Project Details

Client Council for Geoscience
Location Witwatersrand Goldfields, Gauteng
Project Value R40 million
Completed January 2015

Project Description

The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) through the Council for Geoscience (CGS) had embarked on a project to prevent water ingress into mined out areas of the Witwatersrand goldfields.

This project is part of a large project approved by Cabinet to deal with Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) within the Witwatersrand goldfields. AMD is the flow or seepage of polluted water from mainly extinct mining areas.

Depending on the area, the water may contain toxic heavy metals and radioactive particles. These are dangerous to the health of humans, fauna and flora. AMD on the Witwatersrand has reached a crisis point. Three canals have been identified for construction along and across streams traversing shallow undermined areas in the Witwatersrand goldfields.

The proposed canals are:

• Durban Roodepoort Deep (DRD) Canal;
• New Canada Dam (NCD) Canal; and
• Elsburgspruit Canal

Scope of Services

• Detailed designs and Construction drawings for the 3 new canals;
• Prepare 3 tender documents for the appointment of the contractors;
• Environmental Impact Assessment; and
• Water Use Licence