ELANDSFONTEIN PHOSPHATE MINE, HOPEFIELD

Transcription

1 ELANDSFONTEIN PHOSPHATE MINE, HOPEFIELD AVIAN BASELINE AND DRAFT AVIAN IMPACT ASSESSMENT OCTOBER 2014 Dr Andrew Jenkins & Johan du Plessis

2 Executive summary The present report includes (i) a preliminary assessment of the impacts of a proposed phosphate mine on the avifauna of a property located in the Hopefield area of the West Coast region, Western Cape Province, South Africa, (ii) recommendations on ways to mitigate these impacts, and (iii) bird-related inputs to an environmental management plan for the mine should it be authorised. The proposed Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine is located on the farm Elandsfontein 349, that falls within the Fynbos Biome on the western edge of the West Strandveld Bioregion. The area is likely to support over 200 bird species, including eight red-listed species, 33 endemics, and five red-listed endemics, at least three of which - Southern Black Korhaan Afrotis afra, Hottentot Buttonquail Turnix hottentottus Black Harrier Circus maurus could breed on or close to the development area, in association with the tracts of unmodified coastal vegetation which characterise the site. The latter species, a suite of Strandveld/Fynbos endemic passerines, and various additional raptor, large terrestrial and wetland species that may be implicated, make up the short-list of priority species considered as central to the findings of this assessment. The expected impacts of the proposed mine include disturbance, noise, air, water and light pollution, and escalated avian mortality risk, mainly associated with the proposed extension of the supporting power infrastructure. Impact mitigation should focus mainly on minimising the development footprint, on limiting and regulating levels of disturbance and pollution stemming from the mine, and on ensuring that new power installations are bird-friendly. Adherence to these recommended mitigation measures should ensure that the mining project is sustainable, although the final findings of this preliminary assessment depend heavily on the status of Black Harrier within the impact zone of the mine, which can only be established after further surveys of the area. This additional fieldwork should be conducted later in the year, when these birds are likely to be present, conspicuous and possibly breeding. Inputs to the environmental management plan will be submitted once the findings of the impact assessment have been finalised. 2

3 Preface Andrew Jenkins and Johan du Plessis (AVISENSE Consulting) are independent consultants to Braaf Environmental Practitioners and Elandsfontein Exploration & Mining (Pty) Ltd. They have no business, financial, personal or other interest in the activity, application or appeal in respect of which they were appointed other than fair remuneration for work performed in connection with the activity, application or appeal. There are no circumstances that compromise the objectivity of these specialists in performing such work. Andrew Jenkins, AVISENSE Consulting 3

4 Introduction Elandsfontein Exploration & Mining (Pty) Ltd is planning to establish a Phosphate Mine on the farm Elandsfontein, near Hopefield on the Cape West Coast. Braaf Environmental Practitioners were appointed to do the Environmental Impact Assessment study for this development, and subsequently sub-contracted AVISENSE Consulting cc to conduct the specialist avifaunal (bird) study. Dr Andrew Jenkins is an experienced ornithologist, with over 20 years of experience in avian research and impact assessment work. He has been involved in many construction and development EIAs and EMPs in southern Africa, and has conducted research in various parts of the region on raptor biology and conservation, and the interface between raptors and large terrestrial birds and new and existing power infrastructure. Johan du Plessis is a qualified ecologist and has over four years of experience in the field of ornithology and impact assessment. He has co-authored various avian impact assessment studies, and has conducted long-term avian field surveys on >15 large-scale industrial developments across South Africa. Figure 1. General location of the proposed Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine in relation to the towns - Hopefield, Langebaan and Vredenburg. 4

5 The proposed Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine will be located on the farm portions 2 and 4 of the farm Elandsfontein 349 ( S, E), 95km north of Cape Town and 10km east of the town of Langebaan (Figs 1 and 2). The mine will comprise the following major components (Fig. 2): The pit or main mining area where phosphate ore will be extracted by use of open cast strip-mining (380ha), a processing plant (0.7ha), softs stockpile (149.2 ha), top soil stockpile (13.9ha) and storm water dam (3.0ha), mine buildings (1.3ha) and road infrastructure (9.6ha). Additional infrastructure includes a new on-site Eskom substation serviced by a 4km length of new 132kV transmission line that will tie into (loop-in-loop-out) the exciting Aurora-Morreesburg 132kV line (1.5ha). And a proposed main access road of 9kms will connect the facility to the R45 close to Hopefield (Fig. 3).

