dBAcoustics - SRK south east of the proposed project. ... • Weighbridge; ... Operational phase • Vehicles to comply with manufacturers’ specifications and any activity which

dBAcoustics

Environmental Noise Impact Assessment Setlabotsha Coal Mine

Lekwa Local Municipality and Gert Sibande District Municipality Mpumalanga Province

Project No : 069/2016

Compiled by: B v/d Merwe Date : 18 April 2016

Tel. +27 11 782 7193 PO Box 1219 Fax +27 11 782 7193 Allensnek Cell +27 82 922 0298 1737 E-Mail [email protected] Website www.dbacoustics.co.za

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

I, Barend J B van der Merwe as duly authorised representative of dBAcoustics, hereby confirm

my independence and declare that I have no interest, be it business, financial, personal or other, in

any proposed activity, application or appeal in respect of which SRK Consulting (South Africa)(Pty)Ltd was appointed as Environmental Assessment Practitioner in terms of the National

Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), other than fair remuneration for work

performed in terms of the NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 and

any specific environmental management Act) for the compilation of an EIA and EMP for the establishment of the Setlabotsha Coal Mine which will be situated in the Lekwa Local Municipality and Gert Sibande District Municipality – Noise Impact Assessment. I further

declare that I am confident in the results of the studies undertaken and conclusions drawn as a

result of it. I have disclosed, to the environmental assessment practitioner, in writing, any material

information that have 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, the Environmental

Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 and any specific environmental management Act. I have

further provided the environmental assessment practitioner with written access to all information at

my disposal regarding the application, whether such information is favourable to the applicant or

not. I am fully aware of and meet the responsibilities in terms of NEMA, the Environmental Impact

Assessment Regulations, 2014 and any other specific and relevant legislation (national and

provincial), policies, guidelines and best practice.

Signature:

Full Name: Barend Jacobus Barnardt van der Merwe

Date: 18 April 2016

Title / Position: Environmental noise specialist

Qualification(s): MSc Environmental Management

Experience (years/ months): 14 years

Registration(s): SAAI, NACA and SAIOH

3

Indemnity and Conditions Relating to this Report

The findings, results, observations, conclusions and recommendations given in this report are

based on the author’s best scientific and professional knowledge as well as available information.

The report is based on scientific and recommended survey and assessment techniques. This

report must not be altered or added to without the prior written consent of the author. This also

refers to electronic copies of this report which are supplied for the purposes of inclusion as part of

other reports, including main reports. Similarly, any recommendations, statements or conclusions

drawn from or based on this report must make reference to this report. If these form part of a

main report relating to this investigation or report, this report must be included in its entirety as an

appendix or separate section to the main report.

Copyright

Copyright on all documents, drawings and records, whether manually or electronically

produced, which form part of the submission and any subsequent report or project document, shall

vest in dBAcoustics CC. The Client, on acceptance of any submission by dBAcoustics and on

condition that the client pays to dBAcoustics the full price for the work as agreed, shall be entitled to

use the results of the project, the technology described and recommendations for its own benefit.

Should the Client wish to utilise any part of, or the entire report, for a project other than the subject

project, permission must be obtained from dBAcoustics CC. This will ensure validation of the

suitability and relevance of this report on an alternative project.

4

Executive summary

Introduction

The proposed Setlabotsha project entails a West and East shaft complex with a main office and an

overland conveyer belt to convey coal from the two shafts to the New Denmark Colliery, where it will

be processed. The New Denmark Colliery is situated in the north-eastern side of the proposed

Setlabotsha mining right area. The mine activities will take place within the mining right area whereas

the conveying of coal will take place outside the mining right area and across agricultural land with

farm house. The project area falls within the Lekwa Local Municipality and Gert Sibande District

Municipality within the Mpumalanga Province and the closest town is Standerton which is located 15

km south east of the proposed project.

This will be an underground coal mining project with a Western and Eastern shaft complex which will

consist out of the following:

• Incline shaft;

• Ventilation shaft;

• Silo;

• Coal stockpile area;

• Overburden stockpile;

• Conveyor loading area;

• Sub-stations;

• Pollution Control dam;

• Sewage treatment plant;

• Infra-structure such as wash-bays, change houses, fuel bays, store yards, parking areas and a

main office.

The key components expected to form part of the proposed mining operations are:

• Incline shaft to underground mining;

• Access road from the existing feeder roads;

• Haul Roads within the mining complex;

• Weighbridge;

• Offices and Workshop. The study area will cover the boundary of the underground mine, overland conveyer, along the feeder

road (to and from the shaft areas) and the abutting noise sensitive areas (residential areas). The

5

people at the farm houses in the vicinity of the proposed mine complex and overland conveyer are

exposed to traffic noise, silo activities, rail road noise, farming activity noises, traffic along gravel

roads, domestic noise and natural noises such as insects, wind and animal noises.

The following observations were made in and around the study area:

• There was a constant flow of traffic along the R23, R50, R546 and R39 roads to and from

Standerton during the day and night;

• The rail road was used by trains conveying mine ore on a regular basis during the day and the

night;

• The wind and weather conditions play an important role in noise propagation;

• Distant traffic noise contributes to a large portion of the prevailing ambient noise levels in

areas close to these line noise sources;

• The prevailing noise levels in and around the study area is typical of the noise levels expected

within the vicinity of a road, agricultural activities and a rail road.

The following are noise sources in the vicinity of and the boundaries of the study area:

• Hauling type vehicle noise (agricultural crops to the silo);

• Distant traffic noise from the abutting feeder roads and gravel roads;

• Rail road noise and hooting at intersections;

• Farming activity noises;

• Domestic noise;

• Insects;

• Birds;

• Wind noise.

Noise impact assessment Noise or sound is part of our daily exposure to different sources which is part of daily living and some

of the sounds which are intrusive such as traffic noise, forms part of the ambient noise that people get

accustomed to without noticing the higher sound levels.

Two aspects are important when considering potential noise impacts of a project:

• The increase in the noise level, and;

• The overall noise level produced.

6

The proposed changes during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases will require

approved management measures and noise surveys will have to be carried out to determine

compliance to the noise regulations.

Conclusion and Recommendations Option B will be the preferred option for the West shaft complex and Option A for the East shaft

complex. The location of the main office will have minimal impact on the prevailing ambient noise level.

The access road to the main office will however have to be evaluated in terms of the noise impact

during trips to and from the main office. This will be finite type noise increase as the prevailing ambient

noise level will be maintained once there is no traffic along the access road. The prevailing ambient

noise level along the R50 road was 63.3dBA during the day and 49.8dBA during the night. The railroad

which runs through the north-eastern side of the mine area and in the vicinity of the study area

increases the noise level each time when there were train activities. The intermittent traffic along the

gravel roads which link the R 23, R50, R546 and R50 as well as access routes to the farm houses

created an increase in the prevailing noise level on a finite basis. The arithmetic prevailing ambient

noise level was 36.0dBA during the day and the night along the sections of the study area where the

traffic noise and/or farm activities was a distance from these sources. Noise monitoring must take

place on a monthly basis during the construction and operational phases of the project after which the

frequency of monitoring may be changed to a quarterly basis. The noise management plan must be

used to either intensify the monitoring programme or to maintain the monitoring programme.

There will be a shift in the immediate noise levels of the proposed activities on a temporary basis during

the construction phase and on a permanent basis during the operational phase and the communities

will have to be briefed and informed of this during the public participation process. A system whereby

complaints are recorded and investigated must be made available.

The following recommendations will form part of the mine and conveyor establishment during the

different phases of the project:

Construction phase • Machinery with low noise levels which complies with the manufacturer’s specifications to be used.

• Activities to take place during daytime period only. • Noise monitoring on a quarterly basis.

Operational phase • Vehicles to comply with manufacturers’ specifications and any activity which will exceed 90.0dBA to be done during daytime only.

• A noise berm with a height of at least 10m to be constructed along the southern side of West shaft Option B.

• Emergency generators to be placed in such a manner that it is 500m away from any residential area.

• Vehicles to comply with manufacturers’ specifications and any maintenance activity which will exceed 90.0dBA to be done during daytime only.

• Noise monitoring to be done on a quarterly basis.

7

• IBR sheeting cover to be used on the side facing the farm houses in areas where the conveyor will be closer than 300m from the farm houses.

• All rollers to be serviced on a regular basis to avoid screeching of the rollers. • The siren when overland conveyor is not operational and when it start up to be

replaced with a vibrating type siren if it is approved by the Department of Labor. • Actively manage the process and the noise management plan must be used to

ensure compliance to the noise regulations and/or standards. The levels to be evaluated in terms of the baseline noise levels.

Decommissioning phase

• Machinery with low noise levels which complies with the manufacturer’s specifications to be used.

• Activities to take place during daytime period only. • Vehicles to comply with manufacturers’ specifications and any activity which will

exceed 90.0dBA to be done during daytime only. • Noise monitoring on a quarterly basis.

Cumulative impact of the entire process

• Actively manage the process and noise impact assessment to determine compliance to the noise regulations and/or standards. The levels to be evaluated in terms of the baseline noise levels.

The possible noise intrusion from the shaft areas and mine activities can however be controlled by

means of approved acoustic screening measures, state of the art equipment, proper noise

management principles and compliance to the Local Noise By-laws, and the International Finance

Corporation’s Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines.

