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Decommissioning Projects - South Africa

(last updated 18 Dec 2012)

General
Wonderfonteinspruit catchment area, Gauteng (general)
Hartebeestfontein · Randfontein · Mintails West Rand tailings project

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> See also Data for: Deposits, Proposed and Active Mines · Old Mines and Decommissioning

General

Report exposing hazards from mine dumps in Gauteng still unreleased

The 380 mine dumps and slimes dams in Gauteng could be a far bigger threat than acid mine drainage
(AMD). They are causing radioactive dust fallout, toxic water pollution and soil contamination, according
to the final draft of a new report by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
(GDARD) on mine residue areas (MRAs), called for by Premier Nomvula Mokonyane "as a potential
provincial priority".
The report was completed in July but is yet to be released. It warns that if the province doesn't act,
"Joburg will eventually be seen as an old mining town that has reached the end of its working life", with
banks redlining (refusing) to finance any homes or development near the dumps.
The report found that most MRAs - including mine dumps, waste rocks dumps and water storage facilities
- in Gauteng are radioactive "because the Witwatersrand gold-bearing ores contain almost 10 times the
amount of uranium in gold." "These radioactive tailings co-exist in these MRAs alongside the iron
sulphide mineral pyrite, which reacts in the presence of oxygen and water to form a sulphuric acid
solution - the main cause of acid mine drainage," says the report, Feasibility Study on Reclamation of
Mine Residue Areas for Development Purposes: Phase II Strategy and Implementation Plan, co-written
by water scientist Anthony Turton. But it says that the broader issue of "diffuse sources" of pollution
represented by the mine dumps and slimes dams and their possible interactions with rainfall, seepage,
surface water runoff and shallow groundwater "is possibly more important than the impact of AMD" in
Gauteng.
In February, the Saturday Star revealed how the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) had recommended the
relocation of residents of Tudor Shaft informal settlement, on an old radioactive mine dump, in
Krugersdorp. The report suggests that this NNR ruling is "likely to become a watershed ruling likely to be
relevant for a number of other sites" and that high-risk informal settlements will need to be relocated to
minimise human health risks. It singles out the dangers of ground instability and the collapse above
abandoned mine workings and around open mine shafts that present a danger to nearby informal
settlements as well as the danger of wind-blown mine dust being inhaled, damaging lung tissue, resulting
in respiratory diseases.
The department will survey and map all MRAs "with a view to determining the physical location of each
source of hazard - chemical, radiological and physical" and quantify risks. (Saturday Star Nov. 5, 2011)
Draft Regional Mine Closure Strategies issued for comment

Following the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, the Department of Minerals and
Energy (DME) initiated the Sustainable Development through Mining (SDM) programme. The DME is
assisted in this regard by the Council for Geoscience (CGS) , the Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) and Mintek . The development of regional mine closure strategies was initiated as
part of the SDM programme. The first series of the draft regional mine closure strategies is being put
forward for public review from December 2008 to 31 January 2009.

> Download Draft Regional Mine Closure Strategies documents (CGS)

Study highlights environmental hazards from abandoned uranium trial mines in the Karoo
Uranium Province

Executive Summary
An assessment of uranium trial mining on four mining sites in the Karoo Uranium Province, South Africa revealed
localised above-background values for U, Mo, Pb, Cu, As and Fe in surface - and ground water, soils, sediment and
crops. Inadequate remedial action on cessation of mining activities in 1980 led to the presence of uranium ore in
stockpiles, open pits, mining shafts, mining equipment and waste dumps within featured areas.
Heavy metal contamination is suppressed by the lack of run-off and the dry climate experienced within the mining
areas. However, the heavy metal content in surface water and sediment within the open pits on Rietkuil and
Mooifontein is especially high. These values pose a risk for human ingestion and may cause cancer in the long
term or renal damage over the short term. These pits are easily accessed, lack a fence and are used for a drinking
medium by fauna and as a growth medium for flora. The easily accessed Cameron Shaft on Ryst Kuil is a matter of
concern due to the possible presence of the radioactive inert gas, radon.
Farm owners were unaware of the possible toxic effects of uranium and coherent heavy metals. This led to
previous usage of mine water for crop irrigation, the moving and feeding of livestock as well as wildlife amongst
uranium ore stockpiles, swimming in water-filled open pits and using crushed uranium ore for gravel road
maintenance and construction.
The presence of uranium ore in stockpiles and the coherent effects on the water, soils, sediment, fauna and flora
and possibly man, prioritises the remediation and rehabilitation of the of uranium trial mining sites within the
Karoo Uranium Province.

> Assessment of potential toxic influence of uranium trial mining in the Karoo Uranium Province , by
Nicolaas Scholtz, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 2003

No need for reclamation of gold/uranium mill tailings?

In a paper given on Oct. 4, 2001, at ICEM'01 Denis G. Wymer of the Chamber of Mines of South
Africa presented environmental monitoring data for the radiological impact from the gold/uranium
mining industry and its wastes. These data were used to calculate doses for members of the public.

"[...] It is concluded from these results that the impact of gold mining operations on the
environment is small, and will not cause any member of the public to receive a radiation dose
more than about 10% of the public dose limit. Current rehabilitation measures for tailings are
mainly limited to vegetation and reworking of slopes. It is unlikely that the costs of
constructing radon barriers would ever be justified on the basis of the minimal dose reduction
benefits that could be achieved. Some measures to control surface water pollution may
continue to be necessary but, from present knowledge, contamination of ground water is
unlikely to be of concern. [...]" (excerpt from the abstract)

Wonderfonteinspruit catchment area, Gauteng (general)

Study finds extreme uranium and heavy metal contamination in cattle grazing near Wonderfontein
Spruit

A researcher from North West University has found that the internal organs of cattle kept in the area
around the Wonderfontein Spruit have been contaminated with uranium and cobalt.
David Hamman, in research conducted for his Masters thesis in environmental science, analysed the
animals' kidneys and found that uranium levels were 4,350 times higher than those in a control group. In
his study, titled "A Holistic View on the Impact of Gold and Uranium Mining on the Wonderfontein
Spruit", Hamman found that the cattle were eating grass that grew next to the river. This proved that the
heavy metals bio-accumulated in the grass, Hamman said.
He also found that high concentrations of lead were found in irrigated lands next to the Wonderfontein
Spruit -- up to 17.3 times higher than those next to the Mooi River.
Hamman did a risk analysis for beef eaters, and found that no danger existed for people eating less than
0.13 kg per day of the contaminated meat. (SowetanLIVE Dec. 18, 2012)

NGO fights in court to ensure radioactive Tudor shaft mine dump is removed safely

