The development and implementation of a green policy within the mining industry at Royal Bafokeng Platinum North West Province

Abstract

"Our actions impact the environment."Today we realise that each and everything can help or hurt our planet. Companies need to take ownership of the environmental protection and need to understand the issues that may help to reduce their environmental footprint. Companies and businesses worldwide have been awakened to how important it is for them to adapt their business and processes to be sustainable and positively affect the environment. They have to come to realize that by going green, they can gain lot of positive press and recognition which definitely helps to achieve their profit. The scarcity of resources and increasing environmental issues has caused the government to stipulate stricker environmental regulations or offer innovative programs to address these issues (Wang et al, .2004). The Mining Industries need to address and overcome "Green barriers" to improve their environmental performance. The research presented in this mini-dissertation reviews the environmental issues affecting the mining industries, the importance of going green as a company for sustainable development. The participants in this study were RBPlat employees at Rustenburg mining area, North West Province. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used on this study. Data was gathered through a questionnaire and was statistically analysed by summarized on a spread sheet and that stats were calculated using SPSS. After the research, there were some findings that were used by the researcher to come up with recommendations that will assist not only RBPlat but also companies which are ready to go green.