Surface Environment
Determination of the Impact of Coal Mine Water Irrigation on Groundwater Resources
2007
Groundwater investigation behind mine water irrigation in the Mpumalanga coalfields, with hydraulic testing, leaching studies and site selection and monitoring guidance for mines and regulators.
What this report foundMonitoring and geochemical modelling at five pilot sites, on undisturbed soils and on opencast spoils, showed that most soils held a large share of the applied...
R1500,00
Monitoring and geochemical modelling at five pilot sites, on undisturbed soils and on opencast spoils, showed that most soils held a large share of the applied salt in the upper unsaturated zone and that salinity built up slowly. Leachate volumes, leachate quality and aquifer mixing ratios were quantified. Irrigation is recommended on alternating pivots and for no longer than ten years in one area.
R1500,00
DyVar Pilot Test Report
2019
Batch pilot trial of a salt concentration unit on saline coal mine effluent at the eMalahleni reclamation plant, for mines weighing brine treatment and salt recovery.
What this report foundA pilot brine concentrator treated Stage 3 reject effluent from a mine water reclamation plant, raising total dissolved solids from 24 g/L to 154 g/L at 88 per...
R1500,00
A pilot brine concentrator treated Stage 3 reject effluent from a mine water reclamation plant, raising total dissolved solids from 24 g/L to 154 g/L at 88 per cent water recovery. The condensate met the national potable water specification. A separate run concentrated brine from 76 g/L to 145 g/L, solid salts were precipitated, and no scaling or fouling was seen.
Evaluation of Three Native Grass Species and a Tree Species for Coal Mine Rehabilitation
2009
Field trials established on prepared topsoil at three Mpumalanga Highveld collieries and measured to 2007, covering survival, cover, biomass and tree growth, for rehabilitation planners.
What this report foundCynodon dactylon outperformed Themeda triandra and Hyparrhenia hirta, reaching 100 per cent survival and cover at all three trial sites by 2007 with or without...
R1500,00
Cynodon dactylon outperformed Themeda triandra and Hyparrhenia hirta, reaching 100 per cent survival and cover at all three trial sites by 2007 with or without fertiliser. Acacia sieberana reached 97 per cent survival at Kleinkopje Colliery but grew poorly at Optimum and Syferfontein. Planting plugs suits slopes too steep for a planter machine and buffers against pasture grass intrusion.
Final Report – A feasibility study on a regenerative integrated cropping & livestock business case model as a mine closure tool and post-closure land use for differently rehabilitated land capability classes
2025
Feasibility study on a regenerative integrated cropping & livestock business case model as a mine closure tool and post-closure land use for differently rehabilitated land capability classes Enterprises University of Pretoria
R1500,00
Growth Potential of Kenaf on Coal Tailings in South Africa
2025
This research investigates the physiological performance of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) when grown in coal tailings—an area where limited studies exist, especially within the South African context. North West University
R1500,00
Institutional, Legal & Financial Aspects of Regional Mine Water Collection, Treatment and Re-use
2004
Review of ownership models, licensing and funding for a shared regional mine water treatment scheme on the Mpumalanga coalfields, written for mine managers and water regulators.
What this report foundA regional scheme to collect, treat and re-use mine water in the Upper Olifants River Catchment has merit, with the mines best placed to start it through a...
R1500,00
A regional scheme to collect, treat and re-use mine water in the Upper Olifants River Catchment has merit, with the mines best placed to start it through a dedicated mine water company that brings in the water services authorities. Water legislation supports the scheme provided the regulator allocates mine water as a resource. Viability rests on the tariffs mines and water users pay.
Models for Predicting Methane Gas Release from Coal Seams
2005
Emission factors and calculation models for national greenhouse gas reporting, built from mine seam gas measurements and ventilation sampling, for environmental staff and inventory compilers.
What this report foundEmission factors derived from measured South African seam gas data give simple models for methane released by underground mining, surface mining and coal after...
R1500,00
Emission factors derived from measured South African seam gas data give simple models for methane released by underground mining, surface mining and coal after mining. Applied across the industry they put total methane emissions at 52 000 to 93 000 tons a year. The models follow the IPCC Tier 2 approach using country specific factors.
Predicting the Environmental Impact and Sustainability of Irrigation With Coal Mine Water
2006
Commercial scale field trials and modelling of centre pivot irrigation with gypsiferous and sodium sulphate mine water, covering crop, soil and aquifer effects for mines and regulators.
What this report foundIrrigation with calcium and sulphate rich mine water proved feasible and sustainable over eight years at a Mpumalanga colliery, with no significant impact on...
R1500,00
Irrigation with calcium and sulphate rich mine water proved feasible and sustainable over eight years at a Mpumalanga colliery, with no significant impact on soil, surface water or groundwater. Sugarbeans, wheat, maize, potatoes and pastures were grown on a commercial scale. High calcium and magnesium suppressed potassium uptake, and waterlogging from poor site selection was the main problem.
Project 12.2 – Land Rehabilitation Guideline for Surface Coal Mines
Four part reference covering planning, in-field implementation, monitoring and post-closure land management, written for mine planners, rehabilitation practitioners and regulators rather than as a site specification.
What this report foundSets out good practice for planning, implementing, monitoring and adaptively managing land rehabilitation at surface coal mines, with generic rehabilitation...
R1500,00
Sets out good practice for planning, implementing, monitoring and adaptively managing land rehabilitation at surface coal mines, with generic rehabilitation objectives, implementation actions and suggested relinquishment criteria for each component. It updates guidance first issued in 1981 and revised in 2007, reflecting later changes to South African rehabilitation legislation.
Project 8.3.3 – Framework to Guide Mine-related Land Use Planning Towards Optimisation of the Coal Mining Rehabilitated Landscape
2018
Masters research combining a review of rehabilitation guidance with South African industry interviews, for mine planners and regulators deciding what post mining land should become after closure.
What this report foundA framework for planning land use on rehabilitated coal mining land, built from a review of international and national regulatory and corporate guidance and...
R1500,00
A framework for planning land use on rehabilitated coal mining land, built from a review of international and national regulatory and corporate guidance and from interviews with industry practitioners. The review found that existing guidance requires land to be returned as close as possible to its pre mining condition, while community needs are pushing rehabilitation towards alternative land uses that can sustain livelihoods.