Investigation shows mine tailings

Grootvlei mine, which was notoriously asset-stripped in 2010, is back in the spotlight because of a dubious

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An environmental catastrophe in the making.

(Photos: Felix Dlangamandla)

The old Grootvlei gold mine on the East Rand closed in 2011, but its tailings dam has recently been a hive of questionable activity that experts say poses an environmental threat to the Blesbokspruit, which flows through a Ramsar wetland site (designated to be of international importance) and the Marievale Bird Sanctuary.

Daily Maverick's queries into the matter prompted a probe by the Department of Water and Sanitation, which found that no water use authorisation had been issued for the "rehabilitation work" being undertaken by Upward Spiral 1471, an unlisted mining services company.

"Our objective is to rehabilitate and preserve the area with the aim of long-term discouragement of illegal mining activities. We remain committed to lawful, transparent and environmentally responsible operations for the safety of our people and the communities we operate in," the company said in an emailed response to queries last year.

This narrative does not jive with the visual evidence of what has been unfolding there, or the department's findings.

Daily Maverick flew over the site by helicopter on 31 October. The photos we took from that bird's eye view were shared with several mining experts, who raised numerous red flags after examining them.

To wit, it is clear that protective cladding — a measure to contain dust in the atmosphere or slimes from entering the wetland at its doorstep — is simply being stripped, and mining, including what appears to be zama zama activity, can be seen.