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 Best Practice Guideline - A5: Water Management for Surface Mines -- July 2008
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Tel: (012) 336-7500 This report should be cited as:

Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 2008. Best Practice Guideline A5: Water
Management for Surface Mines

Disclaimer:
Copyright reserved
Although the information contained in this document is presented in good faith and
No part of the publication believed to be correct, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry makes no
may be reproduced in representations or warranties as to the completeness or accuracy of the information,
which is only based on actual information received, and makes no commitment to
any manner without
update or correct information.
full acknowledgement
of the source Consultants:
Pulles Howard & de Lange Inc.
P O Box 861
Auckland park
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Republic of South Africa

Golder Associates Africa

P O Box 6001
HALFWAY HOUSE
1685
Republic of South Africa

ISBN 978-0-980 2679-7-6

Status Final July 2008

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DOCUMENT This is the fifth in a series of the following Activity Best Practice Guidelines documents:
INDEX BPG A1: Small-Scale Mining (Standard & User Format)

BPG A2: Water Management for Mine Residue Deposits

BPG A3: Water Management in Hydrometallurgical Plants

BPG A4: Pollution Control Dams

BPG A5: Water Management for Surface Mines

BPG A6: Water Management for Underground Mines

Authors
ACKOWLEDGE‑ Mr Frank Wimberley (Golder Associates)
MENTS
Specialists
Mr Dave Salmon (Anglo Coal)
Mr John Wates (Fraser Alexander)
Ms Riana Munnik (DWAF)
Solomon Tsheko (DWAF)

Since 1999 a number of steering committee meetings and stakeholder workshops were held
at various stages of the development and drafting of this series of Best Practice Guidelines for
Water Resource Protection in the South African Mining Industry.

We are deeply indebted to the steering committee members, officials of the Department of
Water Affairs and Forestry and stakeholders who participated in the meetings and stakeholder
workshops held during the development of the series of Best Practice Guidelines for their
inputs, comments and kind assistance.

The Department would like to acknowledge the authors of this document, as well as the
specialists involved in the process of developing this Best Practice Guideline. Without their
knowledge and expertise this guideline could not have been complemeted.

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This document is approved by the Department of Water Affairs and

APPROVALS
Forestry

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Water is typically the prime environmental medium (besides air) that is affected by mining
PREFACE activities. Mining adversely affects water quality and poses a significant risk to South Africa’s
water resources. Mining operations can further substantially alter the hydrological and
topographical characteristics of the mining areas and subsequently affect the surface runoff,
soil moisture, evapo-transpiration and groundwater behaviour. Failure to manage impacts on
water resources (surface and groundwater) in an acceptable manner throughout the life-of-
mine and post-closure, on both a local and regional scale, will result in the mining industry
finding it increasingly difficult to obtain community and government support for existing and
future projects. Consequently, sound management practices to prevent or minimise water
pollution are fundamental for mining operations to be sustainable.

Pro-active management of environmental impacts is required from the outset of mining activities.
Internationally, principles of sustainable environmental management have developed rapidly in
the past few years. Locally the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) and the
mining industry have made major strides together in developing principles and approaches for
the effective management of water within the industry. This has largely been achieved through
the establishment of joint structures where problems have been discussed and addressed
through co-operation.

The Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996)
enshrines the concept of sustainability; specifying rights regarding the environment, water,
access to information and just administrative action. These rights and other requirements are
further legislated through the National Water Act (NWA), 1998 (Act 36 of 1998). The latter is
the primary statute providing the legal basis for water management in South Africa and has
to ensure ecological integrity, economic growth and social equity when managing and using
water. Use of water for mining and related activities is also regulated through regulations that
were updated after the promulgation of the NWA (Government Notice No. GN704 dated 4 June
1999).

The NWA introduced the concept of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM),
comprising all aspects of the water resource, including water quality, water quantity and the
aquatic ecosystem quality (quality of the aquatic biota and in-stream and riparian habitat). The
IWRM approach provides for both resource directed and source directed measures. Resource
directed measures aim to protect and manage the receiving environment. Examples of resource
directed actions are the formulation of resource quality objectives and the development of
associated strategies to ensure ongoing attainment of these objectives; catchment management
strategies and the establishment of catchment management agencies (CMAs) to implement
these strategies.

On the other hand, source directed measures aim to control the impacts at source through
the identification and implementation of pollution prevention, water reuse and water treatment
mechanisms.

The integration of resource and source directed measures forms the basis of the hierarchy
of decision-taking aimed at protecting the resource from waste impacts. This hierarchy is
based on a precautionary approach and the following order of priority for mine water and waste
management decisions and/or actions is applicable:

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RESOURCE PROTECTION AND WASTE The overall Resource Protection and Waste
Management Policy sets out the interpretation of
MANAGEMENT HIERARCHY policy and legal principles as well as functional and
Step 1: Pollution Prevention organisational arrangements for resource protection and
waste management in South Africa.
↓
Operational policies describe the rules applicable
Step 2: Minimisation of Impacts
to different categories and aspects relating to waste
Water reuse & reclamation
discharge and disposal activities. Such activities from
Water treatment
the mining sector is categorised and classified based on
↓ their potential risks to the water environment.

Step 3: Discharge or disposal of waste and/or Operational Guidelines contain the requirements for
waste water specific documents e.g. licence application reports.
Site specific risk based approach
Polluter pays principle Best Practice Guidelines (BPG’s) define and document
best practices for water and waste management.
The documentation describing Water Resource
Protection and Waste Management in South Africa
is being developed at a number of different levels, as
described and illustrated in the schematic diagram on
this page.

Schematic Diagram of the Mining Sector Resource Protection and Waste Management
Strategy

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The DWAF has developed a series of Best Practice The BPGs will perform the following functions within the
Guidelines (BPGs) for mines in line with International hierarchy of decision making:
Principles and Approaches towards sustainability. The
• Utilisation by the mining sector as input for compiling
series of BPGs have been grouped as outlined below:
water use licence applications (and other legally
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES dealing with aspects of required documents such as EMPs, EIAs, closure
DWAF’s water management HIERARCHY are prefaced plans, etc.) and for drafting licence conditions.
with the letter H. The topics that are covered in these • Serve as a uniform basis for negotiations through the
guidelines include: licensing process prescribed by the NWA.

• H1. Integrated Mine Water Management • Used specifically by DWAF personnel as a basis for
negotiation with the mining industry, and likewise by
• H2. Pollution Prevention and Minimisation on the mining industry as a guideline as to what the DWAF
Impacts considers as best practice in resource protection and
• H3. Water Reuse and Reclamation waste management.
• H4. Water Treatment • Inform Interested and Affected Parties on good
practice at mines.
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES dealing with GENERAL
water management strategies, techniques and tools, The information contained in the BPGs will be transferred
which could be applied cross-sectoral and always through a structured knowledge transfer process, which
prefaced by the letter G. The topics that are covered in includes the following steps:
these guidelines include: • Workshops in key mining regions open to all interested
• G1. Storm Water Management parties, including representatives from the mining
industry, government and the public.
• G2. Water and Salt Balances
• Provision of material to mining industry training
• G3. Water Monitoring Systems
groups for inclusion into standard employee training
• G4. Impact Prediction programmes.
• G5: Water Management Aspects for Mine Closure • Provision of material to tertiary education institutions
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES dealing with specific for inclusion into existing training programmes.
mining ACTIVITIES or ASPECTS and always prefaced • Provision of electronic BPGs on the DWAF Internet
by the letter A. These guidelines address the prevention web page.
and management of impacts from:
• A1. Small-Scale Mining
• A2. Water Management for Mine Residue Deposits
• A3. Water Management in Hydrometallurgical Plants
• A4. Pollution Control Dams
• A5. Water Management for Surface Mines
• A6. Water Management for Underground Mines
The development of the guidelines is an inclusive
consultative process that incorporates the input from
a wide range of experts, including specialists within
and outside the mining industry and government. The
process of identifying which BPGs to prepare, who should
participate in the preparation and consultative processes,
and the approval of the BPGs was managed by a Project
Steering Committee (PSC) with representation by key
role-players.

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DOCUMENT INDEX ......................................................................................... ii

Contents
APPROVALS ......................................................................................... iii
PREFACE ......................................................................................... iv
1 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background............................................................................................ 1
1.2 Types of surface mining.......................................................................... 1
1.3 Risk classification for surface mine........................................................ 5
1.4 Context of BPG A5: Water Management for Surface Mining.................. 5
1.5 Focus and structure of the BPG............................................................. 6
2 GENERAL PRINCIPLES for WATER MANAGEMENT for
surface mining.................................................................................. 7
3 OBJECTIVES AND KEY CONSIDERATIONS........................................ 8
3.1 Objectives of water management for surface mines.............................. 8
3.2 Objectives of this guideline..................................................................... 8
3.3 Key considerations................................................................................. 9
4 legal framework............................................................................ 10
4.1 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa........................................... 10
4.2 National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No.107 of 1998).. 10
4.3 The Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA)
(Act No. 28 of 2002)............................................................................... 10
4.4 National Water Act, 1998 (Act No.36 of 1998)........................................ 11
4.5 Water use regulations............................................................................. 11
4.6 Dam safety regulations........................................................................... 11
4.7 DWAF water management policies and strategies................................. 11
5 water management context....................................................... 12
5.1 Overall water management context........................................................ 12
5.2 Integrated Mine Water Management...................................................... 13
5.3 Mine life cycle phase specific requirements........................................... 13
5.3.1 Prospecting, conceptualisation and planning............................ 14
5.3.2 Pre-feasibility study................................................................... 14
5.3.3 Feasibility study........................................................................ 14
5.3.4 Mine design............................................................................... 15
5.3.5 Construction and commissioning.............................................. 16
5.3.6 Mine operation.......................................................................... 16

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5.3.7 Closure, post-closure and after-care............................................................................ 16

5.4 Integrated Regulatory and Procedural guidance....................................................................... 19

6 water management modelling and measures for surface mines... 20

6.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................ 20
6.2 Integrated water management modelling.................................................................................. 20
6.3 Water management measures.................................................................................................. 20
6.3.1 Separation of waters.................................................................................................... 21
6.3.2 Collection..................................................................................................................... 25
6.3.3 Conveyance................................................................................................................. 28
6.3.4 Storage........................................................................................................................ 30
6.3.5 Siting............................................................................................................................ 33
6.3.6 Design and operational considerations........................................................................ 40
6.3.7 Maintenance................................................................................................................ 43
6.3.8 Closure......................................................................................................................... 48
6.3.9 Exemptions.................................................................................................................. 51
6.4 Management cycle.................................................................................................................... 51
6.4.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 51
6.4.2 Requirements of Government Notice No. 704............................................................. 51
6.4.3 Practical implications................................................................................................... 52
6.4.4 Examples..................................................................................................................... 53
6.5 Practical examples on applying the water management measures.......................................... 56
6.5.1 Haul roads and ramps.................................................................................................. 56
6.5.2 Dragline walkways....................................................................................................... 58
6.5.3 Diversion berms........................................................................................................... 58
6.5.4 Rehabilitation............................................................................................................... 58
6.5.5 Workshops, hard parks, vehicle and machinery ways bays and fuel bays.................. 59
7 References AND FURTHER READING................................................................. 60
8 glossary .............................................................................................................. 61
9 list of acronyms and abbreviations............................................................ 63

Tables
Table 5-1: Information and Water Management Requirements through the Mine Phases................................. 17

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Figures
Figure 1‑1: Typical open pit mine....................................................................................................................... 2
Figure 1‑2: Typical coal strip mine (dragline operation)...................................................................................... 2
Figure 1‑3: Overall strip mining process............................................................................................................. 3
Figure 1‑4: Typical section through a coal strip mine......................................................................................... 3
Figure 1‑5: Typical sand winning operation........................................................................................................ 4
Figure 1‑6: Typical quarrying operation.............................................................................................................. 4
Figure 1‑7: Relationship between selected Best Practice Guidelines................................................................ 6
Figure 5‑1: Overall water management context................................................................................................. 13
Figure 5‑2: Typical water make and water use for opencast mines................................................................... 16
Figure 5‑3: Guide for Integrated Regulatory Process (IRP).............................................................................. 19
Figure 6‑1: Integrated water management modelling for a surface mine.......................................................... 20
Figure 6‑2: Typical water flow paths in an open pit mine.................................................................................... 21
Figure 6‑3: Illustration of a clean water cutoff canal........................................................................................... 22
Figure 6‑4: Examples of water separation trenches and canals......................................................................... 23
Figure 6‑5: Examples of poor water separation practices.................................................................................. 24
Figure 6‑6: Example of poor water separation practices.................................................................................... 24
Figure 6‑7: Dewatering in old mine workings..................................................................................................... 26
Figure 6‑8: Groundwater seepage cutoff trench................................................................................................. 26
Figure 6‑9: Seepage collection at a waste management facility........................................................................ 27
Figure 6‑10: Examples of poor and good water collection practices.................................................................. 28
Figure 6‑11: Examples of lined conveyance structures...................................................................................... 29
Figure 6‑12: Examples of poor water conveyance practices.............................................................................. 30
Figure 6‑13: Examples of water storage facilities............................................................................................... 32
Figure 6‑14: Example of a lined water storage facility........................................................................................ 32
Figure 6‑15: Examples of poor water storage practices..................................................................................... 33
Figure 6‑16: Process for siting water management facilities.............................................................................. 35
Figure 6‑17: Typical water management measures for mining in a watercourse............................................... 37
Figure 6‑18: Siting of a mine residue deposit..................................................................................................... 39
Figure 6‑19: Example of a wetland..................................................................................................................... 40
Figure 6‑20: Examples of silt traps..................................................................................................................... 42
Figure 6‑21: An example of good practice for a maintenance area.................................................................... 42
Figure 6‑22: Examples of poor practice for silt traps and maintenance areas................................................... 43

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Figure 6‑23: Examples of well maintained water management systems............................................................ 46

Figure 6‑24: Examples of poorly maintained water management systems........................................................ 47
Figure 6‑25: Examples of rehabilitated opencast pits......................................................................................... 50
Figure 6‑26: Acid seepage from pit..................................................................................................................... 50
Figure 6‑27: Monitoring in water storage facilities.............................................................................................. 53
Figure 6‑28: Monitoring flow in surface water channels..................................................................................... 54
Figure 6‑29: Groundwater monitoring boreholes................................................................................................ 55
Figure 6‑30: Pipe flow monitoring....................................................................................................................... 55
Figure 6‑31: Plan view of best practices utilising low wall ramps....................................................................... 56
Figure 6‑32: Section through mine pit with low wall ramps................................................................................ 57
Figure 6‑33: Plan view of best practices utilising high wall ramps...................................................................... 57
Figure 6‑34: Section through mine pit with high wall ramps............................................................................... 58
Figure 6‑35: Best practice for spoils placement to reduce rainfall ingress......................................................... 59
Figure 9‑1: Water Management Areas in South Africa...................................................................................... 64

APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: LEGAL FRAMEWORK.............................................................................................................. 64
APPENDIX B: WATER MANAGEMENT Modelling FOR SURFACE MINES.................................................... 78

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1.1 Background

1
South Africa has extensive mineral resources, such as coal, iron ore, diamonds, mineral sands,
copper, gold, platinum and oil and gas, which have given rise to significant mining activities
in many regions of the country. Many of these mineral resources are mined through surface
mining operations. Ongoing prospecting programmes are also underway in many areas of
INTRODUCTION South Africa. Such prospecting programmes will give rise to further mining activities in the
country.
In 2003, the mining sector contributed R78.5 billion (7.1 %) to gross value added in South
Africa, and 11.9 percent to Total Fixed Capital Formation (DWAF, 2006). This amount of some
R23 billion is equal to about 29 percent of the sector gross value added contribution. In the
same year, sales of primary mineral products accounted for 29.8 percent of South Africa’s
total exports revenue. The mining industry employed about 2.7 percent of South Africa’s
economically active population.
The mining and industrial sector utilises some 6 % of the water resources of the country (DWAF,
2006). This water is used in a wide variety of processes, including in the use of hydraulic drills,
cooling and dust suppression, in the metallurgical and refining operations, ore processing, the
transportation of wastes to mine residue dams and stockpiles and potable water. It is well known
that South Africa is a water-stressed country, with a predominantly semi-arid climate, varying
from desert and semi-desert in the west to sub-humid along the eastern coastal area. The
average rainfall for the country is about 450 mm per year, well below the world average of about
860 mm per year, while evaporation is comparatively high. South Africa’s water resources are
thus scarce and extremely limited in extent. Against this backdrop, it is important that the South
African mining industry adopt best practise in the management of water in all operations.
This Best Practice Guideline deals with water management on surface mines. The management
of the transfer of water between distinct mining units, and between mines and other water
users, is covered in BPG H1: Integrated Mine Water Management.

1.2 Types of surface mining

The various types of surface mining techniques in South Africa include the following
(http://xmlwords.infomine.com):
• Open pit mining: This includes workings in which excavation is performed from the surface
to access the ore. Benches of ore are drilled, blasted, loaded on haul trucks and transported
to the surface. Backfill of the pit is generally not required or feasible. Figure 1‑1 illustrates a
typical open pit mine
• Strip mining (also called open cast mining): This mining technique is generally practiced
where the ore is sufficiently near the surface to “strip” the overburden to expose and mine
the ore. Figure 1‑2 shows an example of a coal strip mine. Figure 1‑3 illustrates the overall
strip mining process, and shows how successive cuts are used to advance the excavation
and progressively rehabilitate the worked-out areas. The typical strip mining process for a
coal mine is illustrated in Figure 1‑4 as follows:
-- Mining: An area ahead of the working face is pre-stripped, drilled and blasted (1).
Thereafter, the overburden above the coal seams are removed (2). Mining is undertaken
using large excavators or draglines (3)
-- Rehabilitation: The excavated overburden is placed in the mined out areas behind the
mining face (4). The area is levelled and top-soiled (5) and then vegetated (6) for final
rehabilitation, concurrent with mining.

