ANGLO OPERATIONS PROPRIETARY LIMITED: LANDAU COLLIERY: NAVIGATION WEST SOUTH BLOCK EXTENSION Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Programme DARDLEA Reference number: 17/2/3N-363 Date: October 2015
Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
ANGLO OPERATIONS PROPRIETARY LIMITED: LANDAU COLLIERY: NAVIGATION WEST SOUTH BLOCK EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
Date: October 2015
Unit C8, Block @ Nature 472 Botterklapper Street Pretoria
Office: + 27 (0)12 807 7036 Fax: +27 (0)12 807 1014
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PROJECT DETAILS
Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs. (MDARDLEA)
Reference No.: 17/2/3N-363
Project Title: Landau Colliery: Navigation West South Block Extension: Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Programme
Project Number: ANG-LAN-14-01-30
Compiled by: Minnette Le Roux
Date: October 2015
Technical Reviewer: Brian Hayes
______Brian Hayes
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Applicant:
Landau Colliery is a business unit of Anglo Coal, a Division of Anglo Operations Proprietary Limited (AOPL), and consists of two sections, namely the Kromdraai Section and the Navigation Section. Coal is mined at Landau Colliery from the No.1, 2 and 4 Seams of the Witbank Coal Field using opencast methods. Coal was historically mined underground at Landau; however this mining method ceased in 1991.
The Navigation Section is divided into three areas, namely the Navigation Plant, Schoongezicht No. 2 Seam mini-pit (also referred to as the Schoonie Mini-Pit) and the Navigation West Section (also referred to as Umlalazi - Mini-Pit). Mining at Navigation West Section is currently done at the North and South Block and coal is crushed and washed at the Ngwenya Plant within the boundary of the Navigation West Section. Navigation West Section is located south of the town KwaMthunzi Vilakazi (Previously known as Clewer) where a combination pre-strip (truck and shovel) and dragline opencast operation is in progress.
Background description:
The Landau Colliery is situated in the Mpumalanga Highveld Region, within the eMalahleni Magisterial District and is served by the eMalahleni Local Municipality, which falls within the Nkangala District Municipality.
Landau Colliery straddles the Wilge River (B2) and Olifants River (B1) Catchment areas and falls in the upper reaches of the tributaries to these watercourses. The Kromdraai Section falls into quarterly sub catchments B20G and B11K. The Navigation Section falls into quarterly sub-catchments B20G, B11K and B11G.
A number of streams and drainage lines associated with the Schoongezicht Spruit, the Grootspruit and the Brugspruit are found within or near the mine boundary area of the Navigation Section. The Schoongezichtspruit originates on-site just north of the Old Navigation Dump and it drains to the north through the Schoongezicht Valley. Navigation Dam, Middle Dam and the Schoongezicht Dam are all pollution control dams within the Schoongezicht valley and are located within the central and northern parts of the Navigation Section mine boundary area. A tributary of the Grootspruit originates on-site, west of the Navigation West area, and it drains to the west. The Clewer Dam and two other unnamed dams are all in-stream dams of this tributary. The Schoongezichtspruit and Highveld Steel Spruit drain the northern part of the Navigation Section towards the Brugspruit that flows into the Klipspruit.
Features such as the Blaauwkrans Co-disposal Facility, old mine dumps, the railway link from Kromdraai Section to the Navigation Beneficiation Plant, an overland conveyer from the Navigation
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Beneficiation Plant to the Rapid Loading Terminal, the surface water management system and old diggings are representative of the mining and related activities that have taken place at the Navigation Section.
Other infrastructure at the Navigation Section includes the pipelines between the Navigation Plant and the Emalahleni Water Reclamation Plant (EWRP), which convey contaminated mine water to the EWRP.
Landau Colliery proposes to extend the Life of Mine at the Navigation Section by expanding the mining at the Navigation West-South Block opencast pit.
Location:
The proposed Navigation West - South Block Extension Project and associated infrastructure will be located on Portion 2 of the farm Elandsfontein 309 JS.
The centre co-ordinates of the site are as follows: • 25º 58.048’ S. • 29º 12.111’ E.
Project description:
Landau Colliery proposes to extend the Life of Mine at the Navigation Section by expanding the mining at the existing Navigation West - South Block opencast pit.
The following mining and related activities, which are expected to impact on the surrounding environmental aspects during the construction phase of the proposed Navigation West –South Block Extension project include, but are not limited to the following: • The construction of haul roads and the upgrading of the existing Navigation West access road to accommodate the additional trucks. • The development of the initial box-cut with ramp. • Stripping and separate stockpiling of topsoil, subsoil and overburden of the initial box-cut at the opencast area. • Construction of storm water management measures such as berms for the separation of clean and dirty water management areas. • Erection of the tip and potentially in-pit crushers for the separate processing of the No. 4 Top Seam and No. 4 Select Seam ROM coal. • The expansion of the existing Navigation West Pollution Control Dam. • The construction of ablution facilities.
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• The construction of pipelines for the removal of groundwater influx and mine process water from the open pits to enable mining to continue safely and efficiently. • The internal relocation of 22kV powerline. • Diversion of the Sasol gas pipeline away from the proposed mining area.
The following mining and related activities, which are expected to impact on the surrounding environmental aspects during the operational phase of the proposed Navigation West –South Block project include, but are not limited to the following: • Progressive development of the box-cut(s), including continues stripping and stockpiling or direct placing of topsoil, subsoil and overburden. • Construction of haul roads and ramps as mining progresses. • Blasting followed by extraction of the No. 5 and No. 4 Top Seam coal and subsequently extraction of No. 4 Seam Select coal. • Concurrent rehabilitation of the opencast pit areas will be undertaken as the pit advances. Carbonaceous material will be placed back into the open voids up to the coal level, followed by the sequential replacing and compaction of overburden and subsoil layers, followed by the replacement of topsoil prior to the re-vegetation of the surface as part of the rehabilitation strategy that will be implemented by the Navigation West Section. • Hauling of ROM coal to the tip and potentially in-pit crushers, with separate crushing and stockpiling of crushed ROM coal from the No. 4 Top Seam, the No. 4 Select Seam and the No.5 Seam. • The lower No. 4 Select Seam is to be hauled to either Ngwenya Plant or Navigation Plant for processing. • The No. 4 Top Seam is transported to Eskom, or one of the municipalities generating their own power e.g. Rooiwal. • Discard is to be returned to the tip from the plant using return trip of ROM haulers. • Discard required to fill up the mining void to avoid the formation of post-mining depressions. • Utilisation of water management measures including pollution control measures such as the pollution control dam and the construction of additional water management measures as required in the development of the Navigation West - South Block opencast area. • Utilisation of the existing Ngwenya Plant to wash the No.4 Select Seam coal. • Utilisation of the existing infrastructure at Navigation West such as: o Site offices. o Ablution facilities o Workshops. o Security facilities (access boom and guard hut). o A fuel depot. o Wash-bay. o Storage areas. o Waste accumulation areas.
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o Pipelines for the transportation of potable water (for domestic use) and process water (for dust suppression and process use). o Transportation of sewage sludge from the onsite sewage facilities to the sewage treatment plant at Navigation Section. o Slurry will be pumped to the existing slurry dams to dry and from the slurry dams disposed of in the pits. o The tip and in-pit crushers for the separate processing of the No.4 Top Seam and No.4 Select Seam ROM coal. o Pipelines for the transportation of excess contaminated water from the proposed pollution control dam to the Navigation Dam. o Water pumped to the Navigation West PCD is re-used at the Ngwenya Plant and also for dust suppression o Removal of groundwater influx and mine process water from the open pits to enable mining to continue safely and efficiently.
The following mining and related activities, which are expected to impact on the surrounding environmental aspects during the decommissioning phase of the proposed Navigation West –South Block project include, but are not limited to the following:. • Backfilling of the final void(s). • Removal of carbonaceous material from areas such as footprints of ROM coal stockpiles, crusher plant areas, along haul roads, and disposal in the final voids prior to final rehabilitation. • Levelling of remaining in-pit spoils, and shaping and landscaping of rehabilitated open voids. • Removal of infrastructure at the tip area as well as ripping of tip area and haul roads. • Removal of redundant surface infrastructure (depending on the agreed end land use), and rehabilitation of the remaining footprint areas. • Monitoring and maintenance of rehabilitated surface land use areas, as well as surface water and groundwater. • Utilisation and management of the water balance to reflect the actual situation during the Decommissioning Phase.
Process:
As part of the proposed new South Block Extension Project project listed activities defined under the National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA, 1998) and the regulations thereunder will take place.
In order to obtain environmental authorisation, a Scoping Report and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIR) must be compiled as described in terms of Regulations 26 to 35 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 promulgated in terms of Section 24(5), 24M and 44 of the NEMA, 1998.
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It is the intention of this EIR to provide the necessary information pertaining to the proposed activities associated with the project, as required in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (EIA Regulations R543: EIA Regulations in terms of Chapter 5 of the NEMA, 1998, dated June 2010) under the NEMA, 1998. This EIR intends to highlight all information relevant to the proposed new project only, since the existing operations has been fully described in the approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Programme (EMP) Reports under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002 (MPRDA, 2002).
Anticipated impacts:
Regulation 31 (of Regulation 543) of the EIA Regulations, 2010, under NEMA, 1998, requires that an EIR includes an assessment of the status, extent, duration, probability, reversibility, replaceability of resources, and mitigatory potential of the major potential environmental impacts of the proposed project be undertaken.
The identification and prediction of the nature of each impact, the evaluation of each impact by rating its significance and the management and mitigation measures adopted to address each impact, have been assessed during the EIR.
The activities associated with the proposed project are described in full in Part 3 and the anticipated impacts of the proposed project are described in Part 7.
The major impacts that are expected to occur as a result of the anticipated activities as part of the proposed project within the existing mine boundary area, may combine with impacts resulting from surrounding activities and land uses to form cumulative impacts, or to contribute to cumulative impacts that already exist. Regulation 28 (g) (of Regulation 543) of the EIA Regulations dated 2010, under the NEMA, 1998 requires that cumulative impacts are also considered. Refer to Part 7.4 for a description of the Cumulative impacts.
The table below provides a summary of significant environmental impacts that after mitigation, will remain of high significance. GEOLOGY Permanent change in geology H As the development of the open pit progress this will cause a permanent change in the topography and geology. This change in topography will continue until post closure. GROUNDWATER Dewatering During the operational phase the open pit mining will be active, which will cause the H dewatering of the surrounding aquifer(s), the degree of which will depend upon the depth and
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extent of the open pit. The aquifers affected by the cone of depression will depend on the final depth of the pit. It is expected that the pit will not exceed a depth of 40 m. Privately owned boreholes situated to the west of the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project could be potentially impacted upon by pit dewatering.
Pit dewatering from the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project may have a significant impact on the Hillslope Seepage Wetland situated to the immediate north-west including and also on the Valley Bottom Wetland towards the south-east of the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project, but to a lesser extent. Due to it being mostly groundwater fed the drawdown simulated of between 15- and 30 m will most probably have a significant impact on its feed water source/s and will therefore impact on the functionality of it (Shangoni AquiScience, 2014).
Rehabilitation of final void and post closure Decant of backfilled open pits can in most cases not be prevented and the risk of ARD in coal mining operations remain a significant hazard towards the surface and groundwater regimes. The limiting factor controlling ARD is oxidation of sulphidic minerals such as pyrite. Rehabilitation of the opencast pit areas should be aimed at duplicating the pre-existing in situ soil profile and entails tipping of coal spoils and other carbonaceous material in the bottom of mined-out cuts. This will be followed by placement of clayey overburden in a dry state, compacted by frequent traversing of the surface after flattening by graders, and a final cover of topsoil. The low permeability clay layer encapsulates the carbonaceous material placed at the bottom of the mined out cuts. These materials should be placed below the regional groundwater level in order to create a reducing redox environment and eliminate contact with oxygen, thus reducing ARD to a minimum. Although the carbonaceous materials will be submerged, horizontal groundwater seepage of clean water as well as limited infiltration of surface water will occur and some contamination will occur over the medium and long-term (Shangoni AquiScience, 2014).
The project will result in a number of positive impacts that relate primarily to economic growth and job creation as reflected in the table below. SOCIO -ECONOMIC The products from the mining operations at Landau Colliery are sold to the South African Positive and international markets. SACE employs more than 900 people at Landau Colliery.
The existing education programme implemented at the mine comprises of the following elements: • New schools. • Adult education. • Vegetable garden.
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• Life skills inclusive of sewing, cooking, health, environmental awareness and entrepreneurial skills. • Community schools.
The safe continuation of the mining and related activities at the Landau Colliery continues employment of staff at the Landau Colliery as well as the continued supply of coal to the local market. As a result of the multiplier effect, the continued operation of the existing Landau Colliery will benefit the local, regional and national economy.
Should Landau Colliery not expand the South Block operations at Navigation West they may be forced to cease operation. Should this have occurred, jobs of personnel currently employed will be lost and the local, regional and national economic benefits of the continuation of the mining and related activities would have been lost.
Mine closure will raise unemployment levels in the region, and would increase significantly as more mines close down.
Content of the report: This EIR (compiled in terms of the NEMA, 1998) is divided into the following parts: • Part 1: Introduction. • Part 2: Governance framework • Part 3: Description of the project • Part 4: Description of the existing environment. • Part 5: Public Participation Process. • Part 6: Description of alternatives. • Part 7: Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Statement. • Part 8: Environmental Management programme • Part 9: Emergency and Remediation Procedure • Part 10: Monitoring and Auditing • Part 11: Mine Closure and Financial Provisioning • Part 12: Environmental Awareness Plan • Part 13: Assumptions, Uncertainties and Knowledge Gaps. • Part 14: Discussion and Conclusion.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES ...... 14
LIST OF TABLES ...... 16
LIST OF APPENDICES ...... 18
REFERENCES ...... 20
DEFINITIONS ...... 27
ABBREVIATIONS ...... 29
1. INTRODUCTION ...... 31
2 GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK ...... 39 2.1 National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 Of 1998), As Amended ...... 39 2.2 Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (No. 28 Of 2002) ...... 46 2.3 National Water Act (No. 36 Of 1998) ...... 47 2.4 National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Act (Act No. 26 of 2014) ...... 50 2.5 The Constitution of the Republic Of South Africa (No. 108 Of 1996) ...... 51 2.6 National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (No 39 of 2004) ...... 51 2.7 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No. 10 of 2004) ...... 52 2.8 The National Heritage Resources Act (No. 25 of 1999) ...... 52 2.9 Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (No 43 Of 1983) ...... 52 2.10 Hazardous Substances Act (No. 15 of 1973) ...... 53 2.11 Department Of Water Affairs’ Best Practice Guidelines, Series A4 ...... 53 2.12 Emalahleni Municipal Bylaws ...... 53
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ...... 56 3.1 Details of the project applicant ...... 56 3.2 Details of the environmental assessment practitioner ...... 56 3.3 Property description ...... 57 3.4 Regional Setting and Location of Activity ...... 62 3.5 Description of the proposed activity ...... 68 3.6 Need and Desirability in terms of the Guideline on Need and Desirability ...... 94
4. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ...... 106 4.1 Geology ...... 107
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4.2. Climate ...... 110 4.3. Topography ...... 115 4.4 Soil ...... 117 4.5. Agricultural potential ...... 121 4.6 Vegetation ...... 124 4.7 Animal life ...... 130 4.9 Surface Water ...... 136 4.10 Groundwater ...... 145 4.11 Air Quality ...... 153 4.12 Noise ...... 154 4.13 Wetlands and sensitive landscapes ...... 154 4.14 Visual Aspects ...... 162 4.15 Sites of Archaeological and cultural importance ...... 162 4.16 Regional Socio-economic aspects ...... 164
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS ...... 169 5.1 Method of Notification ...... 170 5.2 List of I&APs and stakeholders identified ...... 170 5.3 List of organs of state identified ...... 172 5.4 I&AP register ...... 172 5.5 Comments and responses report ...... 175 5.6 Public meetings ...... 192 5.7 Access and opportunity to comment on all written submissions ...... 192 5.8 Consultation with the relevant AUTHORITIES ...... 192
6. DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES ...... 194 6.1 Identified potential alternatives ...... 194 6.2 Methodology applied in assessing alternatives ...... 194 6.3 Description, advantages, disadvantages and comparative assessment of all alternatives considered during the EIA phase ...... 196
7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT, MITIGATION MEASURES AND ACTION PLAN206 7.1 Aims of Environmental Impact Assessment ...... 206 7.2 Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure ...... 206 7.3 Description of Environmental Impacts ...... 213 7.4 Description of Cumulative Impacts ...... 258 7.5 Environmental Impact statement ...... 265
8. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME ...... 270 8.1 Planning And Design Phase ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.
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8.2 Construction Phase ...... 271 8.3 Operational Phase ...... 287 8.4 Decommissioning Phase...... 306 8.5 Closure and Post-Closure Phase ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.
9. EMERGENCY AND REMEDIATION PROCEDURE ...... 316
10. MONITORING AND AUDITING ...... 317 10.1 Monitoring at Landau Colliery ...... 317 10.2 Auditing at Landau Colliery ...... 322
11. MINE CLOSURE AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONING ...... 327 11.1 Objectives and specific goals for mine closure ...... 327 11.2 Financial Provision ...... 334
12. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS PLAN ...... 338 12.1 Objectives of the Environmental Awareness Plan ...... 338 12.2 Scope ...... 338 12.3 Responsibilities ...... 339 12.4 Activity Procedures ...... 339
13. ASSUMPTIONS, UNCERTAINTIES AND KNOWLEDGE GAPS ...... 344
14. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION ...... 346
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LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1: REGIONAL SETTING OF LANDAU COLLIERY ...... 32 FIGURE 2: SURFACE INFRASTRUCTURE SERVING THE NAVIGATION SECTION OF LANDAU COLLIERY ...... 32 FIGURE 3: PROPOSED NAVIGATION WEST - SOUTH BLOCK EXTENSION INFRASTRUCTURE MAP ...... 33 FIGURE 4: QUATERNARY CATCHMENT BOUNDARIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE LANDAU COLLIERY ...... 58 FIGURE 5: PRE -MINING TOPOGRAPHY AND WATER FEATURES ...... 59 FIGURE 6: EXISTING LIFE OF MINE PLAN FOR THE NAVIGATION WEST - SECTION ...... 64 FIGURE 7: PROPOSED LIFE OF MINE (LOM) PLAN FOR THE NAVIGATION WEST - SOUTH BLOCK ...... 65 FIGURE 8: THE LOCATION OF THE SASOL GAS PIPELINE RELATIVE TO THE NAVIGATION WEST SECTION ...... 67 FIGURE 9: ADJACENT LAND USES RELEVANT TO THE NAVIGATION WEST SECTION ...... 67 FIGURE 10: TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR NAVIGATION WEST SECTION ...... 76 FIGURE 11: INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ...... 78 FIGURE 12: DIRTY AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NAVIGATION WEST SOUTH BLOCK ...... 80 FIGURE 13: NAVIGATION WEST SOUTH BLOCK EXTENSION SWMP ...... 81 FIGURE 14: AVERAGE MONTHLY WATER BALANCE ...... 85 FIGURE 15: 1:50 YEAR 72 HOUR FLOOD SCENARIO WATER BALANCE ...... 86 FIGURE 16: GENERAL GEOLOGICAL PROFILE OF THE WITBANK REGION ...... 107 FIGURE 17: BOREHOLE LOGS IN THE VICINITY OF THE NAVIGATION WEST SOUTH BLOCK EXTENSION ...... 109 FIGURE 18: AVERAGE MONTHLY MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES (W ITBANK WEATHER STATION ) ... 110 FIGURE 19: SEASONAL WIND ROSES AS MODELLED FOR OGIES ...... 114 FIGURE 20: TOPOGRAPHY OF LANDAU COLLIERY ...... 116 FIGURE 21: PRE -MINING SOIL DISTRIBUTION AT THE NAVIGATION WEST SECTION ...... 118 FIGURE 22: PRE -MINING LAND CAPABILITY CLASSES AT THE NAVIGATION WEST SECTION ...... 120 FIGURE 23: PRE -MINING LAND USE AT THE NAVIGATION WEST SECTION ...... 122 FIGURE 24: AERIAL IMAGE OF THE NAVIGATION WEST SOUTH BLOCK EXTENSION AREA ) ...... 124 FIGURE 25: REGIONAL VEGETATION UNITS (EXTRACTED FROM PACHNODA , 2014) ...... 125 FIGURE 26: SUITABLE HABITATS WITHIN THE STUDY AREA FOR THE AFRICAN GRASS OWL ...... 134 FIGURE 27: SUITABLE HABITATS FOR THE BLUE KORHAAN AND THE SECRETARY BIRD ...... 135 FIGURE 28: QUATERNARY CATCHMENTS IN RELATION TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT SITE ...... 138 FIGURE 29: LANDAU NAVIGATION WEST , ASSOCIATED CATCHMENTS, FLOOD PEAKS AND VOLUMES ...... 139 FIGURE 30: BASELINE SURFACE WATER MONITORING LOCALITIES (EXTRACTED FROM SHANGONI , 2015) .... 143 FIGURE 31: POSITIONS OF THE PRIVATELY OWNED BOREHOLES (EXTRACTED FROM AQUI SCIENCE , 2014) . 147 FIGURE 32: POSITION OF THE BOREHOLES INCLUDED IN THE BASELINE HYDROCENSUS ) ...... 150 FIGURE 33: OPERATIONAL PHASE CONCEPTUAL MODEL (EXTRACTED FROM AQUI SCIENCE , 2014) ...... 152 FIGURE 34: CLOSURE PHASE CONCEPTUAL MODEL (EXTRACTED FROM AQUI SCIENCE , 2014) ...... 152 FIGURE 35: THE MPUMALANGA BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN 2013 IN RELATION TO THE STUDY AREA ...... 155 FIGURE 36: EXTRACT FROM THE ATLAS OF FEPA IN RELATION TO THE STUDY AREA ) ...... 156 FIGURE 37: WETLAND DELINEATION AND CLASSIFICATION (EXTRACTED FROM WETLAND , 2015) ...... 157 FIGURE 38: MAP SHOWING THE PROPOSED MINE PLAN IN RELATION TO THE DELINEATED WETLANDS ...... 158 FIGURE 39: RADIAL PLOTS OF THE TYPICAL FUNCTIONS OF HILLSLOPE SEEPAGE AND VALLEY BOTTOM ...... 159
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FIGURE 40: DELINEATED WETLANDS AND THEIR RESULTANT PES ...... 160 FIGURE 41: EIS OF THE DELINEATED WETLANDS WITHIN THE STUDY ARE ...... 161 FIGURE 42: MAP INDICATING THE LAND USES OF THE AREA SURROUNDING THE NAVIGATION SECTION (EXTRACTED FROM THE APPROVED EMPR, DATED 2010 ) ...... 162 FIGURE 43: GPS TRACK LOG OF THE SURVEY (EXTRACTED FROM PISTORIUS , 2014) ...... 164 FIGURE 44: EMPLOYMENT STATUS FOR PERSONS BETWEEN 15 AND 65 YEARS OLD ...... 166 FIGURE 45: IMPACT PREDICTION MODEL ...... 207 FIGURE 46: BASELINE SURFACE WATER SAMPLING LOCATIONS ...... 319 FIGURE 47: PROPOSED MONITORING BOREHOLES INDICATED BY RED CIRCLES , EXISTING MONITORING NETWORK BY GREEN TRIANGLES ...... 321
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LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 1:T HE EIR IN TERMS OF THE EIA REGULATIONS (2010), UNDER THE NEMA (1998) ...... 34 TABLE 2:T HE EMP IN TERMS OF THE EIA REGULATIONS (2010), UNDER THE NEMA (1998) ...... 36 TABLE 3: LISTED ACTIVITIES IN TERMS OF NEMA, 1998 ...... 40 TABLE 4: DETAILS OF THE APPLICANT ...... 56 TABLE 5: DETAILS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER ...... 56 TABLE 6: FARM PORTIONS FOR WHICH LANDAU COLLIERY HAS MINING RIGHTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NAVIGATION SECTION ...... 60 TABLE 7: SURFACE OWNERS OF THE FARM PORTIONS OF THE LAND WITHIN , AND SURROUNDING , THE MINE BOUNDARY AREA OF THE NAVIGATION SECTION OF LANDAU COLLIERY ...... 60 TABLE 8: ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES OF THE LANDAU COLLIERY ...... 62 TABLE 9:E STIMATED RESERVES AND RESOURCES AT LANDAU COLLIERY (D ECEMBER 2014) ...... 71 TABLE 10: PLANNED PRODUCTION RATE FROM 2015 ONWARDS ...... 72 TABLE 11: TECHNICALLY JUSTIFIED MINING PERIOD – UMLALAZI SOUTH ...... 73 TABLE 12: LIST OF PRODUCT CONSUMERS ...... 90 TABLE 13: ESTIMATE OF MINING OPERATIONS COSTS (2010) ...... 90 TABLE 14: ESTIMATE OF PROCESSING COSTS ...... 91 TABLE 15: WORKFORCE PROFILE FOR LANDAU COLLIERY AS PER OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORIES (2010) ...... 93 TABLE 16: NEED AND DESIRABILITY OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ...... 95 TABLE 17: TERMINOLOGY ...... 106 TABLE 18: AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION AND EVAPORATION ...... 110 TABLE 19: DESIGN RAINFALL DEPTHS (MM ) AT 0515355 W LANDAU MINE ...... 111 TABLE 20: MAXIMUM RAINFALL INTENSITIES IN 24 HOURS (K WA MTHUNZI VILIKAZI WEATHER STATION ) ..... 111 TABLE 21: PRE -MINING DISTRIBUTION OF SOIL TYPES AT THE NAVIGATION WEST SECTION ...... 119 TABLE 22: AREAS AND PERCENTAGES OF LAND CAPABILITY CLASSES ...... 119 TABLE 23: AREAS AND PERCENTAGES FOR PRE -MINING LAND USES A ...... 121 TABLE 24: HISTORICAL AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL FOR CULTIVATION ...... 121 TABLE 25: CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL SOIL ANALYSIS RESULTS (ADAPTED FROM ZONELAND , 2014) ...... 123 TABLE 26: PLANT SPECIES CHARACTERISTIC OF THE RAND HIGHVELD GRASSLAND AND THE EASTERN HIGHVELD GRASSLAND (T AKEN FROM PACHNODA , 2014) ...... 126 TABLE 27: SPECIES RECORDED IN VEGETATION COMMUNITY 1 ...... 128 TABLE 28: SPECIES RECORDED IN VEGETATION COMMUNITY 2 ...... 128 TABLE 29: SPECIES RECORDED IN VEGETATION COMMUNITY 3 ...... 129 TABLE 30: SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN (ADAPTED FROM PACHNODA , 2014) ...... 131 TABLE 31: DOMINANT SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE FIELD SURVEY ...... 132 TABLE 32: CATCHMENT CHARACTERISTICS ...... 136 TABLE 33: PEAK RUNOFF FOR DIFFERENT RETURN PERIODS (EXTRACTED FROM SHANGONI , 2015) ...... 140 TABLE 34: PEAK RUNOFF FOR DIFFERENT RETURN PERIODS (EXTRACTED FROM SHANGONI , 2015) ...... 140 TABLE 35: EXPECTED MEAN ANNUAL RUNOFF AND FLOOD VOLUMES (EXTRACTED FROM SHANGONI , 2015) 141 TABLE 36: EXPECTED MEAN ANNUAL RUNOFF VOLUMES (EXTRACTED FROM SHANGONI , 2015) ...... 141
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TABLE 37: SAMPLING LOCALITIES AND CORRESPONDING INFORMATION ...... 142 TABLE 38: BASELINE SURFACE WATER QUALITY RESULTS (EXTRACTED FROM SHANGONI , 2015) ...... 144 TABLE 39: PRIVATELY OWNED BOREHOLES – HYDROCENSUS (EXTRACTED FROM AQUI SCIENCE , 2014) ..... 145 TABLE 40: GROUNDWATER OCCURRENCES AND CLASSIFICATION (EXTRACTED FROM AQUI SCIENCE , 2014) 148 TABLE 41: INFERRED RECHARGE VALUE FOR THE STUDY AREA (EXTRACTED FROM AQUI SCIENCE , 2014) ... 148 TABLE 42: BOREHOLES INCLUDED IN THE BASELINE HYDROCENSUS ...... 149 TABLE 43: BASELINE HYDROCENSUS BOREHOLES - HYDROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS RESULTS ...... 150 TABLE 44: DELINEATED WETLAND TYPES (ADAPTED FROM WETLAND , 2015) ...... 156 TABLE 45 PES ASSESSMENT RESULTS (ADAPTED FROM WETLAND , 2015) ...... 159 TABLE 46: PREVALENCE OF DISABLED BY TYPE OF DISABILITY ...... 166 TABLE 47: NUMBER OF RECIPIENTS OF SOCIAL GRANTS IN 2007 ...... 167 TABLE 48: LIST OF I&AP S NOTIFIED ...... 171 TABLE 49 LIST OF ORGANS OF STATE NOTIFIED ...... 172 TABLE 50: LIST OF ALL REGISTERED I&AP S ...... 172 TABLE 51: ISSUES RECEIVED TO DATE , AND RESPONSES TO THESE ISSUES ...... 175 TABLE 52: SITE SELECTION CRITERIA ...... 195 TABLE 53: CATEGORY WEIGHTING ...... 196 TABLE 54: ALTERNATIVE IN TERMS OF THE PIT LAYOUT OPTIONS ...... 197 TABLE 55: COMPARATIVE REVIEW – ALTERNATIVES IN TERMS OF PIT LAYOUT OPTIONS ...... 197 TABLE 56: ALTERNATIVE IN TERMS OF THE CRUSHER ...... 198 TABLE 57: COMPARATIVE REVIEW – ALTERNATIVES IN TERMS OF CRUSHER OPTIONS ...... 200 TABLE 58: ALTERNATIVE IN TERMS OF THE POLLUTION CONTROL DAM ...... 201 TABLE 59: COMPARATIVE REVIEW – ALTERNATIVES IN TERMS OF ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE ...... 201 TABLE 60: ASSESSMENT OF LAND USE ALTERNATIVES ...... 202 TABLE 61: DETERMINATION OF PROBABILITY OF IMPACT ...... 208 TABLE 62: DETERMINATION OF MAGNITUDE OF IMPACT ...... 209 TABLE 63: DETERMINATION OF SEVERITY OF IMPACT ...... 212 TABLE 64: CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ...... 258 TABLE 65: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS (NEGATIVE ), AFTER MITIGATION ...... 266 TABLE 66: SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS (POSITIVE ), AFTER MITIGATION ...... 267 TABLE 67: PHYSICAL CLOSURE CRITERIA FOR LANDAU COLLIERY (P RELIMINARY CLOSURE PLAN – DRAFT ) 327 TABLE 68: BIOPHYSICAL CLOSURE CRITERIA FOR LANDAU COLLIERY ...... 331 TABLE 69: SOCIO -ECONOMIC CLOSURE CRITERIA FOR LANDAU COLLIERY (P RELIMINARY CLOSURE PLAN – DRAFT ) ...... 333 TABLE 70: SUMMARY OF CLOSURE COST FOR THE PROPOSED SOUTH BLOCK EXTENSION PROJECT ...... 336 TABLE 71: REPORTS AND DOCUMENTS FOR TRAINING PURPOSES...... 343 TABLE 72: SPECIALIST ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS ...... 344
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LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX A PLANS Plan 1: Regional setting of Landau Colliery Plan 2: Surface infrastructure serving the Navigation Section of Landau Colliery Plan 3: Proposed navigation West-South Block Extension Infrastructure map Plan 4: Map indicating the catchment boundaries relevant to Landau Colliery Plan 5: Pre-mining topography and water features near and within the Navigation West Section (2007) Plan 6: Existing Life of Mine (LOM) plan for the Navigation West Section Plan 7: Proposed Life of Mine (LOM) plan for the Navigation West – South Block Extension project Plan 8: Location of the Sasol gas pipeline relative to the Navigation West Section Plan 9: Adjacent land uses relevant to the Navigation West Section Plan 10: Navigation West Existing infrastructure plan Plan 11: Traffic Management Plan for the Navigation West Section Plan 12 Diagrammatic representation of the Integrated Water Management System at the Navigation Section of Landau Colliery Plan 13: Stormwater management measure at Navigation Section Plan 14: General geological profile of the Witbank region depicting the five (5) coal seams Plan 15: Typical geological stratigraphy at the Navigation West Section: North Block Plan 16: Average monthly maximum and minimum temperatures (Witbank weather station) Plan 17: Seasonal wind roses as modelled for Ogies (South African Weather Service, 2009) Plan 18: Pre-mining soil distribution at the Navigation West Section Plan 19: Pre-mining land capability classes at the Navigation West Section. Plan 20: Pre-mining land use at the Navigation West Section Plan 21: The spatial position of the study area in context of the regional vegetation types as defined by Mucina & Rutherford (2006). Plan 22: A map illustrating the local conservation categories based on the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan (2013). Plan 23: A map illustrating the remaining threatened ecosystems on the study site. Plan 24: Regional vegetation unit in which the study area is located. Plan 25: Local vegetation map based on a vegetation survey completed during March 2014. Plan 26: A sensitivity map based on the structure and floristic composition of the study site. Plan 27: Surface water monitoring points at Landau Colliery Plan 28: Groundwater monitoring localities
APPENDIX B: GOVERNMENT CORRESPONDENCE AND STAKEHOLDER AGREEMENTS Appendix B1: DARDLEA correspondence Appendix B1.1: Acknowledgement of receipt Appendix B1.2: Comments Appendix B2: DWS correspondence
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Appendix B2.1: Pre-Application Meeting 1 Appendix B2.2: Comments Appendix B3: Sasol Gas Limited Appendix B3.1: Sasol meeting 1 Appendix B3.2: Sasol meeting 2
APPENDIX C: DETAILS OF THE EAP Appendix C1: Curriculum Vitae of Minnette Le Roux
APPENDIX D: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Appendix D1: Advertisement Appendix D1.1: English Advert Appendix D1.2: Proof of English Advert in Newspaper Appendix D2: Site Notices Appendix D2.1: English site notice Appendix D2.2: Locality of site notices Appendix D2.3: Proof of site notices Appendix D3: Background Information Document Appendix D3.1: Copy of the Background Information Document Appendix D3.2: Copy of Background Information Document letter Appendix D4: Proof of Notifications Appendix D4.1: E-mailed notifications Appendix D4.2: Faxed notifications Appendix D4.3: Posted notifications Appendix D5: Public meeting Appendix D6: Comments received
APPENDIX E: SUPPORTING INFORMATION Appendix E1: DWA Landau Quarterly Report Appendix E2: Resource Water Quality Objectives for Anglo Coal Appendix E3: Geohydrological Study. Appendix E4: Fauna and Flora Study. Appendix E5: Wetland Study. Appendix E6: Soil, land-use and land capability Study. Appendix E7: Hydrology Study. Appendix E8: Blasting and Vibration Study. Appendix E9: Heritage Impact Assessment.
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DEFINITIONS
Environment The surroundings (biophysical, social and economic) within which humans exist and that are made up of • the land, water and atmosphere of the earth; • micro-organisms, plant and animal life; • any part or combination of (i) and (ii) and the interrelationships among and between them; and • the physical, chemical, aesthetic and cultural properties and conditions of the foregoing that influence human health and wellbeing.
Environmental Aspects Elements of an organisation’s activities, products or services that can interact with the environment.
Environmental Degradation Refers to pollution, disturbance, resource depletion, loss of biodiversity, and other kinds of environmental damage; usually refers to damage occurring accidentally or intentionally as a result of human activities.
Environmental Impacts Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organisation’s activities, products or services.
Environmental Impact Assessment Means a systematic process of identifying, assessing and reporting environmental impacts associated with an activity and includes basic assessment and S&EIR;.
Environmental Impact Report A report assessing the potential significant impacts as identified during the environmental impact assessment.
Environmental impact An environmental change caused by some human act.
Land use The various ways in which land may be employed or occupied. Planners compile, classify, study and analyse land use data for many purposes, including the identification of trends, the forecasting of space and infrastructure requirements, the provision of adequate land area for necessary types of land use, and the development or revision of comprehensive plans and land use regulations.
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Pollution Prevention Any activity that reduces or eliminates pollutants prior to recycling, treatment, control or disposal.
Public Participation Process A process of involving the public in order to identify needs, address concerns, in order to contribute to more informed decision making relating to a proposed project, programme or development.
Topography Topography, a term in geography, refers to the "lay of the land” or the physio-geographic characteristics of land in terms of elevation, slope and orientation.
Vegetation All of the plants growing in and characterising a specific area or region; the combination of different plant communities found there.
Waste ‘waste’ means— a) any substance, material or object, that is unwanted, rejected, abandoned, discarded or disposed of, or that is intended or required to be discarded or disposed of, by the holder of that substance, material or object, whether or not such substance, material or object can be re-used, recycled or recovered and includes all wastes as defined in Schedule 3 to the National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Act, 2014; or b) any other substance, material or object that is not included in Schedule 3 that may be defined as a waste by the Minister by notice in the Gazette
Residue Stockpile Residue stockpile means any debris, discard, tailings, slimes, screening, slurry, waste rock, foundry sand, beneficiation plant waste, ash or any other product derived from or incidental to a mining operation and which is stockpiled, stored or accumulated for potential re-use, or which is disposed of, by the holder of a mining right, mining permit, production right or an old order right.
Residue Deposit Residue deposit means any residue stockpile remaining at the termination, cancelation or expiry of a prospecting right, mining right, mining permit, exploration right, production right or an old order right.
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ABBREVIATIONS
AMD Acid Mine Drainage ADT Articulated Dump Trucks AOPL Anglo Operations Proprietary Limited AEMC Attainable Ecological Management Classes ARC Agricultural Research Council BID Background Information Document CBD Central Business District CRR Comments and Response Report DARDLEA Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs DWA Department of Water Affairs DWS Department of Water and Sanitation DMR Department of Mineral Resources DoA National Department of Agriculture EAP Environmental Assessment Practitioner EA Plan Environmental Awareness Plan EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EIS Ecological Importance and Sensitivity EIR Environmental Impact Report ELM Emahlaleni Local Municipality EMC Ecological Management Class EMF Environmental Management Framework EMP Environmental Management Programme GN Government Notice IDP Integrated Development Plan IWULA Integrated Water Use Licence Application IWWMP Integrated Water and Waste Management Plan ISCW Institute for Soil Climate and Water I&AP Interested and Affected Party KM Kilometres KV Kilovolts LOM Life of Mine MAMSL Metres Above Mean Sea Level MAP Mean Annual Precipitation MAE Mean Annual Evaporation MM Millimetres MDEDET Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MPRDA Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002 MPRDR Mineral and Petroleum Resource Development Regulations R 527, dated April 2004 MPTA Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency MT Million Tons MWP Mining Works Programme
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NEMA National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998 as amended PES Present Ecological State PPP Public Participation Process R Regulation RE Remaining Extent RL T Rapid Loading Terminal ROM Run of Mine SASS South African Scoring System S&EIR Scoping and Environmental Impact Report
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1. INTRODUCTION
Landau Colliery is a business unit of Anglo Coal, a Division of Anglo Operations Proprietary Limited (AOPL) and consists of two sections, namely the Kromdraai Section and the Navigation Section. Landau Colliery falls within the Emalahleni Local Municipality of the Nkangala District Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province (refer to Figure 1 below and Plan 1 in Appendix A).
The Kromdraai Section is divided into the Kromdraai opencast mine and the Excelsior mini –pit. It is situated 15 km north-west of Emalahleni and approximately 5 km north of the Navigation Section of Landau Colliery.
The Navigation Section is located approximately 6km south-west of Emalahleni. It is divided into three areas, namely the Navigation Plant, Schoongezicht No. 2 Seam mini-pit (also referred to as the Schoonie Mini-Pit) and the Navigation West Section (also referred to as Navigation West - Mini-Pit). Mining at Navigation West Section is currently done at the North and South Block and coal is crushed and washed at the Ngwenya Plant within the boundary of the Navigation West Section. Navigation West Section is located south of the town KwaMthunzi Vilakazi (Previously known as Clewer) where a combination pre-strip (truck and shovel) and dragline opencast operation is in progress.
Coal is mined at Landau Colliery from the No.1, 2, and 4 Seams of the Witbank Coal Field using opencast methods. Coal at Landau was historically mined as an underground operation; however this mining method ceased in 1991.
Landau Colliery proposes to extend the Life of Mine at the Navigation Section by expanding the mining of the Navigation West: South Block opencast pit (Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 below, and Plan 2 and 3 in Appendix A
It is the intention of this EIA and EMP (which has been compiled in terms of the NEMA, 1998) to provide the necessary information pertaining to the proposed activities associated with the new project, as required in terms of the EIA Regulations (EIA Regulations R543: Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations in terms of Chapter 5 of the NEMA, 1998, dated June 2010) under the NEMA, 1998. This EIA and EMP intends to highlight all information relevant to the proposed new project only, since the existing operations has been fully described in the current approved Environmental Management Programme (EMP) under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002 (MPRDA, 2002).
The EIA process, which is undertaken subsequent to the Scoping Process, is conducted in accordance with Regulations 31 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, (2010) under the NEMA, 1998. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed project include detailed information pertaining to anticipated or potential impacts that may be associated with the proposed project.
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Figure 1: Regional setting of Landau Colliery (Source: Approved EMPR dated 2010 )
Figure 2: Surface infrastructure serving the Navigation Section of Landau Colliery (Source: Approved EMPR dated 2010 )
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Figure 3: Proposed Navigation West - South Block Extension infrastructure map
1.1 PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED 1.1.1 Objectives of the EIA Process and the EIA EIA is the procedure, which is undertaken during the final stages of the Planning Phase of a project, and is used to identify, predict and assess the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project on the environment. The EIA is used to inform decision-making. This process is required for the proposed project in terms of the NEMA (1998) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (2010) there under.
The objectives of the EIA Process are to:
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• Provide an opportunity for the Applicant, relevant Authorities and Interested and Affected Parties (I&Aps) to exchange information and express their views and concerns regarding the proposed project before the EIA is undertaken. • Focus the study on relevant anticipated impacts, propose management and mitigatory action for these anticipated impacts (in the form of an Environmental Management Programme (EMP), record and address issues and concerns generated by Authorities and I&APs (during the required public review period), as well as the provision of reasonable alternatives. This should ensure that the resulting EIA is useful to the Authorities for decision-making, and addresses the impacts, issues and concerns as identified. • Facilitate an efficient assessment process that saves time, resources and costs.
The objectives of the EIA Report is to provide: • Provide the Regulatory Authorities with sufficient information to inform decision-making with regards to the proposed project. • Develop an integrated document for implementation that will aim at efficient environmental management, including the management of possible long-term impacts and the carrying out of rehabilitation-, mitigation- and management measures in such a manner to ensure the long-term sustainability of the rehabilitated surface.
1.1.2 Methodology applied to conducting the EIA process The EIA Process for the project is carried out in terms of the NEMA (1998). The EIA Process therefore consists of the following: • After approval of the Scoping Report by the DARDLEA, the EIA process proceeds with the tasks contemplated in the plan of study for environmental impact assessment and prepare an EIR. • An EIR describing all relevant activities associated with the project and related activities. • The EIR must be made available to the public for comment for a period of 60 days. • All comments received from the public during the public consultation period must be noted and recorded as part of the EIR. • The EIR must be finalised taking all public comments into consideration. • The EIR must be submitted to the DARDLEA and the I&APs for review.
1.1.3 The EIA in terms of the requirements of the NEMA (1998) Regulation 31(2) of the EIA Regulations (2010) under the NEMA (1998), lists aspects that must be included in EIR. Table 1 below indicates where the information has been provided as part of the EIR:
Table 1: The EIR in terms of the EIA Regulations (2010), under the NEMA (1998) Regulation No: Description EIA Part Details of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner Part 3.2 & R543 Regulation 31(2)(a) (EAP). Appendix C
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Regulation No: Description EIA Part
(i) Details of the EAP who prepared the report. Details of the expertise of the EAP to carry out scoping (ii) procedures.
R543 Regulation 31(2)(b) (b) A description of the proposed activity. Part 3.5
A description of the property on which the activity is to R543 Regulation 31(2)(c) be undertaken and the location of the activity on the Part 3.3 property. A description of the environment that may be affected by the activity and the manner in which the physical, R543 Regulation 31(2)(d) Part 4 biological, social, economic and cultural aspects of the environment may be affected by the proposed activity. Details of the public participation process conducted in
terms of sub regulation (1), including- Part 5 (i) Steps undertaken in accordance with the plan of study. A list of persons, organisations and organs of state that (ii) Part 5 were registered as interested and affected parties; R543 Regulation 31(2)(e) A summary of comments received from, and a summary of issues raised by registered interested and (iii) Part 5 affected parties, the date of receipt of these comments and the response of the EAP to those comments; and Copies of any representations an documents received (iv) Part 5 from registered interested and affected parties;
A description of the need and desirability of the R543 Regulation 31(2)(f) Part 3.6 proposed activity.
A description of identified potential alternatives to the proposed activity, including advantages and R543 Regulation 31(2)(g) disadvantages that the proposed activity or Part 6 alternatives may have on the environment and the community that may be affected by the activity; An indication of the methodology used in determining R543 Regulation 31(2)(h) Part 7 the significance of potential environmental impacts; A description and comparative assessment of all R543 Regulation 31(2)(i) alternatives identified during the impact assessment Part 6 process; A summary of the findings and recommendations any R543 Regulation 31(2)(j) Part 4 and Part 7 specialist report or report on a specialised process; A description of all environmental issues that were identified during the environmental impact assessment R543 Regulation 31(2)(k) Part 7 process, an assessment of the significance of each issue and an indication of the extent to which the issue
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Regulation No: Description EIA Part could be addressed by the adoption of mitigation measures; An assessment of each identified potential significant
impact including- (i) Cumulative impacts;
(ii) The nature of impacts;
(iii) The extent and duration of the impact; R543 Regulation 31(2)(l) Part 7 (iv) The probability of the impact occurring;
(v) the degree to which the impact can be reversed; The degree to which the impact may cause (vi) irreplaceable loss of resources; (vii) The degree to which the impact can be mitigated. A description of any assumptions, uncertainties and R543 Regulation 31(2)(m) Part 13 gaps in knowledge. A reasoned opinion as to where the activity should or should not be authorised, and if the opinion is that it R543 Regulation 31(2)(n) Part 14 should be authorised, any conditions that should be made in respect of that authorisation. An environmental impact statement which contains- A summary of the key findings of the environmental (i) impact assessment; and R543 Regulation 31(2)(o) Part 7.5 A comparative assessment of the positive and (ii) negative implications of the proposed activity and identified alternatives; A draft environmental management programme Refer to Part R543 Regulation 31(2)(p) containing the aspects contemplated in regulation 33. 1.1.4 below. Copies of any specialist reports and reports on R543 Regulation 31(2)(q) Appendix E* specialised processes complying with regulation 32. Any specific information required by the competent R543 Regulation 31(2)(r) Appendix B authority. Any other matters required in terms of Section 24(4) R543 Regulation 31(2)(s) Noted (a) and (b) of the Act.
1.1.4 The EMP in terms of the requirements of the NEMA (1998) Regulation 33(2) of the EIA Regulations (2010) under the NEMA (1998), lists aspects that must be included in EMP. Table 2 below indicates where the information has been provided as part of the EMP:
Table 2: The EMP in terms of the EIA Regulations (2010), under the NEMA (1998) Regulation No: Description EIA Part
R543 Regulation 33(a) (a) Details of
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Regulation No: Description EIA Part the person who prepared the environmental (i) management Part 2 & programme; and Appendix C the expertise of that person to prepare an (ii) environmental management programme; Information on any proposed management or mitigation measures that will be taken to address the environmental impacts that have (b) been identified in a report contemplated by these Regulations, including environmental impacts or objectives in respect of— R543 Regulation 33(b) Part 8 (i) planning and design;
(ii) pre-construction and construction activities;
(iii) operation or undertaking of the activity;
(iv) rehabilitation of the environment; and
(v) closure, where relevant.
A detailed description of the aspects of the activity that R543 Regulation 33(c) are covered by the draft environmental management Part 8 programme; An identification of the persons who will be responsible R543 Regulation 33(d) for the implementation of the measures contemplated Part 8 in paragraph (b); Proposed mechanisms for monitoring compliance with and performance assessment against the R543 Regulation 33(e) Part 8 and 10 environmental management programme and reporting thereon; As far as is reasonably practicable, measures to rehabilitate the environment affected by the undertaking of any listed activity or specified activity to its natural or predetermined state or to a land R543 Regulation 33(f) Part 8 and 11 use which conforms to the generally accepted principle of sustainable development, including, where appropriate, concurrent or progressive rehabilitation measures; A description of the manner in which it intends to— modify, remedy, control or stop any action, activity or Part 8 (i) process which causes pollution or environmental R543 Regulation 33(g) degradation remedy the cause of pollution or degradation and (ii) Part 8 migration of pollutants;
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Regulation No: Description EIA Part comply with any prescribed environmental (iii) Part 8 management comply with any applicable provisions of the Act (iv) Part 11 regarding closure, where applicable; comply with any provisions of the Act regarding (v) financial provisions for rehabilitation, where Part 11 applicable; Time periods within which the measures contemplated R543 Regulation 33(h) in the environmental management programme must Part 8 be implemented; The process for managing any environmental damage, pollution, pumping and treatment of R543 Regulation 33(i) Part 8 extraneous water or ecological degradation as a result of undertaking a listed activity; An environmental awareness plan describing the
manner in which— The applicant intends to inform his or her employees R543 Regulation 33(j) (i) of any environmental risk which may result from their Part 12 work; and Risks must be dealt with in order to avoid pollution or (ii) the degradation of the environment; Part 11 includes Where appropriate, closure plans, including closure the closure R543 Regulation 33(k) objectives. objectives of Landau Colliery
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2 GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK
According to the NEMA, 1998 authorisation is required prior to the commencement of the proposed South Block Extension Project.
As stated, the lead authority will be DARDLEA who will be responsible for granting authorisation for the project. As the proposed project triggers activities outlined in the National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998) and further requires authorisation under the MPRDA, the following additional provincial departments will be consulted: • DWS; and • DMR.
As part of the project, and to ensure all relevant South African legislation is taken into cognisance, the following legislation will be considered as part of the environmental authorisation process to ensure legal compliance and best practice.
2.1 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT (NO. 107 OF 1998), AS AMENDED The Act provides for the right to an environment that is not harmful to the health and well-being of South African citizens; the equitable distribution of natural resources, sustainable development, environmental protection and the formulation of environmental management frameworks.
The principles of the Act include: • Environmental management must place people and their needs at the forefront of its concern; • Development must be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable; • Environmental management must be integrated, acknowledging that all elements of the environment are linked and interrelated; • Environmental justice must be pursued; • Equitable access to environmental resources to meet basic human needs and ensure human well-being must be pursued; • Responsibility for environmental health and safety consequences of a project or activity exists throughout its life cycle; • The participation of all interested and affected parties in environmental governance must be promoted; • Decisions must take into account the interests, needs and values of all interested and affected parties; • The social, economic and environmental impacts of activities, must be considered, assessed and evaluated, and decisions must be appropriate in the light of such consideration and assessment;
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• Decisions must be made in an open and transparent manner, and access to information must be provided in accordance with the law; • The environment is held in a public trust for the people, the beneficial use of environmental resources must serve the public interest and the environment must be protected as the people’s common heritage; • The cost of remedying pollution, environmental degradation and consequent adverse health effects must be paid for by the parties responsible for harming the environment; and • Sensitive, vulnerable, highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems, such as coastal shores, estuaries, wetlands, and similar eco-systems require specific attention in management and planning procedures, specifically where they are subject to significant human resource usage and development pressure.
The NEMA, 1998 ensures that specific activities are designed and implemented in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner, thereby assisting in achieving South Africa’s constitutional goal for a better quality of life for all now and in the future. Therefore, it is essential that industries (including mines) improve the efficiency and use of resources, and improve on the level of integration of social, economic and governance systems.
As part of the proposed new project listed activities defined under the National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA, 1998) and the regulations thereunder will take place.
The proposed activities would involve the following listed activities as identified in terms of Section 24 and 24D of the NEMA, 1998:
Table 3: Listed Activities in terms of NEMA, 1998 Number and date of the relevant Activity No Activity Description Project Description notice GN. No. 544 The construction of facilities or Construction of storm water Listing Notice 1 infrastructure exceeding 1000 metres in management measures such as 18 June 2010 length for the bulk transportation of water, trenches for the separation of sewage or storm water - clean and dirty water (i) with an internal diameter of 0,36 metres management areas. or more; or Activity 9 (i) (ii) with a peak throughput of 120 litres per Construction of pipelines for the and (ii) second or more, removal of groundwater influx and excluding where: mine process water from the open a. such facilities or infrastructure are for pits to enable mining to continue bulk transportation of water, sewage or safely and efficiently. storm water or storm water drainage inside a road reserve; or
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Number and date of the relevant Activity No Activity Description Project Description notice b. where such construction will occur within urban areas but further than 32 metres from a watercourse, measured from the edge of the watercourse.
GN. No. 544 The construction of: The following will be constructed Listing Notice 1 (i) canals; within 32metres from the wetland 18 June 2010 (ii) channels; area and will exceed the (iii) bridges; thereshold specified: (iv) dams; (v) weirs; Stockpiling of topsoil, subsoil and (vi) bulk storm water outlet structures; overburden. (vii) marinas; (viii) jetties exceeding 50 square metres in Construction of storm water size; management measures such as (ix) slipways exceeding 50 square metres berms for the separation of clean in size; and dirty water management (x) buildings exceeding 50 square metres areas. Activity 11 in size; or (ii) (vi) (xi) (xi) infrastructure or structures covering 50 Progressive development of the square metres or more box-cut(s), including continues stripping and stockpiling or direct where such construction occurs within a placing of topsoil, subsoil and watercourse or within 32 metres of a overburden. watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse, excluding where such Construction of other construction will occur behind the infrastructure such as: development setback line. • Pipelines for the removal of groundwater influx and mine process water from the open pits to enable mining to continue safely and efficiently. GN. No. 544 The construction of facilities or The construction of a new Listing Notice 1 infrastructure for the off-stream storage of pollution control dam has been 18 June 2010 water, including dams and reservoirs, with included as an alternative and will Activity 12 a combined capacity of 50000 cubic be assessed as part of the EIA. metres or more, unless such storage falls within the ambit of activity 19 of Notice 545 of 2010 GN. No. 544 Activity 18 The infilling or depositing of any material of All of the wetland systems Listing Notice 1 (i) more than 5 cubic metres into, or the identified on site form unnamed
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Number and date of the relevant Activity No Activity Description Project Description notice 18 June 2010 dredging, excavation, removal or moving of tributaries of the Saalboomspruit soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles or rock The follwing activities will take from of more than 5 cubic metres from; place within the 500m buffer and (i) a watercourse; out of the 100m of these wetlands (ii) the sea; (Hillslope seepage and (iii) the seashore; Channelled Vally Bottom (iv) the littoral active zone, an estuary or a Wetlands): distance of 100 metres inland of the high- water mark of the sea or an estuary, Haul roads whichever distance is the greater- but excluding where such infilling, Stockpiling of topsoil, subsoil and depositing, dredging, excavation, removal overburden of the initial box-cut at or moving the opencast area. (i) is for maintenance purposes undertaken in accordance with a management plan Construction of storm water agreed to by the relevant environmental management measures such as authority; or berms for the separation of clean (ii) occurs behind the development setback and dirty water management line. areas.
Expansion of the necessary surface water pollution control infrastructure
Erection of the tip and in-pit crushers for the separate processing of the No. 4 Top Seam and No. 4 Select Seam ROM coal.
Progressive development of the box-cut(s), including continues stripping and stockpiling or direct placing of topsoil, subsoil and overburden.
Construction of other infrastructure such as: • Pipelines for the removal of groundwater influx and mine process water from the open
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Number and date of the relevant Activity No Activity Description Project Description notice pits to enable mining to continue safely and efficiently. GN. No. 544 The construction of a road, outside urban The construction of haul roads Listing Notice 1 areas, 18 June 2010 (i) with a reserve wider than 13,5 meters or, (ii) where no reserve exists where the road Activity 22 is wider than 8 metres, or (ii) (iii) for which an environmental authorisation was obtained for the route determination in terms of activity 5 in Government Notice 387 of 2006 or activity 18 in Notice 545 of 2010. GN. No. 544 Any process or activity identified in terms In terms of Subsection 53(2) of the Listing Notice 1 of section 53(1) of the National Biodiversity Act, a listed 18 June 2010 Environmental Management: Biodiversity ecosystem is identified as a Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004). geographical area in terms of Subsection 24(2) of NEMA. Also in terms of Subsection 53(2) of the Biodiversity Act, a threatening process in a listed ecosystem becomes a specified activity in terms of Subsection 24(2) of NEMA.
As part of Ecological Assessment conducted the two grassland units Activity 26 are identified as endangered and the Eastern Freshwater Ecosystem as Least Concern. According to the national list of threatened terrestrial ecosystems for South Africa gazetted on 9 December 2011 (National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act: National list of ecosystems that are threatened and in need of protection, (G 34809, GoN 1002), 9 December 2011), all three these units are identified a Vulnerable.
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Number and date of the relevant Activity No Activity Description Project Description notice The expansion of or changes to existing The expansion of the existing GN. No. 544 facilities for any process or activity where pollution control dam would Listing Notice 1 such expansion or changes will result in constitute a Water Use (as defined 18 June 2010 the need for a new permit or license in in Section 21 of the National Water terms of national or provincial legislation Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998). An governing the release of emissions or amendment of the existing Activity 28 pollution, excluding where the facility, Environmental Management process or activity is included in the list of Programme (EMPR) as per waste management activities published in Minerals, Petroleum and terms of section 19 of the National Resources Development Act Environmental Management: Waste Act, (MPRDA), Act No. 28 of 2002 will 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008) in which case be required. that Act will apply. GN. No. 544 The expansion of facilities or infrastructure The expansion of the existing Listing Notice 1 for the off-stream storage of water, pollution control dam. 18 June 2010 Activity 41 including dams and reservoirs, where the combined capacity will be increased by 50000 cubic metres or more.
The widening of a road by more than 6 Upgrading of some of the existing GN. No. 544 metres, or the lengthening of a road by haul roads Listing Notice 1 more than 1 kilometre - 18 June 2010 Activity 47 (ii) where no reserve exists, where the (ii) existing road is wider than 8 metres –
excluding widening or lengthening occurring inside urban areas. GN. No. 545 The construction of facilities or The expansion of the existing Listing Notice 2 infrastructure for any process or activity pollution control dam, dewatering 18 June 2010 which requires a permit or license in terms of the Navigation West - South of national or provincial legislation Block pit and backfilling of the pit governing the generation or release of with discard would constitute a emissions, pollution or effluent and which Water Use (as defined in Section Activity 5 is not identified in Notice No. 544 of 2010 21 of the National Water Act, 1998 or included in the list of waste management (Act 36 of 1998). An amendment activities published in terms of section 19 of the existing Environmental of the National Environmental Management Programme (EMPR) Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 as per Minerals, Petroleum and of 2008) in which case that Act will apply. Resources Development Act
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Number and date of the relevant Activity No Activity Description Project Description notice (MPRDA), Act No. 28 of 2002 will also be required. GN. No. 546 The construction of a road wider than 4 Construction of haul roads. The Listing Notice 3 metres with a reserve less than 13,5 proposed site falls within an 18 June 2010 metres.(a) In Eastern Cape, Free State, Ecological Sensitive Area: Local KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga Corridor, as identified in the and Northern Cape provinces: Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Activity 4(ii) i. In an estuary; Plan. (cc) ii. Outside urban areas, in: (cc) Sensitive areas as identified in an environmental management framework as contemplated in chapter 5 of the Act and as adopted by the competent authority; GN. No. 546 The construction of: All of the wetland systems Listing Notice 3 (i) jetties exceeding 10 square metres in identified on site form unnamed 18 June 2010 size; tributaries of the Saalboomspruit (ii) slipways exceeding 10 square metres in The follwing activities will take size; place within the 500m buffer and (iii) buildings with a footprint exceeding 10 out of the 100m of these wetlands square metres in size; or (Hillslope seepage and (iv) infrastructure covering 10 square Channelled Vally Bottom metres or more Wetlands): where such construction occurs within a watercourse or within 32 metres of a The construction of haul roads watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse, excluding where such Stockpiling of topsoil, subsoil and Activity 16 construction will occur behind the overburden of the initial box-cut at (iv) (a) (ii) development setback line the opencast area. (dd) (a) In Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu- Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Construction of storm water Northern Cape: management measures such as i. In an estuary; berms for the separation of clean ii. Outside urban areas, in: and dirty water management (dd) Sensitive areas as identified in an areas. environmental management framework as contemplated in chapter 5 of the Act and Expansion of the necessary as adopted by the competent authority; surface water pollution control infrastructure
Progressive opencast operations.
