In the past, Eland generated almost 1 million m3 of water annually which is high in suspended solids and sometimes contaminated with hydrocarbons. During heavy storm events, dams have occasionally overflowed washing contaminated water onto surrounding land and into local water courses.

In 2008, Xstrata Alloys established two new dams upstream to ensure greater control over water flow rate and allow suspended solids to settle out, thus preventing downstream areas from becoming polluted. As a result, water quality has improved considerably – evident from the return of fish to the downstream dam and birds and natural vegetation to the surrounding area. We have fenced off the site as it has the potential to become a biodiversity reserve within five to 10 years.