Sand mining challenges in the Western Cape: the case of the tormin mineral sands and maccsand mining and quarrying mines

Abstract

Mining, as a primary extractive activity, is characterised by arguably the most environmentally destructive operations worldwide. South Africa’s mining industry, which is an important economic driver, and its environmental footprints bear testimony of such direct and indirect destruction. In the biodiversity-rich Western Cape province, which is generally far less endowed with economically mineable minerals and metal deposits compared to other provinces, mining is even more problematic. This study addressed, in a comparative way, the polemics associated with two mining operations in the Western Cape, revisiting their environmental and socio-economic desirability as well as their varying impacts. A Socio-ecological Systems (SES) approach was used to document the processes associated with environmental applications, authorisation and operations pertaining to the MaccSand Mining and Quarrying and Tormin Mineral Sands Mines that are clouded in a myriad of environmental problems. Methodologically, the study drew on a mixed methods approach, which incorporated data derived from questionnaire surveys, interviews, stakeholder engagement meetings and geographic information systems (GIS) applications.