AGES Omega

GEOTECHNICAL AND ENGINEERING GEOLOGICAL SERVICES

This specialist field relies on the use of scientific methods and engineering principles to obtain, interpret and apply knowledge of geological conditions and materials for solving and preventing possible engineering and environmental problems. Investigations typically conducted prior to and in support of the development of all residential and small- to large civil structures and developments. These investigations generally include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Mapping and zoning on a regional scale for strategic planning purposes of towns, wards and district municipalities (for example: low cost housing extensions, waste disposal sites, cemeteries etc)

• Investigations for zoning of areas for township proclamation purposes according to the standards of the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC)

• Investigations for small- to medium sized civil structures (for example: standard & elevated reservoirs, shopping malls, casinos, schools, raw water storage dams etc)

• Detailed site investigations regarding excavation ability on a regional and site-specific scale, generally for water supply infrastructure, planning and costing along with installation of pipelines according to standards of SABS 1200 LB&DA

• Detailed investigations for the construction of new gravel or surfaced roads and the upgrading of existing roads

• Investigations for new borrow pits and detailed investigation & classification of soil- and/or rock material available from new and existing borrow pits

• Dolomite stability investigations, sinkhole investigations and instability risk assessments for new and existing developments

• Dolomite Risk Management Strategies and -Plans

• Detailed materials investigation- and construction

recommendations for suitability as embankment

material

• Classification of individual plots of land with regard to the site classification system of the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC)

• Detailed joint discontinuity surveying and mapping GEOTECHof excavations for slope stability assessments

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

AGES Omega (Pty) Ltd renders services in various environmental fields throughout South-Africa to a spectrum of clients.

Our environmental unit started in 2003 with environmental impact assessments for rural community water supply projects. Being part of sustainable community infrastructure development projects has since become our passion and this expertise and knowledge has developed and grown to include more extensive environmental impact assessments. AGES has a dedicated and experienced team that can render the following specialist environmental services:

Environmental Impact Assessments for Environmental Authorisation for Provincial or National

Authorities:

• Basic assessments
• Scoping and full Environmental Impact Report
• Waste Licensing
• Air emissions Licensing

Environmental Feasibility Reports (Screening)

Environmental Fatal Flaw Assessments

Environmental Management Programmes (EMPr's)

Specialist Ecological Assessments including:

• Fauna assessments
• Flora assessments
• Wetland and Riparian delineation assessments

Social Impact Assessments (SIA's)

Water Use License Applications (WULA)

Environmental Rehabilitation

Environmental Monitoring Programmes:

• Environmental Control Officer
• SASS 5 biomonitoring evaluations

Environmental consultation services

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

Environmental monitoring ensures the management of natural resources contributing to sustainable development through processes and activities which characterise and monitor the quality of the environment. This typically includes the monitoring of the chemical and microbiological quality of surface and groundwater to comply with Water Use Licenses, monitoring in support of environmental impact assessments and other scenarios where human activities carry a risk of harmful effects on the natural environment. AGES specializes in different aspects of environmental monitoring and render the following services:

• AGES provides water quality monitoring as well as the interpretation of the generated data in a report format that includes the level of compliance with the relevant legislation. Relevant data is interpreted to identify trends and possible pollution sources. All data is saved in an electronic database for future reference.

• Biological monitoring utilizes aquatic communities in freshwater systems (like rivers and wetlands) to assess the health of such systems. Biological monitoring is also required by many water licenses, but can be used to assess specific impacts or the general health of aquatic ecosystems. The following indices are used for biomonitoring evaluations:

o SASS 5 (South African Scoring System invertebrates)