6 Figure 2. Top: Currently proposed layout of the Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine (green polygon) with peripheral infrastructure including the main access road (purple line), and the preferred route of the loop-in-loop-out power line option (red line) with pylon placements (red dots). Bottom: The location and footprint of all major on-site infrastructure including mining pit (red), top soil stockpile (yellow), soft stockpile (orange), location of the mining buildings (pink), processing/concentration plant (green square) and storm water dam (blue). The required scope of the avifaunal study (as understood by AVISENSE) includes: 1. Undertake field surveys of terrestrial elements associated with the avifauna (i.e. birds) with the aim to fulfil the recommendations for additional field studies made in earlier specialist studies; 2. Provide a baseline chapter that highlights species of conservation significance (i.e. endemics, rare and Red Data species) and determine which of those are present or likely to be present. These should be summarised in a comprehensive table including, but not limited to, conservation status, distribution, rarity, and habitat requirements; 3. The baseline chapter shall provide a regional contextualization of avifauna biodiversity ecosystems and how these contribute to biodiversity and ecological stability, functioning and processes across the regional landscape. This should include reference to Important Bird Areas (IBA s), Indicative Bird Corridors (IBCs) and identified critical habitats (RAMSAR sites such as the Langebaan Lagoon). 6

7 a. Comparisons should be drawn between the biodiversity found in the current study area and the other identified priority conservation areas; b. Comment on threats to sensitive species or species habitat such as specific species in the area that are or may be subject to human pressures such as trade in birds, providing examples of degree of occurrence based on available data if possible; 4. Undertake an avifauna impact assessment, including: a. Define the direct and indirect area of influence with regards to avifauna ecology. This should include reference to Important Bird Areas; Indicative Bird Corridors and with the RAMSAR convention, specialists will need to assess/survey bird populations both within the area north of the Langebaan Lagoon the area directly affected by the mining operation. b. Identify and assess the impacts on avifauna for the construction, operation and decommissioning/closure phases of the Project using the provided BEP Impact Assessment methodology; c. Comment on whether the bird species and habitats identified in the area warrant critical habitat determination based on their known distribution and population; d. Recommend suitable mitigation and monitoring measures, in accordance with the principles of the mitigation hierarchy (avoid, mitigate, rehabilitate, compensate, offset); and e. Evaluate and assess residual impacts, post mitigation. f. Develop a construction, operational and decommissioning management plan for direct and indirect impacts to avifauna and associated habitats during the operational phase; and 7

8 Methods The study included the following steps: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) The perusal of existing information on the natural vegetation, avian habitats, and birds recorded in the general area (including previous investigations pertinent to this mining application Ecolife 2014), to determine the nature of the avifauna likely to be affected by the proposed mine and its ancillary infrastructure. A site visit conducted on June , to ground-truth predicted habitats and sample the birds present, mainly by visiting as much of the inclusive area of the proposed development as possible. A second site visit on September was conducted to determine the breeding status of a number of cliff-nesting species in a nearby disused quarry, and to survey the possible breeding status of the red-listed Black Harrier Circus maurus within the property extent. The compilation of a short-list of priority bird species (defined in terms of conservation status and endemism) which could be impacted by the proposed mine. These species were subsequently considered as adequate surrogates for the local avifauna generally, and mitigation of impacts on these species was considered likely to accommodate any less sensitive or susceptible bird populations that may also potentially be affected. An assessment of the likely impacts of the various proposed components of the mine on the local avifauna, with suggested mitigation, and a comparison of the development options presented in terms of impacts and possible mitigation. The following data sources were used: (i) (ii) (iii) Bird distribution data of the Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP Harrison et al. 1997) were obtained from the Animal Demography Unit website ( for the SABAP 1 quarter-degree square covering the proposed development area (3318AA & 3317BB Saldanha & 3318AB Hopefield) and the SABAP 2 pentads (3300_1810 and 3305_1810). This information was refined by a more specific assessment of the actual habitats affected and general knowledge of birds in the region, to draw up an inclusive list of expected species (Appendix 1). The conservation status and endemism of all species considered likely to occur in the area was determined from the national Red-list for birds (Barnes 2000, but updated in Taylor In press.), the most recent iteration of the global list of threatened species ( and the most up to date and comprehensive summary of Southern African bird biology (Hockey et al. 2005). Previous studies and investigations into the possible impacts of the proposed Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine (Ecolife 2014, Helme 2013). Note that the former of the two documents were insubstantial and riddled with errors and inaccuracies, and was not useful 8