"There are pure gold tailings", explains Liefferink, of the samples she collected and had tested from the
Tudor Shaft informal settlement in Krugersdorp last week. "The chemical analysis reveals these crusts
contain elevated levels of uranium, copper, cobalt, arsenic, aluminium, manganese, and mercury."
Liefferink, the chief executive of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment (FSE), wanted to
present the samples in the FSE's court case this week against the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR),
Mogale City local municipality and the Departments of Energy and Environmental Affairs. But both the
municipality and NNR have failed to file their responding affidavits to the Johannesburg High Court.
In June, the NNR, the municipality and Mintails started removing a mine dump, which has been declared
a radiological hot spot, from Tudor Shaft. But the FSE stopped the removal arguing it was poorly done.
"These samples come from where the NNR has already removed the waste, which shows that even the
footprint is highly contaminated", she points out. When they come in with a bulldozer, it liberates the
dust. It's almost as fine as talcum power and can be easily ingested. There is a risk if it's not carefully
managed." (Saturday Star Oct. 27, 2012)

South Africa runs out of time in acid mine drainage abatement

The issue of mine water treatment and the management thereof has become urgent. South Africa has run
out of time to debate and must act, says Water Research Commission (WRC) mine water treatment and
management research manager Dr Jo Burgess. The western, central and eastern basins of the
Witwatersrand are currently the main focus of South Africa's acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment needs,
Department of Water Affairs (DWA) water-quality management senior manager Marius Keet tells Mining
Weekly.
“In the western basin, we have managed to stop the decant and draw the water down to one metre below
surface level. However, this was before the rains started, which will cause the water to rise again,” he
states. If the DWA had enough pumps and treatment facilities, it would be able to draw the water down to
the environmental critical level, which is 150 m below surface and which would create a buffer capacity if
it rained, he adds.
In terms of the central basin, the DWA is still waiting for final budget approval for the construction of the
treatment plant for the next financial year, says Keet, adding that the necessary funds for this year have
been made available. “I am positive, except for the fact that we will run out of time if something is not
done within the next few weeks,” he says. Building a treatment plant takes about a year and the current
situation dictates that the environmental critical level will be breached in June or July next year.
Therefore, there is only nine months left during which to act, he explains.
Further, as a result of financial constraints, the DWA has decided to defer the treatment of the AMD from
the eastern basin to a later stage, as the eastern basin's situation is less critical than that of the central and
western basins. “The eastern basin is also critical, but we do have some time,” says Keet. (Mining Weekly
Sep. 21, 2012)

Acid mine water abatement costs double, but state has no extra funds

The projected costs of initially solving the Witwatersrand's acid mine drainage problem have more than
doubled to R2.2bn [US$ 260 million], says Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa.
The Treasury has allocated R433m [US$ 51.3 million] to sort out the acid mine water that has already
polluted the region's western basin. Experts say acid mine water could decant into the central basin, which
encompasses parts of Johannesburg, within a year and the eastern basins soon after that. "Since the
appointment of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority to implement emergency acid mine drainage
mitigation measures, preliminary findings guided by a due diligence estimated the capital cost for the
short-term solution in all three basins at R924m [US$ 109 million] as at July 2011," Ms Molewa said on
Thursday (Aug. 30) in reply to a parliamentary question. "Subsequent to the evaluation of bids and a
comprehensive costing exercise, the actual cost was determined at R2.2bn as at June 2012."
Ms Molewa said earlier this week the Department of Water Affairs had a R338bn [US$ 40 billion]
funding gap and that South Africa needed to spend R670bn [US$ 79.3 billion] on its water sector over the
next 10 years. The Treasury said there was no extra money. (Business Day Aug. 31, 2012)

Removal of Tudor shaft mine dump halted

The "illegal" removal of a mine dump in an informal settlement on the West Rand could cause the
liberation of radioactive dust particles which thousands of its residents will unwittingly inhale and ingest.
It is on these grounds that the Federation for a Sustainable Environment (FSE) has succeeded in stopping
the removal of the mine dump, a "radiological hotspot", from the Tudor Shaft informal settlement in
Krugersdorp. "Although the FSE welcomes the mine residue removal, the FSE takes the view that the
current operations are illegal in the absence of comprehensive risk assessments (to determine) the risks
associated with the movement of radioactive and toxic mine residue and a public participation processes."
(IOL July 7, 2012)

Environmentalist resigns from board of South Africa's Nuclear Regulator over communities'
exposure to radioactive mining waste

Environmental campaigner Mariette Liefferink has resigned from SA's nuclear watchdog citing her
frustration over the organisation's failure to deal with vulnerable communities exposed to dangerous
mining waste.
Liefferink cited the example of Tudor Shaft informal settlement on the West Rand - where thousands of
impoverished residents continue to live on uraniferous slimes dams - as well as the identification of 36
sites as "radiological hotspots" in the Wonderfonteinspruit catchment area. These sites are radioactive
because of the uraniferous nature of the ore. "There is still no physical evidence of rehabilitation. In Tudor
dam there are elevated radioactivity levels, but people are still living on the banks, the site is not fenced
off and there are no warning signs." It was not acceptable that communities continued to live in such
circumstances. (Saturday Star Apr. 21, 2012)

State agency again warns of funding shortfall for acid drainage abatement projects

South Africa's Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) reports that it is making some progress in
implementing emergency and near-term projects designed to deal with the problem of acid mine drainage
(AMD) arising on the eastern, central and western basins of the Witwatersrand goldfields. But in a 'status
update', released on Thursday (Jan. 19), the State agency again cautions that the capital set aside for the
implementation of the so-called 'Phase 1' projects is inadequate. These 'Phase 1' interventions aim to
prevent the acid water from rising above the so-called environmental critical level (ECL) across the
various basins, while drawing the level below that level in the western basin, where the ECL has already
been breached. In fact, TCTA describes funding by the government to meet AMD costs as “not feasible or
desirable”.
A due diligence review undertaken last year by BKS and Golder Associates, indicated that the capital
costs associated with Phase 1, inclusive of a 15% contingency and escalation, would be R924-million
[US$ 115 million]. But TCTA was initially allocated R225-million [US$ 28 million], which National
Treasury increased by a further R208-million [US$ 25.9 million] after both TCTA and the Department of
Water Affairs (DWA) made representations.
In other words, the funding shortfall is currently estimated at R492-million [US$ 61.3 million] for the
project, which comprises: the installation of pumps to extract water from a mine void to on-site treatment
plants; the construction of an on-site water treatment plant in each basin with the option of refurbishing;
and upgrading the existing plants owned by the mines and the installation of infrastructure to convey
treated water to nearby water courses. The allocations also do not cover estimated yearly operating costs
of R210-million [US$ 26.2 million] for an intervention TCTA acknowledged to be a mere “interim
solution to prevent an environmental catastrophe”. (Engineering News Jan. 19, 2012)

Majority of residents of informal settlement on radioactive mine waste dump in Krugersdorp still
waiting for relocation

