draft environmental impact assessment report for the ... · the development of the mine up to this...
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uKhozi Environmentalists (Pty) Ltd. (2004/013846/07 t/a “uKhozi”).
Building 32, Cambridge Office Park, 5 Bauhinia Street, Centurion. Postnet Suite 1454, Private Bag X1007, LYTTELTON, 0140
Tel +27 (0)12 665 2471 Fax +27 (0)86 767 8072 Web address: www.ukhozi-enviro.co.za
Directors: Inus de Wit; Alpha Hadebe; Tommy Olivier; Ken Smith
Draft Environmental Impact
Assessment Report
for the
Refurbishment and Recommissioning
of
Kwasa Colliery
situated on the Remaining Extent of the farm Goedehoop 169 HT
in the
Mkhondo Magisterial District of the Mpumalanga Province,
Republic of South Africa
Ref no: 17/2/3 GS-222
Proponent:
Siphiwo Investments (Pty Ltd Report Reference: KPS600
P O Box 652706
Benmore Report Status: Draft EIA/EMPr
2010
Date: February 2016
Tel: +27 (0)11 064 4836
Cell: +27 074 104 0662
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
Preface
This Environmental Impact Assessment Report has been compiled by uKhozi
Environmentalists, based on the guidelines provided by the National Environmental
Management Act, 1998 (Act no 107 of 1998), Environmental Impact Assessment
Regulations. Full acknowledgement is made for use of the NEMA EIA regulations guideline
in compiling this report. This document includes uKhozi ‘s own interpretation of the
requirements of the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998), the
regulations, the guidelines and the integration with other statutory and best practice
criteria. This Environmental Impact Assessment Report forms part of the process of
applying for environmental authorisation for the refurbishment and recommissioning of
the underground coal mining operation, Kwasa Colliery.
Contact details:
uKhozi Environmentalists (Pty) Ltd . t/a “uKhozi” Registration No. 2004/013846/07
Practitioners
Contact Person for this project: Tommy Olivier
Alternative contact persons: Inus de Wit
Tel.: +27 (0) 12 665 2471
Cell: +27 (0) 82 521 8870
Fax: +27 (0) 86 767 8072
Postnet Suite 1454, Private Bag x 1007, Lyttelton, 0140
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page i of xxi
Executive Summary
The Mining Right for Kwasa Colliery has recently been applied to be transferred to Siphiwo
Investments (Pty) Ltd., for which a S.11 transfer of ownership is required, and has been
submitted to the DMR. In line with the policy of operating within the framework of the
various, relevant laws, Siphiwo and its various partners has appointed KSE Services to
manage the process of applying for the environmental authorisations, and uKhozi
Environmentalists as the independent environmental assessment practitioners.
The National Environmental Management Act (107) 1998 (“NEMA”) and Environmental
Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 specifies certain requirements for assessing the
impacts of the proposed project with the Public and this is complemented by requirements
of the National Water Act (36) 1998 (“NWA”).
This report is the result of fulfilling those requirements with information collected from
site visits to the Rem. of Goedehoop 169 HT, previous studies in the area, specialist
studies and a public participation process. Kwasa Colliery is situated in the Gert Sibande
Magisterial District which falls within the Mkhondo Local Municipality in Mpumalanga. The
coal reserve is located approximately 37 km south-west of the town of Piet Retief, 22 km
due East of the town of Dirkiesdorp and 58 km East of the town of Wakkerstroom
The Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (DEDET) has
accepted the scoping report completed in terms of the National Environmental
Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) and the Environmental Impact Assessment
Regulations, 2010 on the 16th September 2014 for the authorization to recommission the
underground coal mine. The listed activities applied for by this application are to ensure
that the application for environmental authorisations for the envisaged operation is
aligned with what is planned in practice. This application focusses on the NEMA
requirements: a Water Use licence Application process has started. The mine has been
issued with a Mining Right (Reference Number MP 30/5/1/2/2/415MR
F2009/04/28/004). An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) along with an
Environmental Management Programme report (EMPr) is required to be submitted as the
next step in the application process.
This report is part of fulfilling the requirements of the NEMA, NWA and NEMA:WA for
environmental authorisation and has been compiled with information collected from site
visits to portion 0 of Goedehoop 169 HT, previous studies in the area, specialist’s studies
and a public participation process conducted during the scoping and EIA phases.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page ii of xxi
The existing status of the site must be described during the environmental impact
assessment in order that the environmental management programme is applied directly
to the situation at hand. The Terms of Reference or plan of study for the EIA will need to
be verified by the participants in the consultative process, enabling the EIA to proceed
smoothly without gaps or duplication in the information generated.
Please note that these conclusions and recommendations have been made for discussion purposes: The
Applicant, Authorities, IAPs and specialist consultants will be given the opportunity to comment on this
EIAR and EMPr, while the Applicant will be able to make an informed decision as to the management
and mitigation commitments that will become necessary.
Project Description
Kwasa is a small, underground coal mine. It is planned to establish a wash plant on site.
The mining methods will be bord and pillar, using a coal cutter with minimal drill and
blast. There will be no secondary mining of the pillars to ensure that the roof will remain
competent.
Completed Activities
The development of the mine up to this point in time have all been done and funded by
Kwasa Mining Services (Pty) Ltd. The following activities had been completed
approximately three years ago but would probably need to be refurbished:
Refurbishment of access road to the mine and shafts;
Installation of Eskom power lines and transformers;
Refurbishment of the underground workings, with
a) roof stabilisation,
b) conveyor system,
c) ventilation infrastructure,
d) water management.
Fencing of the shafts;
Development of access control;
Setting out of a stockpile and loading area in place;
Infrastructure on site
The following infrastructure is currently on site:
Access roads as well as internal roads;
Security berms and palisades;
Old mining equipment;
Abandoned buildings;
Power Lines.
Planned Activities for the Construction Phase
The following activities will be carried out during the construction phase:
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page iii of xxi
Refurbishment and reconstruction of the water pollution control system;
Construction of one fresh water storage dams;
Construction of four pollution control dams (PCDs);
Construction of the silt traps at each PCD;
Transport to site and erection of a modular washing plant;
Preparation of the discard management facility;
Construction of offices and a change house;
Installation of a septic tank system;
Commissioning of an existing weighbridge;
New security house at main gate;
Final trenching and berms;
New runoff water catchment areas;
Three freshwater towers and tanks;
Installation of a new conveyor belt in the Alfred seam belt adit;
Road signs;
Water pumps and piping for PCDs and clean water storage dam;
Security lights at gates.
Five year contractual commitments for the supply and operation of crushing
and screening equipment;
Five year contractual commitments for underground mining services.
The facilities inside the operational area will be fenced such as the PCDs, fresh water
dam, washing plant area, co disposal site and stockpile areas.
Planned Activities for the Operational Phase
Activities to be conducted during the operational phase of the mine are:
Underground board and pillar mining with continuous miner which will not
involve blasting;
Transportation of run-off mine from the shaft to crushing and screening area
via a conveyor belt system;
Crushing and screening of run-off mine;
Stockpiling of the coal product;
Spraying of water on access roads to suppress dust;
Transportation of coal product to client via trucks;
Cleaning of silt traps;
Disposal of discard and silt at the Co-Disposal site;
Toil stockpiling (hard and softs);
Sewage management;
Solid waste management;
Dirty water handling including pumping water from PCD 3 to the coal washing
plant.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page iv of xxi
Planned Activities for the Closure and Post Closure Phases
Activities to be conducted during the closure and post-closure phase of the mine are:
Plugging/sealing of the three adits (ventilation, access and exit);
Removal of storage equipment;
Cleaning and re-vegetation of the discard dump and product stockpile area at
the plant;
Removal of coal wastes;
Demolition of unwanted (by the post-mining land users) infrastructure such
as offices, change house, pollution control dams, access roads, high wall etc.;
The pollution control dams will be cleaned before it is filled and re-vegetated.
Landscaping and re-vegetation of disturbed areas.
Ground and surface water monitoring.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page iv of xxi
Layout plan of the washing plant and adit area
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page v of xxi
Layout of product stockpile area and fresh water dam.
Alternatives
There are three main sets of alternatives associated with the recommissioning of this
underground coal mining operation, namely:
a) The underground operation with no additional washing plant and discard dump,
where the Run-of-Mine coal is beneficiated (washed) off site at a remote plant (this
proved to be not feasible over the past three years of operation).
b) The underground operation together with a wash plant and associated discard
dump, in the vicinity of the current operation (preferred).
c) The underground operation together with a wash plant and associated discard
dump, located at the abandoned Goedehoop colliery, some seven kilometres north
of Kwasa.
Legislative Requirements
The proposed operation requires a Water Use License in terms of Section 21 of the National
Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) as well as a full scoping and environmental impact
assessment (EIA) in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental
Management Act (NEMA) (2010) triggering activities nr 5, 6 and 20 in GN 545 (Listing notice
2) and National Environmental Management: Waste Act (NEM: WA) triggering listed activity
7 in Category B for the Co-Disposal Dump Site as well as PCDs.
Public Participation
During the Scoping/EIA process a public participation process was undertaken to allow IAPs
to voice their concerns and issues regarding the project. The key elements of the process
included:
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page vi of xxi
Development and distribution of a background information document (BID);
Informing IAPs of the proposed mining operation through a newspaper
advertisement and notification letters.
A key stakeholder meeting held in Piet Retief on the 5th of September 2013 (refer
to Appendix A.6.1 for the NfR).
A meeting was held with the landowner Ms Reinette Boshoff’s representatives,
Foster Attorneys in Ottosdal on the 24th of February 2014 (refer to Appendix
A.6.3 for the NfR).
A public meeting held in Piet Retief on the 25th of February 2014 (refer to
Appendix A.6.2 for the NfR).
A 2nd public meeting held in Piet Retief on the 5th of December 2014 (refer to
Appendix A.6.5 for the NfR).
During this process a register of IAPs was compiled, together with a record of their
comments and responses from the project proponent and the EAP (refer to Issues and
Response Report in section 8.6 of this report).
The comments received during the review period will be taken into account in finalising the
Environmental Impact Assessment Report for submission to DEDET.
Environmental Baseline, Impacts and Mitigation
Geology
This coal reserve falls within the Karoo Super Group and is part of the Vryheid Formation
of the Ecca Group. Although there has been much transgressed activity, there are a number
of smaller faults within the mining area; no major faults traverse the area. A range of
anthracitic and lean to bituminous type coal is found within the reserve.
Main Impacts
Altering the geotechnical characteristics of the geological strata.
Main Mitigation Measures
The impact on the geology will be permanent and cannot be mitigated due to the
nature of the activity.
Stability of the high wall will be ensured by the use of split blasting techniques.
No secondary mining such as stoping and goafing must take place.
Topography
The pre-mining, natural topography of the area is a combination of steep slopes and
relatively flat (natural) terraces.
Main Impacts
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page vii of xxi
Altering the characteristics of the existing topography.
Main Mitigation Measures
This area will be kept to the minimum needed for the mining operation.
The various stockpiles will be managed to prevent erosion and will be shaped where
required.
Soils
The soil within the mining area is generally deep, interspersed with dolerite boulders of
varying sizes. The dominant soil form in the disturbed area is the Hutton Form which is
associated with the dolerite boulder based scree slope as the pedology of the soil.
Main Impacts
Erosion and sedimentation
Contamination of the soil
Main Mitigation Measures
The topsoil will be stockpiled separately, grassed, and used for the construction of
berms.
A vegetation layer on the berms will be maintained.
The height of the stockpiles must not exceed 1.5m.
Define routes for the circulation of heavy machinery and vehicles.
Land Capability
The land capability can be described as largely grazing and wilderness, with the area under
the operational, adit complex, potentially (post-mining) falling into the category of
rehabilitated mining land.
Main Impacts
Change in existing land capability.
Main Mitigation Measures
The disturbed area will be kept to the minimum required for construction of the adit.
The topsoil and subsoil will be managed to ensure effective rehabilitation back to
the pre mining land capability during the decommissioning phase.
Land Use
The surface area under application can be divided into the following two categories:
Wilderness used for grazing;
Unrehabilitated mining area.
Coal waste is lying around on the unrehabilitated mining area and has the potential to
pollute the surrounding water resources during rainfall events.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page viii of xxi
Main Impacts
Changes in land use from a defunct colliery to an operational colliery.
Main Mitigation Measures
Control of the area disturbed during the construction phase to ensure no unplanned
(and/or unauthorised) expansion, with a direct effect on land use.
Vegetation
Kwasa Colliery is situated on the remaining extent of the farm Goedehoop 169 HT on the
lower scree slope of the mountain. The lower lying areas do show some signs of being
grazed by cattle but the extent of the grazing has been low and so it is not an issue of
concern. Plant species diversity is high and basal cover is generally good. While there are
some Wattle Trees (Acacia mearnsii) present in places, alien plants are generally not
abundant. Soil erosion is largely restricted to the drainage lines and is not extensive at any
site seen other than in the actual footprint of the mining area. In the higher lying areas,
located generally at or above the level of the mine adits, the vegetation is in pristine or
near pristine condition.
In broader terms, Kwasa Colliery falls within the Acocks’ veld type known as Veld-type
Number 63, namely Piet Retief Sourveld. The area is used for grazing and bi-annual burning
programmes common to the area would suggest that – in general, the veld type is no longer
pristine. However, the area on the southern sections of the mining rights area (on top of
the mountain range) is part of high altitude grasslands and has been included in the
Nkangala Grasslands project.
Main Impacts
Loss of vegetation.
Proliferation of alien vegetation inside the footprint area.
Main Mitigation Measures
The disturbed areas will be kept to a minimum.
The topsoil containing the seed bank will be used as efficiently as possible.
Implement weed eradication programme.
Animal Life
A Highveld Grassland habitat once occurred over much of southern Mpumalanga, but this
has now largely been transformed into monocultures by agriculture and forestry. Where
pristine grassland remains, the biodiversity needs to be retained. Part of the area has been
disturbed by mining thus most of the animals have moved to adjacent areas.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page ix of xxi
Main Impact
Loss of habitat/faunal diversity.
Main Mitigation Measures
The enclosure fences erected around the operational areas will prevent domestic
livestock and discourage larger wild animals from entering the operational sites.
Prohibit activity outside of the demarcated area.
Surface Water
The mining area falls in the Usutu Catchment. The study area falls within the farm
Goedehoop 169 HT which is in turn is situated in quaternary sub-catchment W51C; the
catchment of the Vegkop River is 161km2. The Vegkop River is a tributary of the
Annysspruit which flows into the Assegaai (Mkhondo) River, which flows from this drainage
region north-eastwards, joining the Great Usutu River in Swaziland, and flowing into the
sea in Mozambique.
The water quality in the upper Usutu catchment is excellent, which is why Eskom source
their water for the cooling of coal-powered power stations from this catchment. The
surface water quality of the Annysspruit is being polluted by the defunct Kwasa Colliery.
During rainfall events the water falling onto the disturbed site gets polluted by coal waste
and flows downstream into the Annysspruit which in turn flows into the Assegaai River.
The surface water associated with the mining area is mainly used for stock watering,
aquatic eco-systems, and also for human (potable) requirements.
There are no registered wetlands associated with the operational area or in close proximity
to the site according to SANBI however the landowners have pointed out wetlands found to
the north of the site.
Main Impacts
Contamination of surface water.
Decrease of surface water runoff.
Disturbance of the bed and banks of the water courses.
Main Mitigation Measures
All “dirty” water runoff should be kept on site and not allowed to mix and
contaminate clean runoff.
Clean storm water run-off will be diverted around the operational areas so as to
discharge into the natural surface water courses.
The disturbance footprint should be kept as small as possible in order to minimize
the impacts on the riparian habitat;
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page x of xxi
Groundwater
The mining area is mainly located across the mountain area; however the adit complex is
located on a terrace in a lower down the hill-slope.
The lower hill-slopes topographical areas have two principle aquifers. These are the
following:
A weathered aquifer occurring at a depth from 2 to 15 metres.
A fractured Karoo aquifer occurring at depths below 15 metres.
A perched aquifer system occurs above the dolerite sills and that more than one unconfined
/ semi-confined aquifer system occurs above the regional aquifer system that is associated
with the lower topographical system.
The mountain area has various fountains and springs indicating a shallow water table.
The groundwater is mainly used for livestock watering (from fountains and springs) with a
limited use for domestic supply.
Main Impacts
Contamination of the underlying aquifer.
Decrease in the groundwater level.
Main Mitigation Measures
Any groundwater seepage that may flow into the adit during its excavation will be
pumped to the pollution control dam.
Separate the aquifer from the facility by lining the pollution control dams with HDPA
(2mm) and clay on top.
Ensure the impermeability of all storage areas for fuel, lubricants and other
chemicals.
Slope the surface of the stockpile areas to avoid pooling.
Limit groundwater use as much as possible and measure groundwater abstraction
levels.
Air Quality
In the pre-mining environment, there are no major local sources of air pollution. Adjacent
to the site to the south-west of the study area there is an existing coal mining operation
(Kiepersol Colliery Operations) which contributes to air pollution through dust as well as
diesel fumes from the operational trucks and vehicles. In the immediate vicinity, there is
some potential for dust pollution due to traffic on the gravel roads and general agricultural
activity.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page xi of xxi
Main Impacts
Creation of fugitive dust.
Main Mitigation Measures
Dust from the internal roads and operational areas will be suppressed with water
and a dust inhibitor.
The disturbed area will be rehabilitated in order to prevent the generation of dust.
Sensitive Landscapes
The abandoned Kwasa Colliery falls inside the Wakkerstroom Wetlands Grassland proposed
exclusion area in terms of Section 49 of the MPRDA.
The Annysspruit along with other small tributaries flowing in close proximity of the Kwasa
Colliery is also considered sensitive areas.
The wetland north of Kwasa Colliery’s entrance is considered a sensitive area. According to
the landowners there are various different species of waterfowl (spur winged geese,
Egyptian geese, crowned cranes, blue cranes) relying on this wetland.
Main Impacts
Decrease in the surface water runoff into the downstream wetlands.
Degradation/damage to the wetlands and streams due to mining operations.
Main Mitigation Measures
Construct clean water diversion structures prior to construction to divert clean water
away from the construction area and prevent damming of clean water.
A 500m buffer zone must be maintained around all wetland areas.
All “dirty” water should be contained in lined pollution control dams.
No polluted water should be allowed to leave the site or flow into the surface water
system.
Noise
Noise in the area is restricted to routine traffic to and from the surrounding farms and
adjacent mining operations conducted by Kiepersol Colliery. Agricultural activities such as
the cultivation of lands and harvesting of crops also contribute a low scale source of noise
to the ambient level.
Main Impacts
Increase in the ambient noise level.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page xii of xxi
Main Mitigation Measures
Carry out the noisiest labours as quickly as possible and during normal working
hours (07:00 – 17:00) or according to applicable legal criteria.
All vehicles and machines must undergo periodic maintenance and inspection.
Visual
The site is visible from the R543 (Piet Retief – Wakkerstroom) district road, lying some
twelve kilometres to the north of the site. The un-rehabilitated Kwasa Colliery and the
Kiepersol Colliery have already altered the visual character of the Mhlangamvula and
Mhlanganpisi Mountains, especially when looking at the mountains from the north and
west. However the size of the disturbed area at the Kwasa Colliery is very small compared
to the disturbed area at Kiepersol Colliery directly to the west.
Main Impacts
Change in the visual aspects of the area. The landscape impacts with the highest
significance would occur during the construction phase of the mine as the activities during
this stage involve clearing of grassland vegetation for the establishment of the discard
dump, fresh water dam and coal product stockpile areas. This would leave exposed soil
and associated construction components.
Main Mitigation Measures
Demarcate vegetation clearance areas so as to ensure that the minimum amount of
vegetation is removed.
Vegetate berms as far as possible.
Remove the minimum amount of topsoil and store for use in post-construction
rehabilitation.
Salvage indigenous vegetation for re-planting during post-construction
rehabilitation.
Socio Economic Environment
The area for the proposed mine falls within Ward 7 of the Mkhondo Local Municipality which
forms part of the greater Gert Sibande District Municipality.
In terms of Gross Geographical Product the two most important employment sectors are
agriculture at 36% and community services at 18%. The area has a large economically active
population (56%), a total of 43% of the economically active population is unemployed. This
indicates that the economy is unable to accommodate these people, which will either lead
to the out migration of youngsters and/or an increase in domestic poverty.
The N2 is the only national road which traverses the area. Three provincial roads traverse
the area. These include:
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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R33 from the N17 in the north, through Amsterdam and Piet Retief to Vryheid in the
south;
R65 between Ermelo and Swaziland via Amsterdam.
R543 between Swaziland and Volksrust via Piet Retief.
All these roads are tarred but in fairly poor condition and therefore need to be upgraded
and maintained. The R543 is the road that will be used to the Kwasa Colliery.
Main Impacts
Additional employment opportunities
The local and regional road transport network will suffer additional pressure from the
haulage trucks.
Main Mitigation Measures
Use local workers as far as possible.
The construction vehicles must remain on site as far as possible during the
construction period.
Cumulative Impacts
The area in which the mine is located is already substantially transformed by a range of
human activities of which the most significant are mining, agriculture, timber production,
and urban and rural residential developments. As a result the biodiversity of the area is
already significantly reduced and several cohorts of species are either totally or largely lost.
Ecosystem service delivery is impaired and although the degree has not yet been quantified,
there are costs to society. Examples of these costs include expensive water purification,
and reduced public health especially in the poorer communities. The Kwasa mine will not
introduce any new forms of environmental impact but its impacts will act in a cumulative
fashion with the existing impacts. It is considered that the most important of these will be
the following:
Loss of biodiversity. The mine is situated in an area of naturally high biodiversity.
However, human activities such as agriculture, mining, timber production, and urban
and rural residential development have led to serious depletion of the original
biodiversity. At present there are still areas of rich floral diversity on the property
but some of these will be lost as the mine develops.
Reduction of water quality. The mine is unlikely to cause water quality to deteriorate
to levels which are any worse than those at other mines in the region. However, the
change from uncontaminated water yield to contaminated water yield suggests that
the Anysspruit will be affected by loss of dilution of existing pollution. If, however,
significant wetland rehabilitation is undertaken then then this impact will be
reduced.
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Loss of food production. The development of the mine implies that agriculture on
the property will largely cease. Thus food production will be reduced and the general
food shortfall of the country will be exacerbated.
Recommendation
When comparing the environmental impacts that will occur if the Kwasa Colliery is
recommissioned to those that is currently occurring due to the state the environment was
left in, the recommissioning of the Kwasa Colliery should not have unmanageable
additional impacts. Some of the impacts that are currently occurring especially those
pertaining to the contamination of the surface and groundwater will be reduced when
proper mitigation measures are installed.
Considering the above the option of mining out the remaining reserve and then using the
funds to rehabilitate the area is the best practical option to stop the pollution that is
currently occurring at the mine. Therefore it is recommended that environmental
authorisation for the listed activities applied for.
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary ........................................................................................... i
1 Introduction and Background ................................................................... 1
Project Team ......................................................................................................... 2
1.1.1 Contact Details of EAP ................................................................................. 2
Contact Details of Applicant .................................................................................. 3
1.2.1 Name and Contact Details of Mineral Right Holder ...................................... 3
Legal Requirements ............................................................................................... 3
Approach to the Project ......................................................................................... 6
1.4.1 Scoping Phase ............................................................................................. 7
1.4.2 Scope of the EIA .......................................................................................... 7
1.4.3 Authority Involvement ................................................................................. 7
1.4.4 Public Participation ..................................................................................... 8
1.4.5 Decision Making.......................................................................................... 9
1.4.6 Authorities .................................................................................................. 9
1.4.7 Application Procedure ............................................................................... 10
Assumptions and Limitations .............................................................................. 11
1.5.1 Assumptions ............................................................................................. 11
1.5.2 Gaps in Knowledge ................................................................................... 12
Independence ..................................................................................................... 12
Report Structure .................................................................................................. 13
2 Project Description ................................................................................ 15
Regional Setting .................................................................................................. 15
Property Description ........................................................................................... 17
2.2.1 Adjacent Land Tenure and Use .................................................................. 18
2.2.2 Presence of Servitudes .............................................................................. 19
2.2.3 Zoning ...................................................................................................... 21
Objectives of the project ..................................................................................... 21
Physical Project Description ................................................................................. 21
2.4.1 Completed Activities ................................................................................. 21
2.4.2 Planned Activities ...................................................................................... 25
2.4.3 Water Pollution Management Facilities ....................................................... 27
2.4.4 Domestic water use and sanitation ............................................................ 31
2.4.5 Waste Management ................................................................................... 31
Mine Plan ............................................................................................................ 33
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2.5.1 Mineral deposit ......................................................................................... 33
2.5.2 Mine products ........................................................................................... 33
2.5.3 Estimated Reserve ..................................................................................... 36
2.5.4 Mining Methods ........................................................................................ 36
Project Phases ..................................................................................................... 41
2.6.4 Development Procedure ............................................................................ 42
Aspects of Mine Health and Safety ....................................................................... 44
2.7.1 Background ............................................................................................... 44
2.7.2 Health and Safety: General ........................................................................ 44
2.7.3 Traffic ……………………………………………………………………………………..44
3 Need and Desirability ............................................................................ 45
Socio Economic ................................................................................................... 45
Biophysical .......................................................................................................... 46
Project Market ..................................................................................................... 46
Labour Force ....................................................................................................... 46
The Multiplier Effect ............................................................................................ 46
4 Alternatives .......................................................................................... 47
Development Alternatives ................................................................................... 47
Operational Alternatives ...................................................................................... 49
4.2.1 Mining Method .......................................................................................... 49
4.2.2 Mineral Processing Methods ...................................................................... 50
4.2.3 Transport .................................................................................................. 50
4.2.4 Sources of Water ....................................................................................... 50
4.2.5 Mine infrastructure sites ........................................................................... 51
4.2.7 Mine residue disposal site ......................................................................... 51
4.2.8 Domestic and Industrial Waste Disposal Sites ............................................ 51
4.2.9 Housing Sites ............................................................................................ 51
4.2.10 Land Use Option after Rehabilitation ......................................................... 52
5 Existing Status of the Environment ......................................................... 53
Description of the potentially affected environment ............................................ 53
Description of the landscape surrounding the operation ..................................... 54
Assessment of the environment likely to be affected and description of current
environmental state of the study area ................................................................. 54
5.3.1 Climate ..................................................................................................... 54
5.3.2 Air quality ................................................................................................. 55
5.3.3 Geology .................................................................................................... 55
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5.3.4 Topography .............................................................................................. 56
5.3.5 Land capability .......................................................................................... 56
5.3.6 Land Use ................................................................................................... 57
5.3.7 Soils ……………………………………………………………………………………..58
5.3.8 Vegetation ................................................................................................ 58
5.3.9 Surface Water ............................................................................................ 67
5.3.10 Groundwater (Aquifer description) ............................................................ 86
5.3.11 Sensitive Areas .......................................................................................... 87
5.3.12 Noise ……………………………………………………………………………………..90
5.3.13 Visual ……………………………………………………………………………………..90
5.3.14 Socio Economic Environment ..................................................................... 92
5.3.15 Heritage .................................................................................................... 96
Specific environmental features occurring on site which may require protection,
remediation, management or avoidance .............................................................. 96
6 Environmental Impact Assessment ......................................................... 98
Mine Risk Assessment ......................................................................................... 98
The Definition of Significance in the context of this EIA ....................................... 99
6.2.1 Context ................................................................................................... 100
6.2.2 Spatial ……………………………………………………………………………………100
6.2.3 Temporal ................................................................................................ 100
6.2.4 Intensity .................................................................................................. 101
6.2.5 Certainty ................................................................................................. 101
6.2.6 Special knowledge................................................................................... 101
6.2.7 Perceptions ............................................................................................. 101
6.2.8 Levels of Significance .............................................................................. 101
6.2.9 Implications of the Significance Rating Scale ........................................... 102
6.2.10 Summary of the Significance Rating Matrix .............................................. 102
Environmental Impact Assessment .................................................................... 111
6.3.1 Construction Phase ................................................................................. 111
6.3.2 Operational Phase ................................................................................... 122
6.3.3 Decommissioning Phase.......................................................................... 130
7 Environmental Management and Implementation Plan ........................... 139
Environmental Management Plan ....................................................................... 139
Roles and Responsibilities ................................................................................. 140
Probability of Impacts Occurring Pre and Post Mitigation ................................... 167
Environmental Objectives and Goals for Mine Closure ....................................... 170
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7.4.1 Geology .................................................................................................. 170
7.4.2 Topography ............................................................................................ 171
7.4.3 Soils ……………………………………………………………………………………171
7.4.4 Land Capability ....................................................................................... 171
7.4.5 Land Use ................................................................................................. 172
7.4.6 Vegetation .............................................................................................. 172
7.4.7 Animal Life .............................................................................................. 173
7.4.8 Surface Water .......................................................................................... 173
Closure objectives ............................................................................................. 173
7.4.9 Groundwater ........................................................................................... 174
7.4.10 Air Quality ............................................................................................... 174
7.4.11 Noise ……………………………………………………………………………………175
7.4.12 Sites of Archaeological and Cultural Interest ........................................... 175
7.4.13 Sensitive Landscapes ............................................................................... 175
7.4.14 Visual Aspects ......................................................................................... 176
7.4.15 Regional Socio-economic Structure ......................................................... 176
7.4.16 Interested and Affected Parties (IAP’s) ..................................................... 176
7.4.17 Infrastructure areas ................................................................................. 177
7.4.18 Mine residue deposits ............................................................................. 177
7.4.19 Disposal facilities .................................................................................... 177
7.4.20 Ongoing seepage, control of rainwater .................................................... 177
7.4.21 Long-term stability ................................................................................. 178
7.4.22 Final rehabilitation in respect of erosion and dust control ....................... 178
7.4.23 Sealing of underground workings and rehabilitation of dangerous
excavations. ................................................................................. 178
7.4.24 Final rehabilitation of mine haul ramps. .................................................. 179
8 Public Participation Process ................................................................. 180
Creating Public Awareness ................................................................................ 182
8.1.1 Site Notice .............................................................................................. 182
8.1.2 Newspaper Adverts ................................................................................. 182
8.1.3 Background Information Document ......................................................... 183
Public Meetings ................................................................................................. 183
8.2.1 Public Meeting ........................................................................................ 183
8.2.2 Focus Group Meetings ............................................................................. 185
Authority Meetings ............................................................................................ 185
Register of IAPs ................................................................................................. 187
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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Issues Raised .................................................................................................... 190
Issues and Responses ....................................................................................... 191
9 Methodology ...................................................................................... 214
Desktop Analysis............................................................................................... 214
Guiding Principles ............................................................................................. 215
9.2.1 Balanced sustainable approach................................................................ 215
9.2.2 Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) .......................................... 215
9.2.3 Precautionary Principle ............................................................................ 216
Assumptions and limitations ............................................................................. 216
10 Environmental Impact Statement .......................................................... 217
11 Appendices ........................................................................................ 218
List of Figures
Figure 1: Locality Map .................................................................................................. 16
Figure 2: Title Deed ...................................................................................................... 17
Figure 3: Specific location of planned activities ............................................................. 18
Figure 4: Map showing surrounding farm .................................................................... 20
Figure 5: Graphical representation of the storm water management plan ...................... 29
Figure 6: Layout plan of the mining area....................................................................... 32
Figure 7: Product Stockpile area at the access gate ....................................................... 33
Figure 8: Mining Plan .................................................................................................... 34
Figure 9: Proposed Kwasa operation adjacent to the Kiepersol Colliery ......................... 35
Figure 10: Elevation profile of the proposed site (North to South) ................................. 56
Figure 11: Dominant vegetation types on the mine property. Source: Mucina and
Rutherford (2006) .............................................................................................. 60
Figure 12: Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan (2014) for the area around the mine site.
.......................................................................................................................... 61
Figure 13: Areas which have been, or still are, under cultivation and timber production62
Figure 14: Usutu to Mhlatuze WMA ............................................................................... 68
Figure 15: Upper Usutu Catchment ............................................................................... 69
Figure 16: Water Management Areas............................................................................. 71
Figure 17: Layout of the mine property showing the proposed infrastructure in relation to
the water courses ............................................................................................... 74
Figure 18: Rivers in close proximity to Kwasa Colliery................................................... 75
Figure 19: The five streams with its 100m buffer zone in relation to the operational areas
of the proposed colliery ..................................................................................... 77
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Figure 20: Health categories used for describing the Present Ecological State (PES) of
wetlands. From Macfarlane et al, 2008. .............................................................. 81
Figure 21: Kwasa Colliery Proximity to Registered Wetlands .......................................... 82
Figure 22: Land Uses in the Usutu to Mhlathuze WM ..................................................... 84
Figure 23: Sectorial Water Requirements (Usutu to Mhlathuze) ...................................... 85
Figure 24: Schematic representation of the different aquifer systems (GCS, 2009) ........ 86
Figure 25: The Wakkerstroom Wet Grasslands (WWG) proposed exclusion area (233, 393
ha) extending over 120 farms within the Pixley Ka Seme and Mkhondo Local
Municipalities ..................................................................................................... 89
Figure 26: Population per Ward .................................................................................... 93
List of Tables
Table 1: Identified Listed Activities in terms of NEMA EIA Regulations, 2010 .................. 3
Table 2: Relevant Authorities ........................................................................................ 10
Table 3: Application Procedure ..................................................................................... 10
Table 4: Distance to the Neighbouring Towns and Villages ........................................... 15
Table 5: Property Details .............................................................................................. 17
Table 6: Activities during Rehabilitation ........................................................................ 42
Table 7: Summary of Development Activities ................................................................ 43
Table 8: Pre-mining land capability of the operational adit complex ............................. 57
Table 9: Vegetation types on the original Farm Goedehoop 169 HT (Conservation status
.......................................................................................................................... 59
Table 10: Vegetation types on the original Farm Goedehoop 169 HT. Conservation status
from Mucina and Rutherford (2006). .................................................................. 59
Table 11: Indigenous flowers found on the site ............................................................ 63
Table 12: Indigenous trees found on the site ................................................................ 64
Table 13: Grass species found in the site ...................................................................... 64
Table 14: Red Data listed bird species recorded in the area around the mine. ............... 66
Table 15: Common Mammal Species occurring in Mkhondo .......................................... 67
Table 16: Threatened Mammal Species occurring in Mkhondo ...................................... 67
Table 19: Water chemistry readings from four streams ................................................. 73
Table 20: Centre points and areas of the four dams found on the property................... 78
Table 21: Primary hazard class type if mineral mined ................................................... 98
Table 22: Classification of Mines .................................................................................. 99
Table 23: Example of Natural Vegetation (Summarised Impact) ..................................... 99
Table 24: The Significance Rating Scale ...................................................................... 102
Table 25: Implications of the Significance Rating Scale ............................................... 103
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Table 26: Categorization of the main activities in terms of the aspects of the operation
........................................................................................................................ 104
Table 27: Responsible role players ............................................................................. 140
Table 28: Potential impact and mitigation register for the construction phase ............ 141
Table 29: Potential impact and mitigation register for the operational phase .............. 150
Table 30: Potential Impact ad Mitigation Register for the Decommissioning Phase ...... 158
Table 31: Probability of Impact Occurring Pre and Post Mitigation .............................. 168
Table 32: IAPs Register ............................................................................................... 187
Table 33: Issues and Responses ................................................................................. 191
Appendices
Appendix A: Public Participation
A.1 Proof of Placement of Notices
A.2 Proof of Notification of key Stakeholders
A.3 Information Provided
A.4 Authorities Involvement
A.5 List of Registered I&APs
A.6 Minutes from Meetings Held
Appendix B: Historical Date
B.1 VBA Shelly Colliery EMPR Groundwater and Surface Water Quality Sections (Feb 1998)
B.2 VBA Environmental Management Report – Goedehoop Colliery Washing Plant (June
2002)
Appendix C
Motivation for the consideration of the Wakkerstroom Wet Grasslands under Section 49 of
the MPRDA
Appendix D: Maps and Plans
D.1 Layout Plan (A3)
D.2 Silt Trap Design
D.3 Water Balance Diagram
Appendix E: Site Photographs
Appendix F: Specialist Studies
F.1 Integrated Water Management Report
F.2 Biodiversity and Wetland Assessment Report
F.3 Visual Impact Assessment Report
Appendix G: Environmental Awareness Plan
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1 Introduction and Background
At the end of 2009 Kwasa Mining Services (Pty) Ltd purchased an abandoned underground
mine previously operated as Protea Colliery by kwaZulu Collieries which has been
liquidated. Kwasa Mining Services (Pty) Ltd abandoned the colliery and left the area in an
un-rehabilitated state with old equipment, scrap metal, old coal dumps and rock heaps.
Five shafts in the adit complex were left open and in an unsafe state and the area was also
eroded by water erosion over the years. Although Kwasa Mining Services (Pty) Ltd. is
currently the responsible party, a formal process has been initiated under Section 11 of the
MPRDA for the appointed Business Rescue manager to apply to the DMR to transfer the
Mining Right to Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd, who is able and willing to take this over,
together with the environmental liabilities.
The area that is planned to be mined by Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd is larger than 5
hectares. The previous mining company Kwasa Mining Services (Pty) Ltd. has been issued
with a Mining Right over the farm Goedehoop 169 HT on 2nd March 2011, Protocol Number
1092/2011, DMR Reference Number MP 30/5/1/2/2/415MR F2009/04/28/004. The list
of activities in this report has been compiled to ensure that the application for
environmental authorisations for the envisaged operation is aligned with what is planned
in practice. This application focusses on the NEMA requirements: a Water Use license
Application process has started.
In line with the policy of operating within the framework of the various, relevant laws,
Siphiwo and its various partners has appointed KSE Services to manage the process of
applying for the environmental authorisations, and uKhozi Environmentalists as the
independent environmental assessment practitioners.