9 Limitations and assumptions The following limitations and/or assumptions affected the outcomes of this study: 1. Even though the breeding status of the Black Harrier was assessed during the study, conditions on the site could change over time and become more favourable for this species. This possibility requires that the area be surveys for breeding Black Harriers in early spring every year for the lifetime of the mine. 2. The location of the proposed development overlaps with the known distribution of Hottentot Buttonquail Turnix hottentottus, a red-listed endemic. Because of the elusive and cryptic nature of this species, very little is known about its status in the area. The generally intact and unmodified natural vegetation in the vicinity of the proposed mine suggests that it might support numbers of this species, but we were not able to obtain any greater clarity on the importance of the area for buttonquails in the scheme of this study. 3. Both SABAP 1 and 2 data were used to determine the overall species composition of the study area. However, both these datasets have significant limitations. The SABAP 1 dataset is over 20 years old, while the coverage of the more recent SABAP 2 data is very limited for the area in question (three pentads, seven atlas cards date). Description of the affected environment Habitat The proposed site falls within the Fynbos Biome and extends toward the western edge of the West Strandveld Bioregion (Mucina and Rutherford 2006). The terrain is gently undulating, with fairly well developed dune structure, and noticeably wetter areas in the dune-slacks. The area features dense and moderately tall vegetation, with a mosaic of sand Fynbos and dune and limestone Strandveld in the west (Figs. 3 & 4), and sand Fynbos in the east (Helme 2013, Mucina and Rutherford 2006), interspersed with small, scattered stands of alien woodland (comprising both Acacia saligna and Acacia cyclops), mainly concentrated on calcrete outcrops and around the dunefields in the east. Very little information is available on the exact fire history of the site, however based on findings from the botanical assessment large parts of the vegetation component is senescent and therefore requires to be burned (Helme 2013). The proposed development site borders the West Coast National Park (WCNP) and lies about 8 km east of the Langebaan Lagoon, and about 33 km SSE of the Lower Berg River estuary and mouth. Both the WCNP (SA105) and the Lower Berg River wetlands (SA104) are listed as regional Important Bird Areas (Fig. 6, Barnes 1998). The Langebaan Lagoon is also an internationally recognised RAMSAR site (24/04/88), and acts as an over-wintering and staging area for various migratory waders ( The general area, including the entire proposed development site, is classified as a terrestrial Critical Biodiversity Area (Pence 2008). 9

10 Figure 3. Fairly dense vegetation covers the majority of the eastern part of the site, the existing Eskom 132kV Ankerlig-Aurora power line can be seen in the distance. Figure 4.. Well-developed scrub-layer with alien invasive trees (Acacia saligna & Acacia cyclops) on a calcrete outcrop in the distance. 10

11 Figure 5. A disused quarry located approximately 5km west of the proposed facility provides ideal nesting habitat for a number of cliff-nesting species. Avifauna Nearly 200 bird species are considered likely to occur with some regularity in and around the impact zone of the proposed mining area (Appendix 1), including 43 endemic or nearendemic species, 16 red-listed species, and five species Ludwig s Bustard Neotis ludwigii, Southern Black Korhaan Afrotis afra, Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus, Hottentot Buttonquail and Black Harrier - which are both endemic and red-listed (Barnes 1998, 2000, Table 1, Appendix 1). At least four of these species could breed in the general vicinity, and two Black Harrier and Hottentot Buttonquail have a strong preference for relatively undisturbed Strandveld and Fynbos vegetation, and may well breed within the direct footprint of the mine. The status of these two species on the site (and the location of any favoured habitats or nesting areas) is critical to the final findings of this impact study. The Strandveld and lowland Fynbos vegetation which dominates the site supports some regionally endemic but otherwise common and widespread passerines including Southern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris chalybeus, Karoo Prinia Prinia maculosa, Cape Grassbird Sphenoeacus afer, Grey-backed Cisticola Cisticola subruficapilla, Cape Bulbul Pycnonotus capensis, Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens, and Pied Starling Lamprotornis bicolor. The proposed development area is located directly adjacent to the West Coast National Park and Saldanha Bay Islands Important Bird Area (IBA SA105, Barnes 1998,

12 west-coast-nat-l-park-saldanha-bay-island) (Fig.5), which regularly supports > wetland birds in summer (sometimes > shorebirds alone) and > birds in winter, and is listed as one of only 20 Ramsar sites in the country ( news-archives-2010-annotated-ramsar-16187/main/ramsar/ %5e16187_4000_0_). Also, the Lower Berg River Wetlands IBA (SA104) is situated only about 15 km to the north (Fig. 5), and is a feeding and/or roosting site for s of wetland and coastal birds ( lower-berg-river-wetlands). However, the development site does not have any significant seasonal or permanent water sources or exposed waterbodies (other than small, artificial drinking holes established to sustain herds of game), so it is unlikely to attract significant numbers of birds from either of these critical wetland areas. Also, while it falls more or less on a predicted fly-way for these birds between the two IBAs (Fig. 3) and between Langebaan Lagoon and the Soutrivier to the north-east, such commuting birds are unlikely to be directly and adversely affected by the proposed mining activities. The proposed development area was visited on June 10 and September Coverage of the affected area was relatively good (Fig. 6). Thirty bird species were seen during the visit. Rock Kestrel and Jackal Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite, Yellow-billed Kite and Black Harrier were the only raptor species encountered, with the expected high numbers of Pied Crow also observed. Observed endemic passerines included - Karoo Lark Calendulauda albescens, Karoo Scrub-robin Cercotrichas cyropheous, Karoo Prinia, Pied Starling, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Cape Bulbul Pycnonotus capensis, and Fiscal Flycatcher. 12

