HES4810 PORTFOLIO (DETAILED ANSWERS) Semester 2 2024 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED

HES4810 PORTFOLIO (DETAILED ANSWERS) Semester 2 2024 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED Answers, guidelines, workings and references ,... QUESTION 1 (Mining EMPR ) [40] The establishment of an open-cast coal mine may have detrimental effects on the receiving environment. Use ONLY the information presented in the Lessons regarding environmental aspects on which mining activities may have an impact, as well as the three documents listed below to explain how the proposed mining activities influence each of these 12 aspects and suggest mitigation measures on how they can be mitigated to acceptable standards. Use the following headings to present your answer in a narrative format for each aspect: Name of aspect Impact/s of mining x2 Mitigation measures x2 Where you use information from the Lessons and the three sources listed, you must read and present the relevant information in your own words and reference the source. Thus, as always, no plagiarism is allowed. As this is your exam, be extra vigilant not to plagiarise, as it will result in failing this module. Besides the Lessons, use the following documents (also see Additional Resources) 1 The PROPOSED EXTENSION OF MINING OPERATIONS (PROJECT FAIRWAY) AT EVEREST PLATINUM MINE via link: IA%20and%20EMP%20R 2 SOUTH DEEP MINE EMPR via link: 116-environmental-management-programme Note that the EMPR can also be downloaded from the Assessment 04 portal, where you downloaded the question paper. 3 Fairbreeze-Environmental-Audit-Report_-August-2020 – The file is also uploaded on the Assessment 04 portal, where you downloaded the question paper for your convenience. 96583d47398e158e7c71834eff&aqs=edge..69i57j0.36881j0j4&FORM=ANAB01&PC=U531 This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :02:25 GMT -06:00 QUESTION 2: [20] Using a practical example of your choice, differentiate between Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Monitoring briefly discuss the importance of conducting an EIA for a project and monitoring the implementation of an EMPr during all the project phases (i.e., planning, construction and operation). Your answer must be at most three (3) paragraphs. Students who write more than three (3) paragraphs will be penalised by subtracting three (3) marks from the total marks acquired in this assessment. (20) QUESTION 3 [10] Use the IEM Series document of the Department of Water Affairs: Environmental ‘Best Practice Specifications: Construction’ (found under ‘Additional Resources) and the readings below to argue mechanical versus chemical vegetation clearance methods by pointing out each method's positive and negative impacts. PASTE the links below into your preferred internet browser to gain access to documents. Note that the file is also uploaded on the Assessment 04 portal, where you downloaded the question paper for your convenience. (10) QUESTION 4 [10] 2.1 Use only the information from HES4810 Lessons to answer this question. Use your snipping tool/print screen to copy and paste how mitigation can be organized in a hierarchy of actions to reduce impacts as suggested by UNEP. (1) 2.2 Considering this hierarchy of actions to mitigate impacts, provide one real-life practical example for each of the three mitigation actions. Describe what the proposal was and how it was/could be changed to reduce environmental impacts. (3x3=9) (10) QUESTION 5 [10] South Africa signed a new bill on climate change in July 2024 to reduce the impact of climate change. During COP debates, it is re-treated that Africa is bearing impacts from the West (i.e., developed countries) as the impact of climate change is interconnected. Africa is experiencing This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :02:25 GMT -06:00 frequent extreme climatic events such as snow, floods, and drought. As evidenced, Africa does not have enough capacity to deal with the aftermath impacts of these events. As an aspiring Environmental Impact Assessor, explain the role that African tertiary institutions and researchers can play in developing evidence-based mitigation and adaptation measures that can assist African communities to cope and adapt better to the impacts of climate change. (10) QUESTION 6 [20] Consult the noise assessment for the Kriel Mine (see ‘Kriel mine ESKOM Noise Assessment 2017’ in Additional resources) and answer the questions below. Where you use the internet or other resources, you must reference it according to the Harvard method. 6.1. What is a noise assessment? (1) 6.2. Elaborate on why conducting a noise assessment for this development was necessary. (2) 6.3. Describe what methodology was followed for this assessment. (5) 6.4. Provide the impact and mitigation for each Pre-construction, Construction and Operational phase. (12) QUESTION 7 (report on a WMP running one (1) month) [30] In assignment 2, you identified a business of your choice to run a Waste Management Plan. Now, you must report on this plan. Use the waste management plan for small operations presented in the Lessons to adapt it practically to a project for a business of your choice. Compile a waste management plan for implementation for at least one month at a business near you. Write a report of not more than 1,5 pages to give feedback to clearly explain the entire project: how you approached and convinced the business to allow you to work out a waste minimisation plan for them, what the plan is, what implementation problems were experienced and what the benefits were to the business. Add a letter signed by the manager/owner (presented in ass 2), as well as photographic evidence of your progress. The letter and photos can be added to the 1.5- page report (i.e., one and a half pages, including everything). Marks will be subtracted from reports that are longer than 1.5 pages. Letters and photos may be uploaded as appendixes, and students must indicate as such in their answer sheets if this approach is adopted. This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :02:25 GMT -06:00 QUESTION 8 [10] For each of the following statements, indicate if it is ‘true’ or ‘false’. If it is false, motivate by providing the corrected statement. 8.1 In a scenario where bad road building leads to erosion, road building is the aspect, and erosion is the cause. 5.2 A construction site on virgin land should be demarcated with solid boundary walls, and vegetation clearance should be done working from the boundary wall to the middle of the site to facilitate the collection of stripped vegetation. 8.3 Persons who want to remove firewood and plants with medicinal value from a site meant for a new development should apply for a permit. 8.4 During construction, stockpiled topsoil is to be turned regularly to keep it aerated. 8.5 Large trees should be used for shaded parking on a construction site. 8.6 Large trees that need to be conserved should be marked with a bright colour paint to enhance visibility. 8.7 A French drain system is the preferred sewerage system with a high-water table in sandy soils. 8.8 Plants in an on-site nursery should be replanted every four (4) months. 8.9 To safeguard a construction site, lights around the perimeter should brightly illuminate the entire area to detect perpetrators in a timely manner. 8.10 The paved vehicle parking area on a construction site should be regularly cleaned with detergents to remove oil from leaking vehicles.