Barriers and opportunities to the implementation of a zero waste to landfill goal – a platinum mining case study

Abstract

According to Kaza et al (2018:18), the global amount of waste generated on an annual basis has reached 2.01 billion tonnes, with only 30% being diverted away from landfill through re-use, recycling, composting or incineration. This low percentage of diversion from landfill coupled with the global waste generation figure predicted to increase to 3.4 billion tons by the year 2050, indicates the urgent need for better management of waste by identifying and implementing reduction, re-use and recycling opportunities. From a South African perspective, clear similarities can be drawn with these global waste management trends with about 93 million tons (77%) of the 121 million tons of waste generated per annum being disposed off at landfill (DEA, 2018:20&31). Landfills have several negative environmental impacts, of which the severity and likelihood will increase as more landfills are established. Some of the main negative environmental impacts associated with landfills include air pollution from waste burning and methane gas release, soil and water pollution caused by seepage from the landfill cells, leachate collection systems, uncontrolled spillages and discharges. The research aim is built around the following question: What barriers and opportunities may influence the implementation of the zero waste to landfill goal in the platinum mining industry? The three main objectives are summarised as: • Identify barriers to zero waste to landfill implementation • Identify opportunities from the zero waste to landfill implementation • Identify measures required to bridge the gaps to overcome barriers The research methodology was based on a case study approach with mixed research methods which included document analysis and semi-structured interviews. The specific case study of a platinum mining company was chosen, as the company in question is leading the current Zero Waste to Landfill (ZW2L) implementation for mining companies in South Africa. The research included all underground and opencast mines, concentrators, smelters and refineries, ensuring that the case study’s barriers and opportunities related to its ZW2L approach covered a broad spectrum of individual waste streams. The applicability of the research outcome will therefore not be limited to Anglo American Platinum (AAP) or other mining companies only, but will also be representative of metallurgical related activities. From the case study it is clear that human related factors was identified as one of the biggest barriers in the ZW2L drive, which was centred around lack of awareness, compliance, responsibility and management support. Financial barriers, mainly due to increased treatment

cost to achieve ZW2L was identified as an important barrier but was ultimately outweighed by the financial opportunities and establishing a positive business case. The stand-out opportunity identified during this case study was the environmental benefits associated with the ZW2L drive through the elimination of the need for landfill establishment and associated environmental impacts. These positive environmental opportunities coupled with the human factor opportunities, namely positive social impacts were also considered in the overall business case and not limited to the financial business case only. These are all key elements in considering the sustainability of a project like the ZW2L drive. A positive observation from the case study is that actions to bridge the gaps were identified and successfully implemented to address majority of the barriers identified in driving ZW2L.