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Number and date of the relevant Activity No Activity Description Project Description notice Erection of the tip and in-pit crushers for the separate processing of the No. 4 Top Seam and No. 4 Select Seam ROM coal.
Construction of other infrastructure such as: • Pipelines for the removal of groundwater influx and mine process water from the open pits.
The proposed site falls within an Ecological Sensitive Area: Local Corridor, as identified in the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan. The widening of a road by more than 4 Construction and upgrading of GN. No. 546 metres, or the lengthening of a road by haul roads. The proposed site falls Listing 3 more than 1 kilometre. within an Ecological Sensitive 18 June 2010 (a) In Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu- Area: Local Corridor, as identified Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and in the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Activity 19 Northern Cape provinces: Sector Plan. (ii) (cc) ii. Outside urban areas, in: (cc) Sensitive areas as identified in an environmental management framework as contemplated in chapter 5 of the Act and as adopted by the competent authority;
In order to obtain environmental authorisation, a Scoping Report and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) have been compiled as described in Regulations 26 to 35 of the EIA Regulations, 2010 promulgated in terms of Section 24(5), 24M and 44 of the NEMA, 1998.
2.2 MINERALS AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT (NO. 28 OF 2002) In terms of the previous mining legislation in South Africa, mineral rights were held privately and in some instances by the state. The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) now vests all mineral rights in the state.
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The MPRDA has a number of objectives, including to: • Promote equitable access to the nation’s mineral and petroleum resources to all the people of South Africa; • Substantially and meaningfully expand opportunities for historically disadvantaged persons, including women, to enter the mineral and petroleum industries and to benefit from the exploitation of the nation’s mineral and petroleum resources; • Promote economic growth and mineral and petroleum resources development in the country; • Provide for security of tenure in respect of prospecting, exploration, mining and production operations; • Give effect to section 24 of the Constitution of South Africa by ensuring that the nation’s mineral and petroleum resources are developed in an orderly and ecologically sustainable manner while promoting justifiable social and economic development; and • Ensure that holders of mining and production rights contribute towards the socio-economic development of the areas in which they are operating.
Although Landau Colliery has received a mining right under the MPRDA, the proposed activities need to be amended in the authorised environmental management programme report (EMPR) and authorised by the Mpumalanga DMR. The financial provision has been included in Part 11.2 and will also be included as part of the EMPR amendment. Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd will submit the EMPR amendment to the DMR for authorisation in accordance with the NEMA.
2.3 NATIONAL WATER ACT (NO. 36 OF 1998) The National Water Act (NWA) provides for fundamental reformation of legislation relating to water resources and use.
The preamble to the Act recognizes that the ultimate aim of water resource management is to achieve sustainable use of water for the benefit of all users and that the protection of the quality of water resources is necessary to ensure sustainability of the nation’s water resources in the interests of all water users. The purpose of the Act is stated, in Section 2 as, inter alia : • Promoting the efficient, sustainable and beneficial use of water in the public interest; • Facilitating social and economic development; • Protecting aquatic and associated ecosystems and their biological diversity; • Reducing and preventing pollution and degradation of water resources; and • Meeting international obligations.
The Act presents strategies to facilitate sound management of water resources, provides for the protection of water resources, and regulates use of water by means of Catchment Management Agencies, Water User Associations, Advisory Committees and International Water Management.
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As this Act is founded on the principle the government has overall responsibility for and authority over water resource\ management, including the equitable allocation and beneficial use of water in the public interest, an industry (including mines) can only be entitled to use water if the use is permissible under the NWA.
The following water use activities are applicable to the proposed project and is summarised below.
Section 21(a) – Taking water from a water resource • South Block Opencast Pit: Dewatering at the South Block Opencast Pit will be required to ensure continuation of mining activities. Water abstracted from the pit will be pumped to the Navigation West Pollution Control Dam (PCD). A monthly average of 33 321 m3 of water will be pumped from the pit to the Navigation West PCD and re-used in the process activities.
Section 21(c) of the NWA: Impeding or diverting the flow of water in a watercourse and Section 21(i) of the NWA: altering the bed, banks, course or characteristics of a watercourse. • South Block Opencast Pit: The South Block Opencast Pit and associated activities will be situated within 500 meters of a wetland and will impede, divert and alter the wetland. Activities include: o The construction of haul roads and the upgrading of the existing Navigation West access road to accommodate the additional trucks. o The development of the initial box-cut with ramp. o Stripping and separate stockpiling of topsoil, subsoil and overburden of the initial box-cut at the opencast area. o Construction of storm water management measures such as berms for the separation of clean and dirty water management areas. o Erection of the tip and potentially in-pit crushers for the separate processing of the No. 4 Top Seam and No. 4 Select Seam ROM coal. o The construction of pipelines for the removal of groundwater influx and mine process water from the open pits to enable mining to continue safely and efficiently. o Progressive development of the box-cut(s), including continues stripping and stockpiling or direct placing of topsoil, subsoil and overburden. o Construction of haul roads and ramps as mining progresses. o Blasting followed by extraction of the No. 5 and No. 4 Top Seam coal and subsequently extraction of No. 4 Seam Select coal. o Concurrent rehabilitation of the opencast pit areas will be undertaken as the pit advances. Carbonaceous material will be placed back into the open voids up to the coal level, followed by the sequential replacing and compaction of overburden and subsoil layers, followed by the
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replacement of topsoil prior to the re-vegetation of the surface as part of the rehabilitation strategy that will be implemented by the Navigation West Section. o Hauling of ROM coal to the tip and potentially in-pit crushers, with separate crushing and stockpiling of crushed ROM coal from the No. 4 Top Seam, the No. 4 Select Seam and the No.5 Seam.
• Waste Rock Dump The waste rock dump will be situated approximately 350 meters to the north of a Hillslope seepage wetland and Channelled Valley Bottom Wetland and approximately 440 meters to the southeast of a Channelled Valley Bottom Wetland and will impede, divert and alter the wetland.
• Topsoil Dump The topsoil dump will be situated approximately 415 meters to the north of a Hillslope seepage wetland and Channelled Valley Bottom Wetland and will impede, divert and alter the wetland.
Section 21(g) of the NWA: Disposing of Waste in a Manner, Which May Detrimentally Impact on a Water Resource • Waste Rock Dumps Two waste rock dumps will be constructed as part of the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project. Waste Rock Dump 1 will have a height of 18 meters, a final volume of 1 268 000 m 3 and a final footprint of 9.25 hectares. Waste Rock Dump 2 will have a height of 12 meters, a final volume of 532 562 m3 and a final footprint of 6.37 hectares.
• Dust suppression Mine affected water will be used for dust suppression activities as part of the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project. The mine is currently authorised to use a quantity of 2 014 800 m3 per annum, 5 956 800 m3 per annum and 7 446 000 m 3 per annum of mine affected water at Navigation Plant, Schoongezicht No. 2 Seam mini-pit and Navigation West Section: North Block Open Pit respectively. An additional quantity of 286 752 m 3 of water per annum will be used for dust suppression at the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project.
Section 21 (j): removing, discharging or disposing of water found underground if it is necessary for the efficient continuation of an activity or for the safety of people • South Block Opencast Pit Dewatering at the South Block Opencast Pit will be required to ensure the safe continuation of mining activities. Water abstracted from the pit will be pumped to the Navigation West Pollution Control Dam (PCD). A monthly average of 33 321 m 3 of water will be pumped from the pit to the Navigation West PCD and re-used in the process activities.
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Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd has compiled and submitted the Water Use Licence Application (WULA) and Water and Waste Management Plan (WWMP) to the DWS.
2.4 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: WASTE AMENDMENT ACT (ACT NO. 26 OF 2014) According to the National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Act (Act No. 26 of 2014) (NEMWAA) that came into effect on 2 September 2014, all Mine Residue Stockpiles and Residue Deposits (MRSRD) must be considered for a Waste Management Licence (WML). The inclusion of MRSRD into the definition of waste also implies that the MRSRD are subject to the licensing requirements in terms of the NEMWAA. The Amendments to the list of Waste Management Activities GNR 633 dated 24 July 2015 includes activities for Residue stockpiles or residue deposits. Activity 11 of Category B which reads “The establishment or reclamation of a residue stockpile or residue deposit resulting from activities which require a mining right, exploration right or production right in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002).”, implies that the waste rock dumps require a WML supported by the relevant environmental impact assessment and public consultation process. The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) will be responsible for issuing a decision on licence applications.
As from 8 December 2014 Government implemented the One Environmental System. As a result, residue stockpiles and residue deposits are no longer excluded from the ambit of the NEMWA. Accordingly, as from 8 December 2014 the Regulations Regarding the Planning and Management of Residue Stockpiles and Residue Deposits (GNR 632 of 24 July 2015) find application to all waste types generated by Landau including all residue stockpiles.
Furthermore, in view of the commencement of the Regulations Regarding the Planning and Management of Residue Stockpiles and Residue Deposits (GNR 632 of 24 July 2015), Landau may be requested to ensure that the expansion activities comply with the requirements of the Regulations.
The Application for Environmental Authorisation for the activities associated with the Navigation West - South Block Extension project was submitted on 21 May 2014 in terms of the requirements of the NEMA, 1998, prior to the promulgation of the Waste Management Activity discussed above. Therefore the Waste Management Activity was not included as part of the application. Landau Colliery will apply for the WML should the waste management activities be triggered.
Potential waste licensing requirements for waste management activities associated with the proposed Navigation West South Block Extension are discussed in the table below: Activity Requirement for waste licence Residue stockpiles or residue The following waste management activities may therefore be relevant: deposits Category B
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(Category B) (11) The establishment or reclamation of a residue stockpile or residue deposit resulting from activities which require a mining right, exploration right or production right in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002). A Waste Management Licence is required for any activity under Category B
It is also proposed that a waste characterisation assessment on the waste rock material be undertaken to determine the pollution potential of the material and to determine if the waste rock is general or hazardous waste.
2.5 THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (NO. 108 OF 1996) The Constitution of South Africa provides for an environmental right (contained in the Bill of Rights, Chapter 2). In terms of Section 7, a positive obligation is placed on the State to give effect to the environmental right. The environmental right states that: ‘Everyone has the right - • To an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and • To have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that: ° Prevent pollution and ecological degradation ° Promote conservation ° Secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.
2.6 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: AIR QUALITY ACT (NO 39 OF 2004) The NEMA Air Quality Act (NEM: AQA) states the following as its primary objective: “To reform the law regulating air quality in order to protect the environment by providing reasonable measures for the prevention of pollution and ecological degradation and for securing ecologically sustainable development while promoting justifiable economic and social development; to provide for national norms and standards regulating air quality monitoring, management and control by all spheres of government, for specific air quality measures, and for matters incidental thereto.
Whereas the quality of ambient air in many areas of the Republic is not conducive to a healthy environment for the people living in those areas, let alone promoting their social and economic advancement, whereas the burden of health impacts associated with polluted ambient air falls most heavily on the poor, whereas air pollution carries a high social, economic and environmental cost that is seldom borne by the polluter, and whereas atmospheric emissions of ozone-depleting substances, greenhouse gases and other substances have deleterious effects on the environment both locally and
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And whereas minimisation of pollution through vigorous control, cleaner technologies and cleaner production practices is key to ensuring that air quality is improved, and whereas additional legislation is necessary to strengthen the Government’s strategies for the protection of the environment and, more specifically, the enhancement of the quality of ambient air, in order to secure an environment that is not harmful to the health or well-being of people.” The activities associated with the proposed project does not form part of the list of activities which require an Atmospheric Emission Licence as per the Listed Activities in GNR 893, dated November 2013 in terms of the NEM:AQA. Note that none of the activities of the South Block Expansion project requires an air emissions license
2.7 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT (NO. 10 OF 2004) In line with the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Act aims to legally provide for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and equitable access and benefit sharing. The Act establishes the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). NEM: BA creates a basic legal framework for the formation of a national biodiversity strategy and action plan and the identification of biodiversity hotspots and bio-regions which will then be given legal recognition. It imposes obligations on landowners (state or private) governing alien invasive species as well as regulates the introduction of genetically modified organisms. Furthermore, the Act serves to regulate bio-prospecting, making provision for communities to share the profits of any exploitation of natural materials involving indigenous knowledge.
2.8 THE NATIONAL HERITAGE RESOURCES ACT (NO. 25 OF 1999) The National Heritage Resources Act established the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) in 1999. SAHRA is tasked with protecting heritage resources of national significance. Under Section 38 of this Act, all new developments with a site exceeding 5 000m², are subject to assessment by SAHRA. A Heritage Impact Assessment must be carried out by a heritage specialist approved by SAHRA to enable them to make an informed decision.
2.9 CONSERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES ACT (NO 43 OF 1983)
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The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act aims to provide for control over the utilisation of natural agricultural resources in order to promote the conservation of the soil, water resources and vegetation and to combat weeds and invader plants. Section 6 of the Act makes provision for control measures to be applied in order to achieve the objectives of the Act, these measures relate to inter alia : • Cultivation of virgin soil; • Utilization/protection of wetlands, marshes, water sponges, water course/sources; • The regulating of the flow pattern of run-off water; • The utilization and protection of the vegetation; • The grazing capacity of the veld and the number and type of animals; • The control of weeds and invader plants; and • The restoration or reclamation of eroded land or land which is disturbed or denuded. These provisions have implications for all developments and these aspects are implemented via regulations to the Act.
2.10 HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ACT (NO. 15 OF 1973) The object of the Act is inter alia to ‘provide for the control of substances which may cause injury or ill health to or death of human beings by reason of their toxic, corrosive, irritant, strongly sensitising or flammable nature or the generation of pressure thereby in certain circumstances; for the control of electronic products; for the division of such substances or products into groups in relation to the degree of danger; for the prohibition and control of such substances.
In terms of the Act, substances are divided into schedules, based on their relative degree of toxicity, and the Act provides for the control of importation, manufacture, sale, use, operation, application, modification, disposal and dumping of substances in each schedule.
2.11 DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS’ BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES, SERIES A4 The objective of the guideline is to ensure that a best practice approach is adopted by all industry stakeholders involved with the design, operations and closure of water uses on a mine site within South African and to enable DWS personnel to establish that best practice has been applied.
2.12 EMALAHLENI MUNICIPAL BYLAWS The following municipal by-laws compiled for the eMalahleni Municipality were considered applicable: Emalahleni Public Health By -Law (Lan 65 of 27 February 2008) Pollution of sources of water Section 36 No person may pollute or contaminate any catchment area, supply. river, canal, well, reservoir, filter bed, water purification or pumping works, tank, cistern or other source of water supply or storage in a way that creates a public health nuisance or a public health hazard.
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Storm water runoff from Section 42 Every owner or occupier of premises must erect adequately premises. designed, constructed and maintained hydraulic and hydrological structures on those premises for the purposes as included in this by law and which relate to inter alia the diversion of storm water, the collection of polluted runoff and the separation of all effluent from storm water systems. Containment of waste water. Section 43 Any dam, conduit or channel used for the containment of waste water must have a free board of at least 0.5 meters above the highest level of precipitation which could be expected within a period of 24 hours with an average frequency of recurrence of one in 100 years Emal ahleni Waste Management By -Law (Lan 67 Of 27 February 2008) Obligations of waste Section 10 Any person generating domestic waste, business waste and generators. dailies 1 must be placed in an approved receptacle.
According to these by-laws, approved is defined as: “approved ” means approved by the health officer with regard to the reasonable public health requirements of the particular case”. Storage of business, industrial Section 14 The owner or occupier of premises on which business, and recyclable waste. industrial or recyclable waste is generated must ensure that until such time as such waste is collected by a licensee from the premises on which it was generated: (a) the waste is stored within a bulk container or other approved receptacle; and (b) no nuisance or health risk of any kind whatsoever is caused by the waste in the course of generation, storage, or collection. Generation of special Section 20 No person may carry on an activity which may cause special industrial, hazardous or health industrial, hazardous or health care risk waste to be care risk waste. generated, without notifying the municipality in writing, prior to the generation of such waste, of the composition of such waste, the estimated quantity generated, the method of storage, the proposed duration of storage, the manner in which it will be collected and disposed, and the identity of the licensee removing such waste.
Provided that where such waste is being generated as a result of activities which commenced prior to the commencement of these By-laws, the generator must give
1 In terms of the WMB “dailies” means “putrescible waste generated by hotels, restaurants, food shops, hospitals, and canteens that must be collected on a frequent (normally daily) basis, to prevent the waste from decomposing and being either a nuisance or a risk to the environment or public health.”
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the municipality such notice within 6 months of the commencement of these By-laws. Collection and Disposal of Section 21 and Only a licensee 2 may transport special industrial, hazardous special industrial, hazardous or 27 and health care risk waste and must do so in accordance health care risk waste. with the requirements of the municipality, stipulated as licence conditions or in additional by-laws, as well as the relevant SANS codes.
A licensee, who is licensed to collect and dispose special industrial 3, hazardous 4 or health care waste 5, must inform the municipality prior to the date if collection of the quantity and composition of the waste collected and the facility at which the waste has been disposed.
In terms of section 27 of the WMB a municipality may establish a licensing system in terms of Chapter 8 of the by- laws. A decision to establish a licensing system must be published by a notice in the Provincial Gazette and comes into operation on the date announced in the notice which may not be less than 3 months from the date of its publication. If the municipality has not established a licensing system, firms providing waste management services may be treated as licensees by generators of waste for the purpose of Chapter 4 of the by-laws.
2 In terms of the WMB “licensee” means “ any person who has obtained a licence in terms of Chapter 8 of these By-laws.” 3 In terms of the WMB “special industrial waste” means “ waste consisting of a liquid, sludge or solid substance, resulting from a manufacturing process, industrial treatment or the pre-treatment for disposal purposes of any industrial or mining liquid waste;” 4 In terms of the WMB “hazardous waste” means “ waste containing or contaminated by poison, a corrosive agent, a flammable substance having an open flash-point of less than 90°C, an explosive, radioactive material, a chemical or any other waste that has the potential, even in low concentrations, of having an adverse effect on public health or the environment because of its inherent toxicological, chemical and physical characteristics.” 5 In terms of the WMB “health care risk waste” means “ all hazardous waste generated at health care facilities such as hospitals, clinics, laboratories, medical research institutions, dental and medical practitioners and veterinarians .”
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3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT 3.1 DETAILS OF THE PROJECT APPLICANT The details of the applicant proposing the project are given in Table 4.
Table 4: Details of the applicant Name of Mine Landau Colliery
Applicant Anglo Operations Proprietary Limited
Physical Address Navigation Plant, R455, Clewer, 1036, South Africa
Postal Address P O Box 78, Clewer/ Kwa Mthunzi Vilakazi, 1036
Responsible Person Francois Grove/ Sandile Vilakazi Telephone Number 013 693 0842/013 693 0722 Facsimile Number 013 656 9016 Cell Phone Number 082 938 6814/ 076 611 0941 [email protected] E-Mail Address [email protected] Company Registration No. 01/06730/06
3.2 DETAILS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd was appointed by AOPL to compile this EIA and EMP for the proposed project. Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd details are provided in Table 5 below.
Table 5: Details of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner Name Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd P.O. Box 74726 Postal address: Lynwood Ridge 0040 Contact person: Minnette Le Roux
Affiliations: Founding member of EAPSA, SACNASP Registered
Tel: +27 (0)12 807 7036
Fax +27 (0)12 807 1014
Cell: +27 (0)83 660 0622
E-mail: [email protected]
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As required by Regulation 28(1) (a) (ii) of the EIA Regulations, 2010 under the NEMA, 1998, a summary of the CV of the EAP involved in the conducting of the Scoping and EIA Process and compiling the EIR is given below, the full CV is also attached hereto in Appendix C.
Minnette completed a M.Sc. Environmental Management programme at the North West University (Potchefstroom). She also holds a Certificate in Implementing Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001), Registered with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions and is a Founding member of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner Association of South Africa. Minnette has experience in completing the Environmental Assessment Processes for various projects, in the construction and large scale mining sectors, including amongst other; Environ mental Impact Assessments, Scoping Reports, Basic Assessment Reports, Environmental Management Plans, Environmental Management Programmes, Integrated Water Use Licence Applications, Integrated Water and Waste Management Plans, Regulation GN 704 Audits, Water Use Licence Audits, Waste Licence Applications and various Application Forms as part of the Environmental Application Process.
3.3 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION The Navigation Section of Landau Colliery straddles the Wilge River (B2) and Olifants River (B1) Catchment areas and fall in the upper reaches of the tributaries to these watercourses. The Navigation Section falls into three quaternary catchments, namely catchments B20G, B11K and B11G (refer to Figure 4 and Plan 4 in Appendix A).
The Schoongezicht Spruit (also known as the Schooniespruit) and Highveld Steel Spruit drain the northern part of the Navigation Section. The Schoongezicht Spruit then flows into the Brugspruit, which flows into the Klipspruit. An unnamed tributary of the Grootspruit, which flows into the Wilge River further downstream, drains the western and southern parts of the Navigation West Section. The positions of these tributaries in relation to the Navigation Section mine boundary area can be seen in Figure 5 below and Plan 5 in Appendix A.
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Figure 4: Quaternary catchment boundaries associated with the Landau Colliery (extracted from the approved EMPR, dated 2010)
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Figure 5: Pre-mining topography and water features associated with Navigation West Section (extracted from the approved EMPR, dated 2010)
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3.3.1 Mineral rights holders Anglo Operations Limited currently holds the new order Mining Right for Landau Colliery (Mining Right number MP 30/5/1/2/2/306 MR). The Mining Right Holder(s) for the farms within and surrounding the Navigation Section mine boundary area are listed in Table 6 below.
Table 6: Farm portions for which Landau Colliery has mining rights associated with the Navigation Section Farm name Mineral Rights Holder Area (ha)
Blaauwkrans 323 JS Anglo Operations Ltd 2327
Elandsfontein 309 JS Anglo Operations Ltd 1564.1
Groenfontein 331 JS Anglo Operations Ltd 2996.3
Klipfontein 322 JS Anglo Operations Ltd 2109.3
Schoongezicht 308 JS Anglo Operations Ltd 1822.0
Weltevreden 324 JS Anglo Operations Ltd 536.4
Vlaklaagte 330 JS Anglo Operations Ltd 102.0
3.3.2 Surface rights holders Anglo Operations Limited holds the Surface Rights over the largest part of the mine boundary area. Refer to Table 7 below for the surface owners of the farm portions of the land within, and surrounding, the mine boundary area of the Navigation Section of Landau Colliery.
Table 7: Surface owners of the farm portions of the land within, and surrounding, the mine boundary area of the Navigation Section of Landau Colliery Farm name Portion Surface owner Area (ha)
Blaauwkrans 323 JS 2 Anglo Operations Ltd 1031.8
Elandsfontein 309 JS 2 Anglo Operations Ltd 1658.1
Groenfontein 331 JS 0 Anglo Operations Ltd 2579.3
Kleinkopje 15 JS 1 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 720.7
RE Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 270.3
9 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 299.4
22 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 210.3
Klipfontein 322 JS 27 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 259.3
28 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 259.3
52 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 4.0
67 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 42.6
75 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 0.9
Klipfontein 322 JS 77 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 7.7
78 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 12.2
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Farm name Portion Surface owner Area (ha)
95 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 0.0
96 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 0.0
107 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 120.8
145 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 300.3
RE Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 212.6
1 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 48.8
2 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 624.4
RE 4 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 207.0
RE 5 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 116.6
6 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 201.9 Klippan 332 JS 7 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 209.8
8 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 142.7
9 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 48.8
10 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 97.5
11 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 116.6
12 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 116.6
0 Anglo Operations Ltd 929.4
7 Anglo Operations Ltd 0.3
9 Anglo Operations Ltd 0.1 Schoongezicht 308 JS 33 Black Top Property (Pty) Ltd -
34 Black Top Property (Pty) Ltd -
64 Anglo Operations Ltd 1.7
Schoongezicht 308 JS 80 Anglo Operations Ltd 4.0
7 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 7.0
Wolverkrans 17 JS 31 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 30.1
033 Anglo Coal & IND Operations Ltd 33.2 *The contact information of the landowners is available from the mine on request.
3.3.3 Land tenure and use of immediately adjacent land Anglo Coal’s Navigation West - Conservancy, Elandsfontein Colliery (Anker Coal), Greenside Colliery, Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corporation Ltd, and Clewer Sand, a sand mining operation, are situated within close proximity to the Navigation Section of Landau Colliery. Refer to Figure 2 and Plan 2 in Appendix A.
The town of KwaMthunzi Vilakazi (formerly known as Clewer) lies approximately 500 m to the north of the Navigation West Section). KwaMthunzi Vilakazi is comprised of residential and light industrial areas. The surrounding area is predominantly used for agricultural, mining and industrial purposes. .
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3.4 REGIONAL SETTING AND LOCATION OF ACTIVITY 3.4.1 Magisteral District and Administrative boundaries Landau Colliery falls within the administrative boundaries of the eMalahleni Local Municipality as shown in Table 8. Refer also to Figure 1 above and Plan 1 in Appendix A, which shows the regional setting of the Landau Colliery.
Table 8: Administrative boundaries of the Landau Colliery Province Mpumalanga
District Municipality Nkangala (DC31)
Local Municipality Emalahleni (MP312)
Ward(s) 23, 9, 11 and 30
Department of Minerals Resources (DMR) Local Office Emalahleni Departm ent of Water and Sanitation (DWS ) Local Bronkhorstspruit Office Department of Economic Development, Environment Emalahleni and Tourism (DEDET) Local Office Catchment Zone(s) B20G, B11K and B11G
Rainfall Zone(s) B1C and B2C
Water Management Area Olifants and Wilge
Water Forums Olifants River Forum
3.4.2 Location of the Mine The Kromdraai Section is situated 15 km north-west of Emalahleni and approximately 5 km north of the Navigation Section of Landau Colliery. The Navigation Section is located approximately 6km south- west of eMalahleni. The positions of the Kromdraai and Navigation Sections in relation to other towns and major transport routes are shown on Figure 1 above and Plan 1 in Appendix A.
3.4.3 Location of the Site The Landau Colliery is situated in the Mpumalanga Highveld Region and the surface is characteristic of the area with gently undulating landscapes giving way to streams and accommodating wetlands. Both sections of the Landau Colliery have a history of underground mining and a number of years of opencast mining activities, and therefore, the present condition of the sites are typically that of disturbed land use areas.
Landau Colliery straddles the Wilge River (B2) and Olifants River (B1) Catchment areas and falls in the upper reaches of the tributaries to these watercourses. The Kromdraai Section falls into quarterly subcatchments B20G and B11K (refer to Figure 4 and Plan 4 in Appendix A. The Navigation Section falls into quarterly sub-catchments B20G, B11K and B11G (refer to Figure 4 and Plan 4 in Appendix A).
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The proposed Navigation West - South Block Extension project and associated infrastructure will be located on Portion 2 of the farm Elandsfontein 309 JS.
The centre co-ordinates of the site are as follows: • 25º 58.048’ S. • 29º 12.111’ E.
3.4.4 Site description Figure 2 above and Plan 2 in Appendix A depicts the mine boundary area of the Navigation Section on a topographical map. The map clearly indicates the surface infrastructure and main topographical features present at the Navigation Section of the Landau Colliery. The N4 highway runs from east to west along the northern boundary of the Navigation Section.
A number of streams and drainage lines associated with the Schoongezicht Spruit, the Grootspruit and the Brugspruit are found within or near the mine boundary area of the Navigation Section. The Schoongezichtspruit originates on-site just north of the Old Navigation Dump and it drains to the north through the Schoongezicht Valley. Navigation Dam, Middle Dam and the Schoongezicht Dam are all pollution control dams located within the central and northern parts of the Navigation Section mine boundary area within the Schoongezicht Valley. A tributary of the Grootspruit originates on-site, west of the Navigation West area, and it drains to the west. The Clewer Dam and two other unnamed dams are all in-stream dams of this tributary. The Schoongezichtspruit and Highveld Steel Spruit drain the northern part of the Navigation Section towards the Brugspruit that flows into the Klipspruit.
The Navigation Section is divided into three areas, namely the Navigation Plant, Schoongezicht No. 2 Seam mini-pit (also referred to as the Schoonie Mini-Pit) and the Navigation West Section (also referred to as Umlalazi - Mini-Pit). Mining at Navigation West Section is currently done at the North and South Block and coal is crushed and washed at the Ngwenya Plant within the boundary of the Navigation West Section. Navigation West Section is located south of the town KwaMthunzi Vilakazi (Previously known as Clewer) where a combination pre-strip (truck and shovel) and dragline opencast operation is in progress. The Navigation West Section can be seen in Figure 2 and Plan 2 in Appendix A.
Details regarding the LOM plan for the Navigation Section can be seen in Figure 6 and Figure 7 below, and Plan 6 and 7 in Appendix A.
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Figure 6: Existing Life of Mine plan for the Navigation West - Section
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Figure 7: Proposed Life of Mine (LOM) plan for the Navigation West - South Block including the Extension Project
Features such as the Blaauwkrans Co-disposal Facility, old mine dumps, the railway link from Kromdraai Section to the Navigation Beneficiation Plant, an overland conveyer from the Navigation Beneficiation Plant to the Rapid Loading Terminal, the surface water management system and old diggings are representative of the mining and related activities that have taken place at the Navigation Section and these too are indicated on Figure 2 above and Plan 2 in Appendix A.
Other infrastructure at the Navigation Section includes the pipelines between the Navigation Plant and the eMalahleni Water Reclamation Plant (EWRP), which convey contaminated mine water to the EWRP. Furthermore, the Navigation Section accommodates the infrastructure associated with the
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Water Uses (as defined in Section 21 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998)) that are currently taking place at this section of the mine.
Infrastructure services displayed on the topographic maps, Figure 2 and Figure 3, are covered by servitudes over the properties they traverse. More information regarding these servitudes is available from the mine upon request.
In addition to the service infrastructure that is visible on the surface, a servitude for a Sasol gas pipeline (refer to Figure 8 below and Plan 8 in Appendix A) is located within the south western part of the Navigation Section, near the Navigation West mining area.
Anglo Coal’s Navigation West - Training Centre, Clewer Nature Reserve, Elandsfontein Colliery (Anker Kohlen), Greenside Colliery, Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corporation Ltd, and Clewer Sand, a sand mining operation, are situated within close proximity to the Navigation Section of Landau Colliery. Refer to Figure 9 below and Plan 9 in Appendix A for an indication of the land uses surrounding the Navigation Section.
The town of KwaMthunzi Vilakazi (formerly known as Clewer) lies approximately 500 m to the north of the Navigation West Section). KwaMthunzi Vilakazi is comprised of residential and light industrial areas. The surrounding area is predominantly used for agricultural, mining and industrial purposes.
The defunct Hayford Colliery (BHP Billiton – Ingwe Collieries) was operated on the south western boundary of the Clewer Nature Reserve, i.e. south west of the Navigation West South Block. This mini- pit operation exploited the No. 1 Seam until 1995.
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Figure 8: The location of the Sasol gas pipeline relative to the Navigation West Section (extracted from the approved EMPR, dated 2010)
Figure 9: Adjacent land uses relevant to the Navigation West Section (extracted from approved EMPR, dated 2010)
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3.5 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTIVITY 3.5.1 Nature of the activity / development Landau Colliery proposes to extend the Life of Mine at the Navigation Section by expanding the mining at the Navigation West - South Block opencast pit. The proposed Navigation West – South Block Extension Project will include the following activities.
Construction phase activities The following mining and related activities, which are expected to impact on the surrounding environmental aspects during the construction phase of the proposed Navigation West –South Block Extension project include, but are not limited to the following: • The construction of haul roads and the upgrading of the existing Navigation West access road to accommodate the additional trucks. • The development of the initial box-cut with ramp. • Stripping and separate stockpiling of topsoil, subsoil and overburden of the initial box-cut at the opencast area. • Construction of storm water management measures such as berms for the separation of clean and dirty water management areas. • Erection of the tip and potentially in-pit crushers for the separate processing of the No. 4 Top Seam and No. 4 Select Seam ROM coal. • The expansion of the existing Navigation West Pollution Control Dam. • The construction of ablution facilities. • The construction of pipelines for the removal of groundwater influx and mine process water from the open pits to enable mining to continue safely and efficiently. • The internal relocation of 22kV powerline. • Diversion of the Sasol gas pipeline away from the proposed mining area.
Operational Phase activities The following mining and related activities, which are expected to impact on the surrounding environmental aspects during the operational phase of the proposed Navigation West –South Block project include, but are not limited to the following: • Progressive development of the box-cut(s), including continues stripping and stockpiling or direct placing of topsoil, subsoil and overburden. • Construction of haul roads and ramps as mining progresses. • Blasting followed by extraction of the No. 5 and No. 4 Top Seam coal and subsequently extraction of No. 4 Seam Select coal. • Concurrent rehabilitation of the opencast pit areas will be undertaken as the pit advances. Carbonaceous material will be placed back into the open voids up to the coal level, followed by the sequential replacing and compaction of overburden and subsoil layers, followed by the
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replacement of topsoil prior to the re-vegetation of the surface as part of the rehabilitation strategy that will be implemented by the Navigation West Section. • Hauling of ROM coal to the tip and potentially in-pit crushers, with separate crushing and stockpiling of crushed ROM coal from the No. 4 Top Seam, the No. 4 Select Seam and the No.5 Seam. • The lower No. 4 Select Seam is to be hauled to either Ngwenya Plant or Navigation Plant for processing. • The No. 4 Top Seam is transported to Eskom, or one of the municipalities generating their own power e.g. Rooiwal. • Discard is to be returned to the tip from the plant using return trip of ROM haulers. • Discard required to fill up the mining void to avoid the formation of post-mining depressions. • Utilisation of water management measures including pollution control measures such as the pollution control dam and the construction of additional water management measures as required in the development of the Navigation West - South Block opencast area. • Utilisation of the existing Ngwenya Plant to wash the No.4 Select Seam coal. • Utilisation of the existing infrastructure at Navigation West such as: o Site offices. o Ablution facilities o Workshops. o Security facilities (access boom and guard hut). o A fuel depot. o Wash-bay. o Storage areas. o Waste accumulation areas. o Pipelines for the transportation of potable water (for domestic use) and process water (for dust suppression and process use). o Transportation of sewage sludge from the onsite sewage facilities to the sewage treatment plant at Navigation Section. o Slurry will be pumped to the existing slurry dams to dry and from the slurry dams disposed of in the pits. o The tip and in-pit crushers for the separate processing of the No.4 Top Seam and No.4 Select Seam ROM coal. o Pipelines for the transportation of excess contaminated water from the proposed pollution control dam to the Navigation Dam. o Water pumped to the Navigation West PCD is re-used at the Ngwenya Plant and also for dust suppression o Removal of groundwater influx and mine process water from the open pits to enable mining to continue safely and efficiently.
Decommissioning Phase
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The following mining and related activities, which are expected to impact on the surrounding environmental aspects during the decommissioning phase of the proposed Navigation West –South Block project include, but are not limited to the following:. • Backfilling of the final void(s). • Removal of carbonaceous material from areas such as footprints of ROM coal stockpiles, crusher plant areas, along haul roads, and disposal in the final voids prior to final rehabilitation. • Levelling of remaining in-pit spoils, and shaping and landscaping of rehabilitated open voids. • Removal of infrastructure at the tip area as well as ripping of tip area and haul roads. • Removal of redundant surface infrastructure (depending on the agreed end land use), and rehabilitation of the remaining footprint areas. • Monitoring and maintenance of rehabilitated surface land use areas, as well as surface water and groundwater. • Utilisation and management of the water balance to reflect the actual situation during the Decommissioning Phase.
3.5.2 The mineral to be mined The mineral to be mined, as indicated above, is that of coal to be mined from the No.4 Top Seam, the No. 4 Select Seam and the No. 5 Seam.
3.5.2.1 The mining method to be employed Navigation West - South Block will be mined by roll-over opencast strip mining methods using a combination of dragline, dozer and truck and shovel methods to extract coal. As part of the opencast roll-over mining method, the spoils are rehabilitated as the mining operation advances, which are maintained so as to ensure that the rehabilitation of the disturbed area is no further than three cuts behind the active mining void.
For each strip, the topsoil, subsoil, and overburden is removed sequentially. Topsoil is removed and stockpiled separately or live placed where permitted for rehabilitation. Not including the boxcut, the subsoil is hauled around the pit, dumped and levelled to backfill previous voids. The hard overburden is blasted into the previous void and moved by combination of Dragline, dozers and truck and shovel to expose coal. The exposed coal is then removed and the No. 4 Seam will be 'split-mined' in a No. 4 Top Seam and No. 4 Select Seam horizons.
The No. 4 Top and select Seams are blasted simultaneously and loaded separately to separate the two grades of coal. After coal removal overburden and subsoil is selectively dumped behind the direction of progressive mining, before being reshaped. Thereafter, topsoil will be replaced and the backfilled void will be rehabilitated.
The No. 4 Seam in the Navigation West - South Block consists of a low quality upper section (No. 4 Top Seam) and a higher quality lower section referred to as No. 4 Select Seam. In some areas of the
Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd EIA AND EMP AOPL: LANDAU COLLIERY: NAVIGATION WEST SOUTH BLOCK EXTENSION Page 71 of 346 pit the 5 seam is present. The No. 5 and No. 4 Top Seam is loaded, crushed and transported to Eskom, or to one of the municipalities generating their own power e.g. Rooiwal. The lower No. 4 Select Seam is loaded and crushed prior to being hauled to the Navigation West Beneficiation Plant for processing aimed at the 5850 export market.
3.5.2.2. Extent of target area Landau Colliery currently has surface rights for a total area of 7 122 ha and coal (mineral) rights for an area of 9 314 ha. Underground mining areas cover a total area of 4 116 ha. Opencast workings cover an area of ±1 383 ha.
Of the Landau Colliery mine boundary area, the Navigation Section consists of surface rights for a total area of 3 615.2 ha and coal (mineral) rights for an area of 6 381.1 ha. Old underground mining areas cover a total area of 1 504.1 ha. The current opencast workings of Navigation Section cover an area of ±251.7 ha.
Of the Navigation Section mine boundary area, the Navigation West surface area of ± 1 565 ha includes the North Block mineable reserve of ± 214 ha, and the South Block mineable reserve of ±108 ha. Although the total coal reserve occurs over an extent of approximately 480 ha, in an attempt to minimise the anticipated environmental impacts, only 322 ha of the reserve were included in the current mine plan.
3.5.2.3 Reserves Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates were compiled by Anglo Operations Limited in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (The JORC Code, 1999) as a minimum standard and in compliance with the SAMREC code (i.e. The South African Code for the Reporting of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, (South African Institute for Mining & Metallurgy, 2000). Estimates as at 31st December 2014 for reserves and resources at Landau Colliery are presented in Table 9 below.
Table 9: Estimated reserves and resources at Landau Colliery (December 2014)
Tonnage Classifica Report Attrib Yield% Heat CV Saleable (2) Category (1) tion ed utable (4) (kcal/kg) (5) Mt Mt OPENCAST RESERVES AND RESOURCES
RESERVES ROM (2) Umlalazi Probable 100% 100% 6.35 68.10 5368 4.46 South Total 100% 100% 6.35 68.10 5368 4.46
RESOURCES MTIS (3) Measured 97% 97% 2.00 65.15 5368 1.29 Umlalazi Indicated ------South Inferred ------
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Total 97% 97% 2.00 65.15 5368 1.29
UNDERGROUND RESERVES AND RESOURCES
RESERVES ROM (2) Umlalazi Proved 100% 100% - - - - South Probable 100% 100% - - - - Total 100% 100% - - - -
RESOURCES MTIS (3) Measured ------Umlalazi Indicated ------South Inferred ------Total ------
3.5.2.4 Planned Production Rate The planned production rate from 2015 onwards, is presented in Table 10 below, which has been provided by the mine.
Table 10: Planned production rate from 2015 onwards Year 1 2 3 4 5 6
Date 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
ROM Tonnes 325 650 1000 1000 1000 1000
Sales Tonnes 210 419 647 658 652 632
AAC Steam Export 168 326 498 490 472 301
Inland Industrial 5 11 14 16 17 129
Inland Thermal 37 82 135 151 163 203
Year 7 8 9 10 11 12
Date 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
ROM Tonnes 1000 1000 1000 582 0 0
Sales Tonnes 616 604 578 355 0 0
AAC Steam Export 0 0 0 0 0 0
Inland Industria l 343 345 315 206 0 0
Inland Thermal 273 260 263 150 0 0
LOM TOTAL Mt
ROM Tonnes 8,56
Sales Tonnes 5,37
AAC Steam Export 2,25
AKD Steam Export 1,40
Domestic Steam 1,72
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3.5.2.5 Life of mine Figure 7 (and Plan 7 in Appendix A) shows the Life of Mine plan for the Navigation West - South Block Extension within the Navigation Section, and Figure 6 and Plan 6 in Appendix A shows the existing Life of Mine plan for the Navigation West Section: North Block and South Block. The grey areas on Figure 6 indicate the areas that have already been mined out, and are about to be or in the process of being rehabilitated. The Navigation West - South Block extension will conclude mining in 2024 and the existing Navigation West North Block and South Block will conclude in 2018.
Based on the estimates of the available Reserves and Resources, the technically justified mining period for Landau Colliery is 16 years – refer to Table 11, below which has been provided by the mine.
Table 11: Technically justified mining period – Umlalazi South
Category Unit Umlalazi South
Proven Reserves Landau ROM Mt 2014 -
Probable Reserves Landau ROM Mt 2014 6.35
Probable Reserves Landau ROM Mt 2014 -
Resources in LOM Plan Landau Mt 2014 2.00
Total Reserves Mt 2014 8.35
2014 Actual ROM Production Mtpa -
2014 LOM Average ROM production Rate Mtpa 1.04
LOM Calculated Years 8
(1) 2014 Additional Resources Measured MTIS Mt -
(2) 2014 Additional Resources Indicated MTIS Mt -
Additional Resources Inferred (3) MTIS Mt 2014 -
Additional Resources Recon (4) MTIS Mt 2014 -
ROM / MTIS % -
Equivalent ROM ROM Mt -
Additional LOM Years -
Total Potential LOM Years 16.2 Notes: (1) Discount factor 0.6 for MTIS to ROM conversion (2) Discount factor 0.4 for MTIS to ROM conversion (3) Discount factor 0.4 for MTIS to ROM conversion (4) Discount factor 0.4 for MTIS to ROM conversion
3.5.3 Description of the main mining actions, activities, or processes 3.5.3.1 Mine and plant residue
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The No. 4 Select Seam ROM coal that is mined from the Navigation West Section is screened on-site at the Navigation West Section Beneficiation Plant the discards are backfilled at the bottom of the mined out pits to assist in attaining a positive volume balance for the mined area.
The slurry generated at the Ngwenya Plant at the Navigation West Section is pumped to the slurry dams adjacent the plant to allow for the slurry to dry, prior to disposal into the voids as per approved EMPR alignment, with license number MP 30/5/1/2/3/2/1 (306). Landau Colliery proposes, as a possible alternative, to in future pump the slurry into the pit and the recovered water to the Navigation West PCD.
As per the approved WUL (Licence number 04/B20G/ABCGIJ/1498), the mine residue (coarse discard and slurry) is backfilled into the opencast pit as part of the roll-over opencast mining method employed at the Navigation West Section.
The location of the Navigation West Section mining area is shown on Figure 2. The sequential lateral roll-over technique is used, and thus rehabilitation follows three cuts behind the working face. The entire mined out area will be backfilled by the end of Life of Mine.
The excess coarse discard which will be placed back into the pit is anticipated to be approximately 2 576 000 tons in total.
Since the excess coarse discard is replaced into the open pits (up to the original depth of the shallowest coal layer), the final area over which the backfilling will have taken place will be that of the final area over which opencast mining has taken place, which has been planned to be ± 214 ha.
The mine plan (Figure 7 and Plan 7 in Appendix A) is suited to the roll-over opencast mining method with relatively short pit lengths, and continuous rehabilitation, as the mining advances. It was decided that mining will commence in the northern-most cut of the South Block, and will move northwards from there.
3.5.3.2 Ore processing activities 3.5.3.2.1 Crushing and stockpiling ROM coal mined at the Navigation West Section is hauled to the Ngwenya Plant, where is offloaded at the ROM tip and is crushed and stockpiled before being transported to the domestic market(s). It is proposed that the existing crusher at the Navigation West section will be upgraded with a new secondary, reversible 1800 feeder (refer to Part 6 for the alternative option considered in terms of the crusher).
3.5.3.2.2 Processing plant
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There are two plants at Navigation Section where coal can be processed and both will be utilised for the proposed Navigation West – South Block Extension Project. The Ngwenya Plant is located within the boundary of the Navigation West Mini pit on Portion 2 of the farm Elandsfontein 309 JS and can be viewed on Figure 10.
The other plant is the main Navigation Beneficiation Plant located on Portion 23 of the farm Blaauwkrans 323 JS near the old Navigation dump, the Blaauwkrans Co-disposal facility and the Navigation Workshop and Office Complex.
3.5.3.3 Internal Haul roads Haul roads at the Navigation West Section; North Block and South Block are shown in Figure 11. New haul roads will be constructed for the proposed project.
3.5.3.4 Access to workings and the mining area The employees of Landau Colliery are collected from various bus stop location within their respective communities and bussed to the Kromdraai offices area, Navigation Beneficiation Plant area and to the Navigation West Section.
For the Navigation West section, the existing gravel road currently providing access to the Clewer Nature Reserve is utilised by light vehicles to gain access to the Navigation West Section. Entry to the gravel access road can be gained from Carl Road in KwaMthunzi Vilakazi as well as from the adjacent R547 to the east.
A haul road was constructed to provide an access route for heavy vehicles from the Navigation West Plant to the R547 Provincial road. The route of the haul roads and access roads to the Navigation West Section is shown on Figure 10 and Plan 11 in Appendix A.
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Figure 10: Traffic Management Plan for Navigation West Section
The construction of a network of haul roads and low wall ramps has commenced to carry Articulated Dump Trucks (ADTs) from the mining cuts to the ROM tips at Navigation West area. The construction of the haul roads and low wall ramps will advance as mining advances, and the roads and ramps will remain in place until the coal reserves at the Navigation West Section have been depleted, where after they will be rehabilitated during the Decommissioning Phase of the operation.
3.5.3.5 Roads Figure 2 and Plan 2 in Appendix A indicates the roads present at the Navigation Section of the Landau Colliery. Bailey Avenue (D328) crosses the Navigation Section in a north / south direction and passes
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Another secondary provincial road (D2769) crosses the Navigation Section from west to east from KwaMthunzi Vilakazi and eventually crosses the N12 highway in the South-east outside of the mine boundary. This road is used to access the Navigation Beneficiation Plant and crosses the R555 within the mine boundary area. The R555 crosses the mine boundary in a north-south direction just east of the Navigation Beneficiation Plant and then runs along the mine boundary to the southeast.
Gravel roads used to access Transalloys (Pty) Ltd, which are located within the mine boundary area, extend north from KwaMthunzi Vilakazi.
At the Navigation West area, a gravel road extends through the site. This gravel road is used to access Clewer Sand, the farm of Mr. H.J.Scheffer (Remainder of Portion 2 of the farm Weltevreden 324 JS), the Navigation West - Training Centre and the Clewer Nature Reserve. Elandsfontein Colliery also uses a portion of this gravel road as a haul road. It is anticipated that Elandsfontein Colliery will continue to use the mentioned gravel road as a haul road. Other smaller gravel roads are also present on the Navigation West site from which access is obtained to the agricultural activities currently undertaken on-site to the southeast of the site.
3.5.3.6 Railways The railway line is shown in Figure 2 and Plan 2 of Appendix A. The route from the Kromdraai Plant runs parallel to the R432 road to the south of the mine boundary. At point B on Plan 21 it joins the existing siding 237 from Trans Alloys. The track between points A and B was constructed for the mining operations at Kromdraai so as to connect the Kromdraai Section with the Navigation Beneficiation Plant. From point B, the railway line was constructed on the existing railway line servitude through farmlands until it joins up with the Pretoria – eMalahleni line, after which the line runs parallel to the Transnet line through KwaMthunzi Vilakazi until it crosses the Transnet reserve and continues on the old KwaMthunzi Vilakazi / Navigation railway line servitude until reaching the Navigation Beneficiation Plant at point D.
The above mentioned Pretoria – eMalahleni line continues through the Navigation Section mine boundary area and exits the mine boundary area to the North-east. Blackhill siding is located on the south-eastern boundary of the Navigation Section and a railway line running parallel to the R555 runs along and through the mine boundary and crosses the N4 highway in the North-east around 4km outside of the mine boundary area. This line will eventually reach the Richards Bay Coal Terminal on the KwaZulu Natal coast.
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3.5.3.7 Water management Water is managed using an integrated approach at both the Kromdraai and Navigation Sections of Landau Colliery. Figure 11 (and Plan 12 in Appendix A) diagrammatically represents the integrated water management system that is implemented at the Navigation Section of the mine.
Figure 11: Integrated water management system that is implemented at the Navigation Section of the mine
As part of the Hydrological assessment, a conceptual Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) was compiled. The conceptual SWMP aims to address concerns that have been identified in terms of existing infrastructure as well as proposed developments. The plan attempts to provide management measures that should be in place to prevent flood damage proactively, separate clean/dirty water and the effective channelling of surface water. Refer to Figure 12 below for the identified dirty water management areas in relation to the Navigation West South Block.
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Good management is based on separating clean and dirty water and therefore incorporates the fundamental principle of pollution prevention. All proposed measures prioritise the use of gravity and natural drainage lines to provide cost-effective solutions with minimum maintenance requirements. Where such measures are not possible and the use of mechanical equipment is required (e.g. pumping infrastructure in box-cuts or dams), it is the responsibility of the operation to do a risk assessment with regards to control, maintenance and standby equipment in case of down time.
The Conceptual SWMP for the Navigation West South Block Extension project is presented in Figure 12 and Figure 13 below. Refer also to Part 5 of the Hydrological assessment attached hereto as Appendix E7.
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Figure 12: Dirty areas associated with the Navigation west South Block (extracted from Shangoni, 2014)
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Figure 13: Navigation West South Block Extension SWMP (extracted from Shangoni, 2014)
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3.5.3.8 Process water The Navigation West Section is divided into clean and dirty water management areas where clean runoff is diverted to natural watercourses and contaminated runoff is contained for evaporation and treatment before being re-used. The operational / land use areas are protected by cut-off drains diverting clean storm water, from undisturbed surface areas as well as rehabilitated surfaces, into the catchment of the unnamed tributary of the Grootspruit near the Navigation West Section
Affected water at the Navigation West Section is primarily pit water and runoff from the haul road surfaces, workshop area and ROM Tip area. Water spill and runoff water from the product and discard bins at the on-site plant are also sources of polluted water.
All pit water (including groundwater inflow, recharge from the in-pit spoils and direct rainfall) emanating from the Navigation West Section opencast mine is accumulated within the void and contained in In-pit Impoundment(s). Excess water make is pumped to the Navigation West PCD from where it can be pumped to the onsite process water tank for re-use in the plant and for dust suppression. The re-use of contaminated water from the In-pit Impoundments(s) or PCD for process water and dust suppression purposes is in line with the requirements of the Regulations GN 704, dated June 1999, under the NWA, 1998.
Runoff from the dirty water management areas and excess pit water-make collected in the Navigation West PCD is pumped to the process water tank at Navigation West and reused for process water in the plant. Some of the water is also sent to the dust suppression tanks and used for dust suppression on site. The reuse of water at Navigation West Mini Pit indicates that detailed investigations were carried out to ensure proper usage of process water and to avoid excessive usage of potable water from an external source.
The on-site Beneficiation Plant is located on the terrain adjacent to the workshops at the Navigation West Section. The site slopes gently to the west, and thus the drainage pattern is generally from east to west.
The dirty water storage facilities that are operated at the Navigation West Section and are licensed under the Landau Colliery - Navigation Section Integrated Water Use License, license number 04/B20G/ABCGIJ/1498, include the: • Navigation West Pollution Control Dam (PCD). • Navigation West Process Water Storage Tank. • Navigation West In-pit Impoundment(s). • Navigation West Dust Suppression Water Storage Tank. • The slurry dams.
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The Navigation West PCD is positioned downstream (western downslope) of the tip area and workshop facility to intercept affected runoff from the site. This existing 60Ml PCD is lined with an HDPE liner.
3.5.3.9 Potable water Potable water for domestic use at the Navigation Section is obtained from the Emalahleni Water Reclamation Plant via a pipeline to the potable water tank at the Navigation Plant. This water is then sent to the potable water tank at Navigation West Section via a 110 mm HDPE pipeline.
Domestic wastewater generated at the Navigation West Section flows into the Navigation West Sewage Plant. This plant is a biodisk plant that is operated by an external qualified contractor, and monthly reports are submitted to the mine to report on the operational status of the plant. The plant end products are both sludge and treated effluent.
The final treated effluent from the sewage plant is discharged into the Navigation West PCD and recycled for re-use within the Ngwenya Plant. Over time the septic tanks within the plant require de- sludging. Once every 4 months the qualified contactor de –sludge the septic tank using a honey sucker. The sludge is sent to the Navigation Plant sewage treatment plant for final treatment, drying and disposal with the rest of the sludge entering the Navigation sewage treatment plant.
Disposal of solid sewage waste at the Navigation sewage treatment plant is done in the following manner: • Solid waste is dried in the drying beds constructed for that purpose. • The dried sewage waste is then stored on a concrete based facility until an adequate load of material has accumulated. • The dried sewage waste is then taken to the Kromdraai rehabilitation department where it is dumped in the rehabilitation area and mixed with the topsoil to assist in the vegetation of rehabilitated areas or it is buried on-site.
3.5.3.10 Water balance A dynamic water balance for the Navigation West South Block Extension mining area was calculated as part of the hydrological assessment attached hereto as Appendix E7. A dynamic water balance is fundamental to optimising water management and minimising water use on any site. The risk of surface- and groundwater contamination need to be managed and prevented by careful planning and operation of mine water infrastructure. The primary purpose of the water balance developed for he Navigation West South Block Extension area is to characterise the water use at the current North Block and South South Block operations of the Navigation West mining area. The objectives of the water balance are therefore: • To develop a water balance for the proposed Umlalazi South Block extension. • To quantify and understand the proposed surface water usage in and around the operation. • To identify possible areas of loss, wastage and inappropriate utilisation of water.
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Figure 14 below presents the average monthly water balance for all inflow and outflow volumes anticipated for the Umlalazi pollution control dam (refer to Appendix E7). Figure 15 below presents the water balance for a 1:50 year 72 hour flood event (refer to Appendix E7). The current dam capacity for the Umlalazi pollution control dam is 60 000 m 3. The mine confirmed that the pollution control dam will be expanded to a capacity of 66 029 m 3. The Ingwenya Plant Manager indicated that the preferred water level (current PCD situation with 40-50 % silted up) to ensure sufficient water for coal washing in the plant would require the dam to be at 80 % level. After the dam has been de-silted, a conservative level to ensure sufficient water supply would be 36 % level at a supply of 24 000 m 3 per month to the plant. During a 1:50 year 72 hour flood event, the water balance shows a total volume of 47 129 m 3 that will report to the Umlalazi pollution control dam. If operated at 36 % level, but during such a flood event, the dam will will overflow (excess of 5100 m3 affected water).
Should the Umlalazi pollution control dam be operated at 28 % level, the dam will have a buffer capacity of 411.88 m 3 and will not overflow during the above modelled flood event. Investigations should determine if it is feasible to operate the Umlalazi pollution control dam at 28 % level.
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Figure 14: Average monthly water balance (extracted from Shangoni, 2014)
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Figure 15: 1:50 year 72 hour flood scenario water balance (extracted from Shangoni, 2014)
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3.5.3.11 Support services
General and hazardous waste Waste management at Landau Colliery takes the following aspects into consideration: Recycling and minimisation of waste. • The development of Operational Procedures and Closure plans for waste disposal facilities. • Monitoring to ensure set objectives are met.
A part of the EMS implemented at Landau Colliery consists of a detailed Waste Management Standard Procedure, which describes the system that the mine has in place to deal with domestic, hazardous, scrap, industrial and recyclable paper waste. This procedure applies to all areas that generate the above-mentioned waste.
The objective of the procedure is to minimise the impact waste has on the environment by setting standards for the correct handling, storage and disposal of waste. The objective of this procedure is to: • Identify all the waste in the related areas. • Ensure correct waste disposal facilities. • Ensure correct separation and disposal of the different types of waste streams. • Promote awareness amongst mine employees on the impact waste has on the environment, and thus the importance of proper waste management.
Reference can be made to the Standard Procedure on Waste Management for detail regarding the responsibilities and distribution of the Environmental Standard Procedure of Waste Management. Included in the above-mentioned Standard Procedure is reference to the relevant documents, definitions and abbreviations, the procedure / methodology and reference to the procedure regarding reporting and documentation. The procedure / methodology of waste disposal at Landau Colliery is summarised below.
The following waste skips are available at all designated sites, attached to the above-mentioned Standard Procedure. Type of waste Skip Bins
Domestic waste Green Green
Hazardous waste Red/Black with a red line Red
Scrap Metal waste Blue -
Recyclable Paper bin - white
Fluorescent Tubes red/ yellow pvc bags -
Industrial waste Yellow yellow
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Dedicated areas have been demarcated for these skips at both the Ngwenya Plant and the Navigation West Section. Signs state the classified waste types to be disposed of in these drums / skips. No other waste types are allowed into these drums and skips.
Dedicated areas are demarcated for hazardous waste skips. Signs state that only hazardous waste, as identified above, may be disposed of in these skips. The areas are demarcated for hazardous waste and have concrete floors and collection trenches, or bunded area around the concrete to catch any contaminated runoff and to prevent soil and surface water pollution. A valve is installed in these bunds to control movement of any liquids into the receiving environment. An absorbent material is stored close by to treat any oil spillages that might arise. The Hazardous waste is collected by a qualified and competent waste handler and disposed of at Holfontein which is a licensed Hazardous landfill site.
Dedicated areas are demarcated for scrap metal skips. Signs state the relevant waste types to be disposed into the skip. No other waste types are allowed into these skips. If scrap metal parts are still contaminated with oil / grease, the contaminated areas need to be cleaned from any excessive oil and grease before being disposed of in the scrap metal waste skips. The oily rags, used for cleaning the scrap material must be disposed of in the hazardous waste skips. Scrap metal is recycled for re-use at an external facility.
Industrial waste is stored in the salvage / erection yards according to the type and usage, until final disposal.
Fluorescent tubes are stored in PVC bags and collected by a reputable and licensed contractor for disposal.
Old oil is stored in 210 l oil drums, in concrete bunded areas with oil trap or containment areas. “No smoking” signs are present and only oil drums are allowed in these areas. It can also be pumped into bulk used oil containers that are bunded in a concrete area with “no smoking” signs put in place. A valve is also installed in these bund walls to control any movement of liquids into the environment. The oil is collected by an external contractor for re-use.
Transport and conveyance Export grade coal product that has been processed at the Navigation Beneficiation Plant is transported to the SACE Rapid Loading Terminal (RLT) via conveyor, from where it is transported by train to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal. Lower grade coal product from the Navigation West Section is transported by Heavy Goods Vehicles to the domestic market(s).
A conveyor is located at the Navigation West Section: North Block to facilitate the backfilling of discard into the open pit. The discard is conveyed from the Navigation West crushing plant to the open pit that is being backfilled.
