TERRESTRIAL FAUNA AND FLORA ASSESSMENT REPORT PMG Mining (Pty) Ltd Paling Manganese Mine PMG Mining (Pty) Ltd Address: PO Box 3560 Diamond 8305 Remainder of the farm Paling 434 Tel: 082 992 1261 Email: [email protected] District of Hay Northern Cape Province Terrestrial Fauna and Flora Assessment Report for the proposed Paling Manganese Mine August 2015 PMG Mining – Paling Fauna & Flora Assessment EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PMG Mining Pty (Ltd) is proposing the mining of Manganese Ore near Postmasburg on the Remainder of the Farm Paling 434, in the District of Hay, Northern Cape Province. This terrestrial fauna and flora assessment report describes the ecological characteristics of the proposed mining area, identifies the source of impacts from the mining operation, and assesses these impacts, as well as the residual impacts after closure. A desktop study and field investigation was performed to obtain ecological information for the proposed area and identify the ecological characteristics and sensitivity of the site. Four broad-scale vegetation types occur within the mining area; i.e. Kuruman Mountain Bushveld, Kuruman Thornveld, Postmasburg Thornveld and Olifantshoek Plains Thornveld. None of these vegetation units have been significantly transformed and are classified as least threatened. Seven fine-scale plant communities were identified on site of which Thornveld on the plains and the Open shrubland on deep sand host a large population of by Boscia albitrunca and Vachellia erioloba trees respectively. The Pristine and Isolated Rocky Hills are identified as being most sensitive and most unsuitable for mining activities. The Senegalia mellifera – Ziziphus mucronata shrubveld on historically mined hills and the Euclea undulata – Calobota cuspidosa open shrubland on pristine rocky hills comprise the core mining area. The first have already been impacted in the past by historic mining activities and is therefore not considered highly sensitive, and impacts on vegetation and fauna are likely to be relatively low after mitigation here. Re-established stunted Boscia albitrunca shrubs are however widespread across this community and are expected to be destroyed by the mining activities. The second community however, is regarded as highly sensitive due to the high number of provincially protected species occurring here as well as the unique habitat this community potentially provides to fauna. Impacts on vegetation and fauna are likely to be relatively high even after mitigation here. A licence application regarding protected trees need to be lodged with Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries prior to any removal or damage of the protected trees. Similarly, a permit application regarding protected flora and for the large-scale clearance of indigenous vegetation needs to be lodged with the Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation prior to any clearance of vegetation. i PMG Mining – Paling Fauna & Flora Assessment TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..i TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….ii LIST OF FIGURES..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………iv LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..v LIST OF APPENDICES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….vi 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 7 1.1. Background information ............................................................................................. 7 1.2. Details of the specialist consultant ............................................................................. 8 1.3. Scope of study ............................................................................................................. 9 1.4. Description of the proposed activity ........................................................................... 9 2. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................... 10 2.1. Flora ........................................................................................................................... 11 2.1.1. Field survey ................................................................................................................... 11 2.1.2. Desktop survey .............................................................................................................. 11 2.2. Fauna ......................................................................................................................... 12 2.2.1. Desktop survey .............................................................................................................. 12 2.2.2. Field survey ................................................................................................................... 12 2.3. Sensitivity mapping and assessment ........................................................................ 13 2.4. Sampling limitations .................................................................................................. 14 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ............................................................ 15 3.1. Current and historic land use .................................................................................... 15 3.2. Geology, soils and landtype ...................................................................................... 15 3.3. Vegetation ................................................................................................................. 17 3.3.1. Broad-scale vegetation patterns ................................................................................... 17 3.3.2. Fine-scale vegetation patterns ...................................................................................... 19 3.3.3. Population of sensitive, threatened and protected plant species ................................ 30 3.3.4. Critical biodiversity areas and broad-scale processes .................................................. 32 3.3.5. Weeds and invader plant species ................................................................................. 34 3.3.6. Indicators of bush encroachment ................................................................................. 35 3.4. Faunal communities .................................................................................................. 35 3.4.1. Mammals ...................................................................................................................... 35 3.4.2. Reptiles .......................................................................................................................... 37 ii PMG Mining – Paling Fauna & Flora Assessment 3.4.3. Amphibians ................................................................................................................... 37 3.4.4. Avifauna ........................................................................................................................ 38 3.5. Site sensitivity ............................................................................................................ 39 4. IDENTIFICATION AND NATURE OF IMPACTS ................................................................... 41 4.1. Vegetation and floristics ........................................................................................... 42 4.1.1. Loss of natural and unique habitats .............................................................................. 42 4.1.2. Loss of Red data and/or protected floral species ......................................................... 42 4.1.3. Introduction or spread of alien species ........................................................................ 43 4.1.4. Encouraging bush encroachment ................................................................................. 43 4.2. Fauna ......................................................................................................................... 43 4.2.1. Habitat fragmentation .................................................................................................. 43 4.2.2. Intentional/accidental killing of fauna .......................................................................... 44 4.2.3. Anthropogenic disturbances ......................................................................................... 44 4.2.4. Loss of Red listed species .............................................................................................. 44 4.3. Topography, soil erosion and associated degradation of ecosystems ..................... 44 4.4. Broad-scale ecological processes .............................................................................. 45 5. ECOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ................................................................................. 46 5.1. Vegetation and floristics ........................................................................................... 46 5.1.1. Loss of, and disturbance to indigenous vegetation ...................................................... 46 5.1.2. Loss of flora with conservation concern ....................................................................... 47 5.1.3. Proliferation of alien vegetation ................................................................................... 48 5.1.4. Encouragement of bush encroachment ....................................................................... 49 5.2. Fauna ........................................................................................................................