Phase 1 Archaeological Impact Assessment for the Proposed Rehabilitation of Quarry 6 of the Krugerspost Mine, Mashishing, Mpumalanga
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
PHASE 1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT For The Proposed Rehabilitation of Quarry 6 of the Krugerspost Mine, Mashishing, Mpumalanga Author ©: Tobias Coetzee, MA (Archaeology) (UP) March 2021 A Phase 1 Archaeological Impact Assessment for the Proposed Rehabilitation of Quarry 6 of the Krugerspost Mine, Mashishing, Mpumalanga For: BECS Environmental (Pty) Ltd 358 Serene Street Garsfontein Pretoria 0081 Report No: 1203211_Quarry 6 Version: 2 Email: [email protected] I, Tobias Coetzee, declare that – • I act as the independent specialist; • I am conducting any work and activity relating to the proposed Quarry 6 Rehabilitation Project in an objective manner, even if this results in views and findings that are not favourable to the client; • I declare that there are no circumstances that may compromise my objectivity in performing such work; • I have the required expertise in conducting the specialist report and I will comply with legislation, regulations and any guidelines that have relevance to the proposed activity; • I have not, and will not engage in, conflicting interests in the undertaking of the activity; • I undertake to disclose to the applicant and the competent authority all material information in my possession that reasonably has or may have the potential of influencing - any decision to be taken with respect to the application by the competent authority; and - the objectivity of any report, plan or document to be prepared by myself for submission to the competent authority; • All the particulars furnished by me in this declaration are true and correct. _________________________________ Date: 16 March 2021 Tobias Coetzee © 1203211_Quarry 6 March 2021 (Version 1) 2 List of Abbreviations AIA – Archaeological Impact Assessment CRM – Cultural Resource Management DMR – Department of Mineral Resources EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment ESA – Early Stone Age GPS – Global Positioning System ha – Hectare HIA – Heritage Impact Assessment km – Kilometre LIA – Late Iron Age LSA – Later Stone Age m – Metre MASL – Metres Above Sea Level MEC – Member of the Executive Council MSA – Middle Stone Age NEMWA - National Environmental Management Waste Act 59 of 2009 (as amended) NHRA – National Heritage Resources Act NEMA - National Environmental Management Act SAHRA – South African Heritage Resources Agency Tobias Coetzee © 1203211_Quarry 6 March 2021 (Version 1) 3 Executive Summary The author was appointed by BECS Environmental (Pty) Ltd to undertake a Phase 1 Archaeological Impact Assessment for the proposed rehabilitation of Quarry 6 of the Imerys Refractory Minerals Krugerspost Mine on Portion 31 of the Farm Klipfontein 400 KT near Lydenburg/Mashishing in the Mpumalanga Province. It should be noted, however, that the existing mining right includes Portion 32 as well. The proposed rehabilitation project is located approximately 20 km north of Mashishing/Lydenburg with the Mpumalanga/Limpopo boundary forming the northern border of Portion 31. Surrounding towns include Steelpoort 34 km to the northwest and Graskop 43 km to the east. The aim of the study is to determine the scope of archaeological resources that could be impacted on by the proposed rehabilitation of Quarry 6. Three archaeological sites (K01, K03, K04) were observed during the pedestrian survey of Quarry 6. Site K01 consists of a transitional ESA (Early Stone Age) handaxe just inside of the boundary of Quarry 6, while Site K03, also a transitional ESA handaxe, falls to the outside. Site K04, consisting of three undecorated potsherds that possibly date to the LIA (Late Iron Age), falls just outside of the quarry 6 boundary. All three sites, however, are located near the eastern boundary of Quarry 6, outside of the pit section and on a disturbed area of the mine. The archaeological context is therefore regarded as disturbed, resulting in a low site significance. One contemporary site, K02, consists of modern plastic items and are not significant from a heritage perspective. Subject to adherence of the recommendations and approval by SAHRA, the proposed rehabilitation of Quarry 6 of the Krugerspost Mine as per the indicated demarcation may continue. Should skeletal remains be exposed during rehabilitation, all activities must be suspended and the relevant heritage resources authority contacted (See National Heritage and Resources Act, 25 of 1999 section 36 (6)). Also, should culturally significant material be discovered during the course of the said development, all activities must be suspended pending further investigation by a qualified archaeologist. Tobias Coetzee © 1203211_Quarry 6 March 2021 (Version 1) 4 Table of Contents List of Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 1. Project Background ................................................................................................................................................ 7 1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Legislation ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.2.1 The EIA and AIA processes ......................................................................................................................................... 9 1.2.2 Legislation regarding archaeology and heritage sites ................................................................................................ 10 2. Study Area and Project Description .................................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Location & Physical Environment ............................................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Project description........................................................................................................................................................ 14 3. Archaeological Background ................................................................................................................................ 18 3.1 The Stone Ages .............................................................................................................................................................. 18 3.2 The Iron Age & Later History........................................................................................................................................... 19 3.2.1 Mashishing/Lydenburg Archaeo-History .................................................................................................................... 20 4. Methodology .......................................................................................................................................................... 21 4.1 Sources of information .................................................................................................................................................... 26 4.1.1 Historical aerial and topographical maps ................................................................................................................... 27 4.1.2 Previous Heritage Studies .......................................................................................................................................... 27 4.2 Limitations ....................................................................................................................................................................... 28 5. Archaeological and Historical Remains .............................................................................................................. 29 5.1 Stone Age Remains ........................................................................................................................................................ 29 5.2 Iron Age Farmer Remains ............................................................................................................................................... 31 5.3 Historical ......................................................................................................................................................................... 32 5.4 Contemporary Remains .................................................................................................................................................. 32 5.5 Graves............................................................................................................................................................................. 33 6. Evaluation .............................................................................................................................................................. 33 6.1 Field Ratings ................................................................................................................................................................... 34 7. Statement of Significance & Recommendations ................................................................................................ 35 7.1 Statement of significance ...............................................................................................................................................