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Energy supply Power is supplied to the Navigation West mining area, and supporting infrastructure, via a 22 kV overhead line from the existing Navigation Beneficiation Plant. This provides power to the ROM tip, crushers, workshops, office complex, pumps and lights.
A 6.6 kV line was constructed along the mining area to facilitate easy access to the grid via a transformer skid that will be moved to different areas to supply the pump and auxiliary equipment. The major production equipment is diesel driven.
Administration and other buildings At the Navigation West Section, the office and workshop complex (refer to Figure 10 and Plan 10 in Appendix A) includes offices for the permanent staff, a change-house for all employees and a workshop to perform repairs and maintenance on-site, diesel tanks and a refuelling bay. The workshops include a large workshop for the diesel fleet. The workshop is divided into boiler-making, mechanical, electrical and diesel machine areas.
Housing, recreation and other employee facilities AOPL employees associated with the Landau Colliery utilise existing facilities belonging to the SACE such as the Landau Mine Village. Many employees are housed in eMalahleni, KwaMthunzi Vilakazi and Kwa-Guqa.
Recreational facilities are provided for the SACE complex at the AOPL SACE clubhouse, which is not located within the Landau Colliery mine boundary area.
3.5.4 Reason for project Landau Colliery proposes to extend the Life of Mine at the Navigation Section by expanding the mining at the Navigation West-South Block opencast pit.
3.5.4.1 Local Economic Development The Life of Mine for Landau Colliery is expected to end in the year 2018 for all sites. The proposed project will ensure the continuance of the mine for another 8 years, which will be beneficial not only to the company, but also to the employees who would face job losses in the year 2018 and the surrounding communities that are benefiting from the existence of the mine.
Should the Navigation West - South Block Extension Project not be implemented, Landau Colliery would run out of coal to mine and the Colliery will not be able to continue to supply coal to the existing markets at the current rate of demand. In return the jobs of workers that are currently employed at the Landau Colliery may be lost.
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Expected direct and indirect benefits of the proposed project include: • Continued employment of staff. • Potential for the creation of additional jobs. • Continued upliftment of the surrounding communities. • Rehabilitation of environmental issues within the wetland areas. • Continued supply of coal to the local, national, and international markets, and therefore contribution to local, provincial and national economy.
3.5.4.2 Where is it intended that the product(s) will be sold About 10% of the coal produced at Landau Colliery is for the local South African market with the balance being for export via Richards Bay Coal terminal to the international market. Consumers of the coal would typically be power stations and steel and vanadium producers. Table 12 below lists Landau Colliery’s product consumers and what the product is used for.
Table 12 : List of Product Consumers
Market Customer Country / Region Use
Scaw Metals South Africa Heat
Trans alloys South Africa Power Generation Local Sappi South Africa Heat
Cape Gate South Africa Heat
Regional Sappi KZN Heat
RAG Germany Various
Eskom South Africa Power Generation
International Enel Italy Power Generation
EDF France Power Generation
Carboex Spain Power Generation
3.5.4.3 An estimate of the total annual expenditure at full production Costs applicable to the mining operation are detailed in Table 13 below (all given as un-escalated costs – extracted from the 2010 Mining Works Programme for Landau Colliery). Operating Costs for Landau Colliery total approximately R 10.6 billion over the LOM, which is approximately R 46.63 per ROM ton in 2007, increasing to approximately R 126.74 by 2027.
Table 13 : Estimate of mining operations costs (2010)
Annual Cost Item Description Cost
Stores Average R3.6m per month R83,222,111
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Working Cost Suspense Average R8.6m per month R9,307,841
Training & Education Skills development levy, training courses. R6,834,334
Includes insurance, bank, legal, vehicles, security, Administration overheads security, communications, rates & taxes, Power & R61,317,994 Water
Mining contractor Hire of Labour / Equipment & Services R94,097,943
Anglo Coal SA fees Reimbursable, Chamber of Mines & AAC Fee R25,983,476
Rock engineering, environmental, geology, grade Technical mine services control, project services, metallurgical, VOHE, R12,268,428 electrical, mine planning etc…
Computing / audit services Computing network, auditing etc. R2,831,047
Beneficiation of the coal has cost implications, both for plant maintenance and operation. According to the Mining Works Programme (2010), these costs total approximately R60.9 million in 2007 money terms or R2.19 billion over the LOM, equivalent to approximately R9.60 per ROM tonne.
Table 14 : Estimate of processing costs
Item R / t R pa LOM Cost
Plant maintenance R 4.12 R 26,172,810 R 939.3 m
Processing R 5.47 R 34,712,099 R 1,245.7 m
3.5.4.4 Labour Force Landau Colliery is BBBEE compliant, as indicated in the Social and Labour plan, dated 10 April 2008. According to Landau Colliery’s Employment Equity Plan (2006 – 2010) that is available from the mine upon request, the mine is committed to the attainment of equity in the workplace through the promotion of equal opportunity and fair treatment in employment. To this effect, Landau Colliery aims at eliminating all unfair discrimination and implementing employment equity measures to redress the disadvantages in employment experienced by designated groups and to ensure their equitable representation throughout the workplace at the Navigation Section. Management has committed Landau Colliery to achieving the employment equity goals and objectives spelt out in the afore- mentioned plan, not only as required by legislation, but also to maximise the benefits of diversity, equal opportunity and fair treatment of employees, for the purpose of maximising the growth and productivity of the Navigation Section.
Anglo Coal has established a consultative forum that recognised the requirements of Section 16(2) of the Employment Equity Act and used as a model for representation of employees in the consultative forum, the principles set out in the guidelines for workplace forums in Schedule 2 to the Labour Relations Act. The committee consists of 15 members who were nominated to represent the following constituencies:
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• Management (2). • ER Section (1). • Training Section (1). • Skilled Employees (4). • Senior Skilled Employees (2). • Officials (1). • Female (2). • Disabled (1).
Landau Colliery (under Anglo Coal, a division of Anglo Operations Limited) consults with the consultative forum on all matters referred to in Section 17 of the Act. Furthermore, Landau Colliery has gathered information and completed an analysis in terms of relevant legislation, and compiled a demographic profile of its workforce. This process will be ongoing. Refer to Table 15(below) for a representation of the Employment Equity statistics for 2008 (taken from the Social and Labour Plan of Landau Colliery dated 10 April 2010).
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Table 15 : Workforce profile for Landau Colliery as per occupational categories (2010) Landau Colliery Male Female Total Disabled Occupational Levels African Coloured Indian White African Coloured Indian White African Male Female Top Management 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Senior Management 2 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 6 1 0
Professionally qualified and 21 0 0 7 10 0 0 4 42 0 0 experienced specialists and mid management Technical and academically 8 0 0 3 14 0 1 5 31 0 0 qualified workers, junior management, supervisors, foremen and superintendents Discretionary decision making 63 2 0 0 7 0 0 0 72 0 0
Defined decision making. 280 4 0 4 61 0 0 1 350 0 0
TOTAL 374 6 0 17 93 0 2 10 502 1 0
Non-permanent employees 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 3 0 0
Total Permanent 328 6 3 107 96 0 1 10 505 1 0
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3.5.4.5 An estimate of the multiplier effect on the local, regional and national economy The employment of 502 people at the Landau Colliery have a positive effect on the local economy. According to the approved EMPR a multiplier effect of eight (8) was used to understand the extent to which the local community will benefit. The EMPR bought the approximate number of people to 4016 that are expected to benefit from the employment opportunities at the Landau Colliery.
3.5.3 Extent of activity The footprint area of the Navigation West - South Block Extension will be approximately 71.52 hectares in size and the proposed new opencast pit and associated infrastructure will be located on Portion 2 of the farm Elandsfontein 309 JS (refer to Figure 2 and 3).
3.6 NEED AND DESIRABILITY IN TERMS OF THE GUIDELINE ON NEED AND DESIRABILITY DATED 20 OCTOBER 2014. On the 20 th of October 2014, the Department of Environmental Affairs published a Guideline on Need and Desirability in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2010, in Government Notice 891 of 2014. The following table indicates how the guideline requirement were considered in this EIA and EMP.
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Table 16 : Need and Desirability of the Proposed Project
Requirement Part where requirement is addressed/response
1. How will this development (and its separate Refer to Part 4.7, 4.13 and Part 7. elements/aspects) impact on the ecological integrity of the area? 6
1.1 How were the following ecological integrity considerations taken into account?
1.1.1 Threatened Ecosystems. 7
1.1.2 Sensitive, vulnerable, highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems, such as coastal shores, estuaries, wetlands, and similar systems require specific attention in management and planning procedures, especially where they are subject to significant human resource usage and development pressure. 8
1.1.3 Critical Biodiversity Areas ("CBAs") and Ecological Refer background description as contained in Part Support Areas ("ESAs"). 4.7.
1.1.4 Conservation targets.
1.1.5 Ecological drivers of the ecosystem.
1.1.6 Environmental Management Framework. No EMF or SDF existis for the area.
1.1.7 Spatial Development Framework.
1.1.8 Global and international responsibilities relating to the Anglo American is commited to the development, environment (e.g. RAMSAR sites, Climate Change, implementation and maintenance of globally etc.). 9 acceptable standards and procedures that are embedded in the supply chain process. Anglo has developed Principles and Policy, an Environmental Management System (EMS) Standard, a Social and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA) Standard, and a number of Environmental Performance Standards that cover key management areas (e.g. water, air, biodiversity, etc.). These Standards are mandatory, high-level requirements set at corporate level. They support the Anglo Environmental Vision, Principles and Policy, and outline the required approach to avoiding or minimising the potential adverse
6 Section 24 of the Constitution and section 2(4)(a)(vi) of NEMA refer. 7 Must consider the latest information including the notice published on 9 December 2011 (Government Notice No. 1002 in Government Gazette No. 34809 of 9 December 2011 refers) listing threatened ecosystems in terms of Section 52 of National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004). 8 Section 2(4)(r) of NEMA refers. 9 Section 2(4)(n) of NEMA refers.
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environmental impacts associated with their activities. The Standards are supported by detailed procedures and guidelines.
1.2 How will this development disturb or enhance Refer to Part 7 and Part 14. ecosystems and/or result in the loss or protection of biological diversity? What measures were explored to firstly avoid these negative impacts, and where these negative impacts could not be avoided altogether, what measures were explored to minimise and remedy (including offsetting) the impacts? What measures were explored to enhance positive impacts? 10
1.3 How will this development pollute and/or degrade the Refer risk table, Part 7.3 biophysical environment? What measures were explored to firstly avoid these impacts, and where impacts could not be avoided altogether, what measures were explored to minimise and remedy (including offsetting) the impacts? What measures were explored to enhance positive impacts? 11
1.4 What waste will be generated by this development? Types of mineral and non-mineral wastes, as What measures were explored to firstly avoid waste, typically expected to be generated are discussed in and where waste could not be avoided altogether, Part 3.5. Measures to avoid waste, minimise, reuse what measures were explored to minimise, reuse and/or recycle wastes are included as and/or recycle the waste? What measures have been commitments for the mine. explored to safely treat and/or dispose of unavoidable waste? 12
1.5 How will this development disturb or enhance Refer Part 7 and Part 14. landscapes and/or sites that constitute the nation's cultural heritage? What measures were explored to firstly avoid these impacts, and where impacts could not be avoided altogether, what measures were explored to minimise and remedy (including offsetting) the impacts? What measures were explored to enhance positive impacts? 13
1.6 How will this development use and/or impact on non- Refer to the project description in Part 3.5. renewable natural resources? What measures were explored to ensure responsible and equitable use of the resources? How have the consequences of the
10 Section 24 of the Constitution and Sections 2(4) (a) (i) and 2(4) (b) of NEMA refer. 11 Section 24 of the Constitution and Sections 2(4)(a)(ii) and 2(4)(b) of NEMA refer. 12 Section 24 of the Constitution and Sections 2(4)(a)(iv) and 2(4)(b) of NEMA refer. 13 Section 24 of the Constitution and Sections 2(4)(a)(iii) and 2(4)(b) of NEMA refer.
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depletion of the non-renewable natural resources been considered? What measures were explored to firstly avoid these impacts, and where impacts could not be avoided altogether, what measures were explored to minimise and remedy (including offsetting) the impacts? What measures were explored to enhance positive impacts? 14
1.7 How will this development use and/or impact on Refer to Part 3.5, Part 7 and Part 14. renewable natural resources and the ecosystem of which they are part? Will the use of the resources and/or impact on the ecosystem jeopardise the integrity of the resource and/or system taking into account carrying capacity restrictions, limits of acceptable change, and thresholds? What measures were explored to firstly avoid the use of resources, or if avoidance is not possible, to minimise the use of resources? What measures were taken to ensure responsible and equitable use of the resources? What measures were explored to enhance positive impacts? 15
1.7.1 Does the proposed development exacerbate the Refer to Part 14. increased dependency on increased use of resources to maintain economic growth or does it reduce resource dependency (i.e. de-materialised growth)? (note: sustainability requires that settlements reduce their ecological footprint by using less material and energy demands and reduce the amount of waste they generate, without compromising their quest to improve their quality of life)
1.7.2 Does the proposed use of natural resources constitute Refer to Part 14. the best use thereof? Is the use justifiable when considering intra- and intergenerational equity, and are there more important priorities for which the resources should be used (i.e. what are the opportunity costs of using these resources this the proposed development alternative?)
1.7.3 Do the proposed location, type and scale of Refer to Part 14 development promote a reduced dependency on resources?
14 Section 24 of the Constitution and Sections 2(4)(a)(v) and 2(4)(b) of NEMA refer. 15 Section 24 of the Constitution and Sections 2(4)(a)(vi) and 2(4)(b) of NEMA refer.
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1.8 How were a risk-averse and cautious approach applied Refer to Part 4.7 in terms of ecological impacts? 16
1.8.1 What are the limits of current knowledge (note: the Refer to Part 13 gaps, uncertainties and assumptions must be clearly stated)?
1.8.2 What is the level of risk associated with the limits of The knowledge gaps and uncertainties have been current knowledge? identified during the process of the proposed project and are discussed in Part 13.
1.8.3 Based on the limits of knowledge and the level of risk, Refer to Part 14 how and to what extent was a risk-averse and cautious approach applied to the development?
1.9 How will the ecological impacts resulting from this Part 4.7 development impact on people's environmental right in terms following: 17
1.9.1 Negative impacts: e.g. access to resources, Refer to Part 7 opportunity costs, loss of amenity (e.g. open space), air and water quality impacts, nuisance (noise, odour, etc.), health impacts, visual impacts, etc. What measures were taken to firstly avoid negative impacts, but if avoidance is not possible, to minimise, manage and remedy negative impacts?
1.9.2 Positive impacts: e.g. improved access to resources, Refer to Part 7 improved amenity, improved air or water quality, etc. What measures were taken to enhance positive impacts?
1.10 Describe the linkages and dependencies between Refer to Part 7 human wellbeing, livelihoods and ecosystem services applicable to the area in question and how the development's ecological impacts will result in socio- economic impacts (e.g. on livelihoods, loss of heritage site, opportunity costs, etc.)?
1.11 Based on all of the above, how will this development Refer to Part 7 and Part 14 positively or negatively impact on ecological integrity objectives/targets/considerations of the area?
1.12 Considering the need to secure ecological integrity and Refer Part 6. a healthy biophysical environment, describe how the alternatives identified (in terms of all the different elements of the development and all the different
16 Section 24 of the Constitution and Section 2(4)(a)(vii) of NEMA refer. 17 Section 24 of the Constitution and Sections 2(4)(a)(viii) and 2(4)(b) of NEMA refer.
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impacts being proposed), resulted in the selection of the "best practicable environmental option" in terms of ecological considerations? 18
1.13 Describe the positive and negative cumulative Refer to Part 7.4 ecological/biophysical impacts bearing in mind the size, scale, scope and nature of the project in relation to its location and existing and other planned developments in the area? 19
2.1 What is the socio-economic context of the area, based Refer to Part 3.5.4. on, amongst other considerations, the following considerations?:
2.1.1 The IDP (and its sector plans' vision, objectives, Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14. strategies, indicators and targets) and any other strategic plans, frameworks of policies applicable to the area,
2.1.2 Spatial priorities and desired spatial patterns (e.g. Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 need for integrated of segregated communities, need to upgrade informal settlements, need for densification, etc.),
2.1.3 Spatial characteristics (e.g. existing land uses, Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 planned land uses, cultural landscapes, etc.), and
2.1.4 Municipal Economic Development Strategy ("LED Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 Strategy").
2.2 Considering the socio-economic context, what will the Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 socio-economic impacts be of the development (and its separate elements/aspects), and specifically also on the socio-economic objectives of the area?
2.2.1 Will the development complement the local socio- Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 economic initiatives (such as local economic development (LED) initiatives), or skills development programs?
2.3 How will this development address the specific Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 physical, psychological, developmental, cultural and social needs and interests of the relevant communities? 20
2.4 Will the development result in equitable (intra- and Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 inter-generational) impact distribution, in the short- and
18 Section 2(4)(b) of NEMA refer. 19 Regulations 22(2)(i)(i), 28(1)(g) and 31(2)(1) in Government Notice No. R. 543 refer. 20 Section 2(2) of NEMA refers.
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longterm? 21 Will the impact be socially and economically sustainable in the short- and long-term?
2.5 In terms of location, describe how the placement of the proposed development will: 22
2.5.1 result in the creation of residential and employment Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 opportunities in close proximity to or integrated with each other,
2.5.2 reduce the need for transport of people and goods, Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14
2.5.3 result in access to public transport or enable non- None motorised and pedestrian transport (e.g. will the development result in densification and the achievement of thresholds in terms public transport),
2.5.4 compliment other uses in the area, Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14
2.5.5 be in line with the planning for the area, Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14
2.5.6 for urban related development, make use of Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 underutilised land available with the urban edge,
2.5.7 optimise the use of existing resources and Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 infrastructure,
2.5.8 opportunity costs in terms of bulk infrastructure expansions in non-priority areas (e.g. not aligned with the bulk infrastructure planning for the settlement that reflects the spatial reconstruction priorities of the settlement),
2.5.9 discourage "urban sprawl" and contribute to Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 compaction/densification,
2.5.10 contribute to the correction of the historically distorted Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 spatial patterns of settlements and to the optimum use of existing infrastructure in excess of current needs,
2.5.11 encourage environmentally sustainable land Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 development practices and processes,
2.5.12 take into account special locational factors that might Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 favour the specific location (e.g. the location of a strategic mineral resource, access to the port, access to rail, etc.),
21 Sections 2(2) and 2(4)(c) of NEMA refers. 22 Section 3 of the Development Facilitation Act, 1995 (Act No. 67 of 1995) ("DFA") and the National Development Plan refer.
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2.5.13 the investment in the settlement or area in question will Refer to Part 4.16, Part 7 and Part 14 generate the highest socio-economic returns (i.e. an area with high economic potential),
2.5.14 impact on the sense of history, sense of place and Risk assessment table in part 7 heritage of the area and the socio-cultural and cultural- historic characteristics and sensitivities of the area, and
2.5.15 in terms of the nature, scale and location of the Refer to socio economic impact in Part 7 development promote or act as a catalyst to create a more integrated settlement?
2.6 How were a risk-averse and cautious approach applied Refer to Part 5 and 7. in terms of socio-economic impacts?:
2.6.1 What are the limits of current knowledge (note: the Refer to Part 13. gaps, uncertainties and assumptions must be clearly stated)? 23
2.6.2 What is the level of risk (note: related to inequality, Refer to Part 7. social fabric, livelihoods, vulnerable communities, critical resources, economic vulnerability and sustainability) associated with the limits of current knowledge?
2.6.3 Based on the limits of knowledge and the level of risk, Refer to Part 6. how and to what extent was a risk-averse and cautious approach applied to the development?
2.7 How will the socio-economic impacts resulting from Refer to the socio-economic impacts in Part 7. this development impact on people's environmental right in terms following:
2.7.1 Negative impacts: e.g. health (e.g. HIV-Aids), safety, Refer risk assessment table in Part 7. social ills, etc. What measures were taken to firstly avoid negative impacts, but if avoidance is not possible, to minimise, manage and remedy negative impacts?
2.7.2 Positive impacts. What measures were taken to Refer mitigation as per risk assessment table in enhance positive impacts? Part 7.
2.8 Considering the linkages and dependencies between Refer to the socio-economic impacts in Part 7. human wellbeing, livelihoods and ecosystem services, describe the linkages and dependencies applicable to the area in question and how the development's
23 Section 24(4) of NEMA refers.
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socioeconomic impacts will result in ecological impacts (e.g. over utilisation of natural resources, etc.)?
2.9 What measures were taken to pursue the selection of Refer to alternative assessment in Part 6. the "best practicable environmental option" in terms of socio-economic considerations? 24
2.10 What measures were taken to pursue environmental Refer to Part 4 and 7. justice so that adverse environmental impacts shall not I be distributed in such a manner as to unfairly discriminate against any person, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged persons (who are the beneficiaries and is the development located appropriately)? 25 Considering the need for social equity and justice, do the alternatives identified, allow the "best practicable environmental option" to be selected, or is there a need for other alternatives to be considered?
2.11 What measures were taken to pursue equitable access Refer to the socio-economic impacts in Part 7. to environmental resources, benefits and services to meet basic human needs and ensure human wellbeing, and what special measures were taken to ensure access thereto by categories of persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination? 26
2.12 What measures were taken to ensure that the Specialist assessments, recommendations, risk responsibility for the environmental health and safety assessments and proposed mitigation measures consequences of the development has been addressed throughout the development's life cycle? 27
2.13 What measures were taken to: Refer to Part 5.
2.13.1 ensure the participation of all interested and affected parties,
2.13.2 provide all people with an opportunity to develop the understanding, skills and capacity necessary for achieving equitable and effective participation, 28
2.13.3 ensure participation by vulnerable and disadvantaged persons, 29
24 Section 2(4)(b) of NEMA refers. 25 Section 2(4)(c) of NEMA refers. 26 Section 2(4)(d) of NEMA refers. 27 Section 2(4)(e) of NEMA refers. 28 Section 2(4)(f) of NEMA refers. 29 Section 2(4)(f) of NEMA refers.
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2.13.4 promote community wellbeing and empowerment through environmental education, the raising of environmental awareness, the sharing of knowledge and experience and other appropriate means, 30
2.13.5 ensure openness and transparency, and access to information in terms of the process, 31
2.13.6 ensure that the interests, needs and values of all interested and affected parties were taken into account, and that adequate recognition were given to all forms of knowledge, including traditional and ordinary knowledge 32 , and
2.13.7 ensure that the vital role of women and youth in Refer to Part 7 environmental management and development were recognised and their full participation therein were be promoted? 33
2.14 Considering the interests, needs and values of all the Refer to the socio-economic impacts in Part 7. interested and affected parties, describe how the development will allow for opportunities for all the segments of the community (e.g.. a mixture of low-, middle-, and high-income housing opportunities) that is consistent with the priority needs of the local area (or that is proportional to the needs of an area)? 34
2.15 What measures have been taken to ensure that Refer to awareness programme in Part 12. current and/or future workers will be informed of work that potentially might be harmful to human health or the environment or of dangers associated with the work, and what measures have been taken to ensure that the right of workers to refuse such work will be respected and protected? 35
2.16 Describe how the development will impact on job Refer to the socio-economic impacts in Part 7. creation in terms of, amongst other aspects:
2.16.1 the number of temporary versus permanent jobs that will be created,
30 Section 2(4)(h) of NEMA refers. 31 Section 2(4)(k) of NEMA refers. 32 Section 2(4)(g) of NEMA refers. 33 Section 2(4)(q) of NEMA refers. 34 Section 2(4)(g) of NEMA refers. 35 Section 2(4)(j) of NEMA refers.
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Requirement Part where requirement is addressed/response
2.16.2 whether the labour available in the area will be able to take up the job opportunities (i.e. do the required skills match the skills available in the area),
2.16.3 the distance from where labourers will have to travel,
2.16.4 the location of jobs opportunities versus the location of impacts (i.e. equitable distribution of costs and benefits), and
2.16.5 the opportunity costs in terms of job creation (e.g. a mine might create 100 jobs, but impact on 1000 agricultural jobs, etc.).
2.17 What measures were taken to ensure:
2.17.1 that there were intergovernmental coordination and Continued consultation with all relevant harmonisation of policies, legislation and actions departments, covering DMR, DARDLEA, DWS, relating to the environment, and SAHRA through authorities meetings, site visits and providing draft and final copies of documents to the public. All registered as stakeholders and informed as per public participation chapter.
2.17.2 that actual or potential conflicts of interest between No known conflict organs of state were resolved through conflict resolution procedures?
2.18 What measures were taken to ensure that the Refer to Part 7. environment will be held in public trust for the people, that the beneficial use of environmental resources will serve the public interest, and that the environment will be protected as the people's common heritage? 36
2.19 Are the mitigation measures proposed realistic and Mitigation measures are realistic. However, not all what long-term environmental legacy and managed will necessarily result in reversible impacts or in low burden will be left? 37 significance. Rehabilitation strategies aimed at mine closure have been proposed but the effectiveness of implementation will determine long term environmental legacy. Refer to Part 14.
2.20 What measures were taken to ensure that he costs of Closure cost assessment and financial provisioning remedying pollution, environmental degradation and in Part 11. consequent adverse health effects and of preventing, controlling or minimising further pollution, environmental damage or adverse health effects will
36 Section 2(4)(o) of NEMA refers. 37 Section 240(1)(b)(iii) of NEMA and the National Development Plan refer.
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Requirement Part where requirement is addressed/response
be paid for by those responsible for harming the environment? 38
2.21 Considering the need to secure ecological integrity and Refer to alternative assessment in Part 6. a healthy bio-physical environment, describe how the alternatives identified (in terms of all the different elements of the development and all the different impacts being proposed), resulted in the selection of the best practicable environmental option in terms of socio-economic considerations? 39
2.22 Describe the positive and negative cumulative socio- Refer to cumulative assessment in Part 7.4 economic impacts bearing in mind the size, scale, scope and nature of the project in relation to its location and other planned developments in the area? 40
38 Section 2(4)(p) of NEMA refers. 39 Section 2(4)(b) of NEMA refers. 40 Regulations 22(2)(i)(i), 28(1)(g) and 31(2)(1) in Government Notice No. R. 543 refer.
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4. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
This chapter provides an overview of the baseline environmental situation of the Landau Colliery in terms of the Climate, Geology, Topography, Soil, Land capability and Land use, Fauna and flora, Surface water, Groundwater, Air quality, Noise and vibration, Sites of historical and archaeological significance, Sensitive landscapes, Visual aspects and the Socio-economic environment, which may directly or indirectly be affect the immediate and surrounding environment.
This section merely summarises the information obtained from existing documents with their supporting specialist studies. Information from various studies regarding the pre-mining environmental status as well as the changes to the environment due to existing mining activities have been conducted and pertinent information is included in this section.
Specialist have been conducted and are attached hereto as Appendix E. These specialist studies have been summarised in this section and are as follows: • Geohydrological Study. • Fauna and Flora Study. • Wetland Study. • Soil, land-use and land capability Study. • Hydrology Study. • Blasting and Vibration Study. • Heritage Impact Assessment.
Table 17 below presents the terminology that has been used, throughout this document, to describe the relevant surface areas that apply to this document.
Table 17: Terminology Area Definition Actual mine boundary area as defined in terms of the new order Mining Right Mining area under the MPRDA, 2002 for the Landau Colliery. The extent of the study area is determined by the area of influence of the different environmental components relevant to each aspect. Thus, the study area referred to within the text applies to the specific component under Study area description. The extent of the study area is therefore not influenced by the mine boundary area, but rather by the specific activity relative to the environmental component. This refers to the area where the soil and vegetation is physically disturbed due Area of surface disturbance to activities, i.e. the open-pit, the infrastructure associated with the mining, etc. Surface area where polluted water is managed and will impact on receiving Dirty water management area environment if not contained.
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4.1 GEOLOGY The information contained in this section of the EIR is obtained from the following documents: • “Landau Colliery Navigation Section: Umlalazi South Block Extension Geohydrological investigation as input to the EMPR ” dated June 2014 and compiled by Shangoni AquiScience (Shangoni AquiScience, 2014). The report is attached hereto as Appendix E3. • “Landau Colliery Mining Works Programme ” dated March 2008. The Mining Works Programme (MWP).
4.1.1 Regional geology The eMalahleni area is underlain by the Karoo supergroup. The Karoo Supergroup comprises mainly a sedimentary succession of sandstone, siltstone, shale, mudstone, coal, diamictite and tillite. The Karoo Supergroup is lithostratigraphically subdivided into the Dwyka, Ecca and Beaufort groups, succeeded by the Molteno, Elliot and Clarens formations and the Drakensburg Formation. The Ecca Group comprises successions of formations which consists of sandstone, shale and coal and were developed within the Karoo basin locally. A number of intrusive dykes are known to occur within the study area and their positions are also indicated in Figure 16. The positions of the dykes have been interpreted from geophysical surveys, but have mostly been delineated through mapping when intersected in the underground workings (Groundwater Complete, 2013).
Figure 16: General geological profile of the Witbank region depicting the five (5) coal seams
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The thickest portions of the Ecca Group were deposited in the southern Karoo basin in contrast to the relatively thin sequence which is now preserved in the East Rand. This succession of sedimentary rocks generally overly the well-consolidated conglomerates/diamictites of the Dwyka Formation, but in places the Ecca Group rocks rest directly on the felsites and granites of the pre-Karoo Basement rocks. Igneous intrusions of late Karoo Supergroup age in the form of dolerite dykes and sills also occur through the sedimentary succession. The sills usually precede the dykes, with the latter being emplaced during a later period of tensional forces within the earth’s crust. Tectonically, the Karoo sediments are practically undisturbed. Faults are rare. However, fractures are common in competent rocks such as sandstone and coal. The sediments of the Vryheid Formation overlie an uneven Dwyka floor, which is controlled by the topography of the pre-Karoo platform upon which the Karoo sediments were deposited. The Vryheid Formation is present throughout the Witbank Area. At their thickest these sediments attain some 120 – 140m and can contain a number of coal seams of which four are considered to have economic potential. This area is known as the Witbank Coal fields.
4.1.2 Site specific geology The Navigation West Section is situated in the northern part of the Witbank coalfield. The coal measured forms part of the Vryheid formation of the Ecca group. All five coal seams, common to the Witbank coalfield, are present in the Navigation West Section area. The No. 4 Seam is suitable for mining by opencast methods. The No. 2 Seam is mostly thin and of moderate to low quality, as are the remaining No. 3, 4U and 4A Seams. The No. 5 Seam ‘sub-outcrops’ near the eastern boundary of the proposed mining area, and although of good quality, is not laterally extensive enough over the Navigation West Section to include in the mining plan. The No. 4 Seam dips predominantly to the east, but also to the west (in the extreme west) as it is draped over a regional Pre-Karoo basement high. It is over the western part of the area that the No. 4 Seam is completely weathered as a result of its close proximity to surface. This ‘no coal’ area forms a major indent into the South Block and had a defining influence on the mining layout possibilities. Figure 17 shows a typical borehole log demonstrating the geological stratigraphy in the Navigation West Section. The topography to the west, influenced by the upper reaches of the Grootspruit valley, dips fairly steeply towards the west, resulting in a sub-outcrop of the No. 4 Seam. To the east, the various seams dip at about 30 minutes towards the Greenside Colliery underground reserves, where all of the major seams have been preserved and mined to some extent. Borehole logs of the geological successions encountered in vicinity of the Navigation West South Block Extension project area are presented in Figure 17 below. The boreholes drilled in vicinity of the Navigation West South Block Extension project area generally indicate a lithology of: • Unconsolidated material between 0- and 4 mbgl. • Loose and weathered sandstone between 4- and 9 mbgl. • Coal between 10- and 15 mbgl. • Shale and or sandstone between 15- and 20 mbgl.
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Borehole Log - NW G05 Depth [m] Locality - X: 11266.00 Y: 2870166.00 Z: 1535.8 0 Lithology Geology Construction DO [mg/l] O RP P H SPCOND [mS/m] Tem p [C] 0 152 3.0 8.0 -20 100 5.6 7.6 0 1 4 18.6 21.6 0
0.00 - 3.00 SOIL: Reddish Brown Sandy
3.00 - 6.00 SANDSTONE: Grey Silty 5
6.00 - 10.00 SANDSTONE: Grey Carbonaceous
1 0
10.00 - 14.00 COAL: Black Bright
1 5
14.00 - 22.00 SHALE: Dark Grey Carbonaceous
2 0
2 5
Borehole Log - NW G06 Depth [m] Locality - X: 11837.00 Y: 2870552.00 Z: 1536.7 0 Lithology Geology Construction DO [m g/l] O RP P H SPCOND [mS/m] Temp [C] 0 152 2 8 0 8 0 5.8 6.6 0 2 0 12 20 0 0.00 - 2.00 SOIL: Orange Brown Sandy
2.00 - 4.00 SILT : Yellowish Brown Sandy
5 4.00 - 6.00 SANDSTONE: Brown Loose
6.00 - 7.00 SANDSTONE: Reddish Brown Loose
7.00 - 9.00 SANDSTONE: Light Brown Loose
1 0
9.00 - 17.00 COAL: Black Bright
1 5
17.00 - 22.00 SANDST ONE: Dark Grey Carbonaceous 2 0
2 5
Borehole Log - NW G06 Depth [m ] Locality - X: 11837.00 Y: 2870552.00 Z: 1536.7 0 Lithology Geology Construction DO [mg/l] O R P P H SPCOND [m S/m] Temp [C] 0 152 2 8 0 8 0 5.8 6.6 0 2 0 12 20 0 0.00 - 2.00 SOIL: Orange Brown Sandy
2.00 - 4.00 SILT : Yellowish Brown Sandy
5 4.00 - 6.00 SANDSTONE: Brown Loose
6.00 - 7.00 SANDSTONE: Reddish Brown Loose
7.00 - 9.00 SANDSTONE: Light Brown Loose
1 0
9.00 - 17.00 COAL: Black Bright
1 5
17.00 - 22.00 SANDST ONE: Dark Grey Carbonaceous 2 0
2 5
Figure 17: Borehole logs in the vicinity of the Navigation West South Block Extension project area (extracted from Shangoni AquiScience, 2014)
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4.2. CLIMATE 4.2.1 Regional climate The study area lies in the summer rainfall region (Highveld) of Southern Africa, with cold and dry winters, and warm and wet summers. Temperatures range from 9°C to 32°C in summer and from 6°C to 22°C in winter. Frost occurs frequently between May and September. During summer months prevailing winds are northerly or easterly and during the winter months prevailing winds are north westerly to south westerly.
4.2.2 Mean monthly maximum and minimum temperatures Temperature information from the Witbank Weather Station is presented in Figure 18 below (South African Weather Service, 2006). The highest average maximum daily temperatures occur from November to March ranging from 25.2ºC to 27.5ºC. June, July and August are the coldest months of the year with the average minimum temperatures ranging from 5ºC to 6ºC.
30
25
20 Average daily maximum (ºC) Average daily minimum (ºC)
ºC 15 Average daily mean (ºC) 10
5
0 July May April June March August January October Average February November December September Month
Figure 18: Average monthly maximum and minimum temperatures (Witbank weather station)
4.2.3 Precipitation and evaporation Precipitation in the area is highly seasonal with a mean annual rainfall of 702.7 mm according to the rainfall data from the DWA hydrological datasets collected at station B1E001 (1963-2009). Most of the rainfall occurs during the summer months with the majority of rain events between October and April. The region receives the highest rainfall in January and the lowest in July. Evaporation is measured at station B1E001 for an S class pan located approximately 14 km east of the proposed project.
Table 18: Average annual precipitation and evaporation Date Rainfall (mm) Evaporation (mm) January 131.5 164.5 February 91.8 138.4
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Date Rainfall (mm) Evaporation (mm) March 73.8 129.6 April 39.3 97.4 May 13.4 79.8 June 7.0 65.3 July 2.9 72.5 August 7.9 98.8 September 20.7 137.3 October 78.3 163.7 November 123.8 158.5 December 116.7 163.6 Annual 702.7 1476.2
Table 19 below lists the design rainfall depths measured at Station 0515355 W Landau Mine located approximately 8 km north of the site where the proposed project will be located. Data is collected over a period of 35 years.
Table 19: Design rainfall depths (mm) at 0515355 W Landau Mine Duration Return Period (years) (days) 2 5 10 20 50 100 200 1 47 63 74 86 102 115 128 2 57 76 89 102 120 134 148 3 64 85 99 113 132 146 161 4 70 92 107 122 142 157 173 5 77 100 116 132 153 169 185 6 81 106 122 138 159 176 192 7 85 111 127 144 165 181 197
4.2.4 Maximum rainfall intensities Maximum rainfall intensities recorded for the KwaMthunzi Vilikazi weather station are presented in Table 20.
Table 20: Maximum Rainfall Intensities in 24 hours (KwaMthunzi Vilikazi Weather Station)
Maximum in 24 hours Recurrence Interval (mm) Years of record (mm) 50 years 100 years
52 150 119 136
4.2.5 Mean monthly wind direction and speed Wind in the Landau Colliery area blows predominantly in a northerly direction during winter and spring, and predominantly in a south easterly direction during summer and autumn (refer to Figure 19 below).
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January July
February August
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March September
April October
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May November
June December Figure 19: Seasonal wind roses as modelled for Ogies (South African Weather Service, 2009)
The average monthly wind speed for the period 1993 - 2003 was 10.26 m/s. The maximum wind speed of 13.6 m/s was measured in October 1995 and the minimum wind speed of 8 m/s was experienced in June and July 2000.
4.2.7 Incidence of extreme weather conditions Rainfall occurs mainly as thunderstorms during the summer months. These are accompanied by lightning and usually occur with strong winds, heavy rains and occasionally hail. These storms are localised and rainfall can vary markedly within a short distance. On average, hail occurs six times per year.
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Frost is common in the winter months (May to September), with an average occurrence of 58 frost days per year. Of these frost days, a maximum monthly average of nine days occurs in July.
4.3. TOPOGRAPHY
4.3.1 Regional Description The natural topography of the area has been generally been disturbed mining activities in the region. These mining activities have been conducted over the past several decades with the main contributors to the topography disturbance being that of opencast mining and rehabilitation activities. Refer to Figure 20 below for a presentation of the regional topography.
4.3.2 Site specific description The Navigation West South Block Extension area is situated in the Mpumalanga Highveld. The pre-mining Navigation West Section surface land use area consisted mainly of agricultural land under cultivation and a game reserve that forms part of Anglo Coal’s Navigation West - Training Centre. The surface is gently undulating with elevations of between 1 350 and 1 400 mamsl. The Navigation West Section is predominantly situated over a gentle, rolling hill except in the area adjacent to the main drainage line (an unnamed tributary of the Grootspruit situated to the southeast of the South Block), where it becomes more steeply sloping. A number of small rock outcrops are found on the northern side of the mentioned unnamed tributary of the Grootspruit.
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Figure 20: Topography of Landau Colliery
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4.4 SOIL Nine dominant soil units were identified within the pre-mining land use area at the Navigation West Section. These included: Hu1, Hu2, Cv1, Cv2, Av1, Gc1, Lo1, Lo2, and Ka. Table 21 below presents the pre-mining distribution of soil types at the Navigation West Section. Figure 21 shows the distribution of the dominant soil units within the pre-mining study area.
The Hu1 soil unit consists of deep, well-drained, red soils which are not subject to depth restrictions, have no mechanical limitations, and are well drained, have favourable structure and texture, have low erosion susceptibility and occur on flat to gentle slopes. This soil unit was classified as highly arable land. Soil unit Hu2 has similar soil properties as unit Hu1 but has shallower effective soil depth. Soil unit Hu2, however qualifies as arable land.
Soil units Cv1 and Cv2 consist of deep, well-drained, yellow soils which are not subject to depth restrictions, have no mechanical limitations, and are well drained, have favourable structure and texture, have low erosion susceptibility and occur on flat to gently slopes. These soil units were classified as highly arable land. Soil unit Cv2 has similar soil properties as unit Cv1 but has somewhat shallower effective soil depth.
Soil units Av1 and Gc1 consist of moderately deep, moderately-drained, yellow soils which are somewhat subject to depth restrictions, have no mechanical limitations, and are moderately drained, have favourable structure and texture, have low erosion susceptibility and occur on flat to gently slopes. These soil units were classified as arable land. Soil unit Av1 and Gc1 have similar soil properties, but differs mainly in terms of underlying material.
Soil unit Lo1 consists of grey leached imperfectly drained soils occurring in pans, seepage zones and drainage lines. This unit shows clear evidence of seasonal wetness, lateral movement of water in the soil profile and fluctuating water tables and was classified as having a wetland land capability. Soil unit Lo2 occurs in seepage zones showing less prominent signs of seasonal wetness and lateral movement of water in the soil profile and was classified as grazing potential.
Soil unit Ka1 consists of shallow, poorly drained soils occurring in the pan in the northern part. Soil unit Ka was classified as wetland.
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Figure 21: Pre-mining soil distribution at the Navigation West Section
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Table 21: Pre-mining distribution of soil types at the Navigation West Section Areas and percentages of dominant soil units
Soil Unit Unit Count Area (ha) Area (%)
Hu1 4 140.82 29.94
Hu2 1 16.78 3.57
Cv1 3 118.69 25.23
Cv2 2 50.15 10.66
Av1 4 63.29 13.45
Gc1 1 16.29 3.46
Lo1 3 48.30 10.27
Lo2 2 5.48 1.16
Ka 1 10.61 2.26 Total 21 470.41 100.0
The soil units in Figure 21 were classified according to the relevant guidelines into four land capability classes, namely arable land, grazing land, wetlands and wilderness land. The area and percentage of each land capability class is presented in Table 22 and Figure 22 below.
Table 22: Areas and percentages of land capability classes for the Navigation West Section
Land Capability Class Unit Count Area (ha) Area (%)
Arable 2 406.03 86.32
Grazing 2 5.48 1.16
Wetland 3 58.91 12.52
Wilderness 0 0 0
Total 7 470.42 100.0
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Figure 22: Pre-mining land capability classes at the Navigation West Section.
The localities and boundaries of land use practices within the Navigation West Section land use area were captured on a Geographic Positioning System (GPS) during the time of the survey. The pre-mining land uses within this area are shown in
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Figure 23 , and the areas and percentage comprised by each land use are shown in Table 23 below.
Table 23: Areas and percentages for pre-mining land uses within the Navigation West Section study area Current Land Use Unit Count Area (ha) Area (%)
Maize 3 370.47 78.75
Grazing 2 53.49 11.37
Trees 1 40.11 8.53
Game farm 1 6.34 1.35
Total 7 470.41 100
4.5. AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL Historical agricultural production related to the Navigation West Section is presented in Table 24. Historical agricultural production information was obtained from Mr. Gert Smith (Smith Brothers), who was leasing the surface overlying the Navigation West Section at the time of the study. Information was obtained during a telephonic conversation on 6th January 2006. The yield ranges presented in Table 24 below reflects variations from high and low rainfall seasons.
Table 24: Historical agricultural potential for cultivation Product Agricultural potential (tons/ha/annum)
Maize (Dry land) 5.2 – 6.0
Soy beans (Dry land) 1.8 - 2.0
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Figure 23: Pre-mining land use at the Navigation West Section
An Agricultural Impact Assessment was conducted for the proposed Navigation West South Block Extension project. The resultant report, titled: “Umlalazi Agricultural Impact Assessment prepared as part of Environmental Impact Assessment undertaken in terms of the National Environmental Management Act,
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107 of 1998” dated October 2014 and compiled by Zoneland Solutions (Zoneland, 2014), is attached hereto as Appendix E6.
As part of the Agricultural Impact Assessment, six (6) soil samples were taken across the proposed 55 ha Navigation West South Block Extension project area and were analysed for physical and chemical properties which include: • pH (water. • Extractable cations and Na, K, Ca and Mg. • Cation Exchange Capacity. • Carbon content. • Phosphorus (Bray 1). • Soil texture.
The results of the soil analysis are presented in Table 25 below.
Table 25: Chemical and physical soil analysis results (adapted from Zoneland, 2014) Exchangeable cations pH Resistance H+ Stone P Bray I Sample Soil (cmol(+)/kg) (KCl) (Ohm) (cmol/kg) (Vol %) mg/kg Na K Ca Mg S1 Clay 5.5 1820 0.39 8 7 0.32 0.04 125 2.96 82 S2 Loam 4.5 1790 0.98 15 4 0.125 0.04 118 1.94 0.67 S3 Sand 4.7 1640 0.74 13 10 0.118 0.04 102 2.06 0.56 S4 Sand 5.6 2110 0.34 14 6 0.102 0.04 57 3.46 0.80 S5 Loam 4.6 1710 0.84 4 8 0.57 0.04 80 2.81 0.82 S6 Clay 4.9 1430 0.74 6 11 0.105 0.05 105 3.29 0.82
The organic carbon (C) content of the six (6) soil samples ranged between 0.47 - 0.72% for the cultivated soil.
Phosphorus is a major macro nutrient essential for plant growth. Bray 1: Phosphorus (P) is a soil analysis that is utilised in determining the amount of phosphorus in the soil that is available to plants, where the soils have a pH of 7.0 or less. The Phosphorus status of the soil, as presented in Table 25, is low possibly as a result of a lower soil pH. The pH of the arable soil is 4.6 to 5.6 which indicates a more acidic soil. A more acidic soil is often found in areas of high rainfall, where the high rainfall leaches base cations from the soil, increasing the percentage of Al3+and H+relative to other cations (Zoneland, 2014). The pH of the soil in the study area is less suitable for the cultivation of maize, where the optimum pH for maize cultivation is 5.6 to 7.5. Under acidic conditions essential nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are less available for plant growth. The soil pH is very important in arable farming, because plant nutrition, and therefore yield, is influenced by soil pH (refer to Appendix E6).
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The cation exchange ranges from 3.66 to 5.34 cmol (+) kg for the cultivated soil. The cultivated soil cation exchange capacity is an indication of the type of clay mineral present, namely kaolinite. Kaolinite is a clay silicate mineral and contains a less negative charge. A lesser charge indicates lower fertility because fewer nutrients are retained. More organic material would contribute to the cation exchange capacity of the soil.
The texture properties of the soil within the study area, range from sandy, loam to clay soils. Soils such as clays or those high in organic matter have a high Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and a potential for large amounts of exchangeable acidity. These soils are said to be well buffered (Zoneland, 2014). To effectively raise the soil pH, both active and exchangeable acidity must be neutralized. Heavy rains on a low CEC and acidic soil do not restore soil, and the pH will drop more. The acidic soil found at the site will become more acidic over time and the land capability will reduce.
Figure 24 below is an aerial image of the proposed Navigation West South Block Extension. As seen in the image, the study area is currently utilised for agricultural purposes, in form of mazie cultivation. The close proximity of the area to the wetland can also be seen in this image.
Figure 24: Aerial image of the Navigation West South Block Extension area (extracted from Zoneland, 2014)
4.6 VEGETATION
4.6.1 Regional Vegetation Description
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The Navigation West South Block Extension area falls within the Grassland Biome and more specifically the Mesic Grassland Bioregion (refer to Appendix E4). This bioregion is comprised of two ecological, namely: 1. Rand Highveld Grassland. 2. Eastern Highveld Grassland.
Figure 25: Regional vegetation units (extracted from Pachnoda, 2014)
Historically, the Rand Highveld Grassland occurred on the study area but has since been transformed by agricultural activities, namely, crop production in the form of maize. Rand Highveld Grassland is typical of sloping plains and rocky ridges extending from the Pretoria area to the eMalahleni area. The rand Highveld grassland is rich in plant taxa (especially when in pristine conditions) and constitutes a sour grassland dominated by Themeda , Hetropogan , Erogratis and Elionurus . The forb composition is equally diverse and well represented by members of the Asteraceae family, while woody communities formed a typical, albeit sparse, component of the ridges (refer to Table 26 below). An example of this type of grassland, which has been preserve, is that of in the Brockhorstspruit Nature Reserve, however this type of grassland is generally poorly conserved with the majority of which has been transformed as a result of agricultural and urbanisation activities. It is for this reason that the grassland type has been placed in the threatened category of ‘ Endangered ’ (refer to Appendix E4).
Approximately 20 % of the study area consists of Eastern Highveld Grassland (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006). This grassland is restricted to moderately undulating plains and includes a number of low hills and pan
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Table 26: Plant species characteristic of the Rand Highveld Grassland and the Eastern Highveld Grassland (Taken from Pachnoda, 2014) Rand Highveld Grassland Grassy Layer Forb Layer Woody Layer & Shrubs Aristida congesta, Brachiaria Non-succulents: Justicia Low shrubs: Acanthospermum nigropedata, Cynodon dactylon, anagalloides, Pollichia hispidulum, Felicia muricata, Indigofera Digitaria monodactyla, D. campestris, Acalypha angustata, comosa tricholaenoides, Elionurus Helichrysum nudifolium, Succulent shrub : Lopholaena coriifolia muticus, Eragrostis chloromelas, Chamaecrista mimosoides, Geoxylic suffrutex : Elephantorrhiza E. curvula, E. plana, E. Dicoma anomala, Helichrysum elephantina racemosa, E. capensis, aureonitens, H. caespititium, H. Heteropogon contortus, Loudetia rugulosum, Ipomoea crassipes, simplex, Microchloa caffra, Nidorella hottentotica, Monocymbium ceresiiforme, Oldenlandia herbacea, Selago Setaria sphacelata, Themeda densiflora, Vernonia triandra, Trachypogon spicatus, oligocephala Andropogon schirensis, Geophytes: Boophone disticha, Diheteropogon amplectens, Hypoxis rigidula, Ledebouria Eragrostis gummiflua, Panicum ovatifolia natalense, Schizachyrium Succulent herb : Aloe sanguineum, Hyparrhenia hirta, greatheadii Melinis nerviglumis, M. repens, Trichoneura grandiglumis Eastern Highveld Grassland Grassy Layer Forb Layer Woody Layer & Shrubs Aristida congesta, Brachiaria Non-succulents: Justicia Low shrubs: Acanthospermum rigidum, serrata, Cynodon dactylon, anagalloides, Acalypha Seriphium plumosum Digitaria monodactyla, D. angustata, Chamaecrista tricholaenoides, Elionurus mimosoides, Dicoma anomala, muticus, Eragrostis chloromelas, Helichrysum aureonitens, H. E. curvula, E. plana, E. caespititium, H. rugulosum, racemosa, Heteropogon Ipomoea crassipes, Pentanisia contortus, Loudetia simplex, prunelloides, Selago densiflora, Microchloa caffra, Senecio coronatus, Vernonia Monocymbium ceresiiforme, oligocephala, Wahlenbergia Setaria sphacelata, Sporobolus undulata africanus, Themeda triandra, Geophytes: Gladiolus Trachypogon spicatus, crassifolius, Hypoxis rigidula, Tristachya leucothrix, T. Ledebouria ovatifolia rehmannii, Andropogon Succulent Herbs: Aloe ecklonis
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schirensis, Diheteropogon amplectens, Eragrostis gummiflua, Panicum natalense, Rendlia altera, Schizachyrium sanguineum, Urelytrum agropyroides
4.6.2 Vegetation on project site The vegetation communities were identified during the vegetation survey and can be described as follows: • Community 1: Tall grass dominated grassland on temporary / seasonal wet, fine textured soils with water table below 1 m. • Community 2: Very tall cotton wool dominated grassland on seasonal / temporary wet, course textured soils with water table from 0.5 m. • Community 3 Very tall swamp cut grass dominated grassland on season / permanent wet, fine textured soils with water table above 0.5 m.
4.6.2.1 Vegetation units A minimum of 105 vegetation species were identified during the vegetation survey, of which, 62 species (59%) were forbs, 41 species (39%) were graminoids and 2 species (2%) were woody species. The species recorded, during the vegetation survey, represent 84 genera across 29 plant families.
4.6.2.1.1 Community 1 Vegetation Community 1 is associated with the Rensburg soil form, which consists of a vertic A-horizon (topsoil) and a G-Horizon (subsoil). This community is evident in open patches within the remaining natural vegetation areas within the study area. It is a temporary zone of the channelled valley bottom wetland.
The species presented in Table 27 below were recorded within this vegetation community.
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Table 27: Species recorded in vegetation community 1 Community 1 Floral type Name Anthericum fasciculatum, Anthospermum rigidum subsp. rigidum, Berkheya radula, Bidens pilosa, Centella asiatica, Dicoma zeyheri subsp. zeyheri, Eucomis autumnalis subsp. autumnalis, Eulophia species, Geigeria burkei subsp. burkei var. burkei, Gladiolus crassifolius, Haplocarpha lyrata, Hibiscus trionum, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Hypoxis rigidula var. rigidula, Ipomoea species, Ipomoea ommaneyi, Jamesbrittenia aurantiaca, Melilotus Forbs albus, Nidorella anomala, Oenothera tetraptera, Peucedanum magalismontanum, Physalis angulata, Polygala hottentotta, Salvia runcinata, Satyrium species, Scabiosa columbaria, Sebaea grandis, Senecio inornatus, Senecio lydenburgensis, Senecio scitus, Turbina oblongata, Verbena bonariensis, Verbena brasiliensis, Vernonia oligocephala, Vigna vexillata var. angustifolia, Wahlenbergia undulata, Xysmalobium species. Andropogon eucomus, Aristida bipartita, Bewsia biflora, Brachiaria serrata, Cymbopogon excavatus, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus eragrostis, Digitaria tricholaenoides, Diheteropogon amplectens var. amplectens, Eragrostis capensis, Eragrostis chloromelas, Eragrostis Graminoids curvula, Eragrostis plana, Eragrostis racemosa, Heteropogon contortus, Hyparrhenia hirta, Hyparrhenia tamba, Imperata cylindrica, Schoenoplectus paludicola, Setaria sphacelata var. sphacelata, Sporobolus africanus, Themeda triandra, Trachypogon spicatus
4.6.2.1.2 Community 2 Vegetation Community 2 is associated the Longlands soil form which consistes of an orthic - horizon (topsoil), E-hoizon and a soft plinthic B-horizon (subsoil). This community occupies approximately 10 ha (47%) of the remaining natural vegetation within the study area.
The species presented in Table 28 below were recorded within this vegetation community.
Table 28: Species recorded in vegetation community 2 Community 2 Species type Name Alectra sessiliflora var. sessiliflora, Berkheya setifera, Bidens formosa, Bidens pilosa, Centella asiatica, Chamaecrista mimosoides, Commelina erecta, Conyza bonariensis, Conyza podocephala, Crepis hypochoeridea, Datura stramonium, Eulophia species , Forbs Habenaria filicornis, Haplocarpha lyrata, Helichrysum aureonitens, Helichrysum coriaceum, Helichrysum nudifolium var. nudifolium, Ipomoea ommaneyi, Leucas glabrata var. glabrata, Melilotus albus, Nidorella anomala, Oenothera tetraptera, Satyrium species, Senecio inornatus, Tagetes minuta, Verbena bonariensis, Verbena brasiliensis Agrostis eriantha var. eriantha, Aristida junciformis subsp. junciformis, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus esculentus var. esculentus, Cyperus longus var. longus, Eragrostis curvula, Eragrostis gummiflua, Eragrostis plana, Eragrostis racemosa, Hemarthria altissima, Graminoids Hyparrhenia hirta, Hyparrhenia tamba, Imperata cylindrica, Kyllinga alba, Miscanthus junceus, Setaria pallide-fusca, Setaria sphacelata var. sphacelata, Sporobolus africanus, Stoebe vulgaris, Themeda triandra, Urochloa mosambicensis.
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Community 2 Species type Name Woody species Acacia mearnsii , Stoebe vulgaris
4.6.2.1.3 Community 3 Vegetation Community 3 (as with vegetation Community 1) is associated with the Rensburg soil form which consists of a vertic A-horizon (topsoil) and G-horizon (subsoil). This vegetation community occupies an area of approximately 2 ha (10%) of the remaining natural vegetation within the study area.
The species presented in Table 29 below were recorded within this vegetation community.
Table 29: Species recorded in vegetation community 3 Community 3 Species type Name Asclepias fruticosa, Berkheya radula, Bidens formosa, Bidens pilosa, Centella asiatica, Chamaecrista mimosoides, Cirsium vulgare, Conyza bonariensis, Conyza podocephala, Cotula anthemoides, Datura stramonium, Helichrysum aureonitens, Helichrysum nudifolium var. nudifolium, Hibiscus trionum, Lobelia flaccida subsp. flaccida, Medicago sativa, Forbs Melilotus albus, Nidorella anomala, Oenothera tetraptera, Persicaria lapathifolia, Physalis angulata, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex crispus, Senecio inornatus, Solanum nigrum, Tagetes minuta, Typha capensis, Verbena bonariensis, Verbena brasiliensis, Xysmalobium species Aristida junciformis subsp. junciformis, Arundinella nepalensis, Cyperus eragrostis, Eleocharis acutangula, Eragrostis chloromelas, Hemarthria altissima, Hyparrhenia tamba, Graminoids Leersia hexandra, Miscanthus junceus, Panicum schinzii, Paspalum urvillei, Pennisetum thunbergii, Phragmites australis, Setaria sphacelata var. sphacelata.
4.6.2.2 Red data plants According to the PRECIS data base, a minimum of 250 plant species have been recorded within the topocadastral grid 2529CC, of which one species is Red data listed as a threatened species namely the Frithia humilis. The Frithia humilis is a succulent from the Mesembryanthemaceae family, which is found in association with sandstone outcrops. The study area is not suitable habitat for this species, and the site visit confirmed it, as no outcrops were observed.
4.6.2.3 Protected plant species No nationally protected species were recorded in terms of the National Environmental Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004). Provincially protected species in terms of the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, 1998 (Act No. 10 of 1998) were however recorded, namely: • Eucomis autumnalis . • Eulophia species. • Gladiolus crassifolius . • Habenaria filicornis .
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• Satyrium species.
It should be noted that all the species in the genera Eucomis and Gladiolus , and all of the species in the family Orchidaceae are protected and therefore a permit is required for the picking, sale and transport of these species (refer to Appendix E4).
4.6.2.4 Medicinal Plant Species The following medicinal plant species were identified within the study area during the vegetation survey: • Centella asiatica. • Datura stramonium. • Eucomis autumnalis. • Hypoxis hemerocallidea. • Scabiosa columbaria. • Typha capensis. • Vernonia oligocephala.
4.6.2.5 Declared Weeds and Invader Plants Three alien invader species, in term of the Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act No. 43 0f 1983), were identified during vegetation survey and are as follows: • Acacia mearnsii. • Cirsium vulgare. • Datura stramonium.
4.6.2.6 Richness measures and ecological condition: An indication of the conservation significance of the vegetation units The natural vegetation within the study has been over utilised and disturbed but should be given a conservation concern. As described above, vegetation Community 1 contains a higher number of species of concern and therefore future management strategies should be considered to create and maintain a slightly more open landscape, control contaminated runoff as well as control alien invasive plant species.
4.7 ANIMAL LIFE 4.7.1 Mammals Approximately 43 species of the 164 mammal species recorded for Mpumalanga, could occur within the study area. Of these 43 potentially occurring species, 16 species were recorded during the survey and include: • Two (2) antelope species. • Five (5) rodents. • Two (2) canines (Jackals). • Two (2) herpestids (mongoose).
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• One (1) viverrid (genet). • One (1) mustelid. • One (1) suid (pigs). • One (1) felid (cat). • One (1) leporid (hares)
4.7.1.1 Mammal taxa of conservation concern The habitat of the study area has been found to support one (1) globally near threatened species, the (3) regionally near threatened species and seven (7) data deficient taxa (refer to Appendix E4). Table 30 below presents these species of conservation concern.