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• Alluvial diggings (also called sand winning): The explo- • Borrow pit: The surface exploitation of borrow
itation of alluvial deposits by dredging, hydraulicing material (rock, weathered material, laterite, sand) for
or drift mining (http://xmlwords.infomine.com). Figure construction purposes (roads, railway line, buildings,
1‑5 illustrates a typical sand winning operation etc.)
• Quarrying: The surface exploitation of stone or
mineral deposits (http://xmlwords.infomine.com).
Figure 1‑6 illustrates a typical quarrying operation,
and

Figure 1‑1: Typical open pit mine

Figure 1‑2: Typical coal strip mine (dragline operation)

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Figure 1‑3: Overall strip mining process

Figure 1‑4: Typical section through a coal strip mine

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Figure 1‑5: Typical sand winning operation

Figure 1‑6: Typical quarrying operation

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1.3 Risk classification for resources. The classification system will be used to guide
the DWAFs involvement in the EMP system. The DWAF
surface mine will aim to optimise the effort, energy and resources in
the management of the impact of mines depending on
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) the potential impact on water resources.
has implemented a risk classification system for mines
based on their potential impact on the water resource. The risk classification process involves the DWAF official
This risk classification will indicate the appropriate levels classifying and confirming the risk of the proposed
of regulatory effort needed to minimise waste at facility activity on behalf of the applicant in accordance with a
level. set protocol. The activity sector for which the water use
is required must be correctly identified at a preliminary
The following categories have been defined: stage in the risk classification. The next stage entails
activity risk categorisation. In order to determine the
Category A: Mines with a potentially significant and/or
potential impact, the proposed activities and processes
permanent impact on water quality. The following mines
are categorised based on a qualitative assessment of the
must always be classified as Category A mines:
level of threat to the water resource.
All gold and coal mines, irrespective of size

Any mine with any kind of extractive metallurgical

1.4 Context of BPG A5: Water
process, including heap leaching. (This will include most Management for Surface
other precious and base metal mines), and
Mining
Any mine where pyrites occur in the mineral deposit.
Figure 1‑7 provides guidance on the areas of applicability
Category B: Mines with potentially significant and/or and interaction between the various BPGs in the
permanent impact only on other aspects of the water DWAF series. As indicated, this BPG (BPG A5: Water
environment, for example yield / availability of water, Management for Surface Mining) deals specifically
dynamics of the river, riparian rights, etc, and with the water management aspects related to surface
mining or remining operations on surface. The related
Category C: All other mines. These can be divided Activity BPGs are as follows:
further into the following sub-sections:
BPG A2: Water Management for Mine Residue
Big mines with no significant impact on the water Deposits. This BPG provides details on the recommended
environment, thus where ideal water quality and quantity processes to follow for best practice water management
objectives may be set. (Zero impact has been committed for various types of mine residue deposits (MRDs),
to), and including water return to the hydrometallurgical plant

Small/Low impact mines/prospecting operations using BPG A3: Water Management in Hydrometallurgical
the Abridged Aide-Mémoire (AAM) or a Standard Plants. This BPG covers water management issues within
Environmental Management Programme (SEMP). Note the boundary fence of the hydrometallurgical processing
that as more SEMP’s are developed, the use of the AAM plant. The BPG thus starts when ore (including water/
is being phased out. moisture) and water from the mining operation arrives
at the hydrometallurgical processing plant for processing
Quantitative impact assessments will only be necessary and finishes when residue (tailings) leaves the processing
where the impact of a mine threatens the security of site (generally via a pipeline) for disposal,
the water resource. In these cases, the magnitude and
temporal nature of the impact must be determined and BPG A4: Pollution Control Dams, and
assessed in relation to the resource specific requirements BPG A6: Water Management for Underground
in the catchment and/or groundwater sources that may Mines.
be impacted.

All mines should be classified by the regional office

of DWAF according to their potential impact on water

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Figure 1‑7: Relationship between selected Best Practice Guidelines

1.5 Focus and structure of the that should be considered by the mine within this
context, as well as the water management context
BPG and linkages on the overall mine site, and
• Chapter 6 covers the water management measures
The primary focus for BPG A5 is to provide guidance on
that are specifically applicable to surface mining
Water Management for Surface Mining activities. The
operations, through the life cycle of the mine operation.
water management measures that are applicable to
These management measures include:
this focus area are covered in detail in section 6. Water
Management for Surface Mining is however also, by -- Water systems modelling through the mine life
necessity, linked into the overall mine site-wide water cycle
balance, as well as into the regional or catchment water -- Separation of water of differing qualities on
management objectives and requirements. BPG A5 the mine site and the corollary of avoiding the
thus covers the regional water management context combining water of differing qualities to optimise
within which the mine operates and the links to the mine water reuse and recycling
water balance, with reference to the other BPGs, as
-- Collection of water
applicable.
-- Conveyance systems
BPG A5: Water Management for Surface Mines is -- Storage facilities
structured as follows:
-- Treatment facilities for re-use
• Chapter 2 covers the general principles for Water -- Siting of water storage facilities
Management for Surface Mining
-- Maintenance of water management facilities
• Chapter 3 details the objectives and key considerations
of the BPG -- Closure considerations for water management,
• Chapter 4, together with Appendix A, summarises -- Exemptions, and
the current legal framework in South Africa within -- Water management.
which Water Management for Surface Mining must
• Appendix A covers the legal framework while Appendix
be undertaken
B includes specific details on the water management
• Chapter 5 details the regional water management modelling for surface mining.
context, and the water management considerations

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2
Best Practice Water Management for Surface Mining is based on the following general
principles:
• The management of water for surface mining must comply with the legal and regulatory
GENERAL conditions within South Africa

PRINCIPLES for • The design, operation and closure of water management facilities for surface mines should
be based on a holistic approach, including:
Water Management -- Sustainability
for Surface Mining -- Integrated water management approaches, including treatment for re-use
-- Optimisation of water use for a surface mine and the minimisation of the potential impact
from the surface mine on water quantity and quality
-- Full life cycle of the mine
-- Process water during the operational phase
-- Water quantity and quality, and
-- Surface water and groundwater
• The “precautionary approach” is applicable and water management should therefore follow
an anticipatory and conservative approach
• Technical studies and the design of water management facilities should be undertaken by
suitably qualified and experienced personnel
• Water management on surface mines should take into account the “polluter pays principle”
• Water management measures should be designed and operated within the context of an
overall closure plan. The design of water management measures should consider the impact
on closure and whether this will compromise the closure objectives
• Adequate financial provisions need to be made during the mine life for water management
measures to meet the closure objectives and beyond
• Concurrent rehabilitation should take place during the operational phase, where applicable,
to:
-- Meet the post-mining topography requirements.
-- Minimise the post-closure water management requirements, by maximising free-draining
areas and minimising contamination of clean water.
-- The above water management principles should play a key and decisive role when
evaluating and deciding on rehabilitation and closure strategies.

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3.1 Objectives of water management for surface mines

3 The primary objective of water management on surface mines is to protect the water resource
(including the water quality, water quantity and the aquatic ecosystem). This is achieved through
OBJECTIVES adherence to the hierarchy of decision-taking, which is based on a precautionary approach and
includes the following order of priority for mine water and waste management decisions and/
AND KEY or actions:
CONSIDERATIONS • Step 1: Pollution prevention (see BPG H2: Pollution Prevention and Minimisation of
Impacts)
• Step 2: Minimisation of impacts (see BPG H3: Water Reuse and Reclamation and BPG
H4: Water Treatment), and
• Step 3: Discharge or disposal of waste and/or waste water
To achieve this primary objective, the water management infrastructure on a surface mine must
be designed and operated with the following specific objectives in mind:
• To ensure that water management measures on the surface mine take account of and fit into
the broader regional water management context (integrated approaches)
• To ensure that water of different quality (i.e. clean and dirty water) is kept separate, and
managed separately, as far as possible. This will ensure that the contact between water of
different quality, and the potential for unnecessary water quality deterioration, is minimised
• To minimise contact between water and potentially polluting substances, such as minerals,
waste products, etc (see BPG H2: Pollution Prevention and Minimisation of Impacts)
• To address water pollution issues at source
• To maximise water reuse, avoid polluted water discharges from the mine site and maximise
clean water runoff
• To ensure that the water management measures are sustainable (durable) over the long-
term, and
• To ensure that the water management measures minimise the post-closure impairment of
the water resource.

3.2 Objectives of this guideline

This guideline seeks to provide the necessary guidance on Water Management for Surface
Mining. To achieve this, the guideline should meet the following objectives:
• To provide an overall context for water management which will illustrate the integration
between water management in the broader catchment and the mine-specific water
management
• To explain the hierarchy of water management and its applicability to surface mining
• To provide practical guidance on the water management measures to be included in the
mines Environmental Management Plan (EMP), Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP)
and Integrated Water Use Licence Application (IWULA) documents. These documents are
submitted by the mine in order to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Minerals
and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 28 of 2002) and the National Water Act
(Act 36 of 1998) and the applicable regulations
• To provide practical guidance and steps on water management best practice over the full
life cycle of a surface mine

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• To cover water management aspects for various types

of surface mines and mining methods
• To assist in ensuring efficient water use on a mine,
and
• To provide guidance on appropriate tools to be used for
water management on surface mines, to complement
those that are covered in other BPGs

3.3 Key considerations

The BPG has been developed, and should be used,
taking into account the following considerations:
• The BPG is aimed at DWAF and mining personnel
with a basic understanding of water management for
surface mines
• The BPG draws on established international best
practice, which is adapted to South African conditions,
as applicable
• The BPG augments and expands (where necessary)
existing literature on water management for surface
mines
• The BPG references other BPGs prepared and issued
by DWAF, and
• The BPG is developed for all surface mines and takes
into account the differences between types of surface
mining.

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The current South African legal framework with regards to Water Management for Surface

4
Mining is covered in Appendix A. The following details are included in Appendix A:
• The legal requirements for Water Management for Surface Mining, within the prevailing
mining, water and environmental legislation in South Africa. This review focuses on
the requirements of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) and the Mineral and
legal Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act 28 of 2002). The provisions included in
framework other legislation are also considered
• Summary of the applicable water management policies and strategies developed
by the DWAF. These documents are available on the department’s website
(http:///www.dwaf.gov.za).
The sections below provide a summary of the current principal legal framework for Water
Management for Surface Mining, as well as a list of the applicable water management policies
and strategies.

4.1 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996

(Act 108 of 1996)
The environmental rights of the people of South Africa are specified in Section 24 of the
Constitution. This guarantees everyone the right to an environment that is not harmful to her/
his health or well-being, and for the environment to be protected for the benefit of present and
future generations. This is to be achieved through reasonable legislation and other measures.

4.2 National Environmental Management Act, 1998

(Act No.107 of 1998)
The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No. 107 of 1998) provides the
guiding legislation and framework for environmental management in South Africa. Chapter
2 of the NEMA describes a set of fundamental guiding principles governing the actions of
those organs of state that may significantly affect the environment. These principles need to
be considered in all dimensions of water management. The Department of Water Affairs and
Forestry is thus guided by these principles in the development and implementation of various
policies and strategies.

4.3 The Minerals and Petroleum Resources

Development Act (MPRDA) (Act No. 28 of 2002)
The Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) regulates the prospecting
for, and optimal exploration, processing and utilisation of minerals; provides for safety and
health in the mining industry; and controls the rehabilitation of land disturbed by exploration
and mining. The Act supports the principle of IWRM by promoting the goal of sustainable
development in the development of mineral and petroleum resources. The Act specifically
states that “any prospecting or mining operation must be conducted in accordance with
generally acceptable principles of sustainable development by integrating social, economic and
environmental factors in the planning and implementation of prospecting and mining projects, in
order to ensure that exploration of mineral resources serves present and future generations.”

The MPRDA and its regulations require that an environmental impact assessment be
undertaken for a surface mine. The EIA will include a scoping report and an environmental
impact assessment report.

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4.4 National Water Act, 1998 4.5 Water use regulations

(Act No.36 of 1998) Government Notice No. 704 (GN704) provides
The National Water Act (NWA) emphasises the effective regulations on the use of water for mining and related
management of South Africa’s water resources through activities aimed at the protection of water resources, and
the basic principles of Integrated Water Resources was promulgated in terms of section 26 of the NWA on 4
Management (IWRM). Both the NWA and IWRM seek to June 1999. The detailed description and implications of
achieve social equity, economic efficiency and ecosystem
these regulations are covered in section 6 of this BPG.
sustainability, which are undertaken within a framework
that includes institutional roles, an enabling environment
(legislative, regulation and policy) and management 4.6 Dam safety regulations
instruments. Efficiency in water distribution and use is
a fundamental premise of water conservation and water The Dam Safety Regulations (published in Government
demand management.
Notice R. 1560 of 25 July 1986) requires that every dam
The NWA stipulates that water use authorisations must with a safety risk shall be classified in accordance with
be obtained for all water uses contemplated as part of section 2.4 of the regulation on the basis of its size and
surface mining. Section 21 of the NWA stipulates the hazard potential. An authorisation is required from the
eleven types of water use. A surface mine will require
dam safety office before construction of a dam, classified
a license for each of the mine’s water uses. Thus, for
example, a mine could feasibly be required to prepare as having a safety risk, commences.
water use licence applications for the following section
21 water uses:
4.7 DWAF water management
(a) taking water from a water resource
(b) storing water policies and strategies
(c) impeding or diverting the flow of water in a
watercourse The DWAF water management policies and strategies that
(d) engaging in a stream flow reduction activity are summarised in Appendix A include the following:
contemplated in section 36 • National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS)
(e) engaging in a controlled activity identified as such
in section 37(1) or declared under • Catchment Management Strategies (CMS)
section 38(1) • Internal Strategic Perspectives (ISP)
(f) discharging waste or water containing waste into a
• Water Resource Availability and Utilisation in South
water resource through a pipe, canal, sewer, sea
outfall or other conduit Africa
(g) disposing of waste in a manner which may • The Philosophy and Practice of Integrated Catchment
detrimentally impact on a water resource Management: Implications for Water Resource
(h) disposing in any manner of water which contains Management in South Africa
waste from, or which has been heated in, any
industrial or power generation process • A Strategic Plan for the Department of Water Affairs
(i) altering the bed, banks, course or characteristics and Forestry to facilitate the implementation of
of a watercourse Catchment Management in South Africa
(j) removing, discharging or disposing of water found
• Towards a Strategy for Waste Discharge Charge
underground if it is necessary for the efficient
continuation of an activity or for the safety of System (WDCS)
people; and • Water Conservation and Water Demand Management
(k) using water for recreational purposes. (WC/WDM)
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry does allow • Water Allocation Reform
for an Integrated Water Use License Application (IWULA)
in instances where more than one water use is being • Water classification system, and
applied for. • The National groundwater strategy.

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5 Surface mining is not undertaken in isolation of the regional, national and even global water
management context. Any water management on a surface mine, and the development of
a mine water management plan, must therefore conform and be guided by the overall water
water management context. Specific aspects of this context include the following:
management • The global, national, regional and site-specific water management context
context • Integrated Mine Water Management in the regional context
• Specific mine water management requirements for the various life cycle phases of a mine,
and
• Integrated regulatory and procedural guidance.
These various aspects are covered in the sections below.

5.1 Overall water management context

Figure 5‑1 illustrates the development of a mine water management plan within the global,
national, regional and site-specific context. This context can be summarised as follows:
• Global context: Various organisations have provided guidance on water management,
monitoring and reporting on a global basis. One such development is the Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI), who have published the following documentation of relevance to surface
mines:
-- Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (2002) which provide a global standard and guidance
for reporting
-- The Water Protocol (2003) which provides definitions and clarifications of the terms,
concepts and expectations embedded in the reporting indicators, and
-- The Mining and Metals Sector Supplement (2005) which capture the relevant issues
essential to sustainability reporting in the mining and metals sector
• National context: Chapter 4 and Appendix A, section A.2 provide details on the national
water management legislation that must be complied with in developing the mine water
management plan
• Regional context: Chapter 4 and Appendix A, section A.3 provide details on the water
management policies and strategies that have been developed by DWAF, and are to be
implemented on the regional/catchment basis. The requirements of these policies and
strategies should be taken into account when developing the mine water management plan.
Specific considerations include integrated water resource management plans, cumulative
water quantity and quality impacts and regional mine closure strategies in terms of the
MPRDA, and
• Site-specific context: This includes an understanding of the mine site and the impact that
this can have on the mine water management model. Specific site-specific considerations
include, amongst others, geology, topography, meteorology, geochemistry, and waste
management.

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Figure 5‑1: Overall water management context

5.2 Integrated Mine Water 5.3 Mine life cycle phase

Management specific requirements
Best Practice Guideline H1 covers Integrated Mine Water Table 5‑1 on page 17 summarises the information and
Management and provides the following details: water modelling and management requirements through
the various phases of the mine development, including:
• Discussion on the complete DWAF series of BPGs
and how these should be used in the application of • Prospecting, conceptualisation and planning
Integrated Mine Water Management on mine sites • Pre-feasibility study
• Discussion of Integrated Mine Water Management • Feasibility study, leading to a Bankable Feasibility
principles and how these should be applied at a mine Study (BFS)
site, taking into account both source-directed and • Mine design
resource-directed measures • Construction and commissioning
• Presentation of typical mine site layouts and • Mine operation
typical mine water management issues in order to • Closure and after-care, with closure certificate.
demonstrate practically how Integrated Mine Water
Management principles and the BPGs should be The information and water management requirements
applied on mine sites for each of the mine phases are discussed in more detail
in the sections below. Further details on water modelling
• Specific guidance on the contents and scope of an are provided in Appendix B. Note that the information
Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP) that provided in this section and in Appendix B should be
should be submitted to DWAF by mining proponents, used as a guideline only and is not prescriptive. Items
the level of detail required and specific areas where and/or actions mentioned in a particular phase or stage
suitably qualified specialists should be used, both in of mine development may overlap into a preceding or
preparation and review of an IWMP subsequent phase. For example, a WULA does not

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always need to be submitted at the feasibility stage, but following uses during the pre-feasibility study:
may be submitted at any appropriate phase in the mine
• To provide the preliminary sizing and costing of the
development.
water management infrastructure
5.3.1 Prospecting, conceptualisation • To provide a first order assessment of water supply
and planning and water demand for the mine
The prospecting, exploration, conceptualisation and • Input to baseline studies on water management for
planning stage will constitute the first high-level the mine,
assessment of the water management requirements • Input to the high-level risk assessments that will be
for the mine. It will be necessary at this stage to collect undertaken for the mine at this stage, and
any background information that is available, such • Input to the high-level impact assessments.
as meteorological data, water quantity and quality
Further discussions with the regulatory authorities during
monitoring data for both the catchment and the site-
specific area of the mine, topographical mapping, this phase will focus on the mine water requirements
geological data, environmental information (such as a and identifying potential water supply sources and other
Strategic Environmental Assessment for the area) and water user requirements.
any reports on water monitoring and modelling (both
The first order mine water plan will be the output of this
quantity and quality).
phase.
Potential sources of information include the conceptual
This phase should include initial mine closure planning
mine plan, the database of the Department of Water
Affairs and Forestry (Regional and National office), the and closure costing.
South African Weather Bureau and other information in
5.3.3 Feasibility study
the public domain.
A detailed water management model (continuous
The legal entity that will be submitting the Integrated daily time step modelling) should be developed at the
Water Use Licence Application (for water management) mine feasibility stage. This will be integrated with the
should also be identified during this phase.
feasibility level mine plan, the detailed groundwater
Initial discussions with the regulatory authorities should model, geochemical modelling and the detailed waste
be held at this stage to map the integrated regulatory management plan.
process, discuss time-frame and the financial provisions
related to water management. This model will provide details on the water supply to
the mine, the water management of the mine and the
A high level water management plan will be prepared discharge quantity and quality (if applicable). The model
as the output of this phase. This plan should include should also be used to identify a water monitoring plan
details on sealing of boreholes and closing of trenches, for the mine and to size the water infrastructure to meet
bulk sample pits and adits, to minimise the impact of the regulatory requirements.
these on the surface and groundwater regime. Guidance
on closing of boreholes is provided in BPG A6: Water The Integrated Water Use Licence Application (IWULA)
Management for Underground Mines. should be prepared and may be submitted during this
phase. This will also provide a check on the sizing of the
5.3.2 Pre-feasibility study water management infrastructure. The details from the
Baseline meteorological and water quantity/quality data water management model should also be used as input
for the mine site should be collected during this phase, for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process,
with a view to preparing a first-order water management the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and the
model (monthly time steps). The model should be Socio Economic Impact Assessment (SIA).
integrated into the pre-feasibility mine plan and should be
aligned with the mine closure objectives, the preliminary All water management infrastructure should be sized
groundwater plan and the waste management plan. during this phase, and a cost estimate identified. The
mine closure planning and closure costing details should
The first-order water management model will have the be updated.