13 Figure 6. The position of the proposed Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine in relation to the two nearby Important Bird Areas (IBA s), the West Coast National Park and Saldanha Bay Islands IBA to the west and the Lower Berg River Wetlands IBA to the north. The most important sightings or findings of the field visit were: The generally pristine or natural state of the Strandveld and Fynbos vegetation on the site suggests that the area could regularly or at least sporadically support breeding pairs of Black Harrier (Curtis et al. 2004). Because our visit to the area took place well outside of the Black Harrier breeding season, the status of this species on the site could not be fully established. Given that this is a globally vulnerable and locally endangered bird, clarity on this issue is of paramount importance, and requires that we visit the site again during the harrier s breeding season. The site overlaps with the known distribution of the Hottentot Buttonquail, a nationally endangered and endemic species. The generally good condition of the vegetation indicates that the area could support a viable population of this species (Hockey et al. 2005). However, this is a small, inconspicuous and cryptic bird that is easily overlooked and very difficult to survey. Hence, it is not clear how we could confidently determine the status of this species on the site in the context of this EIA. 13

14 Figure 7. AVISENSE coverage (blue line) of the proposed mining area (during June 10 & 25 September 2014 site visit) in relation to the property extent (green polygon), and mining pit (red polygon Also depicted are previously known, newly located or suspected nest sites Martial Eagle (turquoise marker) and Jackal Buzzard (red marker), and nearby quarry that could support a number of priority species (yellow marker). The location of an active Jackal Buzzard nest on the existing Ankerlig-Aurora 132kV line (tower number 201; Fig. 7). The proximity of this nest to the mining pit suggests that it will be subject to significant levels of harmful disturbance. During the second site visit (September ) a single adult bird was observed incubating on the nest. Observations of two Southern Black Korhaans were made, one bird was observed in the national park property just west of the development area, and the second bird was heard calling well within the development footprint. This species could occur in numbers on the site, especially if the vegetation is subject to more regular burning, introducing a mosaic of different vegetation heights and densities (Hockey et al. 2005). A single Black Harrier was briefly observed hunting along a slope on the southern boundary of the development area. The bird flew out of the site towards the southeast and was not observed again. A survey of a disused quarry located 5 km west of the proposed pit (Fig. 5, 6) identified two pairs of breeding Rock Kestrels Falco rupicolus with a possible third pair, at least two pairs of breeding Barn Owls Tyto alba and a pair of Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegypptiaca breeding in an old White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis. Other predatory birds, that could play an important role in shaping the ecology of the area, likely to use the quarry in the future include; Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus Cape Eagle Owl Bubo capensis, Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus and Lanner Falcon. 14

15 The proximity of the proposed development to a previously known Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus nest site, located some 8 km to the north-west (Fig. 7). This is a globally red-listed species with huge range requirements (Hockey et al. 2005). It is conceivable, but perhaps not likely, that this pair of eagles could be impacted by the proposed mine development. On the basis of these on-site observations, and in combination with the available SABAP2 data for the general area, 8 priority species are recognised as key in the assessment of avian impacts of the proposed Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine (Table 1). These are mostly nationally and/or globally threatened species which are known or suspected to occur in relatively high numbers in the development area, and which could be negatively affected the proposed development. They are also considered to be suitable surrogates for impacts on other potentially affected species. Impact identification and assessment Each of the three phases of the greater mining project (construction, operation and decommissioning/closure) will have a suite of impacts on both resident and peripheral bird communities (Table 2). Levels of habitat modification in the proposed pit area during the operational phase of the mine will be extreme, involving total loss of functional habitat. Although some aspects of the local avifauna may persist in the surrounding areas, the species most severely affected by all three phases of the mine will be those most closely linked with and dependent on the availability of relatively pristine, natural vegetation most importantly Black Harrier, Southern Black Korhaan, Hottentot Buttonquail, and a suite of endemic passerines. The directly impacted areas of Strandveld and Fynbos cannot reasonably be considered as safe and serviceable habitat for any of these key species for the lifetime of the mine, hence the actively mined area will effectively be lost habitat. Such loss of habitat is likely to be expressed at least for the medium to long-term, and perhaps more permanently. While some level of rehabilitation of the natural vegetation may be possible after the closure of the mine, this is unlikely to restore the habitat to its original functional levels, sufficient to maintain densities or diversities of birds comparable with those supported now. Hence, at this provisional stage, the impacts of all three phases of the mine are generally considered to be of Moderate-Low significance, except for the imposed destruction of habitat and the risk of mortality for key species which could be of High significance (Tables 3-5). However, there are mitigation options available for most impact factors which should reduce the impacts of mine to sustainable levels (Table 6). 15

16 Table 1. Priority species considered likely to occur within the impact zone of the proposed mining area, with estimates of their relative susceptibility to the environmental impacts of the construction and operational phases of the development. National and global conservation status is listed as per the most recent assessment (Taylor In press, Red-listed endemic species are highlighted in grey. Common name Scientific name SA conservation status (Global status) Ludwig s Bustard Neotis ludwigii Endangered Blue Crane African Marsh Harrier Anthropoides paradiseus Circus ranivorus (Endangered) Near-threatened (Vulnerable) Endangered (Least concern) Black Harrier Circus maurus Endangered Martial Eagle Secretarybird Hottentot Buttonquail Southern Black Korhaan Polemaetus bellicosus Sagittarius serpentarius Turnix hottentottus Afra afrotis (Vulnerable) Endangered (Vulnerable) Vulnerable (Vulnerable) Endangered (Least concern) Vulnerable (Vulnerable) Regional endemism Relative importance of local population 1 Susceptibility to habitat loss Sensitivity to disturbance Near-endemic Low Low Moderate High Near-endemic Low Moderate Moderate High Risk of accidental mortality - Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Endemic High High High Moderate - Moderate Low Moderate High - Low Low Moderate High Endemic Moderate? High Moderate Moderate Endemic Moderate High Moderate Moderate 1 Relative to the national/global population

