[miningmx] — THE cost of dealing with acid mine drainage (AMD) in the
Witwatersrand has escalated to R2.2bn, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs,
Edna Molewa, said on Thursday.
Asked in parliament whether progress was being made in the implementation of
solutions to deal with AMD, Molewa said the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA),
acting as the implementing agent for the department, was ready to award tenders
for the construction and upgrading of a neutralisation plant in the Western Basin on
the Witwatersrand, subject to funding being made available.
“It is envisaged that funding will come from budget reprioritisation and/or savings
declared within the department,’ she said.
She said estimates made in July 2011 have put the cost of a short-term solution for
AMD at R924m. However, a revision in June 2012 has put the new figure at R2.2bn.
“The increase in costs is due to currency fluctuation, engineering design changes due
to unforeseen technical challenges, increase in the contingency provisions and
inclusion of operating and treatments costs,’ she said.
The short-term solutions mentioned involve keeping sub-surface water in the
Eastern and Central Basin below the environmentally critical level of around 185
metres, while the upgraded plant in the Western Basin would neutralise surface
water to make the acidity levels of the water more accetable to the receiving
environment.
