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The contribution by the Impala Community Development Trust (ICDT) to the award-winning Woodchips Project has a dual objective: to create employment for the locals and to care for the environment by using waste product for an economic purpose.

Woodchips are remnants of the timber packs used as support in underground mining operations. They are separated from ore during processing and combined with sewage sludge to form rich, odorless compost that Impala has used in the rehabilitation of the tailings dam slopes. The technology was developed by Impala Rustenburg and the University of North West, Potchefstroom Campus seven years ago.

Monontsha, a community-based business, runs the Woodchips Project and has been operational since 2005. The company has a staff complement of 51 and most of the employees come from the nearby Luka Township. The majority of the shareholders in the business are women, of whom 15 have a 5% shareholding in the project.

Screening of the compost is currently being done for commercial purposes and to upgrade the quality. This will allow for the growth of Monontsha to other mines in the Rustenburg area. “If these tests are successful, it will mean more job opportunities as we will have to produce more compost,” said Sam Chauke, Project Manager. To date, Monontsha has rehabilitated more than 34.4ha of land at Implats’ Rustenburg operations.

As Monontsha grows, so will the responsibilities of the female managers, Doreen Mabale (transport); Daphney Mantswe (processing) and Priscilla Lenkwe (vegetation). They have recently enrolled at a college to study managerial courses on a part-time basis. “The course will really assist us in managing Monontsha and taking the company to dizzing heights,” Daphney said excitedly.

The process uses woodchips which are taken from Impala’s Rustenburg operations and sewage sludge from the company’s water treatment works. Sewer sludge is blended with pulp. The sludge contributes essential organic material, adds density and helps absorb the heavy metals. Earthworms are then introduced to hasten the decomposition process and reduce the volume. Bojanala Municipality is also supplying the sewage sludge to Monontsha as the need for compost is growing.

Daphney Mantswe said, “We are happy as a community that Impala created this opportunity for us and continues to support us every step of the way”.

“The project continues to be a success and with Impala on our side, we will go places. This is just the beginning and many more job opportunities will still be created. Also, this is not only about jobs but the rehabilitation of the tailings dams as a sustainable environmental solution well beyond the life of mine,” concluded Sam.

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