Mining companies often secure licences for large areas of land in anticipation of an economically viable deposit being developed. A comparatively small portion of this land is actually disturbed by mining activities. At the end of 2005, our mining activities had disturbed 41 600 ha or 4.4% of the 942 000 ha of mining licence areas in which we operate. In the marine environment, our mining licences cover 1 480 315 ha and mining activities to date have directly disturbed 3 186 ha (0.2%). In 2005, we spent more than US$3.1 million on the rehabilitation and restoration of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Overburden dumps and excavations make up 72% of our mining land footprint. These occur almost exclusively at the west coast operations in Namibia (Namdeb coastal strip operations) and South Africa (Namaqualand mines). Fine residue deposits also form a significant component (12%) of the mining footprint. Environmental management programmes in place at each of the mines and exploration areas include restoration plans for these different forms of land disturbance.
We are also enhancing our current closure planning and costing process. Particular attention is being given to the implementation of a detailed rehabilitation and closure plan for Namdeb operations in conjunction with a cumulative impact study. The closure plan accounts for land disturbance issues and includes tried and tested methods for local landscape rehabilitation.
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