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 Best Practice Guideline - A1: Small-Scale Mining (Standard Format) -- August 2006
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Tel: (012) 336-7500

This report should be cited as:

Copyright reserved Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 2006. Best Practice Guideline A1: Small-
Scale Mining (Standard Format)
No part of the publication
may be reproduced in Disclaimer:
any manner without Although the information contained in this document is presented in good faith and
full acknowledgement believed to be correct, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry makes no
of the source representations or warranties as to the completeness or accuracy of the information,
which is only based on actual information received, and makes no commitment to
update or correct information.

Consultants:
Pulles Howard & de Lange Inc.
P O Box 861
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ISBN 978-0-9814156-2-8

Status Final August 2006

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DOCUMENT This document is the first in a series of the following Activity Best Practice Guideline
documents:
INDEX
BPG A1. Small-Scale Mining

BPG A2. Water Management for Mine Residue Deposits

BPG A3. Water Managment in Hydrometallurgical Plants

BPG A4. Pollution Control Dams

BPG A5. Water Management for Surface Mines

BPG A6. Water Management for Undergrond Mines

Authors
ACKOWLEDGE- Ms Simone Bannister (Pulles, Howard & de Lange Inc.)
MENTS Dr Ralth Heath (Pulles, Howard & de Lange Inc.)
Mr William Pulles (Pulles, Howard & de Lange Inc.)

Specialists
Mr Rod Schwab (DWAF)
Mr Letladi Maisela (DWAF)
Mr Paul Wipplinger (Council for Geoscience)
Dr H. Mtegha (Minerals and Energy Policy Centre)

Since 1999 a number of steering committee meetings and stakeholder workshops were held
at various stages of the development and drafting of this series of Best Practice Guidelines for
Water Resource Protection in the South African Mining Industry.

We are deeply indebted to the steering committee members, officials of the Department of
Water Affairs and Forestry and stakeholders who participated in the meetings and stakeholder
workshops held during the development of the series of Best Practice Guidelines for their
inputs, comments and kind assistance.

The Department would like to acknowledge the authors of this document, as well as the
specialists involved in the process of developing this Best Practice Guideline. Without their
knowledge and expertise this guideline could not have been complemeted.

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This document is approved by the Department of Water Affairs and

APPROVALS
Forestry

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Water is typically the prime environmental medium (besides air) that is affected by mining
PREFACE activities. Mining adversely affects water quality and poses a significant risk to South Africa’s
water resources. Mining operations can further substantially alter the hydrological and
topographical characteristics of the mining areas and subsequently affect the surface runoff,
soil moisture, evapo-transpiration and groundwater behaviour. Failure to manage impacts on
water resources (surface and groundwater) in an acceptable manner throughout the life-of-
mine and post-closure, on both a local and regional scale, will result in the mining industry
finding it increasingly difficult to obtain community and government support for existing and
future projects. Consequently, sound management practices to prevent or minimise water
pollution are fundamental for mining operations to be sustainable.

Pro-active management of environmental impacts is required from the outset of mining activities.
Internationally, principles of sustainable environmental management have developed rapidly in
the past few years. Locally the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) and the
mining industry have made major strides together in developing principles and approaches for
the effective management of water within the industry. This has largely been achieved through
the establishment of joint structures where problems have been discussed and addressed
through co-operation.

The Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996)
enshrines the concept of sustainability; specifying rights regarding the environment, water,
access to information and just administrative action. These rights and other requirements are
further legislated through the National Water Act (NWA), 1998 (Act 36 of 1998). The latter is
the primary statute providing the legal basis for water management in South Africa and has
to ensure ecological integrity, economic growth and social equity when managing and using
water. Use of water for mining and related activities is also regulated through regulations that
were updated after the promulgation of the NWA (Government Notice No. GN704 dated 4 June
1999).

The NWA introduced the concept of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM),
comprising all aspects of the water resource, including water quality, water quantity and the
aquatic ecosystem quality (quality of the aquatic biota and in-stream and riparian habitat). The
IWRM approach provides for both resource directed and source directed measures. Resource
directed measures aim to protect and manage the receiving environment. Examples of resource
directed actions are the formulation of resource quality objectives and the development of
associated strategies to ensure ongoing attainment of these objectives; catchment management
strategies and the establishment of catchment management agencies (CMAs) to implement
these strategies.

On the other hand, source directed measures aim to control the impacts at source through
the identification and implementation of pollution prevention, water reuse and water treatment
mechanisms.

The integration of resource and source directed measures forms the basis of the hierarchy
of decision-taking aimed at protecting the resource from waste impacts. This hierarchy is
based on a precautionary approach and the following order of priority for mine and waste water
management decisions and/or actions is applicable:

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The documentation describing Water Resource The overall Resource Protection and Waste
Protection and Waste Management in South Africa Management Policy sets out the interpretation of
is being developed at a number of different levels, as policy and legal principles as well as functional and
described and illustrated in the schematic diagram on the organisational arrangements for resource protection and
next page. waste management in South Africa.

Operational policies describe the rules applicable

RESOURCE PROTECTION AND WASTE to different categories and aspects relating to waste
MANAGEMENT HIERARCHY discharge and disposal activities. Such activities from
the mining sector is categorised and classified based on
Step 1: Pollution Prevention
their potential risks to the water environment.
↓ Operational Guidelines contain the requirements for
Step 2: Minimisation of Impacts specific documents e.g. licence application reports.
Water reuse & reclamation
Water treatment Best Practice Guidelines (BPG’s) define and document
best practices for water and waste management.
↓
Step 3: Discharge or disposal of waste and/or
waste water
Site specific risk based approach
Polluter pays principle

Schematic Diagram of the Mining Sector Resource Protection and Waste Management
Strategy

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The DWAF has developed a series of Best Practice The BPGs will perform the following functions within the
Guidelines (BPGs) for mines in line with International hierarchy of decision making:
Principles and Approaches towards sustainability.
Utilisation by the mining sector as input for compiling
The series of BPGs have been grouped as outlined water use licence applications (and other legally required
below: documents such as EMPs, EIAs, closure plans, etc.) and
for drafting licence conditions.
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES dealing with aspects of
DWAF’s water management HIERARCY are prefaced Serve as a uniform basis for negotiations through the
with the letter H. The topics that are covered in these licensing process prescribed by the NWA.
guidelines include:
• H1. Integrated Mine Water Management Used specifically by DWAF personnel as a basis for
negotiation with the mining industry, and likewise by
• H2. Pollution Prevention and Minimisation of
the mining industry as a guideline as to what the DWAF
Impacts
considers as best practice in resource protection and
• H3. Water Reuse and Reclamation
waste management.
• H4. Water Treatment
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES dealing with GENERAL Inform Interested and Affected Parties on good practice
water management strategies, techniques and tools, at mines.
which could be applied cross-sectoral and always
The information contained in the BPGs will be transferred
prefaced by the letter G. The topics that are covered in
through a structured knowledge transfer process, which
these guidelines include:
includes the following steps:
• G1. Storm Water Management
• G2. Water and Salt Balances Workshops in key mining regions open to all interested
• G3. Water Monitoring Systems parties, including representatives from the mining
• G4. Impact Prediction industry, government and the public.
• G5. Water Management Aspects for Mine Closure Provision of material to mining industry training groups for
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES dealing with specific inclusion into standard employee training programmes.
mining ACTIVITIES or ASPECTS and always prefaced
by the letter A. These guidelines address the prevention Provision of material to tertiary education institutions for
and management of impacts from: inclusion into existing training programmes.

• A1. Small-Scale Mining Provision of electronic BPGs on the DWAF Internet web
• A2. Water Management for Mine Residue Deposits page.
• A3. Water Management in Hydrometallurgical
Plants
• A4. Pollution Control Dams
• A5. Water Management for Surface Mines
• A6. Water Management for Underground Mines
The development of the guidelines is an inclusive
consultative process that incorporates the input from
a wide range of experts, including specialists within
and outside the mining industry and government. The
process of identifying which BPGs to prepare, who should
participate in the preparation and consultative processes,
and the approval of the BPGs was managed by a Project
Steering Committee (PSC) with representation by key
role-players.

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DOCUMENT INDEX ......................................................................................... ii

Contents
APPROVALS ......................................................................................... iii
PREFACE ......................................................................................... iv
1 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................... 1
2 OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPLES........................................................... 3
2.1 Objectives............................................................................................... 3
2.2 Principles................................................................................................ 3
3 DEFINITION OF SMALL-SCALE MINING.............................................. 5
3.1 General ................................................................................................. 5
3.2 EMP Qualifying Criteria.......................................................................... 5
3.3 DWAF criteria......................................................................................... 6
3.4 BPG Definition........................................................................................ 6
4 SMALL-SCALE MINING......................................................................... 7
4.1 Surface Mining Methods......................................................................... 7
4.1.1 Panning and Sluicing................................................................ 8
4.1.2 Strip mining............................................................................... 8
4.1.3 Dredging................................................................................... 8
4.1.4 Hydraulic mining....................................................................... 8
4.2 Major Mineral Groupings or Commodities.............................................. 8
4.2.1 Alluvial Diamond....................................................................... 8
4.2.2 Sand.......................................................................................... 8
4.2.3 Gold.......................................................................................... 9
4.2.4 Clay........................................................................................... 9
4.2.5 Semi-precious Stone/Pegmatites.............................................. 10
4.3 Mining Categories................................................................................... 10
5 LEGISLATIVE ASPECTS........................................................................ 11
5.1 Mining Permit and EMP.......................................................................... 11
5.2 Water Use Licence................................................................................. 11
5.3 Small-Scale Miner Authorization Map..................................................... 13
5.4 Other Regulations in GN 704................................................................. 13
5.4.1 Restrictions on locality of mine operations and mine facilities.. 14
5.4.2 Extraction of alluvial materials.................................................. 14
5.4.3 Use of material.......................................................................... 14
5.4.4 Capacity requirements of clean and dirty water systems.......... 14
5.4.5 Protection of Water Resources................................................. 14
5.5 Other Legislation and Guidelines........................................................... 14

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6 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION...................................................................................................... 15
6.1 Impact Potential......................................................................................................................... 15
6.1.1 Single versus cumulative effect................................................................................... 16
6.1.2 Water-related impacts.................................................................................................. 16
6.1.3 Peripheral or indirect impacts linked to mining............................................................ 18
6.2 Screening Level Risk Assessment Guide . ............................................................................... 19
Step 1: Identify Risk Activities and Receptors........................................................................... 19
Step 2: Identify Potential and Current Water Use...................................................................... 19
Step 3: Monitoring..................................................................................................................... 19
Step 4: Screening Level Risk Assessment................................................................................ 20
7 Integrated MINE Water management....................................................................... 21
7.1 DWAF Water Management Hierarchy....................................................................................... 21
7.2 Key Water Impact Management Areas...................................................................................... 21
7.2.1 Storm Water Management........................................................................................... 22
7.2.2 Erosion and Sediment Control..................................................................................... 22
7.2.3 Waste Management..................................................................................................... 22
7.2.4 General Malpractices................................................................................................... 22
7.3 EMP Life Cycle Water Management.......................................................................................... 24
8 MONITORING AND REPORTING . ........................................................................................ 29
9 REFERENCES......................................................................................................................... 31

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................................................ 33
GLOSSARY OF TERMS..................................................................................................................... 34

APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: Mineral Commodities Suited for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMES).................. 36
APPENDIX B: Legislation and Guideline Reference List.................................................................................. 39
APPENDIX C: Permissible Water Uses............................................................................................................ 41
Appendix D: DWAF Licence Application Form Reference Numbers.............................................................. 43
Appendix E: Proposed Best Management Practices..................................................................................... 44
Appendix F: Checklists.................................................................................................................................. 48

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In the past, South Africa has relied heavily on large-scale mining activities by large mining
houses to generate wealth and employment. However, it is increasingly believed that the future

1
of mining will lie in the promotion of small-scale mining (SSM), which has, by and large, been
operating informally. This comes from the fact that small-scale miners generally have had
a low degree of ownership of mining property, a rudimentary knowledge of the exploitable
reserves, limited technology and very little or no access to financing. The sector has also been
INTRODUCTION characterized as highly unstable, with a large number of seasonal miners. High percentages
operate with short-term contracts and the smallest operations also tend to be subsistence
activities.

The country’s new minerals legislation, however, endorses equitable mining rights and the
promotion of previously disadvantaged persons who, in the past, did not have access to mining
rights. Small-scale mining is therefore planned to be an important development and growth
node for the country.

The environmental impacts of the small-scale mining sector have tended to be ignored. It is
often assumed that because they are small these operations have little impact. However, given
the growing numbers of such operations, increasing access to mechanized mining methods,
and often, haphazard management, small-scale mining does have the potential to significantly
affect the environment and our scarce national water resources. There is therefore an increasing
need to address the problems of pollution and health and safety hazards associated with small-
scale mining. It requires a concerted effort on the part of the mining industry and government to
ensure that small-scale mining not only operates on a financially sustainable basis but also in an
environmentally responsible manner. Moreover, successful resource protection management
in the small-scale mining sector will require an approach that provides guidance and support
and sets limits of acceptability.

