Riverlea Mining Forum remains concerned about rising water levels at area’s mining shafts

JOHANNESBURG - The Riverlea Mining Forum remains concerned about rising water levels at mining shafts in their area. 

Water, previously pumped out into catchment areas, now continues to rise because of improper rehabilitation in the region. 

ALSO READ: Zama zamas a step ahead despite DMRE's R1.8m injection to seal shafts

Eyewitness News previously reported that the area was left in ruins after years of mining by Central Rand Gold, a company which has since been liquidated, leaving no recourse for the community. 

Despite their fears of being dismissed by the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Riverlea Mining Forum said their community was on the brink of a major disaster.

Rising acidic water levels are closer to the surface than many think. 

Cedric Ortel of the Riverlea Mining Forum demonstrated how close to the surface the water levels were by throwing a rock down a supposedly closed mining shaft, subsequently explaining the danger of it rising. 

"The danger with this is the rainwater meets up with all these chemicals and it becomes acidic. This acidic water will eventually eat away at this dolomitic rock and will eventually cause cracking - that is when you will find sinkholes, and I’m not talking about your normal sinkholes."

Despite government's efforts to rid the area of zama zamas, they are back in the area illegally mining.