Kuruman Wind Energy Facility Grid Connection, Kathu & Kuruman, Northern Cape

Palaeontological heritage: input for combined desktop and field-based Basic Assessment

KURUMAN WIND ENERGY FACILITY GRID CONNECTION, KATHU & KURUMAN, NORTHERN CAPE

John E. Almond (PhD, Cantab.) Natura Viva cc PO Box 12410 Mill Street CAPE TOWN 8010, RSA

July 2018

CONCLUSIONS / EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Alternative corridors for the proposed Kuruman WEF overhead 132 kV grid connection – either to Segame Substation near Kuruman or to Ferrum Substation near Kathu - largely overlie Precambrian sedimentary bedrocks of low palaeosensitivity. These include basinal marine banded ironstones (BIF) of the Asbestos Hills Subgroup (Kuruman and Daniëlskuil Formations) and lavas of the Postmasburg Group (Ongeluk Formation) that underlie the Kurumanberge Range and the Lohatlha plains to the west. Direct or indirect impacts on small outcrop areas of fossiliferous Precambrian carbonate bedrocks (Campbell Rand Subgroup) along the eastern margin of the Kurumanberge are not anticipated. Late Caenozoic superficial deposits, such as BIF colluvial gravels, sandy and gravelly alluvium, calcrete and aeolian sands of the Kalahari Group, mantle most of the Precambrian bedrocks within the powerline corridors and are likewise fossil-poor. The only fossil remains recorded during a recent field assessment of the grid connection corridors comprise low exposures of stromatolitic carbonate of the Kogelbeen Formation (Campbell Rand Subgroup) near Segame Substation. The stromatolites see here are probably of widespread occurrence in the Ghaap Plateau region and are not considered especially conservation-worthy (Proposed Field rating IIIC Local Resource). No specialist palaeontological mitigation measures regarding these fossil assemblages are proposed here.

It is concluded that, in terms of palaeontological heritage resources, the impact significance of the Kuruman WEF 132 kV grid connection is low (negative), both before and after mitigation. This assessment applies to both 132 kV grid connection options under consideration and is based on (1) the low overall low palaeosensitivity of the 132 kV grid connection study region (including both corridor alternatives) as well as (2) the small footprint of the individual electrical pylon footings and associated service roads (i.e. small volume of bedrock excavations or surface clearance entailed). There is no preference on palaeontological heritage grounds for either one of the grid connection route options. Significant impacts during the operational and de-commissioning phases of the 132 kV grid connection are not anticipated. Confidence levels for this assessment are medium, given the low levels of bedrock exposure. In the context of other alternative energy and associated powerline developments in the broader Kathu – Kuruman region, cumulative impacts posed by the Kuruman WEF 132 kV grid connection project are of low significance.

Should substantial fossil remains be encountered at surface or exposed during construction of the 132 kV grid connection, the ECO should safeguard these, preferably in situ. They should then alert the South African Heritage Resources Agency as soon as possible (Contact details: SAHRA, 111 Harrington Street, Cape Town. PO Box 4637, Cape Town 8000, South Africa. Phone : +27 (0)21

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462 4502. Fax: +27 (0)21 462 4509. Web: www.sahra.org.za). This is to ensure that appropriate action (i.e. recording, sampling or collection of fossils, recording of relevant geological data) can be taken by a professional palaeontologist at the proponent’s expense. A procedure for Chance Fossil Finds is tabulated in Appendix 2. These recommendations must be incorporated in the Environmental Management Programme for the Kuruman WEF 132 kV grid connection project.

There are no fatal flaws or objections on palaeontological grounds to authorisation of the Kuruman WEF 132 kV grid connection project, provided that the recommended mitigation measures - including the Chance Fossil Finds procedure - are fully implemented during the construction phase of the development.

1. GEOLOGICAL CONTEXT

The combined study area for the 132 kV grid connection associated with the proposed Kuruman WEF stretches from Kathu in the southwest across the topographically subdued Lohatlha plains, through the hilly Kurumanberge Range and onto the western edge of the Ghaap Plateau near Kuruman, Northern Cape (Fig. 1). This area forms part of the semi-arid Southern Kalahari Physiographic Region of the Northern Cape (Partridge et al. 2010). The Kurumanberge comprise a NNW-SSE trending series of low, flat-crested hills which range in elevation from c. 1500-1770 m amsl. These are erosional relicts of an elongate, low, dome-shaped upland area that has become highly dissected by numerous small water courses draining towards the Ghaap Plateau and Kuruman River in the northeast and to the west into the Lohatlha Plains of the southern Kalahari.

