The impacts of coal and gold mining on the associated water resources in South Africa

South Africa is one of the major mining countries of the world and activities are widespread (Figs. 26.1 and 26.2). South African mines produce a variety of ores e.g. chromite, coal, copper, diamonds, fluorspar, gold, iron ore, lead, limestone, manganese, nickel and platinum group metals. Mines also produce a variety of potential contaminants, depending on the ore deposit type, mining processes and mineral processing activities at specific sites.