Barend van der Merwe – MSc UJ Environmental noise specialist

8

Contents

Details of specialist and expertise 10 1. Introduction 14

1.1. Purpose of report 14 1.2. Background to environmental noise 19

2. Study methodology 24 2.1. Instrumentation 24 2.2. Measuring points 24 2.3. Site characteristics 26 2.4. Current noise sources 26 2.5. Atmospheric conditions during noise survey 27

3. Regulatory and Legislative Requirements 28 3.1. Provincial Noise Control Regulations 28 3.2. SANS 10103 of 2008 28 3.3. SANS 10210 of 2004 28 3.4. Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines of IFC of World Bank 28

4. Description of the receiving environment 28 5. Noise survey results 28

5.1 Results of the noise survey 31 5.2 Assumptions and Gaps in the Knowledge 34 5.3 Noise impact at the different farmhouses 34

6. Impact Identification and Assessment 42 6.1. Environmental Impact Assessment 44

6.1.1. Impact assessment for construction phase 44 6.1.2. Impact assessment for the operational phase 46 6.1.3. Impact assessment for the decommissioning phase 48 6.1.4. Cumulative impact 49

7. Conclusion and Recommendations 50 7.1. Acoustic screening recommendations 50 7.2 Conclusion 52

8. List of Definitions and Abbreviations 54 8.1. Definitions 54 8.2 Abbreviations 56

9. References 56 11. Appendix A 57 Appendix B 58 Appendix C 59

List of Figures: Figure 1.1 – Proposed mine location 15 Figure 1.2 – Infra-structure of the proposed shaft complex 17 Figure 2.1 - Measuring points for the study area 25 Figure 4.1 – Residential areas in the vicinity of the shaft complex and overland conveyor 29 Figure 5.1 – Increase in the noise level during train activities 32 Figure 8.1 – Noise management plan 52 List of Tables: Table 1.1 – Sensitivity analysis 18 Table 1.2 - Recommended sound pressure levels for certain areas 21

9

Table 1.3 – Recommended noise levels for different districts 23 Table 1.4 – Estimated community group response when ambient noise level is exceeded 24 Table 2.1 – Measuring points and co-ordinates for the study area 25 Table 4.1 – Distance between the noise sensitive areas and the mining right area 30 Table 5.1 – Noise levels during day and night time of the study area 38 Table 5.2 – Sound pressure levels of construction machinery 33 Table 5.3 – Calculated noise level at the farm houses during the construction phase 35 Table 5.4 – Noise intrusion at the farm houses during the construction phase 36 Table 5.5 – Calculated noise level at the farm houses during the operational phase 38 Table 5.6 – Noise intrusion at the farm houses during the operational phase 39 Table 6.1 – Different noise levels that a person is exposed to in and around the office and house environment 41 Table 6.2 – Ground works 44 Table 6.3 – Civil construction activities 45 Table 6.4 – Construction of internal haul roads 45 Table 6.5 – Assembly of mine footprint activities and overland conveyor belt system 45 Table 6.6 – Building activities 45 Table 6.7 – Hauling of material to and from the specific areas during construction activities 46 Table 6.9 – Additional traffic to and from the different sites 47 Table 6.10 – Diesel emergency generators 47 Table 6.11 – Ventilation shaft noise 47 Table 6.12 – Overland conveyor 47 Table 6.15 – Maintenance activities at the different sites 48 Table 6.16 – Back fill of mine footprint area 49 Table 6.17 – Planting of grass and vegetation on the rehabilitated areas 49 Table 6.18 – Removal of infra-structure 49 Table 6.19 – Cumulative impact 50 Table 7.1 – Recommended acoustic screening measures 50

Details of specialist and expertise

I, Barend JB van der Merwe of 43 6th Street, Linden Johannesburg am an environmental noise and

ground vibration specialist for the last 14 years. I have been instrumental in the pre-feasibility studies

of proposed projects which may have an impact on the environment and noise sensitive areas. I am

also involved with the noise and ground vibration impact assessments and the environmental

management plans compilation of large projects such as wind farms, mining, roads, trains (primarily

the Gautrain) and various point noise sources. As a post-graduate student in Environmental

Management at the University of Johannesburg, I obtained an MSc degree with the research project

concentrating on the impact of noise and ground vibration on a village close to a new underground

mine. I have played a major role in the identification, evaluation and control of physical factors such

as noise and ground vibration in the following projects – wind farms, various platinum and coal mines

and the quarterly noise evaluation of the Gautrain, the decommissioning of the N11 near Mokopane,

construction of the P166 near Mbombela, design of the Musina by-pass, noise mitigatory measures at

the N17 road near Trichardt, establishment of the weigh bridge along the N3 near Pietermaritzburg,

George Western by-pass. The following large environmental companies are amongst my clients:

Gibb, Royal Haskoning DHV, Coffey Environmental, Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd, GCS

Environmental (Pty) Ltd, Knight Piesold Environmental (Pty) Ltd and SRK Engineering (Pty) Ltd.

Qualifications

1. MSc – Environmental management – University of Johannesburg;

2. BSc Honours in Geography and Environmental Management – University of Johannesburg;

3. National Higher Diploma in Environmental Health - Witwatersrand Technikon;

4. National Diploma in Public Health - Cape Town Technikon;

5. National Certificate in Noise Pollution - Technikon SA;

6. National Certificate in Air Pollution - Technikon SA;

7. National Certificate in Water Pollution - Technikon SA;

8. Management Development Diploma - Damelin Management School; and

9. Advanced Business Management Diploma - Rand Afrikaans University.

Membership

• South African Institute of Acoustics (SAAI);

• International Association of Impact Assessment (IAIA);

• National Association of Clean Air (NACA);

• South African Association of Geographers (SAAG);

• South African Institute of Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH).

11

Experience

• Noise impact assessment of various mine establishments;

• Noise Control Officer i.t.o. Noise Control Regulations;

• Compilation of noise management plans;

• Annual and quarterly baseline noise surveys;

• Moderator Wits Technikon – Environmental Pollution III.

• Various road projects for SANRAL.

• Compilation of the Integrated Pollution strategy for Ekurhuleni Town Council.

• Represent clients at Town Planning Tribunals.

• Represent clients at Housing Board tribunals.

• Determine residual noise levels in certain areas as required by clients.

• Noise attenuation at places of entertainment.

• Design and implementation of sound attenuators.

• Noise projections and contouring.

• Advisory capacity regarding noise related cases to local authorities: - Sandton, Roodepoort,

Randburg, Krugersdorp, Alberton, Centurion, Vereeniging. Due to my previous experience

in Local Government I provide a service to these Local government departments on the

implementation of the Noise Control Regulations and SANS 10103 of 2008 – The

measurement and rating of environmental noise with respect to land use, health annoyance

and to speech communication.

• Identification, Evaluation and Control of noise sources in industry.

I was involved in the following noise impact assessments during the Environmental Impact

Assessment process (Noise and/or Vibration):

• Airlink BID for landing in Kruger National Park;

• Coal gasification plant in Theunissen;

• Langhoogte and Wolseley wind farms;

• Widening of N3 at Howick, KZN;

• Tulu Kapi Mine, Ethiopia;

• Boabab Iron Ore Mine, Mozambique;

• N11 Decommissioning Mokopane;

• Baseline noise survey for NuCoal Mines, Woestalleen, Vuna and Mooiplaats Collieries;

• Baseline noise monitoring Mooinooi mine;

• Leeuwpan coal mine;

• N17 Road at Trichardt for KV3 Engineers;

12

• N17 Road in Soweto;

• Proposed new by-pass road at Musina;

• George Western By-pass road between George Airport and Outeniqua Pass;

• Gautrain baseline monitoring;

• Upgrade of Delmas Road extensions in Moreletta Park, Pretoria;

• Proposed weigh bridge, N3, Pietermaritzburg:

• Tonkolili Manganese mine, Sierra Leone;

• Proposed wind turbines in the Western Cape – Caledon;

• Extension of works at the PPC factory in Piketberg;

• Exxaro Arnot Colliery – Mooifontein;

• Hydro power plant – 2 Sites in Durban;

• Coal export terminal in Beira, Mozambique;

• Tonkolili Manganese Mine – Sierra Leone;

• Site selection for new Power Station – Kangra Mine, Piet Retief;

• Gas exploration at Ellisras;

• Noise survey and assessment of future mine shafts at various mines;

• Mining exploration at Potgietersrus – Lonmin Akani;

• New coal mines in Witbank – Dorstfontein Expansion Project;

• New coal mines in Middelburg and Ermelo;

• New Vanadium Manganese mine in Potgietersrus;

• Xolobeni mining project in Transkei;

• Glynn mines in Sabie;

• Rezoning of properties for housing at Burgersfort, Shosanguve, Hammanskraal;

• Various noise impact assessment for clients in and around Centurion;

• Relocation of night races from Newmarket racecourse to Turfontein racecourse;

• Rezoning applications for private clients.

13

This report was prepared in terms of the Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of

1998), other than fair remuneration for work performed in terms of the NEMA, the Environmental

Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 – Regulation 982 and the following aspects are dealt with in

the report:

No. Requirement Section in report

1a) Details of -

(i) The specialist who prepared the report Page 10

(ii) The expertise of that specialist to compile a specialist report including a curriculum vitae

Page 11 and 12

b) A declaration that the specialist is independent Page 2

c) An indication of the scope of, and the purpose for which, the report was prepared

Page 19

d) The date and season of the site investigation and the relevance of the season to the outcome of the assessment

Page 27

e) A description of the methodology adopted in preparing the report or carrying out the specialised process

Page 24

f) The specific identified sensitivity of the site related to the activity and its associated structures and infrastructure

Page 28 and 29

g) An identification of any areas to be avoided, including buffers Page 15

h) A map superimposing the activity including the associated structure and infrastructure on the environmental sensitivities of the site including areas to be avoided, including buffers

Page 29

i) A description of any assumption made and any uncertainties or gaps in knowledge

Page 34 Section 5.2

j) A description the findings and potential implication\s of such findings on the impact of the proposed activity, including identified alternatives on the environment

Page 34 to 41

k) Any mitigation measures for inclusion in the EMPr Page 50 and 51

l) Any conditions for inclusion in the environmental authorisation Page 50 and 51

m) Any monitoring requirements for inclusion in the EMPr or environmental authorisation

Page 51 (Table 7.1) and 52

n) A reasoned opinion -

(i) As to whether the proposed activity or portions thereof should be authorised

Section 7.2 – Page 53

(ii) If the opinion is that the proposed activity or portions thereof should be authorised, any avoidance, management and mitigation measures that should be included in the EMPr, and where applicable, the closure plan

Section 7.2 – Page 53

o) A description of any consultation process that was undertaken during the course of preparing the specialist report

Consultation with Thinus Bosse and Willie Steenkamp. A follow-up noise survey was arranged in the vicinity of Thinus Bosse’s farm house was done. No feed-back was given to either Thinus Bosse and/or Willie Steenkamp on the

14

No. Requirement Section in report results of the noise survey.

p) A summary and copies of any comments received during any consultation process and where applicable all responses thereto; and

Available as part of the overall EIA/EMP undertaken by SRK and attached as Appendix C in this report

q) Any other information requested by the competent authority N/A

15

1. Introduction

The proposed Setlabotsha coal mine project is located in the Mpumalanga Province and the

proposed project area falls within the Lekwa Local Municipality and Gert Sibande District

Municipality and the closest town is Standerton which is located 15 km south east of the

proposed project. Anglo Operations (Pty) Ltd (AOL) proposes to develop two shaft complexes,

namely east and West shafts for the Setlabotsha project. Each shaft complex will consist of an

incline shaft for material and coal extraction, as well as a vertical shaft for ventilation, personnel

and small material access. It is anticipated that each shaft complex will have an area of

approximately 100 hectares (ha) and an office complex (60 ha) will be situated between the

East and West shafts. Associated with each shaft complex, will be an overburden stockpile,

pollution control dam, silo, ablution facilities and associated sewage treatment plant, access

roads and other surface infrastructure. Only the No. 4 coal seam will be mined, which is on

average approximately 196 m below surface with an average thickness of 2.2 m (varying

between 1.0 – 4.4 m). Coal will be extracted by means of a combination of bord and pillar and

long wall mining underground mining methods. The proposed underground mining area is

approximately 12 300 ha. The planned life of mine will be approximately 45 years.

