Construction World April 2017

Another initiative aimed specifically at reducing water consumption was the construction of a specialised wash bay solution at the on-site batch plant.

to the quarry site where it was crushed and blended with aggregate for reuse in the turbine bases,” Van Rooy says. Dust suppression is critical on any gravel road and especially more so in an extremely arid region where excessive dust can pose a safety hazard. Dust suppression “The rate of traffic on the Granaatsboskolk Road more than quadrupled with the con- struction of the wind farms and there was a need to implement a system that would allow control of the dust but would not be a water intensive system,” Van Rooy explains. The introduction of the E-Cat dust suppression system on this main access road resulted in a significant reduction of water consumption. It is an added benefit that this particular dust suppression system is environmentally friendly. A bioremediation facility Other environmental initiatives on site included a specially constructed bioremediation facility. Van Rooy explains that the issue of contaminated soil is always a challenge on construction sites. “On a site as remote as this, soil con- tamination can be an extreme challenge as there are further complications including

the distances to the nearest hazardous landfill site which is in Cape Town,” she says. The bioremediation facility breaks down hydrocarbons to water and gas, thereby eliminating the hazards associated with contaminated soil. Van Rooy is quick to add that this has gone well beyond the requirements of the EMPR. Flora Commenting on the protection of red data flora, Van Rooy says that protected and endangered species within the development footprint which included the road, laydown and foundation base area were identified and relocated. Van Rooy says that what was specifically an interesting challenge was that one of the protected flora species, Hoodia gordonni (commonly known as Xhowa), has been part of some of the local community’s diet for many centuries. “The Bushmen who previously inhabited this area used to eat these plants as it was known to suppress hunger, and this practice is relatively widespread among their descendants. This has necessitated an extensive re-education programme among these people,” Van Rooy says. Another example of a protected species is

An interesting challenge was that one of the protected flora species, Hoodia gordonni (commonly known as Xhowa), which has been part of some of the local community’s diet for many centuries.

Another example of a protected species is the Skilpadtoontjie (Aloinopsis luckhoffi) which is endemic to the area.

the Skilpadtoontjie (Aloinopsis luckhoffi) which is endemic to the area. Van Rooy says that being environmentally responsible is part of Murray & Roberts Infrastructure’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development, and this includes educating all its people in terms of using environmentally sound practices. 

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD APRIL 2017