The following studies have been conducted at Kwasa Colliery in the past and were used
during the compilation of this report:
Addendum to the Environmental Management Programme Report (EMPR) for the
Kwasa Colliery (old Protea Colliery) compiled by uKhozi Environmentalists in March
2010;
Water Use License application screening report compiled by uKhozi
Environmentalists;
VBA Shelly Colliery EMPR Groundwater and Surface Water Quality Sections (Feb
1998);
VBA Environmental Management Report – Goedehoop Colliery Washing Plant (June
2002).
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Project Team
uKhozi Environmentalists aims to provide an independent, quality, and time efficient
service to proponents of environmentally responsible developments throughout Southern
Africa (SADC), and to advise those proponents that do not advocate such an approach.
The identification, assessment and coordination of participative and sustainable
environmental solutions have developed since 1996 as a focal mission of KSE and its sister
company uKhozi–Community Upliftment Services: these two companies have now merged,
to form uKhozi Environmentalists.
Operational Frameworks
Code of Practice: International Assessment for Public Participation (IAP2);
Code of Practice: International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA);
Code of Ethics: South African Council for Natural Scientists;
Code of Ethics: SA Institute of Forestry;
Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) Interim Certification Board.
Environmental Assessment Practitioner Team Consists of:
Mr Tommy Olivier
Environmental Consultant completed his BSc in Ecology as well as his BSc Environmental
Management and Analysis Honours degree at The University of Pretoria. His honours
project focused on climate change and the effects that modern society has thereon. He has
five years’ experience working as an environmental consultant at uKhozi Environmentalists
where he has managed a number of different EIA’s, Basic Assessments and Water Use
License Applications mainly for coal mining operations. Tommy has been a member of the
International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) since 2012.
Mr Inus de Wit
Environmental Consultant completed his BSc in Ecology as well as his BSc Environmental
Management and Analysis Honours degree at The University of Pretoria. His honours
projects focused on Soil particles size and the distribution of Juliana’s Golden Mole. He
recently completed his Master’s Degree in MSc Water Resource Management. His thesis
focused on the physiological effects of turbine pressure on freshwater fish species. He has
3 years’ experience working as an environmental consultant.
1.1.1 Contact Details of EAP
Name: Tommy Olivier
Telephone: (012) 665 2471
Fax: 086 767 8072
Cell: 082 521 8870
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E-mail: [email protected]
Contact Details of Applicant
Name: Bob Nkosi
Telephone: 074 104 0662
Fax:
Cell: 074 104 0662
E-mail: [email protected]
1.2.1 Name and Contact Details of Mineral Right Holder
Siphiwo Investments is busy with a Section 11 Transfer to transfer the Mining Right from
Kwasa Mining Services to Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd.
Legal Requirements
The proposed operation requires a full scoping and environmental impact assessment (EIA)
in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Management Act
(NEMA) (2010) triggering activities nr 5, 6, 15 and 20 in GN 545 (Listing notice 2).
The following legislation is relevant to the environmental authorisation of the proposed
development.
National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998):
The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) creates the fundamental legal
framework that gives effect to the environment right guaranteed in Section 24 of the
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 108 of 1996. NEMA sets out the fundamental
principles that apply to environmental decision making, some of which derive from
international environmental law and other from the Constitution. The core environmental
principle is the promotion of ecologically sustainable development.
The following listed activities have been identified in terms of NEMA EIA Regulations 2010:
Table 1: Identified Listed Activities in terms of NEMA EIA Regulations, 2010
Listing Notice No
. Description of activity
BAR/
Scoping
and EIA
GN No. R.544
18 June 2010 9
Constructions of two pipelines from the fresh water
dam and PCD 3 to the washing plant, both pipelines
exceeding a 1000m in length.
BAR
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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GN No. R.544
18 June 2010 11
Construction of a runoff berm within 32 meters of the
watercourse between the water course and the plant to
protect the wetland.
BAR
GN No. R.544
18 June 2010 12
Construction of a fresh water dam with a capacity of
more than 50 000 m3. BAR
GN No. R.544
18 June 2010 13
Storing diesel on site in containers that can hold more
than 80m3 but less than 500m3. BAR
GN No. R.544
18 June 2010 18
Construction of the in stream fresh water dam. BAR
GN No. R.544
18 June 2010 23
The development of the discard dump area which will
include an access road, fence, pollution control dams
and plastic lining.
BAR
GN No. R.544
18 June 2010 39
The expansion of five crossings to allow mine
management to access the PCDs and other areas
around the colliery.
BAR
GN No. R.545
18 June
2010
5
The application for a water use licence for the following
water uses:
Section 21 (a), (b), (c), (g), (i) and (j).
Scoping
EIA
GN No. R.545
18 June 2010 6
Transportation of run-off mine from the shaft to
crushing and screening area via a conveyor belt system.
Scoping
EIA
GN No. R.545
18 June 2010 15
The development of the operational area which will
include a Co-Disposal dump site, access road, pollution
control dams, product and ROM stockpile areas and a
fresh water storage dam.
Scoping
EIA
GN No. R.545
18 June 2010 20
Kwasa Colliery has an existing mining right. Scoping
EIA
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 48 of 2008) (MPRDA)
The objective of the MPRDA is to facilitate meaningful participation of HDSAs in the mining
and minerals industry. In particular, section 100(2) (a) of the MPRDA provides for the
development of the Mining Charter as an instrument to effect transformation with specific
targets. Embedded in the Mining Charter of 2002 is the provision to review the progress
and determine what further steps, if any, need to be made to achieve its objectives.
The previous mining company Kwasa Mining Services (Pty) Ltd. has been issued with a
Mining Right over the farm Goedehoop 169 HT on 2nd March 2011, Protocol Number
1092/2011, DMR Reference Number MP 30/5/1/2/2/415MR F2009/04/28/004.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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Although Kwasa Mining Services (Pty) Ltd. is currently the responsible party, a formal
process has been initiated under Section 11 of the MPRDA for the appointed Business
Rescue manager to apply to the DMR to transfer the Mining Right to Siphiwo Investments
(Pty) Ltd, who is able and willing to take this over, together with the environmental
liabilities.
National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Act, 2014 (Act 26 of 2014) (NEM:
WA):
To reform the law regulating waste management in order to protect health and the
environment by providing reasonable measures for the prevention of pollution and
ecological degradation and for securing ecologically sustainable development; to provide
for institutional arrangements and planning matters; to provide for national norms and
standards for regulating the management of waste by all spheres of government; to provide
for specific waste management measures; to provide for the licensing and control of waste
management activities; to provide for the remediation of contaminated land; to provide for
the national waste information system; to provide for compliance and enforcement; and to
provide for matters connected therewith.
GN No. 921 Category B Activity nr 7 – The disposal of any quantity of hazardous
waste to land.
According to the NEM: WA, which came into effect in May 2014, residue stockpiles are
seen as hazardous waste. NEM: WA defines residue stockpiles as follows:
“Any debris, discard, tailings, slimes, screening, slurry, waste, rock, foundry sand, mineral
processing plant waste, ash or any other product derived from or incidental to a mining
operation and which is stockpiled, stored or accumulated, within the mining area for
potential re-use, or which is disposed of, by the holder of a mining right, mining permit
or, production right or an old order right, including historic mines and dumps created
before the implementation of this Act”.
According to GN No. 921 a person who wishes to commence, undertake or conduct a waste
management activity listed in Category B of GN No. 921, must conduct a Scoping and
Environmental Impact Reporting process set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment
regulations made under section 24(5) of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998
(Act 107 of 1998) as part of the waste management license application.
National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act 39 of 2004) (NEM: AQA):
The objective of the Air Quality Act is to protect the environment by providing the necessary
legislation for the prevention of air pollution. The Act also covers potential air pollution
originating from stockpiles. As with NEMA, the Act will specify listed activities that may not
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
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be conducted without an atmospheric emission licence. The licensing of such activities will
be under the control of the metropolitan and district municipalities.
National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10 of 2004):
The Act provides for the management and conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity within
the framework of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998. Among other things
the Act deals with the protection of listed threatened or protected ecosystems and species,
and requires permits to be issued to authorise restricted activities (which include
conveying, moving or otherwise translocation of any specimen of a listed threatened or
protected species) involving such ecosystems and species. The Act’s permit system is
further regulated in the Act’s Threatened or Protected Species Regulations, which were
promulgated in February 2007.
Occupational Health &Safety Act (85 of 1993):
The objective of Act is to provide for the health and safety of persons at work. In addition,
the Act requires that “as far as reasonably practicable, the employers must ensure that their
activities do not expose non-employees to health hazards” (Glazewski, 2005: 575). The
importance of the Act lies in its numerous regulations, many of which will be relevant to
the proposed manganese smelter. These cover, among other issues, noise, lighting,
emergency preparedness, management of dust and handling, storage and transportation
of hazardous materials.
National Water Act, 1998 (Act no. 36 of 1998)
A Water Use License Application has been made with the Department of Water and
Sanitation in terms of Section 21 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) for the
following water uses:
S.21 (a): Taking water from a water resource;
S.21 (b): Storing water;
S.21 (c): Impeding or diverting the flow of water in a water course;
S.21 (g): Disposing of water or water containing waste in a manner that may
detrimentally impact on a water resource;
S.21 (i): Altering the bed, banks or characteristics of a water course;
S.21 (J): Removing, discharging or disposing of water found underground for the
continuation of an activity or for the safety of persons.
Approach to the Project
The EIA process is divided into two main phases, which are the Scoping Phase and
Environmental Impact Assessment Phases. During these phases public participation is
conducted to get input from key stakeholders where the potential exists for them to be
affected by a proposed activity.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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1.4.1 Scoping Phase
The scoping phase objectives is to identify in broad terms the environmental issues and
project alternatives that must be assessed in the subsequent EIA phase. Explicit provision
is made in the scoping phase for the involvement of Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs)
in the EIA process.
1.4.2 Scope of the EIA
The EIA will focus on the biophysical, social and economic impacts that might be caused
by the proposed operation and will also address the mitigation measures that will be
implemented to avoid and/or minimise these impacts.
The public will form part of the process in identifying these impacts during the public
participation process that will be conducted throughout the EIA process.
1.4.3 Authority Involvement
The Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (DEDET) Ermelo
conducted a site visit in September 2014 after the final scoping report was submitted. On
the 16th of September 2014 the final scoping report was accepted by DEDET (refer to the
acceptance letter in Appendix A.4.1.1).
The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) conducted a site visit on the 21st of May 2013. After
the site visit DWA issued a warning letter on the 24th of June 2013 to Kwasa Mining Services
(Pty) Ltd indicating that the mine has water use activities that are unlawful and that activities
at the mine imposes a risk of polluting the surrounding water resources. DWA afforded
the mine an opportunity to make written representations to the Department within 30 days,
if according to the responsible party, compelling reasons can be submitted to the
Department (refer to Appendix A.4.2 for the full letter).
KSE Services representing Siphiwo replied to DWA’s warning letter on the 19th of July 2013
stating that:
There are several non-compliances at the mine, as noted during the visit by Officials
of the Department in June 2013.
Although Kwasa Mining Services (Pty) Ltd. is currently the responsible party, a formal
process has been initiated under Section 11 of the MPRDA for the appointed Business
Rescue manager to apply to the DMR to transfer the Mining Right to Siphiwo
Investments, who is able and willing to take this over, together with the
environmental liabilities.
Siphiwo recognises the urgency of the pollution control measures needed on the
site.
uKhozi Environmentalists prepared an application for a Water Use Licence which was
submitted to Kwasa Collieries in March 2010. Siphiwo is currently following up to
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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determine the date and office to which this application was submitted. The
Department is requested indicate if a copy of this application can be made available.
Siphiwo recognises the need for a coal washing plant to beneficiate the Run-of-Mine
coal to an acceptable product specification, and this implies the need for a discard
dump.
Siphiwo has received a proposal from uKhozi Environmentalists to address:
Water Use Licence in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 – revision and
amendment as per the requirement for a washing plant and discard dump;
Environmental Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management
Act, 1998– as may be relevant.
In the email accompanying the letter KSE Services indicated that uKhozi
Environmentalists have been appointed to conduct the Water Use Licence Application
and EIA.
A period of some eight months (plus?) will thus be required for the mine to become
environmentally compliant, and STA needs to confirm the feasibility thereof in terms
of accepting the responsibility liabilities for the mine (refer to Appendix A.4.2 for
full letter).
The Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management (IUCMA) Agency conducted a site visit on
the 17th of November 2014 in order to advise on the way forward with regards to the
Water Use License application.
On the 25th of February 2015 a meeting was held with the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment
Management (IUCMA) Agency and the DMR to find a collective way forward as to who is
liable to rehabilitate or to contain the pollution at Kwasa Colliery.
uKhozi requested an extension for the submission of the draft EIA/EMP Report in order to
finish the necessary specialist studies. The landowner did not allow access for all the
specialists in time therefor the report has to be submitted in order to stick to the deadline
of February 2016 set by the department.
1.4.4 Public Participation
During the Scoping/EIA process a public participation process was undertaken to allow
IAPs to voice their concerns and issues regarding the project. The key elements of the
process included:
Development and distribution of a background information document (BID);
Informing IAPs of the proposed mining operation through a newspaper
advertisement and notification letters.
A key stakeholder meeting held in Piet Retief on the 5th of September 2013
(refer to Appendix A.6.1 for the NfR).
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A meeting was held with the landowner Ms Reinette Boshoff’s
representatives, Foster Attorneys in Ottosdal on the 24th of February 2014
(refer to Appendix A.6.3 for the NfR).
A public meeting held in Piet Retief on the 25th of February 2014 (refer to
Appendix A.6.2 for the NfR).
A 2nd public meeting held in Piet Retief on the 5th of December 2014 (refer
to Appendix A.6.5 for the NfR).
During this process a register of IAPs was compiled, together with a record of their
comments and responses from the project proponent and the EAP (refer to Issues and
Response Report in section 8.6 of this report).
The Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report will be emailed or posted to the
registered IAPs for their comment. A copy will also be made available at the public library
in Piet Retief.
A final public meeting will be held after the IAPs have had time to work through the draft
EIA/EMPr. The comments received during the review period and public meeting will be
taken into account in finalising the EIA/EMPr for submission to the DEDET. The outstanding
specialist studies also need to be completed before the EIA/EMPr can be finalised. This
depends on whether the landowner and Applicant can come to an agreement.
1.4.5 Decision Making
The decision-making framework comprises of the following:
Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism
(DEDET), Ermelo;
Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency (IUCMA (Nelspruit);
Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS Nelspruit)
Department of Mineral Resources (Witbank) (DMR);
Mkhondo Local Municipality;
Gert Sibande District Municipality;
The Applicant Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd.
1.4.6 Authorities
The relevant authorities are described in Table 2.
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Table 2: Relevant Authorities
Department Description of applicable
department
Contact person
DEDET Department of Agriculture
and Environmental Affairs
(Ermelo) which regulates
activities as listed under
NEMA.
Thabile Mahlakudt
Cell: 072 571 8851
DMR Department of Minerals
Resources (Witbank) which
regulates mining related
activities.
Matshilele Ramovha
Tel: 013 653 0500
IUMCA Responsible for water use
applications in the Usutu
Catchment.
Thabo Rasiuba
Golden Mthembi
Tel: 013 753 9000
Cell: 083 825 8894
Fax: 086 668 8681
DWS The Department of Water
and Sanitation (DWS),
which regulates water and
environmental related
issues. Responsible for
water use applications
The Usutu Catchment is
the relevant catchment
management area.
Adolph Mbetse – 078 893 8924
Mdu Nkuna – 083 634 8769 /
Tel: 013 932 2206
1.4.7 Application Procedure
Table 3: Application Procedure
Application for Environmental Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental
Management Act (107), 1998 (“NEMA”)
Date Activity
27 November 2013 Application was accepted by DEDET
on or before
30 May 2014
Submit a Draft Scoping Report R.29.
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Application for Environmental Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental
Management Act (107), 1998 (“NEMA”)
Date Activity
10 July 2014 40 day comment period ends for Draft Scoping Report.
30 July 2014 Submit Final Scoping report.
16 September 2014 Final Scoping Report Accepted by DEDET;
October 2014 Appoint Specialists as per the plan of study in the Scoping
Report.
February 2016 Submit Draft EIAR.
March 2016 30 day comment period ends for Draft EIAR.
30 April 2016 Submit final EIAR.
June 2016 Finalization of the application by the Department.
30 June 2016
onwards
If approved –project goes ahead
If not approved, applicant to review options.
Assumptions and Limitations
The report is based on currently available information and, as a result, the following
assumptions and limitations are implicit in it:
1.5.1 Assumptions
The report is based on project descriptions from the EMPR that was done for Kwasa
Mining Services in March 2010 and these are likely to undergo a number of
iterations and refinements before it can be regarded as definite.
The information provided by the applicant is correct and accurate;
A project description based on the final design would be provided if changes occur.
Descriptions of the natural and social environments are based on available studies
and field work. More information will be provided in the Final EIA/EMPr based on
the outcomes of the specialist studies. The following specialist studies are being
conducted:
Hydrogeological and Geochemical Study (Groundwater Consulting Services
GCS);
Hydrology Study (GFK Consulting Engineers);
Biodiversity study and Wetland Delineation (Terratest);
Soil Specialist Study (uKhozi Environmentalists);
Visual Impact Assessment (uKhozi Environmentalists);
Heritage Impact Assessment (eThembeni Cultural Heritage);
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Integration of the Social and Labour Plan with the Socio Economic Assessment
(KSE Services).
The groundwater model will be updated as information becomes available during
the operational phase of the colliery.
1.5.2 Gaps in Knowledge
The specialist studies were conducted to certain levels of confidence, and in all instances
known methodologies have been used and confidence levels are generally high. This
means that in most cases the situation described in the pre-mining environment is
accurate at high certainty levels, but there exists a low probability that some issues have
not been identified during the studies. Such situations cannot be avoided simply due to
the nature of field work and have therefore not been further discussed below.
Furthermore, statistical analyses and mathematical models are merely tools which assist
the researcher in assessing field observations and have innate assumptions which can
reduce objectivity of the results obtained. This is not seen as a major flaw but should
always be considered when assessing results.
This report aims to identify potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed
activities, however seeing as it is an on-going process the scope of the impacts identified
could change through new information coming to light. Should this happen, the new
information and changes to the scope will be added to the report. The following specialist
studies have not been completed because the landowner refused access to the site and
will form part of the final EIA/EMPr:
Hydrogeological Assessment;
Hydrology Assessment;
Heritage Impact Assessment;
Soils and Land Capability.
Independence
uKhozi Environmentalists (Pty) Ltd are:
the independent environmental practitioners in this application;
do not have and will not have any vested interest (either business, financial, personal
or other) in the undertaking of the proposed activity, other than remuneration for
work performed in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010;
will perform the work relating to the application in an objective manner, even if this
results in views and findings that are not favourable to the applicant;
declare that there are no circumstances that may compromise our objectivity in
performing such work;
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have expertise in conducting environmental impact assessments, including knowledge
of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act107 of 1998), regulations
and any guidelines that have relevance to the proposed activity;
will comply with the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act107 of 1998),
regulations and all other applicable legislation;
will take the provisions of regulation 7(2) of the EIA Regulations, 2010 into account
when preparing any report relating to this application;
undertake to disclose to the applicant and the KZN Department of Agriculture,
Environmental Affairs and Rural Development all material information in our
possession that reasonably has or may have the potential of influencing its decision
with respect to this application;
will ensure that information contained in all reports in respect of this application is
distributed or made available to interested and affected parties and that their
participation is facilitated in such a manner that they will be provided with a
reasonable opportunity to participate and provide comments on the reports;
will provide the competent authority with access to all information at our disposal
regarding this application, whether such information is favourable to the applicant or
not;
declare that all the particulars furnished by uKhozi in this report are true and correct;
realise that a false declaration is an offence in terms of regulation 71 of the EIA
Regulations, 2010 and is punishable in terms of section 24F of the National
Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998); and
will comply with all the requirements as indicated in the National Environmental
Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998) and Environmental Impact Assessment
Regulations, 2010.
Report Structure
This report, which complies with the minimum requirements of National Environmental
Management Act (Act 107 of 1998), Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, has
been structured as follows:
Chapter 1: Introduction and background. This chapter includes the background to
the project, EAP and project teams details, the applicant’s contact details, legislative
requirements, the approach to the project, assumptions, limitations and gaps in
knowledge;
Chapter 2: Project Description. This chapter includes the property description,
objectives of the project, physical project description, mine plan, project phases as
well as aspects of mine health and safety.
Chapter 3: Need and Desirability. This chapter describe the socio economic and
biophysical need and desirability of the proposed project.
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Chapter 4: Alternatives. This chapter describes the development alternatives and
operational alternatives that have been considered for the proposed project.
Chapter 5: Environmental Status Quo. This chapter describes the baseline
environmental conditions on and around the site.
Chapter 6: Environmental Impact Assessment. This chapter describes the criteria
and rating system applied to assess the significance of the impacts along with the
impact assessment of each identified impact before mitigation.
Chapter 7: Environmental Management Plan. This chapter describes the roles and
responsibilities, mitigation measures for each identified impact, implementation
schedule, and significance rating after mitigation, the probability of the impact
occurring pre and post mitigation as well as the closure plan.
Chapter 8: Public Participation Process. This chapter describes the steps taken by
uKhozi to consult with stakeholders and relevant authorities, the results of the
consultation process thus far, IAP register as well as an Issues and Response
Report;
Chapter 9: Methodology. This chapter describes the methodology used during the
EIA process, guiding principles, as well as the assumptions and limitations;
Chapter 10: Environmental Impact Statement.
Chapter 11: References. All documents consulted during the formulation of this
report are cited in this chapter.
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2 Project Description
Kwasa is a small, underground coal mine. It is planned to establish a wash plant on site.
The mining methods will be bord and pillar, using a coal cutter with minimal drill and blast.
There will be no secondary mining of the pillars that would compromise the long term
integrity of the roof.
Regional Setting
Kwasa Colliery is situated in the Gert Sibande Magisterial District which falls within the
Mkhondo Local Municipality in Mpumalanga.
The coal reserve is located approximately 37 km south-west of the town of Piet Retief, 22
km due East of the town of Dirkiesdorp and 58 km East of the town of Wakkerstroom
(please refer to Figure 1 and Table 4).
The locality of the area under application is illustrated in the Regional Setting Map.
Reference is made to Figure 1 which shows the main features of the land and mining area
to which the application relates.
Table 4: Distance to the Neighbouring Towns and Villages
Town Distance
Dirkiesdorp 22km
Piet Retief 31km
Wakkerstroom 58km
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Figure 1: Locality Map
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Property Description
The abandoned Kwasa Colliery is located on the farm Goedehoop 169 HT. Please refer to
the property details and title dead below.
Table 5: Property Details
No. Property
Description Area (ha) Land owner Capacity
1
Goedehoop 169 HT
(remaining extent)
801.1229 I.J.C Boshoff Surface owner
Figure 2: Title Deed
The previously disturbed area was abandoned in an un-rehabilitated state with old
equipment, scrap metal, old coal dumps and rock heaps. Five shafts in the adit complex
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were left open in an unsafe state and the area was also eroded by water erosion over the
years.
Figure 3 indicates the specific locations of all the activities planned on portion 0 (RE) of
the farm Goedehoop 169 HT for the refurbishment of the Kwasa Colliery.
Figure 3: Specific location of planned activities
2.2.1 Adjacent Land Tenure and Use
The adjacent land use consists mainly of agriculture and (to a lesser extent) also coal
mining. Agricultural use is in the form of scattered forestry plantations, crops (maize),
domestic livestock (cattle and sheep) and artificial pastures. Coal mining activities
include:
Protea Colliery (defunct and abandoned), some 12km to the north-east;
Kiepersol Colliery (operational since 2004) adjacent, to the west, and
Savmore Colliery to the North West (defunct).
Parts of the area are inhabited by communities that were relocated from an area south of
the mountain (Mhlangamvula). Other areas are still scarcely inhabited as they are
commercial farming areas. The current land use thus includes:
Residential – subsistence farming;
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Commercial agriculture – grazing;
Commercial agriculture – arable;
Commercial plantations (“Blue gum Trees”).
Bulk sampling has been done in the surrounding area as well.
2.2.2 Presence of Servitudes
The following servitudes have been identified on site:
Power lines: overhead, supplied and owned by Eskom.
Access road: Through the portion of the RE of Goedehoop 169 HT (runs from North to
South).
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Figure 4: Map showing surrounding farm
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2.2.3 Zoning
The site is currently zoned for agriculture.
Objectives of the project
The purpose of the project is to reclaim the remaining reserve at the old Kwasa Colliery.
Mining methods will include underground mining. During the mining operation, the
current pollution footprint will be decreased by the establishment of a pollution control
system to contain the current source of pollution. The un-rehabilitated areas outside the
mining footprint will be rehabilitated as part of the first phase of the project.
Physical Project Description
Kwasa Colliery is a small underground coal mine that was left in an unrehabilitated state.
There are construction activities that have been completed as well as infrastructure left
on site but these would need to be refurbished during the construction phase. There are
also a number of additional construction activities required before sustainable mining can
continue. These are described in detail below.
2.4.1 Completed Activities
The development of the mine up to this point in time have all been done and funded by
Kwasa Mining Services (Pty) Ltd. The following activities had been completed
approximately three years ago but would probably need to be refurbished:
Refurbishment of access road to the mine and shafts;
Installation of Eskom power lines and transformers;
Refurbishment of the underground workings, with
a) roof stabilisation,
b) conveyor system,
c) ventilation infrastructure,
d) water management.
Fencing of the shafts;
Development of access control;
Setting out of a stockpile and loading area;
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Photo Plate 1: Open adits
Photo Plate 2: Existing access road
Infrastructure on site
The following infrastructure is currently on site:
Access roads as well as internal roads;
Security berms and palisades;
Old mining equipment;
Abandoned buildings;
Power Lines.
Refer to the photographs below.
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Photo Plate 3: Old Mining Equipment
Photo Plate 4: Abandoned Buildings
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Photo Plate 5: Old mining equipment and abandoned buildings
Photo Plate 6: Existing security berm
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Photo Plate 7: Palisades on the mining area
Photo Plate 8: Power lines
2.4.2 Planned Activities
Construction Phase
The following activities will be carried out during the construction phase:
Refurbishment and reconstruction of the water pollution control system;
Construction of one fresh water storage dam;
Construction of four pollution control dams (PCDs);
Construction of silt traps at each PCD;
Transport to site and erection of a modular washing plant;
Power is available
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Preparation of the discard management facility (Co-Disposal Dump site);
Construction of offices and a change house;
Installation of a septic tank system;
Commissioning of an existing weighbridge;
New security house at main gate;
Final trenching and berms;
New runoff water catchment areas;
Three freshwater towers and tanks;
Installation of a new conveyor belt in the Alfred seam adit;
Road signs;
Water pumps and piping for PCDs and clean water storage dam;
Security lights at gates.
Five year contractual commitments for the supply and operation of crushing and
screening equipment;
Five year contractual commitments for underground mining services.
The facilities inside the operational area will be fenced such as the PCDs, fresh water dam,
washing plant area, co disposal dump site and stockpile areas.
Operational Phase
Activities to be conducted during the operational phase of the mine are:
Underground board and pillar mining with continuous miner which will not
involve blasting;
Transportation of run-off mine from the shaft to crushing and screening
area via a conveyor belt system;
ROM Stockpiling;
Crushing and screening of run-off mine;
Stockpiling of the coal product;
Spraying of water on access roads to suppress dust;
Transportation of coal product to client via trucks;
Cleaning of silt traps;
Disposal of discard and silt at the Co-Disposal dump site;
Soil stockpiling (hard and softs);
Sewage management;
Solid waste management;
Water management and dirty water handling including recycling water from
PCD 3 to the coal washing plant for process water.
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Closure and Post Closure Phase
Activities to be conducted during the closure and post-closure phase of the mine are:
Plugging/sealing of the adits (ventilation, access and exit);
Removal of storage equipment;
Cleaning and re-vegetation of the Co-disposal dump site and product
stockpile area at the plant;
Removal of coal wastes;
Demolition of unwanted (by the post-mining land users) infrastructure such
as offices, change house, pollution control dams, access roads, high wall
etc.;
The pollution control dams will be cleaned before it is filled and re-
vegetated.
Landscaping and re-vegetation of disturbed areas.
Ground and surface water monitoring.
The fresh water dam will be left on site for the community and landowner.
However if the landowner wants it to be rehabilitated it will also be filled and
re-vegetated.
2.4.3 Water Pollution Management Facilities
Storm water will be separated. Clean, unaffected water will be excluded from the area by
diversion berms, and storm water falling directly onto the operational areas and has the
risk of becoming contaminated, will be contained by berms and directed by cut off
trenches through silt traps to one of four pollution control dams. This water is then
recycled and used in the washing plant and for dust suppression. This is done to minimise
the amount of water extracted for the process from underground sources.
Sources of Contaminated Water
The Co-disposal dump site and coal stockpile areas are the biggest sources of
contaminated water during the operational phase of the mine. Incidental water from
precipitation that enters the site is another source of contaminated water, which should
be contained and prevented from entering the clean water system associated with the
mining activities. During the decommissioning phase of the mining operation, seepage
from the backfilled adits will be a source of contaminated water. Due to the nature of the
backfilled material, there is a possibility of acid mine drainage into the adjacent soils and
aquifers.
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A graphical representation of the storm water management plan is shown below in
Figure 5. Please refer to Appendix F.1 for the Water Balance Report by GFK Consulting
Engineers.
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Figure 5: Graphical representation of the storm water management plan
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West Alfrid Adit
Clean water will be separated from the operational area by cut of trenches at the top of
the West Alfrid Adit. Pollution control berms/channels will be constructed around the
operational area to divert the potentially contaminated water falling onto the polluted area
into the adit complex from where it will be pumped to PCD 1 with the underground water.
The water in PCD 1 will be utilised for dust control to maintain PCD 1 at maximum 5%
capacity.
Central Alfrid Adit
Clean water will be separated from the operational area by cut of trenches at the top of
the Central Alfrid Adit. Pollution control berms/channels will be constructed around the
central alfrid adit, Plant, Product and ROM Stockpile area (10ha) to divert the potentially
contaminated water falling onto the polluted area into PCD 2. The water falling onto the
Central Alfrid Adit complex will be diverted into the complex and pumped to PCD 2 with
the underground water. The water in PCD 2 will be utilised for dust control to maintain
PCD 2 at maximum 5% capacity.
East Dundas Adit
Clean water will be separated from the operational area by cut of trenches at the top of
the East Dundas Adit. Pollution control berms/channels will be constructed around the
East Dundas Adit and soil stockpiles to divert the potentially contaminated water falling
onto the adit area into the complex. The water will then be pumped with the underground
water into PCD 3. The water in PCD 3 will be recycled and used as process water in the
washing plant.
Co-Disposal Site
Clean water will be separated from the Co-Disposal dump site by cut of trenches at the
top of the Co-disposal site. Pollution control channels will be constructed around the Co-
Disposal site to divert the potentially contaminated water from the site into PCD 3.
Product Stockpiles at Entrance
Clean water will be separated from the product stockpile area by the construction of cut
of trenches at the top of the stockpile area. Pollution control berms/channels will be
constructed around the product stockpile area to divert the potentially contaminated
water from the area into PCD 4. The water in PCD 4 will be utilised for dust control to
maintain PCD 4 at maximum 5% capacity.
Road Network
Measures that will be implemented for storm water regarding the roads are the
construction of five low level bridges on the internal road from the west adit to the east
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adit. This will ensure safe passage over the streams with minimal damage to the water
resource as well as the riparian habitat. Contaminated storm water falling on the mine
area will be diverted to a pollution control dam, depending on the area on the mine.
2.4.4 Domestic water use and sanitation
The sewerage plant will be designed for 15 500 litre per day (15% safety margin on design
capacity). The water treatment plant will be located at the proposed new dam and will be
a small “package plant” consisting of two sedimentation tanks with flocculent dosing,
pump, two pressurized sand filters and chorine dosing. Liquid chlorine and flocculent will
need be replenished on a monthly basis. No other maintenance other than testing for
clarity and chlorine on a daily basis would be required as the system would be automatic.
A clear water tank of 30 000m³ would be required.
2.4.5 Waste Management
Solid waste management facilities
There will be no industrial waste disposal on the site; such waste will be removed by
specialist contractors.
Domestic Waste disposal sites
All domestic waste which may be generated on site will be collected daily and disposed
of at registered landfill site as required.
Hazardous Industrial Waste
Most of the hazardous waste originates from the operating, maintenance and servicing of
vehicles and equipment. All the hazardous waste will be disposed of in hazardous waste
bins and removed by the waste service provider to a hazardous waste site.
Mine Residue disposal sites
Waste rock generated from the mining activities will be disposed of at the Co-Disposal
dump site on the eastern part of the site. A portion of the discard generated during
mining will be sold. The facility will be lined and surrounded by berms. These measures
are set in place in order to minimise the chances of contamination due to storm water
runoff.
Other Waste
Other waste includes waste tyres and scrap iron. All scrap iron and waste tyres is sold off
to a scrap dealer and paper is disposed with the general waste.
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Figure 6: Layout plan of the mining area
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Figure 7: Product Stockpile area at the access gate
Mine Plan
In short the purpose of the project is to reclaim the remaining reserve at the old Kwasa
Colliery.
2.5.1 Mineral deposit
The mining layout plan, as depicted in Figure 8 describes the proven reserve as it is planned
to be mined, and Figure 9 below shows the location of the adjacent Kiepersol Colliery
(operational).
2.5.2 Mine products
The mine will produce crushed and screened anthracite and bituminous coal which will be
provided to the local and export metaliferous markets.
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Figure 8: Mining Plan
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Figure 9: Proposed Kwasa operation adjacent to the Kiepersol Colliery
Proposed Kwasa Colliery Operational Kiepersol Colliery
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2.5.3 Estimated Reserve
In estimating the Coal Reserves, the following parameters have been applied:
Proven Reserves are tonnages computed from outcrop, mine workings and boreholes, with
the ability to establish average calculated quality of the coal within the given geological
environment. Normally the estimates would be considered accurate within 10% of the
tonnage-and grade, however, as there is some disturbance and the drilling pattern is
relatively incomplete, a geological loss of 20% is considered appropriate.
Note: The development of the Kiepersol Colliery on the adjacent farm to the west (where
applying various ‘standards’ of reporting demanded by a variety of disciplines, estimates
as - disparate as 4,2-million tones ‘sales’ and 3,0-million tones in situ were published)
serves as an example when accessibility for drilling, and therefore additional sampling
points, is precluded by inaccessible terrain. Drilling will always add to the level of
confidence, no matter how complicated the geology, but with limited access only practical
mining will solve the problem.
Probable Reserves are tonnages established on more widely spaced information and
samples, projected from known conditions, but where additional drilling is required to
confidently assess reserves and quality. A 30% geological loss is considered appropriate
here.
Alfred Seam
The probable Average Coal reserve in Block A (proven) and Block C (probable) totals 2 811
221 tonnes in situ. The Alfred Seam: Average thickness is 1,87m (range 1, 72m-2,74m).
Dundas Seam.
Block A Proven Block – 304 404 tonnes in situ and Probable Block C – 3 056 659 tonnes in
situ. The probable Average Coal reserve in Block A (proven) and Block C (probable) totals
37l 664 tonnes in situ. The Dundas Seam: Average thickness 1,90m.
2.5.4 Mining Methods
The planned mining methods of this proposed mining operation is underground and the
following methods will be used:
Bord-and-pillar method using a coal cutter with minimal drill and blast.
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Production Rate
The estimated production rate at this stage is 10 000 – 15 000 tons per months.
Project Life Description
The life of the mine is estimated to be between 3-5 years.
Access to workings
The underground section will be accessed through the old shafts. The old shafts were
stabilised by Kwasa Mining Services for safety reasons. A high wall was created around the
mining areas to contain all the dirty water that might be generated within the mining
boundary. The storm water accumulating in the old adits will be pumped out and used
during the mining process.
Surface subsidence – Mining areas
During operations, surface subsidence may occur at the underground adits in the form of
landslides and or land slumps of soil or rock from the stockpiles and windrows into the
pits. Appropriate management such as geotechnical stability measures and maintaining
buffer zones will prevent or limit these negative effects of the movement of earth material.
Structures and drainage paths that may be affected by surface
subsidence
There are no structures that will be affected by the proposed mining. Rain falling within
the construction site will be reused during the construction phase. This water will be
prohibited from entering the drainage lines and stream and will therefore affect the
quantity of surface water. No subsidence after sealing is expected, however, the mining
area will revert back to grassland and no structures or drainage will be affected if limited
subsidence at the backfilled adit platform does occur.
Mineral processing
There are no processes that will affect the mineralogy of the run-of-mine coal from this
project that are applicable to either the extraction and/or preparation of the coal to comply
with the market requirements, as the coal will be crushed, screened and washed to meet
the metallurgical market requirements.
The beneficiation processes applied to the of the run-of-mine coal (in order to meet the
market requirements) are all proven technology.
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Washing and the re-fuelling of the haulage trucks will be undertaken within the bunded
area designated and designed for these purposes.
Mine residue disposal
Mine residue produced from the production of coal can generally be divided into two
distinct types, namely:
Discard: resulting from the separation of a coal product from stone, shale and other
“contaminants”, and the discard generated is typically returned to the open pit or placed in
a discard dump. Generically, the residue is (ideally) placed right at the bottom of the pit
below the groundwater level, in order to minimize the amount of oxygen exposure. Where
there is a market for it the discard will be sold.
Overburden: this is removed from above the coal seam(s) during open cast mining to access
the coal. This is not applicable for this project as only underground mining is planned.
A runoff control drainage system for storm water will be constructed to collect run-off
storm rain water down slope – and to divert clean water upslope of the washing plant and
coal stockpiles. This water would feed into a containment / pollution control dam from
which water for dust suppression will be drawn.
