Members of the public have until the end of September to make submissions or comments on the draft Mine Water Management Policy.
Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane approved the gazette (vol 625 - no 40987) for the Mine Water Management Policy in July 2017, and opened it to the public for comments.
The Department of Water and Sanitation said Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and related mine water impacts have in the past decade evolved to become major environmental challenges, hence the need to have a policy to regulate and protect water resources.
“This is in line with the National Water Act, 1998 (Act of 36 of 1998), which provides a framework for the protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of water resources for the country as a whole,” the department said.
On Tuesday, the department’s Western Cape branch hosted a Mine Water Management Policy consultation in Cape Town.
The Western Cape, like other provinces engages in mining activities, which include the exploitation of sandstone and building sand.
“Given the prevailing drought in the Western Cape, regulation of mine activities is crucial,” the department said.
The documents for Mine Water Management Policy can be obtained through the gazette notice: Mine Water Management Policy vol-625-no-40987.
Comments can also be submitted at km@dws.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za
