Environmental Management
www.emmagazine.co.za July/August2015
Southern Africa’s leading sustainable development publication
“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.” — Gaylord Nelson, former governor of Wisconsin, co-founder of Earth Day
‘BRIGHT FUTURE’ CAMPAIGN • MINING • WILD DOG PUPS
Tribe Sauce | TG R C 07 / 1 5/ E M M 004
ALL GOOD THINGS COME FROM NATURE
Since the beginning, when the earth itself was formed, nature has given us a substance that today forms an integral part of our lives – glass. Not merely a socially conventional activity, recycling glass makes a material difference – saving energy, water and natural resources, while reducing waste to landfill. Glass can also be recycled an unlimited number of times without compromising its quality and the product integrity is thereby retained. When using recycled glass (cullet) there is no wastage in the melting process – one ton of cullet will generate one ton of bottles. In contrast it takes approximately 1.2 tons of raw material to manufacture 1 ton of glass. To find out where the nearest glass bank is in your area, SMS* the word: GLASS and the name of your suburb to 32310 or visit our website. *SMS costs R1.00
@TGRC
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ED’S NOTE
Contents
BY SAMANTHA MORGAN
Dear Reader
04 TAKE NOTE
By the time you receive this latest copy of Environmental Management, we will have celebrated World Population Day already. This significant event has happened every year on 11 July since 1989. July 11 1987 saw humanity surpass the threshold of five billion people, and two years later the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme initiated the Day as an annual reflection on demographic trends and development in an ever more crowded world with increasingly limited resources. The world population continues to
More than 800 million people are malnourished. Another two billion
Unilever’s ‘Bright Future’ campaign.
people (in 1950 it was 2.5 billion)
are short of essential micronutrients,
This initiative intends to engage
and this has had profound implications
which affect health. A billion more
people from all walks of life ensuring
for development: in a world where
consume too many calories and
that everyone has enough food to eat
the population is growing every day
are obese.
and no child goes to bed hungry; that
This year’s theme for World
every home has enough clean water
that relate to sustainability,
Population Day is ‘Investing in
to drink, cook with, clean and wash;
urbanisation, access to health
Young People’. Today, 1.8 billion
and that everybody can enjoy life
services and youth empowerment.
young people are forming social and
today while protecting the planet for
economic realities and above all
future generations.
According to current projections,
Tsogo Sun partners with Generation Earth .......................... 08 The power of partnerships ........ 12
14
In this issue we take a look at
grow: in 2011 it reached seven billion
there are challenges and opportunities
Unilever launches ‘Bright Future’ campaign ........................................ 06
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS Sika treatment for townhouse complex......................15
18 MINING
COVER STORY
Could we avert energy crisis by mining thorium? Mining’ tsunami’ in Africa
18 20
22 INFRASTRUCTURE
the global population will reach eight
they are building the foundation of
billion by 2026, and will likely reach
the world of the future. Yet too many
adolescents and youth and investing
around nine billion by 2042. This will
people continue to struggle with
in their future, we are safeguarding our
result in two billion more mouths
poverty, inequality and human rights
planet and its survival.
that need feeding. If feeding today’s
violations that prevent them from
populace is a struggle, how will the
fulfilling their potential both personally
Enjoy the read!
earth cope with the increased burden?
and collectively.
Sami
In safeguarding the rights of
China’s geopolitical ambition impacts on Walvis Bay 22
24 WILDLIFE
CONSERVATION
Chronic pollution of seabirds
24
Litter of Wild Dog pups in Somkhanda game reserve.........26
28 LANDSCAPE Discovery of ‘Armageddon’ cave west of Johannesburg ................28
30
CLASSIFIEDS
31 DIARY
The new look Environmental Management - Keeping you up to date THE TEAM EDITORIAL
SUBSCRIPTIONS
CONTACT
HEAD OFFICE: New Media House,
EDITOR: Samantha Morgan
Felicity Garbers
Johannesburg
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SOURCES: Shutterstock, supplied images, editorial staff. While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of its contents and information given to readers, neither the editor, publisher, or its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom. All rights reserved. © Environmental Management. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owners.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
4
TAKE NOTE
The eagle has landed The Bulwer Park Community Public Sculpture
Project is building a large sculpture for Bulwer Park in Glenwood. It is a Vulturine Fish Eagle, aka Palm Nut Vulture, with a seven meter wing span. It will sit high among the tree tops of this beautiful park. This sculpture project celebrates partnerships that provide artistically credible, interesting and
gobbled up this unique opportunity to repurpose
need to bring to public attention species other
informative public art.
these objects to make beautiful and meaningful art.
than the ‘big five’.
The Eagle is being made from unique materials
Recycling and upcycling is a sustainable
– kindly provided by Oricol Environmental Services
alternative to traditional sculpture materials.
internationally synonymous with eco-tourism
(Pty) Ltd, a Durban based company, who has been
Leading the project is Robin and Ujala of Umcebo
and in particular, birding or Avi – tourism. It is
awarded a contract by the National Regulator
Design along with group of local crafters. Sculptor
a bird of prey whose diet consists mainly of the
for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS). Oricole
George Halloway is constructing the frame from
fruit of the oil palm. To add, the Illala palm, the
meet the contract specifications and offer safe
galvanised steel round bar and these other ‘non-
vultures’ natural habitat has many important
destruction of non-compliant goods through
compliant goods’ which have been withdrawn from
uses within indigenous isiZulu culture and
environmentally friendly waste management
the market.
technology, the most widespread being
methods which ensure maximum recycling of the products and diversion from landfill.
The KZN district of Uthungulu is nationally and
basket weaving.
WHY THE VULTURINE FISH EAGLE?
The materials used are goods that venture into
The Vulturine Fish Eagle is found in the forests
Bren Brophy, Project Director,
the South African market as blatantly defective and
and savannah areas of Sub Saharan Africa, It is
Community Murals Project Trust
undesirable for responsible consumers: everything
considered a rare bird in South Africa but it is not
083 673 4569
from unuseable electric plugs to water safety vests
under any immediate threat. The decision for the
brendurban@gmail.com
that don’t float. This group of Durban artists have
sculpture to depict the eagle is motivated by the
www.facebook.com/bulwerparksculpture
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Turning Waste into a Resource
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
TAKE NOTE
Plastic recycling figures show a growing industry
9%
increase in amount of plastic diverted from landfill
The latest plastic recycling figures released by Plastics|SA are reflective of a vibrant and dynamic industry that is growing despite the many challenges it faces. INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF PLASTIC DIVERTED FROM LANDFILL
South Africa in 2014. This is the same
to 47 420, bringing the total number
total as 2013 although some materials
of jobs sustained through plastics
have increased and others decreased
recycling to 53 457 (an increase of
to recycle plastics for re-use,
Earlier last year, the South African
in tonnages.
11.4% since 2013.)
we are investigating
plastics industry set itself the
315 600 tons of plastics (22.5%)
The majority of plastics that were
aspirational target of diverting plastic
were diverted from landfill in 2014.
recycled in South Africa continue to
for difficult to recycle or end-of-
from the country’s landfill sites by
This is an increase of 9% from 2013.
be used locally to manufacture new
life plastics that could provide
Post-consumer materials still
products, mainly films (packaging,
a viable answer to our country’s
sustainability objective entitled
provide the most recyclables and
building and industrial) and pipes.
current electricity crisis, save natural
‘Zero plastics to landfill by 2030’.
62.7 % of all materials recycled
“We have proved that plastics
resources and support our objectives
The impact and influence that
originated from post-consumer
can effectively be recycled many
this strategic direction had on the
sources. A further 17.2% originated
times over into new products. South
litter, saving energy and reducing CO2
recycling industry can be seen in the
from post-industrial sources.
