PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

Four different pre-conference workshops have been developed to give delegates specific training on these topics. The workshops have specifically been structured to highlight significant recent South African developments in the fields of mine water treatment and management as well as a major global collaborative project. Each workshop is subject to a minimum enrolment of 25 people so prospective participants are urged to book early (at least four weeks in advance of the conference). It is possible to register for attendance at one of the workshops without registering for the conference itself. Please register on the accompanying REGISTRATION FORM giving a 1st and 2nd choice of workshop.

The workshop fee of R2000 includes:

• Shuttle transport from the appointed hotels (on request)
• Mid-morning and afternoon refreshments
• Lunch
• Course documentation / delegate bag

WORKSHOP 1: Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) for water resource protection in the South African mining industry

In 1999 the then Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) initiated a project to compile a series of Best Practice Guidelines for Water Resource Protection in the South African Mining Industry and the development of these guidelines was completed in February 2009. These guidelines were developed through an inclusive consultative process that also incorporated inputs from a wide range of experts within the mining industry, consultants and government in South Africa.

South Africa has solid legislation in place in terms of the National Water Act 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) and the Regulations On Use Of Water For Mining And Related Activities Aimed At The Protection Of Water Resources published in Government Notice 704 of 4 June 1999. However, until the recent publication of the Best Practice Guidelines (BGs) there were never clear guidelines on exactly what was expected by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry from the mining industry in terms of various water management aspects.

These BPGs are now available to be utilized by the mining sector as input for compiling water use licence applications and other legally required documents such as Environmental Management Plans, Environmental Impact Assessments, Integrated Water and Waste Management Plans, closure plans, etc. These guidelines will serve as a uniform basis for negotiations between government and the mining industry, and also as a guideline as to what the DWAF considers as best practice in resource protection and waste management.

The workshop will give participants a systematic overview of the whole series of Best Practice Guidelines, highlighting important principles, key considerations and important processes contained in these guidelines , of which the impact prediction process covered in BPG:G4 Impact Prediction and the mine closure planning process contained in BPG G5: Water Management Aspects for Mine Closure are but a few.

The series of BPGs which will be covered in the workshop includes the following documents:

• H1. Integrated Mine Water Management
• H2. Pollution Prevention and Minimisation of Impacts
• H3. Water Reuse and reclamation
• H4. Water Treatment
• G1. Storm Water Management
• G2. Water and Salt Balances
• G3. Water Monitoring Systems
• G4. Impact Prediction
• G5. Water management aspects for mine closure
• A1. Small-Scale Mining
• A2. Water Management for Mine Residue Deposits
• A3. Water Management in Hydro-metallurgical Plants
• A4. Pollution Control Dams
• A5. Water Management for Surface Mines
• A6. Water Management for Underground Mines

The BPGs can be obtained electronically from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry’s website www.dwaf.gov.za/documents/other/water_quality_management or by contacting Mr. Molefe Morokane in the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry at +27 (0)12 3367500.

Workshop facilitators: William Pulles & Riana Munnik, Golder Associates Africa
William Pulles, is the main author of most of these guidelines and has over 25 years experience in practically all aspects of mine water management and treatment. Riana Munnik acted as specialist and project manager for part of the project while in DWAF’s employ and also has more than 15 years experience in catchment management and water management issues relating to the mining industry. As both facilitators are currently acting as consultants to the mining industry, participants will have the opportunity to will gain firsthand knowledge of the most relevant principles, procedures, and processes contained in the guidelines.

WORKSHOP 2 : The Global Acid Rock Drainage (GARD) Guide – Training Workshop

Research into Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) formation and methods to prevent its occurrence has been conducted over the past five decades. Progress has been accelerated over recent years, resulting in a substantial body of scientific literature on ARD. The research is scattered in many sources and is not easily accessible. The International Network for Acid Prevention (INAP) has consolidated relevant information and produced a Global Acid Rock Drainage Guide (GARD Guide) that summarizes the best technical and management practices to create a body of work for industry and stakeholder application. It assists industry to provide high levels of environmental protection, supports governments to assess and regulate mining reclamation, and enables the public to gain a higher degree of understanding of acid prevention plans and practices. The guide provides a structured system to identify proven techniques for characterization, prediction, monitoring, treatment, prevention, and management of ARD.

