2 project description 2.1 project locality · 2019-11-01 · environmental resources management...

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT KANGRA COAL (PTY) LTD.

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2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 PROJECT LOCALITY

The 133MR operation falls within the Gert Sibande District Municipality and

Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality (Figure 2.1). The nearest town is

Piet Retief in Mpumalanga Province, which is approximately 45 km east of

133MR (Figure 2.1). Driefontein village is located approximately 12km to the

east.

The 133MR mining operations fall under Savmore Colliery in the

Mpumalanga Province. The current operational sections under Savmore

Colliery are Maquasa East, Maquasa West and Maquasa West Extension (such

as Nooitgesien opencast mining operation). All these operations are covered

under the Mining Right 133MR and the Consolidated EMPr.

The relevant farm portions which make up Mining Right 133MR are listed in

Table 2.1 as well as the associated 21 digit Surveyor General (SG) Code.

Table 2.1 21 Digit Surveyor General Code for the relevant Farm Portions Included in

Mining Right 133MR

APPROVED EMPR FARM NAME PORTION NUMBER SG CODE

Maquasa East Maquasa 19 HT Remaining extent T0HT00000000001900000

Roodekral 21 HT Remaining extent T0HT00000000002100000

Maquasa West

Rooikop 18 HT Portion of mineral area

1 on the remainder

T0HT00000000001800000

Maquasa 19 HT Portion of Mineral area

1

T0HT00000000001900001

Nooitgesien 381 IT Portion of the

remainder

T0HT00000000038100000

Maquasa West

Extension

Kransbank 15 HT Portion 1 T0HT00000000001500001

Kransbank 15 HT Portion 2 T0HT00000000001500002

Figure 2.1 Kangra Coal Mining Right 133MR Project Locality


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This Chapter provides a summary of the existing operations as authorised

under 133MR by DMR in 2014 (DMR, 2014) and a description of the new

activities and infrastructure to be consolidated into the existing EMPr. The

new activities and infrastructure for which approval is being applied for in

this EMPr Consolidation are:

A Central Discard Dump at Maquasa East area;

Previously omitted underground mining works that is part of Maquasa

West Extension under the former section 209MR; and

An adit located at the Kransbank portion forming part of the Maquasa

West Extension area. It will provide access to these underground workings

located in the same portion.

An overland conveyor and service road connecting the new adit with the

existing infrastructure at the Maquasa West operations.

The new activities and infrastructure will link to the existing coal processing

facilities at Maquasa West and Maquasa East operations.

Maquasa East, Maquasa West and Maquasa West Extension mining

operations all fall under the current Mining Right 133MR and Consolidated

EMPr. The demarcation of these operational areas can be seen in Figure 2.2.

The authorised existing infrastructure/mining areas as well as the authorised

future infrastructure/mining areas are discussed in Section 2.2.

Figure 2.2 MR 133 Operational Areas – Maquasa East, Maquasa West and Maquasa West Extension


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2.2 AUTHORISED EXISTING AND FUTURE OPERATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

This section includes a summary description of the authorised mining

operations and infrastructure as per the approved 2014 Consolidated EMPr

(133MR) (GCS, 2014) (Annex 2A).

Underground mining activities at Maquasa East operation have ceased.

Maquasa West is an active underground and opencast operation. Most of the

mining related surface infrastructure, including the coal beneficiation plant, is

located at the Maquasa East operation. All the coal mined at Maquasa West

and Maquasa West Extension is processed firstly at the primary crushing and

screening facility located at Maquasa West and then at the Maquasa East

beneficiation plant.

Figure 2.3 indicates the location of all existing operations, infrastructure and

activities that are authorised (under 133MR) and including operations that are

currently underway, mined out or still to be undertaken. These activities and

related infrastructure are described in the following sections.

Figure 2.3 Authorized operations and infrastructure on 133MR


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2.2.1 Maquasa East

The layout of the Maquasa East operation is illustrated in Figure 2.4. As

previously mentioned, the underground and some of the opencast (Pit A,

Pit D and Romar Pit) mining activities have ceased. However, the section still

hosts the beneficiation plant that serves for all Maquasa operations. Opencast

Pit B & C have been authorized in the 2014 Consolidated EMPr. However,

they have not yet been mined.

Figure 2.4 Maquasa East Operational Area


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Authorised Operations and Infrastructure

This section includes a summary of the existing permitted mining operations

and infrastructure at Maquasa East as per the approved 2014 Consolidated

EMPr (133MR). The permitted infrastructure found at Maquasa East is

described in Table 2.2.

Table 2.2 Authorised Existing Operations and Infrastructure at Maquasa East

Operational Component /

Infrastructure

Description / Notes

Discard Dump All coal mined under Mining Right 133MR is processed at

Maquasa East beneficiation plant. The discard produced is

disposed of onto the existing Maquasa East discard dump.

Beneficiation Plant Located at Maquasa East. The components of the plant include

Offices and Workshops, secondary crushing and screening,

discard plant, coal stockpiles, and inland plant and export plant.

ENPROTEC Plant Plant for the treatment of coal slurry in order to obtain a coal

product in the form of a filter pressed ‘cake’. Water extracted

from the slurry during this process is re-used in the

beneficiation plant. The slurry plant is currently being

expanded.

Diesel storage facilities Tanks for storage of diesel for the vehicle fleet.

Pit A Mining at Pit A has been completed. Pit A is located to the south

west of Maquasa East coal beneficiation plant on the farm

Roodekraal 21HT (27°0'39.53"S; 30°23'56.59"E) and Maquasa

19HT. This pit has been levelled and top soil has been applied.

