Ethical and serious environmental challenges posed by sand mining

THE global demand for raw materials is ever-increasing and its impact on the environment is a persistent matter of contention.

The World Commission on Environment and Development (commonly referred to as the Brundtland Commission - 1982) and its 1987 report, Our Common Future, has been cited in many reports relating to environmental characteristics of development and the many other considerations on economic, social and even political impacts.

The clarion call of the commission was that sustainable development is that which ‘meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. Nonetheless, a UNO environmental GEO 6 report states that global environmental conditions have deteriorated due to the largely unsustainable production and consumption of resources.

In any mining operation, all harmful effects must be considered in terms of human health and wellbeing, and of course environmental degradation.

While mining brings numerous benefits to nations, including socio-economic ones, mining, such as sand mining for example, has many negative effects on the natural environment and results in great environmental degradation at most stages of the mine’s lifetime.

This is why it is imperative to adopt precise processes to mitigate environmental impacts. Consequently, it is incumbent on mining companies to be truly cognizant of the environmental impacts of their operations.

It is totally unacceptable that sand from mines can be allowed to blow over residential areas, especially if it is hazardous to health.

In fact, industrial sand workers are for the most part exposed to silica dust particles which become trapped in lung tissue, triggering inflammation and scarring, and reducing the lungs’ ability to absorb oxygen.

This condition is called silicosis and results in permanent lung damage. It is progressive, debilitating, sometimes even fatal, and causes lung cancer, tuberculosis, silicosis, kidney disease, and even arthritis.

Crystalline silica in the air over residential areas is a huge problem since when silica-containing rocks and minerals are blasted, chipped, cut, ground, and drilled, small particles are freed into the air, and inhaled.

It requires a very small quantity of very fine inhaled silica dust to generate a health hazard. This is why there must be rapid revegetation of dune grass in affected areas for the initial stilling of sands, followed by planting and mulching. It is particularly imperative to slope planting using straw, jute, plastic netting or glass fibre.

Given the above, real-time monitoring is essential to reducing exposure, and protecting workers and neighbouring areas. There is apparently an increase in silicarelated lawsuits.

‘Many organisations in the construction, agricultural and mining industries still face thirdparty liability associated with dayto-day operations, even if worker exposure is minimal. From dust generated during mining operations or demolition, to simple excavation activities, organisations must assess this risk. This exposure cannot be overlooked and must be addressed on an organisation-specific basis’ (Slivka, 2005, in Silica—The Next Environmental Issue).

Companies should not pose as ‘good neighbours’ and speak for any community unless they are working totally ethically, and for the benefit of the environment and all living creatures.

Environmental costing must be done and included as a portion of production costs. All mining companies must focus on determining, monitoring, and making strong efforts to reduce any negative environmental impacts caused by their activities, and governments and relevant public authorities must be held responsible when the environment is degraded.

All environmental laws, regulations and standards in mining processes must be strictly monitored and inspected to mitigate health and other challenges posed.

Companies clearly need to be acquainted with, and respect all environmental regulations and invest in cleaner technologies to preserve the environment.

Where needed, new laws should be enacted, and guilty companies held liable for environmental hazards through a proficient legal framework.