OVERVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF MINING ON THE ... - IIED pubs

The sub-catchment is underlain by the Upper Karoo Batoka Basalt Formation in the southwest, Lower Karoo
Group sediments, containing the Hwange coal seams, in the central area, Upper Karoo Group sediments in the
north and Kalahari Sands in the south (Figure 3.6; ZGS, 1999).
3.24.1.3 Pedology, agriculture and land use
The soils are in two groups: the Kalahari Sands and very shallow, gravelly soils overlying the basalts (DRSS,
1979). It lies within Natural Regions IV and V: fairly low and unreliable rainfall under 650mm per annum (ZSG,
1997; Surveyor General and AGRITEX, 1998). Land use comprises Parks & Wildlife Land41 in the south, the
Hwange Town and sparsely populated Communal Land in the north (ZSG, 1998).
3.24.1.4 Surface water users
Wankie Colliery and Hwange Thermal Power Station are the main water users, extracting water from the
Zambezi River via a pipeline from the Deka Drum site. Hwange Town is also a water user for domestic and
commercial purposes. The other main use of water is use of the Zambezi River for tourist purposes: white
water rafting, scenic value, fishing and game viewing. The Deka River, when flowing, and the Tom’s Vlei
wetlands in the southwest are of importance to wildlife.
3.24.1.5 Water management systems
This area falls under the management of the Gwayi Catchment Council under ZINWA.
3.24.1.6 Human impacts on water resources (excluding mining)
The following could be expected to have an impact on water resources:
• Disposal of waste from the Power Station
• Disposal of domestic and commercial solid waste, Hwange Town
• Disposal of domestic and commercial liquid effluent, Hwange Town
• Run off, Hwange Town Airport.
• Fuel loss and litter on the main road and the railway
• Minor non-point impact from sparse, subsistence agriculture in Hwange Communal lands
41 Hwange National Park and Matetsi Safari Area
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