Photo by Henk Coetzee Bamboo Phytoremediation A holistic

Photo by Henk Coetzee Bamboo Phytoremediation A holistic, long-term solution for rehabilitation of contaminated soil (and much, much more!) SAIMM – Johannesburg Branch Panel Discussion on Acid Mine Drainage Military Museum, Johannesburg Zoo 15 September 2011 Presented by : T W Sims Virtual State Solutions

Bamboo Phytoremediation Introduction Bamboo has been successful in dealing with the legacy of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), in India. In particular revegetation of coal mine overburden dumps Mining companies in SA have shown interest in planting bamboo to assist in land rehabilitation but no firm commitments at this stage. Bambusa Balcooa, is our clumping, non-indigenous, noninvasive, locally propagated, bamboo species using tissue culture technology. It is ideally suited for phytoremediation and biomass feedstock. No water permit is required. If the mine is not yet closed, no EIA is needed and the EMP can be amended. Introduction Growing Bamboo will not. . . VSS Proposal Investment Benefits The way forward. . .

Bamboo Phytoremediation Bamboo plantations will not. . . Grow whilst submerged in water Convert contaminated water to produce potable/drinkable water But Bamboo plantations can. . . Use Acid Mine Water (for irrigation purposes) Adsorb unwanted heavy metals (e. g. Zinc, Chrome, Iron, Lead) Adsorb unwanted toxic substances (e. g. Mercury, Uranium) Reduce radio-activity levels Increase p. H levels Tolerate acidic soil Introduction Bamboo plantations will not. . . VSS Proposal Investment Benefits The way forward. . .

Bamboo Phytoremediation VSS Proposal Secure Mine Land (long-term lease – zero cost) Organise Preferential Finance (DBSA, IDC, 3 rd Parties) Establish Bamboo Plantations (life expectancy 20 years min. ) Build Bamboo Bio-Coal Plant (beneficiate bamboo raw material 5 th year onwards) Harvest Bamboo Crop (from 4 th year onwards) VSS to manage project Legal entity to be formed to protect individual interests of all parties and address ownership and % share distribution Introduction Bamboo plantations will not. . . VSS Proposal Investment Benefits The way forward. . .

Bamboo Phytoremediation Investment Mining Company (Land & Rehabilitation Fee, Performance Based) Investors (Total – R 74, 2 m) Bamboo Plantation – R 23, 8 m (400 ha – 237, 600 bamboo plants, yield 60, 000 mt/y) Bio-Coal Plant – R 50, 4 m (30, 000 mt/y) Community Part ownership within legal entity and allocation of portion of crop for downstream business activities (using raw bamboo material) VSS Project Developer (Part ownership within legal entity, performance based bonuses/penalties within SLA) Introduction Bamboo plantations will not. . . VSS Proposal Investment Benefits The way forward. . .

Bamboo Phytoremediation Benefits Mining Company (Mine Land Rehabilitation & full mine closure) Investors (DBSA funds back with zero interest – Bonus! , IDC funds repaid with 8% interest! , 3 rd parties repaid with marketrelated interest) Community (60 permanent & 20 casual plantation jobs & 25 permanent bio-coal production plant jobs created in rural area) VSS Project Developer (Project management fees & performnace based bonuses/ penalties rewarding our initiative and on-going interest in project's success) Introduction Bamboo plantations will not. . . VSS Proposal Investment Benefits The way forward. . .

Bamboo Phytoremediation The way forward. . . VSS's main challenge is to : Secure finance through government aligned lending institutions such as : National Treasury's Jobs Fund (administered by DBSA) IDC who have already indicated their interest in similar projects (in particular bamboo!) Get as many mining companies on board as soon as possible, by demonstrating the efficacy of Bamboo Phytoremediation as a holistic, long-term solution for rehabilitation of contaminated soil and much, much more! Introduction Bamboo plantations will not. . . VSS Proposal Investment Benefits The way forward. . .

2011 - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FOREST. THANK-YOU FOR YOUR TIME