The geology of the Kathu – Kurumanberge - Kuruman region is shown on the 1: 250 000 sheet map 2722 Kuruman (Council for Geoscience, Pretoria), for which a full explanation has yet to be published (Fig. 2); this map is now outdated in several respects. Excellent simplified geological maps and sections of the region are provided in the Kalahari Manganese Field volume by Cairncross & Beukes (2013) (Figs. 3 & 4). The silicicastic and carbonate bedrocks here are assigned to the Precambrian (Late Archaean to Proterozoic) Transvaal Supergroup (Griqualand West Basin) on the western margins of the ancient Kaapvaal Craton (McCarthy & Rubidge 2005, Eriksson et al. 2006) (Fig. 5). They lie within the Ghaap Plateau Subbasin of the Transvaal succession, situated to the NE of the Griquatown Fault Zone. The Transvaal Supergroup bedrocks here have been folded into a major NNW-SSE trending mega-syncline, known as the Dimoten Syncline, and are cut by several broadly N-S trending faults. Within the 132 kV grid connection project area the bedrocks of the Ghaap Group – comprising shallow water carbonates of the Campbell Rand Subgroup overlain by deeper water banded iron formation (BIF) of the Asbestos Hills Subgroup - lie on both flank of the Dimoten Syncline. The youngest bedrocks in the core of the syncline, assigned to the Proterozoic Postmasberg Group, are glacial sediments of the Makganyene Formation and the overlying Ongeluk Formation lavas. These younger rocks, unconformably overlying the Ghaap Group, crop out in the core of the Dimoten Syncline to the west of the Kurumanberge Range. They are not mapped within the WEF project area (although they may in fact occur here as well due to faulting). Throughout the study area a large portion of the Precambrian outcrop area is mantled by various, mostly unconsolidated superficial deposits of Late Caenozoic age. These include Late Cretaceous to Recent aeolian sands, calcretes and older (deeply-buried) lacustrine to fluvial deposits of the Kalahari Group, BIF colluvial and surface gravels on hillslopes and hillcrests, as well as alluvial sediments along stream and river valley floors.

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A brief summary of the main geological units traversed by the 132 kV grid connection alternatives from the Kuruman WEF to Segame Substation in the NE and Ferrum Substation in the SW is given here. More detailed accounts of the geology and stratigraply of these rock units is provided in the palaeontological assessment reports for the Kuruman WEF (Phase 1 and Phase 2) by the author (Almond 2018b, 2018c), to which the interested reader is referred.

1.1. 132 kV grid connection to Segame Substation, Kuruman: geology

The 132 kV grid connection (red line in Fig. 1) runs from the proposed Kuruman Phase 1 WEF substation, located at c. 1530 m amsl in the central valley of the Kurumanberge, follows drainage lines across the eastern range of these BIF hills (Fig. 6) and then traverses gently sloping (c. 1430- 1330 m amsl) terrain on the western the margins of Ghaap Plateau to Segame Substation on the outskirts of Kuruman. For the majority of the powerline corridor the Precambrian bedrocks are mantled by Late Caenozoic superficial deposits while no major water courses are crossed. The superficial sediments include downwasted BIF (banded iron formation) gravels and scree on hillslopes of the Kurumanberge, sandy and gravelly alluvium along minor, mostly dry drainage lines within this range and on its margins, as well as Pleistocene to Recent aeolian sands (Gordonia Formation) and underlying calcretes in the Ghaap Plateau region (Fig. 8). Thick (several m.) orange-hued sandy deposits on valley floors within the Kurumanberge may represent reworked Gordonia dune sands, at least in part. Basal alluvial gravels here mainly comprise platy clasts of BIF with little to no rounding, implying a local provenance with little current reworking. Thick (several m.), eastward-thinning prisms of ferruginized BIF colluvial gravels with occasional carbonate clasts overlie the eastern margins of the Kurumanberge where they overlie Campbell Rand Subgroup bedrocks.

Most of the potentially-fossiliferous carbonate bedrocks of the Ghaap Plateau between the Kurumanberge foot slopes and Kuruman are covered by thick Kalahari dune sands and surface calcrete (Fig. 8). In a small, flat-lying area to the south of the Segame Substation low, karstified exposures of greyish carbonate bedrocks of the Campbell Rand Subgroup (probably Kogelbeen Formation) crop out (Figs. 9 & 10). They are permeated by thin bands of ferruginous secondary chert that probably reflect diagenetic replacement of stromatolitic horizons (Section 2.1). Local patches of cemented cherty surface rubble and surface calcretes are seen here, while laterally the carbonate bedrocks disappear beneath a thin cover of downwasted surface gravels and orange- brown Kalahari sands.

1.2. 132 kV grid connection to Ferrum Substation, Kathu: geology

The alternative 132 kV grid connection from the Kuruman Phase 1 on-site substation to the existing Ferrum Substation near Kathu traverses the majority of the NNW-SSE trending Dimoten Syncline (See geological map Fig. 2). Several minor drainage lines are crossed, but no major water courses. To the south of the on-site substation the corridor initially follows the central valley of the Kurumanberge which is floored by thick alluvial sands and BIF basal gravels. It then traverses the western hills of the Kurumanberge that are built of west-dipping BIF of the Asbestos Hills Subgroup (Kuruman and Daniëlskuil Formations) (Fig. 11). The Proterozoic bedrocks here are widely mantled with thin gravelly colluvium here (Fig. 12), within only intermittent thin kranzes or cliffs of prominent-weathering cherty BIF, while along the western flanks of the hills fans of ferruginised BIF gravels are locally seen (Fig. 13).

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In the core of the Dimoten Syncline around Lohatlha the Ghaap Group bedrocks are unconformably overlain by Proterozoic glacially-related sediments and lavas of the Postmasburg Group (Makganyene and Ongeluk Formations; Figs. 3 to 5). According to the geological map no outcrop areas of Makganyene Formation glacial diamictites are traversed by the powerline, although these are present in the subsurface. In the Rooikop region the powerline corridor passes close to low hills capped by resistant-weathering Ongeluk Formation grey-green lava (Figs. 14 to 16). These ancient lavas are well-jointed, massive (no amygdales seen) and may show the development of columnar jointing within thicker lava flows. The igneous bedrocks here are mantled by lava rubble and surface gravels, including vein quartz. On the western flank of the Dimoten Syncline the corridor traverses BIF bedrocks once again (east-dipping in this case) but exposures are very poor and rusty-weathered on the gentle, BIF rubble-strewn hillslopes here (Figs. 17 & 18). Over the greater part of the low-lying Lohatlha Plains region west of the Kurumanberge as far as Kathu the Proterozoic bedrocks are covered by thick orange-brown aeolian sands of the Gordonia Formation, locally reworked and semi-consolidated at depth (Figs. 20 & 21), as well as underlying well-developed calcrete hardpans (both assigned to Kalahari Group) (Fig. 19). The calcretes are rarely exposed, except along shallow drainage lines where they are seen to be polyphase and locally karstified. Shallow drainage lines are associated with pans or vleis featuring oligomict alluvial gravels of finely-banded chalcedony (weathered-out amydales from the Ongeluk lavas), cherts, quartz and possible tuffs. Some of the gravels clasts show anthropogenic flaking.