The primary legal documents regulating environmental and water management on a small-
scale mine are:
1 The Environmental Management Plan (EMP). Section 39 and Regulation 52 of the
Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) of 2002 (Act 28 of 2002)
requires small-scale miners to fill in an EMP. The forms and the application process are
administered and coordinated by the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME).
2 A Water Use Licence/Authorisation as set out in the National Water Act (NWA), 1998
(Act 36 of 1998) and administered by the DWAF.
3 The regulations published in Government Notice No. 704 (1999) on the use of water for
mining and related activities aimed at the protection of water resources. Section 26(1)
of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998), provides for the development of such
regulations.
4 A Basic Assessment Report (BAR). Regulations in terms of Chapter 5 of the National
Environmental Management Act (NEMA), 1998 (Act 107 of 1998) define reconnaissance,
prospecting, mining or retention operations as provided for in the MPRDA as a listed activity
that requires a BAR to be completed. A Basic Assessment is a requirement for all listed
activities in terms of government notice R386 of 2006, however the mandate for mining lies
with the competent authority, namely the DME. Therefore the DME requirements for Small-
Scale mining operations prevail and it is only the Environmental Management Plan and
financial provision for remediation of environmental damage which is required. The current
amendment to both the EIA regulations and MPRDA will entail that the DME requirements
will be aligned with the EIA regulations and a Basic Assessment will then be required
for Small-Scale operations. The Environmental Management Plan will then no longer be
used, instead a basic assessment report will have to be submitted. The status quo prevails

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until such time both pieces of legislation have come to recognize the contents of an EMP. Thus the
into force. As a result the basic assessment report recommendation for approval of an EMP by DWAF can
does not apply to small scale mine operators at the be considered an approval of the proposals made by
date of publication of his guideline. the specific mining company. This could also mean that
exemption may be granted from the requirements of a
In the spirit of co-operative governance (Constitution specific regulation in terms of regulation 3 of GN 704.
1996), key stakeholders and governmental departments
will be consulted in the approval of any applications. This This BPG serves to clarify what is required by DWAF and
provides for a more effective, transparent, accountable identifies operation strategies. It provides an overview of
and coherent management of our country’s natural water related impacts of small-scale mining and outlines
resources. It also provides for the enactment of the priority concerns and acceptable practices for this
principles of sustainable development (NEMA, 1998) sector.
and integrated water resource management. This
collaboration will include various spheres of government The quick reference guide gives a brief overview of
e.g. at national level the Departments of Water Affairs what the guideline is about and where the information is
and Forestry, Minerals and Energy, Agriculture, and located. In preparing the guideline, it was anticipated that
Land Affairs; and at provincial level the Departments users would be more likely to dip into sections rather than
of Environmental Affairs, Tourism, Nature Conservation to read the guideline from beginning to end. To facilitate
etc. this, a detailed content list and a descriptive reference
guide have been provided.
As part of this co-operation, DWAF has taken a
policy decision (subject to certain prior consultations)

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

SECTION WHAT IT IS ABOUT? WHERE TO GO
?

INTRODUCTION • Puts this guideline in context and describes important document links. 2 Chapter 1
• Highlights what this guideline can do for you.
Objectives/
principles
• Presents the principles and methodology upon which this guideline was
developed.
2 Chapter 2

DefinitionS AND • Describes what small-scale mining is.

SMALL-SCALE
MINING
• Discusses what mining methods, types and commodities are involved.
• Presents which small-scale mining operations are relevant to this guideline.
2 Chapter 3&4

• Describes what the legal requirements are for small-scale mining operations.
LEGAL • Discusses what legal issues you need to be familiar with.
REQUIREMENTS • Explains what information is required from small-scale miners in order to properly 2 Chapter 5
assess their licence applications.
• Discusses how small-scale mining does impact on the environment and in
particular our water resources.
IMPACT
IDENTIFICATION
• Describes what the pollution potential is from small-scale mines.
• Shows how to assess the risk posed to our water resources by small-scale mining
2 Chapter 6
activities.
Integrated
• Illustrates how one can prevent and minimize the impact of small-scale mining?
Water
Management
• Highlights the key water impact management areas.
• Describes what EMP Life Cycle Water Management is.
2 Chapter 7
Plan
MONITORING • Discusses what monitoring and reporting needs to be conducted during the life
AND REPORTING cycle of a small-scale mine. 2 Chapter 8

• Useful Checklists and References

• Proposed Best Management Practices 2 Appendices

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2.1 OBJECTIVES

2 This BPG is intended to be a practical “hands-on” document that gives practical advice on the
very important topic of resource protection and water management in the small-scale mining
sector. This BPG aims to pay attention to the fact that the acceptable practices proposed
OBJECTIVES are sustainable and affordable to a sector that is often operating with limited resources. This
particular guideline is prepared in two versions:
AND PRINCIPLES
i) A Standard format aimed at Department officials viz. water pollution control officials and
environmental management personnel.
ii) A User format aimed at the small-scale miners, produced in English, Sotho and Zulu.
This BPG describes typical small-scale mining scenarios and develops generic integrated
assessment procedures. It uses a constructivist approach to detail regulatory requirements and
procedures, the water management hierarchy, operational implementation and management. It
therefore provides a useful tool to assist in the sustainable development of this sector.

The specific objectives are:

• To describe relevant mining documentation and legal requirements;
• To assist in identifying potential areas of concern or impact for each of the small-scale
mining types;
• To encourage planning and prioritisation of water management actions for resource
protection by small-scale mining operators;
• To clarify what is required by the regulators to satisfy them that pollution prevention/
minimization, water reuse and treatment requirements have been correctly applied at each
stage of the life cycle of the mine;
• To describe best management practices that are appropriate for the small-scale mining
sector and ensure continual improvement and protection of the environment and water
resources.
Furthermore, this BPG provides a logical decision support system that enables the regulators
to assess risk to water resources by the various small-scale mining operations. It also aims to
ensure consistency in the approach of the DWAF from mine to mine, and region to region and
thus encourages uniformity in water use licence conditions.

The production of the User BPG incorporates persons that are technically proficient in the
subject matter of the guideline and are linguistically proficient in English, Sotho and Zulu.

2.2 PRINCIPLES
In order to successfully implement integrated mine water management in a manner that
complies with all legislation, certain principles must be adhered to, as listed below:
• Compliance with the water management hierarchy;
• A life cycle approach;
• The cradle to grave principle;
• The precautionary principle;
• A risk based approach;
• Consensus and acceptance of the guidelines from the people who will use them i.e. small-
scale miners and DWAF.

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However, certain important descriptions or concepts must

also be made that are relevant to this activity guideline
(as outlined in quick reference guide), viz.:
• Definition of the small-scale mining sector (Chapter
3 and 4).
• Definition of water related impacts and pollution
potential from the various mining methods employed
(Chapter 6).
• The appropriate measures and practices that could
be implemented to mitigate these impacts (Chapter 7
and Appendix E).
• Operational and maintenance requirements and
responsibilities (Chapter 7).
• Issues of monitoring and auditing (Chapter 8 and
Appendix F).
This BPG supports the evaluation of EMPs and
applications for water use authorisations and fits in
with other guidelines. This BPG is not enforced by
regulation but rather used by DWAF personnel as a
basis for negotiation with the mining industry. This BPG
is also produced in a “User” format with some repetition
of content in parts to facilitate small-scale mining
development and understanding. The “User” format is
available in English, Sotho and Zulu.

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3.1 GENERAL
3 There is no generally agreed definition of the term “small-scale mining”, although it is often
defined in terms of the mine’s output, capital investment, number of people employed or
DEFINITION managerial structure. According to the White Paper on Mineral and Mining Policy (1998), in
South Africa, small-scale mining ranges from very small operations that provide subsistence
OF SMALL-SCALE living (e.g. artisanal mining with pick and shovel; manual or portable panning equipment), to
MINING “junior” companies (e.g. mechanized operation involving several employees) for which revenue
and profit are the prime motivators. A typical small-scale mine has also been characterized as
a mine that operates at or near the surface, would work with non-complex ore, which requires
non-complex mining and processing methods, and would operate on estimated, if not proven,
reserves (Franz, 2000).

Small-scale mining is often equated with informal, unstable or illegal operations that are typified
by complete lack of capital, haphazard mining methods, environmental damage and health and
safety risks. This extends from the fact that the small-scale miner is frequently part of a marginal
group that has a low degree of ownership of mining property and whose activity is very sensitive
to fluctuations in prices and cost. Smaller operations often involve an informal or temporary
worker, with little or no patrimony, who operates with rudimentary, low cost techniques. Larger
operations often involve a higher level of mechanisation (e.g. front-end loaders, draglines),
some permanent staff that are supervised, as well as employment of casual labour.

3.2 EMP Qualifying Criteria

The DME has developed an EMP document that is a simplified national standard that applicants
for prospecting rights and mining permits need to comply with. Typically, operations in this
sector of the mining industry:
• Use little or no chemicals to extract mineral from ore.
• Work on portions of land of 1.5 hectares in size or smaller.
• Disturb the topography of an area somewhat but have no significant impact on the
geology.
• The EMP document, however, may not be used in the following instances:
• In the case of coal mining or the exploitation of any mineral containing sulphide; and
• The exploitation of any mineral, metal or rock in a sensitive area or environment.
• According to this definition, a sensitive area or environment can be described as an area
or environment where a unique ecosystem, habitat for plant and animal life, wetlands or
conservation activity exists, or where there is a high potential for eco-tourism.
• The DME also tends to show leniency to the environmental requirements of small-scale
mines if there is no extensive mechanization. In terms of this guideline, small-scale is taken
to exclude junior companies (between 50 and 200 employees) and may be divided into
three categories based on the extent of mechanization as described below (Heath et. Al.,
2002):
• No mechanization – this refers to artisanal mining that involves pick, shovel and
wheelbarrows and the prime motivation is subsistence.
• Limited mechanization – this type of mining is not subsistence orientated and may include
one truck, one front-end loader and a mechanical pan/washer.
• Mechanized – this type of mining is also not subsistence orientated and involves the use
of extensive mechanical equipment. This may include several trucks, front-end loaders and
mechanical equipment for the processing of ore.

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3.3 DWAF criteria the water environment, such as yield or availability of

water, dynamics of the river, riparian uses, etc.
Mines are classified into three categories by DWAF
for registration and management purposes. They are Category C: All other mines not covered by A and B.
classified according to the potential impacts that the This includes big mines with no significant impact on the
mining activity may have on water resources viz. water environment and small- or low-impact mines and
prospecting operations.
Category A: All gold and coal mines, irrespective of
size. Any mine with any kind of extractive metallurgical
process, including heap leaching. This includes most
3.4 BPG Definition
other precious and base metal mines. Any mine where The definition used for this BPG is a combination of the
sulphide-producing or other acid-generating material classification systems discussed. It is related to the scale
occur in the mineral deposit. of operation and potential impact on water environment
and is described below:
Category B: Mines with potentially significant and/or
permanent impact only on non-water quality aspects of

Working definition used in this guideline

• Small-scale mining operations ranging from artisanal miners up to small companies, (excluding junior
companies). This includes companies who are classified as micro (< 5 employees) to very small
(<20 employees) to small (<50 employees), but who are involved in single commodity small-scale mining
operations.
• Small-scale mining operations involving surface mining types only (easy access).
• Small-scale mining operations where the level of mechanization ranges from:
- no mechanization which involves artisanal mining with pick and shovel digging and whose prime
motivation is subsistence;
- limited mechanization where mining is not subsistence orientated and involves mechanization on a
limited scale (e.g. one truck, one front-end loader and a mechanical pan/washer);
- to mechanized where mining is not subsistence oriented and involves the use of extensive mechanical
equipment (several trucks, front-end loaders and mechanical equipment for the processing of ore).
• Small-scale mining operations that have a relatively low impact on the water environment, do not involve
chemical processes (uncomplicated metallurgy) or do not entail mining or processing of sulphide-containing
deposits.
This guideline therefore includes the following surface mining types*:

Alluvial Diamond; Alluvial Gold Panning (gravity separation); Sand Winning; Clay and Alluvial Semi-Precious
Stones.
* The examples given above do not include all small-scale mining types that may fall within this working
definition. Please refer to Appendix A for a more comprehensive list of potential small-scale mining types/
commodities.

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Mining operations generally progress through five stages:

4 • Planning and authorization phase (including the consideration of alternatives and exploration
activities);
• Construction phase;
SMALL-SCALE • Operational phase;
MINING • Decommissioning and closure phase;
• Post-closure phase (management of post closure residual and latent impacts).
Small-scale mining operations generally require surface or near surface deposition, very little
waste or overburden, uncomplicated metallurgy and relatively easy access (McDivitt et al,
1990; Meyer, 1980). Mining methods vary widely and depend on the location, type and size of
mineral resources.

4.1 SURFACE MINING METHODS

Surface mining methods are most economical in situations where mineral deposits occur close
to the surface or form part of surface deposits and allow easy access (e.g. alluvial gold and
diamonds). Typical surface mining methods include: panning; sluicing; open pit and strip mining,
as well as dredging and hydraulic mining in riverbeds, terraces and beaches. These activities can
affect aspects such as soils, surface water and near-surface ground water, river banks, habitat
availability, fauna, flora, and alternative types of land-use etc.

Figure 4.1: Various mining methods used by small-scale miners

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4.1.1 Panning and Sluicing Excavation of underwater material however, can be by

means of backhoe, clam shell, bucket ladder, cutter
Panning involves the digging up of semi-consolidated section head, suction pumps or bucket-wheel dredges.
river alluvium and washing it in dishes with a flow of
water so that a concentrate of gold, diamond or other 4.1.4 Hydraulic mining
heavy mineral is left behind.
In hydraulic mining, or “hydraulicking,” a stream of water
In sluicing, the placer (superficial deposit from which gold under great pressure is directed against the base of the
can be washed) gravel is shovelled into the head of an placer gravel bank using pipes and large nozzles called
elongated sluice box, which is inclined and has various giants. The water caves the bank, disintegrates the
configurations of bars and traps across the bottom called gravel, and washes the broken material to and through
riffles. Water is directed through the sluice box, and the sluice boxes situated in convenient positions down
heavy placer minerals are trapped in the riffles; the fine slope.
material is washed over them and out as a relatively
barren tailing. Hydraulic mining totally disturbs large surface areas,
puts much loose debris into the drainage system, and
4.1.2 Strip mining
involves large surface water runoff volumes that may
Strip mining methods are generally used where the cause substantial damage downstream.
land surface and deposit are relatively horizontal (area
mining), but they can also be used in hilly terrain (contour
mining) where a steep slope limits the width of the area
4.2 Major Mineral Groupings or
that can be mined from the mineral outcrop. Wide areas Commodities
are usually mined in a succession of strips. Conditions
are favourable for strip mining when the ore bodies Several major mineral groupings are especially
are lying flat and close to the surface. It is sometimes amenable to small-scale operations: precious stones
economical to first remove the overlying vegetation, (e.g. diamonds), pegmatite minerals (e.g. rare earths),
soil or rock to expose the ore body. A front end loader placer deposits (e.g. gold) and industrial minerals.
or stripping dragline, with a long-boom or long reach A comprehensive list of minerals and their suitability for
shovels, are commonly used for this purpose. The small, medium and micro-enterprises in South Africa has
surface soil or overburden is stripped off and stockpiled been compiled and is provided in Appendix A.
for later land reclamation. It is often dumped into the void
left by mining the previous strip to form a spoil heap. The Some of the more prevalent small-scale mining types
ore body is then exposed and mined by a shovel/truck that fall within the scope of this guideline are discussed
operation. The ore is hauled away and unloaded into a below.
primary crusher. The crushed material is then stored in
coarse ore bins for processing. 4.2.1 Alluvial Diamond
4.1.3 Dredging Small-scale diamond operations generally occur along
river courses. This is because of diamonds’ alluvial origin,
Dredging is undertaken on rivers, ponds, lakes or sea i.e. deposited by the action of running water in a stream.
in-shores. Dredgers come in many sizes. Two kinds of Small-scale diamond diggers use pick and shovels to
equipment, bucket line and dragline, are more commonly dig up the gravel. The gravel is screened for diamonds
used. The bucket line dredgers are larger and more and is then backfilled into the holes dug. In some cases
efficient, consisting of a continuous line of buckets that
gently sloping grease pans or grease tables serve as a
scoop the material from the gravel bank at the edge of
concentrator of the diamonds. In larger operations, rotary
the dredge pond and then process it by raising it to the
pans are used.
top of the washing plant mounted in the hull. Dragline
dredgers are smaller and less efficient. They employ 4.2.2 Sand
a single bucket that digs the gravel, swings it over the
feeder hopper of a floating washing plant similar to the Sand-winning operations have been classified into four
layout in a bucket line dredger, although usually smaller. types (Hill and Kleynhans, 1999; McDivitt et.al., 1990)