Table 30: Species of conservation concern (adapted from Pachnoda, 2014) Common name Scientific name Status Description South African Atelerix frontalis “Least concern” on This species occurs over a wide variety of Hedgehog Global IUCN Red List. habitats and is highly adapted to urban environments. The species could occur in “Near Threatened” by this area although its presence will be highly Friedmann and Daly localised. (2004) Brown Hyaena Parahyaena “Near-threatened” on The Brown Hyaena requires a home range of brunnea the Global IUCN Red approximately 1000 km 2. Brown Hyaenas are list heavily persecuted by farms and losses to their habitats occur as a result of large scale agriculture, urbanisation and mining activities. Honey Badger Mellivora capensis “Least concern“on the The Honey Badger generally has a Global IUCN Red List. widespread occurrence and is conservative in its habitat requirements. They are a “Near-threatened” by predominantly solitary and nocturnal species Friedmann and Daly and unobtrusive in its behaviour. (2004). Serval Leptailurus serval “Least concern” on the Servals show a wide distribution range but Global IUCN Red List. are limited by their preference of surface water. They are therefore often found near “Near-threatened “by water in areas with sufficient shelter (tall Friedmann and Daly grass) and suitable prey. This species was (2004). confirmed in the study area. Shrew taxa ( Crocidura & Myosorex) “Data Deficient” Many of these species could occur within the and Lemniscomys rosalia study area. These species are not rare or uncommon but are seldom encountered due to their shy and retiring behaviour.
4.7.1.2 Biodiversity value and ecological considerations
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During the field survey, it was identified that the study area is capable of sustaining a high diversity of mammal taxa. The majority of the study area has been disturbed by agricultural activities, but may serve the purpose of movement corridors between the areas of natural grassland. Based on observations in similar areas, it is also likely that the agricultural fields may serve as sources of alternative foods for many species. The moist grasslands within the study area act as dispersal corridors for foraging mammal taxa. These moist grasslands also provide foraging and roosting habitats for national near-threatened taxa such as the Serval (refer to Appendix E4)
4.7.2 Avifauna 4.7.2.1 Species richness and composition 260 bird species were recorded with the quarter degree 2529CC, according to the South African Bird Atlas Project 1 (SABAP1) (refer to Appendix E4). However, according to the SABAP2, the area is more likely to sustain 93 species. During the field survey, 80 species were recorded which equates to 86% of the SABAP2 total. The study area has a species richness value of moderate richness. The study area is dominated by species members of the Ploceidae (weaver) family. The dominant species recorded during the field survey is presented in Table 31 below.
Table 31: Dominant species recorded during the field survey (extracted from Pachnoda, 2014)
Species Consistency Percentage Contribution
White-winged Widowbird ( Euplectes albonotatus ) 1.08 13.32
Southern Red Bishop ( Euplectes orix ) 1.08 13.32
Southern Masked Weaver ( Ploceus velatus ) 1.09 13.17
Zitting Cisticola ( Cisticola juncidis ) 0.85 10.48
Levaillant's Cisticola ( Cisticola tinniens ) 0.85 10.36
Laughing Dove ( Streptopelia senegalensis ) 0.85 10.1
Cape Longclaw (Macronyx capensis) 0.68 7.66
Fan-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes axillaris) 0.54 5.74
Cape Turtle Dove (Streptopelia capicola) 0.42 3.69
Long-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes progne) 0.31 2.22
4.7.2.3 Dominant habitats Three discrete avifaunal communities are relevant to the study area (refer to Appendix E4) and are described as follows: • A community confined natural moist grassland and Typha/Phragmites reedbeds along a natural tributary: o Typical members include Euplectine taxa (c. Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix, White-winged Widowbird E. albonotatus and Fan-tailed Widowbird E. axillaris ) and Levaillant's Cisticola
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(Cisticola tinniens ). Indicator taxa (taxa that are restricted to a particular habitat type) include Corncrake ( Crex crex ), Yellow-billed Duck ( Anas undulata ), Cloud Cisticola ( Cisticola textrix ) and African Quailfinch ( Ortygospiza atricollis ). • A transient community confined to the agricultural land: o Typical species include White-winged Widowbird ( Euplectes albonotatus ) and Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis ). Indicator species include the African Reed Warbler ( Acrocephalus baeticatus ). • A community confined to patches of Acacia mearnsii groves: o Typical species include Cape Sparrow ( Passer melanurus ), Cape Turtle Dove ( Streptopelia capicola ) and Southern Masked Weaver ( Ploceus velatus ). Indicator taxa include Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris ), Yellow-fronted Canary ( Serinus mozambicus ), Streaky-headed Seed- eater ( Serinus gularis ) and Black-chested Prinia ( Prinia flavicans ).
4.7.3.2 Species of conservation concern A total of 13 species of conservation concern are typical to the study area although only two (2) species are likely to be residents or regular summer visitors. These two (2) species include the African Grass Owl (Tyto capensis) and the Abdim’s Stork (Ciconia abdimii). Two (2) other species of conservation concern are also like to occur on the adjacent properties to the study area and include: the Blue Korhaan (Eupodotis caerulescens) and the Secretary Bird (Sagittarius Serpentarius).
4.7.3.2.1 African Grass Owl The African Grass Owl is classified as regionally vulnerable with a South African population of less than 5 000 indiciduals. The African Grass Owl is a nocturnal species which is seldom seen in the daytime. The African Grass Owl is entirely dependent on the availability of rank, moist grasslands and show a high preference for dense tall patches of grasslands. The presence of the tall, dense and intertwined grasslands along the prominent drainage line on the study site, provides optimal breeding, roosting and foraging habitats for the African Grass Owl to occur on site. Figure 26 below presents the habitats within the study area which are suitable for the African Grass Owl.
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Figure 26: Suitable habitats within the study area for the African Grass Owl
4.7.3.2.2 Blue Korhaan The Blue Korhaan is endemic to South Africa and frequents short grasslands. Due to the loss of grassland habitats and the intensification of agricultural activities, the Blue Korhaan has suffered a steady population decline and is therefore on the ‘ near-threatened ’ list. The Blue Korhaan is likely to occur on the extensive grassland areas adjacent to the study area.
4.7.3.2.3 Secretary Bird The Secretary Bird has recently been upgraded from ‘ Least concern ’ to ‘ Vulnerable ’. Evidence suggests that its recent decrease in population is as a result of habitat loss, anthropogenic disturbances and intensive grazing. The Secretary Bird is likely to occur on the nearby natural grassland units as a foraging visitor.
Figure 27 below presents the habitats suitable for the both the Blue Korhaan and the Secretary Bird.
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Figure 27: Suitable habitats for the Blue Korhaan and the Secretary Bird adjacent to the study area
4.7.4 Reptiles 154 reptiles species have been recorded for within the Mpumalanga Province and 26 species have been recorded in the region. However of the 26 species known to occur within this region, only three (3) species were confirmed during the field survey and include (referee also to Table 16 of Appendix E4): • Yellow-throated Plated Lizard. • Cape Skink. • Speckled Rock Skink.
4.7.5 Amphibians 51 amphibian species have been recorded within the Mpumalanga Province, of which 11 species could be present on site. During the field survey, four (4) species were confirmed within the study area and include the following wide spread taxa: • Guttural Toad ( Amietophrynus gutturalis ). • Common Caco ( Cacosternum boettgeri ). • Common River Frog ( Amietia quecketti ). • Striped Stream Frog ( Strongylopus fasciatus ).
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The habitats which support these species are localised within the study area and are restricted to the seasonal tributary of the Grootspruit-Saalklapspruit system. This area represents the only habitat which provides suitable conditions for breeding for the majority of the species.
4.8.1 Butterfly taxa of special conservation concern Six diurnal butterfly species is known to occur in the region with an additional eleven (11) species confirmed during the field survey. One of the diurnal species identified to occur within the study area and region is the marsh sylph ( Metisella meninx ), which has a conservation status of “rare”.
The marsh sylph is a small dark butterfly belonging to the Hesperiidae family. The March sylph is currently classified as a rare species (refer to Appendix E4). The Marsh sylph is characterised by dark coloured upperwings and the underwings being marked with diagnostic radiating stripes. During the field survey, the Marsh sylph was restricted to the moist grassland units on the south-eastern parts of the study site where the tall grassland on seasonal/ permanently wet, clayey soils provides a suitable habitat (refer to Appendix E4).
4.9 SURFACE WATER The information contained within this section of the document was obtained from the report titled: “ Anglo American Thermal Coal: Landau Colliery - Hydrological Assessment ” dated December 2014 and compiled by Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd. (Shangoni, 2015). The report is attached hereto as Appendix E7.
4.9.1 Catchment areas The Klipspruit originates near the Landau Colliery and drains in a northern direction where it merges with the Blesbokspruit to form the Klip River eventually draining towards the Olifants River. The proposed Umlalazi South Block Extension will be situated in quaternary catchments B20G and B11K. Figure 28 below presents the proposed project area in relation to its respective quaternary catchments.
The Landau Navigation West – South Block Extension catchment characteristics are presented in Table 32 below (refer also to Figure 29 below).
Table 32: Catchment characteristics C1 41 W1 42 W2 43 W3 44 C3 45
MAP 702.7 702.7 702.7 702.7 702.7
41 C1: The current clean surface runoff cut-off trench constructed along the main access road. 42 W1: The wetland drainage line in the immediate downstream catchment to the south-east. 43 W2: The wetland drainage line in the immediate downstream catchment to the south. 44 W3: The wetland drainage line in the immediate downstream catchment to the west. 45 C3: The current dirty water conveyance channels draining affected runoff.
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Catchment size 0.542 3.408 12.163 3.382 0.557 (km 2) Length of longest 3.5 1.54 4.372 3.63 1.1 watercourse (km) Height difference 35 28 45 32 5 10/85 (m)
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Figure 28: Quaternary catchments in relation to the proposed project site
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Figure 29: Landau Navigation West, associated catchments, flood peaks and volumes
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4.9.2 Flood peaks Flood peaks provides insight specifically to sizing of diversions and conveying infrastructure, as well as capacity requirements for retention facilities designed to reduce flood peaks (Shangoni, 2015). The determination of peaks are essential for surface water management to ensure that infrastructure has sufficient capacity to withstand a design flood during peak runoff flow (refer to Appendix E7).
Flood peaks for the Landau Navigation West South Block extension project were determined using the following methods (refer to Appendix E7 for a detailed description): • Rational method (RM). • Alternative Rational Method (ARM). • Standard Design Flood Method (SDF).
2.9.2.1 Flood peaks and volumes Pre-development The pre-development flood peaks were determined for the Landau Navigation West – South Block Extension area and are presented in Table 33 below (refer also to Figure 29 above).
Table 33: Peak runoff for different return periods (extracted from Shangoni, 2015) Peak Return period (year) runoff 1:5 1:10 1:50 1:100 (m 3/s) RM ARM SDF RM ARM SDF RM ARM SDF RM ARM SDF C1 1.882 1.908 1.503 2.531 2.652 2.575 4.537 4.585 5.629 5.876 5.562 7.176 W1 17.77 19.03 17.03 23.84 26.44 29.16 42.52 45.72 63.76 54.88 55.45 81.28 W2 34.30 35.10 29.90 45.93 48.78 51.21 81.32 84.34 111.96 104.51 102.29 142.73 W3 11.46 11.65 8.874 15.40 16.19 15.20 27.53 27.98 33.23 35.60 33.94 42.36 C3 4.803 5.00 2.327 6.319 6.801 3.985 10.91 11.33 8.712 13.90 13.51 11.11
4.9.2.2 Flood peaks and volumes post-development The post-development flood peaks were determined for the Landau Navigation West – South Block Extension area and are presented in Table 34 below (refer also to 9 above).
Table 34: Peak runoff for different return periods (extracted from Shangoni, 2015) Peak Return period (year) runoff 1:5 1:10 1:50 1:100 (m 3/s) RM ARM SDF RM ARM SDF RM ARM SDF RM ARM SDF W1 15.74 16.84 15.07 21.13 23.41 25.82 37.71 40.47 56.45 48.69 49.09 71.96 W2 32.27 33.07 28.17 43.22 45.96 48.24 76.63 79.45 105.47 98.56 96.37 134.46 W3 10.57 10.73 8.178 14.20 14.92 14.01 25.39 25.79 30.62 32.83 31.28 39.04
4.9.3 Mean annual runoff (MAR) 4.9.3.1 Mean Annual Runoff pre-development
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The expected Mean Annual Runoff pre-development for the Landau Navigation West – South Block Extension area was calculated and is presented in Table 35 below.
Table 35: Expected mean annual runoff and flood volumes (extracted from Shangoni, 2015) W1 W2 W3 C3 (72 hour flood) Annual Annual Annual 1:50 1:100 Mean Annual Rainfall (mm)/ 702.7 702.7 702.7 98 107 Design rainfall depth (mm) Receiving catchment size (km 2) 3.408 12.163 3.382 55.79 55.79 Time of concentration (min) n/a n/a n/a 30.6 30.6 Runoff coefficient (%) 27.5 29.3 33.7 49.3 51.1 Effective runoff volume (m 3) 658570.4 2504253.5 800891.1 37131.0 42192.9
4.9.3.2 Mean Annual Runoff post development The expected Mean Annual Runoff post-development for the Landau Navigation West – South Block Extension area was calculated and is presented in Table 36 below.
Table 36: Expected mean annual runoff volumes (extracted from Shangoni, 2015) W1 W2 W3 Annual Annual Annual Mean Annual Rainfall (mm)/ 702.7 702.7 702.7 Design rainfall depth (mm) Receiving catchment size (km 2) 3.017 11.421 3.382 Time of concentration (min) n/a n/a n/a Runoff coefficient (%) 27.5 29.3 33.7 Effective runoff volume (m 3) 583012.6 2351482.6 738136.5
4.9.4 Water authority The relevant water authority for the area is the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS): Mpumalanga Regional Office.
4.9.5 Surface water quality In order to establish the baseline water quality within the vicinity prior to the operational activities at the Landau Navigation West – South Block Extension area, sampling points were determined through a desktop study. Samples were then collected for hydrochemical analysis (refer to Appendix E7) and the results there of are described below.
4.9.5.1 Sampling localities. Four (4) sampling localities were identified and samples taken for hydrochemical analysis. Table 37 below present the sampling information of the four (4) sampling localities (refer also to Figure 30 Below).
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Table 37: Sampling localities and corresponding information (extracted from Shangoni, 2015) Date/time Site ID Description Coordinates Sampled & Photograph in-situ
09/12/14 Culvert at road upstream 11:25 am S25.94202° UMSW01 from Umlalazi (origin of pH = 7.01 E29.13000° Grootspruit tributary) Temp. = 18.4°C
Wetland area 09/12/14 downstream from 12:25 am Umlalazi north but S26.11752 UMSW02 pH = 6.45 upstream from suspected E28.75061 Temp. = Elandsfontein decant 20.2°C contribution
Containment dam in 09/12/14 Umlalazi Nature Reserve 12:35 am downstream from S25.92935 UMSW03 pH = 3.93 Umlalazi and suspected E29.10337 Temp. = Elandsfontein 22.3°C contribution
Downstream from UMSW01 and Umlalazi 09/12/14 on the Grootspruit 13:15 am S25.94981 UMSW04 tributary. Western flowing pH = 6.55 E29.10147 tributary 1 km upstream Temp. = 19 from confluence with the °C Grootspruit.
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Figure 30: Baseline surface water monitoring localities (extracted from Shangoni, 2015)
The baseline surface water quality results for the four (4) monitoring localities is presented in Table 38 below. The results of the hydrochemical analysis were assessed against SANS 241: 2011 and Livestock
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Table 38: Baseline surface water quality results (extracted from Shangoni, 2015) Livest ock
Site Name SANS 241: 2011 Watering (DWAF, UMSW01 UMSW04 UMSW02 UMSW03 1996)
pH ≥5 to ≤9.7 - 7.45 6.84 6.96 4.06 EC (mS/m) ≤170 - 56.9 29.1 113 108 TDS (mg/l) ≤1200 ≤2000 401 195 915 871 Ca (mg/l) - ≤1000 67.4 24.8 149 125 Mg (mg/l) - ≤500 32.9 14.2 75.1 67.4 Na (mg/l) ≤200 ≤2000 10.6 12.8 21.9 17 K (mg/l) - - 5.99 4.78 8.34 6.18 MALK (mg/l) - - 67.8 23.3 22.5 5.22 Cl (mg/l) ≤300 ≤3000 10.7 8.4 8.44 7.81 ≤500 SO 4 (mg/l) ≤1500 231 114 618 640 ≤250*
NO 3-N (mg/l) ≤11 ≤22 0.278 0.319 4.47 1.04
PO 4 (mg/l) - - 0.021 0.012 0.012 0.011 N_Ammonia (mg/l) ≤1.5* - 0.054 0.028 0.078 0.073 F (mg/l) ≤1.5 - 0.251 0.263 0.254 <0.055 Al (mg/l) ≤0.3 # ≤5 0.138 1.49 <0.003 14.3 ≤2 Fe (mg/l) - 0.039 0.885 <0.003 <0.003 ≤0.3* ≤0.5 Mn (mg/l) ≤10 <0.001 <0.001 2.57 9.82 ≤0.1* Cr (mg/l) ≤0.05 ≤2 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Cu (mg/l) ≤2.0 ≤2 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Ni (mg/l) ≤0.07 ≤1 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 0.024 Zn (mg/l) ≤5 ≤20 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 Co (mg/l) ≤0.5 ≤1 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 0.122 Cd (mg/l) ≤0.003 ≤0.01 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Pb (mg/l) ≤0.010 ≤0.1 <0.004 <0.004 <0.004 <0.004 Tot Hardness (mg/l) - - 304 120 682 589 SAR - - 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.3 Good, Marginal, Marginal Poor, DWA Classification class 1 class 2 Class 2 class 3
Sampling locality UMSW01 can be classified as Good (class 1) due to the slightly raised SO 4 levels. UMSW04 can be classified as Poor (class 3) due to the slightly elevated levels of Al. UMSW02 recorded substandard water quality with Ca and SO 4 dominated activity representative of a mixture of clean water and SO 4 contaminated water. The quality can be described as neutral, slightly saline and extremely hard (Ca/Mg). Water quality in terms of soluble Al and Mn levels deteriorated significantly from the upstream UMSW02 towards the downstream UMSW03 relative to the suspected Elandsfontein Mine contribution. The increase in metal concentrations are the result of the decrease in pH. UMSW02 can be classified as
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Marginal (class 2) . UMSW03 recorded substandard water quality with Ca and SO 4 dominated activity representative of a mixture of clean water and SO 4 contaminated water. The quality can be described as slightly acidic, slightly saline and extremely hard (Ca/Mg) with high to elevated levels of SO 4, Al and Mn. UMSW03 can be classified as Poor (class 3). The pH and Al levels at UMSW03 exceeds SANS standards and the Al Livestock Watering Standards.
4.10 GROUNDWATER The information contained in this section of the document is contained in the report titled: Landau Colliery: Navigation Section Umlalazi South Block Extension, Geohydrological Investigation as input to the EMPR” dated June 2014 and compiled by Shangoni AquiScience (AquiScience, 2014). The report is attached hereto as Appendix E3.
4.10.1 Ambient Geohydrological Conditions 4.10.1.1 Groundwater Use (user survey/hydrocensus results) A hydrocensus of boreholes on and surrounding the Navigation Surface Right area was conducted in 2013, during which all private groundwater users were surveyed within a 1 km radius. During the hydrocensus, all available details of boreholes and borehole-owners were collected (AquiSceince, 2014). This information was used to identify the Interested and Affected Parties which may be impacted upon by the mining activities, specifically relating to impacts on water quantity and quality. The hydrocensus boreholes were subjected to water level measurements including chemical analysis to evaluate the chemical characteristics of the groundwater and to establish baseline data prior to commencement with mining activities. Monitoring borehole information was also supplied by Landau Colliery: Navigation Section. The major groundwater impacts expected to occur arising from the proposed mining activities at the South Block Extension area are related to quality and quantity (aquifer depletion). Prior to any commencement of mining activity, water quality and quantity measurements are recorded that should be used as baselines to monitor any changes over the mining period.
The hydrocensus located 29 boreholes which were incorporated into a comprehensive database (refer to Table 39 and Figure 31 below). Most of the boreholes are located in the town of KwaMthunzi Vilakazi situated on the western perimeter of the Navigation Section. The fact that the majority of the surface area has already been disturbed by either opencast or underground coal mining activities, contributes to this relatively poor distribution. The majority of boreholes are not in use, while the rest are mainly used for domestic purposes and irrigation/livestock watering (refer to Appendix E3).
Table 39: Privately owned boreholes – hydrocensus (extracted from AquiScience, 2014) Water Site ID Coordinates Elevation Property Owner Application level Drinking water & BAR01 -25.90924 29.11956 1558 22.5 Irrigation Elandsfontei M.D. n 309 Js/13 Barnard Drinking water & BAR02 -25.90902 29.11964 1558 2 Irrigation
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Water Site ID Coordinates Elevation Property Owner Application level BAR03 -25.90928 29.11933 1558 1.9 Irrigation Del BLOX01 -25.91143 29.11552 1559 NAWL None Bloxham Hartebeestla CLEWER Andre -25.94078 29.08668 1517 4.1 agte 325 Drinking water SAND Trollip Js/40 COMB01 -25.9114 29.11693 1556 0.7 Elandsfontei Ben None COMB02 -25.91141 29.1171 1556 3.3 n 309 Js/13 Combrink None Un- Elandsfontei COMM01 -25.90814 29.12183 1551 NAWL occupied None n 309 Js/15 land
Elandsfontei Hansie Drinking water & GREY01 -25.90291 29.12055 1547 3.6 n 309 Js/13 Greyling Irrigation
L.J.M van Elandsfontei HEY01 -25.90981 29.12643 1541 0.9 der None n 309 Js/10 Heyden JON01 -25.91084 29.1129 1562 NAWL Veruschka None JON1.1 -25.91084 29.1129 1562 NAWL Jones None
Elandsfontei P.P.J Drinking water & JOUB01 -25.90729 29.12056 1550 NAWL n 309 Js/13 Joubert Irrigation
Mr. MAD01 -25.90905 29.10971 1567 NAWL None Madonsela Vusi MAHL01 -25.9084 29.12596 1542 1.1 None Mahlangu Elandsfontei MAREE01 -25.90687 29.12233 1548 2.3 N.J Maree Drinking water n 309 Js/15 Jan MASH01 -25.90484 29.12217 1544 NAWL None Mashilwne Berlinah MBO01 -25.90903 29.10913 1567 4.5 None Elandsfontei Nkosi n 309 Js/13 Chris MEIN01 -25.91122 29.10832 1569 NAWL None Meinhard
MULLER0 Elandsfontei -25.90595 29.12654 1538 Artesian None 1 n 309 Js/15 Mr. Muller Blaauwkrans ROADMAC -25.9409 29.14414 1601 4.5 None 323 Js/28
SMITH1.1 -25.9287 29.16413 1573 0.9 None Blaauwkrans SMITH1.2 -25.92873 29.1638 1573 NAWL 323 Js/15 Drinking water Gert Smit SMITH2.1 -25.94683 29.13598 1585 3.2 None Blaauwkrans SMITH2.2 -25.94687 29.13602 1585 4.5 323 Js/28 Drinking water
Elandsfontei Chris Drinking water & STEYN01 -25.91029 29.11108 1566 28.8 n 309 Js/13 Steyn Livestock
STRIJDOM Thys -25.90713 29.12541 1544 2.1 Drinking water 01 Strijdom Elandsfontei TONDER0 n 309 Js/15 Robert van Drinking water & -25.90742 29.12571 1544 1.6 1 Tonder Irrigation
Elandsfontei H.H van Drinking water & VWYK01 -25.90943 29.11837 1559 1.5 n 309 Js/13 Wyk Irrigation
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Figure 31: Positions of the privately owned boreholes (extracted from AquiScience, 2014)
4.10.1.2 Aquifer classification The National Aquifer Classification System developed by Parson (1995) is used to classify South African Aquifers (refer to Appendix E3). The South African Aquifer System Management Classification is presented by five (5) major classes, and include: • Sole Source Aquifer System. • Major Aquifer System. • Minor Aquifer System. • Non-Aquifer System. • Special Aquifer System.
According to the regional aquifer classification map of South Africa, the surrounding Karoo aquifer has been identified as a minor aquifer. Drill logs indicate that the study area is underlain by three types of aquifers. Based on the underlying geohydrology of the project area the aquifers can classified according to Parsons and system as follows: • Shallow weathered/perched unconfined aquifer o Non-aquifer • Fractured confined or semi-confined aquifer in the Vryheid Formation o Minor aquifer
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• Pre-Karoo aquifer o Non-aquifer The occurrences and classification of the respective aquifer types underlying Landau Navigation West South Block Extension area are presented in Table 40 below.
Table 40: Groundwater occurrences and classification (extracted from AquiScience, 2014) Probable Groundwater Depth Aquifer Type Lithology yield Classification occurrence (m) (l/s) Shallow Unconsolidated Alluvium/colluvium perched and Unconfined 0-8 0.1 l/s Non-aquifer material /weathered weathered Ecca Group: Seepage water between Intergranular Confined/ Vryheid host rock particles 8 – and semi- 0.5 – 2.0 Minor aquifer Formation Discontinuities – 200* Fractured confined shale/sandstone fractures, fissures, joints Lithological contact Bushveld 0.1-0.5 Pre-Karoo Confined Zones >200* Non-aquifer igneous felsites l/s Insignificant fracturing
4.10.1.3 Aquifer vulnerability In order to determine the aquifer vulnerability, the DRASTIC model is used. The DRASTIC model was developed for the USA but is however well suited for producing a groundwater vulnerability evaluation for South African aquifers (refer to Appendix E3). The model evaluates the vulnerability of an aquifer by considering factors including: • Depth to water table. • Recharge rates. • Aquifer media. • Soil Media. • Topographic aspects. • Impact of vadose zone media. • Conductivity (hydraulic). The DRASTIC score calculated for the aquifers in the region in which the Landau Navigation West South Block Extension is situated, was calculated as DRASTIC = 120 (refer to Appendix E3). This score of 120 indicates that the aquifers in the region have a medium to high susceptibility to pollution and therefore a medium to high level of aquifer protection is required.
4.10.1.4 Aquifer recharge rate The groundwater recharge rate is determined through the utilisation of software known as “RECHARGE”. Qualified assumptions and various schematic maps were also utilised and fed into the software. The recharge values inferred from the study area are presented in Table 41 below.
Table 41: Inferred recharge value for the study area (extracted from AquiScience, 2014) Method/reference Recharge (%) Recharge (mm/a ) Geology 3.00 20.1
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Vegter 4.86 30.56 Acru 4.55 30.49 Harmonic mean 3.95 26.03
4.10.1.5 Depth to water level During the operational phase, the mine voids generally act as groundwater sink areas and a flow gradient is created towards the mine voids, i.e. a cone of depression is formed by the mine voids. During the operational phase of mining groundwater users can thus mostly be affected by groundwater level drawdown due to the formation of the cone of depression.
Water levels were measured in 20 of the 29 surveyed boreholes (refer to Table 39 above). Static water levels ranged between 0 meters below ground level (mbgl) and 4.5 mbgl with an average of 2.12 mbgl. Dynamic water levels ranged between 1.5 mbgl and 28.8 mbgl with an average of 6.81 mbgl.
4.10.2 Baseline hydrocensus A survey of the downstream monitoring boreholes relative to the Landau Navigation West South Block Extension area was undertaken in order to obtain baseline information prior to the commencement of mining activities within this area. Table 42 and Figure 32 below present the downstream monitoring boreholes
Table 42: Boreholes included in the baseline hydrocensus (extracted from AquiScience, 2014) Water level* Elevation Borehole ID Coordinates Collar (cm) Depth (m) (m) (mamsl) NAW001 S25.94173 E29.12808 2.44 1551 25 22.51 NAW005 S25.94355 E29.11168 2.66 1543 30 22.56 NWG05 S25.94358 E29.11075 2.03 1536 35 5.25 NWG06 S25.94697 E29.11660 2.85 1535 45 27.33 NWG07 S25.94789 E29.11903 1.18 1529 50 30.43 NWG08 S25.94147 E29.12770 2.60 1551 39 29.55
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Figure 32: Position of the boreholes included in the baseline hydrocensus (extracted from AquiScience, 2014)
4.10.2.1 Baseline groundwater levels. The baseline groundwater levels ranged between 1.18 mbgl and 2.85 mbgl with an average 2.29 mbgl. These boreholes are however not equipped with pumps as these are Landau monitoring boreholes. The baseline groundwater levels indicated above are therefore static groundwater levels.
4.10.2.2 Baseline groundwater quality Hydrochemical analysis was undertaken on the groundwater samples obtained from the baseline monitoring boreholes. The results of the hydrochemical analysis are presented in Table 43 below.
Table 43: Baseline hydrocensus boreholes - hydrochemical analysis results (extracted from AquiScience, 2014) SANS 241: Site Name NAW001 NAW005 NWG05 NWG06 NWG07 NWG08 2011 pH ≥5 to ≤9.7 8.0 6.6 8.0 6.3 6.4 7.2 EC (mS/m) ≤170 39.1 8.9 17.8 10.4 15.5 13.4 TDS (mg/l) ≤1200 237.0 51.0 101.0 59.0 78.0 86.0 Ca (mg/l) - 28.5 6.7 15.9 7.3 9.9 5.0 Mg (mg/l) - 12.2 2.9 8.4 3.2 3.8 3.4 Na (mg/l) ≤200 46.7 2.8 4.2 4.7 13.9 22.3 K (mg/l) - 3.1 2.0 2.7 3.1 1.2 1.2 MALK (mg/l) - 211.0 8.6 85.9 18.4 42.5 70.1
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SANS 241: Site Name NAW001 NAW005 NWG05 NWG06 NWG07 NWG08 2011 Cl (mg/l) ≤300 7.2 6.7 9.7 6.3 13.4 5.4 ≤500 SO 4 (mg/l) 7.6 1.0 1.9 3.3 8.4 4.0 ≤250*
NO 3-N (mg/l) ≤11 0.4 5.2 0.3 4.5 0.3 0.3
PO 4 (mg/l) - 0.014 <0.008 <0.008 <0.008 <0.008 <0.008 N_Ammonia (mg/l) ≤1.5* 0.665 0.033 2.82 0.027 0.126 0.037 F (mg/l) ≤1.5 0.3 0.1 0.7 0.1 0.3 0.2 Al (mg/l) ≤0.3 # <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 ≤2 Fe (mg/l) <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 ≤0.3* ≤0.5 Mn (mg/l) <0.001 0.171 <0.001 0.076 0.634 0.009 ≤0.1* Cr (mg/l) ≤0.05 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Cu (mg/l) ≤2.0 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Ni (mg/l) ≤0.07 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Tot Hardness (mg/l) - 122 29 74 32 40 26 SAR - 1.18 0.2 0.2 0.4 1 1.9 Marginal, Ideal Marginal, Ideal DWS Classification Ideal Class 0 class 2 Class 0 class 2 Class 0
The quality can be described as neutral, non-saline and soft to moderately hard with low to medium levels of nutrients (NO 3 and NH 4). NAW001, NAW005, NWG06 and NWG08 recorded well within acceptable drinking water standards as proposed by the SANS (SANS 241: 2011) and the DWS (DWAF, 1998). According to the DWS, groundwater from these boreholes can be classified as Ideal (class 0) . NWG05 and NWG07 recorded medium to high levels of NH 4 and Mn respectively with both parameters exceeding the SANS and DWS guidelines and can as a result be classified as Marginal (class 2). This is however not mining related but can be attributed to fertiliser applications and reducing or stagnant conditions as NWG05 is a shallow (5 m) borehole located in cornfields and NWG07 within a wetland setting.
4.10.3 Site Conceptual Model A site conceptual model was developed for the Landau Navigation West South Block Extension project area. The site conceptual model was developed using a risk based approach, whereby impact source areas were identified, pathways characterised and potential receptors identified. Both the mining and post mining scenarios are addressed. In the mining phase, drawdown of the groundwater level will be the main impact, while pollution emerging from the backfilled opencast is considered the most important post mining impact. The conceptual operational and post operational models for the Landau Navigation West South Block Extension are presented in Figure 33 and Figure 34 below (refer also to Appendix E3).
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Figure 33: Operational phase conceptual model (extracted from AquiScience, 2014)
Figure 34: Closure phase conceptual model (extracted from AquiScience, 2014)
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4.11 AIR QUALITY As part of the pre-mining EIA for the proposed Navigation West Section, an air quality study was conducted by Environmental and Health Risk Consulting (Pty) Ltd. Refer to the report titled, “Report on ambient air quality measurements performed near the town of Clewer in Mpumalanga”, dated September 2006.
Key findings from ambient particulate sampling performed during June and August 2005 in the Navigation West Section study area included the following: • An average total suspended particulate concentration of 142.3 µg/m 3 was measured during the air quality assessment. • The average PM10 concentration measured during the study was 80.1 µg/m 3. • The average rate of dust deposition in the study area was 318.30 mg/m 2/day. • Sources of particulate pollution are likely to be mining and industrial operations. Sources north-west of the development are dominant contributors of pollution in the study area, based on available meteorological data. • Although apportionment of dust deposition to mining and transport sources close to the site was without reasonable doubt, the sources of suspended particulate matter may have extended further than the immediate industrial and mining operations, up to a distance of 10 km.
Continuous monitoring is conducted at the Navigation and Excelsior Sections using custom designed solar system monitoring trailers. In addition to the monitoring trailers, two meteorological stations were installed, one at the Kromdraai Section and the other at the Navigation Section, Reporting of dust fallout, PM10, PM2.5, benzene and NO2 concentrations, as well as meteorological data is conducted on a monthly basis, The results for January 2015 is outlined in the report entiltled “Air Quality Monitoring Report: January 2015” compiled by WSP Environmental (Pty) Ltd. The information in the Air Quality Report provide an indication of the current air quality conditions at the Navigation Section and the results and findings of the monthly report is summarised below:
Dust Fallout Monitoring • All Navigation non-residential monitoring locations were compliant with the standard, with the Landau NW offices having the highest dust fallout rate (429 mg/m2/day); • All Navigation residential monitoring locations were compliant with the standard, with the Clewer crossroads having the highest dust fallout rate (585 mg/m2/day); • Highest fallout levels were recorded in the southerly bucket at the SW Nav Dump sampler, with this fallout likely being due to the unpaved road located near the sampler.
Particulate Monitoring • Data recovery during January was high (100%); • PM10 concentrations for the month were low, with no exceedences recorded; • PM2.5 concentrations for the month were low, with no exceedences recorded; and • No benzene or nitrogen dioxide concentrations were recorded as the inverter on the ETL unit is blown.
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4.12 NOISE The noise related information contained within this part document was summarised from the report titled, “Noise Impact Assessment For The Proposed Expansion At Landau Colliery In Support Of The Update Of Their Environmental Management Programme Report”, dated October 2010, compiled by Environmental and Health Risk Consulting (Pty) Ltd.
The main existing noise sources within the study area associated can be attributed to vehicles on the N4, the R555 and R547 Provincial roads. Residential noise (voices, animals, equipment, etc.) are noise sources in the urban areas. Noise is also generated from the surrounding mining activities and agricultural activities. A railroad line and sidings lies adjacent to the communities of KwaMthunzi Vilakazi (formerly Clewer) and Schoongezicht and are also noise sources.
Important findings of the mentioned noise related study are the following: • Sources of noise include the movement of traffic along the surrounding national and provincial roads, as well as community and school activities, train noises and faunal noises. • The measured data indicated many sound levels (both during the day and night) slightly higher than a typical suburban area yet lower than a typical urban area. • The most distinguishable noise contributors to the daytime ambient soundscape are the existing Landau Colliery as well as public road traffic. • The existing ambient sound level within the navigation West Section was calculated to be 36 dBA during the daytime, and although this is a major contributor to ambient sound levels measured at the Landau Colliery, the noise levels measured were well below the daytime noise standard of 50 dB. • Noise levels along the roads and at the existing Landau Colliery Navigation Plant exceed the daytime standard of 50 dB.
4.13 WETLANDS AND SENSITIVE LANDSCAPES The information in this section of the document was obtained from the report titled: “ Wetland Delineation and Functional Assessment Report for the Umlalazi South Block Expansion Project ” dated January 2015 and compiled by Wetland Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd. (Wetland, 2015). The report is attached hereto as Appendix E5.
4.13.1 Critcal Biodiversity Areas The study area and the area surrounding the proposed Navigation West South Block Extension area has generally been extensively modified as a result of mining and mazie cultivation activities. A Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA) is however located to the North-west of the proposed Navigation West South Block Extension area (refer to Figure 35). This CBA has been classified as an “Irreplaceable” CBA as it consists of a hillslope seepage wetland that drains towards the Umlalazi Nature Reserve, and forms a contiguous area of natural grassland with the nature reserve.
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Figure 35 : The Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan 2013 in relation to the study area (extracted from Wetland, 2015)
4.13.2 National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas The National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas project (NFEPA), provides a series of maps detailing strategic spatial priorities for conserving South Africa’s freshwater ecosystems and supporting sustainable use of water resources.
Based on an extract from the Atlas for FEPA (refer to Figure 36 below) no wetland FEPA occur within the study area, a number of wetland FEPA’s are shown to occur immediately adjacent to the site: • The FEPA wetland to the north, a pan/depression wetland, no longer exists as it falls within the active opencast footprint of Umlalazi. • A small FEPA wetland, a hillslope seepage wetland, is indicated as occurring immediately to the south of the study area. This wetland is considered to be in “Natural or Good” condition and consists of mostly natural vegetation within and adjacent to the wetland. The wetland was identified by experts at the regional NFEPA review workshops as being “of exceptional biodiversity importance, with valid reasons documented”. • The wetlands associated with the Saalboomspruit to the west of the study area have also been classified as FEPA wetlands.
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Figure 36 : Extract from the Atlas of FEPA in relation to the study area (extracted from Wetland, 2015)
4.13.3 Wetland delineation Figure 37 below presents the results of the wetland delineation and classification. A total of 97.82 hectares of wetlands were delineated within the study area, covering approximately 14.18 % of the site. The wetlands consist predominantly of hillslope seepage wetlands (78.6 %), but also include two channelled valley bottom wetlands (21.4 %). Table 44 below presents the delineated wetland types as well as the associated extent of each wetland type.
Table 44: Delineated wetland types (adapted from Wetland, 2015) Wetland Type Are a (ha) % of wetland area % of study area Hillslope seepage 76.87 78.58% 11.14% Channelled valley 20.95 21.42% 3.04% bottom Total 97.82 100.00% 14.18%
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Figure 37 : Wetland delineation and classification (extracted from Wetland, 2015)
All of the wetland systems identified on site drain roughly from east to west and form unnamed tributaries of the Saalboomspruit.
In the north of the study area a hillslope seepage wetland occurs which forms the headwaters of the wetland system draining through the Umlalazi Nature Reserve towards the Saalboomspruit. The upper catchment of this wetland system falls within the active Umlalazi mining area, and it is expected that these mining activities have resulted in decreased flows to these wetlands. In addition, cultivation extends across a large portion of the upper wetland. Despite this, the wetland was well saturated and surface flow was observed from a spring in the wetland. Water quality from this spring did however show clear signs of mine contamination. Water quality within the spring was assessed using a handheld pH and EC meter – pH of 4.57 and conductivity of 82.7 mS/m were recorded.
To the south and southeast of the study area a channelled valley bottom wetland with associated hillslope seepage wetlands was identified. The upper reach of the valley bottom wetland was characterised by near vertic clay soils and was significantly incised, though the side slopes of the eroded areas have already re- vegetated and stabilised in most areas. The lower reaches of the wetland are less incised, possibly due to bed rock which becomes exposed in numerous places along the channel and which likely acts as the key point preventing further incision of the channel.
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The eastern half of the hillslope seepage wetland along this valley bottom wetland forms a fairly narrow strip of natural vegetation along the lower edge of the cultivated fields, with cultivation generally extending a couple of meters into the wetland. Increased sedimentation and edge disturbances from the cultivation are also clearly identifiable within this wetland.
The western half of this seepage wetland however differs, in that it is associated with an area of natural grassland (secondary in some areas, but mostly primary grassland). The natural grassland provides a buffer between the wetland and the cultivated fields, implying that this section of the seepage wetland is much less disturbed. This is also reflected in the vegetation, with large stands of Kniphofia and numerous stands of Gladiolus (both protected species in Mpumalanga) observed within this wetland and the adjacent valley bottom.
A large area marked as “marginal soils” was also identified in the east of the study site. This is an area of shallower soils currently under cultivation which in isolated points showed some signs of temporary wetness at or just below 50cm, but not sufficient to warrant classification as a wetland. Saturation of the deeper soil profile likely occurs, but this is unlikely to affect the vegetation, though as stated, the area is currently under cultivation and thus no vegetation indicators could be observed.
Figure 38: Map showing the proposed mine plan in relation to the delineated wetlands.
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From the mine plan above it is clear that no direct impacts to the wetlands will be expected, as all proposed activities will take place well outside the delineated wetland habitat.
4.13.4 Functional assessment Numerous functions are typically attributed to wetlands, which include nutrient removal (and more specifically nitrate removal), sediment trapping (and associated with this is the trapping of phosphates bound to iron as a component of the sediment), stream flow augmentation, flood attenuation, trapping of pollutants and erosion control (Wetland, 2015).
The role of hillslope seepage wetlands are directly impacted by the level of degradation the specific wetland has undergone. The areas of the hillslope seepage wetlands that have cultivation are mostly devoid of natural vegetation and play a limited role in biodiversity support, it is however important to note that birds may utilise the cultivated areas for foraging purposes.
The water inputs from adjacent hillslope seepage wetlands to the valley bottom wetlands allow the valley bottom wetlands to play important role in biodiversity support in the form of habitat creation and soil saturation. Figure 39 below presents radial plots which illustrate the typical function performed by the hillslope seepage and valley bottom wetlands.
Figure 39 : Radial plots of the typical functions of hillslope seepage and valley bottom (extracted from Wetland, 2015)
4.13.5 Present Ecological Status and ecological integrity The ecological integrity of the aquatic habitats is determined through the results of the Present Ecological Assessment (PES). As part of the Wetland Delineation and Impact Assessment (refer to Appendix E5) the PES of the wetlands within the vicinity of the study area were determined and are presented in Table 45 and Figure 40 below (refer to Appendix E5).
Table 45 PES assessment results (adapted from Wetland, 2015)
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Threat descriptions Wetland Wetland Type Hydrology Combined PES Unit Geomorphology Vegetation Score category
1 Hillslope seepage 2.0 0.8 5.0 2.5 C
Channelled valley 2 5.0 2.5 4.9 4.26 D bottom
3 Hillslope seepage 1.0 0.5 2.1 1.14 B
Channelled valley 4 3.5 1.3 2.1 2.46 C bottom
5 Hillslope seepage 6.5 1.6 5.2 4.73 D
Figure 40 : Delineated wetlands and their resultant PES (extracted from Wetland, 2015)
4.13.6 Ecological Importance and Sensitivity The Ecological Importance and Sensitivity (EIS) of a wetland or water source is determined by considering the following factors: • Biodiversity. • Hydrology. • Functionality. • Ecological Integrity.
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Further considerations that informed the EIS assessment include: • The location of the study area. • The wetland ecosystem type of the area. • The classification of wetlands as a FEPA. • The presence of protected/ Red Data species. • The level of degradation.
Approximately 90% of the delineated wetlands are considered to be of “ Moderate ” ecological importance and sensitivity. Only the eroded south eastern valley bottom wetland was considered to be of “Low/Marginal ” importance give the level of degradation within this wetland. The definitions of the EIS categories are as follows: • Moderate: o Wetlands that are considered to be ecologically important and sensitive on a provincial or local scale. The biodiversity of these wetlands is not usually sensitive to flow and habitat modifications. They play a small role in moderating the quantity and quality of water of major rivers. • Low/marginal o Wetlands that is not ecologically important and sensitive at any scale. The biodiversity of these wetlands is ubiquitous and not sensitive to flow and habitat modifications. They play an insignificant role in moderating the quantity and quality of water of major rivers.
Figure 41 below presents the EIS of the delineated wetlands within the study area.
Figure 41 : EIS of the delineated wetlands within the study area (extracted from Wetland, 2015)
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4.14 VISUAL ASPECTS The visual quality of the pre-mining environment in the study area had already been altered due to the presence of existing infrastructure such as the adjacent R547 provincial road and gravel access roads traversing the Navigation West Section mining area, the power lines crossing the site, the nearby residential area of KwaMthunzi Vilakazi, as well as the nearby industrial activities such as Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corporation, Transalloys and also the existing mining activities in the surrounding areas such as Landau and Greenside Collieries of Anglo Operations Ltd, Hayford Colliery of BHP Billiton - Ingwe Closure Operations, Elandsfontein Colliery of Anker Kohlen, and Clewer Sand. Other aspects that influenced the visual aspects of the pre-mining site and thus the “sense of place” included the Navigation West - Training Centre and Clewer Nature Reserve as well as the pre-mining agricultural land utilisation practised on site.
Figure 42: Map indicating the land uses of the area surrounding the Navigation Section( extracted from the approved EMPR, dated 2010 )
4.15 SITES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL IMPORTANCE 4.15.1 Heritage Resources The information contained in this section of the document was obtained from the report titled: “A Phase I Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) study for the proposed Landau Colliery Navigation Section Umlalazi South Block Extension project near eMalahleni (Witbank) on the Eastern Highveld in the Mpumalanga Province “dated March 2014 and compiled by Dr Julius Pistorius (Pistorius, 2014). The report is attached hereto as Appendix E9.
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A brief over view of the pre-historic and historic information is provided below. This brief overview contextualises the Eastern Highveld area and is necessary to understand the meaning and significance of heritages resources which may exist within the study area.
The following prehistoric and historic influences are located within the Mpumalanga Province: • Stone Age and rock art site. o There are approximately 400 rock art sites distributed throughout the Mpumalanga. Rock art found within the Mpumalanga province can be divided into San rock art and Khoi Khoi herders. There are four (4) sites within eMalahleni and the rest are distributed in areas such as Lydenburg, white river, Kruger National Park, Nelspruit, the Nsikazi District and Ermelo. No Stone Age or rock art sites were identified during the HIA field survey at the Navigation West South Block Extension project study area. • Iron Age remains. o Early Iron Age remains are distributed throughout the Mpumalanga Province and reflect indications of the first farming communities in the province. However, no sites of Early Iron Age remains are located on or within the vicinity of the study area. o Late Iron Age remains are well represented within the Mpumalanga Province and include influences from early arrivals (Bakona Clans), Swazi expansions, Bakgatla Chiefdoms in the Steelpoort Valley, Ndzundza_Ndebele settlements, corbelled stone huts and stone walled settlements. However, no site of Late Iron Age remains are located on or within the vicinity of the study area. • Historical period and coal mining history. o eMalahleni (Witbank) came into being as the railway line between Pretoria and Mozambique passed close to where eMalahleni is located today. The first European settlers to settle in this area noticed the abundance of coal which was evident on or near the surface. A stage post for the wagons was located near an outcrop of white stones, which gave the town its name of Witbank. Witbank (now known as eMalahleni) was established on the Farm Swartbos in 1903. Coal has since been mined in the eMalahleni region for over a century. • Vernacular stone archaeological heritage. o A unique stone architectural heritage was established in the Eastern Highveld from the second half of the 19 th century well into the early 20 th century. During this time period stone was used to build farmsteads and dwellings, both in urban and in rural areas. Although a contemporary stone architecture also existed in the Karoo and in the Eastern Free State Province of South Africa a wider variety of stone types were used in the Eastern Highveld. There are however no sites of vernacular stone archaeological heritage on or within the vicinity of the study site.
A field survey was conducted on the study area. The objective of the field survey was to traverse the study site and to geo-reference, describe and photograph heritage resources whenever they existed. A GPS track log was registered to record the areas of the study site which were surveyed (refer to Figure 43 below).
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Figure 43 : GPS track log of the survey (extracted from Pistorius, 2014)
As a result of the field survey and the assessment of available literature relating to the region and the study site (refer to Appendix E9), the Phase I HIA did not reveal any types and ranges of heritage resources (Pistorius, 2014).
4.16 REGIONAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS The following information is based information from studies for other processes at Landau Colliery, which referenced ELM’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for 2011-2012, the Community Survey 2007 Municipal Data on Household Services, and Statistics South Africa 2001 Census.
4.16.1 Population As mentioned previously, Landau Colliery is located within the Emalahleni Local Municipality (ELM). The ELM had the largest population size of 435,217 persons in 2007. The municipality is also the most populated in the district with a population density of 162.54 persons per square meter.
The age and sex structure of the ELM shows an atypical pattern for a developing province such as Mpumalanga. In 2001, an equal size of the population occurred in the age groups between 0 to 4 years and 20 to 24 years, indicating a population stabilizing over time with stable levels of fertility. A typically aging population was determined for the ELM in 2001. In comparison, the pattern shown in 2007 has distortions in the middle ages with an unusually larger population of males compared to females between the ages of 20 and 34; this may be an indication of high economic activity within the ELM.
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An annual growth rate of 7.6% (the highest in the district) was observed for the 6 year period between 2001 and 2007. By extrapolating the growth rate over-time, the projected population of the local municipality is expected to be 635,324 persons by 2012, and reach 927,438 in 2017. In 2007, the population of the ELM was mostly Black (85.8%) of the population. The remaining 14.2% of the population comprised White (12.7%), Coloured (1.2%) and Indian (0.3%).
4.16.2 Educational attainment Educational attainment, i.e. the provision of educational services to a population, in the ELM is higher compared to most municipalities in Mpumalanga province. In addition, improvement in educational levels was observed to occur between 2001 and 2007. About 14% of males and 15% of females over 20 years had no schooling in 2001. This was reduced to 8% for both males and females by 2007, which indicate favourable improvements in educational attainment over a period of 6 years. There was also a reduction in the percentage of persons with primary educational attainment in favour of higher educational levels. What is unexpected is the reduction in the percentage with Grade 12 between 2001 and 2007 for both males and females. This decline is not offset by more persons attaining qualifications higher than Matric, since the percentage with higher education hardly changed.
4.16.3 Employment Employment opportunities are favourable in the ELM, roughly 61% for males and 38% for females, were employed in 2007. Figure 44 further indicates that there has been a reduction in the percentage unemployed in the district between 2001 and 2007 for both males and females. The decline is similar for males and females, although employment remains higher for males than for females.
About a third of females were unemployed in 2001 compared to 20% of males in economically active ages. By 2007, this was reduced to 18% for males and 27% for females. Also evident is that the improvements in employment are much more prominent for males rather than females by 2007. In general, the municipality has better employment opportunities in the district.
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Figure 44 : Employment status for persons between 15 and 65 years old (after ELM IDP, 2011)
4.16.3 Disability Disability can be used as a measure to evaluate the health of a population. A decline in the percentage of disabled persons was observed in the district between 2001 and 2007. When looking at the percentage distribution of the disabled population by type of disability, one observes that, in 2001, almost half of the disabled persons in the municipality either had sight, hearing or physical limitation (see Table 46). By 2007, the most prevalent form of disability was physical and emotional limitations, where over half of disabled persons experienced one of these limitations. This is an important disaggregation to note for knowledge of what types of resources are needed by disabled persons within the district.
Table 46 : Prevalence of disabled by type of disability
Disability 2001 2007 Percentage disabled 5.4 4.3 Sight 27.2 12.0 Hearing 17.6 8.8 Communication 3.1 3.9 Physical 17.2 37.9 Intellectual 8.3 10.6 Emotional 11.7 16.6 Multiple disability 14.9 10.2
4.16.4 Social grants
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One of the services that the South African government provides to the population is in the form of income grants. These grants are designed to alleviate poverty among vulnerable persons for which the grant is intended for. Each grant has its own eligibility criteria that can be accessed from the Department of Social Development. The number of persons receiving social grants is indicated in Table 47.
Table 47 : Number of recipients of social grants in 2007
Grant type Number receiving grant Old age pension 12,189 Disability grant 9,284 Child support grant 54,602 Care dependency grant 1,636 Foster care grant 272 Grant in aid 250 Social relief 641 Multiple grants 981
The grant with the largest recipients is the child support grant (54,602 children). This partly reflects the need for this grant in improving child well-being, but also the larger numbers of recipients for this grant is merely a function of the size of the population aged below 15. The second grant with the most recipients is the old age pension. The district has a sizable number of persons above the age 65, which reflects the number eligible for the old age pension. The data from census 2001 and CS 2007 is limited in the information obtained that can allow for evaluating the accessibility of these grants for those in need and eligible.
4.16.5 Access to water The majority of households have access to safe water either through pipes to within the dwelling, or access it from a point outside the dwelling. There were some improvements in provision of piped water inside the dwelling between 2001 and 2007 (from 42% to 46%). Evidence suggests that the provision of basic services had focused its attention towards lowering the number accessing piped water from outside a dwelling. Not much change is observed from the other types of water sources, except for eliminating households that had unspecified water sources in 2001.
4.16.6 Access to sanitation In 2001, over two thirds (75%) of households in the municipality either had a flushed toilet or pit latrine without ventilation. There is clear evidence of a local government campaign to replace pit latrines without ventilations with those that are ventilated to promote safer sanitation facilities. By 2007, almost no households were using pit latrine without vent. Although the number of households with no toilet facility has declined between 2001 and 2007, the decline is small.
4.16.7 Access to electricity Electricity was the leading source of energy for all uses; however, it declined somewhat between 2001 and 2007 in the ELM. In 2007, electricity use for heating and cooking was observed in 47% and 60% of households, respectively. Electricity use among households was not uniform, meaning even households
Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd EIA AND EMP AOPL: LANDAU COLLIERY: NAVIGATION WEST SOUTH BLOCK EXTENSION Page 168 of 346 with electricity do not choose to use it for all their energy needs. The other sources of cooking and heating energy are paraffin and coal, the use of which increased in 2007, while the use of electricity declined between 2001 and 2007 from 69% to 60%. The use of candles and paraffin for lighting surprisingly increased between 2001 and 2007, an unusual trend in all the Mpumalanga municipalities.
4.16.8 Dwelling type The type of dwelling where a household resides is directly linked to well-being of household members. There is evidence that suggests that children under age 5 who reside in dwellings that have poor floor, wall and roof materials have higher prevalence of negative developmental outcomes. They have higher mortality during childhood, higher morbidity and lower school attendance. This is also because dwellings with poor building structures are often poor, have no access to other basic services, such as safe water and sanitation. The types of dwelling that prevailed in the municipality in 2007 were formal dwellings, such as houses. There was actually a decline in formal dwelling between the 6 year period, and an increase in informal dwellings.
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5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
Section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 guarantees everyone the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being and to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations. In order to give effect to this right, the NEMA, 1998, as amended, came into effect in January 1999.
In terms of Section 24 (4) of the NEMA, 1998, procedures for the investigation, assessment and communication of the potential consequences or impacts of activities on the environment must, inter alia , ensure, with respect to every application: • Coordination and cooperation between organs of state in the consideration of assessments where an activity falls under the jurisdiction of more than one organ of state. • That the findings and recommendations flowing from an investigation, the general objective of integrated management laid down in NEMA, 1998 and the principles of environmental management set out in Section 2 of NEMA, 1998 are taken into account in any decision made by the organ state in relation to any proposed policy, programme, process, plan or projects, consequences or impacts. • Public information and participation procedures which provide all integrated and affected parties, including all organs of state in all spheres of government that may have jurisdiction over any aspect of the activity, with a reasonable opportunity to participate in those information and participation procedures.
One of the general objectives of integrated environmental management laid down in Section 23(2) (d) of NEMA, 1998 is to: “ensure adequate and appropriate opportunity for public participation in decisions that may affect the environment.”
The National Environmental Management Principles as stipulated in NEMA, 1998 say; • “Environmental management must place people and their needs at the forefront of its concern, and serve their physical, psychological, developmental, cultural and social interests equitably. • The participation of all interested and affected parties in environmental governance must be promoted, and all people must have an opportunity to develop the understanding, skills and capacity necessary to achieve equitable and effective participation, and participation by vulnerable and disadvantage persons must be ensured”.
The EIA Regulations of 2010 require that public participation must be done after submission of an application for a Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment Report (S&EIR).
The public participation process for this project has been conducted in terms of the procedures and provisions of the public participation process in terms of the NEMA, 1998 and Chapter 6 of the EIA Regulations of 2010, as well as other relevant legislation such as the PAJA, 2000 and the PAIA, 2000.
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5.1 METHOD OF NOTIFICATION 5.1.1 Press advertising The proposed project and Scoping Phase (Scoping report availability and public meeting) was advertised in English in a local newspaper, Witbank News, on 07 November 2014. The Witbank News was found to be the most appropriate newspaper in terms of its accessibility and language. A copy of the advertisement and proof of the placement thereof is attached in Appendix D1.
The EIA Phase (draft EIR availiability and Scoping Phase public meeting) was advertised in the Witbank News on 25 September 2015. A copy of the advertisement and proof of the placement thereof is attached in Appendix D1.
5.1.2 On-site advertising Notice of the proposed project was also given to Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) by notice boards. Notice boards were placed at three different, noticeable and conspicuous places (the entrance gate to the mine and two other locations surrounding the Landau Colliery) on 06 November 2014. A copy of the site notice and photographs of the site notices are attached in Appendix D2.
5.1.3 Background Information Document and Notification letters The Notification Letters and Background Information Document (BID) developed for the proposed project provides background information pertaining to the project and is intended to inform I&APs of the proposed project as well as the availability of the draft Scoping report for comment as well as the Scoping Phase Public meeting. The BID also includes a registration form which I&APs, stakeholders and organs of state are encouraged to complete in order to register as an I&AP for the proposed project.
The Notification Letters and BID was made available to all landowners within and surrounding the mine boundary area of the proposed project, as well as to all organs of state that may have jurisdiction over any aspect of the activity on 06 and 07 of November 2014. Copies of the BID and proof of distribution of the BID to the adjacent landowners and organs of state have been attached as Appendix D3.
During the EIA Phase notification letters was sent to all I&Aps on 25 September 2015 of the availability of the draft EIR for public comment and the EIA Phase public meeting (attached in Appendix D3).
5.2 LIST OF I&APS AND STAKEHOLDERS IDENTIFIED All landowners within and surrounding the mine boundary area of the proposed project are considered to be registered I&APs.
Table 48 below, indicates the list landowners and adjacent landowners identified and notified (by means of e-mail, telephone, fax and/or post) of the proposed project. Copies of the notifications to the I&APs have been included in Appendix D4.
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Table 48 : List of I&APs notified Fa rm Name Owners Details Blaauwkrans 323 JS Portion 1 Transnet Ltd. Weltevreden 324 JS Portion RE Truter Boerdery Trust Vlaklaagte 330 JS Portion 16, 17 Uitspan Uitbreidings Vlaklaagte 330 JS Portion 7, 14 Rudolf Martinus Botha Vlaklaagte 330 JS Portion 9 Madeleine Louw Vlaklaagte 330 JS Portion 10 Morne Stander Vlaklaagte 330 JS Portion 12 Stephanus Johannes Petrus Duvenhage Vlaklaagte 330 JS Portion 13 Adistra 96 CC Vlaklaagte 330 JS Portion 15 Marie Liebenberg Blaauwkrans 323 JS Portion 4, 17 Transnet Ltd. Weltevreden 324 JS Portion 3, 4 National Department of Land Affairs Vlaklaagte 330 JS Portion 0, 1, 3, 4 Uitspan Uitbreidings Pty Ltd. Vlaklaagte 330 JS Portion 2 Jacobus Theodorus du Preez Vlaklaagte 330 JS Portion 5, 6 Republic of South Africa Vlaklaagte 330 JS Portion 8 Barend Johannes Venter Vlaklaagte 330 JS Portion 11 Ludwig Paul van Schalkwyk Waterpan 8 IS Portion 0 Duiker Mining Pty Ltd. Tweefontein 13 IS Portion Duiker Mining Pty Ltd. Andrew Serelane Kleinkopje Colliery Landau Colliery Johan Oelofse Mr. Engelbrecht Mr. Bezuidenhout Mr. Jan Lauschagne Mr. PH Venter Neels Smith Other adjacent landowners and lessees Paula Duvenhage Pierre Liebenberg Stefanus Johannes van Jaarsveld Truter Boerdery Trust Blackhill Primary School Mr. Babu Jiyane Mr. Fanie van Jaarsveld Mr. RM Botha Mr. Tielman Roux Sophia van Schalkwyk
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5.3 LIST OF ORGANS OF STATE IDENTIFIED All organs of state who may have jurisdiction in respect of the proposed project is considered to be registered I&APs.
Table 49 below indicates the list of organs of state notified of the proposed project. Copies of the notifications to the organs of state have been included in Appendix D4.