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5.3.4 Mine design initial years of operation, when water will have to be
imported for the mines operational needs. At some
The detailed design of the water management point in the mine operations, the open strip mine will
infrastructure (dams, pumps, pipelines, etc) should be experience a net surplus of water which will require
undertaken during this phase. This should be integrated water storage and water management facilities to be
with the detailed mine plan, including details on ramps, planned and built. Conversely, a typical open pit mine
haul roads, etc. This civil design should also be integrated will need to manage a surplus of water in the earlier
with the mechanical, electrical and instrumentation years, followed by a water shortfall in later years.
design work. The water management model will be
updated during this phase, as required. The potential exists for a mine to meet the water shortfall
though the treatment of mine water. Such mine water
The IWULA document, together with any mine water treatment need only produce industrial type of water
use licence condition, if the water use licence has been for the beneficiation process and potable water for the
issued, should be converted to an Integrated Water offices and change houses. This approach will result in
Management Plan (IWMP) for the mine during this stage. the mine having to store less water during the operation
This will provide details on the water management and phase and will have a treatment plant that can treat part
monitoring plan for the mine. of the water generated after closure.

This phase should also include obtaining approval for the

construction of the water management infrastructure (in
particular any dams with a safety risk). The mine closure
planning and closure costing details should be updated,
based on the mine design.

The mine water management plans should take account

of the water make and water use for surface mines over
the life of mine. Figure 5‑2 illustrates this concept for an
open strip mine (graph on the left) and an open pit mine
(graph on the right) as follows:
• The water make curve represents the mine water
make from startup of operations through to closure.
This generally increases over time for an open strip
mine. An open pit often however has to be dewatered
in advance of mining so that there is an excess of
water from the start of operations. Once water
table levels have been dropped to the final pit floor
elevation pump rates tend to even out or even reduce
somewhat. Water make is generally derived from
rainfall infiltration, groundwater seepage and water
moving through inter-mine pillars. Rainfall ingress
can be greatly reduced by applying best practice for
rehabilitating of the disturbed areas
• The Operational water requirements represents the
total annualised operational water requirements for
the mine and includes water for dust suppression,
water used in the beneficiation plant, workshops and
domestic requirements (offices and change houses)
• Net shortfall (-) / Excess (+): This curve represents
the net shortfall or excess between mine water make
and mine water requirements. A typical open strip
mine will experience a net shortfall of water during the

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Figure 5‑2: Typical water make and water use for opencast mines

5.3.5 Construction and commissioning required for mine closure including making financial
provision for closure costs. The mine closure planning
The phase will include the construction of the water and closure costing details should be regularly updated
management infrastructure. Data will be collected on during mine operations, taking into account the mine
water quantity and quality. This data will be used to report operations planning at that time.
to the regulatory authorities against the requirements of
the IWMP and other authorisations. 5.3.7 Closure, post-closure and
after-care
Regular monitoring and audit reports will be provided to
the mine management and construction team during this The water management measures will form an integral
phase. The water management model should also be part of the mine’s Closure Plan. The design of these
updated, as required. water management measures for mine closure will
be confirmed and costed during this phase. These
5.3.6 Mine operation measures will then be implemented. Details of the water
management measures for mine closure are covered in
Water quantity and quality data should be collected on a
more detail in BPG A2: Water Management for Mine
regular, ongoing basis during mine operations. These data
Residue Deposits, BPG A4: Pollution Control Dams
will be used to recalibrate and update the mine water
and BPG G5: Water Management Aspects for Mine
management model, to prepare monitoring and audit
Closure.
reports, to report to the regulatory authorities against the
requirements of the IWMP and other authorisations and Regular monitoring and reporting against the IWMP,
as feedback to stakeholders in the catchment, perhaps authorisations, and closure plan will be required during
via the CMA. this phase.
The water management model should be used to
consider and design the water management measures

16
 Table 5‑1: Information and water management requirements through the mine phases
(Note: there is generally significant overlap between sections and activities often cross stage boundaries)
Mine Phase Baseline Information and evaluation Links to other information not Outputs
requirements forming part of the IWMP Regulatory Mine management
Prospecting, • Background information categorising • Geology reports • Mine risk classification • High level mine water
conceptualisation the receiving water environment (water • Preliminary mine plan • Mapping of the integrated regulatory process management plan that can
and planning monitoring data and programmes, practically be implemented
• Environmental overview (Strategic • Project specific requirements and constraints
meteorological data, etc) Environmental Assessment) for water supply, source management and water • Confirmation of adequate
• Catchment description, catchment • Socio economic impact resource quality objectives water for the mine over the
management plan and water availability assessment full mine life
• Information on existing mining in the • Confirmation of the legal entity for
region water use authorization
Pre-feasibility • Baseline data (surface water, • Mine closure objectives • Initial discussions on project specific water • Monthly time-step mine
groundwater and process water) • Preliminary groundwater model requirements and water allocations water plan
required to assess the impact on the • Catchment model • Fatal flaw analysis • Affordability of water
receiving water environment • Request for details on the Reserve from the management measures
• Pre-feasibility level mine plan
• Monthly time-step water management Regulatory Authority
• Initial waste management
model • Discussion on water supply and mine water
concepts
• Preliminary sizing of water management requirements, including potential supply sources
• Stakeholders / water users
infrastructure and other water user requirements
database for the catchment
• Input to EIA
• Identified mine water uses
• Agreed terms of reference for required information
Feasibility • Baseline data for impact assessments • Groundwater modelling and • Submission of Integrated Water Use License • Detailed water management
and feasibility study assessment Application (IWULA) plan (infrastructure sizing
• Data Water management model (daily • Geochemical modelling • Input to documents on Environmental Impact and operating rules)
time-step modelling) • Waste management plan Assessment (EIA), Environmental Management • BFS cost estimate for water
• Mine water demand and source of • Feasibility level mine plan Plan (EMP) and Integrated Water Management management
reliable water supply Plan (IWMP) • Input to mine water
• Waste Discharge Charges • Input to socio-economic impact assessment management plan covering
• Water quantity and quality monitoring mitigation of water impacts

17
• Hierarchy of water management
• Discharge quantity and quality
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Best Practice Guideline - A5: Water Management for Surface Mines -- July 2008
18
Mine Phase Baseline Information and evaluation Links to other information not Outputs
requirements forming part of the IWMP Regulatory Mine management
Design • Water Use License • Mechanical and electrical design • Submit IWMP in support of Integrated Water Use • IWMP for the mine
• Model updates • Instrumentation design License Application (IWULA) • Water management and
• Design of water management • Process and Instrumentation • Approval for the design of water supply and monitoring plan
infrastructure Diagrammes (P&IDs) pollution control dams
• Closure planning and costing
Construction and • Water infrastructure construction details • Other construction activities • Reporting to verify that the construction is • Monitoring and audit
commissioning • Water quantity and quality monitoring completed in accordance with the approvals requirements for construction
• Audits and model revisions, using phase
collected data • Water management system
enabling requirements
• Model updates to confirm
that water quantity and
quality objectives can be
met with required level of
reliability
• Requirements for reporting
against IWMP and Integrated
Water Use License (IWUL)
Mine operation • Regular water management data • Operations mine plan • Reporting and monitoring in terms of compliance • Monitoring and audits
collection and assessment • Rehabilitation schedules against water use authorization conditions • Non conformance follow up
• Recalibration and revisions to water • Best Practice Guidelines • Annual update of IWMP (continual improvement) and mitigation
management model, according to water • Mine closure plan • Model updates to confirm
monitoring results validity of IWMP
• Ongoing operational management • Reporting against IWMP and
• Update to closure plan and costing IWUL
Closure, post- • Design of sustainable water • Catchment level water • Approved Closure and Rehabilitation Plan • Reporting against IWMP and
closure and management measures for closure management plan • Monitoring and reporting against Closure Plan IWUL
after-care • Maintenance of water quantity and • Mine closure plan • Closure plan for water
quality monitoring aspects
• Implement closure • Closure certificate
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5.4 Integrated Regulatory and Town Planning and NNR). This is generally at a
provincial/catchment level, but may also be at national
Procedural guidance or local level
Figure 5‑3 provides a proposed guide on Integrated • The procedural requirement for stakeholder
Regulatory Process (IRP) for use by water managers on engagements, and
a surface mine. Note that this diagramme is included as • The inter-linkages between the various regulatory
a guide only to illustrate a process that may be followed. processes,
It is not prescriptive and is subject to change in line with
Under the current legislation, it is a requirement that the
any changes in the legal environment in South Africa.
mine management follow all of the regulatory processes
There is a need to liaise with the relevant Provincial
identified in Figure 5‑3 in the development, expansion
departments to confirm the regulatory requirement.
or amendment of a mine. Co-operative governance may
Figure 5‑3 indicates the following:
however, in some instances, streamline the process.
• The procedural requirements and process for each
regulatory authority (DME, DWAF, DEAT, SAHRA,

Figure 5‑3: Guide for Integrated Regulatory Process (IRP)

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6 6.1 Introduction
This section addresses the two primary areas of water management on a surface mine,
water namely:
management • Integrated water management modelling, and
modelling and • Water management measures that are required on a surface mine to conform to the details
measures for included in Government Notice No. 704 (GN704) of 4 June 1999.

surface mines
6.2 Integrated water management modelling
Water modelling is undertaken on a surface mine as input to the IWMP and to provide regular
information to the mine management and operational personnel on the mine water systems.
The water modelling is integrated as this needs to include information from mining, the
process plant, stormwater management, groundwater management, waste management and
geochemistry. The integrated modelling in turn provides information to the Mine Water and Salt
Balance (see BPG G2: Water and Salt Balance) and the IWMP. This is illustrated in Figure
6‑1 below.

Figure 6‑1: Integrated water management modelling for a surface mine

IWMP

Details on the integrated water management modelling process are included in Appendix B,
in terms of:
• Details of the baseline information requirements, and
• The water modelling requirements through the mine life cycle. This describes the level of
detail required in the water modelling for each of the mine phases and the recommended
water modelling outputs per mine phase.

6.3 Water management measures

Figure 6‑2 illustrates the typical water management requirements for a surface mine, including
surface water management (water retaining dams, etc) and groundwater management (seepage
cutoff, etc). Note that there are often water flow path links between surface and underground
mining (reference BPG A6: Water Management for Underground Mines).

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Figure 6‑2: Typical water flow paths in an open pit mine

Details on the following best practice water management • The practical implications of the water management
measures are provided in the sections below: regulations, and
• Separation of water The final section of this chapter provides practical
• Collection of water examples of the use of these water management
• Conveyance systems measures for the activities on a surface mine.
• Storage facilities
• Siting of water storage facilities 6.3.1 Separation of waters
• Maintenance of water management facilities Objective
• Closure considerations for water management,
• Exemptions, and The objective is to keep, as far as possible, water of
• Water management. differing qualities separate on a mine, so as to minimise
the water management requirements.
Each section covers the water management measure in
the following manner: Requirements of Government Notice No. 704
• Details included in Government Notice No. 704 (GN The requirements of water management regulations
704) of 4 June 1999 that are relevant to the particular 6 (a) and 7 (c) are applicable to the separation of waters.
water management measure These are included in Technical Box 6.1 below.

Technical Box 6.1

Regulation 6 (a): Capacity requirements of clean and dirty water systems
Every person in control of a mine or activity must-
(a) confine any unpolluted water to a clean water system, away from any dirty area;
Regulation 7 (c): Protection of water resources
Every person in control of a mine or activity must take reasonable measures to-
(c) cause effective measures to be taken to minimise the flow of any surface water or floodwater into mine workings,
opencast workings, other workings or subterranean caverns, through cracked or fissured formations, subsided
ground, sinkholes, outcrop excavations, adits, entrances or any other openings.

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Practical implications prevent the runoff from the clean areas from entering
the dirty areas, and to ensure that the dirty runoff
The practical implications of these water management enters the pollution control dam(s). Settling dams, silt
regulations on a mine are as follows: traps and oil traps are also used to manage discharge
• The clean and dirty water flow areas on a mine site from dirty water areas
should be identified. Guidance on the process to • The design of the channel gradient must be such that
follow to identify these areas is provided in BPG A4: the water is free-flowing without eroding the channel
Pollution Control Dams and BPG G1: Storm Water • The recycling or reuse of the runoff and seepage
Management water collected in the pollution control dams should be
• Every effort should be made to maximise the clean considered. The uses are typically dust suppression,
area and minimise the dirty area when locating the irrigation of rehabilitation, reuse in the plant and/or
diversion berms, channels and dams. In the case of a the mine. The size and frequency of the abstraction
new mine, the maximisation of the clean areas should for reuse will depend on the water use within the site
have an influence in overall mine planning and the wide water balance. Guidance is provided in BPG H3:
location of the mine infrastructure Water Reuse and Reclamation
• The mine planning should consider concurrent • Areas that may have subsided or areas of depressions
rehabilitation of mine workings and waste management and/or sinkholes should be filled to create free-
facilities, to maximise the areas of clean runoff that draining surfaces.
can be discharged to the natural watercourses
Examples of water separation
• The runoff from the dirty areas must be captured,
retained and managed within the mine water systems. Figure 6‑3 provides an illustration of a clean water cutoff
The use of structures such as diversion berms, canal. Note in this example, however, that the sides of
channels and pollution control dams are the typical the cutoff canal are relatively steep and vegetation may
methods used to manage the runoff. The berms and not be able to establish. This could lead to erosion and
channels are used to isolate the dirty areas so as to damage of the side-slopes.

Figure 6‑3: Illustration of a clean water cutoff canal

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Figure 6‑4 show various examples of unlined earth prevents stormwater from the surrounding areas flowing
trenches and canals for water separation. Again note that over the canal side-slopes. This may however not be
the side-walls of these canals are susceptible to erosion. practical if the canal is specifically designed to capture
This can be mitigated by locating a small berm at the stormwater from the surrounding areas.
crest of the canal (see bottom right photograph) which

Figure 6‑4: Examples of water separation trenches and canals

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Figure 6‑5 show examples of poor water separation practices. In the example on the left, the dirty water (containing
tailings) has mixed with the clean natural runoff. In the example on the right, the clean water diversion canal has filled
with tailings, resulting in a mix of clean and dirty water.
Figure 6‑5: Examples of poor water separation practices

Figure 6‑6 shows a further example of poor water separation. In this example, the system to capture dirty water has
breached which allows dirty water to discharge into clean runoff areas.
Figure 6‑6: Example of poor water separation practices

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6.3.2 Collection Requirements of Government Notice No. 704

Objective The requirements of water management regulations 6 (c)
and 7 (a) are applicable to the collection of waters. These
The objective is to design and manage effective water are included in Technical Box 6.2 below.
collection infrastructure for the various water streams/
sources on the mine.

Technical Box 6.2

Regulation 6 (c): Capacity requirements of clean and dirty water systems
Every person in control of a mine or activity must-
(c) collect the water arising within any dirty area, including water seeping from mining operations, outcrops or any other
activity, into a dirty water system;
Regulation 7 (a): Protection of water resources
Every person in control of a mine or activity must take reasonable measures to-
(a) prevent water containing waste or any substance which causes or is likely to cause pollution of a water
resource from entering any water resource, either by natural flow or by seepage, and must retain or collect
such substance or water containing waste for use, re-use, evaporation or for purification and disposal in terms
of the Act;

Practical implications • Seepage from waste management facilities must be

collected and managed in the dirty water system.
The practical implications of these water management Guidance on this seepage collection is provided in
regulations on a mine are as follows: BPG A2: Water Management for Mine Residue
• In-pit water management will be required to assess Deposits, Appendix D.
and manage the seepage water and rainfall. A Examples
groundwater investigation and development of a
groundwater model and management plan will be Figure 6‑7 illustrates the collection of water and
required to assess the level of recharge to the pit. the dewatering requirements when mining into old
BPG A4: Pollution Control Dams provides details underground mine workings. The practise of openstrip
on groundwater investigations and developing a mining into previously underground workings is
groundwater model. The groundwater recharge and undertaken so as to maximise the coal/ore recovery,
rainfall in the pit should be managed as follows: avoid greenfields sites when previously worked areas are
-- Maximise the abstraction and discharge of clean available and stabilize the old workings, especially where
groundwater ahead of the pit development, and bord and pillar workings can collapse. These old mine
workings may however contain significant amounts of
-- Manage in-pit seepage and rainfall through a
(generally) poor quality water. This water will need to be
collection and storage system. Water stored in pit
collected and managed in the mine water management
should be utilised locally for dust suppression, as
system. The challenge in these instances is to plan and
far as possible. Excess pit water should be pumped
design a water collection system that will adequately
to surface to be incorporated into the mine water
collect and manage the water make from the underground
balance,
workings. It is generally best practice to dewater from the
• Water management measures will be required to lowest point in the mine workings, ahead of the mining
ensure separation of clean from dirty water and to operation, to ensure that the dewatering is effective over
reduce the infiltration of clean rain water into the the workings.
rehabilitated part of the pit
• Dewatering of old mine workings will be required prior
to the pit development. This water should be captured
and managed in pit or in the mine water balance.

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Figure 6‑7: Dewatering in old mine workings

Figure 6‑8 shows an example of a groundwater seepage collection trench. In this example, groundwater seepage is
being pumped from boreholes into the collection canal. This water will be stored and managed within the mine water
system. The photograph shows the jib crane for lifting and maintenance of the borehole pump.

Figure 6‑8: Groundwater seepage cutoff trench

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Figure 6‑9 shows a seepage collection system in operation at a waste management facility. The seepage flow discharges
into an unlined dirty water collection and conveyance trench. The photograph shows the positive aspects of free flow
of water and the trench is free of vegetation growth. On the negative side, there is some channel erosion at the entry
point of the seepage discharge. This can be minimised by discharging closer to the channel flow level and parallel to
the flow direction. Should this not be possible, then it is recommended that suitable erosion protection measures be
placed on the stream banks.

Figure 6‑9: Seepage collection at a waste management facility

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Figure 6‑10 provides examples of poor and good water collection practices. The left hand photograph illustrates
uncontrolled discharge of excess dirty water from the plant area. This uncontrolled discharge will also have an unwanted
silt load. The right hand photograph shows a well bunded area to contain dirty water runoff.

A method to obviate this poor practice is to extend paving well beyond the plant footprint, with the paving sloped to
effectively remove the water to a collection facility.

Figure 6‑10: Examples of poor and good water collection practices

6.3.3 Conveyance Requirements of Government Notice No. 704

Objective The requirements of water management regulations
6 (b), (d) and (f) are applicable to the conveyance of
The objective is to design and manage infrastructure waters. These are included in Technical Box 6.3 below.
on the mine for the effective conveyance of the various
water streams.

Technical Box 6.3

Regulation 6 (b), (d) and (f): Capacity requirements of clean and dirty water systems

Every person in control of a mine or activity must-

(b) design, construct, maintain and operate any clean water system at the mine or activity so that it is not likely to
spill into any dirty water system more than once in 50 years;

(d) design, construct, maintain and operate any dirty water system at the mine or activity so that it is not likely to
spill into any clean water system more than once in 50 years;

(f) design, construct and maintain all water systems in such a manner as to guarantee the serviceability of such
conveyances for flows up to and including those arising as a result of the maximum flood with an average
period of recurrence of once in 50 years.

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Practical implications the design criteria given above not be adhered

to for temporary conveyance structures. The risk
The practical implications of these water management management plan should include contingency
regulations on a mine are as follows: planning,
• The clean and dirty water systems should be designed • The requirements of lining of the conveyance
separately. The size of the berms must be able to structures should be considered on the design. The
convey the 50 year flood peak without overtopping design velocity in the conveyance structure, together
while the pollution control dams must only spill on with the geotechnical conditions, can be used to
average once in 50 years, determine the need for a lining.
• The determination of the 50 year flood peak for Examples
the sizing of the berms requires the application of
standard flood peak calculation procedures such as Figure 6‑11 shows examples of lined conveyance
the Rational method, the application of kinematic structures. Several methods of lining are available,
rainfall-runoff models and/or the Regional Maximum including concrete, plastic (HDPE or other), rock lining,
Flood (RMF). Further details on the methodology to etc. The left hand photographs show good practice of well
calculate flood peaks are covered in BPG G1: Storm maintained free-channels. The right hand photographs
Water Management. illustrate that continuous maintenance is required in
• Consideration should be given to whether the channels to maintain free flow.
conveyance is a temporary or permanent structure.
A risk management plan should be developed should

Figure 6‑11: Examples of lined conveyance structures

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Figure 6‑12 gives examples of poor water conveyance practices. In the example on the left, the bund wall has failed
and the free flow of water in the canal is obstructed by the influx of coal discard. On the right, there is no formalised
water conveyance system in place, resulting in uncontrolled flow of dirty wash down water. There is also no gradient
to promote free flow of the water.

