NKOMATI ANTHRACITE (PTY) LIMITED - Sentula Mining

Environmental Impact Assessment Report: Nkomati Anthracite (Pty) Limited, Madadeni Opencast
Mining Project Page 79
7. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The purpose of this final chapter is to:
Summarise the main recommendations of the impact assessment to mitigate significant negative
impacts and enhance benefits,
Briefly discuss how the objectives of the report have been met,
Provide an indication of how complete the information in this report is for decision-making purposes.
7.1 K E Y R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S
The key recommendations made by specialists relate to significant impacts and potential significant
impacts of the proposed project. These recommendations are outlined below.
7.1.1 Re c o m m e n d a t i o n s R e l a t i n g t o I m p a c t s o n S o i l s
Topsoil from the R.O.M coal stockpiling site, access/haul roads and pollution control dam sites should
be stripped prior to use of the area and the stripped topsoil must be used for rehabilitation after the
use of the sites.
As far as possible, stripped topsoil should be stockpiled upslope of the each site.
The topsoil stockpiles must be placed upslope or outside the dirty water areas.
The broad soil groups suitable for rehabilitation purposes should be stockpiled separately from less
suitable broad soil groups and all topsoil must be stockpiled separately from the subsoil material.
Soil depth and volumes to be used during rehabilitation must comply with the rehabilitation budget.
7.1.2 Re c o m m e n d a t i o n s R e l a t i n g t o I m p a c t s o n ve g e t a t i o n a n d f a u n a
( b i o d i ve r s i t y )
The land use of the area is dominated by cultivation and grazing. Mine surface infrastructure will only
be undertaken on the cultivated lands, hence impacts on the natural vegetation will not be extensive.
However if the grazing is allowed by the mine the remaining areas will be affected by the land use,
hence the following:
Maintaining land not affected by the mining activities, in a state not to allow its agricultural capability to
diminish.
Rehabilitate and revegetate disturbed areas.
Manage the rehabilitated areas to maintain viability and productivity of established vegetation.
Conservation of valuable fauna and flora within the mining area and in surrounding undisturbed areas.
Declared invader plant species observed in the rehabilitated area must be eradicated.
7.1.3 Re c o m m e n d a t i o n s R e l a t i n g t o I m p a c t s o n su r f a c e w at e r
A surface water survey has been conducted for the proposed Madadeni Opencast mining project
area. During this survey it has been determined that the stretch of the Komati River in which the
proposed project falls, has not been severely affected. In view of this, it is recommended that all dirty
water emanating from the mining area be contained, clean water be diverted away from the dirty
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