The run-of-mine coal stockpiles will be limited to the washing plant area. This area will be
rehabilitated once mining has ceased. The extent of the stockpiles will be limited as coal
will be produced to satisfy the off-take agreement. The processed water from the crushing
and screening plant will be pumped into PCD 2.
An effective surface water management system would be constructed to protect the
wetlands ecosystems, to ensure that the risk of significant impacts will be acceptable.
These systems may also be used for post closure water treatment until a closure certificate
is issued. This will be designed in detail during the detailed mine planning phase.
In a similar manner to that proposed for the surface water management, the underground
water/decant will be intersected at predetermined point that will be engineered so that all
possible contaminated water from the underground sections will be drained from the
stoops and contained in the pollution control facility that is designed to contain the 1:50
year flood event.
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Product Transport
The transportation of the coal will be by road haulage (trucks) via district and provincial
roads. The haul roads within the mining area will facilitate the movement of mine
machinery. The existing internal roads will be used. A road linking the plant area and
mining area will be constructed to facilitate transportation of the raw material. Existing
service roads will be used to access the adits and discard dumps.
The roads will be upgraded with adequate storm water management measures to prevent
erosion and to contain potentially contaminated surface run-off. Regular dust suppression
by water spray onto the dirt road surfaces will take place to minimize dust generation.
The existing Kiepersol Colliery access road will be used to transport the product from the
mining area to the district road R543.
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Figure 9: Map reflecting the locality of the study area in relation to the access routes and neighbouring town
Kiepersol Access Road
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Project Phases
The three broad components of the project have been listed as follows, and described
below:
Compliance (including application, planning and environmental authorisation);
Operation (including construction and operational phase and includes the
management of waste material); and
Decommissioning (including implementation and monitoring of rehabilitation).
The applicant, Siphiwo Investments plans to operate the Kwasa Colliery over a period of 10
years. Depending on the results for further prospecting, rehabilitation for the underground
sections will commence once the entire proven reserve has been mined. Rehabilitation is
expected to continue for three years thereafter.
The compliance phase would take another 6-9 months before the necessary environmental
authorisation is granted. Pollution control structures and roads will be established within
the first quarter of the construction phase. However Siphiwo Investments and uKhozi are
currently in discussions with DWS and IUMCA to start the construction of the pollution
control system before the granting of the WUL in order to contain the current source of
pollution (unrehabilitated area).
The actual target date for the commencing of the construction phase is September 2015.
The first year of operation will focus on the underground board and pillar mining.
2.6.1 Construction Phase
The construction phase would take three months before the necessary pollution control
measures are functional.
The main activities that will be undertaken during the construction phase will include the
following:
Construction of on-site haulage road between the proposed plant area, adit
complexes and stockpile area.
Construction /upgrading of service road.
Construction of berms and cut-off trenches.
Construction of pollution control dams and silt traps;
Construction of an off-stream storage dam;
Transport to site and erection of a modular washing plant;
Preparation of the discard management facility;
Preparation of ROM and product stockpile areas;
Construction of offices and a change house;
Installation of a septic tank system;
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Commissioning of an existing weighbridge;
Installation of a new conveyor belt in the Alfred seam belt adit;
Water pumps and piping for PCDs and storage dam;
Erection of offices and other mining related infrastructure (weighbridge etc.).
2.6.2 Operational Phase
The mining operation is planned to run at a constant production rate for the proposed life
of the mine.
Once the Environmental Authorisation and Water Use Licence is issued, operations will
commence immediately. The mining will be undertaken by contractors, which will use
proven technology in terms of:
Underground mining: Bord-and-pillar method using a coal cutter with minimal drill
and blast.
The following additional activities will take place:
Crushing, Screening and washing of coal;
Dust suppression;
Dirty water management; and
2.6.3 Rehabilitation/Decommissioning
The following activities will take place during the rehabilitation phase:
Table 6: Activities during Rehabilitation
Activity Description
Removal of surface infrastructure
(buildings, etc).
Removal of temporary container offices and
chemical toilets.
Sealing of underground workings. Sealing of the underground workings and adit.
Implementation and management of
rehabilitation programme.
Rehabilitation of land for the target post-mining
land use of grazing.
2.6.4 Development Procedure
The public participation process has started and will be ongoing throughout the
environmental authorisation process. All the comments and concerns raised by the IAPs
need to be addressed in the Final EIA/EMP report and Siphiwo need to commit to adhere to
the mitigation measures and commitments made in this report. The IAPs need to be kept
in the loop throughout the proposed mining operation and especially afterwards with the
rehabilitation of the disturbed land.
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A legal process has been initiated for the S.11 transfer of ownership of the Mineral Rights
from Kwasa Mining Services to Siphiwo Investments. A legal process is also underway to
buy the farm from the landowner Reinette Boshoff (Please refer to correspondence with her
attorneys in Appendix A.2.1 and Appendix A.6.3).
Once the environmental authorisation is granted for all the listed activities applied for and
a Water Use Licence issued by DWS for all the water uses applied for, Siphiwo will start with
the refurbishment and reconstruction of the water pollution control system. This will take
approximately 3 months. Please note that Siphiwo Investments and uKhozi are currently in
discussions with DWS and IUMCA to start the construction of the pollution control system
before the granting of the WUL in order to contain the current source of pollution from the
unrehabilitated area. If this is agreed to the departments and IAPs will be informed of this
decision.
The other construction activities will occur after the WUL and Environmental authorisation
is granted and will include:
Refurbishment of the underground working workings, with
(a) roof stabilisation,
(b) conveyor system,
(c) ventilation infrastructure,
(d) water management.
Refurbishment of the access roads;
Transport to site and erection of a modular washing plant;
Installation of a septic tank system;
Preparation of the discard management facility (Co-Disposal Dump site).
Please refer to Table 7 below for a summary of the development activities.
Table 7: Summary of Development Activities
No. Development Activities Duration
(months)
Responsible
party
1 Ongoing public participation process ongoing uKhozi
2 Ongoing legal processes: Matswani
2.a S.11 transfer of ownership of the Mineral
Rights
3 to 9 months Matswani
2.b Surface Rights. 3-6 months Matswani
2.c Mining Right completed Siphiwo
2.d EIA authorisations 4 months uKhozi
2.e Water Use Licence 4 months uKhozi
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No. Development Activities Duration
(months)
Responsible
party
3 Refurbishment and reconstruction of the
water pollution control system
ASAP. 3 months. Siphiwo
4 Refurbishment of the underground
working workings, with
a) roof stabilisation,
b) conveyor system,
c) ventilation infrastructure,
d) water management.
3 months Siphiwo
5 Refurbishment of the access roads. 3 months Siphiwo
6 Transport to site and erection of a
modular washing plant
3 months after WULA
has been approved
Siphiwo
7 Preparation of the discard management
facility and stockpile areas
3 months Siphiwo
Aspects of Mine Health and Safety
2.7.1 Background
As a requirement of the Department of Mineral Resources towards compiling an integrated
EMP report, a provisional description of Mine Health and Safety aspects has been made to
assist the Department in its holistic approach to mining. This will be finalised in conjunction
with the final mine plan.
2.7.2 Health and Safety: General
Employees will be trained in safety and health and be issued with the necessary protective
clothing and equipment, including:
Hard-hats,
Safety shoes,
Safety goggles,
Gloves, and
Hearing protection.
2.7.3 Traffic
The speed limit on the internal roads will be 40km/h for heavy vehicles and 60km/h for
light vehicles. This will also assist in reducing the generation of the dust.
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3 Need and Desirability
Socio Economic
The anthracitic coal produced by the colliery will be used for the local and export
metallurgical market thereby benefiting the whole of the country. The benefits of the
mining to the community largely centre on the Social and Labour Plan. Exporting of the
coal will contribute positively to the South African Economy.
The local socio-economically depressed and geographically marginalised communities
would benefit directly from the refurbishment and recommissioning of the mine. The
impact here would be long term, passed the life of the mine itself. The proposed operation
will be creating 60 new jobs which where possible will be sourced locally. All the staff will
be trained and this will also uplift the community. The activities will provide employment
for locals and support services, as well as empowerment and skills transfer opportunities.
Seen in the light of the current economic environment, having an income has a high effect
on the quality of life of families, creating a positive effect. This can therefore be considered
a significant benefit. The proposed operation will be creating 11 indirect jobs by employing
contractors for security (8), operating of the weighbridge and doing admin (3). The
employment opportunities on the mine will indirectly provide further opportunities for
small scale entrepreneurs to sell and produce other forms of consumables. The local
communities might be able to provide housing for the employees of the mine and make a
profit from the rent.
The proposed area is an abandoned mine, which poses a great safety risk. Should the
mining operations be approved, the area will be fenced off and rehabilitated. This will
increase the safety of the area, as well as provide possibilities for future land use. The
employees of the proposed activities, will be sufficiently trained in order to promote a safe
environment.
To summarize the impact that the mining would have in the local and sending communities
and the surrounding areas in line with the duration of the mining right, include but not
limited to the following:
A number of jobs created;
Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) development;
Infrastructure development;
Community Development;
Poverty Eradication and;
Rehabilitation of the area.
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Biophysical
The local situation will also be directly and positively affected in that the defunct and
abandoned colliery will be rehabilitated after mining seizes. Currently the colliery is
polluting the surrounding environment especially the surface and groundwater resources.
During rainfall events the coal discard lying around on site ends up in the surrounding
streams which flow into the Annysspruit. Farmers have reported loss of livestock after they
drank the water of the streams flowing down gradient of the colliery. If mining goes ahead
proper storm water management measures will be implemented to contain the polluted
storm water runoff. After the source is contained the applicant can start a process to clean
up the streams. This will have a positive impact biophysically and socioeconomically by
reducing the pollution of the surrounding surface water resources and minimizing the risk
that livestock will be lost in the future. The site will be managed and kept in a better
condition and rehabilitated after mining seizes.
Project Market
The coal produced by this mine will mostly be sent to the export market (80% of in situ
tonnage). The remainder (20% of the in situ tonnage) would be used by the local iron and
steel production industries.
Labour Force
The proposed operation will be creating 60 direct jobs which where possible will be
sourced locally. The proposed operation will be creating 11 indirect jobs by employing
contractors for security (8), operating of the weighbridge and doing admin (3).
All the staff will be trained and this will also uplift the community.
The Multiplier Effect
According to multiplier affect there is an average of five persons per household in the Piet
Retief district. Thus, taking into account that the total labour force to be employed at the
mine is 60 persons, the multiplier effect comes to a calculated total of 300 persons
influenced. This means that the lives of a total of 300 people in the region will be directly
influenced by the refurbishment and recommissioning of the Kwasa Colliery.
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4 Alternatives
Development Alternatives
There are four main sets of alternatives associated with the recommissioning of this
underground coal mining operation, namely:
a) The underground operation with no additional washing plant and discard dump,
where the Run-of-Mine coal is beneficiated (washed) off site at a remote plant (this
proved to be not feasible over the past three years of operation).
In order to produce a product that is marketable on an economically profitable and
sustainable basis the product must be washed. Dry screening and crushing would be an
alternative but would fail to produce the required product. Thus this alternative will not be
implemented because it is not economically profitable or sustainable for Siphiwo
Investments.
b) The underground operation together with a wash plant and associated discard
dump, in the vicinity of the current operation (preferred).
This is the preferred alternative. The area was left in an un-rehabilitated state with coal
waste lying around on site. During rainfall events this coal waste ends up in the surrounding
surface water resources. If the mining operation continues, storm water management
measures will be implemented in order to contain the polluted storm water falling onto the
mining area. This will mean that the source currently contaminating the surrounding water
resources will be contained.
As mentioned above in order for the mining operation to be sustainable a washing plant
needs to be constructed on site. If this does not happen the chances are good that the
planned mining operation will be cancelled which will mean that the pollution currently
occurring on site, will continue.
The main negative impact of this alternative would be the potential contamination of the
surrounding water resources if the storm water measures are not implemented correctly as
well as a cumulative effect on dust pollution caused by the haulage trucks.
Summary of negative impact for alternative (b)
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future L/T Temporary L/T Possible Moderate
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The positive impact will be that the product can be mined on an economically profitable
and sustainable basis which would mean that the mining operation will continue thus
cleaning up the area and containing the source of pollution.
Summary of positive impact for alternative (b)
**Refer to all the identified positive and negative impacts of this alternative in section 6 of
this report.
c) The underground operation together with a wash plant and associated discard
dump, located at the abandoned Protea colliery, some seven kilometres north of
Kwasa.
This alternative would be considered if for some reason the wash plant and associated
discard dump could not be established at the underground operation.
This is not the preferred alternative because it would mean that a 7km road would need to
be upgraded from the underground operation to the abandoned old Protea Colliery. The
negative impacts would be that the ROM would need to be transported approximately 7km
from the underground operation to the washing plant which will increase the cumulative
impact of dust, noise and visual pollution. This will also increase the size of the mine
footprint and risks of contamination while transporting the ROM.
Summary of negative impact for alternative (c)
The main positive impact will be that storm water management measures would be
implemented at the abandoned old Protea Colliery thus containing the pollution of the
surrounding area that is currently occurring.
Summary of positive impact for alternative (c)
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future S/T Permanent Probable High
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future L/T Temporary L/T Probable High
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
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d) No go Option.
Should the mine not proceed:
A source of 5 million tonnes of saleable coal will be lost.
Employment opportunities for 60-75 individuals will not be forthcoming.
The multiplier effect will not be realised; and
The area will remain un-rehabilitated and continue to pollute the surrounding
environment.
The positive impacts would be:
The community will not be disrupted by the mining activities;
No additional traffic on the district roads as well as the access road to Jindal;
There will not be a cumulative impact of dust pollution in the area;
There will be no risk for the landowners and IAPs that the area could be
contaminated further and left in a worse state;
Operational Alternatives
4.2.1 Mining Method
As this is purely an underground mine, the major impact on land use alternatives is from
the adit and infrastructure on site as well as from the impact on the water resources. The
adit site itself is not suitable for any agricultural activity. Mitigation measures can be
implemented in such a way, that the loss of the grazing areas due to the mining activities
is reduced.
The major alternative land use has been compromised due to the mine being left in an un-
rehabilitated state. The area would need to be rehabilitated before it can be used for
agricultural activities such as grazing. This will not be significantly compromised by the
proposed activity.
Underground mining is the most feasible method of mining and the bord-and-pillar
method will be used along with a coal cutter with minimal drill and blast. This technology
will be used to ensure stability of the surface. There will be no secondary mining of the
pillars to ensure that the roof will remain competent.
Large Future L/T Permanent Probable High
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4.2.2 Mineral Processing Methods
In order to produce a product that is marketable on an economically profitable and
sustainable basis the product must be washed.
Dry screening and crushing would be an alternative but would fail to produce the required
product.
4.2.3 Transport
Existing Kiepersol Access Road
A 10km tarred access road from the district road to Kiepersol exists. If an agreement can
be reached with Jindal and the IAPs using the road this would be the best option for Siphiwo.
Internal roads would need to be upgraded between the plant area and the various adit
openings. All culverts along the internal roads would need to be upgraded to accommodate
a greater volume of storm water.
An alternative option would be to construct a new road from the district road directly
towards the Kwasa Colliery. This option will not make biophysical or economic sense.
Biophysically it will have significant impacts on the environment especially the wetlands
and streams found north of the Kwasa Colliery. Economically it would be extremely
expensive to construct a new 10km access road. Especially considering that there is an
existing road that can be used.
4.2.4 Sources of Water
Water supply from the old workings as well as contaminated water from the pollution
control dams will be used for dust suppression and make up water for the plant. It is
proposed that a fresh water dam is constructed to use for potable water and possible
make-up water for the plant during the dry winter months. As the water will be stored,
clean runoff will be captured in this dam and prevented from entering the natural
watercourses in the area. This will influence the quantity of runoff entering the streams
located downstream of the site. A pipeline of approximately 2.5 km have to be constructed
from this dam to the washing plant which will disturb the soils and vegetation.
The dam will have a positive impact on the community because it is planned that the water
stored in the dam will also be used by the community for irrigation and stock watering. The
fresh water dam must be constructed with an outlet in order to let water back into the
downstream water resources.
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Alternative options are to source water from the Savmore dam or to drill boreholes for
make-up water.
4.2.5 Mine infrastructure sites
The disturbed areas on the RE of Goedehoop 169 HT have been selected as infrastructure
because of the existing de facto change in land use. Minimal infrastructure will be erected
at the adit sites to minimise the impact. Temporary offices will be constructed below the
plant area on an undisturbed surface. All old buildings as used during previous mining
activities (as located at the old central adit) will be removed.
Diesel will be stored in a bunded facility at the plant area.
4.2.6 Mine residue disposal site
The preferred site for the Co-Disposal Dump is shown on the surface layout plan in Figure
6, three candidate sites were considered and the final site as per the plan was selected
based on its suitability:
The other two mine residue deposit sites were found to be less suitable based on:
Distance from the plant area;
The locations were undisturbed land;
Uneven topography.
A detailed Discard management design and operation report has been prepared by GFK
Consulting Engineers during the Integrated Water Management report (refer to Appendix
F.1)
4.2.7 Domestic and Industrial Waste Disposal Sites
As there will be no housing on the premises only the office complex will generate a small
quantity of domestic waste which will be stored in containers. These containers will be
cleaned and the waste removed to a registered waste site of the premises. The details of
this waste site will be forwarded to the DEDET and the DMR once finalised.
Industrial waste such as used oils will be removed from the mining area by registered
contractors. The details of these contractors will be forwarded to the DEDET and the DMR
on appointment.
4.2.8 Housing Sites
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No housing sites are being provided. The philosophy is that people can develop their own
homes in Piet Retief or the nearby villages around Dirkiesdorp. This provides more security
for the individuals and enables them to invest in their homes rather than live in mine
houses.
4.2.9 Land Use Option after Rehabilitation
The considered alternative land uses could include:
Extension of the agricultural/residential use over the entire area;
Grazing.
The RE of Goedehoop 169 HT is best suited to artificial grazing which could be sold to a
local entity post closure.
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5 Existing Status of the Environment
The baseline information presented below concerns the environment which may be affected
by the mining activities in order to determine protection, remedial measures and
environmental management objectives.
Description of the potentially affected environment
A description is given below of the environment likely to be affected by proposed mining
operations:
Kwasa Colliery is situated on the remaining extent of the farm Goedehoop 169 HT on the
edge of the mountain. The area around the mine is severely transformed from the natural
state in some places, although the natural environment was pristine in others. The
important drivers of the transformation have been agriculture, livestock grazing, and coal
mining. In addition, it is probable that some impacts are associated with the existing mine
(Kiepersol Colliery) to the immediate west of the present site. These impacts will include
pollution and the existence of a sterile block, inhospitable to many species and which will
be a barrier to movements of key fauna including pollinators. There is a non-perennial
stream that flows on the western side of the mining area. In the immediate surroundings
of Kwasa Colliery, there are no public roads, railway lines, residential areas or cemetery or
any other land for public use that may prohibit this mining operation. Access to the colliery
is obtained via existing roads.
The area has a high conservation status, mainly because of high species diversity found in
the grassland biomes. In 1999, seven Natural Heritage Sites and a private nature reserve
had been registered. The two that are of importance to this proposed mine are the
following areas:
Site No. 83: uMhlangamvula (1,600 ha) registered as a result of the presence of
Aloe hlanganpise, Samango monkey, Oribi, Serval, martial eagle Ground hornbill
and Bald ibis.
Site No. 119: Rooikraal (1,170 ha) registered as a result of the presence of Oribi,
Aardwolf and Serval, as well as many species of Podocarpus, Alsophila and
Cussonia plants.
The mountain stream is a sensitive environment, as are the areas of indigenous vegetation
and the wetlands.
The identified land-use objectives after closure include:
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Stabilise the affected areas by landscaping and vegetating the areas to afford the land
capability of grazing;
Manage the surface water and groundwater to ensure that the mining activities do not
cause an unacceptable, negative impact on the receiving environment nor on the
affected groundwater aquifer;
Recreate a land capability that will sustain an applied and controlled grazing
programme. The land should be suitably rehabilitated to sustain the planned post
closure use with a stocking rate of one large stock unit per eight hectares per annum.
Establish an area that can be used for the sustainable grazing of domestic animals.
Description of the landscape surrounding the operation
The general region within which the mine site is located is recognised for its wetland
richness and for the extensive biodiversity associated with the wetlands. This diversity,
together with that of the original grasslands and some forest patches has been the basis
for conservation measures such as an inter-provincial grasslands programme and the
establishment of the Important Birding Area. Therefore, the presence of extensive wetland
areas on parts of the mine property is in keeping with its surrounds. However, as is also
typical of the region, a large part of the wetlands have been lost as a result of past human
activities. According to Low and Rebelo (Low & Rebelo 1996) the wider study area forms
part of the North-eastern Mountain Grassland (Piet Retief Sourveld) Biome. This vegetation
type comprises the grasslands of the northern parts of the great escarpment mountains in
Mpumalanga which stretch northwards into the Northern Province, and southwards through
KwaZulu-Natal, reaching the northern parts of Eastern Cape. Altitude ranges from 1,400
to 1,900m above mean sea level (amsl). The abandoned Kwasa Colliery falls inside the
Nkangala Grassland project. A large part of the area surrounding and including Goedehoop
169 HT is also under application to become part of the Wakkerstroom Wetland Grasslands
protection area.
Adjacent to the defunct Kwasa Colliery is the Kiepersol Colliery that has been active since
2004 as well as the abandoned Protea Colliery.
Assessment of the environment likely to be affected and
description of current environmental state of the study area
5.3.1 Climate
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Regional climate
The regional climate can be described as falling within the Highveld climatic zone (sub-
humid), with a summer (October to February) to winter (April to August) range of around
19º C with average temperatures in the contrasting seasons, of 26º C and 8º C.
Rainfall
Mkhondo Local Municipality falls within a summer rainfall area, with approximately 85% of
the annual rainfall occurring in the summer months from October till February in the form
of showers and thunderstorms. The average MAP of the Usutu (including Swaziland) is
approximately 850 mm/annum and ranges from 500 mm/annum in the eastern areas to
1 200 mm/annum in higher lying areas within Swaziland, then declining as one moves
further west to between 750 and 850 mm/annum on the eastern escarpment of the
Drakensberg.
5.3.2 Air quality
In the pre-mining environment, there are no major local sources of air pollution. Adjacent
to the site on the south-west of the study area there is an existing coal mining operation
(Kiepersol Colliery Operations) which contributes to air pollution through dust as well as
diesel fumes from the operational trucks and vehicles. In the immediate vicinity, there is
some potential for dust pollution due to traffic on the gravel roads and general agricultural
activity. In the dry season there is the possibility of air pollution during the burning of fire
breaks and uncontrolled veld fires. Smoke from cooking and heating fires from the nearby
settlements also have an impact on the air quality in the area.
5.3.3 Geology
Regional Geology
This coal reserve falls within the Karoo Super Group and is part of the Vryheid Formation
of the Ecca Group. The formation consists of sediments of varying grain sizes from shales
to course sandstones. Intrusive rocks would consist of Karoo dolerite with a series of dykes
and sills.
The succession of the four coal seams from top to bottom (with average seam thickness)
is as follows:
Eland seam (0,7 – 0,9 m),
Alfred seam (1,1 to 2,1 m),
Gus seam (0,5 to 1 m ) and the
Dundas seam (1,5 to 2,5 m).
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Although there has been much transgressed activity, there are a number of smaller faults
within the mining area; no major faults traverse the area. A range of anthracitic and lean
to bituminous type coal is found within the reserve.
The uMhlangamvula Mountain is capped by the No 10 dolerite sill which overlies the B5
and B6 dolerite sills. The Zuinguin dolerite body intrudes the area as a dyke. The Ingogo
dolerite dyke also intrudes the area. The B3 intersects the coal seam in the west which has
caused a large section of coal to be burnt.
5.3.4 Topography
The pre-mining, natural topography of the area is a combination of steep slopes and
relatively flat (natural) terraces. The operational area has a modified topography consisting
of a terrace (cut and fill) sloping gradually back into the mountain.
Access to the colliery will be made via the existing properly constructed access road, which
follows the gradient of the mountain.
Figure 10: Elevation profile of the proposed site (North to South)
5.3.5 Land capability
Generic definitions of land capability
The land capability of the areas associated with mining can be classified into five classes,
namely:
Wetland;
Arable;
Grazing;
Wilderness; and
rehabilitated areas.
according to the Chamber of Mines of South Africa Guidelines for Environmental
Protection, Volume 3/1982.
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The proportions calculated previously for the area have been used as a point of departure
for the current situation. An area of 5ha has been disturbed for the operational area, which
was used by the previous mining activities. Even taking into account, the more recent
guidelines having been made available by the Department of Water Affairs for the
delineation of wetlands, it is not expected that the percentage of area classified as wetland
would increase, as the water course is outside the operational area. This will not directly
affect the assessment of the impact of mining as the area developed does not include
pristine wetlands.
Description
Based on the description of the soils and topography in the area under application, the land
capability can be described as largely grazing and wilderness, with the area under the
operational, adit complex, potentially (post-mining) falling into the category of
rehabilitated mining land.
Table 8: Pre-mining land capability of the operational adit complex
Class Description (Ha) (%)
Class I Wetland 0
Class II Arable 0
Class III Grazing (prev. 1.5) (prev. 30%)
Class IV Wilderness 0 (prev. 3.5) (prev. 70%)
Class V Rehabilitated
Areas
5 (potentially) after closure: 100
Total 5 100
5.3.6 Land Use
The most significant land uses in the upper Usutu catchment are afforestation and
irrigation. The total area under afforestation in the South African portion of the Usutu
catchment is estimated at 1 930 km2, while the irrigated area is limited to 27km2.
The surface area under application can be divided into the following two categories:
Wilderness used for grazing;
Unrehabilitated mining area.
Coal waste is lying around on the unrehabilitated mining area and has the potential to
pollute the surrounding water resources during rainfall events.
Adjacent to the Kwasa Colliery to the west lies the operational Kiepersol Colliery. The other
adjacent land uses are afforestation and agriculture.
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5.3.7 Soils
Description of the type of soil found on the surface of the site
Regionally, a number of soil forms can be found in the area. Predominantly, the soils are
loamy and clayey, and of red and yellow colour. Most of the soils are of a dystrophic and/or
mesotrophic nature.
The dominant soil form in the disturbed area is the Hutton Form which is associated with
the dolerite boulder based scree slope as the pedology of the soil. The soil texture has
high clay content and is rich in iron oxide. The soil is dystrophic as a result of the high
rainfall.
Please note that a specialist soil study is currently underway and the information from
this study will be included in the final EIA/EMPr.
Topsoil depth
The soil within the mining area is generally deep, interspersed with dolerite boulders of
varying sizes.
5.3.8 Vegetation
Plants, trees and grasses growing naturally in the area around the site
A biodiversity study was done by Terratest (Pty) Ltd in January 2016. It was recognised at
the outset that the study could potentially be hampered because, despite being undertaken
in the rainy season, the site surveys had to be done under drought conditions. The
implication of this were as follows:
Plant growth would have been reduced and so the observable diversity would be less
than could be expected.
According to Mucina and Rutherford (2006) the indigenous vegetation types in the area in
which the mine is located are as shown in Table 9 and in Figure 11.
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Table 9: Vegetation types on the original Farm Goedehoop 169 HT (Conservation status
from Mucina and Rutherford (2006)
The Mpumalanga Conservation Plan was interrogated to search for conservation priorities.
It was found that the key features listed for the area around the site are the natural
vegetation types and the status accorded to the three types found at the site is indicated
in Table 10. The property in which the mine site is listed as being of “Least Concern” at the
northern end and ranges through “Highly Significant” to “Irreplaceable” in the high-lying
areas at the southern end. This spectrum appears to be in contradiction to the status of
the vegetation types present but is most probably based on the condition of the vegetation
in the various areas.
Table 10: Vegetation types on the original Farm Goedehoop 169 HT. Conservation status from
Mucina and Rutherford (2006).
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Figure 11: Dominant vegetation types on the mine property. Source: Mucina and Rutherford (2006)
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The Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan (2014) shows the ecosystems in the area around
the mine site to be “Endangered”.
Figure 12: Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan (2014) for the area around the mine site.
In 2011 the status of the site was “Vulnerable” but it has been downgraded as a result of
continued development in the area. The factors listed as responsible for the change include
urban development, agricultural expansion and increase in mining activities.
During the field assessment the transitions between the three vegetation types which are
present on the property are clearly apparent although there are clear differences in the
condition of the veld. On the lower, flatter areas much of the natural vegetation has been
displaced by agriculture. In a few places crops are still being cultivated with maize being
predominant. However, over considerable areas the lands have been abandoned and are
now lying fallow and are slowly being grown over by a variety of weeds and pioneer
indigenous species (See Figure 13).
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Figure 13: Areas which have been, or still are, under cultivation and timber production
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The figure shows clearly that the crop lands and the timber plantation are
concentrated in the central and northern portions of the property since the lowest
gradients are in those areas. It is also apparent that in some places the agriculture
has taken place in wetland areas. The largest such area is at the far northern end of
the property where the area involved is considerable. It is not known when the
cultivation was first undertaken but it is likely to have been at least 40 or 50 years
ago. On those parts of the property where the topography is steeper the indigenous
vegetation remains in good condition. Within this area are portions of the
Paulpietersburg Moist Grassland and all of the Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland.
The tables below show some of the indigenous species found on site.
Table 11: Indigenous flowers found on the site
Acalypha spp, Adenathellum osmitoides
Aloe minima Agapanthus spp
Ammocharis coranica Anthericum spp
Anthospermum spp Aristia woodii
Astripomoea spp Berkheya spp
Buddleia salviifolia Commelina spp
Conyza podocephala Cyperus spp
Dianthus spp Eriospermum spp
Gerbera spp Haemanthus spp
Helichrysum spp Hypoxis spp (3 different species)
Indigofera spp Ipomoea spp
Kohautia spp Kyllinga alba
Ledebouria spp Leonotis Leonura
Lobelia spp Maytenus sp
Monopsis spp Moraea spp
Nesaea grandis Pachycarpus spp
Oxalis spp Pelagonium luridum
Pentanisia spp Pseudognphalium luteo album
Rhoicissus spp Satyrium sp
Sebaea sp Scabiosa spp
Sphenostylis angustifolia Waltheria densiflora
Watsonia spp Zantedeschia aethiopica
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Table 12: Indigenous trees found on the site
Scientific Name Common Name
Leucosidea sericea Ouhout
Cussonia paniculata Cabbage tree or Kiepersol
Rapanea melanophloeos Cape Beach
Myrica pilulifera Broadleaf waxberry
Psychotria capensis Bastard lemonwood
Vaccinium exul Blueberry
Table 13: Grass species found in the site
Scientific Name Common Name
Themeda triandra Rooigras
Tristachya leucothrix Drieblomgras
Hyparrhenia hirta Thatch grass
Setaria nigrirostis Bristle grass
Eragrostis curvula Oulandsgras/weeping love grass
Rhynchelytrum nerviglume Bergblinkgras
Heteropogon contortus Assegaaigras
Melinis repens Natal red top
Aristida junctiformis Ngongoni
Pennisetum clandestinum Kikuyu
Cynodon dactylon Couch grass/ kweekgras
(Please refer to the Terratest Report: Assessment of the Biodiversity and Wetlands in
Appendix F.2 for the list of indigenous species found in the study area). The lower
lying areas do show some signs of being grazed by cattle but the extent of the
grazing has been low and so it is not an issue of concern. Plant species diversity is
high and basal cover is generally good. While there are some Wattle Trees (Acacia
mearnsii) present in places, alien plants are generally not abundant. Soil erosion is
largely restricted to the drainage lines and is not extensive at any site seen other
than in the actual footprint of the mining area. In the higher lying areas, located
generally at or above the level of the mine adits, the vegetation is in pristine or near
pristine condition.
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Photo Plate 1: Paulpietersburg Moist Grassland and Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland near
the western and central mine adits
Photo Plate 2: Woody vegetation along a stream channel (Note the absence of water)
Animals naturally occurring in the area
No detailed faunal survey was undertaken at the time of the site visit but note was
made of any animals seen. The list of species is presented in Appendix II of the
Biodiversity and Wetland Assessment conducted by Terratest. Please refer to
Appendix F.2.
None of the species actually seen is red data listed although the Aaardvark
(Orycteropus afer) is listed under the TOPS Regulations as a “Protected Species” as
defined in Section 56(1) (d) under the National Environmental Management:
Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004. In addition, it is also probable that other listed
species are still present, or at least occasionally present, on the site. Examples of
such species are the Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) and the Secretary
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Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) as well as smaller grassland species such as the
Yellow-breasted Pipit (Anthus chloris) which is listed as “Vulnerable”.
In addition to the terrestrial fauna noted, it had also been intended to survey the
aquatic fauna using the SASS5 procedure for the invertebrates and electrofishing for
fishes. However, because of the dry conditions, with some streams having no flowing
water at all, these surveys could not be undertaken.
Avifauna
In broader terms, a Highveld Grassland habitat once occurred over much of southern
Mpumalanga, but this has now largely been transformed into monocultures by
agriculture and forestry. Where pristine grassland remains, the biodiversity needs to
be retained. The mine site lies within Important Bird Area number SA 020 but is
close to the eastern border. The site is important for its grassland and wetland bird
species and extends through parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Free
State Provinces. The area around the mine will be of more relevance in relation to
grassland birds although the northern is within a wetland which, although highly
degraded, could still hold a number of red data listed species as listed in Table 14.
Table 14: Red Data listed bird species recorded in the area around the mine.
Mammals
The following species of mammals are common to the broader area.
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Table 15: Common Mammal Species occurring in Mkhondo
3.2.1. Common name 3.2.2. Scientific name
Common (Grey) duiker Sylvicapra grimmia
Steenbok Raphicerus campestris
Rooikat Caracal Caracal
Porcupine Hysrix africaeaustralis
Yellow mongoose Cynictus penicillata
Slender mongoose Galerella sanguinea
Scrub hare Lepus saxatilis
The MTPA has also confirmed the following mammal species as being threatened
species in the broader area:
Table 16: Threatened Mammal Species occurring in Mkhondo
3.2.3. Common name Scientific name
Oribi Ourebia ourebi (Zimmerman 1783)
Aardvark Orycteropus afer (Pallas 1766)
Conservation Areas
The closest formal conservation area is the Paardeplaats Nature Reserve which is
approximately 10 km south west of the mine adits.
5.3.9 Surface Water
The mining area falls in the Usutu Catchment. The mine is in a portion of the
headwaters of the Anysspruit which in turn flows into the Assegaairivier downstream
of Heyeshope Dam.
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Figure 14: Usutu to Mhlatuze WMA
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The Usutu catchment is of strategic importance because water for the cooling of
coal-fired power generation plants, situated in the Vaal and Olifants systems, is
sourced from this catchment, with the Heyshope, Morgenstond, Westoe and Jericho
dams providing the transferable yield for these power stations. These dams are all
situated upstream of Swaziland and the catchment forms part of the Maputo River
Basin which is an international river basin.
Quaternary Catchment information
The study area falls within the farm Goedehoop 169 HT which is in turn is situated
in quaternary sub-catchment W51C; the catchment of the Vegkop River is 161km2.
The Vegkop River is a tributary of the Annysspruit which flows into the Assegaai
(Mkhondo) River, which flows from this drainage region north-eastwards, joining the
Great Usutu River in Swaziland, and flowing into the sea in Mozambique.
Reference is made to the Usutu Mhlatuze Water Management Area: Overview of Water
Resources Report No. P WMA 06/000/00/02/03. Refer to Figure 15 below.
Figure 15: Upper Usutu Catchment
Kwasa Colliery
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The central area of this catchment is quite dissected and has a high erosion potential
due to the intense rainfall events, but in general is utilised reasonably well by
commercial livestock farming and game reserves. Close to the Swaziland border
there are some population concentrations including Piet Retief town, but pollution
remains to be limited, localised and faecal in nature.
The Usutu River drains into Mozambique and thus international quality and quantity
requirements must be met. The catchment of the Vegkop River is 161 km2, and yields
a mean annual runoff of 21, 2 million m3 of water. The quaternary sub-catchment
W51C yields a MAR of 89.4 X 106 m3 p.a. (Conversely: 678km2 x 903mm p.a. x 14.6%
runoff factor).
The site Mean Annual Runoff (MAR) was (conservatively) calculated using estimated
areas. The runoff percentages for the sub-catchment above the adit sites were
described to be MAR = 0,876 m3 p.a. (That is: 6 ha x 903mm p.a. x 14.6% runoff
factor). How big is the surface operational area and the Mean Annual Precipitation
(MAP) i.e., the rainfall. The storm water is diverted around the operational area and
the contaminated run-off water is contained within the operational area in pollution
control dams.
Data has been used from various sources, including:
Usutu Mhlatuze Water Management Area: Internal Strategic Perspective
Report No. P WMA 06/000/00/03/04;
Surface Water Resources of South Africa : WRC Report No 298/6.1/94,
1990,
Shelly Colliery EMPR: Groundwater and Surface Water Quality Sections -
Report compiled by I du Toit and L Marot of Groundwater Consulting
Services cc, dated February 1998;
Water balance report by GFK Consulting Engineers for Kwasa Colliery,
2014;
Field work for geological and groundwater investigations at Goedehoop
section.
