Recent Updates and Activities of the FSE

Mine dumps’ ‘toxic threat’

Wednesday, 04 January 2012 06:49 Mel Frykberg - The New Age

Despite intensive and extensive investigations undertaken and reports issued by several government departments several years ago into the health hazards associated with a toxic environment in the Johannesburg region, the situation persists with little to no remedial action taken to date.

AT RISK: The health of these residents living in the shadow of a Johannesburg mine dump is threatened by toxic mine dust. Picture: REFENTSE SEBOTHOMA

AT RISK: The health of these residents living in the shadow of a Johannesburg mine dump is threatened by toxic mine dust. Picture: REFENTSE SEBOTHOMA

Government vs environmental group: the water war continues

Tuesday, 31 January 2012 06:27 Mel Frykberg

Environmental group Federation for a Sustainable Environment (FSE) and the Department of Water Affairs continue to trade accusations in the media over the alleged pollution of major water catchment areas in Gauteng, following an investigation carried out by The New Age.

The area under dispute is the Wonderfonteinspruit area, which stretches from Randfontein in the north to Potchefstroom in the south. The FSE, backed by government research, alleges that the spruit has been filled with toxic material from mining operations and that the government had been neglectful in dealing with the issue.

Themba Khumalo from Water Affairs responded by saying his department had undertaken studies into several relevant catchment areas to determine water quality, adding that this quality had improved.

Acid sludge poses a serious risk to Gauteng

Sunday, 27 November 2011 05:36 administrator

Thousands of people face evacuation from Gauteng due to toxic sludge from abandoned gold mines laced with high radiation levels.

Emergency plans are being drawn up to stop toxic water flowing into Johannesburg.

Acid Mine water, the result of groundwater flowing through underground shafts, is decanting from an old Rand Uranium mine near Krugersdorp and rising by half a metre a day beneath Johannesburg.

Government has yet to approve a plan to tackle the crisis, nearly a year after its own task team urged emergency intervention.

The delay has provoked criticism from civil society and private industry, who say government rejected a viable mine water treatment plan two years ago.

No mine dump far enough, no corporate big enough

Sunday, 04 December 2011 05:56 SHEREE BEGA

Feisty northern suburbs granny takes up the cudgels for poor mining communities. She is also the recipient of the Eco-Warrior award at the inaugural Eco-Logic awards.

FVO reageer op berigte oor megaslikdam

Monday, 03 October 2011 08:02 RAPPORT SAKE 24

Verlede week se berigte in Sake 24 oor die bedreiging wat boere en omgewingsgroepe vir Mine Waste Solutions se beydrywighede in die Stilfontein-gebied inhou, het die volgende reaksie van die Federasie vir ‘n Volhoubare Omgewing ontlok:

Die artikels van Sake 24 (gepubliseer in Rapport, Beeld en Miningmx), het ernsitge twyfel gewerp op die karakter en motiewe van me Mariette Liefferink, uitvoerende hoof van die Federasie vir ‘n Volhoubare Omgewing (FVO), en die FVO.

Die aanname word gemaak dat die FVO saam met vier grondeienaars werk om hulle te help om hoe pryse vir hul grond te bekom deur die lewe vir Mine Waste Solutions (MWS) “ondraaglik” te maak. Dit is na ons mening ‘n verdraaiing van die feite en ‘n wanvoorstelling van die waarheid.

Ons is nooit die kans gegun om op die artikels te reageer voor publikasie nie. Ons is van besliste mening dat die FVO ernstig te nagekom is in die artikels en dat Liefferink se reputasie deur wanvoorstellinge geskaad is.