Africa is being recognised as one
emissions,” Hanekom concludes.
the year 2030, by adopting a new
2013-2014 results: A total of 1 400 000 tons of plastics
The formal employment
waste-to-energy recovery options
of saving landfill space, reducing
of the world leaders when it comes
provided by plastics recycling has
to ‘closing the loop’, or recycling
from domestic production and
increased by 34% to 6 037 workers.
products back into their original form.
www.plasticsinfo.co.za
imported materials were converted in
Informal employment has increased
Whilst our first choice will always be
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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
5
TAKE
NOTE
future
bright U
nilever recently launched
the issue of climate change. In
their ‘brightFuture’
order to tackle climate change and
campaign, intended to
ensure global growth, future leaders
engage people from all
must be engaged and encouraged
walks of life to ensure that:
to heed the call and take climate
• Everyone has enough food to eat
action now.
and no child goes to bed hungry • Children reach their fifth
“There has never been a better moment than the present to
birthday and have the right
protect the planet for future
to a happy childhood
generations,” said Paul Polman,
• Every home has enough clean water
We aim to help more than a billion people by improving their health and well-being as well as enhancing their livelihoods by 2020
Unilever CEO, speaking at the
TRADE TREES FOR HAMPERS
national greening activities. When
in Johannesburg. In his call to action
while protecting the planet for
directed at business, government
NGO Wildlands has developed
with items that can add value
future generations
and NGOs, he continued by saying:
a unique model which involves
to the lives of our hard working
In partnership with government
“Now is the time to join hands as a
the trade of indigenous trees
Tree-preneurs, we are extremely
and NGOs, Unilever and other large
global community to work together
for hampers that are made up
appreciative and grateful.”
corporates have the opportunity
towards finding and committing to
of a prescribed list of Unilever’s
to eradicate poverty and deal with
solutions for climate change.”
health and well-being products,
Unilever South Africa made it
such as Sunlight, Lifebuoy,
known that with the collective
Domestos, Rajah, together
power of people, input by
with a few products purchased
government and interest by all
through its partnership with
companies, big and small, the
MassCash, providing tinned fish
human race can undo the damage it
and baked beans.
has caused on the planet. “Roads in
to drink, cook with, clean and wash • Everybody can enjoy life today
Unilever’s ‘brightFuture’ Gala Dinner
Peter Cowan, Chairman of
According to Nakagawa
India are actually melting as we feel
Marcos, Vice President Brand
the brunt of global warming. Gone
Building, “Unilever aims to
are the days where global warming
create sustainable societies,
was a future notion; an issue for the
and through our partnership
next generation to handle. It is our
with Wildlands, communities
time to act now or there may not
are empowered and given
even be an earth, a planet to sustain
a purpose.”
our progeny. The time to act is
Wildlands aims to pack and distribute 10 000 hampers
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
partners like Unilever come forward
now,” he reiterated. Mr Polman emphasised Unilever’s
across their communities
commitment to sustainable
over the course of 2015. The
business practice. “We don’t just
premise of the system is to
create campaigns for the sake of
change the perception of
looking good and ticking CSI boxes.
getting a ‘hand-out’, and show
At the core of our business we strive
these communities how they
to decouple the company’s growth
can better their lives through
from its environmental footprint
entrepreneurial ventures.
and increase positive social impact.
Said Wildlands’ CEO, Dr Andrew
We aim to help more than a billion
Venter, “We promote
people by improving their health
entrepreneurship with our
and well-being as well as enhancing
barter–reward model, based on
their livelihoods by 2020,” he added.
PHOTOS KELVIN TRAUTMAN ,ADI WEERHEIM AND SUPPLIED
6
TAKE NOTE
Sustainability Week 2015 BASF were once again be a key partner in the Sustainability Week initiative held from 23 – 28 June 2015 at the CSIR International Convention Centre. Under the theme ‘Get ready to put ideas in motion’ BASF did exactly that: they put ideas in to motion with other thought leaders, policy makers, practitioners and producers who were sharing knowledge and ideas at the event to ultimately improve environmental and economic performance. During this year’s programme, BASF created conversations around the universal topic of sustainability. Explained Vice-President and Head of Business Centre South Africa and Sub-Sahara, Joan-Maria Garcia-Girona: “Sustainability is firmly embedded into BASF’s strategy and organisation. Sustainability management supports the company’s strategic principle ‘We drive sustainable solutions’ and follows its corporate purpose of ‘We create chemistry for a sustainable future,’” he said. “BASF defines sustainability as balancing economic success with social and environmental responsibility, both today and into the future.” BASF is celebrating its 150th Anniversary during 2015 and, as part of the year-long anniversary programme, the company is focusing on global
GREEN TECHNOLOGY
challenges regarding Urban Living, Sustainable Food and Smart Energy.
Speaking at the same event,
These topics were transferred into a cutting edge exhibition at Sustainability
the Minister of Trade and
Week 2015. Garcia-Girona added “BASF recognises societal trends and the
Industry, Dr Rob Davies said
needs of people and, with research and development, continues to find
the Green Economy had been
innovative solutions to meet these challenges
identified as a key focus area
again and again.”
in the Industrial Policy Action Plan and it provided significant
www.basf.co.za
opportunities for job creation and economic growth. He added that in the Climatescope 2014 report released by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, South Africa was ranked third, after China and Brazil, for investment in clean energy, accounting for more than 90% of these investments in Sub-Saharan Africa. “Also, in 2013, South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPP) won the Green Infrastructure project of the Year at the 6th Global Infrastructure
Katharina Felgenhauer, PPP and Market Development from BASF East Africa and Juliet Mdluli, Communications Specialist: Projects and Services opening BASF’s Mini Creator Space at the Sustainability Week 2015.
Leadership Conference in New York. Over the REIPPP’s first three bid windows, the renewable energy sector has
and their plants serve as a model for
committed investments totaling
future Unilever global operations.
R120 billion, of which R23 billion
Mr Polman concluded: “Unilever
was committed to local content,”
cannot solve the world’s climate
said Minister Davies.
problems alone. Worldwide in every
He said the South African
country, every citizen, company,
government was extremely
government and NGO has a role
pleased that the investments
to play. Together we can make
made by Unilever were
significant strides in ensuring a better
advancing “Green Technology”
future for the leaders of tomorrow.”
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
7
8
TAKE NOTE
Raising awareness for coastal conservation Beautiful Cape weather highlighted the
Grants Manager for Wildlands. “It is for this
success of the Clovelly Golf Day. Grindrod Asset
reason that Grindrod and Wildlands have come
Management, in partnership with Wildlands,
together to form the Blue Fund, attempting
hosted the Blue Funds’ Golf day at the Clovelly
to drive coastal conservation awareness and
(Head of Fund Management, Grindrod Asset
Country Club in Cape Town at the end of May.
support the dedicated efforts of organisations
Management) handing out prizes to the
working in the sector.”
participants of the Golf Day. He ended off by
The focus of the event was to raise awareness for the Blue Fund, a partnership
Blue Fund,” said Francois Louw of SANCCOB. The evening wrapped up with Paul Stewart
Paul Stewart, head of Grindrod Asset
saying, “Through the success of Grindrod Asset
between Grindrod Financial Services and
Management, together with Mark Gerrard of
Management and the involvement and success
Wildlands, aimed at supporting coastal
Wildlands, then handed a cheque of R300 000
of our clients, we hope to continue the support
conservation throughout South Africa.
over to members of SANCCOB to allow the
for conservation through this partnership
“With South Africa’s spectacular and
purchase of an X-Ray machine for the centre.
with Wildlands and the Blue Fund, ultimately
lengthy coastline being the focus of much
“The purchase of the X-Ray machine will allow
contributing to the good work being done by
development, there is a serious need for
SANCCOB to improve its operational efficiency
organisations such as SANCCOB.”
energy to be put into marine and coastal
as well as significantly save costs in the future
conservation,” says Mark Gerrard, Conservation
and we really appreciate the support from the
www.grindrod.co.za
Tsogo Sun partners with Generation Earth Fittingly announced on World Environment
October, the student councils will present
Day on 5 June, Tsogo Sun has entered into
innovations linked to COP21’s theme of food
a new partnership with Generation Earth,
security and water and energy conservation,
a green networking platform with the
ahead of COP21 – the 21st session of
youth, for the youth and by the youth, that
the Conference of the Parties to the UN
recognises and develops green thinkers who
Framework Convention on Climate Change
are tomorrow’s global leaders.
– from 30 November to 11 December in Paris.
This new relationship, which sees Tsogo Sun becoming the venue and
agreement on the climate, applicable to
accommodation partner to Generation Earth,
all countries, of keeping global warming
including their annual summit in October this
below 2˚C.
year, follows on several years of partnership
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Also introduced at the World Environment
with sister organisation Miss Earth, a
Day event were the Johannesburg nominees
leadership programme that empowers young
for Miss Earth 2015, who have all been
South African women with the knowledge
planting vegetable gardens, getting involved
and platform to create a sustainable
in waste projects, and planting trees,
difference in combatting the destruction of
in preparation for the crowning of the new
our natural heritage.