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Figure 1: Google Earth© satellite image of the Kuruman WEF 132 kV grid connection study region in the Northern Cape, from Kathu in the SW across the Kurumanberge to Kuruman in the NE. Phase 1 and Phase 2 Kuruman WEF project areas are outlined in white and yellow respectively. The proposed 132 kV overhead powerline connection to the existing Segame Substation on the outskirts of Kuruman (c. 10 km long) is shown in orange. The alternative 132 kV grid connection to the existing Ferrum Substation near Kathu (c. 50 km long) is shown in green. The small blue areas denote patches of fossiliferous Campbell Rand carbonate bedrocks along the eastern edge of the Kurumanberge that will not be directly impacted by the proposed overhead powerline. Scale bar = 10 km. N towards the top of the image.

This is the latest alternative grid alignment (26 June 2018) that I have. It does not correspond to that in the draft WEF reports.

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Figure 2: Extract from 1: 250 000 geology sheet 2722 Kuruman (Council for Geoscience, Pretoria) showing in purple the provisional footprint of both phases of the proposed Kuruman Wind Energy Facility as well as alternative route options for the proposed 132 kV overhead powerline connection to the Eskom grid – either eastwards to Segame Substation near Kuruman (c. 10 km) or westwards to Ferrum Substation near Kathu (c. 50 km) (Image prepared by CTS Heritage). The main rock units represented here are:

TRANSVAAL SUPERGROUP (GHAAP GROUP)  CAMPBELL RAND SUBGROUP: Vgl (pale blue) = Kogelbeen, Gamohaan & Tsineng Formations (undifferentiated) (c. 2.5 Ga)  ASBESTOS HILLS SUBGROUP: Vak (dark purple) = Kuruman Formation Vad (purplish-grey) = Daniëlskuil Formation (banded iron formation, 2.4 Ga)  POSTMASBURG GROUP Vm (pale green) = Makganyene Formation (glacial diamictite) (c. 2.3 Ga) Vo (dark green) = Ongeluk Formation (lavas, 2.2 Ga)  LATE CAENOZOIC DRIFT Qs (pale yellow) = aeolian sand of the Gordonia Formation (Kalahari Group, Quaternary) Ql (dark yellow) = calcrete hardpans or “surface limestone” Middle yellow with flying bird symbol = alluvium Red stippled areas = pan sediments

N.B. This geological map needs altering for the BA grid connection report to show (1) outline of WEF Phase 1 / 2 project area, (2) alternative 132 kV grid connection route options (3) scale and N arrow. Please note that the purple grid connection line on the (outdated) map seen here is slightly displaced to the SE related to the topography.

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Figure 3: Schematic geological map of the Griqualand West region of the Northern Cape showing the approximate position of the project area for the Kuruman Wind Energy Facility and associated grid connection (red rectangle) (From Cairncross & Beukes 2013). This overlies the NNW-SSE Dimoten mega-syncline with bedrocks of the Campbell Rand and Asbestos Hills Subgroups on the flanks and younger rocks of the Postmasburg Group (Ongeluk and Makganyene Formations) in the core.

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Figure 4: Stratigraphy of the Transvaal Supergroup showing the bedrock units of the Ghaap Group and unconformably overlying Postmasburg Group within the Griqualand West Basin that are represented in the Kuruman WEF and associated grid connection project area (black rectangle) (From Cairncross & Beukes 2013).

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Figure 5. Stratigraphy of the Transvaal Supergroup of the Ghaap Plateau Sub-basin (central column) showing Precambrian bedrock units represented in the Kuruman WEF and associated 132 kV grid connection project areas (thick red line) (Modified from Eriksson et al. 2006). Figures in boxes indicate radiometric ages in millions of years (Ma).

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Figure 6. Hillslopes in the eastern range of the Kurumanberge showing hillslope exposure of Asbestos Hills Subgroup confined to thin kranzes of cherty BIF, Kuruman Phase 1 WEF project area.

Figure 7. Typical sandy valley floor terrain within the central valley of the Kurumanberge, Kuruman Phase 1 WEF project area.

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Figure 8. Thick orange-brown reworked Kalahari sands mantling gently rolling terrain of the western Ghaap Plateau, exisiting powerline servitude c. 3.75 km SW of Kuruman (Loc. 362).

Figure 9. Low exposures of grey Campbell Rand carbonate bedrocks (locally stromatolitic) due south of the Segame Substation near Kuruman (Loc. 361)

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Figure 10. Close-up of low carbonate exposures seen above showing horizons of lumpy dark secondary chert related to secondary silicification of stromatolitic horizons (Loc. 361) (Hammer = 30 cm).

Figure 11. Typical dissected hilly terrain built of BIF in the southwestern sector of the Kurumanberge (Bramcote 446) showing low levels of bedrock exposure (Loc. 346).

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Figure 12. Crest of the Kurumanberge on Bramcote 447 showing mantle of downwasted cherty BIF gravels (Loc. 345).