Pit D Mining at Pit D has been completed. Pit D is located to the north

west of the current Maquasa East coal beneficiation plant on the

farm Rooikop 18HT (27°00'51.41"S; 30°23'24.41"E) and

Roodekraal 21HT. The pit has been mined out with the majority

of the pit having been levelled and top soil has been applied.

The final void is used for water storage and management.

Evaporators have been installed in the final void for

management of excess water.

Romar Pit Mining at the Romar Pit has been completed. The Romar Pit is

located in the north of the Maquasa East operational area on the

farm RoodeKraal 21HT (27° 0' 12.33" S; 30° 23' 53.38" E). The pit

has been mined out. The pit has been levelled and top soil has

been applied.

Maquasa East Adit Operations at this adit are now complete and there are no

further operations planned.

Public Roads There is one main public road running through the Maquasa

East operational area, this is the M22 and it is located on the

western side of the Maquasa East operation.

Haul Roads There are numerous haul roads and tracks linking the various

operational components of the Maquasa East operations.

Powerlines A 22 kV Eskom power line supplies the existing Maquasa East

Beneficiation Plant and the associated infrastructure. This line

also supplies the Maquasa West operations with power,

including all adits and offices.


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Authorised Future Operations and Infrastructure

Most of the mining activities in Maquasa East have been completed and only

the Beneficiation Plant remains. However, there are some areas which are

authorised for mining that may be accessed in the future. These are described

in Table 2.3 below.

Table 2.3 Authorised Maquasa East Future Operations and Infrastructure


Infrastructure

Description / Notes

Pit B Pit B is located to the south east of the current Maquasa East

coal washing plant on the farm Roodekraal 21HT (27°0'42.43"S;

30°25'09.64"E).

Pit C Pit C is located in close proximity to the northern boundary of

133MR, north east of the current Maquasa East coal washing

plant on the farm Roodekraal 21HT (27°00'49.66"S;

30°24'32.64"E). The Driefontein settlement is within 500 m

radius of the proposed pit.

2.2.2 Maquasa West

The layout of the Maquasa West operation is illustrated in Figure 2.5.

Maquasa West has both opencast and underground mining operations. The

main surface infrastructure includes the Maquasa West offices and workshop,

mine adits, primary crushing and screening facilities and an overland

conveyor connecting to Maquasa East.

Figure 2.5 Maquasa West Operational Area


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This section includes a summary of the existing authorized mining operations

and infrastructure at Maquasa West under the consolidated EMPr. The

Maquasa West authorized infrastructure is described in Table 2.4.

Table 2.4 Authorised Maquasa West Operations and Infrastructure


Infrastructure

Description

Overburden dumps There are various overburden dumps servicing the Nooitgesien

Pits.

Offices and Workshops Currently located at Adit 1 but are progressively being moved

to be near Adit 4.

Diesel storage facilities Tanks for storage of diesel for the vehicle fleet.

Nooitgesien Opencast Pits Nooitgesien Opencast Pits G1 and G2 are currently being

mined. Nooitgesien Opencast Pit G3 has been mined out.

Nooitgesien Underground

Works

There are two areas of resource underground that are currently

being mined.

Nooitgesien Waste Rock

Dump

There is one waste rock dump at Nooitgesien

Maquasa West South Opencast

Pits

The existing pits are located on the farm Maquasa 19HT

(27°01'48.33"S; 30°22'41.04"E). The pits are located adjacent to

an existing access road. There are three opencast mining areas

associated with the Maquasa West South Opencast Operations:

Maquasa West South – Main;

Maquasa West South – Block B; and

Maquasa West South – Block D.

Mining has been completed in these areas and they have been

levelled and topsoil has been applied.

Adit 1 This adit is currently used for accessing the Maquasa West

underground operations. At this location there is also the

following infrastructure:

Offices and workshop;

Stores;

Main ventilation fans; and

Lamp house.

Adit 2 This adit is currently used for accessing the Maquasa West

underground operations extended from the opencast

operations.

Adit 4 This adit is used to access underground operations at

Nooigesien. At adit 4 there are also the following facilities:

Waste water treatment works;

Water storage facilities; and

A change house

Overland Conveyor The overland conveyor runs from the Maquasa West adit to

Maquasa East. It transports coal to Maquasa East beneficiation

plant. It is approximately 6 km in length.

Public Roads An unnamed public road passes through the northern section of

the Nooitgesien operational areas. The road leads to Volkrust

Haul Roads There are numerous haul roads and tracks linking the various

operational components of the Maquasa West operations.

Powerlines There is a 22 kV Eskom power line that supplies the existing

Maquasa West operations.


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This section includes a summary of the future mining operations and

infrastructure at Maquasa West which have been authorised under the

consolidated EMPr. The authorised future infrastructure is described in Table

2.5.

Table 2.5 Maquasa West Permitted Future Operations and Infrastructure


Infrastructure

Description

Opencast mining Mining operations through opencast method at Nooitgesien Pit E,

F and H.

2.2.3 Maquasa West Extension

The Maquasa West Extension operational area is indicated in Figure 2.6.

Maquasa West Extension has only underground operations taking place as

approved under Consolidated EMPr (133MR).

Figure 2.6 Maquasa West Extension Operational Area


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This section includes a summary of the permitted mining operations at

Maquasa West Extension as per the approved Consolidated EMPr (133MR).

The permitted existing infrastructure found at Maquasa West Extension is

described in Table 2.6.

Table 2.6 Maquasa West Extension Permitted Operations and Infrastructure

Operational Component / Infrastructure Description

Underground mining operations Underground mining operations accessed

from Adit 1, Adit 2 and Adit 4.


