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FUTURE COAL (PTY) LTD

CHELMSFORD COLLIERY

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

LICENCE NUMBER: 30/5/1/2/2/10006MR AND

30/5/1/2/2/196 MR

August 2018

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Prepared for: Completed by independent EAP

Company Future Coal (Pty) Ltd Company Cabanga Concepts cc t/a Cabanga

Environmental

Site Chelmsford Colliery Author Lelani Claassen

Contact Person Malcolm Pryde Reviewer Jane Barrett

Telephone +27 (0) 3432 503335 Telephone +27 (0) 11 794 7534

E-Mail [email protected] E-Mail [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This report has been prepared by Cabanga with all reasonable skill, care and diligence within the terms

of the contract with the client, and taking into account of the resources devoted to it by agreement

with the client. We disclaim any responsibility to the client and any other in respect of any matters

outside the scope of the project.

This report is confidential to the client and we accept no responsibility of whatsoever nature to third

parties to whom this report, or any part thereof, is made known. Any such parties rely on the report at

their own risk.

DOCUMENT CONTROL

Author: Lelani Claassen Signature:

Date: 15 August 2018

Reviewed: Jane Barrett Signature:


Approved: Ken van

Rooyen Signature:


Revised: Reason: Date:

mailto:[email protected]

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Contents of this Report ............................................................................................. 4

2 Details of the Project ........................................................................................................ 6

2.1 Details of the Holder and EAP ................................................................................. 7

2.2 Project Location ........................................................................................................ 7

2.3 Surface Right Ownership ......................................................................................... 8

2.4 Scope of the Activity .............................................................................................. 10

2.4.1 Mining Method ..................................................................................................................... 11

2.4.2 Roads and Transport ........................................................................................................... 12

2.4.3 Stockpiles .............................................................................................................................. 12

2.4.4 Coal Processing and Mine residue handling ................................................................. 13

2.4.5 Service Requirements ......................................................................................................... 15

2.4.6 Employment ......................................................................................................................... 15

2.4.7 Stormwater Management ................................................................................................. 16

2.4.8 Emissions ................................................................................................................................ 16

2.4.9 Non-mineral Waste Management ................................................................................... 16

2.4.10 Workshop and Wash Bay ............................................................................................... 17

2.4.11 Administration and Support Areas ............................................................................... 17

2.5 Rehabilitation and Closure .................................................................................... 17

2.5.1 Soil Utilisation Guide ............................................................................................................ 18

2.5.2 Infrastructure Removal ....................................................................................................... 20

2.5.3 Soils and Vegetation ........................................................................................................... 20

2.5.4 Financial Provision for closure ........................................................................................... 21

3 Environmental Attributes of the Site ............................................................................. 22

4 Environmental Sensitivity in relation to the project .................................................... 25

5 Impact Assessment ......................................................................................................... 27

5.1 Identification of Activities ...................................................................................... 27

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5.1.1 Planning and Design ........................................................................................................... 27

5.1.2 Pre-construction Activities ................................................................................................. 27

5.1.3 Construction, Operation and Decommissioning .......................................................... 28

5.2 Identification of Impacts ........................................................................................ 32

5.3 Impact Management Outcomes ........................................................................ 40

5.3.1 Environmental Objectives and Goals ............................................................................. 43

5.3.2 Closure Objectives .............................................................................................................. 44

5.4 Impact Management Actions .............................................................................. 44

5.5 Emergency Response............................................................................................. 67

6 Compliance Assessments and Reporting ................................................................... 70

6.1 Monitoring Plan ....................................................................................................... 71

7 Environmental Awareness Plan ..................................................................................... 75

7.1 Training Needs Analysis .......................................................................................... 75

8 References ....................................................................................................................... 79

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Content of this report, as per the EIA Regulations, 2014 (as amended).......................... 4

Table 2: Surface Right Ownership ........................................................................................................... 8

Table 3: In situ tons for the various coal types .................................................................................... 10

Table 4: Soil stripping guidelines ............................................................................................................ 19

Table 5: Summary of the baseline environment ................................................................................ 22

Table 6: Activities associated with the Project Phases...................................................................... 29

Table 7: Impact Identification ................................................................................................................ 33

Table 8: Impact Management Outcomes .......................................................................................... 40

Table 9: Environmental Management Plan ........................................................................................ 45

Table 10: Emergency Response ............................................................................................................ 67

Table 11: Monitoring Plan ....................................................................................................................... 71

Table 12: Environmental Awareness Training Requirements ............................................................ 76

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Regional Location – Chelmsford Colliery .............................................................................. 2

Figure 2: Chelmsford Colliery – Mining Rights and Operational Sections........................................ 3

Figure 3: Surface Rights Ownership ......................................................................................................... 9

Figure 4: Schematic of the processing facility layout ....................................................................... 14

Figure 5: Environmental Sensitivity Map ............................................................................................... 26

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ACRONYM: DESCRIPTION:

DMR Department of Mineral Resources

EAP Environmental Assessment Practitioner

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EMP Environmental Management Plan

KZN KwaZulu-Natal Province

LM Local Municipality

LoM Life of Mine

MPRDA Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act No. 28 of 2002)

NEM:WA National Environmental Management Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008)

NEMA National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 1998)

NWA National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998)

PCD Pollution Control Dam

ROM Run of Mine

WUL Water Use License

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1 INTRODUCTION

Chelmsford Colliery is an existing, operational coal mine in the Newcastle Local Municipality,

KwaZulu-Natal Province. Activities at the Colliery have been approved in terms of the Mineral

and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act No. 28 of 2002) (MPRDA). The regional

location of the Chelmsford Colliery is shown in Figure 1.

Two Mining Rights held by Future Coal (Pty) Ltd apply to the Chelmsford Colliery, namely:

• 30/5/1/2/2/10006MR, comprising 2,963.1919 hectares over the Farm Exmoor No 8095,

Remainder of the Farm Macclesfield No 8418, Portion 1 of the Farm Herons Court No

8521, the Remainder of Portion 1 and Portion 2 of the Farm Spectacle Spruit No 9079,

the Remainder and Portions 1 and 2 of the Farm Mooi Krantz No 9562; and

• 30/5/1/2/2/196 MR, comprising 2,023.9191 hectares over the Farm Forts No 8502, the

Remainder of the Farm Herons Court No 8521, the Remainder of the Farm Chelmsford

No 8642 and the Remainder of the Farm Hartebeest Bult No 9197.

The operation is divided into five Sections:

1. Ashley Section (active);

2. Shelley Section (active);

3. Macclesfield Section (the next development);

4. Mooikrantz Section; and

5. Exmoor and Spectacle Spruit Sections.

The operational sections and mining right boundaries are shown in Figure 2.

Chelmsford Colliery has an approved Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and

subsequent EMP Addendum for the operations, as follows:

• Chelmsford Colliery EIA and EMP Report, October 2008. Prodigy Environmental;

• Revised and Augmented EIA and EMP Report for Chelmsford Colliery, August 2011.

Prodigy Environmental; and

• Chelmsford Colliery II Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental

Management Plan, May 2012. Prof. Dr. Wouter van Hoven and R.Needham.

The original approvals identified underground and opencast mining areas at Chelmsford

Colliery as well as a central processing and support infrastructure area at the Ashley Section.

Future Coal have applied for amendment of their approved EMP and for Environmental

Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 1998)

(NEMA) to allow for opencast mining at the Macclesfield Section, as opposed to the

underground mining originally planned and approved.

This document comprises the amalgamated and updated EMP for the Chelmsford Colliery.

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Figure 1: Regional Location – Chelmsford Colliery

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Figure 2: Chelmsford Colliery – Mining Rights and Operational Sections

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1.1 Contents of this Report

Appendix 4 to the EIA Regulations, 2014 (as amended) stipulate the required contents of an

EMPr, as summarised in Table 1, which cross-references the requirements to the relevant

sections in this report.

Table 1: Content of this report, as per the EIA Regulations, 2014 (as amended)

No Requirement Section of report

1(1) An EMPr must comply with section 24N of the Act and include -

(a) Details of

(i) the EAP who prepared the EMPr; and

(ii) the expertise of the EAP, including a

curriculum vitae.

Please refer to Section . The

EAP’s CV is included as Appendix

A to the BAR

(b) A detailed description of the aspects of the

activity that are covered by the EMPr as identified

by the Project description

Please refer to Section 2

(c) A Map at an appropriate scale which

superimposes the proposed activity, its

associated structures and infrastructure, on the

environmental sensitivities of the preferred site,

indicating any areas that should be avoided,

including buffers.

Please see Figure 5.

(d) A description of the impact management

outcomes, including management statements,

identifying the impacts and risks that need to be

avoided, managed and mitigated as identified

through the environmental impact assessment

process for all phases of the development

including –

(i) planning and design;

(ii) pre-construction activities;

(iii) construction activities;

(iv) rehabilitation of the environment after

construction and where applicable

post closure; and

(v) where relevant, operation activities.

Please see Section 5.3

(f) A description of proposed impact management

actions identifying the manner in which the

Please see Section 5.4

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No Requirement Section of report

impact management outcomes contemplated

in paragraph (d) will be achieved.

(g) The method of monitoring the implementation of

the impact management actions contemplated

in paragraph (f).

The method of monitoring the

implementation of the measures

identified in (f), the persons

responsible, the monitoring

frequency and the

implementation time-frames are

all detailed in the EMP Table in

Section 5.4.

(h) The frequency of monitoring the implementation

of the impact management actions

contemplated in paragraph (f).

(i) An indication of the persons who will be

responsible for the implementation of the impact

management actions

(j) The Time Periods within which the impact

management actions contemplated in

paragraph (f) must be implemented.

(k) The method for monitoring compliance with the

impact management actions contemplated in

paragraph (f)

(l) A program for reporting on compliance, taking

into account the requirements as prescribed by

the regulations.

Please see Section 6

(m) An environmental awareness plan describing the

manner in which –

(i) the applicant intends to inform his

employees of any environmental risk

which may result from their work; and

(ii) risk must be dealt with in order to

avoid pollution or the degradation of

the environment.

Please see Section 7

(n) Any specific information that may be required by

the competent authority.

No additional information has

been requested

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2 DETAILS OF THE PROJECT

Chelmsford Colliery is an existing, operational mine with an approved Mining Right

(30/5/1/2/2/10006MR and 30/5/1/2/2/196 MR) and associated Environmental Management

Plan (EMP) (Van Hoven & Needham, May 2012). The mineral boundary encompasses a total

area of 5138.238ha. The operation is divided into five sections:

• Ashley Section (Active):

o Opencast and underground mining through highwall adits;

o Overburden and topsoil stockpiles;

o Security Access control;

o Crushing, screening and stockpiling of coal at the plant area;

o Wash Plant (under construction);

o Central mining support infrastructure area, including workshops, stores and

washbays;

o Administrative area and central offices;

o Pollution control dams (PCDs); and

o Explosives Magazine (Lies between Ashley and Shelley).

• Shelley Section (Active):

o Opencast mining;

o Overburden and topsoil stockpiles;

o RoM stockpile area and crushing and screening; and

o Container offices/workshops.

• Macclesfield Section (the next development):

o Currently no activities underway;

o Proposed Opencast mine areas (x3);

o Proposed topsoil and overburden stockpiles (location will change as mining

progresses and material is backfilled into mined-out voids);

o Proposed temporary small in-pit ROM coal stockpile area (location will change

as mining progresses, continuously removed to Ashley Plant); and

o Container to serve as workshop/ office.

• Mooikrantz Section:


o This area will be mined via underground methods in future and will include a

small RoM stockpile area and container offices/workshops.

• Exmoor Section:


o Underground mining which will be accessed through Ashley Mine and Shelley

Sections (no other infrastructure).

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2.1 Details of the Holder and EAP

Details of the Mining Right Holder

Name of Company: Future Coal (Pty) Ltd

Name of Mine: Chelmsford Colliery

Postal Address: P.O.Box 9056

Newcastle

2940

Telephone: +27 (0) 82 373 4619 / +27 (0) 3432 503335

Fax Number: 03432 500 43

Contact Person: Malcolm Pryde

E-mail address: [email protected]

Details of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner

Name of Company: Cabanga Concepts cc t/a Cabanga Environmental

Postal Address: Postnet Suite 470, Private Bag X3, Northriding, 2162

Telephone: +27 (0)11 794 7534

Fax Number: +27 (0)11 794 6946

Responsible Person: Lelani Claassen

E-mail: [email protected]

2.2 Project Location

Chelmsford Colliery is located in the Amajuba District Municipality and the Newcastle Local

Municipality, in the Newcastle Magisterial District, KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN).

The entirety of the Chelmsford Colliery affects the following properties:

• 30/5/1/2/2/10006MR,

o The Farm Exmoor No 8095;

o Remainder of the Farm Macclesfield No 8418;

o Portion 1 of the Farm Herons Court No 8521;

o the Remainder of Portion 1 and Portion 2 of the Farm Spectacle Spruit No 9079;

and

o the Remainder and Portions 1 and 2 of the Farm Mooi Krantz No 9562.

• 30/5/1/2/2/196 MR,

o the Farm Forts No 8502;

o the Remainder of the Farm Herons Court No 8521;

o the Remainder of the Farm Chelmsford No 8642; and

o the Remainder of the Farm Hartebeest Bult No 9197.



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2.3 Surface Right Ownership

Table 2 shows the affected properties (Figure 3) and the surface right ownership for all the

properties affected by the mining right area.

Table 2: Surface Right Ownership

Farm Portions Title deed Surface

area (ha) Surface owner

Chelmsford 8642 HS Portion 0 T63277/2005 459.2658 Grobler Gert Jacobus

Spectacle Spruit 9079 HS Portion 1 T27975/1993 179.8540 Cronje Herman

Spectacle Spruit 9079 HS Portion 2 T27976/1993 361.0507

Taggart Chad Warren

Hartebeest Bult 9197 HS Portion 1 T3859/1972 152.1270

Hartebeest Bult 9197 HS Portion 0 T10286/2009 608.5030 Aveleda Pty Ltd

Exmoor 8095 HS Portion 0 T37043/2009 745.7502 Aveleda Pty Ltd

Macclesfield 8418 HS Portion 1 T36984/1995

648.5220

RSA

Macclesfield 8418 HS Portion 0 T9220/1998

M L Phillips Trust-Trustees

Herons Court 8521 HS Portion 1 T9220/1998 333.0452

Herons Court 8521 HS Portion 0 T26367/1980 333.0452 Van Vuuren Marieta

Hertzogina Forts 8502 HS Portion 0 T26367/1980 623.1051

Mooikrantz 9562 HS Portion 0 T64160/2002 496.2204

Lekrantz Properties CC

(Grant Collyer) Mooikrantz 9652 HS Portion 1 T64160/2002 99.3747

Mooikrantz 9652 HS Portion 2 T64160/2002 99.3747

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Figure 3: Surface Rights Ownership

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2.4 Scope of the Activity

The project description given below entails a full description of the proposed operations for

the complete life of the mine. Design and planning phases have been completed and will not

be evaluated further in this document. The construction phase is largely complete and will

focus on activities still required. The operational phase will involve the continuation of the roll-

over opencast mining with successive rehabilitation and underground mining accessed

through the opencast highwalls. Decommissioning will involve the dismantling and removal of

infrastructure and final rehabilitation of the area. Post closure phase will involve the continued

monitoring of the site and neighbouring areas for residual impacts and will continue for a

period of no less than 5 years (60 months).

Target monthly production for the whole Mine is estimated at around 100 000 tonnes per month

for plant which will produce around 62 000-69 000 saleable tons. The overall planned Life of

Mine (LoM) is approximately 25+ years with an additional 5 years post-closure monitoring. The

reserve information for the various properties is provided in Table 3.

Table 3: In situ tons for the various coal types

Operational Area Properties Mining Type of Coal Gross Tons in situ

Ashley Section

Herons Court o/c Anthracite 3429938

Herons Court o/c Anthracite 5574837

Herons Court u/g Anthracite 939047

Macclesfield u/g Anthracite 1316211

Macclesfield Section Macclesfield o/c Anthracite 6289089

Macclesfield o/c Lean 1305996

Shelley Section

Chelmsford & Forts o/c Bituminous 1065058

Chelmsford & Forts o/c Bituminous 726899

Chelmsford o/c Bituminous 206918

Mooikrantz Section

Mooikrantz u/g - Block A Lean 7370611

Mooikrantz u/g - Block B Lean 1999119

Mooikrantz u/g - Block C Lean 2294366

Exmoor Section

Exmoor u/g - Block A Lean 3386645

Exmoor u/g - Block A Lean 2078132

Exmoor u/g - Block B Bituminous 14073903

Exmoor u/g - Block B Bituminous 13317832

Hartebeest Bult u/g - Block A Anthracite 6659484


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Operational Area Properties Mining Type of Coal Gross Tons in situ



Hartebeest Bult u/g - Block C Bituminous 9555958

Hartebeest Bult u/g - Block C Bituminous 7265832

Spectacle Spruit u/g Bituminous 10763353

Spectacle Spruit u/g Bituminous 11213564

2.4.1 Mining Method

The Chelmsford Mine incorporates both opencast and underground mining methods. The

Macclesfield Section was originally identified as an underground resource. Further evaluation

has indicated that the resource at Macclesfield must be mined via opencast methods. An

Application for Environmental Authorisation to facilitate this has been submitted to the DMR,

along with an application for Amendment of the approved EMPr. The WUL issued in 2017

correctly depicts Macclesfield as an opencast mining area. This document is the updated

EMPr and also reflects Macclesfield as an opencast area.

