sp1-01dd4e198430009c.pdf

This report provides a wetland ecological assessment for Phase 1 of the proposed ATHA Yzermyn underground coal mine in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Conducted by Scientific Aquatic Services (SAS), the study evaluates the Present Ecological State (PES), Ecological Importance and Sensitivity (EIS), and potential impacts of mining activities on local wetland systems, including channelled valley bottoms and hillslope seeps.

• The study area contains four major wetland systems consisting of three basic hydrogeomorphic (HGM) units: rivers, channelled valley bottom HGM units, and hillslope seep HGM units. These are classified as Inland Systems within the Highveld and Eastern Escarpment Mountains Aquatic Ecoregions, with the WetVeg type identified as Mesic Highveld Grassland Group 8, which is 'least threatened'.
• While WET-Health assessments generally place Wetland Systems 1-4 in PES Category A (natural, unmodified), ecologists note that lower-lying, accessible areas have been modified by domestic livestock grazing, farm roads, bridges, and subsistence cultivation. Consequently, these lower-lying areas are more likely to be PES Category B or C.
• Wetland Systems 1-4 are deemed ecologically important, with biodiversity likely sensitive to flow and habitat modifications. Specifically, channelled valley bottom wetlands were assigned a Recommended Ecological Category (REC) A, while most hillslope seep wetlands were assigned REC B. Hillslope seeps within the proposed surface infrastructure footprint were assigned REC C due to higher modification.
• The proposed ATHA Yzermyn Coal Project is situated in an extremely sensitive area. Because there is likely insufficient space outside wetland areas for infrastructure, the project is expected to have a high impact on local wetland ecology. A primary concern is the long-term effect of post-closure decant of water from the underground mine void via the adit or unsealed boreholes on the surface water quality of the wetlands and the Assegaai River.
• Prior to mitigation, impacts on wetland habitat and ecological structure during construction, operation, and closure are rated medium-high, while impacts on hydrological function and ecological service provision are rated high. With strict mitigation, construction impacts may be reduced to medium-low or medium-high, but operational and closure impacts remain medium-high to high.
• Essential mitigation measures include the clear separation of clean and dirty water, placing infrastructure support structures outside channelled valley bottom wetlands, and lining all pollution control and discard dump facilities with HDPE liner systems. Post-closure, treated decant should be discharged into hillslope seepage wetlands via a spigot and sand filter to recharge the system.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). sp1-01dd4e198430009c.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/SP1.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. sp1-01dd4e198430009c.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/SP1.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=sp1-01dd4e198430009c.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/SP1.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsndsp101dd4e198430009cpdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{sp1-01dd4e198430009c.pdf}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/SP1.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }