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

Land use in the upper parts of the sub-catchment consist of small- and large-scale commercial farming of
drought resistant crops, as well as extensive livestock rearing, particularly of goats and donkeys. The main
settlements are the capital city Gaborone, and the important towns Kanye, Thamaga, Tlokweng, Molepolole and
Mochudi, Mahalapye and Mmamabula as well as numerous smaller settlements, particularly along the road
between Gaborone and Francistown.
4.2.1.4 Surface water users
All towns and settlements rely on whatever surface water they can obtain from local streams and rivers, as well
as an extensive system of boreholes. Gaborone obtains a large proportion of its water from the Gaborone dam,
supplemented by water transferred from the Marico Dam in South Africa, and the North-South Pipeline that
brings water to Gaborone from the Motloutse sub-catchment to the north. Towns located along the route
followed by the North-South Pipeline obtain their water from this pipeline and local boreholes. Most irrigation
water use is based on water pumped from local boreholes.
4.2.1.5 Water management systems
The Botswana Department of Water Affairs (Gaborone office and Mahalapye office) is responsible for
management of all water resources in this sub-catchment. Close liaison is maintained with the South African
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry over water transferred from the Marico Dam and regarding flows in
the Limpopo River, by means of a Joint Permanent Technical Commission (JPTC). Both countries collaborate
in the gauging of river flows and exchange of water quality and flow data. Routine flow gauging is carried out at
two stations on the Ngotwane River and at one station on the Bonwapitse River (Boroto & Görgens, 1999).
4.2.1.6 Human impacts on water resources (excluding mining)
The following can be expected to impact on water resources in this sub-catchment:
• Landfills and solid waste disposal sites at Gaborone, Kanye, Thamaga, Tlokweng, Molepolole, Mochudi,
Mahalapye and Mmamabula, as well as numerous smaller settlements;
• Disposal of liquid (domestic and some light industrial) effluent at Gaborone, Kanye, Thamaga, Tlokweng,
Molepolole, Mochudi, Mahalapye and Mmamabula;
• Non-point domestic effluent via soak-aways in rural areas;
• Non-point impact of irrigation and redistribution of river waters;
• Minor non-point impact from non-intensive commercial or subsistence agriculture; and
• Fuel loss and litter on the roads between Ramotswa, Thamaga, Kanye, Gaborone, Mochudi and
Mahalapye.
4.2.2 Mining and mineral processing operations
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