Environment

The possibility of discharging polluted water from AngloGold Ashanti’s West Wits operations into the Wonderfontein Spruit remains a concern. Discharge occurs if the North Boundary dam overflows during periods of high rainfall and/or operational interruptions, and the water flows towards the Wonderfontein Spruit.

A number of scientific studies have been conducted by various bodies over many years to establish the extent of sediment deposition and radioactivity levels from several mining sources in the spruit and all have indicated that the radioactivity levels in the river water are within water quality safety standards. Both the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and the National Nuclear Regulator have stated that the water in the spruit is fit for industrial and agricultural use, at the same time cautioning that no untreated water is safe to drink. However, it is accepted that there is a valid concern regarding elevated levels of uranium and heavy metals in the sediment. See case study: Engagement on the Wonderfontein Spruit.

The challenge remains determining the extent of the pollution and resultant risk, as this problem dates back 100 odd years and has been contributed to by several gold mining companies. Most important of all is deciding how to deal with the problem responsibly.

AngloGold Ashanti is a member of the Mining Interest Group (MIG), comprising all the gold mining companies operating in the area. The MIG was formed to co-operate on issues common to the Wonderfontein Spruit, and includes interaction with regulatory and community groups. The MIG is a sub-structure of the Wonderfontein/Loopspruit forum which itself comprises a number of interest groups including municipalities, private individuals and organisations, regulatory bodies, industry and service providers.

A national Steering Committee for Remediation of Mine-Related Radioactive Contamination has been established, consisting of all relevant national government departments to ensure that the appropriate regulatory co-operation is achieved. A further body – the Wonderfontein Spruit Catchment Area Project Technical Working Group (WCAPTWG) – aimed at including regulatory authorities at local, provincial and national level has also been established. To date these bodies have functioned in isolation. The intention of the government structures is as follows:

• To develop a remediation action plan which will highlight areas of intervention in order of priority.
• To propose mitigation measures for the areas identified with specified responsibilities.
• To implement or execute the proposed remediation action plans, with the liabilities and financial responsibilities still to be determined.

The MIG has made a formal proposal on regional management structures to the National Nuclear Regulator regarding further assessments and mitigation of the possible risks, including undertaking a regional Public Hazard Assessment in the Wonderfontein Spruit area. The MIG proposal has been accepted to a large extent, and the MIG will in future form part of the WCAPTWG structure.

Storm water management capacity at the West Wits operations has been steadily improved by the progressive separation of clean and potentially contaminated water. Since 2000 AngloGold Ashanti has spent about R10 million on improving the West Wits storm water management system.

A study was recently completed to determine the storage capacity requirements of the North Boundary Dam to accommodate a 1:50 rain storm event (a rainfall event with an intensity that is statistically expected to occur no more than once in 50 years). The capacity was found to be insufficient and a decision was taken to increase the storage capacity of the North Boundary Dam. The preliminary cost estimate is R31 million and project completion is only expected after the winter of 2011 as a full environmental impact assessment that includes public participation will be required. The preliminary design and environmental consideration work has been initiated, and construction is anticipated to commence during the first quarter of 2011, depending on legal and public participation processes.