EIA-REP-325d-12 _BB_ - 201.09.14.pdf - SAHRA

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It is recommended that the following area be managed to ensure that dust fallout across the site do not increase to such levels that the dust exceeds the 2400 mg/m 2 /day. Pollution Control Dam Design Report The conclusions that were reached during the design process can be summarised as follows: • Choose an appropriate lining to be used when constructing the pollution control dam; • Construct a 4 450m 3 pollution control dam with emergency overflow at the position to be determined on site; • Construct trenches / berms in close proximity to the mining activities to minimise the amount of clean water (storm water run-off) that will infiltrate into the mining area; and • Construct trenches / berms (channel type 12) with 2 000mm base width and minimum 660mm depth at minimum 1:50 gradient Geohydrological Report The results of the investigation were: • Groundwater levels were measured in twelve boreholes during a hydrosensus conducted in November 2011 for the proposed Usutu opencast on the Farm Janhendriksfontein portion 263 IT and Transitu 257 IT. The depth of the static groundwater level was found to vary between 1m and 10m below ground level; • A seasonal aquifer perched on the bedrock probably develops in the upper weathered soil layer, especially after high rainfall events. Flow in the perched aquifer is expected to follow the surface contours closely and emerge as fountains or seepage at lower elevations; • From the chemical analysis of thee water samples an overall assumption can be made that the groundwater sampled in the proposed mining area is of poor quality and not acceptable for domestic use. It can be deducted from the water quality of the sampled boreholes that the groundwater has been negatively affected by historic mining related contaminants; • The acid base analysis (ABA) of exploration drill cores from the six opencast areas showed material that is intermediate to potentially acid forming material; • Geophysics indicated that structures such as dykes are present across the opencast mining area. Surface water Report Resource Sensitivity and Integrity sThe Present Ecological State (PES) of the Witpuntspruit is classified as moderately modified (class C). This status is caused by upstream anthropogenic and agricultural activities as well as mining operations in close proximity to the stream. In addition the area is characterised by 14 hectares of seasonal wetlands and permanent wet zones. All wetlands in the area are described as palustrine wetland types with areas adhering to non-channelled and valet bottom descriptions. Most of the wetlands in the study area obtained a low PES category status. In terms of the wetland study it was found that the biodiversity of the wetlands range from sensitive to less sensitive in the study area. The wetlands are considered to be of ecological importance and sensitivity but due to their current low significance status rehabilitation measures need to be instated. EIA-REP-325d-11 October 2012 167
Surface water impacts: Surface water resources within the vicinity of the project area are already impacted due to mining activities. The historic water quality of the Witpuntspruit exceeds the Resource Quality Objectives for the catchment. Currently there is no evidence of further degradation of the water quality as measured upstream and downstream of Usustu Coal operations. Water quality could be classed as unacceptable in terms of variables such as pH, TDS, SO4, Mn, Al and Fe. Mining at Usutu Colliery may cause further degradation of the water resource if appropriate water management practises are not in place. Mining will impact on the aquatic ecology as well as wetlands within the project area. These impacts are rated as moderate to high and with the implementation of mitigation measures, impacts will have a rating of low to moderate. Water Use and Management The approach in water management for the mine is founded in the requirements set for a water resource management framework on a catchment level. This entails that the mine will strive to follow a pro-active, coherent and consistent management strategy in accordance with the objectives to be achieved as provided in the Internal Strategic Perspective of the Upper Vaal. It is further envisaged that the mine will impact on the wetland area as significant coal reserves are located in these areas. The water management approach of the mine will be to replace the affected wetlands with artificially constructed wetlands as part of the rehabilitation program. The current footprint of the mine will be considered in the layout of new infrastructure to ensure that clean areas are maximised, dirty areas minimised, and that adequate containment facilities are in place to prevent spillages and discharge to the environment. The settling pond will be phased out and replaced with an appropriately designed pollution control dam. The proposed mining footprint will be rehabilitated by means of an artificial wetland to assist with further improvement of water quality. Recommendations: The feasibility of the mine is dependent on the mining of coal reserves on the Farm Janhendriksfontein 263It. The sterilisation of coal reserves in close proximity to the wetland areas will create a situation that not sufficient funding through mining will be generated to implement the entire pollution prevention infrastructure. The mining of coal adjacent to the wetland areas could be approved as the wetland specialist study has stated that the relatively small scale of the mining activity and the low conservation status of the wetlands will result in no major negative impact. The commitment by the mine to reinstate affected wetlands and to rehabilitate disturbed areas will result in a situation where the water management practices adopted by the water management area. It is recommended that the water uses as applied for by the mine be approved on condition that all water management measures as specified are implemented. Wetland Delineation and functionality report The wetlands were assessed as having a combined impaired Class D rating. It was determined that the wetlands are considered to be ecological important and sensitive. The biodiversity of these wetlands are usually very sensitive to flow and habitat modifications and plays a role in moderating the quantity of water in major rivers. However, in some instances, these functions could no longer be attributed to some of the wetlands. The Wethealth assessment revealed that in terms of natural and human services the wetlands are moderately to seriously modified. The loss of natural habitats and basic ecosystem functions are extensive and were caused EIA-REP-325d-11 October 2012 168
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November 2012 VUNENE COLLIERY (PTY)
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Photograph of site: EIA-REP-325d-11
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town of Ermelo. The area falls unde
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Figure 1: The Regulation 2(2) map o
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Figure 3: Cross section 2 from west
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There are increased demands for coa
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• All pillars in the panel are un
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• Potential reduction in crime be
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS A comp
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The Scoping exercise concluded that
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effect on the environment will be m
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• Choose an appropriate lining to
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were caused by extensive anthropolo
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Land capability Assessment Accordin
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EIA-REP-325d-11 October 2012 1 CONT
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10.4.1.2 DURATION .................
