John Laisani and Ademola Oluborode Jegede

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-7092.2019.08.142

Published: 31 December 2019

Abstract: Coal mining plays a critical role in the economy of South Africa though posing detrimental environmental effects on aquatic life and the terrestrial environments with one of the major impacts resulting in the deterioration of scarce water resources. From an eco-legal perspective, that is, a legal and environmental assessment approach, the study evaluates the implications of the coal mining on the surrounding communities of Witbank in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, These impacts can be largely associated with water quality, physical and chemical land degradation air pollution through dust fall-out and emissions of particulate matter (PM) as well as toxic gases. The study further explores the effects of Acid Mine Drainage from coal mining which results in significant pollution of land and water resources. The study deploys a mixed research design approach to gather information from the participants. The qualitative data in the form of interviews was analysed using thematic approach whilst the quantitative data in the form of questionnaires was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study notes that there is evidence of environmental harm in the surrounding communities due to the coal mining. The environmental impacts need to be accurately monitored and managed and as such it becomes the role of the governing agencies to ensure mitigation of negative environmental impacts due to mining. In conclusion, there is the need for appropriate proactive measures to be put in place for environmental management to be improved within coal mining communities in South Africa.

Keywords: Eco-legal perspective, environmental impacts, environmental management, mining and pro-active measures.

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