Hydrogeological Investigation Report for the Proposed Berenice Coal Mine in Makhado, Limpopo Province Report Prepared by NALEDZI WATERWORKS (PTY) LTD 12/8/2016 Prepared for: i | P a g e TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE 1 Introduction and Scope of work...................................................................................... 4 1.1 Background of the project ........................................................................................... 4 1.2 Applicable legislation and standards ......................................................................... 5 1.3 Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Scope of work undertaken........................................................................................... 6 2 Site description ................................................................................................................. 6 2.1 Location .......................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Land use......................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Topography .................................................................................................................... 7 2.4 Climate ........................................................................................................................... 7 2.5 Drainage ......................................................................................................................... 8 2.6 Geology .......................................................................................................................... 8 2.7 Groundwater use ........................................................................................................ 17 2.8 Hydrogeology .............................................................................................................. 21 3 Hydraulic testing ............................................................................................................. 23 3.1 Slug test in the exploration coreholes ..................................................................... 23 3.2 Pumping testing of existing boreholes..................................................................... 26 4 Groundwater levels and flow ........................................................................................ 29 5 Water quality ................................................................................................................... 32 5.1 Baseline Water quality ............................................................................................... 32 5.2 Applicable guidelines ................................................................................................. 35 5.3 Chemical analysis ....................................................................................................... 35 6 Conceptual model .......................................................................................................... 38 7 Numerical model ............................................................................................................. 39 7.1 Model boundaries and discretisation ....................................................................... 40 7.2 Model Characteristics................................................................................................. 41 7.3 Model Calibration ........................................................................................................ 43 7.4 Simulated water balance ........................................................................................... 45 7.5 Model Predictions ....................................................................................................... 45 7.6 Mass Transport Simulation ....................................................................................... 61 8 Impact assessment and mitigation .............................................................................. 63 ii | P a g e 8.1 Methodology ................................................................................................................ 63 8.2 Impact Assessment .................................................................................................... 66 9 Water management programme .................................................................................. 69 9.1 Purpose and scope..................................................................................................... 69 9.2 Monitoring programme ............................................................................................... 69 10 Groundwater supply potential ................................................................................... 72 11 Conclusions......................................................................................................... 72 iii | P a g e 1 Introduction and Scope of work 1.1 Background of the project Universal Coal is planning to establish an opencast operation, Berenice Coal Project, located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The project is located approximately 120 kilometers (km) north of Polokwane and east of the settlement of Alldays (Figure 1). Universal Coal appointed Jomela Consulting (Pty) Ltd (Jomela) to undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Berenice Project. Ms. Yvonne of Jomela has appointed Naledzi Group (Pty) Ltd (Naledzi) to conduct a hydrogeological, which will form part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that is being undertaken for the proposed Berenice Coal Project. The process is conducted in an integrated approach. It is conducted in line with the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998) in support of the Application for a Mining Right. This will also involve compliance with other sets of legislation to obtain all the necessary permits to commission the project. Figure 1: Locality map __________________________________________________________________________________ 1.2 Applicable legislation and standards The mining and associated mining activities will be undertaken in compliance with environmental standards accepted as good mining practices in South Africa. The main legislations relevant to this groundwater study are: Constitution of the Republic of South Africa No. 108 of 1996; National Water Act 36 of 1998; Regulation 704 of the National Water Act (NWA); Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act No. 28 of 2002 (MPRDA). 1.3 Objectives The purpose of this report is to present the baseline hydrogeological conditions of the project prior to mining and establishment of mining related infrastructures. The baseline assessment of the prevailing groundwater conditions is required for the environmental impact assessment of the project. This report also quantifies impacts that the proposed project will have on groundwater (levels, quantity and quality) and recommends mitigation and management measures to minimize environmental impacts throughout the mine life (construction, operation, closure and post closure). The objectives for the groundwater study are as follows: To characterize the hydrogeological regime and establish baseline conditions for the proposed development; To develop a hydrogeological conceptual and numerical model to assist in the assessment of the pit dewatering requirements as well as understanding the impacts of the proposed mine development on the water resources; To use the results of the numerical model to quantify impacts on groundwater levels, yields and quality; Recommend mitigation and management measures to minimize environmental impacts throughout the mine life (operation, closure and post closure). __________________________________________________________________________________ 1.4 Scope of work undertaken The completed hydrogeological investigation scope of work for the current study consisted of the following: Review of existing relevant data and reports compiled for the project area and the surrounding properties; Site visit and hydrocensus; Compilation of baseline hydrogeological conditions based on existing data and site observation; Development of the conceptual and numerical hydrogeological model; Calibration of the numerical hydrogeological model; Impact assessment; Development of mitigation measures; Reporting. 2 Site description 2.1 Location The project is located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, some 120°km to the North of Polokwane and to the east-southeast of the settlement of Alldays. The project may be reached via an all-weather gravel road which branches off from the tar road between Alldays and Waterpoort. The project area is approximately 50 km by road from Alldays and about 30°km by road from Waterpoort. The nearest sizeable town is Makhado (Louis Trichardt) some 80°km by road to the south-east. The nearest accessible railway siding is at Waterpoort, approximately 30°km south-east. 2.2 Land use The study area is used as commercial game hunting farms as well as commercial cattle grazing. Some of the farms near the project area are being used for commercial crop farming. __________________________________________________________________________________ 2.3 Topography The topographical setting of the study area is closely related to its geology and structural history. The area south of the project area is mainly underlain by Karoo lava which