Miss Earth in September.
Generation Earth works with 80 school
Ella Bella, Candy Tothill, Catherine Constantanides, and Minister of Water & Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa
COP21 will aim to achieve a new international
“Green issues are high on our corporate
councils around the country, comprising
priorities and this work connects well with
about 1 700 learners, in a structured action
our CSI focus on youth development, making
plan for the youth to make a difference in
the partnerships with both Miss Earth and
the betterment of the environment. The
Generation Earth a good fit for Tsogo Sun.
students on the Generation Earth councils
Supporting youth in their efforts to build a
are expected to be studying the sciences,
sustainable future for us is the right thing to
and to have expressed an interest in a career
do – and we’re proud to do it,” says Candy
involving the environment.
Tothill, Tsogo Sun’s executive responsible for
At the Generation Earth Summit in
corporate affairs.
TAKE NOTE
ACWA Power to provide solar energy to South Africa’s national grid
Provides storage capacity of
1300MWh which is equivalent to
9.3
operational hours
term growth,” ACWA Power Chairman, Mohammed Abunayyan, today told a delegation of local journalists and government officials during a visit to the site. South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Energy, Thembi Majola and other dignitaries were also in attendance.
ACWA POWER TO PROVIDE SOLAR ENERGY TO SOUTH AFRICA’S NATIONAL GRID
the day, which can then be released after sun during peak demand periods between 5pm
LOCAL EMPLOYMENT CREATION, SKILLS TRANSFER
ACWA Power, Riyadh-based global leading
and 9pm in the early morning The thermal
The Bokpoort CSP Project has led to
water and power developer and owner and
storage capacity of 1300MWh, which is
the creation of more than 1100 local jobs
operator across 10 countries, announced a
equivalent to about 9.3 hours of operation,
during the peak of its construction – 390
molten salt solar project that will contribute
is the largest ever adopted by a solar power
from the surrounding community – and
approximately 50 Mega Watt (MW) to the
plant of this class in the world. This makes
over 50 permanent employment
country’s current electricity generation
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) the only
opportunities will be made available
capacity from early 2016. As part of the South
renewable technology at a commercial
during the operation of the power
African Government’s Renewable Energy
scale that is able to meet the country’s daily
facility. In addition, the initiative has
Independent Power Producer Procurement
peak demand, thereby helping to prevent
facilitated local shareholding in the
(REIPPP) programme, the Bokpoort
load shedding. The solar energy generated
project company and allowed for
Concentrated Solar Power Independent Power
by the 658 000 m2 of reflector area will be
the participation of high level
Project (Bokpoort CSP Project) is currently
fed directly into Eskom’s Garona substation,
broad-based black economic
in its commissioning phase at Groblershoop,
located next to the site, under a 20 year Power
empowerment (BBBEE)
situated near Upington in the Northern Cape - a
Purchase Agreement (PPA).
companies for construction,
province that boasts one of the highest solar radiation footprints in the world.
down; enabling consistent electricity supply
“We are proud to be a part of creating a
Northern Cape - a province that boasts one of the highest solar radiation footprints in the world
operation and maintenance.
sustainable future for South Africa through the reliable delivery of renewable electricity.
ADVANCED STORAGE TECHNOLOGY
This project allows for delivery of electricity at
Bokpoort’s CSP technology effectively allows
power supply network, and will also enhance
for the ‘banking’ of excess solar energy during
local socio-economic development and long-
www.acwapower.com
the lowest possible cost into Eskom’s national
Change that doesn’t cost the earth Environmental solutions: • Environmental Licensing and Permitting • Legal and Performance Auditing • Compliance Monitoring (Dust, Water and Noise) • Green Star Rating Assessments • Sustainability and Integrated Reporting • Specialist Assessments 086 112 ICAT www.i-cat.co.za
ENVIRONMENTAL S
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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
9
TAKE NOTE / FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR
Zambia Green Jobs Programme Z
ambia’s economic
green jobs among small- and medium-
before. Now I know I can use local
growth, like that of
sized enterprises in the Zambian
material such as clay and earth bricks
many developing
building construction industry. It is led
and timber in construction,” she said.
countries, has
by the ILO with financial assistance
“We recently constructed a house
from the Government of Finland.
where I could put what I learned into
been steady especially during the last ten years.
practice. I saved a lot of time and
to significant job creation and poverty
FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR LEARNS ECO-FRIENDLY BUILDING TECHNIQUES
levels remain high, with more than
Omba Lacey is one of the many
half of the population estimated to be
dynamic entrepreneurs from Lusaka
business. Together with 15 men
living below the poverty line.
who has joined the programme. She
and women who also attended,
has been running a house construction
she decided to found a green
It is expected to reach 7.4% in 2015. However, sustained growth has not led
What is more, much of the economic growth has come at a
business in the Zambian capital since
significant environmental cost.
2007. Last year, she took part in an
According to United Nations (UN)
ILO training course “Start and improve
statistics, the proportion of area
your green construction business.”
covered by forests decreased from
This was an eye-opener for her.
71%in 1990 to 67% in 2010. The majority of Zambia’s population (82%, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) ) still depend on traditional fuels such as wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste to meet their daily energy needs. Household air pollution attributable deaths for all age groups and both genders in Zambia amounted to 8 240 in 2012, according to WHO statistics published in May 2015, with more than half a million total years of life lost due to ill health, disability or early death in 2012. This led authorities to look at the links between job creation and the greening of the economy, which resulted in the establishment of the Zambia Green Jobs Programme – a five-year US$12.1 million project developed jointly by the Government of Zambia and the UN. The programme aims to support the creation of
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
“I had never even considered using sustainable materials in my work
money.” Omba Lacey, who runs a house construction business in the Zambian capital The training has changed Lacey’s
The International Labour Organization (ILO)-led Green Jobs Programme in Zambia is expected to create
5 000 new green jobs by 2017
thanks to a partnership between the government and the construction sector ANTON_IVANOV / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
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According to ILO figures from 2012, Zambia requires 1.3 million new dwellings before 2030. That is one house every two minutes of each working day for the next 19 years.
YE A
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consortium to deliver green
through its partners from the
goods and services.
government and sector. It will
productivity and working
and window frames, compressed
conditions,â€? added Muzira.Â
earth bricks for the walls,
As an entrepreneur, Lacey
cost of building a house can be
green construction industry
slashed by up to 70%, which also
are essential for the sector to
makes houses more affordable for
contribute to job creation and
everyone,� she explained.
sustainable development.Â
the timber of the trees she had
invest in eco-friendly techniques.
to clear to build the house.Â
Also, access to funds should be
Previously, Lacey would import
facilitated especially to purchase
and steel) from South Africa and
construction. As an employer, made to improve occupational
“The construction sector has
health and safety, as well as
growth in recent years. It can
workers,� she added. “Zambia needs more and
provides a good example of
as energy saving, renewable
what can be done in developing
energy and water conservation,�
countries to invest in sustainable
said Tapera Muzira, Chief
development while also moving
Technical Advisor of the Zambia
forward on occupational health
Green Jobs Programme.Â
and safety and extension of
environmental-friendly practices
Zambia requires 1.3 million new
is feasible at a reasonable cost,�
dwellings before 2030. That is one
Muzira concluded.
YE A
TERRA FORCE
18
According to ILO figures from 2012,
work opportunities with
YE A
R
show combining more decent
YE A
0 R1
social protection. We want to
BETTER SAFETY AND SOCIAL PROTECTION
NOT
YE A
17
goods and technologies such
Imitators are
R
Jobs Programme in Zambia
16
green growth. The Green
building materials, services,
c o n s u m e r
YE A
R
better jobs for inclusive and
promotion of eco-friendly
g o o d fo r t h e
R9
gas emissions through the
c o m p e t i t i o n i s
YE A
8
access to social protection for
R
played a central role in Zambia’s contribute to reducing greenhouse
15
I also support efforts being
the environment.Â
G e n u i n e
YE A
R
China; this was costly and bad for
YE A
7
machinery adapted to green
R
materials (such as aluminium
YE A
14
such as myself can benefit and
R
so that more entrepreneurs
construction site, and to use
6
cut down all the trees at a
YE A
R
“More people need to be trained
YE A
13
awareness-raising in the
R
and solar panels for energy. The
YE A
5
believes that training and
R
rainwater harvesting for water
She was also taught not to
12
2Â 000 existing jobs by enhancing
such as timber for roofing, door
YE A
R
by using locally-sourced materials
4
also improve the quality of
R
“I saved a lot of time and money
YE A
TAKE NOTE
house every two minutes of each about-the-ilo/newsroom/
opportunities for job creation.Â
features/WCMS_372815/
“We estimate that the
lang--en/index.htm?shared_
programme will, facilitate the
from=media-mail
creation of 5Â 000 jobs by 2017
www.ilo.org
YE A
19
http://www.ilo.org/global/
So the sector also offers good
R
working day for the next 19 years.
