Archaeology and Heritage
Our consultants render professional services in heritage and archaeological
resource management and general project management to comply with the
requirements of the National Environmental Management Act, (Act 107 of
1998). The heritage impact assessment component is endorsed by section 38 of
the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA - Act No. 25 of 1999). In addition,
the NHRA also protects all structures and features older than 60 years (section
34), archaeological sites and material (section 35) and graves and burial sites
(section 36).
Archaeological services include the following:
- General project management
- Professional research related to archaeological, historical, socio-cultural and heritage resources
- Archaeological and Heritage Impact
- Assessments
- Cultural Resource Management (CRM)
- Liaison between specialists and regulatory authorities
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Agriculture
We are able to render consulting and technical services to existing and up
and coming farmers by providing them with the following services:
- Commercialization of new and alternate crops
- Conventional and organic crop production
(field, vegetable, forage and industrial) and
production systems
- Livestock production – poultry & ruminants
- Agro-forestry, soil classification and fertility
management
- Water resource utilization and quality
assessment
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Integrated Land Use Planning
Integrated Land Use Planning is usually required by Local and District
Municipalities to assist them in their spatial development strategies. Land Use
Planning is the systematic assessment of physical, social and economic factors of a
specific region. This a difficult challenge and implies a clear understanding of the
interactions within a complex biological and economic system combined with the
successful negotiation of lasting compromises between a wide variety of
stakeholders with diverse interests.
Our work include the following:
- An environmental status quo assessment
- Ecological sensitivity assessment
- Social Consultation
- Generic Rehabilitation Plan
- Heritage Risk Assessment
- Agricultural Potential Assessment
- Initial Geotechnical Assessment
Recommendations on the implementation of mitigation measures and monitoring programs, using
appropriate environmental principles and parameters as part of the planning procedures.
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Engineering Geology
It is the concern of engineering
geologists to assess
the risk of geological hazards by
technically analyzing earth material.
Their role is to
ensure that geological factors
are identified and provided for
to prevent possible engineering
and/or environmental problems.
Using scientific methods
they assess the soil, rock and
groundwater conditions
prior to construction projects.
They also advise on procedures
required for such
developments and the suitability
of appropriate construction
materials.
Investigations generally include geotechnical projects such as water and transport
infrastructure, commercial and tourism related development, buildings, pavement
investigations and design, slope stabilization works and residential developments.
Engineering geologists are also involved with other environmentally sensitive
developments that need specialized investigations, such as recommendations
regarding the development of service stations and buried fuel tanks, identification of
new cemetery sites, landfill sites and also sewage treatment works.
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Ecology Assessment
HES understands the fragile relationships between the air, water, land and living organisms with
which we share the environment. HES promotes the sustainable utilization of our natural
resources, thereby securing a healthy environment for our children’s children. HES also
conforms to the Constitution of South Africa and promotes the right to an environment which
is not harmful to the health and well-being of all South Africans. HES believes that biodiversity
is the DNA of our environment and therefore strives to conserve it with responsibility, integrity
and transparency. Our environment is the woven fabric that all South Africans are part of, the
common soil under our feet. HES carefully facilitates the fine balance between social and
economical development v/s conservation through sustainability. This is done by taking hands
with all parties involved, and in the process imparting in a healthier environment as a whole.
Our services include the following:
- Baseline Fauna and Flora surveys
- Compilation of ecological assessment reports
- Ecological Sensitivity Maps
- Integrated Environmental Management Plans
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Environmental Impact Assessment
HES has a competent team of environmental assessment practitioners
able to address the following components of the environmental
assessment process:
- Basic Impact Assessment Reports (BAR)
- Full Environmental Impact Assessment
- Reports (EIAR)
- Environmental assessment exemption reports
- Rectification applications (S24G)
- Integrated Environmental Management Plans (EMP)
- Comments and response reports
- Environmental Monitoring Plans and Programs
- Complete GIS Services
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Compliance Monitoring & Environmental Auditing
HES has competent Environmental Control Officers (ECO) who are experienced in
compliance monitoring and environmental audits.
The aim of monitoring and audit reports is to ensure the effective implementation
of environmental management programmes by the applicable contractor,
developer and management during the different phases of development (i.e. preconstruction,
construction, operation and decommissioning).
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GIS Services
Geographical Information Service (GIS) technology has become an essential tool for any planning
or decision making that involves geographical data e.g. spatial distribution maps, locality maps,
layout maps, geology maps etc. We take special care to ensure that every map we produce is
attractive, readable, and clearly conveys the desired information.
