Mariette Liefferink, CEO of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment, was nominated for, and appointed to the Board of the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) in 2009. This month she resigned that position.
In spite of many requests over the years, from within and outside the NNR, Liefferink points to the many issues of concern which remain unaddressed.
36 Radioactive hotspots were identified in the NNR’s Report. In terms of the NNR document entitled “WCA: Remediation Action Plan, dated 2009 it was stated: “The overriding intention is to start with the clean up action as soon as possible, and not to wait until everything is known.” There is no physical or real evidence of any remediation measures.
No regulatory decisions
Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development finalised in JUly 2011 the report “Feasibility Study on Reclamation of Mine residue Areas for Development Purposes: Phase II. Strategy and Implementation Plan”. The report estimates that 430 kilotonnes of low-grade uranium is still present in the mine residue and constitutes one of the most serious pollution hazards in the region.
The NNR has taken no regulatory decision on the findings and recommendations of the DMR’s Draft Regional Mine Closure Strategies for the West Rand and Central Rand Goldfield (2008).
The NNR's own report found considerable dose contributions from radon and radioactive dust to communities. There has been no regulatory decisions by the NNR to protect communities from radioactive dust fallout from mine dumps.
Failure to ensure compliance with its own recommendation
On 18 October 2011 the NNR stated “…the Tudor Shaft …resulting in the entire settlement being relocated to another site.” Only fifteen shacks have been moved.The area is unremediated, and is a playground for barefoot children.
Radioactive spills and NNR fails to property and environment
Radioactive spillages have occurred on private and public land within the Witwatersrand goldfields. The Federation for a Sustainable Environment and affected landowners are of the view that the NNR has not exercised its duty to protect property, the environment and the public. The matter is being addressed with the Minister of Energy in a legal appeal process.
Failure to curtail housing development on mine residue area
There are no regulatory decisions or restrictions to restrict residential developments, edible crops and livestock grazing on mine dumps, footprints of mine dumps or areas within the aqueous or aerial zones of influence of mine dumps
Failure to quantify the health risks and to adopt precautionary principle
There are no epidemiological studies conducted to determine or assess the health impacts and the NNR has not entered into any co-operative agreements with e.g. the Department of Health in order to quantify the health risks, hazards of impacts of communities living on or adjacent to radioactive mine residue areas. In the absence of any data the precautionary or risk averse principle ought to have applied.
The full report on these issues may be downloaded here.
By 2010 there were over 6000 derelict and ownerless mines in South Africa, which willl require more than R30 billion and 30 years to rehabilitate
Year 1556: "...the fields are devastated by mining operations..the inhabitants of these regions..find great difficulty in procuring the necessaries of life..Thus it is said, it is clear to all that there is greater detriment from mining than the values of the metals which the mining produces" - Georgius Agricola
The impacts of mining often fall disproportionately on the economically disadvantaged communities
Mariette Liefferink has taken officials, NGOs and interest parties on Toxic Tours of the West Rant to observe for themselves the devastating impact of Acid Mine Drainage on the receiving environment.
Conservation efforts often promote awareness of charismatic flagship species, which frequently leads to an imbalance in focus, and has a detrimental impact on other conservation efforts
