Vaalbrug

Vaalbrug is an opencast dolomite mine situated in the heartland of South Africa’s maize production area.  The mine was established in 1986 and is proud of the constant quality and composition of the agricultural dolomite produced since ground was first broken.

Vaalbrug borders the Vaal River at Orkney from where it supplies agricultural lime into the Free State as well as the North-West.  Over the years Vaalbrug has diversified the business to include the supply of aggregate to the construction industry, filler material to the fertilizer industry and Greentop agricultural gypsum to the agricultural market.

Benefits of Lime

The following are a few of the benefits you will gain by adding agricultural lime to acidic soils.

1. Lime supplies Calcium (Ca) an important constituent of cell wall material, adding  strength and stability to the plant. Calcium deficiency causes stunted growth.
2. Fertiliser efficiency is improved when agricultural lime is added  to acid soils. Liming acid soils will increase the uptake of nitrogen, phosphate, potash, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, boron, copper, zinc and  molybdenum.
3. Agricultural lime improves soil structure and promotes worm  activity. The addition of lime to most soils will improve their friability, thus  reducing crusting and clodding of heavy soils.
4. The composting of organic matter in the soil is significantly  improved, thus contributing to good soil composition and less need for ongoing  tillage.
5. Reduces the need for costly and potentially toxic chemical fertilisers and completes an eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable approach, and complies with all requirements for ‘organic’ labeling.