Analysis of the Current Legal Framework Protecting the Health of Communities Near Gold Mine Tailings in South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2522-6800/12919Keywords:
Gold mine tailings, health, pollution, communities, legal framework, implementation, enforcementAbstract
South Africa has a robust legal framework to ensure that mine tailings do not become a health hazard. This notwithstanding, this article will show how a lack of effectiveness with regard to implementation and compliance has led to a situation where the health and safety of people living in communities near gold mine tailings are constantly threatened. This health hazard is exacerbated by human settlements being developed too close to mine tailings, a consequence of poor monitoring, planning and control. The authors explain how the problem could be remedied through effective implementation and compliance with the legal framework and concerted efforts between the government, mining companies and affected communities. Similarly, the establishment of exclusion zones is key to limiting exposure to pollution. At the same time, awareness campaigns will ensure that community members are equipped with the knowledge to safeguard themselves against health hazards caused by gold mine tailings.
Metrics
References
Armienta MA, Talavera O, Morton O and Barrera M, ‘Geochemistry of Metals from Mine Tailings in Taxco, Mexico’ (2003) 2 Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology <https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-003-0176-0> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-003-0176-0
Beyleveld D and Brownsword R, ‘Human Dignity, Human Rights, and Human Genetics’ (1998) 61 Mod L Rev <https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2230.00172> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2230.00172
Cobbina SJ, Duwiejuah AB, Quansah R, Obiri S and Bakobie N, ‘Comparative Assessment of Heavy Metals in Drinking Water Sources in Two Small-scale Mining Communities in Northern Ghana’ (2015) 12 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health <https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120910620> DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120910620
Cornelissen H, Watson I and Malefetse T, ‘Challenges and Strategies of Abandoned Mine Rehabilitation in South Africa: The Case of Asbestos Mine Rehabilitation’ (2019) 205 Journal of Geochemical Exploration <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2019.106354> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2019.106354
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 'Waste Generation in South Africa in Water Quality Management Series (Pretoria, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) 2001.
Dieketseng Maleke, ‘Foundation Calls for Exclusion Zones Around Mine Tailings Facilities’ (IOL, 2022) <https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/companies/foundation-calls-for-exclusion-zones-around-mine-tailings-facilities-a8cf01d0-335f-4ee0-a36e-540dff8d9237> accessed 26 October 2022.
Eijsackers H, Swartjes FA, Van Rensburg L and Maboeta MS, ‘The Need for Attuned Soil Quality Risk Assessment for Non-Western Humans and Ecosystems, Exemplified by Mining Areas in South Africa’ (2014) 44 Environmental Science & Policy <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2014.07.017> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2014.07.017
Erdogan IG, Fosso‐Kankeu E, Ntwampe SKO, Waanders FB and Hoth N, ‘Management of Metalliferous Solid Waste and its Potential to Contaminate Groundwater: A Case Study of O’Kiep, Namaqualand South Africa’ in Fosso-Kankeu E, Wolkersdorfer C and Burgess J (eds), Recovery of Byproducts from Acid Mine Drainage Treatment (Wiley 2020) <https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119620204> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119620204
Fashola MO, Ngole-Jeme VM and Babalola OO, ‘Physicochemical Properties, Heavy Metals, and Metal-Tolerant Bacteria Profiles of Abandoned Gold Mine Tailings in Krugersdorp, South Africa’ (2020) Canadian Journal of Soil Science DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2018-0161
<https://doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2018-0161>
Fasinu P and Orisakwe OE, ‘Heavy metal pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa and Possible Implications in Cancer Epidemiology’ (2013) 6 Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention <https://doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2013.14.6.3393> DOI: https://doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2013.14.6.3393