In an unprecedented move earlier this year, the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) recommended that
Mogale City municipality relocate the thousands of residents of Tudor Shaft after it found elevated levels
of radiation in the settlement could lead to a "potentially hazardous situation".
Mogale City maintains it has moved close to 200 families from Tudor Shaft and its neighbouring informal
settlements and that it is working with the NNR to rehabilitate Tudor Shaft. NNR spokesman Gino
Moonsamy claims over 500 people have been moved.
But residents like Jeffrey Ramorute say this is untrue. "Only around eight shacks, with about 35 families,
were moved from this site," says the community leader, pointing to a yellow outcrop of mine sludge,
where Professor Chris Busby, a world expert in uranium, in December found radiation levels inside a
shack 15 times higher than regulatory limits. "These people are lying if they say they've moved
everybody. We're still here, living in poor conditions."
Hundreds of shacks, and thousands of people, remain in Tudor Shaft. "Look there," says a dismayed
Mariette Liefferink, an environmental activist, as she gestures to a group of children playing on the site
where Busby took his radioactivity readings. "Children continue to play on that site (where the shacks
were removed)," says Liefferink. "Many are barefoot. What has happened here is not sufficient. People
are still living on the tailings, on unsafe land... It's a really desperate situation." (Independent Online Nov.
15, 2011)

Seismic events almost doubled since toxic acid mine drainage water started filling abandoned mines

Monthly seismic events in Johannesburg and the West Rand and East Rand have almost doubled since
acid mine drainage began to fill derelict mines in 2008, Parliament's water and environment affairs
committee was told yesterday (June 21). The government is racing against time to get pumping stations
and treatment plants in place before March next year when the toxic water is predicted to reach the
environmentally critical level of 150m below the surface. The committee is holding public hearings to
assess progress towards a solution.
Henk Coetzee, one of the government's team of experts that investigated acid mine drainage, said
increased seismicity was one of the risks associated with the flooding of mines. The water lubricated
faults in the earth's crust and allowed them to move. Mr Coetzee said since pumping stopped at the ERPM
mine in December 2008, the monthly average of seismic events had risen from 5.9 to 11.7. Some were
strong enough to cause concern.
He also confirmed fears about the pollution of underground water resources, possible land instability and
the threat to the foundations of buildings. Once the 150m level was breached, the acid water would enter
shallow aquifers and contaminate groundwater, Mr Coetzee said. It would dissolve dolomite and cause
underground erosion, increasing the possibility of sinkholes. On the western basin of the Witwatersrand,
about 30 megalitres of acid water was decanting every day, threatening the Cradle of Humankind.
Committee chairman Johnny de Lange demanded the names of mining houses responsible for acid
drainage and was told that in the west it was Rand Uranium, Durban Roodepoort Deep and Mintails. A
water affairs official, Marius Keet, said the problems in the central basin were caused by the ERPM mine,
and in the eastern basin by the Grootvlei mine. (Business Day Jun. 22, 2011)

Fossils at Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site 'at risk' from acid mine water

Rising levels of acid mine water in the Cradle of Humankind - a world heritage site west of Johannesburg
- are posing a risk to caves in which priceless fossils have been found.
A R2.1-million study, commissioned by the management of the tourist spot, said the cave system, which
forms part of Bolt's Farm, "exhibits a very high vulnerability to both ground-water level fluctuations and
water quality". The farm is about 2.5 km southwest of the Sterkfontein Caves, where Mrs Ples, the
popular nickname of the first, almost complete, fossilised skull of an early human, was found. While
Sterkfontein has sheltered hominid remains, the caves on Bolt's Farm have one of the oldest deposits of
animal fossils. The study was conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR),
the Council for Geoscience , the University of the Witwatersrand's School for Geoscience and
iThemba Labs . It found that:

About 15,000 ha of the 52,000 ha site was receiving acid mine drainage (AMD) and sewage,
affecting the subterranean and surface environment; and
Dolomite samples were partially dissolved after being exposed to AMD.

The report said the Cradle of Humankind was the only protected area in the world "ostensibly threatened"
by acid water from mines. "The perceived threat of AMD to the area has generated wide and considerable
concern for the preservation of the Unesco-inscribed fossil sites," the report said.
Aquatic scientist Garfield Krige said the acid mine drainage could result in the loss of fossil sites. "The
acid mine drainage eats away at the dolomite and can result in the undermining of the caves above it,
resulting in a collapse." He said the water also removed metals from the rock, including uranium, which
ended up in the ground water. "The entire Tweelopie Spruit, running through Krugersdorp, is dead," Krige
said. Tweelopie joins the Riet Spruit before entering the Bloubank Spruit, which flows through the site.
(Times Live Apr. 24, 2011)

Dangerous levels of radio​activity in Gauteng's mine dumps will take decades and billions of rands
to clear

In the wake of the government's decision last week to set aside R225-million to treat toxic water in
underground mine voids, the focus fell on cleaning up hundreds of tailings dumps and slimes dams across
the Reef. According to the government report on acid mine drainage toxic residues in mine dumps are
seeping into underground water and exacerbating the problem. Anthony Turton, a scientist who raised the
alarm about acid mine drainage a decade ago, said this week that sorting out the dumps would be difficult.
"The sheer scale and complexity of dealing with radioactive dumps is far worse than the water problem,"
he said.
Mariette Liefferink, the chief executive of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment, said the tailings
dumps and dams were historically sited on unlined dolomite, resulting in heavy metals and uranium
seeping into groundwater. "There are at least 270 tailings dams on the Witwatersrand that will continue
causing acid mine drainage for hundreds of years," she said.
Turton and the Gauteng government have compiled a report on the reclamation of "mine residue areas"
that will be released next week for public input. "Our task is to decide what to do with the mine residue,"
he said. "Billions of rands could be involved."
The options included red-lining radioactive hot spots, rehabilitating the dumps, or re-mining the dumps
and creating licensed mega-dumps elsewhere. This could take up to 30 years, he said. Liefferink's
federation is opposing the remining and resiting of dumps and is taking legal advice on challenging 28
recent authorisations. (Mail and Guardian Mar. 4, 2011)

Expert Team's report on Acid Mine Drainage in Witwatersrand Gold Fields finally released,
recommends urgency measures

On 24 February 2011, the report was finally released: A Team of Experts is reporting on its assessment
and reappraisal of the situation with respect to acid mine drainage (AMD), focusing on the Witwatersrand
Gold Fields.

"[...] it is recommended that AMD intervention and management measures are undertaken in the Western, Central
and Eastern Basins as a matter of urgency.

