Kloppersbos Explosibility Laboratory Upgrade

Level of acid mine drainage disturbance explained more of the variation in diatom communities than any other factor, with pan type second and season not significant. Sulphate and calcium concentrations and sulphate to chloride ratios were higher in disturbed pans of every type. Pan type specific indices were tested against established riverine indices.

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.

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.