Harmony Gold has refurbished three municipal wastewater treatment plants on behalf of the Matjhabeng, Matlosana and Merafong municipalities and has implemented its own water treatment plants at various sites.

This formed part of various water conservation projects and initiatives that Harmony Gold has implemented to provide secure, potable water supply to its communities, operations and employees and contribute to a cleaner and more stable ecological environment around its operations.

The R35.50-million refurbishment emerges amid the ineffective management and maintenance of sewage plants in South Africa, which has led to a gradual deterioration of water quality in rivers, leaving municipalities under severe pressure from affected communities.

“These projects will collectively increase the sewage treatment capacity of the refurbished plants by around 30-million litres a day, improving the lives of around one-million people,” said Harmony Group CEO Peter Steenkamp in a statement.

In addition to the supply of potable water, the project will also result in improved water quality in rivers and streams in these areas, resulting in downstream improvements for end-users, both for direct use and food production, and will lead to better ecosystems and the preservation of local water resources for future generations.

“Access to secure water supply is critical to mining and the development of our people, our communities and our economy. Potable or drinkable water is a very important resource for our employees, our operations and the communities in which we operate, especially in water-scarce jurisdictions,” he said.

Steenkamp pointed out that achieving real, tangible, sustainable results required collaboration.

“We have worked closely with our local municipalities and other stakeholders to refurbish and operate these treatment facilities, and to rebuild skills and capacity within local municipalities to ensure the sustainability of the facilities once the responsibility is eventually handed back to municipalities,” he concluded.