Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine, Hopefield

Kropz acquired the Elandsfontein property in August 2010 and has since invested some US$120 million on exploration, bulk sampling, feasibility studies and the subsequent construction of a mine, mineral processing facility and associated infrastructure. Elandsfontein is a robust and substantially de-risked mining project. The box cut has been established and the highly automated processing facility, with the capacity to deliver in excess of 1 Mt-pa of >31% Phosphate rock concentrate, is near completion. Final commissioning is dependent on further test work and design modifications. Kropz’s operating cost estimates suggest that Elandsfontein is well-positioned to compete effectively with other phosphate rock suppliers in the traded market. Also, its close proximity to the deep-water port of Saldanha Bay enables it to target demand in both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean markets.
In terms of competitiveness, Elandsfontein should enjoy particularly advantageous freight rates to Brazil, and it should also maintain a freight advantage over North African-based suppliers in the important Indian market.
The Council for Geo-science, formerly the Geological Survey of South Africa, regards the Elandsfontein deposit as the largest sedimentary deposit in South Africa. The West Coast region has a History of Phosphate Mining.
Development of the Elandsfontein Project has allowed Kropz to achieve strong, long-term partnerships, in particular with Elandsfontein’s Black Economic Empowerment partner and one of its significant shareholders, the ARC Fund, a leading South African-based investment company.

Geolocation
18° 11' 49.2", -33° 5' 45.6"

Elandsfontein Farm, Pretoria

Our farm, Elandsfontein, is about 18 km (25 min drive) from Pretoria, about 25 km (45 min drive) from Johannesburg; and about 25 min drive from Jan Smuts International Airport. We Farm with peaches and cattle. Here you would be able to get a taste of authentic South African country living. During the day you can go for walks on the farm, jog, or just linger in the shade of the large trees in our yard. This charming cottage on a working farm can sleep 6 members of a family in 3 separate bedrooms. It includes the following: Lounge with flat screen television and DSTV; fully equipped kitchen with stove, fridge and microwave; shower, as well as en-suite bath in main bedroom; kettle braai in private court yard. Or if you would prefer there is a charming cottage sleeping 2 people on working farm, nestled among large trees, with a view of maize fields and peach orchards. It includes the following: Bedroom with queen size bed, lounge with flat screen television and DSTV; fully equipped kitchen with stove, fridge and microwave; separate bathroom; kettle braai in private court yard. WiFi via satellite available, however note that we have capped service.
Rietvlei Nature Reserve located next to our farm accommodates several grazers such as zebra, various antelope such as Eland, Hartebeest, Springbok, Blesbuck and black wildebeest, buffalo and the white rhinoceros, cheetah as well as a lion camp. Since it is relatively small one can do a half day trip and see quite a lot of animals. Groenkloof Nature Reserve is about 25 km drive from us. Here one can go hiking, and within an hour walk among the game (antelope and giraffes). The game is tame and therefore one can come relatively close. Explore the cities of Pretoria (Voortrekker Museum, Paul Kruger House, Smuts House, Sammy Marks Museum, Freedom Park, De Wild Cheetah Centre, Botanical Gardens) and Johannesburg (Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Maboneng Precinct, Soweto, Gold Reef City, and world-class shopping) from here. Our farm is within easy reach (30-45 min drive) of both Pretoria and Johannesburg. The Cradle of Humankind, Hartbeespoortdam and the small diamond village of Cullinan are also within an hour’s drive. Both Woodlands Mall and Irene Village Mall are 15-20 min drive away, with restaurants and all the shops you may need.

Geolocation
28° 26' 16.8", -26° 10.8"

Vredenburg, West Coast

The Town was established in 1875, initially as a Dutch Reformed Church congregation to serve the surrounding Communities because the closest Church, was in Hopefield. The Town's original name was "Twisfontein", which from Afrikaans can be translated as "dispute fountain". This name came about when two competing Farmers fought over the only available freshwater Spring, in the Area. The Town was renamed as they were discussing the matter of the Freshwater Spring and were trying to come to an agreement. When this agreement was settled and they have achieved a sense of peace among one another, the name "Vredenburg" was chosen, as "Vrede"in Afrikaans means: "Peace". The Town's Population in 2011 was 38,382. It is the Transportation and Commercial hub of the West Coast area and Administrative centre of the Saldanha Bay Local Municipality. It is located 12 Kilometers, inland from the Coast at Saldanha Bay on the Cape Columbine Peninsula, about 138 km North of Cape Town.

