Mining waste management: Extending sustainability options across economic, social and environmental boundaries

ABSTRACT

This article assesses the potential for using mining waste residues, such as by-products (e.g. slag) and waste rock, to establish industrial activity beyond mining to serve the country's developmental agenda. The mining industry focuses primarily on its own economic sustainability, rather than on wider socio-economic and environmental sustainability. New thinking on the issue emphasises that capitalism and sustainability have mutually excluding aims. Using a broader understanding of sustainability, this article reassesses initiatives implemented in a research and development setting to reduce mines’ atmospheric emissions through cleaner production and to minimise their mining waste residues through beneficiation. South Africa's regulations require mines to prepare social and labour plans for mine closure. Stockpiled mining residues could form the basis for economic activity in areas affected by mine closures. A collaborative, overarching framework for such activity could promote the development of an industry ‘beyond mining’ – the beneficiation of mining waste residues.

KEYWORDS:

• Beneficiation
• communities
• corporate social responsibility
• mining
• sustainability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

¹Some six years later, a regional air quality study of the Highveld (the second designated Air Quality Priority Area) was completed under the auspices of the Department of Environmental Affairs.