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• Dry-pit mining: mining of pits on dry ephemeral therefore consult other guidelines that deal with this
streambeds and exposed sand bars with conventional issue specifically since it does not fall within the scope
shovels, trucks, bulldozers, scrapers or loaders. Dry of this particular BPG.
pits are located above the water table.
a) Amalgamation with Mercury: Mercury is placed in
• Wet-pit mining: involves the use of dragline or the bottom of the pan, sluice or smeared on copper
hydraulic excavators to remove sand or gravel plating. The fine gold amalgamates with the mercury
from below the water table or in a perennial stream and is then collected by driving off the mercury as
channel. In wet pits dewatering or partial dewatering vapour, retaining the gold.
is frequently undertaken to allow the site to be more
The concern with this process is two-fold: On the
easily excavated.
one hand, miners manipulate the mercury without
An example of a hydraulic excavator is referred to any protection mechanism and are exposed not
as a water monitor – the removal of unconsolidated only to the vapours (generated when the amalgam
soft, sandy material is by use of a high-pressure water is heated to recover the gold) but also to direct skin
jet usually employed in conjunction with an electric contact at different stages of the amalgamation
or diesel pump and adequate water supplies. The process. On the other hand, part of the mercury
stream of water is used to carry the material to a from the amalgamation process will inevitably end
sump or collection area. up in the effluents and pollute the surrounding areas,
• Bar skimming: this requires scraping off the top constituting a long-term threat to the catchment
layer from a gravel bar without excavating below the areas.
summer water level. b) Chloride: Mintek has successfully developed an
• Mining of pits on adjacent floodplains or river alternative to other hazardous amalgamation
terraces: this refers to the mining of a pit that has methods (Mining Africa, 2000). This process is
been isolated from the main channel. Sudden changes based on chloride leaching, using inexpensive and
in channel course during a flood, or in the gradual easily obtainable reagents. As the reducing reaction
migration of the channel may breach small levees and is highly selective, the gold product is very pure and
the channel will shift into the sand or gravel pits. thus commands a higher price.

It should be noted that sand-wining and alluvial diamond c) Cyanide leaching: Low-grade ore with small
mining operations comprise the greatest proportion of residues of gold is crushed, piled on the ground,
small-scale mining operations in South Africa (Regional and then sprayed with a cyanide solution to extract
DME offices, personal communication 2001) the gold. The concern with this process is: Cyanide-
laced wastewater then leaks into the surrounding
4.2.3 Gold areas and contaminates the ecosystems and water
resources.
Small-scale gold miners extract gold by:
It has also been reported that some small-scale miners
a) Panning; digging or sometimes sluicing river gravels
in South Africa take the gold-bearing ore to a centralized
(alluvial gold mining)
refinery for processing (Heath et. Al., 2002).
b) Crushing and panning the rich ore vein deposits, or
c) Sieving through old mine dumps.
4.2.4 Clay

Only the first method is covered in this guideline since Clay mining is generally conducted in pits and it
the other two do not fall within our working definition. represents a bulk mining operation i.e. the material is
used directly from the pit without major beneficiation
The gold (often as fine particles) can then be processes, which result in waste dumps. As all the
concentrated and extracted using a number of chemical clay produced is generally extracted (shovel diggers),
processes. If however, any of the chemical concentrating a depression remains after mining. This depression, if
or amalgamation processes described below are used, not rehabilitated, may fill with water as a result of rainfall
they have the potential to impact significantly on water into the depression or flood-water from the surrounding
quality and resources. Regulators and miners need to area.

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Generally clay pits do not pose a threat to underground Pegmatite mining is generally conducted in semi-arid
water since the clay is impermeable. However, if the environments in South Africa. Pegmatite deposits are
pit walls are not protected against erosion and storm reasonable resistant to weathering and often stand
water is allowed to pass unhindered through a clay pit, out as positive topographical features. The pegmatite
surface waters may be affected by exceptional addition minerals are inert and therefore do not react with water.
of suspended solids. The modern tendency is to mine a pegmatite in its
totality, i.e. the main products are feldspar and quartz,
If the clay is used for brick making, the bricks are often while mica, beryl, spodumene, culombite, tantalite etc.,
manufactured and fired on site. are by-products. As the material produced is coarsely
crystalline, any waste that is produced will be lumpy
4.2.5 Semi-precious Stone/Pegmatites and inert (P. Wipplinger, CGS, personal communication
Semi-precious stone mining is similar to alluvial diamond 2002).
mining. Diggers use picks and shovels to excavate
semi precious stones from land or alluvial sources. The 4.3 MINING CATEGORIES
extraction process can be wet or dry. The predominant
semi-precious stones mined are: garnet, amethyst, A summary of the predominant types of small-scale
aquamarine, citrine, and topaz (Ashton et al., 2001). mining activities that meet the criteria for this BPG, are:

Type Description No of Level of Mechanization DWAF

Employees Category
Alluvial Diggers (pick and shovel) <5 Artisanal C
Diamond Mechanized with grease pans <20 Mechanized (Trucks; Conveyor belts, etc) C

Sand Winning Dry pit mining <5 Mechanized (Bulldozer) C

Wet Pit Mining (Drag line) <5 Mechanized (Excavators) C
Bar Skimming <5 Mechanized C
Mining adjacent to flood plains <5 Mechanized C

Alluvial Gold * Panning and Sluicing <5 Artisanal A/C

Clay Diggers <5 Artisanal C

Semi-precious Diggers <5 Artisanal C

stones Mechanized with grease pans <20 Mechanized (Trucks; Conveyor belts, etc) C

* Where gold is extracted or concentrated using chemical means as described in Section 4.2.3, then gold mining has a potentially high
impact on water quality and is therefore not within the scope of this BPG.

Please refer to Appendix A for a more comprehensive

list of commodities reported to be suitable for small-scale
mining enterprises.

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A regulatory system consists of both statutory and non-statutory components. This chapter

5
highlights the main legislation (including regulations) and policies that are applicable to the
small-scale miner defined in this BPG (refer section 3.4) with relatively low environmental
impact.

LEGISLATIVE It should be noted that this is not an all-inclusive list and the user of this guideline should ensure
that all other applicable legislation and policies must be adhered to e.g. National Environmental
ASPECTS Management Act (Act 108 of 1997), Environment Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989) and Mine
Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996).

Please refer to Appendix B for a detailed legislation and guideline reference list.

5.1 Mining Permit and EMP

In terms of Section 39(2) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002
(Act 28 of 2002) (MPRDA), any person who applies for a reconnaissance permission,
prospecting right or mining permit must submit an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) as
prescribed to the Regional Manager concerned for his approval. In terms of Section 5(4), no
person may prospect, mine or undertake reconnaissance operations or any other activity without
an approved EMP, right, permit or permission or without notifying the landowner. Furthermore,
in terms of section 40, the Minister shall consult as to that with each department charged with
the administration of any law which relates to any matter affecting the environment prior to
granting approval.

The regional DME offices issue three types of mining authorizations in respect of all minerals:
• A prospecting right is issued for a period specified in the right and which may not exceed
five years and can be renewed (Section 16 and 17 of the MPRDA, 2002).
• A mining permit is granted for smaller operations with a surface area of less than 1.5ha and
shorter periods of less than 2 years (Section 27 of the MPRDA, 2002).
• A mining right is granted for larger operations and longer periods (more than 2 years).
(Section 22 and 23 of the MPRDA, 2002)
The permits and rights are issued followed by the approval of an EMP. An EMP has been
developed by the DME for the management of the small-scale mining sector. The rationale
behind the development of an EMP was to provide a simplified national standard that an
applicant for a prospecting right or mining permit is able to comply with in terms of the MPRDA
of 2002 and regulation 52. The EMP assists applicants by providing the information that the
DME requires in a simple language and in a structured, prescribed format as contemplated in
Section 52(2) of the MPRDA.

5.2 Water Use Licence

The National Water Act (NWA) 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) controls the use of water. Water use in
terms of Section 21 of the NWA of 1998 includes:
a) Taking water from a resource to use it.
b) Storage, such as keeping water in a dam.
c) Diverting the flow of water for activities such as open-cast mining.
d) Stream-flow reduction, such as growing crops which will use the rain water that would
otherwise have reached the stream.
e) Controlled activities, such as irrigating with wastewater or recharging the underground
water with wastewater are subject to control by the Minister.

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f) Discharging waste, such as releasing water

containing waste into a river through a pipe, canal,
sewer, etc.
g) Waste disposal in a manner which may detrimentally
impact on a water resource.
h) Disposal of wastewater or heated water from
industries and power stations.
i) Altering a water course, for example when it is
necessary to change the river bed or bank during
industrial development.
j) Removal of underground water, e.g. to ensure
safety in underground mining.
k) Recreation, e.g. water sports.
A small-scale miner must get the appropriate water use
authorisation in respect of the proposed water uses that
will take place with mining. Exceptions include Schedule
1 water uses (e.g. reasonable domestic use), or those
that fall under a General Authorization. Please refer to
Appendix C for more details on these exceptions.

Applications for a water use authorisation should be

made prior to commencement of mining. A miner should
fill in the appropriate licence forms for each water use and
provide supporting documentation e.g. a technical report
(refer to Appendix D for DWAF licence application form
reference numbers and Appendix F3 for the supporting
documentation requirement checklist).

Note: Exemptions from any of the regulations pertaining

to mining and related activities (refer GN 704) does not
negate the need for a water use authorisation.

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5.3 Small-Scale Miner Authori- 5.4 Other Regulations in GN 704

zation Map Regulations contained within GN 704 that are relevant
to the small-scale miners and their mining activities are
Figure 1 outlines the legislative processes involved for
described below.
a small-scale miner when obtaining a mining permit,
completing an EMP and obtaining a water use licence
when necessary.

Figure 1: Summary of Small-Scale Miner Autorisation Procedures

* Unless Schedule 1 use or covered by General Authorization

** Implementation of the regulations will be delegated to the appropriate level as soon as the necessary capacity has been created at regional
or catchment level
*** Submit EMProgramme and not EMPlan if sampling area for prospecting is I) >25m2; ii) in sea ; iii) involves a river diversion; iv) in a sensitive
environment, demarcated or designated area or feature.

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5.4.1 Restrictions on locality of mine 5.4.4 Capacity requirements of clean and dirty
operations and mine facilities water systems
In terms of the Regulation 4, any residue deposit, reservoir In terms of Regulation 6, GN 704, all unpolluted water is to be
or any other facility may not be located within the 1:100 year confined to a clean water system and kept away from any dirty
flood-line or within a horizontal distance of 100 metres from the area. Clean water must be routed to a watercourse while all dirty
watercourse (whichever is the greatest). water, including water seeping from a mine, outcrop or any other
activity, must be collected into a dirty water system. Effective
With the exception of the mining of alluvial materials or sand
measures must be taken to minimize the flow of any surface
winning operations, no mining operations may take place within
the 1:50 year flood-line or within a horizontal distance of 100 water into mine workings and to route it into a watercourse.
metres from the watercourse (whichever is greatest). 5.4.5 Protection of Water Resources
No residue or substance which causes or is likely to cause In terms of Regulation 7, GN 704, reasonable measures need to
pollution of a water resource is to be placed or disposed of in be taken to prevent any substance that can cause pollution from
the workings of any underground or opencast mine excavation, entering any water resource. The mine must also ensure that the
prospecting diggings, pit or any other excavation. water system is kept free from any matter or obstruction that may
No sanitary convenience, fuel depots, reservoir, or depots for any affect the efficiency thereof.
substance that is likely to cause pollution of the water resource,
In terms of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998), the level
may be located within the 1:50 year flood-line.
of protection of a resource will depend on the ecological
5.4.2 Extraction of alluvial materials management class assigned to the water resource. The reason
being that an impact which poses only a slight risk to a particular
In terms of Regulation 10, no person may extract sand, alluvial ecosystem in one geographical region may result in a much
minerals or other materials from the channel of a watercourse or higher risk in another geographical region, depending on the
estuary unless reasonable precautions are taken to: resilience of the adapted ecosystem, the background quality of
the water, and the natural flow regime.
• Ensure that the stability of the watercourse is not affected.
• Prevent scouring and erosion of the watercourse or estuary Mines will therefore have to consider various resource-directed
which may result from such operations. elements of regulation such as:
• Prevent damage to in-stream or riparian habitat through • Catchment management plans for the receiving water-
erosion, sedimentation, alteration of vegetation or structure courses.
of the watercourse, or alteration of the flow characteristics of • Reserves and river classifications for the receiving water-
the watercourse. courses.
Slimes dams or settling ponds may not be constructed within the • Requirements of other regulators and legislation.
1:50 year flood-line or within a horizontal distance of 100 metres • Downstream users and target water quality objectives.
from any watercourse (whichever is the greatest). In cases where they may not exist, the mine has two alternatives
(source-directed):
Every person winning sand or alluvial materials must:
a) Accept the precautionary principle and comply with a zero
• Construct water treatment facilities to treat water to the discharge standard or any other restrictions that DWAF
prescribed standard. imposes.
• Construct stockpiles outside of the 1:50 year flood-line or b) Develop the environmental context by undertaking the
a horizontal distance of 100 metres from the watercourse necessary studies in co-operation with DWAF and all other
(whichever is the greatest). interested and affected parties (I&AIPs) and then reaching
• Implement control measures that will prevent the pollution of agreement with these parties.
any water resource.
5.5 Other Legislation and Guidelines
5.4.3 Use of material
Other legislation or regulatory aspects and guidelines, that are
In terms of Regulation 5, no person in control of a mine or activity relevant to the small-scale miner, are listed in Appendix B.
may use any residue or substance which causes or is likely to
cause pollution of a water resource.

