Kirsten Hund On Sustainability And Mining In South Africa
Introduction:
Kirsten Hund is a Senior Scientist in the Sustainability Unit of SRK Consulting in Johannesburg, South Africa. This statement was part of a larger email correspondence in the Madison Dialogue. It brings another perspective to a recent theme on this blog: ActionAid’s critique on Anglo Platinum, Anglo’s Response, and Estelle Levin’s post on business models and sustainability. ~ Marc
Mining has the potential to bring economic development. But I am not always sure if the positive impacts outweigh the negative ones once we start looking at people’s livelihoods at large.
This is probably less so an issue for the diamond industry (although massive alluvial mining operations can of course create great destruction of land as well as river diversions, etc.) But if we look, for example, to the impact of platinum mining in South Africa, the industry has no doubt brought economic development to a large area.
At the same time, in areas around platinum mines and smelters, more than half of the population is suffering from respiratory diseases, not to mention the impact on ground and surface water. The mining companies active in the area deny their individual responsibility, because it is the cumulative impact of all the different smelters and mines that causes the pollution.
South Africa is only now starting to realize the consequences of decades and decades of gold mining on it’s drinking water for the long term.
I find it a bit worrying that, especially where Africa is concerned, there is such a strong focus on the (possible) positive socio-economic impacts of mining that there is a tendency to neglect or deny the environmental impact. I am not so much talking birds and trees here, but people and their livelihoods.
Governments have a major role to play here in terms creating and enforcing legislation, but of course it is a responsibility of companies as well. Stakeholder engagement is key here. The fact that, for example, Anglo Platinum in its most recent sustainability report failed to mention communities as a stakeholder, is a worrying example of how far we still have to go in this respect before we’ll get to ‘4th generation thinking’.
This discussion is closely linked to the other one on the list, on philanthropy, versus ‘ ethical enterprising’ . A lot of good can be done and is being done, but I think that the ‘do no harm’ principle needs to be taken into account every step of the way.
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Kirsten Hund may be a Senior Scientist in the Sustainability Unit of SRK Consulting in Johannesburg, South Africa and I just an ordinary member of the public (with a degree and postgraduate diploma) with only a passionate interest in the truth, but nevertheless please allow me to comment on Ms Hund’s contribution to the debate regarding Anglo Platinum’s behaviour towards the community surrounding its mines.
Ms Hund says” in areas around platinum mines and smelters, more than half of the population is suffering from respiratory diseases, not to mention the impact on ground and surface water”. Quite some allegation and one that should not be allowed to go without proper investigation.
However, the truth demands taking into account the fact that in rural communities in Africa and in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, where most of the Platinum mines are situated, cooking and heating is done on open fires. The resultant smoke (as is the case in India and elsewhere in the developed world) is the major cause of respiratory problems and it was ever thus, long before platinum mines and smelters came to the area). To blame the mines exclusively is mischievous.
As regards mines polluting the water table, I know of at least one such allegation that, if true, would require water to flow uphill, and I wonder whether Ms Hund knows that for decades in most of rural Africa open pit latrines have been the only form of sanitation. Since such sanitation predates platinum mining, could that not be the main cause of ground water pollution?
Ms Hund also says she finds it worrying that, “especially where Africa is concerned, there is such a strong focus on the (possible) positive socio-economic impacts of mining that there is a tendency to neglect or deny the environmental impact. I am not so much talking birds and trees here, but people and their livelihoods.”
Actually, Anglo Platinum has never denied the potential environmental impact of its mines and the company goes to great lengths to minimise them, including re-housing people, previously living in shacks and mud houses, in new brick -under-tile homes with all mod cons, in new communities with new schools and clinics they never previously had.
As for Ms Hund’s bold statement “The fact that, for example, Anglo Platinum in its most recent sustainability report failed to mention communities as a stakeholder, is a worrying example of how far we still have to go in this respect before we’ll get to ‘4th generation thinking’”, one can only wonder about her objectivity since the following below are the communities listed as stakeholders on the Anglo Platinum website AngloPlatinun.com.
Debate is fine, but I respectfully suggest that facts should be checked before engaging the pen (or the mouth). It is just too convenient to blame mines and industry generally for all the ills of the world. Consider what life would be like without development — nasty, brutish and short.
Communities1
Bojanala District Municipality District municipal area in North West province
Rustenburg Local Municipality Municipal area in North West province
Moses Kotane Local Municipality Municipal area in North West province
Waterberg District Municipality District municipal area in Limpopo province
Thabazimbi Local Municipality Municipal area in Limpopo province
Mogalakwena Local Municipality Municipal area in Limpopo province
Greater Sekhukune District Municipality District municipal area in Limpopo province
Greater Tubatse Local Municipality Municipal area in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces
Fetakgomo Local Municipality Municipal area in Limpopo province
Capricorn District Municipality District municipal area in Limpopo province
Polokwane Local Municipality Municipal area in Limpopo province
Lepele Nkumpi Local Municipality Municipal area in Limpopo province
OR Tambo District Municipality District municipal area in Eastern Cape province covering the King Sabata; Nyandeni
Traditional authorities, administrations and liaison committees Traditional leadership around operational areas