2.4.1.1 Opencast Mining

Opencast mining will be conducted through roll-over mining with successive cuts opened as

old mined cuts are rehabilitated. Access to open pits will be via a low wall ramp. These access

ramps will progress with the roll-over mining. The opencast mining sequence will be as follows:

1. Remove maximum topsoil and place on a topsoil stockpile, as close to the final void as

possible.

2. Remove soft overburden with excavator and trucks to 2 metres above the hard rock.

Place onto soft overburden stockpile, as close to the final void as possible.

3. Drill and blast the remaining overburden (if required) and remove the overburden with

a bulldozer push-over operation and load and haul by means of excavators and

dumpers to expose the coal. Place onto overburden stockpile, as close to the final void

as possible.

4. Exposed coal is drilled and blasted only when necessary and then loaded and hauled

to the crusher at Ashley Section. It is expected that most of the coal can be excavated

without blasting (free digging) which should be prioritised as this will assist in the

reduction of fine coal dust emission and blast noise and vibration.

5. Points 3 and 4 above are repeated to gain access to the next seam down.

6. Once the cut has been mined it will be backfilled with geological sequences from the

stockpiles for the final void, with carbonaceous material and discard compacted at

the base of the pit.

At Macclesfield Section, Pit B (the central section) will be mined first, followed by Pit C (eastern

pit), and finally Pit A (western pit) will be mined. Mining will start in each of the three pits at the

northernmost outcrop with 40m cuts along an east-west direction, until the economical limit

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where the stripping ratio becomes excessive is reached. Life of Mine at Macclesfield Section

is anticipated to be 10 years.

An explosives magazine has been constructed near the farm house administrative area.

2.4.1.2 Underground Mining

Where the coal seams of the wider MRA are too deep and uneconomical for opencast mining,

these will be mined through underground bord-and-pillar methods. Underground mine

reserves will be accessed from the opencast highwalls, at the interface between opencast

and underground mine areas. Mooikrantz Mine underground reserves will be accessed via a

horizontal adit on site. Underground mining will be conducted by means of bord-and-pillar

mining to a safety factor of 2+ as the mining progresses inward and on retreat the pillars will

be extracted from all underground mine sections. An appropriate boundary pillar will be

retained between the open cast and underground mining sections. No underground mining

is proposed at the Macclesfield Section.

2.4.2 Roads and Transport

Coal from the opencast and underground sections will be loaded by means of front-end

loaders and excavators onto dump trucks and hauled from the various mine sections to the

ROM stockpile area at the processing facility located at Ashley Section.

Product coal will be transported off-site by trucks to the Ngagane Siding.

Existing farm and service roads, including the existing wetland and stream crossings will be

utilised to access the various mine sections.

Haul roads will also be created within opencast pit areas and will move as opencast strip-

mining progresses.

The Mine can be accessed either from the P209 or the P210. The Main access for visitors and

contractors is currently off the P209 while mine vehicles access the mining activities from the

P210. Once activities at Shelley Section ceases it is proposed to use the gravel access road off

the P210 for visitor, staff and contractor access, and the road off the P209 as the main haul

road to the Ashley wash plant site.

An existing servitude road between Ashley Plant and the Ballengeich siding has been

registered but is not currently in use. This haul road construction will be subject to negotiations

with the relevant roads authorities regarding the intersection with the N11, east of the MRA,

and with the affected land owner(s).

2.4.3 Stockpiles

Topsoil and subsoil is and will continue to be stripped separately. In most instances, roll-over

steady state mining and rehabilitation will be obtained fairly quickly and soils will be placed in

the same geological sequence onto rehabilitated areas. Subsoil may be used to construct

clean water diversion berms upslope of mine pits and infrastructure areas. Soil stockpiles will

be in areas where they will not be impacted by dirty water runoff from mining areas. Soil

stockpiles will have perimeter top-berms to reduce wash out and associated erosions and

perimeter toe-berms to trap any potentially eroded soils.

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Overburden will be stockpiled separately near the interface between opencast mining and

underground mining or near the final void, for rehabilitation purposes. Remaining overburden

removed through roll-over opencast mining will be replaced in previously mined cuts to fill

these cuts in preparation for rehabilitation. The carbonaceous material will be stripped

separately and stockpiled separately and will be placed in the base of the pit just below the

original level of the Alfred seam. The carbonaceous material will also be placed in layers and

compacted.

Overburden stockpiles will include separate carbonaceous and non-carbonaceous

overburden stockpiles which will be placed in the dirty footprint of the mine Sections.

Waste classification assessment completed for Chelmsford Colliery indicates that Earth

material is classified as inert in terms of the National Environmental Management Waste Act

(NEM:WA) (Act 59 of 2008).

Temporary ROM stockpiles will be created within the opencast pits, which will move as roll-over

mining progresses, and underground boxcut adits. The coal will be trucked on a continuous

basis to the processing facility ROM stockpiles. Temporary in-pit ROM stockpiles will be relevant

to the Ashley Section, the Shelley Section and the Macclesfield Section.

Product stockpile areas will be limited to the processing area on Ashley Mine. Carbonaceous

material is classed as Type III Waste and therefore the surface coal stockpile areas and the

PCDs will need to be appropriately prepared / lined as per the approved WUL.

2.4.4 Coal Processing and Mine residue handling

Crushing and screening will take place at the approved and existing facility at Ashley Section.

The Wash Plant is also being established at Ashley Section, as per the approved EMP and WUL.

Coal from the various mining areas will be hauled, along the haul route, to the wash plant at

Ashley Mine (processing area). The truck will unload the coal into the general ROM stockpile

area (Figure 4, item 20). The coal from this area will then undergo primary crushing (Figure 4,

item 6) and be conveyed to the ROM feed stockpile (Figure 4 item 7). From the ROM feed

stockpile coal will be conveyed to the wash plant (Figure 4 Item 9) for beneficiation, where

the coal will be passed through cyclones to produce the primary product which will be

stockpiled on the peas and nuts stockpile area (Figure 4 item 14 and 15). The fine component

from the plant will be stockpiled on the duff stockpile area (Figure 4, Item 13), with -2mm going

to the spiral plant (Figure 4, item 10). Fines from the spiral plant will go to the filter press/belt

filter (Item 17-Figure 4) and also report to the duff stockpile (Figure 4 Item 13).

Coal stockpiles will not remain on site more than 7 days and will be moved on a first-in-first-out

basis.

The discards from the cyclone and spiral plants will be stockpiled separately (Figure 4, item 12)

for placement in the mined-out voids. Discard and the carbonaceous component of the

overburden will be used for backfilling, placed below the level of the Alfred Seam in 300mm

layers that will be properly compacted at the base of the pits.

In order to ensure the correct coal qualities and determine the level of blending required, the

coal from the plant will be regularly sampled at the on-site laboratory which is fully equipped

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and housed in the central administrative area (refurbished farm house), located at the Ashley

Section.

All trucks leaving the site will be weighed on a weighbridge on the main access road.

The plant will be supplied with power from the Eskom grid via a substation and will be operated

from a control room.

The plant will require a water supply of 75 000m3/month. Water will be sourced from pumping

the existing old voids and mine workings on the property and dewatering activities from the

Chelmsford workings as these are developed.

Figure 4: Schematic of the processing facility layout

Other than the infrastructures already mentioned in the description, additional infrastructure

associated with the wash plant (Item 9 in Figure 4) includes:

• Magnetite and chemical storage area.

• Dedicated plant workshop area.

• Feeder breaker.

• Ablution facilities which will be connected to a conservancy tank, which will be

emptied by contractor.

The runoff from the plant and associated stockpile area will be diverted to a designed PCD

dedicated for water runoff management from the processing area (Figure 4, item 4). This will

be achieved by dirty water trenches constructed at major outflow areas to the north and east

of the processing area and directed to the PCD. Water from the PCD will be recycled back to

the wash plant via the water supply Erikson Dam.

2. Weighbridge 3. Sub-Station

4. PCD 5. Feeder Breaker

6. Crusher 7. ROM Stockpile

8. Control Room 9. Washing Plant

10. Spirals 11. Water Storage Tank

12. Discards 13. Duff

14. Peas 15. Nuts

17. Filter Press

18. Contaminated Water Reuse

19. Access Road 20. ROM Stockpile Area

21. Plant Workshop 22. Ablutions

23. Magnetite Store

25. Protection Berm and Furrow

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2.4.5 Service Requirements

Mining is and will be done with diesel driven equipment. Small generators will be established

at the Macclesfield Section (and other sections once developed) to power the lighting

requirements at these areas.

Mining equipment is and will be diesel operated. Diesel is stored and transferred from 2x23m3

tanks established in a concrete, brick and mortar plastered containment area located at the

central infrastructure area (Ashley Mine. The area was constructed with capacity for a third

tank, which has been installed and will be utilised once the mine becomes fully operational.

The diesel storage at Ashley Mine will function as the central diesel facility for Chelmsford

Colliery (total storage capacity = 69m3).

Diesel lorries will supply needs at the various mining sections at Ashley, Shelley, Macclesfield

and Mooikrantz. These will be filled as needed at the central facility at Ashley Mine.

Light masts will be erected at various locations to provide lighting at times of poor visibility and

during the night-time operations.

At the Ashley Section (the main administrative and support area) sewage will be collected in

conservancy tanks established at the main toilet facilities at the admin, mine camp and plant

area. These will be concrete-lined with manhole cover to allow access to honey sucker. The

conservancy tanks will be emptied by subcontractor. Portable chemical toilets will be

established and serviced by an external contractor at least once a month at the different

mine sections. The mine will inspect these to ensure that maintenance frequency is adequate.

A 10 000ℓ potable water tank has been established at the administrative area at Ashley Mine

to store and supply potable water, which is pumped from a nearby borehole on the Herons

Court property at between 70 000-80 000 ℓ per month. Each mine section (including

Macclesfield Section) will also have a 10,000 ℓ potable water tank which will be filled from the

borehole supply at Ashley Mine.

Each site will have access control and security at the gate 24 hours, 7 days a week. Dangerous

areas will have berms and trenches or fences erected around them to prevent animals and

people from entering the site.

2.4.6 Employment

Chelmsford Colliery presently employs 158 people and is producing 40,000 tons of coal per

month. Future Coal is busy with the construction of the wash plant at Ashley Section which

effects an additional 68 permanent and 28 temporary jobs at Chelmsford Colliery. The wash

plant will have a processing capacity of 115,000 tons of coal per month. Of this it is anticipated

that 80,000 tons per month will be mined from the Macclesfield Section.

The Macclesfield Section contains in excess of 12 Million tons of anthracite coal that can be

mined via opencast methods. This will translate into an additional 112 permanent jobs over the

10-year LoM at Macclesfield Section.

Further to the above, coal handling from the Macclesfield Section to the processing plant, and

from the processing plant to the sidings, will result in the creation of an additional 42 permanent

jobs.

16 | Page

In summary, job creation will be as follows:

• Temporary jobs year 1 = 28

• Permanent jobs 10 years = 222.

2.4.7 Stormwater Management

The general approach for clean storm water runoff management at the sites will be to establish

upslope berms from the stripped soils, and if necessary upslope trenches, around the active

footprint of each activity area. Water runoff from upslope areas will then flow around these

berms/trenches and be directed into natural drainage lines without coming into contact with

the mine footprint area. Berms and trenches will be constructed in order to contain a 1:50 year

storm event, to prevent upslope ponding and prevent erosion. Flow dissipaters will be

constructed where this water flows into wetlands or streams if erosion is anticipated or

observed.

All water that has come into contact with mining or processing operations is considered

“contact water” or “dirty water” and will not be released into the environment but contained

on site and re-used in the processing plant and for dust suppression on Mine Roads.

Dirty water containment facilities (Pollution Control Dams, PCDs) have been designed to

contain a 1:50 year storm event.

2.4.8 Emissions

No scheduled gaseous emissions will take place on site and the proposed project does not

require a License in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004

(Act No 39 of 2004) (NEM:AQA).

South Africa launched an online national reporting system, referred to as the National

Atmospheric Emissions Inventory System (NAEIS). The NEM: AQA requires all emission source

groups identified in terms of the National Atmospheric Reporting Regulations (Government

Gazette No. 38633 of 02 April 2015), to register and report emissions on the NAEIS. Mines are

classified as Group C emitters and thus are required to report annually and comply with the

National Atmospheric Reporting Regulations (Rosslee, August 2018).

2.4.9 Non-mineral Waste Management

Solid waste will be limited to domestic waste, construction and building waste, old machinery,

old tyres and conveyor belts, scrap metal and wood. Solid waste will be temporarily stored as

per the published norms and standards under the National Environmental Management:

Waste Act, 2008 (Act No 59 of 2008) (NEM:WA). Waste will be separated on site and stored in

separate waste skips (general waste, rubber waste, contaminated waste, metal and wood,

as a minimum). Waste that can be recycled will be sent to respective recycling companies.

Waste that cannot be recycled, sold or re-used will be disposed of by a contractor in a

registered landfill or hazardous waste site (depending on the nature of the waste).

Liquid waste will be limited to used hydrocarbons, sewage and mine water. Mine water will be

re-used in the washing plant and for dust suppression as per the approved WUL. Hydrocarbon

waste is considered hazardous waste and will be disposed of or recycled by a contractor. At

the Ashley Section (the main administrative and support area) sewage will be collected in

17 | Page

conservancy tanks established at the main toilet facilities at the admin, mine camp and plant

area. These will be concrete-lined with manhole cover to allow access to honey sucker. The

conservancy tanks will be emptied by subcontractor. Sewage at the various mine Sections will

be managed in Chemical toilets, to be serviced by a contractor at least once per month.

2.4.10 Workshop and Wash Bay

The processing facility will have a workshop dedicated to maintenance of the wash plant and

associated infrastructure as described under processing above.

Ashley Mine will have a central mine support area which will have containers serving as the

central workshops. Major repairs and maintenance of mine equipment and vehicles will take

place here.

The washbay has a concrete base approximately 6x4m which drains via an oil trap to a sump

with a 10 000ℓ capacity. The IWUL authorises the Ashley Sump with a capacity of 1,350m3 and

throughput of 6,440m3 per annum. The wash bay is erected within a dirty water footprint area

of the parking area and workshop area with dirty water diversion berms.

The oil trap will be checked regularly and the oil emptied into hydrocarbon drums and placed

into the used hydrocarbon waste stream as described under waste management. The water

component will be recycled and treated if necessary.

No formalised workshop areas will be established at the various mine sections. Small containers

will serve as workshops for minor repairs at all the opencast areas and underground adits once

operational. The sites will also have tarpaulins and drip trays available on site should any

emergency repairs need to be undertaken on unprotected ground.

The workshop containers and the very limited support infrastructure required at underground

adits will be erected in-pit, on the profiled backfilled areas (pre-soil application). Vehicles and

mine machinery will be trucked or towed to Ashley Mine for any major repairs.

2.4.11 Administration and Support Areas

The farm house at Ashley Mine has been renovated into offices and board room. The

laboratory and associated chemical storage for the lab is also situated at this area.

A weighbridge has been installed at site along the access road at Ashley Mine near the

proposed processing facility which is being constructed.

2.5 Rehabilitation and Closure

The overall closure objectives for Chelmsford Colliery are to (approved EMP (Van Hoven &

Needham, May 2012)):

• Return land, wherever feasible and practical, to a land capability similar to that which

existed prior to mining and that the management level required to utilise the

rehabilitated land is within the means of the farmer who uses it.

• Ensure that the facilities are appropriately rehabilitated so that it does not cause

surface water, groundwater or air pollution and that it is structurally stable.

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• Demolish all mine infrastructure that cannot be used by a subsequent land owner or a

third party. The areas that are demolished will be rehabilitated to at least a grazing

land capability.

• Clean up all material stockpiles and loading areas and rehabilitate these to at least a

grazing capability.

2.5.1 Soil Utilisation Guide

Proper soil handling is essential to ensure the viability of stripped topsoil and overburden for use

in rehabilitation. The primary objectives of the soil management plan are to:

• Devise and maintain a topsoil balance that achieves rehabilitation objectives during

the life of mine,

• Ensure effective topsoil removal techniques are employed to maximise volumes of

suitable topsoil removed and minimise wastage, and

• Maintain topsoil viability during stripping, stockpiling and spreading through best

practice techniques and effective stockpile design and treatment.

The following requirements should be adhered to wherever possible:

• Over areas of opencast pits and where the high wall of the final void will form the

access to underground workings strip all topsoil (300-500mm). Alluvial soils should be

stockpiled separately from the colluvial (shallower) materials, which in turn should be

stored separately from the overburden. At rehabilitation replace soil to appropriate soil

depths, and cover areas to achieve an appropriate topographic aspect to achieve a

free draining landscape and, as close as possible, the pre-mining land capability rating

(land use) which will be a mixture of wilderness, arable and grazing.

• Only clear bushes and trees larger than 1m, the remaining vegetation will be stripped

with the top 0.3 m of topsoil to conserve as much of the nutrient cycle, organic matter

and seed bank as possible (only after alien vegetation has been removed);

• Soils that have been and will be removed from areas of infrastructure and the Highwall

Boxcut should be placed in stockpile berms, no higher than 1.5 m around the

respective areas where they can act as clean water diversion berms and will not be

affected by dirty water.

• Where hydromorphic soils are encountered, these should be stockpiled separately in

low heaps. These soils should be replaced in topographical lows during rehabilitation.

• When steady state mining is achieved the soils should be replaced on profiled soft

overburden in the correct sequence (subsoil then topsoil).