17 Table 2. Summary of avian impacts arising from the three phases of the Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine development process. Summary Construction Operation Decommissioning/Closure Project activity (i) (ii) Disturbance associated with noise, movement and artificial light generated by construction activities. Loss of avian habitat through site clearance and establishment of lay-down and assembly areas during construction activities. (iii) Possible chemical pollution associated with the construction process. (i) (ii) Disturbance associated with mining activities, including noise, movement and artificial lighting. Loss of avian habitat to the inclusive mined area, and all additional infrastructure i.e. roads, dams, processing plant, dump sites etc. (iii) Mortality in collisions with power lines or by electrocution on new power infrastructure. (iv) Unintended creation of new wetland habitats such as pollution control and tailings dams. Impact Type Direct Direct Direct (i) (ii) Disturbance associated with noise, movement and artificial light generated by construction equipment /personnel. Possible chemical pollution derived from the decommissioning process. Receptors Affected (i) (ii) All species, but especially large terrestrial species including Southern Black Korhaan, Black Harrier, Hottentot Buttonquail, a suite of endemic Strandveld/Fynbos passerines, and possibly a suite of cliff-nesting raptors. All species, but especially Southern Black Korhaan, Black Harrier, Hottentot Buttonquail, a suite of endemic Strandveld/Fynbos passerines, and possibly a suite of cliff-nesting raptors. (iii) All species, but especially smaller endemic passerines and terrestrial bird including Southern Black Korhaan and Hottentot Buttonquail. (i) (ii) All species, but especially large terrestrial species including Southern Black Korhaan, Black Harrier, Hottentot Buttonquail, a suite of endemic Strandveld/Fynbos passerines, and possibly a suite of cliff-nesting raptors. All species, but especially endemic passerines and terrestrial species including- Hottentot Buttonquail, Southern Black Korhaan and Black Harrier. (iii) Large terrestrial species i.e. Blue Crane and Ludwig s Bustard. Raptors species including Martial Eagle. (iv) All local wetland species. (i) (ii) All species, but especially large terrestrial species including Southern Black Korhaan, Black Harrier, Hottentot Buttonquail, a suite of endemic Strandveld/Fynbos passerines, and possibly a suite of cliff-nesting raptors. All species, but especially smaller endemic passerines and terrestrial bird including Southern Black Korhaan and Hottentot Buttonquail. 17

18 Table 3. Construction impacts of the proposed Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine. (a) Disturbance Nature: Construction activities would result in a direct negative impact on the avifauna, with noise and visual disturbance affecting all species, but especially Southern Black Korhaan, Black Harrier, Hottentot Buttonquail, a suite of endemic Strandveld/Fynbos passerines, and possibly a suite of cliff-nesting raptors. Extent: The extent of the impact is local (2). Duration: The duration would be temporary as the ecology of the area would be affected only until construction is complete (1). Severity: Functions and processes continue; low (2). Probability: Definitely (4). Reversibility: Reversible high. IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE (PRE-MITIGATION) MODERATE-LOW (9) Degree of Confidence: The degree of confidence is high. (b) Habitat degradation and/or destruction Nature: Construction activities (material preparation and lay-down areas, temporary personnel facilities) would result in a direct negative impact on the avifauna, with permanent loss of optimal habitat for all species, but especially Southern Black Korhaan, Black Harrier, Hottentot Buttonquail and a suite of endemic Strandveld/Fynbos passerines. Extent: The extent of the impact is limited to the site only (1). Duration: The duration would be temporary as the ecology of the area would be affected only until construction is complete (1). Severity: Functions and processes continue; low (2). Probability: Definitely (4). Reversibility: Some level of rehabilitation possible moderate. IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE (PRE-MITIGATION) MODERATE-LOW (8) Degree of Confidence: The degree of confidence is high. 18

19 Table 4. Operational impacts of the proposed Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine. (a) Disturbance & habitat degradation and destruction Nature: Ongoing mining activities would result in a direct negative impact on the avifauna, with substantial disturbance and degradation/destruction of habitat within and peripheral to the mine, affecting all species, but especially Southern Black Korhaan, Black Harrier, Hottentot Buttonquail, a suite of endemic Strandveld/Fynbos passerines, and possibly a suite of cliff-nesting raptors. Extent: The extent of the impact is local (2). Duration: The duration would be permanent as the ecology of the area would be affected well beyond the closure and decommissioning of the mine (4). Severity: Presence and functioning of key species could be significantly affected; moderate (3). Probability: Highly likely (3). Reversibility: Some level of rehabilitation possible moderate. IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE (PRE-MITIGATION) HIGH (12) Degree of Confidence: The degree of confidence is moderate-high. (b) Mortality Nature: The standing power infrastructure will result in a direct negative impact on the avifauna, with exposure of all large species, but especially Southern Black Korhaan, and possibly Blue Crane, Ludwig s Bustard, Secretarybird, Martial Eagle, Black and African Marsh Harriers, and Lanner Falcons and a variety of commuting wetland species to the risk of mortality in collision with the overhead line/s and/or electrocution on live components. Extent: The extent of the impact is local (3). Duration: The duration would be long term as the ecology of the area would be affected throughout the operational and decommissioning phase of the mine and will only cease when infrastructure is removed completely (3). Severity: Presence and functioning of key species could be altered, and may cease; moderate (3). Probability: Highly likely (3). Reversibility: Reversible High. IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE (PRE-MITIGATION) HIGH (12) Degree of Confidence: The degree of confidence is moderate-high. 19

