Abstract
South Africa is one of the countries in the world that are facing water scarcity due to rapidly increased water demand and poor water quality of available water resources. Water quality can be impacted negatively by natural occurrences and human activities which can include mining, agricultural and industrial. Although all these activities have potential to result in negative impacts to water resources, gold mining has proved to result into different waste products which may cause adverse environmental impacts if not handled properly. The environmental impacts of AMD on the Blesbokspruit tributary due to rock waste dumps was investigated by comparing the water quality results of this study area with the South African Water Quality Guideline Target Water Quality Range (SAWQG TWQR). For this investigation, a survey research design which was quantitative in orientation was adopted since the research problem entails continuous environmental monitoring of AMD pollution. The results of the study show that the water seeping from the mine waste (waste rock dump) is impacting negatively on the down-stream of the Blesbokspruit tributary. Although recording of higher concentrations of EC, ammonia, calcium, manganese and zinc at the up-stream sample suggest up-stream sources impacting this water resource, it is evident from the concentrations of pH, EC, TDS, sulphate, calcium, magnesium and manganese which were similar at both the seepage water and down-stream samples that the waste rock dump is degrading this water resource. Given this evidence, it is recommended that the seepage water from the mine waste (waste rock dump) be treated to mitigate and prevent further pollution of this water resource. Furthermore, as violation of Section 24(a) and (b) of The Constitution of South African can be alleged from the pollution, the South African government should now take actions to ensure that management of mine waste rock dumps occurs in order to preserve the rights stated in The Constitution.
M.Sc. (Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies)