Digby Wells Environmental is delighted to announce that Dr. Robel A. Gebrekristos our internationally experienced Technical Lead in Hydrogeology within the Water Geosciences Division, will be presenting at the West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium (WVTF) and IMWA – International Mine Water Association Congress Conference in West Virginia, USA. Dr. Robel A. Gebrekristos in collaboration with Graham Trusler, CEO Digby Wells Environmental, has had a paper titled “Understanding Influences on Mine Water Quality Beyond Acid Mine Drainage: Case Studies from South Africa and Tanzania” accepted for presentation.

His presentation will shed light on the often-overlooked aspects of mine water quality management not related to acid or neutral mine drainage (AMD/NMD). AMD poses well-known challenges to both ground and surface water. While there are established guidelines to manage AMD and metal leachability from mine wastes, less attention is paid to other sources of contamination at mine sites.

Dr. Robel A. Gebrekristos will discuss the impacts of various other impacts on mine water quality, such as chemicals used during mining and processing, sewage treatment plants, explosive usage, water treatment chemicals, and hydrocarbons like Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). He will draw upon case studies, including one from a platinum mine in South Africa, where chloride contamination in the aquifer has had far-reaching consequences on surface water and the riverine ecosystem.

Additionally, Dr. Robel A. Gebrekristos will share insights from a mine in Tanzania where nitrate contamination persisted due to inadequate sewage and mine water management.

These case studies presented will highlight the importance of comprehensive environmental impact investigations in mine operations. While AMD is often a primary concern, the influence of process chemicals on water quality must not be underestimated. Dr. Robel A. Gebrekristos‘ presentation underscores the need for a holistic approach to mine water management, considering both geological factors and the responsible handling of process chemicals.

We are proud to have Dr. Robel A. Gebrekristos represent Digby Wells Environmental at this esteemed conference, sharing valuable insights that contribute to the sustainable management of water resources in mining operations globally.

Digby Wells Environmental Executive Sarah Cooper together with Arno Barnard (Andrada Mining), Gwennael Guillen (Allied Gold Corporation), Emma Leith, MBA (La Mancha), and Estelle Levin-Nally CDir Dip IoD (Levin Sources) will participate in the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Conference Sustainability Programme panel discussion, for the session “Junior ESG Forum Strategy to Execution”.

The session aims to address the distinctive challenges confronted by junior miners in the African context, where the vast landscape of sustainability standards can be overwhelming.

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Join the Creamer Media webinar featuring Digby Wells Environmental CEO, Graham Trusler, a member of the panel of experts.
The panel will engage in a thought-provoking discussion on repurposing old mines, legal responsibilities, and security strategies. Be a part of the conversation that could help shape the future of mining!

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Coinciding with the 121 Mining Investment and Investing in African Mining Indaba conference, Digby Wells Environmental hosted its long-standing annual Sustainability Breakfast in Cape Town.

Opened by Non-Executive Chairman Digby Wells Environmental Roger Williams, the event featured presentations from CEO Digby Wells Environmental, Graham Trusler, and expert industry panelists, including:

• Ekaterina Autet, CESGA® from the IFC – International Finance Corporation, who discussed supporting the sustainable development of the Metals & Mining sector;
• Stuart Thompson of Capital Limited who presented on the collaboration with service providers to enhance decarbonization; and
• Grant Beringer from Barrick Gold Corporation who shared insights on Sustainable Delivery, including a case study on their Kibali Gold Mine.

Creamer Media who attended the Digby Wells Environmental Sustainability Breakfast, wrote: Barrick highlights importance of socioeconomic development in poor countries (miningweekly.com)

We look forward to hosting the 2025 Sustainability breakfast and thank all industry partners who attended the event.

Over the past 29 years, we’ve undertaken over 5000 projects spanning 77 countries, addressing issues from community development to climate action, water and waste management to biodiversity and gender diversity.

Our mission of “To move us from the world we live in to the world we seek”, is far from complete. Our commitment goes beyond words, and we measure our impact to ensure tangible change. 

The Digby Wells Environmental Impact Report is our effort to measure our action, and our progress against our mission. 

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On 1 February 2024, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (Minister) again amended the transitional period contained in regulation 17B of the Financial Provision Regulations, 2015. The transitional arrangements in regulation 17B of the Financial Provision Regulations allows the holder of a right or permit granted or issued, as the case may be, in accordance with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (MPRDA), who applied for such right or permit before 20 November 2015, to continue making financial provision in accordance with regulations 53 and 54 of the regulations published under the MPRDA. Stated differently, a person who applied for a right or permit prior to 20 November 2015, is not yet required to comply with the Financial Provision Regulations.

In the previous amendments to regulation 17B of the Financial Provision Regulations, the Minister always specified a date by when the transitional period would expire and when all holders would be required to comply with the Financial Provision Regulations. However, this time the Minister has amended regulation 17B to provide that the transitional period will continue to apply until the Minister publishes a date by when all holders are required to comply with the Financial Provision Regulations.

In 2023, the majority of the provisions of the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, 2022 (NEMLAA), came into effect, which brought about a significant overhaul of the financial provision sections of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998. When NEMLAA took effect, it seemed that the long-awaited revision of the Financial Provision Regulations was imminent, however, with the latest extension to the transitional period in the Financial Provision Regulations, it appears that this is not the case.

Contact the Digby Wells Environmental Legal Services or Rehabilitation and Closure team to find out how these changes could impact on your business.