Co-regulation in South Africa

The first conference on environmentally responsible mining in Southern Africa will be held Sept. 25-28 in Muldersdrift, near Johannesburg. Organized by the South Africa Chamber of Mines, the international meeting will address issues pertaining to environmental and sustainable development.

Developing and developed countries alike are facing environmental challenges that require a concerted approach. In the developing world, the primary challenge is how to balance development with poverty alleviation and environmental protection.

Often, development initiatives have a negative effect on the environment. Compounding the situation is non-compliance with, or flouting of, environmental policies, coupled with a lack of enforcement. The Chamber of Mines holds the view that government has to be more supportive of “co-regulation,” meaning the ability of an industry or sector to regulate itself.

South Africa, like most developed countries, has sound environmental policies. Yet some industries fail to comply with these policies, partly because of weak monitoring, which, in turn, is caused by a lack of commitment and capacity. This is one of the challenges that need to be met if South Africa is to achieve a healthy environment based on the framework of co-regulation.

The conference will provide a platform for industry associations, government, labour and other organizations to discuss environmental challenges facing mining and how they might be met. Examples include mine dumps and underground coal fires.

There needs to be an approach toward governance that eliminates unnecessary duplication in legal requirements. Southern Africa has made some progress in this area — for example, rehabilitation technologies for coal mines, and water treatment research. Such advances, however, have done little to improve the industry’s environmental image.

Even industry representatives themselves are often unaware of what has been achieved, and, in our view, it is necessary to present a more balanced picture.

The mining industry continues to operate responsibly with regard to the environment, while taking into account its legal and social obligations and the need to promote job creation and economic growth.

Several companies in the region are sponsors of the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development Project, which seeks to identify how mining and minerals can contribute to the global transition to sustainable development. An update on the project will be presented at the conference.

The conference is expected to forge closer co-operation among government, industry and environmentalists, and should result in a blueprint for responsible mining in the region.

— The preceding is from a bulletin published by the South Africa Chamber of Mines.