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MEC of Economic Development MEC Eric Xayiya
District mayor of West rand Clr Mpho Nawe
Executive mayor of Mogale Clr Koketso Calvin Seerane
MMC present
Members of the Media
Officials presents
Acid mine drainage (AMD) refers to the outflow of acidic water from
(usually abandoned) gold mines. Acid rock drainage occurs naturally
within some environments as part of the rock weathering process, but it
is exacerbated by large-scale earth disturbances characteristic of
mining and other large construction activities. Acid rock drainage
usually occurs within rocks containing an abundance of sulfide
minerals. Acid mine seepage occurs from gold mine dumps when the
water table is raised and polluted by runoff and leaching from the
dumps.
The AMD is evident in different areas of Gauteng and it is cause for
concern. This is because When a mine is abandoned, the pumping
ceases, and water floods the mine void. As the water level rises, the
AMD starts to pollute dolomitic compartments, appears in springs and
eventually flows out into streams. The pollution can be deposited in
streams in the form of a hardened sludge called “yellow boy”, which
contains high level of iron and some toxic materials.
Gauteng has three separated mine voids called basins, i.e. western,
central, and eastern basin. West Rand is located in the western basin,
which is the smallest and has experienced AMD discharge from 2002.
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An Inter-Ministerial Committee was established to advise Government
on AMD, adopted a report from a team of experts that identified
remedial measures in the three basins in the Witwatersrand namely,
Western, Central and Eastern basins. This was part of dealing with the
problem caused by AMD.
A number of interventions have been put in place to deal with the
problem head on. Some of the interventions are already bearing results.
The interventions were implemented in phases and prioritised in the
mostly affected areas.
The Western Basin was the highest priority as it already had
experienced free decanting of AMD since 2002. The immediate solution
in Western basin is operational and the plant is treating 23 to 25 Ml/d.
The untreated decant has now stopped. Further initiatives for this basin
are planned.
GDARD has also completed Gauteng Mine Residue Areas (MRA)
Strategy and busy with its implementation. The implementation includes
awareness campaign on AMD and pilot project on passive treatment.
Furthermore, GDARD with the Department of Economic Development,
Gauteng Department of Local Government and Housing, DWA,
Department of Mineral Resources and the municipalities are busy with
establishing a provincial AMD/MRA Action Committee.
GDARD has completed the development of the Gauteng Mine Residue
Areas (MRA) Strategy which focused mainly on diffuse sources of
mining pollution. The MRA strategy explained linkage between MRA
impacts and AMD. These linkages were quantified in the long term
feasibility study report entitled “The Assessment of Water Quantity and
Quality in the Mine Voids”. The implementation of the MRA strategy for
2012-13 financial year includes undertaking of an awareness campaign
on AMD and a pilot project on passive treatment.
The Council for Geosciences commenced with construction of the
Florida canal (between Florida Lake and Flueurhof Dam) and planned
to construct further canals in DRD (near Randfontein and Adcock
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roads) and New Canada (near Stormwill) in Roodepoort. This will
prevent ingress of surface and groundwater into the underground
workings and reduce AMD pumping costs.
The immediate solution has already been operationalized. The Rand
Uranium Treatment Plant’s additional treatment trains have been
brought back into operation, with refurbishment and installation of
appropriate mechanical and electrical equipment.
Long term intervention
The Gauteng Long-Term Plan for the Management of Acid Mine Drainage
encapsulated provincial initiates on the management of the challenge of
water contamination by acidic decant of both ground and surface water
emanating from disused mines in the Witwatersrand. The Gauteng Longterm Plan does include
initiatives on active treatment, which includes
decant management through pumping, sludge management, neutralisation
and ingress control of AMD. There is also an adequate strategy consisting
of both short-term and long-term intervention at a national level that
addresses active management initiatives in the Witwatersrand, which is in
Gauteng.
The Gauteng Long-term Plan for the Management of Acid Mine Drainage
focuses on active systems for the management of the challenge of water
contamination by AMD. The Plan has the following strategic pillars:
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Research on alternative technologies;
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Development of an implementation framework;
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Formation of strategic alliances;
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Piloting of selected research findings on active systems;
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Institutional arrangements; and
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Communication and awareness
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Monitoring and Evaluation
Financial impact on consumers
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The National Water Act enshrines the principle that the polluter pays. In
March 2005 in the Western Basin, the Department of Water Affairs issued
Section 19 (3) notices to the mines in the Basin to take steps to prevent the
pollution that was occurring; at their cost. In June 2011 when the mines
presented to the Portfolio Committee on Water Affairs they stated that they
were not responsible for the legacy issues. An example of this would be
Central Rand Gold that has been granted new order mining rights in the
Central Basin and who is arguing that they cannot be held responsible for
the problems caused by others.
