It is also to produce a separate health and safety report. Even as recently as 20 years ago when the Optimum colliery was opened, no one ever thought of flattening the spoil-piles. Now, they are contoured, top-soiled, planted and a percentage of the land restored to its former condition. This report does not hide our black marks. Rainfall drains into opencast pits, where it collects impurities that are difficult to remove.
Water has to be pumped into local streams to maintain production.
Abnormal rainfall earlier this year highlighted the problem. Ingwe will spend R185-million in the year to June 1997 on ongoing rehabilitation. A sum of R1-billion has been estimated conservatively, as it includes total demolition of all infrastructure, much of which would not be required as many buildings could be used after a mine's closure. Historically, the amount ring-fenced for this purpose has been 75c per ton mined and it will be continued in real terms at this level. In the year to June 1996, Ingwe mined 79,2-million tons of coal.