The soil in heavily mined areas in South Africa is contaminated with sulphuric acid and heavy metals, known as acid mine drainage (AMD) which leads to unsafe drinking water and health risks.

A 2007 report by South Africa’s National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) identified at least 100 communities in mining areas that were located on radioactive soil due to AMD, 36 of which needed immediate attention.

In July 2009 the government is to introduce a Regional Mine Closure Strategy that will manage mining districts rather than individual mines, according to Stephinah Madau, Acting Chief Director of Mineral Policy at the National Department of Mining. This new legislation, along with improved treatment plants to be built, aims to manage entire mining regions and control ADM pollution at its source.

Environmental activists say the government needs to implement better land management and stricter regulation if water and food security are to be properly protected. Dr Koos Pretorius, director of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment (FSE), a grouping of concerned NGOs, says the government should devise a comprehensive land-use plan demarcating major water catchment and agricultural areas as mine-free.

Related news: South Africa: Paying the price for mining, IRIN News, 15 Feb 2008

Contact:

• Mr Maurice Magugumela, NNR;
• FSE contact page;
• Department of Minerals and Energy, South Africa, media enquiries, http://www.dme.gov.za/

Source: IRIN, 9 Jun 2009

Tags: africa, policies & legislation, water quality