Taking on the challenges of AMD through horticulture

Abstract

Water personality Manuel Street Park is situated in the area of Davidsonville, Roodepoort West. The park is in close vicinity to the Princess Dump, a largely unrehabilitated mine dump. Mine run-off contaminates the park frequently. The impact of contaminated mine run-off water flowing through the Manuel Street Park and into the wetland is a great risk, in addition to the dust and water run-off which poses a health and safety risk. As the area is not fenced, children play in the park and walk through the wetlands to school. There have also been reports in the media of the residents in Davidsonville suffering from severe asthma from air-borne dust from the mine dumps. In past rainy seasons heavy rains have washed mine tailings through houses in the vicinity. Although there is a boundary wall to protect the houses from dust and run-off, it is just 1.5 m high and does not effectively serve its purpose. Interim precautions have been taken to avoid another flood in the park during heavy rains.

Authors

Categories