During the site clearance the following procedure will be followed:

1. Demarcation of the site to be cleared (only clear the area that is required and keep

this footprint to a minimum). Demarcation to be clearly visible;

2. Removal of alien vegetation in the area to be affected and appropriate disposal of

these (to ensure that they will not continue to spread);

3. Bush clearing of all bushes and trees taller than one meter within the demarcated area;

4. Place the above cleared vegetation were the topsoil stockpiles are to be placed;

19 | Page

5. Strip the topsoil and the remaining vegetation and place in the allocated locations for

the various soil types, on top of the previously cleared bushes and trees.

The above methodology will create a source of organic matter for the topsoil to regenerate

with as well as to increase the success of re-vegetating the stockpiles and later the

rehabilitated area.

Table 4: Soil stripping guidelines

Soil aspect Measures to adopt

Strip a suitable distance

ahead of the construction

(disturbance) at all times

Do not strip too large an area ahead of construction,

because this exposes the stripped surface to water and wind

erosion, with the associated dust and water sediment

problems. However, if the stripping face is too close to the

construction activity, it will result in the loss of valuable soil

material.

Supervise stripping to ensure

soils are stripped correctly

Monitoring requires assessment of the depth stripped, the

degree of mixing of soil materials (which must be prevented

as far as possible) and the volumes of material replaced

directly or placed on stockpiles.

Plan activities to avoid

vegetation clearance and

earthworks during the rainy

season as far as practically

possible

Strip soils only when moisture content will minimise

compaction risk. Stripping and replacement of soils should be

done ideally during the dry season when rainfall is at its lowest

and soils are driest. Where this is not possible, alternative

methods to reduce compaction must be implemented.

Minimise compaction during

stockpile creation

The degree to which soils become compacted during

stripping is largely dependent on the equipment used. The

use of heavy equipment over soil stockpiles results in soil

structure damage. If directly dumped soil piles are too low,

then it is possible to increase stockpile height using a dozer

blade or back-actor to raise the materials

Ensure free draining location Stockpiles should be placed on a topographical crest which

provides free drainage in all directions. Alternatively, a side-

slope location with suitable cut-off berm construction

upslope is acceptable.

A final post-mining land capability assessment and post rehabilitation performance

assessment should be done progressively (annually) during the operational phase by a soil

specialist by means of auger observations at a grid spacing of 100 x 100 m with soil analyses.

20 | Page

This will ensure that soil capability targets are being achieved on rehabilitated grounds and

aid in the compilation of a final post-mining land capability map which should be submitted

for closure purposes.

2.5.2 Infrastructure Removal

On closure, all scrap metal will be removed and sold where possible or disposed of at an

appropriate site. Offices, administration block and associated buildings will be removed from

site. Building rubble and material will be transported to an appropriately licensed disposal site.

Where this material is neutral and will not produce leachate harmful to the groundwater

environment, it can be utilised as infill material at the base of voids if additional material is

required. The footprint should be thoroughly cleaned and all building rubble and waste

material should be removed. The footprint should be loosened by ripping the surface soils.

All fences will be dismantled and either disposed of at a permitted disposal site or sold as scrap.

Fences erected to cordon off dangerous areas will remain in place and maintained and will

only be removed once such sites are considered safe and stable.

Roads or sections of roads no longer required after completion of mining will be identified.

These roads will be ripped down as indicated in the soil utilisation and rehabilitation guide.

The pollution control dams (PCD) will remain on site to ensure the protection of the surrounding

environment. This will only be rehabilitated once the area is stable and runoff water from the

area is of a quality suitable for discharge into the environment.

Underground mining sections will be sealed at the adits. This will further assist in

compartmentalising and containing groundwater within mining areas and reduce risk of

contamination.

2.5.3 Soils and Vegetation

The soil handling through the successive roll-over mining process has been detailed above and

must be applied to ensure adequate rehabilitation of the opencast areas.

The soil fertility status should be determined by soil chemical analysis after levelling (before

seeding/re-vegetation), and soil amelioration should be done as recommended by a soil

specialist, in order to correct the pH and nutritional status before re-vegetation.

The rehabilitated sections should be re-vegetated with a grass mixture dominated by local

climax species in early summer to stabilize the soil.

A short-term fertilizer program should be based on the soil chemical status after the first year in

order to maintain the fertility status for 2 to 3 years after rehabilitation until the area can be

declared as self-sustaining.

Once the seed mixture is sown, the land must be rolled using a Cambridge roller to ensure

consolidation around the seeds and effective moisture retention. Seeded lands are to be

checked after germination has occurred, via soil sample analysis and visual surveys

conducted on a monthly basis. Following the results of this sampling, post dressing of fertiliser

should be considered. Where poor germination or cover is noted, these areas will be reseeded

or hand-planted with seedling plugs. Once the area has been rehabilitated and seeded,

21 | Page

access to the area should be restricted (to prevent grazing / trampling preventing effective

vegetation establishment).

A floral assessment should be completed on an annual basis during decommissioning and

closure to ensure plant communities are well established.

Wetland areas that have been mined through and rehabilitated; and wetland areas within

100m of rehabilitated areas are to be surveyed monthly and annually audited by a wetland

specialist to ensure the sites become sustainable in the long term.

2.5.4 Financial Provision for closure

Currently, Chelmsford colliery holds guarantees for R6,085,800.18 from Lombard Insurance

Company. An updated closure and rehabilitation plan has been compiled in terms of the

Financial Provision Regulations, 2015 (as amended) as is included in Appendix S to the BAR.

Should the proposed opencast mining at Macclesfield be approved, the financial liability for

closure must be increased to R13,535,780.97.

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3 ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE SITE

Just as a project is associated with certain impacts on the environment where it is undertaken,

the existing environment can also influence a proposed development in terms of design,

location, technology and layout. It is therefore important to define the environmental baseline

conditions (status quo) or context of a proposed development project.

The Baseline Environment is defined in detail in the Basic Assessment Report which was

compiled for the application for Environmental Authorisation. Table 5 provides a summary of

environmental aspects of the Chelmsford Colliery.

Table 5: Summary of the baseline environment

Aspect Description

Climate Warm, temperate, summer rainfall 687mm/year. Thunderstorms,

drought, mist and frost frequent. Wind speeds below 35km/h.

Topography Varying topography including hills, ridges, koppies and kloofs. The

northern section of the mining right area is situated on a hillslope. The

topography incises along the Horn River, Nqusha Spruit, Spectacle

Spruit and Ngagane River.

Surface Water Buffalo Catchment of the Thukela Water Management Area (WMA7).

Mine Section Catchment

Ashley Section The main infrastructure area occurs within V31G

with mining areas occurring in V31G and V31F

Shelley Section The section falls entirely within V31G

Macclesfield

Section

The main mine area occurs in V31F with the southern

part of the property in V31G

Mooikrantz

Section

This Section occurs in the V31F and V31K

catchments, with the infrastructure area in V31F.

Exmoor Section Falls within V31G and V31E catchments

Important surface water features: Mbazo River; Horn River; Ngagane

River; Nqusha Spruit; Spectacle Spruit; Ntshingwayo (Chelmsford) Dam

Current water quality monitoring shows pH, Electrical Conductivity and

Total Dissolved Solids within the SANS 241 (2011) Drinking Water

standards, through non-compliant with some of the parameters

stipulated in the IWUL.

23 | Page

Aspect Description

Water uses in the WMA are largely for irrigation followed by urban,

mining/industrial and rural requirements. At the site surface water

resources are very important for livestock watering.

The wetlands within the mineral boundary have been ranked as

Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (FEPA) 2, 5 and 6 wetlands

Groundwater Two aquifers occur in the area: a) the upper weathered material, and

b) the underlying competent and fractured rock material.

The depth to groundwater level in general ranges between artesian

and 66 m below surface. The average groundwater level for the Mining

Right Area is 6.5 mbgl.

The transmissivity in the Newcastle area has been found to vary in the

range 10 to 30m2/day seldom exceeding 50m2/day. More realistically

overall it is in the order of 3 to 5m2/day. Storativity in the mining area

with relation to the aquifers is approximately 0.17%.

The general regional aquifer is classified a minor aquifer, but of high

importance to the local landowners.

Baseline Groundwater monitoring revealed that there was no

contamination present and that groundwater was in a healthy state

(2007). 2015 Monitoring data were also compared to SANS 241 (2011)

drinking water standards; no measured parameter exceeded SANS 241

guidelines. On the whole the groundwater showed a bicarbonate

chemical makeup.

Current monitoring results show water from the Pit, the PCD and

seepage areas as being acidic, as would be expected in the Mine’s

Dirty Water containment facilities. Electrical conductivity and Total

Dissolved Solids values in the pit exceed allowable limits, as may be

expected.

Geology and Soils Klip River Newcastle Coalfield. The coal bearing Vryheid Formation

ranges in thickness from 80 m to 300 m in this Coalfield. The Vryheid

Formation consists mainly of shale, sandstone and coal beds.

The two seams present in the area of the project are the Alfred and the

Gus seams.

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Aspect Description

The Alfred or Top seam is between 25 cm and 1.5 m thick and averages

about 0.5 m and consists of high quality bright to dull coal with thin

intercalated shale bands

The Gus or Bottom seam is the main target seam in the Chelmsford

Colliery. The Gus seam varies from 50 cm thick to over 2 m in places and

averages more than 1m. It consists mostly of bright coal. The Gus seam

has a shale layer splitting the seam into a “second” and “third” coal

seam.

Bb53 land type: The dominant soils on the crests in this land type are

expected to be shallow rocky Mispah and Glenrosa soils with Hutton

and Clovelly soils where the slope is less steep. The midslope positions

will be dominated by a combination of Hutton, Clovelly, Avalon and

Longland soil forms. The soils that dominated the footslopes and the

valley bottoms are the Katspruit, Longland, Oakleaf and Dundee soil

forms.

Biodiversity Grassland biome. Northern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland (Gs4)

(majority) with small patches Eastern Temperate Freshwater Wetlands

vegetation (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006). Numerous Flora and Fauna

Species of Conservation Concern (SCC) recorded on site and

surroundings (including avifauna, herpetofauna and mammals that are

protected species).

Land Use Immediately surrounding land uses predominantly comprise

agricultural activities in the form of cultivation and grazing land. Past

mining activities are also in evidence.

Traffic and Road

Conditions

The N11 is located to the east of the MRA, the P210 towards the south

and the P209 traverses the site (north-south orientation). Roads are

generally in a good condition with the exception of the P210 between

the P209 and the N11.

Socio-Economic Total population: Newcastle Local Municipality = 363 237 people.

Between 1996 and 2001, population increased by 2.93% per annum.

Gender distribution shows 47.6% male and 52.4% female. 91.9% of the

population are Black African, 3.9% White, 3.2% Indian and 1% Coloured.

The majority of the population of the Newcastle LM is of working age

and the majority of the population over the age of 20 has completed

a matric education.

37,4% of the 100 654 economically active individuals (i.e. those who are

employed or unemployed but looking for work) are unemployed. Of

25 | Page

Aspect Description

the 53 886 economically active youth (15–34 years) in the municipality,

49,0% are unemployed.

The most notable agricultural activities are cattle (beef farming), dairy,

maize and soybean farming.

Primary economic activity and the greatest contributor to the

employment within the area are agriculture as well as the coal

processing industry.

Heritage and

Archaeology

One heritage site (approximately 15 graves) was identified at the

Macclesfield Section. The site must be preserved and an appropriate

buffer zone implemented.

4 ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY IN RELATION TO THE PROJECT

Figure 5 provides a visual representation of the Infrastructure associated with the Chelmsford

Colliery, along with the environmental sensitivities of the MRA and immediate surrounds.

26 | Page

Figure 5: Environmental Sensitivity Map

27 | Page

5 IMPACT ASSESSMENT

A detailed impact assessment was completed as part of the application for Water Use License

as well as in the Basic Assessment Report for the Application for Amendment of the Mining

Right, and Application for Environmental Authorisation. The detailed impact assessments are

not repeated here, though the impact significance as calculated for each impact identified

in the approved EMP (Van Hoven & Needham, May 2012), the IWWMP (Kasl, 14 December

2016) and the recent Basic Assessment are included, as the impact significance provides an

indication of the level of management required.

5.1 Identification of Activities

5.1.1 Planning and Design

The planning and design phase is not associated with any physical activities on site, through it

can result in the most significant on-site impacts during later phases of a development if

neglected.

There are two potentially significant impacts that can result from the lack of or poor planning

and design, essentially resulting from the sub-optimal placement of project-related facilities or

infrastructure:

• Incorrect placement of infrastructure (including overburden dumps) can result in

sterilisation of a mineral resource. If a plant or a dump is constructed on top of a

resource that can be mined, such infrastructure will have to be dismantled and

relocated to access the resource, the cost of which may render the resource un-

mineable from an economic point of view.

• Incorrect placement of mine-related facilities in sensitive environments can lead to a

project not being approved in terms of the relevant legislation, but it can also lead to

practical problems in the Mine’s operational phase (for example if facilities are

constructed in wetlands, water management in and around these facilities will

inevitable be costly to the mine as more water will have to be pumped out).

The planning and design phase impacts are not rated in this section as the physical impacts

of activities will not occur during this phase, but rather during subsequent on-site activities. The

location of infrastructure and facilities at Chelmsford Colliery was decided based on the

following factors:

• The location of the mineral resource has largely been determined by geological drilling

on the site. Surface infrastructure has been designed and constructed to ensure that

mineral resources on the site are not sterilised.

• Wetlands on the site have been delineated and infrastructure and activities have been

designed not to encroach on wetlands except where the necessary authorisations

have been obtained.

5.1.2 Pre-construction Activities

The activities associated with this phase involve the detailed design phase of the project,

which is not associated with any on-site impacts.

28 | Page

5.1.3 Construction, Operation and Decommissioning

Activities during the construction, operation (mining and processing) and decommissioning

(including closure and post-closure monitoring) are provided in Table 6.

It is noted that the majority of these activities are already included and approved in the EMP,

and only some of these relate directly to the opencast mining at Macclesfield for which

approval is pending. All activities are included herein for the sake of providing a single

comprehensive EMP for the Mine in the form of this document.

29 | Page

Table 6: Activities associated with the Project Phases

Project

Aspect

Construction & Upgrade Phases Operational Phase Decommissioning Phase

Ge

ne

ral a

ctiv

itie

s

General truck and machinery movement and operation on site

Truck and heavy machinery operation

Coal transportation along haul

roads

Final coal transportation

along haul roads

Roads and Transport

Removal of herbaceous material with soil stripping

into side-long berms

Vehicle movement on unpaved roads

Levelling, grading and compacting areas for

road development

Construction of drift at the existing farm road

crossing of the Nqusha Spruit

Waste generation

Domestic and industrial waste generation, handling and disposal

Provision of Services

Provision of electricity

Potable water supply: Pumping of borehole to jojo tanks and transfer of water from jojo

tanks

Sealing and closure of

boreholes as borehole water

requirements cease

Conservancy tanks and chemical toilets: Utilisation of change houses and ablution

facilities

Removal of final sewage from

septic tanks

General Activities

Creation of temporary job opportunities Creation of long-term job

opportunities

Creation of temporary job

opportunities

Loss of long-term job

opportunities

30 | Page

Project

Aspect


Wa

ter

Ma

na

ge

me

nt

Infr

ast

ruc

ture

Construction and upgrade of water management

features (berms, trenches, silt traps, PCDs) at all

areas where activities have taken place and future

sites

Operation of water management

infrastructure

Dismantling, removal and

rehabilitation of unnecessary

infrastructure

Removal of herbaceous material with soil stripping Operation of berms and trenches

Berm and channel construction Operation of PCD

PCD and silt trap upgrade and construction Operation of associated pipelines

and pumps for water transfer

Wa

sh B

ay

s

an

d

Wo

rksh

op

s

Truck and heavy machinery activity

Storage and handling of hydrocarbons Removal of hydrocarbons

and chemicals from site Water use (resource depletion)

Management of Dirty water runoff Demolition and removal of

redundant infrastructure

Construction of facilities Maintenance of the oil separator.

Min

ing

Roll-over opencast mining Filling the final opencast voids

Removal of soil and soft

overburden with stockpiling or

direct replacement in steady state

operation

Clearing of materials

stockpiles

Blasting of overburden

Overburden mobilisation through

roll over mining

Mobilisation of overburden

and subsoil stockpiles for filling

of mined out voids Removal of coal seams

Pumping of in-pit water to in-pit

sump

Roll-over rehabilitation of opencast cuts

Reprofiling of all disturbed areas

Application of topsoil

Amelioration of topsoil

Seeding all rehabilitated areas

31 | Page

Project

Aspect


Underground mining Sealing and closure of

underground mining sections

Periodic blasting activities if and

when required

Removal and conveyance of coal

onto temporary in-pit / in-adit ROM

stockpiles

Pumping of underground water

and storage in in-pit sump

Fitting ventilation fans and

conveyors to underground areas

at the highwall adits

Co

al P

roc

ess

ing

Preparation of foundations and construction of

processing facility

Coal processing Dismantling, removal and

rehabilitation of unnecessary

infrastructure Foundation preparation and/or cement

pouring

Coal crushing and screening

Construction of the plant Coal stockpiling and handling Clearing of coal and

carbonaceous surface

material Bulk water supply to and storage in

plant water supply Erikson Dam

Coal beneficiation

Filter pressing / belt filtering of fines

slurry

Coal and duff stockpiling and

handling

Temporary discard stockpiling and

hauling to opencast pits

Coal quality testing at laboratory

(Chemical storage and handling)

32 | Page

Project

Aspect


Re

ha

bilita

tio

n

Final surface rehabilitation of all

disturbed areas

Removal of all carbonaceous

surface material

Ripping/discing of all levelled

or compacted areas where

required

Reprofiling of all disturbed

areas

Application of topsoil

Amelioration of topsoil

Seeding all rehabilitated

areas

5.2 Identification of Impacts

Each of the activities identified in Table 6 may lead to potential environmental impacts as summarised in Table 7.

