Environmental management complexities and rumours impeding the effective application of scientific research and results to address possible health risks in the West Rand gold mining region of South Africa

Abstract

Gold mining in South Africa has been taking place since the late 19th Century. This activity has produced a wealth of richness for the country, but also has contributed to create environmentally destructed environments. The West Rand Municipal region is the area of focus in this paper. Possible negative environmental health outcome scenarios in especially the pollution of the area's water resources -have been speculated on in scientific reports and in occasional whistle blowing efforts. Some include official reports with regard to a radioactive contamination of the physical and man-changed environment; nonradioactive chemicals found in the residues and wastes produced by gold mining; radon gas and windblown dust. Primarily because of whistle blowing efforts, as based on scientific reports, concerns regarding human health became more intense. The paper mainly provides a concise historiography regarding the close to 100 years of environmental research by especially scientists on the West Rand region, and references to possible health risks. In conclusion ideas will be exchanged on current environmental remedial actions with a motivation for definite health related research to support environmental remedial processes.

Mining landscapes of the Gauteng City-Region

“…Khan (1999) and McDonald (2002) suggest that early environmental movements in South Africa were regarded as early conservation organisations focused on preserving endangered fauna and flora and on reviving neglected social objectives. The first scientific institutions were established during this period to conduct research on the political economy and imperialism (Van Eeden et al, 2009). The outputs of these studies were used to support the mining position; they did not place value on society or the health of the environment.…”

“…The outputs of these studies were used to support the mining position; they did not place value on society or the health of the environment. Noteworthy contributions were made in 1902 in the fields of geology, geography, engineering and the environment, but these related primarily to enhancing the mining position and gold extraction (Van Eeden et al, 2009).…”

“…From 1970 onwards, research investigated the presence of elements and heavy metals in mine tailings, mine dumps and slimes dams in South Africa, with a particular focus on the contamination of water by heavy metals -a realisation that gained popularity (Van Eeden et al, 2009). This was used to generate a set of observations on hazardous mining materials, such as sand heaps and slimes dams, and how these affected ecological systems (Van Eeden et al, 2009). Findings were supported by technical environmental reports (produced during the 1970s and 1980s), which stimulated further research on soil, water management, pollution control and the presence of dolomite (Steyn, 2000).…”

An analysis of the vulnerability of informal and formal households to disaster risks in the Rand West City region

“…Firstly, the Bekkersdal community is unique in that it is largely located in a dolomite area with many sinkholes and acid mine drainage decanting and spillages. Secondly, the community faces many other challenges, such as high levels of water pollution because of the environmentally damaging mining activities in the area, inappropriate land use planning, frequent flooding because of inadequate stormwater management systems, frequent droughts, acute erosion as a result of unstable soil structures and underlying geological factors, rapid urbanisation and a high frequency of uncontrolled veld fires (Ackerman et al 2018;Koen et al 2017Liefferink 2019Marais et al 2018;Van Eeden 2014;West Rand District Municipality [WRDM] 2019). Thus,in understanding the community and household vulnerabilities, the comparison between formal and informal settlements plays a critical role in addressing what the determinants are and what kind of ameliorating measures should be put in place.…”