Table 49 List of organs of state notified Company Name Department of Water Affairs Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism. Department of Public Works Department of Agriculture Department of Minerals Resources. Green Trust Wildlife Society. Mpumalanga Tourism and Part Agency Mpumalanga Working for Wetlands (SANBI) eMalahleni Local Municipality Mpumalanga Parks Board Nkangala District Municipality Olifants Catchment Environmental Protection Group South African Heritage Resource Agency Transnet Spoornet Witbank Framers Association Witbank Tourism Board Sasol Gas Limiited South African National Roads Agency Limited
5.4 I&AP REGISTER All organs of state and landowners within and surrounding the mine boundary area of the proposed project is considered registered I&APs.
Table 50 below indicates the list of all registered I&APs of the project.
Table 50 : List of all registered I&APs No. Name Interest 1. Transnet Ltd. I&AP
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No. Name Interest 2. Truter Boerdery Trust I&AP 3. Uitspan Uitbreidings I&AP 4. Rudolf Martinus Botha I&AP 5. Madeleine Louw I&AP 6. Morne Stander I&AP 7. Stephanus Johannes Petrus Duvenhage I&AP 8. Adistra 96 CC I&AP 9. Marie Liebenberg I&AP 10. National Department of Land Affairs I&AP 11. Jacobus Theodorus du Preez I&AP 12. Republic of South Africa I&AP 13. Barend Johannes Venter I&AP 14. Ludwig Paul van Schalkwyk I&AP 15. Duiker Mining Pty Ltd. I&AP 16. Andrew Serelane I&AP 17. Kleinkopje Colliery I&AP 18. Landau Colliery I&AP 19. Johan Oelofse I&AP 20. Mr. Engelbrecht I&AP 21. Mr. Bezuidenhout I&AP 22. Mr. Jan Lauschagne I&AP 23. Mr. PH Venter I&AP 24. Neels Smith I&AP 25. Paula Duvenhage I&AP 26. Pierre Liebenberg I&AP 27. Stefanus Johannes van Jaarsveld I&AP 28. Truter Boerdery Trust I&AP 29. Blackhill Primary School I&AP 30. Mr. Babu Jiyane I&AP 31. Mr. Fanie van Jaarsveld I&AP 32. Mr. RM Botha I&AP 33. Mr. Tielman Roux I&AP 34. Sophia van Schalkwyk I&AP 35. Department of Water Affairs Organ of State 36. Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism. Organ of State 37. Department of Public Works Organ of State 38. Department of Agriculture Organ of State 39. Department of Minerals Resources. Organ of State 40. Green Trust Organ of State
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No. Name Interest 41. Wildlife Society. Organ of State 42. Mpumalanga Tourism and Part Agency Organ of State 43. Mpumalanga Working for Wetlands (SANBI) Organ of State 44. eMalahleni Local Municipality Organ of State 45. Mpumalanga Parks Board Organ of State 46. Nkangala District Municipality Organ of State 47. Olifants Catchment Environmental Protection Group Organ of State 48. South African Heritage Resource Agency Organ of State 49. Transnet Organ of State 50. Spoornet Organ of State 51. Witbank Framers Association Organ of State 52. Witbank Tourism Board Organ of State 53. South African National Roads Agency Limited Organ of State 54. Sasol Gas Limited Organ of State
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5.5 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES REPORT All issues, comments and questions received from the I&Aps during the Initial and Scoping Phase have been summarised in Table 51. Copies of the comments received have been included in Appendix D5.
Table 51 : Issues received to date, and responses to these issues Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response
P. Raphael Community of Letter dated P Raphael Letter. We the community of The Schoongezicht area does not Schoongezicht 21 November Schoongezicht we have the form part of this project, but forms representative 2014, following issues around part of the overall Landau Colliery received 09 Emalahleni Schoongezicht: community issues. The mine’s February community liaison officer responded 1. Unemployment. 2015. to the Schoongezicht community 2. Cracking houses due to coal issues at the Scoping Phase Public mine blasting. Meeting and informed them of the 3. No job creation. mines procedures and how to lay a formal complaint at the mine 4. No high school at Schoongezicht for our children.
5. Most people are ill due to air pollution.
6. Mobile clinic for our elderly people.
7. Community Hall.
8. We are not informed about Schoongezicht Sponsors.
We hope the above are in order.
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response
Your urgent response will be highly appreciated. Please contact a community member of Schoongezicht for any assistance Mr P Raphael.
Rachael Sasol Satellite 19 November Rachael Mphofu Email Sasol is affected by the proposal Thank you for your response. Mphofu Operations 2014 of extending or expanding the Landau Colliery is currently in colliery mine as it has a high contact with the relevant parties at pressure gas pipe line which is Sasol in order to make running along the path of the arrangements with regards to the expansion. gas pipeline. Also refer to Appendix B3 for minutes of the meetings held with Sasol thus far.
B van den Sasol Satellite 20 November B van den Heuvel Email We refer to your letter dated 06 Thank you for your response. Heuvel Operations 2014 November 2014 whereby Landau Colliery is currently in drawings were included. contact with the relevant parties at Sasol in order to make Sasol Pipeline Operations is arrangements with regards to the affected by your proposed work. gas pipeline. Also refer to Appendix Please take note that the following B3 for minutes of the meetings held steps need to be followed for the with Sasol thus far. Official Wayleave.
1. Set up kick-off meeting or a pre- signature meeting. Sasol Satellite Operations will then indicate the gas pipeline and issue conditions to be complied with.
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response
2. At the second meeting Sasol Satellite Operations will then issue the official way leave if all the conditions are met.
If any work starts on or close to our pipeline without an official way leave, legal action will be taken against the perpetrators.
Damage to the pipeline may result in the following:
1. Fatality, even multiple fatalities.
2. Loss of livestock an environmental impact.
3. Damage to property.
4. Cost of loss of Production or financial loss could be as high as 1 Billion Rand.
Sonja van Clean Stream 12 November Sonja van de Email Registration of Clean Stream Thank you for your response. CSEC de Environmental 2014 Giessen Environmental Consultants will be included in the I&AP register. Giessen Consultants (CSEC) as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) for the proposed Navigation West South Block Extension Project.
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response
The above project (Reference number 17/2/3N-363) has reference.
In response to the advertisement placed in the e “Witbank Nuus” dated 07 November 2014, CSEC hereby requests to be registered as an I&AP for the above project, since, as you area aware, CSEC is the appointed EAP for the adjacent Landau Colliery Life Extension Project.
Johan Sasol Mining 19 December Johan Botha Email Sasol Gas/Satellite operations has Thank you for your response. Botha (Pty) Ltd 2014 a gas pipeline running on the Landau Colliery is currentlyin contact affected property and area. with the relevant parties at Sasol in order to make arrangements with regards to the gas pipeline. Also refer to Appendix B3 for minutes of the meetings held with Sasol thus far.
Carla Trans African 22 December Carla Davis Email Your correspondence dated 10 TRAC has been registered as an Davis Concessions 2014 November 2014 received by post I&AP. The restrictions with regards (Pty) Ltd refers. to mining 100m from a road and blasting 500m from a national road is No registration form was attached. taken into account with the design of this project.
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response
I have checked the website and it seems that the N4 is affected by A registration form and the locality this application as the land seem map was sent to TRAC, any further to be adjacent to the N4 National correspondence received from Road. TRAC will be included as part of the We would like to register as an EIR. interested and affected party.
Please send me a registration for to enable us to complete that as well as a detailed location map to identify the area affected.
In terms of the SANRAL, Act 7 of 1998, no mining may be done closer to 100m from the road reserve or fence. Furthermore no blasting may be done within 500m form the N4 in accordance with the Explosives Act.
Allen Private 10 November Allen Mhlambi Email My name is Allen Mhlambi, I am Mr Allen Mhlambi is registered as an Mhlambi 2014 sending this email for RSVP of I&AP and a comment sheet was sent public meeting on the 21 st to him via email. No response has November 2014 at Clewer Primary yet been received. Any further School for Environmental correspondence will be included as Authorisation Application for the part of the EIR. proposed Navigation West South Block Extension project of Landau Collier. And also requesting the
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response application form of I&AP(soft copy) so that I can apply electronically or e-mail it back to you.
I hope and trust that my request will be granted. And looking forward to fruitful engagements.
Ms AM Department of 20 November Ms AM Rambuda Email/Letter DRAFT SCOPING REPORT FOR The Water Use Licence will be Rambuda Water and 2014 ANGLO OPERATIONS applied for and will be submitted to Sanitation PROPRIETARY LIMITED: the Regional DWS. LANDAU COLLIERY: The Water Use Licence will include a PROPOSED NAVIGATION WEST preliminary legal assessment to - SOUTH BLOCK EXTENSION identify all the water use activities PROJECT associated with the proposed project that will require authorisation by the DWS and the applicant is hereby The above-mentioned report referred to Section 22(1) of the prepared by Shangoni National Water Act , 1998 (Act 36 of Management Services (Pty) Ltd 1998). dated November 2014 has relevance.
Flood-lines: The map of location of the proposed project showing the The Department of Water and 1:100 year flood-line in terms of Sanitation (DWS) has evaluated section 144 of the National Water the above-mentioned report and Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) shall wish to comment as follows: be submitted as part of the WULA and EIR.
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response
1. The Applicant shall conduct a preliminary legal assessment to Streams and Wetlands: An indication identify all the water use activities shall also be provided on the associated with the proposed availability of any wetlands, rivers project that will require and drainage lines within the area authorisation by the DWS and the surrounding the proposed project as applicant is hereby referred to part of the wetland study to be Section 22(1) of the National submitted together with the WULA Water Act , 1998 (Act 36 of 1998). and EIR. Section 21 (c) and (i) forms in terms of the National Water Act, (Act 36 of 1998) and supplementary 2. Therefore any other water use forms will be submitted; related activities associated with this project that are not permissible as indicated on Stormwater Management: A Section 22(1) of the National Stormwater management plan will Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) be implemented to prevent pollution shall have to be authorized by the on run-off. Separation of clean and DWS prior to such water use dirty water will be implemented. The activities taking place and the storm water management plan will applicant is requested to liaise be submitted together with the EIR with the DWS for guidance on the and WULA requirements for such an authorisation.
Details with regards to the Sewage Management will be included as part 3. Flood-lines: The map of of the WULA and EIR. location of the proposed project showing the 1:100 year flood-line
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response in terms of section 144 of the Details with regards to the potable National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. water supply will be included as part 36 of 1998) shall be submitted to of the WULA and EIR. the DWS.
The Civil designs of the PCD which 4. Streams and Wetlands: An are signed by the Professional indication shall also be provided engineer and reflecting the ECSA on the availability of any wetlands, registration number of the engineer rivers and drainage lines within the will be submitted for assessment as area surrounding the proposed part of the WULA and EIR project. If wetlands will be affected section 21 (c) and (i) forms in
terms of the National Water Act, Section 21(j) and (a) forms will be (Act 36 of 1998) and submitted together with the WULA supplementary forms should be for the dewatering of the pit. submitted; Section 21(g) forms will be submitted for the waste rock dumps. The
5. Stormwater Management: existing ROM and coal stockpile Stormwater management plan demarcated areas have been must be implemented to prevent licenced in terms of licence number pollution on run-off. Separation of 04/B20G/ABCGIJ/1498.
clean and dirty water should be The relevant 21 (c) and (i) forms for implemented. the construction of infrastructure
within the wetlands will be submitted together with the WULA. 6. Sewage Management: It is indicated that the waste is treated
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response at an on-site, standalone sewage Backfilling using carbonaceous treatment plant; and the plant is materials is already motivated in operated by an external terms of the GN 704 in licence contractor. The final effluent is number 04/B20G/ABCGIJ/1498. discharged into the Navigation West PCD.
The capacity of the existing slurry dam and the volume of the slurry will Draft Scoping Report in respect of be submitted as part of the WULA Landau Colliery: Proposed and EIR in order to check if the Navigation West - South Block capacity will be sufficient for the Extension Project Portion 2 of extra load. Farm Elandsfontein 309 JS.
The water balance has been 7. Potable water supply: It is updated including all the water uses indicated that potable water for to be applied for domestic use is obtained from Emalahleni Water Reclamation
Plant via a pipeline to the potable Dust suppression will be applied for water tank at Navigation Plant. as part of the WULA. Service agreement should be
submitted to the Department. All agreements with regards to waste
management will be submitted as 8. Water uses: It is indicated that part of the EIR and WULA. the existing Navigation West
Pollution Control Dam will be expanded. In terms of the National
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) Mitigation measures to prevent the section 21(g) forms and pollution to the ground and surface supplementary forms should be water resources will be addressed completed and submitted to this as part of the EIR and WULA. Department. Civil designs which are signed by the Professional
engineer and reflecting the ECSA Pollution incidents originating from registration number of the the proposed project will be reported engineer should be submitted for to the Regional Office of DWS within assessment. 24 hours.
A pre-application meeting was held
• It is also indicated that water with the DWS on 9 September 2014, will be pumped from the pits to attached hereto in Appendix B. enable mining to continue safely and efficient. In terms of the
National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) section 21J) forms should be completed and submitted to this Department;
• Overburden stockpile, coal stockpile and ROM is regarded as a water use in terms of section 21 (g) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) relevant forms should be completed and submitted to this Department;
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response
• If the construction of haul roads is going to impact on the wetlands or rivers, in terms section 21 (c) and (i) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) relevant forms should be completed and submitted to this Department;
• Backfilling using carbonaceous materials should be motivated in terms of the GN704;
• It is indicated that the slurry will be pumped to the existing slurry dams; the capacity of the existing slurry dam and the volume of the slurry should be submitted in order to check if the capacity will be sufficient for the extra load.
• A water balance should be updated including all the water uses to be applied for.
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response
9. Dust: If dust suppression using water is the measure to be taken. the applicant should note that using water for dust suppression is regarded as a water use in terms of Section 21 (g) of the National Water Act 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) and supplementary forms must be completed and submitted to this Department.
10. Waste Management: It is indicated that waste will be removed by a contractor and disposed in a registered waste disposal site. An agreement between the applicant and land owner should be submitted to the Department.
11. Storage of oil, diesel, hydraulic fluids and grease: It is recommended that the storage areas for these fluids be bunded with cement and in such a manner
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response that any spillages can be contained and reclaimed without causing any pollution to the ground and surface water resources.
12. Pollution Incidents: The Applicant is referred to Section 19(1) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998), and to report any pollution incidents originating from the proposed project to the Regional Office of DWS within 24 hours.
Please refer to external guideline for guidance on which information is required when applying for a Water Use Licence. The applicant is advised to arrange for a pre- consultation meeting with the Department before submitting a Water Use Licence Application.
Therefore the Applicant shall provide clarity on the above-
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response mentioned issues of concern prior to any recommendations from the DWS.
Please do not hesitate to contact the DWS Regional Office should you have any queries.
Ms Dineo Department of 06 February Fakude Okwethu- Letter APPLICATION FOR Noted. Tswai Agriculture, 2015 kuhle ENVIRONMENTAL Rural AUTHORISATION: THE Development, PROPOSED LANDAU Land and COLLIERY; NAVIGATION Environmental SECTION, UMLALAZI SOUTH Affairs BLOCK EXTENSION PROJECT WITHIN EMALAHLENILOCAL MUNICIPALITY, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE.
The draft Scoping Report and plan of study for environmental authorization which was submitted by you in respect of the above mentioned application and received by the Department on the 17°1 November 2014 has been accepted by the Department.
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response
You may proceed with undertaking the final Scoping Report In accordance with the tasks that are outlined in the plan of study for environmental Impact report
Please draw the applicant's attention to the fact that the activity may not commence prior to an environmental authorisation being granted by the Department.
BN Mnguni Department of 06 July 2015 BN Mnguni Letter RE: NOTICE OF Noted. Water and ENVIRONMENTAL Sanitation AUTHORISATION APPLICATION FOR THE PROPOSED NAVIGATION WEST - SOUTH BLOCK EXTENSION PROJECT OF LANDAU COLLIERY
The Department of Water and Sanitation acknowledges receipt of the above-mentioned report submitted by Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd with reference number 17/2/3N-
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response 363, and the comments are as follows:
1. Currently the Department is in possession of a Water Use Licence Application for the proposed Navigation West - South Block Extension Project of Landau, whereby all the water use related issues shall be addressed .
2. The applicant is advised not to commence with any water uses activities before obtaining a Water Use License.
3. The applicant must report any pollution incident originating from this proposed project to the Provincial Head:Mpumalanga of the Department of Water and Sanitation within 24 hours.
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Name Company Date Contact Person Method of comment Issue raised Response
Please Note: The Mine Manager/person accountable must at all times adhere to the requirements of the regulations on the use of water for mining and related activities aimed at the protection of water resources as promulgated under the Government Notice No.704 and published in Government Gazette No. 20119 of June 1999.
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5.6 PUBLIC MEETINGS A Scoping Phase public meeting was held on the 21 November 2014. Stakeholders were notified of this meeting via the newspaper advertisements, on-site notices and telephonically (refer to Part 5.1), as well as in the BID. Minutes of the public meeting, the attendance register and presentation are attached hereto in Appendix D5.
An EIA Phase public meeting will be held on the 21 October 2015. Stakeholders were notified of this meeting via the newspaper advertisements, notification letters and telephonically (refer to Part 5.1), Minutes of the public meeting, the attendance register and presentation will be attached hereto in Appendix D5.
5.7 ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON ALL WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS The draft Scoping Report was made available to the public for review for a period of forty (40) days, from 14 November 2014 to 05 January 2015. Hard copies of the mentioned draft document was made available at the Emalahleni Public Library, at Clewer Primary School and at the Navigation Offices of Landau Colliery. An electronic copy of the draft Scoping Report was also be posted on the Shangoni’s website (www.shangoni.co.za) for public comment for the same period of forty days. All comments received were recorded in the comments and responses report in Part 4.9 and also attached hereto in Appendix D6.
The final Scoping Report was submitted to the public and the DARDLEA, DWS and DMR on 28 April 2015.
This draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be made available to the public for review for a period of forty (40) days, from 07 October 2015 to 16 November 2015. Hard copies of the mentioned draft document will be made available at the Emalahleni Public Library, at Clewer Primary School and at the Navigation Offices of Landau Colliery. A register and comment sheet will accompany the hard copies at the public viewing stations. Please complete the register subsequent to reviewing the draft EIR. Alternatively, e-mail or fax your comments to Shangoni (details provided below) by no later than 16 November 2015. An electronic copy of the draft EIR will also be posted on the Shangoni’s website (www.shangoni.co.za ) for public comment for the same period of forty days.
5.8 CONSULTATION WITH THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES 5.8.1 Application Form in Terms of the NEMA, 1998 The Application for Environmental Authorisation for activities associated with the Navigation West - South Block Extension project has been done in terms of the requirements of the NEMA, 1998. The applicable application for authorisation in terms of the NEMA, as amended and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 was submitted on 21 May 2014 to the then Mpumalanga
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Department of Economic Development Environment and Tourism (MDEDET). The application was accepted by the then MDEDET on the 30 th of May 2014 and subsequently the reference number 17/2/3N-363 was assigned to the application. The letter of acknowledgement indicating the above mentioned reference number is attached as Appendix B1.
5.8.2 Authorities meetings
A pre-application meeting was held with the DWS was held on 09 September 2014 to gain their input into the process to be followed for the compilation of the IWULA for the proposed project, and the mintues of the meeting is attached hereto in Appendix B..
An authorities meetings will also be held with the DMR to gain input on the way forward with regards to the EMP Amendment under NEMA, 1998 and to gain input on the project.
5.8.3 Further consultation with relevant Authorities Once the EMP, IWULA and EIA for the proposed project has been finalised for submission authorities meetings will be held with DARDLEA, DMR and DWS respectively. The purpose of this authorities meeting will be to present the findings of the various environmental processes to the authorities to assist them in the decision making process.
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6. DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES
The following definition of “alternatives” is given in the EIA Regulations 2010, under the NEMA, 1998: “alternatives, in relation to the proposed activity, means different means of meeting the general purpose and requirements of the activity, which may include alternatives to- a) the property on which or location where it is proposed to undertake the activity; b) the type of activity to be undertaken; c) the design or layout of the activity; d) the technology to be used in the activity; e) the operational aspects of the activity; and f) the option of not implementing the activity ”.
As required in term of the requirements of Regulation 31 (g) (of Regulation 543) of the EIA Regulations, 2010, under the NEMA, 1998 a description of identified potential alternatives to the proposed activity, including advantages and disadvantages that the proposed activity or alternatives may have on the environment and the community that may be affected by the activity is given here. Also included here is a description and comparative assessment of all alternatives identified during the environmental impact assessment process as required in terms of Regulation 31(i).
6.1 IDENTIFIED POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVES A number of potential alternatives have been identified for the project: a) The design or layout of the activity; o Pit layout options b) The technology to be used in the activity; o Crusher options c) The operational aspects of the activity; o Pollution Control Dam options d) The type of activity to be undertaken; and o Alternatives in terms of land use development. e) The option of not implementing the activity.
6.2 METHODOLOGY APPLIED IN ASSESSING ALTERNATIVES 6.2.1 Categories for Site Selection Four categories have been selected for review of each selected option, which include Environmental, Technical/Engineering, Economical and Social. Criteria as used for the various categories are reflected in Table 52.
6.2.2 Criteria Under the 4 selected categories, a number of criteria have been identified for assessment, as contained within Table 52.
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Table 52 : Site Selection Criteria CATEGORY
CRITERIA ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICAL ECONOMICAL SOCIAL /LEGAL /ENGINEERING
AIR QUALITY X AQUATIC AND SURFACE WATER X CULTURAL HERITAGE X FAUNA X FLORA X GEOHYDROLOGY X GEOLOGY X NOISE X SOIL X TRAFFIC X VIBRATION AND AIR BLAST X VISUAL X OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS (E.G. WATER USE ACTIVITIES, X EIA REQUIREMENTS ETC.) SENSE OF PLACE X SOCIAL LICENSE TO OPERATE X SOCIO-ECONOMIC X HAZARDS TO COMMUNITY, X THEFT, HEALTH RISKS, ETC.
EASE OF INTEGRATION WITH X PLANNED INFRASTRUCTURE SITE ACCESS X CONSTRAINTS TO SITE LAYOUT X CONSTRUCTION DURATION X CONSTRUCTION RISKS X OPERATIONAL RISKS X CAPITAL COST (INCLUDING SITE X ESTABLISHMENT/PREPARATION) OPERATING COST X SITE REHABILITATION X
6.2.3 Assigning score Under each of the four categories, by assessing the identified criteria, a score is assigned to each of the identified options (Between 1 and 3, with 3 being most favourable). The final score obtained for each of the option support decision on the most suitable for the proposed development.
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6.2.4 Category Weighting The following table contains the weighting as assigned to each category. The higher the weighting, the more important the category.
Table 53 : Category Weighting CATEGORY PIT LAYOUT OPTIONS CRUSHER OPTIONS PCD DESIGN ENVIRONMENTAL/LEGA 0.50 0.15 0.50 L SOCIAL 0.15 0.10 0.10 TECHNICAL/ENGINEERI 0.15 0.50 0.25 NG ECONOMICAL 0.20 0.25 0.15
6.2.5 Calculating Score 6.2.5.1 Initial score An initial score is assigned to each of the options, for each of the criteria identified. As this is a comparative analysis, a score of 1, 2 and 3 is assigned, where 1 is least favourable, and 3 being most favourable. In event where all options have similar favourability, a score of 3 is assigned to all sites. Where only two alternatives are assed a score of either 1 (least favourable) or 2 (most favourable) is assigned.
6.2.5.2 Assigning weighting The weighting value of the assessed criteria is multiplied with the initial score allocated to each option for every criteria assessed, which is added to obtain a final score to be reflected under the four categories. Final values to be reflected as percentage of maximum score.
6.2.5.3 Final score The final score for each of the options is obtained by multiplying the % score for each category by the assigned weighting and adding the respective scores (as obtained for each category) to reach a final value for each option. The higher the % value, the more favourable the option.
6.3 DESCRIPTION, ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES AND COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF ALL ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED DURING THE EIA PHASE 6.3.1 Alternatives in terms of Pit layout options The following alternatives were identified with regard to the options for the pit layout options (refer to Table 54): • Option 1: Continue mining the existing approved South Block open-pit.
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• Option 2: Reduced size of the existing approved South Block open-pit to move further away from wetland area. • Option 3: Expansion of the South Block open-pit area including reduced size of existing approved South Block open-pit (preffered option).
Table 54 : Alternative in terms of the pit layout options Option Advantage Disadvantage
Option 1: Landau Colliery will not be able to No need for additional Continue mining the continue to supply coal to the existing environmental authorisations. existing approved South markets at the current rate of demand. Block open-pit. No additional costs. No additional work will be created. Option 2: Reduced size of the existing The impact on the wetland area will Less coal will be mined, which will have approved South Block be reduced, therefore maintaining an impact on the production of the mine. open-pit to move further the functionality of the wetland. away from wetland area. Additional infrastructure is required which Impact on the wetland areas will be will have an additional environmental Option 3: reduced. impact and the capital cost for the mine Expansion of the South will increase. Block open-pit area Additional authorisations is required including reduced size of Landau Colliery will be able to which will have an impact on the timeline existing approved South continue to supply coal to the of the project. Block open-pit (preferred existing markets at the current rate option). of demand. High capital cost.
The comparative assessment of the various options have been assessed in terms of four categories which include Environmental, Technical/Engineering, Economical and Social and the outcome of the assessment is reflected in Table 55.
Table 55 : Comparative review – Alternatives in terms of pit layout options Option 1: Option 2: Option 3: Continue mining the Reduced size of the Expansion of the existing approved existing approved South Block open-pit South Block open-pit. South Block open-pit area including reduced to move further away size of existing from wetland area. approved South Block open-pit Environmental 37.14% 83.81% 90.48% Social 44.00% 72.00% 52.00% Technical 44.44% 33.33% 55.56%
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Economic 61.54% 41.03% 33.33% Final Score 44.00% 72.00% 52.00%
Based on the comparative assessment in terms of the Environmental, Technical/Engineering, Economical and Social categories, the reduced size of the existing approved pit further away from the wetland has received the highest comparative Score. Technically and economically this site will be the most suitable for the project.
Currently the preferred option based on the findings of the above mentioned comparisons is the Option 2: expansion of the pit and including the reduced size of the wetland. This option has therefore been described in Part 3 of this document for approval.
6.3.2 Alternatives in terms of the Crusher Options The following alternatives were identified with regard to the options for the crusher to be utilised (refer to Table 56): • Option 1: Upgrade of existing tip with new secondary, reversible 1800 feeder (preffered option). • Option 2: Upgrade of existing tip with existing secondary, scalping screen. • Option 3: In-pit crusher. • Option 4: Upgrade of existing tip with direct capacity proportioning at secondary sizer. • Option 5:Upgrade of existing tip with shuttle feeder, dogleg screen feeder. • Option 6: New tip for South Block.
Table 56 : Alternative in terms of the crusher Option Advantage Disadvantage
Complexity is simple.
Implementation is simple. Option 1: Low capital cost. Upgrade of existing tip with new Production interruption during secondary, reversible 1800 feeder Select and non-select seam from change over during implementation. (preferred option). both the North and South Block can be processed as batched feed through different circuits. High in complexity as more Select and non-select seam from Option 2: equipment is required. both the North and South Block can Upgrade of existing tip with Implementation is difficult. be processed as batched feed existing secondary, scalping Implementation will interfere with through different circuits or screen. existing tip access. proportioned. High capital cost. Implementation is simple. Option 3: Complexity is medium as duplicate Implementation will not affect In-pit crusher. systems are run. operations at existing tip.
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Option Advantage Disadvantage Low capital cost. Continues process, select and non- select seam as mixed product but separate operations at North and South Block.
Complexity is low.
Option 4: Implementation is simple. Upgrade of existing tip with direct Very low capital cost. Production interruption during capacity proportioning at Continuous process, select and change over during implementation. secondary sizer. non-select from North and South Blocks as mixed product. Complexity is high as more Select and non-select seam from equipment is required. Option 5: both the North and South Block can Implementation is difficult. Upgrade of existing tip with shuttle be processed as batched feed Major disruption during feeder, dogleg screen feeder. through different circuits. implementation. High capital cost. Complexity is high as much more Option 6: equipment is required.
New tip for South Block. Major project. Very high capital cost.
Option 1:The upgrade of existing tip with new secondary, reversible 1800 feeder will be the preferred option subject to the mine’s acceptance of the 1800 revisable feeder. In terms of the advantages and disadvantages of this option, it can be concluded that this option is the most viable.
Option 2: The upgrade of the existing tip with existing secondary, scalping screen is not a viable options as there are many disadvantages associated with this option. There are also footprint constraints associated with this option and if desired by the mine it would be possible to design conveyor crossings but at high cost.
Option 3: Constructing an in-pit crusher would be a viable option as this option would be a trade-off for hauling. A study on the total operating expenses would be required. There would be double operations for crushing on site.
Option 4: The upgrading of the existing tip with direct capacity proportioning at secondary sizer would be a viable option, but is subject to the mining/metallurgy. No belt upgrades are required and the existing system capacity is adequate.
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Option 5: The upgrading of the existing tip with shuttle feeder, dogleg screen feeder is not a viable option as major disruptions will be a result. The toll wash feed pile will need to be relocated and the existing infrastructure will be duplicated and cannot be re-used.
Option 6: The construction of a new tip for South Block is not a viable option as it will provide for a poor return on the capital invested. There will be duplicate systems to operate and maintain at the same time.
The comparative assessment of the various options have been assessed in terms of four categories which include Environmental, Technical/Engineering, Economical and Social and the outcome of the assessment is reflected in Table 57.
Table 57 : Comparative review – Alternatives in terms of Crusher Options Option 1: Option 2: Option 3: Option 4: Option 5: Option 6; Upgrade of Upgrade of In-pit Upgrade of Upgrade of New tip for existing tip existing tip crusher existing tip existing tip South Block with new with with direct with shuttle secondary, existing capacity feeder, reversible secondary, proportioni dogleg 1800 feeder scalping ng at screen screen secondary feeder. sizer. Environmen 34.26% 30.56% 21.30% 30.56% 30.56% 34.26% tal Social 33.33% 30.00% 20.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00% Technical 27.38% 27.38% 22.62% 27.38% 27.38% 28.57% Economic 39.58% 33.33% 16.67% 33.33% 33.33% 33.33%
Final Score 32.06% 29.61% 20.67% 29.61% 29.61% 30.76%
From the comparative assessment it is evident that Option 1 the upgrading of the tip will be the most feasible option.
6.3.3 Alternatives in terms of Pollution Control Dam The following alternatives were identified with regard to the options for the pollution control dam (refer to Table 58): • Option 1: Upgrade of existing pollution control dam by increasing the size. • Option 2: Upgrade of the existing pollution control dam by removing the dam wall (preffered option). • Option 3: Construction of a new pollution control dam.
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Table 58 : Alternative in terms of the pollution control dam Option Advantage Disadvantage
Option 1: Complexity is simple. Production interruption during Upgrade of existing pollution Implementation is simple. change over during implementation. control dam by increasing the size. Low capital cost. High in complexity as more equipment is required. Implementation is difficult. Option 2 : Additional storage capacity for Disturbance to a new un-distrurbed Construction of a new pollution polluted water is created. area. control dam. Implementation will interfere with existing water storage. High capital cost. Implementation is simple. Option 3: Implementation will not affect Upgrade of the existing pollution operations. Production interruption during control dam by removing the dam The footprint remains unchanged. change over during implementation. wall (preferred option). Low capital cost.
The comparative assessment of the various options have been assessed in terms of four categories which include Environmental, Technical/Engineering, Economical and Social and the outcome of the assessment is reflected in Table 59.
Table 59 : Comparative review – Alternatives in terms of road infrastructure Optio n 1: Option 2: Option 3: Upgrade of existing Upgrade of the Construction of a new pollution control dam existing pollution pollution control dam by increasing the size. control dam by removing the dam wall Environmental 60.61% 72.73% 42.42% Social 58.33% 66.67% 41.67% Technical 53.85% 53.85% 46.15% Economic 66.67% 66.67% 33.33%
Final Score 82.93% 93.16% 58.58%
From the comparative assessment it is evident that the Option 2 removal of the dam wall will be the most feasible option.
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6.3.4 Alternatives in terms of the land use The following land use alternatives have been identified and were investigated as part of the process, and are briefly compared in Table 60 below: • Utilisation of the surface area for the Navigation West - South Block Extension. • Utilise the surface area for grazing of livestock. • Utilise the surface area for crop production. • None of the above (No-go option) (refer also to Part 6.3.6).
Major impacts associated with each land use alternative have been summarised for comparative purposes. Each proposed land use alternative will impact on the natural environment at the proposed site.
Table 60 : Assessment of land use alternatives Environmental Opencast mining Grazing Crop production No-go component Drilling and blasting of the hard overburden to Some geological expose the strata may be underlying coal permanently altered Geology seams will No impact. No impact. by future permanently destroy underground mining or disrupt the activities to be done geological sequence by Landau Colliery. of the coal seams to be mined. Topography will be Topography has permanently altered Topography will be already been altered Topography by the Navigation No impact. levelled. by previous mining West - South Block and burrow pits. Extension. Soils have already Soil structure and Soils will be been altered by Soil functioning will be Soils will be eroded. chemically and previous mining and permanently altered. physically modified. minor erosion exists in cultivated areas. Land use will change from derelict land to Land use will be Land use will be Land use remains Land use mining and related altered to agriculture. altered to agriculture. derelict. activities.
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Environmental Opencast mining Grazing Crop production No-go component Land capability may Land capability has Land capability will Land capability may be impacted on if already been Land be permanently be lowered if poor farming impacted on by capability altered. overgrazing occurs. techniques are previous mining and employed. related activities. Natural vegetation Natural vegetation Natural vegetation Natural vegetation has already been Flora will be destroyed in will be impacted on if will be destroyed in disturbed by mining the land use area. overgrazing occurs. all crop areas. and related activities and alien infestation. Fauna has already Fauna will be Fauna will be been impacted on as impacted on as impacted on as Fauna No impact. habitats have been habitats are habitats are destroyed by past destroyed. destroyed. mining activities. Surface water has already been Surface water polluted by previous Surface and quantity and quality mining, and will Surface water No impact. groundwater may be may be continue to be used for irrigation. compromised. polluted until such time as mining areas are rehabilitated. Groundwater has already been polluted by previous underground and Groundwater opencast mining quantity and quality Groundwater may be Groundwater No impact. activities, and will may be used for irrigation. continue to be compromised. polluted until such time as the mining areas are closed and rehabilitated. Dust from the Dust will be Dust will be surrounding mining Dust will be Air quality generated if generated after the activities will generated. overgrazing occurs. harvest season. continue to be generated. Noise will continue to Noise will be slightly Noise will be Noise No impact. be generated by the increased. generated during surrounding mining
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Environmental Opencast mining Grazing Crop production No-go component planting and and related activities, harvesting seasons. as well as the N12 and R547. . The visual The planting of crops environment will be Visual No impact. will alter the visual No impact. altered by changes environment. in topography. Sensitive Sensitive landscapes will be Sensitive Sensitive landscapes will be altered or destroyed landscapes will be No further impact. landscapes altered. if overgrazing altered or destroyed. occurs. Sites of archaeological No impact. No impact. No impact. No further impact. and cultural interest Socio - Loss of jobs will be Some jobs may be No impact. No further impact. economic avoided. created. Surrounding landowners may be Interested and further impacted affected No impact. No impact. No further impact. upon as a result of parties impacts listed above. Large mining Destruction of the Large mining complexes already Destruction of the natural environment complexes already exist in the vicinity of natural environment will be compounded exist in the vicinity of Cumulative the Landau Colliery. will be compounded if over- fertilisation the Landau Colliery. impacts Impacts of mining if overgrazing takes occurs or poor Impacts of mining (as described place. farming techniques (as described above) above) may be are employed. will be compounded. slightly increased.
The grazing option will be the most viable environmental option. However, the project might not be as environmentally favoured, but it will significantly contribute to the socio-economic environment and allow continuation of mining operations, compared to that of the grazing and crop production options. The proposed project is the preferred land use option and has been further discussed in Part 3 of the document.
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6.3.5 Consequences of not proceeding with the proposed project (no project alternative) The ‘No Project’ alternative has been investigated in terms of the above-mentioned alternatives.
The ‘No Project’ alternative is not yet considered due to the anticipated benefits of the proposed Navigation West - South Block Extension. Expected indirect benefits of the proposed project include: • Continued employment of staff. • Potential for the creation of additional jobs. • Continued upliftment of the surrounding communities. • Rehabilitation of environmental issues within the wetland areas. • Continued supply of coal to the local, national, and international markets, and therefore contribution to local, provincial and national economy.
Should the ‘No Project’ option be implemented, jobs of workers that are currently employed at the Landau Colliery may be compromised. In addition, the Landau Colliery will not be able to continue to supply coal to the existing markets at the current rate of demand. Positive impacts of the proposed project would also be lost if the no-project option is carried out. .
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7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT, MITIGATION MEASURES AND ACTION PLAN
7.1 AIMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed Landau Colliery: Navigation West South Block Extension have been identified.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) phase aims to adequately investigate and address all potentially significant environmental issues in order to provide the DARDLEA with sufficient information to make an informed decision regarding the proposed project.
This part of the document thus focuses on the identification of the major potential impacts the activities, processes and actions may have on the surrounding environment. It indicates the major impacts that these activities may have on the environmental components associated with the site, as required in terms of R.543 of the EIA Regulations, 2010.
The EIA aims to achieve the following: • To provide a detailed assessment of the biophysical environments affected by the proposed project; • To assess impacts on the study area in terms of environmental criteria; and • To identify and recommend appropriate mitigation measures for potentially significant environmental impacts.
All specialist studies conducted for the proposed project have been incorporated into this consolidated report to allow for easy assessment of the potential aspects with associated impacts.
7.2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE The environmental risk of any aspect is determined by a combination of parameters associated with the impact. Each parameter connects the physical characteristics of an impact to a quantifiable value to rate the environmental risk.
Impact assessments should be conducted based on a methodology that includes the following: • Clear processes for impact identification, predication and evaluation; • Specification of the impact identification techniques; • Criteria to evaluate the significance of impacts; • Design of mitigation measures to lessen impacts; • Definition of the different types of impacts (indirect, direct or cumulative); and • Specification of uncertainties.
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After all impacts have been identified, the nature and scale of each impact can be predicted. The impact prediction will take into account physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural information and will then estimate the likely parameters and characteristics of the impacts. The impact prediction will aim to provide a basis from which the significance of each impact can be determined and appropriate mitigation measures can be developed.
The risk assessment methodology is based on defining and understanding the three basic components of the risk, i.e. the source of the risk, the pathway and the target that experiences the risk (receptor). Refer to Figure 45 below for a model representing the above principle (as contained in the DWA’s Best Practice Guideline: G4 – Impact Prediction.
Figure 45 : Impact prediction model
Table 61 and Table 62 below indicate the methodology to be used in order to assess the Probability and Magnitude of the impact, respectively, and Table 63 provides the Risk Matrix that will be used to plot the Probability against the Magnitude in order to determine the Severity of the impact.
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Table 61 : Determination of Probability of impact FREQUENCY OF ASPECT / SCORE AVAILABILITY OF PATHWAY FROM THE SCORE AVAILABILITY OF SCORE UNWANTED EVENT SOURCE TO THE RECEPTOR RECEPTOR Never known to have happened, 1 A pathway to allow for the impact to occur is 1 The receptor is never 1 but may happen never available available Known to happen in industry 2 A pathway to allow for the impact to occur is 2 The receptor is almost 2 almost never available never available < once a year 3 A pathway to allow for the impact to occur is 3 The receptor is 3 sometimes available sometimes available Once per year to up to once per 4 A pathway to allow for the impact to occur is 4 The receptor is almost 4 month almost always available always available Once a month - Continuous 5 A pathway to allow for the impact to occur is 5 The receptor is always 5 always available available Step 1: Determine the PROBABILITY of the impact by calculating the average between the Frequency of the Aspect, the Availability of a pathway to the receptor and the availability of the receptor.
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Table 62 : Determination of Magnitude of impact SOURCE RECEPTOR Duration of Score Extent Score Volume / Score Toxicity / Score Reversibility Score Sensitivity of Score impact Quantity / Destruction environmental Intensity Effect component Lasting days 1 Effect limited 1 Very small 1 Non-toxic (e.g. 1 Bio-physical and/or 1 Current 1 to a month to the site. quantities / water) / Very low social functions and/or environmental (metres); volumes / potential to processes will remain component(s) intensity create damage unaltered. are largely (e.g. < 50L or destruction to disturbed from or < 1Ha) the environment the natural state. Receptor of low significance / sensitivity Lasting 1 2 Effect limited 2 Small 2 Slightly toxic / 2 Bio-physical and/or 2 Current 2 month to 1 to the activity quantities / Harmful (e.g. social functions and/or environmental year and its volumes / diluted brine) / processes might be component(s) immediate intensity Low potential to negligibly altered or are moderately surroundings. (e.g. 50L create damage enhanced / Still disturbed from (tens of to 210L or or destruction to reversible the natural metres) 1Ha to the environment state. 5Ha) No environmentally sensitive components.
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SOURCE RECEPTOR Duration of Score Extent Score Volume / Score Toxicity / Score Reversibility Score Sensitivity of Score impact Quantity / Destruction environmental Intensity Effect component Lasting 1 – 5 3 Impacts on 3 Moderate 3 Moderately toxic 3 Bio-physical and/or 3 Current 3 years extended quantities / (e.g. slimes) social functions and/or environmental area beyond volumes / Potential to processes might be component(s) site boundary intensity create damage notably altered or are a mix of (hundreds of (e.g. > 210 or destruction to enhanced / Partially disturbed and metres) L < 5000L the environment reversible undisturbed or 5 – 8Ha) areas. Area with some environmental sensitivity (scarce / valuable environment etc.). Lasting 5 4 Impact on 4 Very large 4 Toxic (e.g. 4 Bio-physical and/or 4 Current 4 years to Life local scale / quantities / diesel & Sodium social functions and/or environmental of adjacent sites volumes / Hydroxide) processes might be component(s) Organisation (km’s) intensity considerably altered or are in a natural (e.g. 5000 enhanced / potentially state. L – irreversible Environmentally 10 000L or sensitive environment /
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SOURCE RECEPTOR Duration of Score Extent Score Volume / Score Toxicity / Score Reversibility Score Sensitivity of Score impact Quantity / Destruction environmental Intensity Effect component 8Ha– receptor 12Ha) (endangered species / habitats etc.). Beyond life 5 Extends 5 Very large 5 Highly toxic (e.g. 5 Bio-physical and/or 5 Current 5 of widely quantities / arsenic or TCE) social functions and/or environmental Organisation (nationally or volumes / processes might be component(s) / Permanent globally) intensity severely/substantially are in a pristine impacts (e.g. > 10 altered or enhanced / natural state. 000 L or > Irreversible Highly Sensitive 12Ha) area (endangered species, protected habitats etc.)
Step 2: Determine the MAGNITUDE of the impact by calculating the average of the factors above.
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Table 63 : Determination of Severity of impact ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT RATING / PRIORITY MAGNITUDE 1 2 3 4 5 PROBABILITY Minor Low Medium High Major 5 Low Medium High High High Almost Certain 4 Low Medium High High High Likely 3 Low Medium Medium High High Possible 2 Low Low Medium Medium High Unlikely 1 Low Low Low Medium Medium Rare Step 3: Determine the SEVERITY of the impact by plotting the averages that were obtained above for Probability and Magnitude in the table below
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7.3 DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The aim of this section of this Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIR) is to provide information regarding the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed activities. In compiling the impact assessment tables, technical input was obtained from the various specialists, with copies of these reports attached to the EIR.
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7.3.1 Topography and Geology 7.3.1.1 Change in topography associated with related infrastructure Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Topography ACTIVITY: • Construction and operation of the infrastructure related to the opencast mining including: Stockpiling of Topsoil and Overburden, Waste Rock Dumps., Haul roads, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines and Pollution Control Dam. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post Closure Impact description: The Navigation West South Block Extension area is situated in 5 2 M Topography to be Degree to which impact can be reversed: Reversible 5 1 L the Mpumalanga Highveld. The pre-mining Navigation West Section surface land disturbed to be kept at a use area consisted mainly of agricultural land under cultivation and a game reserve minimum. Mitigation Operational, Landau that forms part of Anglo Coal’s Navigation West - Training Centre. The surface is The disturbance area for the construction of the, Haul roads, Decomissioning Colliery gently undulating with elevations of between 1 350 and 1 400 mamsl. The Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop and Closure Environmental Navigation West Section is predominantly situated over a gentle, rolling hill except Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage Phases Manager in the area adjacent to the main drainage line (an unnamed tributary of the system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Grootspruit situated to the southeast of the South Block – refer to Figure 5), where Power Lines, and Pollution Control Dam will be kept at a it becomes more steeply sloping. A number of small rock outcrops are found on minimum and in the designated areas as indicated on the design the northern side of the mentioned unnamed tributary of the Grootspruit. for the proposed project attached hereto as Plan 3 in Appendix A. Temporary stockpiling of topsoil, construction and operation of the Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Topsoil removed from the construction areas must be stockpiled Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel in the designated areas as indicated in Plan 3 of Appendix A storage tanks, Power Lines, and Pollution Control Damwill cause a temporary minor where the stockpiles are positioned to be located downslope of change in topography until the closure of the mine when the infrastructure will be the dirty water areas away from seepage zones, flood lines, demolished. water courses and other ecological sensitive areas.
Extent of impact: Local A grass mix should be selected for rehabilitation of the areas. The selected grass mix should consist of a mix of quick covering Duration of impact: Until the decommissioning phase. grassed pioneer species mat-forming grasses (e.g. Gynodon dactylon, Chloris gayana ) and tufted grasses (e.g. Eragrostis curvula ) to ensure prompt and adequate coverage of the exposed soil whilst also achieving long-term stability.
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: Impact will not result in the Alternatively, the current seed mix may be used as per Landau irreplaceable loss as the topography of the affected areas can be rehabilitated back Colliery’s Original Environmental Management Programme to their natural state during the decommissioning phase. Report.
The chemical and physical properties of top soil to be used for the purposes of rehabilitation must not be changed by introducing foreign material, gravel, rock, rubble or mine residue to such soil.”
7.3.1.2 Change in topography associated with pit development Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Probability ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Topography ACTIVITY: • Development of the proposed opencast pit. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: 5 3 H Topography to be Degree to which impact can be reversed: Reversible 5 1 L As the development of the open pit progress this will cause a change in the disturbed to be kept at a topography. This change in topography will continue until rehabilitation. minimum. Mitigation Operational, Landau Rehabilitation of the opencast mining area will be conducted Decomissioning Colliery Extent of impact: Local concurrently with mining. Open cuts will be minimised to and Closure Environmental between 3 and 5 at any given time with successive cuts used to Phases Manager Duration of impact: Until decommissioning. systematically backfill preceding cuts. This will minimise the size of the void at any point in time. Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: A potential temporary change to thetopography will occur.
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: Impact will not result in the Spoil areas will be levelled and profiled, while voids will be irreplaceable loss as the topography of the affected areas can be rehabilitated back backfilled and profiled continuously and progressively as mining to their natural state during the decommissioning phase. advances.
Suitable rehabilitation techniques will be employed for the backfilling of the opencast voids, so as to promote free-drainage, and the re-establishment of pre-mining drainage patterns, as far as practicable. The post-mining surface topography will be modelled (rehabilitation designs) using suitable software, to ensure that appropriate measures can be implemented concurrently with the mining activities to ensure that a free- draining surface can be achieved. Such rehabilitation designs will be compiled from which rehabilitation plans will be developed. Regular reviews of the rehabilitation plans will be undertaken, and actual rehabilitation surveyed to verify compliance with rehabilitation plans and the rehabilitation design.
A Topsoil Management Standard Procedure shall be implemented that describes the requirements during the removal of the topsoil portion of the overburden, topsoil placement and stockpiling, general topsoil monitoring and topsoil thickness control, with consideration to the land use capability to be achieved.
Soil preparation and seeding will be undertaken in accordance with the identified land use and according to the existing Landau Vegetation Establishment and Maintenance Procedure.
Post rehabilitation monitoring will be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation that includes but not limited to assessing soil quality and further fertilization requirements, erosion concerns, success in natural vegetation establishment,
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity including identifying concerns regarding alien invasive species. Recommendations from post rehabilitation monitoring will be implemented.
7.3.1.3 Permanent change in Geology Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
bability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Pro ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Geology ACTIVITY: • Development of the proposed opencast pit. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: 5 3 H Optimise the use of Degree to which impact can be reversed: Irreversible. 5 3 H As the development of the open pit progress this will cause a permanent change in natural resource and the topography and geology. This change in topography will continue until post prevent wastage. Mitigation: The disturbance area for the opencast pit will be kept Planning, Landau closure. at a minimum and in the designated area as indicated on the Constrcution, Colliery design for the proposed project attached hereto as Plan 3 in Operational and Environmental Extent of impact: Local Appendix A. Decomissioning Manager Phase Duration of impact: Permanent
Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: A potential permanent change to the geology will occur. Irreplaceable loss of resource will occur associated with geology.
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7.3.2 Soil, land use and land capability 7.3.2.1 Erosion and loss of topsoil Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
ity
Probability Magnitude Severity Probabil Magnitude Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Soil ACTIVITY: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: 4 3 H To conserve topsoil and Degree to which impact can be reversed: Reversible 2 2 L The soils presented on the site are typical of the Highveld catena with deep red prevent erosion apedal strctureless soils (Hutton, Bainsvlei) present on the upper slope with an Mitigation-Erosion: Planning, Landau average dept of 1000mm, yellow and brown soils (Clovelly, Griffen, Glencor, Erosion prevention measures (e.g. grass, cement or rock) Construction, Colliery Avalon) of shallower depth (approximately 750mm), on the mid and lower slopes. should be in place at all concentration points. These areas Operational and Environmental Soils towards the base slope become beached sandier and grey (Dresden, Mispah) include roads, trenches, berms and other infrastructure that may Decomissioning Manager with an average dept of 500mm. increase surface runoff. phases
The footprint of the proposed opencast pit will be approximately 108 ha and will be Erosion of access roads should be addressed by implementing developed progressively from the lowest point towards the south. Topsoil and energy dissipaters to drain surface runoff away from the roads if subsoil will be progressively stripped from the proposed footprint area. necessary.
Topsoil and subsoil will also be stripped from the footprint areas where the All berms should be inspected regularly for cracks that reduces infrastructure is being constructed. the integrity of the structures. Vegetation growth should be encouraged on the berms to limit erosion. Stripping and stockpiling of soils during the construction phase could have a permanent negative impact on the quality of soils if not stripped according to a well- Regular inspections will be undertaken and if signs of erosion structured and executed soil stripping and stockpiling plan. are identified, mechanical inputs will be required.
The progressive development of the opencast pit will cause significant disturbance Mitigation-Topsoil preservation to soil, including potential erosion if drainage and storm water are not managed and Undertake a detail survey for the identification of topsoil and the controlled. depth thereof. The person responsible for the identification should be competent and have the relevant experience, and should also consult the premining land capability assessement.
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
ity
Probability Magnitude Severity Probabil Magnitude Severity Based on the construction activities required, mine planning should include the removal and storage areas in the planning program and layout plans. Stripping of topsoil and subsoil will be restricted to pre-designated mining areas, and will be stripped ahead of mining in such a manner that the mining window is minimised to between 3 and 5 open cuts.
The topsoil should be stripped to a maximum depth as measured during the initial survey, and after stripping verified for effectiveness of stripping. The removal of alien and invasive species ahead of mining will contribute to the eradication of such species from the local region. During removal of the alien and invasive species, care will be taken to minimise the likelihood of seeds or vegetative parts of the alien plants being trapped in the soil layer and thereby being preserved as part of the seed bank in the stockpiled topsoil to be used for rehabilitation after mining.
Topsoil and subsoil will be stockpiled separately, according to the soil utilisation guide in the designated areas as indicated in Plan 3 of Appendix A where the stockpiles are positioned to be located downslope of the dirty water areas away from seepage zones, flood lines, water courses and other ecological sensitive areas. The chemical and physical properties of top soil to be used for the purposes of rehabilitation must not be changed by introducing foreign material, gravel, rock, rubble or mine residue to such soil.” Should these stockpiles become a source of windblown dust, they must be vegetated with indigenous vegetation. All alien invasive flora should be removed from the topsoil stockpiles.
The volumes of the different topsoil stockpiles must be calculated and reflected on the surface layout plan. This is done
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
ity
Probability Magnitude Severity Probabil Magnitude Severity to ensure that when rehabilitation is required the volume required and the volume available can be compared (topsoil balance). Where possible, subsoil and topsoil will be placed directly onto prepared rehabilitated opencast areas behind the active mining strip to minimise the volume of subsoil and topsoil that needs to be stockpiled.
7.3.2.2 Chemical alteration of soils Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
agnitude M Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Probability ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Soil (surface water and groundwater) ACTIVITY: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: Soil structure loss will occur as a result of a number of 4 3 H To conserve soil and Degree to which impact can be reversed: Impact is reversible Construction Landau 3 1 L operational activities. Key impacts that may arise that can result in a loss of soil land capability but at cost (e.g. sourcing of soil, and undertaking of soil and Operation Colliery structure include: rehabilitation) Phases Environmental Manger Storm water runoff, dirty water trenches, overflow from affected water storage Mitigation facilities could impact on the soil structure of the immediate surrounding areas To ensure that the area to be disturbed by construction activities permanent, but will be localised to the specific structures. is to be kept to a minimum, only large enough to carry out the necessary activities as indicated on the design for the proposed At vehicle maintenance areas, soil contamination by hydrocarbon contaminating project attached hereto as Plan 3 in Appendix A. waste water. Seepage of hydrocarbons into groundwater may further take place
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
agnitude Probability Magnitude Severity Probability M Severity through the pathway of the contaminated soil, and may extend beyond area of Affected runoff from the plant areas and the opencast pit will be impact. collected and contained in the affected water management system, with further diversion of the clean water. Conceptual Lubricant, fuel and chemical spillages arising from chemical storage and handling, water management strategies are contained within the bulk fuel storage and vehicle refueling activities. Seepage into groundwater may stormwater management plan and civil engineering designs of further take place through the pathway of the contaminated soil, and may extend the approved by a registered professional civil engineer beyond area of impact. (Appendix A).
Loss of soil structure at the opencast pit during the operational phase that will be The pollution control dam must be designed according to the permanent but localized to the area. design plans (Appendix A). The dam should be lined with a plastic lining of 2mm in thickness and the pump station to be Extent of impact: Impact may extend beyond the life of mine. installed should regularly maintained and water should be pumped from the pollution control dam to the Navigation Dam Duration of impact: Extending beyond incident if no mitigation measures applied. for process purposes. to prevent overflow and to be used during emergency conditions. Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: Impact may result in irreplaceable loss if no mitigation measures are implemented. Implement a planned maintenance programme covering the affected water management circuit. This maintenance programme to assess aspects of siltation, capacity and containment integrity.
Equipment and Vehicle Storage Area: Areas of open ground that are to be utilised (i.e. equipment and vehicle storage) should be hard standing. Furthermore, a clean and dirty water separation system must be constructed to ensure that no contamination of clean water systems occurs. Should a spillage or leakage of a hydrocarbon, chemical or hazardous substance occur, the spill/leakage must be cleaned up as per procedures for Oil, Fuel and Chemical Spill Cleanup and Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints.
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
agnitude Probability Magnitude Severity Probability M Severity Ensure that areas containing chemical and hazardous substances are contained (e.g. in a bund) to ensure no contamination of surrounding water resources or soil is contaminated. The bunded area must be able to contain 110% of the total volume of materials stored at any given time. Also follow the procedure on Handling and Storage of hazardous materials
Small quantities (50 litres or less) of chemical and hazardous substances (oil, lubricant, etc.) shall be stored in appropriate containers within a secure storage area. The base of the storage area should be impervious and designed to ensure that the contained substances do not infiltrate into the soil.
Regular inspections of the integrity of all bund areas will be undertaken.
MSDS for on-site chemicals, hydrocarbons and hazardous substances must be readily available. A MSDS should include information pertaining to environmental impacts and measures to minimise and mitigate against any potential environmental impact which may result from a spill.
Used fuels, oil, hydraulic fluids, paints, solvents, and grease should be stored in drums or other suitable containers and stored on a hardstanding and impermeable surface. These should be labelled, sealed and removed from the site to an appropriate disposal site or recycling facility. Under no circumstances will these substances be disposed of on-site or into the surrounding environment.
No mixing or storing of concrete is permitted on areas where topsoil will be stockpiled. A designated area should be
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
agnitude Probability Magnitude Severity Probability M Severity demarcated to prepare concrete in order to minimise soil contamination. The area should contain any potential runoff. Soils that may be contaminated during the construction and operational phases are to be removed to prevent the contamination of the soils, surrounding surface water or underlying groundwater. Contaminated soil must be removed from site as hazardous waste.
All construction materials used may be temporarily stored on- site, but bags and containers should be sealed during storage. All leakages, spillages and incidents must be cleaned-up and reported as per Oil, Fuel and Chemical Spill Cleanup and Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints.
No vehicles or equipment may be repaired or washed on-sites other than the designated washbay area and maintenance workshop at the Workshop Complex.
Temporary drip trays must be placed underneath vehicles or equipment that are leaking hydrocarbons until such a time that they are repaired.
Monitor effectiveness of mitigation measures: Implement the surface water (monthly) and groundwater (quarterly).
Undertake annual GN 704 compliance audits, to verify the effectiveness of clean/affected water separation. Any shortcomings, with further consideration to the surface water monitoring results, should be addressed as a matter of urgency. Regular site inspections to be undertaken to assess if spillages or soil pollution incidents have occurred. Such incidents shall
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
agnitude Probability Magnitude Severity Probability M Severity be reported (use of the incident reporting procedure), and immediately corrected.
7.3.2.3 Waste management Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Probability ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Soil (but also potential impact to surface water and groundwater) ACTIVITY: Generation of hazardous and general waste (non-mineral waste material)
PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure Impact description: The incorrect handling and disposal of general waste, scrap 4 3 H To conserve soil and Degree to which impact can be reversed: Impact is easily Construction Landau 3 1 L metal and industrial waste (e.g. waste tyres) will have a long-term impact on the land capability reversible. and operational Colliery local area. Impact will not only effect soil but could also impact on the habitat of phase Environmental fauna and impact of fauna, surface water and groundwater. In addition, the visual Mitigation Manager character of the area will be impacted on. The project site should be kept in an orderly state at all times. Littering is prohibited. The incorrect handling and disposal of hazardous waste can also have a permanent negative impact on the local area. Soil, water sources and fauna habitats can be Suitably covered receptacles must be available at all times and adversely affected and human health can be impacted on. conveniently placed for the disposal of waste. These receptacles will be removed to the central salvage yard before being Extent of impact: Impact may extend beyond the mine. removed from site and disposed of by a permitted contractor at a licensed site. While being stored on-site, the receptacles Duration of impact: Extending beyond the life of mine if no mitigation measures should be placed within designated areas on an impermeable applied. surface and must be correctly labelled and/or adequately colour coded.
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: Impact may result in Hazardous and general waste will be separated at source, with irreplaceable loss if no mitigation measures are implemented. separate waste bins provided in accordance to the waste management procedure Waste Management.
Under no circumstances is waste to be burnt or buried on-site. Records of hazardous waste being taken off-site must be kept as evidence.
All leakages, spillages and incidents must be cleaned-up and reported as per Oil, Fuel and Chemical Spill Cleanup and Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints.
All general and hazardous waste material will be disposed of at registered waste sites (appropriate to the type of waste as disposed of). Certificates of safe and legal disposal shall be kept on file at the mine.
Documentation (waste manifest) will be maintained detailing the quantity, nature and fate of any regulated waste.
Management and disposal of waste will be in accordance with relevant legislative requirements, including the use of licensed contractors.