Find your nearest supplier www.terraforce.com
Te l : 0 2 1 4 6 5 1 9 0 7 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
11
12
TAKE NOTE
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS TACKLING DEGRADATION OF LANDSCAPES AND LIVELIHOODS
All of these combine into a heady
Quite some time ago a small band of
The road to sustainable development
environmental practitioners-cum-
and restoration of a two million
development activists struggled to
hectare catchment which supplies
find ways to collaborate with local
over one million people with water
authorities to tackle degradation of
and livelihoods is a tough one.
mix of institutional, governance and technical potholes and speed bumps.
the upper uMzimvubu landscape and the livelihoods dependent upon it. Much of this effort was swept away
HOW IT ALL STARTED In 2011, CEPF (Critical Ecosystem
in the overwhelming tide of challenges
Partnership Fund) grants for
facing a largely undeveloped rural
Conservation SA and local NGO
several implementing partnerships
communal landscape along the
Environmental & Rural Solutions
to bring to life an initial five year
watershed with Lesotho. Altitude-
(ERS) allowed for the more structured
strategy and a growing conservation
related climatic extremes and
gathering of over 30 stakeholders in
economy base for the uMzimvubu
increasing severity of events
the uMzimvubu catchment. These
catchment, starting in the Matatiele
compound the levels of poverty and
include Traditional Authorities, local
municipality area. The latter forms
poor education through marginal
and line government, co-operative
the strategic upper catchment
production. Distances from services
networks, NGOs, consultants and
water factory, boasting over
and often complete lack of the latter
farmers associations. After years
42 765ha of wetlands (almost 10%
(an estimated 15% of the Matatiele
of simple relationships, ad hoc
of the municipal area) and 140km of
population don’t have access to piped
opportunistic sharing and scraping
watershed.
potable water)make life difficult.
the barrel, the frustrations paid off
Under-resourced local authorities face
and the CSA-ERS alliance allowed
biodiversity and linking community
the problem of the relative geographic
for a collective catchment vision to
based natural resource management
isolation of this former Transkei
be drafted and an Memorandum of
interventions with sound ecosystem
area in the northern Eastern Cape.
Understanding (MoU) emerged.
services has been adopted by the
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
This laid the groundwork for
A stewardship plan for protecting
TAKE NOTE Matatiele Council. It has support for
gathering provides an opportunity
its implementation from key UCPP
for partners to share work and
begun and it will be a slow but exciting
members including the Eastern Cape
challenges, solve problems and forge
journey. The UCPP aims to conserve
Parks & Tourism Agency, Department
new alliances for effective use of
the full extent of the Umzimvubu River
of Economic Development,
limited resources.
through the sustainable restoration
Environment Affairs & Tourism,
However, the show has only just
and maintenance of the catchment
Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier
COLLECTIVE ACTION
area in a manner that supports
Programme, Endangered Wildlife
In signing the MoU, all 32 organisations
economic development and enhances
Trust, WESSA, LIMA, CSA and ERS.
have committed to collective action to
suites of ecosystem services to
develop and support implementation
benefit local people, biodiversity
Environmental Affairs Land User
of a catchment management
and the functional landscape.
Incentives programmes are being
strategy and restoration plan for
implemented by local partnerships,
the Umzimvubu River. A key focus
employing over 500 people in clearing
of the partnership is to build on the
over 2 000ha of alien plants, working
Expanded Public Works Programme
on fire awareness and protection,
and foster good stewardship and
erosion control and herding. These
sustainable small enterprises which
also benefit another 150 households
can support the restoration and
from livestock sales through a
maintenance of intact ecosystem
rangeland management initiative
services. Facilitating learning
which facilitates improved
exchanges, establishing baselines
grazing/veld condition, animal
for ecosystem monitoring, advocating
health and auctions.
good governance through capacity
Several Department of
The UCPP is spearheaded by
www.umzimvubu.org
building, representation on the
ERS and CSA in Matatiele, as the
emerging Umzimvubu-Tsitsikamma
coordinating organisations for the
CMA and developing best practise
various stakeholders. The alliance
material and methods for replication
recently held its ninth quarterly forum
in the communal landscape are
session, with a focus on building
some of the successful interventions
climate resilience: each quarterly
to date.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
13
14
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
Kaytech saves the day in construction of Tormin Mine The recently opened Tormin Mine,
and offers the reinforcement
with its active beach deposits of
characteristics of geogrids and
heavy minerals, is expected to inject
wovens in conjunction with the
over R5 billion into the Western Cape
favourable hydraulic qualities of
economy during the next five years.
nonwovens. With its high strength,
It is here, approximately 400km
multifilament polyester yarns,
north of Cape Town, that Kaytech
RockGrid PC demonstrates a very low
has supplied several of its top quality
creep tendency while its nonwoven
products for the construction of
layer protects the reinforcement
roads and waste water ponds for
elements during the critical
the new mine.
installation phase.
Obsideo Consulting was
Neoweb is a cellular confinement
responsible for project management,
system manufactured from Neoloy,
procurement and construction
an HDPE alloy. A composite system
management of the mine and
is created when its honeycomb
the processing plant, as well as
structure is filled with soil. For this
for the design of the associated
project however, the Neoweb cells
infrastructure.
were filled with crusher dust. In the
The area of Koekenaap, where
absence of layer works, Neoweb
the mine is situated, is extremely
provides a high quality, sustainable
sandy with little or no in-situ building
and durable reinforcement solution in
BIDIM
polyester from discarded plastic cool-
material. Due to the isolation
load support applications.
Bidim is a nonwoven, continuous
drink bottles (equivalent to around
filament, needle-punched geotextile
300 million 2-litre bottles). Converting
of the area, transportation of
By the end of the project,
suitable civil engineering materials
contractor, Joetsie Civils, had
that Kaytech has been manufacturing
this 100% recycled material into an
was economically unviable.
installed 27 400m2 of RockGrid PC
since 1978. Its many distinct
eco-friendly polyester geotextile
After consultation with Obsideo
50/50 over the subgrade. The same
advantages over other man-made
makes A-grade bidim the natural
Consulting, Kaytech recommended
square meterage of Neoweb 330b
fibres include:
choice for specialist base fabrics in
the use of its unique RockGrid PC
(200mm high) was then placed over
• better modulus of deformation
technical textiles. It also meets the
for reinforcement of the subgrade,
the layer of RockGrid PC.
• better plastic yield stability
most stringent civil engineering and
• higher breaking strength
industrial specifications.
and its Neoweb cellular confinement
Waste water ponds were
• better resistance to high
The ease and speed of installation
system for load support. These two
constructed during construction
reputable products would enable the
of the mine roads, and Obsideo
internal roads to accommodate the
Consulting specified Kaytech’s
• less sensitivity to UV degradation
only impressed both consultant and
heavy mine vehicles.
bidim A4 and A6 for protection
• better wettability
contractor during these projects, but
of the HDPE pond linings. Since
• it is 100% recycled
saved a significant amount of money in
temperatures
ROCKGRID PC
these high performance geotextiles
RockGrid PC is the first composite
offer optimum thickness in their
9001 registered production facility in
reinforcing geotextile to be
weight class, a high degree of
Atlantis has extracted more than
manufactured in South Africa
protection is provided.
