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

• Maintain the area by doing regular site inspections ensuring the establishment of vegetation and the
eradication of alien invader species; and
• Reinstate natural drainage patterns disrupted by mining wherever possible.
All of the topsoil must be utilised as a growing medium in the rehabilitation process of the site, in other words it
must be spread over all prepared areas (ripped to a depth of 300mm and sloped) and be re-vegetated with seeds
found within the area or prepared in such a way as to satisfy the agricultural requirements of the area and/or the
land owner.
It is imperative that rehabilitation occurs concurrently with mining activities, as topsoil, containing seeds from
plants within the area, degrades over time with the result that the soil environment becomes unfavourable for
germinating seeds.
3.3 Closure processes
The closure objective is to ensure that all the significant impacts have been mitigated against. All rehabilitated
areas will be left in a stable, self sustainable state. Proof of this will be submitted at closure.
The closure objectives for the Usutu opencast coal mine can be summarised as follows:
• Make all areas safe for both humans and animals;
• Make all areas stable and sustainable;
• Ensure impact on any water bodies, water courses and catchment areas have been avoided or
minimised;
• Rehabilitate disturbed areas as soon as possible; and
• Minimise the impact on the local community.
With specific reference to the ground water environment, the following closure objectives should be pursued:
• Rehabilitation of the surface infrastructure where necessary to minimize infiltration into the underground
water regime (the philosophy of concentration and containment); and
• Rehabilitation to minimise contamination of surface water resources (the philosophy of dilution and
dispersion).
When and if necessary suitable structures and or systems are to be put, and kept in place to limit contamination
of water resources to concentrations in accordance with the Target Water Quality Ranges for human
consumption.
The goals upon decommissioning and closing of the Usutu opencast coal mine will include that all significant
impacts have been mitigated and that there are no alterations to the environment that are apparent as far as is
practically possible. All land will be rehabilitated to a state that facilitates compliance with current national
environmental quality objectives including air quality objectives and water quality guidelines.
EIA-REP-325d-11
October 2012
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