Figure 13. View south-westwards into the Lohatlha plains from the western margins of the Kurumanberge (Loc. 344) showing rusty-brown ferruginous gravels of BIF on the lower hillslopes in the middle ground. The low hills in the distance are Asbestos Hills rocks building the western limb of the Dimoten Syncline.

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Figure 14. Paired koppies of Postmasburg Group bedrocks capped by resistant-weathering Ongeluk Formation lavas in the Rooikop area, N margin of Lohatlha military area, viewed from the west.

Figure 15. South-western slopes of Rooikop with cliff of resistant, brown-weathering Ongeluk Formation lavas overlying poorly-exposed Makganyene Formation bedrocks in the foothills here.

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Figure 16. Hillslope exposures of dark-patinated Ongeluk Formation lava showing pervasive polygonal columnar jointing pattern, Rooikop area (Loc. 354)

Figure 17. Poorly-exposed, rusty-brown, weathered BIF and downwasted surface gravels of the Asbestos Hills Subgroup building low hills bordering the Lohatlha plains to the east of Kathu (Loc. 352). View towards the east.

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Figure 18. Close-up of thin-bedded, highly tabular, rusty-weathered BIF seen at the same locality as the previous figure.

Figure 19. Float block of karstified calcrete hardpan with sparse embedded small gravel clasts, eastern edge of Demaneng 546 (Loc. 348) (Scale = c.15 cm).

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Figure 20. Flat, sandy terrain of the Lohatlha plains region with downwasted calcrete gravels clasts.

Figure 21. Gulley exposure of thick, semi-consolidated orange-brown sands – probably reworked and semi-consolidated aeolian deposits – in the Lohatlha plains region (Loc. 353).

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2. PALAEONTOLOGICAL HERITAGE

A summary of the main fossil groups associated with the principal rock units represented in the 132 kV grid connection project area for the proposed Kuruman WEF is given in Table 1. Further details of these fossils – including stromatolite assemblages found on the eastern margins of the Kuruman Phase 1 WEF project area - are given, together with relevant references, in the palaeontological assessment reports for the Kuruman Phase 1 and Phase 2 WEFs (Almond 2018b, 2018c), to which the interested reader is referred.

2.1. 132 kV grid connection to Segame Substation, Kuruman: fossils

The Asbestos Hills Subgroup BIF are unfossiliferous (apart from microfossils), while the overlying alluvial and colluvial sands and gravels within the Kurumanberge region are, at most, of low palaeontological sensitivity. Stromatolitic carbonates of the Campbell Rand Subgroup (Kogelbeen, Gamohaan and Tsineng Formations) crop out at intervals along the eastern margins of the Kuruman WEF project area (Figs. 1 & 2) but are generally overlain here by Late Caenozoic colluvial and alluvial deposits. No impacts on small outcrop areas along the eastern edge of the Kurumanberge are anticipated (small blue areas in Fig. 1) Within the limited exposure area of grey Kogelbeen Formation carbonates located c. 150-200 m to the south of Segame Substation occur thin horizons of tightly-packed to spaced domical stromatolites (up to few dm diameter and height) with occasional secondary replacement of convex-upwards laminae (Figs. 22 & 23). Vertical sections show accretionary build-up of finely-laminated stromatolitic domes. These stromatolite occurrences lie along an existing powerline servitude and to the east of the proposed new 132 kV transmission line (Figs. 9 & 24). They are likely to be of widespread occurrence within the Ghaap Plateau region and no special mitigation measures to protect them are recommended here (Proposed Field rating IIIC Local Resource).

2.2. 132 kV grid connection to Ferrum Substation, Kathu: fossils

No palaeontologically-sensitive rock units are traversed by the alternative 132 kV grid connection corridor to Ferrum Substation near Kathu. No fossil remains were recorded during the field-based assessment of the corridor.

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Figure 22. Cross-sections through medium-sized, finely-laminated stromatolitic domes within low exposures of the Kogelbeen Formation near Segame Substation (Scale in cm) (Loc. 361).

Figure 23. Upward-building stromatolitic domes within grey Kogelbeen Formation carbonates near Segame Substation, Kuruman (Scale in cm) (Loc. 361).

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Figure 24. Google Earth© satellite image of the south-western outskirts of Kuruman showing occurrences of stromatolitic carbonate exposures (Loc. 360-361) situated some 150-200 m SSE of Segame Substation (SS). The stromatolites are situated due east of the proposed new Kuruman Phase 1 – Segame 132 kV grid connection (orange line). Scale bar = 600 m. N towards top of image.

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Table 1: Fossil heritage in the Kuruman WEF and grid connection study area

PALAEONT- RECOMMENDED GEOLOGICAL ROCK TYPES & AGE FOSSIL HERITAGE OLOGICAL SPECIALIST UNIT SENSITIVITY MITIGATION calcretised rhizoliths & Gordonia termitaria, ostrich egg Formation Mainly aeolian sands shells, land snail shells, plus minor fluvial rare mammalian and GENERALLY LOW None KALAHARI gravels, freshwater reptile (e.g. tortoise, with exception of recommended GROUP pan deposits, micromammal) bones, rare pockets of calcretes, calc tufa / teeth, plant remains fossiliferous fissure Any substantial plus flow stone, karstic infill, karst breccia fossil finds to be fissure infill breccias freshwater units (HIGH sensitivity) reported by ECO SURFACE associated with to SAHRA CALCRETE, PLIO-PLEISTOCENE diatoms, molluscs, CALC TUFA to RECENT stromatolites etc