7.3.2.4 Land use and capability Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Land use and capability
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity ACTIVITY: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: The pre-mining land capability of the surface area of Landau 5 2 M To prevent or minimise Degree to which impact can be reversed: Through effective Operational, Landau 5 1 L Colliery was pre-dominantly that of agriculture and grazing. 61% of the surface area the impact on land use rehabilitation, land use can be reverted back to agriculture, Decomissioning Colliery was capable of arable production (the growing of crops) with a further 25% of the and land capability although there will be loss in high agricultural potential. and Closure. Environmental surface area having grazing potential. The remaining 14% was classified as that of Manager wilderness and wetland areas (WMB, 2002). Mitigation Rehabilitation of the opencast mining area will be conducted The pre-mining land use of the site was predominantly that of agriculture with 13% concurrently with mining. Open cuts will be minimised to of the land being occupied with wetlands, dams and pans. The arable areas to the between 3 and 5 at any given time with successive cuts used to east and west of the proposed site are actively cropped, with dry land maize systematically backfill preceding cuts. This will minimise the constituting the principle crop. Open grassland areas (both natural veld and size of the void at any point in time. rehabilitated areas) are grazed at a low intensity. The south central portion of the site is derelict on account of past, unrehabilitated, opencast activity. A large portion Spoil areas will be levelled and profiled, while voids will be of the area within the eastern portion of the site is currently under a mixed wattle / backfilled and profiled continuously and progressively as mining grassland community. To the south, the density of wattle is such that the grazing advances. value of the land is currently lost. About 72% of the proposed site has arable potential. Much of the arable land within the site will be lost due to the proposed Suitable rehabilitation techniques will be employed for the project. backfilling of the opencast voids, so as to promote free- drainage, and the re-establishment of pre-mining drainage As noted in the original EMPR, evidence of minor soil erosion in the cultivated areas patterns, as far as practicable. The post-mining surface exists. The central and eastern portion of the site is however heavily infested with topography will be modelled (rehabilitation designs) using black wattle. A large portion of the site has been impacted on by past opencast suitable software, to ensure that appropriate measures can be mining. implemented concurrently with the mining activities to ensure that a free-draining surface can be achieved. Such rehabilitation Extent of impact: Site designs will be compiled from which rehabilitation plans will be developed. Regular reviews of the rehabilitation plans will be Duration of impact: Permanent undertaken, and actual rehabilitation surveyed to verify compliance with rehabilitation plans and the rehabilitation design.
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: Will loose high agricultural potential that through rehabilitation can in future be utilised for agricultural land use. A Topsoil Management Standard Procedure shall be implemented that describes the requirements during the removal of the topsoil portion of the overburden, topsoil placement and stockpiling, general topsoil monitoring and topsoil thickness control, with consideration to the land use capability to be achieved.
Soil preparation and seeding will be undertaken in accordance with the identified land use and according to the existing Landau Vegetation Establishment and Maintenance Procedure.
Post rehabilitation monitoring will be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation that includes but not limited to assessing soil quality and further fertilization requirements, erosion concerns, success in natural vegetation establishment, including identifying concerns regarding alien invasive species. Recommendations from post rehabilitation monitoring will be implemented.
A rehabilitation plan will be developed at the planning phase, or with adoption of the existing rehabilitation procedures and plans as applicable to Landau Colliery. The rehabilitation plan and procedures must aim to meet end land use capability with consideration to preminng land capability of the Navigation West South Block..
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7.3.3 Vegetation 7.3.3.1 Site Clearing: removal of topsoil and vegetation. Risk rating Risk rating (before (after Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting mitigation Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Flora ACTIVITY: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure Impact description: 5 2 M To prevent the Degree to which impact can be reversed: Reversible Construction Landau 5 1 L On a regional scale, the study area is located within the Eastern Highveld destruction/loss of plant and Colliery Grassland; this vegetation unit is classified as being Endangered at a national level. species Mitigation: Operational Environmental The vegetation is described as follows (Rutherford & Mucina, 2006):”Slightly to With mitigation measures it may be possible to reduce the Phase Manager moderately undulating plains, including some low hills and pan depressions. The impacts on the flora of the project area. This can be done by re- vegetation is short dense grassland dominated by the usual Highveld grass vegetating the opencast pit area by placing topsoil, ripping and composition ( Aristida, Digitaria, Eragrostis, Themeda, Tristachya etc) with small, seeding the rehabilitated areas in order to encourage the growth scattered rocky outcrops with wiry, sour grasses and some woody species ( Acacia of grasses. These grasses would then provide habitat for the caffra, Celtis Africana, Diospyros lycioides subsp. lycioides, Parinari capensis, displaced animals thus mitigating against the initial habitat loss Protea caffra, P welwitschii and Searsia magalismontanum ). No biogeographically and will also prevent soil losses by wind and/or stormwater Important Taxa or Endemic taxa is listed for this unit. Only a very small fraction erosion. conserved in statutory reserves (Nooitgedacht Dam and Jericho Dam Nature Reserves) and in private reserves (Holkranse, Kransbank, Morgenstond). Some Minimise the footprint as far as possible to mitigate impacts 44% transformed primarily by cultivation, plantations, mines, urbanisation and by associated with the clearance of existing vegetation; building of dams. Cultivation may have had a more extensive impact, indicated by land-cover data. No serious alien invasions are reported but Acacia mearnsii can Keep clean and dirty water systems separate and ensure that become dominant in disturbed areas. dirty water is not discharged into the environment to avoid impact occurring to flora and fauna species; and No threatened species were encountered during the field survey of the study area. Keep infrastructure out of wetland vegetation (impacts assessed According to the Flora study the project is proposed to be constructed on an area in the Wetland Specialist Report, compiled by Wetland that is already heavily modified. The land offers low biodiversity value and it is Consulting, 2014) areas to minimise impact to flora and fauna as therefore not anticipated that the development of the opencast pit will impact these areas are important habitat types. severely on the current surrounding environment if it is properly rehabilitated. A grass mix should be selected for rehabilitation of disturbed Extent of impact: Impact may extend beyond the life of mine. open areas. The selected grass mix should consist of a mix of
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Risk rating Risk rating (before (after Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting mitigation Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss migratory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity quick covering grassed pioneer species mat-forming grasses Duration of impact: Extending beyond the life of mine if no mitigation measures (e.g. Gynodon dactylon, Chloris gayana ) and tufted grasses (e.g. applied. Eragrostis curvula ) to ensure prompt and adequate coverage of the exposed soil whilst also achieving long-term stability. Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: Impact may result in Alternatively, the current seed mix may be used as per Landau irreplaceable loss if no mitigation measures are implemented. Colliery’s Original Environmental Management Programme Report.
7.3.3.2 Enchroament of alien invasive Risk rating Risk rating (before (after Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting mitigation) Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility
will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Probability ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Flora ACTIVITY: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam.. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: 3 3 M To prevent the Degree to which impact can be reversed: If no mitigation is 2 2 L According to the flora study; no serious alien invasions are reported but Acacia destruction/loss of plant implemented, the impact may be irreversible. mearnsii can become dominant in disturbed areas. species Mitigation: Construction, landau Colliery Invasive plants may establish due to surface area disturbance and also through Control of alien plant species is essential to restore the natural Operational and Environmental future rehabilitation activities (e.g. seeding practices). This may lead to: biodiversity of the landscape. Alien trees utilise excessive Decomissioning Manager • Displacement of indigenous vegetation; amounts of water and often out compete local plants due to Phases.. • Change in plant species composition; their lack of parasites. Removal of alien plants can lead to a net gain in biodiversity as the natural grassland is rehabilitated. • Change in vegetation composition and structure;
• Competition for sunlight and ‘living space’ will increase between indigenous Implement an alien invasive control procedure for the area and alien species;
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Risk rating Risk rating (before (after Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting mitigation) Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity • Loss of habitat and a change in biodiversity. • Change in flammability of existing vegetation structure – pending the introduction of the alien species;
Extent of impact: The impact could spread beyond area of disturbance.
Duration of impact: Permanent
Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: Not applicable, but if no mitigation is implemented, this may result in irreplaceable loss.
7.3.4 Animal Life 7.3.4.1 Habitat transformation due to surface clearance Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility has caused irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
nitude Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Mag Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Fauna ACTIVITY: Removal of natural vegetation with incurred increased edge-effects and potential loss of ecosystem function PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure Impact description: 3 3 M To prevent the Degree to which impact can be reversed: If no mitigation is 2 2 L The study site is capable of sustaining a high diversity of mammal taxa, including transformation and loss implemented, the impact will continue. many meso-predators (e.g. small carnivores). Although a large section is utilised of habitat. for agricultural activities, these function as “green-belts” and could be movement Mitigation: Construction, Landau corridors for mammal taxa between patches of natural grassland, especially for With mitigation measures it may be possible to reduce the Operational and Colliery those taxa with nocturnal behavioural traits. Observations from similar areas in impacts on the fauna of the project area. This can be done by Decomsioning Environmental Mpumalanga have shown that the maize fields provide an alternative food resource re-vegetating the opencast pit area by placing topsoil, ripping Phases. Manager for two carnivore species (i.e. Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas and Cape and seeding the rehabilitated areas in order to encourage the
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility has caused irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
nitude Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Mag Severity Fox Vulpes chama ) as evidenced by the frequent occurrence of corn in their growth of grasses. These grasses would then provide habitat droppings (see EkoInfo & Associates, 2010). In addition, it was found that many for the displaced animals thus mitigating against the initial smaller carnivores will traverse this seemingly “hostile” habitat in search of habitat loss and will also prevent soil losses by wind and/or alternative foraging habitat. stormwater erosion.
The drainage line on the south-eastern section of the study site and associated Removal of alien plants can lead to a net gain in biodiversity as moist grassland units are important linear entities since they act as dispersal the natural grassland is rehabilitated. corridors for foraging mammal taxa. The following mitigations measures are proposed: The moist grassland that fringes the drainage line is important foraging and roosting • Minimise the footprint as far as possible to mitigate habitat for nationally near-threatened taxa such as the Serval ( Leptailurus serval ). impacts associated with the clearance of existing vegetation; The study area is already heavily modified. The land offers low biodiversity value • Implement an alien invasive control procedure for that and it is therefore not anticipated that the development of the opencast pit will area; impact severely on the current surrounding environment if it is properly • Keep clean and dirty water systems separate and rehabilitated. ensure that dirty water is not discharged into the
environment to avoid impact occurring to flora and Extent of impact: Effect limited to the activity and its immediate surroundings. fauna species; and
• Keep infrastructure out of wetland vegetation (impacts Duration of impact: Long-term and will last more than 5 years if not mitigated assessed in the Wetland Specialist Report, compiled by
Wetland Consulting Services, 2014) areas to minimise Degree to which impact has caused irreplaceable loss: If no mitigation is impact to flora and fauna as these areas are important implemented, this may cause loss of habitat. habitat types.
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7.3.5 Surface water 7.3.5.1 Receiving surface environment (impacts resulting from erosion, affected water runoff and loss of catchment) Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Aquatic and surface water ACTIVITY: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: 4 4 H To conserve the surface Degree to which impact can be reversed: Effective mitigation 3 3 M Loss in catchment yield: water resource and can reverse impact. Construction and Landau Ineffective diversion of clean water from the operation towards the downstream prevent impact on Operational Colliery drainage lines may impact on the catchment yield. downstream water Mitigation: Phases. Environmental users Loss in catchment yield: Manager Surface runoff collected within box cuts may impact on the catchment yield • Construct an upstream diversion berms at the box-cuts (Shangoni Management Services, 2014). and ensure effective diversion of clean runoff from the operation towards the clean downstream environment. Surface water quality: • Construct clean water conveyance channels to effectively Affected storm water runoff from the overburden, product stockpiles and overflow channel upstream runoff towards the downstream clean of the Navigation West pollution control dam into the downstream environment may water environment. impact on downstream surface water quality. • Mining will take place progressively in sequences of box
cuts with concurrent rehabilitation. Therefore, retention Recent water quality results indicate a lowering of pH downstream of neighbouring areas within the box cuts will be kept to a minimum. coal operations.
Surface water quality: There may be a decrease in surface water quality when any surface water comes • Ensure effective level control and maintain a 0.8 metre into contact with dust, eroded soil, carbonaceous materials or other pollutants freeboard at the Navigation West pollution control dam generated within the Navigation Section mining vicinity. The sediment load within above full supply level to comply with Schedule 6(e). surface water runoff may increase if not prevented or mitigated, or the chemistry of • Siltation of the PCD should be prevented by implementing surface water may be altered (Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd, 2014). a maintenance schedule to remove silt to ensure
adequate capacity for storage of dirty water. The current Surface water flow silt traps at the PCD should also be inspected on a regular Surface water flow paths will be altered during the construction phase due to basis to ensure optimal functionality. construction of initial box cuts. Surface water flow paths will be further altered by
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity subsidence (during concurrent rehabilitation) should it occur. Flow paths will be • Surface water monitoring should be conducted further altered by additional overburden and topsoil stockpiles (Shangoni downstream to identify alterations to surface water Management Services, 2014). quality. • Implement effective storm water control, as per Extent of impact: Impact onto downstream and locally. hydrological assessment, around stockpiles identified within the dirty area. Divert clean runoff and retain Duration of impact: Commencing during construction phase that could be beyond affected runoff from overburden if necessary. life of mine if mitigation measures are not implemented. • As a general measure, minimise dirty water areas through
concurrent rehabilitation during the operational phase. Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: If not adequately mitigated, • Conduct regular inspections to identify occurrence of could result in irreplaceable loss. erosion on access roads and stockpiles. Rehabilitation
should be conducted were necessary. • Prevent erosion of loose particles by vegetating cleared land / stockpiles as soon as possible. • Ensure that the gradient of soil stockpiles is 1:3 or less (shallower) to allow for the establishment of vegetation on all stockpiles, and prevention of erosion. • Berms and trenches must be monitored regularly to ensure they are not blocked. Surface water flow: • Although mining activities will impact on surface water flow patterns, the majority of the flow patterns within the project area will remain undisturbed due to the fact that mining will take place in sequence over a time period. • Implement effective diversion of storm water runoff to ensure surface flow towards the natural resource although surface water flow patterns will be disturbed by the box-cuts and stockpiles. • Ensure that subsided areas formed during concurrent backfilling and rehabilitation of box cuts are free draining. • Fertilise and vegetate damaged subsided areas to restore its pre-mining status if required.
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity
Monitoring and maintenance: • Regular site inspections to be undertaken to assess if spillages or water pollution incidents have occurred. Such incidents shall be reported (use of the incident reporting procedure), and immediately corrected. • Should a spillage or leakage of a hydrocarbon, chemical or hazardous substance occur, the spill/leakage must be cleaned up as per Oil, Fuel and Chemical Spill Cleanup and Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints procedure. • Ensure that areas containing chemical and hazardous substances are contained (e.g. in a bund) to ensure no contamination of surrounding water resources or soil is contaminated. The bunded area must be able to contain 110% of the total volume of materials stored at any given time. Also follow the procedure on Handling and Storage of hazardous materials • Implement the surface water (monthly), groundwater (quarterly) and bio-monitoring programme (biannually) as within the receiving surface water environment • Undertake annual GN 704 compliance audits, to verify the effectiveness of clean/affected water separation. Any shortcomings, with further consideration to the surface water monitoring results, should be addressed as a matter of urgency. • Regular site inspections to be undertaken to assess if spillages or soil pollution incidents have occurred. Such incidents shall be reported (use of the incident reporting procedure), and immediately corrected. • The pump station to be installed at the pollution control dam should regularly maintained and water should be
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Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity pumped from the pollution control dam to the Navigation Dam for process purposes. to prevent overflow and to be used during emergency conditions. • The mines existing emergency response plan should be upgraded to include activities associated with the new project. • Adhere to the stormwater management plan and civil engineering designs of the approved by a registered professional civil engineer.
7.3.6. Groundwater 7.3.6.1 Blasting and development of the box-cut and open pits Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Geohydrology ACTIVITY: Blasting and development of the box-cut and open pits.
PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure Impact description: Blasting activities may impact negatively on the groundwater 4 4 H To minimise the extent Degree to which impact can be reversed: Effective mitigation 3 2 M quality if significant amounts of explosives are spilled or incompletely detonated. of disturbance of the can reverse impact. Construction and Landau
The chemical residues in the form of NH 4 and NO 3 may potentially leach to the aquifer. Operational Colliery groundwater table. With the construction of the initial box-cut, dewatering of the To limit degeneration of Management measures Phases. Environmental aquifer will begin to occur, but only within the immediate vicinity of the box-cut. groundwater quality. • Prevent or contain contamination from blasting Manger The aquifer structure will be destroyed wherever the box-cut intersects the aquifer activities. (Shangoni AquiScience, 2014). Action plans
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Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Duration of impact: Construction phase extending to post rehabilitation phase. • Handle and store blasting material according to manufacturing requirements. Degree to which impact may cause irreplaceable loss: If not adequately mitigated, • Train staff and implement correct procedures for the could result in irreplaceable loss. handling of blasting material. • Only qualified staff should handle these materials.
7.3.6.2 Utilisation of water management measures Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Probability ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Geohydrology ACTIVITY: Utilisation of water management measures PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure Impact description: Poor quality seepage from unlined return water/dirty water 4 4 H To limit degeneration of Degree to which impact can be reversed: Effective mitigation 3 3 M dams is inevitable and could have the following consequences on the local groundwater quality. can reverse impact. Construction, Landau groundwater regime: Operational and Colliery Groundwater mounding directly underneath the dam/s. Management measures Decomissioning Environmental Downstream movement of a pollution plume within the weathered zone aquifer. • Minimize seepage, prevent contact between clean and Phases. Manger (Shangoni AquiScience, 2014) dirty areas, and recycle contaminated water. • Contain contaminated water for re-use and evaporation. Duration of impact: Construction phase extending to Closure phase. • Minimize the extent of disturbance of the aquifer.
• To prevent degeneration of groundwater quality. Degree to which impact may cause irreplaceable loss: If not adequately mitigated, • To manage the anticipated impacts associated with the could result in irreplaceable loss. inflow of groundwater to the opencast. Action plans
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Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity • Wastage of coal-bearing material outside the allocated dirty water management area during the operational phase should be prevented. Haul roads and other compacted surfaces should be kept free of carbonaceous material by cleaning spillages, thereby reducing infiltration of contaminated water. • Dirty water should be contained in fit-for-purpose and lined designed facilities, which will limit infiltration of contaminated water to groundwater. • Water retention in the in-pit sump areas should be as minimal as possible to limit the quality related impacts. • Clean surface water should not come into contact with dirty water or coal bearing material. • Hazardous material should be stored in the correct designated and bunded areas that are specially designed and constructed for that purpose. • Staff should be trained to implement correct procedures for the handling of hazardous material. • Storage areas should be regularly inspected. • Oil contaminated water should be diverted from the bunded area during rain events to an interception or oil water separation facility.
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7.3.6.3 Removal of groundwater influx (dewatering) Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Geohydrology ACTIVITY: Removal of groundwater influx (dewatering) PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: During the operational phase the open pit mining will be active 4 4 H Minimize impact on Degree to which impact can be reversed: If not mitigated the 4 4 H which will cause the dewatering of the surrounding aquifer(s), the degree of which groundwater quality impact may be irreversible. Landau will depend upon the depth and extent of the open pit. The aquifers affected by Colliery the cone of depression will depend on the final depth of the pit. It is expected that Management measures Environmental the pit will not exceed a depth of 40 m. Privately owned boreholes situated to the • Drains and cut-off trenches (storm water management Operational Manager west of the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project could be potentially system) around the proposed opencast pits should be phase to impacted upon by pit dewatering. implemented before commencing with pit development to Decomissioning prevent clean run-off water from entering the pit. Phase Pit dewatering from the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project may have a significant impact on the Hillslope Seepage Wetland situated to the immediate Action plans north-west including and also on the Valley Bottom Wetland towards the south- • Interception drainage around the pit. east of the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project, but to a lesser extent. • The dewatering of the aquifer system cannot be Due to it being mostly groundwater fed the drawdown simulated of between 15- prevented. If the monitoring program indicates that and 30 m will most probably have a significant impact on its feed water source/s nearby groundwater users are affected by the and will therefore impact on the functionality of it (Shangoni AquiScience, 2014). dewatering, the users need to be compensated for the
loss. Duration of impact: During the life of mine extending to closure.
Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: If not adequately mitigated, could result in irreplaceable loss.
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7.3.6.4 Concurrent backfilling with discard material Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Geohydrology ACTIVITY: Concurrent backfilling with discard material PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: Acid base accounting showed that a likely possibility exist for 2 3 M To limit degeneration of Degree to which impact can be reversed: Recharge will largely 2 3 M ARD development in the South Block open pit area from the overburden and coal groundwater quality. return to ambient conditions after rehabilitation. seams. During the operational phase of mining, the impact on pit and the return Dilution with fresh recharge will return groundwater quality water dam quality is believed to be moderate given the short residence time and back to ambient conditions after rehabilitation contact with carbonaceous material of water in the pit. If the pollution control Operational Landau dam/s is unlined contamination of the upper weathered or perched aquifer may Management measures phase to Colliery and occur but migration thereof will be limited during the LoM given the hydraulic • Interception drainage around the pit – minimize surface Decomissioning the conductivities of the Karoo type aquifer. Due to the pit acting as a sink during the area where operations would contaminate water (smaller Phase Environmental operational phase, no seepage from the pit towards adjacent aquifers is likely to disturbed areas mean smaller manageable volumes). Manager occur (Shangoni AquiScience, 2014). • Groundwater infiltration should be controlled and can be achieved through installation of liners and sufficient Duration of impact: Operational phase extending to post closure phase. surface drainage.
Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: No irreplaceable loss as Action plans impacts will be reversed through natural dilution reactions. • Implement and maintain proper storm water management
infrastructure.
• Concurrent rehabilitation should follow the pre-mining in- situ profile with coal spoils and carbonaceous material placed in the bottom beneath the water followed by the high neutralising rock (sandstone/tillite) and finally the clay and topsoil layer.
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7.3.6.5 Rehabilitation of final void and post closure Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
everity Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude S ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Geohydrology ACTIVITY: Rehabilitation of final void and post closure PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: Decant of backfilled open pits can in most cases not be 5 4 H To limit degeneration of Degree to which impact can be reversed: Recharge will largely 4 3 H prevented and the risk of ARD in coal mining operations remain a significant groundwater quality. return to ambient conditions after rehabilitation. hazard towards the surface and groundwater regimes. The limiting factor Dilution with fresh recharge will return groundwater quality controlling ARD is oxidation of sulphidic minerals such as pyrite. Rehabilitation of back to ambient conditions after rehabilitation the opencast pit areas should be aimed at duplicating the pre-existing in situ soil Operational Landau profile and entails tipping of coal spoils and other carbonaceous material in the Management measures phase to Colliery and bottom of mined-out cuts. This will be followed by placement of clayey overburden • Implement rehabilitation plan under supervision of suitably Decomissioning the in a dry state, compacted by frequent traversing of the surface after flattening by qualified person. Phases Environmental graders, and a final cover of topsoil. The low permeability clay layer encapsulates • The rate and extent of ARD formation should be alleviated Manager the carbonaceous material placed at the bottom of the mined out cuts. These as far as possible by duplicating the pre-existing in situ materials should be placed below the regional groundwater level in order to create profile. a reducing redox environment and eliminate contact with oxygen, thus reducing • Water infiltration and oxygen ingress into the backfilled ARD to a minimum. Although the carbonaceous materials will be submerged, voids should be minimised. horizontal groundwater seepage of clean water as well as limited infiltration of surface water will occur and some contamination will occur over the medium and Action plans long-term (Shangoni AquiScience, 2014). • The final cut or pit should be filled to resemble the pre- mining in-situ profiles with the coal spoils and Duration of impact: Operational phase extending to post closure phase. carbonaceous materials (mudstones) in the bottom followed by the higher neutralising potential rocks such as Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: No irreplaceable loss as the sandstones and tillites (if present) and finally by a impacts will be reversed through natural dilution reactions. compacted clay and topsoil layer. • Rate and volume of water infiltration should be minimised by compaction and capping. • Coal spoils and carbonaceous material should be placed beneath the water table to limit the ingress of oxidation.
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everity Probability Magnitude S Probability Magnitude Severity • Seeding of landscaped areas (depending on specialist recommendations). • Continuous monitoring of groundwater quality conditions through purpose drilled groundwater monitoring boreholes to ensure early detection of negative impacts
7.3.7 Air Quality 7.3.7.1 Site establishment Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Probability ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Air quality ACTIVITY: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure Impact description: Direct, negative impacts: Dust fallout impacts relate to nuisance 5 2 M Activities remain Degree to which impact can be reversed: 5 2 M impacts, i.e. reduced visibility and layers of dust deposited on the surrounding compliant with air As soon as the dust generating activities ceased the air quality environment. quality legislation. impact on the surrounding population and environment will To further have improved and the impacts would be easily reversible. Extent of impact: Site-specific. Identified impacts are likely to be confined to the eliminate/minimise the site. risks of nuisance Proposed mitigation: impacts on surrounding The following mitigation measures will be implemented: Construction Landau Duration of impact: Short-term (0-7) years population and • Phasing of earthmoving activities to reduce source size. Phase and Colliery environment. • Dust suppression in dirty areas in accordance to the dust Operational Environmental Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: None suppression procedure. Phase Manger
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity • Early vegetation and stabilization of topsoil stockpile and reduction of the frequency of disturbance. • Early paving or treatment with chemical surfactant of mine-owned permanent roads. • Speed control will be enforced on all roads. • Complaints register must be make available for the recording of complaints relating to dust –“: Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints” • Dust fall out monitoring plan must be developed and effectively implemented. Consideration should be given to ambient monitoring (PM10 and PM2.5). • Greenhouse gas emissions must be managed through effective maintenance of all diesel driven vehicles
7.3.7.2 Mine operation Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
itude Probability Magn Severity Probability Magnitude Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Air quality ACTIVITY: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: 5 2 M Activities remain Degree to which impact can be reversed: 5 2 M Direct, negative impacts: Dust fallout impacts relate to nuisance impacts, i.e. compliant with air As soon as the dust generating activities ceased the air reduced visibility and layers of dust deposited on the surrounding environment. quality legislation. quality impact on the surrounding population and
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
itude Probability Magn Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Landau Colliery is primarily an opencast mining, contributing significantly to surface To further environment will have improved and the impacts due to dust dust fallout. The inherent air quality of the area is considered poor and is impacted eliminate/minimise the fallout and PM2.5 would be easily reversible. on by the activities of adjacent collieries, industry, and vehicle use and veld fires. risks of nuisance Furthermore, dust generation occurs from the existing opencast operations on-site. impacts on surrounding Mitigation: Air quality management measures will be Operational Phase Landau population and implemented to ensure the lowest possible impacts on the Colliery and Under the assumption of background conditions remaining the same as for the environment. surrounding environment. The following mitigation measures Environmental construction phase (low PM concentrations) the operational phase would result in will be implemented: Manger mainly incremental impacts as the progressive development of the opencast pits will add to the impacts on the air quality of the area. Should areas of the surface dry out, resulting in the generation of dust, a water bowser will be utilised for dust Extent of impact: suppression. Site-specific (PM2.5 and dust fallout). Local (PM10) – impacts on extended area beyond site boundary (hundreds of metres). Dust suppression in dirty areas in accordance to the dust suppression procedure. Duration of impact: Long-term: Life of Mine. Early vegetation and stabilization of topsoil stockpile and reduction of the frequency of disturbance. Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: None Early paving or treatment with chemical surfactant of mine- owned permanent roads.
Speed control will be enforced on all roads.
Complaints register must be make available for the recording of complaints relating to dust –“ Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints”
Implementation of the dust fall out monitoring plan. Consideration should be given to ambient monitoring (PM10 and PM2.5).
Greenhouse gas emissions must be managed through preventing of sponcom of stockpiles and in-pit through
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
itude Probability Magn Severity Probability Magnitude Severity effective deposition/compaction and rehabilitation, and effective maintenance of all diesel driven vehicles Continually assess the efficiency of dust mitigation measures.
7.3.7.3 Site rehabilitation Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will caused irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity Probability ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Air quality ACTIVITY: Re-shaping of the final void, removal of all infrastructure, replacement of topsoil and re-vegetation. This further includes demolition activities (which may involve blasting) and dust generation from vehicle movement along unpaved roads. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction APPLICABILITY Operation Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: 3 2 M Activities remain Degree to which impact can be reversed: 2 2 L Direct, negative impacts: Dust fallout impacts relate to nuisance impacts, i.e. compliant with air As soon as the dust generating activities ceased the air reduced visibility and layers of dust deposited on the surrounding environment. quality legislation. quality impact on the surrounding population and Impacts due to this phase are short-term in nature and are not likely to have To further environment will have improved. The impacts would be easily cumulative effects. eliminate/minimise the reversible, provided that stockpiles and disturbed mining risks of nuisance areas (which may potentially give rise to wind erosion) are Extent of impact: impacts on surrounding permanently vegetated. Site-specific. Identified impacts are likely to be confined to the site. population and Decommissioning environment. Mitigation: and Landau Duration of impact: The following mitigation measures will be implemented: Closure Phase Colliery Short-term (0-7) years. • Phasing of earthmoving activities to reduce source size. Environmental • Dust suppression in dirty areas in accordance to the Manger Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: None dust suppression procedure.
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will caused irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity • Early vegetation and stabilization of topsoil stockpile and reduction of the frequency of disturbance. • Early paving or treatment with chemical surfactant of mine-owned permanent roads. • Speed control will be enforced on all roads. • Complaints register must be make available for the recording of complaints relating to dust –“ Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints” • Dust fall out monitoring plan must be developed and effectively implemented. Consideration should be given to ambient monitoring (PM10 and PM2.5). • Greenhouse gas emissions must be managed through effective rehabilitation, to prevent the risk of sponcom.
7.3.8 Noise Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
y Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severit ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Noise ACTIVITY: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: Although there are agricultural activities to the west of the 5 2 M To prevent noise Mitigation: Construction, 5 2 M prosed site the study area is characterised by the presence of major exiting noise nuisance to surrounding Ensure all equipment and vehicles are serviced regularly to Operational and sources. There are major coal mining activities at Kleinkopje in the south, environment prevent excessive noise. Vehicles and equipment Decommisioning Greenside Colliery in the east and the existing Landau operations in the North. Phases.i
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
y Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severit generating excessive noise should be fitted with appropriate Noise levels were expected have significant contributions from other coal mines in noise abatement measures. the area, and in light of the above, the proposed project is not expected to worsen the noise levels of the study area. Construction workers must be provided with the appropriate personal protection equipment in areas required as per the Therefore with the general high level of mechanisation in the area, relatively high Mine Healt h and Safety Act (No. 29 of 1996) (MHSA). existing ambient noise may be expected. The current ambient noise levels are Records of the PPE supplied must be maintained for record characterised by the presence of mining and road traffic related noises. Noise levels keeping purposes. at the proposed site are expected to be the same as that of the rest of the Landau Colliery. A complaints register must be made available the site Landau security office and should any complaints be received, these Colliery must be logged in the complaints register and reported to the Environmental responsible person on-site. Manager
Training and induction requirements must be undertaken as outlined in section 12.
Environmental incidents register (to be updated in Landau Colliery’s EMS), with records of close-out on incidents received.
Undertake environmental noise monitoring and keep records of monitoring reports.
Personal protective equipment register to be kept
Induction training and register to be kept
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7.3.9. Wetlands and Sensitive landscapes 7.3.9.1 Loss of wetland catchment areas Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
ty Probability Magnitude Severi Probability Magnitude Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Protected areas and conservation planning ACTIVITY: Inadequate storm water control and dewatering PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Description of impact” 5 4 H To protect wetland and Degree to which impact can be reversed: Reversible, should Landau 3 3 M Inadequate storm water control sensitive areas. mitigations be implemented. Construction, Colliery The opencast pit and overburden stockpiles will be designated a dirty water area Operational and Environmental and as such will be isolated from the surrounding catchment. In addition, the Storm water control Management Measures Decomissiong Manager opencast pit will intercept any shallow subsurface seepage from upslope. Water To minimise loss of water inputs to the wetlands, the Phases. inputs to downslope wetlands are thus likely to decrease, resulting in partial following measures should be implemented: desiccation of these systems. • Minimise the extent of the dirty water exclusion areas while ensuring the effective separation of clean and dirty Decreases in catchment yield to the wetlands will commence during the water. construction phase, will be most severe during the operational phase when the • Maintain areas within the opencast footprint as clean opencast pit is developed to its greatest extent, and decrease again during the water areas for as long as possible prior to mining decommissioning and closure phase (as rehabilitation of the opencast pit takes activities commencing. place, surface runoff will again drain towards the wetlands. • Divert all clean water around dirty water areas and discharge into adjacent wetland areas in a controlled, In addition to the decrease in surface water inputs to the wetlands, shallow sub- environmentally sensitive manner and as determined in surface seepage through the soil profile and within the unconfined, weathered the hydrological assessment. aquifer will also be affected and decreased by the development of the opencast pit. • Ensure concurrent rehabilitation measures keep pace This will further reduce flows to the wetlands. This shallow interflow is also not with mining activities so that the rehabilitated areas can expected to return post-mining, unless decant into the wetlands occurs. The south be reinstated as clean water areas draining towards the eastern wetland is again expected to be most affected, given its proximity to the wetlands. opencast pit. If the spring in the north western wetland is affected by the drawdown • Rehabilitation of the opencast pit should ensure that cone associated with the opencast pit, then this wetland could also be significantly catchment areas of the pre-mining landscape are impacted. The southern wetlands will be less impacted, given the maintenance of reinstated, i.e. areas draining to the north western wetland a buffer area almost 250m wide in most places adjacent to the wetland area currently should again drain towards the same wetland in (Wetland Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd, 2015). the post-mining landscape.
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
ty Probability Magnitude Severi Probability Magnitude Severity Dewatering • No discharge of dirty water should take place on site. A significant risk towards the basic functioning of the wetlands is also a concern during the operational phases of mining at the Navigation West: South Block Dewatering Management Measures Extension Project when the open pits are dewatered. The dewatering activities will • A long-term monitoring programme reflecting quality and result in a conical cone of depression, the radius of which would depend on quantity is therefore proposed to monitor the ecosystem hydraulic properties of the subsurface. If this cone of depression will reach the health. wetlands in the immediate vicinity, it may capture its source water and consequently • Wetland functioning should be assessed by monitoring impacting on it’s functionally (Shangoni Management Services, 2014). water levels of a shallow borehole within the wetland. If not already present a borehole should be drilled to within Extent of impact: Local the upper perched aquifer only ( ≤6 mbsl) and subsequently monitoring water levels on a monthly basis Duration of impact: Beyond closure, depending on effectiveness of rehabilitation. taking seasonal fluctuation into account.
Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: Irreplaceable loss of the wetlands may occur should the catchment area not be preserved by implementing the mitigations
7.3.9.2 Sedimentation of wetland areas Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
verity Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Se ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Protected areas and conservation planning ACTIVITY: Ineffective implementation of management measures at mining operation PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Description of impact: 4 2 M To protect wetland and Degree to which impact can be reversed: Reversible should 4 2 M It is possible that construction activities can result in disturbances to wetland habitat sensitive areas. mitigation be implemented. Construction, Landau outside the direct development footprints through activities such as temporary Operational and Colliery
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
verity Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Se stockpiles, construction camps, vehicle turning circles, unauthorised Mitigation Decomissioning Environmental hunting/poaching activities etc. extending beyond the development footprint. This Disturbance of wetland habitat outside the direct Phases. Manager could lead to disturbances and resultant degradation of the adjacent wetland development footprint must be avoided using the following habitat. Given the distance between the proposed activities and the wetland measures, but not limited to: boundaries, this impact is considered to be of low probability (Wetland Consulting • The proposed mining & development footprint must be Services (Pty) Ltd, 2015). fenced off and all activities must be limited to the fenced off area. Construction activities associated with the opencast pit and associated stockpiles • Where possible, a 50m buffer zone should be maintained will involve the clearing of large areas of soil, as well as the movement of soil and between the wetlands and the fenced off mining area. overburden with subsequent stockpiling. This will expose large areas and large • Locate all temporary stockpiles, constructor’s camps, volumes of soil to erosion by wind and water, which will likely be exacerbated by laydown areas, ablution facilities etc. a minimum of 50m increased surface runoff from bare soil areas and concentration of flows. from any delineated wetland area. • Develop and implement a construction storm water Sediment will be transported downslope via surface runoff to the adjacent wetland management plan prior to the commencement of site areas, leading to: clearing activities. Such a plan should aim to minimise 1. Increased turbidity with resultant impacts on aquatic habitats, including sediment movement off the construction site and limit loss of sensitive species; and increases in turbidity of adjacent wetlands. 2. Increased sediment deposition in wetlands, leading to habitat • All disturbed areas outside the direct development degradation as these areas become colonised by alien and pioneer footprints should be rehabilitated and re-vegetated as species. Severe sedimentation could also impact of flow distribution soon as possible. Refer to the guidelines below. within wetlands. • All construction staff should be educated on the sensitivity of wetland areas and should be made aware of all wetland Various stockpiles will be required as part of the operational activities, including areas in close proximity to the construction sites. overburden and topsoil stockpiles. Stockpiles will be characterised by bare soil, • If land adjacent to the mining area is leased, the leasee steep side slopes that generate significant surface run-off. Run-off from these must be made aware of the presence and importance of stockpiles is likely to be sediment rich. Where run-off from these stockpiles enters wetland systems on the leased land, as well as the adjacent wetlands, sediment will be deposited and changes in vegetation are likely management measures adopted by the mine for these to occur, with pioneer species such as Typha capensis and Phragmites australis or areas. other weedy species likely to become dominant (Wetland Consulting Services (Pty) • Sediment traps and sediment barriers should be installed Ltd, 2015). where necessary, and discharge points should be
protected against erosion and incorporate energy Extent of impact: Local dissipaters.
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
verity Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Se Duration of impact: Beyond closure, depending on effectiveness of rehabilitation. Erosion within the construction site must be minimised through the following: Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: Irreplaceable loss of the • Limiting the area of disturbance and vegetation clearing wetlands may occur should the mitigation to reduce sediment runoff not be to as small an area as possible; implemented. • Where possible, undertaking construction during the dry season; • Phasing vegetation clearing activities and limiting the time that any one area of bare soil is exposed to erosion; • Control of storm water flowing onto and through the site. Where required, storm water from upslope should be diverted around the construction site; • Prompt stabilisation and re-vegetation of soils after disturbance and construction activities in an area are complete; and • Protection of slopes. Where steeper slopes occur, these should be stabilised using geotextiles or any other suitable product designed for the purpose.
Sediment transport off the site must be minimised through the following: • Establishing perimeter sediment controls. This can be achieved through the installation of sediment fences along downslope verges of the construction site. Where channelled or concentrated flow occurs, reinforced sediment fences or other sediment barriers such as sediment basins should be used (refer to US EPA guidelines on Storm water Pollution Prevention); • Discharge of storm water from the construction site into adjacent grassland rather than directly into wetland habitat. • Discharged flows must be slow and diffuse; and • Regular inspection and maintenance of sediment controls.
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7.3.9.3 Deterioration of wetland water quality Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
nitude Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Mag Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Protected areas and conservation planning ACTIVITY: Affected storm water release into the environment PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Description of impact” 5 4 H To protect wetland and Degree to which impact can be reversed: Reversible, should Landau 3 3 M During the construction phase, as activities are taking place adjacent to wetlands, sensitive areas. mitigations be implemented. Construction, Colliery there is a possibility that water quality can be impaired through contaminated Operational, Environmental surface runoff entering wetlands. Typically impairment will occur as a consequence Mitigation Decomissioning Manager of sediment disturbance resulting in an increase in turbidity. Water quality may also Clean and dirty storm water need to be separated as per the and Closure be impaired as a consequence of accidental spillages and the intentional washing strategies contained in the hydrological assessment; Phases. and rinsing of equipment within the wetlands. It is possible that hydrocarbons will No contaminated water should be allowed to enter the clean be temporarily stored and used on site, as well as cement and other potential storm water system; pollutants. No dirty mine or dirty storm water may be released into the wetlands and should be contained and treated on site, or Ongoing mining activities could lead to water quality deterioration in the adjacent used for dust suppression. Should contaminated water enter wetlands via a number of pathways: the wetlands due to spillages or other unforeseen • Ineffective clean and dirty water separation. circumstances a wetland/water quality expert should be • Storm water typically contains various pollutants that could contribute to consulted regarding implementation of suitable mitigation deteriorating the water quality in the wetlands where storm water is released and/or rehabilitation measures; into the valley bottoms. Required PCDs should be designed to be in compliance with • Discharge of contaminated water. the applicable legislation requirements as well as accepted • Leakage/seepage out of pollution control dams. best management practices; (Wetland Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd, 2015) To prevent seepage and leakage out of the PCDs, these facilities should be lined with a suitable engineered liner; The hydrological assessment and water balance modelling indicated that the A water quality and bio monitoring plan should be compiled Umlalazi pollution control dam will overflow during a 1:50 year (72 hour) flood when and implemented (if not already in place) to monitor for any operated at a required level of 36 % capacity. Affected water overflow from the deterioration in water quality in the adjacent wetland pollution control dam may impact on the clean downstream environment and the systems; and Regular maintenance and inspections of the PCDs should be undertaken to ensure operation of the dams as per design
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
nitude Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Mag Severity sensitive ecological function of the adjacent wetland situated to the west of the specifications. A log book of inspections and maintenance current operations. (Shangoni Management Services, 2014). activities must be kept.
Extent of impact: National – Protection of critical biodiversity of national and Investigations should determine the feasibility to operate the Navigation West pollution control dam at 28 % capacity to Duration of impact: Beyond closure, depending on effectiveness of rehabilitation. ensure a buffer capacity during such a flood. Otherwise, the dam’s capacity should be increased. Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: Irreplaceable loss of the The pollution control dam should be operated at “as low level wetlands may occur should the mitigation to reduce impact on wetland water quality as possible”. not be implemented. Desilting of the pollution control dam must also be undertaken to ensure sufficient capacity at the facility.
7.3.10 Visual 7.3.10.1 Visual on sensitive receptors Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Visual on sensitive receptors ACTIVITY: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: The visual quality of the pre-mining environment in the study 5 3 M To preserve the sense Degree to which impact can be reversed: Impact can be 5 3 M area had already been altered due to the presence of existing infrastructure such of place of the area reversed through effective rehabilitation. as the adjacent R547 provincial road and gravel access roads traversing the Navigation West Section mining area, the power lines crossing the site, the nearby Construction, Landau residential area of KwaMthunzi Vilakazi, as well as the nearby industrial activities Operational, and Colliery
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
Probability Magnitude Severity Probability Magnitude Severity such as Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corporation, Transalloys and also the Mitigation As a result of the nature and location of the Decomissioning Environmental existing mining activities in the surrounding areas such as Landau and Greenside proposed activity, very little mitigation measures could be Phases. Manger Collieries of Anglo Operations Ltd, Hayford Colliery of BHP Billiton - Ingwe Closure implemented. Operations, Elandsfontein Colliery of Anker Kohlen, and Clewer Sand. Other aspects that influenced the visual aspects of the pre-mining site and thus the “sense Most of these measures are aimed at the activities and of place” included the Navigation West - Training Centre and Clewer Nature infrastructure to be established on the lower lying portions of Reserve as well as the pre-mining agricultural land utilisation practised on site the project site. the following mitigation measures are proposed: Extent of impact: Regional • Keep disturbed areas to a minimum. • No clearing of land to take place outside the demarcated Duration of impact: Permanent footprint.
• Only indigenous plant species to be introduced and Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: A potential permanent change planted. All areas must be vegetated with a suitable to the topography and associated visual impacts will occur, that may through ground cover immediately after or construction activities rehabilitation to prevent erosion and mud slides. • Buildings and similar structures must be in keeping with the principles of critical regionalism, namely sense of place, sense of history, sense of nature, sense of craft and sense of limits. • Maintain the site during operation of the mine. Inoperative equipment and poor housekeeping, in general, creates a poor image of the activity in the eyes of the public. • Implement a rehabilitation plan as previously discussed.
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7.3.11 Sites of Archaeological and cultural importance 7.3.11.1 Cultural Heritage Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
agnitude Probability M Severity Probability Magnitude Severity ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Cultural Heritage ACTIVITY: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: 2 2 L To preserve the cultural Degree to which impact can be reversed: Reversible should 2 2 L The Phase I HIA study for the proposed Project Area did not reveal any types and heritage of the area. heritage resources of significance be destroyed this may ranges of heritage resources as outlined in Section 38 of the National Heritage lead to an Irreversible impact. Planning, Resources Act (No 25 of 1999), namely: Construction, Landau Mitigation: Operational and Colliery Extent of impact: Restricted to the site No mitigation measures are needed as the graveyards will Decomissioning Environmental not be affected by the proposed Project. Phases. Manger Duration of impact: Permanent Managing the graveyards Degree to which impact will cause irreplaceable loss: Low degree of irreplaceable G01 and G02 must be demarcated with a fence and fitted loss with a gate in order to allow for family or friends to visit the deceased. This will also lessen the risk that the graveyards may be affected by any developmental activities.
General (disclaimer) It is possible that this Phase I HIA study may have missed heritage resources in the Project Area as heritage sites may occur in thick clumps of vegetation while others may lie below the surface of the earth and may only be exposed once development commences.
If any heritage resources of significance are exposed during AOL’s proposed new project the South African Heritage Resources Authority (SAHRA) should be notified immediately, all development activities must be stopped
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Risk rating Risk rating (after (before mitigation) Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact mitigation) Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan
agnitude Probability M Severity Probability Magnitude Severity and an archaeologist accredited with the Association for Southern African Professional Archaeologist (ASAPA) should be notified in order to determine appropriate mitigation measures for the discovered finds. This may include obtaining the necessary authorisation (permits) from SAHRA to conduct the mitigation measures.
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7.3.12 Socio-Economic
Risk rating Risk rating Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting (before Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility (after will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan mitigation) mitigation)
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT: Socio-Economic ACTIVITY: Landau Colliery Navigation West South Block Extension Project PROJECT PHASE Planning and Construction X APPLICABILITY Operation X Decomissioning, Closure and Post-Closure X Impact description: Positive A desirable future state Mitigation: Positive The annual household income for Mpumalanga remains fairly low, with most for human societies in Landau Colliery currently provides jobs for over 900 people households earning less than R18 000 per annum. Adult literacy has improved in which living conditions and funds and participates in community projects. The the past two decades, but still remains below the national average and many and resource-use meet positive impacts of Landau Colliery on the regional socio- Construction, Landau scholars do not complete their matriculation exams. Approximately 33% of the human needs without economic conditions during the Operational Phase are Operational and Colliery provinces population is unemployed. undermining the discussed in Part 4 Decomissioning Environmental sustainability of natural All positive impacts of the mine on the socio-economy that Phases. Manger The proposed project benefits the workers on the mine directly. Indirectly the loss systems and the will have taken place during the Operational Phase will of employment is avoided, which does not affect the economic value of the environment, so that continue during the Decommissioning Phase until they community in general. The society in general will not be affected as the risk of an future generations may cease, mainly due to the reduction or cessation of jobs and emergency was avoided. also have their needs the cessation of demand for goods and services. met. The products from the mining operations at Landau Colliery are sold to the South African and international markets. SACE employs more than 900 people at Landau Colliery.
The existing education programme implemented at the mine comprises of the following elements: • New schools. • Adult education. • Vegetable garden. • Life skills inclusive of sewing, cooking, health, environmental awareness and entrepreneurial skills. • Community schools.
The safe continuation of the mining and related activities at the Landau Colliery continues employment of staff at the Landau Colliery as well as the continued supply of coal to the local market. As a result of the multiplier effect, the continued
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Risk rating Risk rating Environmental impact, extent, duration, significance and degree to which impact Degree to which impact can be reversed and the supporting (before Environmental objective Timeframe Responsibility (after will cause irreplaceable loss mitigatory action plan mitigation) mitigation)
operation of the existing Landau Colliery will benefit the local, regional and national economy.
Should Landau Colliery not expand the South Block operations at Navigation West they may be forced to cease operation. Should this have occurred, jobs of personnel currently employed will be lost and the local, regional and national economic benefits of the continuation of the mining and related activities would have been lost.
Mine closure will raise unemployment levels in the region, and would increase significantly as more mines close down.
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7.4 DESCRIPTION OF CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Cumulative impacts refer to the situation where an activity may in itself not have a significant impact, but may become significant when added to the existing and potential impacts from similar or different activities in the area. The following potential cumulative impacts have been identified:
Table 64 : Cumulative impacts
Cumulative Impacts
Contribution of Landau Environmental General description of regional conditions Colliery and the South Block Nr. component and existing cumulative impacts Extension Project to cumulative impacts The Witbank Coal Field, located mostly within the Mpumalanga Highveld region between Bethal and Springs in Gauteng, generally contains five seams of coal most of which is good quality and high The contribution of the mine to calorific value. As such, coal is extracted from this cumulative impact will numerous mines located near eMalahleni, in the increase progressively as mining 1 Geology eMalahleni Local Council's area of jurisdiction. advances. The extention of the Due to the existing surrounding coal mining South Block will not impact operations (Xstrata South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Anglo significantly on the Geology in Operations Ltd., etc.) in the surrounding area, the the area. geological strata in the region will be permanently altered.
The extraction of coal from the Witbank Coal Field has occurred over a period spanning more than a century, and modern day opencast mining techniques enable coal extraction to be maximised. This has led to the systematic depletion of the coal reserves in the region, Geology and Socio- increasing significantly in the last several decades Coal reserves currently being 2 economic due to improvements in mining technology. Since mined at the Landau Colliery will conditions coal is a fossil fuel it is a non-renewable resource, be exhausted by 2024. and as the remaining coal reserves decrease, the value of the coal will increase because of supply and demand principles. This will lead to an increase in income generation and positive contributions to the regional socio-economic conditions during the Operational Phase.
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Visual impacts of the project would result from the removal of vegetation and the, stockpiling of soil and spoils, changes in topography and the general sense of place associated with the pre-mining landscape. 3 In addition, much of the surface infrastructure at Landau Colliery has resulted in topographical elevations within the surface land use area, thereby altering the visual 'sense of place' from that
Topography, Land associated with the pre-mining agricultural land use. use and Visual The Landau Colliery is located in a region where aspects opencast coal mining is common place. The large number of opencast coal mines in the region, together with the historical nature of the mining in the Witbank region (over 100 years of mining In situ rehabilitation of opencast history) will most likely have desensitised local pit and the continued utilisation of residents and frequent travellers through the area. some water management On the contrary, the visibility of the mining areas infrastructure mean that the 4 from the surrounding areas could be of interest to resultant permanent change in passers-by, especially since coal mining is an topography will also result in important part of Mpumalanga's history, and visits permanent changes to the visual to coal mines are even cited as being of interest to aspects of the study area. tourists.
Rehabilitation of opencast pit and footprint areas remaining once infrastructure has been removed Topography, Land to agricultural land capability and 5 use and Visual grazing land use will contribute to aspects the restoration of the pre-mining 'sense of place' associated with the agricultural areas in the Mpumalanga Highveld region.
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Large sections of the Emalahleni Municipal area Restoration and improvement of affected by shallow undermining, which has had a the topography at Landau significant impact on the environment, resulting in Colliery will have consequent 6 Topography sinkhole formation, subsidence and seepage of impacts on surface water, visual water from underground workings (ELM IDP, aspects, and safety of future land 2009-2010), amongst others. users, amongst others.
Agriculture is one of the largest economic sectors in Mpumalanga, producing 15% of total output in The contribution of the mine to South Africa (South Africa Yearbook, 2001/02). this cumulative impact will The number of opencast mines in Mpumalanga, increase progressively as mining Soil, land capability particularly large operations, has led to a advances, with positive impacts and Socio- 8 significant loss of high agricultural potential soils from Landau Colliery on the economic that would otherwise continue to be capable of regional socio-economic conditions supporting crop cultivation. Loss of high potential conditions during the Operational agricultural land due to opencast mining activities Phase in the area will reduce the food production capability of the region. Positive impacts of the mine on the socio-economy that will take place during the Operational Phase will continue during the In addition, large areas of the surface have been Soil, land Decommissioning Phase but will affected by agriculture and opencast mining, capability, reduce, mainly due to the which has led to loss of soil structure and function, 9 biodiversity and reduction or cessation of jobs and ultimately to loss of biodiversity due to the sensitive and the cessation of demand for transformation and fragmentation of natural landscapes goods and services. habitats and ecosystems.
The project area is located within the Upper Olifants River Water Management Area The deterioration of water quality quaternary catchments B11G. In general, the within the region is regarded as water resources within the quaternary catchment one of the major cumulative area Upper Olifants River catchment are regarded impacts, however, owing to the Wetlands seriously modified (PES: E) largely due to the coal nature of the proposed project as mining and agricultural activities in the catchment well as the current impacts in the area. The cumulative impacts associated with area the cumulative impact of the mining in the region have already impacted on the project is considered to be minor. water quality as a result of water pumped from the mines to dewater the underground workings.
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The temporary change in land Mining is an important sector in Mpumalanga Land use and use to mining will result in a much providing jobs and contributing to over one fifth of 10 Socio-economic higher income per hectare of Mpumalanga's Gross Geographic Product conditions land over the short-term in (Mpumalanga SoE, 2003). comparison with agriculture.
Invading alien plants are the single biggest threat Alien and invasive species tend to plant and animal biodiversity through the effects to establish in disturbed surface of predation, alteration of habitat or disruption of areas at Landau Colliery, which ecosystem process and services. Invading alien may be abundant during plants have become established in over 10 million opencast mining. Unless hectares of land in South Africa. If left appropriately managed in Biodiversity - Alien uncontrolled, the problem will double within 15 accordance to the Landau 11 species years. Invading alien plants waste 7% of our water Colliery Alien Invasive resources, reduce farming productivity, intensity Management Plan, it is likely that flooding and fires, cause erosion, degrade river alien and invasive species will systems, increase rate of siltation of dams and encroach into natural vegetation estuaries, reduce water quality and can cause areas, and especially into areas extinction of indigenous plants and animals that are newly disturbed or (Mpumalanga SoE, 2003). rehabilitated.
Grass owls ( Tyto capensis ), with a Red Data status of ‘Vulnerable’, occur within the mine boundary area. The impacts of mining, in terms of noise, ground vibrations, surface water and groundwater impacts Numerous species in Mpumalanga face the risk of Biodiversity - will severely affect the habitat of extinction due to factors such as habitat loss, 12 Threatened the Grass owls, and may lead to environmental degradation and fragmentation of species the loss of life of the owls. landscapes (Mpumalanga SoE, 2003). Furthermore, the increase in human presence on site will contribute to the migration of this species but the lack of suitable habitat in the surrounding areas may further contribute to loss of animal life.
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The bulk (65%) of water resources available in Mpumalanga comes from surface water resources, water transfers into the province provide 19% of total water availability, The containment of groundwater contributes 6% of available water contaminated water in pollution and return flows from mining, industrial, irrigation control facilities at the Landau and urban sectors contribute 10%. Water use in Colliery: Navigation West South South Africa is dominated by irrigation and Block Extension will lead to a Mpumalanga province is no exception with 46% of 13 decrease in the MAR available to its water being used for irrigation. The second the affected catchments. This largest requirement for water is for water transfers applies to both the Operational to neighbouring catchments and Water and Post Closure Phases for Management Areas(WMAs) which accounts for containment and decants 16% of water use in the province, while water use management respectively. in the urban sector is slightly less (8%) and requirements for the industrial, forestry and mining sectors each account for 9% of the provinces water use (Mpumalanga SoE, 2003). Surface water Water quality indicators have shown a general decrease in water quality over time. Median levels of surface water nutrients have increased and If contaminated surface water indicate a potential for enrichment. The (including decanting acid mine consequences of these elevated levels are: water) is discharged, or allowed *A greater potential for algal blooms; to flow to the receiving *An impact on riverine ecosystems; and environment, the water quality in *Impairment of human health . the receiving environment would High (and increasing) total dissolved solids (TDS) 14 further deteriorate. Downstream levels in the Olifants Water Management Area users and aquatic habitats would (WMA) have the potential for decreasing the be negatively affected by such aesthetic value of the water. Exceedance of the discharge, and the wetlands in guideline levels for certain metals in the Olifants downstream receiving areas WMA may be attributed to the numerous industrial would also be negatively and mining activities taking place in that area. At impacted. the WMA scale, high exceedance above water quality guideline levels exist for pH levels in the province.
The extent and quality of pollution plumes emanating from Groundwater contributes 6% of available water in mining areas will affect the 15 Groundwater Mpumalanga (Mpumalanga SoE, 2003). overall groundwater quality in the area. This could impact on the water users in the area.
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Development of draw down Groundwater is used for irrigation and domestic cones during the Operational consumption in the surrounding agricultural Phase will occur due to the region. dewatering of mining operations. Groundwater levels are drawn down at all 16 This will affect the regional operational mines in the region, leading to an groundwater level during the overall impact on groundwater levels but have Operational Phase, but once also lead to a complicated flow of groundwater dewatering ceased, groundwater between mines. levels are expected to recover. Dust generated by drilling and blasting activities as well as the 17 transport of coal along gravel Air quality is an issue of concern in Mpumalanga, roads will cause an increase in as it is in many other parts of South Africa. A wide the fugitive dust in the area. variety of air pollution exist in Mpumalanga, Emission of carbon dioxide in ranging from veld fires to industrial processes, Air quality exhaust fumes and smoke is agriculture, mining activities, power generation, generally of little consequence in paper and pulp processing, vehicle use and isolation, but contributes to the 18 domestic use of fossil fuels (Mpumalanga regional air quality problems in Province, 2002). Mpumalanga, and also to the larger, global issue of climate change.
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Although there are agricultural activities to the west of the prosed site the study area is characterised by the presence of major exiting noise sources. Other busy roads crossing the area are the R547, the road Noise generated by mining activities is related to connecting the R544 and the blasting and use of equipment and vehicles. R547 past Kleinkopje, and the However, noise is directional, and dissipates with road leading from Kleinkopje, distance. The spatial distribution of mines and past Landau village to Clewer. related operations in the region reduces noise Residential areas consist of 19 Noise impacts inherently. However, when the noise is villages associated with the generated near residential areas, the location of mines of the area. the I&APs within the noise transmission paths
together with the actual generation of noise Noise levels are expected to cumulatively increases the significance of the have significant contributions impact. from the N12 Highway and the other coal mines in the area, and in light of the above, the proposed project is not expected to worsen the noise levels of the study area.
Landau Colliery currently The annual household income for Mpumalanga provides jobs for over 900 people remains fairly low, with most households earning and funds and participates in less than R18 000 per annum. Adult literacy has community projects. The improved in the past two decades, but still remains 20 positive impacts of Landau below the national average and many scholars do Colliery on the regional socio- not complete their matriculation exams. economic conditions during the Approximately 33% of the provinces population is Operational Phase are discussed unemployed. in Part 4.
Socio-Economic All positive impacts of the mine on the socio-economy that will have taken place during the Mine closure will raise unemployment levels in the Operational Phase will wane 21 region, and would increase significantly as more during the Decommissioning mines close down. Phase until they cease, mainly due to the reduction or cessation of jobs and the cessation of demand for goods and services.
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Rehabilitation of the surface to support 90% of the pre-mining land capability means that future land use of the site will be sustainable over the long-term. Use of the land for agricultural 22 purposes such as crop cultivation or grazing will enable the contribution of future land users to the local and regional socio- economy through food production and agricultural job creation. Heavy goods vehicles are used The use of provincial roads by heavy duty vehicles to transport coal from the Landau for the haulage of coal from the mines in the region Colliery to the domestic market. leads to the deterioration of the public roads and Coal is mainly transported by rail 23 increased safety hazards for all road users, and conveyor, and so Landau particularly in poor visibility conditions which occur Colliery does not contribute frequently on the Mpumalanga Highveld due to the significantly to the increased weather (mist). I&APs road hazards in the region.
I&APs are generally affected indirectly by direct Impacts on air quality, noise, impacts of mining and related activities on vibrations, surface water, 24 environmental aspects. The location of I&APs in groundwater and visual impacts relation to the mining and related activities will cumulatively impact on strongly influences the severity of the impacts. I&APs
7.5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT In accordance with the EIA Regulations GN R543 31 (2) (n), an environmental impact statement which contains— (i) a summary of the key findings of the environmental impact assessment; and (ii) a comparative assessment of the positive and negative implications of the proposed activity and identified alternatives;
7.5.1 Summary of key findings 7.5.1.1 Significant environmental impacts (negative) The table below provides a summary of significant environmental impacts that after mitigation, will remain of high significance.