Coal will be transported from the shaft complexes via an overland conveyor belt (approximately

32 km with a 55 m wide servitude) to AOL’s existing New Denmark Colliery, where the coal will

be washed and processed. There will be no processing or storage of discard at the

Setlabotsha shaft complexes (East and West). The proposed East and West shafts and the

overland conveyor to the New Denmark Colliery to the east of the development are illustrated

in Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1: Proposed mine location

The proposed mine infra-structure for the two different shaft complexes will consist of:

• Incline shaft;

• Vertical shaft;

• Ventilation shaft;

• Silo;

• Throw out stock pile;

• Overburden stockpile;

• Conveyor loading area;

• Sub-stations;

• Pollution Control dam;

• Sewage treatment plant;

• Infra-structure such as wash-bays, change houses, fuel bays, store yards, parking areas

and a main office.

The R546, R50, R39 and R23 roads are feeder roads in the vicinity of the shaft complexes and

all the roads run through or in the vicinity of the underground mining area. The prevailing

ambient noise levels within and adjacent to the mine boundary will vary because of the farming

activities, feeder roads and railway line which generate noise on a continuous and/or

intermittent basis. The levels of noise emissions are a function of:

• The distance the receptors are from the proposed mine footprint and haul roads;

• The operation hours of the existing mining activities and proposed mine activities;

• The intervening topography and structures that may shield the noise from the receiver;

• Meteorological conditions such as wind speed, temperature and the season.

The proposed infra-structure in and around the shaft complex east and west are illustrated in

Figure 1.2.

Figure 1.2: Infra-structure at the proposed shaft complex

The aspects such as the mine location, mine adit, vertical shafts, ventilation shafts, waste rock design, noise

barriers, roads and infra-structure will be dealt with during the design stage of the mine. The other aspects

such as mine construction vehicle noise and mine vehicle noise are all variables that may change on a daily

basis, which may have an influence on the noise levels and how the resultant noise levels are perceived. The

site consists of natural areas and flat topography and the entire study area are covered with trees, natural

grassed areas and agricultural land.

The site will be accessed from existing tarred roads and gravel roads which run through the study area. The

coal will be mined underground and the coal will be crushed (underground) from where the coal will be

transported by means of an overland conveyor to New Denmark Colliery. The basic flow of mine activities will

be as follows:

• Drilling and local blasting during the construction phase at the adit until the adit will be used to

access the mine;

• Crushing of coal will take place underground after which it will be conveyed by means of an overland

conveyor;

• Decommissioning of mined areas.

The key components expected to form part of the proposed mining operations are:

• Mine shaft area

• Access road from the feeder roads;

• Haul Roads;

• Overland conveyor;

• Underground – continuous miners for bord and pillar mining and shearers for longwall mining

activities during the operational phase;

• Offices and Workshop.

The proposed mine activities will take place within the boundaries of the mine whereas the conveyor from

the mine to the New Denmark Colliery will be north east of the mine boundary. The study area is already a

disturbed area as there are feeder roads, haul roads, seasonal agricultural activities, and railway line etc. to

which the people at some of the farm houses are already exposed to. The sensitivity analysis of the study

area is illustrated in Table 1.1

Table 1.1: Sensitivity Analysis Description

Low Sensitivity Existing mine areas Medium Sensitivity Noise sensitive areas at a distance in excess of 1 200m

from the mine foot print infra-structure. High Sensitivity Noise sensitive areas within 800m from the proposed mine

foot print infra-structure.

20

1.1 Scope of the work

The general objectives of the specialist study will be to:

• Gain a detailed understanding of the baseline noise environment at the sites proposed for

development and at the residential areas;

• Identify areas that should be avoided due to irreplaceable environmental sensitivity or

irreversible environmental impact, or identification of mitigation measures to

replace/rehabilitate impacted sensitivities;

• Determine and assess the impacts (including cumulative impacts) to receptors and resources

in the vicinity of the proposed developments;

• Identify if there are any fatal flaws associated with the proposed developments;

• Develop environmental management measures so that negative impacts may be mitigated

and positive benefits enhanced;

• Assist in the provision of feedback to stakeholders;

• Provide guidance with regard to any further legal requirements/licenses or permits that may

be need to be obtained for your specialist field of expertise and the process that may need to

be adopted for this.

The environmental noise survey was carried out in order to:

• Determine the prevailing ambient noise levels in and around the abutting residential areas, shaft

areas and along the sections of the overland conveyor;

• Determine the noise impact of the proposed mine activities and infra-structure on the

environment and the abutting residential areas;

• Recommend engineering control measures to minimise the possible noise impact into the

environment and the abutting residential areas.

1.2 Background to environmental noise

Sound is a wave motion, which occurs when a sound source sets the nearest particles of air in motion.

The movement gradually spreads to air particles further away from the source. Sound propagates in

air with a speed of approximately 340 m/s.

The sound pressure level in free field conditions is inversely proportional to the square of the distance

from the sound source – inverse square law. Expressed logarithmically as decibels, this means the

sound level decreases 6 dB with the doubling of distance. This applies to a point source only. If the

21

sound is uniform and linear then the decrease is only 3 dB per doubling of distance. The decibel scale

is logarithmic, therefore decibel levels cannot be added in the normal arithmetic way, for example, two

sound sources of 50 dB each do not produce 100 dB but 53 dB, nor does 50 dB and 30 dB equal 80

dB, but remains 50 dB. Air absorption is important over large distances at high frequencies and it

depends on the humidity but is typically about 40 dB/km @ 4000 Hz. Traffic noise frequencies are

mainly mid/low and will be unaffected below 200m.

When measuring the intensity of a sound, an instrument, which duplicates the ear variable sensitivity

to sound of different frequency, is usually used. This is achieved by building a filter into the instrument

with a similar frequency response to that of the ear. This is called an A-weighting filter because it

conforms to the internationally standardized A-weighting curves. Measurements of sound level made

with this filter are called A-weighted sound level measurements, and the unit is dB.

Sound propagation is affected by wind gradient rather than the wind itself. The profile of the ground

causes such a gradient. The sound may be propagated during upwind conditions upwards to create a

sound shadow. A downwind refracts the sound towards the ground producing a slight increase in

sound level over calm isothermal conditions. The velocity of sound is inversely proportional to the

temperature therefore a temperature gradient produces a velocity gradient and a refraction of the

sound. Temperature decreases with height and the sound is refracted upwards.

For a source and receiver close to the ground quite large attenuation can be obtained at certain

frequencies over absorbing surfaces, noticeably grassland. This attenuation is caused by a change in

phase when the reflected wave strikes the absorbing ground and the destructive interference of that

wave with the direct wave. The reduction in sound tends to be concentrated between 250 Hz and 600

Hz.

Noise screening can be effective when there is a barrier between the receiver and the source i.e.

walls, earth mounds, cuttings and buildings. The performance of barriers is frequency dependent. To

avoid sound transmission through a barrier the superficial mass should be greater than 10 Kg/m2.

There is a complex relation between subjective loudness and the sound pressure level and again

between annoyance due to noise and the sound pressure level. In general the ear is less sensitive at

low frequencies and the ear will only detect a difference in the sound pressure level when the ambient

noise level is exceeded by 3-5 dBA.

There are certain effects produced by sound which, if it is not controlled by approved acoustic

mitigatory measures, seem to be construed as undesirable by most people and they are:

22

• Long exposure to high levels of sound, which may damage the hearing or create a temporary

threshold shift – in industry or at areas where music is played louder than 95.0 dBA. This will

seldom happen in far-field conditions;

• Interference with speech where important information by the receiver cannot be analyzed

due to loud noises;

• Excessive loudness;

• Annoyance.

A number of factors, for example clarity of speech, age of listener and the presence of noise induced

threshold displacement, will influence the comprehensibility of speech communication.

The effect of noise (with the exception of long duration, high level noise) on humans is limited to

disturbance and/or annoyance and the accompanying emotional reaction. This reaction is very difficult

to predict and is influenced by the emotional state of the complainant, his attitude towards the

noisemaker, the time of day or night and the day of the week.

Types of noise exposure:

• Continuous exposure to noise – The level is constant and does not vary with time e.g. traffic

on freeway and an extractor fan;

• Intermittent exposure to noise – The noise level is not constant and occurs at times e.g. car

alarms and sirens;

• Exposure to impact noise – A sharp burst of sound at intermittent intervals e.g. explosions

and low frequency sound.

Noise affects humans differently and the new noise which will be coming from the mine establishment

and the associated activities will depend upon the intensity of the sound, the length of time of

exposure and how often over time the ear is exposed to it. Urban dwellers are besieged by noise, not

only in the city streets but also in the busy workplaces and household noises.

Table 1.2: Recommended sound pressure levels for certain areas.

Descriptor Limit Situation or effect LAeq, 24 70 dBA Negligible risk of hearing impairment LAeq, 8 75 dBA Negligible LAeq 30 dBA Excellent speech intelligibility LAeq 55 dBA Fairly good speech intelligibility LAeq 30 dBA No sleep disturbance in a bedroom LAmax 45 dBA No sleep disturbance – peak inside

bedroom LAeq 55 dBA Residential areas, outdoors, daytime LAeq 45 dBA Residential areas, outdoors, night time

23

This time-varying characteristics of environmental noise are described using statistical noise

descriptors:

Leq: The Leq is the constant sound level that would contain the same acoustic energy as the varying

sound level, during the same period of time.

LMax: The instantaneous maximum noise level for a specified period of time.

LMin: The instantaneous minimum noise level for a specified period of time.

The following relationships occur for increases in A-weighted noise levels:

• The trained healthy human ear is able to discern changes in sound levels of 1 dBA under

controlled conditions in an acoustic laboratory;

• It is widely accepted that the average healthy ear can barely perceive noise level changes of 3

dBA;

• A change in sound level of 5 dBA is a readily perceptible increase in noise level;

• A 10-dBA change in the sound level is perceived as twice as loud as the original source.

The World Bank in the Environmental Health and Safety Regulations has laid down the following

noise level guidelines:

• Residential area – 55 dBA for the daytime and 45 dBA for the nighttime period;

• Industrial area – 70 dBA for the day- and nighttime periods.

The difference between the actual noise and the ambient noise level and the time of the day and the

duration of the activity, will determine how people will respond to sound and what the noise impact will

be. In order to evaluate such, there must be uniform guidelines to evaluate each scenario. SANS 10103

of 2008 has laid down sound pressure levels for specific districts and has provided the following

continuous noise levels per district as given in Table 1.3.

24

Table 1.3: Recommended noise levels for different districts.