If the responsible mines companies cannot be held responsible, then costs
must be funded through the taxpayer, or through the consumers who will
benefit the most from the salt load being removed from the Vaal River
System. There are 3 institutional arrangements possible for this:
(a) That the municipalities in the affected basins treat the water and sell
it to their consumers. There are a number of problems with this
approach:
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It introduces a fragmented approach to a regional problem;
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Only 3 municipalities consumers would bear the cost of
treatment whilst consumers in the entire Vaal River System
would benefit: (namely, West Rand District Municipality, City of
Johannesburg and City of Ekurhuleni); and
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It would not holistically solve the other problems of water losses
and unlawful abstraction.
(b) That Rand Water treats the water and sells it to the consumers.
This approach has the advantage that a regional approach can be
taken and the treated water can be integrated into the existing
distribution system. A holistic approach can be taken to water
demand management/water conservation but it would not be able to
deal with unlawful abstraction and end users outside of the Rand
Water area of supply would benefit without incurring any of the
costs.
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(c) That Department of Water Affairs, through the National Water
Resource Infrastructure Branch takes responsibility and deal with all
aspects of water security in the Vaal River System. This would
involve developing an integrated approach to capital expenditure
and tariff setting along the entire value chain to ensure efficiencies
are realized and that the end user receives the maximum benefit.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The collection of data and the interpretation of information on AMD are
critical to all aspects of water management. Without accurate information,
the correct picture of AMD cannot be determined and policy formulation
could be compromised. Hence, information based on well-organised
monitoring programmes is a pre-requisite for accurate assessments of the
status of AMD and the magnitude of the problem.
Monitoring is necessary to collect sufficient and accurate data to inform
decision making, and reduce and manage risks. Therefore the ultimate
goal is to provide information needed for planning, decision making and
operational AMD and related infrastructure at all three basins.
The implementation of the Plan in relation to monitoring will be guided by
the following principles:
(a) An integrated easily accessible monitoring and evaluation system
that supports sustainable water management;
(b) Data on AMD must be collected, managed and protected as a
strategic asset;
(c) The recording of observations on all elements of AMD is essential
for effective management and inter-institutional collaboration; and
(d) Monitoring and evaluation in a decentralised, participatory and multisectoral environment require an effective level of governance and
coordination.
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The Provincial AMD Committee consisting of Department of Agriculture
and Rural Development, Gauteng Planning Commission, COGTA,
Municipality, Research institutions and Universities to meet quarterly to
discuss progress made on the implementation of the Gauteng Long-Term
Plan for the Management of AMD
If nothing is done, the water is predicted to reach the surface and decant at
the lowest points in the Central Basin in the second half of 2015 and to
reach the surface and decant in the Eastern Basin in late 2016. Decant
would be uncontrolled and is likely to occur at several identified points, as
well as at unexpected locations across each basin, due to varying water
levels and connectivity between the near-surface aquifers and the voids.
If this occurs it will again result in fresh water being released from the Vaal
Dam to dilute the salt load. Releasing fresh water from the Vaal Dam
creates an excess of water in the Middle and Lower Vaal and a shortage in
the Upper Vaal, meaning that if a drought occurs water restrictions would
be placed on the consumers in the Upper Vaal catchment, which includes
the City of Johannesburg.
In addition, a Provincial AMD Implementation Framework must identify
and develop for approval the following:
(a) Funding Mechanism
The Plan is based on research on active treatment. The findings of the
research will determine the scope of piloting of the findings. It is therefore
critical to agree on the funding mechanisms as the cost of the piloting will
only be known once pilots have been selected, designed and approved.
The funding mechanism must determine how the funds for the piloting will
be generated, contribution by the parties and budget planning processes.
(b) Resource Framework
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The framework on resource management must identify the contribution of
technical resources and expertise to execute the pilots.
(c) Implementing Agency
The Plan calls for the identification of implementation agency. The call is
based on the best practicable location of execution, providing space to
execute within the mandates, resources and budgets of the partners.
(d) Partnership Approach and Agreements
The Plan must devise a partnership approach and agreement framework to
engage private partners. This framework must provide for engagement of
private partners including research and academic institutions.
The Plan will provide for agreement of participation of private partners in
symbiotic partnerships and relationships.
Job creation implementation
An outcome of the establishment of this project, supported by the previous
and existing projects will impact on the planned construction of mine water
treatment plants with a total capacity of 360 ML/d. The project linked to
implementation with its industrial partners will aim to ensure that these
treatment plants are geared towards the production of re-usable products
such as water for irrigation, industrial use and drinking, as well as the
recovery of products that can be productively utilised in the South African
market. All of these, including minimising the importation of sulphur which
costs the country approximately R2-billion/year will also result in significant
opportunities for job creation.
Communication plan in place
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A communication plan has also been developed to make the public
aware of the progress of the intervention s being made and any
potential danger if the decant is uncontrollable. However, the
Communication and awareness in terms of this Plan are not to duplicate
the national communication strategy and action
plan. The Plan does not advocate for the duplication of an AMD
website, development of brochures on frequently asked questions,
newsletters and press releases.
Lastly, the plan envisions the implementation of treatment systems
through collaborative approach by key stakeholders in the provincial
and local authority space. Creative and innovative approaches need to
be implemented whilst not duplicating the national short-term and long
term initiatives in Gauteng.
I thank you
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