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

A single small coal mine is in operation at Mmamabula (Table 4.3).
Table 4.3: Mining operations in the Ngotwane-Bonwapitse sub-catchment.
Code
Number
Name of Mine
Commodity (ies)
Mined
ccxx
Status Relative
Size
Probable
Impact
Bots-1 Mmamabula Coal Operating Small Low, localized
4.2.3 Alluvial mining
None known.
4.2.4 Monitoring systems
Three flow gauging sites are located on the Ngotwane River (two sites) and the Bonwapitse River (one site).
The Botswana Department of Water Affairs conducts regular monitoring of water quality in all the water supply
dams, as well as water supplied to towns and smaller communities from the Marico Dam and via the North-
South Pipeline. The geohydrology section within the Department of water Affairs also tests borehole water
quality at regular intervals.
4.2.5 Water quality data
None obtainable in time for this report, but data are available from the Botswana Department of Water Affairs.
4.2.6 Implications for water quality and quantity management
Very minor impacts can be anticipated from the Mmamabula Colliery, in terms of possible elevated
concentrations of suspended solids, total dissolved salts and sulphate. Very small impacts of acid mine
drainage can be anticipated.
4.3 The Lotsane sub-catchment
4.3.1 General description
4.3.1.1 Hydrology
The Lotsane River and its minor tributary streams rise in a range of low sandstone hills at the eastern edge of
the Kalahari Desert, to the west of the town of Serowe. The Lotsane River flows in an easterly direction to join