Type of district

Equivalent continuous rating level (LReq.T) for ambient noise - dBA

Outdoors

Indoors, with open

windows

Day-night LRdn

Daytime LReqd

Night-time LReqn

Day-night

LR.dn

Daytime

LReq.d

Night-time

LReq.n

a) Rural districts 45

45

35

35

35

25

b) Suburban districts with little road traffic

50 50 40 40 40 30

c) Urban districts 55

55

45

45

45

35

d) Urban districts with some workshops, with business premises and with main roads

60

60

50

50

50

40 e) Central business district

65

65

55

55

55

45

f) Industrial districts 70

70

60

60

60

50

For industrial districts, the LR.dn concept does not necessarily hold. For industries legitimately operating in an industrial district during the entire 24h day/night cycle, LReq.d = LReq.n = 70dBA can be considered as typical and normal.

The response to noise can be classified as follows:

• An increase of 1.0dBA to 3.0dBA above ambient noise level will cause no response from the

affected community. For a person with normal hearing an increase of 0dBA to 3 dBA will not

be noticeable

• An increase between 1.0dBA – 10.0dBA will elicit little to sporadic response. When the

difference is more than 5.0dBA above the ambient noise level a person with normal hearing

will start to hear the difference.

• An increase between 5.0dBA and 15.0dBA will elicit medium response from the affected

community.

• An increase between 10.0dBA and 20.0dBA will elicit strong community reaction.

Because there is no clear-cut transition from one community response to another as well as several

variables, categories of responses can overlap. This should be taken into consideration during the

evaluation of a potential noise problem. There is therefore a mixture of activities and higher noise

levels as per the above recommended continuous rating levels within i.e. residential, industrial and

feeder roads in close proximity of each other. The ambient noise level will therefore differ throughout

the study area, depending on the region and the measuring position in relation to areas with existing

25

mining activities. People exposed to an increase in the prevailing ambient noise level will react

differently to the noise levels and the response is given in Table 1.4.

Table 1.4: Estimated community/group response when the ambient noise level is exceeded

Excess dB

Estimated community/group response Category

Description

0 0-10 5-15 10-20 >15

None Little Medium Strong Very strong

No observed reaction Sporadic complaints Widespread complaints Threats of community/group action Vigorous community/group action

2. Study Methodology

2.1 Instrumentation

The noise survey was conducted in terms of the provisions of SANS 10103 of 2008 (The measurement

and rating of environmental noise with respect to annoyance and to speech communication). The

following instruments were used in the noise survey:

• Larsen Davis Integrated Sound Level meter Type 1 – Serial no. S/N 0001072;

• Larsen Davis Pre-amplifier – Serial no. PRM831 0206;

• Larsen Davis ½” free field microphone – Serial no. 377 B02 SN 102184;

• Larsen Davis Calibrator 200 – Serial no.5988.

The instrument was calibrated before and after the noise readings were done and coincided within 1.0

dBA. Batteries were fully charged and a windshield was in use at all times. The calibration certificates

are attached as Appendix A. The measured ambient noise level during the daytime and night time

periods will be the baseline ambient noise criteria for the study area and will be evaluated in terms of

SANS 10103 of 2008.

2.2 Measuring points

The measuring points for the study area were selected to be representative of the prevailing ambient

noise levels for the study area and include all the noise sources such as traffic, agricultural activities but

exclude traffic noise which was intermittent in the vicinity of the measuring point. The measuring points

are illustrated in Figure 2.1.

26

Figure 2.1 Measuring points for the study area The measuring points along the boundaries of the study area and the physical attributes of each

measuring point are illustrated in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1: Measuring points and co-ordinates for the study area

Position X WGSDD Y WGSDD Remarks 1 260 50,639 S 0290 05,572 E Along the gravel road in the vicinity of farmhouses. Farming,

insects and distant silo type noises. 2 260 50,939 S 0290 06,186 E Along the gravel road and south of the farmhouses.

Farming, insects and distant silo type noises. 3 260 50,694 S 0290 06,045 E Along the gravel road and north of the farmhouses.

Farming, insects and distant silo type noises. 4 260 50,385 S 0290 02,836 E Along a gravel road and the railway line and north of the

farmhouse (Vlakhoogte – J van Vuuren). Distant farm activity noise.

5 260 50,865 S 0290 04,453 E Along the gravel road north of the Holmdene silos. Holmdene silo activities and distant grain hauling activities.

6 260 51,277 S 0290 04,048 E Along the gravel road in the vicinity of the Holmdene School. Distant silo, farming and traffic activities.

7 260 50,250 S 0290 05,435 E In the vicinity of Vlakhoogte – Anton Venter. Distant farming activities.

8 260 52,743 S 0290 05,905 E Along the gravel road. Distant Farm train and a/craft activities.

9 260 51,038 S 0290 06,737 E Along gravel road. Distant traffic and farm activity noise.

10 260 49,854 S 0290 06,872 E In the vicinity of the farm house. Distant traffic noise.

11 260 49,034 S 0290 06,264 E Distant traffic noise from R50.



14 260 51,823 S 0290 09,609 E Jonkersdam PAXCO. R50 traffic, farm activities and bird noises.

15 260 51,936 S 0290 10,445 E At the Jonkersdam residential area. Distant traffic noise.

27

Position X WGSDD Y WGSDD Remarks 16 260 50,545 S 0290 11,255 E In the vicinity of the Vlakfontein Schoombee Boerdery.

Distant farm activity noises. 17 260 47,846 S 0290 09,176 E Along the gravel road and in the vicinity of farm houses.





Distant farm activity noises and traffic from R546. 22 260 46,964 S 0290 13,761 E In the vicinity of the Department of Water Affairs Camp.

Distant traffic and camp activity noises. 23 260 47,805 S 0290 14,948 E In the vicinity of Beginsel Farm – W de K Steenkamp.

Distant farm activity noise. 24 260 49,525 S 0290 13,597 E In the vicinity of farm house along the gravel road. Farm

activity noise. 25 260 49,575 S 0290 14,397 E In the vicinity of farm house along the gravel road. Farm

activity noise. 26 260 49,488 S 0290 15,118 E In the vicinity of farm house along the gravel road. Farm

activity noise. 27 260 47,786 S 0290 15,920 E In the vicinity of farm house (Arcadia – Willie & Carina

Steenkamp) along the gravel road. Farm activity noise. 28 260 44,671 S 0290 18,199 E Next to tarred feeder road. Traffic and Denmark Colliery

vent shaft noise. 29 260 45,095 S 0290 18,025 E Distant mine vent shaft noise.

30 260 43,747 S 0290 17,094 E Along the gravel road and in the vicinity of the tarred feeder road to mine. Traffic noise.

The following is of relevance to the ambient noise measurements:

• The LAeq was measured over a representative sampling period exceeding 10 minutes at each

measuring point;

• The noise survey was carried out during the day and nighttime period being 6h00 to 22h00 for

the day time and 22h00 to 6h00 for the night time period.

2.3 Site Characteristics

The following observations were made in and around the study area:

• There was a constant to intermittent flow of traffic along the tarred feeder roads but intermittent

traffic along the gravel roads;

• The rail road was used by trains during the day and the night;

• The wind and weather conditions play an important role in noise propagation;

• Distant traffic noise contributes to a large portion of the prevailing ambient noise levels;

• The prevailing noise levels in and around the study area is typical of the noise levels expected

within the vicinity of a road, farming activities and a rail road.

2.4 Current noise sources

The following are noise sources in the vicinity of and the boundaries of the study area:

• Heavy duty vehicle noise;

28

• Distant traffic noise from the abutting feeder roads;

• Silo (grain) noise;

• Rail road noise and hooting at intersections;

• Farming activities noise;

• Insects;

• Birds;

• Wind noise.

2.5 Atmospheric conditions during the noise survey

The noise readings were carried out at the different measuring points and the prevailing atmospheric

conditions i.e. wind speed, wind direction and temperature were taken into consideration. The readings

were done away from any large vertical structures, which may influence the outcome of the readings.

The following meteorological conditions were recorded:

4 April 2016

Daytime

• Wind speed – less than 1.7m/s;

• Temperature – 30.5oC – No strong temperature gradient occurred near the ground;

• Cloud cover – High cloud cover;

• Wind direction – The wind was blowing from a north-westerly direction;

• Humidity – 30 % humidity.

Night time

• Wind speed – less than 0.7m/s;

• Temperature – 19.5oC ;

• Cloud cover – No cloud cover;

• Wind direction – The wind was blowing from a north-westerly direction;

• Humidity – 30 % humidity.

The wind speed and wind direction will determine the propagation of the mine activity noises and how

the residents will perceive the mine activity noises.

29

3. Regulatory and Legislative Requirements

3.1 National Noise Control Regulations – General Notice R154 of 10 January 1992.

These noise control regulations are applicable in the study area and the main aspect of these

noise control regulations is that you may exceed the prevailing ambient noise levels by 7.0dBA

before a noise disturbance is created.

3.2 South African National Standards – SANS 10103 of 2008

The South African National Standards provide the guidelines for the different recommended

prevailing ambient noise levels and how to evaluate when a specific operation or activity is

creating a noise disturbance and what reaction can be expected if a noise disturbance is

created.

3.3 South African National Standards – SANS 10210 of 2004

This national standard is used to calculate and predict road traffic noise which is associated

when there is a new development with the result that there will be additional vehicles to and

from the proposed development.

3.4 Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines of the IFC of the World Bank

The recommended noise level for a noise sensitive area is 55.0dBA during the day and

45.0dBA during the night.

4. Description of the Receiving Environment

The prevailing ambient noise levels are created by farming activity noise, intermittent traffic noise

along the gravel roads, traffic noise along the R546, R50 and R23 roads, distant mine activity noise,

hooters (trains), train activity noise, mine ventilation noise, silo noises and domestic type noises. The

farm houses in the vicinity of the proposed mine shaft area and the overland conveyor are illustrated

in Figure 4.1.

Figure 4.1 Farm houses in the vicinity of the mine shafts and overland conveyor

The distances between the mine boundary and the farm houses are given in Table 4.1. This is for direct line of sight and vertical structures such

as trees, are between the proposed mine shaft and overland conveyor and the farm houses.

Table 4.1 Distances between the different mine activities options and the farm houses.

