EXPLORING A NEW WATER ECONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POST MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA’S COAL MINING ZONES

A Water Research Commission (WRC) funded study investigated how much water will become available as coal mines and power stations in Mpumalanga close, and how this water can be treated and reused to support sustainable economic activities post-mining. The study further focused on identifying the main water sources associated with the coal mining sector and assessed their potential contribution to agriculture and emerging industries in the province. This analysis provided the foundation for evaluating technical options and estimating the economic benefits of water reuse in Mpumalanga post-coal mining.