Blast Management & Consulting (BM&C) was contracted as part of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to perform an initial review of possible impacts with regards to blasting operations in the proposed opencast and underground mining operation. Ground vibration, air blast, fly rock and fumes are some of the aspects as a result from blasting operations. The report concentrates on ground vibration, air blast and fly rock and intend to provide information, calculations, predictions, possible influences and mitigations of blasting operations for this project. The evaluation of effects yielded by blasting operations was evaluated over an area as wide as 3500 m from the mining area considered. The range of structures observed is typical roads (tar and gravel), low cost houses, corrugated iron structures, brick and mortar houses, boreholes and heritage sites. The location of structures around the Pit areas is such that the charge evaluated showed possible influences due to ground vibration. The closest structures observed are the Historical Farm Building, Informal Housing, Railway Line, D513 Road, Buildings, Tower. Ground vibrations predicted for the pit area ranged between low and very high. The expected levels of ground vibration for some of these structures are high and will require specific mitigations in the way of adjusting charge mass per delay to reduce the levels of ground vibration. Ground vibration at structures and installations other than the identified problematic structures is well below any specific concern for inducing damage. The nearest public houses are located 48 m from the pit boundary. Ground vibration level predicted at this building where people may be present is 1287.3 mm/s for the maximum charge. In view of this specific mitigations will be required. Air blast predicted showed the same concerns for opencast blasting. High levels may contribute to effects such as rattling of roofs or door or windows with limited points that are expected to be damaging and others could lead to complaints. The current accepted limit on air blast is 134 dBL. Damages are only expected to occur at levels greater than 134dB. It is maintained that if stemming control is not exercised this effect could be greater with greater range of complaints or damage. The pits are located such that “free blasting” – meaning no controls on blast preparation – will not be possible. The expected levels of air blast at the nearest houses, informal settlements and structures where people may congregate between 123.0 dB and 155.4 dB. On charges considered it is expected that air blast will be greater than 134 dB at a distance of 580 m and closer to pit boundary. The structures inside the Pit area are expected to be relocated and will then not be of concern as it is currently inside the pit area. Infrastructure at the pit area such as roads, heritage sites, power lines/pylons and Railway Line are present, but air blast does not have any influence on these installations. Fly rock remains a concern for blasting operations. Based on the drilling and blasting parameters values for a possible fly rock range with a safety factor of 2 was calculated to be 447 m. The absolute minimum unsafe zone is then the 447 m. This calculation is a guideline and any distance cleared should not be less. The occurrence of fly rock can however never be 100% excluded. Best practices should be implemented at all times. The occurrence of fly rock can be mitigated but the possibility of the occurrence thereof can never be eliminated. Specific actions will be required for the pit areas such as Mine Health and Safety Act requirements when blasting is done within 500 m from structures and mining with 100 m for structures. The Road, Railway Line, Mining Infrastructure, Graves and Boreholes falls within the 500 m range from the pit area. Specific attention will also be required for structures and installations within the pit boundary and those located very close to the pit area – less than 500 m from the pit. The pit areas are located such that specific concerns were identified and addressed in the report. This concludes this investigation for the proposed Boekenhoutfontein Project. There is no reason to believe that this operation cannot continue if attention is given to the recommendations made.