Coaltech Research Association

Predicting the Environmental Impact and Sustainability of Irrigation With Coal Mine Water

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.

by J.G. Annandale, Y.G. Beletse, P.C. de Jager, N.Z Jovanovic & J.M. Steyn – University of Pretoria, N. Benadé – NB Systems, S.A. Lorentz – University of Kwazulu Natal, F.D.I. Hodgson, B. Usher, D. Vermeulen – Institute for Groundwater Studies (University of the Free State), M.E. Aken – Anglo Coal Environmental Services | July 2006

What this report found

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.

R1500,00

Description

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What this report foundRelinquishment criteria follow from the agreed post-mining land use. The land use is the goal and the criteria measure whether it has been reached.

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What this report found

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Evaluation of Ground Geophysical Techniques on the Waterberg Coal Fields

C Combrink

2008

Interim account of trial ground surveys along a profile in the Waterberg coalfield, for exploration geologists weighing survey cost against the structural detail mine planning needs.

What this report foundElectrical and electromagnetic ground surveys were run over a Waterberg profile with borehole logs and three dimensional seismic data as control, to test...

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C Combrink

What this report found

Electrical and electromagnetic ground surveys were run over a Waterberg profile with borehole logs and three dimensional seismic data as control, to test whether cheaper methods can match seismic reflection for locating coal and faults. Resistivity tomography at two electrode spacings, frequency and time domain electromagnetics, controlled source audio magnetotellurics and magnetics were all acquired. Results are preliminary.

Can old bord-and-pillar workings be mapped from surface?

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Desktop review updating two earlier assessments, weighing borehole scanning, robots and unmanned aerial platforms as routes to locating old workings ahead of opencast drilling and blasting.

What this report foundNo surface geophysical method can map individual bords and pillars at the depths typical of the Witbank coalfield, a limit the review attributed to physics...

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M van Schoor

What this report found

No surface geophysical method can map individual bords and pillars at the depths typical of the Witbank coalfield, a limit the review attributed to physics rather than to technology, since the targets are small relative to their depth and conductive layers often lie above the seam. Borehole laser scanning remains the workable option, with sonar suited to flooded workings.

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