The Lower Wonderfontein Spruit: an exposé |
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| Authors: | C Swart E Stoch C van Jaarsveld A Brink |
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| Institution: | 1.GFL Mining Services Limited Ground Stability Group, P.O. Box 6171, Oberholzer 2501, South Africa,;2.P.O. Box 9, Welverdiend 2495, South Africa,;3.P.O. Box 67193, Bryanston 2021, South Africa, |
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| Abstract: | During the nineteenth century the Wonderfontein Valley and Spruit were described as a 'natural jewel' by adventurers. The valley underlain by dolomitic aquifers contained copious volumes of water and partly overlies gold-mining excavations, which were under a threat of flooding. For safety and economic reasons, large-scale dewatering of some of the dolomitic aquifers was decided upon as a matter of policy. This led to the lowering of the water table, which accelerated the formation of sinkholes and dolines in geologically sensitive areas. The streambed along approximately the first 30 km of the Lower Wonderfontein Spruit is particularly vulnerable. The mining sector attempted to rehabilitate the affected parts of the streambed by filling the sinkholes with various materials. Unfortunately, many of the treated sinkholes were reactivated by storm flow. |
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