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

were caused by extensive anthropological activities in the catchment. In the event that this wetland is subject to
further degradation due to road construction and mining, Usutu Colliery will have to apply for a Section 21 (i) and
(c) Water Use License authorisation. The water use authorisation will entail a proper rehabilitation plan as part of
the closure plan.
River Health Assessment
Biomonitoring was conducted at two points in the Witpuntspruit upstream from the confluence with the Vaal River
on the Farm Jan Hendriksfontein 263 IT and upstream from the Camden Power station. The reference site was
selected in the upper parts of the Wipunt Spruit upstream from the confluence with the Humanspruit. However,
the reference site was also situated downstream from several coal mining operations in the catchment.
Biomonitoring was conducted along with surface water monitoring to determine the current state of the surface
water resource and its associated aquatic community.
The biomonitoring points selected in the Wipunt Spruit and Humanspruit respectively were at the two bridges
where these watercourses transect the N2 road, with a third point (UCREF) selected in the Witpuntspruit to act
as a reference site. UC01 was located in the Witpuntspruit upstream of Camden power station and just
downstream from the Usutu west coal operations at the bridge on the N2 opposite the turn off to Camden Village.
UC02 was a further 300 meters upstream from the rehabilitated mining areas of Usutu West coal operations at
the bridge on the N2 crossing the Humanspruit just before the Camden power station turnoff. The tributary falls
within the C11B quaternary drainage area. According to the Ecological Water Requirements Assessment
conducted by Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (2001), the Present Ecological Status (PES) of C11B
quaternary drainage area is class D, largely modified. This category was used to determine the current reference
scores for the stream.
The measured biota-specific water quality variables indicated that the stream could support aquatic life. The
invertebrate Habitat Assessment System (IHAS) showed that UC01 and UC02 were within the range expected
from largely impaired stream that could not support a diverse macro-invertebrate fauna. It is also important to
remember that this biomonitoring was conducted directly downstream of mining operations. This might have
influenced the availability of habitats. The SASS5 scores at both monitoring points were much lower than the
reference score. Of the 13 taxa that were found during the study, only two families found at UC01 were sensitive
to pollution while no sensitive species were found at UC02. The reference site hosted five sensitive species out
of a total of 21 taxa identified. Compared to the reference scores, UC01 was severely impaired, while UC02 was
largely impaired. Impacts on both monitoring points include upstream impacts from the agricultural land use
activities, sediment from the coal mining activities and power generation, litter from the N2 and erosion.
Visual Impact Assessment
The construction and operation of the Usutu mine related activities and its associated infrastructure will have a
visual impact on the natural scenic resources and the topography. However, with the correct mitigation measures
the impact can be decreased to a point where the visual impact can be seen as insignificant.
The moderating factors of the visual impact of the facility in the close range are the following:
• Short exposure time of road users
• The time the structure will be visual due to roll-over mining
EIA-REP-325d-11
October 2012
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