Producing bricks through ash dump rehabilitation

REHABILITATION

Rehabilitation efforts on the West Dump, September 2020

(Credit: Andrew Crausaz)

Producing bricks

through ash dump Listed on the JSE since 2006, Afrimat rehabilitation is a leading company servicing open-pit mining operations. By Marlo van Rensburg and applicable environmental and water-related acts and regulations.

Tali Tshikhovhokhovho*

this project add value, but it is in line with government’s

Rehabilitation objectives

The primary objective of the rehabilitation plan is to recreate Afrimat supplies an array of materials ranging from aggregates and concrete products to readymix, as well as industrial minerals and iron ore. The group has also established a strong foothold in or attempt to restore the site to its natural state as far as possible. Thus, rehabilitation procedures aim to restore the disturbed land to its previous form, which is a moderatepotential grazing land. The objectives include, but are not limited to: • preparing the site to be amenable to support vegetation contracting services – comprising mobile crushing, screening, • removing any contaminated soils drilling and blasting – and offers flexibility even beyond its • ensuring physical stabilisation of the soils fixed areas of operation. • accelerating ground stability, especially on steep slope areas

The group manages its environmental footprint through • ensuring that final drainage of the site does not adversely formal environmental management programmes (EMPs) affect neighbouring property or the innate environment, in line with local and international regulations and best especially the riparian area. practice. The EMPs focus on responsible mining, reducing While limiting aspects on rehabilitation exist, mitigation emissions through upgrades to diesel-driven equipment, measures have been implemented to reduce negative decreasing noise pollution, recycling products where viable, feedback on the rehabilitation progress. The limitations include and maintaining all plants at optimum working levels. Active rainfall, which is essential to establish vegetation. programmes to reduce the group’s carbon footprint have also The success of re-vegetation activities will be heavily reliant recently been introduced. on successful rainfall in the subsequent wet season. Moreover,

Environmental progress reports are submitted annually to avoiding wild fire in the years that follow will also be critical to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in terms of ensuring the long-term success of the re-vegetation. mining rights requirements. In addition, mine rehabilitation The guiding principle of rehabilitation is to mimic assessments are conducted by external consultants and the surrounding topographic features, characters and provisions are raised to meet these future obligations. appearance. Landscaped dumps must blend in with the Vaal Clinker rehabilitation project ensure that the landscaped area is free of draining. The Clinker Supplies, a subsidiary of Afrimat, specialises in drainage is shaped to protect surface water from being recovering and processing ash dumps to produce bricks and concentrated. Energy dissipaters and stormwater control blocks in Gauteng’s Vaal area. measures are also implemented.

Clinker Supplies has an agreement with Eskom to recover Thanks to the dedicated Clinker Supplies team and other clinker product from the old Vaal ash dump. The clinker stakeholders, this rehabilitation project is 90% complete and is product is then used to manufacture bricks. Not only does expected to be completed within the next year. surrounding topography. In addition, it is important to Polokwane Declaration on Waste Minimisation. *Marlo van Rensburg is the GM: Sustainability and

The rehabilitation is being conducted as per the approved Tali Tshikhovhokhovho is an environmental environmental management plan, in accordance with specialist: Sustainability at Afrimat.