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Water Management Areas
Kwasa Colliery
Figure 16: Water Management Areas
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Water Courses
Drainage on the mine property is from south to north. The ridge crest behind the
mine adits lies at an elevation of 2100 masl while the lowest areas in the north are
at 1330masl. Because of the altitudinal range, the site is in a catchment area and a
number of small perennial and seasonal first order streams flow off the high lying
ground and then converge into two third order watercourses which flow from the
mine property at its northern end. A short distance from the property they both
merge into a large wetland and then continue as the Anysspruit. Typically, the
watercourses appear to be in pristine or near-pristine condition at their higher
elevations. The channels have a bedrock or boulder substrate and the sides are often
vertically incised as a consequence of natural storm flow erosion. However, the
systems then degrade as they flow downwards. At first the degradation originates
from trampling of the channel banks by livestock which results in erosion of the
banks and deposition of sediment in the stream bed. Thus the channel changes from
a square or rectangular section to a “V” shaped section. The indigenous woody
vegetation which was dominated by species such as Diospiros lyciodes, Dias
cotonifolia, Buddleja salvifolia, Buddlija auriculata, Leucosidea sericea, and Rhus
montana is lost and, in places, alien species such as Acacia mearnsii come to
predominate. This process becomes progressively worse as the lower areas are
approached. The channels widen and in many places the fringing vegetation loses
almost all of the fringing vegetation of sedges and grasses. In a few places where
cattle are excluded the channel recovers its natural shape and the vegetation
persists. These areas are usually alongside old crop fields. The eastern stream has
in its lowest sections had an earth berm built along the crest of the left bank. It is
assumed that this is a measure to confine storm flows to the channel and so to keep
the drained wetland there in a dry condition. Once the watercourses have left the
property, they are soon diverted into drainage canals through wetlands which have
presumably be drained for agricultural purposes.
Water quality was measures at four sites in the vicinity of the mine adits and the
results of the analyses are shown in Table 19 below. NOTE: The stream below the
central adit was dry and so no readings could be taken there.
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Table 17: Water chemistry readings from four streams
The water quality in the upper Usutu catchment is excellent, which is why Eskom
source their water for the cooling of coal-powered power stations from this
catchment. However, there is a huge risk of coal mining activities polluting the
resource and this risk must be carefully managed through the formulation of pro-
active catchment management plans.
During the public participation process some farmers indicated that they have lost
livestock that drank the water of the stream flowing down gradient of the Kwasa
Colliery into the Annysspruit. Currently no water monitoring is taking place at Kwasa
Colliery. It is recommended that a water monitoring program is set in place as soon
as possible in order to establish the baseline water quality of the downstream water
resources.
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Figure 17: Layout of the mine property showing the proposed infrastructure in relation to the water courses
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Impacts on the surface water resources
Figure 18: Rivers in close proximity to Kwasa Colliery
Annysspruit
The point of origin of a tributary of the Annysspruit is situated on the southern side
of the mining right area. The origin of the stream is situated at approximately 1828m
amsl which is approximately 360mamsl higher in relation to the centre of the
operational area (Please refer to the elevation profile below). The risk of
contamination is possible as the stream flows in close proximity of the proposed
mining operation. Monitoring of this stream will be done in order to determine if
contamination occurs, which will lead to better and more efficient pollution control
measures.
Vegkop River
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The point of origin of a tributary of the Vegkop River is situated approximately 2.8
km southwest of the mining right area. The origin of the stream is situated at
approximately 1684mamsl which is approximately 200mamsl higher in relation to
the centre of the operational area (Please refer to the elevation profile below). The
risk of contamination is possible but not likely, as the drainage line of the said river
flows parallel to the proposed area approximately 1.8km west of the proposed
mining right area. Monitoring of this stream will be done in order to determine if
contamination occurs, which will lead to better and more efficient pollution control
measures.
Boesmansspruit
The point of origin of a tributary of the Boesmansspruit is situated approximately
4.8 km south east of the mining right area. The origin of the stream is situated at
approximately 1519mamsl which is approximately 35mamsl higher in relation to the
centre of the operational area (Please refer to the elevation profile below). The risk
of contamination is possible but not likely, as the drainage line of the said river flows
parallel to the proposed area approximately 3km east of the proposed mining right
area. Monitoring of this stream will be done in order to determine if contamination
occurs, which will lead to better and more efficient pollution control measures.
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Figure 19: The five streams with its 100m buffer zone in relation to the operational areas of the proposed colliery
The blue indicates the extent of the 100m buffer zones from the five streams that could be affected by the proposed
operation.
It must be noted that according to the farmers only the stream on the eastern side of the mining right area is still flowing.
During the site visits to the area this was confirmed.
The red line shows the mining right area.
The circle in the middle shows the extent of the operational area including the washing plant, ROM and product stockpile,
Co-Disposal dump site and PCD 3.
The two smaller circles to the left and right of the operational area shows the extent of the west and east adit respectively
along with the PCDs.
The small black circle at the entrance of the colliery shows the extent of the product stockpile along with its PCD.
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Dams
Four dams were located on the property. Three are situated on wetland areas on
the ridge above the mining areas while the fourth is an off-channel storage facility
that is not on a natural drainage line. The centre points and approximate areas of
the three are shown in Table 20.
Table 18: Centre points and areas of the four dams found on the property
From the table it is apparent that the storage capacity of the dams is small. Two, at
least will not be affected by the mining operations since they are situated high
above the mine adits.
Wetlands
The NFEPA database shows no natural wetlands within 500m of the study area. The
features that are shown in the general area are all dams or ponds and are classified
as “Artificial” (refer to Figure 21). However the landowners have pointed out wetlands
found to the north of the site. These were also noted during a site visit conducted on
the 8th of December 2014 (refer to the photographs below).
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Photo Plate 9: Wetland area at the north end of the property
A wetland delineation study was done by Terratest (Pty) Ltd in January 2016. The
below section is an abstract of the study done by Terratest (refer to Appendix F.2 for
the full report).
It was recognised at the outset that the study could potentially be hampered because,
despite being undertaken in the rainy season, the site surveys had to be done under
drought conditions. The implication of this were as follows:
Wetlands and wetland-related features would be at their most inconspicuous.
To deal with this issue use was made of Google Earth imagery taken at wet
times of the year.
However, once in the field, it was possible to find traces of the wetland vegetation
even if it could not be identified to species level. Soils, although dry and hard in some
places, could be augered at others, and so could be used as a marker. Thus, although
comprehensive biodiversity surveys were not possible, the presence of some
wetlands could be detected. Figure 21 shows the wetlands on the property but it must
be noted that not all were delineated in accordance with the DWAF (2005) Guidelines.
Those indicated as “Extant” were delineated correctly in as far as the very dry survey
conditions would allow. Use was made of a soil auger in places where the ground
was soft (damp) enough and the presence of hygrophilous vegetation could be
detected even if the plants were dry and brown. A wetland delineation will be done
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by Terratest and if it is confirmed that the wetland is within 500m of the planned
product stockpile area at the entrance of the colliery then this stockpile can be moved
further south towards the operational area.
Photo Plate 10: Drainage ditch in Wetland
Photo Plate 11: Extinct wetland. The drainage ditch and a soil berm are visible. The area to
the right has lost its wetland vegetation and was cultivated in the past
The exceptions to this procedure were those wetlands located in the high lying areas
at the south of the property. They were seen and their presence can be confirmed,
but they were delineated from Google imagery. The omission was deliberate as they
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are located on the high ridge well above the uppermost part of the proposed mining
operation and will not be affected by mining activities.
Those wetlands that are indicated as “Extinct” are those that are so severely damaged
that they now offer virtually no wetland ecosystem services to the landscape. They
were delineated on the basis of terrain conditions and on historic Google imagery.
However, because very little or no trace of these systems remains, it is probable that
the areas indicated are not indicative of all systems lost and that there were others
that have not been detected. The losses are primarily as a result of deliberate
drainage and conversion to crop lands. In places the drains and/or soil berms are
still clearly visible and their dendritic pattern leading toward streams is apparent.
Elsewhere, at higher elevations and on steeper terrain, the wetlands have been
damaged by erosion. Because of the characteristics of the sites, the causative agent
is thought to be excessive trampling by cattle or other livestock. The animals would
have been drawn to the wetlands for the greener vegetation available in dry seasons
and also for the water there. The damage done to the vegetation led to establishment
of preferential drainage runnels and, in time, these eroded and expanded to the point
where they became, in effect, drainage ditches which removed the water from the
wetland. This form of wetland loss is probably the most widespread incidental cause
of wetland loss in the grassland areas of South Africa.
It had been intended to model the Present Ecological State (PES) of the wetlands by
means of the WET-Health Model (Macfarlane et al, 2008) but since there is so much
uncertainty about the original extent of the wetlands, the outputs would be grossly
inaccurate and possibly misleading. Therefore, on the basis of expert opinion the
large wetland system at the north end of the property is subjectively considered to
be a PES Category E site in accordance with the criteria defined in Figure 20.
Figure 20: Health categories used for describing the Present Ecological State (PES) of wetlands.
From Macfarlane et al, 2008.
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Figure 21: Kwasa Colliery Proximity to Registered Wetlands
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Water Authority
The Department of Water and Sanitation, (Usuthu Catchment) is the commenting
authority for this area.
Resource class and river health
The reserve determination for the W51C quaternary catchment was not available. The
Department of Water Affairs did not respond to uKhozi’s telephone or email requests
for the reserve determination.
Water Uses and Requirements
Water Uses
The use of water for the various listed purposes is one of the water uses regulated
in terms of the NWA. Water uses can take many forms and – especially in the case of
coal-mining and associated activities, there can be a direct impact on the water
resource if the impacts are not effectively mitigated. These uses need to be aligned
with the needs of the ecological Reserve and other downstream users. A central
philosophy is that current and future opportunities should not be unreasonably and
unnecessarily denied to users, and that the implementation of policy should ensure
that disadvantaged and poor people should also be able to avail themselves of
opportunities. The following uses of surface water have been identified:
Domestic - potable,
Aquatic ecosystems,
Mine process water make-up (possible), and
Agricultural - stock-watering.
As per Figure 22 below only a portion of the Usutu to Mhlathuze WMA’s resources
are undeveloped. This area further is one of the higher quantities of water being
used by alien species. The surface water associated with the mining area is mainly
used for stock watering, aquatic eco-systems, and also for human (potable)
requirements.
Water Requirements
As indicated in Figure 22 the most dominant land uses within the Usutu to Mhlathuze
WMA (As per DWA’s Situation Assessment of 2003), is Agriculture and Afforestation.
As indicated in Figure 23 the industry using the greatest amount of water (As per
DWA’s Situation Assessment of 2003), is Transfers out, with Agriculture with the
second most water requirements allocated to irrigation within the Usutu to
Mhlathuze WMA. Very little water is allocated to the mining industry.
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Figure 22: Land Uses in the Usutu to Mhlathuze WM
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Figure 23: Sectorial Water Requirements (Usutu to Mhlathuze)
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5.3.10 Groundwater (Aquifer description)
The mining area is mainly located across the mountain area; however the adit
complex is located on a terrace in a lower down the hill-slope. Although these two
different areas are interlinked, they are very different in terms of the aquifer
description. The groundwater will be assessed in detail by GCS during the
Hydrogeological and Geochemical study which is currently underway.
Lower hill-slopes topographical areas
According to a hydrogeological study done by GCS in 2009 for the area directly west
of Kwasa Colliery, the lower hill-slopes topographical areas have two principle
aquifers . These are the following:
A weathered aquifer occurring at a depth from 2 to 15 metres.
A fractured Karoo aquifer occurring at depths below 15 metres.
Mountain topographical areas
As per the above referenced report it is assessed that a perched aquifer system occurs
above the dolerite sills and that more than one unconfined / semi-confined aquifer
system occurs above the regional aquifer system that is associated with the lower
topographical system. Figure 24 below depicts a schematic representation of the
aquifer systems.
Figure 24: Schematic representation of the different aquifer systems (GCS, 2009)
Depth to water table
The water table at the proposed site is estimated to be 15 m beneath the surface. It
should however be noted that is based on the experience of groundwater specialists
in the area and not based on any specific findings.
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Hydro census (Presence of water boreholes and springs)
The mountain area has various fountains and springs. During a field investigation
conducted by GCS it was found that water (which recharges the mountain aquifer
systems) eventually daylights as fountains along exposed contact zones and
depressions within the overburden material.
Groundwater quality
The groundwater quality at Kwasa Colliery is not currently being monitored. It is
recommended that a monitoring program is put in place as soon as possible in order
to establish a groundwater quality database.
Reserve Determination
The following groundwater specific preliminary resource quality objectives are
proposed based on the level of understanding aquifer systems and land-use activities
in the Usutu to Mhlathuze WMA:
Maintain groundwater levels and the groundwater gradients with specific
reference to maintaining the groundwater contribution to base flow.
Implement a groundwater level monitoring programme and specifically
monitor the quantity and quality of groundwater.
Continuously assess the potential impacts of the development activities, and
associated land-use activities, on the quality of the groundwater resources.
Implement a periodic groundwater quality sampling programme prior to and
during development operations.
Groundwater use
The groundwater is mainly used for livestock watering (from fountains and springs)
with a limited use for domestic supply.
Both the shallow groundwater base-flow in the region of the lower topographical hill-
slopes, together with spring water seeping from the higher topographical areas feed
the streams with water. This is considered to be a critical water supply to the local
farms and communities, especially in the dry, winter months.
The mine will recycle and re-use groundwater from the underground workings for
make-up process water, and water from the fresh water dam for potable water, and
possibly also for makeup water during the dry, winter months.
5.3.11 Sensitive Areas
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The abandoned Kwasa Colliery falls inside the Wakkerstroom Wetlands Grassland
proposed exclusion area in terms of Section 49 of the MPRDA (refer to Figure 25
below). A motivation was submitted to the Minister to include 120 farms, of which
Goedehoop 169 HT is one, inside the exclusion area to prevent further prospecting
or mining activities on these farms.
The following primary reason was given to include these farms in the Wakkerstroom
Wet Grassland area:
“The primary basis for the consideration of the WWG under Section 49 of the MPRDA
is the exceptionally high biodiversity value of the area that provide valuable
ecosystem services to the people of South Africa.
The map (found in the document mentioned above) below shows the extent of the
Wakkerstroom Wet Grassland proposed exclusion area as well as the area that is still
under application to become part of exclusion area. From this map it is clear that the
abandoned Kwasa Colliery falls inside the area that is still under application.
The Annysspruit along with other small tributaries flowing in close proximity of the
Kwasa Colliery is also considered sensitive areas and the current pollution that is
occurring, especially during the rainy season, must be stopped through the
establishment of a pollution control system at the mine. These pollution control
structures must be established as soon as possible, preferably before the rainy
season start to avoid further contamination of the water resources downstream.
The wetland north of Kwasa Colliery’s entrance is considered a sensitive area (refer
to Photos 9 and 10 above). According to the landowners there are various different
species of waterfowl (spur winged geese, Egyptian geese, crowned cranes, blue
cranes) relying on this wetland. The product stockpile area at the entrance of the
colliery can be moved further south to decrease the chance of contaminated water
ending up in this wetland during storm events. The construction of the in stream
fresh water storage dam will lead to the reduction of storm water runoff into this
wetland. The fresh water dam must be constructed with an outlet in order to let water
back into the downstream water resources.
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Figure 25: The Wakkerstroom Wet Grasslands (WWG) proposed exclusion area (233, 393 ha) extending over 120 farms within the Pixley Ka Seme and Mkhondo Local Municipalities
Goedehoop 169 HT
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5.3.12 Noise
Noise in the area is restricted to routine traffic to and from the surrounding farms
and adjacent mining operations conducted by Kiepersol Colliery. Agricultural
activities such as the cultivation of lands and harvesting of crops along with forestry
activities also contribute a low scale source of noise to the ambient level.
Potential receptors which might be affected by the mining operation are the local
residents of the neighbouring farms and farm workers. The residential areas are not
located in vicinity of the mining activities and they are thus too far removed to be
regarded as a receptor.
5.3.13 Visual
The site is visible from the R543 (Piet Retief – Wakkerstroom) district road, lying some
twelve kilometres to the north of the site. The area already has a mining character
due to the state the environment was left in. The un-rehabilitated Kwasa Colliery and
the Kiepersol Colliery have already altered the visual character of the Mhlangamvula
and Mhlanganpisi Mountains, especially when looking at the mountains from the
north and west. However the size of the disturbed area at the Kwasa Colliery is very
small compared to the disturbed area at Kiepersol Colliery directly to the west. The
access road to the defunct operational area is visible from the Kiepersol road. The
visual aspect of the areas that have not been disturbed by mining can be described
as wilderness with pockets of forestry.
The visual receptors that will mostly be affected are these within a 5 km distance
from the site and include two farmhouses (Mr Trebble and Mr Prigge) as well as
various rural dwellings north of the colliery.
Tourism Context
The broader area (50 km radius from the site) includes two small nature reserves and
the small tourism hub of Wakkerstroom. The Paardeplaats Nature Reserve, situated
approximately 13 km south of the proposed site, is 2000 ha in extent. The Pongola
Bush Nature Reserve (18 km south) is characterised by mixed Yellowwood forest with
high altitude grassland. Both Reserves attract birding and nature enthusiasts and
remain important protected areas for biodiversity. A number of river systems and
dams in the area attract tourism in the form of fishing and birding.
Wakkerstroom, a small town situated 48 km southwest of the proposed site, is a focus
of tourism in the area, and due to the significance of the Wakkerstroom river
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biodiversity area, is one of the key birding sites on the Mpumalanga Birding Route.
The town is also host to a number of festivals, fairs, and workshops throughout the
year.
Tourism in and around Piet Retief is dominated by guesthouse facilities and
conservancies, including private reserve developments in the Ngwempisi and Assegai
River Valley and catchments (Mkhondo IDP, 2015). The Kwamandlangampisi
Mountains and the high grassland escarpment hold high biodiversity and scenic
value, although their true tourism potential has not yet been realised (Mkhondo IDP,
2015).
Existing Piet Retief Context
Piet Retief (eMkhondo) is located on the N2 at the intersection of the R543 (Volksrust-
Swaziland) and R33 (Vryheid-Amsterdam) roads. The surrounding area is dominated
by forestry plantations, from which much of its economy originated. At present it
boasts a well-diversified economy, including components from all sectors, from
manufacturing to personal services, real estate and tourism. It is strategically
situated in respect of rail and road freight transport (Mkhondo IDP, 2015), and is the
main link of both industrial and commercial transport from Gauteng to the
import/export harbour at Richards Bay.
Situated on the outskirts of Piet Retief (eMkhondo) is the town of eThandakukhanya,
which remains largely a dormitory town and is economically dependent on Piet Retief
and the surrounding forestry and rural areas (Mkhondo IDP, 2015).
Existing Surrounding Area Context
Local Area (<5 km from proposed site)
The immediate area surrounding the proposed site (5 km radius) is characterised by
farming and mining activities. The operational Kiepersol Colliery is situated 1.5 km
to the west and the proposed Goedehoop Colliery is situated 1.8km to the east, along
the lower slopes of the Kwamandlangampisi Mountain. Further north (5.3km), the
defunct Protea Colliery is located. The nearest households are situated 2.19km north
east from the proposed site. Further north, east, and northeast scattered clusters of
rural community households can be found located both on community and private
farm land.
Natural springs are located to the north and east of the proposed site, with the
resulting streams servicing the farmhouse to the north east as well as the surrounding
rural community.
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Broader Area (>5 km but <50 km from the proposed site)
The nearest formal urban centres are Dirkiesdorp (18 km west), Piet Retief
(eMkhondo) (27 km northeast), Paulpietersburg (38 km southeast), and
Wakkerstroom (48 km southwest), and the formal rural centre of Driefontein situated
21.2 km northwest of the proposed site. The surrounding 50 km area is
predominantly characterised by agricultural activities, with some mining,
conservation, and industrial activities occurring.
The nearest large dams are Savmore Dam (7.2 km northwest) and Heyshope Dam (14
km northwest), with the Assegai River running 17 km north of the proposed site at
its closest point. The general area is characterised by informal roads, many of which
are not tarred, with the closest main roads being the R543 and R33. The main R543
road is located 10 km to the north of the proposed site, and the R33 road is situated
28 km to the east. The small German community and school of Wittenberg is located
22 km east of the proposed site, and remains the closest large education facility to
the site. Outside of the main formal urban and rural centres, housing is limited to
established farm households and infrastructure, and rural community households
scattered on a combination of private and community lands.
5.3.14 Socio Economic Environment
The area for the proposed mine falls within Ward 7 of the Mkhondo Local Municipality
which forms part of the greater Gert Sibande District Municipality. Figure 26 below
shows the population per ward for the Mkhondo Local Municipality.
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Figure 26: Population per Ward
Demographic and Socio Economic Profile
Based on the figure above the Mkhondo Municipality has an estimated population of
106 452 people. It is estimated that about 54% of this population reside in the rural
parts of the Mkhondo municipality, and about 46% in the urban parts.
Based on the Mkhondo Local Municipality Draft IDP (2011-2016) the 106 457 people
residing in the Mkhondo Municipality represent about 29 927 households at an
average household size of 3, 6. An estimated 36% of the population is in the age
bracket 25-65. The percentage male residents in the municipality decreased slightly
from 2001, while the number of residents with tertiary qualifications (diplomas and
degrees) increased significantly which is positive. The percentage of the population
with no schooling background also reduced drastically since 2001.
Unemployment figures are relatively high at 43%, but it did show a 3% reduction from
2001. The average annual income per individual increased by almost 150% to R1281,
54, but is still very low in national context. The number of households residing in
formal houses increased to about 67% (from 33% in 2001).
Households having access to electricity more than doubled during this period, with
an estimated 69% of all households having access to electricity. Households with
sanitation services below RDP level decreased from 61% to 41% (pit latrines, bucket
latrines and no systems). The number of households with access to piped water inside
the dwelling/yard also increased drastically from 10 795 in 2001 to 20 169 in 2007
which represents about 67% of all households in the area.
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In terms of Gross Geographical Product the two most important employment sectors
are agriculture at 36% and community services at 18%. These sectors are followed by
trade at 13% and manufacturing at 12%. It evidences that the economy is not very
diversified still being highly reliant on the agricultural sector.
The above reinforces the fact that forestry is and will remain an important asset in
the region. There is little down-stream economic activity and much of the raw timber
is exported from the region, which is negative as value-adding opportunities and
increased income for the region are lost. Reliance on the community services sector
is also high, and thus indicative of the social needs provision in the region.
Although the area has a large economically active population (56%), a total of 43% of
the economically active population is unemployed. This indicates that the economy
is unable to accommodate these people, which will either lead to the out migration
of youngsters and/or an increase in domestic poverty.
Transport Network
The N2 is the only national road which traverses the area. It is an important tourist
and freight transport route connecting Gauteng with the KwaZulu Natal north coast
and Richards Bay. Though a national road, the road needs to be upgraded and
maintained, given its important connecting role. Three provincial roads traverse the
area. These include:
R33 from the N17 in the north, through Amsterdam and Piet Retief to Vryheid
in the south;
R65 between Ermelo and Swaziland via Amsterdam.
R543 between Swaziland and Volksrust via Piet Retief.
All these roads are tarred but in fairly poor condition and therefore need to be
upgraded and maintained. The local roads in the area are tarred, gravelled or graded.
All need maintenance, especially in the rainy season. The R543 is the road that will
be used to the Kwasa Colliery.
A freight railway service exists leading from Ermelo in the north to the north coast in
the south via Vryheid.
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Social Infrastructure
There are several primary schools distributed widely throughout the area. These are
not only centred in the urban areas, but generally also cover the rural areas, which is
appropriate given the high percentage of rural based people residing in the Mkhondo
area. There are 15 secondary schools in the municipal area which are located and
scattered across the wards, however as the population grows the need for more
arises. There is also a Mondi Science and Career Guidance centre which assists in
career guidance and youth development for the community of Mkhondo at large.
There is only one hospital in the municipal area which is located in Piet Retief. In
addition, there are 10 other health facilities which are mainly clinics. Of these, three
of the facilities are located in Piet Retief and the other seven are distributed in the
area. There are two Alcohol and Drugs Rehabilitation centres, two old age homes,
two disabled centres and two orphanages. There is a need for more health facilities
in the area to achieve easier access to basic health and family planning services –
especially in the rural areas.
There are also four police stations and three post offices in the Mkhondo municipal
area.
Water Provision
Sixty nine percent of households within the Mkhondo municipal area have direct
access to clean reticulated water either in-house or on site. The remaining 31% of
the population obtains water from streams, rivers or boreholes. According to the IDP
the municipality is in a process of addressing the water provision backlog, together
with the lack in sanitation services, to avoid serious environmental and health risks.
Sanitation Services
Sanitation services differ substantially throughout the area. Most of the newer urban
areas have access to full sanitation reticulation e.g. Piet Retief, eThandakukhanya and
Amsterdam ext 2 and 3, while the older urban areas still rely on septic tanks. A large
percentage of the population (49%) (urban and rural) in the municipal area still rely
on pit latrines, or chemical toilets, while 21% have no access to sanitation in their
households. The latter figures indicate possible environmental pollution problems
and increased health risks. Sanitation services need to be upgraded in 13 wards
excluding ward 7 and ward 12.
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Electricity
Slightly over 50% of households in urban areas obtain electricity from the MLM; the
remainder of the urban areas rely on candles for lighting and paraffin, gas and other
sources for energy. ESKOM supplies electricity to the rural areas.
The municipal areas with the largest concentrations of service backlogs are recorded
around Piet Retief / eThandakukhanya, Amsterdam / kwaThandeka, and Driefontein
/ kwaNgema.
5.3.15 Heritage
Since the area under application was found disturbed by previous mining activities
and left un-rehabilitated, there are no historical features, structures or artefacts of
significant historical importance that could remain within the surface operational
area. It should however be noted that no heritage or social assessment had been
conducted and therefore no definite description regarding the historical elements can
be described. A first phase heritage assessment is currently being conducted by
eThembeni Cultural Heritage and the information from this study will be included in
the final EIA/EMPr.
No social assessment had been completed for the area and the current state of the
cultural resources cannot be described.
Specific environmental features occurring on site which
may require protection, remediation, management or
avoidance
The proposed operational area has no sensitive environmental features remaining,
that could require protection or avoidance since the area had previously been
disturbed by mining activities. However during heavy rainfall events the coal waste
lying around on site flows into the downstream water resources. A detailed Storm
Water Management Plan needs to be designed in order to contain the source of
pollution. Once this source is contained programs can be set in place to rehabilitate
the contaminated water resources downstream of the mine.
The following specific areas in close proximity to the colliery requires protection,
remediation, management and/or avoidance:
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The Wakkerstroom Wet Grassland proposed exclusion area. This area must be
avoided at all cost.
The Annysspruit along with other small tributaries flowing in close proximity of the
Kwasa Colliery. These areas must be managed but separating the clean water from
the dirty water through the construction of berms and trenches. The dirty water must
be contained in Pollution Control Dams and the clean water allowed to enter the
downstream streams/rivers. These pollution control structures must be established
as soon as possible, preferably before the rainy season start to avoid further
contamination of the water resources downstream.
The wetland north of Kwasa Colliery’s entrance. In order to protect this area the
proposed product stockpile area at the entrance of the colliery can be moved further
south to decrease the chance of contaminated water ending up in this wetland during
storm events. The following management measures will also apply:
Maintain the 0.8 m freeboard at the pollution control dam;
Regular inspection of the PCDs and silt traps;
Line the PCD with appropriate lining (HDPA (2mm) and clay on top).
The construction of the in stream fresh water storage dam will lead to the reduction
of storm water runoff into this wetland. This could cause the wetland to become dry.
This must be managed by constructing the fresh water dam with an outlet in order
to let water back into the downstream water resources once it is filled to capacity.
A description is given below of the environment likely to be affected by proposed
mining operations:
The mountain stream is a sensitive environment, as are the areas of indigenous
vegetation and the wetlands.
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6 Environmental Impact Assessment
In order to conduct this assessment, the activities need to be described. Please
refer to Section 2.4 of this report for the physical project description.
Mine Risk Assessment
Table 19: Primary hazard class type if mineral mined
Mineral Ore
Size:
Large if
> than
(tpm)
Primary Hazard Class
Large Mine Small Mine
Mine
and
Mine
Waste
Mine,
Mine
Waste,
Plant &
plant
Waste
Mine &
Mine
Waste
Mine,
Mine
Waste,
Plant &
plant
Waste
Prospecting (All
Minerals) C C C C
Antimony 1000 A A C C
Asbestos 0 A A A A
Base metals (Copper,
Cadmium, Cobalt, Iron
ore, Molybdenum,
Nickel, Tin, Vanadium)
Sulphide 10 000 A A C A
Oxide 10 000 C A C A
Coal 0 A A A A
Chrome 10 000 C A C C
Diamonds & Precious
stones 10 000 C B C C
Gold, Silver, Uranium 10 000 A A A A
Phosphate 10 000 C B C C
Platinum 10 000 C B C B
Magnesium 10 000 C B C C
Manganese 10 000 C B C C
Mineral sands
(Ilmenite, Titanium,
Rutile, Zircon & Lead)
10 000 C B C C
Zinc & Lead 10 000 C A C A
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Industrial Minerals
(Andalusite, Barite,
Bauxite, Cryolite,
Fluorspar)
10 000 C C C C
Kwasa Colliery is classified as a Category A mine. Please refer to Table 22 for
classification of mines.
Table 20: Classification of Mines
CATEGORY A CATEGORY B CATEGORY C
Any gold or coal mine;
Any mine with an
extraction metallurgical
process, including heap
leaching; or
Any mine where
sulphate producing or
acid generating
material occurs in the
mineral deposit
Any mine where
significant impacts may
occur on water quality
or quantity of affected
water;
All other mines not
covered by A or B.
The Definition of Significance in the context of this EIA
Judgement on the significance of an impact has been influenced by both the context
and intensity of the impact. The nature, cause and effect are also described.
The level of significance has been determined for the EIA below (section 6.3), as the
combined result of a number of several factors, four of which are summarised in a
table describing each criterion on an individual basis. A fifth criterion namely “risk”
has been included in the description of groundwater impact assessment. An example
of such a summary table is given below:
Table 21: Example of Natural Vegetation (Summarised Impact)
Context Intensity Implication
Magnitude/Extent Timing Duration Probability Risk Level of
Significance
Small Present Temporary Definite Low Low
The first three, namely magnitude, timing and duration describe the context of the
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impact, while the intensity summarises probability and risk of the impact. These
parameters have been expanded below in order to expand the definition, meaning
and objectivity of the term “significance of an impact”. (Please note that the “Risk”
referred to above with regard to intensity is only used in the groundwater sections).
6.2.1 Context
Context comprises both spatial and temporal dimensions.
6.2.2 Spatial
Implies magnitude, extent and/or size. How big is the impact?
Impacts on the environment have been described according to their relative
magnitude (or size or extent). For example, topsoil may be totally affected but in a
localised, contained area by a construction or excavation, which is a relatively small
fraction of the greater area. In contrast, sheet and/or donga erosion over a more
general area may not have totally removed all the topsoil (yet), but the scale of
significance of the effect is relatively more severe.
6.2.3 Temporal
Implies timing and duration. When will it happen, and how long will it last?
Timing
Timing indicates when the effect will happen (manifest itself) namely:
Past (already happened)
Present and/or
Future (on-going).
Duration
Duration describes how long an impact will last on a project specific basis and
includes five levels namely:
Permanent: > 5 years after closure of the operation
Temporary, Long term: 5-10 years (duration of the project)
Temporary, Medium term: 2 - 5 years
Temporary, Short term: < 2 years
Reversible: If an impact is reversible, the predicted time frame becomes
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important.
6.2.4 Intensity
Intensity indicates the severity of an impact. It is assessed on the basis of certainty
(probability), special knowledge and/or perceptions of the Stakeholders.
6.2.5 Certainty
Certainty (probability) of occurrence or fact has been assigned five levels or
categories, namely:
Already happened: 100%
Definite: >90% of occurrence or fact
Probable: >70% of occurrence or fact
Possible: >40% of occurrence or fact, and
Unlikely: used also for the groundwater assessment to indicate that it is
not anticipated (through scientific methods) to occur,
Unsure: <=40% of occurrence or fact.
6.2.6 Special knowledge
Special knowledge recognises local, traditional knowledge of the environment being
assessed, and/or experience of local people and/or interested parties.
6.2.7 Perceptions
The perceptions, priorities, concerns and/or needs framework of the interested and
affected parties (IAP’s) and the relevant Authorities.
6.2.8 Levels of Significance
Five resultant levels of significance have been described on the basis of the
magnitude, timing, duration and probability of an aspect, namely:
“very low”,
“low”,
“moderate”,
“high”, and
“very high”.
This has been summarised below in Table 25: The Significance Rating Scale.
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6.2.9 Implications of the Significance Rating Scale
Various implications of the significance scale have been summarised below in Table
25: Implications of the significance rating scale. The scale is described as five levels
along a continuum. The order is described relative to within the bounds of impacts
which could occur. The significance rating scale could be replaced by one of the
following categories where relevant, namely:
“No effect” implies that there is not even the lowest order (very low /
negligible) impact on either the key issue or a component thereof.
“Can’t know” indicates that the impact assessor believes that, even with
additional information, an assessment is not possible, and finally
“Don’t know” accommodates the situation where the assessor cannot, or is
unwilling to make an assessment.
6.2.10 Summary of the Significance Rating Matrix
The various criteria that need to be considered when assessing the significance of
the aspect and its impact have been summarised below in Table 24. Please note: In
Table 25 (Implications of the Significance Rating Scale) the rating scale is relative to
within the bounds of impacts which would occur.
Table 22: The Significance Rating Scale
Magnitude Timing Duration Intensity Level of
significance Probability Risk
How big is it?
(Relative to what?)
When will it
happen?
How long will it
last?
Severity, certainty of
happening or fact /
perception
How serious is
it?
+’ve / –‘ve
Actual/Potenti
al
Negligible (to the
project area) Past Reversible (? Yr.)
Unlikely:
< = 40%
not
predicted to
occur
Very low Very low
Small (limited to
part of the project
area)
Present Temporary: S/T
<2 years.
Possible:
>40% Low Low
Moderate (limited to
the project area)
Future: S/T
(<6
months)
Temporary: M/T
2 – 5 years
Probable:
>70% Moderate Moderate
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Magnitude Timing Duration Intensity Level of
significance Probability Risk
Large (extends
beyond the project
area: contained)
Future: M/T
6 months –
5 years
Temporary: L/T
5-10 years.
Project duration
Definite:
>90% High
High Already
happened
100%
High
Extensive (extends
beyond the project
area: un-contained)
Future: L/T
(>5 years)
Permanent: >5
yr. after mine
closure
Unsure High Very high
Table 23: Implications of the Significance Rating Scale
Level Order Impact
Negative (Alternatives) Positive (Alternatives)
Very low Negligible Virtually unnecessary; easy,
cheap, simple
Generally better than means of
achieving the benefit.
Low Little real effect Easily achieved and / or little
required
Easier, cheaper, more effective
and / or less timeous.
Moderate Not substantial,
but real
Feasible and fairly easily
possible Equal in time, cost and effort.
High Substantial Feasible, difficult, expensive,
or time consuming
Feasible, difficult, expensive
and / or time consuming.
Very high Highest Not possible Nothing practicable
The main aspects that will have an impact on the environment have been categorised
below in Table 26. A description of each aspect is given along with the specific
activities, phase of the operation in which it will occur, and the duration. The specific
listed activities in terms of NEMA (GG No. R544 or GG No.R543) that are triggered by
each aspect is also indicated below. The impacts of these activities on the
environment were assessed in section 6.3 for the construction, operation and
decommissioning phases of the proposed mine.
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Table 24: Categorization of the main activities in terms of the aspects of the operation
Aspect Listed Activity in terms
of NEMA
Activities Phases of
operation
Timeframe
Underground
mining
GG No. R543 Activity nr 5
GG No. R543 Activity nr
20.
Board and pillar mining with
continuous miner (no blasting will
be done);
Dewatering of the aquifer and
groundwater recharge in mine
workings;
Construction,
Operational,
5 years
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Transport GG No. R543 Activity nr 6;
GG No. R543 Activity nr 5;
GG No. R544 Activity nr
39.
Upgrading and construction of the
internal road network;
Expansion of five low level
crossings;
Transportation of coal will be
done via a conveyor belt from the
shaft to the washing plant;
After crushing and screening,
product will be transported to the
stockpile area;
Product will be loaded onto trucks
with front-end loaders and
transported via road to the
market(s).
No workers or contractors will be
staying on the mine; these
labourers will be transported daily
to and from the site.
All equipment will be brought
onto and again taken off the mine
via the existing access road
network.
It is not expected that roads will
be constructed to access the
operations. The existing road and
track network will be utilised as
far as possible.
Construction,
Operational
Daily for 5 years
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Aspect Listed Activity in terms
of NEMA
Activities Phases of
operation
Timeframe
Washing of
coal
GG No. R543 Activity nr 5;
GG No. R544 Activity nr
23;
GG No. R544 Activity nr
11.
Establishment of the coal washing
plant along with associated
infrastructure;
Coal washing;
Recycling of process water from
PCD 3;
Disposal of waste water in the
PCDs;
Disposal of discard at the Co-
Disposal Dump site.
Construction,
Operational.
5 years
Stockpiling and
Loading
GG No. R543 Activity nr 5.
GG No. R543 Activity nr
15.
Product stockpiling in two areas –
at the plant and at the entrance;
ROM stockpiling at the washing
plant.
Operational 5 years.
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Water
Management
GG No. R544 Activity nr 9;
GG No. R544 Activity nr
12;
GG No. R544 Activity nr
18;
GG No. R543 Activity nr 5.
Construction of four pollution
control dams;
Construction of one fresh water
dam;
Construction of final trenching
and berms;
Establish new runoff water
catchment areas;
Installation of water pumps and
piping for PCD 3 and the fresh
water dam;
Storing of waste water in PCD 1, 2,
and 4.
Recycling transformed water from
PCD 3 to use as process water in
the washing plant.
Taking water from the freshwater
dam to use as process water in the
washing plant and for dust
suppression during dry winter
months.
