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

4.15.2 Mining and mineral processing operations
There are only two small mining concerns in this sub-catchment (Table 4.16).
Table 4.16: Mining operations in the Matlabas-Mokolo sub-catchment.
Code
Number
Name of Mine
Commodity (ies)
Mined
cclix
Status
Relative
Size
Probable
Impact
B6-1 Grootgeluk Coal Operating Very large Medium
B6-2 Steenbokpan Phosphate Prospecting Very small Very low
4.15.3 Alluvial mining
None known or anticipated.
4.15.4 Monitoring systems
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) conduct routine monitoring of river flows and water
quality at a few sites in this sub-catchment. In addition, in accordance with their statutory responsibility, DWAF
also regulate the quantity and quality of all effluent discharges through a system of effluent discharge permits or
licences. Each licensed effluent discharger is required to carry out a routine monitoring programme of the flow
and quality of their effluent and supply this to DWAF. The Department then conducts a randomised series of
audit samples to check the veracity of the effluent returns submitted by each discharger.
4.15.5 Water quality data
No specific water quality data for this sub-catchment could be obtained in time for this report. In view of the
very limited mining activity, this deficiency is not considered to be important.
4.15.6 Implications for water quality and quantity management
The available evidence suggests that the only likely source of any impact on local water resources and water
quality would be the large Groot Geluk Colliery and its coking plant. These impacts would most likely be
localized and consist almost entirely of minor acid mine drainage linked to the oxidation of pyrite in the coal.
4.16 The Laphalala sub-catchment