Geolocation
18° 39' 50.4", -33° 52' 33.6"
References

"Main Place Vredenburg". Census 2011

Zoute River Cottage, Hopefield

Zoute River Cottage, is a West Coast, Country retreat for writers, artists and dreamers. The studio Cottage is the perfect location for a creative escape, whether you’re a freelancer: Painter; Photographer; Lecturer in the City; or simply a couple who’d like to get away for a few Days. The Cottage has a desk and an easel can be provided upon prior arrangement. There’s also a small private garden under the Mimosa trees, with outdoor tables, chairs and braai facilities. The living Area is tastefully furnished for a restful experience. Fresh linen and blankets are provided for the double bed. Towels are also provided. The Kitchenette has a Salton oven, fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster, and all the necessary cutlery and crockery. The Airport is about 105 km (Cape Town International Airport). "I can only imagine what Master Pieces have been created here!"

Geolocation
18° 16' 51.6", -33° 2' 2.4"

Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve

The Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve is situated in the coastal zone, North of Cape Town. Located in the Cape Floristic Kingdom, this Biosphere Reserve is known for its mosaic of diverse ecosystems and Habitats which include Marine, Beach and frontal dune Environments, Pans, Wetlands and rocky Outcrops. Many plant communities have adapted to the harsh environmental conditions (e.g. Elytropappus Rhinocerotis shrub lands, sand plain Fynbos with Phylica Cephalantha or dune thicket with Euclea Racemosa). The Langebaan Lagoon, is one of the core areas, is also designated as a Ramsar Wetland, as it is important for many Waterfowl.
About 800,000 people live in the Biosphere Reserve and there are also up to 300,000 non-permanent Residents, who stay only for holidays and weekends (2010). Agriculture and Fisheries currently provide the largest proportion of Employment with: Fish Processing; Industrial Manufacturing and the Service Sector, are also sources of income. Management issues for the Biosphere Reserve concern mainly Mining Activities in the Area, intensive Agriculture, the invasion of alien species, uncontrolled Fires, uncontrolled off-road Vehicles and the over-utilization of the aquifers. Significant efforts have been made in the Biosphere Reserve to alleviate the degradation of the Natural and Human Environment, that has characterized the Area for the past Century! In accordance with the recommendation of the MAB Bureau made when this site was designated as a biosphere reserve in 2000, new core areas consisting of the small Dassen and Vondeling Islands and their surrounding seas areas have been added, thus improving the representation of Coastal Marine Systems of this Biosphere Reserve. It is hoped that the progress made in the promotion of sustainable development objectives and strategies will reach outside the Biosphere Reserve Boundaries, so that it might become a model for Coastal Zone Management, in the whole of South Africa! The Major Ecosystem types are: Coastal plains, Marine-influenced Fynbos Area, Rocky Islets, Marine Areas and Wetlands.
Some of there major projects include: The use of Cape Gannets to provide ancillary information on the status of Epiplagic Fish Stocks; Flora Survey of the Southern Core Area; Long-term monitoring and population dynamics of Seabirds; Long-term study of demography and dietary changes of African Black Oyster Catchers; Groundwater resources; Tortoise Populations; Wader Populations in the Langebaan Lagoon and the Berg River and Inclusion of Dassen Island, Vondeling Island as Marine Core Area for Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve!