The training workshop will cover the organization and content of the internet-based GARD Guide and ARD management strategies are outlined to show GARD Guide principles in practice. The format of the workshop will include sections that cover the content of the GARD Guide followed by a number of case studies to demonstrate application of best practices in ARD management. Participants will gain firsthand knowledge of best practices in the assessment and management of ARD as well as practical experience on how to develop an ARD management plan.

Workshop facilitator: Nico Bezuidenhout, PriSciNat, MSc, MDP, Golder Associates
Nico is a consulting geochemist with Golder Associates Africa and operations manager of the Geosciences Division. He has an MSc in Environmental Geochemistry and an MDP. He is Chairman of the Water Institute of South Africa’s Mine Water Division and is a registered professional scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professionals. Nico has 10 years consulting experience and specialises in environmental geochemistry with special emphasis on industrial waste and Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) associated with mining. He has published a number of technical papers on waste characterisation, impact modelling, technical risk assessment and mine water management.

Workshop 3 : Innovative strategies for brine reduction and brine management – Training Workshop

Water treatment technologies are becoming increasingly important in terms of mine water management. For numerous applications, the treatment methodologies will generate various waste streams, in mining, typically various sludges and saline brines.

A research project has been undertaken into innovative approaches to managing brines, focusing particularly on brines generated by Reverse Osmosis and associated precipitation technologies in the mine water treatment application. The workshop will focus on mine water treatment in South Africa, including: -

• An overview of the treatment technologies in terms of current status and areas of research and development.
• Insight into the chemistry of both the treatment processes and the behaviour of saline brines.
• Practical issues and problems on the operational sites and how they are being resolved.
• Innovative approaches identified worldwide for the management of brines. Several of these have been tested locally, and while some may
not be commercially viable yet, the status of these will be discussed.
• A view will be presented for discussion on the way forward, likely problem areas and areas of opportunity.

Workshop facilitators: Wimpie van der Merwe, Proxa / Chris Waygood, Jones & Wagener
The workshop will be facilitated by Wimpie van der Merwe, a chemical engineer with Proxa and Chris Waygood, a civil engineer with Jones & Wagener. Both these facilitators have extensive experience in water management and water treatment in the mining industry. Presenters will include speakers from University, Industry and the Consulting field to give a balance of theoretical and practical insight.

WORKSHOP 4 : Regulatory approval of proposals for metalliferous tailings disposal facilities development, alteration and closure: a decision support system

The approval of proposals from mining proponents for the establishment, alteration and closure of metalliferous tailings disposal facilities often involves a complex process which may involve the mine and authorities in many iterations before approval is granted. Formal approval for closure of tailings disposal facilities has been particularly difficult to obtain owing to the high degree of uncertainty around the long term risks associated with surface stability (erosion) and ground water contamination. The Water Research Commission has recognized this and has funded a project designed to support decision making by authorities and proponents in an effort to streamline the approval process. Two phases of the three for the project have been completed and a preliminary decision support system (DSS) has been developed. The system focuses the proponent on answering key questions which the regulator needs to have answered in a structured manner and provides guidance on how to substantiate the answers provided. The DSS has been tested on a tailings facility for which an application for closure has been made and for which the closure measures have been in place for five years.

The workshop will explain the concepts underlying the DSS and elaborate on the key questions that have been identified. Presentations will be made by the researchers responsible for unpacking the questions and for defining the state of knowledge around these questions. A protocol for demonstration of as yet unproven methods on a site specific basis will also be presented and explained. Finally the case history to which the DSS has been applied will be presented and opened up for discussion. Feedback and interaction with the participants will be encouraged in order to assist the Water Research Commission to focus their effort for the third phase of the project.

Participants will gain an understanding of the key issues that stand in the way of obtaining regulatory approvals and will learn how these issues can be resolved by following a structured process. The workshop should be of value to mining proponents, regulators and consultants who assist mining companies with tailings related licensing.

Workshop facilitator: John Wates, Fraser Alexander
John was responsible for initiating the research proposal and lead the research for the first phase. He will be assisted by members of the research team who will make presentations in their respective areas of specialisation. John is a professional civil engineer with close on 40 years of experience as a consultant to the mining industry, mainly on matters relating to tailings disposal facilities and other mine residue deposits, but also across many areas of strategic planning and policy development for water resource management in the mining industry.