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Surface mining methods, including strip mining, open pit mining, dredging, and hydraulic

6
mining, may drive environmental change of the affected land surface in the following ways
(Brink et al., 1990):
• Changes in topography and surface drainage with the potential for increased soil erosion,
long-term compaction, silting; subsidence and reduced agricultural capacity;
IMPACT
• Disturbance and disruption of the natural water flow regime with the potential for both
IDENTIFICATION surface water and groundwater pollution;
• Changes in topsoil characteristics with the potential for increased acidity and salt content,
development of nutrient deficiencies or imbalances, surface crustiness or desiccation,
changes in vegetation cover and land use with the potential for production of atmospheric
dust and other pollution.
More specifically, physical impacts on water resources by small-scale mining include:
• the use of water for mining operations,
• de-vegetation of mine sites and riverbanks (riparian vegetation loss),
• destabilisation of river banks,
• the creation of large pits and ponding,
• erosion problems where soil, sediments and any associated contaminants are transported
into streams, rivers and other water bodies, resulting in the loss or alteration of habitats for
aquatic organisms, as well as changes in water quality,
• alteration of watercourses,
• sedimentation or siltation of watercourses contributing to increased suspended solids
loads,
• lowering of floodplain groundwater,
• terrestrial ecological changes associated with disturbed areas, including the establishment
of alien invasive plant species, altered plant community species composition and loss of
habitat for indigenous fauna and flora.
The area affected can be segmented into three typical classes or groups, namely: the mine
environs only (typically consisting only of the mine property), the local area (one or more
properties that are adjacent to the mine property), or more widespread (regional).

6.1 IMPACT POTENTIAL

The set of impacts that any specific small-scale mining operation will have on the environment,
and especially the aquatic environment, depends on:
• The type of rock, sand or ore being mined;
• The type of mining operation and the scale of operations;
• The efficiency and effectiveness of any environmental management systems that are
deployed by mine management; and
• The sensitivity of the receiving environment (including scarcity of water).
Impacts can be described as:
i) Direct physical disturbance impacts,
ii) Primary and secondary pollution impacts and
iii) Indirect impacts.
These impacts could also have cumulative and synergistic effects and these should be
distinguished as such.

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6.1.1 Single versus cumulative effect 6.1.2 Water-related impacts

Singly, many of the effects of small-scale mining on the A list of water-related impacts, observed in small-scale
water environment may well be insignificant. However, mining operations (Heath et. Al., 2002), is outlined in the
when they occur simultaneously or in a haphazard way, Table 6.1 below. This table can be used to identify all the
their significance may increase by orders of magnitude. relevant potential concerns on the water environment in
The majority of water-related impacts are localized i.e. terms of mining type.
affect the immediate vicinity of the mine only. If, however,
many mines occur in the same area, then the cumulative
impact may become significant and may be felt over a
much larger area.

Table 6.1: Potential Water-Related Impacts of Different Small-Scale Mining Types:

Alluvial Semi-
Alluvial Sand-
Environmental impact gold Clay precious
diamond winning
panning stone
Aesthetics
X X X X X
(e.g. waste dumps; pits; loss of vegetation)
Bank destabilization
(e.g. Excavation of flood terraces and riverbanks increases the
X X X - X
instability of these riverbanks and enhances the likelihood of
increased flood scouring)
Chemical contamination
(e.g. Oils; Diesel; Sewage; Mercury*; Cyanide*; Chloride* or X X X X X
Metals*)
Increase in sedimentation/turbidity
(e.g. Panning and operation of sluice boxes increases loads of X X X - X
suspended sediments in downstream reaches)
Watercourse alteration/
Alteration in channel hydraulics X X X - X

Water abstraction X X X X X
Riparian vegetation loss
(Accelerated erosion of areas adjacent to workings that have
been de-vegetated for construction materials or fuel wood leads X X X - X
to increased suspended sediment loads in nearby streams and
rivers.)
River bed and fauna disturbance X X X - X
Lowering of floodplain groundwater - X - - -
Disturbance of flood attenuation - X - - -
Ponding in floodplain X X X X X
Loss of river sediments X X - - X
Acid mine drainage - - - - -
Aquatic life
X X X X X
(e.g. Smothering of riverine habitat by silt, fish gill clogging)
* Where these may occur (as indicated below), please consult other guidelines in this regard, as this is beyond the scope of this BPG.
Mercury, cyanide or chloride – In washings if used for amalgamation or concentration.
Metals – Excavation of river sediments expose these sediments to oxidizing conditions and enhance the solubilization and
release of any metal ions that may previously have been trapped as insoluble sulphides.

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The majority of the water-related impacts could be Different environmental interactions and possible impacts
successfully mitigated through timely best practice are usually associated with each of the phases of a mine’s
application. The principle of planning for closure at life span.
the onset of the mining activity will enable the mine to
rehabilitate on a daily basis rather than only at the end of The impacts associated with each mining phase have
the active mining activity. the potential to drive environmental change in several
different ways and at various scales. This ranges from
The typical life span of a small scale mine is less than local- to national-scale changes and may even give rise
a year with some operations lasting weeks only. The to international environmental changes (for example
life cycle of mining operation consists of a number of impacts in the Orange River being shared between
simultaneous or sequential phases and activities, e.g. South Africa and Namibia).
prospecting, development (including verification of the
quantity and quality of ore and its amenability to various An overview of the potential environmental impacts
extraction and processing methods), construction, associated with different phases of mining activities,
operation, staff housing and support, product stockpiling, and mineral-processing operations, is given below
mineral processing, waste management, rehabilitation in Table 6.2. [Information adapted from Ashton et al.
and eventually, closure. 2001, Heath et al. 2002)].

Table 6.2: Potential environmental impacts through the small scale mine life cycle
Mining Phase Scale of Impact Activities Potential Environmental Impacts
Planning and Authorisation/Construction
Exploration and Relatively small, however, • Surveys • Vegetation removal, damage and
surveying the cumulative effects of • Vehicle tracks destruction
exploration activities at • Vehicle and machinery fuel • Habitat disturbance due to noise/vibration
multiple sites within an area points • Disturbance to wildlife and local residents
have the potential to drive
• Exploration camp housing • Soil erosion along trenches and transects
environmental change,
particularly from a larger • Exploration camp sanitation • Dumping and waste
regional perspective. systems • Demand on local water resources
• Waste disposal (garbage) • Discharge or spillage of contaminants
• Contamination of local groundwater by
exposed ores
• Restricted public access
Mine Considerable changes • Stripping/storing of soil • Fauna and flora habitat loss and
development – take place as the mine “overburden” disturbance
start up infrastructure, plant and • Surveying and levelling of • Reduction in biodiversity on site
facilities are constructed, sites • Potential loss of heritage sites
and when the ore body is • Installation of mine and • Decreased aesthetic appeal of site
first exposed. The scale and surface water treatment
sequence of events varies • Altered landforms due to construction
plants
from mine to mine, but always • Altered drainage patterns and runoff flows
• Construction of mine
entails dramatic changes to • Increased erosion of site area
facilities, offices and roads
most features of the local • Increased siltation of surface waters
environment. • Construction of storage
facilities • Contamination of surface and groundwater
by seepage and effluent discharges
• Landscaping of site
• Discharge of contaminants via mine de-
• Construction of staff
watering activities
housing and infrastructure
• Increased demand on local water
resources
• Ground and surface water contamination
from seepage and contamination from fuel
spills and leakages

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Mining Phase Scale of Impact Activities Potential Environmental Impacts

Operation
NOTE: All potential impacts related to exploration, surveying and start-up, may also occur during operation

Removal and The routine operational • Stripping/storing of soil • Land alienation from waste rock stockpiles
storage of ores phases account for most of “overburden” and disposal areas
and waste the environmental impacts • Waste rock stockpiles • Increased erosion and siltation of nearby
material and are considered to have • Low grade ore stockpiles surface waterbodies (rivers and lakes)
the greatest potential to drive
• High grade ore stockpiles
environmental change
Milling and The extent to which mining • Transport of ore to crusher • Ground surface disturbance
grinding operational activities act • Extraction and preliminary • Disturbance due to noise and vibrations
Extraction/ as drivers of environmental crushing of ore • Dust and fumes, mine vehicles and
Concentration change depends in part on • Milling and grinding of ore transportation systems
the type, scale, duration and
• Flotation and chemical • Discharge of contaminated water
magnitude of the activities,
concentration/leaching of • Windborne dust and radionuclides
and the sensitivity of the
ore and final product • Vapour emissions from processing
receiving environment
• Transport of ores to smelter • Spillage of corrosive liquids
• Stockpiling of final product
Transport of Seldom associated with • Packaging/loading of final • Disturbance due to noise, vibration and site
final product to significant impacts on the product into transportation illumination
market biophysical environment • Transport of final product • Dust and fumes from exposed product
via rail link stockpiles
Decommissioning and closure/post closure
Mine closure Impacts often continue long • Decommissioning of roads • Loss of productive land for alternative
and post after the mine has stopped • Dismantling buildings uses;
operational production and has been • Reseeding/planting of • Subsidence, slumping and flooding of
waste closed especially if site is un- disturbed areas previously mined areas
management rehabilitated. • Continuing discharge of contaminants to
• Re-contouring pit walls/
waste dumps ground and surface water via seepage
• Water quality treatment • Changes in river flow regimes with sharper
• Fencing dangerous areas flow peaks and reduced dry season flows
• Monitoring of seepage • Fauna and flora habitat loss and
disturbance
• Windborne dust
• Dangerous areas that pose health risks
and possible loss of life (e.g. pits, ponds,
etc.)

6.1.3 Peripheral or indirect impacts by poor or inadequate sanitation systems, with the
linked to mining result that nearby watercourses become contaminated
with sewage and domestic garbage.
The pivotal nature of mining activities, in the general
development of southern Africa, means that they • Settlements that develop in the peripheral areas of
inevitably have had several “peripheral” or indirect mining operations often rely on subsistence agriculture
impacts on the biophysical environment. A few specific for their livelihoods. This result in progressive de-
examples are highlighted here to sketch the scope of the vegetation of the areas around such mines as
concerns (Ashton et al. 2001): trees is cleared for fuel wood and to open up areas
• The influx of miners and their families and dependents for cultivation. In extreme cases, the subsistence
into existing and new mining areas is often agriculture may extend into local wetlands or ‘ambos’,
accompanied by the development of informal and un- thereby reducing their ability to attenuate stream flows
serviced settlements. In turn, these are characterized and prevent flooding.

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• Increased population numbers places greater pressure It is important that enough information is gathered
on every natural resource in an area. This pressure to ensure an acceptable level of confidence in the
varies from demands for fuel and water, housing and assessment of the impacts. The steps involved in impact
construction materials, to accelerated exposure of the and screening level risk assessment of small-scale
catchment surface to erosion processes. Singly, many mining are outlined below:
of these effects may well be non-significant. However,
when they occur simultaneously, their significance Step 1: Identify Risk Activities and Receptors
may increase by orders of magnitude.
A useful way to proceed with a screening level risk
assessment process is to identify potential pollution
6.2 Screening Level Risk sources, pathways and receptors as a result of the
Assessment Guide mining operation.

The water flowing in and out of the mining area should

be managed in such a way that the supply of water
downstream to other users is not affected adversely.

SOURCE PATHWAY RECEPTOR

SOURCES: PATHWAYS: RECEPTORS:

Disturbance and impact on water Transmission or propagation of Result of disturbances to:
environment as a result of: source of pollution by:
• Location of mine (proximity to water • Water, soil and air. • Humans
resources, proximity to sensitive areas, • This can occur via surface drainage (Surrounding communities;
proximity to other miners etc) channels or man –made pathways. people downstream);
• Mineral that will be mined • The rate of transmission or • Habitats,
• Mining method to be employed propagation is however dependent (Flora and fauna)
• Mineral processing method to be used on, for example, site topography (hills; • Water
• Scale of operation slopes and valleys), gradients, soil/rock (River catchment – surface and
permeability, weather conditions, etc. groundwater)
• Ownership relations
• Emissions (solid, liquid and gaseous)
• Weather and Geographic conditions
Rainfall; incidence of extreme weather
conditions; topography; soil or rock
type; depth of topsoil; composition,
depth and erodability of sub-soil

Step 2: Identify Potential and Current Water Step 3: Monitoring

Use
It is important to note that in order to accurately
Water use includes water for domestic, agricultural, determine the impacts of a small-scale mine on the
recreational, industrial or natural environment purposes. water environment, a survey of the pre-mining condition
Water use by mining activities can impact on current and should take place. This will enable the mining impacts to
potential water users downstream. Note should be taken be compared to the pre-mining condition. Monitoring of
of: the following should be conducted:
• existing structures and distance from proposed/ • Plant and fish life (and other aquatic life) in rivers,
existing activities or users; • Stability of water control structures and riverbanks,
• details of reservoirs; stock watering places; • Erosion and siltation,
• boundary and camp fences; • Chemical water quality in terms of resource
• soil conservation works. requirements

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• Clarity of water in rivers. the nature, extent, duration, intensity and probability of
the impact. A qualitative screening level risk assessment
Please refer to Chapter 8 for more details concerning
can be made using the following table (Table 6.3):
monitoring, reporting and auditing requirements for
small-scale mines.

Step 4: Screening Level Risk Assessment

The relative impact or significance of an impact is a
value judgment based on a combination of factors i.e.

Table 6.3: Screening Level Risk Assessment Summary

IDENTIFY FACTORS TO
QUESTION TO ASK ASSESSMENT
IMPACT CONSIDER
Nature What and how? Refer to source, pathway and receptor checklist
Time When will the impact Single pulse Intermittent Continuous
occur? e.g. spillage e.g. drains, soakaways e.g. leaks; infiltration
Extent Where will impact Mining area Local water resources Regional/national
MAGNITUDE/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT

occur? Catchment area or

wider
Duration How long will impact Short term Medium term Long term/
last? 0-6 months Up to 1 year Permanent
> 5 years/No mitigation
will shorten impact
duration
Intensity Strength/force of Negligible/Very low/ Medium High
impact? Low Impacts experienced Impacts serious and
Minor disturbances to as temporary or require frequent
aquatic ecosystems or continual loss management attention
local water resources/ of amenity or and remedial action.
Impact temporary/ deterioration in water Large scale effects
Important but easily quality and can extend on water resources,
controlled by routine over both small and aquatic ecosystems
management actions * large areas and other water users
Probability Likelihood of impact Improbable/ Highly probable Definite
occurring? Probable Most likely Will occur regardless
Low probability/ of prevention or
Distinct probability mitigatory methods

• Small-scale mining should generally fall into this category i.e. impacts can be experienced as low-intensity nuisances over a large
area or as minor disturbances over a smaller area. Other water users are unlikely to experience significant loss of amenity and seldom
need to implement remedial actions before using the water.
Note: This may not be the case if several mines are operating in a small area, because the impact may be cumulative and therefore
increase in intensity.