Glacial diamictites Reporting and Makganyene & (tillites), volcanic documentation of Stromatolites Ongeluk Fms lavas, dolomites, GENERALLY LOW ancient associated with glacial ironstones with exception of stromatolites in deposits within the POSTMASBURG stromatolitic units surface exposures Makganyene Formation GROUP EARLY of Makganyene (Prieska Sub-basin) PROTEROZOIC Fm (c. 2.2 Ga) BIF (banded iron Asbestos Hills formations) with Subgroup cherty bands Important early (Kuruman & microfossil biotas None LOW Daniëlskuil Fms) EARLY No macrofossils recommended PROTEROZOIC reported to date GHAAP GROUP (c. 2.5-2.4 Ga)

Limestones, Stromatolite-rich Campbell Rand dolomites, exposures to be Subgroup subordinate cherts & Range of microbialites protected as No- (Kogelbeen, tuffs including various forms Go areas. Gamohaan & of stromatolite, organic- HIGH Specialist Tsineng Fms) LATE ARCHAEAN – walled microfossils recording and EARLY within cherts mitigation of GHAAP GROUP PROTEROZOIC Chance Fossil (c. 2.6-2.5 Ga) Finds.

3. IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The Kuruman Phase 1 On-site Substation to Segame Substation grid connection alternative is much shorter but is more likely to entail damage to fossil stromatolite horizons at or near the ground surface (e.g. on the outskirts of Kuruman) than the much longer grid connection corridor to Ferrum Substation near Kathu. However, these particular stromatolites are not exceptionally well- developed, and are probably of widespread occurrence in the Ghaap Plateau region.

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There is no preference on palaeontological heritage grounds for either one of the grid connection route options under consideration.

Significant impacts during the operational and de-commissioning phases of the 132 kV grid connection are not anticipated. Confidence levels for this assessment are medium, given the low levels of bedrock exposure.

 Cumulative impacts

Comparatively few palaeontological impact assessments are available for proposed and authorised powerline projects within a 50 km radius of the Kathu - Kuruman 132 kV grid connection project area; most impact assessments in this region refer to mining and railway developments. A heritage study for the upgrade of a 66 kV network in the Kuruman area by PGS (2015) recommended a full PIA during the pre-construction phase based on the SAHRIS palaeosensitivity map. Reports by Almond (2015a, 2015b, 2018) refer to small-scale solar energy projects near Kathu. Field studies on similar Precambrian bedrock units to those encountered in the present project area – notably the Campbell Rand and Asbestos Hills Subgroups - are covered by Almond (2012b, 2013a, 2014a and 2014b) in particular. In general, the carbonate bedrocks proved to be stromatolitic, and hence palaeontologically sensitive, while the BIF of the Kuruman and Daniëlskuil Formations contained no identifiable macrofossils.

It is concluded that, in the context of these other alternative energy and assocated powerline developments in the broader Kathu to Kuruman region, cumulative impacts posed by the Kuruman WEF 132 kV grid connection project are of low significance.

4. RECOMMENDED MITIGATION

All of the palaeontologically significant fossil sites identified during the field assessment of the Kuruman WEFs (Phase 1 and Phase 2; Almond 2018a, 2018b) are associated with small outcrop areas of Campbell Rand Subgroup carbonate bedrocks along the eastern edge of the Kurumanberge that lie outside the 132 kV grid connection corridors (See areas outlined in blue in satellite image Figure 1). These areas should be designated as No-Go areas and protected from any disturbance or development during the construction phase. The low exposures of stromatolitic carbonate in the vicinity of Segame Substation (Figs. 9 & 24), due east of and outside the Kuruman Phase 1 WEF Substation to Segame powerline corridor, are not considered to be especially conservation-worthy (Proposed Field rating IIIC Local Resource). No specialist palaeontological mitigation measures regarding these fossils or the alternative grid connection corridor to Ferrum Substation are proposed here.

Should substantial fossil remains be encountered at surface or exposed during construction, the ECO should safeguard these, preferably in situ. They should then alert the South African Heritage

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Resources Agency as soon as possible (Contact details: SAHRA, 111 Harrington Street, Cape Town. PO Box 4637, Cape Town 8000, South Africa. Phone : +27 (0)21 462 4502. Fax: +27 (0)21 462 4509. Web: www.sahra.org.za). This is to ensure that appropriate action (i.e. recording, sampling or collection of fossils, recording of relevant geological data) can be taken by a professional palaeontologist at the proponent’s expense. A procedure for Chance Fossil Finds is tabulated in Appendix 2. These recommendations must be incorporated in the Environmental Management Programme for the Kuruman WEF 132 kV grid connection project.

5. KEY REFERENCES

ALMOND, J.E. & PETHER, J. 2008. Palaeontological heritage of the Northern Cape. Interim SAHRA technical report, 124 pp. Natura Viva cc., Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2010a. Prospecting application for iron ore and manganese between Sishen and Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province: farms Jenkins 562, Marokwa 672, Thaakwaneng 675, Driehoekspan 435, Doringpan 445 and Macarthy 559. Palaeontological impact assessment: desktop study, 20 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2010b. Proposed voltaic power station adjacent to Welcome Wood Substation, Owendale near Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province. Palaeontological impact assessment: desktop study, 12 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2012. Proposed PV power stations Welcome Wood II and III adjacent to Welcome Wood Substation, near Daniëlskuil, Northern Cape Province. Palaeontological impact assessment: desktop study, 14 pp.

