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Published byDerek Shawn Jennings Modified over 9 years ago
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Witwatersrand AMD Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Water & Environmental Affairs 28 th June 2011 Overview of Activities by Gold Mining Companies active in the West, Central and Eastern Basins 8 28 th June 2011 John Munro – Spokesperson for the active companies
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History of Witwatersrand Basins AMD The Western Basin decants 120 years of underground mining stopped in 1990’s Workings filled with water - AMD decanted in 2002 Directives begin 2005 Attempts at apportionment failed 2005 to date Active mines directed to : – Install temporary treatment operations – Develop a long term sustainable solution Today 6 years later – AMD remains very serious in all basins Temporary operations continue by current companies Mines have proposed a Long Term Solution Central Basin is flooding->300m rise in under 2 years Eastern Basin is flooding
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Page 3 Working collaboratively towards a solution WBECCBEC EBEC WBWC Voluntary associations, sect 21 companies Rand UraniumEast Rand Proprietary Mines Aurora ? Mintails SA /Mogale Gold Central Rand GoldERGO DRDGOLD /West Witwatersrand Gold Mines West Wits Mining Incorporated WUC
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The Big Picture
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The impact of AMD Unsaturated zone Water table Saturated zone Ground water Surface water Critical environmental zone Deep aquifer zone Up to 40 Ml/d untreated overflow
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Overview of activities by active companies Premised that the AMD is essentially ownerless and is a legacy liability And In light of this, on DWA direction, various companies undertook, “without prejudice” to implement certain practical steps since 2005 : The Pragmatic approach: – Operate AMD partial treatment Plants, as a temporary measure – Support the development of a Sustainable Long Term Solution – Presented a Sustainable Long Term Solution to DWA and latterly the IMC- ToE – Worked extensively with Government, regulators and stakeholders on the problem since 2005 right up to date The Legal Approach – Each company has however a specific unique factual and legal position too. Companies have acted collaboratively where possible. – Extensive legal activity has proven fruitless so far.
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Summary of Mining Company activities 2002 – AMD decant commenced WB–emergency containment measures 2004 – AMD Partial Treatment Plant commenced operations WB 2005 – DWA issues first AMD directive 2005 – Upgraded AMD Treatment Plant commenced operations WB 2006/7 – Cooperative bodies formed (WBEC, CBEC etc) 2007 – WUC mandated by WBEC/CBEC/EBEC established to develop long term solution 2007,8,9 – WUC undertakes extensive studies, piloting and wide consultation 2009 – DWA’s Water for Growth & Dev Document highlights WUC as “by far most attractive solution” – DWA takes lead in supporting WUC initiative – Government Task Team (GTT) provides “in principle” support for WUC – WUC submits Final scoping report- ready to submit WULA and Final EIA 2009 - Mining companies engage DWA at high level on advancing Long Term Solution 2010 – Mining companies engage DWA on alternative solutions at Ministerial level 2010 – Mining Companies again propose Long Term Solution in revised submission to address perceived DWA objections 2011 - Mining companies present proposals to IMC Technical Team – Emergency measures – Long Term Solution – Mining companies engage with DWA/TCTA post release of IMC report
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The Challenge remains Large Scale AMD in the Central Wits goldfields – “AAA priority issue” - Hon Min Sonjica - March 2010 Legacy – The AMD is essentially ownerless – Litigation around apportionment and liabilities has been fruitless New Operators on the West and Central Basin – These Companies could not have created this problem – Burdening these companies with this legacy is unsustainable – Mining companies have and will continue to work and engage constructively Resolution is critical to the environment we share Resolution is critical to the recovery of mining in Gauteng A Solution has been presented by the mining companies and WUC – Presented to Government in 2009/2010 Economically viable and able to attract external funding – (reduces reliance on State and new mining companies) – Rejected by DWA and in IMC report – Government now in control – Opportunity for mines contribution diminishing
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