South Africa has been challenged with the management and treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) for decades.
While there are several operational mines affected by AMD, the problem also exists for mines that have ceased operations, leaving behind long-term water quality issues. AMD is evident in a number of areas around South Africa, but particularly in Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the North West.
Numerous media articles, especially between 2000 and 2010, highlighted the possible flooding of the Johannesburg CBD and destruction o river systems that could result from the decant of mine water across this area. To address this imminent danger, the then Department of Water Affairs initiated 'emergency measures'.
