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An interim solution for the toxic tide of acid mine water rising beneath the surface of South Africa 's Witwatersrand area will cost government an estimated R145-million, Water Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said on Wednesday. Speaking at the Agri SA water conference in Johannesburg, Sonjica highlighted that current initiatives to tackle the problem revolved around a public private partnership, which would see government and the mines contributing to the capital costs for the infrastructure needed to pump and treat the water. She explained to Mining Weekly Online that around 70% of the gold mines in the Witwaterand area were currently ownerless, which meant that the liability would fall on the shoulders of the State, hence the R145-million needed. The Minister said that the other 30%, of the total cost of R218-million, would be payable by the mines still operating in the province. Department of Water Affairs Gauteng regional director Marius Keet had previously warned that acid water could decant in the streets of Johannesburg within the next 18 months. However, also speaking at the conference, Wits University professor and National Planning Commission member Mike Muller emphasised that even though acid mine drainage (AMD) posed a threat to Gauteng 's water resources, it was not the only, or even the most significant, water challenge that the country was faced with. 'The problem has been somewhat over exaggerated and it is important to also look at addressing the other water challenges that the country is tormented with. ' Muller, who is a former Water Affairs director-general, pointed out that South Africa was faced with urbanisation development issues, which lead to limited capacity of infrastructure, pollution and sewerage problems. 'Further, climate change will increasingly play a role on how we manage our resources. ' He added that specific to the agricultural sector, was the challenge of water use conflicts. Currently, South Africa 's agricultural sector is the biggest water user, using around 62% of the country 's water, followed by urban development at about 23%, and then power generation, large industries and mining. 'South Africa needs to fix issues such as rural transformation and land and water allocations reforms, but we need a clear vision on what we want to achieve, before this can be effectively implemented. ' Currently, the country uses around 31% of its available water resources, and Muller noted that, even though South Africa was classified a water-scarce country, it did not need to affect its economic performance. 'If we are able to make the right investments, management decisions, interventions and innovations, South Africa will be able to cope with water needs going forward. We are currently suffering with limited financial resources and institutional capacity, but these problems can be bridged with some involvement from the private sector and other investors. ' However, Muller warned that if the country failed in managing its resources correctly it would result in job losses, the degradation of livelihoods and the outburst of unnecessary diseases. Source: Mining Weekly Website:www.miningweekly.com/article/interim-acid-mine-water-solution-to-cost-r…