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In order to manage the impacts successfully, a management strategy should be compiled. The

7 strategy should include, definite objectives, action plans and control measures, which must be
described in the EMP and can also be summarized in schedule form for the technical report that
accompanies the water use licence/authorisation application.
Integrated The management strategy should be correlated with the life cycle of the mine. It is important
MINE Water to note that the implementation of a successful environmental management programme starts
with the management of the impacts from the beginning of the operation. The programme must
management form an integral part of the day-to-day management activities on the mining area and the aims
of the content of the EMP must be made known to all persons who are in a position to make
decisions that will influence environmental protection and management.

7.1 DWAF Water Management Hierarchy

The water management strategy for a mine must also be consistent with the principles of
integrated water management and must be implemented according to the following hierarchy
of steps:
STEP 1: Implement pollution prevention/minimisation measures at source.
STEP 2: Implement reuse and minimisation strategies for waste water or water containing
waste.
STEP 3: Implement water treatment strategies.
STEP 4: Where the measures to be taken in Steps 1 to 3 do not prevent the discharge or
disposal of water containing waste in the short term, and the quality of the proposed
discharge or disposal of water containing waste still exceeds the applicable waste
water standard for the catchment or the water quality objectives specified by a
catchment’s Resource Protection Management Plan, application may be made for a
phased water use licence containing:
• Extensive motivation for the water use licence, explaining social, financial and
environmental implications.
• Firm commitment with a time schedule to achieve the water quality objectives.
The disposal or discharge of water containing waste, which exceeds the applicable standards,
will however, only be considered as a last option and as an interim measure since it also has
cost implications (charges for waste disposal/discharge).

It is important to emphasize here, that due to the nature of small-scale mining, water
management objectives should be focused on steps one and two.

Furthermore, several of the measures taken as part of the first three steps will be construed as
water use in terms of Section 21 of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998), and the appropriate
water use licence/authorisation needs to be applied for.

7.2 Key Water Impact Management Areas

Generally speaking, water management of small-scale mines will focus on pollution prevention.
Three key management areas for pollution prevention and impact minimization are:
• storm water management
• erosion and sediment control
• waste management

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7.2.1 Storm Water Management and vegetative practices.

There are four primary principles that need to be applied All of these stages are better performed, using advance
in the development and implementation of a storm water planning and good scheduling.
management plan (SWMP):
Descriptions of simple and practical best management
• Clean water must be kept clean and be routed to a
practices, suitable for the small-scale miner are provided
natural watercourse by a system separate from the
dirty water system while preventing or minimizing in Appendix E. Measures for erosion and sediment
the risk of spillage of clean water into dirty water control, runoff and conveyance and sediment traps and
systems. barriers are described.
• Dirty water must be collected and contained in a 7.2.3 Waste Management
system separate from the clean water system and the
risk of spillage or seepage into clean water systems Wastes generally contain pollutants and present a
must be minimized. potential risk to the water and surrounding environment
• The storm water management plan (SWMP) must be if not managed effectively. Wastes include sewage,
sustainable over the life cycle of the mine and over garbage, wash-water, spent oils and grease; diesel
different hydrological cycles and must incorporate or lubricant spills etc. Wastes can be classified as
principles of risk management. biodegradable or non-degradable, hazardous or non-
• The statutory requirements of various regulatory hazardous.
agencies and the interests of stakeholders must be
considered and incorporated. Sections 7.3.3 and 7.3.4: provides more details regarding
waste disposal management at the mine site.
To further assist in the application of these primary
principles, please refer to BPG 1: Storm Water 7.2.4 General Malpractices
Management.
A list of some “do’s and don’t’s”, regarding general
During the SWMP development process it may be malpractices observed at small-scale mining operations,
necessary to revisit the management plan actions to is provided on the next page to assist in creating
ensure that these are in fact achievable. awareness of resource protection as well as water and
7.2.2 Erosion and Sediment Control waste management issues.

Successful control of erosion and sedimentation

from mining activities should involve a system of best
management practices, which targets each stage of the
erosion process.

The most efficient approach involves minimizing the

potential sources of sediment from the outset. This means
limiting the extent and duration of land disturbance to the
minimum needed, and protecting surfaces once they are
exposed.

The second stage of the best management practice

system involves controlling the amount of runoff and its
ability to carry sediment by diverting incoming flows and
impeding internally generated flows.

The third stage involves retaining sediment, which is

picked up on the project site through the use of sediment-
capturing devices. On most sites successful erosion and
sedimentation control requires a combination of structural

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Table 7.1: List of general do’s and don’ts for small-scale miners
As a Small-Scale Miner,

DO √ Apply for the necessary permits and licences

√ Plan your mining operations and camp site before you start mining

√ Minimise access roads or paths into the river and put in erosion protection measures

√ Use only one access road to the river at a time

√ Control run-off and erosion

√ Put in storm water drainage trenches to divert clean storm water from your site

√ Collect and treat dirty water from your operations

√ Leave a buffer zone i.e. a strip of natural area between the mine site and the body of water of at
least 100m
√ Store oil, fuel and chemicals safely in designated area outside of the buffer zone

√ Locate toilets outside of the buffer zone

√ Keep topsoil for rehabilitation

√ Keep topsoil separate from other soil/waste rock material

√ Protect topsoil by keeping in a secure bunded area on high ground

√ Stabilize pit walls

√ Stabilize banks and beds of a river

√ Rehabilitate as you go – it will save you time, energy and money

√ Backfill ponds, pits or roads created

√ Leave area as you found it

DON’T X Do not wait to rehabilitate till the very end

X Do not leave waste rock piles behind

X Do not leave pits open – they are a safety hazard and cause ponding

X Do not remove vegetation from the river or river banks without replacing it

X Do not dam up the river

X Do not mix topsoil and other soils or waste rock – keep separate for rehabilitation

X Do not allow loose soil removed to wash away or blow away – keep covered and place in a secure
location
X Do not use toxic chemicals for processing – there are other safer alternatives

X Do not mine illegally

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7.3 EMP life cycle water • Access to the river bed, dams, or pans
• Establishing surface infrastructure at the site
management
• Establishing the campsite/office sites
This section outlines specific requirements in relation to • Establishing toilet facilities, waste water and refuse
water resource management for mining from the EMP. disposal
They are legally binding once approval of an EMP has • Establishing the vehicle maintenance yard and
been obtained. secured storage areas
They have been arranged to correspond to the various life • Establishing residue deposit and processing areas
cycle stages of the mine i.e. on arrival, during operation, • Establishing stockpile and sand processing areas
and on closure. They also focus on activity at a mine site • Establishing processing areas and waste piles
rather than specific mining type or commodity viz.: • Establishing settling and clarification ponds
• Establishing access roads to the site • Establishing access roads to the site
Establishing access road to the site
REQUIREMENTS
• Watercourses, drainage canals and steep gradients shall be avoided as far as possible.
• Adequate drainage and erosion protection in the form of berms, contour humps or cut-off shall be provided where
necessary.
SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS
On Arrival

• Topsoil shall be removed form all areas where physical disturbance of the surface will occur. The topsoil removed shall be stored
in a bund wall on the high ground side of the mining area outside the 1: 50 flood level within the boundaries of the mining area.
• Topsoil shall be kept separate from overburden and shall not be used for building or maintenance of access roads.
• The topsoil stored in the bund wall shall be adequately protected from being blown away or being eroded.
During Operation
• Dust control on the access road. The liberation of dust into the atmosphere shall be controlled by: spraying water or other non-
toxic dust allaying agents, by limiting the speed of haul trucks or by other suitable approved means.
• Regular maintenance of the access road shall be to the satisfaction of the Director: Mineral Development and the road shall have
an acceptable surface, be free from erosion damage and have effective drainage, preventing the impounding/ponding of water.
On Closure
• Roads that will no longer be used shall be ripped or ploughed and if necessary, appropriately prepared to ensure the re-growth
of vegetation.
• Materials, which may hamper re-growth of vegetation, must be removed prior to rehabilitation and disposed of in an approved
manner.
IMPORTANT POINTS
• Try where possible to use existing road structures.
• Maintenance of access road on the mining area:
If trucks hauling sand or other traffic, which is associated with this mining operation, are the only user of access roads, then
maintenance of the access road will be the sole responsibility of the holder of the mining authorization.
• Whenever a mining authorization is suspended, cancelled or abandoned or if it lapses and the holder does not wish to renew
the permit, any access road or portion thereof, constructed or upgraded by the applicant for their purpose and which will no
longer be required by the surface owner/tenant shall be rehabilitated to the satisfaction on the Director: Mineral Development in
consultation with other departments.

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Access to the river bed, dams, or pans

REQUIREMENTS
• The position of the river access together with all planned future access points must be indicated on the layout plan.
• The location of the access to the river channel across the riverbank shall be at a point of the river bank where the least
excavation and damage to vegetation will occur, and shall not be wider than that which is reasonably required.
• Mining will not be conducted closer than 1.5 times the height of the bank from the edge of the river channel and in such
a manner that the stability of the bank of the river is not affected.
• In the case of areas that exclude mining through a special condition, no mining shall take place in these areas and
mining shall not be conducted within 100m of these areas.
• Apply for a water use licence for altering the bed, banks or characteristics of a watercourse.
SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS
On Arrival
• Adequate precaution shall be taken that the affected section of the bank of the river is adequately protected from scour or
erosion.
During Operation
• Access to the riverbed or for the purpose of mining; conducting excavations; launching pump rafts, etc, shall be through the use
of only one access at a time.
• When constructing the access across the bank of the river, the top seed bearing layer of soil will be removed to a depth of
500 mm and stored in a soil dump not less than 20 m away from the channel of the river.
• When rehabilitating the access point, the original profile of the river bank will be re-established through backfilling the access
point with the original material excavated or other suitable material.
• The canalisation/redirection of the flow of the river over different parts of the riverbed shall be made in such a manner that the
following is adhered to at all times.
• That the flow of the river is not impeded in anyway and that damming upstream does not occur.
• That the redirection of the flow does not result in scour or erosion of the river.
• That well points or extraction pumps in use by other riparian users are not interfered with or that canalisation does
not impede the extraction of water from these points.
On Closure
• The goal of rehabilitation, with respect to the area from which the sand has been extracted, is to leave the area level and even,
containing no foreign debris or other materials.
• All scrap, and other foreign materials shall be removed from the bed of the river and disposed of as per other refuse (see Section
on next page), whether these accrue from the mining operation or are washed on to the site from upstream.
• Removal of these materials shall be on a continuous basis while the mine is operating and not only at the start of rehabilitation.
• Tailings in the form of boulders, rocks or oversized gravel screened out during the mining of sand will be spread over as wide
a portion of the mined river bed as possible or, if buried, shall be covered by a minimum of 500 mm of sand, if at all practically
possible.
• Where reeds or other riverine vegetation has been removed from areas for the mining of sand, these shall be systematically
re-established in the approximate areas they occurred before mining.
• An effective control programme for the eradication of invader species and other alien plants may be required.
IMPORTANT POINTS
• The mining of sand shall only take place within the approved demarcated mining area.
• If riverine vegetation is present in the form of reeds or wetland vegetation, the presence of these areas must be entered in the
EMP and indicated on the layout plan. On assessment of the application, the Regional Manager may limit the mining of sand in
these vegetated areas or other portions of these areas as a special condition of the mining authorization.
• Final acceptance of the rehabilitated river access points will only be awarded after the vegetation has re-established to a
point where the Director: Mineral Development is satisfied that the river bank is stable and able to withstand high river flow
conditions.
• Damage may occur from a situation where high floodwaters scour and erode access points in the process of rehabilitation over
the riverbank or an access point presently in use. In these events, repair of such damage shall be the sole responsibility of the
holder of the mining authorization.
• Repairs to the riverbank should ensure the reinstatement to its original profile immediately after such event has occurred and the
river has subsided to a point where repairs can be undertaken.

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Establishing surface infrastructure at the site

Establishing the campsite/office sites
Establishing toilet facilities, waste water and refuse disposal
Establishing the vehicle maintance yard and secured storage areas
REQUIREMENTS
• No camp or office site shall be located closer than 100 metres from a stream, spring, dam or pan.
• Chemical toilet facilities (preferred) or other approved toilet facilities such as a septic drain, shall be used and sited on
the camp site in such a way that they do not cause water or other pollution.
• The vehicle maintenance yard and secured storage area will be established outside of the flood plain, above the high
flood level mark within the boundaries of the mining area.
SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS
On Arrival
• The area chosen for these purposes shall be the minimum, reasonably required for the purpose, and which will involve the least
disturbance to the vegetation.
• Prior to development of the approved area, the top seed-bearing layer of soil to a depth of 500 mm shall be removed and stored
in a bund wall on the high ground side of the area. The height of this bund wall shall not exceed 1.5 metres.
• In cases where toilet facilities are linked to existing sewerage structures, all necessary regulatory requirements concerning
construction and maintenance shall be adhered to.
• The storage areas/buildings shall be securely fenced and all hazardous substances and stocks such as diesel, oils, detergents
etc. shall be stored therein. Drip pans, a thin concrete slab or a PVC lining shall be installed in such storage areas/ buildings
viz. bunded area.
During Operation
• All effluent water from the camp washing facility shall be disposed of in a properly constructed French drain, situated as far as
possible, but not less than 100 metres, from a stream, river pan, dam or borehole.
• Only domestic type water shall be allowed to enter this drain and any effluents containing oil, grease or other industrial substances
shall be collected in a suitable receptacle and removed from the site, either for resale or for appropriate disposal at a recognised
facility.
• Spills should be cleaned up immediately by removing the spills together with the polluted soil and disposing thereof at a
recognised facility to the satisfaction of the regulators.
• Non-biodegradable refuse (such as glass bottles, plastic bags metal, scrap, etc.) shall be stored in a container at a collecting
point and collected on a regular basis and disposed of at an authorised disposal facility. Precautions shall be taken to prevent
any refuse from spreading on and from the campsite.
• Biodegradable refuse generated from the camp site, vehicle yard, storage area or any other area shall either be handled as
above or be buried in a pit excavated for that purpose and by covering it with layers of soil, incorporating a final 0,5 metre thick
layer of topsoil (if practical) or as specified by the local authority, if applicable.
• Suitable covered receptacles shall be provided and conveniently placed for waste disposal. All used oils, grease or hydraulic
fluid shall be placed therein and these receptacles will be removed from the site on a regular basis for disposal at a recognized
or licensed disposal facility.
On Closure
• On completion of mining, all buildings, structures or objects on the camp/office sites, shall be completely removed (unless new
uses of the building have been agreed) and the site should be fully rehabilitated.
• On completion of mining, the campsite/office site will be rehabilitated through the removal of all facilities, waste and any other
feature constructed or established during use of the campsite.
• All areas, devoid of vegetation/grass or where soils have been compacted due to traffic, shall be scarified or ripped and, if
necessary appropriately ensure the regrowth of vegetation.
• French drains shall be compacted and covered with a final layer of topsoil to a height of 10 cm above the surrounding ground
surface.
IMPORTANT POINTS
Equipment used in the mining process, particularly in the bed of the river, must be adequately maintained, such that during
operation they do not spill oil, diesel, fuel or hydraulic fluid.

