Abstract
Mining is a major economic activity in many developing countries. In South Africa, gold mining has played a significant role in the development and sustenance of the country's economy, with both positive and negative consequences. In gold mining areas, tailings dams and mine dumps are significant sources of ambient dust, known to be a nuisance, and health risk, to communities living near them and who must find appropriate coping mechanisms to protect themselves. A qualitative study based on five focus groups with sixty-two participants of different ages and sex was carried out in the Witwatersrand mining district of South Africa. All focus groups agreed that they had noticed dust in the air where they live, stating that the dust came largely from mine dumps but also from other sources. They agreed that the dust causes, among others, health problems, and both short-term and long-term coping mechanisms for protecting themselves against excess dust were mentioned yet considered inadequate, i.e. closing windows and doors, watering their yards, paving their yards and planting trees. Little support from government, mines and other organisations was identified as an important perceived barrier to resolving the dust problem. Means for communication of communities' perceptions of the impacts, risks and possible mitigation / adaption measures associated with dust need to be created and supported in a formal risk management plan.
Highlights
Mining is a major economic activity in many developing countries
In South Africa, mining, gold mining has played a significant role in the development and sustenance of the country's economy, with both positive and negative consequences
The total number of ward committee members in Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) is 340, 18% attended and represented the views of the wards for which they are responsible in MCLM
Summary
Mining is a major economic activity in many developing countries. In South Africa, mining, gold mining has played a significant role in the development and sustenance of the country's economy, with both positive and negative consequences. By 2010, there were nearly 300 tailings dams (i.e. an industrial waste dam for mining waste or the materials left after the fraction that has any value had been removed) in the Witwatersrand area.[1] Gold mine tailings generally comprise heavy metals, e.g. zinc, copper, lead and arsenic, chemicals used during the milling processes, and other toxic material including cyanide and the radioactive uranium.[2] Heavy metals are associated with neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory effects, while uranium is associated with kidney damage.[3]
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