Nick and Nicole Nyalungu, winners of the Mpumalanga Green Innovation Challenge. Photo courtesy of Mpumalanga Economic Development and Tourism Board
South Africa faces the daunting challenge of thousands of abandoned coal mines and billions of dollars in unused recovery funds. In Mpumalanga, where approximately 80% of the country's coal mines are located, mine rehabilitation has potential benefits for the Just Energy Transition (JET).
“If rehabilitation efforts are successful, the land and water can be used for a variety of economic enhancement projects in surrounding communities, including tourism, food, and biomass agriculture, as well as for generating renewable energy such as solar and wind power. '' said Carla Hudson, program manager at the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency, a non-profit organization working to promote a sustainable green economy in the province.
“These possibilities present a vision for how restored land can drive sustainable economic development.”
Hudson said many of Mpumalanga's former mining sites are in need of rehabilitation. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has identified 26 priority areas in the state that are unstable and at risk of collapse and require urgent attention.
Hudson believes rehabilitation can contribute to both short-term job creation and long-term community empowerment. Examples of how local communities can benefit from restored land, supporting agriculture and providing new livelihoods to former mining communities include the reuse of mine-damaged water for agricultural purposes operated by Makhube; Here are some projects to do. Passive water treatment pilot project at eMalahleni water treatment plant. and a blueberry production project run by Exxaro.
Multinational mining company Glencore is running a winter wheat pilot project in Mpumalanga, using two former mining sites owned by local communities adjacent to the Wanderfontein coal mine. The pilot confirmed that winter wheat can be successfully grown in Mpumalanga and that rehabilitated mine land and mine water can be used to grow and irrigate this important crop.
“The success of these projects depends on collaboration between the private sector, government and local communities,” Hudson added.
green innovation
The Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency last week showcased several community-led projects at its annual Green Innovation Challenge. The winning projects included a project to produce briquettes from agricultural waste. Something that turns old tire rubber tubes into fashion products. The other is recycling waste in the community.
Beyond the economic opportunity, Hudson pointed to the importance of mine restoration for biodiversity conservation.
“National law states that restored land must resemble its pre-mining condition. If this is not possible, measures to restore biodiversity, such as regenerative agriculture or the removal of non-native vegetation, are required. We need to implement projects,” she explained.
Hudson said this approach not only revitalizes the ecosystem, but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices in the region.
As Mpumalanga gradually transitions away from coal mining as part of a just energy transition process, Hudson sees an opportunity to integrate recovery efforts into a broader strategy for sustainable economic development. There is.
“There are many opportunities for social and economic development through recovery efforts, and these can play an important role in supporting Mpumalanga's just transition,” she said.
abandoned mine
In 2017, a data-based study by Oxpeckers' #MineAlert program found there were more than 6,000 abandoned mines in South Africa, despite billions of rands being set aside for mine rehabilitation. , much of this funding is inaccessible due to structural barriers in the mine. closure process.
The study found that these structural failures significantly contributed to the continuing difficulties in addressing the environmental and social impacts of abandoned mines.
WWF-SA JustSA Project Manager Nonhlanhla Radebe said: “Some of the mines are on private or unknown land, so it is difficult to determine the total area affected, but estimates are that millions of hectares remain affected. “This suggests that they are receiving the same.”
In 2017, the Parliamentary Monitoring Group estimated that national reconstruction efforts would cost R47 billion.
Hudson said the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is finalizing the National Environmental Management Act Amendment Act to address these hurdles.
The new law aims to increase funding for mine closures and rehabilitation, and ensure that companies are held accountable for the environmental damage they cause. Hudson welcomed the move, but stressed that funding and capacity remain significant obstacles at both the state and local level.
international experts
A recent gathering of experts from coal regions from around the world, hosted by the International Climate Initiative JET Project in Pretoria, discussed pressing issues facing these regions, including the urgent need for effective mine closure and recovery strategies. It was done.
International and South African experts share insights on a just transition away from coal, highlighting the importance of community consultation, economic diversification and government intervention in achieving a sustainable and fair future He emphasized that they play a vital role.
To further explore these issues, forum participants embarked on a tour to Mpumalanga. During their visit, they witnessed first-hand the importance of small, medium, and micro-enterprises in South Africa's just energy transition. One of the initiatives they visited was Mukondo Agrihub, led by former trade union activist Matthews Hlabane.
By restoring farmland, Hrabane's farm is producing food and creating jobs for workers transitioning from the coal and steel industries. The farm employs 30 full-time employees and 30 to 40 temporary employees who grow vegetables and raise livestock. Harvested produce is sold to local residents at affordable prices.
practical solutions
John Zvimba, research manager for mining and industrial water management at the Water Research Council (WRC), finds practical solutions to manage mining-impact water, a by-product of coal mining that poses significant environmental risks. He emphasized the importance of this.
“Strict regulations are in place to prevent the spread of pollution, making it difficult to use water affected by mining for agriculture,” he explained. WRC has developed guidelines for the safe use of mining-impacted water in irrigation, with the aim of providing solutions to mining and regulatory authorities across the country.
The committee is also involved in research to support South Africa's green hydrogen economy, an emerging industry that has the potential to provide new economic opportunities for mining regions like Mpumalanga.
“Our research project supports the Just Transition Initiative, particularly JET,” Zvimba said, adding that mine rehabilitation could be done in line with South Africa's broader transition to renewable energy and sustainable development. Emphasized gender.
Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) spokesperson Mahosonke Buthelezi said the mine remediation program was focused on asbestos mines.
“Coal commodities are not yet prioritized for DMRE reconstruction. However, in the future they will be rehabilitated for human safety and environmental protection,” he said.
Buthelezi said: “Rehabilitation of abandoned and unowned mines and the closure of dangerous mine openings have no connection or connection with renewable energy or just transition. All unoccupied mines will be remediated to return the land to its natural state and ensure human safety, including environmental protection, but will not be reused for renewable energy.”
He said the department had allocated R181.9 million for the mine rehabilitation program in 2024-25. R31 million of this has been allocated to mine water management, including an intrusion control treatment project in Mpumalanga, Carolina.
He said the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy had rehabilitated about 55 abandoned and unowned mines across South Africa.
“Asbestos mines are prioritized due to their impact on local communities. There is only one asbestos mine in Mpumalanga. [has been] It was rebuilt near Musauri. ”
Buthelezi added that the ministry faces challenges with illegal mining and illegal dumping, “which is slowing progress in remediating abandoned mines.” This challenge will be met through cooperation with law enforcement agencies such as SAPS. [South African Police Service] and NDF [South African National Defence Force]”.
He pointed out that all mining rights and permit holders will be issued a compliance notice by the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy if they are found not to have complied with their reclamation obligations. Penalties for violations range from administrative sanctions to criminal proceedings.
“These measures have proven effective where they have been imposed,” he said.
Thabo Molelekwa is Oxpeckers #PowerTracker project.
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