Farmhouse

Distances between the different mine activity options and the different farmhouses in meters

West shaft complex - Option A

West shaft complex - Option B

Main offices

East shaft complex - Option A


Overland conveyor A

Overland conveyor B

A 2 955 3 117 10 106 18 979 18 202 3 321 3 321

B 2 950 4 251 19 224 19 046 18 301 3 720 3 720

C 2 508 3 713 9 810 18 544 17 842 2 916 2 916

D 2 269 4 010 8 353 17 215 16 547 2 539 2 539

E 2 808 4 075 6 573 15 435 14 796 3 058 3 058

F 4 797 5 369 11 933 20 468 19 693 5 044 5 044

G 833 997 7 228 15 845 15 122 313 313

H 1 124 692 6 599 15 208 14 473 223 223 I 3 203 1 620 5 608 13 722 13 010 401 786 J 3 543 2 990 3 757 12 510 11 763 2 867 3 225 K 5 345 3 628 12 698 13 512 12 674 1 268 942 L 5 824 4 475 3 619 10 850 10 092 1 438 1 868 M 6 815 6 641 1 930 10 319 9 608 6 270 6 646 N 8 257 7 952 2 098 8 911 8 423 7 153 7 579 O 8 749 7 968 1 550 7 340 6 719 4 980 5 601 P 8 666 7 280 4 273 8 688 7 813 1 140 1 783 Q 9 066 7 439 6 214 10 106 9 255 931 288 R 10 678 9 162 6 658 8 718 7 882 867 78 S 12 284 10 610 8 327 8 674 7 973 1 845 840 T 13 664 12 283 7 985 5 692 4 942 402 1 124 U 13 535 12 540 6 485 2 545 1 633 1 771 5 266 V 15 071 14 091 7 930 995 313 367 1 085 W 17 209 16 312 10 023 1 179 1 965 2 143 1 113

X 16 577 15 442 9 926 2 917 2 664 471 1 384

Y 15 622 14 425 8 785 2 488 1 884 406 1 738

Z 15 318 14 115 8 878 3 697 3 141 995 3 138

A1 15 608 13 224 9 531 4 936 4 478 448 799

B1 22 681 21 332 16 318 8 477 8 731 384 396

C1 22 691 21 360 16 206 8 438 8 630 358 378

D1 20 917 19 639 14 034 5 508 6 076 2 711 2 766

32

5 Results of the noise survey

5.1 Noise survey

In Table 5.1 are the different prevailing ambient noise levels for the specific areas, which include all

the noise sources currently in the area such as domestic, traffic noise, distant mine noise and natural

noise sources. Table 5.1: Noise levels for the day and night in the study area.

Position Day time Night time

Leq -dBA

Lmax (Fast) - dBA

Lmin (Fast) - dBA

Remarks Leq - dBA

Lmax (Fast) - dBA

Lmin (Fast) - dBA

Remarks

1 43.3 56.0 32.8 Distant birds & farming activities. 33.9 49.3 24.0 Distant insect

noise.


noise.


noise.

4 35.9 61.9 23.4 Distant farming activities. 37.9 56.1 29.5 Distant insect noise.

5 47.5 57.3 42.9 Silo and distant hauling activities. 56.6 63.7 44.6 Silo and distant

hauling activities.

6 38.0 55.6 30.4 Distant silo activities. 41.6 47.4 39.5 Distant silo & insect noise.


8 33.3 52.9 23.8 Distant farming & traffic activities. 39.7 45.0 34.9 Distant insect

noise.

9 37.5 56.6 26.6 Distant farming & traffic activities. 39.5 52.9 36.8 Distant insect

noise.

10 40.9 53.6 25.8 Distant farming & traffic (R50) activities. 35.2 51.8 33.5 Distant insect

noise.

11 36.3 55.4 25.7 Distant farming & traffic (R50) activities. 34.7 51.4 25.0 Distant traffic &

insect noise.


insect noise.


insect noise.


insect noise.

15 37.8 76.4 25.0 Distant traffic (R50) activities. 39.5 66.2 29.2 Distant traffic (R50)

& insect noise.




19 35.5 50.2 21.8 Distant farming activities. 36.5 46.9 30.4 Distant traffic & insect noise.


21 63.3 75.8 32.6 Traffic noise from R546. 49.8 62.9 38.4 Distant traffic & insect noise.

22 36.3 55.2 28.2 Water Affairs yard. 38.8 60.9 29.3 Distant insect noise.





27 38.2 59.3 27.6 Distant farming activities.

35.6 50.3 27.2 Distant farm activities & insect noise.

28 58.3 75.2 36.3 Traffic noise from feeder road. 45.9 60.1 33.8 Distant traffic &

mine noise.

29 36.5 63.3 26.6 Distant traffic noise. 39.1 58.7 30.0 Distant traffic & mine noise.

30 55.4 68.9 34.7 Traffic noise from feeder road to the mine. 49.7 65.8 26.1 Distant traffic &

mine noise.

33

The peak noise level along the gravel road when a grain trailer and tractor passed the measuring

point at 200m was 53.6dBA and when an aircraft flew in the vicinity of the residential area, 50.3dBA.

These were all finite type noise levels as the prevailing ambient noise level was maintained once the

activity (aircraft, tractor) was some distance from the measuring point.

The increase in the noise level at 30m from the rail road during train activities are illustrated in the

following graph. This is a finite increase in the noise level each time a train will pass the farmhouses

in the vicinity of the railroad which are used during the day and night time periods.

Figure 5.1: Increase in the noise level during train activities

The following noise levels as given in Table 5.2 are construction machinery and equipment that may

be used during the construction phase of the mine shaft and infra-structure development. These noise

levels are at 2m, 15m, 60m to 1 920m.

34

Table 5.2: Sound pressure levels of construction machinery

Equipment Reduction in the noise level some distance from the source - dBA

Cumulative distance from source in meters

2m from the machinery and/or equipment

15m 30m 60m 120m 240m 480m 960m 1920m

Dump truck 91.0 62.5 56.5 50.4 44.4 38.4 32.4 26.4 20.3 Backhoe 85.0 56.5 50.5 44.4 38.4 32.4 26.4 20.4 14.3 Drilling Equipment 100.0 71.5 65.5 59.4 53.4 47.4 41.4 35.4 29.3 Flatbed truck 85.0 56.5 50.5 44.4 38.4 32.4 26.4 20.4 14.3 Pickup truck 70.0 41.5 35.5 29.4 23.4 17.4 11.4 5.4 -0.7 Tractor trailer 85.0 56.5 50.5 44.4 38.4 32.4 26.4 20.4 14.3 Crane 85.0 56.5 50.5 44.4 38.4 32.4 26.4 20.4 14.3 Pumps 70.0 41.5 35.5 29.4 23.4 17.4 11.4 5.4 -0.7 Welding Machine 72.0 43.5 37.5 31.4 25.4 19.4 13.4 7.4 1.3

Generator 90.0 61.5 55.5 49.4 43.4 37.4 31.4 25.4 19.3 Compressor 85.0 56.5 50.5 44.4 38.4 32.4 26.4 20.4 14.3 Pile driver 100.0 71.5 65.5 59.4 53.4 47.4 41.4 35.4 29.3 Jackhammer 90.0 61.5 55.5 49.4 43.4 37.4 31.4 25.4 19.3 Rock drills 100.0 71.5 65.5 59.4 53.4 47.4 41.4 35.4 29.3 Pneumatic tools 85.0 56.5 50.5 44.4 38.4 32.4 26.4 20.4 14.3

Cumulative noise levels from the construction activities when all of such work within a radius of 30m

105.5 76.9 70.9 64.9 58.9 52.9 46.8 40.8 34.8

The noise reduction calculated in Table 5.2 is for direct line of sight and medium ground conditions.

Engineering control measures and topography can have an influence on how the noise level is

perceived by the occupants of nearby noise sensitive areas. The cumulative noise level of the

machinery and equipment will be 64.9dBA at 60m and 40.8dBA at 960m from the construction area if

all the machinery operates in a radius of 30m at one time. This will seldom happen and the cumulative

noise level will therefore be lower.

5.2 Assumptions and any Gaps in the Knowledge The noise data used in the calculations to determine what the impact will be at the abutting noise

sensitive areas was based on noise surveys done at previous projects and the noise levels as

mentioned in the report under Table 5.2. The prevailing wind within the study area will be north-north

west which will result in the residential areas to the south and south east which may experience

increased mine activity noise levels at times. The proposed infra-structure in Figure 1.2 is not the exact

lay-out and was not on scale and the location of the noise sources was estimated.

35

5. 3 Noise impact at the different residential areas

The following equation was used to calculate the noise level at the noise sensitive areas during the

construction phase when the noise level for the shaft establishment was 95.5dBA, conveyor

construction 85.5dBA and main office construction 80.5dBA. This equation will also be used to

determine the noise levels during the operational phase of the project.

Lp = Lw - 20log R - 5dB

Where, Lp is the sound level at a distance from the source in dBA;

Lw is the sound level at the source in dBA;

R is the distance from the source.

The noise levels at the noise sensitive areas will be added in a logarithmic manner to

determine the overall sound exposure at the receptor.

• Sound level change of 1.0dB can barely be detected by humans;

• Change of 2.0dB to 3.0dBA, barely noticeable;

• Change of 5.0dB, readily noticeable;

• Change of 10.0dB perceived as a doubling in loudness;

• Change of 20.0dB represents a dramatic change.

The arithmetic prevailing ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the farm houses were 36.0dBA

during the day and night time periods. These areas are some distance from the roads, silos and

railroad which recorded higher noise levels due to the traffic noise and/or silo activity noise. The

calculated noise level at the different farmhouses is illustrated in Table 5.3.

36

Table 5.3: Calculated noise levels at the noise sensitive areas during the construction phase.

Farmhouse



Main offices



Overland conveyor A

Overland conveyor B

A 21.1 20.6 0.4 4.9 5.3 13.1 13.1 B 21.1 17.9 -5.2 4.9 5.3 12.1 12.1 C 22.5 19.1 0.7 5.1 5.5 14.2 14.2 D 23.4 18.4 2.1 5.8 6.1 15.4 15.4 E 21.5 18.3 4.1 6.7 7.1 13.8 13.8 F 16.9 15.9 -1.0 4.3 4.6 9.4 9.4 G 32.1 30.5 3.3 6.5 6.9 33.6 33.6 H 29.5 33.7 4.1 6.9 7.3 36.5 36.5 I 20.4 26.3 5.5 7.8 8.2 31.4 25.6 J 19.5 21.0 9.0 8.6 9.1 14.4 13.3 K 15.9 19.3 -1.6 7.9 8.4 21.4 24.0 L 15.2 17.5 9.3 9.8 10.4 20.3 18.1 M 13.8 14.1 14.8 10.2 10.8 7.6 7.0 N 12.2 12.5 14.1 11.5 12.0 6.4 5.9 O 11.7 12.5 16.7 13.2 14.0 9.6 8.5 P 11.7 13.3 7.9 11.7 12.6 22.4 18.5 Q 11.4 13.1 4.6 10.4 11.2 24.1 34.3 R 9.9 11.3 4.0 11.7 12.6 24.7 45.7 S 8.7 10.0 2.1 11.7 12.5 18.2 25.0 T 7.8 8.7 2.5 15.4 16.6 31.4 22.5 U 7.9 8.5 4.3 22.4 26.2 18.5 9.1 V 6.9 7.5 2.5 30.5 40.6 32.2 22.8 W 5.8 6.2 0.5 29.1 24.6 16.9 22.6 X 6.1 6.7 0.6 21.2 22.0 30.0 20.7 Y 6.6 7.3 1.6 22.6 25.0 31.3 18.7 Z 6.8 7.5 1.5 19.1 20.6 23.5 13.6

A1 6.6 8.1 0.9 16.6 17.5 30.5 25.4 B1 3.4 3.9 -3.8 11.9 11.7 31.8 31.5 C1 3.4 3.9 -3.7 12.0 11.8 32.4 32.0 D1 4.1 4.6 -2.4 15.7 14.8 14.8 14.7

The noise intrusion levels during the construction phase are illustrated in Table 5.4. The green areas are where the prevailing ambient

noise level will not be exceeded, the yellow areas between 0.1dBA and 2.0dBA (barely noticeable) the red areas between 3.0dBA to

7.0dBA (readily noticeable). The cumulative noise level will be the prevailing ambient noise level and the calculated noise level at the

different farmhouses.