Figure 6‑12: Examples of poor water conveyance practices

6.3.4 Storage Requirements of Government Notice No. 704

Objective The requirements of water management regulations 5,
6 (e), and 7 (d) and (e) are applicable to the storage of
The objective is to design and manage water storage waters. These are included in Technical Box 6.4 below.
facilities that meet the legislative requirements.

Technical Box 6.4

Regulation 5: Restrictions on use of material
No person in control of a mine or activity may use any residue or substance which causes or is likely to cause pollution of
a water resource for the construction of any dam or other impoundment or any embankment, road or railway, or for any
other purpose which is likely to cause pollution of a water resource.
Regulation 6 (e): Capacity requirements of clean and dirty water systems
Every person in control of a mine or activity must-
(e) design, construct, maintain and operate any dam or tailings dam that forms part of a dirty water system to have a
minimum freeboard of 0.8 metres above full supply level, unless otherwise specified in terms of Chapter 12 of the
Act.
Regulation 7 (d) and (e): Protection of water resources
Every person in control of a mine or activity must take reasonable measures to-
(d) design, modify, construct, maintain and use any dam or any residue deposit or stockpile used for the disposal or
storage of mineral tailings, slimes, ash or other hydraulic transported substances, so that the water or waste therein,
or falling therein, will not result in the failure thereof or impair the stability thereof;
(e) prevent the erosion or leaching of materials from any residue deposit or stockpile from any area and contain material
or substances so eroded or leached in such area by providing suitable barrier dams, evaporation dams or any other
effective measures to prevent this material or substance from entering and polluting any water resources;

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Practical implications -- The spillway level for a pollution control dam,

-- The normal operating level plus the water depth for
The practical implications of these water management
a 50 year 24 hour storm for a mine residue deposit.
regulations on a mine are as follows:
Refer to BPG A2: Water Management for Mine
• The determination of the size of the pollution control Residue Deposits, Section 6.7 for further details
dams so as to only spill once in 50 years requires • All dams with a safety risk must adhere to section 12
the application of a continuous model (not single of the National Water Act and the dam safety criteria.
event) at an appropriate (preferably daily) time step. Refer to BPG A4: Pollution Control Dams for further
A typical model for a pollution control dam consists details
of a component that models the sources of the water
• Monitoring of water storage facilities, particularly
entering the dam and the water balance for the
pollution control dams, is imperative to manage
dam itself. Further guidance is provided in BPG A4:
the risk of spillage from the dams. Stage-storage
Pollution Control Dams and in BPG G2: Water and
(elevation-capacity) curves are useful tools to monitor
Salt Balances, the remaining capacity within a water storage facility.
• Guidance on the lining of pollution control dams is • Water management measures around mine residue
provided in BPG A4: Pollution Control Dams, deposits, to control erosion and leaching, are covered
• Suitable fill material for use in dam embankments will in BPG A2: Water Management for Mine Residue
need to be identified. The various considerations in Deposits.
the identification of suitable fill are as follows:
Examples
-- Geotechnical considerations: An assessment of
the soil characteristics and stability. A geotechnical Figure 6‑13 shows examples of typical water storage
site investigation with laboratory testwork will be facilities on a mine, using different fill for the wall
required to confirm the geotechnical properties construction. On the top left is a water storage dam linked
of the soil and its suitability as fill. Guidance on to the mines recreational facilities. The photograph on
geotechnical investigations is provided in BPG A4: the top right shows an example of using coarse discard
Pollution Control Dams, on the inner face of the dam. This could result in water
-- Geochemical considerations: The pollution quality impacts in the dam from leaching of the discard.
potential of the various soil horizons should be The bottom two photographs show typical water storage
assessed, dam down slope of tailings facilities, to capture and retain
-- Environmental considerations, such as stripping dirty water from the tailings facilities and to return this
and stockpiling of topsoil for later rehabilitation and water to the mine water system. The photograph on the
vegetation, and bottom right shows a typical return water pump system
-- Mining and plant considerations: The mine and on a barge.
plant will produce waste streams that can be used
as fill.
Each of the above should be considered independently,
and concurrently, to identify the most suitable fill for the
pollution control dam embankments,
• A potential exclusion from the above process is the
use of potentially polluting material in isolated areas,
for example, the use of waste rock for creating
temporary ramps or impoundments in-pit,
• The design and operation of pollution control dams
and mine residue deposits should be such as to
maintain a minimum of 0.8m of freeboard above the
full supply level of the dam. The full supply level is
defined as follows:

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Figure 6‑13: Examples of water storage facilities

Figure 6‑14 shows a HDPE lined pollution control dam (water storage facility).

Figure 6‑14: Example of a lined water storage facility

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Figure 6‑15 shows examples of poor water storage practices. In the example on the left, the entrance to the water
storage facility has been filled with silt washed down from the plant, rock dump and surrounding areas. The example
on the right shows a discharge from a dirty water storage facility to the water environment.

Figure 6‑15: Examples of poor water storage practices

6.3.5 Siting
Objective
The objective is to ensure that all mine infrastructure,
in particular the waste management infrastructure,
is located in such as way as to minimise the potential
impact on the water resource.

Requirements of Government Notice No. 704

The requirements of water management regulations 4,
7 (h) and 10 (1) (b) are applicable to the siting of water
management facilities. These are included in Technical
Box 6.5 below.

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Technical Box 6.5

Regulation 4: Restrictions on locality

No person in control of a mine or activity may-
locate or place any residue deposit, dam, reservoir, together with any associated structure or any other facility
within the 1:100 year flood-line or within a horizontal distance of
100 metres from any watercourse or estuary, borehole or well, excluding boreholes or wells drilled specifically
to monitor the pollution of groundwater, or on water-logged ground, or on ground likely to become water-logged,
undermined, unstable or cracked;
(a) except in relation to a matter contemplated in regulation 10, carry on any underground or opencast mining,
prospecting or any other operation or activity under or within the 1:50 year flood-line or within a horizontal distance
of 100 metres from any watercourse or estuary, whichever is the greatest;
(b) place or dispose of any residue or substance which causes or is likely to cause pollution of a water resource, in the
workings of any underground or opencast mine excavation, prospecting diggings, pit or any other excavation; or
(c) use any area or locate any sanitary convenience, fuel depots, reservoir or depots for any substance which causes
or is likely to cause pollution of a water resource within the 1:50 year flood-line of any watercourse or estuary.
Regulation 7 (h): Protection of water resources
Every person in control of a mine or activity must take reasonable measures to-
(h) cause all domestic waste, including wash-water, which cannot be disposed of in a municipal sewage system, to be
disposed of in terms of an authorisation under the Act.
Regulation 10 (1) (b): Additional regulations relating to winning sand and alluvial minerals from watercourse
or estuary
(1) No person may-
(b) establish any slimes dam or settling pond within the 1:50 year flood-line or within a horizontal distance of
100 metres of any watercourse or estuary.

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Practical implications
Figure 6‑16 provides details on the process to follow in the siting of various water management facilities, based on the
above regulations. Cognisance must also be taken of the mining plan and the geology. The practical implications of
these water management regulations on a mine are covered in the sections below.

Figure 6‑16: Process for siting water management facilities

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Siting of residue deposits, dams, reservoirs, together -- 100m radius from boreholes, wells and/or estuaries
with any associated structure or any other facility on site.
• Plot any other restriction zones on a plan of the site,
The process for siting of the water management facilities
including:
is as follows:
-- Any ground that is currently water-logged (for
• Identify all affected watercourses, boreholes, pans, example pans, etc)
wetlands, wells and estuaries. The definition of a
-- Any ground likely to be water-logged (for example
watercourse (as provided in the National Water Act)
depressions, low-lying ground, etc)
is given in Technical Box 6.6 below,
-- Undermined, unstable or cracked areas, and
• Determine the 1:100 year floodline for all watercourses
on site that will be affected by mining or mining -- Mine blast zones.
infrastructure. Plot the 1:100 year floodline on a plan, • Plot the final exclusion zone as a combination of
• Plot the horizontal distance for the exclusion zone, as the above three criteria. All water management
follows: infrastructure must be outside of this exclusion zone,
-- 100m from the centre-line of the watercourse, on • Identify areas where exemptions are required. This is
each bank, and covered in more detail in section 6.5.

Technical Box 6.6

A “watercourse’’ means ‑
(a) a river or spring;
(b) a natural channel in which water flows regularly or intermittently;
(c) a wetland, lake or dam into which, or from which, water flows; and
(d) any collection of water which the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, declare to be a watercourse, and a
reference to a watercourse includes, where relevant, its bed and banks;

Opencast mining • Identify areas where exemptions are required.

The process for the restriction of opencast mining is as The above restrictions on opencast mining should be
follows: adhered to at all times. However, a motivation for an
exemption can be submitted should mining through or
• Identify all affected watercourses, boreholes, wells, in a watercourse be envisaged. The motivation will need
estuaries and wetlands. Note that wetlands could to provide details of the water management measures
include those found either instream and/or on hill during operations as well as the plans for closure of the
slopes, with the latter being more difficult to identify area. Figure 6‑17 indicates schematically the typical water
• Determine the 1:50 year floodline for all watercourses management measures that are likely to be required if
on site that will be affected by mining or mining mining though or in watercourse is undertaken.
infrastructure. Plot the 1:50 year floodline on a plan,
• Plot the horizontal distance for the exclusion zone, as
follows:
-- 100m from the centre-line of the watercourse, on
each bank, and
- 100m radius from boreholes, wells and/or estuaries
on site.
• Plot the final exclusion zone as a combination of
the above two criteria. All opencast mining must be
outside of this exclusion zone,

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Figure 6‑17: Typical water management measures for mining in a watercourse

Sand winning and alluvial minerals -- 100m from the centre-line of the watercourse, on
each bank, and
The process for locating slimes dams, stockpiles and
settling ponds is as follows: -- 100m radius from boreholes, wells and/or estuaries
on site.
• Identify all affected watercourses, boreholes, wells
• Plot the final exclusion zone as a combination of the
and estuaries,
above two criteria. All infrastructure must be outside
• Determine the 1:50 year floodline for all watercourses of this exclusion zone,
on site that will be affected by mining or mining
infrastructure. Plot the 1:50 year floodline on a plan, • Identify areas where exemptions are required.
• Plot the horizontal distance for the exclusion zone, as Note that the tonnage from two days of production may
follows: be stored within the exclusion zone.

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Borrow pits
Mining operations in the construction, operation
and closure phases will require borrow material for
infrastructure such as terraces, foundations, access
roads, haul roads, railway lines, etc. It is generally best
practice to carry out extensive geotechnical surveys
for borrow material to establish sources. Sources for
borrow material should, as far as possible, be located
within the life of the mine operation foot print, i.e. in the
planned mining areas or the waste dump areas. The
rehabilitation of the borrow pits will then form part of the
mining or dump rehabilitation plan.

The borrow pits will need to be rehabilitated in accordance

with the mines Environmental Management Plan should
these borrow areas be located outside of the operational
footprint then.

Additional requirements for potentially

polluting infrastructure
This includes all sanitary conveniences (sewage treatment
works, soakaways, etc), fuel depots and storage facilities
for potentially polluting substances. These facilities must
be located outside of the 1:50 year floodline.

Examples
Figure 6‑18 illustrates the above process for locating a
mine residue deposit. Figure 6‑19 provides an example
of a wetland.

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Figure 6‑18: Siting of a mine residue deposit

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Figure 6‑19: Example of a wetland

6.3.6 Design and operational Requirements of Government Notice No. 704

considerations
The requirements of water management regulations
Objective 7 (b), (f) and (h), 10 (1) (a) and 11 are applicable to the
design and operations of water management facilities.
The objective is to ensure that all design and operational These are included in Technical Box 6.7 below.
activities are undertaken within the water management
hierarchy and to minimise impacts on the water
resource.

Technical Box 6.7

Regulation 7 (b), (f) and (h): Protection of water resources
Every person in control of a mine or activity must take reasonable measures to-
(b) design, modify, locate, construct and maintain all water systems, including residue deposits, in any area
so as to prevent the pollution of any water resource through the operation or use thereof and to restrict the
possibility of damage to the riparian or in-stream habitat through erosion or sedimentation, or the disturbance
of vegetation, or the alteration of flow characteristics;
(f) ensure that water used in any process at a mine or activity is recycled as far as practicable, and any facility,
sump, pumping installation, catchment dam or other impoundment used for recycling water, is of adequate
design and capacity to prevent the spillage, seepage or release of water containing waste at any time;
(h) cause all domestic waste, including wash-water, which cannot be disposed of in a municipal sewage system,
to be disposed of in terms of an authorisation under the Act.
Regulation 10 (1) (a): Additional regulations relating to winning sand and alluvial minerals from watercourse or
estuary
No person may-
(a) extract sand, alluvial minerals or other materials from the channel of a watercourse or estuary, unless
reasonable precautions are taken to-
(i) ensure that the stability of the watercourse or estuary is not affected by such operations;
(ii) prevent scouring and erosion of the watercourse or estuary which may result from such operations or
work incidental thereto;
(iii) prevent damage to in-stream or riparian habitat through erosion, sedimentation, alteration of vegetation
or structure of the watercourse or estuary, or alteration of the flow characteristics of the watercourse or
estuary.

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Regulation 11: Additional regulations for rehabilitation of coal residue deposits

Any person mining or establishing coal residue deposits must rehabilitate such residue deposits so that-
(a) all residue deposits are compacted to prevent spontaneous combustion and minimise the infiltration of water;
and
(b) the rehabilitation of the residue deposits is implemented concurrently with the mining operation.

Practical implications management plan and construction to ensure that

adequate moisture content and compaction is
The practical implications of these water management achieved on an ongoing basis,
regulations on a mine are as follows:
• The rehabilitation team must be on site during
• All water systems should be sited, designed and operations to ensure that concurrent rehabilitation of
operated to restrict the possibility of damage to the the coal residue deposits is undertaken,
riparian or in-stream habitat. The practicalities of this
• The rehabilitation work must be included in the
are:
Operations Manual for the mine, and
-- Silt traps and sedimentation ponds should be
designed and operated around plant areas and • Reporting proformas and protocols must be
upstream of the return water dam for the mine established and adhered to, to ensure that the
residue deposit, rehabilitation is undertaken to the required standard.
-- The design of watercourses must be such as to
achieve permissible velocities in the channel to
limit erosion for unlined or lined channels, and
-- Mine designs should avoid, as far as possible, the
discharge of large flows into small streams, which
will cause changes in the flow characteristics of
the stream, result in erosion potential and change
the stream habitat.
• The design and operation of water management
facilities should optimise water reuse and reclamation.
Further guidance on this is provide in BPG H3: Water
Reuse and Reclamation,
• Water use authorisations under section 21 (f) or 21
(g) of the National Water Act, and Environmental
Conservation Act (ECA) section 20, will be required
if the mine is contemplating the discharge of water
containing waste or the storage of waste,
• The design of water management facilities should
include suitable erosion protection measures to
ensure that downstream erosion or sedimentation is
minimised,
• Suitable areas should be designated for maintenance
and the storage of waste and other equipment. Suitable
management measures must be implemented in
these designated areas,
The practical implications for the rehabilitation of coal
residue deposits are as follows:
• A suitably qualified rehabilitation team must undertake
the work. The rehabilitation team must have a suitable

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Examples ramp for access for a front-end loader to remove silt. In

these instances, the silt must be transported to the final
Figure 6‑20 shows examples of various configurations for disposal point, without spillage.
silt traps. The example on the left also includes a slurry
pump which is useful for the removal of accumulated silt. In the example on the right, maintenance is required to
Good design practice is to ensure that the silt removed the overflow system from the silt trap. This illustrates that
from the trap is in an enclosed system to the disposal it is important that the design takes into consideration the
point, e.g. a pipeline. The photograph also shows a high rainfall events.
Figure 6‑20: Examples of silt traps

Figure 6‑21 illustrates good practice for the storage of waste drums in a maintenance area. The storage area is bunded
to prevent uncontrolled runoff in the event of a spill and the drums are neatly stored.

Figure 6‑21: An example of good practice for a maintenance area

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Figure 6‑22 show poor practice for silt traps and maintenance areas. In the top left example, the silt is not adequately
removed from the silt trap and will wash back into the trap during subsequent stormwater events. This could be
improved by installing a slurry pump to keep the channel clean and convey the silt to the final destination.

In the bottom left photograph, a system for the removal of water from a storage area should be included in the design.
In the example on the right, the storage area is not bunded, and any spills from the area (as is currently happening) will
result in uncontrolled discharge and associated pollution.

Figure 6‑22: Examples of poor practice for silt traps and maintenance areas

6.3.7 Maintenance
Objective
The objective is to ensure that all water management
infrastructure on a mine is well maintained and managed
at all times.

Requirements of Government Notice No. 704

The requirements of water management regulations
7 (g), 8 and 12 are applicable to the maintenance of water
management facilities. These are included in Technical
Box 6.8 below.

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Technical Box 6.8

Regulation 7 (g): Protection of water resources
Every person in control of a mine or activity must take reasonable measures to-
(g) at all times keep any water system free from any matter or obstruction which may affect the efficiency thereof.
Regulation 8: Security and additional measures
Every person in control of a mine or activity must-
(a) cause any impoundment or dam containing any poisonous, toxic or injurious substance to be effectively fenced-off so
as to restrict access thereto, and must erect warning notice boards at prominent locations so as to warn persons of the
hazardous contents thereof;
(b) ensure access control in any area used for the stockpiling or disposal of any residue or substance which causes, has caused
or is likely to cause pollution of a water resource so as to protect any measures taken in terms of these regulations;
(c) not allow the area contemplated in paragraph (a) and (b) to be used for any other purpose, if such use causes or is likely
to cause pollution of a water resource; and
(d) protect any existing pollution control measures or replace any existing pollution control measures deleteriously affected,
damaged or destroyed by the removing or reclaiming of materials from any residue deposit or stockpile, and establish
additional measures for the prevention of pollution of a water resource which might occur, is occurring or has occurred as
a result of such operations.
Regulation 12: Technical investigation and monitoring
(1) The Minister may, after consultation with the Department of Minerals and Energy and the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism, in writing require any person in control of a mine or activity to arrange for a technical investigation or
inspection, which may include an independent review, to be conducted on any aspect aimed at preventing pollution of a
water resource or damage to the in-stream or riparian habitat connected with or incidental to the operation or any part of
the operation of a mine or activity.
(2) Such investigation must be conducted and a report thereon compiled in the manner and within the time period that the
Minister may specify.
(3) The person in control of the mine or activity must inform the Minister as to the expertise and qualifications of the persons
who are to conduct an investigation or inspection contemplated in subregulation (1) before the commencement thereof.
(4) The Minister may in writing require any person in control of a mine or activity to submit a programme of implementation to
prevent or rectify any pollution of a water resource or damage to the in-stream or riparian habitat as recommended by the
investigation contemplated in subregulation (1) within the time period that the Minister may specify.
(5) The Minister may in writing direct any person in control of a mine or activity to implement a compliance monitoring network
to monitor the programme of implementation contemplated in subregulation (4), through establishing, operating and
maintaining monitoring installations of a type, at the locations and in the manner specified by the Minister and to submit the
monitoring information and results to the Minister for evaluation.
(6) Subject to Chapter 4 of the Act, any person in control of a mine or activity must submit plans, specifications and design
reports approved by a professional engineer to the Minister, not later than 60 days prior to commencement of activities
relating to-
(a) the construction of any surface dam for the purpose of impounding waste, water containing waste or slurry, so as to
prevent the pollution of a water resource;
(b) the implementation of any pollution control measures at any residue deposit or stockpile, so as to prevent the pollution
of a water resource; and
(c) the implementation of any water control measures at any residue deposit or stockpile, so as to prevent the pollution
of a water resource.