33 | Page

Table 7: Impact Identification

Activity Phase Impact Description

C O D

Ge

ne

ral

General truck and

machinery movement

and operation on site

Truck and heavy machinery operation X X X • Potential hydrocarbon contamination leeching

into the water table

• Increase in ambient noise levels

• Increased emissions and dust

• Soil Compaction

• Potential hydrocarbon contamination which may

reach downstream surface water bodies

Coal transportation along haul roads X X

Roads and Transport Removal of herbaceous material with

soil stripping into side-long berms

X • Destruction of vegetation and habitat

• Loss of soil resources

• Increased runoff and associated potential silt-

loading of drainage lines and downstream water

bodies and wetlands (including Nqusha Spruit)

• Improved crossing of the Nqusha Spruit

• Destruction of sensitive wetland habitat and loss

of ecological functioning

• Dust generation

Levelling, grading and compacting

areas for road development

X

Construction of drift at the existing farm

road crossing of the Nqusha Spruit

X

Vehicle movement on unpaved roads X X X

Waste Generation Domestic and industrial waste

generation, handling and disposal

X X X • Potential contamination through littering

• Soil and groundwater contamination from

incorrect waste disposal

• Problem animals attracted to site due to incorrect

waste storage

• Odours and visual impacts

Provision of Services Provision of electricity X X X • Potential danger to surrounding communities

Potable water supply: Pumping of

borehole to and from jojo tanks

X X • Reduction of local groundwater

Conservancy tanks and chemical

toilets: Utilisation of change houses and

ablution facilities

X X • Irresponsible use of water will impact on

groundwater quantity

• Potential environmental and health risks due to

sewage leaks

34 | Page


C O D

Sealing and closure of boreholes as

borehole water requirements cease

X • Recovery of groundwater levels

Removal of final sewage from septic

tanks

X • Risks during removal but Reduced risk of

contamination by sewage after removal

General Activity Creation of temporary job opportunities X X • Potential for more employment

• Multiplier effect - improved livelihoods

• Influx of unsuccessful job seekers which may

informally settle in area

Creation of long-term job opportunities X

Loss of long-term job opportunities X • Steady reduction in employment

Wa

ter

Ma

na

ge

me

nt

Infr

ast

ruc

ture

Construction and

upgrade of berms,

trenches, silt traps,

PCDs etc

Removal of herbaceous material with

soil stripping

X • Increased runoff and associated potential silt-


bodies and wetlands

• Destruction of sensitive wetland habitat and loss

of ecological functioning

• Downstream water quantity of catchment

reduced;

• Containment of contaminated water.

Berm and channel construction X X

PCD and silt trap upgrade and

construction

X

Operation of water

management

infrastructure

Operation of berms and trenches X • Containment of contaminated water

• Potential infiltration of contaminated water into

groundwater table if leaks, spills or seepage

occurs



bodies and wetlands

• Downstream water quantity of catchment

reduced

• Potential surface water contamination if leaks

escape into the environment

Operation of PCD X

Operation of associated pipelines and

pumps for water transfer

X • Potential for poor quality water impacting on

groundwater and/or surface water and wetlands

if pipelines burst or leak

35 | Page


C O D

Dismantling, removal

and rehabilitation of

unnecessary

infrastructure

Demolition and removal of redundant

infrastructure

X • If removal not done correctly, contamination can

occur

• Dirty water footprint will be reduced, resulting in

increased downstream water.

Wa

shB

ay

/Wo

rksh

op

Truck and heavy machinery activity X X X • Potential hydrocarbon contamination leeching

into the water table

• Potential hydrocarbon contamination which may

reach downstream surface water bodies

Storage and handling of hydrocarbons X X

Water use (resource depletion) X X

Management of Dirty water runoff X X

Construction of facilities X

Maintenance of the oil separator X

Removal of hydrocarbons and chemicals from site X

Demolition and removal of redundant infrastructure X

Min

ing

Roll-over opencast

mining

Removal of soil and soft overburden with

stockpiling or direct replacement in

steady state operation

X • Destruction of sensitive wetland habitat where

authorisation is received to mine through these as

stipulated in this IWWMP and loss of ecological

functioning



bodies and wetlands

• Impacts on groundwater volumes due to

artificially increased recharge due to seepage

from the stockpile areas

Blasting of overburden X • Generation of poor quality leachate which may

contaminate aquifers

• Potential damage to groundwater aquifers and

alteration of groundwater flow

• Vibrations may damage structures in the area

and disturb farm animals

Overburden mobilisation through roll

over mining

X • Potential for poor quality water impacting on

nearby water bodies

36 | Page


C O D

Mobilisation of overburden and subsoil

stockpiles for filling of mined out voids

X • Potential loss of flow to local wetland systems and

catchment

• Generation of poor quality leachate which may


Removal of coal seams X • Potential contamination plume of groundwater

Pumping of in-pit water to in-pit sump X • Reduction of local groundwater

• Alteration of groundwater flow

• Generation of poor quality leachate which may


Filling the final opencast voids X • Reduced risk of silt loading on downstream water

bodies Clearing of materials stockpiles X

Roll-over rehabilitation

of opencast cuts

Reprofiling of all disturbed areas X X • Free drainage restored to area

• Large areas of surface water runoff returned to

catchment



bodies and wetlands

Application of topsoil X X • Increased runoff and associated potential silt-


bodies and wetlands

Amelioration of topsoil X X • Create adequate environment for flora to

establish and reduce risk of erosion and

associated sedimentation of water courses

Seeding all rehabilitated areas X X • Area re-vegetated with indigenous plants and

reduced risk of erosion and associated

sedimentation of water courses

Underground Mining Periodic blasting activities if and when

required

X • Potential damage to groundwater aquifers and

alteration of groundwater flow;

• Vibrations may damage structures in the area

and disturb farm animals

Removal and conveyance of coal onto

temporary in-pit / in-adit ROM stockpiles

X • Potential contamination plume of groundwater;

37 | Page


C O D

• Altered flow dynamics due to subsidence of

surface layers as pillars are removed on retreat

Pumping of underground water and

storage in in-pit sump

X • Reduction of local groundwater and alteration of

groundwater flow

Fitting ventilation fans and conveyors to

underground areas at the highwall adits

X • Activities will be in the final void utilised for

underground access

Sealing and closure of underground

mining sections

X • Recovery of groundwater levels

• Potential contamination plume and decant from

mining areas

• Potential for poor quality leachate from decant

or plume day lighting impacting on nearby water

bodies

Co

al P

roc

ess

ing

Construction of

processing facility

Foundation preparation and/or cement

pouring

X • Increased runoff velocity and associated

potential erosion and silt-loading of drainage lines

and downstream water bodies and wetlands

• Potential damage to wetlands if indiscriminate

cement mixing and pouring takes place

Construction of the plant X

Coal processing Coal crushing and screening X • Potential contamination of surface water runoff

which may reach downstream surface water

bodies

Coal stockpiling and handling X • Ingression of poor quality, low pH leachate into

water table

Bulk water supply to and storage in plant

water supply Erikson Dam

X • Potential infiltration of contaminated water into


occurs



Coal beneficiation X • The mine water that is used is contaminated and

stored in the PCD and plant water supply Erikson

Dam. Use of dirty water will reduce the need for

clean water from the catchment

38 | Page


C O D

Filter pressing / belt filtering of fines slurry X • Prevents the need for slurry dams which are high

risk area for contamination of surface water and

ground water

• Potential infiltration of contaminated water into


occurs



Coal and duff stockpiling and handling X • Ingression of poor quality, low pH leachate into

water table

• Potential contamination of surface water runoff

which may reach downstream surface water

bodies

Temporary discard stockpiling and

hauling to opencast pits

X

Backfilling of waste from the processing

facility to the opencast pits

X • Potential infiltration of contaminated water into

groundwater table

Coal quality testing at laboratory

(Chemical storage and handling)

X • Chemical storage is in the old farm house which

has been refurbished into offices and no impacts

are expected

Decommissioning of

processing facilities

Dismantling, removal and rehabilitation

of unnecessary infrastructure

X • Potential for contamination reduced

• Reduced risk of silt loading on downstream water

bodies Clearing of coal and carbonaceous

surface material

X

Re

ha

bilita

tio

n

Final surface

rehabilitation of all

disturbed areas

Removal of all carbonaceous surface

material

X • Potential for contamination reduced

• Reduced risk of silt loading on downstream water

bodies

Ripping/discing of all levelled or

compacted areas where required

X X • Increased runoff and associated potential silt-


bodies and wetlands

Reprofiling of all disturbed areas X X • Free drainage restored to area;

• Large areas of surface water runoff return to

catchment

39 | Page


C O D



bodies and wetlands

Application of topsoil X X • Increased runoff and associated potential silt-


bodies and wetlands

Amelioration of topsoil X X • Create adequate environment for flora to

establish and reduce risk of erosion and

associated sedimentation of water courses

Seeding all rehabilitated areas X X • Area re-vegetated with indigenous plants and

reduced risk of erosion and associated


40 | Page

5.3 Impact Management Outcomes

For each impact identified in Table 7, the impact management outcome is provided in Table

8.

Table 8: Impact Management Outcomes

Impact Description Impact Management Outcomes

Generation of poor quality

leachate which may


The management measures aim to prevent

groundwater contamination

Impacts on groundwater

volumes due to artificially

increased recharge due to

seepage from the stockpile

areas

The management measures seek to minimise the

amount of artificial recharge from stockpiles

Ingress of poor quality, low pH

leachate into water table

Mitigation measures aim to reduce the likelihood of

seepage

Irresponsible use of water

impacting on groundwater

quantity

Management measures aim to promote awareness and

prevent water wastage

Potential contamination plume

and decant from mining areas

Measures aim to reduce the likelihood of AMD formation

and ensure adequate rehabilitation is implemented

Potential damage to

groundwater aquifers and

alteration of groundwater flow

due to blasting

Mitigation of the impact is not realistic; however, the

impact will cease once blasting operations cease.

Registered water users must be compensated for loss of

water caused by blasting

Potential for poor quality

leachate from decant or plume

day lighting impacting on

nearby water bodies

Management measures aim to contain contamination

should decant occur

Potential hydrocarbon

contamination leeching into the

water table

The objective of the management measures is firstly to

prevent the spillage of hydrocarbons, and to ensure that

contamination is contained and remedied in the event

of accidental spills in such a manner as not to cause

contamination

Potential infiltration of

contaminated water into

groundwater table if leaks, spills

or seepage occurs

Management measures aim to prevent leaks from dirty-

water containment facilities and ensure leak detection

and repair is implemented timeously if leaks do occur, to

prevent contamination

Recovery of groundwater levels No management relevant – this will occur once

abstraction from groundwater ceases

Reduction of local groundwater

and alteration of groundwater

flow due to Dewatering

The impact can only be mitigated by ensuring affected

water users are appropriately compensated should

dewatering result in loss of access to their lawful water

use

Reduction of local groundwater

due to abstraction for potable

use

Water use on site (abstraction from boreholes) will be

recorded, water wastage will not be tolerated and

water saving initiatives will be included in the

environmental awareness training. The management

measures further aim to prevent sewage leaks and spills

Containment of contaminated

water

The impact is positive. Management measures

prescribed aim to ensure compliance to GN704

41 | Page


Downstream water quantity of

catchment reduced due to dirty

water containment on site

No management measures relevant – the impact results

from the requirement to prevent pollution downstream.

The dirty water areas will be kept to a minimum required

footprint to reduce the volume of runoff generated at

dirty areas

Free drainage restored to area

The impact is positive. Management measures aim to

ensure continued monitoring and success of

rehabilitation

Increased runoff volumes and

velocity and associated

potential erosion and silt-loading

of drainage lines and

downstream water bodies and

wetlands

The aim of the management measures is to prevent

erosion from occurring, thereby preventing siltation of

downstream water bodies

Large areas of surface water

runoff return to catchment

The impact is positive. Management measures aim to

ensure continued monitoring and success of

rehabilitation

Potential contamination of

surface water runoff which may

reach downstream surface

water bodies

Management measures aim to prevent contamination

by containing dirty water on site and preventing

spillages of potentially contaminating materials /

substances outside of the dirty water footprint

Potential damage to wetlands if

indiscriminate cement mixing

and pouring takes place

Management measures aim to protect wetland habitats

by containing potential pollution sources within the dirty

water footprint

Potential hydrocarbon

contamination which may reach

downstream surface water

bodies

Management Measures aim to prevent hydrocarbon

spills and ensure effective clean-up in emergency

situations to prevent contamination

Potential loss of flow to local

wetland systems and catchment

The impact is unavoidable as water is contained on site

to prevent pollution downstream

Potential surface water

contamination if leaks escape

into the environment

Management measures aim to ensure that pollution

sources are contained within the dirty water areas on site

Reduced risk of silt loading on

downstream water bodies (due

to clearing of stockpiles)

The Impact Is positive. Management measures aim to

prevent potential erosion from occurring from

rehabilitated surface areas

Potential for poor quality water

impacting on groundwater

and/or surface water and

wetlands if pipelines burst or leak

Management measures are implemented to prevent

leaks and resultant contamination, and to facilitate

implementation of correct containment and clean-up

procedures in emergency situations

Altered flow dynamics due to

subsidence of surface layers as

pillars are removed on retreat

Management measures seek to ensure the surface

areas are restored to free-draining, self-sustaining

systems

Filter pressing / belt filtering of

fines slurry prevents the need for

slurry dams which are high risk

area for contamination of

surface water and ground water

The design mitigates the impact that would have been

associated with slurry dams

Potential contamination through

littering

The measures prescribed in terms of general waste

management aim to ensure compliance with the Norms

and Standards for the storage and handling of waste, to

prevent wind-blown waste dispersion, to promote

42 | Page


awareness among staff to prevent littering and to ensure

that waste management areas are neat and well-

managed.

Soil and groundwater

contamination from incorrect

waste disposal

Management measures aim to ensure correct waste

disposal (legal and safe)

Problem animals attracted to

site due to incorrect waste

storage

Management measures aim to ensure correct waste

storage (legal and safe)

Odours and visual impacts

Management measures aim to ensure waste storage

areas are well-managed and that waste does not

remain on site for excessive periods

Improved crossing of the Nqusha

Spruit No mitigation – the impact is positive

Loss of soil resources

The management measures are to ensure that:

- The minimum area is disturbed

- Topsoil stripping is done in such a way that protects the

soil physical and chemical properties as far as possible

- To ensure that topsoil is reinstated in such a way as to

support plant growth

Area re-vegetated with

indigenous plants and reduced

risk of erosion and associated


The management measures aim to ensure rehabilitation

results in stable landscapes with reduced risk of erosion

Destruction of vegetation and

habitat

The management measures aim to ensure that:

- No protected species are affected without first

obtaining the necessary permits;

- Only the minimum required habitat is destroyed; and

- Rehabilitation can restore the area to a functioning

habitat that will support biodiversity

Destruction of sensitive wetland

habitat and loss of ecological

functioning

Only those wetlands approved to be mined through in

the WUL should be affected, remaining wetlands must

be conserved in accordance with the Wetland Offset

Strategy (which results in a nett gain after rehabilitation)

Create adequate environment

for flora to establish and reduce

risk of erosion and associated


The Impact is positive. Management measures are

aimed at effective amelioration of topsoil as required

Dust generation

The management measures intend to ensure that dust

generation is minimised and managed on site, and that

ongoing monitoring is undertaken to ensure compliance

to the relevant legislation

Potential danger to surrounding

communities from powerlines

The management measures aim to ensure that

infrastructure is safe and to specification

Potential environmental and

health risks due to sewage leaks,

and/or spills during removal

The aim of the management measures is to prevent

sewage leaks and spills

Vibrations may damage

structures in the area and disturb

farm animals

The management measures aim to ensure that blasting

is only done when necessary, kept to a minimum and

only undertaken by a suitably qualified professional

Property owners must be compensated if damage

occurs to their properties due to blasting

43 | Page


Potential for more employment

Management measures aim to ensure that local

communities receive preference in terms of job

opportunities

Multiplier effect - improved

livelihoods

Management measures aim to ensure that local

communities receive preference in terms of job

opportunities

Influx of unsuccessful job seekers

which may informally settle in

area

Management measures aim to ensure effective

communication regarding opportunities, and the

prevention of informal settlement formation, as well as to

provide an emergency plan in the event of people

settling illegally in the area

Steady reduction in employment

at closure

Management measures aim to ensure that job-losses are

communicated well in advance and that mine workers

had received adequate experience and training while

employed at the mine to improve their chances of

finding alternative employment after closure.

A “Future Forum” has been established in line with the

DMR Guidelines to address the impact.

5.3.1 Environmental Objectives and Goals

In summary the Environmental objectives for Chelmsford Colliery (in accordance with the

approved IWWMP, (Kasl, 14 December 2016), are to:

• Protect the biophysical environment as far as possible

o Minimise impacts to the biophysical environment.

o Ensure relevant legislation in National Environmental Management Act and

Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act are applied on site including but not

limited to alien invasive management and protection of ecologically sensitive

species and environments.

