SA may turn to private sector for help with mine-water pollution

The South African government is considering turning to the private sector to help it close the prevailing funding gap to implement projects to deal with the serious acid mine drainage (AMD) problem being experienced across the Witwatersrand...

Cabinet approves acid mine drainage report

The South African Cabinet has approved the recommendations made by a team of experts on the acid mine drainage (AMD) situation in the Witwatersrand, spokesperson Jimmy Manyi said on Tuesday. The report, which includes recommendations on control...

Miners willing to assist in finding AMD solution – Chamber

South Africa's Chamber of Mines (CoM) was prepared to assist the government in finding acid mine drainage (AMD) solutions that would deal with underground flooding and eliminate potential harm to people, in a sustainable way. "We wish to express...

Experts to compile report on extent of AMD problem

South Africa has appointed an InterMinisterial Committee (IMC) to address the acid mine drainage (AMD) issue in the Western and Central basins of the Witwatersrand, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said on Monday. The IMC,...

Despite challenges, pumps industry ready for AMD threat

South Africa’s pumps industry has undertaken a significant amount of work in providing solutions to the relevant consultants that are dealing with the critical and urgent issue of acid mine drainage (AMD). However, one of the key issues for the...

Interim acid mine water solution to cost R218m – Minister

An interim solution for the toxic tide of acid mine water rising beneath the surface of South Africa's Witwatersrand area will cost government an estimated R145-million, Water Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said on Wednesday. Speaking at the...

Aurora says Grootvlei pumping subsidy increased

The much-criticised Aurora Empowerment Systems said on Wednesday that the South African government had upped its pumping subsidy for the Grootvlei mine near Springs in an effort to assist with costs associated with the pumping of acid mine...

Grootvlei gold mine will flood in five days – Dept

The water treatment plant at the Grootvlei mine near Springs will flood with acid mine water in five days, closing down operations, if action is not taken, the Water Affairs Department said on Tuesday. "The plant is only pumping 40 megalitres of...

Criminal charges laid against Aurora

The Department of Water Affairs has laid criminal charges against the mine managed by relatives of former president Nelson Mandela and President Jacob Zuma for pumping mine water into a protected wetland. "They are pumping out 180 megalitres...

Trade union to launch 'earnest cooperation' campaign in bid to tackle SA's water challenges

The trade union United Association of South Africa (UASA) intends to approach the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) in terms of Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act, in an effort to rectify the poor state of local water...

Aurora’s Grootvlei water issues resolved, may still face court action

The water treatment problems at Aurora Empowerment Systems’ Groovlei mine, on Gauteng’s East Rand, have been “resolved”, Aurora Mining CEO Dawid Stander said on Friday. He told Mining Weekly Online that the mine had procured the...

Urgent decisions necessary to avoid environmental consequences

With the relentless downpour of rain experienced across Gauteng during the past couple of months, mines in the area have been battling to keep the toxic tide of acid mine drainage (AMD) beneath surface.