Investigating the challenges of sustainable rehabilitation by selected mining companies in South Africa

Abstract

This study determined the most important environmental rehabilitation challenges that mining houses and mining contractors are faced with today in order to maintain positive production results for stake - and shareholders and, at the same time, rehabilitate and save the environment. Thus, the main objective of the study was to investigate the challenges of sustainable rehabilitation by mining companies in South Africa. The secondary objectives were to conceptualise the effect and processes of mining on the environment and mankind, clarify sustainable rehabilitation and investigate the challenges faced by mining companies. The study was conducted within the subject discipline of environmental rehabilitation and the management thereof. The targeted population of the study is aimed at mining houses and mining contractors in South Africa. Questionnaires were sent to 42 respondents via email. Studies obtained were legislative adherence; environmental planning and financial provision which are some of the essential elements for an environmental rehabilitation plan to succeed. It was obtained that the most prominent method of operation today is underground mining. It is quite evident that the DMR’s requirements are outsourced by the mining houses and contractors which apply to the EMP. The most challenging objectives within the EMP were the elimination of the environmental damages and the least interest shown was in the socio-economic goals. The three most challenging regulations identified was the National Water Act, NEMA - Environmental Authorisation and NEMA – Waste Act. The mining houses regularly submitted their auditing to the DMR. Mining companies and contractors considered collapsed mining areas to be the biggest challenge in their daily operations and that water pollution was the most challenging eco-system element to maintain and to resolve once day-to-day mining operations commenced. The biggest challenging objective that had to be met within the Environmental Rehabilitation plan was the elimination of the Environmental Damages, which received a 64.7% response