• Protect the water resources in the area.

o Ensure clean and dirty water separation systems are established on site from

the onset.

o Use water responsibly and recycle water as much as possible.

o Ensure the National Water Act, including associated regulations, policies and

the IWUL Conditions are applied on site.

• Ensure atmospheric pollution is to a minimum:

o Manage dust generation.

o Ensure all pollutants are within levels stipulated in the National Air Quality Act.

• Ensure an adequate rehabilitation plan is followed to allow for adequate rehabilitation

to a prescribed land use which will be a mixture of wilderness, grazing and arable land.

44 | Page

5.3.2 Closure Objectives

The overall closure objectives (Kasl, 14 December 2016) are:

• To ensure that all impacts incurred during the operational phase are mitigated and

that these are reduced over time, and that these mitigation measures are in line with

best practices (existing at the time);

• To minimise the impacts on the local community;

• To ensure that as little poor-quality water as possible decants from the mining areas;

• To rehabilitate the areas as soon as possible;

• To return the land to that of at least the pre-mining use which will be grazing land

capability;

• To ensure that residual impacts after closure of the mine are minimal and managed to

prevent impact to the surrounding environment; and

• Apply for a closure certificate.

5.4 Impact Management Actions

Table 9 identifies those management actions that are required to be implemented to meet

the impact management objectives outlined above. The Table also includes details of the

person(s) responsible for implementing the management measures, the person(s) responsible

for monitoring the implementation and success of the management measures, the time-frame

for implementation and frequency of monitoring.

45 | Page

Table 9: Environmental Management Plan

Activity Aspect Impact / Risks Phase Nature

of

Impact

Mitigation Significance

(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Truck and heavy

machinery

operation.

Surface

Water

Potential

hydrocarbon

contamination

which may reach

downstream surface

water bodies.

All Phases

Ne

ga

tive

Implement good

housekeeping practices. All

hydrocarbon storage in

bunded areas with impervious

surfaces. Drip trays and spill

kits must be available on site

for emergency situations.

40 Moderate Throughout LoM Groundwater

monitoring will

detect if there

are any

problems

Quarterly ECO /

external

specialist

General site

disturbance and

existing alien /

invasive species

on site and

surroundings.

Wetlands Possible increase in

exotic and invasive

vegetation.

All Phases

Ne

ga

tive

The mine must implement the

Alien Invasive Species

management plan, and

update this plan annually (by

a specialist).

39 Low Throughout LoM Annual EMP

audit will

include AIP

Annual External

Auditor

Earth-moving,

equipment and

vehicle operation

at the Mine

(potential

hydrocarbon

spills, potential

sediment

mobilisation).

Surface

Water

Potential water

quality deterioration

due to uncontained

spills or sediment.

All Phases

Ne

ga

tive

Dust suppression measures

must be in place. Clean and

Dirty water separation must be

implemented. Spills must be

prevented and accidental

spills cleaned immediately.

Non-mineral wastes will be

managed to comply with

norms and standards and be

stored in a designated area

protected from runoff.

33 Low Throughout LoM Dust monitoring,

GN704 audits,

Annual EMP

Audits and

monthly internal

ECO inspections

Monthly and

Annually

ECO and

external

auditors

Domestic and

industrial waste

generation,

handling and

disposal.

Surface

water,

groundwater

and soil

Potential

contamination

through littering

and/or incorrect

waste disposal.

All Phases

Ne

ga

tive

Environmental awareness

training will be implemented

to all employees and visitors to

the site. Regular clean-up

campaigns will be undertaken

if necessary. Bins with covers

will be provided in all

necessary areas where waste

is generated. Reputable

contractors will be used to

remove waste off site for

disposal, and records of

disposal will be kept.

33 Low Throughout LoM Visual

inspections,

review of waste

manifest

Monthly and

Annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Truck and heavy

machinery

operation.

Blasting. Coal

processing

(crushing,

screening,

washing at Ashley

section).

Noise Increase in ambient

noise levels.

All Phases

Ne

ga

tive

Mining activities will be

restricted to daylight hours. No

unnecessary noise will be

generated and this will be

included in Environmental

Awareness and induction

training.

32 Low Throughout LoM Complaints

Register

maintained by

ECO / security

Monthly

review of

complaints

register,

address as

required

ECO, Mine

Manager

46 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Domestic and

industrial waste

generation,

handling and

disposal

Fauna Problem animals

attracted to site

due to incorrect

waste storage.

All Phases

Ne

ga

tive

Ensure designated waste

storage area is established

with impervious floor, access

control and visual screens in

an appropriate central

location. This area must be

kept clean and neat and

facilitate waste separation.

Waste must not be stored on

site for excessive time periods.

This are will be classified as a

dirty area and runoff to and

from this area must be

controlled.

26 Low The waste storage

area must be

established at the

onset of the

Project and

maintained

throughout the

LoM

Weekly internal

inspections

(ECO) and

included in

annual audits

Weekly and

annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Truck and heavy

machinery

operation,

presence of

hydrocarbons on

site.

Groundwater Impacts on

groundwater quality

due to potential

hydrocarbon and

other chemical

spills.

All Phases

Ne

ga

tive

Trucks, machinery and

equipment will be regularly

serviced to reduce the risk of

leaks. Spill kits must be

available on site and

personnel trained on utilising

these. Any leakages should be

reported and treated

immediately.

22 Low As per

maintenance

Schedule. Spill kits

permanently

available

wherever

hydrocarbons are

present. Clean-up

as required

(immediately)

ECO inspections

and included in

Annual Audits.

Spills/

contamination

will also be

detected in

groundwater

monitoring

Monthly

inspections,

quarterly

monitoring

and annual

audits

ECO and

external

auditor

(monitoring

results to be

analysed in

accredited

laboratory

and

interpreted

by

specialist)

Domestic and

industrial waste

generation,

handling and

disposal.

Visual Odours and visual

impacts.

All Phases

Ne

ga

tive

Waste management area to

be designated, secured and

screened from receptors.

Good housekeeping and

regular removal of waste off

site for safe disposal.


inspections,

review of waste

manifest

Monthly and

Annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Provision of

Services:

Conservancy

tanks and

chemical toilets.

Groundwater Environmental and

health risks from

sewage leaks / spills.

All Phases

Ne

ga

tive

Facilities will be constructed as

per approved engineering

designs and maintained as

per specification. Servicing will

include removal without

spillages by a suitable

contractor.

22 Low Throughout LoM Groundwater

monitoring will

detect if there

are any

problems

Quarterly Mine

Manager,

external

specialist

and

contractor

Sedimentation,

compaction,

pollution

(including edge

effects) resulting

from mine

activities.

Wetlands Destruction of moist

grassland and

wetland areas

within the footprint.

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

Implement clean and dirty

water throughout the site in

accordance with GN704.

Install silt traps where

necessary. Prevent erosion

and remedy eroded areas

immediately if erosion is

detected despite

preventative measures.

60 High Throughout LoM GN704 audits to

be undertaken

annually as part

of WUL Audits

Annual External

Auditor

47 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Opencast Mining

(Shelley, Ashley

and Macclesfield

Sections),

establishment of

Adits, Haul Roads,

vehicle

movement,

machinery

operation,

construction

activities and

general

disturbance.

Soil Loss of Land

Capability.

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

Ensure proper storm water

management designs are in

place. If erosion occurs,

corrective actions (erosion

berms) must be taken to

minimize any further erosion

from taking place, and the

erosion remediated. If erosion

has occurred, topsoil should

be sourced and replaced and

shaped to reduce the

recurrence of erosion.

Compacted areas are to be

ripped to loosen the soil

structure and vegetation

cover re-instated. Implement

land rehabilitation measures

and follow rehabilitation

guidelines.

56 Moderate Stormwater

management

infrastructure to

be established

before other

disturbance

commences

Visual inspection

by ECO and

included in

annual audit

Monthly and

Annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Existing opencast

mining at Ashley

and Shelley,

Opencast Mining

at Macclesfield

Section, future

establishment of

adits,

establishment of

haul roads

Fauna Displacement of

faunal community

(including

threatened or

protected species)

due to habitat loss,

disturbance and/or

direct mortalities.

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

All necessary road mitigation

measures must be put in

place to slow (or stop) run-off

on the existing access road or

any other roads which may

need to be constructed. This is

a vital mitigation measure to

prevent erosion and wildlife

road mortalities.

56 Moderate Stormwater

management

measures to be

implemented

prior to

disturbance

occurring in any

given area of the

Mine

Annual WUL

Audits will

include review

of stormwater

management

measures

Annual External

Auditor

Existing opencast

mining at Ashley

and Shelley,

Opencast Mining

at Macclesfield

Section, future

establishment of

adits,

establishment of

haul roads.

Flora Destruction of, and

fragmentation, of

the vegetation

community

(including portions

of a Vulnerable

vegetation type,

wetlands and areas

classified as a CBA:

Irreplaceable).

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

Restrict all activities to the

approved mining boundary.

Areas to be developed (for

roads, stockpiling, mining etc.)

must be specifically

demarcated so that only

approved areas are

impacted upon and

preventing movement of

workers into sensitive

surrounding environments.

56 Moderate Demarcation to

be established

prior to

disturbance of

new areas,

maintained

throughout LoM

ECO site

inspections, also

included in

annual audit

Monthly and

Annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Construction and

mining activities.

Wetlands Destruction of

wetland areas.

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

Wetlands not approved for

mining must be clearly

demarcated and designated

as no-go areas. Rehabilitate

all mined areas as soon as

possible after mining. The

wetland specialist must be

consulted for rehabilitation in

wetland areas.

55 Moderate Demarcate areas

prior to other

activity

commencing

Wetland

Monitoring

Annual Wetland

Specialist

48 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Roads and

Transport.

Flora Destruction of

vegetation and

habitat.

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

Use existing roads where

possible. Only designated /

approved roads to be used

and driving outside of these

areas will not be allowed.

55 Moderate Throughout LoM ECO site

inspections, also

included in

annual audit

Monthly and

Annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Vegetation

Removal, waste

generation and

handling of

overburden.


natural vegetation,

including

vegetation in

wetland areas.

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

Only remove vegetation in

designated areas, which must

be demarcated. Only remove

vegetation as necessary (do

not clear the entire site but

rather clear immediately

ahead of construction/ mining

activity).

55 Moderate Demarcate areas

prior to other

activity

commencing

Visual

inspections

Monthly and

Annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Construction of

the Mine sections

and associated

infrastructure.

Social Creation of

temporary job

opportunities.

Construction

Po

sitive

Implement the approved

Social and Labour Plan.

Recruitment from Local

Communities prioritised.

Manage job-seeker

expectations and ensure clear

communication.

55 Moderate Prior to and

throughout

construction

phase for each

mine section

Community

liaison officer

and form reports

Monthly Community

liaison

officer / HR

Roads and

Transport.


sensitive wetland

habitat and loss of

ecological

functioning.

Construction and

operation

Ne

ga

tive

Limit vehicle movement to

existing and designated

(approved) roads and

crossings. Vehicles will not be

allowed to drive

indiscriminately through the

site.

52 Moderate Throughout LoM Visual inspection

of clear road

signage

Monthly ECO

Construction and

upgrade of

berms, trenches,

silt traps, PCDs

etc.

Surface and

Groundwater

Containment of

contaminated

water (reduced

downstream water).

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

The impact can't be

mitigated, dirty water must be

contained on site and re-used

in the process plant. The

impact will disappear after the

LoM and the dirty areas have

been completely rehabilitated

to clean areas, after which

water will not be contained

anymore.

44 Moderate Throughout LoM GN704 audits to

be undertaken

annually as part

of WUL Audits

Annual External

Auditor

49 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Opencast Mining

(Shelley, Ashley

and Macclesfield

Sections),

establishment of

Adits, Haul Roads,

vehicle

movement,

machinery

operation,

construction

activities and

general

disturbance.

Soil Loss of topsoil as a

resource –

Contamination,

Disturbance,

Erosion, and

Compaction.

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

Topsoil is to be stripped when

the soil is dry, as to reduce

compaction, wherever

possible. Bush clearing

contractors will only clear

bushes and trees larger than

1m, and the remaining

vegetation will be stripped

with the top 0.3 m of topsoil to

conserve as much of the

nutrient cycle, organic matter

and seed bank as possible

(only after alien vegetation

has been removed). The

subsoil (approximately 0.3 –

0.8 m thick) will then be

stripped and stockpiled

separately. The handling of

the stripped topsoil will be

minimized to ensure the soil’s

structure does not deteriorate

significantly. Compaction of

the removed topsoil must be

avoided by prohibiting traffic

on stockpiles. Topsoil

stockpiles should only be used

for the rehabilitation of the

mined area. The stockpiles will

be vegetated in order to

reduce the risk of erosion,

prevent weed growth and to

reinstitute the ecological

processes within the soil.

39 Low Prior to mining /

construction in

any given area

Visual inspection

of topsoil

stockpiles

Daily during

stripping,

monthly

stockpile

inspections

ECO

Construction and

upgrade of

berms, trenches,

silt traps, PCDs

etc.


sensitive wetland

habitat and loss of

ecological

functioning.

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

Implement GN704 separation

of clean and dirty water on

site. Maintain dirty water

management infrastructure to

ensure spillages do not occur

(operate with freeboard of

0.8m at least). Continue with

annual wetland monitoring

and adjust management

accordingly.

36 Low Throughout LoM GN704 audits to

be undertaken

annually as part

of WUL Audits

Annual External

auditor and

External

Specialist

50 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Site clearing,

establishment of

infrastructure and

excavation of pits

and

boxcuts/Adits

Visual Altering the sense of

place, dust

generation, visual

intrusion, light

impacts.

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

Only remove vegetation

where necessary for

construction. Implement dust

suppression measures. Storage

of equipment overnight must

be away from receptors,

ensure good maintenance

and housekeeping. Use

vegetative screens around

structures where possible. Limit

operations to daylight hours,

use downlights and low

impact lighting for security

purposes only where

absolutely necessary.


inspections

Include in

Monthly ECO

reports and

Annual audits

ECO and

external

auditor

Construction and

upgrade of

berms, trenches,

silt traps, PCDs

etc.

Surface

Water &

Wetlands

Increased runoff

and associated

potential silt-loading

of drainage lines

and downstream

water bodies and

wetlands.

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

Keep areas cleared of

vegetation as small as

possible. Rehabilitate

disturbed areas as soon as

possible. Soil stockpiles must

not be sloped steeper than

1:3. Erosion on site must be

prevented, and where it

manifests, must be

remediated immediately.


inspections

Monthly ECO

Construction of

the coal

processing facility

(Wash Plant)

Wetlands Potential damage

to wetlands if

indiscriminate

cement mixing and

pouring takes

place.

Construction

Ne

ga

tive

Cement mixing may only be

undertaken in designated

areas where runoff and

seepage are controlled

(contained) in dirty water

catchment areas with

impervious floors or on trays.

30 Low Construction

phase and

whenever

cement mixing

occurs

Surface and

Groundwater

monitoring,

visual

inspections

Monthly and

Quarterly

ECO

Construction of

the coal

processing facility

(Wash Plant).

Surface

Water &

Wetlands

Increased runoff

velocity and

associated potential

erosion and silt-

loading of drainage

lines and

downstream water

bodies and

wetlands.

Construction

Ne

ga

tive









manifests, must be



inspections

Monthly ECO

51 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Habitat loss and

degradation due

to pollutants and

physical

destruction of

vegetation.

Wetlands Loss of the

ecological function

of the wetland

areas.

Construction and

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Implement clean and dirty

water separation throughout

the site in accordance with

GN704. Implement an

emergency preparedness and

response plan, including

prevention of spills and clean-

up of accidental spills.

Demarcate development

areas clearly and prevent

access to no-go areas.

70 High Throughout LoM GN704 Audits,

EMP Audits

Annual External

Auditor

Construction of

overburden and

topsoil stockpiles.

Visual Visual intrusion of

stockpiles.

Construction and

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Shaping of stockpiles as they

are developed to reduce

angles of side slopes (slopes

should not exceed 1:3).

Maintain stockpile heights as

approved (topsoil at 3m and

overburden at a maximum of

8m). Vegetate stockpiles

where possible.

44 Moderate Throughout LoM Visual

inspections

Include in

Monthly ECO

reports and

Annual audits

ECO and

external

auditor

Establishment and

Operation of the

Wash bay and

Workshop Areas.

Surface and

Groundwater

Potential

hydrocarbon

contamination.

Construction and

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Implement good

housekeeping practices. All

hydrocarbon storage in

bunded areas with impervious

surfaces. Drip trays and spill

kits must be available on site

for emergency situations.


monitoring will

detect if there

are any

problems

Quarterly ECO /

external

specialist

Vehicle

movement on

surrounding road

network.

Traffic Deterioration of

road conditions.

Construction and

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Regular inspections by the

Mine of the main routes to

and from the site, along with

regular reporting to and liaison

with the relevant roads

authorities. Maintain a

complaints register and

record community complaints

regarding the state of roads.

Resolve complaints in

consultation with the roads

authorities.

36 Low Monthly

inspections.

Remediation as

required

Visual inspection

by ECO

Monthly ECO

52 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Provision of

Services: Potable

water from

borehole.

Groundwater Reduction in local

groundwater

availability.

Construction and

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Water use at the Mine must be

measured and recorded.

Water wastage will not be

tolerated. Water users will be

compensated for water loss

caused by the Mine (or

alternative water provided by

the mine) if significant

reduction in water levels can

be attributed to the Mine's

potable water use.