20 Table 5. Decommissioning/closure impacts of the proposed Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine. (a) Disturbance Nature: Decommissioning/Closure activities would result in a direct negative impact on the avifauna, with noise and visual disturbance affecting all species, but especially Southern Black Korhaan, Black Harrier, Hottentot Buttonquail, a suite of endemic Strandveld/Fynbos passerines, and possibly a suite of cliff-nesting raptors. Extent: The extent of the impact is local (2). Duration: The duration would be temporary as the ecology of the area would be affected only until decommissioning/closure is complete (1). Severity: Functions and processes continue; low (2). Probability: Definitely (4). Reversibility: Reversible high. IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE (PRE-MITIGATION) MODERATE-LOW (9) Degree of Confidence: The degree of confidence is high. (b) Habitat degradation and/or destruction Nature: Decommissioning/Closure activities (material preparation and lay-down areas, temporary personnel facilities) would result in a direct negative impact on the avifauna, with permanent loss of optimal habitat for all species, but especially Southern Black Korhaan, Black Harrier, Hottentot Buttonquail and a suite of endemic Strandveld/Fynbos passerines. Extent: The extent of the impact is limited to the site only (1). Duration: The duration would be temporary as the ecology of the area would be affected only until construction is complete (1). Severity: Functions and processes continue; low (2). Probability: Definitely (4). Reversibility: Some level of rehabilitation possible moderate. IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE (PRE-MITIGATION) MODERATE-LOW (8) Degree of Confidence: The degree of confidence is high. 20

21 Mitigation, management and monitoring Mitigation of the impacts of mining will be best achieved in the following ways: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) Minimising the disturbance impacts associated with the construction of new facilities around the periphery of the existing mine. This to be done by abbreviating construction time wherever possible, scheduling construction activities around avian breeding schedules where necessary and possible (to be determined by a preconstruction walk-through of the areas targeted for development), minimising the incursion of temporary storage lay-down areas into undeveloped Fynbos/Strandveld vegetation, minimising levels of noise, air, water and light pollution stemming from the construction process, and keeping the aggregate size of the inclusive development footprint as small as possible. Reducing disturbance impacts of the operating mine, by minimising levels of associated noise, air, water and light pollution. Minimising the size of the topsoil stockpile area and the waste rock dumping site to limit the absolute footprint of activities peripheral to the mining pit. All intact natural Fynbos/Strandveld areas peripheral to the required footprint of the mine should be retained and left intact. To minimize peripheral impacts around the central mining pit, all ancillary infrastructure to be kept as close to the main mining area as possible. Ensuring that all new power infrastructure is comprehensively insulated and bird friendly in configuration (Lehman et al. 2007), with maximum air gaps between all live components, and minimum opportunity for birds to nest, roost or perch in close proximity to any live components. (vii) All new overhead power lines are marked with bird flight diverters (Jenkins et al. 2010, Barrientos et al. 2011) along their entire length. Note that current understanding of power line collision risk in birds suggests that bird flight diverters can reduce collision rates by up to 80% (on a situation- and species-specific basis), but precludes any guarantee of successfully distinguishing high-risk from medium or low-risk sections of a new line (Jenkins et al. 2010, Barrientos et al. 2011). The relatively low cost of marking the entire length of a new power line during construction (especially quite a short length of line in an area frequented by collision prone birds) more than offsets the risk of incurring collision mortalities on sections of unmarked line, and then having to retro-fit the line with markers post-construction. (viii) Selecting option B for the proposed 132kV power line, which follows the proposed road access to the site from the north, rather than option A which runs directly to the tie-in point with the existing transmission line, but requires a new and dedicated corridor through an area of natural vegetation. Option B concentrates the impacts of the power line and the new road into a single corridor, and positions the power line in an area of increased human disturbance, where it is less likely to pose a collision risk to overflying birds. 21

