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

Each basin state maintains its own system of meteorological and hydrological data collection, primarily for use
at the national level. Whilst these systems are at very different levels of coverage in the different states, the
data does enable the four basin states to contribute to joint exercises to monitor and predict rainfall and runoff in
the Limpopo basin. Recent improvements in weather radar systems and satellite monitoring systems help to
expand and improve the regional coverage.
The Botswana Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs is responsible for all water management issues, and
operates a good system of flow recording and water quality monitoring on the tributary rivers within its national
boundaries.
The South African Department of Water Affairs and forestry maintains a comprehensive system of flow and
water quality monitoring on all of the tributary rivers within its area of jurisdiction. Whilst these data are the most
comprehensive available for the Limpopo basin, they are not entirely adequate for accurate predictions of flow
and water quality in the Limpopo River. Eleven sub-catchments are recognized within the South African sector
of the Limpopo basin.
In the Zimbabwean sector of the Limpopo basin, the Zimbabwean National Water Authority (ZINWA) places the
Zimbabwean portion of the Limpopo basin under a single Catchment Council: Mzingwane, which corresponds to
Hydrological Zone B (ZSG, 1984). Six sub-catchments of the Limpopo basin are recognized in Zimbabwe
(Figure 3.3). No water quality data are available from ZINWA for the Zimbabwe sector of the Limpopo basin.
In the Mozambican sector of the Limpopo basin, two sub-catchments are recognized: the lower Limpopo and
the Chagane. A few flow monitoring data are available from the Mozambique sector but these are not entirely
adequate for accurate modelling purposes (Boroto & Görgens, 1999).
4.1.6 Mining and mineral processing operations within the Limpopo basin
There are a large number of mining operations exploiting a wide variety of minerals in the Limpopo basin; the
locations of these operations are shown in Figure 4.2, whilst the mines located in the South African sector of
the Limpopo basin are shown in more detail in Figure 4.3. Within Zimbabwe, there are a smaller number and
variety of mining and minerals processing operations in the Limpopo Catchment than in the Zambezi catchment,
but mining is still widespread (Figures 3.7 to 3.14).
Data on the type of mine, size, operational status and location of mining operations are presented in the
respective sections on the individual sub-catchment, along with inferences on potential impact. The
high/medium/low inference for potential impact was arrived at using the criteria in Table 1.3 and is discussed
sub-catchment by sub-catchment in the following sections. A summarizing overview of the actual and potential
impacts on water resources and water quality in each sub-catchment of the Limpopo basin is given in Section
4.23.
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