33 Low Throughout LoM Flow meter

readings

maintained by

ECO

Monthly ECO &

Mine

Manager

Opencast Mining

at Macclesfield

Section.

Heritage

Resources

Destruction or

damage of Site 1:

Graves within the

Macclesfield

Opencast Area.

Construction and

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

a 50m Buffer will be

established around the site,

where no activities will be

allowed. The site will be

fenced to ensure no

accidental disturbance

occurs, with access being

granted to families wishing to

visit the graves. The area will

be included in the Mine's blast

monitoring program to ensure

blasting and vibration does

not negatively affect the

Graves.

32 Low Buffer to be

demarcated prior

to any activity at

Macclesfield

Visual inspection

by ECO and

included in

annual audit

Monthly and

Annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Opencast Mining

at Ashley, Shelley

or Macclesfield

Section,

establishment of

Adits to access

underground

reserves,

underground

mining.

Heritage

Resources

Destruction of or

damage to

Palaeontological

Resources.

Construction and

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

A chance find procedure will

be implemented on site.

When excavations begin the

rocks and carbonaceous

material must be given a

cursory inspection by the

environmental officer or

designated person. If any

fossiliferous material such as

leaf impressions, stems, seeds,

wood, insect wings, is

identified, the palaeontologist

will be consulted.

26 Low Throughout LoM,

Chance find

procedure to be

included in

induction

Training records As induction

is presented

ECO

Opencast Mining

at Ashley, Shelley

or Macclesfield

Section,

establishment of

Adits to access

underground

reserves,

underground

mining.

Heritage

Resources

Destruction of or

damage to

Unknown Heritage

Resources.

Construction and

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

It is possible that unknown

heritage resources occur on

the site. A Chance Find

Procedure will be

implemented on site, to

ensure that heritage resources

discovered at the site are not

disturbed, all work in the area

stopped and an archaeologist

consulted, if heritage

resources are discovered

26 Low Implement

chance find

procedure and

training before

opencast mining

commences and

maintain

throughout LoM

Environmental

awareness

training and

induction

material

reviewed

annually

As required ECO

53 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Containment of

dirty water on site

at opencast, adits

and plant areas.

Surface

Water

Reduction in

Catchment yield

due to containment

of dirty water on

site, ponding,

infiltration and

evaporation.

Construction and

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

The dirty water catchment

must be managed as small as

possible and all disturbed

areas must be rehabilitated in

such a way that the

topography blends in with the

surrounding topography in

order to allow for free flow of

runoff. Drainage within and off

the site must be carefully

designed to make the new

land surface as stable and

resistant to soil erosion as the

local environment allows.

18 Insignificant Throughout LoM GN704 audits to

be undertaken

annually as part

of WUL Audits

Annual External

Auditor

Vegetation

Removal.

Surface

Water

Erosion and

subsequent

sedimentation of

surface water

resources.

Construction and

Operation

Ne

ga

tive









manifests, must be


18 Insignificant Throughout LoM Visual

inspections

Monthly ECO

Opencast Mining

at Macclesfield

Section.

Heritage

Resources

Destruction or

damage to Site 2:

Historical Buildings

2km north of

Macclesfield

Opencast.

Construction and

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

No mining activities will

encroach on this site, as it is

outside of the MRA. The site

will be included in the Blast

monitoring plan to ensure that

blasting and vibrations do not

negatively impact the site.

15 Insignificant Include in blast

monitoring with

each blast in the

vicinity

Blast Specialist With each

blast

Blasting

Specialist

Opencast Mining

at Macclesfield

Section.

Heritage

Resources

Destruction or

damage to Site 3:

Graves 2km north of

the Macclesfield

Opencast.

Construction and

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

No mining activities will

encroach on this site, as it is

outside of the MRA. The site

will be included in the Blast

monitoring plan to ensure that

blasting and vibrations do not

negatively impact the site.

15 Insignificant Include in blast

monitoring with

each blast in the

vicinity

Blast Specialist With each

blast

Blasting

Specialist

Operation of the

Mine and

associated

infrastructure

Social Creation of long-

term job

opportunities.

Operation

Po

sitive

Implement the approved

Social and Labour Plan.

Recruitment from Local

Communities prioritised.

Manage job-seeker

expectations and ensure clear

communication.

65 High Prior to and

throughout

construction

phase for each

mine section

Community

liaison officer

and form reports

Monthly Community

liaison

officer / HR

54 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Roll-over

opencast mining:

Removal of soil

and soft

overburden (and

stockpiling or

direct

replacement).


sensitive wetland

habitat where

authorisation is

received to mine

through these as

stipulated in the

IWWMP. Loss of

ecological

functioning.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

It must be ensured that

wetland destruction is limited

to those wetlands that have

been authorised to mine

through and does not

encroach on wetlands

earmarked for conservation.

Delineate no-go areas clearly.

55 Moderate Throughout LoM WUL Audit and

Visual

Inspections

Annual and

Monthly

External

Auditor and

ECO

Opencast Mining

(Shelley, Ashley

and Macclesfield

Sections),

establishment of

Adits, Haul Roads,

vehicle

movement,

machinery

operation,

construction

activities and

general

disturbance.

Soil Loss of Land

Capability.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

The rehabilitated (backfilled)

areas must be assessed once

a year for compaction,

fertility, and erosion.

Assessments must continue for

at least 3 years post-closure of

each section, or until the soil

specialist is satisfied with the

state of rehabilitation. The soils

fertility must be assessed by a

soil specialist yearly (during

the dry season so that

recommendations can be

implemented before the start

of the wet season) as to

correct any nutrient

deficiencies. Areas of

subsidence must be reported

and remediated as soon as

possible with the best practises

at the time of occurrence.

52 Moderate Annually for 3

years post closure

of each section

Soil Specialist

investigation

Annual External

specialist

(ECO /

Mine

manager

to appoint)

Dewatering of

opencast and

underground

mining areas.

Groundwater Alteration of

groundwater flow

and reduction of

local groundwater

quantity due to

dewatering

activities.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Larger fractures contributing

to water flow are sealed to

reduce water inflows into the

mining area. Compensate

registered water users for loss

of water.

52 Moderate Throughout LoM Groundwater

monitoring

Monthly and

Quarterly

ECO &

Mine

Manager

Drilling and

blasting, loading

and hauling

activities.

Visual Dust generation,

visual intrusion of

infrastructure and

activities.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Implement a dust

management plan on all haul

roads. Implement a vehicle

maintenance plan for all

vehicles associated with the

Mine. Ensure material is

covered to prevent wind-

blown dust from moving

vehicles.

44 Moderate Throughout LoM Dust monitoring,

vehicle

maintenance

plan included in

internal audits

Monthly ECO

55 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Existing opencast

mining at Ashley

and Shelley,

Opencast Mining

at Macclesfield

Section, future

establishment of

adits,

establishment of

haul roads

Fauna Continued

displacement and

fragmentation of

the faunal

community

(including

threatened species)

due to ongoing

anthropogenic

disturbances (noise,

dust and vibrations)

and habitat

degradation (litter,

road mortalities

and/or poaching).

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Restrict mining to the

designated footprint areas,

avoiding the areas classified

as highly sensitive. Access to

the mining areas must avoid

highly sensitive areas. Areas of

indigenous vegetation, even

secondary communities, with

the exception of approved

mining areas should under no

circumstances be fragmented

or disturbed further or used as

an area for dumping of waste.

39 Low Throughout LoM Weekly internal

inspections

(ECO) and

included in

annual audits

Weekly and

annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Opencast Mining

(Shelley, Ashley

and Macclesfield

Sections),

establishment of

Adits, Haul Roads,

vehicle

movement,

machinery

operation,

construction

activities and

general

disturbance.

Soil Loss of topsoil as a

resource –

Contamination,

Disturbance,

Erosion, and

Compaction.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Topsoil stockpiles are to be

kept to a maximum height of

3m. The stockpiles will be

vegetated in order to reduce

the risk of erosion, prevent

weed growth and to

reinstitute the ecological

processes within the soil. The

handling of the stripped

topsoil will be minimized to

ensure the soil’s structure does

not deteriorate significantly.

Prevent compaction and

contamination of stockpiles -

vehicles will not be allowed to

drive on stockpiles.

39 Low Visual inspection

of topsoil

stockpiles

Visual inspection

by ECO and

included in

annual audit

Monthly and

Annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Operation of

water

management

infrastructure.

Surface and

Groundwater

Potential for poor

quality water

impacting on

groundwater

and/or surface

water and wetlands

if pipelines or

dams/trenches burst

or leak.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Pipelines, dams and trenches

for potentially polluting

substances to be located in

the dirty water footprint.

Establish water management

infrastructure in accordance

with approved engineering

designs. Leaks / bursts to be

reported and remedied

immediately.

39 Low As required Groundwater

and Surface

Water

Monitoring

Monthly and

Quarterly

External

specialist

(ECO /

Mine

manager

to appoint)

Coal Processing:

Crushing and

Screening.

Surface

Water

Potential

contamination of

surface water runoff

which may reach

downstream surface

water bodies.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Strict implementation of

GN704 clean and dirty water

separation on site.

39 Low Throughout LoM GN704 audits to

be undertaken

annually as part

of WUL Audits

Annual External

Auditor

56 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Roll-over

opencast mining:

Removal of soil

and soft

overburden (and

stockpiling or

direct

replacement).

Surface

Water

Increased runoff

and associated


of drainage lines

and downstream

water bodies and

wetlands.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive









manifests, must be



inspections

Monthly ECO

Edge effects from

operational area,

blasting and dust

impacts, altered

fire regime.

Wetlands Destruction /

deterioration of

wetland areas.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Ensure that operational areas

to not encroach on

surrounding areas not

designated for mining

activities, by maintaining

demarcations and

environmental awareness

training.

39 Low Throughout LoM WUL Audit and

Visual

Inspections

Annual and

Monthly

External

Auditor and

ECO

Blasting. Heritage

Resources

Ground vibration

Impact on graves.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Reduce charge mass per

delay, changed or re-define

blast design. The graves at

Macclesfield will be left in-situ.

Blasting with the current

minimum charge (215kg) may

not occur closer than 100m

from the graves. Blasting

within 75 m of the graves, the

charge must be reduced to

127kg, and further reduced to

56kg if blasting at a 50m

distance from the graves.

These distances must be

clearly demarcated on site

throughout the mining of Pit B

and C. No blasting may take

place closer than 50m to the

graves.

36 Low Buffer to be

demarcated prior

to any activity at

Macclesfield.

Blasting methods

according to

each blast

Blast Specialist,

ECO to inspect

demarcations

weekly.

Weekly and

with each

blast

ECO and

blasting

specialist

57 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Mining, crushing,

wind erosion on

exposed areas,

material handling,

loading &

offloading, and

vehicle

movement.

Air Quality Deterioration of air

quality due to

increased PM10 and

PM2.5.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Develop and implement a

dust control plan for the

operational phase. Implement

dust suppression measures

(e.g. water sprays on haul

roads and other dust-

generating areas). Vegetate

stockpiles where possible.

Install a continuous PM10 and

PM2.5 monitor on site to

measure emissions and report

these annually to NAEIS. If

exceedances of acceptable

standards are recorded,

additional measures must be

implemented.

36 Low Continuous

monitor to be

established

throughout

operational

phase. Adjust

management

measures based

on monitoring

results.

Continuous

PM10 and PM2.5

monitor on site.

Continuous

monitor,

Monthly

internal

reporting,

annual

reporting to

NAEIS

External

specialist

(ECO /

Mine

manager

to appoint)

Establishment and

Operation of the

Wash bay and

Workshop Areas.

Surface

water,

groundwater

and soil

Incorrect

maintenance of the

Oil separator

resulting in spills /

pollution.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Use an appropriate contractor

to clean the separator as

necessary and remove oils

from site to an appropriate

facility. Mine to keep records

of safe disposal.

36 Low Throughout LoM Safe disposal

certificates

As required,

internal

monthly ECO

Audits and

Include in

annual

external

audits

ECO and

external

auditor

Mining, crushing,

wind erosion on

exposed areas,

material handling,

loading &

offloading, and

vehicle

movement.


quality due to

emissions (CO, Nox,

SO2).

Operation N

eg

ative

Implement a truck

maintenance plan to ensure

vehicles to not generate

excessive fumes. Implement a

strict speed limit on all roads.

Driver training to include

emissions awareness. Where

possible, use newer

equipment with improved

combustion efficiency &

technologies. Where possible,

use cleaner fuels.

33 Low Maintenance

plan, speed limits

throughout LoM.

ECO site

inspections, also

included in

annual audit.

Weekly,

monthly and

annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Vehicle

movement on

surrounding road

network.

Traffic Vehicle accidents /

incidents.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Implement the intersection

upgrades as detailed in the

traffic impact assessment, at

the P21- and Haul Road

intersection, P209/D502

intersection and

N11/Ballengeich intersection.

Maintain road signage and

conditions throughout LoM.

Use alternative haul road on

high-traffic days, such as

public holidays.

32 Low Road upgrades

and signage to

be effected asap,

prior to

commencement

at Macclesfield

Section

Visual inspection

by ECO

Monthly ECO

58 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Blasting Social Fly rock Impact on

houses.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Stemming control and audit,

use proper stemming

materials, re-design blasts, re-

locate households.

30 Low Prior to any

blasting

Blasting

specialist

With each

blast

Blasting

Specialist

Blasting Social Ground vibration

Impact on houses.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive



blast design. Relocate those

people who live within 500m

of the blast areas to suitable

houses a safe and

appropriate distance away.

30 Low Prior to any

blasting

Blasting

specialist

With each

blast

Blasting

Specialist

Mining, crushing,

wind erosion on

exposed areas,

material handling,

loading &

offloading, and

vehicle

movement.


quality due to

increased Dust

Fallout.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Develop and implement a

dust control plan for the

operational phase. Implement

dust suppression measures

(e.g. water sprays on haul

roads and other dust-

generating areas). Vegetate

stockpiles where possible.

Continue dust monitoring

(monthly) and expand dust

monitoring network to include

Macclesfield Section, and the

other Mine sections as they

each enter into the

construction phase. Annual

reporting to NAEIS.

30 Low Plan to be

compiled at the

onset of

operations and

implemented,

maintained and

adjusted as

required

throughout the

operational

phase.

Monthly dust

monitoring

(network to

include all

active areas).

Monthly External

specialist

(ECO /

Mine

manager

to appoint)

Blasting. Heritage

Resources

Fly rock Impact on

graves.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive


use proper stemming

materials, re-design blasts,

implement buffers and adjust

charges accordingly

30 Low Buffer to be

demarcated prior

to any activity at

Macclesfield.

Blasting methods

according to

each blast.

Blast Specialist,

ECO to inspect

demarcations

weekly.

Weekly and

with each

blast

ECO and

blasting

specialist

Operation of

water

management

infrastructure.

Groundwater Potential infiltration

of contaminated

water into

groundwater table if

leaks, spills or

seepage occurs.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Dirty water containment

infrastructure will be

constructed and maintained

to engineering specification,

to prevent leaks. Leak

detection systems / methods

must be implemented and

leaks remedied upon

detection.

28 Low Throughout LoM,

and as required (if

leaks are

detected)

Groundwater

monitoring will

detect if there

are any

problems

Quarterly Mine

Manager,

external

specialist

and

contractor

59 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Blasting Social Fly rock Impact on

Roads.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive


use proper stemming

materials, re-design blasts,

adjust charges according to

distance from roads. Ensure

inspections are done to

remove rubble from roads

after a blast. If blasting close

to the road, the road must be

closed for safety reasons in

consultation with the roads

authorities.

28 Low Prior to any

blasting

Blasting

specialist

With each

blast

Blasting

Specialist

Roll-over

opencast mining:

Blasting of

Overburden.

Groundwater Potential damage

to groundwater

aquifers and

alteration of

groundwater flow,

potential

groundwater

contamination.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Groundwater monitoring

programme to be

implemented. Blasting to be

done by suitably qualified

personnel, according to

approved blast methodology.

This should be monitored with

each blast and the

methodology adapted to

reduce impacts where

necessary.


monitoring, Blast

monitoring

Quarterly and

with each

blast (weekly)

External

specialist

(ECO /

Mine

manager

to appoint)

Roll-over

opencast mining:

Removal of soil

and soft

overburden (and

stockpiling or

direct

replacement).


groundwater

volumes due to

artificially increased

recharge due to

seepage from the

stockpile areas.

Operation N

eg

ative

Minimise the size of stockpiles.

Rehabilitate concurrently.

26 Low Throughout LoM Visual inspection

and Materials

balance

Monthly Mine

Manager

and ECO

Existing opencast

mining at Ashley

and Shelley,

Opencast Mining

at Macclesfield

Section, future

establishment of

adits,

establishment of

haul roads.

Flora Continued removal

and fragmentation

of a Vulnerable

vegetation

community

(including portions

of wetlands and

areas classified as

CBA: Irreplaceable)

due to open cast

mining activities and

encroachment by

alien invasive plant

species.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Mining and associated

activities (laydown areas,

waste storage areas etc.)

must be restricted to the

approved footprints, which

should be clearly demarcated

on site.

It is recommended that an

extensive alien plant

management plan be

compiled to remove all alien

vegetation from within the

project area.

24 Low Demarcation to

be established

prior to

disturbance of

new areas,

maintained

throughout LoM.

AIP Management

plan

implemented

throughout LoM

ECO site

inspections, also

included in

annual audit

Monthly and

Annually

ECO and

external

auditor

60 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Existing opencast

mining at Ashley

and Shelley,

Opencast Mining

at Macclesfield

Section, future

establishment of

adits,

establishment of

haul roads.

