IMC acid mine water report lacks clear plan – Turton

The South African government lacked a clear plan to deal with acid mine drainage (AMD), despite commissioning a report on the issue, Touchstone Resources director Dr Anthony Turton said on Tuesday. Stressing that he was not negative towards the...

FRACKING FINDS FAVOUR

Fracking found favour with an audience in Johannesburg last week, which voted overwhelmingly for lifting the current moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, following a lively debate, chaired by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s Dr Rod...

Majority give fracking the thumbs up in lively debate

South Africa is correct to exercise caution before formulating its policy relating to hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and should be wary of moving ahead until thorough scientific study of the possible risks have been undertaken, a geological...

AMD report stresses ‘urgent’ intervention to avert crisis

The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) on Thursday released the long-awaited 146-page acid mine drainage (AMD) report, which was compiled by a team of water and geology experts, and presented to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on AMD in December....

Call for moratorium on new coal mining in Vaal catchment area

A moratorium on new coal mining operations the Vaal river catchment area should be declared until the impact on the water resources was fully understood and adequate mitigation could be guaranteed, a speaker said at the inaugural South African...

Resources Watch

This week: AngloGold Ashanti broaches the concept of non-blast automation to mine gold 5 km below the surface; South Africa’s acid mine drainage and wastewater is ‘mineable’; And gold mine output hits a record in 2010.

Holistic solution needed to acid mine drainage problem

Ateam of experts (ToE) appointed to advise the South African government on acid mine drainage (AMD) has recommended a number of short-term measures to deal with the problem. These recommendations are benchmarked on the experience of some countries...

Holistic solution needed to acid mine drainage problem

A Team of Experts (ToE) appointed to advise the South African government on acid mine drainage has recommended a number of short-term measures to address the problem. These recommendations are benchmarked on some countries that have experienced...

South Africa’s AMD/wastewater is ‘mineable’ – Turton

Consideration should be given to studying the economic feasibility of “mining” South Africa’s problematic acid mine drainage (AMD) and wastewater for metals, minerals, salt and even hydrogen, says Touchstone Resources director Dr Anthony...

MINING BASED, WATER CONSTRAINED

South Africa is a mining-based, water-constrained economy and the twenty-ninth driest country in the world. The biggest risk is to deny that South Africa has a water constraint and to continue with business as usual, TouchStone Resources director...

Political leadership essential to mitigate acid mine drainage problem

A much anticipated report on acid mine drainage (AMD) has been referred back to the panel of experts by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) for further work on options and cost implications. The report was tabled on October 21 but not made public.

Clashing views on how treated mine water should be used

Acid mine drainage (AMD) and, more specifically, a solution to AMD, have developed into a hot debate since the first decant of this toxic water became evident in 2002. AMD has been described as one of the most serious and potentially enduring...