This section includes a summary of the permitted future mining operations at

Maquasa West Extension as per the approved Consolidated EMPr (133MR).

The permitted future operations at Maquasa West Extension are described in

Table 2.7.

Table 2.7 Maquasa West Permitted Future Operations and Infrastructure

Operational Component / Infrastructure Description

Nooitgesien Opencast Operations Mining operations through opencast method at

Nooitgesien Pit G4.

2.3 PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE AND MINING UNDER CURRENT APPLICATION

Kangra Coal intends to extend the current operations under the 2014

Consolidated EMPr. This section describes the new activities applied for as

part of this Section 102 Amendment application. The activities applied for are:

The development of the Central Discard Dump at Maquasa East

operations (Section 2.3.1);

The mining of the MWE underground works (portion of the Maquasa

West Extension omitted activities from the current 2014 Consolidated

EMPr) (Section 2.3.2);

The development of Adit 5 to access the MWE underground workings

(Section 2.3.3); and

The development of an overland conveyor and service road connecting

Adit 5 with the existing Maquasa West operational area (Section 2.3.3).

Existing facilities at Maquasa West and Maquasa East will be utilised for coal

processing.


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2.3.1 Central Discard Dump

Introduction

The EIA and EMPr for the Central Discard Dump was undertaken by GCS

(GCS, 2016). The full report and supporting technical reports are contained in

Annex 2B.

The current discard dump does not have sufficient capacity to accommodate

the discard to be produced from the proposed future operations. A new

Discard Dump, called the Central Discard Dump, is proposed on the south

eastern side of the current discard dump in Maquasa East on the remaining

(RE) portion of the farm Rooikop 18 HT, with a small area of the dump on the

remaining (RE) portion of the farm Maquasa 19 HT (Figure 2.7). The Central

Discard Dump will be utilized for discard generated by the proposed new

underground mining, the proposed Kusipongo operations and from the

beneficiation plant located at Maquasa East.

The discard dump was designed by Geotail (Pty) Ltd and the description

provided in this section has been extracted from the Design Report (GCS,

2016). The recommendations made in the Geotechnical Report and in the draft

Groundwater Assessment Report were incorporated into the Discard Dump

design.

The discard dump will be developed as a three-compartment side hill type

storage facility with a footprint of approximately 65ha (Table 2.8). The three-

compartment layout allows for a modular implementation approach (phases

1, 2 and 3) with the benefit of delaying capital expenditure.

The following structures will be required:

Lined discard dump (to be constructed in three different

compartments/phases);

Under-drainage system;

Boundary fence;

Internal haul roads;

Catchment paddocks;

Two compartment, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) lined Pollution

Control Dam (PCD) (one compartment to be operated as empty); and

Stormwater management infrastructure, such as berms and trenches.

The proposed discard dump was three-dimensionally modelled for an

accurate determination of the relationship between the height, area and


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capacity. The results of this modelling are the capacity and dimensions of the

discard dump and these are summarised in Table 2.8.

Table 2.8 Dimensions and Capacity of the proposed Discard Dump

Description Total/Unit Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

Life of facility 20 years 7.4 7.4 5.4

Extent of Discard Dump 65ha 23.5 21.9 19.3

Capacity of discard dump 20.2 million tonnes (Mt) 7.4 7.4 5.4

Airspace available 11.2 million m³ 4.1 4.1 3.0

Final vertical height of Discard Dump m 34 33 32

Deposition rate 1 million tonnes per

annum of coarse

material

- - -

Final side slope area ha 13.1 9.0 8.2

Final top surface area 38ha 9.5 13.9 14.6

Figure 2.7 Central Discard Dump Location and Layout


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Description of the Discard Material

A hydro-geochemical assessment was performed on a 52kg sample of discard

provided by Kangra (GCS, 2016).

The sample provided was crushed, split into two samples (ABK601 and

ABK602), and milled prior to testing.

Mineralogy and Total Chemical Composition

The results showed that Gypsum (CaSO42H2O) and Quartz (SiO2) (originating

from calcic rock) were the major minerals in the sample.

Kaolinite (Al2Si2O5 (OH) 4); Microcline (KAlSi3O8); and Muscovite

(KAl2(Si3Al)O10(OHF)2) occurred as minor minerals within the sample. Calcite

(CaCO3) occurred as an accessory mineral and is an important mineral in the

neutralisation of acidity produced by pyrite oxidation in acid-mine drainage

(AMD) and frequently occurs in Karoo sedimentary rocks.

Plagioclase (NaAlSi3O8-CaAl2Si2O8) and Pyrite (FeS2) occurred in trace

quantities.

Acid Rock Drainage Potential

The potential of geological material to oxidise and generate acidic drainage

were determined through acid-base accounting (ABA) and net acid generation

(NAG) analyses, respectively.

ABA is a set of analytical methods that measures acid generation potential

through independent determination of acid generating (AP) and neutralising

(NP) content. These tests provide an important first order assessment of

potential drainage that could be expected from the discard material.

NAG analysis, in combination with ABA tests, can be used to indicate the

likelihood of acid generation or stored acidity.

From the ABA and NAG test results, the following observations could be

made:

Pyrite was the only sulphide detected in the rock through means of X-

ray Diffraction (XRD). It was assumed that oxidation of pyrite will be

the only contributor to acidity;

Both samples showed high percentage Sulphur (%S), above 0.3%, of

0.55% and 1.49% respectively;

The neutralisation potential for the one sample is slightly higher than

the acid potential, while the other sample has a higher acid potential

and is likely to generate AMD; and


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During the NAG tests, only the second sample acidified. However, the

part of the discard with lower the percentage of Sulphur will not be

able to neutralise all acidity generated by the discard with the higher

percentage of Sulphur.

Overall, it could be concluded that the discard has a significant potential to

generate acid mine drainage/seepage.

Static Leach Tests

Discard material was subjected to the following leach tests in order to identify

the constituents that may leach out:

Peroxide leaching test – reacted with 400 ml of 15 % hydrogen

peroxide with a rock/water ratio of 1:100. This test simulates extreme

conditions as all pyrite is oxidised at once. Under field conditions, not

all pyrite constituents will be oxidised as some minerals are physically

shielded by the rock matrix and oxidation will occur over a long

period of time.

Reagent water leach test – 50g discard material reacted 1 000ml of

reagent water solution for 18 hours with water/rock ratio of 1:20. The

test was performed using the extraction procedure for mono-filled

waste according to Australian Standard (AS) 4439.3.

Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test – the test was

performed using the extraction procedure for mono-filled waste

according to AS 4439.3.

The leachate composition does not reflect the leachate that may be expected

from the discard materials under field conditions. This is due to the fact that

different leach rates and water rock ratios are used in the leach tests and do

not reflect conditions that is site-specific.

The following observations were made from the leach testing:

Peroxide leach test:

o The pH of the discard material is neutral to acidic, ranging

between 3.26 and 6.92 (pH unit);

o The leachate showed elevated dissolved concentrations of

aluminium, iron, manganese, nickel, lead and vanadium and to

a lesser degree chromium; and

o A positive correlation is present between the %percentage

Sulphur and the sulphate extracted from the material.

Reagent water leach test:

o The pH of the discard material is neutral, ranging between 6.49

and 6.55 (pH unit); and

o The leachate showed no elevated dissolved concentrations for

metals or trace elements.

TCLP leach test:


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o The pH of the discard material is acidic, ranging between a pH

unit of 5.25 and 5.39; and

o The leachate showed elevated dissolved concentrations of iron

and manganese and to a lesser degree aluminium and nickel.

Waste Classification

The NEMWA, Waste Classification and Management Regulations

(Government Notice No. 634, published in Government Gazette No. 36784,

dated 23 August 2013) require that all waste generated by waste generators,

subject to sub regulation (2) of the act, be classified in accordance with SANS

10234 within one-hundred-and-eighty (180) days of generation.

Waste must be assessed in terms of the NEMWA National Norms and

Standards for the Assessment of Waste for Landfill Disposal (GN634). Waste

is assessed for the purpose of disposal to the landfill, by identifying the

chemical substances present in the waste. This is done by sampling and

analysing the total concentrations (TC) and leachable concentrations (LC) of

the elements that have been identified in the waste and comparing that to the

threshold limits specified in Section 6 of the Norms and Standards.

The results of the TC and LC are summarised below (GCS, 2016):

Barium, copper and lead results fall below the total concentration

threshold (TCT0) limits (<TCT0); and

All chemicals falls below the total leachable concentration (LTC0) limits

(<LTC0).

The discard material would be classified as Type 3 Waste based on the results

of the TC and LC analysis and the determination of waste types for landfill

disposal Section 7(2) (d) that stipulates: “Wastes with all element or chemical

substance leachable concentration levels for metal ions and inorganic anions below or

equal to the LCT0 limits are Type 3 Waste.”

Construction/Disposal Method

The coal discard will be transported by truck from the Maquasa East

beneficiation plant to the new discard dump, where it will be placed and

compacted mechanically. The discard will be placed in horizontal layers

(bottom-up) following an approved performance compaction specification.


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Groundwater Management

In order to protect the groundwater resource below and within the vicinity of

the discard dump, two mechanisms will be employed to manage seepage from

the facility:

1. An under-drainage system; and

2. A liner.

Under-Drainage System

The under drainage system is designed to collect seepage on top of the liner

and to achieve phreatic surface drawdown at the toe of the discard dump. As

such, the under-drainage system is strategically placed along the critical

downstream toe line of the discard dump.

Discard Dump Liner

The proposed liner system for the discard dump generally complies with the

Class C liner type in the waste classification regulations (published in

Government Notice R. 634) and comprises four layers (Figure 2.8).

Figure 2.8 Proposed Liner for the Discard Dump

Source: Geotail, 2014

PCD Liner

The liner system for the PCD generally complies with the Class B liner type as

described in the waste regulation, GNR643. This liner comprises three layers

and as shown in Figure 2.9.


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Figure 2.9 Proposed Liner for the PCD

Source: Geotail, 2014

Surface Water/Stormwater Management

The surface or stormwater management measures are designed to separate

clean and dirty water, divert clean water away from the discard dump and

collect and contain water found within the discard dump footprint (dirty

water).

Stormwater Diversion Channels

Two channels are deemed necessary to divert clean stormwater away from the

discard dump, i.e. the North and South channel. A local watershed runs

generally east west through the southern portion the centre compartment of

the discard dump. The two channels originate on this watershed. The North

Channel runs generally northwards while the South Channel runs southwards

before turning west and then northwest around the southern perimeter of the

discard dump.

The proposed channels have been sized to comply with the GN704

requirements and as such they are designed to convey the 50-year design

flood peak (Table 2.9). The catchments for the channels are relatively small.

