AMENDMENTS TO THE REGULATIONS REGARDING THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF RESIDUE STOCKPILES AND RESIDUE DEPOSITS, 2015 PUBLISHED
Notice Title: Amendments to the Regulations regarding the Planning and Management of Residue Stockpiles and Residue Deposits, 2015
Government Gazette Notice: GN 990 in GG 41920 of 21 September 2018
Commencing date: 21 September 2018
The Minister of Environmental Affairs (Acting) published the regulations regarding the Planning and Management of Residue Stockpiles and Residue Deposits Amendment Regulations, 2018 (“amendment regulations”) on 21 September 2018.
The purpose of the amendment regulations is to amend the existing regulations regarding the Planning and Management of Residue Stockpiles and Residue Deposits, 2015 (“the Regulations”), with the main aim to allow for the pollution control measures required for residue stockpiles and residue deposits, to be determined on a case by case basis, based on a risk analysis conducted by a competent person.
In terms of the transitional arrangements any application for a waste management licence relating to the establishment of a residue stockpile or residue deposit, lodged before 21 September 2018, must be dealt with in terms of the Regulations as amended by these amendment regulations.
How to ensure compliance at my operation?
The establishment, reclamation, expansion or decommissioning of residue stockpiles or residue deposits must be authorised in terms of an Environmental Management Plan/ Programme (“EMPr”), approved prior to 2 September 2014 under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (“MPRDA”) or a waste management licence issued in terms of the National Environmental Management Waste Act 59 of 2008.
A risk analysis must be conducted to determine the pollution control measures suitable for a specific residue stockpile or residue deposit as part of an application for a waste management licence. A pollution control barrier system designed in terms of the National Norms and Standards for the Assessment of Waste for Landfill Disposal (GN R635 of 23 August 2013) and the National Norms and Standards for the Disposal of Waste to Landfill (GN R636 of 23 August 2013 is no longer required.
Approved EMPrs must adequately include and address all environmental impacts of a mining operations residue stockpiles and deposits. All residue stockpiles and residue deposits must be characterised and classified according to the requirements of the Regulations. Operations must continue to ensure that the general management of all existing and planned residue deposits and stockpiles comply with the requirements of the Regulations as amended by the amendment regulations.
What is Shangoni’s approach?
Facilitation of waste management licence application or amendment to existing EMPs
Shangoni has the expertise and experience to undertake the full spectrum of tasks for Mining and Environmental Authorisation Applications (including applications for waste management licences) for our clients within the mining sector. This includes the statutory public participation and consultation process and all the required interactions with the regulating authorities. Shangoni’s approach towards Mining and Environmental Authorisation Application development also emphasises the management of identified risks, thus adding significant value to the organisation beyond the delivery of a report submitted to regulators for approval.
Risk analysis
Shangoni has qualified and experienced scientists that can conduct a risk analysis and recommend the pollution control measures suitable for a specific residue stockpile or residue deposit.
Specific services include:
- Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and Synthetic Precipitation Leach Procedure on waste material.
- Biological toxicity testing.
- Acid generating and neutralising potential (static and kinetic acid-base-accounting).
- Analyses of volatile organic compounds.
- Human and environmental impact predictions and risk analyses.
- Geohydrological properties of the strata within the zone that could potentially be affected by the quality of seepage.
- Vulnerability and existing potential use of the groundwater resource within the zone that could potentially be affected by the residue facility.
- Potential rate of seepage from the facility and the quality of the seepage.
- Design and implementation of ground- and surface water monitoring programmes.
- Classification according to the National Norms and Standards for the Assessment of Waste (GN R635 of 23 August 2013).
- Pollution control barrier system specifications compliant with the commensurate norms and standards for disposal of waste to landfill.
