NKOMATI ANTHRACITE (PTY) LIMITED - Sentula Mining

Environmental Impact Assessment Report: Nkomati Anthracite (Pty) Limited, Madadeni
Opencast Mining Project Page ii
CONTENTS PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Who is Developing the EMPR Amendment? .......................................................................... 4
1.2 Who will Evaluate the EIA Report? .......................................................................................... 4
1.3 Legal Requirements .................................................................................................................. 5
1.4 Purpose of the EIA/EMP Report .............................................................................................. 5
2. PROJECT BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT ....................................................................................... 8
2.1 Overview of the Project ............................................................................................................. 8
2.2 Name of the Mine ...................................................................................................................... 8
2.2.1 Name of the Proposed Project ................................................................................ 8
2.2.2 Address of Mine........................................................................................................ 8
2.2.3 Mine Owner and Mining Right Holder ..................................................................... 8
2.2.4 Mine Manager........................................................................................................... 8
2.2.5 Contact Person ......................................................................................................... 8
2.3 Location ..................................................................................................................................... 8
2.3.1 Magisterial District & Regional Services Council .................................................... 8
2.3.2 Direction and Distance to Nearest Towns .............................................................. 9
2.3.3 Surface Infrastructure ............................................................................................... 9
2.3.4 Presence of Servitudes ............................................................................................ 9
2.3.5 Land Tenure and Use .............................................................................................. 9
2.3.6 Name of River Catchments ..................................................................................... 9
2.4 Name and Address of Land Owner & Farm Description ........................................................ 9
2.5 Brief Proposed Project Overview ........................................................................................... 10
2.5.1 Mineral Deposit ....................................................................................................... 10
2.5.2 Mine Product........................................................................................................... 10
2.5.3 Estimated Reserves ............................................................................................... 10
2.5.4 Mining Method ........................................................................................................ 10
2.5.5 Production Rate ...................................................................................................... 10
2.5.6 Planned Life of Mine............................................................................................... 10
3. BASELINE INFORMATION ................................................................................................................. 12
3.1 Section 39(3)(a) of MPRDA, Regulation 50 (a) and Regulation 51 (a) of Regulations under
the MPRDA: Description of the Environment Likely to be Affected by the Proposed
Mining .................................................................................................................................... 12
3.1.1 Geology ................................................................................................................... 12
3.1.2 Climate .................................................................................................................... 13
3.1.3 Topography............................................................................................................. 16
3.1.4 Soils ..................................................................................................................... 16
3.1.5 Pre-Mining Land Capability .................................................................................... 18
3.1.6 Land Use................................................................................................................. 19
3.1.7 Natural Vegetation / Plant Life ............................................................................... 19
3.1.8 Surface Water ......................................................................................................... 23
3.1.9 Groundwater ........................................................................................................... 27
3.1.10 Presence of Water Boreholes and Springs/Fountains ......................................... 27
3.1.11 Ground Water Quality ............................................................................................ 27
3.1.12 Groundwater Zone ................................................................................................. 30
3.1.13 Numerical Modelling ............................................................................................... 30
3.1.14 Air Quality................................................................................................................ 30
3.1.15 Noise & Vibration .................................................................................................... 31
3.1.16 Sites of Archaeological and Cultural Interest ........................................................ 31
3.1.17 Sensitive Landscapes ............................................................................................ 31
NKOMATI ANTHRACITE (PTY) LIMITED COMPILED BY GEOVICON ENVIRONMENTAL (PTY) LTD