Table 2.9 Stormwater Channel Dimensions

Parameter North Channel South Channel

Catchment Size 32.9ha 4.9ha

Shape Trapezoidal Trapezoidal

Base width 1m 1m

Side slopes 1:1.5 (V:H) 1:1.5 (V:H)

Flow depth 0.83m 0.48m

Channel depth* 1.1m 0.8m

Max flow velocity** 3.7m/s 2.7m/s-

Flow type at max velocity Supercritical Supercritical

**Note: Flow velocities are based on the maximum longitudinal gradient.

The stormwater channels have been sized assuming unlined channels, and

will be excavated into the ground. The material excavated from the channel


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will be placed in a berm on the downstream side of the channel to increase the

capacity of the channel above its design capacity and provide additional

freeboard where required; and to allow cost effective construction as load and

haul volumes are minimised. The berm should be compacted and vegetated

and the channel kept free of long grass, shrubs and woody vegetation.

Discard Dump Design Features

The discard dump has been designed to avoid storage of water on the facility,

thereby increasing its stability.

The side slopes will be terraced and berm penstocks will be utilised to drain

the permanent benches. This water will be captured by the catchment

paddocks, which will be located at ground level. The runoff will be diverted to

the PCD.

It is recommended that the discard dump is operated with the minimum of

water stored on the top surface at all times.

Pollution Control Dams

The PCD will serve to collect and contain direct rainfall, runoff from the

discard dump surface and the “dirty water catchment” of the discard dump,

as well as seepage captured by the under-drainage system (within the

catchment paddocks). The stormwater diversion channels will divert clean

water away from the “dirty” area in order to reduce the amount of polluted

water which must be contained, thereby reducing the PCD capacity

requirement. The proposed maximum capacity of the PCD is 100,000m³. The

water pumped out of the PCD will be sent to the washing plant, before being

pumped to Pit D East where it will be evaporated.

Access Control

A boundary fence will be erected around the perimeter of the discard dump

facility to keep out livestock and discourage entry by people.

A haul road will be constructed around the discard dump. This haul road will

connect to the existing haul road to the east of the proposed discard dump

complex. The internal haul road will also lead to the PCD. The haul roads

within the discard dump complex will not exceed a width of 8m.

2.3.2 Maquasa West Extension Underground Works

Introduction

The authorization for the underground workings was initially approved

under the MP 30/5/1/1/2/209MR EMPr for the Maquasa extension by the

DMR on the 15 August 2008 (Annex 1B) (Oryx Environmental, 2006).

However, during the consolidation of the EMPr’s into 133MR (as approved in

July 2014, Annex 1A and Annex 2A), a section of the 209MR activities were


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accidentally omitted. This was discovered in 2015 during the second EMPr

amendment application. The DMR informed Kangra that they could not

approve an adit location that accesses a mining resource that was technically

null and void (i.e. the omitted section of MWE, 209MR). This S102

Amendment application therefor includes the MWE underground works so

that this activity can be approved. This section, based on the project

description as per the Oryx (2006) report and updated by Kangra Coal,

describes the proposed underground works activities.

The proposed mine plan for the MWE underground works can be seen in

Figure 2.11. These works will be accessed by the proposed new Adit 5 which

is discussed in detail in Section 2.3.3. The proposed MWE underground works

will be located under the properties detailed in Table 2.10.

Table 2.10 Project Infrastructure Summary Description

Property Surveyor General Cadastral Code

Kransbank 15 HT, Portion 1 T0HT00000000001500001

Kransbank 15 HT, Portion 2 T0HT00000000001500002

Maquasa 19 HT Remaining Extent T0HT00000000001900000

Mining will occur by underground board and pillar methods with

chequerboard pillar extraction. Board-and-pillar, or room-and-pillar, is an

extensively used underground mining technique. This method uses a grid of

tunnels and involves progressively cutting panels into the coal seam whilst

leaving behind pillars of coal to support the overburden (1). This will be done

using a horizontal continuous miner.

Mined material is extracted across a horizontal plane and open areas or

"rooms" are created underground. "Pillars" of untouched material are left to

support the roof overburden. This technique is usually used for relatively flat-

lying deposits. The key to successful board and pillar mining is in the selection

of the optimum pillar size, considering the required safety factors to avoid

subsidence on surface. Board and pillar mining is depicted in Figure 2.10.

(1) http://www.nswmining.com.au/industry/mining-methods , Accessed 19 September 2016.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overburden

http://www.nswmining.com.au/industry/mining-methods


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Figure 2.10 Diagram of Typical Board and Pillar Mining Method

Source: Okubo & Yamatomi,.date unknown

Figure 2.11 Maquasa West Extension Underground Works


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Project Phases

Mining projects are developed in set phases, with each phase having a

different combination of activities. These phases include the construction,

operation and decommissioning/closure phases.

These Project phases are discussed in the following sections.

Construction Phase

For underground mining operations there are few construction activities

strictly related to the underground portion of the project. Construction

activities are almost all related to the construction of the access adit. These

activities are discussed in detail in Section 2.3.3.

Operations Phase

As previously discussed mining will occur using continuous mining

equipment and will access the coal reserves using the board and pillar

method. Mining will take place from the new Adit 5 and will extend in a

southerly and easterly direction as shown in Figure 2.11. A mine schedule is

provided in Table 2.11.

Table 2.11 Maquasa West Extension Underground Works Mine Schedule

Year Tonnes

2016 2,647,620

2017 2,858,135

2018 2,071,044

2019 1,577,220

2020 1,459,909

2021 1,533,748

2022 459,126

All coal that is mined from this area will be transported from the Adit 5 via

the new overland conveyor to the coal processing facilities at Maquasa West

operation, and from there the coal will be transported via the existing

overland conveyor to the beneficiation plant located at Maquasa East. Discard

from this process will initially be disposed of at the existing discard dump and

later to the new Central Discard Dump.