18 million kilogrammes of high-grade
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
For over 10 years, Kaytech’s ISO
of all these Kaytech products not
time, construction costs and expensive transportation of imported materials. www.kaytech.co.za
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
When the upmarket Tivoli Gardens
The careful removal of plants
residential complex in North
growing in close proximity to
Riding, Johannesburg, required an
the walls of the complex, posed
effective water repellent treatment,
the biggest challenge for the
Architect Friederich Nel confidently
contractor. Once accessible,
specified Sika’s Sikagard-703 W for
the walls were coated with
the project. Contractor, Paint and
Sikagard-703 W by means of a
Power, was awarded the contract
conventional low-pressure spray,
to apply Sikagard-703 W to all
although a brush or roller may
exterior walls of each cluster home
also be used for application.
as well as all boundary walls.
Sikagard-703 W is vapour
As it is water based, Sikagard-
permeable, provides improved
703 W is environmentally friendly
resistance to dirt pick-up
and may be over-coated with water-
and reduces fungal, algal and
or solvent-based polymer paints.
lichen growth.
As a protective coat against water
By the end of the project in
ingress, Sikagard-703 W may be
August 2014, Paint and Power
applied to many facades including
had applied almost 5 000 litres
mortar, masonry, brick and stone
of Sikagard-703 W to the various
with the optimum hydrophobic
facades of Tivoli Gardens. This top
impregnation being achieved within
quality, internationally approved
a few days. This ready-to-use
product has given complete peace
emulsion is based on a combination
of mind to the owners of these
of silane and siloxane, and since it is
beautiful Tuscan style homes.
usually invisible, does not alter the substrate aspect.
www.sika.co.za
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
15
16
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
- THE FUTURE OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT purification systems and
14 times more efficiently than ponds,
the process of introducing this option to
misting canon technology.
as evaporation machines are compact,
industrial clients, as part of our value-
“Our systems have been
reliable and e�cient, and can be
added service offering,” adds van Wyk.
well received by the local
transported to numerous sites.” The evaporation machines can
2. Water fracturing evaporators
the concept is feasible,”
also be used as a low-cost addition
Through this process, water is fractured
states van Wyk.
to enhance evaporation on existing
through a high-speed fan and propelled
containment ponds, or to minimise
into the air. This solution is best-suited
can be carried out naturally
new pond surface area. I-CAT currently
for smaller areas where wastewater
in solar evaporation
offers two di�erent types of evaporation
contains high volumes of solids and
solutions, namely:
large particulates. “We are currently in
market, and trials prove that
The evaporation process
Evaporation is a quicker and more cost-
ponds, a slow process that requires a
effective alternative to reverse osmosis,
large surface area, or by mechanical
chemical dosing and desalination in
evaporation machines. “Natural solar
1. Water atomising evaporators
to two large projects in South Africa,
wastewater treatment applications.
evaporation is often limited by land
Air is compressed via a fan through a
both of which commenced in early
I-CAT offers innovative evaporation
availability and the cost of constructing
tapered barrel, and propels controlled-
2015. I believe that this could lead to
solutions for all industrial applications,
additional storage ponds, not to
sized water droplets that are created
considerable growth for I-CAT moving
including the removal of excess tailing
mention the added cost of clean-up
via nozzles. “This is best for larger areas
forward, as we continue to develop
dam water.
and re-vegetation,” he continues.
where wastewater contains lower
practical and cost-effective solutions
dissolved solids or minimal particulates.
for specific challenges experienced by our clients,” he concludes.
I-CAT technical manager
According to van Wyk, evaporation
the process of supplying this solution
Morné van Wyk indicates that the
machines can rapidly increase the
I-CAT has spent a considerable amount
innovative evaporation system
evaporation process, with minimal
of time in research and development
design incorporates proprietary water
footprint. “Space can be utilised up to
on evaporation solutions, and we are in
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
www.i-cat.co.za
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
BKB innovates SA wool and mohair industries through R8 million roof-mounted solar PV installation An R8 million roof-mounted solar
covers a total surface area of
according to Rhino Energy director
photovoltaic (PV) energy harvesting
3 400 m², is located on the roofs
Craig Brehany. BKB plans
system is to supply clean energy and
of BKB warehouse buildings
to recoup the project’s investment
reduce the South African wool and mohair industry’s carbon footprint
which house classing, handling and pressing facilities.
and is the initiative of BKB in Nelson
costs over a 10 year period through
This will enhance the eco credentials of South
The pitched roof
solar power installation projects in
sections of these buildings
South Africa.
were retrofitted with
BKB, which processes and
from our facilities.
R850 000 per year.
Mandela Bay. This is set to be one of the biggest
and exported
energy savings of approximately
approximately 4 680
African wool and mohair handled, pressed and shipped by BKB,” said Jacobus le Roux, KB head of corporate The solar PV system is significant
marketing and public relations.
exports two thirds of the South
solar panels, each with
for the country’s wool and mohair
African wool clip and more than 35%
an output of 100 Watt.
industries, and for approximately
company’s sustainability strategy and
of the country’s mohair clip, said the
The solar array, which is expected to go
28 000 emerging and commercial wool
its fifth organisational value which
installation will harvest
online next week will generate 40% of
and mohair producers which BKB serves.
promotes accountability and constant
and then introduce solar energy into
the facility’s electricity needs.
its handling and shipping facility in Port Elizabeth. The solar PV system, which
“The clean energy supply chain
“It is the largest grid-tied solar PV
management innovations through our
system in the Eastern Cape and among
solar PV system will offset the carbon
the top 10 largest in the country,”
footprint of wool and mohair processed
The initiative forms part of the
innovation for environmentally friendly sustainable growth. www.bkb.co.za
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
17
18
MINING
Thorium could avert the energy crisis The topic of Nuclear power is a sensitive one. It generates huge amounts of electricity with zero carbon emissions, and thus is held up as a solution to global energy woes. But it also entails several risks, including weapons development, meltdown, and the hazards of disposing of its waste products.
Sout h Af ric a has su fficient thoriu m reserves to supply all Sout h Af ric a’s energy needs for the next 10 0 years
H
owever those risks and benefits all pertain to a very specific kind of nuclear energy: nuclear
fission of uranium or plutonium isotopes. There is another kind of nuclear energy that’s been waiting in the wings for decades – and it may just demand a change of mind set on nuclear power. Nuclear fission using thorium is
Steenkampskraal Thorium Limited
could desalinate sea-water for human
risks are considerably lower. Thorium
SOUTH AFRICA’S FUTURE WATER CRISIS LINKED TO THE CURRENT ENERGY CRISIS
(STL), said the solution lies in
consumption and produce water
power also has other attractions. Its
Within 35 years, South Africa will
developing small thorium-based
for irrigation. “Millions of people die
production of nuclear waste would
be short of fresh water which will
nuclear power stations, which are
every year in Africa from water-borne
be on a significantly lower scale than
be linked to the energy crisis. The
far safer than uranium-based power
diseases. Our reactor could produce
that of conventional nuclear power.
preferred way to address this is
stations and more affordable. Thorium
clean drinking water.”
Thorium would be easier to obtain
through desalination. However,
reactors use dry cooling or minimal
than uranium.
unless the energy crisis is addressed,
water, either inland fresh water from
and safe technology that is more
easily within our reach, and compared with conventional nuclear energy, the
Trevor Blench, chairman of
of Africa are dry, the thorium reactor
“Thorium represents an emerging
South Africa is destined for long-term
rivers and dams or sea water along
efficient than uranium, produces
thorium power, in our geopolitically
power and water shortages primarily
South Africa’s coastline to create
significantly less hazardous waste
dicey world, is that the fuel is much
because power will be need to
energy and desalinate water.
and cannot easily be used for nuclear
harder to turn into a bomb.
produce clean water.
Perhaps the most salient benefit of
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Mr Blench said while many parts
proliferation purposes,” he said. “The
MINING solution to the energy and future water crisis is to develop small
diesel generators, at very high cost.” “These countries cannot afford to
thorium-based nuclear power stations
spend billions of dollars buying big
deployed at these strategic locations.”
expensive reactors, up to ten years
Mr Blench said that thorium
building such a reactor or plug a
fuel is being tested in Norway. STL
1 000 MW nuclear reactor into
owns the rights to the thorium of
their tiny grids,” he said.
the Steenkampskraal mine in the
Mr Blench said the reactor being
Western Cape. He added that the
developed will be suitable for African
Steenkampskraal mine has the
and remote conditions. “The reactor
highest known thorium and rare earth
will be affordable for the small
grades in the world.
countries that make up most of Africa
Thorium is a much cleaner fuel than uranium.
and it will cost a fraction of the large nuclear Light Water Reactors (LWRs). It will be modular and quick to build.”