Spraying of water on access roads,
stockpiles and the Co-Disposal
Dump Site to suppress dust.
Underground water will be
abstracted from the adits and
pumped into the pollution control
dams.
Construction,
Operational
5 years
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Aspect Listed Activity in terms
of NEMA
Activities Phases of
operation
Timeframe
Fuel Storage GG No. R544 Activity nr
12.
Storing diesel on site in containers
that can hold more than 80m3
combined but less than 500m3.
Operational. 5 years
Dust
suppression
GG No. R543 Activity nr 5.
Water will be obtained from PCD
1, PCD 2, PCD 4 and the fresh
water dam via water carts and
sprayed on the roads and
operational areas for dust
suppression;
Construction,
Operational,
Decommissioning
6 years
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Aspect Listed Activity in terms
of NEMA
Activities Phases of
operation
Timeframe
Waste
management
GG No. R543 Activity nr
15;
GG No. R543 Activity nr 5.
Preparation of the Co-Disposal
Dump Site;
Discard will be disposed in the
Co-Disposal Dump site from
where it will be sold or disposed
of at a registered site.
Waste water will be disposed of in
PCD 1, PCD 2 and PCD 4.
A septic tank system will be
installed on site;
Sewage from mine workers will be
contained in the septic tank
system.
There will be no industrial waste
disposal on the site; such waste
will be removed by specialist
contractors.
Construction,
Operational,
Decommissioning
and Closure
6-7 years.
Plugging and
sealing of
shafts.
N/A Plugging and sealing of three
shaft i.e. ventilation, access and
exit shaft).
Decommissioning 3 months
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Aspect Listed Activity in terms
of NEMA
Activities Phases of
operation
Timeframe
Removal of
infrastructure
N/A All infrastructure such as the
washing plant, offices, change
houses, pollution control dams,
access roads etc. will be
demolished and removed from the
site.
Decommissioning 3 months
Re-vegetation N/A Once all infrastructures have been
removed from the site, disturbed
areas will be re-vegetated in an
attempt to re-instate the land use
and land capability to its pre-
mining state.
Closure 2 months
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Environmental Impact Assessment
6.3.1 Construction Phase
Geology
Impact
The geology will be disturbed by drilling and blasting and the excavation of the new adits.
The material excavated will either be used in the construction of the terraces or (the
remainder) stockpiled for later use during decommissioning to refill the adit. The
disturbance will be limited to a small part of the project area, it will be a permanent
disturbance that will definitely happen.
The refurbishment and operation of Kwasa Colliery as well as the multiple mining operations
in the area will have a cumulative impact on the geology of the area. Underground mining
will have a definite long term impact, as the geology cannot be restored, on the local and
regional geology of the area.
Summary of impacts on the geology
Topography
The topography will be altered by the excavation and terracing of the adits, the topsoil and
rock stockpiles and the construction of the plant complex, discard facility and associated
pollution control facilities. The disturbance will be limited to a relatively small part of the
project area, it is reversible in the long term (>7 years) as the post mining topography will
be landscaped to emulate the pre-mining topography and it will definitely happen.
The topography of the site will be affected by the planned activities which will require the
possible opening of an additional adit(s). The Alfred and Dundas seams are planned to be
mined using conventional underground board and pillar mining methods and it is therefore
not expected to have an impact on the topography during the construction phase. The
opening of any adit will however have an impact on the topography which is a steep sloped
to gentle sloped landscape. Construction activities will involve the levelling of an area to
accommodate the adit.
Various clean water diversion berms and a high wall will be created around the mining area
to contain all dirty water that might be generated within the mining boundary. These berms
as well as trenches will divert clean water away from the mining area into the surrounding
streams. Channels will also be created to divert the dirty water into the pollution control
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Small Future S/T Permanent Definite Moderate
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dams. These berms and dams will be constructed of in-situ material and will be limited to
the immediate vicinity of the infrastructure areas, and will have a small but significant effect
on the topography during the construction phase. The impacts will be limited to the site,
with a definite impact for the short term. The intensity and significance will both be low.
Multiple mining operations in the area exists thus there will be a cumulative impact on the
topography of the area in the long term as the tailings facilities are permanent features
affecting the relief of the area.
Summary of impact on the topography
Soils
Impact
The planned additional mining activities as mentioned above will affect soil in the area as an
additional adit and related structures will have to be constructed. The construction of the
four PCDs, the fresh water storage dam, new roads and the Co-Disposal Dump site will have
a significant impact on the soils because these structures will be constructed on undisturbed
surfaces.
The soil in the areas to be disturbed that is suitable for use as a growth medium will be
excavated (pre-stripped) and stockpiled for use during rehabilitation (decommissioning
phase). The pre-stripping and stockpiling of the soil will result in both physical and chemical
changes in the soil due to the disturbance, increased aeration and absence of vegetative
cover. This action on the soil will result in a breakdown of the macro- and micro-soil
structure, especially when excessively wet and with duplicate handling. As only the topsoil
and subsoil will be stockpiled, the mixing of the soil from the lower horizons with the bed
rock would alter the characteristics of the conglomerate as far as chemistry and water
retention capacity is concerned. The stockpiled topsoil and subsoil will be exposed to
contamination (such as coal dust, oils lubricants etc.) and erosion agents such as water and
wind during the construction phase.
It must be taken into account that the area was left in an unrehabilitated state and currently
erosion around the access road as well as in the mining area is a big concern for the local
farmers.
During construction there is the probability of sheet erosion occurring on the areas cleared
of vegetation. The extent of the cleared area is however relatively small and will only involve
portions of the mining area. As these sites will be actively managed (or be covered by
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Small Future S/T Temporary L/T Definite Low
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temporary structures) the duration will be long term. The probability of gully erosion will
be limited to the concentrated flow of collected water points or concentrated flow points
(such as culverts) around the planned activities. However proper berm construction and
erosion control measures will ensure that the intensity will be greatly reduced.
Summary of impact on the soils
Land Capability
Land capability will be compromised in the vicinity of the operational areas that are planned
to be pre-stripped of topsoil and growth medium material (for later re-use). The disturbance
will be limited to a relatively small part of the project area.
Where the land capability is grazing or wilderness, the post mining capability will not be
compromised and the impact is reversible in the long term (> 7 years) and will definitely
happen. The land capability of the mining area will be compromised during the construction
phase of the planned activities. This is mainly due to the intense impact that the construction
activities will have on the soil and vegetation of the site.
It has however a low level of significance mainly due to damage caused by previous mining
activities and the un-rehabilitated state that the land was found in.
Mining activities in the area will definitely have a cumulative impact as mining activities will
reduce the original land capability in the area to a homogenous area defined by mining.
Summary of impact of on the land capability
Land Use
The current land use of the defunct operational area will remain mining, while the area of
the new adit complex, pollution control dams, co-disposal dump site, fresh water dam etc.
would change from agriculture (grazing) to mining. The disturbance will be limited to a very
small portion of the mining right area (less than fifty hectares), it is reversible in the long
term (>7years) and will definitely happen.
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Small Future S/T Temporary L/T Definite Moderate
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Small Future S/T Temporary L/T Definite Low
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The underground mining activities in the area will have a low cumulative impact in the
medium term as the surface infrastructure is limited in extent.
Summary of impact on the land use
Vegetation
Impact
The terrestrial vegetation at the site consists of three types which are as follows:
Eastern Highveld Grassland;
Paulpietersburg Moist Grassland;
Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland.
The first two of these are considered to be either “Endangered” or “Vulnerable” and so are of
conservation concern. In addition, because of regional landscape transformation, the
vegetation in the mine area is considered to be “Irreplaceable”. At present the vegetation in
the intermediate (> 1370 masl) and higher lying areas is in good to pristine condition and
alien weeds are not common. However, the vegetation in the lower-lying and flatter areas
has been substantially transformed by past agricultural activities.
The construction activities will lead to considerable loss of indigenous vegetation on the
property. The losses will come about through development of infrastructure, and also
through general contamination of the area. Natural ecological processes will be disrupted
and there is a strong probability that alien weed species such as Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) will
become more prolific. These impacts will be most apparent at elevations below that of the
mine adits while the higher lying areas will be relatively unaffected.
Summary of impact on the vegetation
Animal Life
The terrestrial fauna at the site is already very severely depleted with many of the original
species, especially the larger mammals, now being locally extinct. However, with the further
degradation of the area as a result of the mine development, further losses will take place.
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Small Future S/T Temporary L/T Definite Low
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future S/T Permanent L/T Definite High
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Affected groups will include the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and a wide variety of
invertebrate groups with the insects being the most obvious. Several species of conservation
have already been lost from the area as a result of human activities. None were seen at the
time of the site visit.
The disturbance and consequent habitat destruction will be limited to a relatively small part
of the project area: it is estimated that the zone of influence would be temporary in the long
term and will happen. The associated loss of habitat, disturbance in the area in terms of
noise, dust and water pollution associated with mining activities will possibly have a negative
cumulative impact on the fauna in the area in the long term.
Summary of impact on the animal life
Surface Water
Potential Impact: Contamination of surface water through storm water runoff
Rain falling onto the disturbed area is currently polluting the surrounding surface water
resources.
Once construction starts and storm water measures are implemented this will help contain
the source of pollution which will have a positive impact on the surrounding surface water
resources. Spillage from chemical toilets, oil spills and construction dumping may be picked
up by runoff and will contaminate the downstream watercourses.
Increased sediment movement off the construction sites will add to the cumulative impact
of increased sediment loads in the valley bottom wetlands and streams down gradient of the
site.
Summary of impact on the surface water quality
Potential Impact: There will be temporary decrease in surface water runoff as the
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future S/T Permanent L/T Definite Moderate
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future S/T Temporary S/T Possible Moderate
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catchments will be closed off by construction activities.
The proposed mining activities will require the construction of a new adit complex, pollution
control dams, co-disposal dump site, stockpile area and a fresh water dam. Surface water
will be directed around these areas through various storm water measures. However rain
falling within the construction site will be contained in the PCDs during the construction
phase. This water will be prohibited from entering the drainage lines and stream and will
therefore affect the quantity of surface water runoff. Should storm water measures not be
implemented, surface water will be polluted by construction activities and the impact on the
surface water would have a greater significance.
Multiple mining operations in the area will probably have a moderate cumulative impact on
the catchment yield.
Summary of impact on the surface water runoff
Potential Impact: Disturbance of the bed and banks of the water courses running
through the mining site.
The expansion/upgrade of five low level crossings will have a potential impact on the riparian
habitat of the stream. Although the area will be rehabilitated, the riparian habitat (vegetation
and microenvironment) will definitely be disturbed. The bed/bank of these streams will be
altered which might lead to a potential decline in the quality of the water. The clearance of
vegetation around the site can pose as a potential risk for erosion, however it will be of low
significance as the disturbance would only be around the expansion site.
Summary of impact on the riparian habitat
Groundwater
Potential Impact: Contamination of groundwater through infiltration
The groundwater of the surrounding area is currently being polluted by the seepage of rain
water from the disturbed site into the underlying aquifer.
Spillage from chemical toilets, oil spills and construction dumping may infiltrate the
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future S/T Temporary L/T Probable Moderate
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Small Future S/T Temporary S/T Definite Moderate
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groundwater system and contaminate the groundwater resources. Dirty storm water
collecting in the Pollution Control Dams (PCD) during the construction phase has the
potential to leach into the groundwater.
Multiple mining operations in the area will probably have a moderate cumulative impact on
the groundwater quality.
Summary of the impact on the groundwater quality
Potential Impact: Decrease in groundwater level through the opening of
additional adits
The opening of additional adits may have an impact on the groundwater as these adits,
depending on their location and in relations to the groundwater table and impermeable rock
layers. Once the precise location of the adits has been determined, one will be able to assess
whether the construction phase will have a significant impact on the groundwater level. The
existing adits would already have affected the groundwater.
Multiple mining operations in the area will probably have a moderate cumulative impact on
the groundwater availability.
Summary of the impact on groundwater level
Air Quality
During the construction phase of the planned activities (the construction of the new adit
complex, washing plant area, stockpile areas, Co-Disposal Dump site, PCDs, fresh water
dam and associated roads), dust will mainly be produced by site establishment operations,
including stripping of topsoil and grading of access roads. The carbon-dioxide emissions
associated with the diesel machines are of such a small quantity that the impact thereof on
the air quality is considered to be of a low significance. Dust suppression by water tanker
will be employed to mitigate the release of dust which will lower the significance rating of
the impact.
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Risk Level of Significance
Large Present Temporary L/T Probable High Moderate
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Risk Level of Significance
Large Future S/T Temporary L/T Possible Moderate Moderate
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Construction activities in the area associated with development and mining activities will
probably have a cumulative impact on the air quality of the area if mitigation measures are
not implemented.
Summary of the impact on air quality
Sensitive Landscapes
The area is a brownfields sites thus no sensitive landscapes will directly be affected by
construction activities. However, should the groundwater be affected, there is a significant
probability that springs and fountains which feed various wetlands, may be negatively
affected. It is therefore recommended that an assessment of possible impact on sensitive
landscapes be conducted prior to any such activities be conducted.
The wetlands on the mining property are already largely degraded or lost and none are
NFEPA listed. However, some of the mining activities will have the potential to impact further
on the systems
The construction of the pollution control system will have a positive impact on the surface
water resources quality down gradient of the site by containing the current source of
pollution but it will have a negative impact on the quantity of surface water runoff into the
downstream wetland.
During the establishment of the fresh water storage dam the bed and banks of a tributary
flowing into the Annysspruit will be altered.
Summary of the impact on sensitive landscapes
Noise
The main cause of an increase in the ambient noise level is the haulage trucks and other
plant equipment associated with the construction of additional adits, stockpile areas and
water management structures such as the pollution control dams and the fresh water dam
required for the planned activities. The reverse sirens of the construction vehicles and
general diesel engine running noise will add to the industrial noise of the site, which will be
in stark contrast to the natural noise character of the site. The noise will however be
mitigated by the natural topography of the site and high wall created on the site. The
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future S/T Temporary S/T Probable Low
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future S/T Permanent L/T Definite High
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 119 of 218
mountain will act as a noise buffer to the adjacent landowners on the southern and south-
eastern side of the mountain. The construction noise will extend from the site boundaries
and will definitely contribute to the existing noise levels.
Construction activities in the area associated with development and mining activities will
definitely have a cumulative impact on the noise level of the area.
Summary of the impact on noise
Visual Aspects
Of the planned activities, the mining of additional seams through additional adits and the
establishment of the washing plant and its associated infrastructure will have an impact on
the visual character of the area. The site is visible from the R543 (Piet Retief – Wakkerstroom)
district road, lying some twelve kilometres to the north of the site. There are some four
family communities who would have a direct line of vision of the mine.
The new presence of mining equipment and the erection of infrastructure will change the
aesthetics and “sense-of-place” of the area. The stockpiles and berms around the terraces
will also act as screens to mitigate sound and visual disturbance from the mining site.
Dust from the construction activities will also cause a visual disturbance that is temporary.
Coal dust fall-out along the sides of the roads and around the mining area will also impact
on the aesthetics of the area. Lighting from vehicles at night during construction activities,
lighting masts and security lights will also contribute to the visual impact.
However, as the area already has a mining character, the impact will only contribute to the
existing impact and the planned activities will have a moderate significance before
mitigation. Such mining activities are further screened from surrounding receptors (on the
southern and south-eastern side) by the local mountain range.
Summary of the impact on visual characteristics
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future S/T Temporary S/T Definite Low
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future S/T Temporary S/T Definite Moderate
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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Socio-economic Conditions (Construction Phase)
Potential Impact: The local economy will benefit from the new employment
opportunities and the knock-on effect of employment.
This project will ensure employment of personnel associated with the construction of the
mine, albeit on a temporary basis. There will be an opportunity for a permanent employment
framework, but this is covered under the section below, operational phase.
The families living on and around the property will have a major change in quality of life and
lifestyle due to the close proximity of the mining operation, and wealth that it will create and
distribute among the communities via salaries and services. The mine could negatively
impact upon the value of surrounding land.
As there is no evidence of the land value depreciating as a direct result of the adjacent
Kiepersol Colliery, it is not likely that the refurbishment and recommissioning of the Kwasa
Colliery would have a high impact on the land value in the area. This is a subjective issue,
(in that it would largely be determined by market forces), and has not been quantified.
The overall, residual impacts as determined by this qualitative impact assessment are such
that it is unlikely that a significant, long-term depreciation in land value would result.
Furthermore, should other local adjacent coal reserves be exploited, the regional community
will holistically, be sufficiently empowered to limit negative impacts to an acceptable level.
(This includes members of the community with skills and experience in legal and technical
issues).
The effect of the construction phase on the regional and socio-economic structure will
extend beyond the project area and will be temporary (short term - <6 months). It will have
a low to moderate level of significance, both negative and positive.
Summary of the impact on the local economy
Potential Impact: The local and regional road transport network will suffer
additional pressure from the haulage trucks.
The local and regional road transport network will suffer additional pressure from the
haulage trucks travelling on the surrounding district roads.
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future S/T Temporary S/T Definite Moderate
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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Additional heavy motor vehicle traffic will increase the road degradation of the road
infrastructure. However, it is not foreseen that the construction phase will contribute
significantly to the road infrastructure degradation as the construction vehicles will remain
on site during the construction period and will not travel on the surrounding district roads
frequently.
Summary of the impact on the regional road network
Impact on Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs)
The existing status quo of the local economy will be affected by the introduction of relatively
higher paying (assumed) but short term employment opportunities. Various IAP have
indicated concerns regarding the rehabilitation of the proposed mine and questioned
whether the applicant will have enough resources to rehabilitate the area when mining
seizes. Further concerns were related to the possible environmental degradation especially
the impact on the water resources.
It is therefore assessed that the proposed mine will have an impact during the construction
phase on the community cohesion and community perception which is linked to their
aspirations for the future.
Ongoing communication with IAPs will be conducted where monitoring information will be
made available through the annual audit reports.
A complaints register will be made available at the mine and an environmental monitoring
committee will be established.
Summary of the impact on the IAPs perceptions
Heritage/Archaeological Aspects
Due to the state that the environment was found in, it is not envisaged that there are any
graves or other structures of historical importance on the disturbed site and therefore most
of the planned activities will have no impact on any heritage aspects. However the
construction of the Co-Disposal dump site and the fresh water storage dam has the potential
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future S/T Temporary S/T Definite Moderate
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future S/T Temporary S/T Definite Moderate
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uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 122 of 218
to impact heritage resources. A heritage impact assessment is currently being conducted by
eThembeni Cultural Heritage to determine if there are any heritage resources on the
undisturbed areas.
If such aspects are discovered the appropriate mitigation measures as described by a
heritage specialist will have to be adhered to.
Cultural Aspects
No cultural or spiritual importance has been found to be associated with the mining area;
therefore the mining operation will have no impact on any cultural aspects of the site.
6.3.2 Operational Phase
Geology
The geology will be disturbed on a localised and limited basis by the primary mining
methods. The methods planned to be used are proven for this specific reserve, having been
employed by the contractor STA at the adjacent Kiepersol Colliery.
The disturbance will be limited to parts of the project area, will be permanent and will
happen. It has a high level of significance.
Multiple underground mining operations in the area will have a definite cumulative impact
on the geology of the area.
Summary of impact on geology
Topography
The topography of the area will be affected by the planned activities in terms of the various
stockpiles which will be moved, grown and reduced continually during the life of the
operations. It is however not foreseen that the planned activities will have an additional
impact which is significantly different to that of the impacts identified for the construction
phase.
Multiple mining operations in the area exists thus there will be a cumulative impact on the
topography of the area in the long term as the tailings facilities are permanent features
affecting the relief of the area.
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future M/T Permanent Definite High
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uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 123 of 218
Summary of impact on topography
Soils
As per the construction phase, the soils excavated will be separately pre-stripped as topsoil
or subsoil and stockpiled separately in a designated area for use during rehabilitation.
During the stripping operation of the soil, soil layers will be mixed when removed,
transported and stockpiled by the bulldozers. Seeds and roots within these layers will be
uprooted and may be exposed to the open air elements which could damage and kill them.
This will render the topsoil less fertile. Further stockpiling of the soil will expose the soil to
elements of erosion such as wind and water as well as risking the occurrence of compaction.
Due to the fact that the soils have already been compromised, possible further disturbance
will have a cumulative effect.
There is a probability of sheet erosion occurring on the areas cleared of vegetation. The
extent of the cleared area is however relatively small and will only involve portions of the
new adit area, stockpile areas and roads. As these sites will be actively managed (or be
covered by temporary structures) the duration will be long term. The probability of gully
erosion will be limited to the concentrated flow of collected water points or concentrated
flow points (such as culverts) around the mining area. However, proper berm construction
and erosion control measures will ensure that the intensity will be greatly reduced. The
impact on the soils of the area, due to erosion will therefore have a low level of significance.
Summary of impact on the soils
Land Capability
The land capability will not continue to be impacted on by the activities associated with
mining.
Mining activities in the area will definitely have a cumulative impact as mining activities will
reduce the original land capability in the area to a homogenous area defined by mining.
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future M/T Temporary L/T Probable Low
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Small Future M/T Temporary L/T Possible Moderate
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Summary of impact on the land capability
Land use
The land use will remain as mining. There would be no further impact during the operational
phase as the land use was already changed to mining in the new area during the construction
phase.
The fresh water dam will be made available to the community to use for livestock watering
and/or irrigation purposes. If managed this way the fresh water dam will have a moderate
positive impact on the local community.
The underground mining activities in the area will have a low cumulative impact in the
medium term as the surface infrastructure is limited in extent.
Summary of impact on the land use
Vegetation
Impacts on the vegetation will be on-going; however operational activities will produce dust
which may impact vegetation surrounding the operational areas. Alien invader species may
further establish on the disturbed areas if a weed eradication plan is not set in place. The
magnitude of such impacts during the operational phase is however limited to the disturbed
areas and does not have a high intensity.
The removal of vegetation over the mining area may lead to a decrease in the carbon sink
potential of the area which may have a cumulative impact in the long term due to the
increased carbon emissions from mining related activities. In addition, the disturbance in
the area will lead to an influx of invasive species and hence a potential loss in biodiversity.
Summary of impact on the vegetation
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
N/A N/A N/A N/A No further impact
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future M/T Permanent Definite Moderate (Positive)
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future M/T Permanent L/T Possible Moderate
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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Animal Life
Several species of conservation have already been lost from the area as a result of human
activities. None were seen at the time of the site visit. If any of the species of concern are
still present, even if only for limited periods of time then the impact may be regarded as
“High”. However, because the affected area is already so depleted, the additional impacts
may be of lower significance.
The associated loss of habitat, disturbance in the area in terms of noise, dust and water
pollution associated with mining activities will possibly have a negative cumulative impact
on the fauna in the area in the long term.
Summary of impact on the animal life
Surface water
The property on which the mine is situated is part of a water catchment area and is
traversed by numerous drainage lines. Some of these are seasonal while others have
perennial flow in normal years. The water yield is regionally important.
The mining activities have the potential to impact on the watercourses in a number of
ways which include:
Deterioration of water quality through coal-related substances entering the system.
These substances will include both suspended solids such as coal dust and
dissolved solids including sulphates and metal ions which can lower the pH of the
water and can reach toxic levels.
Erosion of the veld as well as runoff from roads and other infrastructure can clog
the stream substrate with silt. This results in loss of habitat for aquatic fauna and
so biodiversity is reduced.
Reduction of flows. If excessive water is abstracted for use in the mine and the
associated operations, then stream flows are reduced and smaller systems may be
dried out completely. Aquatic biodiversity is then lost.
Groundwater
Potential Impact: Decrease in groundwater quantity
Mining of additional seams will have a definite impact on the groundwater. Since no
secondary mining (and possible total extraction) will be conducted, the roof (dolerite cap)
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future L/T Permanent L/T Possible Moderate
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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stability will not be compromised. However, should the impermeable layers be cracked water
will be allowed to flow through the mountain to the mine workings. Therefore no water
would daylight along the side and on top of the mountain. Springs and fountains being fed
by the groundwater will dry up.
Multiple mining operations in the area will possibly have a high cumulative impact on the
groundwater availability.
Summary of impact on the groundwater quantity
Potential Impact: Groundwater contamination
Water infiltrating into the mine workings will generate acid mine drainage.
Dirty water contained in the pollution control dams could contaminate the underlying aquifer
through seepage. Seepage could also occur on the operational areas (stockpile and discard
facility) if storm water is allowed to pool. The management measures should focus on
separating the aquifer from the facility by lining the pollution control dams with HDPA (2mm)
and clay on top, compacting the operational area and sloping the surface of the stockpile
areas to avoid pooling.
The potential exists that leakages from the septic tank system can seep through and
contaminate the underlying aquifer. If no management measures are conducted, the
groundwater quality will significantly be impacted.
Multiple mining operations in the area will possibly have a high cumulative impact on the
groundwater quality.
Summary of impact on groundwater quality
Sensitive Landscapes
Potential Impact: Potential degradation/damage to the wetlands and streams due to mining
operations. The following sensitive areas could be affected during the operational phase:
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Risk Level of Significance
Large Future M/T Temporary L/T Possible High High
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Risk Level of Significance
Large Future M/T Temporary L/T Possible High High
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The Wakkerstroom Wet Grassland proposed exclusion area. This area must be avoided at all
cost.
The Annysspruit along with other small tributaries flowing in close proximity of the Kwasa
Colliery as well as the wetland north of Kwasa Colliery’s entrance. The potential exist that
these streams/rivers could become polluted if the pollution control system does not contain
all the contaminated water.
The wetlands on the mining property are already largely degraded or lost and none are
NFEPA listed. However, some of the mining activities will have the potential to impact further
on the systems.
The construction of the pollution control dams and the in-stream fresh water storage dam
will lead to the reduction of storm water runoff into the surrounding streams and wetland.
Large parts of the proposed mining area is a brownfields site with no sensitive landscapes.
However, should the groundwater be affected, there is a significant probability that springs
and fountains which feed various wetlands, may be negatively affected.
The pollution control system will have a positive impact on the surface water resources
quality down gradient of the site by containing the current source of pollution but it will
affect the runoff negatively.
Summary of impact on the sensitive landscapes
Air Quality
Dust will be created from the localised operational area and the untarred access and district
roads during the operational phase from the primary beneficiation and screening operations
and the haulage trucks. The air outtake ventilation may transport intermittent increases in
(coal) dust levels. Coal dust particles may be transported by the medium of air and deposited
beyond the project area. A build-up of coal dust on grazing (especially during the dry winter
months) would make the grass less palatable, and would affect the yield of annual crops
such as maize. The effect will be temporary and will have a moderate significance rating.
Dust suppression by water tanker will be employed to mitigate the release of dust which will
lower the significance rating of the impact.
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future M/T Permanent L/T Possible High
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Operational activities in the area associated with development and mining activities will
probably have a cumulative impact on the air quality of the area if mitigation measures are
not implemented.
Summary of impact on the air quality
Noise
During the operational phase noise will be caused by the mining of the adits, operational
vehicles, machines and washing plant. In addition construction activities will continue
through the operational phase. The main cause of an increase in the ambient noise level is
the haulage trucks and other plant equipment associated with construction of the additional
adits required for the planned activities. The reverse sirens of the construction and
operational vehicles and general diesel engine running noise will add to the industrial noise
of the site, which will be in stark contrast to the natural noise character of the site. The
disturbance would extend beyond the project area due to the haulage trucks and sirens; it
would be a temporary (long-term) disturbance and it will happen. It has a moderate level of
significance.
The noise will however be mitigated by the natural topography of the site and highwall
constructed on the site. The mountain will act as a noise buffer to the adjacent landowners
on the southern side of the mountain. The operational noise will extend from the site
boundaries and will definitely contribute to the existing noise levels.
Summary of impact on the noise
Visual Aspects
Of the planned activities, the mining of additional seams through additional adits and coal
washing along with the related operational requirements will have an impact on the visual
character of the area. The establishment of the discard dump along with dust pollution
caused by haulage trucks will have the biggest impact on the visual aspects during operation.
Lighting from vehicles at night during operational activities, lighting masts and security
lights will also contribute to the visual impact. However, as the area already has a mining
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future M/T Temporary L/T Probable Moderate
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future M/T Temporary L/T Definite Moderate
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character, the impact will only contribute to the existing impact and can be describe as
having a moderate significance before mitigation.
Summary of impact on the visual aspects
Socio-economic Impacts (Operational Phase)
Potential Impact: The local economy will benefit from the on-going employment
opportunities and the knock-on effect of employment.
The proposed mine will create additional employment in the formal sector during the
operational phase. The mine will further ensure that the continuation of the mining
operations will contribute to increased sustainable income in the area. Furthermore, the
employment opportunities in the informal sector – such as street vendor providing food to
mine workers – may increase and stabilise. The associated sustainable employment
opportunities will have a moderate positive impact on the economic structures of the area.
The effect of the mine on the socio-economic structure would extend beyond the project
area, have a temporary effect in over the life of the mine and would happen.
On-going communication with the authorities will be maintained to make information
available for IAP’s. There are no management measures that can be implemented.
Summary of impact on the local employment
Potential Impact: The local and regional road transport network will suffer
additional pressure from the haulage trucks.
The impact of haulage trucks on the regional road infrastructure will be very high. Currently
the haulage industry is causing excessive damage to the road network and the transport by
road of coal from Kwasa Colliery to Piet Retief would result in an actual increase in traffic
over the long term (life of the mine). The effect of the mine on the road infrastructure would
extend beyond the project area, have a temporary effect in over the life of the mine and
would happen.
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future M/T Temporary L/T Definite Moderate
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future M/T Temporary L/T Definite Moderate
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Summary of impact on road infrastructure
Potential Impact: The local community will have a reliable water resource to
use for irrigation and stock watering
The water contained in the fresh water dam will also be available for the local community
to use for irrigation or stock watering. This will have a positive impact on them because
there will be a more reliable source of water available throughout the year for their farming
activities.
Summary of impact on water resource
Heritage/Archaeological Aspects
No graves or other structures of historical importance were identified therefore the planned
activities should have no impact on any heritage aspects. If such aspects are discovered
during operational activities, the appropriate mitigation measures, as described by a
heritage specialist will have to be adhered to.
A heritage impact assessment is currently being conducted by eThembeni Cultural Heritage.
The results from this study will be included in the Final EIA/EMPr.
Cultural Aspects
No cultural or spiritual importance has been found to be associated with the proposed site;
therefore the mining operation will have no impact on any cultural aspects of the site.
6.3.3 Decommissioning Phase
Geology
The rock and other substrates that were stockpiled from excavation of the adits, will be used
to backfill and landscape (terrace) the adit void on top of the plug. There will be no further
impact.
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future M/T Temporary L/T Definite High
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future M/T Permanent Probable Moderate
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Summary of impact on the geology
Topography
The topography will be re-shaped by the rehabilitation of the adit complex and the plant
area. The remaining impact on the topography will be limited to a small part of the project
area, as the landscaped and vegetated Co-Disposal Dump site. It will be a permanent
disturbance and it will still need to happen. It has a moderate (positive) level of significance
as the post mining topography will be landscaped to emulate (except for the dump) the pre-
mining topography.
Summary of impact on the topography
Soils
The pre-stripped, top soil will be replaced over the remaining landscaped area. The
disturbance will be limited to part of the project area, it will have a permanent effect and it
will still happen. It has a positive, and moderate level of significance.
The impact on the soils during the decommissioning phase will focus on the amelioration
thereof through building up the nutrient status, organic carbon levels and bio-components
to self-maintaining levels. Activities associated with the decommissioning phase will aim at
rehabilitation of the site and associated soil to the extent that the site can revert back to
grazing use. The impact is therefore considered to have a positive impact on not only the
site after mining, but also when considering the current state soils.
Summary of impact on the soils
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Small Future L/T Permanent Definite Low
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Small Future L/T Permanent Definite Moderate (Positive)
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Small Future L/T Permanent Definite Moderate (Positive)
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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Land Capability
The mining area will be rehabilitated to an applied grazing land capability (actually a
rehabilitated mining area).
The disturbance will be limited to within the project area, it will be permanent and there is
a definite probability that it will happen. It has a moderate (positive) level of significance.
Summary of impact on the land capability
Land Use
The land use will be changed from mining back to agriculture. The disturbance will be limited
to the operational area, it will be a permanent disturbance and there is a good chance that
it will happen. It has a moderate (positive) level of significance.
The use of land will gradually revert to a combination of agriculture (grazing of domestic
livestock) during the decommissioning phase.
The underground workings will be sealed and dangerous excavations rehabilitated. Further
rehabilitation activities will include the final rehabilitation of stockpile and discard areas,
roads and pollution control structures.
Summary of impact on the land use
Vegetation
The indigenous grasses will be encouraged to re-establish in the rehabilitation programme
under the initial protection of a nurse crop of pasture grasses such as Eragrostis tef. The
activity will be limited to the project area. It should provide a permanent solution and there
is a 90% chance that it will still happen. It has a moderate level of significance. As the site is
currently in a degraded state, the rehabilitation of the mining areas as proposed by this
application will have a positive cumulative impact on the environment.
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future L/T Permanent Definite Moderate (Positive)
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future L/T Permanent Probable Moderate (Positive)
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 133 of 218
Summary of impact on the vegetation
Animal Life
As the habitats become re-established, the pre-mining animal species diversity will
gradually return to the vicinity of the previously disturbed areas. This will not be limited to
the project area. There is a 70% chance that it will happen. It has a low level of significance
and the effect would be positive.
Summary of impact on the animal life
Surface Water
The runoff will be diverted away from the rehabilitated sites by run-off control structures
until these are stable. The topography will be free-flowing, with no ponding of rainwater.
After this occurs, the catchment water make would be affected even less by the mining area.
The pollution control dams would have a certain retention and release capacity and would
contain the contaminated water, while the clean water would be released directly into the
river system.
The disturbance will be limited to the project area, it will be a permanent and positive effect
and will still happen. It has a moderate (positive) level of significance.
Summary of impact on the surface water
Groundwater
During the decommissioning phase, the dewatering will cease and the groundwater levels
in the zone of influence will start to recover. The decommissioning phase is considered to
be too short (approximately 6 months) for a significant impact on the groundwater levels or
qualities to become manifest.
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future L/T Permanent Probable Moderate (Positive)
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future L/T Permanent Probable Low (Positive)
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future L/T Permanent Definite Moderate (Positive)
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uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 134 of 218
Under conditions of no disturbance (such as abstraction), the suspended solids would settle
over time, and consequently a salt gradient (salinocline) would develop. This provisional
and conceptual impact assessment will be both quantified and qualified during the
groundwater modelling exercise currently being conducted by GCS, in terms of the expected
volume, quality and phreatic zones where seepage is expected to occur.
Summary of impact on the groundwater levels
Potential Impact: The potential for acid mine drainage
During the assessment of the potential for acid mine drainage, it is important to evaluate
the volume of leachate that could potentially be generated as well as the quality of leachate
emanating from the mining area. Both of these factors will affect potential acid mine
drainage from the mining area. In order to obtain site-specific information on the quality of
the leachate that will emanate from the mining area, rock samples need to be taken from
the mining area. The potential for acid-mine drainage or poor quality leachate forming in
the mining area is caused by the exposure of sulphide minerals to atmospheric oxygen.
Sulphur assay results are used to calculate the maximum amount of acid that could be
generated and the sulphide content is determined by subtracting sulphate sulphur from the
total sulphur percentage.
Acid Base Accounting (ABA) is a screening test that does not provide information on the
speed (or kinetic rate) at which acid generation or neutralization will proceed. For this
reason, it is often recommended that additional test work be undertaken on samples which
have acid potential especially, to determine the rate of acid generation (kinetic tests). ABA
is however a sound starting point for determining the risk of acid mine drainage from
selected rock samples.
The potential for any given rock to generate and/or neutralize acid is determined by its
mineralogical composition. This includes the quantitative mineralogical composition,
mineral grain size, shape and texture. The term “potential” is used because even the most
detailed mineralogical analysis, when combined with ABA, provides a worst-case value for
potential acid production.
During underground coal mining there is a very good chance that acid mine drainage will
occur. The risk of this happening as well as mitigation measures will be determined by
GCS during the Hydrogeological and Geochemical study which is currently underway. The
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future L/T Permanent Probable Moderate (Positive)
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uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 135 of 218
results of this study will be included and assessed in the Final EIA/EMPr.
Summary of impact on the groundwater quality
Potential Impact: Risk of decant
The rate of recharge to the underground workings after rehabilitation has been completed
will determine the risk of decant.
Two aspects have been considered in this section, namely, the volume of leachate that could
be generated, and the potential quality of the decant. The possible exposure pathway is
also of importance, since poor quality leachate becomes an issue at the point where aquatic
systems or other users become exposed to it.
The volume of decant will depend on the rate of recharge as well as groundwater seepage
to the underground workings.
The volume of decant should be confirmed by the aid of a groundwater model which is
currently being done by GCS. Note: The rate of rise of groundwater levels around the mining
area is provisional, and must be confirmed through on-going monitoring. It is not possible
to accurately predict the long-term quality of water in the underground workings with the
available information.
Summary of impact in terms of decant
Sensitive Landscapes
There will be no impact on sensitive landscapes by mining-related activities during the
decommissioning phase.
Summary of impact on the groundwater
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Risk Level of Significance
Large Future L/T Temporary L/T Probable High High
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Risk Level of Significance
Small Future L/T Permanent Possible High High
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
N/A N/A N/A N/A No effect
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Air Quality
Dust will be created during the decommissioning phase by the earth moving activities during
closing of the adits, terracing the adit areas, rehabilitation and grassing of the dump. The
dust created by the haulage trucks will cease and the area affected will be considerably
smaller than during the operational phase. The disturbance will be limited to the project
area, it will be temporary (short term <6 months after closure). It has a low level of
significance.