Flora Potential leaks,

discharges,

pollutant from

mining activities

leaching into the

surrounding

environment.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Good housekeeping will be

implemented to prevent spills

and leaks from occurring. The

site will be managed in

accordance with GN704, to

ensure accidental spills are

contained in dirty areas.

24 Low GN704

stormwater

management

plan: construct

water

management

infrastructure prior

to any other

activities,

maintain

throughout LoM

ECO site

inspections, also

included in

annual audit

and WUL Audit.

Monthly surface

water

monitoring

Monthly and

Annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Establishment and

Operation of the

Wash bay and

Workshop Areas.

Surface and

Groundwater

Water Use /

wastage resulting in

resource depletion.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Water use at the Mine must be

measured and recorded.

Water wastage will not be

tolerated. Water users will be

compensated for water loss

caused by the Mine (or

alternative water provided by

the mine) if significant

reduction in water levels can

be attributed to mining

activities.

24 Low Throughout LoM Flow meter

readings

maintained by

ECO

Monthly ECO

Operation of

associated

mining

infrastructure.

Visual Artificial light

impacts at night.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive

Make use of down lighting

and low impact lighting where

lights are required for security

at night. Limit operations to

daylight hours. Avoid tall lights

on periphery of site.

18 Insignificant Throughout LoM Visual

Inspections

Monthly ECO

Blasting Social Air blast Impact on

houses.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive


use proper stemming

materials, re-design blasts, re-

locate households.

15 Insignificant Prior to any

blasting

Blasting

specialist

With each

blast

Blasting

Specialist


Impact on Roads.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive



blast design.


blasting

Blasting

specialist

With each

blast

Blasting

Specialist


Impact on

Boreholes.

Operation

Ne

ga

tive



blast design.


blasting

Blasting

specialist

With each

blast

Blasting

Specialist

61 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Roll-over

opencast mining:

Mobilisation of

overburden and

subsoil stockpiles

for filling of mined

out voids.

Wetlands Potential loss of flow

to local wetland

systems and

catchment.

Operation and

Decommissioning

Ne

ga

tive

The impact can't be mitigated

as the mining activities will

inevitably reduce the

catchments of downstream

wetlands, as clean and dirty

water separation must be

implemented throughout LoM.

The only mitigation possible is

to minimise the size of the dirty

water footprint as much as

possible. the impact will be

negated after LoM once all

areas are regarded as clean

areas.

56 Moderate Throughout LoM GN704 audits to

be undertaken

annually as part

of WUL Audits.

Wetland audits

Annual External

auditor and

specialist

Roll-over

opencast mining:

Mobilisation of

overburden and

subsoil stockpiles

for filling of mined

out voids.


groundwater quality

due to contaminant

migration.

Operation and

Decommissioning

Ne

ga

tive

Replace carbonaceous,

possibly AMD forming material

at the bottom of the pit during

rehabilitation (backfilling) to

ensure early submergence

and displacement of oxygen.

Compact the carbonaceous

material in the bottom of the

pit. Seal off individual

seepage zones in the

fractured rock. Rehabilitated

areas must be free draining to

prevent the ingress of water.

39 Low As pits are closed

throughout LoM

Visual

inspection,

Materials

Balance,

groundwater

monitoring as

per IWUL

As pits are

closed

throughout

LoM. Monthly

materials

balance.

Quarterly

groundwater

monitoring

Mine

Manager

Lack of adequate

rehabilitation.

Wetlands Deterioration of the

watercourses.

Operation and

Decommissioning

Ne

ga

tive

Implement the rollover mining

method, ensuring continuous

backfilling of opencast areas,

and rehabilitate these areas

concurrently with mining

(shaping, vegetating) to

reduce the rehabilitation

liability at the end of LoM.


inspections and

material

balance

Monthly Mine

Manager

and ECO

62 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Accumulation of

water in

opencast and

underground

mining areas.

Groundwater Deterioration of

groundwater quality

due to poor quality

seepage from the

mining area.

Operation and

Decommissioning

Ne

ga

tive

The plume migration will be

limited due to the drawdown

cone reversing the local

groundwater flow direction

towards the mining areas

during the operational phases.

Larger fractures contributing

to water flow are sealed to

reduce water inflows into the

mining area. In addition this

will prevent these aquifer

systems coming into contact

with contaminated water post

mining. Carbonaceous

material must be placed and

compacted at the bottom of

the pit during backfilling. The

pit must be kept as dry as

possible through dewatering.

This will reduce the risk of AMD

conditions as exposure of

pyritic material to water is

reduced. Roll-over mining

must be concurrent to

rehabilitation as this will again

assist in reducing exposure of

pyritic material with the

elements which leads to AMD

formation. Install monitoring

boreholes in the rehabilitated

areas and downstream so the

groundwater quality and level

can be monitored. Additional

measures (intercept drains

and water treatment) must be

implemented if AMD is

detected in monitoring.

36 Low As pits are closed

throughout LoM

Groundwater

monitoring

Quarterly Mine

Manager

Reprofiling of all

disturbed areas

and application

of topsoil.

Surface

Water &

Wetlands

Increased runoff

and associated


of drainage lines

and downstream

water bodies and

wetlands.

Operation and

Decommissioning

Ne

ga

tive









manifests, must be



inspections

Monthly ECO

63 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Sealing and

closure of

underground

mining sections

and opencast

pits.

Groundwater Recovery of

groundwater levels

due to removal of

artificial recharge

sources and

ceasing of

dewatering

activities.

Decommissioning

and Closure

Po

sitive

The impact is positive and will

occur naturally as dewatering

of the mine areas cease. No

mitigation is required.

56 Moderate Port-closure

monitoring for 3

years

Groundwater

level monitoring

Monthly Mine

Manager,

external

specialist or

contractor

Decommissioning

and Closure of

the Mine and

associated

infrastructure.

Social Loss of long-term job

opportunities.

Decommissioning

and Closure

Ne

ga

tive

Before closure, communicate

with employees the

downscaling process to

manage expectations. Assist

with reference letters etc.

where possible. Implement the

SLP.

55 Moderate Prior to and

throughout

construction

phase for each

mine section

Community

liaison officer

and form reports

Monthly Community

liaison

officer / HR

Sealing and

closure of

underground

mining sections

and opencast

pits.

Surface and

Groundwater

Potential for poor

quality leachate

from decant or

plume day lighting

impacting on

nearby water

bodies.

Decommissioning

and Closure

Ne

ga

tive

Rehabilitated areas must be

free draining to prevent the

ingress of water. Control

groundwater levels within the

rehabilitated material to

prevent decant. Water should

be pumped to treatment

facilities. Construct

downgradient treatment

ponds or artificial wetland

systems to manage decant.

Install monitoring boreholes at

expected decant areas.

44 Moderate As areas are

rehabilitated, and

as required

Groundwater

monitoring

Quarterly External

specialist

(ECO /

Mine

manager

to appoint)

Sealing and

closure of

boreholes as

borehole water

requirements

cease.

Groundwater Recovery of

groundwater levels.

Decommissioning

and Closure

Po

sitive

The impact is positive and will

occur naturally as abstraction

from boreholes by the Mine

cease. No mitigation is

required.

44 Moderate Port-closure

monitoring for 3

years

Groundwater

level monitoring

Monthly as

per IWUL

Mine

Manager,

external

specialist or

contractor

Removal of final

sewage from

septic tanks /

chemical toilets

from site.

Surface

water,

groundwater

and soil

Risks during removal

but Reduced risk of

contamination by

sewage after

removal.

Decommissioning

and Closure

Ne

ga

tive

Use an appropriate contractor

to remove facilities from site

without spillages, and legal

disposal of sewage waste.

44 Moderate Upon

decommissioning

/ closure

Groundwater

monitoring

Monthly Contractor

and ECO

Removal of

stockpiles and

backfilling of pits,

removal of

infrastructure.

Visual Visual intrusion -

presence of

activities,

equipment and

machinery.

Decommissioning

and Closure

Ne

ga

tive

Limit activities to daylight

hours, use only low impact

lighting where it is required for

security at night. Implement

good housekeeping. Store

equipment in designated

area at night (preferably at

Ashley workshop). Implement

dust suppression.


inspections, Dust

Monitoring

Include in

Monthly ECO

reports and

Annual audits

ECO and

external

auditor

64 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Removal and

conveyance of

coal onto

temporary in-pit /

in-Adit ROM

stockpiles.

Surface

Water & Soils

Altered flow

dynamics due to

subsidence of

surface in

undermined areas.

Decommissioning

and Closure

Ne

ga

tive

Subsidence of surface areas

will be monitored in

undermined areas. Safety

factors will be implemented.

33 Low After

underground

mining

Engineering and

ECO

Monthly Engineering

and ECO

Removal of the

Wash bay and

Workshop Areas.

Surface

water,

groundwater

and soil

Removal of

hydrocarbons and

chemicals from site

causing pollution.

Decommissioning

and Closure

Ne

ga

tive

Use suitable contractors to

remove chemicals and

hydrocarbons from site upon

closure / decommissioning. If

accidental spills occur these

must be cleaned up

immediately. A contamination

assessment and subsequent

remediation in terms of the

NEM:WA will be undertaken if

deemed necessary by the

specialist.

30 Low Upon

decommissioning

/ closure

Visual inspection

by ECO, Soil

contamination

assessment if

required

Daily during

removal of

hydrocarbons

and facilities

ECO, report

to Mine

manager.

Soil

Specialist, if

required

Dismantling,

removal and

rehabilitation of

unnecessary

infrastructure.

Surface and

Groundwater

If removal of

infrastructure not

done correctly,

contamination can

occur.

Decommissioning

and Closure

Ne

ga

tive

Follow the detailed closure

plan and ensure

contamination that may

occur is contained and

immediately remedied.

20 Low Throughout

Decommissioning/

Closure activities

ECO inspection

reports

Monthly ECO, Mine

Manager

Flow or seepage

of polluted water

from old mining

areas.

Wetlands Acid mine drainage

polluting wetlands.

Closure and

Rehabilitation N

eg

ative

Rehabilitated areas must be

free-draining to prevent

ponding and ingress of water.

Mine-affected water should

be intercepted at decant

points and treated prior to

being released into the

environment. Installation of

passive treatment systems will

be considered.

48 Moderate During

rehabilitation

(concurrent) and

3 years after

closure

Visual inspection

and

groundwater

monitoring

Monthly and

Quarterly

ECO and

external

specialist

65 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Existing opencast

mining at Ashley

and Shelley,

Opencast Mining

at Macclesfield

Section, future

establishment of

adits,

establishment of

haul roads

Fauna Displacement of the

faunal community

(including

threatened or

protected species)

due to initial

rehabilitation

activities and

successful

rehabilitation

resulting in the

faunal species

potentially re-

establishing within

the area

(depending on

rehabilitation

success).

Closure and

Rehabilitation

Ne

ga

tive

Environmental awareness

training will also apply to

contractors during the closure

and rehabilitation phases.

24 Low At the onset of

closure and

rehabilitation

activities

Weekly internal

inspections

(ECO) and

included in

annual audits

Weekly and

annually

ECO and

external

auditor

Existing opencast

mining at Ashley

and Shelley,

Opencast Mining

at Macclesfield

Section, future

establishment of

adits,

establishment of

haul roads.

Flora Encroachment and

displacement of an

indigenous and

Vulnerable

vegetation

community by alien

invasive plant

species, potential

re-establishment of

natural species that

were removed, the

nature of which will

depend on the

amount of

successful

vegetation

establishment.

Closure and

Rehabilitation

Ne

ga

tive



management plan be

implemented to remove all

alien vegetation from within

the project area.

24 Low AIP Management

plan compiled as

part of the EMP

Amendment.

Implementation

throughout LoM

and update as

necessary

ECO site

inspections, also

included in

annual audit

Monthly and

Annually

ECO and

external

auditor

66 | Page


of

Impact


(with Mitigation)

Time periods for

implementation of

Mitigation

Monitoring

Method

(Implementation

& Compliance)

Monitoring

Frequency

Person(s)

Responsible

for

Monitoring

Existing opencast

mining at Ashley

and Shelley,

Opencast Mining

at Macclesfield

Section, future

establishment of

adits,

establishment of

haul roads

Fauna Continued

displacement and

fragmentation of

the faunal

community

(including

threatened species)

due to ongoing

anthropogenic

disturbances (noise,

dust and vibrations)

and habitat

degradation (litter,

road mortalities

and/or poaching).

Decommissioning

Ne

ga

tive

Driving on access roads at

night should be prevented in

order to reduce or prevent

wildlife road mortalities which

occur more frequently during

this period.

All staff and visitors to the site

must undergo an extensive

induction process and must

be made aware of the

sensitive nature of the

environment and faunal

species which occur there.

39 Low At the onset of

activities and

throughout LoM

Review of

training material

included in

annual audit

Annual External

Auditor

Rehabilitation of

opencast mining

sections, adits,

stockpile areas

and haul roads.

Flora Continued

encroachment and

displacement of

indigenous

vegetation

community by alien

invasive plant

species.

Decommissioning

Ne

ga

tive



management plan be

compiled to remove all alien

vegetation from within the

project area.

24 Low AIP Management

plan compiled as

part of the EMP

Amendment.

Implementation

throughout LoM

and update as

necessary

ECO site

inspections, also

included in

annual audit

Monthly and

Annually (to

continue at

least 3 years

after closure

of each area,

or until

natural

community

has re-

established

satisfactorily)

ECO and

external

auditor

67 | Page

5.5 Emergency Response

Though every effort has been made to identify the potential impacts and risks associated with

the Chelmsford Colliery and to prescribe management and mitigation measures associated

with each impact, emergency situations can arise for which the Mine has to prepare.

Procedures that the Mine has to implement in response to certain emergency events are

detailed in Table 10.

Table 10: Emergency Response

No Situation Response procedure

1 Spillage of chemicals,

hydrocarbons

engineering substances

or waste

If there is a risk of a spillage of any substance migrating

outside of the dirty-water containment areas on the Mine,

the Mine Management will immediately notify

residents/users downstream of the pollution incident. The

Mine will further identify and provide alternative resources

should contamination impact adversely on the existing

users.

In the event of a spill occurring on site:

• Cut off the source if the spill is originating from a

pump, pipeline or valve and ensure the

infrastructure is ‘made safe’.

• Contain the spill (e.g. construct temporary earth

bund around source).

• Pump excess hazardous liquids on the surface to

temporary containers (e.g. 210 litre drums, mobile

tanker, etc.) for appropriate disposal.

• Remove hazardous substances from damaged

infrastructure to an appropriate storage area before

it is removed/repaired.

Spill kits will be available at all areas where hydrocarbons,

chemicals etc are stored and/or handled. Access to these

areas will be restricted to those personnel who have

received training in the storage and handling of hazardous

substances, and the emergency clean-up procedure

(including the use of spill kits and the appropriate disposal

of contaminated soils as hazardous waste).

Reportable incidents must be reported to the Department

of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and all other relevant

authorities.

All spill incidents must be reported to the Environmental

Manager immediately, who will assess the incidents and set

up an investigation team if deemed necessary.

2 Discharge of dirty water

to the environment

(Dam Wall Failure, burst

dirty water pipes /

trenches)

Turn off supply to the Dam / Pipeline.

Dispatch necessary emergency services.

Redirect excess water to other dirty water facilities where

possible. All reasonable measures must be implemented to

stop the spread of contaminated water and/or slurry (berms

/ channels can be placed around the spillage area).

Pump dirty water to available containment in the clean

water system, if there is no capacity in the dirty water

system. Carry out an emergency discharge of clean water

and redirect the spillage to the emptied facility.

68 | Page


All incidents must be reported to the Environmental

Manager immediately, who will assess the incidents and set

up an investigation team if deemed necessary.

DWS must be notified of the incident as well.

As a preventative measure, all water containment facilities

should be operated with a freeboard of at least 0.8 m.

3 Pollution of surface

water

Personnel discovering the incident must inform the

Environment department of the location and contaminant

source (immediately).

Apply the principals listed for Item 1 and 2 above.

Absorbent brooms will be used to absorb surface spills of

hydrocarbon contaminants.

Contamination entering the surface water drainage system

should be redirected into the dirty water system.

The Environment department will collect in-stream water

samples downstream of the incident to assess the

immediate risk of contamination.

4 Groundwater

contamination

Use the groundwater monitoring boreholes as scavenger

wells to pump out the polluted groundwater for re-use in the

process water circuit (hence containing the contamination

and preventing further migration).

Investigate the source of contamination and implement

control/mitigation measures.

5 Burst water pipes (loss of

resource and erosion)

Notify authority responsible for the pipeline (if not mine

responsibility). If mine responsibility, notify the relevant

responsible person.

Shut off the water flowing through the damaged area and

repair the damage.

Apply the principles listed for Item 1 above if spill is from the

dirty/process water circuit.

6 Flooding (from failure of

surface water control

infrastructure and/or

extreme rainfall events)

Evacuate the area downstream of the failure (if relevant).

Using the emergency response team, rescue/recover and

medically treat any injured personnel.

Temporarily reinstate/repair storm-water diversions during

the storm event (e.g. emergency supply of sandbags).

Close the roads affected by localised flooding or where a

storm-water surge has destroyed crossings/bridges.

The use of emergency pumps should occur if the water

floods the opencast areas or boxcut adits.

7 Risk of drowning from

falling into water dams

Attempt rescue of individuals from land.