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Establishing residue deposit and processing areas

Establishing stockpile and sand processing areas
Establishing processing areas and waste piles
REQUIREMENTS
• Stockpile and sand processing areas for the mined sand products shall not be established within 20 metres of the edge
of the river channel.
• Processing areas and waste piles shall not be established within 100m of the edge of any river channel or other water
bodies.
• The areas chosen for this purpose shall be the minimum reasonably required and that which will involve the least
disturbance to vegetation.
• Apply for a water use licence for disposing of waste in a manner, which may detrimentally impact on a water
resource.
SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS
On Arrival
• The location and dimensions of the area are to be indicated on the layout plan and once established, all stockpiling and further
processing of sand will be confined to these areas and no stockpiling or processing will be permitted in areas not correctly
prepared.
• Prior to development of the approved area, the top seed-bearing layer of the soil shall be removed to a depth of 500 mm and
stored in a bund wall on the high ground side of the area. The height of this stockpile wall shall not exceed 1.5 metres.
During Operation
• The river bed may serve as a stockpile area for sand products or for products awaiting further treatment, provided such stockpiles
are at least 10 metres away from water flowing within the river bed.
• The stockpiles in the riverbed shall further be limited to no more than 24 hours average production, and placed in such manner
that the least impedance of flow will be experienced should the level of the river rise. If the mining of sand is temporarily
suspended for any reason, the stockpiles within the bed of the river must be flattened until operations are resumed.
• Any waste material generated from the mining of sand in the riverbed will be dealt with as described in Section 7.3.3 above.
On Closure
• On completion of mining, the surface of the stockpile and processing areas outside the riverbed shall be scarified to a depth of
at least 500 mm, graded even and the topsoil previously stored adjacent to the site in a bund wall returned to its original depth
over the area.
• The area shall be appropriately prepared, if necessary, (e.g. fertilized and seeded), to ensure the regrowth of vegetation.
IMPORTANT POINTS
• Where a depression in the ground in which water can gather has formed, attention will be given to the outflow of water to prevent
concentration of the run-off and thus prevent erosion.
• Stockpiles must be protected and not compacted.
• Tailings from the extraction process must be so treated and /or deposited that it will in no way prevent or delay the rehabilitation
process.

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Establishing settling and clarification ponds

Ponds are usually established for two basic purposes, viz.:

Settling ponds: As a primary facility, to allow drainage of sand, when pumped from the bed of the river.

Clarification ponds: To serve as a facility to settle fines which will allow the effluent to be returned to the river
(suspended matter to meet catchment standard, as determined by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry).

REQUIREMENTS
• The settling ponds shall not be located within the flood plain and will be sited in such a manner so as to cause the least
disturbance to vegetation.
• Design, construct, maintain and operate any dam or tailings dam that forms part of dirty water systems to have a
minimum freeboard of 0.8 metres above the full supply level (Government Notice No. 704, Section 6e, 1999).
• The position of the ponds, their size, depth and distance from the edge of the river channel shall be indicated on the
layout plan.
• The final clarification pond shall be sized such that water discharged conforms to the water quality objectives in terms
of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998).
• Apply for a water use licence whenever disposing of waste in a manner that may detrimentally impact on a water
resource.
SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS
On Arrival
• After the position of the ponds and their size has been approved, the area is to be stripped of top seed bearing layer of soil to a
depth of 500 mm. This soil thus removed shall be stored on the high ground boundary of the area in the form of a bund wall.
• Construction of the pond walls shall be from material excavated from within the area of the pond. The walls of the pond shall be
constructed level and be given an overflow consisting of sized pipes installed a minimum of 800 mm down from the top of the
wall (i.e. 800 mm freeboard) and of length to discharge fully into the next pond.
• In the case of the final clarification pond, the overflow pipes will be of such length that they discharge not less than 1.5 metres
into the river.
• Under no circumstances will the overflow from one pond to another, or from the final clarification pond to the river be allowed to
flow across the ground or in excavated earth trenches.
During Operation
• Erosion damage to the pond walls from rain or spills will be repaired and filled in on a regular basis.
• Screen tailings: tailings from screens used at the settling ponds shall be collected and may be used as road fill.
On Closure
• Settling ponds will be rehabilitated after first spreading tailings from the tailings dump evenly over the floor of the ponds, should
this be the method chosen to rehabilitate tailings.
• The tailings will then be covered through spreading the previously excavated material from the pond’s wall evenly over the
area.
• The topsoil previously stored adjacent to the site shall then be returned to its original depth over the area.
• The area shall be appropriately prepared, if necessary, to ensure the re-growth of indigenous vegetation.
IMPORTANT POINTS
• Construction of one pond will only be allowed, if in the opinion of the Regional Manager or his representative in consultation with
the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, if the overflow from this pond has been clarified and that the level of suspended
matter of this overflow is within the local catchment standard, allowing the water to be returned to the river.
• In considering the above two basic uses, it is very seldom that the construction of only one pond will suffice. In virtually all cases
one pond is required for processing or drainage and the second to clarify. (Monitoring and quality testing of this water will be
required on a regular basis, as determined by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.)

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Monitoring has two parts. The first monitors the way individual miners comply with their water

8
use licence/authorisation conditions and EMP reports. The second monitors the actual quality
of the water resource itself and compares it to the resource quantity and quality objectives
that are set for that particular resource or catchment. Corrective measures are then taken,
including prosecutions where necessary. The regulators determine the frequency and points
MONITORING AND of compliance.
REPORTING Note: Any property or land, in respect of which a water use has been authorised, must be
made available for inspection by authorized person, in terms of the National Water
Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998).

A number of useful checklists are provided in Appendix F for purposes of evaluation and
auditing. These are:
a) Basic requirements of licences and permits for the small-scale miner
b) Regulators checklist
c) Water licence application checklist
d) Audit checklist
Reporting is discussed below from two perspectives, that is: the miner (holder of mining
authorisation) and the regulators/lead governmental agents.

A: The Miner
The holder of the mining authorization may have to carry out regular monitoring of and reporting
on all the environmental management measures. This is in order to ensure that the provisions/
guidelines contained in the EMP and other relevant legislation are being adhered to. Several
EMPs require that a six monthly compliance report be submitted to DME and DWAF for review.
Moreover, monitoring or assessment of the pre-mining conditions should be compared to
conditions during the life cycle of the mine.

B: The Regulators
The DME and DWAF as the lead governmental agents also have roles to play with regards to
management of water and environmental impacts associated with small-scale mines.
i) Compliance reporting
The regulators must determine the frequency of reporting and points of compliance. If the
small-scale mining operation is predicted to have an impact on the resource then a monitoring
programme needs to be agreed upon with the authorities.

Suitably qualified persons must conduct the resource compliance monitoring programme
(water quantity and quality). In the case of relatively small operations and determinations of
cumulative impact, this will generally be the responsibility of the DWAF or relevant local water
management authority (e.g. catchment management agency). Otherwise, where capacity
exists, compliance monitoring is the responsibility of the holder of the water use licence or
mining uthorization. It would generally consist of the following:

Water quantity – flow, aquatic ecosystem requirements

Water quality – pH, electrical conductivity, suspended solids (turbidity) and biological aspects
(in accordance to DWAF’s River Health Programme) such as invertebrates (SASS), fish (FCII),
riparian vegetation, habitat integrity.

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Invertebrates, fish and vegetation together give a good

picture of the ecological integrity of a site and reflect the
condition of the bio-physical habitat which are described
by the remaining components, i.e. habitat integrity, water
quality, hydrology and geomorphology. Changes to the
stream biota must therefore be assessed against a
background of possible changes to channel morphology
and channel condition.

Care should also be taken that groundwater (e.g.

borehole water in the area) is not affected significantly
by the mining activity
ii) Inspections and monitoring
DME’s regional offices should inspect the small-scale
mines on six-monthly basis. If the DME finds water
pollution occurring then they should inform DWAF’s
regional office who then sends out an official to
investigate.

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1 Aide Mémoire for the Preparation of Environmental Management Programme

Reports (EMPRs) for prospecting and mining. (1992) Department of Mineral and

9
Energy Affairs.
2 Abridged Aide Mémoire (1994) Environmental Management Programmes (EMPs)
regarding mining activities at small mines with a low environmental impact and for bulk
sampling during prospecting. Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs.
REFERENCES
3 Ashton, P.J., D. Love, H. Mahachi, P.H.G.M. Dirks (2001). An Overview of the Impact
of Mining and Mineral Processing Operations on Water Resources and Water Quality in
the Zambezi, Limpopo and Olifants Catchments in Southern Africa. Contract Report to
the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (Southern Africa) Project, by CSIR-
Environmintek, Pretoria, South Africa and Geology Department, University of Zimbabwe,
Harare, Zimbabwe. Report No. ENV-P-C 2001-042. Xvi
4 Brink, A.B., Van Schalkwyk A, Partridge T.C., Midgley D.C, Ball J.M. and
Geldenhuis S.J. (1990). The changing impact of urbanization and mining on the geological
environment. South African Journal of Science, 86(7-10): 434-440.
5 Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) for Water Resource Protection Management in the
South African Mining Industry: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
G1. Storm Water Management
G2. Water and Salt Balances
G3. Water Monitoring Systems
H3. Water Reuse and Reclamation
H4. Water Treatment
A3. Water Management in Hydrometallurgical Plants
A4. Pollution Control Dams
6 Drechsler, B. (2001). Small-scale mining and sustainable development within the SADC
region. MMSD. Research Topic 1.
7 Franz, L. (2000). Race is on to Boost Small-Scale Mining. Mining Weekly, April 14-20:
14-20.
8 Guideline Document for Implementation (1999). National Water Act, 1988 (Act No. 36
of 1998).
9 Government Notice No. 704 (1999). Regulations on Use of Water for Mining and Related
Activities aimed at the Protection of Water Resources
10 Heath, R., Moffet M. and Banister S. (2002). Water related Impacts of Small- Scale
Mining WRC Report No 1150
11 Hill, L. & Kleynhans, C.J. (1999). Preliminary Guidance Document for Authorisation and
Licensing of Sand Mining/Gravel Extraction, in terms of Impacts on In-stream and Riparian
Habitats. Draft Discussion Document-Institute for Water Quality Studies.
12 McDivitt, J.F.; Lock, D and others on behalf of the Association of Geoscientists for
International Development (1990). Small Scale Mining – A Guide to appropriate equipment.
Intermediate Technology Publication in association with the International Development
Research Centre with assistance from the Commonwealth Science Council.
13 Meyer, R.F & Carman, J.S. (1980). The future of small-scale mining. McGraw-Hill, New
York.
14 National Small-Scale Mining Development Framework. Department of Minerals &
Energy (2000).

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15 Registration Guide (2000) First Edition, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Section 3. Definitions used in
Registration.
16 Smolen, M.D., Miller D.W., Wyatt L.C., Lichthardt J., Lanier A.L., Woodhouse W.W., and Broome S.W. (1988).
Erosion and Sediment Control Planning and Design Manual. North Carolina Sedimentation Control Commission,
NC Dept. of Natural Resources and Community Development, Raleigh, NC.
17 USEPA (1992). Storm Water Management For Industrial Activities: Developing Pollution Prevention Plans and
Best Management Practices. EPA 832-R-92-006. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office
18 White Paper. A Minerals and Mining Policy for South Africa (1998). Department of Minerals & Energy.
19 Wilson, M.G.C. and Anhaeusser, C.R. (eds) (1998). The Mineral Resources of South Africa: Handbook, Council
for GeoScience, 16, 740pp.

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BPG Best Practice Guideline

DME Department of Minerals and Energy

LIST OF DWAF Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

ABBREVIATIONS EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EMP Environmental Management Plan/Programme

GN Government Notice

ha hectare

m metre

mm millimetre

s second

SASS South African Scoring System

SMME Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises

t Ton

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For the purposes of this guideline the following glossary of terms has been used:

Term Description
Bank a) In the case of a stream or river, the ground bordering upon
GLOSSARY OF and within the high flood zone of the stream or river above
TERMS whichever area is the wider; and
b) In the case of a dam, pan or lake means the ground
bordering upon the high-water mark of the dam, pan or lake
and all ground within 100 metres of such high-water mark in
an outward direction.
BMP Best Management Practice System
Catchment Area from which any rainfall will drain into the watercourse or
(National Water Act 36 of 1998) water-courses or part of a watercourse, through surface flow to a
common point or common points.
Clean water system Includes any dam, other form of impoundment, canal, works,
(GN 704 of 1999) pipeline and any other structure or facility constructed for the
retention or conveyance of unpolluted water.
Dirty water system Includes any dam, other form of impoundment, canal, works,
(GN 704 of 1999) pipeline, residue deposit and any other structure or facility
constructed for the retention or conveyance of water containing
waste.
Disturbed area All areas, which have been disturbed by prospecting /mining or
areas that have been undermined.
Flood plain or zone The central part of a river including the flood line that would be
aligned on either side of a river. The surface area around the
riverbed or natural channel in which water flows regularly or
intermittently that will be covered with water during a specific
rainfall event due to the rainfall within the catchment area finding
its way to the river and increasing its flow and banks.
Freeboard The capacity above or remaining within a water containment
facility besides its normal operating level. This additional capacity
left is there to accommodate larger than normal rainfall events.
Instream Habitat Includes the physical structure of a watercourse and the
(National Water Act 36 of 1998) associated vegetation in relation to the bed of the watercourse.
Mine (noun) a) Any excavation in the earth, including the portion under
(Minerals and Petroleum the sea or under other water or in any tailings, as well as
Resources Development Act any borehole, whether being worked or not, made for the
(MPRDA), 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) purpose of searching for or winning a mineral; or
b) Any other place where a mineral deposit is being exploited.
Mine (verb) or mining Operation or activity directed at extracting any mineral from any
(GN 541 of 2002) mineral resource on, in or under the earth, water or any residue
deposit whether by underground or open working or otherwise,
and includes any operation or activity incidental thereto.
Mining activity Any mining related process on the mine including the operation
(GN 704 of 1999) of washing plants, mineral processing facilities, mineral refineries
and extraction plants.
The operation and use of mineral loading and off-loading zones,
transport facilities and mineral storage yards whether situated
at the mine or not, in which a) any substance is stockpiled,
stored, accumulated or transported for use in such process or b)
out of which process any residue is derived, stored, stockpiled,
accumulated, dumped, disposed of or transported.

