Ground and Airborne Geophysical Surveys Identify Potential Subsurface Acid Mine Drainage Pathways in the Krugersdorp Game Reserve, Gauteng Province, South Africa

Following the cessation of underground mining activities in the West Rand Goldfield in the late 1990s all pumping of water from the mine void was halted and water levels were allowed to recover due to ground and surface water inflows. In 2002 the water in the mine void reached the level of the lowest lying shaft and began to decant on surface. This water was of poor quality with low pH and high dissolved solids. Significant effort has been expended since on addressing the impacts of this water on the receiving surface water system. Far less effort has been expended on the groundwater systems in the receiving environment. Ground and airborne geophysical surveys have identified potential subsurface pollution pathways in the Krugersdorp Game Reserve, immediately adjacent to and down-gradient from the West Rand Goldfield.