annexure-ra8-d53d1a31de230506.pdf

This document is an appendix to an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for the Tormin Mine Extension, specifically focusing on the potential terrestrial ecology impacts during the construction, operational, and closure phases. It details the assessment of vegetation, fauna, and avifauna, identifying risks such as habitat loss, collisions with powerlines, and soil erosion, while proposing specific mitigation measures to reduce these impacts from high or medium significance to low or insignificant levels.

• Construction activities, including the widening of haul roads and installation of pipelines, will cause the loss of vegetation and plant species of conservation concern (SCC). This impact is rated as medium significance both with and without mitigation, as the project footprint does not have a high abundance of SCC.
• Inland mining of the strandline is expected to cause a high-significance impact on vegetation, plant SCC, and ecological connectivity, which can be reduced to medium significance through mitigation. The total mining footprint is 75 ha, and while it may disrupt local connectivity, it is unlikely to alter the overall functioning of Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) because vast areas of Strandveld vegetation will remain.
• Mining operations are likely to significantly disturb subterranean fauna, particularly golden moles, due to their sensitivity to soil vibrations and noise produced by haul trucks and heavy plant machinery. This impact is rated as high significance, reducible to medium with mitigation.
• The proposed powerline between the Sere wind energy facility and the plant expansion area poses a risk of collisions and electrocution for large terrestrial birds and raptors, specifically the Endangered Ludwig’s Bustard. The overall impact on avifauna during operations is rated as medium significance, reducible to low with mitigation.
• Beach mining may destabilise coastal dunes and cliffs, leading to excessive sand movement that can smother vegetation. To mitigate this, a 10 m buffer zone from the toe of the sand dunes and cliffs towards the sea must be enforced. The impact is rated as medium significance, reducible to low with mitigation.
• Inland and coastal mining will increase vulnerability to wind erosion, particularly as Strandveld vegetation is not well adapted to shifting sands. Mitigation includes incremental rehabilitation and the installation of wind screens along beach access roads, which should be maintained for three years after mining is complete. The impact is rated as medium significance, reducible to low with mitigation.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). annexure-ra8-d53d1a31de230506.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Annexure-RA8.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. annexure-ra8-d53d1a31de230506.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Annexure-RA8.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=annexure-ra8-d53d1a31de230506.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Annexure-RA8.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsndannexurera8d53d1a31de230506pdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{annexure-ra8-d53d1a31de230506.pdf}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Annexure-RA8.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }