Two women wage a daily struggle against toxic dust entering their homes and lungs, the legacy of mining on the West Rand, which yielded gold necklaces for some and bleeding sinuses and kidney disease for others. By KYLA HERRMANNSEN for HEALTH-E NEWS.
Gauteng’s mine dumps brimming with radioactive uranium
Over a million Gauteng residents are exposed daily to high levels of uranium with some areas in the West Rand exceeding that of disaster zones from Chernobyl, site of the 1986 Ukrainian nuclear disaster.
FSE challenges mining in protected environment
The Federation for a Sustainable Environment joins 7 other environmental justice organisations to challenge mining in the Mabola Protected Environment.
Spectre of Marikana as ‘war’ erupts at Blyvoor
A standoff between guards and illegal miners at one of South Africa’s biggest gold mines this week erupted in a mini war, prompting fears of another Marikana. Booby Jordan reports for Sunday Times
Environment Departments admit to acid water slip-up
There are no environmental checks on Gauteng’s emergency response to the mine drainage crisis, as polluted water seeps into rivers and land.
Radioactive city: Johannesburg’s townships paying for mining past
Much of the waste from 600 abandoned mines around South Africa’s largest city is piled high next to residential communities – most of which are poor and black
Village sees probe into Blyvoor as a legacy issue
THE CRIMINAL investigation and the draft charges initiated against Village Main Reef for alleged contraventions of environmental legislation at Blyvooruitzicht (Blyvoor) mine outside Carletonville are among many legacy issues facing the mining industry today.
Midalore left to choke on toxic dust
Residents long for wind of change, but all they get is illness every time a hazardous cocktail blows into town.
Life in toxic wasteland no child’s play
Lucas Misapitso casually holds a handful of poisoned earth in his hands. Behind him, the forlorn shacks of Tudor Shaft huddle helplessly against a toxic mountain of mine tailings that splits them in two.
Inaction on waste condemns South Africa’s poor to life in toxic dumps
TUDOR SHAFT, SOUTH AFRICA — The Globe and Mail For years, Patience Mjadu smeared her face with the yellow sludge from the mining dump near her shack. She had seen others do the same. According to local lore, the chemicals were a good cosmetic. Today her face is damaged and she realizes that the sludge […]