Ringroad Investments (Pty) Ltd (the proponent) intends to carry out mineral prospecting and exploration on Exclusive Prospecting Licence (EPL) 8744 and has been provisionally awarded mineral rights to explore for base and rare metals, dimension stones, industrial minerals, nuclear fuels, non-nuclear fuels and precious metals. The proposed exploration activities will run for three years subject to a two-year renewal if the prospects are favorable. The exploration process will involve geophysical surveys, stream sediment sampling, soil sampling, laboratory analysis, trenching, RC and diamond drilling. An environmental Assessment is needed to assess the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts as well as to achieve better developmental interventions through protecting human, physical, and biotic environments. The proposed mineral exploration activities fall under the activities that are listed in the Environmental Management Act, 2007 (Act No. 7 of 2007) and EIA regulations (2012), as activities that cannot be undertaken without an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC).