WATER
WATER IN THE
BIG PICTURE
As quarries deepen, water management becomes critical,
writes Ismail Mohamed.
A
s the improved economic mood
both locally and globally raises
hopes of increased government
investment in infrastructure and
roads, many quarries may soon be looking to
expand production. As quarries expand and
become deeper, however, the management
of water becomes more demanding.
While the water-related impacts of
quarries tend not to be as extensive as most
conventional mining operations, there are a
range of risks that make it vital for quarries
28 _ QUARRY SA | JULY/AUGUST 2018
to develop and implement sound water
management plans. Water use licences
are an important aspect of this discussion,
while the growing awareness of water
scarcity in South Africa is also pushing all
businesses to pursue more efficient use of
this valuable resource.
Water use licences govern critical areas
such as the water quality requirements, the
supply limits, the way that water is stored,
and any disturbances to the water course.
These stipulations need to be carefully
negotiated with the Department of Water
and Sanitation to ensure that they are
realistic and achievable. The stipulations
also feed into the Environmental
Management Plan, another important
aspect of compliance.
Regulating water use
The bottom line is that water management
has become highly regulated, and all
commercial operations that deal with water
— whether surface water or groundwater —