Geolocation
18° 8' 49.2", -33° 10' 12"

Herold's Bay, Gwaing River Valley

Herold’s Bay has held an allure for Holiday makers since time of old. Sketches and photographs in the George Museum tell of ox wagons filled with tents, goods and servants, camping out on the Beach itself. Today the Bay is no less of an attraction and surfing, fishing and swimming, sheltered from the South Easterlies that can blow on the Coast, make this a favorite destination! Only 15 kilometers from George, the bay literally nestles in a sheltered Rocky Cove with a wide stretch of Beach and inviting waters. The little Village of Herold’s Bay has short of 100 homes, making it something of a hamlet in much the same way that Llandudno in Cape Town has managed to retain its Village appeal. If you’re after bright lights and the clatter of the City, then Herold’s Bay isn’t the Holiday for you! But for those after a complete break and the chance to unwind, Herold’s Bay will not disappoint!
There are a serious number of activities one can do from here. The Oubaai golf course, the first Ernie Els signature Golf Course in the Country - is an 18-hole course Built around the natural landscape between the Gwaing River Valley and the Indian Ocean.
The beautiful Coastal Fynbos in and around Herold’s Bay makes for some wonderful Walks and Trails, a fantastic Area for spotting Birds, and when the time is right, Dolphins and Whales!

Geolocation
22° 23' 16.8", -34° 3' 3.6"

Gordons Bay, Cape Province

Gordons Bay is a picturesque coastal Village, nestled at the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountains and the False Bay Coast. This Mediterranean-style Village is situated only a few minutes away from Somerset West and Strand and only 30 minutes from Cape Town International Airport.

The climate is typical of Coastal Resorts, with a Winter rainfall and mild Sea and Air temperature, throughout the Year. The South Easter or "Cape Doctor" affords welcome relief from the heat in Summer. 'A great way to lazy morning's drive will take you to the world-renowned wine routes of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek and a short distance further to Paarl and Wellington, which is famous for its dried fruit and wines.'

Ten minutes from Gordon's Bay is the Helderberg Wine Route and Brewery. Over Sir Lowry's Pass is the fruit regions of Elgin and Grabouw. The Village is on the scenic coastal route to Hermanus. The 'Cape Whale Route' is the best during June to November. Whales can be seen frolicking in False Bay. 'Whether on holiday or for business, Gordons Bay Accommodation options will definitely satisfy your needs!'

The Village caters for all pockets with the Municipal Resort, situated next to the beach, offering self-catering holiday Cottages and Caravan Sites. Guest Houses are all near the beach, with Bed and Breakfast at nearby Country Inns. Restaurants offer a wide choice of culinary delights with the emphasis on seafood. A number of Restaurants can be found in and around the two Harbours, with most enjoying sea views. Take-away outlets are popular and cater for all tastes, from pizzas to hamburgers to hot fish and chips - delightful!  A charming mini-Mall, curio and bric-a-brac Shops in Beach Road, a Supermarket, Filling Station and Pharmacies adequately provide for the needs of visitors, while Somerset Mall is a mere fifteen-minute drive away.

Gordon's Bay is famous for its safe swimming, 'with both Main and Bikini Beaches attracting thousands of happy,Sun Worshippers!' Fishing from the Rocks and the old Harbour Wall is a popular pastime, with Locals and Visitors alike, sharing Gossip about: "The big one that got away". Pleasure Trips on luxury Yachts and Cruisers are available from the two harbours while the Steenbras Dam is sought after as a Picnic Spot! Visitors can browse around the Curio and Gift Shops, dotted along the Beachfront, for unusual Crafts. Boat, Rock and Surf Angling, Tennis, Rugby, Jet-Ski, Bowls, Squash and Croquet keep the sportsmen busy, while the radio control club - off road, enjoys an enthusiastic following. Yachting, deep-sea diving and angling ensures that Gordon's Bay is a sportsman's ideal Holiday Destination. Take a leisurely walk above the Village on the "Danie Miller Trail' or explore the Historic Cannon and Wagon Wheel Walk, at Sir Lowry's Pass. Or simply enjoy the sound of running water and a dip in Crystal Pools in Steenbras Dam or visit Steenbras Nature Reserve. Gordons Bay is a mere six minutes, drive away from the Strand and ten minutes to Somerset West.  

Geolocation
-34° 9' 9.8051", 18° 49' 43.9565"