NKOMATI ANTHRACITE (PTY) LIMITED - Sentula Mining

Environmental Impact Assessment Report: Nkomati Anthracite (Pty) Limited, Madadeni Opencast
Mining Project Page 57
Construction of haul and access
roads,
Construction of overburden
stockpiles,
Construction of the R.O.M. coal
stockpiles,
Construction of pollution control dam
and
Construction of storm water diversion
structures
The formation of overburden stockpiles and pollution
control structures will result in topographical
highpoints, which will alter the local topographical
patterns of the immediate area.
All activities will result in the potential degradation of
soils due to the removal of the topsoil layer over the
areas to be disturbed during the construction of the
infrastructure.
Blowing winds will result in the loss of topsoil from
the exposed topsoil stockpiles.
Alien vegetation may emerge from disturbed areas
and on stockpiled soils.
Animal burrows and habitats will be destroyed by the
activities. This will further result in the migration of
animals away from the areas of disturbance.
Surface water emanating from the construction site
may result in the pollution of the receiving water
environment including the nearby wetlands and its
aquatic ecosystem. The pollution may be in the form
of silt and hydrocarbons.
The activities will generate dust that will impact the
immediate air quality, which may affect nearby
residents. Machinery used will generate fumes and
noise that may have detrimental effects on the
surrounding air quality and health of the employees.
The constructed infrastructure and overburden
stockpiles will be visible from the road and from the
nearby residents.
Socio-economic status of the surrounding
communities may be affected due to inflow of job
seekers, increased traffic and safety risks and hazards
NKOMATI ANTHRACITE (PTY) LIMITED COMPILED BY GEOVICON ENVIRONMENTAL (PTY) LTD
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Use all overburden material during the
rehabilitation of the voids caused by the
construction of opencast pits and pollution
control structures.
Avoid loss of topsoil, soil erosion, soil
compaction, soil contamination and use
topsoil removed during the construction
phase for the rehabilitation of the
disturbed areas.
Re-vegetate the stockpile to retain the
topsoil and its fertility.
Use recommended seed mix to ensure
natural vegetation remaining in the soil as
a seed bank (rehabilitated and stockpiles)
is re-established.
The rehabilitation of the mined areas will
encourage the migration of animals back
into the mined areas.
All disturbed areas must be contained
within berms/trenches. Haul/access roads
must have berms to contain silt. No
concrete mixing and vehicle maintenance
will be undertaken on unprotected areas.
All hydrocarbons will be stored on
protected storage areas.
Conduct dust suppression over the roads.
Ensure that the mine vehicles’ exhaust
systems are in good repair order.
Ensure that mine employees are issued
with protective equipment. All complaints
must be addressed.
Ensure that the infrastructure and
overburden stockpiles are removed or
rehabilitated during the decommissioning
phase.
Source labour from locals, no recruitment
from the mine premises, develops a plan
to control traffic from the mine, design
N/A
R 50 000
R 100 000
Mining cost
R 200 000
R 30 000
R 300 000
R 30 000
N/A
No cost