SRK developed an Integrated Water Management Study (IWMS) for Anglo American Platinum’s Modikwa Mine, which included an integrated Water Management Action Plan. The IWMS informed a water use licence application, which SRK is also preparing, along with a Basic Assessment process including stakeholder engagement. Conducting the work was a multi-disciplinary water and environment team including SRK specialists in surface water (stormwater management and water balances), waste characterisation, engineering design, and permitting (environment and water). External specialists were also engaged in fields including groundwater, aquatic ecology, hydropedology, biodiversity, and heritage.
The IWMS process included integration workshops with the specialists and the client to facilitate the alignment of concerns, to obtain client input on these issues, and develop practical measures for addressing them. Among the challenges changed in the mine plan and in client personnel, as well as additional authority requirements for designs in support of a WULA, requiring timelines to be adjusted.
To streamline the process, detailed records have been maintained to track project progress, changes and deliverables. Weekly client progress meetings on remote platforms during the permitting phase helped to keep the client updated on progress and on what information was still required. An integrated plan to reduce regulatory risk has been developed.