Closure

Closure is planned for the end of the Project life (approximately 7 years) and

will include:

Decommissioning and sale of mining equipment and infrastructure;

Restoration and rehabilitation of disturbed areas;


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Management of mine water decant and water treatment prior to discharge;

and

Post closure monitoring.

2.3.3 Adit 5 and Overland Conveyor

Introduction

In addition to the proposed underground workings in the previous section,

Kangra Coal intends to develop and operate a new adit in the Maquasa West

Extension area (the Adit 5), an overland conveyor connecting the Adit 5 to

Maquasa West coal processing facilities, and an associated service road. The

coordinates of these facilities are listed in Table 2.12.

Table 2.12 Co-Ordinates of Surface Infrastructure

Infrastructure Latitude Longitude

Main Adit– centre point 270 02’ 10.21” S 300 18’ 33.14” E

Overland conveyor 270 02’ 9.82” S 300 18’ 33.92” E (start pt.)

270 01’ 08.53” S 300 19’ 47.47” E (middle pt.)

270 00’ 36.85” S 300 21’ 21.30” E (end pt.)

This proposed infrastructure will be located on the properties detailed in

Table 2.13.

Table 2.13 Details of the properties associated with the Adit 5 and the Overland

Conveyor

Property Surveyor General

Cadastral Code

Title Deed

Number

Infrastructure

Development

Footprint (Ha)

Adit 5

Kransbank 15HT, Portion 2 T0HT00000000001500002 T21311/980 12.37

Overland Conveyor

Kransbank 15HT, Portion 2 T0HT00000000001500002 T21311/980 10.67

Kransbank 15HT, Portion 1 T0HT00000000001500001 T139369/2000

Rooikop 18HT, Portion Re T0HT00000000001800000 T78816/2004

Proposed Project Infrastructure and Activities

The proposed infrastructure forming part of this application is described in

this section and can also be referred to in the site layout diagram in Figure

2.14.

Adit 5

The Adit 5 will include main ventilation fans to provide fresh air to the

underground mining operations and will allow workers, materials and

machinery access to underground mining operations (inclined adit). Figure


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2.12 and Figure 2.13 are examples of a mine adit. The inclined adit will include

a conveyor to bring mined coal to the surface.

Figure 2.12 Existing Adit and Coal Handling Facilities at Maquasa West Operations

Figure 2.13 Maquasa West Adit: Portal Entrance and Ventilation Fans

Figure 2.14 Proposed Adit 5 Infrastructure Layout


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The following support infrastructure and facilities are required and will be

developed at Adit 5:

Electrical distribution substation, switch gear and step-down transformers

(emergency back-up generators will also be included);

An access road along the new overland conveyor to the Adit 5;

A stormwater management system;

Mobile potable water treatment plant;

Septic tank system at Adit 5 which will be periodically purged and

transported to the sewage treatment plant at Adit 4;

Firefighting system complete with water storage;

A wash bay (including an oil trap) that will be used to wash mining

equipment and light duty vehicles;

Brake test ramp for mine vehicles;

A fuel and oil depot which will be provided by the fuel provider;

Small storage building for minor equipment (main stores at Maquasa West

to be utilised);

Drop-off facility for workers;

Above ground parking bays;

Temporary waste storage facilities to accommodate general (domestic,

recyclables, etc.) and hazardous waste (used oil, solvents, spent batteries,

contaminated rags, overalls, descants, etc.);

First aid facilities;

Lime silo;

A security fence around the perimeter of the property and substation; and

A security (guard) house.

This primary and support infrastructure is described in more detail in Table

2.14.


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Table 2.14 Infrastructure at the Adit 5


Infrastructure

Description

Overburden Dump Excavated rock from the mine portal is proposed to be placed

immediately adjacent to the portal. This overburden dump will

have an area of 2.1 ha and a volume of approximately 379,000m3.

Topsoil Dump Topsoil is required to be stored separately for use during

rehabilitation. The topsoil dump will have an area of

approximately 2.1 ha.

Administration Block There will be containerized offices and a security house at the

entrance of the Adit 5. A lamp house and a containerized control

room will also be developed in the Adit 5 complex.

Pollution Control Dam A silt trap with a footprint of approximately 750m2 and a volume

of approximately 1,000m3 will be installed at the Adit 5 to manage

dirty / oily water from the wash bay and dirty water separation

channels. Water from the silt trap will be directed into a PCD of

approximately 10,000m3. The PCD will contain all dirty and

excess mine water and have an approximate surface footprint of

0.3 ha.

Excess water will be pumped to water storage facilities at

Maquasa West and Maquasa East operations. The current water

storage facilities are pollution control dams at Maquasa West and

East and the void located at Maquasa East Pit (referred to as Pit D

East). Kangra Coal utilizes Evaporators to aid in excess water

reduction at Pit D East through evaporation process. As this is a

fairly new technology the overall efficacy of the evaporators is

still to be determined through long term monitoring and analysis

Process water pipeline

Process water will initially be supplied to the Adit 5 from the

existing facilities at the Maquasa West operations through a

pipeline along the proposed new overland conveyor route

between the Maquasa West adit and Adit 5. Further details are

discussed in the section below. The water pumped from the

underground workings will be utilised as process water for the

remainder of the life of the operation.

Incline Conveyor

An incline conveyor will be constructed to transport mined coal

from the MWE underground works to the surface at the Adit 5.

Feed Stockpile

A stockpile for feeding the overland conveyor will be developed

at the Adit 5 with an approximate volume of 2,000 tonnes.