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Table 33: Assessment of the possibl
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PHRA - Provincial Heritage Resource
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The "Equator Principles": A financi
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INTRODUCTION Environmental Assuranc
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iii) The undertaking of a linear ac
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Due to the nature of the existing e
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The typical sequence of mining will
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Sub-surface erosions (Potholes): Po
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• Characterise the topsoil and re
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3.4 Storage of ore The Run of Mine
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• Development must be sustainable
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Item 13: The clearance of an area o
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If a Phase 1 report finds that cert
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aims to achieve a desirable balance
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precautionary measures contemplated
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EIA-REP-325d-11 October 2012 2008 8
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7.3.2 Electricity Numerous main dis
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The water management will be undert
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No housing facilities will be provi
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Figure 7: Mining layout plan for op
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the present day erosional surface h
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Table 7: The Usutu opencast extract
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Figure 8: Witpuntspruit catchment a
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Figure 9: Tertiary and quaternary d
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HGM units encompass three key eleme
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Thunderstorms occurring frequently
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Table 12: Mean monthly evaporation
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Taphozous mauritianus Tomb Bat Witl
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The major economic activities and s
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8.1.10 Heritage Resources Based on
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Dust suppression Dust suppression m
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EIA-REP-325d-11 October 2012 Enviro
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from Interested and Affected Partie
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In addition, the Draft Scoping Repo
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their properties and how the mining
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• Determination of Significance -
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The impact will be relevant through
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10.4.1.7 Determination of significa
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. Significance Following Mitigation
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location is the most suitable due t
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11.6.2 Contour Mining The contour m
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Figure 14: Underground coal mining
Page 117 and 118: 12.3 Pollution control dam design r
Page 119 and 120: sensitive to flow and habitat modif
Page 121 and 122: for the project. Shift changes time
Page 123 and 124: EIA-REP-325d-11 October 2012 13. DE
Page 125 and 126: Source of impact Seepage from the s
Page 127 and 128: Description of impact: Construction
Page 129 and 130: Source of impact: Mining activities
Page 131 and 132: • Dust Deposition The predicted m
Page 133 and 134: • Construction vehicles should re
Page 135 and 136: Destruction of faunal habitat and t
Page 137 and 138: Significance With Mitigation (WM) E
Page 139 and 140: • All construction areas should b
Page 141 and 142: • Affected communities must be no
Page 143 and 144: • Dust from heavy vehicles; • O
Page 145 and 146: • The illumination of Vunene Coll
Page 147 and 148: Erosion may be accelerated where wa
Page 149 and 150: areas can also transfer pollutants
Page 151 and 152: • Stockpiles can be used as a bar
Page 153 and 154: Weighting factor (WF) Mitigation Ef
Page 155 and 156: The impact is considered to have a
Page 157 and 158: Significance of impact: The transpo
Page 159 and 160: Mitigation measures • The areas c
Page 161 and 162: Description of impact: The most sen
Page 163 and 164: EIA-REP-325d-11 October 2012 15. AU
Page 165 and 166: • The cumulative impact on wetlan
Page 167: • Labour guidelines should be dra
Page 171 and 172: • Number of human inhabitants loc
Page 173 and 174: Table 43: Land capability classes o
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