July 2014 Report

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July 2014 Report

Written by Mariette Liefferink Friday, 18 July 2014 05:34

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Report on the activities and engagements of the FSE for the month of July 2014.

3 July 2014	Preparation of and delivery of documents pertaining to the West Rand and North West goldfields to the Office of the Public Protector (Reference: 7/2 - 5844/14). NGO/Eskom Forum Workshop Tour of the West Rand goldfields with Prof. Urs Reugg Urs T. Ruegg, Ph. D. Professor of Pharmacology University of Geneva 30 Quai E. Ansermet CH 1211 Geneva 4 Switzerland Phone: +41 61 461 49 81 FAX : +41 22 379 34 30 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.unige.ch/sciences/pharm/fagie/ DWA Study Steering Committee Meeting: Bulk Water Supply System: Orange River.
4 July 2014	Meeting with Prof. Dr. Frank Winde, North West University and Prof. Urs Reugg pertaining to their research on the health impacts of Uranium.
5 July 2014	Community Workshop with residents and the Kgosi of Mokgalwaneng and the appointment of the FSE as representative of the Mokgalwaneng Village (Contact Person: Tshepo Ramafoko)
7 July 2014	Meeting with the South African Council of Churches (Mr. Gosiame Choabi), Benchmarks Foundation (Mr. Brown Motsau), Pastor Timothy Chao and representatives of mining communities pertaining to the establishment the South Western Gauteng Association For Sustainable Development (SWGASD)
8 July 2014	Meeting with the Investigating Officer of the DEA: Enforcement pertaining to the criminal investigation into the Blyvooruitzicht Mine.
10 July 2014	Community meeting with the community leaders of Boltonia, West Rand.
13 July 2014	Submission of Comments on Environmental Impact Assessment for the construction of the proposed sludge disposal facility and pipeline associated with the treatment of Acid Mine Drainage in the Eastern Basin of the Witwatersrand, Gauteng.
14 July 2014	In loco visitation of the Blyvooruitzicht Mine, Carletonville pursuant to the criminal investigation by the DEA: Enforcement.
15 July 2014	Community meeting with community leaders of Simonye, Westonaria.
16 July 2014	Rand Water Workshop and Acid Mine Drainage and Water Resources
18 July 2014	Workshop with community and Buhlebuzile Secondary School - Thokoza, Springs.
21 July 2014	Tour of the West Rand goldfields with Delta Environmental Centre and Students. (Contact Shanu Visser: 082 780019)
22 July 2014	Meeting with Adv. Mashaba Matimolane of the Office of the Public Protector pertaining to the alleged systemic failures by organs of state to enforce environmental non-compliances
23 July 2014	Public Participation Meeting: Environmental Impact Assessment for the construction of the proposed sludge disposal facility and pipeline associated with the treatment of Acid Mine Drainage in the Eastern Basin of the Witwatersrand, Gauteng. Stable Inn Conference Centre.
25 July 2014	Tour of the Wes Rand goldfields with the University of Johannesburg, the United Nationsâ€™ African Delegation for Economic Development and Planning, Rand Water senior officials, Douglas Taylor (PhD Student) and Adv. Mashaba Matimolane of the Office of the Public Protector.
29 July 2014	Community workshop with Simonye, Westonaria.

More in this category: « June 2014 Report Current reclamation of historical uraniferous tailings dams and sand dumps »

Research News

2018 REPORTS

Here at FSE we aim to be clear and transparent about the work we do. Here are our reports to keep the public informed about our actions. We are looking forward to an eventful year.

Another year is over, a eventful year for FSE. A year full of tours and community engagements, challenges of water pollution and mine closures. Bringing knowledge and transparency to the public. Some awards and media interviews.

FSE 2017 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Financial Statement may be opened as a PDF document.

FSE FINAL SUBMISSION ON THE WCMA AMALGAMATION (assisted by the LRC)

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2017 Reports

Another year is almost over, a eventful year for FSE. A year full of tours and community engagements, challenges of water pollution and mine closures. Bringing knowledge and transparency to the public. Some awards and media interviews.

REHABILITATION OF MINE CONTAMINATED ECO-SYSTEMS

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Business Leadership SA and SAIMechE tour mining areas

The Federation for a Sustainable Environment conduct regular tours to the West Rand Gold Fields. This group included representatives from Business Leadership SA and SAIMechE.

Annual Report: 2016

Over the past years we have had the pleasure of watching a greater measure transparency, honesty and openness in the mining industry and the publishing of Regulations calling for easier access by the public to Environmental Management Programme Reports, Audit Reports, Water Use Licenses, closure plans and financial provisions.

Hazards of Uranium

Uranium mining and processing poses a tremendous threat to workers and the population in the surrounding areas through the release of radiation and exposure to heavy metals and chemicals.