Table 5.4: Noise intrusion levels at the noise sensitive areas for the construction phase

Farmhouse

West shaft complex - Option

A


B

East shaft complex - Option

A


B

Overland conveyor A

Overland conveyor B Prevailing

ambient noise level - dBA

Cumulative noise level

Intrusion level - dBA











A 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 B 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 C 36.2 0.2 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 D 36.2 0.2 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 E 36.2 0.2 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 F 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 G 37.5 1.5 37.1 1.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 38.0 2.0 36.7 0.7 36.0 H 36.9 0.9 38.0 2.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 39.3 3.3 37.3 1.3 36.0 I 36.1 0.1 36.4 0.4 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 37.3 1.3 36.1 0.1 36.0 J 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 K 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 L 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 M 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 N 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 O 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 P 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.2 0.2 36.0 0.0 36.0 Q 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.3 0.3 36.8 0.8 36.0

38













R 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.3 0.3 41.9 5.9 36.0 S 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 T 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 37.3 1.3 36.1 0.1 36.0 U 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.2 0.2 36.4 0.4 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 V 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 37.1 1.1 41.9 5.9 37.5 1.5 36.1 0.1 36.0 W 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.8 0.8 36.3 0.3 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 X 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.2 0.2 37.0 1.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 Y 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.2 0.2 36.3 0.3 37.3 1.3 36.0 0.0 36.0 Z 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.2 0.2 36.0 0.0 36.0

A1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 37.1 1.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 B1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 37.4 1.4 36.5 0.5 36.0 C1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 37.6 1.6 36.5 0.5 36.0 D1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 The arithmetic prevailing ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the farm houses were 36.0dBA during the day and night time periods. These areas

are some distance from the roads, silos and railroad which recorded higher noise levels due to the traffic noise and/or silo activity noise. The

calculated noise levels during the operational phase are illustrated in Table 5.5.

Table 5.5: Calculated noise levels during the operational phase

Farmhouse



Main offices


East shaft complex - Option B

Overland conveyor A

Overland conveyor B

A 28.1 27.6 -7.6 11.9 12.3 8.1 8.1 B 28.1 24.9 -13.2 11.9 12.3 7.1 7.1 C 29.5 26.1 -7.3 12.1 12.5 9.2 9.2 D 30.4 25.4 -5.9 12.8 13.1 10.4 10.4 E 28.5 25.3 -3.9 13.7 14.1 8.8 8.8 F 23.9 22.9 -9.0 11.3 11.6 4.4 4.4 G 39.1 37.5 -4.7 13.5 13.9 28.6 28.6 H 36.5 40.7 -3.9 13.9 14.3 31.5 31.5 I 27.4 33.3 -2.5 14.8 15.2 26.4 20.6 J 26.5 28.0 1.0 15.6 16.1 9.4 8.3 K 22.9 26.3 -9.6 14.9 15.4 16.4 19.0 L 22.2 24.5 1.3 16.8 17.4 15.3 13.1 M 20.8 21.1 6.8 17.2 17.8 2.6 2.0 N 19.2 19.5 6.1 18.5 19.0 1.4 0.9 O 18.7 19.5 8.7 20.2 21.0 4.6 3.5 P 18.7 20.3 -0.1 18.7 19.6 17.4 13.5 Q 18.4 20.1 -3.4 17.4 18.2 19.1 29.3 R 16.9 18.3 -4.0 18.7 19.6 19.7 40.7 S 15.7 17.0 -5.9 18.7 19.5 13.2 20.0 T 14.8 15.7 -5.5 22.4 23.6 26.4 17.5 U 14.9 15.5 -3.7 29.4 33.2 13.5 4.1 V 13.9 14.5 -5.5 37.5 47.6 27.2 17.8 W 12.8 13.2 -7.5 36.1 31.6 11.9 17.6 X 13.1 13.7 -7.4 28.2 29.0 25.0 15.7 Y 13.6 14.3 -6.4 29.6 32.0 26.3 13.7 Z 13.8 14.5 -6.5 26.1 27.6 18.5 8.6

A1 13.6 15.1 -7.1 23.6 24.5 25.5 20.4 B1 10.4 10.9 -11.8 18.9 18.7 26.8 26.5 C1 10.4 10.9 -11.7 19.0 18.8 27.4 27.0 D1 11.1 11.6 -10.4 22.7 21.8 9.8 9.7

The green areas are where the prevailing ambient noise level will not be exceeded, the yellow areas between 0.1dBA and 2.0dBA (barely

noticeable) the red areas between 3.0dBA to 7.0dBA (readily noticeable). The cumulative noise level will be the prevailing ambient noise level and

the calculated noise level at the different farmhouses and the intrusion level at each farmhouse is illustrated in Table 5.6. The noise intrusion levels

during the operational phase will be calculated based on a noise level at the mine shaft area of 100.5dBA, 75.0dBA at the main office and 80.0dBA

at the overland conveyor.

Table 5.6: Calculated intrusion levels during the operational phase

Farmhouse


A


B


A


B

Overland conveyor A

Overland conveyor B

Prevailing ambient

noise level - dBA













A 36.7 0.7 36.6 0.6 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 B 36.7 0.7 36.3 0.3 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 C 36.9 0.9 36.4 0.4 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 D 37.1 1.1 36.4 0.4 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 E 36.7 0.7 36.4 0.4 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 F 36.3 0.3 36.2 0.2 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 G 40.8 4.8 39.8 3.8 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.7 0.7 36.7 0.7 36.0 H 39.3 3.3 42.0 6.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 37.3 1.3 37.3 1.3 36.0 I 36.6 0.6 37.9 1.9 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.5 0.5 36.1 0.1 36.0 J 36.5 0.5 36.6 0.6 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 K 36.2 0.2 36.4 0.4 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.0 L 36.2 0.2 36.3 0.3 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 M 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 N 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0

41













O 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 P 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 Q 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.8 0.8 36.0 R 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 41.9 5.9 36.0 S 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.0 T 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.2 0.2 36.5 0.5 36.1 0.1 36.0 U 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.6 0.6 37.3 1.3 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0 V 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 38.8 2.8 46.0 10.0 36.5 0.5 36.1 0.1 36.0 W 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 38.2 2.2 36.9 0.9 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.0 X 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.4 0.4 36.5 0.5 36.3 0.3 36.0 0.0 36.0 Y 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.6 0.6 37.0 1.0 36.4 0.4 36.0 0.0 36.0 Z 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.3 0.3 36.4 0.4 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0

A1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.2 0.2 36.2 0.2 36.4 0.4 36.1 0.1 36.0 B1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.5 0.5 36.5 0.5 36.0 C1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.6 0.6 36.5 0.5 36.0 D1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.1 0.1 36.1 0.1 36.0 0.0 36.0 0.0 36.0

The calculations to determine the noise level from the additional traffic during peak times in

the morning and the evening are based on the following equation:

SANS 10210 of 2004, the national standard for the calculating and predicting of road traffic

noise was used to calculate the noise level to be generated by the traffic along the proposed

road. The traffic will create an increased noise level in areas where there was no traffic as

the normal traffic patterns which will be introduced along these routes. The calculation of the

noise levels during the construction phase are based on 30 vehicles of which 10 vehicles

will be motor vehicles and 20 vehicles will be construction vehicles and during the

operational phase 100 vehicles of which 20 will be motor-vehicles and 80 heavy-duty

vehicles.

Basic Model

LBasic = 38.3 + 10 Log (Qr) dBA,

where; LBasic = basic noise level in dBA and Qr is the mean traffic flow per hour.

Primary corrections to the basic model:

• Traffic flow Q – vehicles/hour;

• Corrections for speed of traffic and percentage of heavy vehicles, LP,v;

• Correction for gradient, L gr;

• Correction for road surface texture, L t.

Propagation:

• Correction for ground conditions and distance of the receiver, L d,hr ;

• Height relative to source h,m;

• Average height of propagation hav, m.

The calculated traffic noise level at 20m from the road will be 56.5dBA during the

construction phase and 61.2dBA during the operational phase. This will be for the initial

phase of the project as there will be existing traffic along the feeder roads with a constant

flow of traffic.

43

6. Impact Identification and Assessment

Noise or sound is part of our daily exposure to different sources which is part of daily living and

some of the sounds which are intrusive such as traffic noise forms part of the ambient noise

that people get accustomed to without noticing the higher sound levels.

Any person in the workplace and at home is exposed to the following noise levels as given in

Table 6.1. These are the average noise levels in the workplace and at home that will mask

noise from a source introduced into the area:

Table 6.1: Different noise levels in and around the house and workplace that a person is exposed to on a daily basis.

Activity dBA Communication Whisper 30.0 Communication Normal Conversation 55.0-65.0 Communication Shouted Conversation 90.0 Communication Baby Crying 80.0 Communication Computer 37.0-45.0 Home/Office Refrigerator 40.0-43.0 Home/Office Radio Playing in Background 45.0-50.0 Home/Office Background Music 50.0 Home/Office Washing Machine 50.0-75.0 Home/Office Microwave 55.0-59.0 Home/Office Clothes Dryer 56.0-58.0 Home/Office Alarm Clock 60.0-80.0 Home/Office Vacuum Cleaner 70.0 Home/Office TV Audio 70.0 Home/Office Flush Toilet 75.0-85.0 Industry Industrial activities 85.0-95.0 Home/Office Ringing Telephone 80.0 Home/Office Hairdryer 80.0-95.0 Home/Office Maximum Output of Stereo 100.0-110.0

Two aspects are important when considering potential noise impacts of a project and it is:

• The increase in the noise level, and;

• The overall noise level produced.

Pre-construction and Construction phase

Site clearing and grubbing of the footprint areas associated with the shaft complexes, offices,

conveyor route servitude and contractor lay down area. Construction of the shaft complexes and

44

associated infra-structure, overburden stockpile and topsoil stock pile and the construction of

the overland conveyor belt, services and power line.