ALMOND, J.E. 2011a. Proposed concentrated solar power development on Farm 469 (Humansrus), near Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province. Recommended exemption from further palaeontological studies, 5 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2011b. Proposed Solar Thermal Energy Power Park on Farm Arriesfontein, near Daniëlskuil, Postmasburg District, Northern Cape Province. Palaeontological specialist study: desktop assessment, 14 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2012a. Proposed PV power stations Welcome Wood II and III adjacent to Welcome Wood Substation, near Daniëlskuil, Northern Cape Province. Palaeontological impact assessment: desktop study, 14 pp.

ALMOND, J.E. 2012b. Proposed Metsimatala Photovoltaic Power and Concentrated Solar Power Facilities on Farm Groenwater, Francis Baard District Municipality near Postmasburg, Northern

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Cape. Palaeontological assessment: combined desktop study & field assessment, 26 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2013a. Proposed 16 Mtpa expansion of Transnet’s existing manganese ore export railway line & associated infrastructure between Hotazel and the Port of Ngqura, Northern & Eastern Cape. Part 1: Hotazel to Kimberley, Northern Cape. Palaeontological specialist assessment: combined desktop and field-based study, 85 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2013b. Proposed construction of a 132 kV power line and switchyard associated with the Redstone Solar Thermal Energy Plant near Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province. Palaeontological heritage assessment: desktop study, 25 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2014a. Proposed construction of a 132 kV power line and switchyard associated with the Redstone Solar Thermal Energy Plant near Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province. Palaeontological heritage basic assessment: combined desktop & field-based study, 46 pp.

ALMOND, J.2. 2014b. Residential development on Remainder and Portion 3 of Farm Bestwood RD 459 in Kathu, Gamagara Municipality, Northern Cape Province. Palaeontological specialist assessment: desktop study , 33 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2015a. Proposed AEP Legoko Solar PV Energy Facility on Farm 460 Legoka near Kathu, Gamagara Municipality, Northern Cape. Palaeontological specialist assessment: desktop study, 26 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2015b. Proposed AEP Magobe Solar PV Energy Facility on Farm 460 Legoka near Kathu, Gamagara Municipality, Northern Cape. Palaeontological specialist assessment: desktop study, 26 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2018a. Proposed 75 MW Gaetsewe Solar PV Energy Facility and associated infrastructure on the farm 460 Legoko Portion 1 and 2, and Farm 461 Sekgame near Kathu, Gamagara Local Municipality, Northern Cape.Palaeontological specialist assessment: desktop study, 29 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2018b. Kuruman Wind Energy Facility Phase 1 near Kuruman, Kuruman District, Northern Cape. Palaeontological heritage: input for combined desktop and field-based EIA Assessment, 43 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

ALMOND, J.E. 2018c. Kuruman Wind Energy Facility Phase 2 near Kuruman, Kuruman District, Northern Cape. Palaeontological heritage: input for combined desktop and field-based EIA Assessment, 30 pp. Natura Viva cc, Cape Town.

CAIRNCROSS, B. & BEUKES, N.J. 2013. The Kalahari Manganese Field. The adventure continues…384 pp. Struik Nature, Cape Town.

CTS HERITAGE 2017. Kuruman WEF: Heritage Screener, 26 pp. CTS Heritage, Cape Town.

CTS HERITAGE 2018a. Scoping report for the proposed development of the Phase 1 Kuruman Wind Farm Facility, Kuruman, Northern Cape Province, 22 pp. CTS Heritage, Cape Town.

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CTS HERITAGE 2018b. Scoping report for the proposed development of the Phase 2 Kuruman Wind Farm Facility, Kuruman, Northern Cape Province, 22 pp. CTS Heritage, Cape Town.

ERIKSSON, P.G., ALTERMANN, W. & HARTZER, F.J. 2006. The Transvaal Supergroup and its precursors. In: Johnson, M.R., Anhaeusser, C.R. & Thomas, R.J. (Eds.) The geology of South Africa, pp. 237-260. Geological Society of South Africa, Marshalltown.

HADDON, I.G. 2000. Kalahari Group sediments. In: Partridge, T.C. & Maud, R.R. (Eds.) The Cenozoic of southern Africa, pp. 173-181. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

MACRAE , C. 1999. Life etched in stone. Fossils of South Africa. 305 pp. The Geological Society of South Africa, Johannesburg.

MCCARTHY, T. & RUBIDGE, B. 2005. The story of Earth and life: a southern African perspective on a 4.6-billion-year journey. 334pp. Struik, Cape Town.

PARTRIDGE, T.C., BOTHA, G.A. & HADDON, I.G. 2006. Cenozoic deposits of the interior. In: Johnson, M.R., Anhaeusser, C.R. & Thomas, R.J. (Eds.) The geology of South Africa, pp. 585-604. Geological Society of South Africa, Marshalltown.

PARTRIDGE, T.C., DOLLAR, E.S.J., MOOLMAN, J. & DOLLAR, L.H. 2010. The geomorphic provinces of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland: a physiographic subdivision for earth and environmental scientists. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa 65, 1-47.

PGS (2015). The proposed upgrade of the 66kV network in the Kuruman area, Northern Cape Province Heritage. Impact Assessment, 128 pp. PGS Heritage, Totiusdal.

John E. Almond (2018) Natura Viva cc, Cape Town 26

APPENDIX 1: geological and palaeontological field data

All GPS readings were taken in the field using a hand-held Garmin GPSmap 62sc instrument. The datum used is WGS 84.

Proposed field ratings for fossil occurrences are those recommended in the most recent Minimum Standards for Heritage Specialist Studies document circulated (but not yet approved) by SAHRA (2017).