In the Western Basin, this requires the establishment of a neutralisation plant with a capacity of 20 Ml/d
[833 m3/h]. This is required to supplement the existing treatment capacity operated by mines in the area
and the upgrade of mine water pumping facilities accordingly.
In the Central Basin, it is required that a pumping facility with a capacity of ~60 Ml/d [2,500 m3/h] be
installed in one or more existing mine shafts, and a neutralisation plant or plants of matching capacity be
established in close proximity.
In the Eastern Basin, the pumping capability [of 75 - 108 Ml/d = 3,125 - 4,500 m3/h] in Number 3 Shaft of
Grootvlei Mine must be secured. It is also required that the existing treatment plant at this locality be
returned to service as soon as possible.

The volumes of water to be managed may be reduced by the timely implementation of ingress management
measures, with a resultant reduction in operating costs. The design of the pump and treat systems will need to take
this into account."

> Download: Mine water management in the Witwatersrand Gold Fields with special emphasis on acid
mine drainage, Report to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Acid Mine Drainage , December 2010, 146
p. (1.6M PDF - Department of Water Affairs)

Nuclear Regulator announces relocation of informal settlement from radioactive mine waste dump
in Krugersdorp

"It is heartening to report that after more than 8 years of whistleblowing, lobbying, thousands of news
media reports, hundreds of in loco tours and workshops, and the distribution of hundreds of thousands of
pamphlets that the thousands of residents of Tudor Shaft Informal Settlement are in the process of being
relocated unto safe land. The National Nuclear Regulator and Mogale City Municipality acknowledged
their responsibility in this regard. The relocation was announced yesterday during a meeting with the
National Nuclear Regulator. " (Mariette Liefferink, Feb. 19, 2011)

Acidic mine water reaches Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site

Acidic mine water that has been bubbling out of an old ventilation shaft on the West Rand for the past
year has now reached the Cradle of Mankind, and is believed to have caused the deaths of over 60 carp in
a dam. This is the opinion of Dr Francois Durand of the Department of Zoology at the University of
Johannesburg, after environmental experts found the dead fish in an irrigation dam in the
Blaauwbankspruit.
This stream runs from the Tweelopiespruit, which springs from the radioactive Robinson lake outside
Randfontein. From here it runs through the Krugersdorp game reserve, "over" the Sterkfontein Caves,
right through the Cradle of Mankind up to the Crocodile River, which runs into the Hartbeespoort Dam.
Water specialist Garfield Krige agreed with Durand and said he believed the acidic mine water of the
West Rand had reached the Hartbeespoort Dam "long ago". The heavy rains over the past two weeks have
filled the underground mined-out pockets on the West Rand to such an extent that there are now about 40
million litres of sour mine water in the Tweelopiespruit each day. Krige, who lives in the Cradle of
Mankind, said stones in the area where the Blaaubankspruit flowed, are also coloured bright orange. The
whole shore area of the Tweelopiespruit is coloured dark orange.
Durand said that not only are the fossils in the Sterkfontein Caves being threatened by the acidic
minewater, but "all life" in the world heritage site. (News24/Beeld Jan. 14, 2011)
> View Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs (UNESCO World
Heritage Centre)

Nuclear Regulator's faulty surveillance report on radiological impacts of mining wastes in

Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area raises many questions

In July 2010, Nuclear Regulator (NNR) experts conducted an environmental survey in the upper
Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area. They collected samples of water, soil, vegetable, other media, and
took measurements of external radiation. The data obtained was used to calculate radiation doses for
members of the public for certain exposure scenarios.
The highest potential doses of 3.9 mSv per year were calculated for residents of the Tudor shaft informal
settlement (built on tailings); about half of this dose (1.89 mSv/a) is from external radiation, while the
other half is attributed to intakes via ingestion and dust inhalation. For unknown reasons (possibly some
assumed occupancy times) the contribution from external radiation is much lower than that measured by
Prof Busby (see below).
While the calculated dose clearly exceeds ICRP's 1 mSv/a standard for the public, the regulator sees no
particular reason for concern, as he considers doses of up to 20 mSv/a acceptable for the public - that is
ICRP's dose standard for workers.
There is also no assessment of the extraordinarily high monitoring results found for uranium in surface
water (1900 µg/L for the Lancaster Dam, and 2100 µg/L for the Hippo Pond - these values are
determined from the U-235 activities given). These uranium concentrations exceed the 15 µg/L World
Health Organization (WHO) guideline value for drinking water more than 125 times.

Moreover, a closer analysis of the report reveals a number of faults that call into question its overall
credibility:

One of the major contributors to dose - inhalation of radon - is not considered at all, although it is
conceded that this might in particular play a role for the people living in the shacks of the Tudor
shaft informal settlement.
For the conversion of the calculated doses to mortality risk, a miscalculation with the conversion
from rem to Sv leads to an underestimation of the risk by a factor of 10,000. In addition, the
mortality coefficient used (0.02 per Sv) is lower by a factor of 2.5 than the 0.05 per Sv
recommended by the ICRP for the public.
The isotopic composition of uranium in a vegetable sample (Tudor 6 - from Spinach Garden, next
to the shacks of the Tudor shaft informal settlement) is that of depleted uranium (DU) with 0.40
weight-% U-235, or, a mix of 40% natural uranium (Unat) and 60% DU of 0.2 weight-% U-235, for
example.
The isotopic composition of uranium in a soil sample (Tudor 4 - Tudor shaft shack) is that of
enriched uranium with an assay of 1.02 weight-% U-235, or, a mix of 89% Unat and 11% enriched
 uranium with an assay of 3.5 weight-% U-235, for example.

> Download Surveillance Report of the Upper Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area , National Nuclear
Regulator, TR-NNR-10-001, August 2010 (2.5M PDF - FSE)

Measurement confirms high radiation levels in informal settlement built on radioactive mine waste
dump in Krugersdorp

Radiation levels at the Tudor Shaft Informal Settlement in Krugersdorp have reached dangerous levels
and the community must be urgently relocated, according to Professor Chris Busby .
"In the shack where I visited in the Tudor Shaft informal village the dose rate was 1110 nSv/h which
translates to 9.72 mGy or mSv per annum. I measured the radiation at ground level over linoleum so the
predominant dose would have been from gamma radiation. The mean background I measured away from
the mining area (in the grounds of the hotel) was 180-200 nGy/h so the shack dose from the
contamination was about 8 mSv per year. This does not include exposure to the radon, to inhalation or
ingestion but is purely external dose," Busby said. (Business Day Dec. 10, 2010)
[Usually, external dose rates are measured at 1 m above ground. At ground level, dose rates are somewhat
higher - a fact that has to be taken into account when comparing these results with dose rates measured
elsewhere.]

