EIA-REP-325d-12 _BB_ - 201.09.14.pdf - SAHRA
EIA-REP-325d-12 _BB_ - 201.09.14.pdf - SAHRA
EIA-REP-325d-12 _BB_ - 201.09.14.pdf - SAHRA
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Description of impact:<br />
Construction phase:<br />
It should be noted that the mine is located in an area classified as a high yield area that needs to be conserved.<br />
During the construction phase, the catchment yield (mean annual runoff) will be affected as construction<br />
activities within the footprint of the mining area could cause pollution. This water needs to be retained in a<br />
pollution control or storm water dam which will result in a decrease in storm water runoff.<br />
Operational phase:<br />
Opencast and proposed underground mining activities will increase the surface water pollution threat. Water<br />
found or contained within the open pit to be used for re-cycling and for coal washing purposes is characterised<br />
by elevated levels of nitrate, sodium, sulphate, hardness and conductivity. Exposure of “fresh” weathered<br />
overburden materials to natural elements such as water and oxygen might have the potential to accelerate the<br />
acidification of pyritic material by the generation of Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) leachate with the concomitant<br />
decrease in pH and mobilization of metals such as Fe, Al and Mn.<br />
Significance:<br />
The impact on surface water quality will be negative, possible of medium term duration low magnitude, may<br />
extent from the site and is of low significance overall. Mitigation will be required.<br />
Mitigation:<br />
• Prevention of overspill of mining activities, and associated activities into the surrounding streams and<br />
rivers. Implementation of the necessary monitoring and management programmes to ensure the<br />
integrity of all water resources in the area during the construction, and operational lifespan of the mine;<br />
• Containment of return waters in a clay lined return water dam;<br />
• Re-cycling of contaminated runoff waters from lined settling and evaporation dams;<br />
• Sealing of process waters circuit and containment structures;<br />
• Separate clean and dirty water systems; and<br />
• Provide sufficient storage capacity to contain contaminated waters i.e. adopt a zero discharge policy.<br />
Table 22: Destruction of Wetland Habitat<br />
Activity Mining Activities and construction of an access road during the Operational Phase<br />
Nature of the<br />
Destruction of Wetland Habitat Status -<br />
impact<br />
Receiving<br />
environment<br />
Magnitude<br />
Weighting factor<br />
(WF)<br />
Mitigation<br />
Efficiency (ME)<br />
Significance<br />
<strong>EIA</strong>-<strong>REP</strong>-<strong>325d</strong>-11<br />
October 20<strong>12</strong><br />
Wetlands on the Usutu Site<br />
Extent (footprint; site; regional; national; international) SITE<br />
Intensity (low; medium; high) HIGH<br />
Duration (short; short-med; medium; long; permanent) PERMANENT<br />
Probability (Improbable; possible; likely; highly likely; definite) LIKELY<br />
WF (low; low-medium; medium; medium-high; high) HIGH<br />
ME (high; medium-high; medium; low-medium; low) MEDIUM<br />
Without<br />
mitigation<br />
(WOM)<br />
With<br />
mitigation<br />
(WM)<br />
(Extent + Intensity + Duration + Probability) x Weighting Factor<br />
(2 + 5+ 5+ 3) x 5 = 75<br />
Medium – High<br />
WOM x ME = WM<br />
75 x 0.6 = 45<br />
Medium<br />
<strong>12</strong>6