STEENKAMPSKRAAL MINE
Within 35 years, South A frica will be short of fresh water which will be linked to the energy crisis.
Mr Blench believes that if Africa
Steenkampskraal was mined by Anglo
is going to embark on a nuclear
American during the 1950s and 1960s
future, it should leap-frog over the
for its thorium. About a dozen reactors
Generation 3 reactors and go straight
were built in Germany, England and
to Generation 4 reactors. “The
America. It is believed that most of
technology is available. It has been
that thorium came from this mine.
tried and tested over many years.
“We are designing a nuclear reactor
Our reactor is a Gen 4 design. What
that is appropriate for Africa. Typically,
does that mean? It means that
African countries have a total annual
our reactor is intrinsically safe and
ammonia. This ‘hydrogen’ could be
down their living standards.
electricity production of between
meltdown-proof.”
used to make fertilisers to improve
Our small plant could provide
agricultural yields.”
electricity for remote towns and
1 000 and 5 000 MW per year. They
19
“There are many problems in
do not have well-developed grids to
Africa. Three of the biggest problems
distribute electricity, and currently
are food, water and power. Our plant
power shortages that retard their
generate a lot of their electricity with
can produce hydrogen in the form of
rates of economic growth and hold
“Most parts of Africa suffer from
villages all over the continent.” www.thorium100.com
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
20
MINING
Mining ‘tsunami’ set to take Africa by storm
JOHN C. CANNON, MONGABAY.COM CORRESPONDENT
AS NATIONS INVEST BILLIONS IN EXTRACTION DEVELOPMENT, FORESTS MAY SUFFER BIG LOSSES
biologists, NGOs, and governments
well as established, industrialised
increased agricultural yields and
to guide this investment to both
ones including Canada and Australia,
encouraging higher incomes through
encourage economic development
have ploughed billions into mining
participation in national and regional
and safeguard natural habitat, author
developments in Africa in recent
economies.
Many of the minerals that enable
Bill Laurance and his colleagues
years. In 2009 China alone invested
our technology, back the value of
catalogue known
more than $100 billion each year
potential positive aspects of foreign
our economies (or did at one time),
mineral deposits and examine
in mineral extraction, a four-fold
investment,” Laurance said. But
and power our cities can be found
where they converge with
increase since the turn of the century.
while mining could be a booster shot
in Africa. And yet the continent still
biodiverse areas. As much as
According to data from Global Forest
for struggling economies in tropical
remains something of an untapped
a quarter of the continent’s mineral
Watch, between 2001 and 2013 alone
Africa, it’s not the panacea that
resource, as the vast majority of
wealth is concentrated in three
the DRC lost more than 5.8 million
some purport it to be. “The social
mineral extraction occurs elsewhere.
areas in Cameroon, Gabon and the
hectares of forest – a swath of land
advantages can be very spotty, and
A new report published by a team
Democratic Republic of Congo.
larger than the Netherlands.
there can be major environmental
“One can’t ignore all of the
of scientists from James Cook
“In the coming 50 years, this
University in Cairns, Australia,
will be one of the most important
enormous opportunity afforded
The act of mining itself can be
documents a surging tide of foreign
environmental issues on the planet,”
by this influx of cash. Mines can
detrimental to the environment,
interest in mining in Africa and
Laurance told mongabay.com.
provide much-needed employment,
as it is often necessary to remove
and accompanying infrastructure
forest and other types of habitat
cautions that the sector’s unchecked
The study’s authors point out the
impacts,” he added.
development and expansion could
MINING INVESTMENTS
development in the form of roads
to get at the minerals in the
devastate the environment.
Rapidly growing countries such as
and rail lines could help connect
ground. The authors of the report
Russia, India, Brazil and China, as
farmers to markets, incentivising
note a worrisome trend known
In a ‘call to arms’ for conservation
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
MINING as PADDD – short for “protected
plantations, one-off mines can be
area downgrading, downsizing
just as deleterious (if not more so) to
and degazettement” – in which
the environment than their industrial
governments trim down parks and
counterparts. According to the study,
reserves or scale back their protected
ad-hoc miners use “unregulated,
status to allow mining companies
improvised and often harmful
easier access to minerals. PADDD is
extraction methods to piggyback
often a symptom of weak governance,
onto operations involving precious
a serious problem afflicting many
commodities, especially gold.”
countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
One of these methods is the use
TREE FELLING TREE MAINTENANCE SITE CLEARING SUPPLIER OF WOOD CHIPS FULLY INSURED
We are a long-standing selected supplier for SALI We are also FULLY INSURED for even more peace-of-mind
of mercury to separate the ore
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
which can quickly contaminate
Laurance has also called for
local water supplies and harm fish,
strengthening environmental impact
wildlife and humans.
21
from its surrounding rocky matrix,
assessments, which companies are mineral extraction begins. “The
NEED FOR CAREFUL REGULATION
environmental impact assessment
In many ways, the land rush to
process is in many cases very
extract valuable minerals found in so
inadequate,” he said, “often just
many of the products we use every
focused on the narrow set of impacts
day, from cell phones to jewellery
that occur in the immediate area
to electrical wiring, parallels the
of the mines and only for the time
rush to invest in oil palm in tropical
when a company is actively working
Africa. At once representing
to pull minerals from the ground.
unparalleled economic opportunities
But, a huge set of knock-on effects
and the specter of environmental
from the development of mines can
devastation, oil palm and mineral
have potentially even more serious
extraction both need careful
environmental side effects than the
regulation and the incorporation
mines themselves.”
of the needs of local populations
typically required to carry out before
Roads present one of the most
52 Verdun Road, Kya Sands, Johannesburg Fax: 086 530 6656 Email: brandstf@mweb.co.za
into the formation of strategies that
significant issues. While many of the
will protect the environment and
African countries where minerals
provide for the countries where this
are abundant are in dire need of
development is occurring. For mining
governance structures of these
more transparent supply chains and
infrastructure improvements to move
and oil palm, scientists like Laurance
countries to ensure that mining
better labelling. With minerals, it’s
goods to market and allow the freer
are calling for greater transparency.
development is carried out in a
not so easy, Laurance said. “All this
sustainable way.
stuff goes into a gazillion different
movement of people, roads also
BrandsQB_Aug2013.indd 1
“We need to be talking about it
2013/08/13 7:27 AM
open previously inaccessible wildlife
much more vigorously than we are
However, Laurance points out
habitats to a variety of other human
right now,” he added. Additionally,
that the struggle to exert pressure
products, many of which we’ve come to depend on in our modern lives.”
uses. In one case, a proposed road
he and his colleagues insist that
on mining companies may be more
As consumer demand soars for
aimed at moving gold from areas
it’s imperative to strengthen the
difficult. With oil palm, consumers
products that depend on these
around Lake Victoria to the coast
and NGOs have been able to get
minerals, so will the demand for the
will cut right through Serengeti
no-deforestation commitments
land that holds them. “It’s a bit of a
National Park, disrupting perhaps
from large companies by calling for
tsunami. What can one do against
the most iconic animal migration on
a tsunami?” he said. Still, he’s not
the planet. Mines also draw in people
willing to give up. “We have to try to
looking for jobs, Laurance and
do something.”
his coauthors wrote. Once in the www.mongabay.com
vicinity, the established pattern says they’ll clear land for their homes and crops and diminish local wildlife populations with bush meat hunting. In addition, some locals, seeking to benefit from the mineral wealth just like the companies in the vicinity, may start their own small-scale mining operations, known as artisanal mining. Unlike small-scale oil palm production, which can represent a more sustainable alternative to large
African forest elephants are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN*. Much of the proposed mining activity will occur within their habitat.
