The impacts and conflicts associated with defunct gold tailings storage facilities in South Africa: A case study of Davidsonville, Central Rand (original) (raw)
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Southern African Public Law, 2023
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.
2018
e large volumes of waste generated during gold bene ciation are a major pollution concern in South Africa. To remove these potential pollution risks in perpetuity, nonconventional approaches to mine waste management are required which avoid land disposal of “unwanted” material. is paper explores the opportunities, drivers and barriers for the re-purposing of gold waste in the South African context. e ndings identify numerous opportunities for reusing gold mine tailings and tailings dumps, and highlight the interrelated factors that constrain their uptake.
2014
Abandoned mines and mine tailings pose a hazard to communities that live around these sites. Here we report on the environmental risk assessment and risk management strategies of an abandoned New Union Gold Mine that is located in Ka-Madonsi village, Malamulele district, South Africa. The visual assessment was done through visits to the mine sites and the levels of heavy metals in the mine tailings soil and stream sediments was analysed with atomic absorption spectrometry. The hazards were then rated based on the probability of reoccurrence and the severity of the impact. The risk management strategies were suggested based on the severity and the probability of the impacts and the geographical setting of the area. The heavy metals: Cu, Co, Cd, As, Zn, Ni and Mn were found in the mine tailings soil and in the stream sediments. The mine tailings soils and stream sediments were acidic, within pH ranges of 3.93 to 4.45 and 4.18 to 6.28 respectfully. The acidic soils can pose as a problem to the growth of plants and grass should they be used for revegetation of the mine tailings.Environmental impacts identified at the mine site were: soil erosion, sedimentation, land subsidence deep open voids and land scarification. Thus for each of the environmental impact that was identified, risk management strategies were then proposed. The re-vegetation of the exposed mine tailings was found to be the most practical way of solving the problem of soil erosion and sedimentation. Presence of plants and grass on the mine tailings may reduce the rate of soil erosion caused by either water and/ or wind. The deep openings need to be safeguarded and backfilled. The drainage lines and storm water infrastructures need to be established to channel water in order to prevent storm water from transporting sediment to the stream.
Gold mining in South Africa has been taking place since the late 19th Century. This activity has produced a wealth of richness for the country, but also has contributed to create environmentally destructed environments. The West Rand Municipal region is the area of focus in this paper. Possible negative environmental health outcome scenarios in especially the pollution of the area's water resources-have been speculated on in scientific reports and in occasional whistle blowing efforts. Some include official reports with regard to a radioactive contamination of the physical and man-changed environment; nonradioactive chemicals found in the residues and wastes produced by gold mining; radon gas and windblown dust. Primarily because of whistle blowing efforts, as based on scientific reports, concerns regarding human health became more intense. The paper mainly provides a concise historiography regarding the close to 100 years of environmental research by especially scientists on the West Rand region, and references to possible health risks. In conclusion ideas will be exchanged on current environmental remedial actions with a motivation for definite health related research to support environmental remedial processes.
Cover characteristics of a large gold tailings storage facility in South Africa: a case study
2021
Topsoil placement on Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF’s) is not considered as standard rehabilitation practice in South Africa (SA). Historically, final earth covers have not been prescribed as part of tailings design and operation and no topsoil has therefore been provided in any way, let alone the financial provision thereof. Since final closure is nearing many mining operations, social and regulatory pressure confront mine owners to the reality of the impacts of uncovered TSF’s. Millions of people reside in urban areas where tailings facilities frequent the landscape (especially around Gauteng, Northwest and Mpumalanga Province). Environmental and geotechnical risk may also emanate from uncovered facilities where surface erosion, as well as water, soil and air pollution protection measures need to be committed to as part of final closure. From a lifecycle cost perspective, topsoil covers are now considered more readily as a viable closure solution alternative compared to liner an...
2014
Abandoned mines and mine tailings pose a hazard to communities that live around these sites. Here we report on the environmental risk assessment and risk management strategies of an abandoned New Union Gold Mine that is located in Ka-Madonsi village, Malamulele district, South Africa. The visual assessment was done through visits to the mine sites and the levels of heavy metals in the mine tailings soil and stream sediments was analysed with atomic absorption spectrometry. The hazards were then rated based on the probability of reoccurrence and the severity of the impact. The risk management strategies were suggested based on the severity and the probability of the impacts and the geographical setting of the area. The heavy metals: Cu, Co, Cd, As, Zn, Ni and Mn were found in the mine tailings soil and in the stream sediments. The mine tailings soils and stream sediments were acidic, within pH ranges of 3.93 to 4.45 and 4.18 to 6.28 respectfully. The acidic soils can pose as a proble...
South African Legislation Pertinent to Gold Mine Closure and Residual Risk
2007
Mining is an important contributor to the South African economy but has the potential for significant negative impacts on the environment. Under section 24 of the Constitution of South Africa Act 108 of 1996 (the Constitution), the right to environmental health has been elevated to a basic human right, and since 1998 a series of Acts have been promulgated to prioritize environmental protection. In addition, the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (the MPRDA) and its Regulations (GN R527 in Government Gazette 26275 of 23 April 2004) have been promulgated to regulate the minerals and petroleum industry in terms of constitutional requirements. The MPRDA attempts to ensure sustainable development of mineral resources, equitable access to the benefits, better environmental protection, and includes provisions for mine closure. We reviewed the legislation applicable to mine closure to assess whether it adequately addresses constitutional and environmental requirements, including known risks to gold mine closure. Although the MPRDA does aim to provide for the protection of the environment at mine closure, it currently contains some flaws and gaps which need to be addressed. Some of the gaps are however potentially addressed by the provisions of other legislation, such as the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (the NEMA) and the National Water Act 36 of 1998 (the NWA). A key requirement of the MPRDA is for mining companies to undertake the necessary studies to determine the quantum required for the rehabilitation or management of impacts, and to make sufficient financial provision for these. In this regard a guideline document has been published to assist the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) when reviewing the quantum of provisioning. The MPRDA also attempts to establish an exit route whereby mining companies, which demonstrate an agreed degree of environmental compliance, can then transfer their remaining liabilities to the State or a third party together with sufficient funds to address them. However, if funds are insufficient, the mining company and the directors in their personal capacity remain liable. Thus it is vital that mining companies and directors keep abreast of international trends in order to pro-actively minimize their exposure. Un-answered questions relate largely to end land-uses and restrictions thereon. Based on current information, we consider residential townships, edible crop production and livestock grazing to be high risk land-uses for tailings storage facilities (TSFs), TSF footprints and areas within the aqueous or aerial zone of influence of TSFs and metallurgical plants in South Africa. Failure by the regulators and industry to agree on suitable `soft' end land-uses and buffer zones could exacerbate liabilities for closing mines by resulting in subsequent land-uses that are sub-economic or risky. Mine Closure 2007 -A. Fourie, M. Tibbett and J. Wiertz (eds)