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Table 65 : Summary of significant environmental impacts (negative), after mitigation. GEOLOGY Permanent change in geology H As the development of the open pit progress this will cause a permanent change in the topography and geology. This change in topography will continue until post closure. GROUNDWAT ER Dewatering During the operational phase the open pit mining will be active which will cause the H dewatering of the surrounding aquifer(s), the degree of which will depend upon the depth and extent of the open pit. The aquifers affected by the cone of depression will depend on the final depth of the pit. It is expected that the pit will not exceed a depth of 40 m. Privately owned boreholes situated to the west of the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project could be potentially impacted upon by pit dewatering.
Pit dewatering from the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project may have a significant impact on the Hillslope Seepage Wetland situated to the immediate north-west including and also on the Valley Bottom Wetland towards the south-east of the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project, but to a lesser extent. Due to it being mostly groundwater fed the drawdown simulated of between 15- and 30 m will most probably have a significant impact on its feed water source/s and will therefore impact on the functionality of it (Shangoni AquiScience, 2014).
Rehabilitation of final void and post closure Decant of backfilled open pits can in most cases not be prevented and the risk of ARD in coal mining operations remain a significant hazard towards the surface and groundwater regimes. The limiting factor controlling ARD is oxidation of sulphidic minerals such as pyrite. Rehabilitation of the opencast pit areas should be aimed at duplicating the pre-existing in situ soil profile and entails tipping of coal spoils and other carbonaceous material in the bottom of mined-out cuts. This will be followed by placement of clayey overburden in a dry state, compacted by frequent traversing of the surface after flattening by graders, and a final cover of topsoil. The low permeability clay layer encapsulates the carbonaceous material placed at the bottom of the mined out cuts. These materials should be placed below the regional groundwater level in order to create a reducing redox environment and eliminate contact with oxygen, thus reducing ARD to a minimum. Although the carbonaceous materials will be submerged, horizontal groundwater seepage of clean water as well as limited infiltration of surface water will occur and some contamination will occur over the medium and long-term (Shangoni AquiScience, 2014).
7.5.1.2 Positive environmental impacts The project will result in a number of positive impacts that relate primarily to economic growth and job creation as reflected in the table below.
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Table 66 : Summary of environmental impacts (positive), after mitigation . SOCIO -ECONOMIC The products from the mining operations at Landau Colliery are sold to the South African Positive and international markets. SACE employs more than 900 people at Landau Colliery.
The existing education programme implemented at the mine comprises of the following elements: • New schools. • Adult education. • Vegetable garden. • Life skills inclusive of sewing, cooking, health, environmental awareness and entrepreneurial skills. • Community schools.
The safe continuation of the mining and related activities at the Landau Colliery continues employment of staff at the Landau Colliery as well as the continued supply of coal to the local market. As a result of the multiplier effect, the continued operation of the existing Landau Colliery will benefit the local, regional and national economy.
Should Landau Colliery not expand the South Block operations at Navigation West they may be forced to cease operation. Should this have occurred, jobs of personnel currently employed will be lost and the local, regional and national economic benefits of the continuation of the mining and related activities would have been lost.
Mine closure will raise unemployment levels in the region, and would increase significantly as more mines close down.
7.5.2 Comparative assessment of positive and negative implications of the proposed activity and alternatives Section 6 above contains a detailed investigation and comparative assessment of the alternative options for the proposed Navigation West South Block Extension project, including the positive and negative implications of the proposed activity and identified alternatives.
7.5.2.1 Alternatives in terms of the design and layout of the activity
7.5.2.1.1 Pit layout options The following alternatives were identified with regard to the options for the pit layout options: • Continue mining the existing approved South Block open-pit. • Reduced size of the existing approved South Block open-pit to move further away from wetland area.
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• Expansion of the South Block open-pit area including reduced size of existing approved South Block open-pit (preferred option).
7.5.2.2 Alternatives in terms of the technology to be used in the activity
7.5.2.2 Crusher options The following alternatives were identified with regard to the options for the crusher to be utilised: • Upgrade of existing tip with new secondary, reversible 1800 feeder (preferred option). • Upgrade of existing tip with existing secondary, scalping screen. • In-pit crusher. • Upgrade of existing tip with direct capacity proportioning at secondary sizer. • Upgrade of existing tip with shuttle feeder, dogleg screen feeder. • New tip for South Block.
7.5.2.3 Alternatives in terms of the operational aspects of the activity
7.5.2.3.1 Pollution Control Dam options The following alternatives were identified with regard to the options for the pollution control dam : • Upgrade of existing pollution control dam by increasing the size. • Upgrade of the existing pollution control dam by removing the dam wall (preferred option). • Construction of a new pollution control dam.
7.5.2.4 Land use or development alternatives The following land use alternatives have been identified: • Utilisation of the surface area for the Navigation West - South Block Extension. • Utilise the surface area for grazing of livestock. • Utilise the surface area for crop production. • None of the above (No-go option) (refer also to Part 6).
7.5.2.5 Consequences of not proceeding with the proposed project (no project alternative) The ‘No Project’ alternative has been investigated in terms of the above-mentioned alternatives.
The ‘No Project’ alternative is not yet considered due to the anticipated benefits of the proposed Navigation West - South Block Extension. Expected indirect benefits of the proposed project include: • Continued employment of staff. • Potential for the creation of additional jobs. • Continued upliftment of the surrounding communities. • Rehabilitation of environmental issues within the wetland areas.
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• Continued supply of coal to the local, national, and international markets, and therefore contribution to local, provincial and national economy.
Should the ‘No Project’ option be implemented, jobs of workers that are currently employed at the Landau Colliery may be compromised. In addition, the Landau Colliery will not be able to continue to supply coal to the existing markets at the current rate of demand. Positive impacts of the proposed project would also be lost if the no-project option is carried out.
While the ‘No Project’ option is not yet considered to be the preferred alternative, it will not be discarded.
.
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8. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
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8.1 Planning and Construction Phase 8.1.1 Topography and Geology
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Development of the Opencast Pit Optimise the use of natural The disturbance area for the opencast pit will be kept at a minimum and in the designated Monthly site inspections by ECO resource and prevent area as indicated on the design for the proposed project attached hereto as Plan 3 in wastage. Appendix A. Planning, Landau Colliery ECO to verify that rehabilitation plan developed, Constrcution, Environmental covering all specific requirements and risks as Operational and Manager identified within the EIR. Decomissioning Phase Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken.
8.1.2 Soil, land use and land capability
Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility Monitoring and compliance reporting
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To conserve topsoil and Undertake a detail survey for the identification of topsoil and the depth thereof. The person Topsoil survey records. prevent erosion responsible for the identification should be competent and have the relevant experience, and should also consult the premining land capability assessement. Planning, Landau Colliery Construction, Environmental Operational and Manager Decomissioning phases
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Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility Monitoring and compliance reporting
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To conserve soil and land To ensure that the area to be disturbed by construction activities is to be kept to a minimum, only Construction Landau Colliery ECO to verify that these requirements are capability large enough to carry out the necessary activities as indicated on the design for the proposed and Operation Environmental Manger implemented. project attached hereto as Plan 3 in Appendix A. Phases Internal audits by Environmental Department Affected runoff from the plant areas and the opencast pit will be collected and contained in the affected water management system, with further diversion of the clean water. Conceptual water Emergency Response Procedure management strategies are contained within the stormwater management plan and civil engineering designs of the approved by a registered professional civil engineer (Appendix A). Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- The pollution control dam must be designed according to the design plans (Appendix A). The monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the dam should be lined with a plastic lining of 2mm in thickness and the pump station to be installed relevant competent authority) should regularly maintained and water should be pumped from the pollution control dam to the Navigation Dam for process purposes. to prevent overflow and to be used during emergency GN704 Compliance Audit report conditions.
Implement a planned maintenance programme covering the affected water management circuit. This maintenance programme to assess aspects of siltation, capacity and containment integrity.
Equipment and Vehicle Storage Area: Areas of open ground that are to be utilised (i.e. equipment and vehicle storage) should be hard standing. Furthermore, a clean and dirty water separation system must be constructed to ensure that no contamination of clean water systems occurs. Should a spillage or leakage of a hydrocarbon, chemical or hazardous substance occur, the spill/leakage must be cleaned up as per procedures for Oil, Fuel and Chemical Spill Cleanup and Environmental Incidents, Non- conformance and Complaints.
Ensure that areas containing chemical and hazardous substances are contained (e.g. in a bund) to ensure no contamination of surrounding water resources or soil is contaminated. The bunded area must be able to contain 110% of the total volume of materials stored at any given time. Also follow the procedure on Handling and Storage of hazardous materials
Small quantities (50 litres or less) of chemical and hazardous substances (oil, lubricant, etc.) shall be stored in appropriate containers within a secure storage area. The base of the storage
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Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility Monitoring and compliance reporting
area should be impervious and designed to ensure that the contained substances do not infiltrate into the soil.
Regular inspections of the integrity of all bund areas will be undertaken.
MSDS for on-site chemicals, hydrocarbons and hazardous substances must be readily available. A MSDS should include information pertaining to environmental impacts and measures to minimise and mitigate against any potential environmental impact which may result from a spill.
Used fuels, oil, hydraulic fluids, paints, solvents, and grease should be stored in drums or other suitable containers and stored on a hardstanding and impermeable surface. These should be labelled, sealed and removed from the site to an appropriate disposal site or recycling facility. Under no circumstances will these substances be disposed of on-site or into the surrounding environment.
No mixing or storing of concrete is permitted on areas where topsoil will be stockpiled. A designated area should be demarcated to prepare concrete in order to minimise soil contamination. The area should contain any potential runoff. Soils that may be contaminated during the construction and operational phases are to be removed to prevent the contamination of the soils, surrounding surface water or underlying groundwater. Contaminated soil must be removed from site as hazardous waste.
All construction materials used may be temporarily stored on-site, but bags and containers should be sealed during storage. All leakages, spillages and incidents must be cleaned-up and reported as per Oil, Fuel and Chemical Spill Cleanup and Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints.
No vehicles or equipment may be repaired or washed on-sites other than the designated washbay area and maintenance workshop at the Workshop Complex.
Temporary drip trays must be placed underneath vehicles or equipment that are leaking hydrocarbons until such a time that they are repaired.
Monitor effectiveness of mitigation measures: Implement the surface water (monthly) and groundwater (quarterly).
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Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility Monitoring and compliance reporting
Undertake annual GN 704 compliance audits, to verify the effectiveness of clean/affected water separation. Any shortcomings, with further consideration to the surface water monitoring results, should be addressed as a matter of urgency. Regular site inspections to be undertaken to assess if spillages or soil pollution incidents have occurred. Such incidents shall be reported (use of the incident reporting procedure), and immediately corrected. Activity: Generation of hazardous and general waste (non-mineral waste material) To conserve soil and land The project site should be kept in an orderly state at all times. Littering is prohibited. Construction Landau Colliery ECO to verify compliance during 6 monthly capability phase Environmental audits, and further internal audits on more Suitably covered receptacles must be available at all times and conveniently placed for the Manager regular basis (by Landau Colliery) to confirm disposal of waste. These receptacles will be removed to the central salvage yard before being compliance. removed from site and disposed of by a permitted contractor at a licensed site. While being stored on-site, the receptacles should be placed within designated areas on an impermeable Records of all audit reports and corrective surface and must be correctly labelled and/or adequately colour coded. actions taken to be kept at site.
Hazardous and general waste will be separated at source, with separate waste bins provided in Register depicting monthly volumes and types accordance to the waste management procedure Waste Management. of waste as generated and disposed
Under no circumstances is waste to be burnt or buried on-site. Records of hazardous waste being taken off-site must be kept as evidence.
All leakages, spillages and incidents must be cleaned-up and reported as per Oil, Fuel and Chemical Spill Cleanup and Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints.
All general and hazardous waste material will be disposed of at registered waste sites (appropriate to the type of waste as disposed of). Certificates of safe and legal disposal shall be kept on file at the mine.
Documentation (waste manifest) will be maintained detailing the quantity, nature and fate of any regulated waste.
Management and disposal of waste will be in accordance with relevant legislative requirements, including the use of licensed contractors. Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam.
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Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility Monitoring and compliance reporting
To prevent or minimise the A Topsoil Management Standard Procedure shall be developed that describes the requirements All project Landau Colliery ECO to verify that rehabilitation plan developed, impact on land use and during the removal of the topsoil portion of the overburden, topsoil placement and stockpiling, phases Environmental covering all specific requirements and risks as land capability general topsoil monitoring and topsoil thickness control, with consideration to the land use Manager identified within the EIR. capability to be achieved. Records of ECO audit, internal audits and Soil preparation and seeding will be undertaken in accordance with the identified land use and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on according to the existing Landau Vegetation Establishment and Maintenance Procedure. site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken. A rehabilitation plan will be developed at the planning phase, or with adoption of the existing rehabilitation procedures and plans as applicable to Landau Colliery. The rehabilitation plan and Annual submission of quantum to relevant procedures must aim to meet end land use capability with consideration to preminng land competent authority capability of the Navigation West South Block..
8.1.3 Vegetation
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam.. To prevent the With mitigation measures it may be possible to reduce the impacts on the flora of the project Constructio, Landau Colliery ECO to verify that alien and eradication destruction/loss of plant area. This can be done by re-vegetating the opencast pit area by placing topsoil, ripping and Operational and Environmental programme has developed and verify effective species seeding the rehabilitated areas in order to encourage the growth of grasses. These grasses Decomissiong Manager implementation (e.g. records of identification would then provide habitat for the displaced animals thus mitigating against the initial habitat loss Phase and eradication) and will also prevent soil losses by wind and/or stormwater erosion.
Minimise the footprint as far as possible to mitigate impacts associated with the clearance of existing vegetation;
Keep clean and dirty water systems separate and ensure that dirty water is not discharged into the environment to avoid impact occurring to flora and fauna species; and
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Keep infrastructure out of wetland vegetation (impacts assessed in the Wetland Specialist Report, compiled by Wetland Consulting, 2014) areas to minimise impact to flora and fauna as these areas are important habitat types.
A grass mix should be selected for rehabilitation of disturbed open areas. The selected grass mix should consist of a mix of quick covering grassed pioneer species mat-forming grasses (e.g. Gynodon dactylon, Chloris gayana ) and tufted grasses (e.g. Eragrostis curvula ) to ensure prompt and adequate coverage of the exposed soil whilst also achieving long-term stability. Alternatively, the current seed mix may be used as per Landau Colliery’s Original Environmental Management Programme Report.
Control of alien plant species is essential to restore the natural biodiversity of the landscape. Alien trees utilise excessive amounts of water and often out compete local plants due to their lack of parasites. Removal of alien plants can lead to a net gain in biodiversity as the natural grassland is rehabilitated.
Implement an alien invasive control procedure for the area
8.1.4 Animal Life
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Removal of natural vegetation with incurred increased edge-effects and potential loss of ecosystem function To prevent the With mitigation measures it may be possible to reduce the impacts on the fauna of the project Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by transformation and loss of area. This can be done by re-vegetating the opencast pit area by placing topsoil, ripping and suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in habitat. seeding the rehabilitated areas in order to encourage the growth of grasses. These grasses consultation with ecologist). Monitoring would then provide habitat for the displaced animals thus mitigating against the initial habitat loss Construction, Landau Colliery frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. and will also prevent soil losses by wind and/or stormwater erosion. Operational and Environmental Decomsioning Manager Removal of alien plants can lead to a net gain in biodiversity as the natural grassland is Phases. Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitated. rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
The following mitigations measures are proposed: site, with evidence of corrective measures • Minimise the footprint as far as possible to mitigate impacts associated with the clearance undertaken. of existing vegetation; • Implement an alien invasive control procedure for that area; • Keep clean and dirty water systems separate and ensure that dirty water is not discharged into the environment to avoid impact occurring to flora and fauna species; and • Keep infrastructure out of wetland vegetation (impacts assessed in the Wetland Specialist Report, compiled by Wetland Consulting Services, 2014) areas to minimise impact to flora and fauna as these areas are important habitat types.
8.1.5 Surface water
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To conserve the surface Loss in catchment yield: Environmental Department to undertake water resource and prevent • Construct an upstream diversion berms at the box-cuts and ensure effective diversion of Construction Landau Colliery regular audits to assess compliance to impact on downstream clean runoff from the operation towards the clean downstream environment. and Operational Environmental housekeeping requirements including vehicle water users • Construct clean water conveyance channels to effectively channel upstream runoff towards Phases. Manager maintenance, waste management, chemical the downstream clean water environment. management etc.
• Mining will take place progressively in sequences of box cuts with concurrent rehabilitation. Annual update to rehabilitation plan and Therefore, retention areas within the box cuts will be kept to a minimum. financial provision. Submission of updated
quantum to DMR. Surface water quality:
• Ensure effective level control and maintain a 0.8 metre freeboard at the Navigation West . ECO to verify that these requirements are pollution control dam above full supply level to comply with Schedule 6(e). implemented. • Siltation of the PCD should be prevented by implementing a maintenance schedule to
remove silt to ensure adequate capacity for storage of dirty water. The current silt traps at Internal audits by Environmental Department the PCD should also be inspected on a regular basis to ensure optimal functionality.
• Surface water monitoring should be conducted downstream to identify alterations to surface Emergency Response Procedure water quality.
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
• Implement effective storm water control, as per hydrological assessment, around stockpiles Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), identified within the dirty area. Divert clean runoff and retain affected runoff from groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- overburden if necessary. monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to • Conduct regular inspections to identify occurrence of erosion on access roads and the relevant competent authority) stockpiles. Rehabilitation should be conducted were necessary. GN704 Compliance Audit report • Prevent erosion of loose particles by vegetating cleared land / stockpiles as soon as
possible. Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by • Ensure that the gradient of soil stockpiles is 1:3 or less (shallower) to allow for the suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in establishment of vegetation on all stockpiles, and prevention of erosion. consultation with ecologist). • Berms and trenches must be monitored regularly to ensure they are not blocked.
Surface water flow: Monitoring frequencies as per the • Although mining activities will impact on surface water flow patterns, the majority of the flow rehabilitation plan. patterns within the project area will remain undisturbed due to the fact that mining will take
place in sequence over a time period.
• Implement effective diversion of storm water runoff to ensure surface flow towards the Records of ECO audit, internal audits and natural resource although surface water flow patterns will be disturbed by the box-cuts and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on stockpiles. site, with evidence of corrective measures
undertaken.
Monitoring and maintenance: • Regular site inspections to be undertaken to assess if spillages or water pollution incidents have occurred. Such incidents shall be reported (use of the incident reporting procedure), and immediately corrected. • Should a spillage or leakage of a hydrocarbon, chemical or hazardous substance occur, the spill/leakage must be cleaned up as per Oil, Fuel and Chemical Spill Cleanup and Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints procedure. • Ensure that areas containing chemical and hazardous substances are contained (e.g. in a bund) to ensure no contamination of surrounding water resources or soil is contaminated. The bunded area must be able to contain 110% of the total volume of materials stored at any given time. Also follow the procedure on Handling and Storage of hazardous materials • Implement the surface water (monthly), groundwater (quarterly) and bio-monitoring programme (biannually) as within the receiving surface water environment
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
• Undertake annual GN 704 compliance audits, to verify the effectiveness of clean/affected water separation. Any shortcomings, with further consideration to the surface water monitoring results, should be addressed as a matter of urgency. • Regular site inspections to be undertaken to assess if spillages or soil pollution incidents have occurred. Such incidents shall be reported (use of the incident reporting procedure), and immediately corrected. • The pump station to be installed at the pollution control dam should regularly maintained and water should be pumped from the pollution control dam to the Navigation Dam for process purposes. to prevent overflow and to be used during emergency conditions. • The mines existing emergency response plan should be updated to include activities associated with the new project. • Adhere to the stormwater management plan and civil engineering designs of the approved by a registered professional civil engineer.
8.1.6. Groundwater
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Blasting and development of the box-cut and open pits To minimise the extent of Management measures ECO to verify that these requirements are disturbance of the aquifer. • Prevent or contain contamination from blasting activities. Construction Landau Colliery implemented. To limit degeneration of and Operational Environmental Manger groundwater quality. Action plans Phases. Internal audits by Environmental Department • Handle and store blasting material according to manufacturing requirements. Emergency Response Procedure • Train staff and implement correct procedures for the handling of blasting material.
• Only qualified staff should handle these materials. Surface water quality monitoring (monthly),
groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the relevant competent authority)
GN704 Compliance Audit report
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Utilisation of water management measures To limit degeneration of Management measures ECO to verify that these requirements are groundwater quality. • Minimize seepage, prevent contact between clean and dirty areas, and recycle Construction, Landau Colliery implemented. contaminated water. Operational and Environmental Manger • Contain contaminated water for re-use and evaporation. Decomissioning Internal audits by Environmental Department Phases. • Minimize the extent of disturbance of the aquifer. Emergency Response Procedure • To prevent degeneration of groundwater quality.
• To manage the anticipated impacts associated with the inflow of groundwater to the Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), opencast. groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- Action plans monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to • Haul roads and other compacted surfaces should be kept free of carbonaceous material the relevant competent authority) by cleaning spillages, thereby reducing infiltration of contaminated water.
• Dirty water should be contained in fit-for-purpose and lined designed facilities, which will GN704 Compliance Audit report limit infiltration of contaminated water to groundwater.
• Water retention in the in-pit sump areas should be as minimal as possible to limit the Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by quality related impacts. suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in • Clean surface water should not come into contact with dirty water or coal bearing material. consultation with ecologist). Monitoring • Hazardous material should be stored in the correct designated and bunded areas that are frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. specially designed and constructed for that purpose. • Staff should be trained to implement correct procedures for the handling of hazardous material. Records of ECO audit, internal audits and • Storage areas should be regularly inspected. rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on Oil contaminated water should be diverted from the bunded area during rain events to an site, with evidence of corrective measures interception or oil water separation facility. undertaken.
8.1.7 Air Quality
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam.
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activities remain compliant The following mitigation measures will be implemented: Bi-annual dust monitoring reports to be with air quality legislation. • Phasing of earthmoving activities to reduce source size. submitted to the relevant competent To further • Dust suppression in dirty areas in accordance to the dust suppression procedure. authorities until closure is applied for. eliminate/minimise the risks • Early vegetation and stabilization of topsoil stockpile and reduction of the frequency of Regular site inspections by Environmental of nuisance impacts on disturbance. Department surrounding population and • Early paving or treatment with chemical surfactant of mine-owned permanent roads. environment. • Speed control will be enforced on all roads. Construction Landau Colliery • Complaints register must be make available for the recording of complaints relating to dust Phase and Environmental –“: Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints” Operational Manger Bi-annual dust monitoring reports to be • Dust fall out monitoring plan must be developed and effectively implemented. Consideration Phase submitted to the relevant competent should be given to ambient monitoring (PM10 and PM2.5). authorities
• Greenhouse gas emissions must be managed through effective maintenance of all diesel
driven vehicles
8.1.8 Noise
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To prevent noise nuisance Ensure all equipment and vehicles are serviced regularly to prevent excessive noise. Vehicles Construction, ECO to verify. to surrounding environment and equipment generating excessive noise should be fitted with appropriate noise abatement Operational and measures. Decommisioning Vehicle maintenance programmes Phases. Construction workers must be provided with the appropriate personal protection equipment in Hearing conservation programmes areas required as per the Mine Health and Safety Act (No. 29 of 1996) (MHSA). Records of the PPE supplied must be maintained for record keeping purposes. Environmental noise monitoring programme
A complaints register must be made available the site security office and should any complaints Complaints handing system be received, these must be logged in the complaints register and reported to the responsible person on-site.
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Training and induction requirements must be undertaken as outlined in section 12. Landau Colliery Environmental incidents register (to be updated in Landau Colliery’s EMS), with records of close- Environmental out on incidents received. Manager Construction Undertake environmental noise monitoring and keep records of monitoring reports. Phase until Closure Phase Personal protective equipment register to be kept
Induction training and register to be kept
8.1.9. Wetlands and Sensitive landscapes
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Inadequate storm water control and dewatering To protect wetland and Storm water control Management Measures Landau Colliery Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken sensitive areas. To minimise loss of water inputs to the wetlands, the following measures should be Construction, Environmental by suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist implemented: Operational and Manager (in consultation with ecologist). Monitoring • Minimise the extent of the dirty water exclusion areas while ensuring the effective separation Decomissiong frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. of clean and dirty water. Phases. • Maintain areas within the opencast footprint as clean water areas for as long as possible prior Regular site inspections by ECO (after to mining activities commencing. installation of culverts) and after wet season. • Divert all clean water around dirty water areas and discharge into adjacent wetland areas in a controlled, environmentally sensitive manner and as determined in the hydrological Internal audits by Landau Colliery (6 assessment. monthly) • No discharge of dirty water should take place on site. Records of ECO audit, internal audits and Dewatering Management Measures rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept • A long-term monitoring programme reflecting quality and quantity is therefore proposed to on site, with evidence of corrective monitor the ecosystem health. measures undertaken. • Wetland functioning should be assessed by monitoring water levels of a shallow borehole within the wetland. If not already present a borehole should be drilled to within the upper
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perched aquifer only ( ≤6 mbsl) and subsequently monitoring water levels on a monthly basis Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), taking seasonal fluctuation into account. groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the relevant competent authority) Activity: Ineffective implementation of management measures at mining operation To protect wetland and Disturbance of wetland habitat outside the direct development footprint must be avoided using Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken sensitive areas. the following measures, but not limited to: Landau Colliery by suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist • The proposed mining & development footprint must be fenced off and all activities must be Construction, Environmental (in consultation with ecologist). Monitoring limited to the fenced off area. Operational and Manager frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. • Where possible, a 50m buffer zone should be maintained between the wetlands and the Decomissioning fenced off mining area. Phases. Regular site inspections by ECO (after • Locate all temporary stockpiles, constructor’s camps, laydown areas, ablution facilities etc. a installation of culverts) and after wet season. minimum of 50m from any delineated wetland area. • Develop and implement a construction storm water management plan prior to the Internal audits by Landau Colliery (6 commencement of site clearing activities. Such a plan should aim to minimise sediment monthly) movement off the construction site and limit increases in turbidity of adjacent wetlands. • All disturbed areas outside the direct development footprints should be rehabilitated and re- Records of ECO audit, internal audits and vegetated as soon as possible. Refer to the guidelines below. rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept • All construction staff should be educated on the sensitivity of wetland areas and should be on site, with evidence of corrective made aware of all wetland areas in close proximity to the construction sites. measures undertaken. • If land adjacent to the mining area is leased, the leasee must be made aware of the presence and importance of wetland systems on the leased land, as well as the management measures Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), adopted by the mine for these areas. groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to • Sediment traps and sediment barriers should be installed where necessary, and discharge the relevant competent authority) points should be protected against erosion and incorporate energy dissipaters.
Erosion within the construction site must be minimised through the following: • Limiting the area of disturbance and vegetation clearing to as small an area as possible; • Where possible, undertaking construction during the dry season; • Phasing vegetation clearing activities and limiting the time that any one area of bare soil is exposed to erosion; • Control of storm water flowing onto and through the site. Where required, storm water from upslope should be diverted around the construction site; • Prompt stabilisation and re-vegetation of soils after disturbance and construction activities in an area are complete; and
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• Protection of slopes. Where steeper slopes occur, these should be stabilised using geotextiles or any other suitable product designed for the purpose.
Sediment transport off the site must be minimised through the following: • Establishing perimeter sediment controls. This can be achieved through the installation of sediment fences along downslope verges of the construction site. Where channelled or concentrated flow occurs, reinforced sediment fences or other sediment barriers such as sediment basins should be used (refer to US EPA guidelines on Storm water Pollution Prevention); • Discharge of storm water from the construction site into adjacent grassland rather than directly into wetland habitat. • Discharged flows must be slow and diffuse; and Regular inspection and maintenance of sediment controls. Activity: Affected storm water release into the environment To protect wetland and Clean and dirty storm water need to be separated as per the strategies contained in the Landau Colliery Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken sensitive areas. hydrological assessment; Construction, Environmental by suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist No contaminated water should be allowed to enter the clean storm water system; Operational, Manager (in consultation with ecologist). Monitoring No dirty mine or dirty storm water may be released into the wetlands and should be contained Decomissioning frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. and treated on site, or used for dust suppression. Should contaminated water enter the wetlands and Closure due to spillages or other unforeseen circumstances a wetland/water quality expert should be Phases. Regular site inspections by ECO (after consulted regarding implementation of suitable mitigation and/or rehabilitation measures; installation of culverts) and after wet season. Required PCDs should be designed to be in compliance with the applicable legislation requirements as well as accepted best management practices; Internal audits by Landau Colliery (6 To prevent seepage and leakage out of the PCDs, these facilities should be lined with a suitable monthly) engineered liner; A water quality and bio monitoring plan should be compiled and implemented (if not already in Records of ECO audit, internal audits and place) to monitor for any deterioration in water quality in the adjacent wetland systems; and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept Regular maintenance and inspections of the PCDs should be undertaken to ensure operation of on site, with evidence of corrective the dams as per design specifications. A log book of inspections and maintenance activities must measures undertaken. be kept. Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), Investigations should determine the feasibility to operate the Navigation West pollution control groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- dam at 28 % capacity to ensure a buffer capacity during such a flood. Otherwise, the dam’s monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to capacity should be increased. the relevant competent authority) The pollution control dam should be operated at “as low level as possible”.
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Desilting of the pollution control dam must also be undertaken to ensure sufficient capacity at the facility.
8.1.10 Visual
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To preserve the sense of • Keep disturbed areas to a minimum. ECO to verify requirements at place of the area • No clearing of land to take place outside the demarcated footprint. planning/implementation stage.
• Only indigenous plant species to be introduced and planted. All areas must be vegetated Construction, Landau Colliery with a suitable ground cover immediately after or construction activities to prevent erosion Operational, and Environmental and mud slides. Decomissioning Manger • Buildings and similar structures must be in keeping with the principles of critical regionalism, Phases. namely sense of place, sense of history, sense of nature, sense of craft and sense of limits. • Maintain the site during operation of the mine. Inoperative equipment and poor housekeeping, in general, creates a poor image of the activity in the eyes of the public. • Implement a rehabilitation plan as previously discussed.
8.1.11 Sites of Archaeological and cultural importance
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To preserve the cultural G01 and G02 must be demarcated with a fence and fitted with a gate in order to allow for family ECO to assess progress and use as identified heritage of the area. or friends to visit the deceased. This will also lessen the risk that the graveyards may be affected (and that such complies with heritage by any developmental activities. requirements)
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It is possible that this Phase I HIA study may have missed heritage resources in the Project Area Planning, Landau Colliery ECO to verify that requirements are included as heritage sites may occur in thick clumps of vegetation while others may lie below the surface Construction, Environmental within site education programme of the earth and may only be exposed once development commences. Operational and Manger Decomissioning If any heritage resources of significance are exposed during AOL’s proposed new project the Phases. South African Heritage Resources Authority (SAHRA) should be notified immediately, all development activities must be stopped and an archaeologist accredited with the Association for Southern African Professional Archaeologist (ASAPA) should be notified in order to determine appropriate mitigation measures for the discovered finds. This may include obtaining the necessary authorisation (permits) from SAHRA to conduct the mitigation measures.
8.1.12 Socio-Economic
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Landau Colliery Navigation West South Block Extension Project A desirable future state for Landau Colliery currently provides jobs for over 900 people and funds and participates in Audit of SLP implementation and compliance. human societies in which community projects. The positive impacts of Landau Colliery on the regional socio-economic living conditions and conditions during the Operational Phase are discussed in Part 4 resource-use meet human Construction, Landau Colliery ECO to verify conditions during construction needs without undermining All positive impacts of the mine on the socio-economy that will have taken place during the Operational and Environmental audit the sustainability of natural Operational Phase will continue during the Decommissioning Phase until they cease, mainly due Decomissioning Manger systems and the to the reduction or cessation of jobs and the cessation of demand for goods and services. Phases. Minutes from meetings held for various forums environment, so that future (e.g. of Community Liaison Forum) generations may also have their needs met. Complaints register and records of follow-up
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8.2 Operational Phase 8.2.1 Topography and Geology
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Development of the proposed opencast pit.. Optimise the use of The disturbance area for the opencast pit will be kept at a minimum and in the designated area Monthly site inspections by ECO natural resource and as indicated on the design for the proposed project attached hereto as Plan 3 in Appendix A. prevent wastage. Planning, Landau Colliery ECO to verify that rehabilitation plan developed, Constrcution, Environmental covering all specific requirements and risks as Operational and Manager identified within the EIR. Decomissioning Phase Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken.
Activity: Development of the Opencast Pit Topography to be Rehabilitation of the opencast mining area will be conducted concurrently with mining. Open cuts Monthly site inspections by ECO. disturbed to be kept at a will be minimised to between 3 and 5 at any given time with successive cuts used to systematically Operational, minimum. backfill preceding cuts. This will minimise the size of the void at any point in time. Decomissioning Landau Colliery and Closure Environmental Spoil areas will be levelled and profiled, while voids will be backfilled and profiled continuously and Phases Manager progressively as mining advances.
Suitable rehabilitation techniques will be employed for the backfilling of the opencast voids, so as to promote free-drainage, and the re-establishment of pre-mining drainage patterns, as far as practicable. The post-mining surface topography will be modelled (rehabilitation designs) using suitable software, to ensure that appropriate measures can be implemented concurrently with the mining activities to ensure that a free-draining surface can be achieved. Such rehabilitation designs will be compiled from which rehabilitation plans will be developed. Regular reviews of the rehabilitation plans will be undertaken, and actual rehabilitation surveyed to verify compliance with rehabilitation plans and the rehabilitation design.
A Topsoil Management Standard Procedure shall be implemented that describes the requirements during the removal of the topsoil portion of the overburden, topsoil placement and stockpiling, general topsoil monitoring and topsoil thickness control, with consideration to the land use capability to be achieved.
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Soil preparation and seeding will be undertaken in accordance with the identified land use and according to the existing Landau Vegetation Establishment and Maintenance Procedure.
Post rehabilitation monitoring will be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation that includes but not limited to assessing soil quality and further fertilization requirements, erosion concerns, success in natural vegetation establishment, including identifying concerns regarding alien invasive species. Recommendations from post rehabilitation monitoring will be implemented.
8.2.2 Soil, land use and land capability
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To conserve topsoil and Mitigation-Erosion: Audits to be conducted on site as per prevent erosion Erosion prevention measures (e.g. grass, cement or rock) should be in place at all concentration authorisation requirement/EMPR or IWUL from points. These areas include roads, trenches, berms and other infrastructure that may increase Planning, Landau Colliery the relevant Authority. surface runoff. Construction, Environmental Operational and Manager Inspections will be conducted monthly by the Erosion of access roads should be addressed by implementing energy dissipaters to drain surface Decomissioning Environmental Department and frequency runoff away from the roads if necessary. phases increased as and when required or as instructed by the Authority. All berms should be inspected regularly for cracks that reduces the integrity of the structures. Vegetation growth should be encouraged on the berms to limit erosion. Audit reports to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures taken to be kept.) Regular inspections will be undertaken and if signs of erosion are identified, mechanical inputs will be required. Topsoil survey records
Mitigation-Topsoil preservation Based on the construction activities required, mine planning should include the removal and storage areas in the planning program and layout plans. Stripping of topsoil and subsoil will be
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restricted to pre-designated mining areas, and will be stripped ahead of mining in such a manner that the mining window is minimised to between 3 and 5 open cuts.
The topsoil should be stripped to a maximum depth as measured during the initial survey, and after stripping verified for effectiveness of stripping.
The removal of alien and invasive species ahead of mining will contribute to the eradication of such species from the local region. During removal of the alien and invasive species, care will be taken to minimise the likelihood of seeds or vegetative parts of the alien plants being trapped in the soil layer and thereby being preserved as part of the seed bank in the stockpiled topsoil to be used for rehabilitation after mining.
Topsoil and subsoil will be stockpiled separately, according to the soil utilisation guide in the designated areas as indicated in Plan 3 of Appendix A where the stockpiles are positioned to be located downslope of the dirty water areas away from seepage zones, flood lines, water courses and other ecological sensitive areas. The chemical and physical properties of top soil to be used for the purposes of rehabilitation must not be changed by introducing foreign material, gravel, rock, rubble or mine residue to such soil.” Should these stockpiles become a source of windblown dust, they must be vegetated with indigenous vegetation. All alien invasive flora should be removed from the topsoil stockpiles.
The volumes of the different topsoil stockpiles must be calculated and reflected on the surface layout plan. This is done to ensure that when rehabilitation is required the volume required and the volume available can be compared (topsoil balance).
Where possible, subsoil and topsoil will be placed directly onto prepared rehabilitated opencast areas behind the active mining strip to minimise the volume of subsoil and topsoil that needs to be stockpiled.
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To conserve soil and land To ensure that the area to be disturbed by construction activities is to be kept to a minimum, only Construction and Landau Colliery ECO to verify that these requirements are capability large enough to carry out the necessary activities as indicated on the design for the proposed Operation Phases Environmental implemented. project attached hereto as Plan 3 in Appendix A. Manger Internal audits by Environmental Department
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Affected runoff from the plant areas and the opencast pit will be collected and contained in the Emergency Response Procedure affected water management system, with further diversion of the clean water. Conceptual water management strategies are contained within the stormwater management plan and civil Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), engineering designs of the approved by a registered professional civil engineer (Appendix A). groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the Implement a planned maintenance programme covering the affected water management circuit. relevant competent authority) This maintenance programme to assess aspects of siltation, capacity and containment integrity. GN704 Compliance Audit report Equipment and Vehicle Storage Area: Areas of open ground that are to be utilised (i.e. equipment and vehicle storage) should be hard standing. Furthermore, a clean and dirty water separation system must be constructed to ensure that no contamination of clean water systems occurs. Should a spillage or leakage of a hydrocarbon, chemical or hazardous substance occur, the spill/leakage must be cleaned up as per procedures for Oil, Fuel and Chemical Spill Cleanup and Environmental Incidents, Non- conformance and Complaints.
Ensure that areas containing chemical and hazardous substances are contained (e.g. in a bund) to ensure no contamination of surrounding water resources or soil is contaminated. The bunded area must be able to contain 110% of the total volume of materials stored at any given time. Also follow the procedure on Handling and Storage of hazardous materials
Small quantities (50 litres or less) of chemical and hazardous substances (oil, lubricant, etc.) shall be stored in appropriate containers within a secure storage area. The base of the storage area should be impervious and designed to ensure that the contained substances do not infiltrate into the soil.
Regular inspections of the integrity of all bund areas will be undertaken.
MSDS for on-site chemicals, hydrocarbons and hazardous substances must be readily available. A MSDS should include information pertaining to environmental impacts and measures to minimise and mitigate against any potential environmental impact which may result from a spill.
Used fuels, oil, hydraulic fluids, paints, solvents, and grease should be stored in drums or other suitable containers and stored on a hardstanding and impermeable surface. These should be labelled, sealed and removed from the site to an appropriate disposal site or recycling facility.
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Under no circumstances will these substances be disposed of on-site or into the surrounding environment.
Soils that may be contaminated during the construction and operational phases are to be removed to prevent the contamination of the soils, surrounding surface water or underlying groundwater. Contaminated soil must be removed from site as hazardous waste.
All construction materials used may be temporarily stored on-site, but bags and containers should be sealed during storage. All leakages, spillages and incidents must be cleaned-up and reported as per Oil, Fuel and Chemical Spill Cleanup and Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints.
No vehicles or equipment may be repaired or washed on-sites other than the designated washbay area and maintenance workshop at the Workshop Complex.
Temporary drip trays must be placed underneath vehicles or equipment that are leaking hydrocarbons until such a time that they are repaired.
Monitor effectiveness of mitigation measures: Implement the surface water (monthly) and groundwater (quarterly).
Undertake annual GN 704 compliance audits, to verify the effectiveness of clean/affected water separation. Any shortcomings, with further consideration to the surface water monitoring results, should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Regular site inspections to be undertaken to assess if spillages or soil pollution incidents have occurred. Such incidents shall be reported (use of the incident reporting procedure), and immediately corrected. Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To prevent or minimise Rehabilitation of the opencast mining area will be conducted concurrently with mining. Open cuts Operational, Landau Colliery ECO to verify that rehabilitation plan developed, the impact on land use will be minimised to between 3 and 5 at any given time with successive cuts used to systematically Decomissioning Environmental covering all specific requirements and risks as and land capability backfill preceding cuts. This will minimise the size of the void at any point in time. and Closure. Manager identified within the EIR.
Spoil areas will be levelled and profiled, while voids will be backfilled and profiled continuously and Records of ECO audit, internal audits and progressively as mining advances. rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on
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site, with evidence of corrective measures Suitable rehabilitation techniques will be employed for the backfilling of the opencast voids, so as undertaken. to promote free-drainage, and the re-establishment of pre-mining drainage patterns, as far as practicable. The post-mining surface topography will be modelled (rehabilitation designs) using Annual submission of quantum to relevant suitable software, to ensure that appropriate measures can be implemented concurrently with the competent authority mining activities to ensure that a free-draining surface can be achieved. Such rehabilitation designs will be compiled from which rehabilitation plans will be developed. Regular reviews of the rehabilitation plans will be undertaken, and actual rehabilitation surveyed to verify compliance with rehabilitation plans and the rehabilitation design.
A Topsoil Management Standard Procedure shall be implemented that describes the requirements during the removal of the topsoil portion of the overburden, topsoil placement and stockpiling, general topsoil monitoring and topsoil thickness control, with consideration to the land use capability to be achieved.
Soil preparation and seeding will be undertaken in accordance with the identified land use and according to the existing Landau Vegetation Establishment and Maintenance Procedure.
Post rehabilitation monitoring will be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation that includes but not limited to assessing soil quality and further fertilization requirements, erosion concerns, success in natural vegetation establishment, including identifying concerns regarding alien invasive species. Recommendations from post rehabilitation monitoring will be implemented.
8.2.3 Vegetation
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam.. To prevent the • With mitigation measures it may be possible to reduce the impacts on the flora of the project Constructio, Landau Colliery Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by destruction/loss of plant area. This can be done by re-vegetating the opencast pit area by placing topsoil, ripping Operational and Environmental suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in species and seeding the rehabilitated areas in order to encourage the growth of grasses. These Decomissiong Manager consultation with ecologist). Monitoring Phase frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan.
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grasses would then provide habitat for the displaced animals thus mitigating against the initial habitat loss and will also prevent soil losses by wind and/or stormwater erosion.
• Minimise the footprint as far as possible to mitigate impacts associated with the clearance Records of ECO audit, internal audits and of existing vegetation; rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures • Keep clean and dirty water systems separate and ensure that dirty water is not discharged undertaken. into the environment to avoid impact occurring to flora and fauna species; and
• Keep infrastructure out of wetland vegetation (impacts assessed in the Wetland Specialist Report, compiled by Wetland Consulting, 2014) areas to minimise impact to flora and fauna as these areas are important habitat types.
• A grass mix should be selected for rehabilitation of disturbed open areas. The selected grass mix should consist of a mix of quick covering grassed pioneer species mat-forming grasses (e.g. Gynodon dactylon, Chloris gayana) and tufted grasses (e.g. Eragrostis curvula) to ensure prompt and adequate coverage of the exposed soil whilst also achieving long-term stability. Alternatively, the current seed mix may be used as per Landau Colliery’s Original Environmental Management Programme Report.
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam.. To prevent the • Control of alien plant species is essential to restore the natural biodiversity of the landscape. ECO to verify that alien and eradication destruction/loss of plant Alien trees utilise excessive amounts of water and often out compete local plants due to programme has developed and verify effective species their lack of parasites. Removal of alien plants can lead to a net gain in biodiversity as the implementation (e.g. records of identification natural grassland is rehabilitated. Construction, Landau Colliery and eradication) Operational and Environmental • Implement an alien invasive control procedure for the area Decomissioning Manager Phases..
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8.2.4 Animal Life
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Removal of natural vegetation with incurred increased edge-effects and potential loss of ecosystem function To prevent the With mitigation measures it may be possible to reduce the impacts on the fauna of the project Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by transformation and loss of area. This can be done by re-vegetating the opencast pit area by placing topsoil, ripping and suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in habitat. seeding the rehabilitated areas in order to encourage the growth of grasses. These grasses would consultation with ecologist). Monitoring then provide habitat for the displaced animals thus mitigating against the initial habitat loss and Construction, Landau Colliery frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. will also prevent soil losses by wind and/or stormwater erosion. Operational and Environmental Decomsioning Manager Removal of alien plants can lead to a net gain in biodiversity as the natural grassland is Phases. Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitated. rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures The following mitigations measures are proposed: undertaken. • Minimise the footprint as far as possible to mitigate impacts associated with the clearance of existing vegetation; • Implement an alien invasive control procedure for that area; • Keep clean and dirty water systems separate and ensure that dirty water is not discharged into the environment to avoid impact occurring to flora and fauna species; and • Keep infrastructure out of wetland vegetation (impacts assessed in the Wetland Specialist Report, compiled by Wetland Consulting Services, 2014) areas to minimise impact to flora and fauna as these areas are important habitat types.
8.2.5 Surface water
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To conserve the surface Loss in catchment yield: Environmental Department to undertake regular water resource and • Mining will take place progressively i n sequences of box cuts with concurrent rehabilitation. Construction and Landau Colliery audits to assess compliance to housekeeping prevent impact on Therefore, retention areas within the box cuts will be kept to a minimum. Operational Environmental requirements including vehicle maintenance, downstream water users Phases.. Manager waste management, chemical management Surface water quality: etc.
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• Ensure effective level control and maintain a 0.8 metre freeboard at the Navigation West Annual update to rehabilitation plan and pollution control dam above full supply level to comply with Schedule 6(e). financial provision. Submission of updated • Siltation of the PCD should be prevented by implementing a maintenance schedule to remove quantum to DMR. silt to ensure adequate capacity for storage of dirty water. The current silt traps at the PCD should also be inspected on a regular basis to ensure optimal functionality. . ECO to verify that these requirements are implemented. • Surface water monitoring should be conducted downstream to identify alterations to surface
water quality. Internal audits by Environmental Department • Implement effective storm water control, as per hydrological assessment, around stockpiles
identified within the dirty area. Divert clean runoff and retain affected runoff from overburden Emergency Response Procedure if necessary.
• As a general measure, minimise dirty water areas through concurrent rehabilitation during Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), the operational phase. groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- • Conduct regular ins pections to identify occurrence of erosion on access roads and stockpiles. monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the Rehabilitation should be conducted were necessary. relevant competent authority) • Prevent erosion of loose particles by vegetating cleared land / stockpiles as soon as possible.
• Ensure that the gradient of soil stockpiles is 1:3 or less (shallower) to allow for the GN704 Compliance Audit report establishment of vegetation on all stockpiles, and prevention of erosion. • Berms and trenches must be monitored regularly to ensure they are not blocked. Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by Surface water flow: suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in • Although mining activities will impact on surface water flow patterns, the majority of the flow consultation with ecologist). patterns within the project area will remain undisturbed due to the fact that mining will take place in sequence over a time period. Monitoring frequencies as per the rehabilitation • Implement effective diversion of storm water runoff to ensure surface flow towards the natural plan. resource although surface water flow patterns will be disturbed by the box-cuts and stockpiles. • Ensure that subsided areas formed during concurrent backfilling and rehabilitation of box cuts Records of ECO audit, internal audits and are free draining. rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on • Fertilise and vegetate damaged subsided areas to restore its pre-mining status if required. site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken. Monitoring and maintenance: • Regular site inspections to be undertaken to assess if spillages or water pollution incidents have occurred. Such incidents shall be reported (use of the incident reporting procedure), and immediately corrected.
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• Should a spillage or leakage of a hydrocarbon, chemical or hazardous substance occur, the spill/leakage must be cleaned up as per Oil, Fuel and Chemical Spill Cleanup and Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints procedure. • Ensure that areas containing chemical and hazardous substances are contained (e.g. in a bund) to ensure no contamination of surrounding water resources or soil is contaminated. The bunded area must be able to contain 110% of the total volume of materials stored at any given time. Also follow the procedure on Handling and Storage of hazardous materials • Implement the surface water (monthly), groundwater (quarterly) and bio-monitoring programme (biannually) as within the receiving surface water environment • Undertake annual GN 704 compliance audits, to verify the effectiveness of clean/affected water separation. Any shortcomings, with further consideration to the surface water monitoring results, should be addressed as a matter of urgency. • Regular site inspections to be undertaken to assess if spillages or soil pollution incidents have occurred. Such incidents shall be reported (use of the incident reporting procedure), and immediately corrected. • The pump station to be installed at the pollution control dam should regularly maintained and water should be pumped from the pollution control dam to the Navigation Dam for process purposes. to prevent overflow and to be used during emergency conditions. • Adhere to the stormwater management plan and civil engineering designs of the approved by a registered professional civil engineer.
8.2.6. Groundwater
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Blasting and development of the box-cut and open pits To minimise the extent of Management measures ECO to verify that these requirements are disturbance of the aquifer. • Prevent or contain contamination from blasting activities. Construction and Landau Colliery implemented. To limit degeneration of Operational Environmental groundwater quality. • Action plans Handle and store blasting material according to manufacturing requirements. Phases. Manger Internal audits by Environmental Department
• Train staff and implement correct procedures for the handling of blasting material. Emergency Response Procedure • Only qualified staff should handle these materials.
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Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the relevant competent authority)
GN704 Compliance Audit report
Activity: Utilisation of water management measures To limit degeneration of Management measures ECO to verify that these requirements are groundwater quality. • Minimize seepage, prevent contact between clean and dirty areas, and recycle Construction, Landau Colliery implemented. contaminated water. Operational and Environmental • Contain contaminated water for re-use and evaporation. Decomissioning Manger Internal audits by Environmental Department Phases. • Minimize the extent of disturbance of the aquifer. Emergency Response Procedure • To prevent degeneration of groundwater quality.
• To manage the anticipated impacts associated with the inflow of groundwater to the Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), opencast. groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- Action plans monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the • Wastage of coal-bearing material outside the allocated dirty water management area during relevant competent authority) the operational phase should be prevented. Haul roads and other compacted surfaces
should be kept free of carbonaceous material by cleaning spillages, thereby reducing GN704 Compliance Audit report infiltration of contaminated water.
• Dirty water should be contained in fit-for-purpose and lined designed facilities, which will Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by limit infiltration of contaminated water to groundwater. suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in • Water retention in the in-pit sump areas should be as minimal as possible to limit the quality consultation with ecologist). Monitoring related impacts. frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. • Clean surface water should not come into contact with dirty water or coal bearing material. • Hazardous material should be stored in the correct designated and bunded areas that are specially designed and constructed for that purpose. Records of ECO audit, internal audits and • Staff should be trained to implement correct procedures for the handling of hazardous rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on material. site, with evidence of corrective measures • Storage areas should be regularly inspected. undertaken. • Oil contaminated water should be diverted from the bunded area during rain events to an interception or oil water separation facility.
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Removal of groundwater influx (dewatering) Minimize impact on Management measures ECO to verify implementation groundwater quality • Drains and cut-off trenches (storm water management system) around the proposed Landau Colliery opencast pits should be implemented before commencing with pit development to prevent Environmental clean run-off water from entering the pit. Manager Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), Operational phase groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- Action plans to Decomissioning monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the • Interception drainage around the pit. The dewatering of the aquifer system cannot be Phase relevant competent authority) prevented. If the monitoring program indicates that nearby groundwater users are affected by the dewatering, the users need to be compensated for the loss. Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in consultation with ecologist). Monitoring frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan.
Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be Activity: Concurrent backfilling with discard material To limit degeneration of Management measures ECO to verify implementation groundwater quality. • Interception drainage around the pit – minimize surface area where operations would contaminate water (smaller disturbed areas mean smaller manageable volumes). • Groundwater infiltration should be controlled and can be achieved through installation of Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), liners and sufficient surface drainage. Operational phase Landau Colliery and groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- to Decomissioning the Environmental monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the Action plans Phase Manager relevant competent authority)
• Implement and maintain proper storm water management infrastructure. Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by • Concurrent rehabilitation should follow the pre-mining in-situ profile with coal spoils and suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in carbonaceous material placed in the bottom beneath the water followed by the high consultation with ecologist). Monitoring neutralising rock (sandstone/tillite) and finally the clay and topsoil layer. frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan.
Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Rehabilitation of final void and post closure To limit degeneration of Management measures ECO to verify implementation groundwater quality. • Implement rehabilitation plan under supervision of suitably qualified person. • The rate and extent of ARD formation should be alleviated as far as possible by duplicating the pre-existing in situ profile. Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), • Water infiltration and oxygen ingress into the backfilled voids should be minimised. Operational phase Landau Colliery and groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- to Decomissioning the Environmental monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the Action plans Phases Manager relevant competent authority) • The final cut or pit should be filled to resemble the pre-mining in-situ profiles with the coal spoils and carbonaceous materials (mudstones) in the bottom followed by the higher neutralising Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by potential rocks such as the sandstones and tillites (if present) and finally by a compacted clay suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in and topsoil layer. consultation with ecologist). Monitoring • Rate and volume of water infiltration should be minimised by compaction and capping. frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. • Coal spoils and carbonaceous material should be placed beneath the water table to limit the ingress of oxidation. • Seeding of landscaped areas (depending on specialist recommendations). Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on • Continuous monitoring of groundwater quality conditions through purpose drilled groundwater site, with evidence of corrective measures monitoring boreholes to ensure early detection of negative impacts undertaken
8.2.7 Air Quality
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. Activities remain Proposed mitigation: Bi-annual dust monitoring reports to be compliant with air quality The following mitigation measures will be implemented: submitted to the relevant competent authorities legislation. • Phasing of earthmoving activities to reduce source size. until closure is applied for. To further • Dust suppression in dirty areas in accordance to the dust suppression procedure. Regular site inspections by Environmental eliminate/minimise the • Early vegetation and stabilization of topsoil stockpile and reduction of the frequency of Department risks of nuisance impacts disturbance. • Early paving or treatment with chemical surfactant of mine-owned permanent roads.
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on surrounding population • Speed control will be enforced on all roads. Construction Landau Colliery and environment. • Complaints register must be make available for the recording of complaints relating to dust – Phase and Environmental Bi-annual dust monitoring reports to be “: Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints” Operational Manger submitted to the relevant competent authorities • Dust fall out monitoring plan must be developed and effectively implemented. Consideration Phase should be given to ambient monitoring (PM10 and PM2.5). • Greenhouse gas emissions must be managed through effective maintenance of all diesel driven vehicles
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. Activities remain • Should areas of the surface dry out, resulting in the generation of dust, a water bowser will be Bi-annual dust monitoring reports to be compliant with air quality utilised for dust suppression. submitted to the relevant competent authorities legislation. • Dust suppression in dirty areas in accordance to the dust suppression procedure. until closure is applied for. To further • Early vegetation and stabilization of topsoil stockpile and reduction of the frequency of Regular site inspections by Environmental eliminate/minimise the disturbance. Department risks of nuisance impacts • Early paving or treatment with chemical surfactant of mine-owned permanent roads. on surrounding population • Speed control will be enforced on all roads. and environment. • Complaints register must be make available for the recording of complaints relating to dust –“ Operational Landau Colliery Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints” Phase and Environmental Bi-annual dust monitoring reports to be • Implementation of the dust fall out monitoring plan. Consideration should be given to ambient Manger submitted to the relevant competent authorities monitoring (PM10 and PM2.5).
• Greenhouse gas emissions must be managed through preventing of sponcom of stockpiles
and in-pit through effective deposition/compaction and rehabilitation, and effective
maintenance of all diesel driven vehicles • Continually assess the efficiency of dust mitigation measures.
8.2.8 Noise
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam.
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
To prevent noise nuisance Mitigation: Construction, ECO to verify. to surrounding • Ensure all equipment and vehicles are serviced regularly to prevent excessive noise. Vehicles Operational and environment and equipment generating excessive noise should be fitted with appropriate noise abatement Decommisioning Vehicle maintenance programmes measures. Phases.i • Hearing conservation programmes • Construction workers must be provided with the appropriate personal protection equipment in areas required as per the Mine Health and Safety Act (No. 29 of 1996) (MHSA). Records of Environmental noise monitoring programme the PPE supplied must be maintained for record keeping purposes. • Complaints handing system • A complaints register must be made available the site security office and should any complaints be received, these must be logged in the complaints register and reported to the responsible person on-site. • Landau Colliery • Training and induction requirements must be undertaken as outlined in section 12. Environmental • Manager • Environmental incidents register (to be updated in Landau Colliery’s EMS), with records of Construction close-out on incidents received. Phase until • Closure Phase • Undertake environmental noise monitoring and keep records of monitoring reports.
• • Personal protective equipment register to be kept • • Induction training and register to be kept
8.2.9. Wetlands and Sensitive landscapes
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Inadequate storm water control and dewatering To protect wetland and Storm water control Management Measures Landau Colliery Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by sensitive areas. To minimise loss of water inputs to the wetlands, the following measures should be Construction, Environmental suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in implemented: Operational and Manager
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
• Minimise the extent of the dirty water exclusion areas while ensuring the effective separation Decomissiong consultation with ecologist). Monitoring of clean and dirty water. Phases. frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. • Maintain areas within the opencast footprint as clean water areas for as long as possible prior to mining activities commencing. Regular site inspections by ECO (after installation • Divert all clean water around dirty water areas and discharge into adjacent wetland areas in of culverts) and after wet season. a controlled, environmentally sensitive manner and as determined in the hydrological assessment. Internal audits by Landau Colliery (6 monthly) • Ensure concurrent rehabilitation measures keep pace with mining activities so that the rehabilitated areas can be reinstated as clean water areas draining towards the wetlands. Records of ECO audit, internal audits and • Rehabilitation of the opencast pit should ensure that catchment areas of the pre-mining rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on landscape are reinstated, i.e. areas draining to the north western wetland currently should site, with evidence of corrective measures again drain towards the same wetland in the post-mining landscape. undertaken. • No discharge of dirty water should take place on site. Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), Dewatering Management Measures groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- • A long-term monitoring programme reflecting quality and quantity is therefore proposed to monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the monitor the ecosystem health. relevant competent authority) • Wetland functioning should be assessed by monitoring water levels of a shallow borehole within the wetland. If not already present a borehole should be drilled to within the upper perched aquifer only ( ≤6 mbsl) and subsequently monitoring water levels on a monthly basis taking seasonal fluctuation into account. Activity: Ineffective implementation of management measures at mining operation To protect wetland and Disturbance of wetland habitat outside the direct development footprint must be avoided using Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by sensitive areas. the following measures, but not limited to: Construction, Landau Colliery suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in • The proposed mining & development footprint must be fenced off and all activities must be Operational and Environmental consultation with ecologist). Monitoring limited to the fenced off area. Decomissioning Manager frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. • Where possible, a 50m buffer zone should be maintained between the wetlands and the Phases. fenced off mining area. Regular site inspections by ECO (after installation • Locate all temporary stockpiles, constructor’s camps, laydown areas, ablution facilities etc. a of culverts) and after wet season. minimum of 50m from any delineated wetland area. • All disturbed areas outside the direct development footprints should be rehabilitated and re- Internal audits by Landau Colliery (6 monthly) vegetated as soon as possible. Refer to the guidelines below. • If land adjacent to the mining area is leased, the leasee must be made aware of the presence Records of ECO audit, internal audits and and importance of wetland systems on the leased land, as well as the management measures rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on adopted by the mine for these areas.
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
• Sediment traps and sediment barriers should be installed where necessary, and discharge site, with evidence of corrective measures points should be protected against erosion and incorporate energy dissipaters. undertaken.