Electrical

A 6.6 kV overhead power line will link the Adit 5 to Maquasa

West, from which the drive systems for the overland conveyor

will be supplied. The transmission line at the Adit 5 will be

constructed along the conveyor route. A containerized substation

will be constructed at the Adit 5 to provide power to the internal

reticulation system at 400/500V.

The area will be equipped with emergency power generators for

power supply to the main surface fans during power failure.

Access Road

Only one access road will provide access from Maquasa West

operation to the Adit 5 complex. The road will also be used


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Infrastructure

Description

during construction and maintenance of the overland conveyor.

The proposed access road is 10.2m wide and 6 Km in length

(same as proposed conveyor) and will be compacted with gravel.

Stormwater Management

System

Surface water management at the Adit 5 will ensure that there are

clean water systems that divert clean water away from the

complex. Earth fill berms, designed to divert clean stormwater

runoff associated with a 1:100, 24 hour storm event will be

constructed. Storm-water cut-off berms will be constructed

during the main earthworks.

Impacted ‘dirty’ stormwater runoff within the Adit 5 footprint

will be collected and routed via a silt trap to the PCD.

Potable water tank

The potable water will be sourced from a borehole with adequate

yield at Nooitgesien. The water will be treated at Maquasa West

Adit 4 offices at the Water Treatment plant prior being reticulated

to the tank at the Adit 5 complex.

Sewage sump

Sewage generated within the Adit 5 complex will be collected into

a sump. It will be purged on a periodic basis and transported to

the sewage treatment plant at the adit 4 offices.

Vehicle Wash Bay

The wash bay structure will consist of a building with sheeted

roofing and side cladding. It will accommodate washing of all the

mine vehicles. It will be equipped with a high pressure washing

systems, vehicle hoist, and ramp systems for effective vehicle

washing at all angles.

Water emanating from the wash bay will drain into an oil trap

equipped with a silt trap. Oil free water released from the oil trap

will be directed into the silt trap and then into the PCD.

Fuel Storage

A fuel and oil depot will accommodate a cumulative volume of

less than 30m3 is proposed. All fuel and oil storage facilities will

have all legally required safety measures and will be provided by

the fuel supplier.

Stores A small storage building for minor equipment will be

constructed. The main stores to be used will be the existing one at

Maquasa West.

Drop off Facility

The drop off facility will allow mine workers to be dropped off

and picked up safely, ensuring the least amount of pedestrian

movement across roadways.

Parking Bays

Provision will be made for a fenced parking area to which access

will be controlled.

Temporary General and

Hazardous Waste Storage

Areas

General waste will be collected and temporarily stored in waste

skips located near the centre of the Adit 5. Skips will be labelled

so that recyclable and reusable items are separated. Skips will be

removed from the site by a certified waste service provider.

All waste classified as hazardous will be collected in designated

hazardous waste skips. A hazardous waste skip will be stored in

bunded and roofed facility designated for temporary storage of

waste. All hazardous waste such as oil will be recycled or reused.


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Infrastructure

Description

It will be regularly collected by certified waste processors. For

disposal, a licensed hazardous waste collecting company will be

contracted for transportation and disposal of waste to a licensed

landfill site. Skips will also be provided for general waste.

The anticipated hazardous waste temporary storage volume of

80 m3, shall not be exceeded

Security and Fencing of the

Adit 5

The entire Adit 5 will be fenced. It will be provided with access

control such as vehicle and pedestrian gates and security access

points. Each facility within the Adit 5 will have its own fencing

and security where necessary.

Overland Conveyor System

The footprint of the overland conveyor system is approximately 10.67 Ha. The

infrastructure listed below is proposed and will be developed along the

overland conveyor system:

An overland conveyor;

Road over conveyor crossings;

Stream and wetland crossings; and

Fencing and security of the overland conveyor system.

The overland conveyor system will transport coal from the Adit 5 to the

existing facilities at Maquasa West operation, from where it will be

transported to the beneficiation plant at Maquasa East through the existing

overland conveyor. Included in the conveyor servitude will be overhead

transmission lines (OHTL) (approximately 5 m north of the overland

conveyor), an access road and a security fence (fenced width of 20m). The

conveyor will be ground run supported by light overland modules with angle

roof sheeting. Figure 2.15 shows the existing conveyor at Maquasa West.


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Figure 2.15 Existing Maquasa West Overland Conveyor

Approximately ten over passes will be constructed over the overland

conveyor to allow the local farmers and communities safe access to either side

of the conveyor when necessary (Figure 2.16). Guardrails will be placed on

either side of the ramps over the conveyor route crossing.

Figure 2.16 Road over Conveyor Crossing

The proposed overland conveyor will cross a number of streams and

wetlands. The section of conveyor that traverses a stream, and that is situated

within a distance of 12m from the edge of the 1:100 year flood line, will be


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fully enclosed and raised on a steel gantry (Figure 2.17). Furthermore, the

entire raised section will have a bunded concrete floor to catch any potential

coal spillage. Spilled coal will be hand swept into a bunded concrete area,

which is positioned at ground level. Any potentially spilled coal will then be

removed from the bunded area and returned to Adit 5.

Figure 2.17 Enclosed Conveyor Over Stream Crossing

The gravel service road running parallel to the conveyor will traverse the

stream over concrete culverts (Figure 2.18). The gravel road and conveyor

terrace will be reduced to one lane to minimise culvert lengths.

Figure 2.18 Road Over Stream Crossing


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Fencing will be placed on both sides along the entire route of the conveyor

with the exception of the conveyor gantries where the fence will be

constructed under the gantry and join up with the fence on the adjacent side.

