Sustainable water management in the context of coal mining in South Africa: a critical reflection of the ongoing lephalale coal mining project
| dc.contributor.advisor | Ashukem, Jean-Claude Nkwanyuo | |
| dc.contributor.author | Maqabuka, Anitha | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-02-28T10:58:19Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-02-28T10:58:19Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Even though mining plays a major role in the economic development of South Africa, its detrimental impacts pose significant constraints on local communities’ rights. Such is the case with the right to access to water. Mining is one of the biggest contributors to water pollution, which impacts negatively on human life, particularly when heavy-metal-contaminated water is used. Water as an essential constituent of life is under threat in Limpopo Province, where approximately 40 per cent of the population does not have access to adequate water. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that coal-mining activity in Lephalale poses a significant threat to water resources through pollution. Furthermore, polluted water is detrimental to biodiversity and thus destroying ecosystems and vegetation that serve as livestock feed. The mining sector has been using water without regard for its negative impact on human health. Acid mine drainage and consequent water contamination have become a public controversy, given that contaminated water leads to death and the spread of disease. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10566/20147 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | University of the Western Cape | |
| dc.subject | Environmental Protection | |
| dc.subject | Sustainability | |
| dc.subject | Sustainable Water Management | |
| dc.subject | Coal Mining | |
| dc.subject | Pollution | |
| dc.title | Sustainable water management in the context of coal mining in South Africa: a critical reflection of the ongoing lephalale coal mining project | |
| dc.type | Thesis |