THE TIPPING POINT: Inevitable or Avoidable?

"The 2006 Energy Review merely exacerbated the problem. It acknowledged that the UK would not meet its emissions targets without nuclear, but did almost nothing to address the problem of the reluctance of the market to fund a new generation of plants.

Advanced Biochemical and Biophysical aspects of Uranium Contamination

Uranium has been considered both a radiological and also a heavy metal poison, following calcium in its distribution within the body, i.e. building up in bone, and with the principle target for toxicity being the lung and the kidney. Recently, it has been shown that uranium also targets the brain.

Comment: Sibanye Gold Tailing Re-treatment Project

The Federation for a Sustainable Environment's (FSE) position on the re-mining and consolidation of poorly managed, poorly constructed and poorly monitored historical tailings storage facilities, which are significant sources of water and windblown dust pollution, has been published in a number of academic papers, government reports and comments and response reports.

January 2015 Report

The Federation for a Sustainable Environment continues to engage on Pilansberg issues, including sense of place, water, compliance, mining, eco-tourism, tourism, enviornmental management framework, biodiversity and regional impacts.

Current reclamation of historical uraniferous tailings dams and sand dumps

Gold mines produced more than 270 tailings storage facilities and the rehabilitation of these facilities can be complex and the results misleading if measures only in the short term.

July 2014 Report

Report on the activities and engagements of the FSE for the month of July 2014.

MINING

JUDGEMEMT OF MINING AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY NETWORK OF SA

Download the judgement here.

FSE's COMMENTS ON SWS6801_Sweet Sensation, Regulation 31 Amendment, Application

View the FSE's comments here....

Re-discovering Water Roots: the Consequences of Nickel Mine Prospecting in the Groot Marico River Region, South Africa

Research project attached for download....

SA NEWS

FSE - DONATION OF TREES AND TREE PLANTING IN SIMUNYE, WEST RAND IN ASSOCIATION WITH SOUTH DEEP MINE

The FSE, in association with Gold Fields’ South Deep Mine, donated 40 white Karee Trees (Searsia penduline) during Arbor Week to the mining affected community of Simunye in the West Rand and participated in the tree planting ceremony with the community of Simunye, the local Municipality and officials from South Deep Mine. The FSE also delivered a presentation during the ceremony.

"Varkies" gou op hok, maar als nie pluis | Beeld

Article also available for download as an attachment.

Radon Alert - Carte Blanche

Millions of South Africans are exposed to radioactive radon gas in their homes and workplaces every day, as the naturally occurring gas escapes through cracks in the earth. The second leading cause of lung cancer in several countries, radon breaks down and when inhaled, decaying atoms emit alpha radiation that can damage the DNA. There are no safe levels of radon concentration. The United States Environmental Protection Agency emphasises any radon exposure has some risk of causing lung cancer. Carte Blanche investigates why South Africa has no regulations to protect against radon accumulation in the home and what you can do to test your home and prevent lung cancer. Watch the video here.

WITS Economics & Finance Courses: Mining for Development: The Taxation Linkage

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WATER

SDG6: AVAILABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF WATER AND SANITATION FOR ALL BY 2030 - GAPS

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The SDGs are spearheaded by the United Nations through a deliberative process involving its 193 Member States. The SDGs are a set of 17 “Global Goals” with 169 targets between them, covering a broad range of sustainable development issues. These include ending poverty and hunger, improving health and education, making cities more sustainable, combating climate change and protecting oceans and forests. The SDGs were endorsed by all Heads of State, including South Africa, who authorized it “without any reservations” on 25 September 2015. The commitment was reconfirmed by the former President during World Water Week (March 2017), which took place in South Africa, and he also called for urgent action. Goal 6 is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. The FSE is a member of the Water and Sanitation Sector Leadership Group (WSSLG) Sustainable Development Goal 6 Task Team. The attached presentation, which was presented by the Leader of the SDG6 Task team, Mr Mark Bannister has identified significant gaps. A summary of the gaps is attached hereto. The SDG Programme informs relevant ‘vehicles’ such as the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan (NW&SMP) to translate these Gaps into Actions that can be implemented by the Sector, towards the 2030 objectives. However, although these actions have been identified in the NW&SMP, most of these Actions have not been implemented. It is doubtful that South Africa will achieve the 8 targets of the SDG6 by 2030. View the SDG 6_Consolidated Gap_Action_2020 document here.View the FSE SUMMARY OF GAPS SDG6 TARGETS document here.

Vaal Inquiry Final Report

View the final report here....

FSE’s presentation to the Water and Sanitation Sector Leadership Group’s (WSSLG)* Sustainable Development Goal 6 Task Team on Thursday, the 26th of November 2020.

*The Water and Sanitation Sector Leadership Group (WSSLG) is the highest non-sta...