Reclamation of Mines in South Africa: Challenges and Strategies

2. Reclamation of mines in South Africa Head : Mine Environmental Management Country: South Africa Presenter: Aubrey Tshivhandekano Organization: Department of Minerals & Energy

3. Presentation outline 1. Background: Legislation requirements 2. Mining environmental impacts 2.1. Surface mines 2.2. Underground mines 2.3. Abandoned mines 3. Closure environmental challenges 6. Cycle of coal fires 7. Bushveld complex – future mining capital 8. Integrated mine clolsure in the Bushveld complex 9. Conclusion: SEA in the Bushveld complex

4. 1. Background: Legislation requirements Section 24 (7) of NEMA, no 107 of1998 the holder of a reconnaissance permission, prospecting right, mining right, mining permit or retention permit must consider, investigate, assess and communicate the impact of his or her prospecting or mining on the environment. Section 38 (d) of the MPRDA, no 28 of 2002 also emphasises that the holder of the above-mentioned exploration or mining rights must as far as it is reasonably practicable , rehabilitate the environment affected by the prospecting or mining operations to its natural or predetermined state or to a land use which conforms to the generally accepted principle of sustainable development.

5. 2. Mining environmental impacts • Major environmental impacts associated with mining activities range from: • 2.1. Surface mines: • Stability of mined areas • Contamination of surrounding areas. • Large scale landuse change • Removal & disposal of overburden • Pollution of the environment • Acid mine drainage • Dust & visibility impairment • Fly-rock & air pollution • Self heating of discard dumps • Transportation/Traffic

6. 2.2. Underground mines • Permanent geological disturbance • Spontaneous combustion • Subsidence • Aquifer disturbance • Mine water drainage/disposal • Methane migration • Lowering of the water table. • Stability of the mined areas • Sealing & decommissioning of shafts

7. 2.3. Abandoned mines • Methane migration • Underground explosions • Flooding • Ground water contamination • Structural integrity • Reclamation • Uncoordinated waste management system • Sink holes • Fumes and odours • Erosion & creation of gullies

8. 3. Closure environmental challenges – open pits

9. 4. Closure environmental challenges – slime dams

10. 5. Closure environmental challenges –demolishing of beneficiation plants

11. 6. Closure environmental challenges – spontaneous combustion

12. 7. CYCLE OF COAL FIRES CYCLE OF COAL FIRES Coal and pyrite oxidised by air, producing heat Cracks and holes Heat causes allow more air coal to catch into the mine fire Roof collapses, Coal pillars burn creating cracks away and weaken and holes to surface roof of workings

13. 8. Environmental challenges – uncapped ventilation shafts

14. 9. Environmental challenges – Decanting water

15. 10. Environmental challenges – Illegal mining

16. 11.Bushveld complex-future mining capital

17. 12. Integrated mine closure in the Bushveld complex: • Promotion of environmental transparency • Coordination of environmental cumulative impact strategy. • Sustainable utilization of mineral resources • Comprehensive impact assessment around the complex • Enhancement of community involvement regarding final land use (e.g. Preservation of historical monuments) • Closure objectives and closure plans should clearly be outlined during exploration as well as decommissioning stage. • Comprehensive environmental risk assessment supplemented by enforceable monitoring plan. • Itemised reclamation financial provision based on premature mine closure • Intensification of mine closure research (e.g. moon-scaping, coal block cells, Pedological hybrid

18. Conclusion: SEA to promote integrated mine closure in the Bushveld complex.

19. THANK YOU I THANK YOU

20. QUESTIONS ?