This fence denotes the conveyor servitude. The fence will also enclose the

service road along the conveyor route.

Project Phases

The proposed Project will be developed in set phases, with each phase having

a different combination of activities. For ease of reference, the proposed

Project has been divided into the following phases:

Construction Phase;

Operational Phase; and

Decommissioning and Closure Phase.

Construction Phase

Construction of the surface infrastructure is planned to commence in 2017.

The construction phase will include the following initial activities:

Construction of an access road and a powerline to the site of the proposed

Adit 5 and along the route of the proposed overland conveyor;

Establishment of the mobile offices and support facilities at the Adit 5;

Establishment of the Adit 5;

Development of the overburden dump and topsoil dump during the adit

development;

Establishment of the main ventilation fans;

Construction of stormwater management features such as diversion

berms, stormwater channels and an evaporation dam;

Establishment of the overland conveyor;

Transmission line development in the overland conveyor servitude;

Establishment of a water pipeline along the overland conveyor route;

Installation of the water storage tank; and

Installation of sewage sump which will be serviced periodically (Sewage

effluent be sucked up and transported by tanker to the sewage treatment

plant at Adit 4).


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Operational Phase

The operational phase of the project will include the following activities:

Conveyance of coal from the underground mining operation at the MWE

underground works, via the Maquasa West operation where primary

crushing and screening will take place, and then to the existing Maquasa

East coal beneficiation plant;

Temporary storage of general and hazardous waste in containers at the

Adit 5 which will be removed on a regular basis by a licensed waste

contractor;

Delivery of explosives, fuel, various kinds of machinery typical in mining

operations, construction materials from time to time, spare parts for minor

reparations of machinery, etc.;

Maintenance of all water management facilities on site such as the

evaporation dam and stormwater management system;

Management of excess underground water (dewatering and storage );

Management of the on-site sewage storage and disposal; and

Ongoing maintenance of the service road, overland conveyor, process

water supply pipeline, and transmission line.

Decommissioning Phase and Closure

Decommissioning and closure occurs at the end of the Project life

(approximately 7 years) and will include:

Decommissioning and sale of mining equipment and infrastructure;

Restoration and rehabilitation of disturbed areas;

Management of mine water decant and water treatment prior to discharge;

and

Post closure monitoring.

2.4 NEED AND DESIRABILITY

Coal provides around 30.1% of global primary energy needs, generates over

40% of the world's electricity and is used in the production of 70% of the


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world's steel (1). South Africa possesses Africa’s only significant coal reserves;

over 95% of Africa’s coal reserves are found in South Africa (2), with coal

reserves of 30,2 billion short tonnes at the end of 2012, which represents 4% of

the world’s total coal production. .South Africa is the world’s seventh largest

coal producer, and produced 3.3% of the world’s coal in 2013 (256 million

tonnes).

In 2013, South Africa used coal for 93% of its electricity generation needs, and

was the second most dependent coal-to-electricity country in the world, after

Mongolia. Apart from its domestic needs, South Africa is currently the world’s

sixth largest coal exporting country, with exports in excess of 70 million

tonnes in 2013.

Coal plays a crucial role in the South African energy-economy and is fuelling

local industry. The consumption of coal in South African coal-fired power

stations will continue in the near future.

Both local and international markets are, at present, highly dependent on

South Africa being a main provider of coal, now and in the future. The

identification and exploitation of new coal reserves in South Africa is thus a

prerequisite in meeting this demand.

In addition coal plays a crucial role in the provincial economy of

Mpumalanga, where the proposed Project is located and coal mining is a key

economic activity in this Province. According to the Mpumalanga Provincial

Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS 2004 – 2014) (3), Mpumalanga

contributed 7.7% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2001. The

majority of the contribution to the provincial economy is made up by the

manufacturing sector (28.0%) followed by the mining sector (18.0%). To

provide growth and development within the Province, the PGDS has

prioritised economic development comprising inter alia, job creation, Small

Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), BEE, mining, manufacturing,

tourism and agriculture

The economy of the Gert Sibande District Municipality is supported

predominantly by mining and manufacturing. Other key sectors that drive

the economy of the District include energy supply and agriculture (Nhlabathi,

2008). In terms of employment mining employs 14.3% of the population in the

district (Nhlabathi, 2011). In terms of employment in the mining sector in the

local municipalities, 7.6% of the population from Mkhondo in 2011 (Mtshali,

2016) and 2.4% of the population from Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme in 2012

(Malatsi, 2015) were employed in the mining industry.

Both the Mkhondo Local Municipality IDP (Mtshali, 2016) and the Dr. Pixley

Kalsaka Seme IDP (Malatsi, 2015), recognise the importance of mining as a key

(1) World Coal Organisation; https://www.worldcoal.org/resources. Accessed 19 April 2015 (2) US Energy Information Administration; https://www.eia.gov/. Accessed 19 April 2015 (3) Mpumalanga Province. Provincial Growth and Development Strategy. www.pgds.gov.za/framework.asp. Accessed 20

April 2015


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economic sector within these two Municipalities and both recognise the

significant challenge they are facing, in balancing the economic and

developmental needs of the Region with the needs of environmental

protection.

The proposed Project components being applied for as part of this application

are key factors from a strategic point of view for Kangra Coal. Given that the

existing operations are approaching depletion (in 3 years’ time

approximately), new resources are required to maintain the current levels of

production and employment. Should the mining operations close, jobs will be

lost, both directly at the mine and indirectly in terms of local contractors and

businesses providing goods and services to the operation, as well as the

people dependent on those working for Kangra Coal (both directly and

indirectly).

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