The machinery that will be used during the construction phase of the project will be

excavators, dozers, graders, earth-moving equipment, cranes, dump trucks, generators and

TLB’s etc., which will work at specific areas at a time and the noise levels are illustrated in

Table 5.2 (page 30). The following activities will generate noise during the construction phase

of the project:

• Ground works;

• Civil construction activities;

• Construction of internal haul roads;

• Assembly of plant and overland conveyor;

• Building activities;

• Hauling of material to be used during for construction purposes to and from the specific

areas within the shaft footprint area;

• Construction of the soil stock pile and material stock pile.

Operational phase

The noise sources within the property that may create increased noise levels on a temporary

and/or permanent basis during the operational phase of the project:

• Additional traffic to and from the different sites;

• Diesel emergency generators;

• Ventilation shaft noise;


• Maintenance activities at the different sites.


• Back fill of mined areas;

• Planting of grass and vegetation at the rehabilitated area;

• Removal of infra-structure.

Cumulative Impact

• The cumulative impact of the mining activities and hauling of material off-site.

45

6.1 Environmental impact assessment

The impact significance rating system is presented in and involves four parts:

Part A: Define impact consequence using the three primary impact characteristics of

magnitude, spatial scale/population and duration;

Part B: Use the matrix to determine a rating for impact consequence based on the

definitions identified in Part A;

Part C: Use the matrix to determine the impact significance rating, which is a function of

the impact consequence rating (from Part B) and the probability of occurrence; and

The impact significance rating system is summarised in Appendix B.

6.1.1 Impact assessment for the construction phase

The following activities will be associated with the construction phase of the

project:

• Ground works;

• Civil construction activities;

• Construction of internal haul roads;

• Assembly of mine footprint activities and overland conveyor belt system;

• Building activities;

• Hauling of material to be used during for construction purposes to and

from the specific areas within the shaft footprint area;

• Construction of the soil stock pile and material stock pile. The impact rating during the different stages of the construction phase of the

project is as follows:

Table 6.2: Clearing of footprint area, stripping and stockpiling of topsoil Activity Clearing of footprint area, stripping and stockpiling of topsoil Project phase Pre-construction and Construction phase Impact Summary Noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating

Magnitude Duration Scale Consequence Probability SIGNIFICANCE +/- Conf. level Moderate - Medium Local Medium Possible Medium - High

Management Measures

Equipment and/or machinery which will be used must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications on acceptable noise levels. Topsoil stripping should be limited to daytime only.

After Management Impact Rating

Magnitude Duration Scale Consequence Probability SIGNIFICANCE +/- Conf. level Minor + Medium Local Low Possible Low + High

Table 6.3: Civil construction activities

46

Activity Civil construction activities Project phase Pre-construction and Construction phase Impact Summary Noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating


Management Measures

Equipment and/or machinery which will be used must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications on acceptable noise levels. Civil construction activities should be limited to daytime only.



Table 6.4: Construction of internal roads

Activity Construction of internal haul roads Project phase Pre-construction and Construction phase Impact Summary Noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating


Management Measures

Equipment and/or machinery which will be used must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications on acceptable noise levels. Construction of internal haul roads should be limited to daytime only.



Table 6.5: Assembly of mine footprint activities and overland conveyor

Activity Assembly of mine footprint activities and overland conveyor belt system Project phase Pre-construction and Construction phase Impact Summary Noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating


Management Measures

Equipment and/or machinery which will be used must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications on acceptable noise levels. Assembly of mine foot print activities should be limited to daytime only. Noise survey to be carried out to monitor the noise levels during these activities.



Table 6.6: Building activities

Activity Building activities Project phase Pre-construction and Construction phase Impact Summary Noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating


Management Measures

Equipment and/or machinery which will be used must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications on acceptable noise levels. Building activities at the mine foot print and along the conveyor belt should be limited to daytime only.



47

Table 6.7: Hauling of material to be used for construction purposes to and from the specific

areas within the shaft footprint area Activity Hauling of material to and from the specific areas Project phase Pre-construction and Construction phase Impact Summary Noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating


Management Measures

Equipment and/or machinery which will be used must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications on acceptable noise levels. Hauling of material should be limited to daytime only. Noise survey to be carried out to monitor the noise levels during these activities.



Table 6.8: Construction of the, soil stock pile and material stock pile

Activity Construction of the waste rock dump, soil stock pile and material stock pile Project phase Pre-construction and to the Closure phase Impact Summary Noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating


Management Measures

Equipment and/or machinery which will be used must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications on acceptable noise levels. Noise survey to be carried out to monitor the noise levels during these activities.



6.1.2 Impact assessment for the operational phase

The following activities are associated with the operational phase of the project:

• Additional traffic to and from the different sites;

• Diesel emergency generators;

• Ventilation shaft noise;


• Maintenance activities at the different sites.

The impact rating during the different stages of the operational phase of the

project is as follows:

Table 6.9: Additional traffic to and from the different sites Activity Additional traffic to and from the different sites Project phase Operational phase to the Closure phase Impact Summary Environmental noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating

Magnitude Duration Scale Consequence Probability SIGNIFICANCE +/- Conf. level Moderate - Long Local Medium Possible Medium - High

Management Measures



Magnitude Duration Scale Consequence Probability SIGNIFICANCE +/- Conf. level Minor - Long Local Low Possible Low - High

48

Table 6.10: Diesel emergency generators Activity Diesel emergency generators Project phase Operational phase to the Closure phase Impact Summary Environmental noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating


Management Measures



Magnitude Duration Scale Consequence Probability SIGNIFICANCE +/- Conf. level Minor - Long Local Low Possible Low - High

Table 6.11: Ventilation shaft noise

Activity Ventilation shaft noise Project phase Operational phase to the Closure phase Impact Summary Environmental noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating


Management Measures

Equipment and/or machinery which will be used must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications on acceptable noise levels. Outlet of the ventilation fan to face away from any of the farmhouses. Make use of the natural topography as a noise barrier. Noise survey to be carried out to monitor the noise levels during these activities.


Magnitude Duration Scale Consequence Probability SIGNIFICANCE +/- Conf. level Minor - Long Local Low Possible Medium - High

Table 6.12: Overland conveyor

Activity Overland conveyor Project phase Operational phase to the Closure phase Impact Summary Environmental noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating

Magnitude Duration Scale Consequence Probability SIGNIFICANCE +/- Conf. level Moderate - Long Regional High Possible Medium - High

Management Measures

Equipment and/or machinery which will be used must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications on acceptable noise levels. IBR sheeting cover to be used on the side facing the farm houses in areas where the conveyor will be closer than 300m from the farm houses. All rollers to be serviced on a regular basis to avoid screeching of the rollers. The siren when overland conveyor is not operational and when it start up to be replaced with a vibrating type siren if it is approved by the Department of Labour. Noise survey to be carried out to monitor the noise levels during these activities.


Magnitude Duration Scale Consequence Probability SIGNIFICANCE +/- Conf. level Minor - Long Regional Medium Possible Medium - High

Table 6.13: Maintenance activities at the different sites

Activity Maintenance activities at the different sites Project phase Operational phase to the Closure phase Impact Summary Environmental noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating


Management Measures



Magnitude Duration Scale Consequence Probability SIGNIFICANCE +/- Conf. level Minor + Long Local Low Possible Low + High

49

6.1.3 Impact assessment for the decommissioning phase

The following activities are associated with the decommissioning phase:

• Back fill of mine footprint area;

• Planting of grass and vegetation at the rehabilitated areas;

• Removal of infra-structure.

The impact rating during the different stages of the decommissioning phase of

the project is as follows:

Table 6.14: Back fill of mine footprint area Activity Back fill of mine footprint area Project phase Decommissioning phase Impact Summary Noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating


Management Measures

Equipment and/or machinery which will be used must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications on acceptable noise levels. Back fill of mine foot print area activities should be limited to daytime only.



Table 6.15: Planting of grass and vegetation at the rehabilitated areas

Activity Planting of grass and vegetation at the rehabilitated areas Project phase Decommissioning phase Impact Summary Noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating


Management Measures

Equipment and/or machinery which will be used must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications on acceptable noise levels. Planting of grass and/or vegetation should be limited to daytime only.



Table 6.16: Removal of infra-structure

Activity Removal of infra-structure Project phase Decommissioning phase Impact Summary Noise increase at the boundary of the mine footprint and at the abutting farmhouses Potential Impact Rating


Management Measures

Equipment and/or machinery which will be used must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications on acceptable noise levels. Removal of infra-structure should be limited to daytime only. Noise survey to be carried out to monitor the noise levels during these activities.



50

6.1.4 Cumulative impact

The cumulative noise impact of the proposed development on the abutting

noise sensitive areas, road network and the prevailing environmental noise

levels is given in Table 6.19.

Table 6.17: Cumulative impact

Aspect Significance Rating

Management Measures Significance

rating after mitigatory measures

The cumulative impact of open cast mine and related activities.

Medium

Actively manage the process and the noise management plan must be used to ensure compliance to the noise regulations and/or standards. The levels to be evaluated in terms of the baseline noise levels.

Low

7. Conclusion and Recommendations

The following three primary variables should be considered when designing acoustic screening

measures for the control of sound and/or noise:

• The source – Reduction of noise at the source;

• The transmission path – Reduction of noise between the source and the receiver;

• The receiver – Reduction of the noise at the receiver.

The last option is not applicable as it was decided to control the noise levels at the source.

7.1 Acoustic screening recommendations

The acoustic screening measures for the project are given in Table 7.1. These are based

on the best practicable methods, acoustic screening techniques and the IFC’s Health

and Safety Regulations.

Table 7.1: Recommended acoustic screening measures

Activity Recommendations Construction phase • Machinery with low noise levels which complies with the manufacturer’s

specifications to be used. • Activities to take place during daytime period only. • Noise monitoring on a quarterly basis.

Operational phase • Vehicles to comply with manufacturers’ specifications and any activity which will exceed 90.0dBA to be done during daytime only.

• A noise berm with a height of at least 10m to be constructed along the

51

Activity Recommendations southern side of West shaft Option B.



• Noise monitoring to be done on a quarterly basis. • IBR sheeting cover to be used on the side facing the farm houses in areas

where the conveyor will be closer than 300m from the farm houses. • All rollers to be serviced on a regular basis to avoid screeching of the rollers. • The siren when overland conveyor is not operational and when it start up to

be replaced with a vibrating type siren if it is approved by the Department of Labor.

• Actively manage the process and the noise management plan must be used to ensure compliance to the noise regulations and/or standards. The levels to be evaluated in terms of the baseline noise levels.



• Activities to take place during daytime period only. • Vehicles to comply with manufacturers’ specifications and any activity which

will exceed 90.0dBA to be done during daytime only. • Noise monitoring on a quarterly basis.

