There are a number of abandoned and defunct coal mines in the Loskop Dam catchment which are impacting, or have potential to impact on water quality. This project was initiated in 2000 and involved the identification and assessment of all defunct mines in the catchment. A total of 27 mines were identified and assessed prioritised in terms of social and environmental impacts. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry carried out a legal review of each to identify responsible parties, and where none existed, the State assumed responsibility for rehabilitation, and Jones & Wagener determined preliminary rehabilitation costs. To date, rehabilitation has been carried out at one mine. Arbor Colliery (pictured above) received top priority and detailed design for the partial rehabilitation of the mine was carried out in 2005, with construction works taking place during 2006.

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