Sediment transport off the site must be minimised through the following: Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), • Establishing perimeter sediment controls. This can be achieved through the installation of groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- sediment fences along downslope verges of the construction site. Where channelled or monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the concentrated flow occurs, reinforced sediment fences or other sediment barriers such as relevant competent authority) sediment basins should be used (refer to US EPA guidelines on Storm water Pollution Prevention); • Discharge of storm water from the construction site into adjacent grassland rather than directly into wetland habitat. • Discharged flows must be slow and diffuse; and • Regular inspection and maintenance of sediment controls. Activity: Affected storm water release into the environment To protect wetland and • Clean and dirty storm water need to be separated as per the strategies contained in the Landau Colliery Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by sensitive areas. hydrological assessment; Construction, Environmental suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in • No contaminated water should be allowed to enter the clean storm water system; Operational, Manager consultation with ecologist). Monitoring Decomissioning frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. • No dirty mine or dirty storm water may be released into the wetlands and should be and Closure contained and treated on site, or used for dust suppression. Should contaminated water Phases. Regular site inspections by ECO (after installation enter the wetlands due to spillages or other unforeseen circumstances a wetland/water of culverts) and after wet season. quality expert should be consulted regarding implementation of suitable mitigation and/or
rehabilitation measures; Internal audits by Landau Colliery (6 monthly) • Required PCDs should be designed to be in compliance with the applicable legislation
requirements as well as accepted best management practices; Records of ECO audit, internal audits and • To prevent seepage and leakage out of the PCDs, these facilities should be lined with a rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on suitable engineered liner; site, with evidence of corrective measures • A water quality and bio monitoring plan should be compiled and implemented (if not already undertaken. in place) to monitor for any deterioration in water quality in the adjacent wetland systems;
and Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), • Regular maintenance and inspections of the PCDs should be undertaken to ensure groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- operation of the dams as per design specifications. A log book of inspections and monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the maintenance activities must be kept. relevant competent authority) • Investigations should determine the feasibility to operate the Navigation West pollution control dam at 28 % capacity to ensure a buffer capacity during such a flood. Otherwise, the dam’s capacity should be increased.
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• The pollution control dam should be operated at “as low level as possible”. • Desilting of the pollution control dam must also be undertaken to ensure sufficient capacity at the facility.
8.2.10 Visual
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To preserve the sense of • Keep disturbed areas to a minimum. ECO to verify requirements at place of the area • No clearing of land to take place outside the demarcated footprint. planning/implementation stage.
• Only indigenous plant species to be introduced and planted. All areas must be vegetated Construction, Landau Colliery with a suitable ground cover immediately after or construction activities to prevent erosion Operational, and Environmental and mud slides. Decomissioning Manger • Buildings and similar structures must be in keeping with the principles of critical regionalism, Phases. namely sense of place, sense of history, sense of nature, sense of craft and sense of limits. • Maintain the site during operation of the mine. Inoperative equipment and poor housekeeping, in general, creates a poor image of the activity in the eyes of the public. • Implement a rehabilitation plan as previously discussed.
8.2.11 Sites of Archaeological and cultural importance
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To preserve the cultural G01 and G02 must be demarcated with a fence and fitted with a gate in order to allow for family ECO to assess progress and use as identified heritage of the area. or friends to visit the deceased. This will also lessen the risk that the graveyards may be affected (and that such complies with heritage by any developmental activities. requirements)
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Planning, Landau Colliery General (disclaimer) Construction, Environmental ECO to verify that requirements are included It is possible that this Phase I HIA study may have missed heritage resources in the Project Area Operational and Manger within site education programme as heritage sites may occur in thick clumps of vegetation while others may lie below the surface Decomissioning of the earth and may only be exposed once development commences. Phases.
If any heritage resources of significance are exposed during AOL’s proposed new project the South African Heritage Resources Authority (SAHRA) should be notified immediately, all development activities must be stopped and an archaeologist accredited with the Association for Southern African Professional Archaeologist (ASAPA) should be notified in order to determine appropriate mitigation measures for the discovered finds. This may include obtaining the necessary authorisation (permits) from SAHRA to conduct the mitigation measures.
8.2.12 Socio-Economic
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Landau Colliery Navigation West South Block Extension Project A desirable future state for Landau Colliery currently provides jobs for over 900 people and funds and participates in Audit of SLP implementation and compliance. human societies in which community projects. The positive impacts of Landau Colliery on the regional socio-economic living conditions and conditions during the Operational Phase are discussed in Part 4 resource-use meet human All positive impacts of the mine on the socio-economy that will have taken place during the Construction, Landau Colliery ECO to verify conditions during construction needs without Operational Phase will continue during the Decommissioning Phase until they cease, mainly due Operational and Environmental Manger audit undermining the to the reduction or cessation of jobs and the cessation of demand for goods and services. Decomissioning sustainability of natural Phases. Minutes from meetings held for various forums systems and the (e.g. of Community Liaison Forum) environment, so that future generations may Complaints register and records of follow-up also have their needs met.
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8.3 Decommissioning, Closure and Post Closure Phase 8.3.1 Topography and Geology
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Development of the proposed opencast pit.. Optimise the use of The disturbance area for the opencast pit will be kept at a minimum and in the designated area Monthly site inspections by ECO natural resource and as indicated on the design for the proposed project attached hereto as Plan 3 in Appendix A. prevent wastage. Planning, Landau Colliery ECO to verify that rehabilitation plan Constrcution, Environmental developed, covering all specific requirements Operational and Manager and risks as identified within the EIR. Decomissioning Phase Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken.
Activity: Development of the Opencast Pit Topography to be Spoil areas will be levelled and profiled, while voids will be backfilled and profiled continuously Monthly site inspections by ECO. disturbed to be kept at a and progressively as mining advances. Operational, minimum. Decomissioning Landau Colliery Suitable rehabilitation techniques will be employed for the backfilling of the opencast voids, so and Closure Environmental as to promote free-drainage, and the re-establishment of pre-mining drainage patterns, as far as Phases Manager practicable. The post-mining surface topography will be modelled (rehabilitation designs) using suitable software, to ensure that appropriate measures can be implemented concurrently with the mining activities to ensure that a free-draining surface can be achieved. Such rehabilitation designs will be compiled from which rehabilitation plans will be developed. Regular reviews of the rehabilitation plans will be undertaken, and actual rehabilitation surveyed to verify compliance with rehabilitation plans and the rehabilitation design.
Soil preparation and seeding will be undertaken in accordance with the identified land use and according to the existing Landau Vegetation Establishment and Maintenance Procedure.
Post rehabilitation monitoring will be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation that includes but not limited to assessing soil quality and further fertilization requirements, erosion concerns, success in natural vegetation establishment, including identifying concerns regarding alien invasive species. Recommendations from post rehabilitation monitoring will be implemented.
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8.3.2 Soil, land use and land capability
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To conserve topsoil and Where possible, subsoil and topsoil will be placed directly onto prepared rehabilitated opencast Planning, Landau Colliery Audits to be conducted on site as per prevent erosion areas behind the active mining strip to minimise the volume of subsoil and topsoil that needs to Construction, Environmental authorisation requirement/EMPR or IWUL from be stockpiled. Operational and Manager the relevant Authority. Decomissioning phases Inspections will be conducted monthly by the Environmental Department and frequency increased as and when required or as instructed by the Authority.
Audit reports to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures taken to be kept.)
Topsoil survey records
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To prevent or minimise Soil preparation and seeding will be undertaken in accordance with the identified land use and Operational, Landau Colliery ECO to verify that rehabilitation plan developed, the impact on land use according to the existing Landau Vegetation Establishment and Maintenance Procedure. Decomissioning Environmental covering all specific requirements and risks as and land capability and Closure. Manager identified within the EIR. Post rehabilitation monitoring will be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation that includes but not limited to assessing soil quality and further fertilization requirements, erosion Records of ECO audit, internal audits and concerns, success in natural vegetation establishment, including identifying concerns regarding rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on alien invasive species. Recommendations from post rehabilitation monitoring will be site, with evidence of corrective measures implemented. undertaken.
Annual submission of quantum to relevant competent authority
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8.3.3 Vegetation
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam.. To prevent the Control of alien plant species is essential to restore the natural biodiversity of the landscape. ECO to verify that alien and eradication destruction/loss of plant Alien trees utilise excessive amounts of water and often out compete local plants due to their programme has developed and verify effective species lack of parasites. Removal of alien plants can lead to a net gain in biodiversity as the natural implementation (e.g. records of identification grassland is rehabilitated. Constructio, landau Colliery and eradication) Operational and Environmental Implement thec alien invasive control procedure for the area Decomissiong Manager Phase
8.3.4 Animal Life
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Removal of natural vegetation with incurred increased edge-effects and potential loss of ecosystem function To prevent the Keep activities out of wetland vegetation (impacts assessed in the Wetland Specialist Report, Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by transformation and loss of compiled by Wetland Consulting Services, 2014) areas to minimise impact to flora and fauna as suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in habitat. these areas are important habitat types. consultation with ecologist). Monitoring Construction, Landau Colliery frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. Operational and Environmental Manager Decomsioning Phases. Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken.
8.3.5 Surface water See mitigations for Wetlands and Sensitive Landscapes below.
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8.3.6. Groundwater
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Utilisation of water management measures To limit degeneration of Management measures ECO to verify that these requirements are groundwater quality. • Minimize seepage, prevent contact between clean and dirty areas, and recycle Construction, Landau Colliery implemented. contaminated water. Operational and Environmental Manger • Contain contaminated water for re-use and evaporation. Decomissioning Internal audits by Environmental Department Phases. • Minimize the extent of disturbance of the aquifer. Emergency Response Procedure • To prevent degeneration of groundwater quality.
• To manage the anticipated impacts associated with the inflow of groundwater to the Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), opencast. groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio-
monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the relevant competent authority)
GN704 Compliance Audit report
Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in consultation with ecologist). Monitoring frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan.
Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken.
Activity: Removal of groundwater influx (dewatering) Minimize impact on The dewatering of the aquifer system cannot be prevented. If the monitoring program indicates ECO to verify implementation groundwater quality that nearby groundwater users are affected by the dewatering, the users need to be Landau Colliery compensated for the loss. Environmental Manager Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- Operational monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the phase to relevant competent authority)
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Decomissioning Phase Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by . suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in consultation with ecologist). Monitoring frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan.
Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be Activity: Concurrent backfilling with discard material To limit degeneration of Management measures ECO to verify implementation groundwater quality. • Interception drainage around the pit – minimize surface area where operations would contaminate water (smaller disturbed areas mean smaller manageable volumes). • Groundwater infiltration should be controlled and can be achieved through installation of Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), liners and sufficient surface drainage. Operational Landau Colliery and groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- phase to the Environmental monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the Action plans Decomissioning Manager relevant competent authority) Phase • Concurrent rehabilitation should follow the pre-mining in-situ profile with coal spoils and Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by carbonaceous material placed in the bottom beneath the water followed by the high suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in neutralising rock (sandstone/tillite) and finally the clay and topsoil layer. consultation with ecologist). Monitoring frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan.
Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken Activity: Rehabilitation of final void and post closure To limit degeneration of Management measures ECO to verify implementation groundwater quality. • Implement rehabilitation plan under supervision of suitably qualified person. • The rate and extent of ARD formation should be alleviated as far as possible by duplicating the pre-existing in situ profile. Operational Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), • Water infiltration and oxygen ingress into the backfilled voids should be minimised. phase to Landau Colliery and groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- Decomissioning the Environmental monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the Action plans Phases Manager relevant competent authority)
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
• The final cut or pit should be filled to resemble the pre-mining in-situ profiles with the coal spoils and carbonaceous materials (mudstones) in the bottom followed by the higher Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by neutralising potential rocks such as the sandstones and tillites (if present) and finally by a suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in compacted clay and topsoil layer. consultation with ecologist). Monitoring • Rate and volume of water infiltration should be minimised by compaction and capping. frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. • Coal spoils and carbonaceous material should be placed beneath the water table to limit the ingress of oxidation. • Seeding of landscaped areas (depending on specialist recommendations). Records of ECO audit, internal audits and • Continuous monitoring of groundwater quality conditions through purpose drilled groundwater rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on monitoring boreholes to ensure early detection of negative impacts site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken
8.3.7 Air Quality
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Re-shaping of the final void, removal of all infrastructure, replacement of topsoil and re-vegetation. This further includes demolition activities (which may involve blasting) and dust generation from vehicle movement along unpaved roads. Activities remain • Phasing of earthmoving activities to reduce source size. Bi-annual dust monitoring reports to be submitted compliant with air quality • Dust suppression in dirty areas in accordance to the dust suppression procedure. to the relevant competent authorities until closure legislation. • Speed control will be enforced on all roads. Decommissionin is applied for. To further • Complaints register must be make available for the recording of complaints relating to dust g and Landau Colliery Regular site inspections by Environmental eliminate/minimise the –“ Environmental Incidents, Non-conformance and Complaints” Closure Phase Environmental Department risks of nuisance impacts • Greenhouse gas emissions must be managed through effective rehabilitation, to prevent Manger Bi-annual dust monitoring reports to be submitted on surrounding population the risk of sponcom. to the relevant competent authorities and environment.
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8.3.8 Noise
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To prevent noise nuisance Ensure all equipment and vehicles are serviced regularly to prevent excessive noise. Vehicles Construction, ECO to verify. to surrounding and equipment generating excessive noise should be fitted with appropriate noise abatement Operational and environment measures. Decommisioning Vehicle maintenance programmes Phases.i A complaints register must be made available the site security office and should any complaints Hearing conservation programmes be received, these must be logged in the complaints register and reported to the responsible person on-site. Environmental noise monitoring programme
Training and induction requirements must be undertaken as outlined in section 12. Complaints handing system
Environmental incidents register (to be updated in Landau Colliery’s EMS), with records of close-out on incidents received.
Undertake environmental noise monitoring and keep records of monitoring reports. Landau Colliery Environmental Personal protective equipment register to be kept Manager Construction Induction training and register to be kept Phase until Closure Phase
8.3.9. Wetlands and Sensitive landscapes
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Inadequate storm water control and dewatering To protect wetland and • Ensure concurrent rehabilitation measures keep pace with mining activities so that the Landau Colliery Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by sensitive areas. rehabilitated areas can be reinstated as clean water areas draining towards the wetlands. Construction, Environmental suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in Operational and Manager consultation with ecologist). Monitoring frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan.
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
• Rehabilitation of the opencast pit should ensure that catchment areas of the pre-mining Decomissiong landscape are reinstated, i.e. areas draining to the north western wetland currently should Phases. Regular site inspections by ECO (after installation again drain towards the same wetland in the post-mining landscape. of culverts) and after wet season. • No discharge of dirty water should take place on site. • A long-term monitoring programme reflecting quality and quantity is therefore proposed to Internal audits by Landau Colliery (6 monthly) monitor the ecosystem health. Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken.
Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the relevant competent authority) Activity: Ineffective implementation of management measures at mining operation To protect wetland and • All disturbed areas outside the direct development footprints should be rehabilitated and re- Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by sensitive areas. vegetated as soon as possible. Landau Colliery suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in Regular inspection and maintenance of sediment controls. Construction, Environmental consultation with ecologist). Monitoring Operational and Manager frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. Decomissioning Phases. Regular site inspections by ECO (after installation of culverts) and after wet season.
Internal audits by Landau Colliery (6 monthly)
Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken.
Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the relevant competent authority) Activity: Affected storm water release into the environment
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Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
To protect wetland and • No contaminated water should be allowed to enter the clean storm water system; Landau Colliery Rehabilitation monitoring to be undertaken by sensitive areas. • No dirty mine or dirty storm water may be released into the wetlands and should be Construction, Environmental suitably qualified rehabilitation specialist (in contained and treated on site, or used for dust suppression. Should contaminated water Operational, Manager consultation with ecologist). Monitoring enter the wetlands due to spillages or other unforeseen circumstances a wetland/water Decomissioning frequencies as per the rehabilitation plan. quality expert should be consulted regarding implementation of suitable mitigation and/or and Closure rehabilitation measures; Phases. Regular site inspections by ECO (after installation of culverts) and after wet season.
Internal audits by Landau Colliery (6 monthly)
Records of ECO audit, internal audits and rehabilitation monitoring records to be kept on site, with evidence of corrective measures undertaken.
Surface water quality monitoring (monthly), groundwater monitoring (quarterly) and bio- monitoring reports (bi-annual submission to the relevant competent authority)
8.3.10 Visual
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To preserve the sense of • Keep disturbed areas to a minimum. ECO to verify requirements at place of the area • Only indigenous plant species to be introduced and planted. All areas must be vegetated planning/implementation stage. with a suitable ground cover immediately after or construction activities to prevent erosion Construction, and mud slides. Operational, and Landau Colliery • Maintain the site during operation of the mine. Inoperative equipment and poor Decomissioning Environmental Phases. Manger housekeeping, in general, creates a poor image of the activity in the eyes of the public. • Implement a rehabilitation plan as previously discussed.
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8.3.11 Sites of Archaeological and cultural importance
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Construction and operation of the opencast pit and infrastructure related to the opencast pit including: an Haul roads, Dirty and Clean Water Separation Systems, The Workshop Complex, The Office Complex, including Water and Sewage system for the workshop and offices, Diesel storage tanks, Power Lines, Pollution Control Dam. To preserve the cultural G01 and G02 must be demarcated with a fence and fitted with a gate in order to allow for family ECO to assess progress and use as identified (and heritage of the area. or friends to visit the deceased. Planning, Landau Colliery that such complies with heritage requirements) Construction, Environmental Operational and Manger ECO to verify that requirements are included within Decomissioning site education programme Phases.
8.3.12 Socio-Economic
Monitoring and compliance reporting Environmental objective Migratory action plan Timeframe Responsibility
Activity: Landau Colliery Navigation West South Block Extension Project A desirable future state for Landau Colliery currently provides jobs for over 900 people and funds and participates in Skills development programme human societies in which community projects. The positive impacts of Landau Colliery on the regional socio-economic living conditions and conditions during the Operational Phase are discussed in Part 4 resource-use meet human Construction, Landau Colliery Recruitment policy needs without All positive impacts of the mine on the socio-economy that will have taken place during the Operational and Environmental undermining the Operational Phase will continue during the Decommissioning Phase until they cease, mainly Decomissioning Manger Procurement policy sustainability of natural due to the reduction or cessation of jobs and the cessation of demand for goods and services. Phases. systems and the environment, so that future generations may also have their needs met.
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9. EMERGENCY AND REMEDIATION PROCEDURE
The purpose of this part of the EIA and EMP is to anticipate the occurrence of environmental crises, which may occur due to unforeseen circumstances. Since these events cannot be accurately predicted or prevented, a procedure has been prepared that must be followed should such an incident occur, which will assist in the mitigation, remediation and conservation of the environment and contribute to the safety of workers and I&APs.
At the Landau Colliery, emergency incidents are dealt with in accordance to the Emergency Preparedness Plan titled “Emergency Prepared”, (Procedure no LIMS_SP_013, dated January 2014) , that describes how emergencies are to be handled, including environmental spillages and other major environmental incidents. Emergencies of an environmental nature are also reported as an environmental incident in accordance to the “Incident and Non-conformance Procedure ” (procedure no LIMS_SP_002), where after the appropriate corrective and preventative actions are planned.
An Incident Reporting Sheet should be submitted or entered on pivot. This should be done by personnel at supervisor level and above. The full reporting procedure on incidents and non-conformances is listed in LIMS_SP_002 – SHE Incident and Non-conformance Management (available from the mine upon request).
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10. MONITORING AND AUDITING
This section provides information pertaining to the monitoring and auditing to be implemented as part of the ty project including proposed monitoring and auditing commitments.
The aim of environmental monitoring and auditing is to develop a cost-effective approach to monitoring the operations’ environmental performance. Certain parameters (e.g. water quality) can be monitored through measurements, others can only be monitored through observation (e.g. maintenance effectiveness). However, in all cases anticipation of environmental problems through assessment of the environmental impact of the operations’ working methods, followed by forward planning to prevent problems or at least limit their effects, is seen as the key to successful environmental management.
10.1 MONITORING AT LANDAU COLLIERY 10.1.1 Existing monitoring and management procedures The existing monitoring programme at Landau Colliery will be revised to include the proposed South Block Extension Project. Landau Colliery‘s monitoring programme includes the following environmental components: • Surface Water. • Sewage effluent. • Groundwater. • Terrestrial ecology. • Aquatic ecology (Bio-monitoring). • Air Quality. • Noise. • Blasting and vibration. • Rehabilitation.
The effectiveness of the rehabilitation efforts at the proposed Landau Colliery South Block Extension Project will also be monitored, along with other rehabilitated areas within the Landau Colliery mine boundary area.
In addition to the above Management and Monitoring procedures currently in place, the following additional surface water and groundwater should be conducted at the proposed project.
10.1.2 Additional Monitoring 10.1.2.1 Surface water monitoring It is expected that the major sources of pollution towards the surface regime at the Navigation West: South Block Extension Project will be the waste rock dumps and general run-off from the site on natural drainage lines. However, a groundwater risk also remains during the decommissioning phase when dewatering has ceased and natural pre-mining flow has been reached. Pollutants will migrate with groundwater which will
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Physical parameters (in-situ) • pH, EC, ORP Chemical parameters (in lab) • pH, EC, TDS • Ca, Mg, Na, K
- - • Cl, SO 4, T-Alk (HCO 3 /CO 3 ) • Fe, Al, Mn, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn Cr, As, V, F
- - + • PO 4 , NO 3 , NH 4 • Chemical oxygen demand
Wetland functioning should be assessed by monitoring water levels of a shallow borehole within the wetland. If not already present a borehole should be drilled to within the upper perched aquifer only ( ≤6 mbsl) and subsequently monitoring water levels on a monthly basis taking seasonal fluctuation into account.
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Figure 46 : Navigation West: South Block Extension - Baseline surface water sampling locations
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10.1.2.2 Groundwater Monitoring points The main objective in positioning monitoring boreholes is to intersect groundwater prior to (background) and moving away from a pollution source (pathway/plume) and to intercept water levels at selected intervals at a receptor (receptor). Depending on the final mine plan it is recommended that sites for source monitoring boreholes be selected by a qualified hydrogeologist in order to intercept preferential flow paths and select monitoring boreholes within the expected perimeter of the modelled impact zones.
All boreholes as included in the current groundwater monitoring programme at Navigation Section should be included for quarterly analyses and water levels on a monthly basis.
Additional monitoring points The Navigation West: South Block Extention Project geohydrological report, dated June 2014, identified four (4) borehole positions (approximate) that may be considered as priority drilling sites in order to improve on the spatial coverage of the existing groundwater monitoring network at Navigation Section (refer Figure 45). The exact borehole positions should be optimised to target lineaments/structures/faults once the geophysical survey has been conducted.
The five sites depicted on Figure 45 are selected as follows: • UMG01. Immediately to the east of the proposed waste rock dump to act as source monitoring borehole ‹ Shallow perched and weathered aquifer ±10 m ‹ Deeper fractured hard rock aquifer ±25 m • UMG02. Downgradient to the south from the proposed open pit to monitor any possible migration of contaminated groundwater into the tributary of the Grootspruit ‹ Shallow perched and weathered aquifer ±10 m ‹ Deeper fractured hard rock aquifer ±25 m • UMG03. Downgradient to the east from the proposed open pit to monitor any possible migration of contaminated groundwater from the proposed waste rock dump ‹ Shallow perched and weathered aquifer ±10 m ‹ Deeper fractured hard rock aquifer ±25 m • UMG04. On the north-western perimeter of the Navigation West: South Block Extension to monitor any migration of contaminated groundwater towards the Hillslope Seepage Wetland. ‹ Shallow perched and weathered aquifer ±10 m ‹ Deeper fractured hard rock aquifer ±25 m
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Figure 47 : Proposed monitoring boreholes indicated by red circles, existing monitoring network by green triangles
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Comprehensive analyses For all new sites and first time monitoring at existing sites, a comprehensive analysis is required. It is essential that accurate background levels, for as wide a range of constituents as possible, be established at the outset. This will usually include a complete macro analysis as well as an analysis for the trace elements that could reasonably be expected to be present within the environment tested.
The following comprehensive suite is proposed to be analysed for all new monitoring localities initially followed by an annual frequency:
Physical parameters (in-situ) pH, EC Chemical parameters (in lab) pH, EC, TDS Ca, Mg, Na, K
- - Cl, SO 4, T-Alk (HCO 3 /CO 3 ) Fe, Al, Mn, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn Cr, As, V, Si, F
- - + PO 4 , NO 3 , NH 4
Indicator analyses Indicator analysis may be performed once comprehensive analyses have been completed. The process may continue until undesirable trends are uncovered. This will keep analytical costs to a minimum, but still provide enough information upon which further actions can be initiated, if necessary. This should be reviewed on an annual basis to assess whether it is needed to monitor for additional variables.
The following indicator suite is proposed to be analysed on a quarterly frequency: Physical parameters (in-situ) pH, EC Chemical parameters (in lab) pH, EC, TDS Ca, Mg, Na, K
- - Cl, SO 4, T-Alk (HCO 3 /CO 3 ) Fe, Al, Mn
- - + PO 4 , NO 3 , NH 4
10.2 AUDITING AT LANDAU COLLIERY This section provides information pertaining to the auditing to be implemented at Landau Colliery including proposed commitments.
10.2.1 Audit Types 10.2.1.1 Contractors / Suppliers Audits
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All contractor / supplier audits will be organised with the affected parties well in advance of the audit. The contractor / supplier to be audited will be determined based on the potential environmental risk that the contractor / supplier pose to the operation. This will be assessed when updating the mine’s annual external audit schedule.
An informal opening meeting will be held before every contractors/suppliers audit. An attendance register will be signed before the audit commences. The meeting will confirm the scope, objective and members of the audit teams.
The audit team shall then conduct the audit using one or more of the following documents provided by the environmental department: • Previous audit findings, • Objectives and targets sheets, • Checklists • Environmental procedures, and • Any other documents that may be relevant for the audit.
The findings shall be recorded by the audit team on the observation sheets / check sheets provided. Feedback of the audit results will be done at a close out meeting with the contractor/supplier. The lead auditor for the audit will compile a report that will be submitted to the contractor/supplier and EMS representative responsible for the contractor.
All original audit reports will be forwarded to the environmental department for filing along with the attendance register for the audit. It is the responsibility of the EMS representative, responsible for the contractor activity on the operation, to ensure that the contractor is aware of the issues identified in the audit and that audit actions are addressed.
10.2.1.2 Other External Audits External audits will be conducted in the agreed format provided by relevant suppliers, consultants and/or auditing bodies. An audit report will be required in both electronic and hard copy format from the external auditors. The audit report must contain the scope of the audit, the findings and recommendations and a detailed list of specific comments as well as the list of the audit team members and the auditees. Where possible a photographic record is kept to illustrate observations, but it is not mandatory.
The following external audits will be periodically conducted on the operation/mine: • Environmental legal audit or legal review, • Environmental performance audit, • Certification / surveillance audit, and • Any other audits to evaluate compliance with other requirements to which the mine subscribes.
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10.2.1.3 Internal Audit Teams / Qualifications / Schedule 10.2.1.3.1 Audit Teams The EMS management representative shall appoint a suitably qualified and/or experienced person or persons to conduct the audit to ensure objectivity and impartiality of the audit process. The audit team members shall not include members of the area being audited but will be facilitated / guided by a person from that department when on site.
When there is more than one person appointed to conduct an audit the EMS management representative shall appoint one person to act as lead auditor. Should there not be any qualified/experienced persons available at the mine to undertake a specific audit, someone may be sourced from another operation or from a consultancy.
10.2.1.3.2 Lead Auditor For internal audits, a member of the team will have completed a registered auditing course and / or have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the mining SHE field.
10.2.1.3.3 Internal Audit Schedule Internal audits will be conducted according to the internal audit schedule. Criteria determining the scope and type of audit shall be based on the environmental importance of the activity concerned and the results of previous audits. Where applicable the frequencies of audits will be determined by potential high risk activities identified during on-site audits, certification audits and/or audits required by head office.
10.2.1.4 Legal Compliance Audit Environmental legal compliance audits will be performed every two years to determine the status of compliance against all applicable legislation and policies.
10.2.1.5 Audit and report on relevance of the environmental authorisation, environmental management programme and closure plan Auditing of environmental authorisation, environmental management programme and closure plan must be done in accordance to the Regulation 34 and Appendix 7 of the EIA Regulations (2014) under the NEMA (1998).
10.2.1.5.1 Audit Process According to Regulation 34 of the EIA Regulation (2014): “(1) The holder of an environmental authorisation must, for the period during which the environmental authorisation and EMPr, and where applicable the closure plan, remain valid- (a) ensure that the compliance with the conditions of the environmental authorisation and the EMPr, and where applicable the closure plan, is audited; and (b) submit an environmental audit report to the relevant competent authority. (2) The environmental audit report contemplated in subregulation (1) must-
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(a) be prepared by an independent person with the relevant environmental auditing expertise; (b) provide verifiable findings, in a structured and systematic manner, on- (i) the level of performance against and compliance of an organization or project with the provisions of the requisite environmental authorisation or EMPr and, where applicable, the closure plan; and (ii) the ability of the measures contained in the EMPr, and where applicable the closure plan, to sufficiently provide for the avoidance, management and mitigation of environmental impacts associated with the undertaking of the activity; (c) contain the information set out in Appendix 7; and (d) be conducted and submitted to the competent authority at intervals as indicated in the environmental authorisation. (3) The environmental audit report contemplated in subregulation (1) must determine- (a) the ability of the EMPr, and where applicable the closure plan, to sufficiently provide for the avoidance, management and mitigation of environmental impacts associated with the undertaking of the activity on an ongoing basis and to sufficiently provide for the , avoidance, management and mitigation of environmental impacts associated with the closure of the facility; and (b) the level of compliance with the provisions of environmental authorisation, EMPr and where applicable the closure plan. (4) Where the findings of the environmental audit report contemplated in subregulation (1) indicate- (a) insufficient mitigation of environmental impacts associated with the undertaking of the activity; or (b) insufficient levels of compliance with the environmental authorisation or EMPr and, where applicable the closure plan; the holder must, when submitting the environmental audit report to the competent authority in terms of subregulation (1), submit recommendations to amend the EMPr or closure plan in order to rectify the shortcomings identified in the environmental audit report. (5) When submitting recommendation in terms of subregulation (4), such recommendations must have been subjected to a public participation process, which process has been agreed to by the competent authority and was appropriate to bring the proposed amendment of the EMPr and, where applicable the closure plan, to the attention of potential and registered interested and affected parties, including organs of state which have jurisdiction in respect of any aspect of the relevant activity and the competent authority, for approval by the competent authority. (6) Within 7 days of the date of submission of an environmental audit report to the competent authority, the holder of an environmental authorisation must notify all potential and registered interested and affected parties of the submission of that report, and make such report immediately available- (a) to anyone on request; and (b) on a publicly accessible website, where the holder has such a website. (7) An environmental audit report must contain all information set out in Appendix 7 to these Regulations.
10.2.1.5.1 Audit Report According to Appendix 7 of the EIA Regualtion (2014): “1. The environmental audit report must provide for recommendations regarding the need to amend the EMPr, and where applicable, the closure plan. 2. The objective of the environmental audit report is to-
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(a) report on- (i) the level of compliance with the conditions of the environmental authorisation and the EMPr, and where applicable, the closure plan; and (ii) the extent to which the avoidance, management and mitigation measures provided for in the EMPr, and where applicable, the closure plan achieve the objectives and outcomes of the EMPr, and closure plan. identify and assess any new impacts and risks as a result of undertaking the activity; evaluate the effectiveness of the EMPr, and where applicable, the closure plan; identify shortcomings in the EMPr, and where applicable, the closure plan; and identify the need for any changes to the avoidance, management and mitigation measures provided for in the EMPr, and where applicable, the closure plan. 3. (1) An environmental audit report prepared in terms of these Regulations must contain- (a) details of- (i) the independent person who prepared the environmental audit report; and (ii) the expertise of independent person that compiled the environmental audit report; (b) a declaration that the independent auditor is independent in a form as may be specified by the competent authority; (c) an indication of the scope of, and the purpose for which, the environmental audit report was prepared; (d) a description of the methodology adopted in preparing the environmental audit report; (e) an indication of the ability of the EMPr, and where applicable, the closure plan to- (i) sufficiently provide for the avoidance, management and mitigation of environmental impacts associated with the undertaking of the activity on an on-going basis; (ii) sufficiently provide for the avoidance, management and mitigation of environmental impacts associated with the closure of the facility; and (iii) ensure compliance with the provisions of environmental authorisation, EMPr, and where applicable, the closure plan; (f) a description of any assumptions made, and any uncertainties or gaps in knowledge; (g) a description of any consultation process that was undertaken during the course of carrying out the environmental audit report; (j) a summary and copies of any comments that were received during any consultation process; and (k) any other information requested by the competent authority.”
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. 11. MINE CLOSURE AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONING 11.1 OBJECTIVES AND SPECIFIC GOALS FOR MINE CLOSURE Overall objectives for Landau Colliery which will form the basis of closure planning are provided below, and further detail is provided by means of implementation in Part 8 of this report.
Table 67 : Physical closure criteria for Landau Colliery (Preliminary Closure Plan – Draft)
New closure measures (closure planning) Current closure Aspect measures (EMP) Navigation / Kromdraai Schoongezicht
Mine surface area structures, off-site surface infrastructure and mine towns/housing/schools
• Demolish and remove concrete and/or brick structures to 1 m below final ground level and dispose of at a dedicated, licensed waste disposal facility; • If feasible, consider applying for necessary regulatory permits to dispose of demolition waste into open pit voids; • Dismantle steel structures, and sell salvageable scrap metal to recover some costs; Plant - • Clean-up carbonaceous veneer and dispose of on identified discard / co-disposal facilities; • Rip and shape reclaimed footprint areas and integrate into the surrounding land use/s; and • Establish pioneer vegetation, where feasible, towards creating a self-sustaining natural community, and integrating into the surrounding land use/s.
Schoongezicht
• Ensure all temporary • Identify structures that can be beneficially re-used / transferred to buildings and a third party, and establish agreements for transfer/hand-over; structures are • Demolish remaining structures not suitable for long-term re-use to removed by the 1 m below final ground level and dispose of at a dedicated, licensed contractor as well as waste disposal facility or dispose of within the final open pit void Surface their foundations; prior to backfilling if permission is attained from the regulators; infrastructure • Rubble will be • Rip and shape reclaimed footprint areas and integrate into the deposited within the surrounding land use/s; and final voids at the • Establish pioneer vegetation, where feasible, towards creating a Schoongezicht mine; self-sustaining natural community, and integrating into the and surrounding land use/s. • Rip areas to a depth of approximately 150 mm.
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New closure measures (closure planning) Current closure Aspect measures (EMP) Navigation / Kromdraai Schoongezicht
Roads
• Rehabilitate mining-related access roads no longer required post closure, by: o Removing and disposing of tar at a registered landfill site; o Grading gravel roads to remove carbonaceous material (deposited on co-disposal facility); o Cross-ripping roads to 300 mm at right angles to natural slope; o Re-instating natural drainage lines; o Establish pioneer vegetation, where feasible, towards creating a self-sustaining natural community, and integrating into the surrounding land use/s. • Rehabilitate mining-related haul roads, by: o Rip with construction equipment to a depth of at least 1 m, and over-rip with agricultural equipment in order to create suitable conditions for vegetation establishment; and • Remove conveyors, o Establish pioneer vegetation, where feasible, towards creating level and rehabilitate a self-sustaining natural community, and integrating into the Roads and the area; and surrounding land use/s. railways, • Rip haul roads to a o Railways conveyors depth of 150 mm and Identify structures that can be beneficially re-used and establish and power shape to a slope of • agreements for transfer/hand-over; lines 90° to the inherent slope, cover with • If re-use of structures is not viable, consider the following: topsoil and seed. o Sell and/or dispose of all rails, sleepers and ballast (identify salvageable components); o Dispose of remaining infrastructure at a dedicated, licensed waste disposal facility; o Shape and vegetate earthworks (embankments and cuttings) to a slope angle that will sustain long-term vegetation establishment; o Rip hardened areas to a minimum of 300 mm; o Shape (cut-and-fill) cuttings and establish required stormwater management structures; o Re-instate natural drainage lines; o Establish pioneer vegetation, where feasible, towards creating a self-sustaining natural community, and integrating into the surrounding land use/s.
Conveyors
• Dismantle and remove conveyors related to mining operations;
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New closure measures (closure planning) Current closure Aspect measures (EMP) Navigation / Kromdraai Schoongezicht
• Remove all concrete footings and disposing of at a registered land fill site or within the final pit void (if permission is attained); • Remove and dispose of belts by a dedicated contractor; • Clean-up carbonaceous veneer and dispose of on co-disposal facility; • Rip and shape reclaimed footprint areas and integrate into the surrounding land use/s; • Establish pioneer vegetation, where feasible, towards creating a self-sustaining natural community, and integrating into the surrounding land use/s. Open pit and open cast mining areas • Construct a stormwater diversion upslope of the mini- pit at Schoongezicht in the last year of mining in accordance with Regulation 287 of the Water Act in order to divert clean • Slope and in-fill final voids with residual (overburden stockpiles) water runoff away from initial box cut; from the rehabilitated • Clean-up fugitive waste, including stone pickings and potentially pit; contaminated soils, along perimeter of open pits; Open pits • Infill and slope ramps • Shape in-filled areas to be free draining (re-instating natural (mining and final voids to drainage lines); areas) gradients acceptable • Place stockpiled topsoil material for cover (600 - 800mm); and for township • Establish pioneer vegetation, where feasible, towards creating a development; self-sustaining natural community, and integrating into the • Create a drainage surrounding land use/s. line running in an east- west direction along the northern part of the rehabilitated pit towards the Schoongezichtspruit. This drainage line should be constructed to a
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New closure measures (closure planning) Current closure Aspect measures (EMP) Navigation / Kromdraai Schoongezicht
maximum slope of 1:200; and • Implement adequate erosion control structures at the drainage points. Mine residue sites • It is planned to selectively mine Schoongezicht No 1 dump and transport the washable portion of the coal to Klipfontein plant for beneficiation. The • Shape side slopes to a 1:5 maximum; non-washable • Place a minimum soil cover of not less than 800 mm over the portions will be Discard shaped and profiled discard / co disposal facility; incorporated into dumps • Establish pioneer vegetation, where feasible, towards creating a Schoongezicht No 2 self-sustaining natural community, and integrating into the dump, and for the No surrounding land use/s. 2 dump to be rehabilitated and No 3 dump. The burnt portions of the No 1 dump will be transported to Blaauwkrans discard disposal unit. • Excavate possible contaminated sediment to a depth of approximately 1000 mm over the basin area and dispose on the Dams co-disposal facility; including • Remove HDPE liner and dispose of at a registered hazardous pollution landfill site; • - control • Excavate possible contaminated soils below the liner and around dams, raw the dam to a depth of approximately 300 mm and dispose on co- water dams disposal facility; • Breach side walls to 1:7 and shape and profile rehabilitated areas to be free draining;
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New closure measures (closure planning) Current closure Aspect measures (EMP) Navigation / Kromdraai Schoongezicht
• Shape and profile areas to be free draining, aligned to a detailed post-mining rehabilitation design/ surface engineering designs; and • Undertake general surface rehabilitation.
Table 68 : Biophysical closure criteria for Landau Colliery (Preliminary Closure Plan – Draft)
Current closure Aspect New closure measures (closure planning) measures (EMP)
Biodiversity, protected habitats/ecosystems
• Although no additional mitigation measures will be undertaken the management of alternative • Demarcate and fence off conservation areas to limit access; sensitive Sensitive Ensure connectivity of river systems; and landscape that • environments will have been • Undertake surface water monitoring to determine potential impacts conserved by the on the aquatic environment. mine during the life of mine will be handed over to a capable and competent third party. • Undertake a biodiversity study to determine if there are any species of significance and relocate outside of the mining areas; • Develop and implement an invasive alien species management • Biodiversity will plan to control the introduction and spread of invasive alien species continue to be during operations and post closure; Biodiversity monitored post • Establish native species in keeping with the surrounding natural closure. environment, or establish pioneer vegetation species as per rehabilitation trials; and • Undertake biodiversity monitoring post closure to ensure rehabilitation success.
Groundwater, surface water, general water management
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Current closure Aspect New closure measures (closure planning) measures (EMP)
Decant • Conduct detailed analysis during the decommissioning phase, to determine decant points from the open pits; Rehabilitate the • Determine best practicable means of decant interception and surface land use • management (such as engineer designed evaporation dams or areas during the treatment) and implement recommendations; decommissioning phase to re- • In the event that the decant water is not of a quality suitable for establish pre- downstream users, initiate an investigation to determine the most mining surface appropriate actions to be undertaken, to ensure that the water drainage patterns quality conforms to the downstream users’ needs; Water as far as management practical; and • Discuss the above actions and methods with the Department of Water Affairs to gain their approval prior to implementation; and • Undertake surface and • Conduct water quality monitoring regularly to confirm that decant ground water water is of an acceptable quality to the downstream users, and if monitoring to not, initiate an investigation to determine actions to be implemented, measure the in consultation with the Department of Water Affairs. water quality post Surface runoff closure. • Re-instate local drainage lines of the areas shaped and levelled under general surface reclamation, taking cognisance of local wetland areas (sustaining catchment functionality).
Soil, land capability, land use, topography/visual
Erosion and dust control • Ensure the post mining • Identify appropriate bioengineering erosion-reduction techniques topography is that can be established on drainage lines to limit the need for civil free draining of engineering structures; and the rehabilitated • Monitor and maintain vegetation established on all discard dumps, pit at co-disposal facility and infrastructure areas and continue for a Schoongezicht; period of three years after decommissioning. General Seed Final land use surface • rehabilitated rehabilitation • Refine land use plan to identify appropriate final land use/s and areas with associated land capabilities, based on the following identified final suitable species land uses: for rehabilitation o Agriculture and subsistence farming; purposes; and o Beneficial re-use of identified infrastructure; and/or • Undertake post o Conservation areas / corridors. mining care and • Determine achievable land capabilities, based on identified post- maintenance to mining land use/s;
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Current closure Aspect New closure measures (closure planning) measures (EMP)
infill any • Confirm identified post-mining land use/s with surrounding formation of local landowners and land users through dedicated consultation to obtain depressions or buy-in. collapses, which could result in pit recharge.
Table 69 : Socio-economic closure criteria for Landau Colliery (Preliminary Closure Plan – Draft)
Current closure Aspect New closure measures (closure planning) measures (2011 SLP)
Mine employees (internal) Where • Establish an integrated mine closure future forum with the goal to retrenchments or • involve employees and respective unions in closure-related closure of the planning; operation is Utilise the existing Future Forum to: imminent, the mine • o would put in place Develop and maintain relationships between the mine and unions; the following o Discuss future mine planning, including changes as these might process to ameliorate the occur; o Identify possible portable skills to social and Mine o economic impact build capacity with employees, as well as training opportunities employees on individuals, (existing ABET / IT courses) to transfer these identified skills; (internal) and regions and o economies: Identifying infrastructure with a beneficial post-mining re-use for possible handover, if any. o Assessment and counselling • Develop and agree on the downscaling and retrenchment plan with services for unions; affected • Jointly agree on redeployment strategies to other operations; employees; Promote a culture of self-employment and self-maintenance or o Comprehensive • none dependence on the mine; self- Develop a skills development programme to maximise job employment • opportunities and alternative livelihoods.
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Current closure Aspect New closure measures (closure planning) measures (2011 SLP)
training programmes; o Comprehensive • Compile inventory of services and/or utilities (primarily power or training (non- water-related) currently supplied to local farmers/villages/schools, mining skills) and/or feeding into existing mine infrastructure (mine sewage and re- works, power to schools, water to informal settlements); Interested employment Identifying mechanisms to phase out the provision of these services and • programmes; and/or utilities towards decommissioning towards reducing this affected o Creation of jobs dependence post-closure (only core services to remain at parties / for local decommissioning); stakeholder economies; (external) • Identifying and investing only in those projects that will not require o Regeneration ongoing financial input by the mine; and of local Maintain monthly operational stakeholder engagement meetings, economies; and • informing current and future mine planning as inferred from Future o Accessing the Forum discussions. Social Plan Fund.
11.2 FINANCIAL PROVISION Money will be set aside and be paid into the Landau Environmental Rehabilitation Trust Fund on an annual basis. The figures are recalculated on an annual basis to take account of inflation and any variances; subsequently, the annual contribution is adjusted to provide for full closure costs two to three years prior to the actual closure. A summary of costs for immediate closure follows in
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Table 70.
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Table 70 : Summary of Closure Cost for the proposed South Block Extension Project
Multiplication Weighting Weighting Description Unit Qty Master Rate 2014 M. Rate Value 2016 factor Factor 1 Factor 2
1 Processing Plant m3 R 6.82 1 1 1.05 R 12.24 R - -
2(A) Steel Buildings and Structures m2 R 95.07 1 1 1.05 R 170.66 R - - Reinforced Concrete buildings and 2(B) m2 R 140.10 1 1 1.05 R 251.47 R - Structures -
3 Access Roads m2 R 17.01 1 1 1.05 R 30.55 R 152,750.00 5,000
4(A) Electrified Railway Lines m R 165.12 1 1 1.05 R 296.40 R - -
4(B) Non Electrified Railway Lines m R 90.06 1 1 1.05 R 161.68 R - -
5 Housing and Facilities m2 R 190.13 1 1 1.05 R 341.28 R - -
6 Opencast Rehabilitation ha R 99,669.72 1 1 1.05 R 173,701.95 R 3,474,039.00 20 7 Sealing of Shafts, Adits and Inclines m3 - R 51.04 1 1 1.05 R 91.63 R -
8(A) Overburden and Spoils ha R 66,446.48 1 1 1.05 R 119,274.15 R 1,192,741.50 10 Processing Waste, Deposits & 8(B) ha - R 82,757.89 1 1 1.05 R 148,553.78 R - Evaporation Ponds - basic, salt producing Processing Waste, Deposits & 8(C) Evaporation Ponds - Acid, metal rich ha - R 240,368.14 1 1 1.05 R 431,470.59 R - waste
9 Subsided Areas ha R 55,638.92 1 1 1.05 R 99,874.15 R - -
10 General Surface Rehabilitation ha R 52,636.82 1 1 1.05 R 94,485.25 R 20,786.76 0.220
11 River Diversions ha R 52,636.82 1 1 1.05 R 94,485.25 R - -
12 Fencing m R 60.04 1 1 1.05 R 107.78 R 431,120.00 4,000
13 Water Management ha R 20,014.00 0.6 1 1.05 R 35,925.93 R 43,111.12 2 14 Maintenance - 2 to 3 years ha - R 7,004.90 1 1 1.05 R 12,574.09 R -
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Multiply totals of 1-15 by Sub Total 1: R 5,314,548 Weighting Factor 2 (1.05) Preliminary and General 12% of Subtotal 1 R 637,746
(Subtotal 1 plus 12% P&G)) Sub Total 2 5,952,294
Contingency 10% sub total 1 R 531,454.84 (Subtotal 2 plus Contingency) Sub Total R 6,483,749 3 14% VAT R 907,724.86
GRAND TOTAL R 7,391,474
Input Cost (within Period) R 7,391,474
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12. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS PLAN
An environmental awareness plan describing the manner in which the applicant intends to inform his or her employees of any environmental risks which may result from their work and the manner in which the risks must be dealt with in order to avoid pollution or the degradation of the environment.
The current Environmental Awareness Plan that is implemented at Landau Colliery and presented in this part of the EMP Amendment is of such a design that these objectives are met. In addition, the Environmental Awareness Plan at Landau Colliery was designed to appeal to all levels of understanding across the mining workforce. Contractors and employees who will work on or be involved in the proposed Landau Colliery Life Extension Project will also undergo environmental training and be made aware of the environment and the potential issues relating to the possible impacts of the proposed mining and related activities on the receiving environment, prior to commencing work at the proposed Project.
12.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS PLAN The objectives of an Environmental Awareness Plan are to: • Inform employees and contractors of any environmental risks which may result from their work. • Inform employees and contractors of the manner in which the identified possible risks must be dealt with in order to prevent degradation of the environment.
Landau Colliery implements an Environmental Awareness Plan (EAP) for the entire mine, which is described in greater detail below. The responsible person will revise the Environmental Awareness Procedures from time to time. The date of commencement of the revised procedure will at all times be indicated to prevent confusion, and will also be implemented for the proposed Landau Colliery Life Extension project.
12.2 SCOPE The Safety Health and Environmental (SHE) Training Procedure sets out the mines training objectives as with regards to the SHE Management system. The procedure will serve to improve awareness, training and competency in the safety, health and environmental management field for all persons working for or on behalf of Landau Colliery. The procedure makes provision for the establishment, implementation and training of the SHE Policy, significant environmental, health and safety risks and safety, health and environmental management procedures
The following objectives are set for the standard Environmental Training Management Procedure: • To implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) training and awareness course at the mine. • To identify environmental training and development needs. • To clarify the EMS training and to ensure that all employees and applicable contractors are correctly instructed with regards to the environment.
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• To train all managers, supervisors and employees as the need arise and where required. • To ensure that Landau SHE auditors are adequately trained so that Landau audit objectives are met and that there continuous improvement towards compliance to ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001.
The above-mentioned SHE Training Procedure is available from the mine upon request.
12.3 RESPONSIBILITIES The Training Officer and Mining Training Officer are the responsible persons regarding the management / co-ordination of the afore-mentioned Management Procedure. These persons will ensure that the relevant persons, who have responsibilities under the procedure, follow the instructions in the mentioned procedure. Each of the relevant persons will have a copy of the Environmental Training Management Procedure.
The following legislation and standards apply to the above-mentioned Standard Procedure: • Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act 55 of 1998) – Areas Where Employment Equity are defined, including training & development. • National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), 1998 (Act 107 of 1998) – Recommendations for institutional co-operation. • Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) – Development of an Environmental Awareness Plan (EAP).
12.4 ACTIVITY PROCEDURES Persons working for or on behalf of the mine, whose activities can have a detrimental impact on the environmental must be competent to complete the task at hand. Persons can be declared competent either on the basis of experience, skill and/or training. Safety, Health and Environmental training provided by Landau Colliery include but not limited to those listed below.
12.4.1 Induction Programme (Employees and Permanent Contractors) Training programmes shall be established and maintained for newly appointed and permanent staff as well as all Permanent Contractors. The Line Manager, Safety Superintendent, Environmental coordinator / Environmental Officer, Supervisor and Training Manager shall ensure that all persons working for or on behalf of the mine receives training in their respective areas of responsibility which includes: • SHE Policy. • Environmental, health and Safety management. • SHE procedures and SHE reporting. • General SHE awareness for mine related safety, health and environmental issues. • Significant environmental aspects and related impacts. • Maintaining conformance with the mines EMS and OHSMS. • Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control.
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• Refresher training on Safety, health and Environmental procedures will take place once a year when employees and relevant contractors report for induction training. • Pivot or Electronic SHE management systems and SHE legal register training.
12.4.2 Induction Programme (Visitors) A SHE induction programme has been developed by the mine and is available at both the Navigation and Kromdraai Security Access Control Offices. The induction programme is in the form of a book which is conducted by the security person on one on one basis with the visitor and includes both environmental and health and safety issues.
Each non-permanent contractor and visitor needs to go through the induction programme before entering the mine property. After completing the induction programme the non-permanent contractor and/or visitor signs the Induction Book, verifying that he/she has been informed of the mine’s SHE requirements.
12.4.3 EMS Procedure Training (Employees and Permanent Contractors) A basic environmental awareness course has been introduced for the Landau Colliery and will also be used for the Landau Colliery Life Extension project. All mine officials, employees and applicable contractor staff receives training on the environmental course, covering the following basics: • Water Management. • Land Management. • Hydrocarbon Management. • Biodiversity management. • Resource Management. • Waste Management. • Air Quality Management. • EMS ISO 14001. • Pollution Prevention and remediation. • Incident identification and reporting.
12.4.4 Occupational Health and Safety Procedure Training (employee and permanent Contractors) A basic awareness course has been introduced and all mine officials, employees and applicable contractor staff receives training on the OHS course, covering the following basics: • Anglo Fatal Risk Standards. • Golden Rules. • OHSAS 18001.
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12.4.5 Auditors Training (SHE Management System Representatives and Relevant Personnel) For details on the training and qualifications of Internal Auditors refer to SHE-LAN PRO #4: Auditing (available from the mine upon request).
12.4.6 General SHE Awareness (Employees and Permanent Contractors) All mine employees and permanent contractors are included in promoting general awareness around the mine. The mine uses various methods to communicate Safety, health and environmental issue to mine employees. Some of the methods use includes the following: • Monthly SHE topics. • Incident notifications on notice boards. • SHE posters. • IMBEWU legal and sustainable development update. • Anglo American six monthly legal update. • SHE Manager’s Day. • Daily Safety talks. • SHE Audits. • Environmental days. • Visible Felt leadership, walk about and Planned task observations. • Newsletter (monthly or quarterly).
Environmental conditions are included in any operational contracts, thereby making contractors aware of the potential environmental risks associated with the project and the necessity to prevent accidental spillages by the implementation of good housekeeping practices.
12.4.5 Training Evaluation Evaluation of induction training, procedure training and general awareness and competency (implementation of training in the work place) will be carried out by the Training, Environmental, Occupational Health and Safety Departments.
12.4.6 Training Needs Analysis Identified and agreed training needs shall be included in the annual budget process, described below. The mine will ensure that the development of training needs is done in conjunction with the identified Safety, health and environmental aspects and SHE requirements relevant to each area. Course attendance (other than at the internal induction courses) shall be scheduled on the basis of the importance of task contribution to the maintenance, effectiveness and improvement of the objectives. Training expenses, including conferences and symposia should be checked and approved by the Relevant Head of Department.
Training needs shall be identified: a) By management or staff through:
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• Process of recruitment • Analysis of non-conformances and areas for innovation and improvement • In-task observation of performance and • Area of responsibility (high risk area) b) By management and staff for the induction of: • New appointed permanent, contract or temporary staff c) Analysis of change resulting from: • Additions to scope in services provided • The updating of procedures • Change in legal or other requirements
Each trainee shall: • Obtain approval from the Supervisor or Head of Department • Request Training Department to make official booking
The mine has developed a training needs analysis for all employees and permanent contractors whose work can have a significant impact on the environment.
12.4.7 Training Records Training documents, which include the following, shall be maintained in the staff member’s file and Training Department’s records. • Certificates. • Procedure tests. • Training programmes/courses attended. • Staff induction. • Theoretical assessments.
All foregoing records will be maintained in the employee’s personnel files kept in training office.
12.4.8 Resource availability It is the responsibility of Top Management to not only ensure but also make available resources required to develop, implement and manage all environmental significant aspects as well as legal and other requirements and for ensuring that this procedure is effectively applied. Resources include but are not limited to the following: • Financial. • Human. • Specialised skills. • Time. • Required infrastructure, equipment and other resources.
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12.4.9 Monitoring and measurement The reports and documents to be produced, filed and maintained for training procedures are indicated in Table 71 below.
Table 71 : Reports and documents for training purposes.
Type Responsibility Frequency Location
Environmental performance Environmental Environmental Quarterly report coordinator coordinator
12.4.10 Review criteria The environmental awareness and training procedures shall be reviewed as follows: • At least every three years. • When there is a change of method and/or technology that may affect the accuracy of this document. • When there has been a significant event to which this document was relevant. • Due to applicable changes in legislation. • As a result of relevant audit findings.
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13. ASSUMPTIONS, UNCERTAINTIES AND KNOWLEDGE GAPS
In accordance with of Regulation 31(m) (of Regulation 543) of the EIA Regulations (2010), under the NEMA, 1998, a description of any assumptions, uncertainties and gaps in knowledge needs to be identified and are discussed in this part of the EIA and EMP Report.
The following knowledge gaps and uncertainties have been identified during the process of the proposed project and require further investigations:
Table 72 : Specialist assumptions and limitations Specialist Assumptions and limitations Geohydrological • The modelling study concentrated on the impact of the Umlalazi South Block Extension at assessment Navigation Colliery and not the current and historical mining activities at Navigation Colliery. • The model is based upon gathered data and scientific assumptions, especially with regards to the assumption of a homogenous porous medium. • The investigation relied on existing data that were collected as a snapshot of field surveys conducted. • Observation and calibration data was obtained from historical studies and from the database updated by Landau: Navigation Colliery. • A limited amount of boreholes were tested within the model domain and did not include for all the geological or hydrogeological zones. Where data was insufficient, other hydrogeological zones within the modelling catchment were assigned conservative hydraulic parameter values based on literature reviews (Freeze and Cherry, 1979; Younger, 2007). • The groundwater model was developed in steady state. • The groundwater model was based on a two dimensional approximation of horizontal groundwater flow. • Pumping wells were included in the steady state simulation with rates obtained from the hydrocensus survey. • Conservative approaches were followed with regards to assigning relevant hydraulic and physical parameters to the steady state calibration model including transient flow and transport models. • Where field data was lacking for assigning of parameters, relevant data from literature was sourced. • Wetlands identified and delineated were assumed to be groundwater driven and flux boundaries (Neumann Type) were therefore assigned thereupon. • Drainages were assigned specified head (Dirichlet Type) boundary conditions. Fauna and Flora • The Braun-Blanquet approach was developed to collect 95% of the species present within a study plot, therefore the more plots surveyed the more comprehensive the species lists will be and the more detailed the vegetation description and mapping will be. • The following confidence levels are attributed to the species recorded: Families – 95%, Genera – 85% and Species – 75%.
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Specialist Assumptions and limitations • For many of the threatened plant species in South Africa no images are available to assist with field identification. • The vegetation study is based on a sample and not a census. Therefore not every hectare or square meter was covered during the survey. • Population dynamics (age structure, densities) did not form part of the scope of work, as the presence of these species first had to be verified. • The final vegetation map was compiled for a maximum scale resolution of 1: 10 000. • The available 5 m contours from the Surveyor – General appears to be out dated and does not reflect the local topography at a large scale (1: 10 000), therefore better modelling Wetland study • While every wetland within the study area was visited, not every wetland boundary was walked. • Extensive cultivation adjacent to and, in places also presented obstacles to accurate delineation of the wetland boundaries in some areas on site. • The scale of the remote imagery used (1:10 000 aerial photographs and Google Earth Imagery), as well as the accuracy of the handheld GPS unit used to delineated wetlands in the field, result in the delineated wetland boundaries being accurate to about 15m on the ground. • Groundtruthing and field verification of wetland boundaries was limited to the study area. • Wetlands falling outside the study area boundary were not delineated in the field but are based on desktop mapping. Blasting and • Data from current operations were monitored and applied for this project. Vibration • Blast design forms the baseline for determining the possible influences from blasting operations. Heritage Impact • It is possible that this Phase I HIA study may have missed heritage resources in the Project Assessment Area as heritage sites may occur in thick clumps of vegetation or in maize fields while others may lie below the surface of the earth and may only be exposed once development commences
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14. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
In accordance with the EIA Regulations GN R543 31 (2) (n), the Environmental Impact Assessment Practitioner (EAP) must provide an reasoned opinion as to whether the activity should or should not be authorised, and if the opinion is that it should be authorised, any conditions that should be made in respect of that authorisation must be stated.
An impact assessment has been undertaken using qualified specialists, which has incorporated extensive consultation with and participation of interested and affected parties. Applying the hierarchical approach to impact management, alternatives were firstly considered to avoid negative impacts, but where avoidance was not possible, to better mitigate and manage negative impacts. Where impacts were found to be potentially significant, various mitigation measures to manage and monitor the impacts of the project have been proposed. Furthermore the environmental impact statement (Part 7.5) summarises the key findings of the environmental impact assessment and compares the positive and negative implications of the project.
A number of potential high impacts have been identified associated with the construction and operation of the new project. Risks of special mention relate to the impacts on geology and groundwater. It is the EAP’s opinion that, given the already disturbed state of the environment in which the project will be located, these impacts can be mitigated to prevent the environmental integrity from being compromised. In terms of collectively considering ecological, social and economic impacts the economic development is justifiable, and also considering the social benefit, the EAP is of opinion that this project should be authorised.
Should the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs. grant authorisation for this project, it should be subject to the following conditions: • The project should remain in full compliance with the requirements of the EMP and with all regulatory requirements; • The EMP should be implemented by qualified environmental personnel who have the competence and credibility to interpret the requirements of the EIA and the EMP. Such persons must be issued with a written mandate by mine management to provide guidance and instructions to employees and contractors; and • Stakeholder engagement must be maintained during the construction, operational and closure/rehabilitation phases of the project.
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