22 (ix) (x) (xi) The vicinity of the mine should be subject to regular (annual) surveys for nesting Black Harriers. If at any stage Black Harrier nest/s or breeding area/s are identified, the immediate area/s should be buffered sufficiently to ensure the safety and protection of the nest site or area until the breeding attempt/s is completed. All artificial waterbodies created by the mining process, including tailings dams, and the pollution control and storm water dams, should be subjected to regular chemical testing to ensure that polluting by-products do no reach levels that may be toxic to visiting waterbirds. In the event that toxic pollutants exceed these levels, steps must be taken immediately to mitigate this risk factor. Rehabilitation of disturbed or degraded Fynbos/Strandveld as soon as sources of disturbance/degradation are removed (e.g. after construction activities are complete and post-closure of the mine). In some areas at least, it should be possible to restore original levels of avian biodiversity (Little et al. 2005). Table 6. Pre- and post-mitigation significance of impacts on birds of the proposed Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine. Pre-mitigation Residual (post-mitigation) Construction Disturbance & habitat degradation and destruction MODERATE-LOW LOW Habitat loss MODERATE-LOW LOW Operation Disturbance & habitat degradation and destruction HIGH MODERATE-LOW Mortality HIGH MODERATE-LOW Decommissioning/Closure Disturbance & habitat degradation MODERATE-LOW LOW Habitat loss MODERATE-LOW LOW 22

23 Offsets Even after rehabilitation it seems unlikely that the area of the mine subjected to its core activities (strip mining and additional destruction of habitat through construction and operational activities) will ever be meaningfully restored. Hence the inclusive footprint of the mine should probably be considered as permanently lost to the natural environment, and efforts should be made to compensate for this biodiversity loss by exploring conservation off-set opportunities. An area covering 4000 ha surrounding the proposed mine is currently under investigation for conservation offset purposes. Because of the close proximity of the proposed Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine and the West Coast National Park (Fig. 7), an offsets approach presents opportunities to commit more land to effective conservation management (under SANParks), and also to create corridors between fragments of natural vegetation that are currently isolated, and might otherwise be lost to agriculture or mismanagement. The resulting increase in the extent of contiguous protected Fynbos/Strandveld vegetation could significantly benefit those species identified in this study as most dependent on the availability of tracts of intact, properly managed natural habitat, most notably Black Harrier, Southern Black Korhaan and Hottentot Buttonquail. Figure 7. The location of Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine (yellow land parcels) in relation to the West Coast National Park (green land parcels). 23

24 Furthermore, based on the findings of the botanical assessment of the property, significant biodiversity gains can be achieved through well developed and implemented alien clearing and fire management strategies (Helme 2013). Through the application of a site-specific fire management plan, the current senescent patches of vegetation will be replaced (Helme 2013). Fire, as one of the primary ecological drivers of this habitat, can increase the structural complexity of vegetation and inherently increase the potential of the habitat to support more species (Chalmandrier et al. 2013; Helme 2013). Therefore, by introducing a well-developed, all-encompassing management plan for the surrounding area that is not directly affected by the mine, one could theoretically increase the current avian diversity of the broader area and potentially offset some of the unavoidable permanent damage caused by the proposed mining activities. Environmental management and additional monitoring requirements The various avifaunal inputs to the Environmental Management Plan (Table 7) are largely derived from the mitigation scheme outlined above. Even though no active Black Harrier breeding pairs were observed on site, the quality of the habitat and the stochastic breeding behaviour of this species mean that this red-listed species may very well have bred, and could breed again, in and around the proposed mining area. This globally threatened species is known to nest in similar habitats along the West Coast, as well as in the nearby WCNP (Barnes 1998, Curtis et al. 2004). It is therefore important that monitoring to determine the breeding status of this species should be conducted annually, preferably during spring of every year throughout the lifetime of the mine. 24

25 Table 7. Avifaunal Environmental management plan for the Construction, Operational and Decommissioning Phases of the Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine Mitigation: Action/control Responsibility Timeframe Construction Appoint appropriate specialist to conduct a survey to determine the breeding status of Black Harrier on the proposed development site and surrounding area. Appoint environmental control officer to ensure sound construction practises and enforce strict regulations to minimise the impacts on natural vegetation and therefore resident and peripheral avifauna. Appoint environmental control officer to ensure that impacts to natural vegetation are kept to a minimum. Ensure that all power infrastructure has a bird friendly design, and that all associated construction activities have minimum impact on natural vegetation Client Before September 2014 Client As soon as the project is authorised / Well before construction commences Client As soon as the project is authorised / Well before construction commences Client / Contractor As soon as the project is authorised / Well before construction commences Operation Appoint environmental control officer to ensure sound operational practises and enforce strict regulations to minimise the impacts on natural vegetation and therefore resident and peripheral avifauna. Appoint competent authority to conduct annual surveys for Black Harrier breeding activity in the greater mining area Client As soon as the project is authorised / Well before operational activities commences Client As soon as the project is authorised / Well before operational activities commences Ensure regular chemical testing of all artificial waterbodies on the mine property. Client As soon as construction of such facilities are completed/practical Decommissioning/Closure Appoint environmental control officer to ensure sound construction practises and enforce strict regulations to minimising the impacts on natural vegetation and therefore resident and peripheral avifauna. Appoint environmental control officer to ensure that impacts to natural vegetation are kept to a minimum. Client Client Well before decommissioning commences Well before decommissioning commences 25