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Practical implications
The practical implications of these water management
regulations on a mine are as follows:
• All water management facilities must be regularly
inspected and monitored to ensure that the facilities
are capable of meeting the design requirements,
• The water management facilities must be cleaned
and maintained, to ensure that:
-- All conveyances are capable of accommodating
the 1:50 year flood without overtopping,
-- Pollution control dams are maintained at the
design capacity, and
-- Mine residue deposits and pollution control
dams are maintained to ensure that the required
freeboard is available.
• A reporting system must be in operation on the mine
and adhered to
• A maintenance schedule for the water management
facilities must be developed
• Access to all waste management facilities must be
suitably controlled
• In the case of remining activities:
-- The future use of the remined area will be subject
to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA),
-- Any damage that is caused during the remining
activities must be rectified, and
-- The current water management measures must be
upgraded if the remining activities results in these
measures being inadequate
The implications of regulation 12 are as follows:
• The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry can
direct any person in control of a mine or activity to
undertake a technical investigation or review, if such
an investigation or review is deemed necessary
• The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry can
direct any person in control of a mine or activity to
rectify any incidents and to implement a monitoring
system to ensure that the remedial work is successful,
and
• The requirements of section 6 of regulation 12 should
be included in the Water Use Licence Application
(WULA) for the mine.

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Examples
Figure 6‑23 give examples of water management systems that are well maintained and are functioning according to the
design requirements. This includes conveyance canals (top left and bottom right), a flow measuring weir (top right) and
a dirty water management system (bottom left). In the bottom right photograph, the sump should however be empty
at all times.

Figure 6‑23: Examples of well maintained water management systems

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Figure 6‑24 shows examples of poorly maintained water management systems. This includes:

A canal that has completely silted and has lost all conveyance capacity (top left)

Uncontrolled vegetation growth around water flow measuring devices (top and bottom right). These devices will thus
be unable to function according to their design an operational requirements, and

Uncontrolled vegetation growth in a canal (bottom left). This will restrict the effectiveness of the canal to convey the
stormwater flow for which it has been designed for.

Figure 6‑24: Examples of poorly maintained water management systems

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6.3.8 Closure Requirements of Government Notice No. 704

Objective The requirements of water management regulation 9 are
applicable to the closure of water management facilities
The objective is to ensure that any long-term residual These are included in Technical Box 6.9 below.
water quality impacts are identified and adequately
managed in the closure scenario.

Technical Box 6.9

Regulation 9: Temporary or permanent cessation of mine or activity

(1) Any person in control of a mine or activity must at either temporary or permanent cessation of operations ensure
that all pollution control measures have been designed, modified, constructed and maintained so as to comply with
these regulations

(2) Any person in control of a mine or activity must ensure that the in-stream and riparian habitat of any water resource,
which may have been affected or altered by a mine or activity, is remedied so as to comply with these regulations.

(3) On either temporary or permanent cessation of a mine or activity the Minister may request a copy of any surface or
underground plans as required in terms of the Minerals Act, 1991.

Practical implications -- Update the temporary conveyances that are

required for closure to permanent structures and,
The practical implications of these water management
-- Add any additional conveyances that are required
regulations on a mine are as follows:
for the closure conditions.
• In the case of temporary cessation of mining, the mine • In terms of regulation 9, section 2, the mine
management team must: management must ensure that:
-- Review and update the mine closure plan, where -- All existing impacts from the water management
required, infrastructure are remediated,
-- Identify all water management measures that need -- Stream diversions systems are managed according
to be put in place to ensure effective operations to closure plan and closure objectives,
and maintenance of the pollution control measures
-- The potential future impacts, for example,
during the temporary cessation period, and
decant from the mine, have been identified and
-- Identify and implement the required monitoring are covered in the closure plan and the closure
programmes. financial provisions, and
• In the case of permanent cessation of mining, i.e. -- A procedure is in place in the closure plan for the
closure, the mine management team must: closure of the final voids, if applicable.
-- Ensure that the required rehabilitation of pollution
In addition, in order to seek alignment and coordination
control measures is undertaken in accordance
between the DME and DWAF, the respective
with the closure objectives and the mine closure
requirements from each Department on mine closure
plan (developed in terms of the Minerals and
has been consolidated into a single document in the
Petroleum Resources Development Act and the
Mine Environmental Management (MEM) series on Mine
Mining Environmental Series (MEM) and guidelines
Closure, which is to be used by the mining industry.
on closure prepared by the Department of Water
Affairs and Forestry. Additional information on The MEM Guideline on Mine Closure provides a legal
closure of pollution control measures is provided framework stipulating the specific requirements from the
in BPG A4: Pollution Control Dams, regulatory authorities. It further provides an overview of
-- Identify temporary conveyances that will not be all environmental legislation that needs to be considered
required for closure, with regard to cooperative governance.

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The guideline provides a planning framework for mine -- The mine management will need to consider the
closure. The methodology to be followed is centered use of the water post-closure. This water can be
on the environmental risk-based approach for mine used for irrigation purposes if of suitable quality. If
closure. In addition, guidance is also provided in the the water is not of suitable quality, it will need to be
MPRDA and its regulations in terms of the administrative
treated prior to re-use or discharge (see BPG H4:
procedures to be followed as part of the formal mine
Water Treatment)
closure application.
-- The institutional arrangement for water re-use in
This guideline also promotes the concept of regional the closure phase will need to be considered and
closure plans in terms of the integration and alignment
planned.
to be followed. This follows the concept of regional
closure plans that has been captured in the Regulations
as contemplated in terms of the MPRDA. The essential
need for post closure monitoring is fully addressed in
the guideline to ensure that progressive achievement of
closure objectives is properly recorded.

Other practical implications in terms of water management

measures for mine closure are as follows:
• All water management infrastructure should be
designed and managed to facilitate mine closure. This
includes the following considerations:
-- The durability and longevity of water management
designs, e.g. provision of erosion protection for
long-term control of erosion,
-- The critical role that water modelling must play
in the design process for long-term water quality
impact prediction and the design of adequate
impact mitigation measures
-- The consideration of active versus passive care of
the water management infrastructure post-closure,
and
-- The consideration of the final land use and final
land forms should be incorporated into the design
of the water management measures for closure
• The post-closure water use should be considered in
the design process
• The final mine topography should be planned, as far
as possible, to be free-draining
• The post-closure water management plan should
take cognisance of the likelihood that the water table
will rebound in the rehabilitated pits. Modelling of the
post-closure groundwater situation will be required to
determine:
-- The long-term water level in the pit
-- The long-term management of the pit lake
-- The likelihood and position of future decant and/
or seepage points, and the impact of these on the
receiving water

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Examples
Figure 6‑25 provides examples of rehabilitation on opencast pits. In the example on the left, the area has been
rehabilitated and is being used for cattle grazing. On the right, the area has been rehabilitated and the grass cover is
establishing.

Figure 6‑25: Examples of rehabilitated opencast pits

Figure 6‑26 illustrates the undesirable instance of acid seepage from a pit area. This could negatively impact on the
receiving water environment in the post-closure phase.

Figure 6‑26: Acid seepage from pit

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6.3.9 Exemptions
Objective
The objective is to streamline mine water management
through exemptions, where applicable.

Requirements of Government Notice No. 704

The requirements of water management regulation 3 are
applicable to exemptions from the requirements of the
water regulations. These are included in Technical Box
6.10 below.
Technical Box 6.10

Regulation 3: Exemption from requirements of regulations

The Minister may in writing authorise an exemption from the requirements of regulations 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 or 11 on his or
her own initiative or on application, subject to such conditions as the Minister may determine.

Practical implications These aspects are generally covered in other literature,

including the following:
The practical implications of these water management
regulations on a mine are as follows: • Details on water monitoring systems are provided in
BPG G3: Water Monitoring Systems,
• The mine management must provide a motivation for
the need for an exemption from the requirements of • Guidance on assessment is provided in BPG G4:
the water management regulations, Impact Prediction, and
• The motivation will be in the form of a report which will • Reporting and auditing for water management facilities
cover the following: is covered in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This
-- Identification of the various options, including is a long-term, multi-stakeholder, international process
those options that meet the requirements of whose mission is to develop and disseminate globally
the regulations and options applicable to the applicable Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. These
exemption, Guidelines are for voluntary use by organisations
(corporate, governmental and non-governmental) for
-- A detailed assessment of the options, including
impact assessment for each option, for example, reporting on the economic, environmental and social
the impacts of dirty water spill to a clean system or dimensions of their activities, products and services.
the impacts of mining within the exclusion zone, The aim of the Guidelines is to assist reporting
organisations and their stakeholders in articulating
-- A justification for not being able to meet
and understanding contributions of the reporting
the requirements of the water management
regulations, and organisations to sustainable development.
-- A motivation for an exemption from the This section will thus focus only on the requirements
requirements of the regulations. of the water regulations in relation to management.
Examples of monitoring are also provided.
6.4 Management Cycle 6.4.2 Requirements of Government
6.4.1 Introduction Notice No. 704
The management cycle for the water infrastructure The requirements of water management regulation 2 are
on a mine will include aspects such as monitoring, applicable to water management. These are included in
assessment, reporting, auditing and a feedback loop. Technical Box 6.11 below.

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Technical Box 6.11

Regulation 2: Information and notification

(1) Any person intending to operate a new mine or conduct any new activity must notify the Department of such
intention not less than 14 days before the start of such operation or activity.
(2) Any person in control of an existing mine or activity must-
(a) submit a copy of all amendments of their environmental management programme to the Department;
(b) notify the Department in writing 14 days before the temporary or permanent cessation of the operation of a
mine or the conducting of an activity, or the resumption of such operation or activity;
(c) notify the Department by the fastest possible means of any emergency incident or potential emergency
incident involving a water resource at or incidental to the operation of a mine or the conducting of any
activity, furnishing information regarding-
(i) the date and time of the incident;
(ii) a description of the incident;
(iii) the source of the pollution or potential pollution;
(iv) the impact or potential impact on the water resource and the relevant water users;
(v) remedial action taken or to be taken by the person in control of the mine or activity to remedy the
effects of the incident; and
(d) within 14 days after the date of an incident contemplated in paragraph (c) inform the Department in writing of
measures taken to correct and prevent a recurrence of such incident.

6.4.3 Practical implications

The practical implications of these water management
regulations on a mine are as follows:
• Any amendments to the mine’s environmental
management plan (EMP) must be submitted to the
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry,
• The mine must undertake regular monitoring of the
water management facilities. The monitoring data in
support of the EMP must also be submitted to the
Department,
• The mine must have an incident and emergency
plan and reporting procedure in place, as part of the
Integrated Water Management Plan. The reporting
criteria required for this plan and reporting procedure
must be included in the monitoring programme of the
water management facilities, and
• The mine must have clear roles and responsibilities
in the incident and emergency plan for reporting such
incidents or emergencies to the authorities.

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6.4.4 Examples
Figure 6‑27 illustrates various techniques for monitoring in water storage facilities. The example on the top left shows
continuous water level monitoring in the water storage facility. The lower photograph illustrates taking of water quality
measurements in the water storage facility. The top right illustrates a method for taking a grab water sample from a
storage facility. This is not considered good sampling practice. It is preferable in these instances to take water samples
off a boat or vessel launched onto the water storage facility.

Figure 6‑27: Monitoring in water storage facilities

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Figure 6‑28 illustrates the monitoring of water flow in surface water channels, including:

Measurement of flow depth in the canal (top left). This is not the preferred method of flow measurement

Flow and water quality measurements at a weir (top right), and/or

Flow depth measurement using a V-notch (bottom picture).

Figure 6‑28: Monitoring flow in surface water channels

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Figure 6‑29 illustrates groundwater monitoring boreholes. The depth to the groundwater is measured in the borehole.
The photograph on the left shows an uncapped borehole which is poor practice. The boreholes should have a concrete
collar and a cap, as shown in the photograph on the right. Consideration should also be given to remote data capturing
systems, e.g. radios and cells phones, in instances of remote borehole monitoring installations (see BPG G3: Water
Monitoring Systems).

Figure 6‑29: Groundwater monitoring boreholes

Figure 6‑30 shows various examples of in-line measurement of flow in pipes.

Figure 6‑30: Pipe flow monitoring

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6.5 Practical examples mines with low wall ramps, while Figure 6‑33 and Figure
6‑34 illustrate opencast mines with high wall ramps. The
on applying the water best practice procedures to follow are as follows:
management measures • Clean and dirty water cutoff berms should be
constructed of weathered low permeability material
The following sections cover practical examples of the
containing no carbonaceous formation
use of the water management measures from GN 704
for typical activities on a surface mine. • Water drainage paths should be designed to maximise
flow without erosion
6.5.1 Haul roads and ramps • Cognisance should be taken of materials erodeability
Separation, collection and conveyance of water of when designing flow path gradients
different quality is important in the design of haul roads • The berm material could be re-used as the mining
and ramps for surface mines. Lower roads and ramps window advances
will act as channels for surface water that will need to • The unleveled spoil piles should be kept to a minimum.
be collected and managed in the pit. Higher roads and A maximum of three cut widths of unleveled spoil is
ramps act as berms which may impede the runoff of recommended to reduce rainfall ingress
clean stormwater. Collection and diversion systems
• Low wall ramps should periodically be backfilled to
for the stormwater will need to be designed in these
reduce rainfall ingress, and
instances. The figures below illustrate pit ramp designs
typically used in opencast coal mining to reduce rainfall • Rehabilitation growth must be maximised to facilitated
ingress. Figure 6‑31 and Figure 6‑32 illustrate opencast erosion control and maximise evapotranspiration.

Figure 6‑31: Plan view of best practices utilising low wall ramps

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Figure 6‑32: Section through mine pit with low wall ramps

Figure 6‑33: Plan view of best practices utilising high wall ramps

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Figure 6‑34: Section through mine pit with high wall ramps

6.5.2 Dragline walkways

Dragline walkways and haul roads should be kept within
the operating windows of the pits. The topsoil, subsoil
and soft weathered overburden should be removed prior
to construction to provide a good foundation for the road/
walkway. These materials should be stockpiled for reuse
after closure. During the design of the road/walkway,
cognisance should be taken of clean and dirty water
separation along either side of the routes with clean water
being channelled into streams and dirty water channelled
into the mine water collection system.

6.5.3 Diversion berms

Diversion berms will be required around the pit that
forms part of the active mining window, to divert clean
stormwater away from the pit. These berms may need to
be constructed and managed on an ongoing basis in the
case of strip mining.

6.5.4 Rehabilitation
Figure 6‑35 demonstrates best practice for spoils
placement to reduce rainfall ingress. All top soil and
subsoil not immediately used for rehabilitation should
be stockpiled for future use when required. These
stockpiles need to be managed to minimise erosion and
subsequent loss of material.

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Figure 6‑35: Best practice for spoils placement to reduce rainfall ingress

6.5.5 Workshops, hard parks, vehicle

and machinery ways bays and fuel
bays
Topsoil, subsoil and soft weathered overburden should
be removed prior to construction to provide a good
foundation for the facilities. These materials should be
stockpiled for reuse after closure.

During the design of the facilities cognisance must be

taken of clean and dirty water separation along either
side of the routes with clean water being channelled
into streams and dirty water channelled into the mine
water collection system designed for handling water
contaminated with oils and greases. Silt and oil traps
should also be used to manage dirty water runoff.

Dirty water from these areas will contain oils and greases
and need to be channelled into the mine’s system for
collecting oils and greases.

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a) Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 2004. National Water Resource Strategy, First

7
Edition. September 2004
b) Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 2006. Generic Water Conservation and Water
Demand Management Framework Guideline for the Mining Sector in South Africa
c) Global Reporting Initiative, 2002. Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.
References AND d) Global Reporting Initiative, 2003. The Water Protocol, 2003. For use with the GRI 2002
FURTHER READING Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. February 2003.
e) Global Reporting Initiative, 2005. GRI Mining and Metals Sector Supplement, Pilot
version 1.0, incorporating an abridged version of the GRI 2002 Sustainability Reporting
Guidelines. February 2005.
f) Government Gazette, 1998. National Water Act (Act No. 36 of 1998).
g) Government Gazette, 1998. National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of
1998).
h) Government Gazette, 1999. Regulation on use of water for mining and related activities
aimed at the protection of water resources. Regulation No. 704, 4 June 1999.
i) http://xmlwords.infomine.com.
j) http://www.dwaf.gov.za
k) http://www.dme@gov.za

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Activity Any mining related process on the mine including the operation of washing
plants, mineral processing facilities, mineral refineries and extraction plants,
and the operation and the use of mineral loading and off-loading zones,

8
transport facilities and mineral storage yards, whether situated at the mine or
not, in which any substance is stockpiled, stored, accumulated or transported
for use in such process or out of which process any residue is derived,
stored, stockpiled, accumulated, dumped, disposed of or transported.
glossary Approved professional A professional engineer approved by the Minister of Water Affairs and
person (APP) Forestry after consultation with the Engineering Council of South Africa
(ECSA), for the purposes of executing certain “tasks” relating to dams.
Clean water system Any dam, other form of impoundment, canal, works, pipeline and any other
structure or facility constructed for the retention or conveyance of unpolluted
water.
Dam Any settling dam, slurry dam, evaporation dam, catchment or barrier dam and
any other form of impoundment used for the storage of unpolluted water or
water containing waste.
Dam with a safety risk A dam with a storage capacity in excess of 50 000 cubic metres and a vertical
height in excess of 5 metres. The design of new dams, alterations to existing
dams, quality control during construction, dam safety inspections and dam
safety studies are described as “tasks” relating to dams. MRDs are currently
exempt but can be classified under certain circumstances.
Dirty area Any area at a mine or activity which causes, has caused or is likely to cause
pollution of a water resource.
Dirty water system Any dam, other form of impoundment, canal, works, pipeline, residue deposit
and any other structure or facility constructed for the retention or conveyance
of water containing waste.
Environmental An environmental management programme submitted in terms of section
management 39 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002
programme (MPRDA).
Facility In relation to an activity, includes any installation and appurtenant works for
the storage, stockpiling, disposal, handling or processing of any substance.
Height of dam In the case of a dam situated across a water course, the maximum wall
height is measured from the natural level of the bed of the water course on
the downstream face of the dam to the top of the dam, which is the level of
the roadway or walkway. In the case of any other dam the height is measured
from the lowest elevation of the outside limit of the dam to the top of the dam
which is the level of the roadway or walkway. In the case of a dam consisting
of a spillway across the full dam width, the height is measured to the crest
level of the spillway.
Inter-alia Among other things.
Loca standi A person who has locus standi, or legal standing, and has the right to
appear before a court on a particular matter.
Mine Manager The meanings assigned to them in the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act
No. 29 of 1996)

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Person in control of a In relation to a particular mine or activity, includes the owner of such mine or activity, the lessee and
mine, activity or holder any other lawful occupier of the mine, activity or any part thereof; a attributer for the working of the
mine, activity or any part thereof; the holder of a mining authorisation or prospecting permit and if such
authorisation or permit does not exist, the last person who worked the mine or his or her successors-
in-title or the owner of such mine or activity; and if such person is not resident in or not a citizen of the
Republic of South Africa, an agent or representative other than the manager of such a mine or activity
must be appointed to be responsible on behalf of the person in control of such a mine or activity.
Residue Includes any debris, discard, tailings, slimes, screenings, slurry, waste rock, foundry sand, beneficiation
plant waste, ash and any other waste product derived from or incidental to the operation of a mine
or activity and which is stockpiled, stored or accumulated for potential re-use or recycling or which is
disposed of.
Residue deposit Includes any dump, tailings dam, slimes dam, ash dump, waste rock dump, in-pit deposit and any other
heap, pile or accumulation of residue.
Solids content The volumetric concentration (Cv) is defined as the ratio of the volume of solids to the total volume of the
mixture or slurry.
The mass concentration (Cw or Cm) is defined as the ratio of the mass of dry solids to the total mass of
the mixture or slurry
Stockpile Includes any heap, pile, slurry pond and accumulation of any substance where such substance is stored
as a product or stored for use at any mine or activity
Suitably qualified A person with suitable professional expertise for the task who can be accountable for the output of the
person task.
Water system Any dam, any other form of impoundment, canal, works, pipeline and any other structure or facility
constructed for the retention or conveyance of water.

