NKOMATI ANTHRACITE (PTY) LIMITED - Sentula Mining

Environmental Impact Assessment Report: Nkomati Anthracite (Pty) Limited,
Madadeni Opencast Mining Project Page 17
3 . 1 . 4 . 1 S t u d y Ai m s a n d O b j e c t i ve s
The study was conducted to provide input to the EIA amendment as required in terms of the Mineral
and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002. The study has also been used to fulfil
requirements of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002 for the
amendment of the approved EIA/EMP for Nkomati Anthracite (Pty) Limited’s Nkomati Anthracite Mine.
Further to the above, the objectives of the soil survey were to provide baseline soil information in
order to determine possible impacts by the proposed activities and to identify sensitive areas which
should be treated accordingly during the proposed operation.
3 . 1 . 4 . 2 S t u d y Ar e a
The area, approximately 200 ha in extent, was selectively traversed on foot and the soils were
examined at designated sites (to comply with semi-detailed survey intensity) by means of auger
observations. Fewer observations were made on the old Komati River terrace due to poor
accessibility of the terrain.
The project area forms part of a level plain with slight relief (local relief less than 50 m) west of the
north-south striking Lebombo Range. Through this plain the Komati River meanders northwards. On a
meso-scale, the plain consists of crests, midslopes, footslopes and valley bottoms. Parent materials
for the present-day soils were probably derived from Vryheid shale, sandstone and mudstone
(Geological Survey, 1986) as well as alluvium.
3 . 1 . 4 . 3 S u r ve y R e s u l t s
3 . 1 . 4 . 3 . 1 . S o i l T yp e s
A total of seven soil types, based on the dominant soil form, effective soil depth, terrain unit and slope
percentage were identified during the field observation and were symbolised as follows: Sd1, Sw1,
Se1, Ar1, Rg1, Oa1, and Oa2. The extent of these soil types are shown on the soil map attached as
Figure 6.
3 . 1 . 4 . 3 . 2 . Do m i n a n t S o i l T yp e s
The dominant soil types identified over the area were Shortlands (Sd1), Swartlands (Sw1), Sepane
(Se1), Arcadia (Ar1), Rensburg (Rg 1), Oakleaf (Oa1 and Oa2)
The Sd1 soil type is dominated by the Shortlands soil form and covers 22.34 % of the survey area.
This soil type occurs on gently sloping (2-4% slope) midslope; smooth ground roughness. The soils
consist of shallow to moderately deep (40-90 cm), well-drained, dark reddish: moderately structured,
sandy clay to clay topsoil on strongly structured, clay subsoil of the Shortlands form; overlying slightly
weathered rock; many small stones throughout profile
The Sw1 soil type is also dominated by the Swartlands soil form and covers 3.32 % of the survey
area. This soil type occurs on gently sloping (2-4% slope) mid-and footslope; smooth ground
roughness. The soils consist of mainly shallow (30-50 cm), moderately well-drained: dark greyish
brown, weakly structured, coarse sandy loam to sandy clay loam topsoil with clear transition on dark
greyish, mottled, strongly structured, sandy clay loam subsoil of the Swartland form; overlying slightly
weathered rock; many small stones throughout profile
The Se1 soil type is dominated by the Sepane soil form and covers 5.74 % of the survey area. This
soil type occurs on occurs on gently sloped midslopes with a slope of 2-3%. The soils consist of
mainly moderately deep (60-100 cm), moderately well-drained: dark greyish brown, weakly
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