Specialist assessments are carried out as supporting studies for the authorisations/approvals/licences undertaken by the environmental team, as well as for other consultants within the environmental management field.

Specific services include:

• Soil Assessment
  › Delineation of the soil forms and families (RSA classification)
  › Mapping of the soil units
  › Interpreting the effective depth of the soil
  › Stripping plan (if required)

• Land Capability Assessments
  › Classification of the land capability using either the Chamber of Mines (2007) or the Department of
  Agriculture systems
  › Pre-mining land capability surveys
  › Recommendations towards post-mining land uses

• Visual Assessment
  › Generation of a 3D viewshed of the proposed study area
  › Modelling of the potential visual impact of a proposed development using ArcGIS software
  › Description and assessment of the static and dynamic observer points
• Wetland Delineation
  › Delineations done according to the DWA guideline (2005)
  › Identification of the permanent, seasonal and temporary zones
  › Classification according to the National Classification System for Wetlands of South Africa
  (SANBI, 2009)
  › Mapping of the wetland units
• Aquatic Assessments
  › Assessing aquatic macroinvertebrates and their habitat using the South African Scoring System Version 5 (SASS5) and the Integrated Habitat Assessment System (IHAS)
  › Eco-classification using the Macro Invertebrates Response Assessment Index (MIRAI), Fish Response Assessment Index (FRAI), and Riparian Vegetation Response Assessment Index (VEGRAI)
  › Water quality monitoring and toxicological analyses, including Direct Estimation of Ecological Effect Potential (DEEEP) testing
• Surface Water Assessments
• Water and Salt Balances
• Groundwater
• Geotechnical investigations
• Waste Assessments
• Financial Provision Reporting

Additional specialist studies such as: Archaeological and Paleontological Assessments, Air Quality, Noise Assessments, Socio-Economic Assessments and Traffic Assessments are outsourced to specialists with whom J&W has established professional relationships over the years