Our services include the following:
- GIS data capture & Digitising
- Geo-referencing
- Processing and analysis of data
- Compiling Integrated Land Use Plans
The following mapping services can
be provided:
- Locality Maps & Layout Plans
- Agricultural and Land Use Maps
- Geological and Natural Resource Mapping
- Farm Boundary Maps & Custom Maps
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Occupational Health and Safety
HES are committed to ensure that our clients gain legal compliance, minimise
stakeholder exposure due to workplace hazards, achieve occupational health,
safety and environmental targets and goals, protect company reputation, minimise
financial losses caused by incidents, protect shareholders’ interest and satisfy
customer requirements.
Our services include the following:
- Assessing compliance to health, safety and
environmental legislation
- Monitoring of implementation
- Construction Health and Safety Agent
- Construction Health and Safety Plans
- Health and safety hazard identification
- Construction Health and Safety Plans
- Assessing health, safety and environmental
management systems in terms of risk, ISO
14001 and OHSAS 18001
- Developing health, safety and environmental
management systems in terms of risk, ISO
14001 and OHSAS 18001
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Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation of environments affected by human activities (e.g. mining) as
well as natural occurrences (e.g. floods) is growing concern. The effective
planning, implementation and monitoring of rehabilitation are becoming more
and more complex, as higher standards are demanded, which require increasingly
sophisticated means to accomplish acceptable results. HES specialise in the
management of natural areas and the rehabilitation of degraded environments.
Our work include the following:
- Rehabilitation Management Plans
- Environmental Remediation Plans
- Weed Management Strategies
- Generic Rehabilitation Plan
- Bush Regeneration
- Weed Control Wetland and Stream
- Rehabilitation
- Threatened Species Rehabilitation
- Estuary Rehabilitation
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Water Use License Application
The Water Use Authorisation (Water Use Licensing) process is a requirement of the National
Water Act, 1998, (Act 36 of 1998). The National Water Act, 1998 (NWA) identifies 11
consumptive and non-consumptive water uses, which must be authorised under a tiered
authorisation system, which include Scheduled uses, General Authorisations, or Licences. It
allows for the “Reserve” and provides for public consultation processes in the establishment of
strategies and making decisions, and guarantees the right to appeal against such decisions.
HES has a competent team of environmental assessment practitioners
able to address the following components of the water use license
process:
- Liaison with stakeholders, specialist and
regulatory authorities
- Full Public participation process
- Environmental assessment exemption reports
- Assessment of environmental impacts
- Integrated Environmental Management Plans (EMP)
- Environmental Monitoring Plans and Programs
- Complete GIS Services
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Waste License Application
In the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act No. 59 of 2008)
("NEM: WA"), there are a variety of activities which require a waste license
application to be submitted and authorised by the relevant authority before any
development may take place.
Waste management is a division within HES that specializes in the compiling Waste
Management Plans and Waste License Applications that focus on the reduction,
recycling, removal and reporting of waste generated during the different
development phases. HES actively endorses its’ aim to promote best practice in all
aspects of the waste management policy of South Africa.
HES chooses to shoulder it’s responsibility in ensuring that its operations do not
harm to the precious natural heritage entrusted to us for future generations.
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Mining Right Application
Mining and natural resource extraction and utilisation has for decades provided
the backbone to the South African economy. The environmental legislation in
South Africa specifically requires that a mining right or mining permit is obtained
prior to commencement with mining activities.
HES has experience in carrying out the required processes to prepare and submit
applications for mining and prospecting rights across southern Africa.
Our work include the following:
- Environmental Management Plan
- EIA with associated specialist inputs as
required
- Rehabilitation Programmes
- Social Consultation
- Complete GIS Services
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Wildlife and Habitat Management Plans
Wildlife and Habitat Management Plans are very important tools in the sound
environmental management of game farms, provided that the specifications are
implemented and the user understands the contents of the report, and the
reasons for the implementation of certain specifications.
The purpose of a management plan is to provide the following:
- Identify potential environmental impacts
caused by the specific activitiess
- Minimise the extent of environmental
impacts and to manage environmental
impacts and where possible, to improve the
condition of the environment
- Prevent long-term or permanent
environmental degradation
- Ensuring that our clients complies with all
applicable laws, regulations, standards and
guidelines for the protection of the
environment
- Provide guidance regarding method
statements which are required to be
implemented to achieve environmental
specifications
- Define the corrective actions which must be
taken in the event of non-compliance with
the specifications of the management plan
- Describe all monitoring procedures required
to identify impacts on the environment
- Train employees and contractors with regard
to environmental obligations
We also provide assistance in the following:
Sourcing of animals;
Application of permits (import and export permits, TOPS and dangerous game applications);
Supervise capture, transport and release
Infrastructure development (game fencing and holding areas)
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