Grootvlei Proprietary Mines Limited is situated in the district of Springs and falls within the Upper Vaal Water Management Area. The mine has a metallurgical operation that extracts gold from underground mined ore. The mine is at present operated by Aurora Gold East Rand. To carry out this activity, they need to pump underground water for their use as per the provisions of Section 21(f) and (j) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998). The Grootvlei Proprietary Mines Limited was, on 19 May 2009, issued Water Use Licence No. 20018320 by the Department of Water Affairs. The license authorises Grootvlei Mine to remove, treat and discharge water found underground for efficient continuation of mining and for the safety of people.