing a continuous decline in the population (Raimondo et al. , 2009).

Ecological Corridors are roadways of natural habitat providing connectivity of various patches of native Corridors habitats along or through which faunal species may travel without any obstructions where other solutions are not feasible.

Edge effect Inappropriate influences from surrounding activities, which physically degrade habitat, endanger resident biota and reduce the functional size of remnant fragments including, for example, the effects of invasive plant and animal species, physical damage and soil compaction caused through trampling and harvesting, abiotic habitat alterations and pollution.

Endangered A taxon is Endangered when it is not Critically Endangered but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.

Fauna The animal life of a region.

Flora The plant life of a region.

Forb A herbaceous plant other than grasses.

Habitat Type of environment in which plants an d animals live.

Indigenous Any species of plant, shrub or tree that occurs naturally in South Africa.

Invasive species Naturalised alien plants that have the ability to reproduce, often in large numbers. Aggressive invaders can spread and invade large areas.

Least Concern A taxon is Least Concern when it has been evaluated against five IUCN criteria and does not qualify for the Threatened or Near threatened Categories (Raimondo et al. , 2009).

Mitigation The implementation of practical measures to re duce adverse impacts.

Near Threatened A Taxon is Near Threatened when available evidence indicates that that it nearly meets any of the five IUCN criteria for Vulnerable, and is therefore likely to qualify for a threatened category

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in the near future (Ra imondo et al. , 2009).

Plant community A collection of plant species within a designated geographical unit, which forms a relatively uniform patch, distinguishable from neighbouring patches of different vegetation types. The components of each plant community are influenced by soil type, topography, climate and human disturbance.

Protected Plant According to Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinances, no one is allowed to sell, buy, transport, or remove this plant without a permit from the responsible authority. These plants are protected by provincial legislation.

Threatened Species that have naturally small populations and species which have been reduced to small (often unsustainable) population by man’s activities.

Red Data A list of species, f auna and flora that require environmental protection - based on the IUCN definitions. Now termed Plants of Conservation Concern.

Species diversity A measure of the number and relative abundance of species.

Species richness The number of species in an area or habitat.

Succession Progressive change in the composition of a community of plants, e.g. from the initial colonisation of a bare area, or of an already established community towards a largely stable climax. The complete process of succession may take hundreds or thousands of years and entails a number of intermediate communities - each called a seral community. The replacement of one seral community by another in most cases leads to the eventual formation of a climax community, a relatively stable community of plants and animals .

Vegetation Unit A complex of plant communities ecologically and historically (both in spatial and temporal terms) occupying habitat complexes at the landscape scale. Mucina & Rutherford (2006) state: “Our vegetation units are the obvious vegetation complexes that share some general ecological properties such as position on major ecological gradients and nutrient levels, and appear similar in vegetation structure and especially floristic composition”.

Threatened Threaten ed Species are those that are facing a high risk of extinction, indicated by placing in the categories Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (E) and Vulnerable (VU) (Raimondo et al. , 2009).

Vulnerable A taxon is Vulnerable when it is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but meets any of the five IUCN criteria for Vulnerable and is therefore facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the future (Raimondo et al. , 2009).

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APPENDIX A: RECOMMENDED BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE HOLFONTEIN PROJECT

Best-practices and minimum ecological requirements for managing grassland for biodiversity include the management of fire and grazing, the management of habitats and species, and the management of soil erosion and physical disturbance (SANBI, 2013).

Fire and grazing are critical for maintaining the health of grassland ecosystems as they are required to maintain biodiversity and ecological processes. The removal of above-ground plant matter by animals or fire is an important agent of disturbance by introducing habitat diversity into the system both spatially and over time.

To maintain the ecological integrity of grassland habitat and species, grasslands should be kept free of invasive alien species and bush encroachment must be controlled. Clearing of invasive alien species needs to be approached systematically according to an invasive alien species management plan. Appropriate management of fire and grazing can be used to avoid or limit bush encroachment. Basal cover must be maintained as a loss of basal cover increases the vulnerability of the grassland to infestation by invasive alien species and to soil erosion.

Another key aspect to managing grassland habitat is monitoring populations of species of special interest and protecting localities that are home to threatened species. As with any biological ecosystem, monitoring the ecological aspects of grasslands will inform managers if the management strategy is working towards the management goals set. Some general guidelines for monitoring biodiversity in grasslands include: • Monitoring over time : It can be difficult to measure change without having a series of measurements over time that shows the direction of change starting from a baseline assessment. The baseline may not be the ideal, but it is the starting point, and later measurements will show whether the system is deteriorating or improving under the current land-use practice and management. • Monitor at the right time: Biodiversity surveys should be carried out during the summer months when most annuals and bulbs are flowering, and follow-up surveys should be carried out at more or less the same time of year. • Use comparisons with grassland known to be in good condition: Ideally it would be useful to have a near-perfect, intact portion of grassland of the same type nearby that can be used as a reference point against which to measure change in the managed grassland.

Moist grasslands associated with the Holfontein Project The moist grassland areas associated with the Holfontein project (see Figure 4) support relatively high biodiversity and provide suitable habitat for various flora and fauna of conservation concern. A general overview of the management requirements for moist grasslands is presented in Table 7.

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Table 7: Management requirements for selected moist grasslands

MOIST GRASSLAND

Key Biodiversity Issues Moist grasslands on site were areas of high biodiversity Fauna (Metisella meninx ) and flora (Kniphofia typhoides) of conservation concern inhabit the moist grasslands Although fragmented by roads and affected by infestations by alien plants, the moist grasslands contribute to the connectivity to other moist grasslands (especially the Blesbokspruit IBA) in the landscape for bird species especially Managemen t Objective The mois t grasslands should be managed to p reserve and maintain the moist grassland habitat, water quality and the faunal and floral species of conservation Management Recommendations Monitor water quality on a regular basis (see Aquatic re port for details (SEF, 2015b) Monitor for the presence Metisella meninx with surveys once a year during summer Remove alien plant species from the disturbed moist grassland west of the shaft Current Impacts Habitat fragmentation Infestations by alien plant species Habitat disturbance (roads, cultivation, pollution)

6.2 Dry grassland associated with the Holfontein project The dry grassland adjacent to the proposed haul road was deemed important due to the presence of relatively high herbaceous diversity including at least one floral species of conservation concern, Hypoxis hemerocallidea. A general overview of the management requirements for the dry grasslands is presented in Table 8.

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Table 8: Management requirements for the dry grassland

DRY GRASSLAND

Key Biodiversity Issues At least one p lant species of conservation concern , Hypoxis hemerocallidea, identifi ed in the dry grassland Moderate faunal diversity found in the dry grassland Management Objectives Maintain b iodiversity features associated with the small patch of dry grassland north of the proposed haul road Management Recommendations The dry grassland north of the proposed haul road was relatively free from alien plant species at the time of the Ecological survey (2015) and therefore this area should be monitored and all emerging alien species should be removed. Monitoring should be conducted throughout the construction phase (widening of the haul road, construction of culverts/roads) as well as twice every summer (November and March). The dry grasslands should be burned every second year to remove moribund plant material. Monitor the area by conducting yearly biodiversity surveys to detect if floral diversity is increasing Current Impacts Habitat fr agmentation (roads) and cultivated fields Mitigation of Current Impacts Areas disturbed during the construction phase should be rehabilitated with indigenous graminoid species and monitored for alien plants. The dry grassland should be burned every se cond year to remove moribund (dead) plant material.

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