Summary of impact on the air quality
Noise
The earth-moving equipment that is involved with doing the rehabilitation activities will
create noise. The activity will be limited to the project area, it will be a temporary disturbance
and it will still happen. It has a low level of significance.
Summary of impact on the noise
Visual Aspects
Impact
The decommissioning programme itself will influence the aesthetics of the area negatively
as there will be much activity on the surface during the rehabilitation of discard dump,
removal of coal waste and ripping of hard surface areas, re-shaping of surfaces, and re-
vegetation of the footprint area. Once finished, the aesthetics will have been improved.
The impact after the decommissioning phase (post closure) is permanent and of moderate
significance (positive) due to the state the environment was found in.
Summary of impact on visual aspects
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future L/T Temporary S/T Probable Low
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future L/T Temporary S/T Definite Low
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Moderate Future L/T Temporary S/T Probable Moderate (Positive)
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 137 of 218
Socio-economic Conditions
Impact: Unemployment
Upon decommissioning of the mine, there is a possibility that various labourers will be left
without employment. A decrease in employment levels will have a knock on effect of all
spheres of the social environment. It could result in lower household income, health and
social well-being as well as participation in deviant social behaviour. The effect on the IAP’s
associated with this specific project would extend beyond the project area, and it would have
a permanent effect and it will still happen. It has a moderate level of significance.
A complaints register will be made available at the mine reception and a toll- free complaints
number made available for the first year of the operation. An environmental monitoring
committee will be established.
Summary of impact on the employment
Potential Impact: The local community will have a reliable water resource to
use for irrigation and stock watering
The dam will remain on site if this is agreed to by the local community and landowner. The
water contained in the dam will be used by the local community and farmers for irrigation
or stock watering. This will have a positive impact on them because a more reliable water
source will be available on a constant basis throughout the year for their farming activities.
Summary of impact on the water resource
Potential Impact: Expectations of the Interested and Affected Parties
Impact on the communities perceptions of the mining activity. If the decommissioning
activities exceed or fall short of the expectations of the IAPs regarding the decommissioning
of the mine it will have a significant impact on their farming activities as well as aspirations
for the future. It is anticipated that the IAP’s will be involved in a consultative closure
application process through the environmental monitoring committee. The closure
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future L/T Permanent Definite Moderate
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Small Future L/T Permanent Definite Moderate (Positive)
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 138 of 218
certificate would be communicated to the IAP’s. The effect would extend to beyond the
project area. It has a high level of significance.
Summary of impact on the IAPs
Heritage/Archaeological Aspects
Decommissioning activities will not have an impact on the heritage/archaeological aspects
of the site because these aspects would have been identified and avoided during the
construction of operational phase. If such aspects are discovered during decommissioning
activities, the appropriate mitigation measures, as described by a heritage specialist will
have to be adhered to.
Cultural Aspects
No cultural or spiritual importance has been found to be associated with the mining area;
therefore the mining operation will have no impact on any cultural aspects of the site.
Magnitude Timing Duration
Probability Level of Significance
Large Future L/T Permanent Possible High
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uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 139 of 218
7 Environmental Management and Implementation Plan
A description has been made of the environmental objectives and specific goals for the
proposed coal mining operation in terms of:
Management of construction, operation and decommissioning bio-physical as well
as socio economic issues
Mine closure
The Environmental Management Programme (EMP) will be implemented by means of an
operational procedure. It is the objective of the EIA process to determine whether or not this
will be sustainable (with acceptable risk and impact). A description of all mitigation measures
for the potentially significant impacts that could be introduced by the project has been
described.
The principal objectives for impact mitigation would be to:
Prevent or avoid;
Reduce or minimise the impacts; and/or
Contain (and treat where possible).
Only the impacts that could potentially be significant before mitigation will be addressed in
the EMP. The post-mitigation impacts will all be considered / assessed to establish whether
or not they have been adequately mitigated based on the EMP. The operation would be
subject to an EMP that is fully integrated with all outcomes of the EIA.
Mining would only proceed under the authorisation and control of an approved
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Report (plus the other parallel legally required
environmental authorisations, such as a water use license, integrated water and waste
management plan, change in land use, amongst possible other requirements).
Environmental Management Plan
The following goals and objectives have been set as targets for the effective mitigation of
impacts caused by the coal-mining activities during the construction, operation and
decommissioning phases. These goals and objectives will be measured through the
monitoring programme. The significance of the identified impacts have been assessed pre
and post mitigation in Table 28, 29 and 30 below.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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Roles and Responsibilities
Various parties will be involved during the construction, operation and decommissioning of
the proposed mine. As such, the responsibility of various mitigation measures, as identified
in the tables below, has been allocated to the various stakeholders involved.
It is proposed that the surrounding community be assisted by the local municipality to
establish a committee, which will represent their interests. Representatives of such a
committee should be tasked with liaising with Siphiwo Investments.
It is further proposed that an Environmental Control Officer (ECO) be appointed by Siphiwo
Investments to assist with the environmental monitoring of the construction and operational
phase. It is proposed that the ECO do weekly inspections and provide a monthly progress
report during the construction phase and a quarterly performance report during the
operational phase.
The key role players for this particular project have been tabled below:
Table 25: Responsible role players
Role-player
Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd SI
The appointed contractors AC
The Environmental Control
Officer
ECO
The Community Liaison officer CLO
Each of the parties will have certain responsibilities, as indicated in the tables below, to
ensure that the EMP is being adhered to.
The table below have been designed as an easy reference for the impact which may occur
due to the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed mine. Linked to
each of the impacts is the correlating mitigation/management measure as well as the party
responsible for the implementation thereof. These tables have been designed for the
construction, operation and decommissioning phases.
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Table 26: Potential impact and mitigation register for the construction phase
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Geological and Geomorphological
Altering the
geotechnical
characteristics of the
geological strata.
Mining of all seams will have a definite long
term impact on the local and regional
geology of the area.
Moderate
Significance
The impact on the geology will be permanent
and cannot be mitigated due to the nature of
the activity.
Stability of the high wall will be ensured by the
use of split blasting techniques.
AC Construction phase Moderate
Significance
Stable High Wall.
Topography
Change in existing
topography.
The excavation of the adit, terracing and
stockpiling of overburden and topsoil, along
with the construction of pollution control
measures will alter the topography.
Low Significance The disturbed area must be kept to the
minimum needed for the mining operation.
The various stockpiles must be managed to
prevent erosion and shaped where required.
AC Ongoing: Quarterly Low Significance Erosion;
Pooling of surface
water.
Decrease of surface
water runoff.
Levelling the topography of the site and
establishment of diversion berms and the
high wall.
Moderate
Significance
During the levelling of the site ensure that the
surface water flow is directed away from the
construction area towards the surrounding
surface water resources.
AC Construction phase Low Significance Pooling of surface
water.
Soils
Erosion and
sedimentation.
The soils will be pre-stripped as topsoil or
subsoil and stockpiled in a designated area
for use during rehabilitation.
Moderate
Significance
The topsoil must be stockpiled separately and
used for the construction of berms: the gradient
of the sidewalls must be such as to prevent
excessive wash during storms. These must be
grassed and managed to prevent soil loss
through erosion and excessive dust.
The soils should be stockpiled in the form of a
berm not exceeding 1.5 m in height in a
position down slope of the adit to contain the
contaminated rain water run-off around the
area.
SI/ECO Quarterly Low Significance Erosion;
Vegetative growth
on soil stockpiles.
Contamination of soils. Oil and/or diesel spills from construction
vehicles.
Moderate
Significance
Defining routes for the circulation of heavy
machinery and vehicles;
Restricting machines’ movement to the strictly
necessary areas;
SI Ongoing: Life of mine Low Significance Visible oil spills;
Pooling of water on
the operational
area.
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Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Ensuring the impermeability of all storage areas
for fuel, lubricants and other chemicals.
Land Capability
Change in existing land
capability.
The land capability will be compromised
through the construction of the adit site.
This is mainly due to the intense impact that
the construction activities will have on the
soil and vegetation of the site.
Low Significance The disturbed area must be kept to the
minimum required for construction of the adit.
The topsoil and subsoil must be managed to
ensure effective rehabilitation back to the pre
mining land capability during the
decommissioning phase.
SI Ongoing: Monthly Low Significance Vegetative cover;
Limited area of
disturbance.
Land Use
Changes in land use
from a defunct colliery
to an operational
colliery.
The land use will be compromised through
the construction of the adit sites, washing
plant and its associated infrastructure.
Low Significance Control of the area disturbed during the
construction phase to ensure no unplanned
(and/or unauthorised) expansion, with a direct
effect on land use.
SI Construction/Operational
phase
Low Significance Limited area of
disturbance.
Vegetation
Loss of vegetation. The vegetation will be removed during the
excavation of the box cut, the roads,
pollution control facility, fresh water dam
and other infrastructure. Some of these
areas have previously been disturbed and
the vegetation that has subsequently
established is not pristine.
High Significance A detailed mine plan which shows, as far as is
possible, all mine infrastructure must be
prepared. This plan should be reviewed by an
ecologist and, if areas of particularly valuable
vegetation are likely to be affected then
alternative layouts should be considered.
Plant salvage operations should be considered.
These operations should be undertaken on the
advice of the provincial conservation agency
who must provide the following information:
If needs be a permit must be obtained from the
conservation agency so that the translocations
may be done legally.
SI/ECO Construction phase Moderate
Significance
Limited area of
disturbance.
Dust outfall on flora
outside the
development
footprint area.
Construction activities which create fugitive
dust, such as clearing vegetation, movement
of construction vehicles on unpaved
surfaces.
Low Significance Clearly demarcate the area for clearance of
vegetation and within which construction
activities may take place;
Prohibit activity outside of the demarcated area;
SI Construction and
Decommissioning phase:
Monthly
Insignificance Limited area of
disturbance.
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Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Implement dust suppression spraying where
necessary;
Rehabilitate disturbed areas after construction
using indigenous vegetation.
Proliferation of alien
vegetation inside the
footprint area.
Disturbance of natural vegetation and soil
erosion caused by construction activities.
Moderate
Significance
Implement weed eradication programme;
Monitor post construction rehabilitation and
remove weeds where necessary.
ECO Quarterly Low Significance Limited area of
disturbance.
Establishment of
alien vegetation.
Animal Life
Loss of habitat/faunal
diversity.
The animal life will be affected by habitat
removal during construction and by the
disturbance of pathways, which previously
crossed the adit and operational areas.
Traffic on the haul road will disturb animal
life, as will other mining-related activities.
Moderate
Significance
Since the fauna is dependent on the vegetation
it is essential to maintain the best possible
indigenous vegetation cover so as to provide
habitat for the animals. Guidelines for
maintenance of the vegetation have been
provided and are emphasised in the biodiversity
assessment done by Terratest (refer to
Appendix …)
The enclosure fences erected around the
operational areas will prevent domestic livestock
and discourage larger wild animals from
entering the operational sites.
Prohibit activity outside of the demarcated area.
SI Ongoing: Life of mine Low Significance Feedback from
environmental
forum.
Harm to fauna. Poaching, trapping and killing of animals by
construction workers during the
construction activities.
Low Significance Clearly demarcate the construction footprint
area and prohibit movement of workers outside
the footprint;
Prohibit workers from capturing or handling any
animals.
AC
CLO
Ongoing: Life of mine Low Significance Feedback from
environmental
forum.
Surface Water
Contamination of
surface water.
Chemical spills, oil spills and construction
dumping might be picked up by runoff and
contaminate downstream watercourses.
Moderate
Significance
All “dirty” water runoff should be kept on site
and not allowed to mix and contaminate clean
runoff;
SI/ECO Ongoing: Monthly
Low Significance Surface water
quality;
State of the
pollution control
system.
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Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
The area should be sufficiently bunded, and the
water should be collected at the lowest point of
the site;
Energy dissipaters should be constructed to
prevent erosion;
There should be no mine residue, disposal of
industrial waste on site during the construction
phase;
Hydrocarbon waste and contaminated waste
should be collected for recycling;
Domestic waste should be disposed of at a
registered disposal facility;
Ongoing monitoring of surface water quality.
Decrease of surface
water runoff into the
surrounding
catchment.
Containment of rain water falling onto the
construction site thereby affecting the runoff
that generates stream flow.
Moderate
Significance
Construct clean water diversion structures prior
to the construction to divert clean water away
from the construction area and prevent
damming of clean water.
Water users should be consulted with on a
regular basis. Should the downstream users
suffer a loss of water, the mine should offer an
alternative supply or pay compensation as
agrees by proactive consultation.
SI
CLO
Ongoing: Monthly Low Significance Feedback from the
water monitoring
forum.
Complaints from
downstream water
users.
Disturbance of the bed
and banks of the water
courses running
through the mining
site.
Expansion/upgrade of the five low level
bridges.
High Significance The disturbance footprint should be kept as
small as possible in order to minimize the
impacts on the riparian habitat.
Care must be taken to ensure that watercourses
are not impacted upon at road crossings. Roads
should have adequate drainage to remove
stormwater as rapidly as possible. No drains
should discharge directly into watercourses or
within 15 m of a watercourse.
If a road crosses a watercourse on a low level
causeway that will be inundated from
time to time, then the road should be either
tarred or concreted for a distance of at least 20
AC Construction phase Moderate
Significance
Flow of the stream;
Signs of
sedimentation
around the
structures.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 145 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
m on either side of the watercourse. The
purpose of this guideline is to allow water
dripping off vehicles to run back to the
watercourse without picking up sediment from
the road surface in the process.
Construction waste must be contained and
prevented from entering the watercourse.
The flow of the stream must in no way be
altered or influenced by the upgrading of these
crossings.
Groundwater
Decrease in
groundwater level.
The opening and dewatering of additional
adits.
Moderate
Significance
A Groundwater monitoring program must be
established as soon as possible in order to
generate a database.
Limit groundwater use as much as possible and
measure groundwater abstraction levels.
SI/ECO Quarterly groundwater
monitoring
Low Significance Groundwater
levels;
Complaints from
water users.
Contamination of the
underlying aquifer.
Groundwater seepage flowing into the adit
during excavation.
Spillage from chemical toilets, oil spills and
construction dumping may infiltrate the
groundwater system and contaminate the
groundwater resources.
Dirty storm water collecting in the Pollution
Control Dams (PCD) during the construction
phase has the potential to leach into the
groundwater.
Moderate
Significance
Any groundwater seepage that may flow into the
adit during its excavation will be pumped to the
pollution control dams. This will ensure that
potentially acid generating rocks (specifically
the acid generating shale’s) are not in constant
contact with the water, which will, in turn,
reduce the potential for acid mine drainage
during the construction phase.
There must be no mine residue, disposal of
industrial waste on site during the construction
phase.
Hydrocarbon waste and contaminated waste
should be collected for recycling as
hydrocarbons are a major pollution risk.
Domestic waste must be disposed of at a
registered disposal facility.
Remove any oil or diesel spills as soon as it
occurs and dispose of it at a registered waste
site;
Ongoing monitoring of the groundwater quality;
SI/ECO Ongoing: Construction and
operational phase
Low Significance Groundwater
quality.
Complaints from
water users.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 146 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Ensure the impermeability of all storage areas
for fuel, lubricants and other chemicals;
Construction vehicles must be kept in a good
working order as to prevent unexpected
leakages of fuels and lubricants (which could be
hazardous substances);
All daily maintenance of construction vehicles
should be carried out in a demarcated area to
limit any possible spills of hazardous materials
(oils and greases);
The oils used by the construction vehicles and
machines should be collected, stored and
transported to an adequate final destination.
Air Quality
Creation of fugitive
dust.
Site establishment operation including
stripping of topsoil and grading of access
roads.
Low Significance Dust from the internal roads will be suppressed
with water and a dust inhibitor.
The disturbed area will be rehabilitated in order
to prevent the generation of dust.
Rationalization of the vehicle and machines
circulation;
SI/ECO Weekly Low Significance Complaints from
the public.
No excessive,
chronic dust
emanating from
the operational
area.
Air quality pollution. Release of emissions into the atmosphere
from the construction vehicles.
Low Significance No mitigation measures possible. SI N/A Low Significance Complaints from
neighbours.
Sensitive Landscapes
Disturbance of the bed
and banks of a
tributary flowing into
the Annysspruit.
Construction of the fresh water storage dam
and low level bridges and culverts.
High Significance The disturbance footprint should be kept as
small as possible in order to minimize the
impacts on the riparian habitat;
Construction waste must be contained and
prevented from entering the watercourse.
Ideally no new roads may pass through a
wetland. However, if a new road must pass
through a wetland area then care must be taken
to ensure that the flow of water through the
system is kept diffuse. This implies the use of
multiple pipes or culverts and not just a single
unit.
AC
SI
Construction phase Moderate
Significance
Water quality and
volume.
Riparian habitat up
and downstream of
the dam.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 147 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Decrease in the surface
water runoff into the
downstream wetlands.
Containment of water falling onto the
construction site thereby affecting the runoff
that generates stream flow.
Construction of the fresh water storage dam.
High Significance Construct clean water diversion structures prior
to construction to divert clean water away from
the construction area and prevent damming of
clean water.
Water users should be consulted with on a
regular basis. Should the downstream users
suffer a loss of water, the mine should offer an
alternative supply or pay compensation as
agrees by proactive consultation.
SI Construction phase Moderate
Significance
Water volume.
Feedback from
water users.
Noise
Increase in the ambient
noise level.
The use and movement of machines and the
transportation of materials during
construction.
The reverse sirens of the construction
vehicles and general diesel engine running
noise will add to the industrial noise of the
site.
Low Significance Carry out the noisiest labours as quickly as
possible and during normal working hours
(07:00 – 17:00) or according to applicable legal
criteria.
Follow the equipment’s operation and
maintenance procedures;
All vehicles must undergo periodic maintenance
and inspection;
SI
AC
Construction phase: Weekly Low Significance Complaints from
neighbours.
Visual
Change in the visual
characteristics of the
area.
The mining of additional seams through
additional adits and the establishment of the
washing plant and its associated
infrastructure will have an impact on the
visual character of the area.
Lighting from vehicles at night during
construction activities, lighting masts and
security lights.
Moderate
Significance
Demarcate vegetation clearance areas so as to
ensure that the minimum amount of vegetation
is removed;
Remove the minimum amount of topsoil and
store for use in post-construction rehabilitation;
Salvage indigenous vegetation for re-planting
during post-construction rehabilitation;
Removal of vegetation should be done in a
'natural manner', i.e. avoid harsh straight lines;
SI Construction phase:
Monthly
Low Significance Complaints from
local people.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 148 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Use dark paving materials which blend with the
natural environment for road surfaces;
Slope berms to resemble the natural
surroundings as far as possible;
Vegetate berms as far as possible.
Where possible, use should be made of down-
lighting and directional lighting. The height of
poles and masts determines how broadly the
light is dispensed. If possible, the existing
overhead lighting method should be phased out
and replaced with an alternative lighting using
closer to source, directed LED technology.
Socio Economic
Additional employment
opportunities.
Refurbishment of the defunct Colliery. Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Use local workers as far as possible;
Where possible use local companies to supply
construction material.
SI
AC
Construction phase Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
The number of
local jobs created.
The local and regional
road transport network
will suffer additional
pressure from the
haulage trucks.
Transport of construction materials to the
proposed site.
Moderate
Significance
The construction vehicles must remain on site
as far as possible during the construction
period.
SI Construction phase Low Significance Complaints from
road users.
Perception of the IAPs. Refurbishment of the defunct Colliery.
Ongoing rehabilitation of the disturbed area.
Moderate
Significance
Ongoing communication with IAPs must be
conducted and monitoring information must be
made available through the annual audit
reports.
SI/ECO Monthly Low Significance Feedback from
IAPs.
Heritage/Archaeological
Disturbance of heritage
resources
Construction and refurbishment activities. Low Significance The following measures should be taken if a
heritage resource is uncovered during the
construction phase:
All construction within a radius of at least 20m
of the indicator should cease. This distance
should be increased at the discretion of
supervisory staff if heavy machinery or
explosives could cause further disturbance to
the suspected heritage resource.
SI/ECO Construction phase Low Significance N/A
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 149 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
This area must be marked using clearly visible
means, such as barrier tape, and all personnel
should be informed that it is a no-go area.
A guard should be appointed to enforce this no-
go area if there is any possibility that it could be
violated, whether intentionally or inadvertently,
by construction staff or members of the public.
No measures should be taken to cover up the
suspected heritage resource with soil, or to
collect any remains such as bone or stone.
If a heritage practitioner has been appointed to
monitor the project, s/he should be contacted
and a site inspection arranged as soon as
possible.
If no heritage practitioner has been appointed to
monitor the project, the head of archaeology at
Amafa’s Pietermaritzburg office should be
contacted.
The South African Police Services should be
notified by an Amafa staff member or an
independent heritage practitioner if human
remains are identified. No SAPS official may
disturb or exhume such remains, whether of
recent origin or not.
All parties concerned should respect the
potentially sensitive and confidential nature of
the heritage resources, particularly human
remains, and refrain from making public
statements until a mutually agreed time.
Any extension of the project beyond its current
footprint involving vegetation and/or earth
clearance should be subject to prior assessment
by a qualified heritage practitioner, taking into
account all information gathered during this
initial heritage impact assessment.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 150 of 218
Table 27: Potential impact and mitigation register for the operational phase
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Geological and Geomorphological
Altering the geotechnical
characteristics of the
geological strata.
The coal mining activity will extract coal
from the geological seams using
conventional bord and pillar underground
mining methods.
High Significance The proportion of coal extracted during mining will be
limited to ensure that the planned factors of safety are
adhered to in the various sections.
No secondary mining such as stoping and goafing must
take place.
AC Operational:
Ongoing
Moderate
Significance
Mining according
to the approved
plan in the EMP.
Topography
Change in existing
topography.
Establishment, moving and growing of coal
and soil stockpiles.
Low Significance Keep the height of the soil and coal stockpiles under 10
meters.
SI/ECO Weekly
Inspection
Low Significance Height of the
stockpiles;
Number of
stockpiles;
Visibility of the
stockpiles.
Soils
Erosion and sedimentation. Stripping of vegetation leaving bare soil
surfaces.
Stockpiling of soils will expose the soil to
elements of erosion such as wind and water
as well as risking the occurrence of
compaction.
Moderate
Significance
The topsoil must be stockpiled separately and used for
the construction of berms: the gradient of the sidewalls
will be such as to prevent excessive wash during
storms. These will be grassed and managed to prevent
soil loss through erosion and excessive dust.
The soils must be stockpiled in the form of a berm not
exceeding 1.5 m in height in a position down slope of
the adit to contain the contaminated rain water run-off
around the area.
Maintain a vegetation layer on the berms.
Construct berms to trap sediment during the
operational phase;
Collect eroded sediment to re-use during post-
construction rehabilitation.
SI/ECO Weekly
Inspection
Low Significance Erosion;
Vegetative growth
on soil stockpiles.
Contamination of soils. Oil and/or diesel spills from operational
vehicles.
Moderate
Significance
Defining routes for the circulation of heavy machinery
and vehicles.
SI Ongoing
Low Significance Visible oil/diesel
spills on the
operational area.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 151 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Restricting machines’ movement to the strictly
necessary area;
Ensuring the impermeability of all storage areas for fuel,
lubricants and other chemicals.
Clean up any spills immediately and disposed of the soil
at a registered waste site.
Land Use
Reliable water source for
local community.
Accumulating storm water in the fresh water
dam.
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
The water accumulating in the fresh water dam must be
made available to the community to use for livestock
watering and/or irrigation purposes.
SI Ongoing
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Feedback from the
local people.
Vegetation
Dust outfall on flora outside
the development footprint
area.
Operational activities which create fugitive
dust, such as the movement of haulage
trucks on unpaved surfaces.
Low Significance Clearly demarcate the area for clearance of vegetation
and within which operational activities may take place;
Prohibit activity outside of the demarcated area;
Implement dust suppression spraying on access roads
and the operational area;
Rehabilitate disturbed areas during the operational
phase.
SI Weekly Insignificance Limited area of
disturbance.
Establishment of alien
invasive species on the
operational area.
Removal of vegetation and compaction of
soils during the operational phase.
Moderate
Significance
A programme of alien weed control should be
implemented. Most important in this regard is
prevention of the spread of Wattle but effort should also
be made to eradicate the species as far as possible.
A veld burning plan should be drawn up by an
appropriate ecologist and be implemented. Provisionally
the property should be divided into four compartments
with there being two at high altitude and two at low
altitude. Two of each would be burned in each year
with the result that any one is only burned every second
year. The boundaries of the compartments as well
ancillary guidelines on firebreaks and procedures will be
documented in the burning plan. If at all possible, the
plan should be done in collaboration with neighbouring
property owners.
SI/ECO Quarterly Low Significance Limited area of
disturbance.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 152 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Loss of Sensitive Species Mining activities including washing and
transporting of coal.
Moderate
Significance
Since some animals need to drink from streams or
wetlands, while others require aquatic systems as their
primary habitat, it is essential to ensure that water
quality in those features is maintained at as high a level
as possible. Additionally, environmental water flows
should be maintained. Guidelines for maintenance of
the waterways have been provided by Terratest in the
Biodiversity and wetland assessment report (refer to
Appendix …)..
SI
ECO
Ongoing:
Monthly
Low Significance Presence of
aquatic species in
watercourses.
Surface Water
Contamination of surface
water
The storm water currently falling on the
polluted areas is flowing into the
downstream surface water resources causing
pollution of these streams and wetlands.
Storm water which falls directly onto the
operational areas will be contained in
pollution control dams for use as a dust
suppressant.
Leakages from the pollution control dams
and septic tank could pollute the
surrounding streams and downstream
wetland.
High Significance Since the condition of the watercourses is largely linked
to the condition of the terrestrial vegetation it is
important that the latter be maintained. Guidelines for
maintenance of the vegetation have been provided in
the Biodiversity Assessment done by Terratest and are
emphasised here (refer to Appendix …).
All “dirty” water must be contained in lined pollution
control dams.
No outlets from a pollution control dam or any other
source which may contain coal related substances, may
Discharge into a water course.
No polluted water must be allowed to leave the site or
flow into the surface water system.
Inspect storm water infrastructure, berms, culverts,
channels around operational areas to ensure they are
functioning effectively and are diverting clean water
away from all operational areas and containing “dirty
water”. Especially around the wash plant, stockpile and
discard facilities.
Maintain the septic tank system in good condition to
avoid spillages.
Regular maintenance of the operational vehicles and
machinery to avoid leaks and spillages.
All “dirty” water runoff must be kept on site and not
allowed to mix and contaminate clean runoff;
SI Ongoing:
Monthly
Moderate
Significance
Surface water
quality.
Complaints from
water users.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 153 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Domestic waste should be disposed of at a registered
disposal facility;
Ongoing monitoring of surface water quality.
Decrease of surface water
runoff into the surrounding
catchment.
All “dirty water” will be contained. No
polluted water will leave the site or flow into
the surface water system.
The fresh water dam will contain storm
water runoff thus reducing the quantity
entering downstream water resources.
Moderate
Significance
The affected area must be minimised to ensure that
effective control of the water balance can be
maintained.
Clean storm water run-off must be diverted around the
operational areas so as to discharge into the natural
surface water courses;
The diversion of storm water will include berms and
channels around the workings.
Construct clean water diversion structures prior to the
construction to divert clean water away from the
construction area and prevent damming of clean water.
Water users should be consulted with on a regular
basis. Should the downstream users suffer a loss of
water, the mine should offer an alternative supply or
pay compensation as agrees by proactive consultation.
Effective surface rehabilitation can influence the quality
and volumes of surface water that can be released from
the site.
SI Monthly Low Significance Surface water
quantity.
Complaints from
water users.
Surface rehabilitation. Surface rehabilitation will start during the
construction phase and continue into the
operational phase thus reducing the
footprint of the colliery.
Low Significance
(Positive)
No mitigation measures needed. SI/ECO N/A Low Significance
(Positive)
Limited disturbed
area.
Groundwater
Decrease in groundwater
level.
Underground mining and dewatering of the
adits.
Potential cracking of the impermeable layers
during mining.
High Significance A groundwater monitoring should be established as
soon as possible in order to generate a database.
Limit groundwater use as much as possible and
measure groundwater abstraction levels.
Should there be a significant reduction in supply of
groundwater to legitimate groundwater users, the
applicant should undertake to supply the affected
groundwater user(s) with water of equal quantity and
quality.
SI Quarterly
monitoring
Moderate
Significance
Groundwater
levels.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 154 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Contamination of the
underlying aquifer.
Water infiltrating into the mine workings will
generate acid mine drainage.
Dirty water contained in the pollution
control dams could contaminate the
underlying aquifer through seepage.
Seepage could also occur on the operational
areas (stockpile and discard facility) if storm
water is allowed to pool.
The potential exists that leakages from the
septic tank system can seep through and
contaminate the underlying aquifer.
High Significance Any groundwater seepage that may collect inside the
underground workings during mining operations will be
pumped to the PCDs for use during dust suppression.
Underground water seepage will further be contained in
designated sumps to avoid uncontrolled flooding of the
workings during the operational phase, and to keep the
contaminated water in the smallest possible area.
Any groundwater seepage into the underground
workings must be re-used and contained on site.
Separate the aquifer from the facility by lining the
pollution control dams with HDPA (2mm) and clay on
top.
Compact the soil of the operational area;
Slope the surface of the stockpile areas to avoid
pooling.
Maintain the septic tank system in good condition to
avoid spillages.
Regular maintenance of the operational vehicles and
machinery to avoid leaks and spillages.
SI Operational
phase:
Ongoing
Moderate
Significance
Groundwater
quality.
Complaints from
water users.
Air Quality
Creation of fugitive dust. Dust will be created during the operational
phase by the activities at the beneficiation
plant, the discard dump and the haulage
trucks driving from the western adit (with
run-of-mine, raw coal) to the plant and
from the plant (with product) along the
district (gravel) road to the R543 (tarred)
road.
Moderate
Significance
Dust from the discard dump and haul roads will be
suppressed as necessary with water bowsers at regular
intervals. The water will be sourced from the pollution
control dams.
Rationalization of the vehicle and machines circulation;
Transport powdered materials in covered trucks.
SI/ECO Weekly Low Significance Complaints from
the public.
No excessive,
chronic dust
emanating from
the operational
area.
Air quality pollution Release of emissions into the atmosphere
from the construction vehicles.
Low Significance No mitigation measures possible.
SI N/A Low Significance Complaints from
neighbours.
Sensitive Landscapes
Degradation/damage to the
wetlands and streams due to
mining operations.
Operational activities such as washing of
coal, stockpiling, transport of product, and
dirty water handling.
High Significance All “dirty” water must be contained in lined pollution
control dams.
SI/ECO Operational
phase:
Ongoing
Moderate
Significance
Water quality and
volume of
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 155 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Since the condition of the wetlands is largely linked to
the condition of the terrestrial vegetation it is important
that the latter be maintained. Guidelines for
maintenance of the vegetation have been provided in
the Terratest Biodiversity and wetland assessment
report and are emphasised here (refer to Appendix …).
No outlets from a pollution control dam or any other
source which may contain coal related substances, may
discharge into a wetland.
No polluted water must be allowed to leave the site or
flow into the surface water system.
The disturbance footprint should be kept as small as
possible in order to minimize the impacts on the
riparian habitat;
A 500m buffer zone must be maintained around all
wetland areas.
Ensure that the riparian vegetation along the main stream
channel is maintained in its present ecological state in
order to ensure that the services provided by marginal
vegetation such as erosion control, maintenance of
biodiversity and sediment trapping persists.
Clearing of alien vegetation from the riparian zone must
take place.
On-going maintenance of the riparian zone will be
required in order to prevent the re-establishment of an
alien vegetative community.
All effort should be made to ensure that mine process
water does not come in contact with water in the
receiving environment.
downstream
wetlands.
Biodiversity of
wetlands.
Complaints from
landowners.
Noise
Increase in the ambient noise
level.
The washing of coal and transportation of
product during the operational phase.
Moderate
Significance
Mining activities must be carried out during normal
working hours (07h00 – 17h00);
SI/ AC Operational
phase:
Ongoing
Low Significance Complaints from
neighbours.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 156 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
The reverse sirens of the operational
vehicles and general diesel engine running
noise will add to the industrial noise of the
site.
Follow the equipment’s operation and maintenance
procedures;
All vehicles and machines must undergo periodic
maintenance and inspection;
Visual
Change in the visual
characteristics of the area.
The mining of additional seams through
additional adits, coal washing along,
establishment of the discard dump with the
related operational requirements.
Dust pollution through the movement of
haulage trucks.
Lighting from vehicles at night during
operational mining activities, lighting masts
and security lights.
Moderate
Significance
Demarcate vegetation clearance areas so as to ensure
that the minimum amount of vegetation is removed;
Remove the minimum amount of topsoil and store for
use in post-operation rehabilitation;
Salvage indigenous vegetation for re-planting during
post-construction rehabilitation;
Removal of vegetation should be done in a 'natural
manner', i.e. avoid harsh straight lines;
Use dark paving materials which blend with the natural
environment for road surfaces;
Slope berms to resemble the natural surroundings as
far as possible;
Vegetate berms as far as possible.
Where possible, use should be made of down-lighting
and directional lighting. The height of poles and masts
determines how broadly the light is dispensed. If
possible, the existing overhead lighting method should
be phased out and replaced with an alternative lighting
using closer to source, directed LED technology.
SI Ongoing Low Significance Complaints from
local people.
Socio Economic
Additional employment
opportunities.
Operation of the Kwasa Colliery. Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Use local workers as far as possible;
Where possible use local companies for transport
services and security.
SI Operational
phase
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Number of local
workers employed.
The local and regional road
transport network will suffer
additional pressure from the
haulage trucks.
Transport of product from the proposed
site.
High Significance No mitigation measures possible. SI N/A High Significance The district road
condition.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 157 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
The local community will
have a reliable water resource
to use for irrigation and stock
watering.
The accumulating of storm water in the
fresh water dam.
Moderate
Significance
Make the water in the fresh water dam available to the
local community and farmers for use during irrigation
and livestock watering.
SI/CLO Operational
and after
closure
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Feedback from
local people.
Heritage/Archaeological
Disturbance of heritage
resources
Operational activities such as underground
mining, disposal of discard.
Low Significance The following measures should be taken if a heritage
resource is uncovered during the construction phase:
All construction within a radius of at least 20m
of the indicator should cease. This distance
should be increased at the discretion of
supervisory staff if heavy machinery or
explosives could cause further disturbance to
the suspected heritage resource.
This area must be marked using clearly visible
means, such as barrier tape, and all personnel
should be informed that it is a no-go area.
A guard should be appointed to enforce this no-
go area if there is any possibility that it could be
violated, whether intentionally or inadvertently,
by construction staff or members of the public.
No measures should be taken to cover up the
suspected heritage resource with soil, or to
collect any remains such as bone or stone.
If a heritage practitioner has been appointed to
monitor the project, s/he should be contacted
and a site inspection arranged as soon as
possible.
If no heritage practitioner has been appointed to
monitor the project, the head of archaeology at
Amafa’s Pietermaritzburg office should be
contacted.
The South African Police Services should be
notified by an Amafa staff member or an
independent heritage practitioner if human
remains are identified. No SAPS official may
disturb or exhume such remains, whether of
recent origin or not.
All parties concerned should respect the
potentially sensitive and confidential nature of
the heritage resources, particularly human
remains, and refrain from making public
statements until a mutually agreed time.
SI Operational
phase
Low Significance N/A
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 158 of 218
Potential Environmental
Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance after
Mitigation
Management
Indicators
Any extension of the project beyond its current
footprint involving vegetation and/or earth
clearance should be subject to prior assessment
by a qualified heritage practitioner, taking into
account all information gathered during this
initial heritage impact assessment.
Table 28: Potential Impact ad Mitigation Register for the Decommissioning Phase
Potential
Environmental Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before
Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance
after Mitigation
Management Indicators
Geological and Geomorphological
Altering the
geotechnical
characteristics of the
geological strata.
The underground mine will be left
with the pillars intact.
The adits will be plugged.
Low Significance Control the mining to remain within the agreed
parameters of safety (during mining) and stability
(after mining).
AC Operational and
Decommissioning
phase
Low Significance Surface stability: key points will
be surveyed as part of the
monitoring programme.
Extra-ordinary recharge of the
underground workings, caused
by increased infiltration through
cracks to surface: the
groundwater rest levels in the
underground workings will
indicate a deviation from the
predictions of the groundwater
model.
Topography
Altering the
established
topography.
The decommissioning activities will
cause the man-made landscapes to
look more natural and be stable and
free-draining.
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
The area will be shaped to emulate the pre-
mining topography where practicable-this would
probably take the form of terraces.
Emphasis will be on ensuring that the area is
safe, stable and free draining.
Sloping of remaining structures to ensure that
they blend with the natural topography;
SI Decommissioning
phase: Monthly
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Local subsidence.
Noticeable erosion.
Pooling of surface water.
Soils
Replacing of topsoil
and landscaping of the
disturbed area.
The areas to be rehabilitated will have
soils recovered from the stockpiles
and replaced with some compaction
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Topsoil will be replaced over the area to
complement the growth medium (subsoil) in
order to meet the two primary criteria, namely:
- topography management (stability) and
SI/ECO Decommissioning
phase: Monthly
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Growth of vegetation.
Soil fertility tests.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 159 of 218
Potential
Environmental Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before
Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance
after Mitigation
Management Indicators
Amelioration of Soils. over the cleaned (of carbonaceous
material) and landscaped areas.
- water management (free-draining).
All unrequired mining-related infrastructure
including roads, buildings and conveyor lines will
be demolished on closure.
All rubble on site will be removed to either the
discard dump or the adits and these areas
landscaped, top-dressed with sufficient material
and the appropriate vegetation.
