Research Report Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the
Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in
Environmental Sciences
Date: May 2016 / This study assesses the water quality status of the Hex River downstream of Kroondal Mine
(KMS15, sampling point located downstream of Kroondal Mine) and the effects of mining
activities (Kroondal Chrome Mine) on the water quality of the Hex River in Rustenburg,
which is in the North West Province of South Africa. Potential pollutants were identified,
quantified and their distribution was determined over seven years (2007 to 2013) along
different sampling points upstream and downstream to the mine. Water quality-monitoring
data was obtained from the mine. The surface and underground water was sampled on a
monthly basis and analysed by Aquatico, (a water quality service provider of Kroondal
Chrome Mine) at SANAS Accredited Testing Laboratory (No T0374).
Data was collected for the Hex River and its tributary; the nearby discharge from Crocodile
Farm and Farm Dam; as well as mine containment dams, slimes dams, run-off from the
processing plant and water dams within the mine. Descriptive statistics (mean/average,
minimum and Maximum) and box plots are used to explain the water quality at all sampling
points. Water quality from sampling location points was compared against the Total Water
Quality Guideline Range (TWQGR) for irrigation, livestock watering, ideal domestic use,
aquatic ecosystem limits and the exemption permit issued to the Kroondal Chrome Mine by
the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) in 2007, now Department of Water
and Sanitation (DWS).
The water quality of the Hex River, downstream of Kroondal, was described as neutral,
alkaline, saline and very hard with a high pH, and a high concentration of Electric
conductivity (EC), Total Dissolve Solids (TDS), Chlorine (Cl), Sulphate (SO4), Nitrate (NO3),
Ammonium (NH3), Hardness (CaCO3) and Orthophosphate (PO4). Pollution sources and
pathways were identified using the study area layout and by conducting an impact pathway
analysis using annual descriptive statistical (annual mean or average values) of water quality
tables generated by SAS enterprise 6.1 (a software used to analysed descriptive statistics of
the mine water quality data) for a period 2007 until 2013, and box pots graphs showing
monthly water-quality data for pH, EC, TDS, Cl, SO4, NO3, NH3, CaCO3 and PO4 at 15
monitoring localities between Kroondal Chrome Mine, the Hex River and its tributaries
(Kroondal tributary and Sandspruit) over seven years. It was concluded that the
surface/groundwater of the Kroondal Chrome Mine process – such as seepage from slimes
dams, plant run-off and the vent shaft underground water dam – had an influence on the
water quality of Hex River with regard to the discharge of pH modifying pollutants, EC, TDS,
Cl, SO4, NO3, NH3, CaCO3 and PO4. Other pollution sources were discharge from Crocodile
Farm and Hex River, as well as the Sandspruit upstream sources such as mining (platinum
and chrome), industries’ municipal sewage treatment works, agricultural activities and
informal settlements activities.
Mine pollutants or constituents were identified as a unique example of the compound impact
of weathering, hydrologic and anthropogenic processes such as the increased use of
explosives containing NO3 and NH3 underground. The chemical compositions of surface
water in the mine sampling location were strongly influenced by rock water in tractions,
dissolution and dilution, as well as anthropogenic inputs. Key insights drawn from the study
is that, cumulative impacts in the Hex River catchment present different issues, roles and
responsibilities for industries, government/ regulators and community stakeholders. Practical
and cooperative management of cumulative impacts by catchment stakeholders can benefit
regional environments and communities of Rustenburg and the North West Province at
large. This study demonstrates the usefulness of descriptive statistical techniques for
analysis and interpretation of complex data sets, water quality status of the Hex River
catchment, influence of the Kroondal Chrome Mine (KCM) waste water to the Hex River
catchment, pollution sources and pathways from different activities around Hex River
catchment. Best practice water management was recommended to form part of the Kroondal
Chrome Mine environmental objects, target and management plan as well as the mine risk
profile. Cumulative management dimensions, approaches and/or methods were
recommended for all Hex River catchment stakeholders including Department of Water and
Sanitation (DWS), mines, farmers, industries and disadvantage communities along the
catchment.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/21030 |
| Date | January 2016 |
| Creators | Mavunda, Alter Nyiko |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | Online resource (131 leaves), application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf |
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