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Term Description
Mining area The area comprising the subject of any prospecting permit or mining authorization,
(Minerals and Petroleum including –
Resources Development Act a) any adjacent surface of land;
(MPRDA), 2002 (Act 28 of
2002) b) any non-adjacent surface of land, if it is connected to such area by means of any road,
railway line, power line, cableway or conveyor belt; and
c) any surface of land on which such road, railway line, power line, pipeline, cableway or
conveyor belt is located.
Mining permit Means a permit issued in terms of section 27(6)
(Minerals and Petroleum
Resources Development Act
(MPRDA), 2002 (Act 28 of
2002)
Mining right Means a right to mine granted in terms of section 23(1)
(Minerals and Petroleum
Resources Development Act
(MPRDA), 2002 (Act 28 of
2002)
Prospecting Intentional searching for any mineral by means a) which disturb the surface of the earth,
(GN 541 of 2002) including the portion under the sea or under other water or b) in or any residue stockpile
or residue deposit, in order to establish the existence of any mineral and to determine the
extent and economic value thereof.
Prospecting right Means the right to prospect granted in terms of section 17(1).
(Minerals and Petroleum
Resources Development Act
(MPRDA), 2002 (Act 28 of
2002)
Residue Includes any debris, discard, tailings, slimes, screenings, slurry, waste rock, foundry sand,
(GN704 of 1999) beneficiation plant waste, ash and any other waste product derived from or incidental to the
operation of a mine or activity and which is stockpiled, stored, or accumulated for potential
re-use or recycling or which is disposed of.
Riverine environment The stratigraphic sequence encompassing the ‘river’ or ‘stream, the sediment, the
underlying paleodrainage bedrock and the sub-surface groundwater flows, the surface biota,
animals, soil, wetlands as well as man-made infrastructure.
Subsoil Those layers of soil and weathered rock, immediately beneath the topsoil, that overlay the
hard rock formation.
Topsoil Means the layer of soil covering the earth and which provides a suitable environment for the
germination of seed, allows the penetration of water, is a source of micro-organisms, plant
nutrients and in some cases seed, of a depth of 0,5 metre or any other depth as may be
determined by the regulators for each mining area.
Watercourse a) A river or spring;
(National Water Act 36 of 1998)
b) A natural channel in which water flows regularly or intermittently;
c) A wetland, lake or dam into which, or from which, water flows.
d) Any collection of water which the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, declare to be
a watercourse, and a reference to a watercourse includes, where relevant, its bed and
banks.
Watercourse alteration/River Any action which gives rise to an alteration in the course of a stream which runs in a defined
diversion channel, whether or not such a channel is dry during any period of the year.
(National Water Act 36 of 1998)

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The table below has been compiled by Paul Wipplinger (CGS) using the commodities
listed and described in “The Mineral Resources of South Africa: Handbook, Council
APPENDIX A: MINERAL for Geoscience” (Wilson and Anhaeusser, 1998) and “Small-Scale Mining: A guide to
COMMODITIES SUITED appropriate equipment” (McDivitt, Lock, et. al., 1990).
FOR SMALL, MEDIUM, In the table, a distinction is made between commodities where mining by the small-scale
AND MICRO ENTER- mining sector is a) suited for SMMEs (unreservedly possible), b) exploitation by SMMEs
questionable (reservedly possible), and c) not suitable for exploitation by SMMEs (not
PRISES (SMMES) possible). The inhibiting factors in the b) reservedly and c) not possible classes, are related to
capital requirements to bring an economic operation based on that commodity into life, as well
as regulatory factors relating to polluting substances (e.g. acid producing wastes and others)
released by the operation, the control thereof being beyond the financial scope of small-scale
mining operations.

COMMODITY SUITED FOR EXPLOITATION NOT SUITABLE FOR

SMMEs BY SMMEs EXPLOITATION BY
QUESTIONABLE SMMEs
Aluminium (Bauxite) # #
Antimony # #
Arsenic #
Barite #
Cadmium #
Chromium/Chromites # #
Coal #
Cobalt #
Copper #
Corundum #
Diamond:
Alluvial diamond #
Kimberlite #
Dimension stone:
Granite # #
Marble # #
Slate #
Quartzite # #
Sandstone #
Flagstone #
Verdite and Soapstone #
Dolomite #
Evaporites:
Salt #
Soda and soda ash # #
Potash # #
Boron # #
Bromine # #
Fluorspar #
Garnet #
Gemstone #

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COMMODITY SUITED FOR SMMEs EXPLOITATION NOT SUITABLE FOR

BY SMMEs EXPLOITATION BY
QUESTIONABLE SMMEs
Gold:
Witwatersrand # #
Other rock-hosted # #
Unconsolidated Sediments #
Graphite #
Gypsum #
Industrial minerals:
Aggregate #
Andalusite #
Clay and brick-making material #
Gravel #
Kyanite #
Perlite #
Phlogopite #
Pumice #
Road-constructing materials #
Sand #
Silicon and Silica # #
Sillimanite #
Stone and dimension stone #
Talc and pyrophylite #
Wollastonite #
Zeolite #
Iron # #
Kieselguhr (Diatomaceous Earth) #
Lead #
Limestone # #
Magnesite/Magnesium # #
Manganese # #
Mercury #
Molybdenum #
Nickel #
Oil and gas #
Other carbonaceous fuels:
Peat #
Lignite # #
Oil shale # #
Pseudo coal # #
Pegmatite minerals:
Beryl #
Bismuth #
Columbium #
Feldspar #
Lithium #
Mica #
Tantalum #
Niobium #

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COMMODITY SUITED FOR SMMEs EXPLOITATION NOT SUITABLE FOR

BY SMMEs EXPLOITATION BY
QUESTIONABLE SMMEs
Platinum Group Metals (PGM) # #
Phosphate # #
Rare earth minerals # #
Silver #
Sulphur and pyrite #
Thorium # #
Tin #
Titanium # #
Tungsten #
Uranium # #
Vanadium #
Vermiculite #
Zinc #
Zirconium /Hafnium # #

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The relevant legislative aspects are addressed in the following categories:

• DWAF legislation
APPENDIX B
• DME legislation
LEGISLATION
• Other legislation
AND GUIDELINE
• DME Guidelines
REFERENCE LIST
• SABS Guidelines

B1 DWAF Legislation

Act/Government Notice/Policy Important Section(s)/Regulation(s)

National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) 12; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31;
36; 39; 117-123; 145; 151 and 154
GN 704 of 4 June 1999 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12
(Regulations on use of water for mining and
related activities aimed at the protection of water
resources.)
Water Services Act (Act 108 of 1997) 7
GN 387 of 14 April 2000
(Registration of water use)

B2 DME Legislation

Act/Government Notice/Policy Important Section(s)/Regulation(s)

MPRDA of 2002 and associated Regulations 16, 17, 22, 23, 27, 39.
(Authorisations to prospect and to mine; Regulation 52
Rehabilitation of surface; Notice of
commencement or cessation of mining; Offences)
Mine Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996)

B3 Other Legislation

Act/Government Notice/Policy Relevant Section(s)/Regulation(s)

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) 22; 24; 25; 32; 34; 36; 38 and 39
National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 23, 24, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34
of 1998)
Environment Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989) 20 (1); 21 and 22
(Provisions regulating environmental impact
assessments read with GN 1182 and 1183 of
1997)
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act 5 and 6
43 of 1983)
(Prohibition and control measures for spreading of
weeds and invader plants)
Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (Act 45 of
1965)

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B4 DME Operational Guidelines

The Department of Minerals and Energy (DME), in
revising the Aide-Memoire, have developed a Mining
Environmental Management (MEM) guideline series.
This series is structured to have three tiers of guidance
as follows:
• MEM framework describing overarching policy and
structure.
• Procedural and content of report guidance for each
phase of a mine.
• Supporting and technical guidance.
With regard to the third tier of guidance, various
supporting and technical guidelines either exist or have to
be developed for various environmental or management
components. The BPGs for resource protection, while
being a DWAF initiative that is primarily intended to
define and promote integrated water management in the
mining industry, will also be included into the third tier of
guidance and will also be adequately referenced in the
MEM guidelines.

B5 SABS Guidelines
SABS 0286 of 1998 presents the code of practice for
mine residues.

____________________________________________________
4
http: www.maden.hacettepe.edu.tr/dmmrt/dmmrt320.html

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National Water Act 1998 (Act 36 of 1998)

Section 22 states that a person may only use water
APPENDIX C a) Without a licence
Permissible water (i) if that water use is permissible under Schedule 1
uses (ii) If that water use is permissible as a continuation of an existing lawful use; or
(iii) If that water use is permissible in terms of a general authorization issued under section
39
b) If the water use is authorized by a licence under this Act; or
c) If the responsible authority has dispensed with a licence requirement under sub-section
(22(3)) i.e. if it is satisfied that the purpose of the Act will be met by the grant of a
licence, permit or other authorization under any other law.

C1 Schedule 1
Permissible Use of Water
(Sections 4 (1) and 22 (1) (a) (i) and Item 2 of Schedule 3)
Schedule 1 authorises the reasonable use of water for domestic purposes, for small gardening
and for animal watering. Because of their limited extent, these uses will not have a significant
impact on water resources and no further authorisation is required in respect of them.
(1) A person may, subject to the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998):-
(a) take water for reasonable domestic use in that person’s household, from any water
resource to which that person has lawful access;
(b) take water for use on land owned or occupied by that person, for-
(i) reasonable domestic use;
(ii) small gardening not for commercial purposes; and
(iii) the water of animals (excluding feedlots) which graze on that land within the
grazing capacity of that land,
from any water resource which is situated on or forms a boundary of that land, if the
use is not excessive in relation to the capacity of the water resource and the needs of
other users;
(c) store and use run-off water from a roof;
(d) in emergency situations, take water from any water resource for human consumption
or firefighting;
(e) for recreational purposes-
(i) use the water or the water surface of a water resource to which that person has
lawful access; or
(ii) portage any boat or canoe on any land adjacent to a watercourse in order to
continue boating on that watercourse; and
(f) discharge-
(i) waste or water containing waste; or
(ii) run-off water, including storm water from any residential, recreational, commercial
or industrial site,
into a canal, sea outfall or other conduit controlled by another person authorised to
undertake the purification, treatment or disposal of waste or water containing waste,

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subject to the approval of the person controlling Schedule 4: Disposing of waste in a manner which
the canal, sea outfall or other conduit. may detrimentally impact on water
(2) An entitlement under this Schedule does not resource (Section 21(g)).
override any other law, ordinance, bylaw or
Government Notice 398 (2004)
regulation, and is subject to any limitation or
prohibition thereunder. General Authorisations, in terms of Section 39 of the
C2 General Authorisations National Water Act 1998.

The Minister may, under part 6 of chapter 4 and by notice The authorizations permitted in terms of this schedule
in the Government Gazette, give general authorisation replace the need for a water user to apply for a licence in
for certain water uses. terms of the National Water Act provided that it is within
the limits and conditions set out in the authorisation
The use of water under a general authorisation does
Schedule 1: Impeding or diverting the flow of water in
not require a licence until the general authorization
a watercourse. (Section 21(c)).
is revoked. A general authorization may be restricted
to a particular water resource, a particular category Schedule 2: Altering the bed, banks or characteristics
of persons, a defined geographical area or periods of a watercourse (Section 21(i)).
of time and requires conformity with other relevant
laws. DWAF will publish general authorization in the Schedule 3: Removing, discharging or disposing
Gazette after public consultation of water found underground if it is
necessary for the efficient continuation
Government Notice 1191 (1999) of an activity or for the safety of people
(Section 21(j)).
General Authorisations in terms of Section 39 of the
National Water Act 1998. C3 Water Use Licences
• Water uses may be authorised by a licence in terms
The authorizations permitted in terms of this schedule
of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998). Parts 7, 8,
replace the need for a water user to apply for a licence in
9 and 10 of Chapter 4 of the National Water Act deal
terms of the National Water Act provided that it is within with licences.
the limits and conditions set out in the authorisation
• Any person not otherwise entitled to use water may
Schedule 1: The taking of water from a water resource apply for a licence under part 7 of Chapter 4.
and storage of water. (Section 21(a) • The application must go through a public participation
and (b)). process and interested persons may object. Section
27(1) lists the considerations, which the licensing
Schedule 2: Controlled activities: authority (which could be a catchment management
agency or the Minister) must apply. Among these are
Irrigation of any land with waste or water
whether water use is efficient and beneficial, in the
containing waste generated through
public interest and also the strategic importance of
any industrial activity or by a water work the water use and its effect on other water users.
(Section 21(e)).
• The licensing authority must give reasons for its
Schedule 3: Discharge of waste or water containing decisions not to approve a licence.
waste into a water resource through a • There is an appeal against decisions of licensing
pipe, canal, sewer or other conduit; and authorities to an independent body known as the
Water Tribunal.
Disposing in any manner of water,
which contains waste from or which
has been heated in any industrial or
power generation process (Section 21(f)
and (h)).

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Licence application forms can be obtained from the DWAF regional offices or downloaded from
Appendix D: their web site www.dwaf.gov.za

DWAF LICENCE The application form reference numbers for each type of water use licence are given in the
table below:
APPLICATION FORM
REFERENCE DW756/7/8/9 Part 1 of licence application
NUMBERS DW773 Taking water from a water resource
DW774 Storing water
DW775 Impeding or diverting the flow of water in a watercourse
DW776 Engaging in a stream flow reduction activity
Engaging in a controlled activity--irrigation of any land with waste or water
DW765
containing waste generated through any industrial activity or by a waterworks
Discharging waste or water containing waste into a water resource through a
DW766
pipe, canal, sewer, sea outfall or other conduit
Disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water
DW767
resource
Disposing of water which contains waste from, or which has been heated in,
DW780
any industrial or power generation process
DW781 Altering the bed, banks or characteristics of a watercourse
Removing, discharging or disposing of water found underground if it is
DW782
necessary for the efficient continuation of an activity or for the safety of people
DW783 Using water for recreational purposes

The Department also requests for additional information on the licencing forms DW 777,
DW 778, DW 779, DW 780 and DW 808. These supplementery forms can also be downloaded
from the DWAF website.