Results of 120 years of mining in South Africa: acid mine drainage, tailings seepage, settlements on
radioactive mine waste, and bricks being made from radioactive tailings

Mariette Liefferink, from the Federation for a Sustainable Environment showed Business Day around
the West Rand and outlined some of the major environmental challenges.
Liefferink says the Lancaster dam in Krugersdorp, which is surrounded by tailings dams, is the source of
the Wondersfonteinspruit. The stream is now filled with acid mine water and its wetlands had been
classified as the radiological hotspot by the by the Nuclear Regulator . "Lancaster dam historically was
indeed the source of the most pristine water. It was classified by a 1934 German documentary as one of
the seven wonders of South Africa. Today [...] the Lancaster dam is filled with water of a pH of about 2.6.
It is similar to lemon juice. There is absolutely no life," she added.
Next to the Lancaster dam is a brick manufacturing company which is manufacturing bricks made from
tailings. Liefferink says the use of tailings to manufacture bricks or any construction material is
inappropriate. She said: "The department of minerals resources have done radiometric surveys within
the central, East Rand to the West Rand and found it showed elevated levels of radioactivity as a result of
the usage of tailings for construction materials. Bricks are being manufactured with tailings that contain
radioactive and toxic heavy metals."
BDFM Online also visited the Tudor Informal Settlement in Krugersdorp which is erected on land
contaminated by mining activities. It is also surrounded by radioactive dumps and tailings dams.
Liefferink says the residents of the squatter camp are exposed to high concentrations of cobalt, zinc,
arsenic, and cadmium, all known carcinogens, as well as high levels of radioactive uranium. She says the
informal settlement was built on toxic and radioactive waste mine dumps. (Business Day Dec. 8, 2010)
> View full article plus attached videos
> Aerial view: African Brick Centre Ltd factory with Lancaster Dam (Google Maps)
> African Brick Centre Ltd
> Aerial View: Tudor Shaft Informal Settlement (Google Maps)

Study urges pumping of acid mine water to avoid flooding in central Johannesburg

Unless millions of litres of acid mine water beneath Johannesburg are decanted soon, low-lying areas in
the city could be flooded, Prof Terence McCarthy of the University of the Witwatersrand warns. He said if
pumping does not begin by October next year, many sites, including tourist attraction Gold Reef City -
which he described as a "national treasure" - could flood.
Prof McCarthy was speaking at the launch of his new study, "The Decanting of Acid Mine Water in the
Gauteng City-Region - Analysis, Prognosis and Solutions", published by the Gauteng City-Region
Observatory , a partnership between Wits University and the Gauteng government. (BusinessDay Nov.
26, 2010)

New measures to stop acid mine water decanting in central Johannesburg

The Department of Water Affairs has promised to erect a new pump station to stop acid mine water
decanting in central Johannesburg, at a cost of about R 180 million [US$ 24 million]. It is also
considering a pipeline to transport water for treatment from the Western Basin - the geographical area
which roughly corresponds to the West Rand - at a cost of R 40 million [US$ 5.4 million].
Marius Keet, a senior department official, said mining houses had asked the government to contribute R
150 million [US$ 20 million] towards this cost, but that this had not been finalised. He said the
government would consider paying a portion of the amount.
Mr Keet told Parliament's land and environmental affairs select committee yesterday (Aug. 24) that the
matter was urgent. "If nothing is done, water will start decanting (from the so-called central basin, under
the city) and contaminating ground water in 17 months." To prevent this, a new pumping station and
upgrades to a high-density sludge treatment works were urgently required. "According to the information
available, 13 months' lead time is required for this. So if the government ... decides now to do something,
in 13 months you can have a pump station," he said. This means that, starting immediately, the
government has a four-month window in which to take action. (Business Day Aug. 25, 2010)

Old West Rand mines to be used as temporary storage for acid mine drainage to protect
Johannesburg

Briefing the parliamentary portfolio committee on water and the environment in Randfontein yesterday
(July 28), executives from the Rand Uranium mining company said it planned to use the mines under the
city as a storage facility for the toxic water. The second step will be to build a submersible pump in the
province's central basin - stretching from Germiston to Roodepoort - to pump the acid mine drainage to a
plant to treat it. "This will be to buy time while we come up with long-term solutions. Step three will be to
build a sophisticated water treatment plant that will produce potable water that could be sold to water
authorities," CEO John Munro said.
Toxic water has already started to seep out of mines in the province's western basin, and is posing a
hazard to residents and the environment. But the central basin is already threatening to overflow. The
toxic water level is 600 m under the city and, should it rise to the surface in 18 months as predicted, the
acid water will eat away at the concrete and steel in high-rise building foundations and cause sinkholes.
Munro said his company spent R2-million [US$ 271,640] a month treating 12 megalitres of acid mine
drainage a day, but 10 megalitres of untreated toxic water was still flowing into the Krugersdorp Game
Reserve and the Tweelopies Spruit every day. (Times Live July 29, 2010)

Rising acid mine water could be 'catastrophic' for Johannesburg

Millions of litres of highly acidic mine water is rising up under Johannesburg and, if left unchecked, could
spill out into its streets some 18 months from now, Parliament's water affairs portfolio committee heard on
Wednesday (July 21).
The acid water is currently about 600 metres below the city's surface, but is rising at a rate of between 0.6
and 0.9 metres a day, water affairs deputy director water quality management Marius Keet told MPs. "[It]
can have catastrophic consequences for the Johannesburg central business district if not stopped in time. A
new pumping station and upgrades to the high-density sludge treatment works are urgently required to
stop disaster," he warned. Keet said the problem was not just confined to Johannesburg, which is located
atop one of several major mining "basins" in the Witwatersrand, known as the Central Basin. On stopping
the growing threat below Johannesburg, Keet said about R220-million [US$ 29 million] was needed to
establish pump stations, pipelines and treatment works. (Mining Weekly July 21, 2010)

South Africa's government commits to address toxic mine run-off on the Witwatersrand

A coalition of environmental scientists and research teams yesterday forced the government's hand in
addressing 120 years of water pollution through acid mine drainage on the Witwatersrand. The coalition,
which had been on the verge of taking legal action against the Department of Water and Environmental
Affairs, said it would reconsider that option after it was given a commitment yesterday that "this is going
to be a matter of national priority and will also be run via the National Treasury and the Department of
Mineral Resources".
The coalition met with Mbangiseni Nepfumbada (the acting deputy director of policy and regulation at the
Department of Water and Environmental Affairs) and toured the western Witwatersrand basin, which
includes areas such as Randfontein, Krugersdorp, Kagiso and Western Areas. The tour revealed that
several areas were flooded with acid mine water, which was now flowing on the surface, causing the
Tweelopiespruit to be acutely toxic. (Business Report June 14, 2010)

River of acid mine water threatening Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site?

