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

• Minor non-point impact from non-intensive commercial or subsistence agriculture;
• Non-point impacts of agricultural return flows from intensive irrigation areas; and
• Litter and domestic garbage discarded alongside the roads.
4.16.2 Mining and mineral processing operations
Three mining operations are of interest in this sub-catchment (Figures 4.2 and 4.3; Table 4.17).
Table 4.17: Mining operations in the Laphalala sub-catchment.
Code
Number
Name of Mine
Commodity (ies)
Mined
cclxii
Status
Relative
Size
Probable
Impact
B7-6 Abbot’s Poort Phosphate Prospecting Small Very low
C7-1 Dorset Lead Prospecting Small Very low
C7-25 Mooihoek Tin Closed Small Very low
4.16.3 Alluvial mining
None known or anticipated.
4.16.4 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.
4.16.5 Water quality data
No specific water quality data for the Laphalala 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.
4.16.6 Implications for water quality and quantity management
The available evidence suggests that the very limited mining activities in this sub-catchment are unlikely to have
had any significant impact on either the local water resources or on water quality in the area.