Paraphrase the following paragraphs and ensure they sound like it was written by the Environmental Assessment Practitioner. Ensure that plagiarism is minimized. The applicant plans to establish an area of 1m X 1m area per drilling site no extensive tren

The applicant intends to allocate a 1m x 1m area at each drilling location, minimizing the need for extensive trenching. During the invasive phase of the prospecting operations, only essential equipment will be utilized, including a percussion drill rig, two vehicles, and a small excavator or tractor-loader-backhoe for any necessary trenching. No additional infrastructure is required, and a campsite will not be established on the designated properties as the drilling team will reside at the nearest available accommodations. **1.3 Water Usage** The drilling process will necessitate approximately 1,000 liters of water daily, which will be procured from a commercial water source. Employees will transport potable water to the site each day. **1.4 Electricity** Electricity is not a requirement for the prospecting activities. **1.5 Waste Management** Given the project's minimal scale and the absence of established infrastructure within the designated footprint, the prospecting activities are expected to generate very little to no general waste. Any waste produced during the invasive phase will be contained within the site vehicles and removed daily. Hazardous waste may arise from accidental spills or equipment failures. In such cases, contamination will be addressed immediately, with contaminated soil placed in designated hazardous waste containers for daily removal to a proper disposal facility. Any major leaks or spills involving hydrocarbons or hazardous solvents affecting soil or water resources must be promptly reported to the appropriate authorities, including the Directorate: Pollution and Chemicals Management. Immediate containment, clean-up, and remediation actions are required for incidents as per NEMA section 30, with timely submission of necessary documentation. The applicant is reminded of its "general duty of care towards the environment," as outlined in section 28 of the NEMA (1998). It states that anyone who may cause significant pollution or environmental degradation must take reasonable steps to prevent it from occurring, persisting, or recurring—or to mitigate and remediate such impacts where prevention is not feasible. **1.6 Servicing and Maintenance** No workshop or service area will be established within the prospecting right's boundaries. Any required maintenance of the drill rig will occur on-site, following approved impact management protocols (e.g., hydrocarbon spill management). The prospecting site will consist of the following equipment: - Surveying tools - Chemical toilet - Drilling machinery - Geophysical logging tools - Field vehicles - Sample analysis equipment - Other pertinent field supplies **DESCRIPTION OF PRE-/FEASIBILITY STUDIES:** (Activities in this section encompass, but are not limited to, initial geological modeling, resource assessment, and potential funding strategies.) **Scoping Study** Following the completion and evaluation of Phase 2 and 3's initial stages, should a potentially economically recoverable mineral resource be identified, a Scoping Study will be conducted according to standard industry practices. This study will encompass preliminary mine and plant designs along with provisional environmental and social impact assessments, and a financial model to evaluate the project's viability. This work will typically be carried out by a Qualified Professional and conducted off-site. If the Scoping Study is favorable, a decision will be made to progress to the Feasibility Study phase. **Feasibility Study** A comprehensive multi-disciplinary pre-feasibility study will be conducted based on the geological model and mineral resource classification established earlier. The outcome of this pre-feasibility study will provide a detailed mine and plant design, alongside a preliminary Environmental Management Programme (EMPR) for the operations. If the findings are positive, the more elaborate feasibility study will commence. The feasibility study is intended to enhance the accuracy of the pre-feasibility results, potentially involving in-depth mine design, bulk sampling, trial mining, application for water use licenses, EMPR, and mining licenses, along with provisional orders for construction resources. The results will form a comprehensive blueprint for project construction, permitting, and financial procurement. **DECOMMISSIONING PHASE** The decommissioning phase will involve removing the drill rig and any extraneous materials from the site. The contractor will progressively seal the drill holes and restore any disturbed surfaces by using materials from around the boreholes. At the conclusion of the prospecting right, the area will be restored to its natural condition. Given the nature of these activities, there will be no need to dismantle any buildings or permanent structures, and access roads will remain available for the landowner's use. Decommissioning activities will consist of: - Removal of all prospecting equipment from the site - Extraction of the chemical toilet - Capping boreholes with sand from the surrounding area - Re-landscaping and replacing topsoil (if removed) - Management of invasive plant species The PR Holder will adhere to the minimum closure objectives set forth by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), as detailed below: **Final Rehabilitation:** Final rehabilitation will include landscaping, leveling, and management of invasive plant species (if present). All equipment and materials used during prospecting will be cleared from the site, as specified in section 44 of the MPRDA (2002). All waste must be removed from the prospecting area and disposed of according to the company's waste management policies, and it is prohibited to bury or incinerate waste on-site. There will be an immediate effort to replace topsoil in areas impacted by development. Management of invasive vegetation will occur periodically throughout the project duration. Species categorized as 1a and 1b invasive under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 must be eradicated from the site. Monitoring of invasive plant regrowth will be the responsibility of the Applicant during the decommissioning phase. Rehabilitation must be completed within a timeframe set by the Regional Manager, with all rehabilitation areas designated as no-go zones marked by danger tape and fencing to prevent unauthorized access. Regular inspections of rehabilitation structures will be conducted to check for debris accumulation, blockages, instabilities, and erosion, followed by necessary remedial actions. Once the prospecting site has been rehabilitated, the PR Holder is required to submit a closure application to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in accordance with section 43(4) of the MPRDA (2002). This states, “An application for a closure certificate must be made to the Regional Manager within 180 days of the lapsing, abandonment, cancellation, cessation, relinquishment, or completion indicated in subsection (3) and must include the prescribed environmental risk report.” The Closure Application will comply with Regulation 62 of the MPRDA (2002) and Government Notice 940 under NEMA (1998, as amended). Attached as Appendix C is a map outlining the site activities for the proposed project. Update (2025-07-09): The activities involved in prospecting and exploration are generally well understood within the industry, characterized by straightforward processes and minimal technical complexities. This longstanding practice is employed to assess the mineral potential of a designated area. A suitable site has been selected based on the geological characteristics of the region and the anticipated mineral reserves. This selection process utilizes geological mapping alongside reliable data sources. An additional consideration is the identification of areas that are free from any existing mining rights, prospecting rights, or permits. The site benefits from established access roads and ample space for the setup of a site office, facilitating efficient operations. Over the years, advancements in prospecting technology have led to its effective application in the field. The drilling equipment has been specifically designed for the tasks at hand, with drill rigs tailored for core sampling. Furthermore, the resource modeling software in use has reached a high level of sophistication, allowing for the accurate construction of resource and reserve statements. The designation of specific drilling locations will be guided by desktop analyses and real-time site assessments, which will include consultations with local surface rights holders. Update (2025-07-09): The minerals targeted for exploration consist of gold and diamonds. Upon the approval of the Prospecting Right, Company A will have the opportunity to assess whether there are economically valuable mineral resources present in the specified location. If the exploration yields positive results and a resource is identified, this could establish a foundation for a feasible mining operation. Such an operation has the potential to significantly enhance the socio-economic landscape by generating increased income, job opportunities, and additional advantages that would ripple through local, regional, and national communities. Update (2025-07-09): The minerals targeted for exploration encompass gold and diamonds. Upon the approval of the Prospecting Right, Company A will have the opportunity to assess the presence of economically recoverable mineral resources within the designated area. If the prospecting efforts yield positive results, indicating that a resource has been successfully identified and quantified, this could signify the potential for a sustainable mining venture. Such an endeavor is anticipated to significantly enhance the socio-economic conditions, leading to increased income and job opportunities, along with additional benefits that would ripple through local, regional, and national economies. Update (2025-07-09): Additional important aspects pertaining to the public involvement process for this project include the following: - The public participation process is in full accordance with the established regulatory requirements. - The details of the public participation process are outlined in the subsequent sections, which enumerate the specific steps and actions that have been implemented.