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

• Shallow, clay-rich soils with high sodium content in internally draining areas.
The sub-catchment receives low and unreliable rainfalls (mostly under 400 mm per year) with high evaporation
rates. Soils are generally shallow and poor to medium quality. Areas with high sodium content pose a
salinization risk for irrigation schemes. Soils become progressively coarser and sandier towards the eastern
portion of the sub-catchment as rainfalls decline and evaporation rates increase.
Land use in the sub-catchment consists mostly of small-scale subsistence farming of drought resistant crops, as
well as livestock rearing of goats and donkeys. The main settlements are the towns of Selibe-Phikwe and
Serule, with numerous smaller settlements located along the North-South Pipeline route and along the main
roads.
4.4.1.4 Surface water users
All towns and settlements rely on whatever surface water they can obtain from the seasonal flows in local
streams and rivers, as well as an extensive system of boreholes. Larger towns such as Serule and Selibe-
Phikwe obtain most of their water from the North-South Pipeline as well as from local boreholes. Small
settlements rely on local boreholes and hand-dug wells for their water supplies.
4.4.1.5 Water management systems
This sub-catchment is located entirely within Botswana and therefore falls under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Water Affairs in the Ministry of Mineral and Energy Affairs. Routine flow gauging is carried out at
one station on the middle reaches of the Motloutse River, though the flow record is incomplete (Boroto &
Görgens, 1999).
4.4.1.6 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 Serule and Selibe-Phikwe, as well as at numerous smaller
settlements;
• Disposal of liquid (domestic) effluent at Serule and Selibe-Phikwe;
• Non-point domestic effluent via soak-aways in rural areas;
• Minor non-point impact from subsistence agriculture; and
• Fuel loss and litter on the roads between Martins Drift and Selibe-Phikwe, and along the main road between
Serowe and Francistown, as well as along numerous smaller roads in the sub-catchment.
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