A massive study is under way to investigate the impact of toxic acid mine water and other dangerous
sources of pollution to the world-famous Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. It is here where the
nearly two million-year-old hominid skeleton, Australopithecus sediba, was discovered two years ago,
and unveiled to global wonder last week. But in recent years, several scientists have slammed authorities
for failing to protect ancient hominid fossils, including the Sterkfontein Caves. These are made of
dolomite rock and vulnerable to acidic water from historic mining operations on the West Rand. Peter
Mills, the acting director of research and planning at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, told
the Saturday Star the management authority had commissioned the Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research and the Council for Geosciences "to understand the flow of water through the Cradle". (Saturday
Star Apr. 17, 2010)

South African miners get subsidy to treat acid-mine drainage

South Africa's Department of Water Affairs announced on Thursday (Mar. 18) that it had made a R6.9
million subsidy available to assist the mines with the toxic tide of acid mine drainage (AMD) currently
decanting in the west rand of Johannesburg. The subsidy would be used to increase the pumping and
treatment capacity of Rand Uranium's and Mintails' water treatment plants, and assist with dosing of the
overflow AMD before it entered the water systems in the area. Rand Uranium CEO John Munro said that
the overflow would be dosed with calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide to partially treat the water
before it entered the Krugersdorp Game Reserve. However, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister
Buyelwa Sonjica noted that this was only an interim solution, as the water still contained high levels of
sulphates. (Mining Weekly Mar. 18, 2010)

Government, mining companies agree on public-private partnership to deal with acid mine water
overflow from abandoned West Rand mines

The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) and mining companies have agreed on a model to deal with the
Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) challenge that is affecting the Western, Central and Eastern Basins (the
Witwatersrand gold fields area). A non-profit making entity will be set up in a public-private partnership
to collect and treat the mine water.
In the meantime, interim measures will be implemented to control decanting from the Western Basin and
the anticipated decant from the Central basin. These measures include immediate maximization of
pumping and treatment at existing facilities in the Western basin; and utilizing temporary storage facilities
to contain any overflows. (Federation for a Sustainable Environment Feb. 12, 2010)

Acid mine water started overflowing from abandoned West Rand mines; environmental disaster is
taking its course

After 120 years of gold mining at the West Rand, thousands of litres of acidic mine water started
overflowing from an old ventilation shaft yesterday (Jan. 26). Mariette Liefferink, director of the
Federation for a Sustainable Environment, said that non-governmental organizations and ordinary people
have warned the government and the mine about the looming crisis for five years. "Nobody listened and
now it is too late." She said the tragedy is immeasurable and the environmental damage irreparable.
(Beeld Jan. 27, 2010)

Acid mine water build-up in abandoned West Rand mines reaches surface with one centimetre to
spare; environmental disaster waiting to happen

The Federation for a Sustainable Environment is considering taking the government to court to force it
to manage the acid water in abandoned West Rand mines. According to a Beeld report, the situation is
now critical.
The 45 million cubic metres of mine cavities mined over 120 years at the West Rand have been gradually
filling with millions of litres of water. The water is now just a centimetre from the surface, according to
the environmental manager of Rand Uranium, Sarel Keller. If the acid water reaches the surface (possibly
to happen within days), it could cause an environmental disaster, he warned. (Legal Brief Jan. 19, 2010;
Beeld Jan. 18, 2010)

Monitoring data confirms uranium contamination from abandoned mines in the

Wonderfonteinspruit catchment area

"[...] This paper explores the impacts mining over the past decade had on U-pollution of water resources in the
Wonderfonteinspruit catchment. The analysis is mainly based on close to 3400, mostly unpublished, values on U-
concentrations of water samples gathered between 1997 and 2008. Results indicate that U-levels in water resources
of the whole catchment increased markedly since 1997 even though U-loads emitted by some large gold mines in
the Far West Rand were reduced. This apparent contradiction is explained by the contribution of highly polluted
water decanting from the flooded mine void in the West Rand. Over the reference period, an average of some 3.5 t
of dissolved U have been released into the fluvial system from monitored discharge points alone. However, since
Wonderfonteinspruit dries up well before it joins the Mooi River this U-load does not usually impact on the water
supply system of downstream Potchefstroom directly. It may, however, indirectly reach Potchefstroom since much
of the water from the Wonderfonteinspruit recharges the underlying karst aquifer of the Boskop Turffontein
Compartment as the single most important water resource for Potchefstroom. [...]"

Uranium pollution of water resources in mined-out and active goldfields of South Africa - a case study in the Wonderfonteinspruit
catchment on extent and sources of U-contamination and associated health risks , by Frank Winde, in: Proceedings, International
Mine Water Conference, 19-23 Oct. 2009, Pretoria, South Africa, p.772-781 (180k PDF)

Proposed processing of Gauteng acid mine drainage into drinking water draws opposition

One of the options for dealing with Acid mine drainage (AMD) being debated is the Western Utilities
Corporation (WUC) project. WUC was commissioned by relevant mining companies in the affected areas
to develop a holistic, integrated plan for the treatment of the AMD in the three geological structural basins
in Gauteng. The company developed a five-point plan that includes securing sufficient AMD to feed
large-scale water treatment plants on an ongoing basis; the investigation and selection of suitable
technology to treat AMD to produce drinking and industrial water, complying with all legal requirements;
securing long-term, large-scale users for the drinking and industrial water produced; and raising funding
for the project. The WUC plan envisages the start of plant construction in 2010, with generation of first
product early in 2011.
However, water specialist Dr Anthony Turton says that the WUC deal will lock the country into a
suboptimal solution. He notes that no process removes 100% of the impurities in AMD 100% of the time.
He suggests that the mine void be used for alternative strategic storage. "This will manage evaporative
losses better and will also change the cost-to-benefit ratio of the AMD process, while still protecting the
environment, but, more importantly, it will also prevent the human consumption of what is very bad
water. It is imprudent to use anything but the best quality feedstock for potable water." "However, this will
not generate the revenues that WUC needs to meet its investors' obligations and this is the only reason
why WUC insists it must be sold for drinking purposes. This is our only point of disagreement." (Mining
Weekly Oct. 9, 2009)

Toxic and radioactive mine water poses health nightmare for up to 1000 residents in informal
settlements near Johannesburg

Greenbelts, dams, wetlands and a canal that hundreds of people in an informal settlement use for washing,
have been identified as radioactive or toxic - within 100km of South Africa's biggest city. Fifteen sites
close to Johannesburg have been named in a 210-page report as being toxic. Some register radiation levels
200 times the legal limit. However, the pollution could be far worse than the report suggests, according to
one of the authors, Professor Frank Winde. He said the document should be used as a basis for further
studies.
The report, dated April 30, is circulating in scientific circles and calls for "immediate action" in affected
areas. It was compiled by international experts for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and the
National Nuclear Regulator . One of the authors has called for an operation to save informal
communities - estimated to house up to 1000 people - who are using contaminated water at the sites.
Health experts are doing tests in affected areas to assess the exact risks. The hot spots are all part of the
Mooi River system and its two main tributaries, the Wonderfonteinspruit and the Loopspruit, west of
Johannesburg, in an area that was once the gold mining capital of the world. Although many are on mine
property that is closed to the public, some of the dams have overflowed on to farmland, and others are
used by adjacent communities. These sites include the Tudor Dam near Mogale City and a canal flowing
from the West Driefontein gold mine, near Carletonville.
The government says mine companies are mostly liable for the cost of the clean-up. Water Affairs
spokesman Marius Keet said a task team would "consider the worst affected sights ... and remediation will
then get under way".
Environmental problems west of Johannesburg are largely the result of contaminated sediment and water,
collectively called acid mine drainage. When mines close they quickly fill with ground water, which
becomes contaminated with uranium, and this spills into river systems. In the past, pumps kept gold mines
largely free of water because most water was pumped to the surface into treatment plants. Now many of
the mines have closed or can no longer afford to keep pumping. (The Times, Johannesburg, July 18, 2009)

