GUIDELINE FOR BEST PRACTICE FOR RESPIRABLE DUST SAMPLE PROCESSES – A QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM

A digital wetland map and linked database were compiled for the Upper Olifants River Catchment from existing literature, existing wetland layers and aerial photography. Wetlands cover about 2 147 km2, some 14 per cent of the 15 158 km2 catchment. The wetland layer is about 70 per cent accurate and its attributes about 60 per cent, so it suits baseline screening rather than site assessment.

Ecological integrity of a Mpumalanga wetland affected by coal mining was assessed before and after rehabilitation, using water quality, bacterial consortium, freshwater algae and vegetation indicators. The work sits within a wider programme to give the coal sector and regulators practical ways of limiting and mitigating mining impacts on wetlands.

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.