Unrequired roads will be ripped to correct any
compaction created by the heavy traffic utilized
during the mining operation and rehabilitated
with the addition of appropriate fertilizers, lime
and grass seed mixes.
The areas to be planted will need to be
landscaped and engineered to a slope not greater
than 1:6. The replaced soils will then be ripped
to a depth of 20mm to loosen the soil, and all
weeds will be removed. A fertilizer mix if
required (of 3:2:1 at a rate of 200kg/ha) will be
applied at time of planting. In addition, and if
available, chicken litter should be applied to add
bulk (organic matter) to the heavy, clay rich soils.
For areas that are considered too steep, and
where a gradient of 1:6 cannot be achieved, the
use of Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanoides) or an
appropriately designed erosion control method is
recommended, and in places will be essential to
prevent erosion, and to stabilize the soils.
If Vetiver is used it must be planted according to
the slope gradient, length of slope, and degree of
erosion potential. A spacing of approximately
one row every five (5m) meters of vertical drop is
recommended. This might alter as the slope
becomes very steep, or very shallow. It is
Abnormal erosion.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 160 of 218
Potential
Environmental Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before
Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance
after Mitigation
Management Indicators
recommended that a specialist be used for the
specific areas of concern.
The top dressed areas will then be rolled and
seeded, preferably in February/March, or as soon
as the soil moisture is sufficient (monitor with
tensiometers) to guarantee that the seed has a
chance of germinating. A suitable seed mix
should be used to stabilize the replaced soils.
Compaction of the sub soils should be carried
out to an 85% Mod AASHTO, and monitored, so
as to achieve the required permeability rate for
the underlying materials, and minimise
infiltration.
The planting will be undertaken with water,
either, by making use of natural rainfall, or by
hydro seeding the seed mix onto the ground, or
having pre-wet the soils prior to planting, with a
weekly watering program (15 to 20mm/week) for
one month after planting, or until germination
has occurred.
A horticulturist will examine the grass stands one
year after planting to ensure that the grass has
established itself satisfactorily. A soil sample will
be taken in the June following planting, and
analysed to determine the required maintenance
fertilizer applications.
The establishment of grass will prevent erosion
and dust. Vegetation and soil rehabilitation will
continue until the land is self-sustainable, well
grassed until closure. The soils have moderate
erosion potential and therefore specific attention
must be paid to the implementation of rigorous
erosion control measures.
Land Capability
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 161 of 218
Potential
Environmental Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before
Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance
after Mitigation
Management Indicators
The mining area will be
rehabilitated to an
applied grazing land
capability (actually a
rehabilitated mining
area).
The land capability will be positively
affected during the decommissioning
phase in that the disturbed areas with
a compromised capability will be
rehabilitated and the land capability
returned to a wilderness capability
class (as it was before mining).
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
The topsoil will be spread over the whole area,
and a grazing potential will be achieved.
SI Monthly Inspections Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Vegetative cover
Vegetative production.
Plant species diversity.
Land Use
Change in land use The land use will be changed from
mining back to agriculture.
Moderate
(Positive)
The land will be managed and used in such a way
that good farming practice is possible and
implemented.
The unrequired pollution control dams, dam wall,
berms, haul roads and stockpile areas will all be
removed and rehabilitated.
Pollution control dams will be breached and
rehabilitated when the water qualities are such
that the water can be released, or pumped into
the underground workings.
All the temporary facilities, including caravans,
ablutions and workshops will be removed from
the site.
SI/ECO Decommissioning
phase: Monthly
Moderate
(Positive)
Sustainable (applied) farming on
the rehabilitated areas.
Visual assessment of the
stability of rehabilitated areas.
Vegetation
Re-establishment of
indigenous vegetation.
The areas under rehabilitation will be
re-vegetated.
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
The indigenous flora will be encouraged to re –
establish itself over time as part of the
maintenance programme.
A seed mix will be used to act as a nurse crop to
speed up the vegetation establishment rate to
ensure that erosion does not occur.
Mulching with veld grass (preferably in seed) will
take place during the first spring of the
rehabilitation programme. This will reduce the
potential for erosion from storm water and
SI/ECO
CLO
Decommissioning
phase: Weekly
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Soil fertility.
Vegetative (basal & ground)
cover.
Erosion.
Species count (species/m2).
Productivity (tons grass/ha).
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 162 of 218
Potential
Environmental Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before
Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance
after Mitigation
Management Indicators
increase the re-seeding of indigenous species in
the area.
While the ideal result would be to have a sward of
indigenous, hardy, palatable, perennial grass
species capable of growing under conditions of
low soil fertility, such species are less easy to
establish on disturbed sites. It is thus planned to
make use of commercial (“artificial” pasture)
species for rehabilitation of the disturbed sites
for use as a pasture. Over time, this will also
enable the establishing of pioneer species and
natural succession of the ecological system.
Animal Life
Habitat and animal re-
establishment.
Domestic livestock will be used to
graze the pastures established on the
disturbed areas.
The larger wild life will be kept out of
these camps by fences.
Low Significance
(Positive)
The pastures will be grazed and maintained
according to a formal pasture management
programme by the future land owner/user to
ensure the organic matter and nutrient build-up
to the target (pre-mining) levels).
No trapping or snaring of wildlife will be
permitted within the area under management.
CLO Ongoing Low Significance
(Positive)
Productivity (Large stock
units/ha)
Surface Water
Maintenance of the
pollution control
structures.
The unrequired surface water
pollution control structures will be
rehabilitated during the de-
commissioning phase.
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Pollution control dams that are not needed for
future use will be breached and rehabilitated
when the water qualities are such that the water
can be released, or pumped into the
underground workings.
Carbonaceous material (sediment) will be
returned to the discard dump before it is finally
closed.
The legitimate requirements of the surface water
users will not be infringed upon and will be
addressed through the environmental monitoring
forum and the Authorities.
SI Decommissioning
phase
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Surface water quality.
Erosion.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 163 of 218
Potential
Environmental Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before
Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance
after Mitigation
Management Indicators
All legitimate requirements of the downstream
water users will be considered and closure
objectives set in consultation with users.
Mine residue deposits
and disposal facilities.
Rehabilitation of the residue deposits
and removal of disposal facilities
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Discard, slurry and any other mine residue
deposits from the clean-up operation during
rehabilitation of the site will be disposed of on
the discard dump, which then will be finally
shaped, capped and vegetated.
Industrial and domestic waste will no longer be
used (and thus no longer disposed of) on site.
The septic tank for sewage disposal will be left if
required for future use.
SI Decommissioning
phase
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Vegetative growth.
The surface water run-
off will return to its
pre-mining state
(Positive).
All material used for storm water
diversions and dam walls will be
reused during final rehabilitation
where required for decommissioning.
The rehabilitation of the soils and the
vegetation.
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Rehabilitation of the soils and vegetation must be
done such that the surface of the land will
emanate, as far as is practicably possible, the
pre-mining state.
SI Decommissioning
phase and after
closure quarterly
monitoring
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Localised settling, especially
along back-filled areas.
Erosion.
Groundwater
Contamination of the
underlying aquifer
through Acid Mine
Drainage (AMD).
After mining, the abandoned
underground workings will be left to
fill with groundwater flowing in to the
underground cavity up to the pre-
mining groundwater rest levels.
High
Significance
Accelerated infiltration into the underground
workings will be limited by ensuring stability of
the geological strata above the mine cavity. This
precautionary approach will prevent the surface
rehabilitation required for the underground work.
SI/AC Quarterly monitoring High
Significance
Groundwater quality.
Complaints from water users.
Risk of decant. The rate of recharge to the
underground workings after
rehabilitation has been completed will
determine the risk of decant.
High
Significance
The volume of decant should be confirmed by the
aid of a groundwater model;
Ongoing monitoring of the groundwater level.
SI Quarterly monitoring Moderate
Significance
Erosion.
Ongoing Seepage. The discard dump will (probably)
continue to produce seepage until the
water table stabilizes, after which this
should reduce to an insignificant
volume (the infiltration through the
capping will be very small).
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
The groundwater modelling exercise will quantify
the volume, quality and phreatic zones where
seepage is expected to occur.
Landscaping (to free-draining) and re-vegetation
of the disturbed areas will minimise infiltration
SI Quarterly monitoring Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Vegetative growth.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 164 of 218
Potential
Environmental Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before
Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance
after Mitigation
Management Indicators
rates and thus the potential for seepage of
contaminated water.
Air Quality
Creation of fugitive
dust.
Removal of infrastructure.
Stabilising and levelling of the
disturbed area.
Moderate
Significance
Unacceptable dust generated a long haul roads
will be suppressed with a bowser.
The disturbed areas (including unrequired haul
roads) will be rehabilitated in order to prevent
ongoing dust production.
SI Decommissioning
phase: Weekly
Low Significance Feedback through the
monitoring committee.
No excessive, chronic dust
emanating from the
rehabilitated areas.
Air quality pollution. Release of emissions into the
atmosphere from the vehicles and
machines.
Low Significance No mitigation measures possible. CLO N/A Low Significance Complaints from neighbours.
Noise
Increase in the ambient
noise level.
Final landscaping of the disturbed
areas;
Demolition of infrastructure and
machinery used for these activities.
Low Significance Carry out the noisiest labours as quickly as
possible and during normal working hours (07:00
– 17:00) or according to applicable legal criteria.
Follow the equipment’s operation and
maintenance procedures;
All vehicles must undergo periodic maintenance
and inspection;
SI Ongoing Low Significance Complaints from neighbours.
Visual
Visual impact on
adjacent land users.
Rehabilitation of discard dump,
removal of coal waste and ripping of
hard surface areas, re-shaping of
surfaces, and re-vegetation of the
footprint area.
Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Good housekeeping will mitigate against visual
impacts.
Sloping of remaining structures to ensure that
they blend with the natural topography;
Limit vehicles to established routes as far as
possible;
Re-vegetate disturbed areas with indigenous
vegetation.
SI Ongoing Moderate
Significance
(Positive)
Feedback from local people.
Vegetative cover.
Socio Economic
Unemployment On decommissioning of the mine
various labours will be left without
employment.
Moderate
Significance
A complaints register must be made available at
the mine reception and a toll- free complaints
number made available for the first year after the
operation.
SI Ongoing Moderate
Significance
N/A
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 165 of 218
Potential
Environmental Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before
Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance
after Mitigation
Management Indicators
An environmental monitoring committee must be
established.
Perception of the IAPs Rehabilitation of the Colliery.
Ongoing rehabilitation of the
disturbed area.
High
Significance
Ongoing communication with IAP’s will be
conducted where monitoring information will be
made available through the annual audit reports.
A complaints register will be made available at
the security gate and a toll- free complaints
number made available for the first year of the
operation. An environmental monitoring
committee will be established.
SI
CLO
Decommissioning
phase: Monthly
Moderate
Significance
Complaints from IAPs.
Heritage/Archaeological
Disturbance of
heritage resources
Decommissioning activities. Low Significance The following measures should be taken if a
heritage resource is uncovered during the
decommissioning phase:
All activities within a radius of at least
20m of the indicator should cease. This
distance should be increased at the
discretion of supervisory staff if heavy
machinery or explosives could cause
further disturbance to the suspected
heritage resource.
This area must be marked using clearly
visible means, such as barrier tape, and
all personnel should be informed that it is
a no-go area.
A guard should be appointed to enforce
this no-go area if there is any possibility
that it could be violated, whether
intentionally or inadvertently, by
construction staff or members of the
public.
No measures should be taken to cover up
the suspected heritage resource with soil,
or to collect any remains such as bone or
stone.
If a heritage practitioner has been
appointed to monitor the project, s/he
should be contacted and a site inspection
arranged as soon as possible.
SI Decommissioning
phase
Low Significance
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Potential
Environmental Impact
Activity Environmental
Significance
Before
Mitigation
Recommended Mitigation Measures Responsible
Party
Schedule Environmental
Significance
after Mitigation
Management Indicators
If no heritage practitioner has been
appointed to monitor the project, the
head of archaeology at Amafa’s
Pietermaritzburg office should be
contacted.
The South African Police Services should
be notified by an Amafa staff member or
an independent heritage practitioner if
human remains are identified. No SAPS
official may disturb or exhume such
remains, whether of recent origin or not.
All parties concerned should respect the
potentially sensitive and confidential
nature of the heritage resources,
particularly human remains, and refrain
from making public statements until a
mutually agreed time.
Any extension of the project beyond its
current footprint involving vegetation
and/or earth clearance should be subject
to prior assessment by a qualified
heritage practitioner, taking into account
all information gathered during this initial
heritage impact assessment.
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Probability of Impacts Occurring Pre and Post Mitigation
A summary of the probability (%) of the identified impacts occurring during the construction,
operation and decommissioning phases pre and post mitigation have been given in Table
31 below. The aspects have been divided into biophysical, socio economic, health and safety
and heritage.
Certainty (probability) of occurrence or fact has been assigned five levels or categories,
namely:
Already happened: 100%
Definite: >90% of occurrence or fact
Probable: >70% of occurrence or fact
Possible: >40% of occurrence or fact, and
Unlikely: used also for the groundwater assessment to indicate that it is
not anticipated (through scientific methods) <=40% of occurrence or fact.
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Table 29: Probability of Impact Occurring Pre and Post Mitigation
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Construction
Operational
Decommissioning
Pre
Mitigation
(%)
Post
Mitigation
(%)
Pre
Mitigation
(%)
Post
Mitigation
(%)
Pre
Mitigation
(%)
Post
Mitigation
(%)
Geology 100 100 100 100 100 100
Topography 100 100 >70 >40 100 100
Soils 100 100 >40 <40 >70 100
Biophysical Vegetation 100 100 >40 <40 >40 >70
Animal life >40 <40 N/A N/A <40 >40
Surface water contamination >40 <40 >70 <40 >70 <40
Decrease in surface water runoff 100 100 100 100 >70 >40
Disturbance of the bed and banks of water
courses 100 100 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Surface Rehabilitation N/A N/A >70 >70 >70 100
Groundwater contamination >40 >40 >40 >40 >70 >40
Decrease in the groundwater level >40 >40 >40 >40 >70 >40
Sensitive landscapes >40 >40 >40 >40 N/A N/A
Socio-Economic
Air Quality >70 >40 >70 >40 >70 >40
Noise pollution 100 100 100 100 100 100
Land capability 100 100 N/A N/A >40 >70
Land use 100 100 100 100 >40 >70
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Visual 100 100 100 100 >70 >70
Employment 100 100 100 100 100 100
Damage to regional road network 100 100 100 100 >70 >40
IAPs perceptions 100 >70 100 >70 >70 >40
Reliable water resource for local
community through the fresh water dam >70 >70 >70 100
Sites of
Archaeological
importance Heritage aspects >40 >40 >40 >40 N/A N/A
Archaeological Sites >40 >40 >40 >40 N/A N/A
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Environmental Objectives and Goals for Mine Closure
The primary closure objective is to return the area disturbed by mining operations, as closely
as is practicable, to its pre-mining state within the decommissioning phase (three years).
The pre-mining state referred to is defined as the state the environment was found in before
any mining activities took place on the RE of Goedehoop 169 HT.
To achieve this objective, it is critically important to:
Stabilise the affected areas by landscaping and vegetation to the pre-mining
topography and cover, affording a land capability of grazing and wilderness
potential.
Establish a sustainable post closure land use that is ecologically sustainable, and
which would not preclude a nature reserve, eco-tourism or grazing for domestic
livestock.
Manage the surface and groundwater to ensure that the mining activities do not
cause an unacceptable, negative impact on the receiving environment (Inkomati
catchment) nor on the affected groundwater aquifer.
The plant along with its associated infrastructure, Co-Disposal dump site, pollution control
dams and the access roads will be rehabilitated and planted to artificial pastures for grazing.
The whole area would need to be considered for extensive grazing depending on the
involvement of the landowner. The land choice option would have little impact on the
rehabilitation options as any of the potential options would require climax veld that can
sustainably support domestic and wild animals.
Annual environmental reports detailing the progress of the rehabilitation programme will
be submitted to the Authorities and made available to the environmental monitoring
committee.
7.4.1 Geology
Closure objective
An area that has a stable geological foundation.
The impact on geology cannot be prevented, and mitigation by reduction and containment
of the impact through the application of proven and acceptable mining methods, including
a factor of safety that will continue to ensure a stable surface which will accommodate the
planned land uses for the area.
Management Indicators
Factor of safety: prevent subsidence – especially to surface.
Acid mine drainage: the surface must be free-draining with no extra-ordinary
infiltration and groundwater make.
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7.4.2 Topography
Closure Objectives
An area having slopes and features which emulate the pre-mining topography, and which is
stable and safe to people.
The post-mining, disturbed topography must be similar to the pre-mining topography
where practicable. The area must be free-draining so as not to inhibit the surface water
flow, thus causing excessive infiltration and extra-ordinary erosion.
Management Indicators
No pooling of surface water.
No visible erosion.
7.4.3 Soils
Closure Objective
The establishment of a self-sustaining growth medium for grassveld vegetation.
The chemical (pH and nutrient status) and physical (microstructure) status of the replaced
soil must be stable (dynamic equilibrium) and not susceptible to erosion to ensure that the
residual impact of mining-related activities on the soil and consequently the land
capability is effectively mitigated.
Management Indicators
Growth of vegetation, and
Stability of soil nutrient levels.
7.4.4 Land Capability
Closure Objectives
A land capability that will sustain an applied and controlled grazing programme.
The land should be suitably rehabilitated to sustain the planned post closure use with a
stocking rate of one large stock unit per ten hectares per annum.
Management Indicators
Vegetative bio-diversity;
Vegetative cover;
Vegetative production.
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7.4.5 Land Use
Closure Objectives
Establish an area that can be used for the sustainable grazing of domestic and wild animals.
The pre-mining land use on the undisturbed areas was one of grazing, while that of the
disturbed area was mining. The pre-mining undisturbed land use will revert back after
mining to what it was, while the rehabilitated, disturbed area will be able to be used as an
area for the grazing of artificial pastures.
Management indicators
Land use records;
Sustainability of land uses.
7.4.6 Vegetation
Closure objectives
Maintain the species diversity and productivity of the undisturbed areas. On the rehabilitated
areas, establish a vegetation cover which will stabilize the soil cover.
The re-establishing natural vegetation in the adit area will be assisted by a “nurse crop” of
artificial pastures grasses, while the operational area including the plant and discard dump
will be vegetated with artificial pasture grasses and managed as such.
While the ultimate goal should be to have indigenous, hardy, palatable, perennial grass
species capable of growing under conditions of radical disturbance and low soil fertility,
such species are generally commercially unavailable and less easy to establish on disturbed
sites. It is thus preferable to make use of commercial species to help the site to become
stable. This provides for pioneer growth, which allows the natural succession of the
ecological system to encourage indigenous growth. The objective is to establish a variety of
species that will produce cover at a variety of growth forms and which would occur during
as much of the growing season as possible. This is especially relevant to the
decommissioned adit and associated infrastructure areas further up the slope, as opposed
to the operational below on the flatter ground.
Management indicators
The vegetation of the rehabilitated areas will be monitored during the maintenance phase to
determine:
soil fertility;
vegetation ground/basal cover;
erosion potential; and
the possible need for revision of the rehabilitation programme to increase stability
through the bio-diversity.
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7.4.7 Animal Life
Closure objectives
A non-aggressive environment, suitable to the natural re-habitation of indigenous and
domestic animal life.
Management Indicators
Visual survey of an increase in faunal bio-diversity.
7.4.8 Surface Water
Closure objectives
The objective regarding surface water after the decommissioning phase is to:
ensure that not only the surface water remaining on the site, but also the surface
water leaving the site is of acceptable quality, and
to enable through landscaping, as much as possible of the storm water runoff to flow
off the rehabilitated site without undue delay, so as to minimise infiltration without
causing unacceptable erosion;
accumulate storm water runoff in the fresh water dam in order to supply the
landowner and local community with a more reliable source of fresh water.
Management Indicators:
Surface water quality and hydrological yield.
Maintenance of pollution control structures and fresh water dam
The surface water pollution control facilities along with the fresh water dam will either be
maintained or decommissioned as required by the post-mining land users during the de-
commissioning phase. All unrequired pollution control facilities will be rehabilitated by the
end of the maintenance phase.
Legitimate requirement of surface water uses on affected water courses.
Requirements of the downstream water users will be addressed through the environmental
monitoring forum and the DWS. All legitimate and reasonable requirements of the
downstream water users will be considered during the catchment reserve determination
process and closure objectives will be set in consultation with users during the water use
registration / licence application process.
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7.4.9 Groundwater
Closure Objectives
The mine will ensure that private water users, if affected by mine dewatering, have a reliable
alternative source of water.
An ongoing, three-monthly monitoring programme will be implemented during operations.
The data obtained from the programme will be used to verify the predictions made in this
report.
The adits will be rehabilitated according in order to minimise the risk of acid mine drainage.
Carbonaceous material will be replaced at the bottom of the decommissioned adit, and
where possible, beneath the groundwater rest level, to ensure early flooding and the
limitation of oxidation processes.
Surface rehabilitation strategies to minimise groundwater impacts
Reference is made Table 30 the sections on Topography and Soils for supplementary
rehabilitation and remediation strategies.
Requirements of legitimate groundwater users in affected zones
The legitimate requirements of downstream water users will be used to determine the
closure objectives. This will be determined by the Reserve Determination process and
finalised during the water use licence application process.
Management Indicators
Water quality;
Groundwater rest levels.
7.4.10 Air Quality
Closure objective
Restore ambient air quality to pre-mining levels.
The rehabilitation of the disturbed areas must be of such a standard that the level of dust
generated from (decommissioned) mining activities is insignificant. The generation of dust
will be adequately minimised through vegetative cover. This is both a health and aesthetic
aspect.
Management Indicators
Visual detection by the IAP’s of unacceptable levels of particulate matter generated
from the site;
Visual assessments;
Feedback via the environmental monitoring committee.
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7.4.11 Noise
Closure objectives
Restore the ambient noise levels to the pre-mining levels.
Once the decommissioning phase has been completed, the activities associated with mining
area would have ceased, and thus there would be no sources of noise. The typical noise
level for rural areas is 40dB.
Management Indicators
Reports of incidents from the environmental monitoring committee.
7.4.12 Sites of Archaeological and Cultural Interest
Sites of archaeological importance
Closure objectives
There are no recorded sites of archaeological importance within the area planned to be
disturbed.
It is considered important to ensure that the IAP’s associated with post-mining land use
have an adequate awareness of any significant sites in the study area.
Management Indicators
Feedback through the monitoring committee.
7.4.13 Sensitive Landscapes
Closure objective
No further damage to sensitive landscapes.
Where wetlands have been damaged by past agricultural activities there is opportunity to
rehabilitate some systems so as to mitigate for any new impacts which might arise as a
consequence of the mine operations. The systems which would be most amenable for
rehabilitation are those at the far north of the property. Depending on the degree of
rehabilitation it might be possible to trap a large part of the contaminants from the mine.
The sensitive landscapes outside the areas of disturbance should continue to be conserved
by the post closure land users as do the measures implemented by the mine.
Management Indicators
Feedback from the monitoring committee;
Maintenance of the bio-diversity status quo.
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7.4.14 Visual Aspects
Closure Objectives
There will be no unacceptable impact on the aesthetic nature of the site.
Many of the pre-mining disturbances of the study area are no longer responsible for causing
a negative visual impact as they have become effectively grassed. Certain of these disturbed
sites will again be disturbed by mining activities: these will be mitigated from a visual impact
point of view by the rehabilitation thereof (landscaping and vegetating the area). There will
be no unrequired mining super-structures left on the property for future use, except for the
access road.
Management Indicators
Visual assessments;
Environmental Monitoring Forum.
7.4.15 Regional Socio-economic Structure
Closure objectives
Ensure that both the rehabilitated, (previously disturbed) mining area develops and retains
a positive and sustainable economic dynamic for the benefit of the community.
Management Indicators
Continued economic growth in the community associated with the mine;
Feedback from the forum.
7.4.16 Interested and Affected Parties (IAP’s)
Closure objectives
To reach consensus on the achievement of closure objectives for the mine, and consequently
have a satisfied collective of IAP’s that would again consider a coal mine in their area to be
a positive opportunity.
Ongoing communication with IAP’s is of cardinal importance. For example, monitoring
information will be made available through the annual audit reports and the environment
monitoring committee, which will continue to facilitate communication with the IAP’s. The
complaints register will continue to be available throughout the decommissioning phase.
Management Indicators
Dynamics of the environmental monitoring committee.
Interested and Affected Parties feel they have been adequately and meaningfully
involved throughout the life of mine and the rehabilitation/maintenance phase.
Feedback from the forum.
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7.4.17 Infrastructure areas
Adequately rehabilitate all unwanted infrastructure.
All buildings will be removed unless identified for post closure use and an agreement with
the post closure user drawn up whereby the end user takes full responsibility for the use,
maintenance and liabilities associated with the said building/ infrastructure.
Management Indicators
Reach consensus on the achievement of closure objectives for the mine;
Ongoing communication with IAP’s;
Stability of rehabilitated areas.
7.4.18 Mine residue deposits
The following six categories are included below under the environmental objectives for
mine closure:
Disposal facilities;
Ongoing seepage and control of rain water;
Long term stability;
Final rehabilitation in respect of erosion and dust control;
Sealing of underground workings and of rehabilitation of dangerous excavations;
Final rehabilitation of opencast mine haul ramps, roads and final voids (not
applicable).
7.4.19 Disposal facilities
Closure objective
There will be no operating disposal facilities other than the rehabilitated Co-Disposal
Dump site.
The septic tank for sewage disposal may be required for post-mining use.
Management Indicators
No latent impacts;
No residual visual impacts.
7.4.20 Ongoing seepage, control of rainwater
Closure objective
Any ongoing seepage will be pro-actively identified and adequate measures implemented
before or during the decommissioning phase.
The clean rain water falling on to the (previously disturbed) rehabilitated site will not be
contaminated by residual carbonaceous (and other) pollutants remaining on the surface.
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Management Indicators
Effective clean-up, landscaping and re-vegetation of former operational areas to
reduce the infiltration and contamination of rain water falling on, and flowing over
the area.
The storm water run-off should flow along the landscaped water courses to ensure
free drainage from the site once rehabilitation has been completed and the
topography has been landscaped to the levels envisaged in the rehabilitation
programme.
The re-vegetation of the area (and especially the landscaped water courses) will
minimise soil erosion.
The re-vegetation of the area will assist in reducing infiltration rates.
Monitor the rest water level in terms of flows and water quality. Proactively
determine if the predictions that the groundwater rest table is at a sufficient depth
to ensure that seepage on surface will not occur from the old workings.
7.4.21 Long-term stability
Closure objective
Ensure that the planned secondary mining safety factors are adhered to during the end of
mining and landscape the disturbed areas with slopes that are stable.
Management Indicators
No localised settling or subsidence;
No (extra-ordinary, visible) erosion.
7.4.22 Final rehabilitation in respect of erosion and dust control
Closure objective
Landscape the disturbed areas with slopes that are stable and an effective vegetative cover.
Management Indicators
No (extra-ordinary, visible) erosion;
No dust generated from mining-related activities.
The mixture of grass species will be determined in conjunction with the Department of
Agriculture (Resource Conservation), Mpumalanga Parks Board and the post-mining land
user(s). It has been planned in this EMP to establish the rehabilitated areas to artificial
pastures, to be used and managed as separate units to the areas that will not be disturbed.
7.4.23 Sealing of underground workings and rehabilitation of dangerous
excavations.
Closure objective
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The underground workings are to be plugged and made safe. Any dangerous excavations
are to be sloped or terraced.
Management Indicators
No access to defunct underground workings;
No accessible slopes that are dangerous to people or animals.
7.4.24 Final rehabilitation of mine haul ramps.
Closure objective
Only roads required by the post-mining land users will remain on the property.
Roads not required will be rehabilitated (ripped, top soiled and vegetated).
Management Indicators
No unrequired roads remaining;
Rehabilitated areas to be stable.
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8 Public Participation Process
Stakeholder Participation is a legal requirement, where the potential exists for individuals
and /or parties to be affected by a proposed activity.
According to the principles of Integrated Environmental Management (IEM), these individuals
and/or parties should be involved in the decision-making process from an early stage in the
project, with regard to any relevant issues and concerns complementing the information on
which the Regulating Authorities would base their decision.
The decision would entail either,
proceeding to the next phase in the project,
supplementing inadequate information, or
not approving the project.
The decision for the project application is made on the basis of adequate information. The
decision-making framework will - in practice, comprise the Authorities and the Proponent.
This facilitation of effective communication between the Authorities, the Public and the
Applicant, forms the primary role of the Stakeholder Participation Process. Certain key
terminology needs to be clarified from the outset.
“Stakeholders” and “the Public”
“Stakeholders” refers to all individual(s) and institutions that are (potentially) associated with
the project including:
the Applicant, namely Siphiwo Investments(Pty) Ltd;
regulating (“Competent”) Authorities namely DMR (Witbank), DEDET
(Ermelo), Department of Water Affairs (DWS), Gert Sibande District
Municipality;
“Commenting” Authorities, namely the Mkhondo Local Municipality, IUCMA,
DWS, DMR;
Neighbouring and downstream communities (potentially affected parties);
Other interested and affected parties (IAPs).
It is the right of the IAP to decide whether or not she/he will participate in the process.
The “Public”, more specifically, refers to the last two categories described above, namely:
surface owners and residents;
Catchment Water Forum;
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neighbouring and downstream (water users) communities (potentially
affected parties);
other interested and affected parties (IAPs).
Consultation – a level of Participation
“Participation” refers to a broad term of communication between parties, and includes
various levels of intensity in joint decision-making across a continuum, namely:
inform,
consult,
involve,
collaborate,
empower.
The specific level is dependent on the requirements of the project and its Stakeholders.
The Stakeholder Participation process intends to include the following actions to ensure that
the various individuals and parties will be included in the process, namely:
Stakeholder scan (inclusive and will be ongoing during the scoping
process);
Distribution of Stakeholder letters;
Individual discussions as may be necessary with
neighbouring landowners;
surface rights holders;
officials administering the application procedure;
Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs).
The focus of the public participation process will be to:
Identify and register potential Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs);
Empower the IAPs as to their participative process rights as “registered
IAPs”;
Define roles and responsibilities in the scoping process, namely to raise
concerns through response to a project notice placed in the press, public
meetings and reports;
Access to documentation, including:
Accessibility of the reports and clarity of the reports;
Access to information on decisions made by the Authorities and
Proponent;
Elicit comments in response to the decisions;
Raise issues and/or concerns for further investigation.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 182 of 218
Notification Criteria
The Regional Manager or designated agency must make known to Stakeholders and
Interested and Affected Parties by way of a notice, that an application has been accepted in
respect of the land. This notice must be placed on a notice board that is accessible to the
public at the office of the Regional Manager or designated agency.
In additional to the notice, the Regional Manager or designated agency must also make
known the application by at least one of the following methods:
Publication in the applicable Provincial Gazette;
Notice in the Magistrate’s Court in the magisterial district applicable to the
land in question; or
Advertisement in a local or national newspaper circulating in the area where
the land to which the application relates is situated.
A publication, notice or advertisement must include:
An invitation to members of the public to submit comments in writing on
or before a date specified in the publication, notice or advertisement, which
date may not be earlier than 30 days from the date of such publication,
notice or advertisement;
The name and official title of the person to whom any comments must be
sent or delivered, and
The work, postal and street address and, if available, an electronic mail
address;
Work telephone number, and
Facsimile number, if any, of the contact person.
In addition, key Stakeholders will need to be individually informed of the application, with
communication via fax, e-mail or telephonically.
Creating Public Awareness
8.1.1 Site Notice
A site notice was placed at the entrance of the defunct Kwasa Colliery informing the local
people that an application for environmental authorisation has been lodged with DEDET
(Ermelo) and inviting them to form part of the public participation process (Refer to Appendix
A.1.1).
8.1.2 Newspaper Adverts
The key stakeholders were notified personally of the 1st public participation meeting that
was held on the 25th of February 2014. A press notice was placed in the local newspaper
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 183 of 218
(Excelsior) notifying the public of the intention of Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd to apply for
environmental authorisation and inviting participation at a public meeting and / or directly
with the Public Participation office (refer to Appendix A.1.2.1).
The registered IAPs were personally invited to the 2nd public participation meeting that was
held on the 05th of December 2014 specifically to discuss the Water Use License application.
A press notice was placed in the local newspaper (Excelsior) notifying the public of the
intention of Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd to apply for a Water Use License and inviting
participation at a public meeting and / or directly with the Public Participation office (refer
to Appendix A.1.2.2).
8.1.3 Background Information Document
A Background Information Document was handed out at the public meeting and given to
Foster Attorneys during the meeting in Ottosdal. The BID gave a background description of
Siphiwo Investments involvement and future plans for the mine. The BID further explained
the different development alternatives as well as a preliminary development plan (refer to
Appendix A.3.1 for a full copy of the BID).
Public Meetings
8.2.1 Public Meeting
The 1st public meeting was held on the 25th of February 2014 at 5pm in the Annysspruit
Farmers Association Hall. At the public meeting Siphiwo Investments explained that the
purpose of the meeting was to inform the key stakeholders that Siphiwo Investments had
started the process to apply for environmental authorisation in keeping with their plans to
resume mining at the defunct Kwasa Colliery. It was further explained that a formal process
has been initiated under Section 11 of the MPRDA for the transfer of ownership of the mine.
Background on the mine, the process followed to date, and context for the planned activity
was given, including the background and details of the due diligence and remediation plans.
uKhozi Environmentalists presented a presentation explaining what environmental
authorisations are needed as well as the preliminary plan of development.
The main concerns raised at the public meeting were (refer to the issues and response report
for detailed concerns raised by each stakeholder):
Livestock & crops: there is a concern that profitability of agriculture would be
compromised by mining activities;
Environmental provision: there is a concern about whether there would be enough
funds –and control thereof, for rehabilitation and pollution control;
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 184 of 218
Traffic and maintenance: stakeholders are concerned about the expected increased
traffic, especially large trucks, in terms of safety, and who would be responsible for
the much needed maintenance and upkeep of the roads;
Profitability of mine: stakeholders are concerned that the mine would not be
financially feasible, and would thus like to see the mining model;
Labour – has a big effect on the social and financial security of the community. If the
mine fails it would have a pronounced negative effect on those aspects of the
community.
The 2nd public meeting was held on the 05th of December 2014 at 5pm in the Annysspruit
Farmers Association Hall. At the public meeting uKhozi explained that the purpose of the
meeting was to discuss the WULA and to obtain issues and concerns specifically relating to
the proposed water uses at the colliery.
uKhozi Environmentalists presented a presentation explaining the WULA as well as the
process. The following main points were dealt with in the presentation (refer to Appendix
A.3.5 for the full presentation):
Background of the proposed project;
Property Description;
Project description (Planned activities for the Construction, Operational and
Decommissioning phases);
Section 21 Water uses that will be applied for;
The water balance;
Potential Biophysical and Socio Economic Impacts;
Management/ Mitigation measures;
Planned Specialist studies;
The way forward in terms of the WULA and Environmental Authorisation process.
The main concerns raised at the public meeting were (refer to the issues and response report
for detailed concerns raised by each stakeholder):
The construction of the in stream fresh water storage dam will reduce the surface
water runoff significantly and could result in the streams and wetlands downstream
of this dam drying up;
The planned product stockpile area at the entrance of the colliery is too close to the
wetland. It was requested that this stockpile area is moved further south away from
the wetland.
Environmental provision: there is a concern about whether there would be enough
funds –and control thereof, for rehabilitation and pollution control;
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 185 of 218
8.2.2 Focus Group Meetings
A target group meeting was held with the key stakeholders on the 5th of September 2014 to
discuss the intention of Siphiwo Investments to resume mining at the defunct Kwasa Colliery
and to get preliminary input from them. (Refer to Appendix A.6.1 for the Note for the
Record). The main concerns raised at this meeting were:
The costs to rehabilitate the footprint and to establish pollution control measures.
The available reserve is not big enough to justify carrying all these costs;
Storm water runoff into the surrounding water resources. At the moment coal waste
from the disturbed footprint is ending up in the surrounding rivers during rain events;
Erosion;
Health and Safety issues. There is an open power line on site that can result in serious
injury or death.
A target group meeting was held with the local community on the 6th of December 2014 to
discuss the intention of Siphiwo Investments to resume mining at the defunct Kwasa Colliery.
Authority Meetings
The Department of Water Affairs conducted a site inspection on the 21st of May 2013. The
site visit convinced the department that Kwasa Colliery has water uses that are unlawful.
Following this the DWA issued a letter of non-compliance to Kwasa Mining Services
requesting them to make a written representation if they believe that there are compelling
reasons for the department not to issue a directive.
Siphiwo Investments responded to the above mentioned letter addressing the issues raised
by DWA as follows (refer to Appendix A.4.2 for copies of the letters).
As per the requirements the letter received from the Dept. Water Affairs on the 24th June
2013, the following has reference:
There are several non-compliances at the mine, as noted during the visit by Officials
of the Department in May 2013.
Although Kwasa Mining Services (Pty) Ltd. is currently the responsible party, a formal
process has been initiated under Section 11 of the MPRDA for the appointed Business
Rescue manager to apply to the DMR to transfer the Mining Right to Siphiwo, who is
able and willing to take this over, together with the environmental liabilities.
Siphiwo recognises the urgency of the pollution control measures needed on the site.
uKhozi Environmentalists prepared an application for a Water Use Licence which was
submitted to Kwasa Collieries in March 2010. Siphiwo is currently following up to
determine the date and office to which this application was submitted. The
Department is requested to indicate if a copy of this application can be made
available.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 186 of 218
Siphiwo recognises the need for a coal washing plant to beneficiate the Run-of-Mine
coal to an acceptable product specification, and this implies the need for a discard
dump.