26 References Barnes, K.N Important Bird Areas in Lesotho. In: Barnes, K.N. (ed.); The Important Bird Areas of southern Africa. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. Pp Barnes, K.N. (ed.) The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. Barrientos, R., Alonso, J.C., Ponce, C. & Palacín, C Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of marked wire in reducing avian collisions with power lines. Conservation Biology 25: Curtis, O., Simmons, R.E. & Jenkins, A.R Black Harrier Circus maurus of the Fynbos biome, South Africa: a threatened specialist or an adaptable survivor? Bird Conservation International 14: Chalmandrier, L., Midgley, G.F., Barnard, P & Sirami, C Effects of time since fire on birds in a plant diversity hotspot. Acta Oecologica 49: Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans, M., Tree, A.J., Parker, V & Brown, C.J. (eds) The atlas of southern African birds. Vol. 1&2. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. Helme, N. (unpl) Botanical Scoping Assessment of site for proposed Elandafontein phosphate mine, Elandsfontein Portions 2 & 4, Hpoefield, Western Cape. Nick Helme Botanical Surveys Hockey, P.A.R., Dean, W.R.J., Ryan, P.G. (Eds) Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, VIIth ed. The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town. Jenkins, A.R., Smallie, J.J. & Diamond, M Avian collisions with power lines: a global review of causes and mitigation with a South African perspective. Bird Conservation International. Published online 19 March Lehman, R.N., Kennedy, P.L. & Savidge, J.A The state of the art in raptor electrocution research: a global review. Biological Conservation 136: Little, I.T., Little, R.M., Jansen, R. & Crowe, T.M Winter bird assemblages, species richness and relative abundance at a re-vegetated coal mine in the Middelburg district, Mpumalanga province, South Africa. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 35: Malan, G Raptor survey and monitoring a field guide for African birds of prey. Briza, Pretoria. Mucina. L. & Rutherford, M.C. (Eds) The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Pence, G.Q.K C.A.P.E. fine-scale systematic conservation planning assessment. Unpublished report for CapeNature. Taylor, M.R. (Ed.) In press. The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. Van Hoven, W Terrestrial Fauna of the Proposed Phosphate Prospecting Site on Portion 2 & 4 of the Farm Elandsfontein 349, Saldanha-Vredenburg District. Ecololife Environmental. 26

27 Appendix 1. Annotated list of the bird species considered likely to occur within the impact zone of the Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine and its associated ancillary infrastructure. Species in Bold were seen during the June site visit. Species Scientific name Conservation status Endemism Habitat type Strandveld / Fynbos Alien trees Wetlands Fly-over Grey-winged Francolin Francolinus africanus - Endemic X Cape Spurfowl Pternistis capensis - Endemic X Common Quail Coturnix coturnix - - X Hottentot Buttonquail Turnix hottentottus Endangered Endemic x Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris - - X Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca - - X X South African Shelduck Tadorna cana - Endemic X X Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis - - X X Cape Teal Anas capensis - - X X Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata - - X X Cape Shoveler Anas smithii - - X X Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha - - X X Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator - - X Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas - Near-endemic X African Hoopoe Upupa africana - - X Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis - - X European Bee-eater Merops apiaster - - X White-backed Mousebird Colius colius - Endemic X Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus - - X Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus - - X Klaas s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas - - X Diderick Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius - - X Burchell s Coucal Centropus burchelli - - X 27

28 Species Scientific name Conservation status Endemism Habitat type Strandveld / Fynbos Alien trees Wetlands Fly-over Alpine Swift Tachymarptus melba - - X Common Swift Apus apus - - X African Black Swift Apus barbatus - - X Little Swift Apus affinis - - X Horus Swift Apus horus - - X White-rumped Swift Apus caffer - - X Barn Owl Tyto alba - - X X Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus - - X X Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis - - X X Rock Dove Columba livia - - X Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea - - X X Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis - - X X Cape Turtle-Dove Streptopelia capicola - - X X Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata - - X X Namaqua Dove Oena capensis - - X Ludwig s Bustard Neotis ludwigii Vulnerable Near-endemic X X Southern Black Korhaan Afrotis afra - Endemic X Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa X Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus Vulnerable Endemic X X X Black Crake Amourornis flavirostris - - X African Purple Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis - - X Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus - - X Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata - - X Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua - - X X African Snipe Gallinago nigripennis - - X Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - - X 28

29 Species Scientific name Conservation status Endemism Habitat type Strandveld / Fynbos Alien trees Wetlands Fly-over Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata - - X Common Whimbrel Numenius phaeops - - X Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilus - - X Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia - - X Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos - - X Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres - - X Red Knot Calidris canutus - - X Sanderling Calidris alba - - X Little Stint Calidris minuta - - X X Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea - - X X Ruff Philomachus pugnax - - X X Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus X Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis - - X Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus - - X X Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta - - X X Grey Plover Pluvialis squaterola - - X Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula - - X X Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius - - X Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris - - X Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus Near-threatened - X White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus - - X Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus - - X Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus - - X Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus - - X X Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus - - X X Hartlaub s Gull Larus hartlaubii - Endemic X 29