| Summary: | 'The sustainability of water resources in South Africa is of great importance for the
development and sustainability of a community with social and economical equity.
In the mining sector, with the potential negative impacts on the groundwater and
surface water sources caused by various activities, sustainable development is
very important. Continuous pressure on the development of groundwater
resources for water supply schemes, rising water tariffs and increase in the waste
discharge charge system urges the mine to evaluate and optimize its current
process and wastewater management.
IS0 14001 is internationally known as a system suitable to identify environmental
impacts and possible mitigation options. In this study, a possibility for the
development of a water management system based on IS0 14001, is evaluated.
The development of such a system will commence with the implementation of an
environmental policy, which stipulates the impacts of each aspect on the water
quality and quantity that should be quantified.
Environmental Management Systems are developed and implemented for such
impacts and monitored accordingly. Other aspects regarding document control
and training of personnel is also addressed. The term "continuous improvement"
should be the goal of the system. The necessary legal requirements like the
National Water Act (36 of 1998) serves as a base for such a system.
In this study a water management system, based on IS0 14001 will be developed
for Hartebeestfontein mine 2-shaft and gold plant as case study to evaluate the
feasibility of such an approach. The results of the research show that it is
possible to develop a system and recommendations are given for the effective
implementation of the water management system on the mine." === Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.
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