Toxic water filling abandoned Randfontein gold/uranium mines may reach surface

Disputes between government and mining companies over the cost of cleaning up the toxic water caused
by mining have led to the rapid rise in the water level following the partial closure of a water treatment
plant outside Randfontein.
The toxic tide, called acid mine drainage (AMD), has filled an underground void called the Western
Basin, which covers hundreds of square kilometres between Krugersdorp and Randfontein.
Department of Water and Environmental Affairs regional director for Gauteng Marius Keet tells Mining
Weekly that the water level in the basin has reached a very critical level at 0.6 m below the surface. "It has
the potential to start decanting at any moment. The decant of AMD into the Tweelopies Spruit would
sterilise the total system downstream." (Mining Weekly July 10, 2009)

South African Government releases Remediation Action Plan for the Wonderfonteinspruit
Catchment Area

From the executive summary:

"... a team of specialists was appointed to advise the authorities on the prioritisation of the Areas of Intervention for
which remediation is required. The Specialists Task Team went through a process of identifying 36 Areas of
Intervention by focusing on sites that could be impacted on by water-borne radioactive material within the
Wonderfonteinspruit catchment and could potentially be a public health hazard." [...]
"The strategic approach adopted for this report involves a categorisation of sites into 5 categories." [...]
"Fifteen sites fall into Category 1 where there is no reason to delay immediate action, of which the Lancaster Dam
(MP46) is the most urgent."

Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area: Remediation Action Plan, Final Draft Report , prepared for the
Department Water Affairs and Forestry and the National Nuclear Regulator, by Dr. Martin van Veelen et
al., April 2009 (6.6MB PDF)

South African government denies health hazard from contaminated water in the
Wonderfonteinspruit catchment area - despite scientific evidence presented at international
conference

According to press reports, the Department of Water Affairs claimed on Sep. 17, 2008, that "radioactive
waste outside mining areas in the catchment of the Wonderfonteinspruit poses no risk to the public,
according to experts." The experts had been brought in by the department and the National Nuclear
Regulator (NNR). (IOL, Sep. 17, 2008)

However, just one day earlier, scientific evidence of such health hazard had been presented at an
international conference:

"Abstract. Real and perceived risks due to gold and uranium mining in the West Rand and Far
West Rand goldfields of South Africa have led to intense and sometimes heated public
debate. In this context, it is critical to present results of such investigations carefully in a
neutral format. The format for reporting in the current study was that of a Tier-II risk
assessment, as routinely implemented by the US EPA. Sources, release and fate and transport
mechanisms have been investigated and integrated with identified pathways to the local
communities. An unacceptable level of risk has been identified, primarily due to the
chemical toxicity of uranium on ingestion via drinking water." [emphasis added]
Risk Assessment of Uranium in Selected Gold Mining Areas in South Africa, by Peter Wade and Henk Coetzee,
Council for Geoscience, paper presented at Uranium Mining and Hydrogeology V , Freiberg (Sachsen), Germany
Sep. 14-18, 2008

Regulator denies water and foodstuffs in the Wonderfonteinspruit catchment area are radioactive -
despite scientific reports

The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) sought yesterday to allay concern about radioactive
contamination of water and foodstuffs in the Wonderfonteinspruit catchment area. CE Maurice
Magugumela disputed reports that vegetables and fish from west of Johannesburg tested for radiological
contamination exceeding internationally acceptable benchmarks. He said the products were safe to eat but
this is contradicted by several scientific reports submitted on the radiological status of the area - one a
report commissioned by the NNR and conducted by the Nuclear Energy Corporation of SA. An observer
said the denials suggested a whitewash of the looming crisis in the area. "The NNR has a statutory duty to
protect the population. If it states that there is a problem it would be tantamount to admission of a
dereliction of duty," the source said. (Business Day Feb. 8, 2008)

Excessive concentrations of radioactive substances found in vegetables grown near South African
gold/uranium mines

Radioactive levels three times higher than permitted have been found in vegetables grown in wetlands in
the Wonderfonteinspruit area between Randfontein and Potchefstroom, Beeld newspaper reported on Feb.
2, 2008. It cited what it described as "shocking revelations" on Feb. 1, 2008, in a report by the South
African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) drawn up at the request of the National Nuclear Regulator
some time back, but only released now. The newspaper said tests on asparagus, oats and onions produced
in the Gerhard Minne wetlands showed that the level of radioactive substances was three times higher
than the safe permissible level for human consumption. Pointing out that intensive gold mining takes
place in the area - and that uranium as a by-product is found in mine dumps there - the news report said
large tracts of land in the area of the Wonderfonteinspruit were 150 times more radioactive than the
permitted level. It quoted an unidentified spokesperson for the National Nuclear Regulator as saying that
the test results in the report were worrying. (Independent Online Feb. 2, 2008)

Excerpt from the Technical Report:

5.3 Results of dose calculations

[...] The doses calculated for "realistic" exposure pathways range over four orders of magnitude from about 0.01
mSv to 138 mSv per annum. For approximately 50% of the 47 sampling sites, the calculated incremental
doses of the respective critical group are above 1 mSv per annum. [...]

[...] the exposure pathways that are specified as "potential" may significantly contribute to incremental doses at
some sites. After taking them into account, at approximately 75% of the 47 sites the calculated incremental
doses of the respective critical group are above 1 mSv per annum. [...]

> Download summary report:

Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area Public Report, Results and Corrective Actions , National Nuclear
Regulator, WCA Report, No. TR-NTNS-07-0001, 23 p., (8.7MB PDF)

> Download full report:

Radiological Impacts of the Mining Activities to the Public in the Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area,
National Nuclear Regulator, No. TR-RRD-07-0006, 12 July 2007:

Technical Report , 125 p. (2.1MB PDF)

Appendix A: Maps & Appendix B: Sampling Data Sheets , 55 p. (2.1MB PDF)
Appendix C: Photo Documentation: Part 1 , 11 p. (2.1MB PDF) · Part 2 9 p. (1.7MB PDF)
Appendix D: Radiological Impacts - no file available (!) -
Appendix E: Certification of IAF Radioökologie GmbH , 7 p. (513kB PDF)

South African gold/uranium mines causing excessive uranium concentrations in streams and stream
sediments

Large gold-mining companies operating to the west of South Africa's commercial centre, Johannesburg,
stand accused of contaminating a number of water sources with radioactive pollutants.