Cumulative impact of the entire process


The following are the Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines of the IFC of the

World Bank, which should be taken into consideration during the construction,

operational and decommissioning phases of the project:

• Selecting equipment with lower sound power levels;

• Installing silencers for fans;

• Installing suitable mufflers on engine exhausts and compressor components;

• Installing acoustic enclosures for equipment causing radiating noise;

• Installing vibration isolation for mechanical equipment;

• Re-locate noise sources to areas which are less noise sensitive, to take

advantage of distance and natural shielding;

• Taking advantage during the design stage of natural topography as a noise

buffer;

• Develop a mechanism to record and respond to complaints.

7.2 Conclusion

The projected noise impact from the West Shaft Complex A on NSA G will be 4.8dBA

and 3.3dBA on NSA G from proposed West Shaft Complex B. The projected noise

impact from the West Shaft Complex B on NSA H will be 6.0dBA. Option B will be the

preferred option for the West shaft complex (with recommended noise screening) and

Option A for the East shaft complex.

52

The highest noise intrusion from the overland conveyor will be at NSA R where the

calculated noise intrusion will be 5.9dBA. The location of the main office will have

minimal impact on the prevailing ambient noise level. The access road to the main

office will however have to be evaluated in terms of the noise impact during trips to and

from the main office. This will be finite type noise increase as the prevailing ambient

noise level will be maintained once there is no traffic along the access road. The

prevailing ambient noise level along the R50 road was 63.3dBA during the day and

49.8dBA during the night. The railroad which runs through the north-eastern side of

the mine area and in the vicinity of the study area increases the noise level each time

when there were train activities. The intermittent traffic along the gravel roads which

link the R 23, R50, R546 and R50 as well as access routes to the farm houses created

an increase in the prevailing noise level on a finite basis. The arithmetic prevailing

ambient noise level was 36.0dBA during the day and the night along the sections of the

study area where the traffic noise and/or farm activities was a distance from these

sources. Noise monitoring must take place on a monthly basis during the construction

and operational phases of the project after which the frequency of monitoring may be

changed to a quarterly basis. The noise management plan must be used to either

intensify the monitoring programme or to maintain the monitoring programme.

There will be a shift in the immediate noise levels of the proposed activities on a

temporary basis during the construction phase and on a permanent basis during the

operational phase and the communities will have to be briefed and informed of this

during the public participation process. A system whereby complaints are recorded and

investigated must be made available.

The possible noise intrusion from the shaft areas and subsequent mine activities can

however be controlled by means of approved acoustic screening measures, state of the

art equipment, proper noise management principles and compliance to the Local Noise

By-laws, and the International Finance Corporation’s Environmental Health and Safety

Guidelines provided that the acoustic screening recommendations be in place and noise

surveys are carried out as recommended for the construction and operational phases of

the project.

7.2 Noise management plan

The objectives of this Management Plan are to:

• Outline the applicable standards with regards to noise control;

• Identify potential sources of noise impact;

53

• Define the operational procedures for noise control;

• Define roles and responsibilities;

• Define monitoring and reporting procedures.

Key noise sources during the construction phase are given in Table 7.2

Table 7.2: Key noise sources during the construction and operational phases of the

project

Source Emissions of Primary Concern

Comments

Construction plant Noise Crushers, conveyors, pumps, compressors, concrete mixers, impact equipment etc. used during construction

Earth works Noise Loading and movement of heavy machinery throughout the Mine shaft footprint and roads.

Power generation Noise Noise from temporary generators. Temporary generators to be replaced and relocated (and ultimately replaced once long-term power is available).

Drilling Noise Drilling associated with the opening of Incline shafts, exploration and boreholes.

Blasting Noise Associated with early construction works e.g. associated with the sinking of Incline shaft.

Offsite vehicle movements

Noise Movement of vehicles, particularly haulage or heavy equipment vehicles in proximity to residential properties

Ventilation shaft Noise Ventilation noise into the abutting environment

Overland Conveyor Noise Continuous noise from the moving parts of the conveyor

Sirens at the shaft areas and on mine vehicles

Noise Intermittent noise from vehicles

Potential impacts associated with noise include:

Nuisance/loss of sleep and potentially stress induced illness (community health

issue);

Impacts on worker accommodation and sleep patterns;

Building damage;

Disturbance to wild life and domestic herd animals; and

Safety impacts (related to inability to hear warning signals).

Project Standards

54

The standards specify maximum permissible levels at a particular location or receptor,

typically the facade of a building.

• The applicable provisions of the Noise Control Regulations whereby the

ambient;

• The recommended continuous noise levels as given in Table 2 of SANS 10103

of 2008;

• The International Finance Corporation (IFC) noise limits are specified in the

General EHS Guidelines – Noise Management 2007;

• World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines for community noise.

The following noise standards will be applicable within the project study area:

• Noise Control Regulations – The prevailing ambient noise level may not be

exceeded by more than 7.0dBA at any one time;

• SANS 10103 of 2008 – Table 2. Continuous noise levels during the daytime for

a rural district of 45.0dBA and 35.0dBA during the night time; district next to busy roads of 60.0dBA during the daytime and 50.0dBA during the night time;

70.0dBA for industrial districts;

• International Finance Corporation – Industrial 70.0dBA, Residential 55.0dBA

during the day and 45.0dBA during the night;

• World Health Organisation – Residential 55.0dBA during the day and 45.0dBA

during the night.

Recommendations and mitigatory measures with the responsible persons

Activity Responsible person

Recommendations

Construction phase • Site engineer

• Machinery with low noise levels which complies with the manufacturer’s specifications to be used. • Activities to take place during daytime period only. • Noise monitoring on a quarterly basis.

Operational phase • Mine manager

• Vehicles to comply with manufacturers’ specifications and any activity which will exceed 90.0dBA to be done during daytime only.

• A noise berm with a height of at least 10m to be constructed along the southern side of West shaft Option B.



• Noise monitoring to be done on a quarterly basis.

55

• IBR sheeting cover to be used on the side facing the farm houses in areas where the conveyor will be closer than 300m from the farm houses.

• All rollers to be serviced on a regular basis to avoid screeching of the rollers.

• The siren when overland conveyor is not operational and when it start up to be replaced with a vibrating type siren if it is approved by the Department of Labor.

• Actively manage the process and the noise management plan must be used to ensure compliance to the noise regulations and/or standards. The levels to be evaluated in terms of the baseline noise levels.


• Site engineer


• Activities to take place during daytime period only. • Vehicles to comply with manufacturers’ specifications

and any activity which will exceed 90.0dBA to be done during daytime only.

• Noise monitoring on a quarterly basis. Cumulative impact of the entire process

• Mine manager


The following noise management plan as illustrated in Figure 7.1 must be used to

identify any new noise sources which may have an impact on the abutting noise

sensitive areas.

56

Figure 7.1: Noise management plan

Barend van der Merwe – MSc UJ Environmental noise specialist

57

8. List of Definitions and Abbreviations

8.1 Definitions

Ambient noise The totally encompassing sound in a given situation at a given time and usually composed of sound from many sources, both near and far A-weighted sound pressure level (sound level) (LpA), in decibels The A-weighted sound pressure level is given by the equation: LpA = 10 log (pA/po)2 Where

pA is the root-mean-square sound pressure, using the frequency weighting network A in pascals; and

po is the reference sound pressure (po = 20 μPa). NOTE The internationally accepted symbol for sound level is dBA. Distant source A sound source that is situated more than 500 m from the point of observation Equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (LAeq,T), in decibels The value of the A-weighted sound pressure level of a continuous, steady sound that, within a specified time interval T, has the same mean-square sound pressure as a sound under consideration whose level varies with time. It is given by the equation

Lt t

p tp

dtAeq TA

ot

t

, log( )

=−

∫10

1

2 1

2

21

2

Where LAeq,T is the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level, in decibels,

determined over a time interval T that starts at t1 and ends at t2;

po is the reference sound pressure (po = 20 μPa); and

pA(t) is the instantaneous A-weighted sound pressure of the sound signal, in pascals.

Impulsive sound Sound characterised by brief excursions of sound pressure (acoustic impulses) that significantly exceed the residual noise Initial noise The component of the ambient noise present in an initial situation before any change to the existing situation occurs Intelligible speech Speech that can be understood without undue effort Low frequency noise Sound, which predominantly contains frequencies below 100 Hz

58

Nearby source A sound source that is situated at a distance of 500 m or less from the point of observation Residual noise The ambient noise that remains at a given position in a given situation when one or more specific noises are suppressed Specific noise A component of the ambient noise which can be specifically identified by acoustical means and which may be associated with a specific source NOTE Complaints about noise usually arise as a result of one or more specific noises. Ambient sound level Means the reading on an integrating impulse sound level meter taken at a measuring point in the absence of any alleged disturbing noise at the end of a total period of at least 10 minutes after such meter was put into operation. Disturbing noise Means a noise that causes the ambient noise level to rise above the designated zone level by 7.0dBA or if no zone level has been designated, the typical rating levels for ambient noise in districts, indicated in table 2 of SANS 10103. Noise nuisance Means any sound which disturbs or impairs the convenience or peace of any person

59

8.2 Abbreviations

dBA – A-weighted sound pressure level; IBR – Angular trapezoidal fluted profile sheet; IFC – International Finance Corporation; Km/h - Kilometers per hour; Kg/m3 – Kilogram per cubic meter; m/s – meters per second; NSA – Noise sensitive areas;

LBasic – Basic noise level in dBA; SANS – South African National Standards; TLB – Tractor-loader-backhoe

9. References:

Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines for Community Noise and Mining, World Health Organisation, Geneva, 1999; Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines, World Health Organisation, Geneva, 1999; Google Earth – Aerial photos; Noise By-laws applicable; SANS 10103 of 2008 – The measurement and rating of environmental noise with respect to land use, health, annoyance and to speech communication; SANS 10210 of 2004 – Calculating and predicting road traffic noise; Woods Practical Guide to Noise Control, Sharland Ian, 1972.

60

Appendix A

61

Appendix B Impact Assessment Rating

Appendix C

Hi Barend, Below please find comments made by stakeholders during the scoping phase of the Setlabotsha project. Please consider and address these in your Noise Study. Comment Made by Response Additional noise will change the rural and farm atmosphere that adds to the tranquillity of farm living. This will disappear due to noise of shafts and the conveyor route. Ensure that the shaft complexes and conveyor route does not run close to existing households.

19 January 2016 Landowners meeting Willie Steenkamp

The noise impact assessment will be done to determine the alleged impact and recommendations will be made to minimize the impact to comply with the Noise Control Regulations.

The conveyor belt makes a noise, which will impact on the rural ambient noise levels of the area. We stay on farmlands for peace and quiet which will be disturbed by the conveyor belt.

25 February 2016 Landowners meeting Willie Steenkamp


I am concerned about the noise of the conveyor belt.

1 March 2016 Letter Thinus Bosse


Documents

dBAcoustics - SRK south east of the proposed project. ... • Weighbridge; ... Operational phase • Vehicles to comply with manufacturers’ specifications and any activity which