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E1 Erosion and sediment control

Appendix E Berm/Contour hump/Cut-off: A narrow earth or stone ridge built along or across
roads or trails to divert rain away from the roads into vegetated areas. Logs can also be used
Proposed Best to reinforce the berm if required.
Management
Erosion control measure examples
Practices

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Dust Control: Watering, mulching, sprigging, or applying underlain by a filter blanket of gravel, sand and gravel,
geo-textile materials to construction area to prevent soil or synthetic material to prevent soil movement into or
loss as dust. Re-deposited dust can become a source of through the riprap (Smolen et al., 1988). Riprap can
sediment in runoff. Control measures should be applied assist in all stages of a BMP system.
routinely and thoroughly in drier seasons and climates
for effective dust control. Water drainage way protected against
Mulching: A protective blanket of grass or other plant erosion by rock lining
residue, gravel, or synthetic material applied to the soil
surface to minimize raindrop impact energy and runoff,
foster vegetative establishment, reduce evaporation,
insulate the soil, and suppress weed growth. Mulch
provides immediate protection, and grass or straw mulch
is also typically used as a matrix for spreading plant seed.
Organic mulches, such as grass, straw, wood chips, and
shredded bark, have been found to be the most effective.
Grass or straw typically requires some kind of tacking,
such as liquid emulsions or netting. Netting may also be
needed to hold mulch in place on slopes. Mats made
from a wide variety of organic and synthetic materials are
useful in establishing grass in channels and waterways,
and they promote seedling growth (Smolen et al., 1988). Top soiling: Preserving and subsequently using the
Mulching assists in the first, source reduction, and upper, biologically active layer of soil to enhance final
second, conveyance, stages of a Best Management site stabilization with vegetation. Top soiling should not
Practice (BMP) system. be conducted on steep slopes. Stockpiled soil should be
contained with sediment barriers, and temporarily seeded
for stability. Surfaces, which will receive topsoil, should
On some slopes, mulch blankets or mats of be roughened just prior to spreading the soil to improve
grass or wire mesh are used to hold soil in bonding. Spread topsoil should be lightly compacted to
place until grass grows up and takes root ensure good contact with the subsoil. Topsoil can act
as a mulch, promoting final vegetation establishment,
increasing water infiltration, and anchoring more erosive
subsoil, assisting in the first, source reduction, and
second, pollutant transport, stages of a BMP system
(Smolen et al., 1988).

Topsoil protected by bund wall

Riprap: A layer of stone designed to protect and stabilize

areas subject to erosion, slopes subject to seepage, or
areas with poor soil structure. Riprap is used on slopes
where vegetation cannot be established, channel slopes
and bottoms, stormwater structure inlets and outlets,
slope drains, stream banks, and shorelines. It should
be a well-graded mixture of stone sizes, and should be

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Bund walls: Walls that are built around something like Hardened Channels: Channels with erosion-resistant
a pile of topsoil to prevent it from being washed away. linings of riprap, paving, or other structural material
The walls can be made of any suitable material such as designed for the conveyance and safe disposal of excess
planks, rocks or soil. water without erosion. Hardened channels replace grass-
lined channels where conditions are unsuitable for the
Bund walls are also constructed around the perimeter
latter, such as steep slopes, prolonged flows, potential
of an open pit to minimise access and improve pit wall
for traffic damage, erodible soils, or design velocity over 2
stability. Bund walls are generally constructed from rockfill
and situated at least 10 m from the potentially unstable pit metre per second (Smolen et al., 1988). Channels assist
edge zone or final pit wall crest. The least weathered or in the second, conveyance stage of a BMP system.
hardest rock material should be used wherever possible.
Paved Flume: A small concrete-lined channel to convey
The bund wall may be supplemented with appropriate
water down a relatively steep slope without causing
surface stabilisation or a properly constructed fence.
erosion. Flumes serve as stable, permanent elements of
E.2 Runoff control and conveyance a stormwater system receiving drainage from above a
relatively steep slope, typically conveyed by diversions,
Energy Breaks: Rocks or gabions are placed on a channels, or natural drainage ways. Setting the flume
slope to guide the run-off and slow it down. The water well into the ground is important, particularly on fill slopes.
is directed along an extended and winding path. This Some means of energy dissipation should be provided at
limits its erosion potential before it reaches the receiving
the outlet, and an inlet bypass route should be available
watercourse.
for extreme flows (Smolen et al., 1988). Flumes assist in
the second, conveyance stage of a BMP system.
Contour diversion ditch and energy breaks
for gully control Runoff Diversions: Structures that channel upslope
runoff away from erosion source areas, divert sediment-
laden runoff to appropriate traps or stable outlets, or
capture runoff before it leaves the site, diverting it to
locations where it can be used or released without erosion
or flood damage. Diversions include graded surfaces to
redirect sheet flow, diversion dykes or berms, which force
sheet flow around a protected area, and stormwater
conveyances (swales, channels, gutters, drains, sewers),
which intercept, collect and redirect runoff (USEPA,
1992). Diversions can be either temporary or permanent
in nature. Temporary diversions include excavation of a
channel along with placement of the spoil in a dike on
the down gradient side of the channel, and placement of
Grass-Lined Channel: A swale vegetated with grass, gravel in a ridge below an excavated swale. Permanent
which is dry except following storms, and serves to convey diversions are used to divide a site into specific drainage
specified concentrated stormwater runoff volumes, areas, should be sized to capture and carry a specific
without resulting in erosion, to disposal locations. magnitude of design storm, and should be constructed
Typical uses include roadside swales, outlets for runoff of more permanent materials. A water bar is a specific
diversions, site stormwater routing, and drainage of low kind of runoff diversion that is constructed diagonally at
areas. Channels should conform to the natural drainage intervals across a linear sloping surface such as a road
patterns. Channels are not meant to collect sediment, or right-of-way that is subject to erosion. Water bars are
as it will reduce their conveyance capacity. Lining with meant to interrupt the accumulation of erosive volumes
geo-textile or other material is required if design flows of water through their periodic placement down the slope,
are to exceed one metre per second. Channel vegetation and divert the resulting segments of flow into adjacent
should be allowed to establish before flows are introduced undisturbed areas for dissipation (Smolen et al., 1988).
(Smolen et al., 1988). Channels assist in the second, Runoff diversions assist in the second, conveyance stage
conveyance stage of a BMP system. of a BMP system.

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Road drainage management examples

E3 Sediment traps and barriers

Bush barriers: Temporary sediment barriers constructed
of bush, weeds, vines, root mat, soil, rock, or other
cleared materials piled together to form a berm, and
located across or at the toe of a slope susceptible to
sheet and rill erosion.

Bush barrier/sedimentation trap

Sediment Trap: A small, temporary ponding basin

formed by an embankment or excavation to capture
sediment from runoff. Traps are most commonly used
at the outlets of diversions, channels, slope drains, or
other runoff conveyances that discharge sediment-laden
water. It is important to consider provisions to protect the
embankment from failure from runoff events that exceed
the design capacity. Plan for non-erosive emergency
bypass areas. Make traps readily accessible for periodic
maintenance. High length-to-width ratios minimize the
potential for short-circuiting. The pond outlet should be
a stone section designed as the low point (Smolen et al.,
1988). Sediment traps assist in the third, capture stage
of a BMP system.

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F1 Basic Requirements of Rights or Permits for Small-Scale Mines

Prospecting right and mining Water use licence

permit or authorization
Appendix F
Legislation reference Section 16 or 27 of Minerals Chapter 4 of National Water Act,
CHECKLISTS and Petroleum Resources No 36 of 1998
Development Act, No 28 of 2002
Who can apply Owner of land/miner Owner or legal occupier/ user of
land e.g. miner
Procedure a) Apply for mining a) Collect relevant licence
authorisation. application form (see
b) Collect EMP form and Appendix D).
complete. b) Apply for licence by
c) Make 6 copies (one to be completing the relevant
kept by the miner). licence form and providing
supporting documentation
d) Submit to DME, Regional (see Appendix F3).
Manager
c) Submit to DWAF Regional
Director.
Where DME- Regional office DWAF- Regional office
Document/s required EMP Licence form and supporting
documentation (see Appendix F3)
Cost Yes - non-refundable fee Yes - non-refundable fee
Duration Prospecting right: < 5 years Valid for <5 years
Mining permit: < 2 years
Mining right: > 2 years
Renewable Yes Yes
Performance reports Yes - frequency determined by Yes
regulator

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F.2 Regulators Checklist

Questions Answers
Starting up a mining operation
1. Does this operation qualify for an EMP? Yes No
2 Does the owner have permission to carry out Yes No
mining activity/mineral right?
3 Has the EMP been submitted? Yes No
4 Which licence application is required for this
operation?
5 Is the relevant information provided? Yes No Request more information
Expanding/ current mining operation
1 Has the operation registered its water use with No Registered (has receipt)
DWAF?
2 What is the status of the EMP for this operation? None Prepared Submitted Approved
3 When was the EMP last updated? <1 year 1-2 years >2 years
4 Is the EMP available for auditing purposes? Not available Available
5 Is there a water use licence? None Applied General authorisation or Licence
directive granted
6 Is there a valid permit for where there is process None Applied Needs to apply
emission?

F.3 Water Use Licence Application • Reliability of water resource (e.g. water always
Checklist available; dry during certain seasons; frequently dry)
• Volume (quantity) of water used
Before the mine is opened/started, or before old workings
• Quality of water used
are expanded or re-developed, the small-scale miner
may need to apply for a water use licence. Supporting • Period of water use
documentation needs to accompany the licence • Weather conditions e.g. flood risk
application in the form of a technical report. • Existence of any sensitive landscapes or demarcated/
designated areas
It is important to note that the small-scale miner can refer
• Receiving water quality objectives
to the relevant completed section of their EMP in the
• How the area drains
technical report where applicable to avoid duplication.
A copy of the EMP must then also be attached to the • How the mine or the expansion or redevelopment
technical report. thereof will change the drainage
• Distance of mine from watercourse
The following checklist is helpful when considering what • How water will be abstracted
should be included as supporting information in the
• How water run-off from the area will be controlled
technical report for the regulator to assess the application
• Are clean and hygienic sanitation facilities provided?
effectively:
• Are pollution management measures in place or
• Mining method and type used planned? (i.e. control structures for prevention of
• Category of mine (i.e. A, B or C) water pollution)
• River catchment where mining will take place • If mining operation will impede or divert watercourse
• Name of water resource impacted or used - distance after impedance or diversion from original
• Type of water resource impacted or used (river, spring, position
borehole, dam, wetland, scheme etc) • If mining operation will result in wastewater discharge
• Geographic location of water use activity – nature of wastewater; disposal method etc.

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F.4 Audit Checklist

The following checklist is helpful when conducting an audit of the operations and performance of the environmental
management programme/plan.

Division Question Tick box

Have water management plans for the most critical impacts been implemented or addressed?
Water management Is water run-off from the area controlled and effective?
Have steps been taken to minimize disturbances or damage to
• The river;
• The riverbanks;
• The area 50m each side of the river?
Is the water run-off from mobile and truck washing bays/facilities controlled and
effective?
Are the premises safe from flood damage and soak-aways?
• Yes;
• Minor disruptive flooding - not enough to stop operations;
• Occasional flooding experienced or possible.
Are there steps taken to prevent soil erosion?
Has eroded sediment been prevented from entering rivers, drains or adjacent
properties?
Does the mining development plan show sequence stripping, berm location
vegetation protection strips and drainage etc.?
Is water conservation being conducted?
(Water recycling; water reuse)
Is wastewater being treated or reused (reclaimed)?
Is wastewater being treated before it is discharged?
Is water quality monitored above and below the operation?
Is the water quality monitoring consistent with hazards identified in the risk
assessment?
Are boreholes monitored?
Are clean and hygienic sanitation facilities provided (toilet and hand washing)?
What type of sanitation facility is provided?
• French drain;
• Portable unit;
• Septic tank;
• Flush toilet connected to municipal sewer.
Is there a slimes dam or sludge collection pond?
If yes,
Is slurry material contained in slimes dam with an overflow pipe installed?
Is the minimum free board >0.8m?
Is there a return channel around the dam to handle overflow material?

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Soil and ground Are hazardous substances stored safely and in a clearly marked and enclosed
protection (cont) area?
Are fuel tanks above ground in a bunded area?
Is the oil stored in designated areas with a bund wall/drip trays?
Is there an effective oil trap, which is frequently emptied?
Are cut-off drains from the workshops and wash bays present and effective?
In the event of a spill, is suitable absorbent material used?
• nothing;
• sawdust/sand;
• cement;
• absorbent mates; booms, socks etc;
• sphagnum moss based absorbent.
Erosion control Has topsoil been removed and stored before working in an area?
Is topsoil stored separately from overburden (the sub-soil and deeper material)?
Is rehabilitation taking place?
Have non-invasive and indigenous plants been used for rehabilitation or
landscaping?
What measures does the mine carry out to combat erosion including stockpiles,
roadways, plant area and mining area?
How effective are the erosion control methods?
Waste control Is there a scrap and waste disposal procedure?
Is there an area where waste materials can be collected?
Is all hazardous waste removed off the premises and taken to an approved site for
disposal?
Are sufficient bins/containers/skips provided at these premises?
Has a certificate been supplied by the hazardous waste remover?
Dust monitoring Have steps been taken to reduce dust in
• the mining area,
• in the plant area;
• at the stockpiles;
• on the roads;
• in the loading areas?
Rehabilitation Is the rehabilitation plan detailed and suitable for the current progress?
Are there plans for closure (including mine, roads, buildings, plant, other
infrastructure and security)?
Mine financial Is the current financial provision adequate for scheduled rehabilitation, monitoring
planning and ramification of environmental damage?
Training Has any environmental training been provided for workers?
Physical inspections What is the general state of operations?
In what state is the crushing and screening equipment?
In what condition are the buildings and workshops?
How good is the appearance of the actual mining area?
How is the plant life and fish life in the rivers?
Do the workers understand the importance of protecting water resources and how
to do so?

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