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ABA Acid Base Accounting

9
APP Approved Professional Person
BFS Bankable Feasibility Study
BPEO Best Practice Environmental Option
BPG Best Practice Guideline
list of CMA Catchment Management Agency
acronyms and CM Catchment Management
abbreviations CMS Catchment Management Strategy
DEAT Department: Environmental Affairs and Tourism
DME Department: Minerals and Energy
DWAF Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
ECA Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act 73 of 1989)
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EMP Environmental Management Plan
FRD Fine Residue Deposit
GCL Geosynthetic Clay Liner
GN704 Government Notice No. 704, National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998)
GRI Global Reporting Initiative
HDPE High Density Polyethylene
ICP Inductively Coupled Plasma
IRP Integrated Regulatory Process
ISP Internal Strategic Perspective
IWULA Integrated Water Use License Application
IWMP Integrated Water Management Plan
LLDPE Liner Low Density Polyethylene
MC Management Class
MEM Mine Environmental Management
MPRDA Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002)
MRD Mine Residue Deposit
NEMA National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No.107 of 1998)
NNR Natural Nuclear Regulator
NWA National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998)
NWRS National Water Resources Strategy
NWRCS National Water Resource Classification System
P&IDs Process and Instrumentation Diagrammes
RMF Regional Maximum Flood
RO Regional Office (DWAF)
RQOs Resource Quality Objectives
SABS South African Bureau of Standards
SAHRA South African Heritage Resource Agency
SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment
TSF Tailings storage facility
XRD X-Ray Diffraction
XRF X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
WC/WDM Water Conservation and Water Demand Management
WDCS Waste Discharge Charge System

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A.1 INTRODUCTION
The legal review provides an outline of the requirements for water management within the
APPENDIX A prevailing mining, water and environmental legislation in South Africa. The legal review focuses
in two main areas, namely:
LEGAL
1) Section A.2 covers the water management requirements in the national legislation,
FRAMEWORK including the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998), the
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (MPRDA) (Act 28 of 2002)
and the National Water Act, 1998 (NWA), (Act 36 of 1998). The provisions included in
other legislation are also considered
2) Section A.3 covers the policies, strategies and guideline documents that have been
developed by DWAF at a national level to assist in effective water management throughout
South Africa. These policies and strategies are required to be implemented regionally,
or on a catchment basis in the case of DWAF. The guideline documents have been
developed to assist the catchment-based implementation process. This implementation
is currently being undertaken through DWAFs regional offices, but will in future be
delegated to Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) who will be responsible for all
water management within a defined catchment areas. Figure A‑1 indicates the division
of the country into the 19 Water Management Areas (WMAs).

Figure A‑1: Water Management Areas in South Africa

Note that the regulatory environment is continuously being amended within South Africa. The legal framework and
review included in this BPG thus covers the current legislative status.

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A.2 SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL • Serve as the general framework within which
LEGISLATION environmental management and implementation
plans (referred to in section 11 of NEMA) must be
formulated
A.2.1 Constitution of the Republic of South
• Serve as guidelines by reference to which any organ
Africa Act, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996) of state must exercise any function when taking any
Section 24 of the Constitution provides that everyone decision in terms of NEMA or any statutory provision
concerning the protection of the environment
has the right … to an environment that is not harmful
to their health or well-being; and … to have the • Serve as principles by reference to which a conciliator
environment protected for the benefit of present and appointed under NEMA must make recommendations,
and
future generations through reasonable legislative and
other measures that - (i) prevent pollution and ecological • Guide the interpretation, administration and
degradation; (ii) promote conservation; and (iii) secure implementation of NEMA, and any other law
concerned with the protection or management of the
ecologically sustainable development and use of natural
environment.
resources while promoting justifiable economic and
social development. NEMA reiterates the provisions of section 24 of the
Constitution, and contains the internationally accepted
Section 33 of the Constitution entitles everyone to principles of sustainability. It therefore becomes a
administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and legal requirement that these principles must be taken
procedurally fair and, if one’s rights have been adversely into consideration in all decisions that may affect the
affected by administrative action, to be given written environment. Furthermore, the need for intergovernmental
reasons for the decision. co-ordination and harmonisation of policies, legislation,
and actions relating to the environment, is emphasised.
Section 38 provides locus standi or the right to get NEMA also emphasises the need for a mechanism that
involved to any member of public. This means that a promotes sustainable use, and states that a risk-averse
member of public has the right to take appropriate action and cautious approach, which takes into account the
to prevent environmental damage. This may include limits of current knowledge about the consequences of
taking action against the responsible authority for decisions and actions, must be used in decision-making.
failing to perform its duties in preventing environmental It is also important to note that the Best Practical
damage or against an individual or authority who are in Environmental Option (BPEO) is defined in NEMA as
the process of undertaking a water use identified in the the option that provides the most benefit or causes the
least damage to the environment as a whole, at a cost
NWA without the necessary authorisation to undertake
acceptable to society, in the long term as well as the
such water use.
short term.

A.2.2 National Environmental Management In the context of mining, these principles are given further
Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998) effect through section 37 of the MPRDA, which stipulates
that the principles set out in section 2 of NEMA:
The National Environmental Management Act, 1998
• Apply to all prospecting and mining operations, as
(NEMA) contains certain principles in section 2. These
the case may be, and any matter relating to such
principles apply throughout the country to the actions of operation, and
all organs of state (as defined in the Constitution) that
• Serve as guidelines for the interpretation, admini-
may significantly affect the environment and:
stration and implementation of the environmental
• Shall apply alongside all other appropriate and relevant requirements of the MPRDA.
considerations, including the State’s responsibility to Section 28 of NEMA further establishes a general duty
respect, protect, promote and fulfil the social and of care on every person who causes, has caused or
economic rights in Chapter 2 of the Constitution and may cause significant pollution or degradation of the
in particular the basic needs of categories of persons environment to take reasonable measures to prevent
disadvantaged by unfair discrimination such pollution or degradation from occurring, continuing

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or recurring, or, in so far as such harm to the environment 32(3)) and the holder of the retention permit must give
is authorised by law or cannot reasonably be avoided effect to the approved environmental management plan
or stopped, to minimise and rectify such pollution or (section 35(2)(a)).
degradation of the environment.
A.2.3.3 Mining rights
New EIA Regulations, promulgated under NEMA, came
into effect on 03 July 2006 (as covered in Government If the application for a mining right is accepted, the
Notices R385, R386 and R387 of 21 April 2006 - the Regional Manager must within 14 days from the date
of acceptance notify the applicant in writing to inter
“NEMA EIA Regulations”).
alia conduct an environmental impact assessment and
submit an environmental management programme for
A.2.3 Mineral and Petroleum Resources approval in terms of section 39 (section 22(4)). A mining
Development Act, 2002 (Act 28 of right granted in terms of section 23(1) comes into effect
2002) on the date on which the environmental management
programme is approved in terms of section 39(4) (section
A.2.3.1 Mining Authorisation 23(5)). An application for renewal of a mining right
must inter alia be accompanied by a report reflecting
Section 5(4)(a) of the MPRDA stipulates that no person the extent of compliance with the requirements of the
may prospect for or remove, mine, conduct technical approved environmental management programme, the
or reconnaissance operations, explore for and produce rehabilitation to be completed and the estimated cost
any mineral or petroleum or commence with any work thereof (section 24(2)(b)) and the Minister must grant the
incidental thereto (including the construction of any renewal of a mining right if the application complies with
residue deposits) on any area without inter alia an sections 24(1) and 24(2) and the holder of the mining
approved environmental management programme or right has inter alia complied with the requirements of
approved environmental management plan, as the case the approved environmental management programme
may be. (section 24(3)(c)). The holder of a mining right must comply
with the requirements of the approved environmental
A.2.3.2 Prospecting rights management programme in terms of section 25(2)(e).
If the application for a prospecting right is accepted by A.2.3.4 Mining Permits
the Regional Manager, the Regional Manager must
within 14 days from the date of acceptance notify the If the Regional Manager accepts the application for a
applicant in writing to inter alia submit an environmental mining permit, the Regional Manager must, within 14
management plan (section 16(4)(a)). The granting of a days from the date of acceptance, notify the applicant in
prospecting right only becomes effective on the date on writing to inter alia submit an environmental management
which the environmental management plan is approved plan (section 27(5)(a)). The Minister must issue a mining
in terms of section 39 of the MPRDA (section 17(5)). The permit if inter alia the applicant has submitted the
application for renewal of a prospecting right must inter environmental management plan (section 27(6)(b)).
alia be accompanied by a report reflecting the extent of
A.2.3.5 Environmental management
compliance with the requirements of the environmental
management plan, the rehabilitation completed and the Section 37 requires that the principles set out in section
estimated cost thereof (section 18(2)(c)) and the Minister 2 of NEMA must apply to all prospecting and mining
must grant the renewal of a prospecting right if the operations, and that the generally accepted principles of
application complies with sections 18(1) and 18(2) and sustainable development must be applied by integrating
the holder of the prospecting right has inter alia complied social, economic and environmental factors during the
with the requirements of the approved environmental planning and implementation phases of mining projects.
management plan (section 18(3)(c)). The holder of a
prospecting right must comply with the requirements of Section 38(1) requires that the holder of a reconnaissance
the approved environmental management plan in terms permission, prospecting right, mining right, mining permit
or retention permit:
of section 19(2)(c). In the case of a retention permit, the
environmental management plan approved in respect of • Must at all times give effect to the general objectives
the prospecting right remains in force as if the prospecting of integrated environmental management laid down in
right had not lapsed in terms of section 32(2) (section Chapter 5 of NEMA

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• Must consider, investigate, assess and communicate In line with section 20 of the NWA and section 30 of NEMA,
the impact of his or her prospecting or mining on the section 45 of the MPRDA allows the Minister to direct the
environment as contemplated in section 24(7) of implementation of urgent remedial measures in the case
NEMA of ecological degradation, pollution or environmental
• Must manage all environmental impacts in accordance damage which may be harmful to the health or well-
with his or her environmental management plan or being of anyone. If the holder of the relevant right,
approved environmental management programme, permit or permission fails to comply with this directive,
as the case may be; and as an integral part of the the Minister may take the necessary steps to implement
reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operation, the required remedial measures and recover the cost for
unless the Minister directs otherwise; implementation from the holder concerned.
• Must as far as it is reasonably practicable, rehabilitate A.2.3.6 Mineral and Petroleum Resources
the environment affected by the prospecting or mining Development Regulations
operations to its natural or predetermined state or to
a land use which conforms to the generally accepted Government Notice No. R.527 (R527), dealing with
principle of sustainable development, and the mineral and petroleum resources development
• Is responsible for any environmental damage, regulations was published in the Government Gazette of
pollution or ecological degradation as a result of 23 April 2004 (GG No. 26275, Volume 466). In particular,
his or her reconnaissance prospecting or mining Part III of R527 deals with environmental regulations
operations and which may occur inside and outside for mineral development, petroleum exploration and
the boundaries of the area to which such right, permit production.
or permission relates. In terms of regulation 48, an environmental impact
Section 39 of the MPRDA deals with the requirements assessment contemplated in section 39(1) of the MPRDA
of an environmental management programme or plan, is a process which results in the compilation of a:
whichever is applicable. Section 40 allows for the • Scoping report, the contents of which is described in
consultation with other State departments that administers regulation 49, and
any law relating to matters affecting the environment.
• An environmental impact assessment report, the
Section 41 deals with the financial provision for contents of which are described in regulation 50.
remediation of environmental damage, and the The contents (framework) of an environmental
requirement to maintain and retain the financial provision management programme or plan, whichever is
in force until the Minister issues a certificate in terms of applicable, is described in regulations 51 and 52,
section 43, which states that the holder of a prospecting respectively, while the requirements for monitoring and
right, mining right, retention permit or mining permit performance assessments of these programmes/plans
remains responsible for any environmental liability, are described in detail in regulation 55. The methods
pollution or ecological degradation, and the management and quantum of financial provision for the rehabilitation,
thereof, until the Minister has issued a closure certificate management and remediation of negative environmental
to the holder concerned. In terms of section 43(5) no impacts (including those associated with mine residue
closure certificate may be issued unless the Chief deposits) are given in regulations 53 and 54.
Inspector (MHSA) and the DWAF (NWA) have confirmed
in writing that the provisions pertaining to health, safety Regulations 56 deals with the requirements for mine
and management of potential pollution to water resources closure, including the principles for mine closure,
have been addressed. closure objectives and the contents (framework) of the
environmental risk assessment report and closure plan.
Section 42 deals specifically with the management of
residue stockpiles and residue deposits, and stipulates Part IV of R527 deals with pollution control and waste
that these must be managed in the prescribed manner on management regulation and stipulates a number of
any site demarcated for that purpose in the environmental requirements specific to the management of mine residue
management programme or plan in question only. stockpiles and deposits (regulation 73). Regulation
Regulation 73 provides comprehensive supporting 73(1) stipulates that the assessment of impacts relating
information for this section of the act. to the management of residue stockpiles/deposits must

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form part of the environmental impact assessment • Appropriate security measures are in place to limit
report (regulation 50) and environmental management unauthorised access to the site
programme or plan, as the case may be. Other • Specific action is taken in respect of any sign of
requirements with respect to the design, operation and pollution
maintenance, and decommissioning and closure of a
• Adequate measure are implemented to control dust
mine residue deposit include:
pollution and erosion of the slopes, and
• Characterisation of mine residue, by a competent • Details of the rehabilitation of the residue deposit
person, to identify any significant health or safety are provided in the environmental management
hazard and environmental impact that may be programme/plan.
associated with the residue when stockpiled or
deposited at the site(s) under consideration (regulation Other requirements which could apply to surface mining
73(2)) are stipulated, namely:
• Classification of residue stockpiles/deposits, • Regulation 64: Air quality management and control
by a competent person, in terms of the safety • Regulation 65: Fire prevention
and environmental hazard/impact thereof. The • Regulation 66: Noise management and control
classification will determine the level of investigation • Regulation 68: Water management and pollution
and assessment required, the requirements for control
design, construction, operation, decommissioning,
• Regulation 69: Disposal of waste material, including
closure and post-closure maintenance, and the
mining waste, and
qualifications and expertise required of person
undertaking the necessary investigations and/or • Regulation 70: Soil pollution and erosion control.
assessment (regulation 73(3))
A.2.4 National Water Act, 1988 (Act 36
• Selection and investigation of a site, following the of 1998)
prescribed process, with specific requirements
for geotechnical and groundwater investigations A.2.4.1 Water use
(regulation 73(4))
• Incorporations of prescribed considerations during Section 21 of the NWA stipulates the following water
the design of residue stockpile/deposits (regulation uses:
73(5)) (a) taking water from a water resource
• Implementation of a monitoring system for residue (b) storing water
stockpiles/deposits with respect to potentially (c) impeding or diverting the flow of water in a water-
significant impacts (regulation 73(7)), and course
• Management requirements for residue deposits (d) engaging in a stream flow reduction activity
during the decommissioning, closure and post-closure contemplated in section 36
phases (regulation 73(8)). (e) engaging in a controlled activity identified as such
in section 37(1) or declared under section 38(1)
A holder of any right or permit must further ensure that
(f) discharging waste or water containing waste into a
(regulation 73(6)):
water resource through a pipe, canal, sewer, sea
• The residue deposits, including surrounding outfall or other conduit
catchment paddocks, are constructed and operated (g) disposing of waste in a manner which may
in terms of the approved environmental management detrimentally impact on a water resource
programme/plan (h) disposing in any manner of water which contains
• The residue deposit is constructed strictly in waste from, or which has been heated in, any
accordance with the design, and if not, that industrial or power generation process
the necessary approvals are obtained and the (i) altering the bed, banks, course or characteristics
environmental management programme/plan of a watercourse
amended accordingly (j) removing, discharging or disposing of water found
• All residue transported to and the surplus water underground if it is necessary for the efficient
removed from the site are recorded as part of the continuation of an activity or for the safety of
monitoring system people, and

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(k) using water for recreational purposes. A person who wishes to use, or who uses water in a
manner that is not a Schedule 1 use, not covered under
Note that in the above, waste includes any solid material
a GA, or in a manner that is not regarded or declared
or material that is suspended, dissolved or transported
as an ELU, may only use that water under the authority
in water (including sediment) and which is spilled or
of a license (section 4). The NWA makes provision for
deposited on land or into a water resource in such volume,
two types of applications for water use licences, namely
composition or manner as to cause, or to be reasonably
individual applications and compulsory applications. The
likely to cause, the water resource to be polluted.
provisions applicable to an individual application for a
In terms of section 4 of the NWA, water may only water use license are described in sections 40 to 42 of
be used if it is a Schedule 1 use, a continuance of an the NWA. These sections also provide that a responsible
existing lawful use (ELU), or authorised in terms of authority may require an assessment by the applicant
a general authorisation (GA) or licence. A water use of the likely effect of the proposed water use on the
may therefore not be implemented unless it is properly resource quality, and that such assessment be subject to
authorised through one of these types of authorisations. the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations
The circumstances that will determine the type of promulgated under section 26 of the Environment
authorisation to be issued for a specific water use that Conservation Act, 1989 (Act 73 of 1989) (ECA). In terms
is not a Schedule 1 use, and the different possibilities of sections 43 to 48 of the NWA, compulsory applications
for regulating particular water uses are briefly discussed for licences will be required under certain circumstances
below. (e.g. in catchment management areas which are under
water stress) from all water users using a particular water
A.2.4.1.1 Existing Lawful Water Uses (Sections resource or in a specific geographical area, irrespective
32 to 35) of whether or not their water use has been authorised
by a GA or an ELU. Compulsory applications for the
Section 32 identifies water uses that were authorised authorisation of these water uses are subject to the
under legislation, which was in force immediately before development of a Water Allocation Plan, which needs to
the date of commencement of the NWA (such as the 1956 be prepared by the responsible authority.
Water Act), as ELUs. This is subject to the requirement
that such water use took place at any time during the two In the event that the purpose of the NWA will be met by the
years prior to the date of commencement of the NWA. granting of a license, permit or other authorisation under
Should a person have had such authorisation to use any other law, the licensing authority may either dispense
water but have not exercised this authorisation in the two with the requirement for a license in terms of section
years prior to this date, that person may apply to have 22(3), or may combine the various license requirements
the water use declared as an ELU in terms of section of other organs of state into a single license (section
33 of the Act. The section on ELU is designed to enable 22(4)). These provisions are of particular importance
existing economic activities based on the use of water to with regard to certain multiple water uses (section 22(4)),
continue until such time as compulsory licensing is called such as may occur for surface mining, e.g. a mine may
for in a particular catchment management area. require water use licenses under sections 21(a), (b), (c),
(f) and (g).
A.2.4.1.2 General Authorisations (GAs)
Section 27 of the NWA specifies some factors that must
(Section 39)
be taken into consideration when considering a water
The aim of GAs is to set a cut-off point below which strict use authorisation, including:
regulatory control is not necessary. If a water use is not (a) existing lawful water uses
described under Schedule 1, but authorised under a GA (b) the need to redress the results of past racial and
as published in the Government Gazette, such water use gender discrimination
does not require a licence, unless the GA is repealed
(c) the efficient and beneficial use of water in the
or lapses, in which case licensing will be necessary.
public interest
For example, Government Notice No. 399 (GN399) of
26 March 2004 provides for GAs with respect to various (d) the socio-economic impact of the water use or
water uses in terms of section 21 of the NWA. uses if authorised of the failure to authorise the
water use or uses
A.2.4.1.3 Licences (Sections 40 to 52) (e) any catchment management strategy applicable to