One case involves the Wonderfontein Spruit ("water course", in Afrikaans): a stream that runs 90
kilometres from the outskirts of Johannesburg to the south-west past the towns of Krugersdorp,
Bekkersdal, Carletonville and Khutsong, before flowing into the Mooi River near Potchefstroom.
Mariette Liefferink, an environmental activist, blames the mines for the high concentrations of heavy
metals such as arsenic, cadmium, copper cobalt and zinc in the waters of the spruit. She is particularly
troubled by the levels of uranium, which gives off radioactive by-products such as polonium and lead.
"The Wonderfontein Spruit is of major concern to us because every year the gold mines discharge 50
tonnes of uranium into the receiving water course. The Water Research Commission (a parastatal research
body) has found that there are approximately 1,100 milligrammes per kilogramme [sediment] of
uranium in the upper Wonderfontein Spruit, and 900 milligrammes per kilogramme [sediment] in the
lower Wonderfontein Spruit area."
[These concentrations are by far higher than those in the ores mined in the area!]

In 2002, acidic water began decanting out of a disused mine on Randfontein Estates about 42 kilometres
south-west of Johannesburg. The property belonged at that time to Harmony Gold. Water coming out of
the disused mine in Randfontein could not simply be channelled into the nearest river because it was far
too acidic and could have had serious consequences for the environment.
As an emergency measure, Harmony fed the water into Robinson Lake, at that time a popular recreational
area where fishing was a favourite pastime. Today the lake has very high levels of uranium and a pH level
of 2.2, which makes it as acidic as lemon juice and completely incapable of sustaining any life forms. The
National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) measured in the water a uranium concentration of 16 milligrammes
per litre, obliging it to declare Robinson Lake a radiation area.
[this is 800 times the 20 micrograms per litre drinking water standard applicable in many countries!]
(Inter Press Service Dec. 3, 2007)

Regulator withholds report on serious contamination of water and food from mining activities in
Gauteng

Meat, fish, milk, maize and other crops produced near Wonderfontein Spruit in Gauteng are probably
harmful to people as they are seriously contaminated by, among others, radioactive pollutants. This
pollution, resulting from overflow from sludge dams during 100 years of mining, affects the area between
Randfontein and Potchefstroom, where more than 400,000 people live. International experts say people
who eat or drink these products could suffer liver or kidney failure or get cancer. It could also hamper
children's growth and cause mental disability.
According to findings in a report compiled by German physicists under Dr Rainer Barthel from Brenk
Systemplanung's South African subsidiary BS Associates Ltd, the water from the Wonderfontein Spruit,
which was used to irrigate the crops, had absorbed polonium and lead, the radioactive by products of
uranium and radium. Cattle drinking from the Wonderfontein Spruit that churned up the uranium-rich
mud, were also contaminated by these radioactive pollutants. Their meat and milk would also probably be
poisonous. People in towns in this area received their drinking water from Rand Water, but people on
farms and informal settlements were reliant on water from Wonderfontein Spruit.
The report was compiled on request of the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), who refused to make the
contents known for the past three months. Maurice Magugumela, chief official of the NNR, upon enquiry
said "there is no reason for concern". Barthel was prevented from delivering two speeches from the report
at the Environmin 2007 conference held on July 22 - 26, 2007, titled "Radiological Risks of cattle
watering at polluted surface water bodies in the Wonderfonteinspruit catchment area", and "Radiological
impact assessment of mining activities in the Wonderfonteinspruit catchment area". He had to withdraw
these speeches at short notice.
Sandy Carroll, environmental manager at Harmony Gold Mining Co. Limited , admitted that the mining
groups were informed about the dangers indicated in the report. She said Harmony was talking to NNR
and they were together seeking solutions. The West Rand district municipality planned to erect notices
warning people along the Wonderfontein Spruit (which runs for 100 km) not to use the water. Carroll
replied in an e-mail to Beeld's enquiries: "Alternative water sources will be suggested." The report
stressed that there was no natural water in the whole area that was safe for use by humans, animals or
plants. (News24 July 31, 2007)

Effort needed to stop poisoning of water from old mines

A water expert says a major and broad-based effort is required to stop the poisoning of water supplies in
parts of Gauteng by old mines. Concerns are growing about a number of toxins, including radioactive
uranium, finding their way into Gauteng's groundwater. The Eastern and Western catchment areas of the
Vaal Dam are already receiving toxic water from old mines.
Gary Small, a hydrogeologist, says this problem is potentially serious and so large that not one
organisation can deal with it. "This is a kind of disaster that could happen that requires the kind of
response that we saw with the Tsunami. We need a spontaneous, collaborative effort to sort this thing out."
(South African Broadcasting Corporation, March 01, 2005)

Hartebeestfontein

Government puts mining companies on notice to ensure groundwater pumping at bancrupt

Hartebeestfontein gold/uranium mine

The recent liquidation of DRDGold's Hartebeestfontein and Buffelsfontein gold mines means someone
has to take responsibility for pumping 28-million litres of water a day out of an underground lake to
prevent downstream mines from flooding.
AngloGold, whose Ashanti operation is downhill from DRDGold's mines, says it will cost it R85-million
[US $13.8 million] a year if it has to take over the pumping responsibilities. Moreover, the pumping
facilities 1km underground are in such a bad state of repair that steel pipes carrying water to the surface
could "blow any day now" if repairs are not carried out soon. James Duncan, spokesperson for DRDGold,
said it was ridiculous to expect a bankrupt mine to continue bearing the responsibility of pumping to keep
other mines profitable, while deriving no benefit.
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has put the squabbling mines on notice to find a solution
within two weeks, or else the government would institute one for them.
(The Star April 12, 2005)

Randfontein

Windblown dust still an issue at Randfontein tailings

Harmony Gold invested Rand 2.5 million (US$ 382,650) during 2007 in an effort to control dust
pollution at its Randfontein operations. In 2006, the company had spent Rand 4.7 million (US$ 719,380),
after the company received complaints from Randfontein residents, that the dust from the mine dumps
constituted a nuisance and a health hazard.
The average dust fall-out, at ten sampling stations in Randfontein, was about 500 milligrams per square
metre and day in 2005, before dust suppression measures were implemented. The average dust fall-out
was reduced to less than 200 milligrams per square metre and day during 2006, and about 230 milligrams
per square metre and day during 2007. The intermediate dust suppression measures include the wetting of
slimes dams, reed screening and ridge ploughing. Earlier attempts to bind the windblown material by
application of different palliatives had been unsuccessful.
As a long-term measure, "vegetation or possible reclamation is being considered". (Mining Weekly Nov.
2, 2007)

Mintails West Rand tailings project

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