*International Union for Conservation of Nature
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
22
INFRASTRUCTURE
China’s geopolitical ambitions expand to Namibia’s South Atlantic Sea Walvis Bay port BY MICHELLE FLORCRUZ
China’s interests in Africa have multiplied in recent years, with trade rising tenfold since 2000 to nearly $107 billion last year. Reuters
A
Liberation Army naval base in Walvis
routes, thereby maintaining regional
Bay that would be home to as many
and world stability,” Namibian news
as six Chinese warships. While the
reports said.
naval base plan has not been publicly
For Namibia, it seems that a naval
confirmed by China or Namibia, such
base would bolster an already robust Chinese presence.
cross continental Africa,
$15.6 billion in Ethiopia’s energy,
a project would likely have significant
China’s presence can’t
transportation and technology
geopolitical and economic benefits
be ignored. While China
sectors over the same period.
for both China and Namibia, local
that China already has major satellite
reports said.
tracking installation in-country. China
Chinese money already runs
has made multibillion-
“Several Namibians pointed out
dollar investments in various
throughout the continent, with
According to an earlier report
is developing key uranium mines.
countries and industries throughout
the term “Chinese colonialism”
by the Namibian, citing Chinese
Chinese immigrants are opening
the continent, a shift toward a
being used liberally to describe
accounts, the proposed Walvis
shops in every corner of the land.
military presence - in the form of a
the China-Africa relationship.
Bay plan is one of 18 such plans
A Namibian told me he would not be
for China around the world, with
surprised if Namibia soon elects its
proposed naval base along Namibia’s Atlantic coast - implies a totally
PLANS FOR WALVIS BAY
others eyed for Yemen, Sri Lanka,
first Chinese member to parliament,”
different kind of investment for China.
As for the proposed project in
and Madagascar. All would be
Robert C. O’Brien, a foreign affairs
Namibia, a report in January from
intended to help the Chinese military
commentator and former U.S.
Foundation says that in the first
the Namibian revealed details of a
patrol significant trade passages.
alternate representative to the
half of 2014, China invested nearly
confidential letter from Namibia’s
The Walvis Bay base fits into the
United Nations, wrote for
$21 billion in technology
ambassador to China, Ring Abed, to
country’s larger plans globally and
and transportation
Namibia’s Foreign Ministry. The letter
would “further enhance China’s
in Nigeria alone. On
describes a meeting that was being
effectiveness in taking responsibility
the other side of
planned for late March in which a
for maintaining the safety of
the continent,
delegation from China would visit to
international
A report by the Heritage
China invested
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
discuss construction of a People’s
maritime
INFRASTRUCTURE
the website RealClearDefense. “Once that happens, he said, Namibia becomes in essence, a Chinese colony.”
XI’S AMBITIONS One of the hallmarks of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s tenure since taking office in late 2012 has been a dramatic military overhaul, used to enforce Xi’s geopolitical ambitions. During his term, Xi has reshuffled the army’s leadership, consistently increased the nation’s defence budget and has been unabashed about using a stronger military presence to defend territorial
China’s self-proclaimed “nine-dash
been patrolled by Britain, China
for port visits and to conduct joint
claims on both land and sea. Closer
line” in the area. After 11 months,
has history on its side. O’Brien says
exercises across the ocean from its
to home, in the South China Sea,
satellite imagery found that China
China’s interests are heavily linked to
hoped-for base at Walvis Bay,” O’Brien
China’s military has had virtually free
had dredged materials to create
its access to oil and gas fields near
says. “China is putting the South
reign throughout the region, which
a manmade island among the
the Falklands, via South Atlantic sea
Atlantic into play with an audacious
houses several important economic
resource-rich Spratly Islands, which
lanes, would likely be more welcomed
and clever geopolitical move to
zones and trade routes. This has
now houses what appears to be a
by Argentina because of lingering bad
Walvis Bay.”
prompted several neighbouring
newly constructed airstrip–ideal for
blood from events such as the 1980s
countries, including Vietnam, the
regional surveillance.
Falklands War. “Chinese warships
@mflorcruz
should have ample opportunities
m.florcruz@ibtimes.com
Plastics|SA Cleanup&Recyle2015 add new paths.pdf
Philippines and Japan, to dispute
1
06/07/2015
11:05
In Walvis Bay, which has historically
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
23
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Chronic pollution of seabirds S
ANCCOB has been
the water also increases their risk of
non-profit organisation
caring for 30 oiled
chicks have responded well to
So far, the oiled birds and their
becoming oiled, as well as reducing
SANCCOB, for the
African penguins and
rehabilitation. “The ongoing chronic
the likelihood of them being able to
washing, rehabilitation
four orphaned African
pollution of seabirds is a major
return to the colony if they are oiled.
and hand-rearing costs
penguin chicks at its centre in Cape
concern for SANCCOB. The number of
St. Francis, Eastern Cape. The birds
oiled birds captured for rehabilitation
manages the only two African
were admitted from Bird and St. Croix
is rarely an accurate reflection of the
penguin colonies in the Eastern Cape.
islands off Port Elizabeth (part of the
actual impact of chronic oil pollution
The rangers identify and stabilise
Algoa Bay Hope Spot) and they will
on seabird populations”, said Juanita
all seabirds in need of rehabilitation
be washed and rehabilitated until
Raath, Rehabilitation Coordinator at
and hand-rearing, and transport
they are ready to be released back
SANCCOB in Cape St. Francis.
them to SANCCOB for rehabilitation.
into the wild.
Addo Elephant National Park
organisation mandated by the South
of the Addo Elephant National
The exact source of the oil that
African government to respond to
Park (SANParks), rescued these
affected these birds is unknown, but it
oiled seabirds, and the oiling of these
African penguins, air-lifted them via
is a well-known fact that hundreds of
penguins highlights the importance
helicopter, and then transported
thousands of seabirds are affected by
of maintaining a well-trained team
them by road to SANCCOB’s seabird
chronic oil pollution around the world.
ready to respond to catastrophic
centre. The birds received a few days
There is a significant overlap between
events, as well as these ongoing,
of intensive care to improve their
the busy shipping lanes around our
smaller spills.
strength and hydration. Many of
coast, especially those close to busy
the oiled penguins, had 50 to 80%
harbours (such as Port Elizabeth
saving African penguins and other
of their bodies covered in oil. The
and the Coega Region), and areas
threatened seabirds. It never takes a
washed birds will continue to be fed,
with a high concentration of seabirds
day off and its rehabilitation team is
hydrated and swum to ensure they
(such as Algoa Bay). The illegal and
on 24-hour call.
regain the natural waterproofing of
incidental operational discharges
their feathers.
from ships, the possibility of wrecks
emergency response skills in Africa,
The four African penguin chicks,
our website. www.sanccob.co.za
Currently, SANCCOB is the only
SOURCE OF THE POLLUTION
Rangers from the Marine Section
of seabirds please visit
SANCCOB is at the forefront of
SANCCOB deploys its specialist
leaking oil, and the seeping from
the Indian Ocean region, Antarctica
that are less than three weeks old,
faulty pipelines are a constant threat
and Sub-Antarctic. Through its
were removed from their nests as
to seabirds along our coastline.
training academy it equips people
The recent shift in the availability
their parents were also oiled and
to work in the environmental
rescued. Weighing a mere 500 grams
of sardine and pilchard, which is
sector; and a passion to instill
upon admission, and with their bodies
the main source of food for African
pride and knowledge about
covered in fluffy down feathers, these
penguins, has also caused penguins
marine conservation drives its
chicks are being hand-reared by
to travel further distances from their
education programmes.
the SANCCOB Eastern Cape team,
breeding locations to find enough
to ensure that the tiny chicks have
food to sustain themselves and their
everything they need to grow into
chicks. The extended periods of
healthy, fit youngsters.
time that they are now spending in
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
SANCCOB is a leader in seabird disease research. Should you wish to donate towards the
STORY CREDIT: LOUANNE MOSTERT (SANCCOB) PHOTOS SANCCOB AND SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
24
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
LATEST AFRICAN PENGUIN FIGURES
released by South African Department of Environmental Affairs (2012):
18 683
breeding pairs in the wild in South Africa (excludes Namibian ямБgures)
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
25
26
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
dog’s
CONSERVATION BREAKTHROUGH • CONSERVATION BREAKTHROUGH • CONSERVATION BREAKTHROUGH
It’s a
A
t the end of 2014, the
antelope for subsistence poaching
Gumbi Community made
of meat. Unfortunately Wild Dog
history by being the first
are particularly susceptible to
community owned game
snaring as they cover large areas
reserve in South Africa to introduce a
when hunting and also fan out as a
pack of endangered African Wild Dog
pack, thus increasing the likelihood
onto their land. The pack settled in
of encountering a snare. She was
well and their success was cemented,
found first thing in the morning by the
as the alpha female gave birth to the
Wild Dog monitor on the reserve but
pack’s first litter earlier in the year.
unfortunately the snare had killed her.
