Legacy Gold Mine Sites & Dumps in the Witwatersrand: Challenges and Required Action

Abstract

Legacy mine shafts and waste dumps in the Witwatersrand continue to create social and environmental challenges for communities, even in areas where gold mining ceased over 100 years ago. The slow pace of eradication of these gold mine shafts and waste dumps (or lack thereof) results in conflict between the communities and authorities, particularly the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) as the relevant authority in the field of environmental management in mining. This paper examines, through a literature review, the past and present legislative framework that resulted in legacy mine shafts and dumps and how communities find themselves living next to these mine sites, which results in social and environmental problems. The paper further explores the governments, particularly the DMRE, proposed initiatives to empower those who intend to extract value from the abandoned mines while curbing the scourge of crime in affected communities.