Siphiwo has accepted a proposal from uKhozi Environmentalists to do the following
in order to become environmentally compliant:
Water Use Licence in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 – revision and amendment
as per the requirement for a washing plant and discard dump;
Environmental Authorisation in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources
Development Act, 2008 – revision and amendment;
Environmental Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act,
1998– as may be relevant.
The DWA did not issue a directive.
The Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation (DWS) met with uKhozi on the 22nd of
September 2014. uKhozi presented the WULA to them. The department raised the
following main points (refer to the minutes of the meeting in Appendix A.6.4):
Good clarification is needed regarding the separation of the clean and dirty water on
site. Details must be given on how this will be done;
Proof of public participation must be included in the report. This includes Note for
the Records of meetings held, proof of newspaper notices, proof of site notices,
issues and response report etc.
S27 motivations must be done in detail especially the investments already made by
the applicant. It must indicate every cent spent to date on the proposed project.
The impacts of granting of WULA and not granting WULA must be assessed.
The current Infrastructure on site as well as the planned infrastructure must be
described.
The PCDs must be lined with HDPA (2mm) and if possible with clay on top;
All facilities on site must be fenced;
Overflow scenarios must be assessed if the PCDs don’t have 0.8m freeboard. If
according to the civil engineer designs all PCDs will have a freeboard of 0.8m then
the overflow scenarios don’t need to be assessed.
The Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management (IUCMA) Agency conducted a site visit on the
17th of November 2014 in order to advise on the way forward with regards to the Water Use
License application. On the 25th of February 2015 a meeting was held with the Inkomati-
Usuthu Catchment Management Agency (IUCMA) and the DMR to discuss a collective way
forward as to who is liable to rehabilitate or to contain the pollution at Kwasa Colliery.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 187 of 218
Register of IAPs
Table 30: IAPs Register
Surname First name Organisation / Department Tel Nr Cell Nr Fax Nr Postal/
E-mail address
Mtshali BH Ward Councillor
(Mkhondo Municipality)
0176048484 0823623952 0178268127 [email protected]
Nkosi Bob Siphiwo Investments 074 104
0662
Dane Greg STA/Siphiwo 082 8549848 [email protected]
Nhlapho Shadrack Community Development
Worker
0822696907 [email protected]
Trebble Mike Goedehoop 0824184347 0178241131 [email protected]
Trebble Bruce Goedehoop 0825712624 [email protected]
Van Wyk Miranda Land Owner 0125473289 0822569383 [email protected]
Prigge Sven Land Owner 0825608179 [email protected]
Prigge Erich Goedehoop 0178262478 0823874031 [email protected]
Boshoff Reinette
Lawyer
(Guillaume Foster)
Land Owner 018 571
0031
018 571
0036
Roodewald Ralf Goedehoop 0836610465 [email protected]
Weber Werner Land Owner 0846529164 [email protected]
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 188 of 218
Surname First name Organisation / Department Tel Nr Cell Nr Fax Nr Postal/
E-mail address
Beneke Heinz Land Owner 0828252828 [email protected]
Zeelie Vlakhaas Land Owner 0827845816 [email protected]
Gary Day Land Owner 0823784610 [email protected]
Loubser Gudrun Land Owner/
Community Activist
0721108928 P O Box 682, Piet Retief 2380
Meyer Jenny Driehoek 082 686
8079
Fourie Manie Private 082 404
7404
Weber Ewald Land Owner 082 371
4713
Gibbons Bradley Endangered Wildlife Trust 082 568
5803
Mathavha Lutendo Environmental Liaison Officer
Kiepersol Colliery
087 310
2952
076 424
1381
086 668
4799
12 A Theo Mocke Street.
Piet Retief,
2380
South Africa
Mthembi Golden IUMCA Environmental Office:
Resource Protection and Waste
013 753
9000
083 825
8894
086 668
8681
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 189 of 218
Surname First name Organisation / Department Tel Nr Cell Nr Fax Nr Postal/
E-mail address
Rasiuba Thabo IUMCA Environmental Office:
Resource Protection and Waste
013 753
9000
N/A 086 668
8681
Ramovha Matshilele Department of Mineral Resources
(Mpumalanga)
013 653
0500
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 190 of 218
Issues Raised
Issues identified should be recorded and the assessment based on:
The participation of IAPs as an indication of the success of the scoping exercise,
The perceived significance of the issues, and
A measure of the sustainability of the outcome/solution.
The overriding objective during this consultative process is to create an atmosphere
conducive to sharing knowledge between all Stakeholders to ensure that issues
identified are used in a positive and constructive manner.
All parties will be given the opportunity to raise their issues – be they fact or
perception. The number and frequency with which issues are raised, and the intensity
and extent to which they are debated gives a direct indication of the following:
The success of the process;
The perceived significance of the issues; and
A measure of the sustainability of the outcome/solution.
The primary objectives of the scoping exercise include:
Identification and evaluation of existing relevant information;
Identification of a broad range of issues of concern to the Stakeholders through a
consultative process, and
Identification of alternatives accommodating a wide range of criteria, and falling into
three broad categories, namely:
Social,
Biophysical / “Environmental”
Economic.
Consultation with the relevant Authorities, on a formal basis as to their requirements
for administration of the issues and concerns provisionally raised during scoping.
Identification of additional Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs) and the recording of
their issues of concern in response to information in local newspapers, consultation
with local associations and other key community representatives.
Discussion of the comments raised at scoping meetings with focus groups.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 191 of 218
Issues and Responses
The issues and concerns recorded during the public participation process to date are tabled below along with the response from the
Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) and/or Siphiwo Investments.
Table 31: Issues and Responses
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
Gudrun Loubser Private At the key stakeholder meeting that was held on the
5th of September 2013 Mrs Loubser had the following
comments and concerns:
(1) Coal lying around on site.
The coal lying around on site would need to
be cleaned up before operations start. Who is
going to remove this coal and who would
profit from this?
Some of the coal on site has already been
removed. Who was responsible for this?
The profit made from the coal removed from
site must go to community and rehabilitation
of the area.
(2) Job opportunities
(1) The area will be cleaned and storm water
control measures will be implemented during
the construction phase to contain the current
sources of pollution.
Siphiwo Investment started to remove the
coal.
What the mining company must do is:
Firstly make money available upfront to clean
up the area before mining starts.
Secondly during operations for every ton coal
sold the mining company need to put money
aside for rehabilitation.
(2) The applicant’s representative Mr Bob
Nkosi should speak to the local people and
uKhozi consult with the Ward Councillor
during the public participation process.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 192 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
When the mine operated under Kwasa
Collieries Chief Mathetwa’s people were given
the available jobs and the closer community
felt that they were being neglected.
Advised that the closer community needs to be
involved in discussion in order to avoid
conflict.
(3) Life of Mine
Why is Siphiwo Investments interested to do all
the environmental studies and take over the
liability just to mine for 1.5 years
(4) Criminal Case against Kwasa Collieries
Siphiwo Investments must be aware that there
is still a criminal case against the mine. Should
Kwasa Collieries be found guilty they will need
to pay the legal and environmental costs to the
concerned residents of Mkhondo.
(5) Extent of Kwasa’s footprint
(3) The life of mine is not 1.5 years as
previously indicated. It is estimated to be
between 6 – 10 years including the closure
phase.
(4) Noted.
(5) A hydrosensus and groundwater study
will be done using previous work. A
hydrology study will also be done using civil
engineers.
(6) Noted.
(7) Noted.
(8) The Section 11 was the ownership
transfer from the previous owner to the new
mine owner. Operations may begin under a
contract mining arrangement before the
s.11had been granted and the ownership
transferred, and the coal would be sold as
Run-of-Mine.
(9) The relationship between Siphiwo, STA
and Jindal were explained as follows:
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 193 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
Siphiwo Investments must determine the
footprint of Kwasa by taking water and soil
samples to see how far seepage has occurred.
(6) Environmental Impact Assessment
The EIA baseline information from before
mining must be used for the new studies. Not
after the damage has occurred.
(7) Sensitivity of the area
No mining should take place in the Piet
Retief/Wakkerstroom area. The area is too sensitive
with regards to water resources and because of this
there are no mitigation measures, just damage control
measures. Due to the water resources found in the
area it is a strategic important area for the country.
(8) What is a Section 11 Transfer?
(9) Relationship between Siphiwo Investments and
Jindal
Requested clarity regarding the collaboration
between Siphiwo and Jindal.
Is Siphiwo or their mining contractor involved
in any illegal mining? According to Mrs Loubser
Bob Nkosi is a shareholder in STA;
Siphiwo is owned by Bob, but
financing is done through STA;
Jindal has an arm’s length contract
mining arrangement with STA.
Jindal had wanted to purchase Kwasa,
but this had not been successful. The
coal in the stockpile area at Kwasa
was sold to Jindal to cover costs and
to remove this pollution source.
With regards to Kwasa they have complied
with all the DMR requirements, and with
regards to the Dundas seem at Jindal they
were told to go ahead and as a contractor
they did their job.
(10) Siphiwo have capital and overseas
investments, and have made sure everything
is in order to make sure the funding is
adequate. The project team know the area
and know what needs to be done to mine the
reserve at Kwasa successfully. For example
they plan to establish a washing plant at the
mine which was not done in the past and this
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 194 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
Jindal is mining the Dundas seam illegally and
as a contractor STA is also then conducting an
illegal activity.
(10) Rehabilitation of the area
Siphiwo might also fail like previous mining
company’s attempting to mine at Kwasa
successfully. This would mean that the area
would stay un-rehabilitated and continue to
pollute the surrounding environment.
What security can be shown to ensure the
same mistake won’t happen again.
(11) Sustainability of Kwasa Colliery
Siphiwo want to mine at Kwasa for profit and
to recover revenue – making the prime reason
business.
She requested honesty in what the venture is
truly about, which in her opinion was to make
money. A concern was voiced that if the land is
damaged then they cannot move forward with
other opportunities (such as renewable
energy).
is considered critical to ensure successful
production.
Siphiwo have already appointed uKhozi to
conduct the EIA and Water Use
Licence application as part of the
environmental authorisation process. This
was not done by previous companies.
Siphiwo are waiting for the Section 11
process to be completed after which they will
go ahead and do a proper Social and Labour
Plan (SLP) to ensure it addresses the
community and their best interests, and
submit it to the DMR. The whole process will
take time but that it is needed in order to do
it properly.
(11) There is always a qualitative element to
business. Siphiwo realises that the world is a
finite resource and that they have to look
after each other. They do have to make
money, but also have to put aside the funds
to rehabilitate to make sure the activity is
sustainable.
It was suggested that a separate fund is put
together which would be open to the public
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
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uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 195 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
It was requested that Siphiwo come back to the
stakeholders with their business proposal to
satisfy them that the planned operation is
feasible.
to show the money that is available for
environmental provision.
Bruce Trebble Landowner Goedehoop Mr Bruce Trebble had the following comments and
concerns:
(1) Rehabilitation of the area
He is not necessarily concerned about the
reopening of the colliery because the area was
left in such a bad state that it is currently
polluting the surrounding water resources.
However he is concerned about what they leave
behind after the remaining reserve is mined
out.
From his experience mines never tidy up
afterwards because it is not in their interest.
How much coal there is at Kwasa, and if there
will be enough money to cover the cost of
rehabilitation?
(1) What the mining company must do is:
Firstly make money available upfront to clean
up the area before mining starts.
Secondly during operations for every ton coal
sold the mining company need to put money
aside for rehabilitation.
The amount of tons would be difficult to
state off hand, but there would be enough
for STA to conservatively mine 1.5 Million
tons and perhaps more beyond the barriers
(subject to the necessary permits). The only
way the mine can really function is to bring in
an operator to mine at cost to ensure capital
for environmental provisions, and have
money at the DMR for the environmental
liability. STA and Siphiwo feel confident
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 196 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
What happened to the money set aside for
rehabilitation by the previous mine?
The rehabilitation after the mining was the
main concern. Money should be put aside for it
and should be managed by a committee which
would keep track of where the funds are used
and how they are used.
It would be advantageous to get people from
the community to work with the mine who
would use the capital efficiently to rehabilitate.
It was suggested that the Annysspruit Farmers
association Chairman and Vice Chair should
form part of the rehabilitation fund and be two
of the signatories.
How many signatories is required for the
rehabilitation fund?
It was suggested that the Annysspruit Farmers
Association will have the majority of the
control (65%) over the funds.
(2) Discard Disposal
about increasing the provision because they
know they will get a higher price for the coal.
Not sure what happened to that money but
most probably nothing had been set aside.
Each mine should have an environmental
provision fund and Siphiwo believes that the
stakeholders should be privy to that
information. It is unacceptable for a mine to
come in, rape the land, and then leave it for
the community to handle.
In terms of mine closure, it would be the
responsibility of the mine, but it would be
important to get the stakeholders into the
process. They could get an independent
company to do the rehabilitation, but
rehabilitation would remain their (the mine’s)
responsibility ultimately. It would be perfectly
feasible to get people such as Mkhondo
Green in to assist with the rehabilitation.
The request to have signatories on the
rehabilitation trust fund was noted and will
be discussed with the applicant.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 197 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
Siphiwo know they want to mine and sell the
product but don’t know what to do with the
discard. Will Siphiwo start mining if they don’t
find an appropriate place to dispose of the
discard?
(3) The in stream fresh water dam
The proposed fresh water dam must rather be
constructed off-stream as the stream plays a
major role for the watering of livestock and the
health of the wetlands especially during the
dry winter months.
The wetland downstream of the proposed fresh
water dam is used for grazing and is very
important for the local community. If the dam
is constructed in-stream, the stream will not
flow which will result in the wetland drying up.
This will have a major impact on the local
community. The wetland also forms part of a
breeding site for water fowl and crested
cranes, blue cranes and a number of game
species (Reedbuck).
(4) Ground and Surface water monitoring
The number of signatories for a rehabilitation
trust fund usually ranges from 3-5.
(2) Department of Water Affairs (DWA) will
not issue a water use license if there isn’t an
appropriate plan to dispose the discard,
which would mean they may only start
mining without the updated WUL through the
Jindal adit into a block within their Mining
Rights area and the coal would be sold as
Run of Mine.
(3) This is the reason for applying for a
Section 21(c&i) water use. The DWA will
assess the impact of the dam on the surface
water runoff and if it is decided that the
impact will be too severe on the downstream
water uses they will not grant the Water Use
License for the construction of the in stream
fresh water dam. The dam would then be
moved to an off stream location.
The location of the dam will be discussed
with the applicant and the engineer.
According to the engineer the amount of
water which will be stored in the dam is 90
000m3/annum and the total amount of
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 198 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
Who will do the ground and surface water
monitoring at the proposed mine?
Who will pay for monitoring after the operation
has seized and what will happen after the two
year monitoring that is needed after the
operation has seized?
(5) Water Use License Application
Who is the representative from DWS to contact
regarding the proposed project?
(6) Job Creation
No unrealistic promises regarding job creation should
be made as this will create expectations.
runoff from the catchment area is 670
000m3/annum.
(4) The applicant will decide who to appoint
to do the water monitoring at the colliery but
that there is a good chance that uKhozi will
do the monitoring. The colliery must
continue with monitoring for two years after
the operation has ceased and they need to
make provision for this in their financial
provision for rehabilitation. The outcome of
the water monitoring results will determine
the way forward.
(5) It was Zethu Makwabasa from the Durban
office and now it is Golden Mthembi from
IUMCA (DWS Nelspruit office). Nelspruit DWS
is the regulating authority for the
Usutu/Inkomati Catchment.
(6) This was noted and agreed to on behalf of
the applicant.
Erich Prigge Landowner Mr Prigge raised the following comments and
concerns:
(1) Rehabilitation of the area
(1) A meeting should be had regarding the
Social and Labour Plan (SLP), to see what
commitments were made by the previous
company.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 199 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
In principle mines need to put money aside for
rehab but no one does.
The IAPs should have a guarantee that the
mine can deal with the environmental
Liability.
Money set aside for rehabilitation could be
squandered on other things, where individuals
or organisations would benefit instead of the
environment.
(2) Environmental Authorisations and adhering to the
laws
Previously Kwasa Colliery did not have the
necessary environmental authorisations.
The stakeholders are weary of anyone wanting
to mine – which is because they have heard the
same story before. However at least Siphiwo is
starting with an environmental process and are
having environmental studies done.
He is concerned about corruption. Most mining
companies have government connections and
according to him they get away with doing
(2) uKhozi have already been appointed by
the applicant to conduct the EIA as well as
the Water Use Licence Application for the
refurbishment of the colliery. The
construction phase will only go ahead once
the necessary environmental authorisations
have been obtained.
Siphiwo will take small steps to build up
trust, and this would be aided by working
together.
(3) Noted.
(4) A portion of the discard will be sold.
There will be an element of discard
remaining on site and the correct procedures
will be followed to dispose of it.
(5) Siphiwo has people that know how to run
a mine. It must be run ‘lean’ with the right
amount of money being spent on the right
things (not luxuries). Siphiwo is a South
African company, and they already have a
market for the coal within South Africa, which
will generate a cash flow for STA.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 200 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
what they want without having proper
environmental studies done.
Mining can’t be stopped however the mine
must follow the rules and commitments made
in the EIAR, EMPR and WUL in order to
minimise the environmental impacts.
(3) Access Road
Siphiwo Investments must use a different
access road. The Jindal road can’t take any
more traffic.
(4) Discard Disposal
What will happen to the discard?
(5) Feasibility of Kwasa Colliery
How are Siphiwo going to make money when
surrounding mines were struggling?
Siphiwo and STA are professional miners, and
since STA has been contracted to Jindal they
(Jindal) have had more tons of coal mined
than ever before.
Mike Trebble Landowner Mr Mike Trebble had the following comments and
concerns:
(1) Dust Pollution
(1) Noted. Mitigation measures will be
described in the EIAR. It would make sense
for Jindal (Goedehoop) and Kwasa to work
together.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 201 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
He is concerned about dust pollution that will
be caused by the additional haulage trucks on
the Jindal access road.
The applicant should get the extension of the
road tarred passed the entrance to Kiepersol to
Kwasa.
(2) Erosion
During previous operations Kwasa dug out
ditches to allow water to flow out in order to
continue mining. These ditches are becoming
dongas now and influencing the boundary
fences.
(3) Involvement of local communities
Local people do not see the broader picture.
The local people do not care about
environmental issues like the water quality or
air pollution they are only thinking about job
opportunities.
(4) Rehabilitation of the area
(2) Noted.
(3) Noted.
(4) Noted. This is what Siphiwo is planning to
do.
(5) The life of mine is approximately 6 – 10
years, based on a figure of 20 000 to 30 000
tons planned to be mined per month.
(6) There were no environmental policies in
place in the past, and that now they are
trying to correct all that and trying to sort
things out. Siphiwo have said the water use
licence must be in place first before mining
starts. Siphiwo will implement proper
mitigation measures to avoid or limit the
pollution caused by Kwasa Colliery. Siphiwo
have already started removing the coal that
was lying around at Kwasa.
The location of the product stockpile will be
investigated and if necessary it will be able to
move it south. The specific location was
chosen for the easy access for the
transporting of the product but it could be
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 202 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
If DWA can’t get the money from Kwasa
Collieries to rehab the mine it would be a good
alternative if a company comes in, mine the
remaining reserve and rehabilitate the area
when they leave.
Mkhondo Green does a lot of good work and
has necessary skills. They should sit on the
committee and assist the mine in managing
the environmental rehabilitation process.
(5) Life of Mine
What is the expected life of mine?
(6) Contamination of surrounding water resources by
Kwasa Colliery
Mr Erich Prigge had lost 8 calves and another
farmer lost 11 pigs after they drank water from
a stream running below Kwasa Colliery – which
was the source of their anger towards mining
in that it affects their people and livelihood.
The location of the product stockpile area at
the entrance of the colliery is located very
close to the wetland on his farm. It was
suggested that it is moved further south.
moved further up the access road if
necessary to reduce the risk of impacting the
wetland.
(7) Noted. The use of the main access road
and maintenance thereof will be discussed
with Jindal. The internal roads at Kwasa
Colliery will be upgraded.
(8) Water found underground in the
underground workings would be used as
make up water, and based on the current
estimates there will be enough water. Water
from pollution control dams will be reused,
and in dry cycles water from boreholes will
be used as make up water for the washing
plant.
(9) According to the title deeds, the
remaining extent refers to portion 0.
(10) Siphiwo plans to buy the whole farm.
The plan is to allow the current activities on
the farm to continue.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 203 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
(7) Increased Traffic and Safety on the roads
The stakeholders are concerned about the
increased traffic expected on the roads due to
mine operations and the transport of coal.
They have wives and children using the roads,
and would like to ensure their safety.
The maintenance of the roads would be crucial
with increased use. Currently, the Kwasa road
is badly eroded and there are cattle on the
road that gain access through the gaps in the
fences created by the erosion. Safety on the
roads is a concern.
(8) Water availability
Will there be enough water for a washing plant.
(9) What portion of Goedehoop is involved the RE or
portion 0?
(10) Does Siphiwo plan to buy the whole farm or only
the area where the coal reserve is and what will
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 204 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
happen to the current lease agreements that are in
place for Goedehoop portion 0. ?
Sven Prigge Landowner
(1) Storm water runoff
He is concerned about storm water runoff from
the mountain. People don’t realise how much
water comes off the mountain during rainfall
events and because of this proper measures
are not put in place to manage these events.
He is concerned that Kwasa do not have access
to enough land to build proper pollution
control dams. He said Kwasa has 30 ha and
according to him it is difficult to put in
pollution control measures in such a small
area.
(1) Kwasa has two options with regards to
screening:
Do screening out at the old
Goedehoop footprint;
Do screening at the mine;
Both these options will be included in the EIA
and WULA in order to compare the different
environmental and socio economic impacts
to determine which of the two the better
option is.
(2) Noted. A mine manager will be on site
permanently.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 205 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
He suggested that Kwasa must consider doing
screening off site.
(2) Oversee and Control
From previous experience the mine owner is
never on site only a contractor. There is
nobody accountable on site when there is a
problem.
(3) Coal Washing Plant
If coal washing is going to take place at the old
Goedehoop site then the road there needs to be
tarred. The current state of the road will not allow
trucks or even normal bakkies to drive on it when it
rains.
(4) Pollution Control Dams
What are the function of the four pollution
control dams?
What will the water from these dams be used
for?
Will the water undergo treatment before being
utilised for dust suppression?
(3) Noted.
(4) The PCDs will contain contaminated water
from the site in order to prevent it from
entering the surrounding streams. The water
from the PCD’s will be recycled and used for
dust suppression as well as make-up water
in the washing plant.
The water will not be treated (other than the
settling out of solid particles), and this is why
a Section 21(g) water use is applied for.
(5) The dam will be constructed with an
overflow or an outlet of sorts. The dam will
be located close to the community on the
eastern side of the access road into Kwasa.
One must look at the proportion of water
coming from the mining area catchment
which will be stored in the dam. The in-
stream construction will result in less
operating costs for the local community and
farmers in the future because the water
stored in the dam will be available to be used
by the community and farmers for stock
watering and irrigation. The DWS will assess
the impact of the dam on the surface water
runoff and if it is decided that the impact will
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 206 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
(5) In stream Fresh Water Dam
Where will the freshwater dam be located and
will it have an overflow or some sort of outlet?
If too much water is used, the dam will not be
able to overflow and therefore the stream and
wetland downstream of the dam will dry up.
The stream flowing into this dam is the only
stream in the area that has not been polluted
yet, and therefore the dam should rather be
constructed off-stream because during the
winter months there will be no runoff, and
therefore the stream won’t be flowing.
(6) Goedehoop’s proposed conveyor belt
Does the proposed conveyor of the Goedehoop
Project form part of the Kwasa project.
Kwasa must consider making use of the
conveyer belt to transport the ROM to
Kiepersol and do the washing there. This will
mean that no wash plant or discard facility
would be needed at Kwasa and therefore the
impacts on the environment will be minimised.
be unacceptable (too severe) on the
downstream water uses the department will
not grant the Water Use License for the
construction of the in stream fresh water
dam. The dam is also being considered at an
off-stream location.
The location of the dam will be discussed
with the applicant and the engineer.
According to the engineer the amount of
water which will be stored in the dam is 90
000m3/annum and the total amount of
runoff from the catchment area is 670
000m3/annum.
(6) No the conveyor only forms part of the
Goedehoop project. Kwasa has nothing to do
with the conveyor.
This suggestion was noted. It does make
sense to do it that way from the
environmental (and economic) perspective
and that Ken Smith would continue to
encourage discussions between Siphiwo and
Jindal to try to reach an agreement.
(7) The applicant would like to sort out the
current pollution but have to wait for the WUL
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 207 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
(7) When do the applicant want to start operation?
(8) Job Creation
If there are any meetings with the communities no
promises should be made if they cannot be kept.
to be granted and Environmental
Authorisation. This could take up to a year.
However DWS has been on site and would
support actions to sort out the current
pollution.
(8) This was noted and it was agreed on
behalf of the applicant.
Jenny Meyer Landowner Mrs Meyer raised the following comments and
concerns:
(1) Storm water runoff
What would happen to runoff water from the
plant?
(2) Dust Pollution
What will be done to minimise dust pollution
from stockpiles during windy conditions.
(3) What will happen to the rehabilitation funds if the
mine is bankrupt?
(4) The landowners would like to be part of the trust
fund controlling body. There should be at least two
signatories from the community for the fund.
(1) Water will be directed to pollution control
dams. Berms and trenches will be
constructed to separate clean water from
dirty water and direct the dirty water to
pollution control dams thus protecting the
surrounding environment. A civil design
engineer will be appointed to design the
storm water management plan.
The intensity of rainfall is important, and the
engineer that will be used, knows the area
well, and will take all aspects into account
when designing the pollution control dams
and storm water management. Regulation
704 governs how those dams are designed,
so it will be according to that. The current
dam was designed for a smaller area, so the
new design will need to be larger.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 208 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
(2) Dust suppression would be undertaken on
stockpiles to minimise dust pollution. The
water used for dust suppression will mainly
be sourced from the PCD’s.
(3) The money for pollution control and
rehabilitation should be dedicated to a
specific mine and should be used to
rehabilitate the specific area, but that in
practice the funds could be allocated by the
DMR to other higher priority mining areas
(4) This was noted.
Guillaume Foster
(attorney)
Representative of Reinette
Boshoff
Mr Foster had the following comments and concerns:
(1) Previous Environmental Impact Assessments
(1) A previous Mining Right had been granted
in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum
Resources Development Act, 2002. The
current EIA is to fulfil the terms under the
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 209 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
Haven’t there been previous EIA’s done at the
Kwasa Colliery?
(2) Business Rescue Process
Ms. Boshoff had a land use and rental
agreement with Kwasa Mining Services for the
lease of the farm house on the property.
Currently, Kwasa Mining Services are in debt to
Ms. Boshoff in the amount of approximately
R412 500.00, plus escalation at 15.5% p.a.
Ms. Boshoff was not informed about the
business rescue application or plan, and thus
was not initially registered as a creditor in the
process.
Foster Attorney wrote a letter to the business
rescue practitioner, and in response was sent
documentation and a claim form with the
regret that they were unaware that the
property owner had a claim. Ms. Boshoff is
concerned over her recognition of a claim,
should the Section 11 (transfer of Mining
Right) go ahead, and if there are sufficient
funds to meet her claim.
National Environmental Management Act,
1998 newest amendments, together with the
Water Use
Licencing programme.
(2) Mr. Ken Smith, as representative of
Siphiwo Investments, acknowledged the
points made, and expressed his intentions to
discuss them with Siphiwo and its strategic
partner, STA.
(3) Noted. These potential impacts will be
assessed in the EIAR.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 210 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
Foster Attorney highlighted irregularities
within the business rescue plan (additional
details of which can be sourced directly from
Mr. Guillaume Foster).
As a result of the frustration caused through
this process, Ms. Boshoff has decided not to
allow anyone onto the property until the
situation is resolved. Ms. Boshoff has an
appeal pending with the
Department of Mineral Resources, against the
Section 11 application from Kwasa Mining
Services (Pty) Ltd to Siphiwo.
Foster Attorney requested Siphiwo Investments
to make a reasonable offer to compensate Ms.
Boshoff, which takes into account the past rent
with interest that was not paid, the value of the
farm in terms of the coal reserves, the
agricultural value, and environmental liability
causing the depreciation of her property.
(3) Environmental Considerations
There is a concern that the mining operation
will prove too costly for Kwasa Colliery to be
successful, and specifically that the
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 211 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
rehabilitation will prove too costly to complete
since Ms. Boshoff has doubts regarding the
amount set aside (of R2 000 000.00) as the
rehabilitation guarantee with the Department
of Mineral Resources.
Extensive erosion has occurred through poor
management of the previous mining area,
which will need to be addressed.
Coal discard is polluting the wetland and river
areas, which will require clean up.
Bradley Gibbons Endangered Wildlife Trust (1) Who will do the ground and surface water
monitoring at the proposed mine?
(2) What will happen if the applicant is unable to
rehabilitate the area due to a lack of funding?
(3) What specialist studies are planned?
(4) People from the outside will come in to look
for jobs, which will change the culture of the
local community. For example new people can
introduce AIDS in the area.
(5) The specialist doing the wetland delineation
should take the weather into account as the
(1) The applicant will decide who to
appoint to do the water monitoring at
the colliery but that there is a
possibility that uKhozi will do the
monitoring.
(2) Siphiwo will need to make provision
for rehabilitation. It would not make
sense for Siphiwo to take over the
liability of the area if they did not
have the financial ability to
rehabilitate.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 212 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
wetlands will look different during the dry
season.
(6) Who will be in control of the re-vegetation
during the rehabilitation process?
(3) The following specialist studies are
planned:
Hydrogeological and Geochemical
Study;
Hydrology Study (still needs to be
commissioned)
Fauna and Flora studies as well as the
Bio monitoring and Wetland
Delineation (Terratest)
Soil Specialist Study (uKhozi
Environmentalists)
Visual Impact Assessment (uKhozi
Environmentalists)
Heritage Impact Assessment
(eThembeni Cultural Heritage)
Integration of the Social and Labour
Plan with the Socio Economic
Assessment (uKhozi
Environmentalists)
(4) There is a section in the WULA which
focusses on the socio-economics of
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 213 of 218
Name: Capacity: Issues & Concerns: Responses:
the area. These issues will also be
addressed during the integration of
the Social and Labour Plan with the
Socio Economic Assessment.
(5) This was noted. The specialists will be
able to delineate the wetlands based
on soils as well as vegetation.
(6) A vegetation specialist will be
involved in order to ensure the
correct vegetation is used to re-
vegetate the areas. The farmers will
also be included during this process.
Ralf Rodewald Landowner (1) Will the proposed conveyor from Goedehoop
miss the Kwasa operation?
(1) The preferred location of the
conveyor has not been finalised yet
but according to the conceptual plans
for Goedehoop the conveyor will run
through Kwasa’s mining right area to
the north of the operational area.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief,
Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 214 of 218
9 Methodology
The report has been compiled through the analysis of various sets of data and
reports, a desk-top analysis, site visits and discussions with mine management. The
planned future operations are described and the related proposed commitments
listed. Updated information regarding predicted impacts on the bio-physical
(specifically - ground and surface water) environment will be made available from
specialist studies which are in the process of being undertaken at the Kwasa Colliery.
The following specialist studies will be incorporated in the final EIA/EMPr upon
completion:
Hydrogeological and Geochemical Study;
Hydrology Study;
Fauna and Flora studies as well as the Bio monitoring and Wetland Delineation;
Soil Specialist Study;
Visual Impact Assessment;
Heritage Impact Assessment;
Integration of the Social and Labour Plan with the Socio Economic Assessment.
The current state of the environment and the proposed construction, operation and
decommissioning activities are described in the report.
Desktop Analysis
A desktop analysis of various sets of information has been conducted during the
compilation of this report. Documents which had been reviewed include the
following:
Addendum to the approved EMPR (March 2010);
Water Use Licence Application report (December 2014);
Specialist groundwater assessment reports all of the above from the previous
Protea Colliery;
Jindal Mining: Africa (Pty) Ltd: Kiepersol Colliery, approved EMPr compiled by
uKhozi Environmentalists;
Various sets of legislation had further been taken into consideration during the
compilation of the report such as:
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief,
Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 215 of 218
The National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No 107 of 1998) (As
amended) (NEMA);
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Act 49 of 2002
(MPRDA);
The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No 36 of 1998)(NWA);
Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, 1998 (10 of 1998) and the South
African Biodiversity Institute (SANBI);
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 and Section 28 of the
National Environmental Management Act, 1998);
National Environmental Management Waste Amendment Act, 2014 (Act No.
26 of 2014);
National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of
2004); and
National Veld and forest Fire Act, 1998 (Act No. 101 of 1998).
Guiding Principles
Several crucial guiding principles govern the environmental impact assessment
exercise, and have been summarised below to give the reader an informed
perspective of this process.
9.2.1 Balanced sustainable approach
The primary objective of arriving at a sustainable solution is to ensure that an
acceptable trade-off is determined, developed and maintained between three
categories of criteria namely;
Social (individual and corporate rights, consultation),
Bio-physical (“environmental”) – no significant compromise in the
ecosystems within the zone of influence, and
Economic factors (feasibility).
The approach of Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) is used as a guiding
principle.
9.2.2 Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO)
The activities and processes for the proposed project are influenced by the following
issues, namely;
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief,
Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 216 of 218
Affording the most benefit to the broadest spectrum of the community;
Causing the least (“ecological”) damage;
Catering for both short and long term impacts;
Identification and evaluation of practicable mitigation alternatives, and
Optimisation of the cost: benefit ratio.
9.2.3 Precautionary Principle
Where risk and/or uncertainty exist, the precautionary principle will be applied,
whereby additional measures are proactively implemented to prevent an occurrence
rather than to have to remedy the consequences of such risk becoming manifest.
Assumptions and limitations
The following assumptions and limitations are relevant to this study:
The report is based on project descriptions from the EMPR that was done
for Kwasa Mining Services in March 2010 and these are likely to undergo a
number of iterations and refinements before it can be regarded as definite.
A project description based on the final design would be provided if
changes occur.
It is assumed that all planned construction activities will use the existing
footprint and related infrastructure where possible;
It is assumed that new adits will be excavated from the existing adit
complex for future planned mining of all the mine-able coal seams.
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief,
Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 217 of 218
10 Environmental Impact Statement
Kwasa Colliery is an abandoned small underground coal mine located on the farm
Goedehoop 169 HT in the Piet Retief district. The colliery was left in an un-
rehabilitated state by the previous owners, Kwasa Mining Services (Pty) Ltd. The
surrounding environment, mainly the surface and groundwater resources are
currently being polluted. The abandoned Kwasa Colliery is a significant point source
of surface and groundwater pollution of the receiving environment. The polluted
water also flows into the sensitive wetlands located in close proximity to the mine.
The Mining Right for Kwasa Colliery has recently been applied to be transferred to
Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd., for which a S.11 transfer of ownership is required, and
has been submitted to the DMR. Discussions are currently being in held in this regard
with the surface owner. Once the Mining Right is transferred to Siphiwo Investments
(Pty) Ltd, they will be responsible for the environmental liabilities. Siphiwo
Investments have committed to implement a designed storm water management
system in order to contain the source of pollution and to rehabilitate the mine at the
end of life. The construction activities can only start once environmental authorisation
is received and the Water Use License is granted by the Department of Water Affairs.
The most significant negative biophysical and socio economic impacts identified in
this report will mainly occur during the construction and operational phases of the
mine and are listed below (some of these impacts are already occurring and will
continue until the mine is rehabilitated):
Surface and groundwater contamination (currently occurring, high
significance);
Groundwater seepage and lowering of the groundwater levels could lead to
springs and fountain drying up (operational phase, high significance)
Reduction in the surface water runoff (construction and operational phase,
moderate significance);
Degradation of sensitive landscapes (currently occurring, high significance)’
Air pollution (construction and operational phases, moderate significance);
Increase traffic which could lead to further degradation of the district roads
(construction and operational phases, moderate significance)
The main positive biophysical and socio economic impacts identified in this report
are:
Containment of the pollution source (construction phase, high significance)
Rehabilitation of the disturbed area during and after mining (decommissioning
phase, high significance)
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Proponent: Siphiwo Investments (Pty) Ltd February 2016
Draft EIA/EMPr for the Refurbishment and Recommissioning of Kwasa Colliery, Piet Retief,
Mpumalanga
uKhozi: KPS600/0216 Page 218 of 218
Increase in employment opportunities (construction and operational phases,
high significance)
When comparing the environmental impacts that will occur if the Kwasa Colliery is
recommissioned to those that is currently occurring due to the state the environment
was left in, the recommissioning of the Kwasa Colliery should not have unmanageable
additional impacts. Some of the impacts that are currently occurring especially those
pertaining to the contamination of the surface and groundwater will be reduced if
proper mitigation measures are installed.
Considering the above the option of mining out the remaining reserve and then using
the funds to rehabilitate the area should be assessed further by undertaking the
specialist investigations identified in Section 10 and incorporating these findings in
the Final EIA and EMP for further consideration by the key stakeholders and
authorities.
The following recommendations are made:
The Authorities (formally) and Stakeholders should provide comments on the
Draft EIA/EMPr in order for an objective and relevant impact assessment to be
finalised, and for informed decisions to be made on the basis thereof.
The decision-making process should proceed to the next step, namely
completion and submission of the Final EIA/EMP Report supplemented by all
the relevant documentation and based on inputs from the specialist studies.
11 Appendices
Appendix A: Public Participation
Appendix B: Historical Data
Appendix C: Motivation for the consideration of the Wakkerstroom Wet Grasslands
Appendix D: Layout Plan
Appendix E: Site Photographs
Appendix F: Specialists Studies
Appendix G: Environmental Awareness Plan
Project Manager: Tommy Olivier Alternate: Inus de Wit
uKhozi Environmentalists uKhozi Environmentalist