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the relevant water resource Notice R.1560 of 25 July 1986, which are still in force
(f) the likely effect of the water use to be authorised under the NWA, require that dams with a safety risk must
on the water resource and on other water users be classified into categories, and that licenses must be
(g) the class and the resource quality objectives of the issued before any task relating to a specific category of
water resource dam may commence. These regulations also prescribe
(h) investments already made and to be made by the the conditions, requirements and procedures to classify,
water user in respect of the water use in question register, obtain a license to construct a new dam, impound
a dam, or alter an existing dam. It further stipulates the
(i) the strategic importance of the water use to be
requirements and responsibilities in respect of dam
authorised
safety inspections, emergency procedures, recording
(j) the quality of water in the water resource which
and reporting.
may be required for the Reserve and for meeting
alignment with the catchment management A.2.4.4 Other important requirements in the
strategy NWA
(k) international obligations, and
(l) the probable duration of any undertaking for which Section 19 of the NWA further stipulates the general duty
a water use is to be authorized. of care on persons who own, control, use or occupy land
on which any activity or process is or was performed or
These decision-making considerations are important undertaken, or any other situation exists which causes,
when contemplating the prioritisation of a particular has caused or is likely to cause pollution of a water
application, and when establishing preferences when resource, to take all reasonable measures to prevent any
evaluating competing applications for specific water such pollution from occurring, continuing or recurring.
uses.
Section 20 deals with the reporting, containment and
Section 148(1)(f) of the NWA makes provision for an remedying of any incident or accident in which a substance
appeal to the Water Tribunal against a decision on a pollutes or has potential to pollute a water resource or
license application under section 41 by the applicant have a detrimental effect on a water resource. It further
or any other person who has lodged a written objection states that the CMA may take the necessary measures, if
against the application. If applicable, appeals against the remedial measures fail or inadequately comply, at the
decisions on license applications may also be taken to expense of the responsible person(s). Section 30 of the
the High Court. National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107
A.2.4.2 Water use regulations of 1998) (NEMA) stipulates similar requirements.

Government Notice No. 704 (GN704), regulations on Sections 56 to 60 deals with water use charges and allows
use of water for mining and related activities aimed at the Minister to establish a pricing strategy with charges
the protection of water resources, was promulgated in for any water use to fund the direct and related costs of
terms of section 26 of the NWA on 4 June 1999. These water resource management, development and use, and
regulations are covered in detail in this BPG and are not for achieving equitable and efficient allocation of water.
repeated here. These charges may be used to ensure compliance with
prescribed standards and water management practices
A.2.4.3 Dam safety requirements according to the user pays and polluter pays principles.
Provision is made for incentives for effective and efficient
Chapter 12 of the NWA contains measures aimed at water use and could therefore be used as a means of
improving the safety of new and existing dams with a encouraging reduction in waste and water wastage.
safety risk so as to reduce the potential for harm to the
public, damage to property or to resource quality. A dam The Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs (DME)
with a safety risk means any dam which can contain more administrates the Mineral and Petroleum Resources
than 50 000 m3 of water (irrespective whether such water Development Act, 2002 (MPRDA), but due to the
contains substances or not) and which has a wall of a major impact that mining can have on the environment,
vertical height of more than 5 metres, or which has been especially the water environment, DME is obliged to
declared as a dam with a safety risk under section 118(3) consult with DWAF with regard to certain decisions made
(a). Dam Safety Regulations published in Government in terms of this Act.

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A.2.5 Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA), • Assess the health and safety risks to which employees
1996 (Act 29 of 1996) may be exposed while at work, and
• Record the significant hazards identified and risks
Section 2(1) stipulates that the owner of a mine that is being
assessed and make these records available for
worked must ensure, as far as reasonably practicable,
inspection by employees.
that the mine is designed, constructed and equipped
to provide conditions safe for operations and a healthy Sections 11(2) and 11(3) states that the manager must
working environment and that the mine is commissioned, determine and implement all measures necessary to:
operated, maintained and decommissioned in such
a way that employees can perform their work without • Eliminate the risk
endangering the health and safety of themselves or of • Control the risk at source
any other person. Section 2(2) further stipulates that the • Minimise the risk
owner of a mine that is not being worked, but in respect • Provide protective equipment, and
of which a closure certificate has not been issued, must
• Institute a programme to monitor the risk.
take reasonable steps to prevent injuries, ill-health, loss
of life or damage of any kind from occurring at or because A.2.6 Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act,
of the mine. The Chief Inspector of Mines has the power
1965 (Act 45 of 1965)
to monitor and control those environmental aspects at
mines that affect, or may affect, the health or safety of Part II of the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act, 1965
employees or other persons and is required to consult (APPA) describes the control of noxious and offensive
with the Director: Mineral Development concerning the gases, as described in sections 9 to13 and summarised
exercise of those powers.
below:
The above is reiterated in Section 5 which states that • Schedule 2 of APPA contains a list of scheduled
every manager must, to the extent that it is reasonable processes
practicable:
• Any operator of a scheduled process shall apply for
• Provide and maintain a working environment that is a registration certificate from the Chief Air Pollution
safe and without risk to the health of employees Control Officer (CAPCO) before operation to register
• Identify the relevant hazards and assess the related the premises on which the scheduled process will be
risks to which persons who are not employees may carried on
be exposed, and • Maximum allowable ambient level control measures
• Ensure that persons who are not employees, but who and apparatus will be included as the conditions of
may be directly affected by the activities of the mine, the registration certificate
are not exposed to any hazards to their health and
• The CAPCO will firstly issue a provisional certificate,
safety.
valid for a certain period
Regulation 2.10.15, promulgated in terms of the MHSA, • If the measures, apparatus and controls implemented
stipulates that the appointed manager must ensure that are effective, the CAPCO will issue a final registration
in the construction of any dump or any slimes dam in
certificate which will be valid until changes to the
the neighbourhood of any building, thoroughfare or other
process, plant or building takes place or until it is
public road, railway or public place, no danger to life or
withdrawn by the CAPCO, and
limb or damage to property can result there from.
The holder of the certificates shall at all times comply
In terms of Section 9, a manager must prepare and with provisions of all certificates (provisional and final
implement a code of practice on any matter affecting the
certificates).
health or safety of employees and other persons who may
be directly affected by activities at the mine if the Chief Part IV of APPA deals with dust control and states that
Inspector requires it. These codes of practices must the owner or occupier shall take steps (prescribed) or
comply with guidelines issued by the Chief Inspector. if not prescribed, adopt the best practicable means to
prevent the dust dispersion from causing a nuisance
According to section 11(1) every manager must:
(Section 28). Further, if the CAPCO is of the opinion
• Identify the health and safety hazards to which that any other dust generation, apart from that described
employees may be exposed while at work in Section 28 (1) is causing a nuisance, an abatement

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notice may be served on the owner/occupier to take or demolish any structure or part of a structure which is
prescribed steps or to adopt best practicable means to older than 60 years. Various other forms of protection
abate such nuisance (Section 29). may also apply.

Finally, according to Section 32, if a mine has received a

A.2.9 National Nuclear Regulator Act, 1999
notification of the Chief Inspector of Mines that the mine is
likely to cease operations within 5 years, the owner of the The National Nuclear Regulator Act, 1999 (NNR) is
mine may not dispose of any assets without a certificate applicable to “facilities specifically designed to handle,
issued by the CAPCO to the effect that that all necessary treat, condition, temporarily store or permanently dispose
dust control measures has been taken, or without the of any radioactive material which is intended to be
consent of the Minister of Health in consultation with the disposed of as a waste material”. The following sections
DME. Any such disposal in contravention with above of the NNR are relevant to surface mines:
constitutes an offence.
• Chapter 3 provides details on authorisations of
A.2.7 Environment Conservation Act, 1989 facilities and the responsibilities of holders of nuclear
authorisations. A licensing guide (LG-1032) has been
(Act 73 of 1989)
published by the Council for Nuclear Safety (CNS).
Waste is defined in section 1 of the Environment This guide provides details on the methodology for
Conservation Act, 1989 (ECA) as any matter, (whether the assessment of nuclear hazards and guidance on
gaseous, liquid or solid, or any combination there-of) submissions to the CNS
which from time to time may be proclaimed by the Minister • Chapter 4 details the financial securities and liabilities
(of Environmental Affairs and Tourism) by notice in the that are applicable to holders of nuclear authorisations,
Government Gazette as an undesirable or superfluous and
by-product, emission, discharge, excretion, or residue of
• Chapter 5 provides information on safety and
any process or treatment.
emergency measures.
Government Notice No. 1986 in Government Gazette
12703 of 24 August 1990 describes what is meant A.2.10 Other Acts
by waste in this context. This definition specifically
The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983
excludes (and is therefore not applicable to mine residue
(Act 43 of 1983) and the Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of
deposits):
2004) are also relevant for surface mining.
• Water used for industrial purposes as governed under
the 1956 Water Act A.3 SUMMARY OF APPLICABLE WATER
• Any matter discharged into a septic tank or french MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND
drain sewerage system
STRATEGIES
• Building rubble used for filling or levelling purposes
• Any radio-active substances A.3.1 National Water Resource Strategy
• Any minerals, residue, waste rock or slimes produced (NWRS)
at a mine, or
The National Water Resources Strategy, 2004 (NWRS)
• Ash produced by or resulting from the generation of is the implementation strategy for the NWA and provides
electricity. the framework within which the water resources of
Section 19 and 20 of the ECA deal specifically with waste South Africa will be managed in an integrated manner
management and pollution prevention. in the future. This strategy sets out policies, strategies,
objectives, plans, guidelines, procedures and institutional
A.2.8 National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 arrangements for the protection, use, development,
(Act 25 of 1999) conservation, management and control of the country’s
water resources. The NWRS sets out the current
Section 34 stipulates that a permit is required from the government objectives for managing water resources in
relevant provincial heritage resources authority to alter South Africa as follows:

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• To achieve equitable access to water, that is, 1) equity the Regional Offices (ROs) of the Department will
of access to water services, 2) equity to the use of continue managing the water resources in their areas of
water resources, and 3) equity to the benefits from the jurisdiction.
use of water resources
The water management and water licensing issues for
• To achieve sustainable use of water, by making
a surface mine will thus be dealt with by the Regional
progressive adjustments to water use to achieve a
Office of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry,
balance between water availability and legitimate
until the CMAs are established and operational.
water requirements, and by implementing measures to
protect water resources and the natural environment
A.3.3 Internal Strategic Perspectives (ISP)
• To achieve efficient and effective water use for
optimum social and economic benefit. The objective of the Internal Strategic Perspective
The NWRS also lists important principles to facilitate (ISPs) is to provide a framework for the management
achievement of these policy objectives, such as: of the water resources in each WMA, until such time as
the ROs can hand over the management functions to
• Water will be regarded as an indivisible national the established CMA. The ISP provides details on the
asset. The Government will act as the custodian of Department’s view on how Integrated Water Resource
the nation’s water resources, and its powers in this Management (IWRM) should be practiced in each WMA.
regard will be exercised as a public trust This will ensure consistency when answering requests
• Water required to meet basic human needs and for new water licences, and informing existing water
to maintain environmental sustainability will be users (including authorities) on how the Department will
guaranteed as a right, whilst water use for all other manage the water resource within the area of concern.
purposes will be subject to a system of water use Stakeholders must be made aware of the bigger picture
authorisation. as well as the management detail associated with each
• The responsibility and authority for water resource specific water resource management unit.
management will be progressively decentralised
The ISPs for each WMA provide details on the available
by the establishment of suitable regional and local
water resources and the current and future use of the
institutions, with appropriate community, racial and
water resource. The ISPs thus provide useful catchment-
gender representation, to enable all interested
based information to the planning and water management
persons to participate.
team on a surface mine.
Water use for surface mining activities will be subject
to the requirements of a water use authorisation. The A.3.4 Water Resource Availability and
benefits and need for this water use will be assessed in Utilisation in South Africa
the context of the water availability and spread of water
use in the catchment. This report provides an overview of South Africa’s
available water resources for 1996 and the current
A.3.2 Catchment Management Strategies patterns of utilisation. This availability and utilisation
(CMS) has then been projected to 2030, based on the present
trends in water use and population growth, indicating
The country has been divided into 19 WMAs (see Figure that South Africa will reach the limits of its economically
A.1). The delegation of water resource management usable, land-based fresh water resources during the first
from central government to catchment level (as proposed half of the century.
above) will be achieved by establishing Catchment
Management Agencies (CMAs) at WMA level. The NWRS The report indicates that these trends can be changed to
requires that CMAs progressively develop a Catchment ensure the secure and adequate supply of water and to
Management Strategy (CMS) for the protection, use, sustain the prosperity and natural environment of South
development, conservation, management, and control Africa. Key recommendations made in the report in this
of water resources within its WMA(s). The Department’s regard include a) coordination of water allocation priorities
eventual aim is to hand over certain water resource with national development objectives and strategies for
management functions to CMAs. Until such time as the country as a whole, b) greater emphasis be placed
the CMAs are established and are fully operational, on water conservation and c) comprehensive programme

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to install a new appreciation of the value of water and the • An integrated approach, rather than a comprehensive
importance of the changed approach to the utilisation of approach, in which attention is directed towards key
water. issues of concern identified by all stakeholders in the
process
The details in the report include: • A stakeholder approach which recognizes the
• A summary of the water requirements and resource importance of involving individual citizens and
potential for the various regions within the country landowners, as well as government agencies, in a
participatory process to define all decisions around
• Future options on availability and utilisation of water,
the conservation and use of natural resources which
and
affect their lives
• Recommendations on the way forward. • A partnership approach which promotes the search
for common objectives, and defines the roles,
A.3.5 The Philosophy and Practice of responsibilities and accountabilities of each agency
Integrated Catchment Management: and individual who participates in the process of
Implications for Water Resource decision making, and
Management in South Africa • A balanced approach where close attention is given
to decisions designed to achieve a sustainable
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, through
blend of economic development, protection of
the NWA and the National Water Policy, have identified
resource integrity, whilst meeting social norms and
that naturally occurring water usually can be effectively
expectations.
and efficiently managed only within a river basin or
catchment area, because of the need to manage, or at A.3.6 A Strategic Plan for the Department of
least account for, all aspects of the hydrological cycle.
Water Affairs and Forestry to facilitate
Thus, the Department recognises and accepts that an
integrated catchment management (ICM) approach will the implementation of Catchment
be adopted in South Africa (DWAF, 1986). This approach Management in South Africa
is seen to facilitate the achievement of a balance
The Strategic Plan provides the Department of Water
between the interdependent roles of resource protection
Affairs and Forestry with a strategic plan to facilitate the
and resource utilization.
implementation of the concept of ICM. The philosophy of
The document identifies the role of central government managing water resources on an ICM approach is taken
in Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) as being as a guiding principle in the strategic plan.
one of leadership, aimed at facilitating and co-ordinating
The strategic plan document is divided into two
the development and transfer of skills, and assisting with
parts, namely part I which is designed to meet urgent
the provision of technical advice and financial support,
management interests in the form of an Implementation
to local groups and individuals. Where specific areas
Strategy, a Programme of Activities and a Schedule
of responsibility fall outside the mandate of a single
government department, appropriate institutional of Human Resources, and Part II which provides the
arrangements are required to ensure effective inter- motivation and context for individual proposals in Part I.
departmental collaboration. At a lower level in this The strategic plan provides details on the concepts,
process, individual landholders and communities functionalities and institutional structures surrounding
must be recognized as competent partners. Where “Integrated Water Resource Management on a
these individuals may lack the necessary skills for full Catchment Basis”, as follows:
participation, the lead agencies must take responsibility
for assisting with their development and application. • Framework for IWRM in RSA which will evolve in a
three-tiered framework comprising a National Water
The document identifies five basic principles for effective Resources Strategy (NWRS), a Statutory Framework
ICM as follows: for CM and CM Processes/ Strategies/ Plans in
• A systems approach which recognizes the individual particular catchments
components as well as the linkages between them, • CM Functions: Three classes of CM Functions are
and addresses the needs of both the human and distinguished, namely Core, Physical Development
natural systems and Administrative functions, and

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• Institutional Context and Evolution of CM: the • To recover costs of activities aimed at pollution
Department is foreseen to play a leading role regarding abatement and damage caused by pollution (financial
CM, both through a National CM Facility (Directorate), objective)
and through the Regional Offices. • To discourage excessive pollution (deterrent
objective), and
A.3.7 Towards a Strategy for Waste
• To promote sustainable water use (social objective).
Discharge Charge System (WDCS)
Four levels of discharge charges are envisaged in the
The Waste Discharge Charge System (WDCS) forms strategy, as follows:
part of the Pricing Schedule for Water Use Charges
established in terms of section 56 of the NWA and will be • Tier 1: Basic/Administrative charge: this charge will
introduced to address the particular issue of excessive cover the administrative and management functions
water pollution. in the catchment,
• Tier 2: Load-based charge, for pollution loads higher
The resource quality objectives (RQOs) form the
than the Recommended Resource-Directed Value
integral basis and fundamental principle of the WDCS.
(RRDV) for the catchment, and
Water resource management in South Africa links the
acceptable level of impact to the concept of RQOs, • Tier 3 and 4: Deterrent charges for pollution loads
which balance the need to protect water resources higher than the Maximum Allowable Resource-
with the need to develop and use these resources. The Directed Value (MARDV).
setting of RQOs is catchment specific, based on the
The Department will use the WDCS as a tool for source
social, economic and political drivers for development
control and management, which will provide the following
and utilisation of a specific water resource. RQOs are
benefits:
to be set as part of the classification system for water
resources, through a process of consensus seeking • A strong financial incentive to reduce pollution loads
among water users and other stakeholders, in which to the water resource, particularly if the pollution
the government is responsible for ensuring that loads discharged are in excess of the RRDV and the
environmental interests are represented. The WDCS will MARDV, and
therefore focus on reducing discharge loads in order to
• The revenue from the WDCS will be ring-fenced to
achieve or maintain RQOs in a catchment. Where RQOs
cover water quality management work within the
are being met, the WDCS is not applied. Where RQOs
Department. This work will include rehabilitation and
are exceeded or in threat of being exceeded, the WDCS
remediation projects, waste abatement work (such
may be applied as part of water quality management in
as regional treatment facilities or on-site pollution
the catchment. The WDCS applies to surface water and
groundwater resources where RQOs have been defined prevention or treatment) and investigative studies.
and an adequate understanding of the resource supports
the implementation of the system. A.3.8 Water Conservation and Water
Demand Management (WC/WDM)
The WDCS will be applied to a particular catchment area
in which a water quality problem exists. This could be The management of water resources and the provision
a whole catchment in which a widespread water quality of water services culminated in a new approach which
problem occurs or a sub-catchment within a larger water Water Conservation and Water Demand Management
basin. (WC/WDM) plays a crucial role in ensuring environmental
sustainability, socio-economic equity and efficiency. The
Where downstream RQOs are more stringent than NWA and Water Services Act, Act 108 of 1997, (WSA)
upstream RQOs, and downstream RQOs are exceeded has provided an enabling environment in which all
or threatened, the WDCS may be applied in the upstream relevant institutions could be required to integrate WC/
catchment even if the upstream RQOs are achieved. WDM into their strategic roles and responsibilities. It
is thus a requirement that mines (and other water use
The implementation of the WDCS will achieve the
sectors) consider WC/WDM during all life cycle phases
following supportive and additional objectives:
and strategies. In this instance the DWAF has compiled
• To encourage efficient resource utilisation (incentive three sectoral strategy documents, complementary to
objective) the present National Water Conservation and Water

