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Environmental Impact Assessment Report: Nkomati Anthracite (Pty) Limited, Madadeni Opencast
Mining Project Page 75
6.5 S E C T I O N 39(B) (1) O F T H E MPRDA A N D R E G U L AT I O N 50(C) O F
T H E R E G U L AT I O N S U N D E R T H E MPRDA: AS S E S S M E N T
M E T H O D O L O G Y: CUM U L AT I V E IM P AC T S
This section of the environmental impact assessment will attempt to determine if the proposed
Madadeni Opencast Mining Project will contribute towards any cumulative impacts. For the purpose
of this document cumulative impacts will be described as the impacts (including those that has been
assessed as being insignificant) that would be significant when combined with the same impact
arising from another activity within and around the area of the proposed mining project.
It must however be mentioned that the assessment of the cumulative impacts is a difficult exercise
that requires a combined effort from the different role stakeholders (farmers, mines, industries,
individuals etc.,) that would contribute to the cumulative impacts identified. Accurate data from the
contributing parties will be a key for a thorough and accurate impact assessment.
6.5.1 G e o l o g y
The area under discussion has three major coal horizons i.e. C1 (lower), C2 (middle) and C3 (upper).
The C1 (lower), varies in width from less than one meter up to a maximum of 8.25 meters. This unit is
distinctly zoned into three roughly equal leaves, namely C1A1, C1B1 and C1C1, the basal unit (C1A1)
of which contains the highest quality coal with the best washability characteristics.
The C2 (middle) can be sub-divided into a lower unit (C2B) and an upper unit (C2A) separated by up
to three sandstones and shale. The C2A seam exhibits the better quality characteristics. Both units
vary in width from a stringer, centimetres in width, up to a maximum of 2,50 meters.
C3 (upper) consists of an upper unit (C3A) and a lower (C3B). The lower unit is more persistently
developed reaching a maximum thickness of two meters. This lower unit also exhibits the better
washability characteristics when compared to the upper.
The No. 1 and No. 2 coal seams are the target coal seams that will be mined via opencast mining
methods at the proposed mining area.
The rehabilitation of the mined areas would reduce the significance of the impacts as well. It is still
emphasised that the core of coal mining requires the permanent destruction of the overlying strata,
hence no mitigation measures can be undertaken to reduce the significance.
6.5.2 T o p o g r a p h y
The current Nkomati Anthracite mine lies in close proximity to the proposed Madadeni opencast
mining project. The presence of these mining operations will have an added impact on the local
topography of the area such that the sense of place will be affected. Drainage of the area might also
be affected by the presence of other mining operations within and around the proposed mining area.
Cumulative impacts on topography over the proposed area are reduced by the undulating nature of
the regional topography.
6.5.3 S o i l , L a n d U s e an d C a p a b i l i t y
The area within which Madadeni Opencast mining area will be undertaken is classified as having
good arable land. It must however be noted that mining operations will take place over a long period
at different areas hence not all areas will be impacted upon simultaneously. Further to the above, and
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