Fitzmaurice M, ‘Environmental Compliance Control’ (2018) 8 Wroclaw Review of Law, Administration & Economics <https://doi.org/10.1515/wrlae-2018-0054> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/wrlae-2018-0054
Haywood LK, De Wet B, De Lange W and Oelofse S, ‘Legislative Challenges Hindering Mine Waste being Reused and Repurposed in South Africa’ (2019) 6 The Extractive Industries and Society <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2019.10.008> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2019.10.008
Hudson-Edwards K, ‘Tackling mine wastes’ (2016) 352 Science <https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaf3354> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaf3354
Humby T-L, ‘The Spectre of Perpetuity Liability for Treating Acid Water on South Africa’s Goldfields: Decision in Harmony II’ (2013) 31 JERL <https://doi.org/10.1080/02646811.2013.11435343> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02646811.2013.11435343
Kengni B and Mostert H, ‘Regulation and Remediation of the Impacts of Mine Wastes on Land and Water in South Africa’ (2022) 40 Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law <https://doi.org/10.1080/02646811.2021.1985780> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02646811.2021.1985780
Khan MA, Khan S, Khan A and Alam M, ‘Soil Contamination with Cadmium, Consequences and Remediation Using Organic Amendments’ (2017) 601 Science of the Total Environment <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.030> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.030
Kneen MA, Ojelede ME and Annergarn HJ, ‘Housing and Population Sprawl Near Tailings Storage Facilities in the Witwatersrand: 1952 to current’ (2015) 12 South African Journal of Sciences <https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2015/20140186> DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2015/20140186
Laurence D, ‘Optimisation of the Mine Closure Process’ (2006) 14 Journal of Cleaner Production <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2004.04.011> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2004.04.011
Kerry Bobbins and Guy Trangoš, ‘Mining Landscapes of the Gauteng City-Region’ 70 GCRO Research Report # No. 07 (Wits, 2018). <https://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/23829> accessed 13 February 2023.
Love J, ‘Report of the SAHRC Investigative Hearing: Issues and Challenges in relation to Unregulated Artisanal Underground and Surface Mining Activities in South Africa’ (SAHRC, 2015) <https://www.sahrc.org.za/home/21/files/Unregulated%20Artisanal%20Underground%20and%20Surface%20Mining%20Activities%20electronic%20version.pdf> accessed 20 November 2020.
Madihlba T, ‘The Fox in the Henhouse: The Environmental Impact of Mining on Communities in South Africa’ in McDonald D (ed), Environmental Justice in South Africa (Ohio University Press 2004).
Marais L, Denoon-Stevens S and Cloete J, ‘Mining Towns and Urban Sprawl in South Africa’ (2020) 93 Land Use Policy <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.04.014> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.04.014
Mathee A, Naicker N, Kootbodien T, Mahuma T, Nkomo P, Naik I, De Wet T, ‘A Cross-sectional Analytical Study of Geophagia Practices and Blood Metal Concentrations in Pregnant Women in Johannesburg, South Africa’ (2014) 104 South African Medical Journal <https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.7466> DOI: https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.7466
Mhlongo SE and others, ‘The Impact of Artisanal Mining on Rehabilitation Efforts of Abandoned Mine Shafts in Sutherland Goldfield, South Africa’ (2019) 11 Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies <https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v11i2.688> DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v11i2.688
Middleton J and others, ‘Environmental Management and Local Government’ (2011) PDG Occasional Paper.
Naudé AAJ, ‘A Methodology to Quantify the Groundwater Impacts of Mega-Tailings Dams for the Gold Mining Industry, South Africa’ (MSc Thesis, North-West University 2016).
Nkosi V, ‘Association Between Dust from Gold mine Dumps Respiratory Symptoms and Diseases Among Adolescents and the Elderly in Gauteng and North-West Provinces South Africa’ (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pretoria 2016).