N.B. This data is not for publication (e.g. on the Internet) to avoid compromising the security of scientifically and culturally valuable geological and fossil sites.

333 S27° 31' 57.6" Woodstock Re/441 (north). Thick orange-brown sandy soils (possibly reworked Gordonia Fm E23° 23' 08.1" dune sands) with sparse cherty gravel clasts (some flaked) exposed in roadside gulley. 335 S27° 34' 35.7" Woodstock Re/441 (west-central). Sandy pan or waterhole. Scattered blocks of well- E23° 22' 38.1" consolidated, brownish, gritty to pebbly breccio-conglomerates, sparsely gravelly sandstone and reddish-brown sandstone in vicinity, oligomict gravel clasts of black chert, BIF. Several boulder-sized blocks with grey metallic-looking patina. Possibly Makganyene Formation facies downfaulted along major fault line running down valley (not mapped). 336 S27° 31' 29.8" Carrington 2/440. Bedding plane exposures of BIF as well as associated platy colluvial to E23° 21' 34.1" alluvial gravels. Undulose to pustular bedding planes in flat-laminated BIF (probably Kuruman Fm.). 344 S27° 38' 37.7" Bramcote 1/446. Viewpoint west towards Strelley farmstead. Small patchy exposures of E23° 23' 37.3" brown cherty, thin-bedded Daniëlskuil Formation BIF with flat to undulose and pustulose bedding surfaces. Occasional prominent bedrock ridges in area but hillslopes generally mantled by colluvial gravels. 345 S27° 38' 15.9" Bramcote 1/446. Fairly flat hillcrest area with Daniëlskuil Formation bedrocks almost E23° 23' 46.0" entirely mantled by cherty downwasted gravels with angular to occasionally well-rounded pebbles (some with desert varnish, cherts occasionally flaked) and sparse cherty BIF blocks (some with small spheroidal concretions). Gravels on hillcrests are thinner than on hillslopes with thick gravel scree visible in gullies and slopes elsewhere (e.g. due south of Strelley farmstead). Occasional small exposures of wave-rippled BIF bedding planes (Daniëlskuil Fm). 346 S27° 38' 33.8" Bramcote 1/446. Prominent-weathering kranz of brownish cherty BIF, Daniëlskuil E23° 23' 48.5" Formation. Thin- to medium-bedded, tan to reddish-brown; thicker-bedded, less tabular and with comparatively fewer metallic ore laminae compared with Kuruman Formation. Cherty layers with blocky to conchoidal fracture. Occasional ripples, cross-lamination, cut-and-fill structures, erosional discontinuities. Fern-like dendrite pseudofossils (pyrolusite) on bedding planes. 347 S27° 50' 06.3" SE corner of Demaneng 546. Calcrete exposures associated with Ga-Mogara drainage line E23° 05' 24.6" with mantle of orange-brown Kalahari sands near Lohatla gate, 4.4 km SE of N14 near Kathu. 348 S27° 48' 19.9" E. edge of Demaneng 546. Roadside calcrete hardpan exposures with mantle of orange- E23° 06' 17.8" brown Kalahari sands Calcrete polyphase, karstified, dense with sparse embedded small gravel clasts. No land snails or other fossils observed. 349 S27° 47' 48.1" S. corner of Legoko 460 (right-hand bend in grid line corridor). Flat terrain. Calcrete hardpan E23° 06' 34.0" overlain by Kalahari sands, downwasted calcrete rubble. 351 S27° 43' 43.3" N. edge of Gathlose 548. Low, rolling hills situated c. 9 km east of Kathu. Low, scraped E23° 09' 50.0" firebreak exposures of thin-bedded to laminated, tabular, rusty-brown to ochreous BIF, mantled elsewhere by BIF cherty gravels and platy BIF surface rubble. 352 S27° 43' 44.5" N. edge of Gathlose 548. Crest of low hill of BIF. Low exposures and surface gravels of E23° 09' 37.8" Kuruman Formation BIF. 353 S27° 43' 12.1" N. edge of Gathlose 548, SW of Rooikop farmstead. Erosion gully exposures into deep, E23° 12' 27.7" semi-consolidated, orange Kalahari sands. Low koppies of Ongeluk Fm lavas towards the north and south. 354 S27° 43' 15.5" Rooikop – low hill composed of resistant-weathering Ongeluk Formation lavas. Pale to dark, E23° 14' 40.1" grey-green lava with brown to metallic weathering patina (no amygdales seen). Bedrocks well-jointed, massive, with possible development of columnar jointing within thicker lava flows. Bedrocks mantled by lava rubble, surface gravels including vein quartz. 356 S27° 43' 06.3" N. edge of Gathlose 548, small dam and wetland along N-S drainage line. Disturbed alluvial E23° 15' 39.4" silts with abundant downwasted quartz gravels, banded chalcedony amydales weathered out from Ongeluk Fm lavas, black and brown cherts, possible tuff, as well as flaked stone artefacts (MSA, LSA).