Get assistance of emergency response team whilst

attempting rescue or to carry out rescue of animals and or

people as relevant.

Ensure medical assistance is available to recovered

individual.

Prevent this situation by ensuring adequate access control

to water containment facilities.

8 Veld fires Evacuate mine employees (as well as contractors, visitors

etc.) from areas at risk.

Notify downwind residents and industries of the danger.

Assist those in imminent danger/less able individuals to

evacuate until danger has passed.

69 | Page


Provide emergency firefighting assistance with available

trained mine personnel and equipment.

9 Overtopping or failure of

the MRDS and/or dams

Sound the alarm to evacuate danger area.

Pump water from top of facility and follow redirection of

water as indicated in Item 2 above.

Stop disposing of residue/waste/water onto facilities.

Recover parties affected by dam failure using the

emergency response team.

Make the remaining structure safe.

Apply the principles of Item 1 above

10 Falling into hazardous

excavations

Personnel discovering the fallen individual or animal must

mobilise the emergency response team to the location of

the incident and provide a general appraisal of the situation

(e.g. human or animal, conscious or unconscious, etc.).

The injured party should be recovered by trained

professionals such as the mine emergency response team.

A doctor (or appropriate medical practitioner)/ambulance

should arrive at the scene to provide first aid and transport

individual to hospital.

11 Road traffic accidents

(on site)

The individual discovering the accident (be it bystander or

able casualty) must raise the alarm giving the location of

the incident. Able personnel at the scene should shut down

vehicles where it is safe to do so.

Access to the area should be restricted and access roads

cleared for the emergency response team.

Vehicles must be made safe first by trained professionals

(e.g. crushed or overturned vehicles).

Casualties will be moved to safety by trained professionals

and provided with medical assistance.

Medical centres in the vicinity with appropriate medical

capabilities will be notified if multiple seriously injured

casualties are expected.

A nearby vet should be consulted in the case of animal

injury.

12 Development of

informal settlements

The mine will inform the local authorities (municipality and

police) that people are illegally occupying the land and

ensure that action is taken within 24hrs.

13 Injury from fly rock The person discovering the incident will contact the mine

emergency response personnel to recover the injured

person or animal and provide medical assistance.

Whilst awaiting arrival of the emergency response

personnel, first aid should be administered to the injured

person by a qualified first aider if it is safe to do so.

14 Explosions Explosions can occur in the workshop areas when working

with gas cylinders and chemicals. Explosives are also

present on site for blasting. Underground coal mining

operations without proper ventilation can lead to

underground explosions. These could result in employees

being injured and requiring medical assistance. The

procedure to be followed is:

70 | Page


Safe evacuation routes should be devised in the event of

an uncontrolled explosion and all staff trained on relevant

evacuation routes and assembly points

Once safe to do so first responders may provide first aid to

injured parties.

All relevant emergency response units must be notified and

hospitals informed of incoming patients.

DMR to be notified of the incident.

15 Uncovering of graves,

archaeological /

historical sites and/or

fossils

Personnel discovering the grave or site must inform the

Environment department immediately.

All work in the area will cease immediately.

Prior to damaging or destroying any graves, permission for

the exhumation and relocation of graves must be obtained

from the relevant descendants (if known), the National

Department of Health, the Provincial Department of Health,

the Premier of the Province and the local Police.

The exhumation process must comply with the requirements

of the relevant Ordinance on Exhumations, and the Human

Tissues Act, 65 of 1983 (and the NHRA if relevant).

Personnel discovering the fossil or potential site must inform

the Environment department immediately.

Should any fossils be uncovered during the development of

the site, a palaeontologist or paleoanthropologist will be

consulted to identify the possibility for research

6 COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENTS AND REPORTING

The NEMA EIA Regulations (2014) (as amended) states that the Holder of an Environmental

Authorisation must, for the period during which the Authorisation, EMPr and Closure Plan

remain valid, ensure that compliance with the conditions of the approvals is audited and

submit an audit report to the competent authority (in this case the DMR).

The frequency of auditing will be provided in the environmental authorisation, however the

transitional provisions (Regulation 54A(2) states the following:

Where a right or permit issued in terms of the MPRDA for extraction and processing of

a mineral resource; and the associated EMPr approved in terms of the MPRDA is still in

effect after 8 December 2014, the requirements contained in Part 3 of Chapter 51 of

the Regulations will apply… and the first audit report must be submitted to the

competent authority no later than 7 December 2019 and at least every 5 years

thereafter.

1 Part 3 of Chapter 5 deal with Auditing of compliance with environmental authorisation, EMP

and closure plans, and amendments to authorisations, EMPs and closure plans.

71 | Page

It is recommended that Internal compliance auditing be undertaken by the on-site

Environmental Control Offices (ECO) on a monthly basis and that external compliance audits

against the conditions of the EA and commitments in the EMP be undertaken annually.

External audits will be undertaken in compliance with Regulation 34.

The WUL and GN704 Audits should also be carried out annually (Kasl, 14 December 2016)

6.1 Monitoring Plan

The following aspects specifically require monitoring programmes:

• Air Quality;

• Blasting operations;

• Soils and land capability;

• Biodiversity;

• Surface- and groundwater quality and availability;

• Wetlands and Aquatic Ecosystems; and

• Waste generation and disposal.

Details of the monitoring that is required are provided in Table 11.

Table 11: Monitoring Plan

Aspect Monitoring Requirement Responsible person and

timeframes

Air Quality Monthly Dust Fallout Monitoring must continue at the

existing 4 buckets and an additional 4 buckets be

included prior to mining at Macclesfield Section

commencing. Results must be reported to NAEIS

Annually.

Monthly monitoring and

annual reporting by the

subcontractor

(appointed by the Mine

Manager)

Point Lat Long

South 27°55'48.70"S 29°56'9.30"E

North 27°54'3.50"S 29°55'56.20"E

West 27°54'15.60"S 29°55'7.70"E

East 27°54'21.10"S 29°56'6.80"E

Mac5 27°54'17.24"S 29°54'18.22"E

Mac6 27°53'17.22"S 29°54'12.27"E

Mac6 27°53'47.25"S 29°53'18.61"E

Mac7 27°53'40.94"S 29°55'40.66"E

Monthly PM10 & PM2.5 ambient monitoring and annual

reporting to NAEIS. A Continuous PM10 and PM2.5

monitor must be installed on site. It is recommended to

install the monitor at Ashley Section offices (for security

reasons).

ECO, monthly

monitoring and annual

reporting

Blasting

operations

A monitoring programme for recording blasting

operations is recommended. The following elements

should be part of such a monitoring program:

Mine Manager and

Blasting Specialist, for

each blast

72 | Page

• Ground vibration and air blast results;

• Blast Information summary;

• Meteorological information at time of the blast;

• Video Recording of the blast;

• Fly rock observations.

Seven monitoring positions were identified for Pit A, Pit B

and Pit C, at Macclesfield Section. Some of these points

may be applicable to more than one installation. These

points will need to be re-defined after the first blasts done

and the monitoring programme defined.

Point Lat Long Description

12 27°54'15.65"S 29°55'8.02"E Hydrocensus Borehole

73 27°53'12.91"S 29°54'37.29"E Pipeline

89 27°54'15.59"S 29°53'24.45"E Houses

101 27°54'54.64"S 29°55'8.73"E Buildings

115 27°53'55.70"S 29°54'34.80"E Road

125 27°53'25.03"S 29°55'10.98"E Housing

27°53'25.65"S 29°54'30.88"E Graves

Soil and land

capability

The rehabilitated area must be assessed once a year for

compaction, fertility, and erosion

The soils fertility must be assessed by a soil specialist yearly

(during the dry season so that recommendations can be

implemented before the start of the wet season) as to

correct any nutrient deficiencies

Annually in the dry

season (winter) by a soil

specialist (to be

appointed by the Mine

Manager).

Biodiversity Alien Invasive Species Management and Monitoring

Programme (Appendix L to the BAR).

Continuous

management in

phased approach.

Continuous follow up

programme to be

implemented in cleared

areas by the ECO.

Rehabilitation Monitoring on rehabilitated areas to ensure

that proper succession has occurred and that there is no

erosion occurring or alien invasive plants taking hold

Continually for 5 years

after rehabilitation, by

the ECO

Surface Water Monthly surface water monitoring is being carried out,

and should continue, at the points detailed below.

Analysis of samples may only be done at SANAS

accredited laboratory. The following parameters must be

included (as per IWUL):

Flow (L/s); Temperature (˚C); Ph; Electrical Conductivity

(mS/m); Suspended Solids (mg/L); Dissolved Oxygen

(mg/L); Turbidity (NTU); and BTEX, TPH (including

naphthalene) (mg/L).

ECO and external

specialist, monthly

(sampling and reporting

to DWS)

Point Latitude Longitude Description

FC-B 27°54'16.64"S 29°56'3.18"E Dam at the Workshop

73 | Page

FC-D 27°54'22.45"S 29°55'50.15"E Void closest to the PCD

FC-E 27°54'28.37"S 29°55'45.95"E Seepage coming from

the un-rehabilitated

void at Ashley Section

FC-G 27°54'37.51"S 29°56'10.30"E Surface water site

downstream of the old

un-rehabilitated Ashley

Section at a small

bridge

FC-J 27°55'19.68"S 29°54'25.83"E Mid-upstream surface

water site in the Nqusha

Spruit drainage area at

the bridge

FC-K 27°55'7.30"S 29°56'45.31"E Downstream surface

water site in the Nqusha

Spruit drainage area,

within the MRA

FC-L 27°54'21.24"S 29°55'53.65"E PCD designated for the

mine infrastructure area

at Ashley Section

Groundwater Quarterly groundwater monitoring is being undertaken

and should continue, at the points detailed below.

Groundwater quality analysis must include pH, Electrical

conductivity, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium,

Chloride, Sulphate, Aluminium and Iron.

Groundwater levels must be measured monthly

(boreholes and wetlands).

Monthly groundwater levels must be monitored and if

water levels vary more than 10% from the previous

monitoring event, this must be reported to DWS.

Quarterly sampling and

analysis and reporting

to DWS (ECO and

external specialist).

Monthly water level

monitoring and

reporting as required.

Point Latitude Longitude Description

FC-A 27°54'13.92"S 29°56'1.46"E Potable water supply

borehole

FC-C 27°54'29.46"S 29°55'59.29"E Borehole downstream

of the old un-

rehabilitated Ashley

Section voids, between

the voids and the

Nqusha Spruit drainage

area.

FC-H 27°54'15.65"S 29°55'8.02"E Borehole west of Ashley

Section just outside the

proposed opencast

FC-I 27°54'20.57"S 29°54'36.21"E Borehole west of Ashley

Section and South of

Macclesfield Section

FC-M 27°55'0.37"S 29°56'1.82"E Borehole on the

opposite side of the

74 | Page

Nqusha Spruit drainage

area

Wetlands Annual wetland monitoring to be undertaken in

accordance with the WUL Condition.

Annually by a qualified

wetland specialist

Aquatic

Biomonitoring

Annual aquatic biomonitoring must be carried out by a

suitably qualified specialist, in the dry- and wet seasons.

The dry-season 2018 monitoring included 18 points,

including the PCD, as follows:

Dry-season and Wet-

season annually by a

qualified specialist.

Point Latitude Longitude Monitoring Description

CB11 27°56'40.73"S 29°53'46.56"E In situ water quality and

sediment analysis

Upstream of Chelmsford

Dam on tributary of

Spectacle Spruit

(upstream of Shelley

section)


aquatic

macroinvertebrate

assessments

Downstream of CB12,

on Spectacle Spruit

(upstream of Shelley

and Chelmsford Dam)


sediment analysis

In Drainage line

upstream of Shelley

Shelley Leak 27°55'58.80"S 29°56'7.86"E In situ water quality Southern corner of

Shelley berm wall

Shelley RS 27°55'58.80"S 29°56'7.86"E In situ water quality In Drainage line

upstream of Shelley, at

the tarred road bridge

CB14 27°56'14.37"S 29°56'37.13"E In situ water quality,

aquatic

macroinvertebrate

assessments and

sediment analysis

On Ngagane River

downstream of Shelley


aquatic

macroinvertebrate

assessments and

sediment analysis

On Nqusha Spruit

upstream of Ashley


aquatic

macroinvertebrate

assessments and

sediment analysis

On Nqusha Spruit

downstream of Ashley

and CB1, at the new

road bridge

Ashley PCD 27°54'21.59"S 29°55'53.80"E In situ water quality PCD at Ashley Section

Ashley Leak 27°54'27.78"S 29°55'45.65"E In situ water quality,

and sediment analysis

Downstream of the

Ashley PCD and

adjacent to the Nqusha

Spruit


aquatic

on the Ngagane River,

downstream of CB14

75 | Page

macroinvertebrate

assessments

and the Nqusha Spruit

at the N11 road bridge


aquatic

macroinvertebrate

assessments

On the Horn River,

upstream of the Ashley

section


aquatic

macroinvertebrate

assessments

On the Horn River

downstream of CB4 and

upstream of the Ashley

section


aquatic

macroinvertebrate

assessments

On the Horn River,

downstream of CB4,

CB10, CB9 and Ashley

section, at the N11 road

bridge


aquatic

macroinvertebrate

assessments

On the Mbazo spruit

upstream of the

Mooikrantz Section


aquatic

macroinvertebrate

assessments

On the Mbazo spruit

downstream of the

Mooikrantz section and

CB5

7 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS PLAN

The following specific steps will be undertaken to ensure that employees, contractors and

visitors to the Mine are aware of any environmental risk which may result from their work, and

to ensure that all parties know how to deal with environmental risks so as to avoid pollution or

the degradation of the environment:

7.1 Training Needs Analysis

A training needs analysis is to be performed through all levels of the organization including

those within the administration, contractors, plant and mining worker sectors. Each of the

categories / levels of the organization have different responsibilities and roles, accordingly

different knowledge requirements are applicable.

These are summarised in Table 12 below. After the training needs have been identified, it is the

responsibility of mine management to ensure that personnel attend the relevant identified

training, keep records of the training presented, and identify the need for follow-up / refresher

training.

76 | Page

Table 12: Environmental Awareness Training Requirements

Occupation Category Environmental

Management

Responsibility / Role

Required Knowledge And Input Training Required Interval

Senior Management Managing the S&LP

and the EMP

Understanding the purpose of the EMP

Knowledge of the significant impacts as

described in the EIA/EMP during the

various LoM phases

Knowledge of the commitments and

management proposed within the EMP.

Setting and reviewing the mine’s

Environmental objectives

Emergency preparedness and response

General in-house,

management training on

the EIA and EMP report

Training on the applicable

environmental legislation

Once

off

Annually

Mine / Site Manager General Environmental

Awareness and job

specific impacts

General Awareness of aim and purpose

of the EMP

Understanding the EMP relevant to the

operations

Understanding the requirements for not

polluting the environment

General understanding of the relevant

Operational procedures, Emergency

Response Plans and Incident reporting

Environmental Awareness

Training as part of the

annual induction training



Annually

Knowledge in spill management and

waste management

Knowledge of the relevant Operational

procedures, Emergency Response Plans

and Incident reporting

Knowledge in the correct storage and

handling of chemicals



Meetings and talk topics Monthly

77 | Page


Management



SHE Representative &

Internal Auditor (and/or

Environmental Control

Officer, ECO)

Managing the SHE

Management System,

Monitoring and

auditing

Understanding the purpose of the EMP

Knowledge of the significant impacts as

described in the EIA/EMP during the

various LoM phases

Knowledge of the commitments and

management proposed within the EMP.

Setting and reviewing the mine’s

Environmental objectives

Directing the SHE management system,

and monitoring their progress.

Monitoring, auditing and reporting

requirements.

General in-house,

management training on

the EIA and EMPr



and best practice

guidelines

Once

off

Annually

Emergency preparedness and response

Knowledge in spill management,

stockpile management, overburden

management, water management

and waste management

Knowledge of the relevant Operational

procedures, Emergency Response Plans

and Incident reporting

Meetings and Talk Topics Monthly

Knowledge of the SABS standards and

other relevant legislation regarding the

correct storage of chemicals

Training on the SABS

standards and other

legislation

Annually

Knowledge of auditing techniques and

report writing

Auditor training Once

off

Supervisors, Shift Boss &

Foreman

General Environmental

Awareness and job

specific impacts


of the EMP

Understanding the EMP relevant to their

operations




Annually

78 | Page


Management








Operators, tradespersons,

floor employees, general

administration staff &

security

General Environmental

Awareness and job

specific impacts


of the EMP

Understanding the EMP relevant to their

operations









Annually

Visitors Visitors and consultants

to the Mine


of the EMP


Emergency Response Plans and Health

and Safety requirements applicable to

the Site and Operations


Training as part of the once-

off induction training

Once-

off

79 | Page

8 REFERENCES

Kasl, B. (14 December 2016). Integrated Water and Waste Management Plan for the opencast

and underground mining at Chelmsford Colliery. Johannesburg: Cabanga

Environmental.

Mucina, L., & Rutherford, M. C. (2006). Reprint 2011. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho

and Swaziland. Pretoria: Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute.

Rosslee, S. (August 2018). Chelmsford Mine Air Quality Impact Assessment. Johannesburg:

Rayten Engineering Solutions CC.

Van Hoven, P. W., & Needham, R. (May 2012). Future Coal (Pty) Ltd Chelmsford Colliery II

Environmental Impact Assessment + Environmental Management Plan. Pretoria:

Prodigy Trading (Pty) Ltd.

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