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Demand Management Strategy, namely: economic growth. Moreover, the water allocation process
must allow for the sustainable use of water resources
• Agriculture
and must promote the efficient and non-wasteful use of
• Water Services, and water.
• Industry, Mines and Power Generation.
These documents provide detailed information in terms However, allocating water without ensuring that all
of strategic outputs, prioritised activities and key role- users have the capacity to use this water productively
players. The NWC/WDMS objectives to be achieved by will limit these benefits. Water allocations should,
each sectoral strategy include: therefore, not only aim at realising the above goals,
but must work closely with all spheres of government
• To facilitate and ensure the role of WC/WDM in and other institutions to promote the productive and
achieving sustainable, efficient and affordable responsible use of water. Likewise, where possible, water
management of water resources and water services reallocations should try to minimise possible negative
• To contribute to the protection of the environment, impacts on existing productive lawful water users who
ecology and water resources are contributing to social and economic stability, growth
• To create a culture of WC/WDM for all consumers and and development. Water allocations must promote shifts
users in water use patterns that are equitable but also phased
and carefully considered.
• To create a culture of WC/WDM within all water
management and water service institutions These objectives go well beyond the Department’s
• To support water management and water services primary mandate and require the active pursuit of
institutions to implement WC/WDM cooperative governance arrangements to support the
• To promote the allocation of adequate capacity and productive use of water. Accordingly, approaches to
resources by water institutions to WC/WDM reallocating water between users will initially be rolled
out in areas experiencing shortages of water. However,
• To enable water management and water services
in order to address the urgent short-term need for equity
institutions to adopt integrated planning, and
across the country, rollout will also be fast-tracked in
• To promote international co-operation and participate areas where there are less serious water availability
with other Southern African countries, particularly concerns. These implementation approaches take into
basin-sharing countries in developing joint WC/WDM account the prevailing resource and capacity constraints
strategies. within the Department and our country.
The Industry, Mining and Power Generation sector,
because of its diversity, is considered to offer numerous A.3.10 Water classification system
opportunities for contributing towards WC/WDM. Such
opportunities include the efficient use of water during The water classification system using A to F ecological
industrial production, re-use of water, recycling of water categories has been used for preliminary Reserve
from other sectors and improved quality of effluent determinations. A need had been expressed for a
discharge. classification system that integrates ecological and
user requirements into management classes and which
allows for the examination of the socio-economic and
A.3.9 Water Allocation Reform
ecological implications of water management decisions.
As custodians of the national water resource, the DWAF The National Water Resource Classification System
is obliged to promote the beneficial use of water in the (NWRCS) is a set of guidelines and procedures for
best interests of all South Africans. determining the desired characteristics of a water
resource, as represented by a Management Class (MC).
In order to do this, water allocations must be carried out The MC outlines the attributes that the responsible
in a manner that promotes equity, addresses poverty, authority and society require of different water resources.
supports economic growth and provides opportunities The NWRCS will be used in a consultative approach with
for job creation. The allocation process recognises all relevant stakeholders to classify water resources in
that redressing the effects of previous discriminatory order to facilitate a balance between protection and the
legislation is necessary for social stability and to promote utilisation of the water resource.

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The outcome of the water classification process • To remedy groundwater quality where practicable to
incorporating economic, social, ecological and protect the reserve and ensure at least fitness for the
stakeholder consent will be promulgated by the Minister purpose served by the remediation.
or her delegated authority setting the MC for every
significant water resource, which will be binding on all Principles that will guide the implementation of this
authorities or institutions when exercising any power, strategy include subsidiary and self-regulation, pollution
or performing any duty under the NWA. The MC of a prevention, integrated environmental management,
resource sets the boundaries for the volume, distribution equity, sustainability, the polluter pays, and public
and quality of the Reserve as well as Resource Quality participation.
Objectives. The MC ranges from Natural to Heavily
Used/Impacted and essentially describes the desired
ecological condition of the resource, and conversely, the
degree to which the resource could be utilised.

A.3.11 The National Groundwater Strategy

The groundwater quality management strategy forms part
of the DWAFs National Water Resource Strategy. South
Africa’s water resources are very unevenly distributed
across the country, and in arid or water-scarce areas.
The value and vulnerability of groundwater represent
a strategic component of the water resources of South
Africa. Security of groundwater supplies is thus essential
and protection of groundwater has become a national
priority.

It is common for groundwater to be poorly managed.

It takes a long time to detect that it has become polluted
and groundwater has only limited ability to purify itself.
It is difficult, often impossible, and also very expensive
to restore polluted groundwater to its original quality.
The major reason for poor management of groundwater
resources, however, has been a lack of a structured
approach to management as well as a lack of knowledge
and information about groundwater.

In order to manage groundwater quality in an integrated

and sustainable manner within the context of the National
Water Resource Strategy and thereby provide an
adequate level of protection to groundwater resources
and secure the supply of water of acceptable quality, the
DWAF has identified the following policy goals:
• To implement source-directed controls to prevent and
minimise, at source, the impact of development on
groundwater quality by imposing regulatory controls
and by providing incentives
• To implement resource-directed measures in order to
manage such impacts as do inevitably occur in such
a manner to protect the reserve and ensure suitability
for beneficial purposes recognized, and

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B.1 Baseline information

APPENDIX B Table B.1 identifies the likely information requirements for water management modelling and
design of the water management measures.
WATER MANAGE‑
MENT Modelling Table B.1: Baseline information requirements
FOR SURFACE MINES Design area Information Requirements
Mine planning • Layout of the mine and supporting infrastructure
• Location of open pits, processing plants and water and waste
management facilities
Hydrology and stormwater • Climate data: Patterns of temperature, rainfall, evaporation and
atmospheric moisture for the area
• Reports, documents and maps on the hydrology of the area
• All available river flow data
• Surface water quality information
• Downstream water users and their quality criteria
• Resource quality objectives for the affected catchment(s).
Water balance • Reports and documents on the mine water balance
• Water flow and water quality measurements or predictions
• Ambient water qualities
Geotechnical • Reports and documents on the geology and geotechnical conditions for
the area
Hydrogeology • Published and unpublished geological and hydrogeological reports,
maps and documents
• Borehole positions, logs and well construction details
• Details of groundwater abstractions and groundwater users in the area
• Conceptual and/or detailed groundwater models
• Recharge estimations
• Groundwater quality information
• Any available monitoring data
Mine residue • Annual anticipated tonnage and overall total tonnage
• Life of mine
• Results of any testwork on the mine residue
• Residue characteristics, such as particle size distribution, dry density,
etc.
• Mine residue deposit details, e.g. footprint area, rate-of-rise
Geochemical • Reports and document on the geochemical properties of the residue,
e.g. particle size distribution, porosity, moisture content including soil
moisture retention tests, mineralogy, acid base accounting, kinetic data,
etc.
• Geotechnical conditions for the area
• Ambient water quality
General • Archaeological sites within the mine area
• Wetlands and ecologically sensitive areas

The baseline information that is collected should meet the following objectives:
• Provide an understanding of the regional water resource context in which the mine is to
operate
• Identify the potential sources of water for the project
• Delineate the study area for the water management
• Determine the hydrological and groundwater data availability
• Identify gaps in the database and implement monitoring to fill these gaps

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• Prepare base maps for use in the study, and • Establishment of closure objectives for the mining
• Identify the water courses that could be impacted by operation
mining. • The available data should be reviewed and a gap
analysis undertaken. The following could be the result
The baseline information that should be collected is likely
of this analysis:
to include the following:
-- Ongoing groundwater data collection for water
• The location of mine working, mine lease and surface levels and water quality
rights areas as well as towns, roads, rivers and water
-- Drilling of further boreholes. These boreholes can
supply infrastructure
be linked to the geotechnical and mineral resource
• Determination of the water volume and water quality studies.
mine water requirements
-- Required pump tests on boreholes to determine
• Topographical map of the area (1:50 000 and yields and determine the aquifer properties for use
1:250 000 scale) in the groundwater modelling
• Land use, geological and soil maps of the area -- Surface water flow monitoring program. This may
• The mine plan require the installation of weirs to characterise the
• A definition of study area, which is the area of potential rainfall - runoff characteristics of the catchments
impact of the mine. During the conceptualisation and and the flow regimes. This data can be used to
planning phase, the available information should calibrate a rainfall – runoff model for use in the
be used to provide an estimate of the study area. A water management modelling for the mine
conservative estimate should be made at this stage. -- Surface water quality monitoring program. This
The extent of the area can be revised as baseline program should be designed to capture the
data becomes available seasonal variation in water quality of the water
• Discussions with the regional offices of DWAF should courses and water supply to users that could be
also be held so that the water situation, in particular impacted on by the planned mining operations.
the regional context and the possible sources of If the local water resource is to be developed as
water for the project can be obtained. Information on a source of supply for the mine then the program
the catchment management strategy, future water should be sufficiently detailed to supply the mine’s
resource developments, ecological Reserve data and needs. An iterative process should be used to
reports should be collected and reviewed determine the water quality variables that need to
• Identification of flow and water quality sampling points be included in the analysis. This process starts with
in the study area and collection of data from the DWAF analysing for a comprehensive set of variables.
databases The initial set tested for will be revised depending
on the results of the analysis
• Collection of data from the groundwater databases of
DWAF -- A weather station and a rain gauge system should
be installed if needed. The rain gauges should be
• Establish the location of rainfall gauges and weather located to provide information for use in conjunction
stations that could be used in the development with the flow measurements for rainfall-runoff
of water management measures. Any data from model calibration
these monitoring stations should be collected and
assessed -- Soil surveys of area to quantify the types and
quantities of soil in the area, and
• A hydrocensus of boreholes in the study area should
be undertaken. The information collected includes -- Biomonitoring of the river ecology.
location of boreholes, borehole yield, borehole owner, • The available hydrological and climate data should be
type of pump, water level, water quality data and use analysed. The following information is needed from
of water abstracted from the borehole the database
• A surface water user survey in the study area -- The Mean Annual Precipitation of the site should
• Collection of surface water samples for water quality be determined as well as the average monthly
analysis and flow measurements of streams in the rainfall depths, and
area -- The average monthly pan evaporation depths.

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• A representative daily rainfall record at least 50 years evaporation from pollution control dams and in soil
long should be synthesised from the available rainfall moisture budgets for catchment runoff modelling and
data records. covers for rehabilitated surfaces.
B.2.1.3 Determination of flood lines
B.2 Integrated Water
management modelling The 1:50 and 1:100 year flood lines for the water courses
passing over the mine site should be determined.
B.2.1 Conceptualisation and planning phase The 50m and 100m exclusion zones should also be
determined and located on the mapping.
B.2.1.1 Objective
B.2.1.4 Water management modelling
The objectives of the water management modelling at
this phase are to establish the following: The contour mapping of the area showing the layout
of the mine infrastructure will be used to identify the
• Preparation of an initial water management layout clean and dirty catchment areas. The catchment areas
and sizing of the water management system should be measured and the locations of pollution control
• The mine water requirements for processing facilities and diversion channels and berms should be
• Potable water requirements provisionally located on the maps. The process plant
design team should provide an estimate of the water
• Initial layout of mine infrastructure
volume and water quality requirements of the process
• Initial layout of waste facilities plant and the mass and characteristics of the waste
• Clean and dirty water catchment areas streams.
• Identify sources of water supply
At this stage there could be a number of teams involved
• Establish the hydrological database for use in the in the project. The battery limits of the different teams
water management modelling. The main elements as far as water management is concerned should be
are rainfall and evaporation. clearly established. The type of information and level of
B.2.1.2 Preparation of hydrological database analysis that is required from each team should also be
established. A design criteria and assumption register
The water management modelling for this phase will should be established for the project.
involve an assessment of the rainfall data to produce the
following: The water management modelling at this stage of the
project is best done at a monthly time step using the
• Monthly average rainfall depths and mean annual average monthly rainfall depths for the dry, median
precipitation. The dry, median and wet years should and wet years. A spreadsheet model can be set up for
be identified from the record and the average rainfall the mine system. The model should include the major
depths identified for each of these years elements making up the system. A number of the
• A statistical analysis of the daily rainfall depth time elements change in size over the life of the mine. Sizes
series to produce the 2 year, 5 year, 10 year, 20 of these elements at specific points in time over the life
year, 50 year, 100 year and probable maximum of the mine can be used in the model. Simple algorithms
precipitation (PMP) information. This information is such as the use of runoff factors should be considered
required for the tailings dam and pollution control dam for application to catchment areas. The preliminary
safety assessments waste stream characteristics will be used to determine
• Intensity-duration-frequency curves developed for the the entrainment volumes in the waste management
site facilities and water volumes returned. At this stage, with
the absence of any geochemical data, water quality is
• A daily and monthly time series of rainfall depths
likely not to be considered in the analysis.
for the site. These are required to drive the water
management models. A rainfall time series in excess The water management model will be applied for the
of 50 years is ideally required different years at a monthly time step to determine
• Monthly average evaporation depths are needed the preliminary sizes of pollution control dams, return
for the water management modelling to determine volumes available from the dams and the make-up

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water requirements for the project over the life of the The model should include the details from the pre-
project. The need for a discharge from the mine must feasibility mine plan and the revised infrastructure plot
also be identified. The results of the analysis will be plan. The variations in the different types of mining areas
used to revise the layout where necessary and locate in the opencast pits, i.e. pre-strip areas, mine workings,
the pollution control facilities. A source of water supply to spoil heaps and mine rehabilitation areas, should be
meet the water needs of the mine should be identified. included in the model. For opencast mines, the changes
in soil types with depth, which leads to changes in runoff
The possibility of developing a groundwater or surface characteristics, should be included in the model. Other
water source, abstracting from existing infrastructure water requirements, such as potable water use, should
and/or receiving water from adjacent mines should be also be included in the model.
investigated. The most likely source should be identified
and a preliminary analysis undertaken on the feasibility The water requirements for the process plant should be
of supply from the source and the type of infrastructure reviewed at this stage, including water quantity, any water
needed to supply the required water. quality constraints and the interaction with the mine pit
water. The results of the groundwater studies will provide
The information gaps should be identified and studies or input to the assessment of water make in the pit(s). The
monitoring programs put in place to fill the gaps. At this water quality model should be developed at this stage,
stage the progress with the water management study using the first round of geochemical results, the water
should be communicated to the regulator. quality information from the baseline monitoring and
the updated characteristics of the waste sources and
B.2.2 Pre-feasibility phase management requirements. Any results from rainfall-
runoff modelling should also be used to calibrate the
B.2.2.1 Objective model.

The objective of this phase of the study is to further refine With the input data updated, the model should be run
the output from the water management model developed so as to size the water management infrastructure to
during the conceptualisation and planning phase, based meet the design criteria of Government Notice No. 704
on the information generated during this phase. (GN704), regulations on use of water for mining and
related activities (See also BPG A4: Pollution Control
B.2.2.2 Water management modelling Dams for guidance on spill criteria). Details of the sizing
should be sent to the design team to confirm the location
The information that should be available at this stage of and layout of this infrastructure. Some iteration may be
the project, which will be used in the water management required to optimise the size, location and layout of the
modelling, will include the following: infrastructure to suit local conditions.
• A pre-feasibility mine plan, including details on the The output of the water management model should be
mining methods and other mines in the vicinity to used to identify the need and quantity of water supply to
cover aspects such as intermine flow considerations the mine and the need to discharge to a watercourse. Pre-
and demands / pollution of the same water sources feasibility level design of the water supply, and an impact
• Updated process plant water requirements assessment of any discharge, should be undertaken at
• Revised layouts of the plant infrastructure this stage.
• Results of the groundwater investigations and
The design team should also liaise with the regulator
modelling, including the results of the pit dewatering
to start preparing the water use licence application for
assessments
the various water uses, e.g., water abstraction, water
• Initial geochemical results storage, discharge, etc.
• Water quantity and quality information from the
baseline monitoring, and B.2.3 Feasibility phase
• Updated characteristics of waste streams.
B.2.3.1 Objective
The water management model should be progressed to
a higher level of accuracy during this phase, using the The objective of this phase will be to revise the water
above information. A daily time-scale for the model would management model with the latest information from the
be appropriate at this stage in the mine development. feasibility study work.

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B.2.3.2 Water management modelling B.2.6 Operations phase

The water management modelling will follow the same B.2.6.1 Objective
approach as covered above with the new information.
The objective of this phase is to update and/or amend
The water use licence application should be prepared
the water management model developed at the design
and submitted during this phase.
stage to an operational model.

B.2.4 Design phase B.2.6.2 Water management modelling

B.2.4.1 Objective The water management model should be updated to

reflect the “as-built” conditions on site, following the
The objective of this phase will be to prepare water construction phase. The model will thereafter be regularly
monitoring programmes for the construction and updated during the mine operational phase, as changes
operations phase are made in the mine plan and the infrastructure layout
and additional water-related information in available.
B.2.4.2 Water management modelling
The generic steps that will be followed during the
The infrastructure plot plan will be updated during the operations phase are as follows:
mine design phase. Using this information and the water
• Collection of data from the monitoring programme
management model, the design team should:
(water quantity, water quality, volumes in the raw water
• Develop operating rules for the water infrastructure, dams and process water dams and meteorological
data)
• Identify and design the water supply system for the
• Input of the collected data into the water management
construction phase,
model. This data will be used to check the assumptions
• Undertake detailed design of the water management made in the model and to calibrate the model
infrastructure • Apply the water management model, using monthly
• Develop a water quantity and quality monitoring predictions, to assess the short-term operations of the
programme for the construction and operations water management system
phases of the mine. Further information on developing • Use the water management model to manage
such a programme is provided in BPG G3: Water the water on the mine site to meet the regulatory
Monitoring Systems, and requirements, and
• Identify and design (at a preliminary level) the water • Update the water management measures required for
management measures required for mine closure. mine closure.
Consideration should be given during operations to
B.2.5 Construction and commissioning managing the water systems on the mine using real-time
phase data collection and use of information in the model.

B.2.5.1 Objective B.2.7 Closure phase

The objective of this phase will be to develop water B.2.7.1 Objective
management programmes for the construction phase.
The objective of this phase will be to confirm the design
B.2.5.2 Water management modelling of the water management measures for mine closure.

The water management model will be used during this B.2.7.2 Water management modelling
phase to prepare and implement water management
measures during construction. These will be implemented The calibrated water management model should be used
to manage the quantity and quality of the water supply for to:
construction, as well as the management of any waste • Confirm the predictions of water management used in
stream from construction. preparing the mine closure plan

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 Best Practice Guideline - A5: Water Management for Surface Mines -- July 2008
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• Undertake an assessment of the water management

requirements for mine closure
• Design the water management measures required for
mine closure, and
• Develop cost estimates of the water management
measures, to include in the overall quantum of financial
provisions for closure to be made by the mine.

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