Oguntoke O, Ojelede ME and Annegarn HJ, ‘Frequency of Mine Dust Episodes and the Influence of Meteorological Parameters on the Witwatersrand area, South Africa’ (2013) 2013 International Journal of Atmospheric Sciences <https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/128463> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/128463
Ojelede M, Annegarn H and Kneen M, ‘Evaluation of Aeolian Emissions from Gold Mine Tailings on the Witwatersrand’ (2012) 3 Aeolian Research <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2011.03.010> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2011.03.010
Poswa TT and Davies TC, ‘The Nature and Articulation of Ethical Codes on Tailings Management in South Africa’ (2017) 7 Geosciences <https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040101> DOI: https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201708.0091.v1
Schonfeld S and others, ‘Health Effects in Populations Living Aound the Uraniferous Gold Mine Tailings in South Africa: Gaps and Opportunities for Research’ (2014) 5 Cancer Epidemiology <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2014.06.003> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2014.06.003
Schoeman C, ‘The Alignment Between Spatial Planning, Transportation Planning and Environmental Management Within the New Spatial Systems in South Africa’ (2015) Town and Regional Planning.
Stats SA, ‘Mining: Production and Sales’ in Statistical Release P2041 8 (Stats SA, 2019), <https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P2041/P2041June2022.pdf> accessed 27 October 2022.
Sutton MW and Weiersbye IM, ‘An Environmental Risk Assessment of Gold Mine Residue Deposits (MRDs) and Reclaimed Footprints in the East Rand, South Africa – With Recommendations for Safe Land Use Options’ (2008).
Tiwary R, ‘Environmental Impact of Coal Mining on Water Regime and its Management’ (2001) 132 Water, Air, and Soil Pollution <https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012083519667> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012083519667
Wenzel N, Freund B and Graefe O, ‘Surviving in the BRICS: The Struggle of South African Business in Coping with New Partners and Investors’ (2019) 33 International Review of Applied Economics <https://doi.org/10.1080/02692171.2019.1524038> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02692171.2019.1524038
Wilson L-A, ‘Unshackling South African Artisanal Miners: Considering Burkina Faso’s Legislative Provisions as a Guideline for Legalisation and Regulation’ (LLM Thesis, University of Cape Town 2018).
Winde F and Hoffmann E, ‘Virtual Geographical Environments as a Tool to Map Human Exposure to Mining-related Radionuclides’ (International Uranium Mining and Hydrogeology Conference (UMH VII) September 2014, Freiberg, Germany) <https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11059-2_23> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11059-2_23
Winde F, Hoffmann E, Espina C and Schüz JM, ‘Mapping and Modelling Human Exposure to Uraniferous Mine Waste Using a GIS-supported Virtual Geographic Environment’ (2019) 204 Journal of Geochemical Exploration <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2019.05.007> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2019.05.007
World Health Organization: International Agency for Research on Cancer, ‘IARC Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans’ (12 August 2022) <https://monographs.iarc.who.int/agents-classified-by-the-iarc/> accessed 31 October 2022.
Wright CY, Matooane M, Oosthuizen MA and Phala N, ‘Risk Perceptions of Dust and its Impacts Among Communities Living in a Mining Area of the Witwatersrand, South Africa’ (2014) 24 Clean Air Journal <https://doi.org/10.17159/caj/2014/24/1.7052> DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/caj/2014/24/1.7052
Zhakata E, Gundani SR, Chauke V and Odeku KO, A Critic of NEMA: Waste Act 59 of 2008, So Many Promises, Little Implementation and Enforcement (SAAPAM Limpopo Chapter 5th 228 Annual Conference Proceedings 2016) 228.
Case
Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd v Regional Director: Free State Department of Water Affairs and Others (971/12) [2013] ZASCA 206.
Legislation
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996.
Government Gazette 37603, National Norms and Standards 2014.
Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996.
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002.
National Environmental Management Act of 1998.
National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act of 2004.
National Environmental Management: Waste Act of 2008.
National Nuclear Regulator Act, 47 of 1999.
South African National Standard.
South African Water Quality Guidelines.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Accepted 2023-02-20
Published 2023-04-21
