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Mine water pollution serious problem Water pollution of extraneous mine water is considered to be one of the most serious and potentially enduring environmental concerns facing the mining industry. Left unchecked, it could have a significant impact on water quality and be remembered as mining's most harmful legacy, says Chamber of Mines environmental adviser Nikisi Lesufi. Lesufi says that, while South Africa has taken legislative measures to tackle the situation, ground-water pollution from mining is exacerbated by abandoned and derelict mines, which threaten to decant acid mine drainage into the country's water courses. Lesufi adds that ingress of polluted mine water comes from the workings of multiple mines and the environmental impact of this nature cannot be apportioned to one mine. For this reason, he says that mines within the different regional basins should be held collectively responsible for the environ-mental impacts that arise from cessation of mining activities in the basin.Bosman agrees, pointing out that “mines are not isolated”, and should be considered in a regional context to prevent a “last-man-standing” scenario. Government has taken this into account and a task team has been established to oversee regional mine water management between the DME, the Department of Environ-mental Affairs and Tourism and Dwaf, under the guardianship of the DME. Du Plessis also considers the potential uses that exist for mine water. These include neutral drainage irrigation of agricultural lands, the use of fly-ash to neutralise acid mine drainage, with the by-products used as strong metal absorbents or treating the water to sell as potable water to local municipalities. Bosman supports this innovative concept, stating that it makes good economic sense and is viable in the long term. “People will always need water and in a water-scarce country, we are importing water from across our borders to keep up with the demand,” she comments. Since South Africa is dependent on ground water for 60% of its water supply, unmitigated pollution of ground water could have dire consequences for the country's potable water supply. She adds that in addition to the implementation of water conservation and demand-management strategies, local needs could easily be supplemented by the use of this underground water. This would on be possible provided that the water is removed prior to becoming polluted or, where it has become contaminated, that it be treated to a potable quality to provide for the needs of a local community. Bosman says that this solution is currently being considered in the Klerksdorp-Orkney Stilfontein Hartebeesfontein (KOSH) area, where four mining groups have come together to form a water-management company that will treat the water-found underground to facilitate augmentation of local water supply needs. The discharge and management of mine water is considered to be one of the most pressing long-term environmental liabilities facing the country's mining industry, the management of which will require committed effort on the part of government and industry alike.
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