John E. Almond (2018) Natura Viva cc, Cape Town 27

359 S27° 28' 17.8" Substation area on western outskirts of Kuruman – Campbell Rand carbonate and chert E23° 25' 42.8" surface rubble. 360 S27° 28' 23.1" Substation area – flat terrain with low exposures of karstified, grey Campbell Rand E23° 25' 44.9" carbonates with abundant secondary black chertification, locally with adherent calcrete or gravelly breccia skin. Horizons of medium-scale (dm) domical stromatolites within grey carbonates. Thin cover of downwasted surface gravels (chert, limestone, calcrete, quartz) and orange-brown Kalahari sands. Occasional float blocks of ochreous ferruginised gritty breccias. Proposed Field Rating IIIC – no mitigation required. 361 S27° 28' 24.5" Substation area close to existing powerline. Low karstified exposures of grey Campbell Rand E23° 25' 42.8" carbonates with secondary black chert horizons or lenses (probably Kogelbeen Formation). Abundant, spaced to densely-packed and adjoining, medium (dm)-scale domical stromatolites, the upper part of which is often secondarily silicified in black chert. Outlines of stromatolites often obscured by “elephant skin” karstic weathering. Thin calcretised cherty breccias. Proposed Field Rating IIIC – no mitigation required. 362 S27° 29' 13.3" Existing powerline servitude 3.75 km SW of Kuruman. Flat to undulose terrain mantled by E23° 24' 22.2" orange-brown Kalahari sands. No bedrock exposure.

John E. Almond (2018) Natura Viva cc, Cape Town 28

APPENDIX 2: CHANCE FOSSIL FINDS PROCEDURE: KURUMAN WIND ENERGY FACILITY 132 kV GRID CONNECTION, KATHU & KURUMAN AREAS Province & region: KURUMAN DISTRICT, NORTHERN CAPE Responsible Heritage South African Heritage Resources Agency. Contact details: SAHRA, 111 Harrington Street, Cape Town. PO Box 4637, Cape Town 8000, Management Authority South Africa. Phone : +27 (0)21 462 4502. Fax: +27 (0)21 462 4509. Web : www.sahra.org.za Rock unit(s) Campbell Rand Subgroup, Asbestos Hills Subgroup, Caenozoic alluvium, calcretes, breccias & calctufa Potential fossils Stromatolites in carbonate rocks, mammalian and other vertebrate bones, teeth in older alluvium, calc tufa, breccias, calcretes. 1. Once alerted to fossil occurrence(s): alert site foreman, stop work in area immediately (N.B. safety first!), safeguard site with security tape / fence / sand bags if necessary. 2. Record key data while fossil remains are still in situ:  Accurate geographic location – describe and mark on site map / 1: 50 000 map / satellite image / aerial photo  Context – describe position of fossils within stratigraphy (rock layering), depth below surface  Photograph fossil(s) in situ with scale, from different angles, including images showing context (e.g. rock layering) 3. If feasible to leave fossils in situ: 3. If not feasible to leave fossils in situ (emergency procedure only):  Alert Heritage Management Authority and project  Carefully remove fossils, as far as possible still enclosed within the original palaeontologist (if any) who sedimentary matrix (e.g. entire block of fossiliferous rock) will advise on any necessary  Photograph fossils against a plain, level background, with scale mitigation  Carefully wrap fossils in several layers of newspaper / tissue paper / plastic bags ECO protocol  Ensure fossil site remains  Safeguard fossils together with locality and collection data (including collector and safeguarded until clearance is date) in a box in a safe place for examination by a palaeontologist given by the Heritage  Alert Heritage Management Authority and project palaeontologist (if any) who will Management Authority for advise on any necessary mitigation work to resume

4. If required by Heritage Management Authority, ensure that a suitably-qualified specialist palaeontologist is appointed as soon as possible by the developer. 5. Implement any further mitigation measures proposed by the palaeontologist and Heritage Management Authority Record, describe and judiciously sample fossil remains together with relevant contextual data (stratigraphy / sedimentology / taphonomy). Ensure that fossils are curated in an approved repository (e.g. museum / university / Council for Geoscience collection) together with full Specialist palaeontologist collection data. Submit Palaeontological Mitigation report to Heritage Resources Authority. Adhere to best international practice for palaeontological fieldwork and Heritage Management Authority minimum standards.

John E. Almond (2018) Natura Viva cc, Cape Town 29

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE OF THE AUTHOR

Dr John Almond has an Honours Degree in Natural Sciences (Zoology) as well as a PhD in Palaeontology from the University of Cambridge, UK. He has been awarded post-doctoral research fellowships at Cambridge University and in Germany, and has carried out palaeontological research in Europe, North America, the Middle East as well as North and South Africa. For eight years he was a scientific officer (palaeontologist) for the Geological Survey / Council for Geoscience in the RSA. His current palaeontological research focuses on fossil record of the Precambrian - Cambrian boundary and the Cape Supergroup of South Africa. He has recently written palaeontological reviews for several 1: 250 000 geological maps published by the Council for Geoscience and has contributed educational material on fossils and evolution for new school textbooks in the RSA.

Since 2002 Dr Almond has also carried out palaeontological impact assessments for developments and conservation areas in the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape, Limpopo, Northwest, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State under the aegis of his Cape Town-based company Natura Viva cc. He has served as a long-standing member of the Archaeology, Palaeontology and Meteorites Committee for Heritage Western Cape (HWC) and an advisor on palaeontological conservation and management issues for the Palaeontological Society of South Africa (PSSA), HWC and SAHRA. He is currently compiling technical reports on the provincial palaeontological heritage of Western, Northern and Eastern Cape for SAHRA and HWC. Dr Almond is an accredited member of PSSA and APHP (Association of Professional Heritage Practitioners – Western Cape).

Declaration of Independence I, John E. Almond, declare that I am an independent consultant and have no business, financial, personal or other interest in the proposed development project, application or appeal in respect of which I was appointed other than fair remuneration for work performed in connection with the activity, application or appeal. There are no circumstances that compromise the objectivity of my performing such work.

Dr John E. Almond Palaeontologist Natura Viva cc

John E. Almond (2018) Natura Viva cc, Cape Town