Since introduction late last
was confusion in the pack as
successes, but also some tragedy.
hierarchy was once again contested.
After establishing their hierarchy,
One of the other females had left the
the alpha female (dominant
pack briefly during the night and was
female who leads the
caught and killed by a leopard. She
pack) was caught in
was found the following morning with
a snare one night. This snare was not put out specifically for dogs but rather to target small
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Shortly after this incident, there
year, the pack has had some great
bite marks to her head and leopard tracks in the area. These two fatalities have left the
PHOTOGRAPHS AXEL PRIMMER – WILDLIFE ACT FUND AND SHUTTERSTOCK
life
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
27
CONSERVATION BREAKTHROUGH • CONSERVATION BREAKTHROUGH • CONSERVATION BREAKTHROUGH
only a single female left with the
THE RESERVE
infrastructure development. In addition to this, a
two males. The incidents have,
Somkhanda Game Reserve is situated in the Zululand
pack of endangered African Wild Dog was released
however, resulted in a stabilisation
District Municipality, in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The
in September 2014 as an additional draw-card for
in the pack dynamics and they have
Gumbi people, who had lived in the area until the
tourism on the reserve.
settled down well. It was with great
late 1960s when they were forcibly removed by the
excitement that the new alpha pair
apartheid government, laid claim to the land through
the KwaZulu-Natal Wild Dog Advisory Group (KZN
were seen mating and, several weeks
the land reform process and it was restored to them
WAG), including Wildlands, EWT and Wildlife ACT
later, the female was seen inspecting
in 2005. The Tribal Authority decided to keep a large
Fund. In order to maintain genetic variability, and pack
warthog burrows around the reserve.
proportion of their land (12 000ha) under conservation
viability, the females were brought in from Madikwe
She eventually settled on one near
and to create a consolidated game reserve that could
Game Reserve in the NW province and the males
a drainage line which offered good
be used as an economic engine to drive development.
from Zimanga Game Reserve in KZN. The dogs were
cover and soft soil in which to dig.
As part of the economic model for the reserve, a
initially released into a boma for a couple of months
pack extremely vulnerable, with
The Dog were introduced with assistance from
large number of game species have been reintroduced
on the reserve to allow them to bond before they were
just under two and a half months
to Somkhanda, including Black and White Rhino.
released. They are monitored daily to ensure that the
and when the monitors noticed her
These animals have been released in an effort
pack initially settled in well and then also to monitor
spending more time at the den site
to increase the tourism and the live game sales
dynamics, movements and health. This monitoring
and less on the hunt, the excitement
capability of the reserve. Wildlands has also recently
is vital for the long term success of the pack in the
started to grow. Over the weekend
implemented another project to develop the tourism
reserve and within the greater meta-population of
of 16 May, Axel Primmer, the Wild
operations on Somkhanda, through training and
South Africa.
Wild Dog typically gestate for
Dog monitor from Wildlife ACT Fund, noticed her to be visibly thinner and also heard chirping noises coming from the den itself. “She had been venturing out with the males less frequently, relying more heavily on regurgitation from the males for food,” commented Axel. “This is an extremely happy time for the reserve and the painted dogs of Somkhanda,” stated Nkosinathi Mbhele, Reserve Manager. “With the introduction and success of this pack of African Wild Dog, Somkhanda and the Gumbi community are contributing significantly to Wild Dog conservation in the country, not only increasing the number of Wild Dog in the country, but more importantly increasing available habitat for, and pack numbers of this endangered species,” commented Mark Gerrard, Wildlands’ Threatened Species Coordinator. markg@wildlands.co.za
To donate, go to:
https://different.org/projects/wildlands-conservation-trust/save-rhinos-dogs/ African Insight- the tourism partner on the reserve http://www.africaninsight.co.za/somkhanda-game-reserve.html Wildlife ACT Fund carry out the monitoring for the Wild Dog and rhino http://www.wildlifeactfund.org/ ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
LANDSCAPE
Deepest dry cave system in South Africa The sink hole measured about 18m across and 50m deep
A
bout an hour west of
meteor strike have created this
shadow turned out to be the entrance
Johannesburg, deep
massive cave?
to the deepest dry cave system in
came about is that when a meteorite
The theory about how the cave
below the ground, is
John Webb, Carte Blanche
South Africa. “So far we have just
struck the ground two billion years
a cave that has yet to
presenter, took an intrepid crew
over 4kms of cave mapped out with
ago in the Vredefort region, rocks
reveal the secrets of its limits to the
into the dark bowels of this little
laser devices. The roof is so high, the
were compressed by the enormity
carefully chosen group of explorers
known scar in the earth and explored
only way we can measure it is with
of the impact. Says Boshoff: “Rock
and scientists who have descended
unchartered depths and astonishing
laser range finders. We keep finding
layers sort of ‘slipped’ across each
into its endless darkness. In a world
geological formations so astounding
more extensions and more levels...
other, creating new structures. We
exclusive, the Carte Blanche cameras
that he is left saying “This is by far the
we know the Armageddon system
call these structures low angle
descended into a cavern so awesome
most extraordinary thing I have ever
has at least three levels, and is at
thrust faults. Where the rocks
in size and character that it has been
done in my life. Extraordinary and
least 350 meters deep.”
look ‘torn’, we’re seeing low angle
aptly named Armageddon.
absolutely terrifying. No wonder they
Carte Blanche gained an
call it Armageddon.”
exclusive preview of this super
University of Johannesburg
On one of Pedro Boshoff’s many trips down Armageddon, he noticed
thrust faults.” “Immediately after the force of
something unusual about the rocks
the impact the dolomitic rocks
cave – on condition that the
postgraduate student Mr Pedro
inside: they had been torn apart,
expanded again, and deep vertical
location was kept a secret to
Boshoff, supervised by Professor
resembling shredded tissue. “The
tears were formed. The combination
prevent unauthorised access to
Jan Kramers and Dr Herman van
rocks were sloping in a very unique
of these structures allowed the
the cave and its dangerous terrain.
Niekerk, is exploring the ancient
way. I’d never seen anything like
process of cave formation to begin,
geological secrets this monster cave
this before inside a cave. The rock
a process still continuing today,”
woke in the early hours of the
holds for of his Master’s thesis. As
structures had been mangled by
says Dr van Niekerk.
morning in the 1990s to a tremendous
part of the Speleological Exploration
tremendous forces: forces so huge
thundering. He emerged in the
Club (SEC) Pedro was amazed to
and so sudden that none of the usual
exclusive story, Carte Blanche
breaking daylight to see one of his
discover revealing rock formations
suspects could be held liable. It
Executive Producer George
staff members running toward him
when he ascended into the depths
was clear that something had to be
Mazarakis added: “These are some
shouting “There is a sinkhole in the
of the cave. As with many great
behind these structures in the rocks;
of the very first humans to have ever
mealie field!”
scientific discoveries, this colossal
something that could instantly tear
entered this cave, an unknown spot
cave system was revealed by
rocks apart,” says Boshoff.
which the planet has kept hidden for
West of Johannesburg a farmer
Measuring about 18m across and 50m deep – deep enough to swallow
fortuitous circumstances.
a 12-storey office building, this
On 13 January 2013, almost a
‘Cave popcorn’ mineral deposits
In commenting on this world
two billion years. The Carte Blanche
and sparkling needles of aragonite tell
team, led by veteran producer
sinkhole later gave way even further
decade after the farmer had first
further stories about the formation
Diana Lucas, felt privileged as do
as the earth opened up once more a
seen the hole, a group of caving
of the cave after the meteor impact.
we all, to be allowed to enter this
few years later. The rock formations
specialists from SEC saw the sinkhole
Armageddon cave is one of only two
extraordinary space and bring a truly
hint at an impact on the earth of
for the first time. Steven Tucker, an
known worldwide to be caused by
awesome and remarkable natural
massive proportions capable of
SEC member was the first person
meteorite impacts. It is possible that
phenomenon to our audiences.”
tearing rocks in two as though they
to descend to the bottom of the
there are more of these structures
were paper. Could a cataclysmic
sinkhole and enter the shadow. That
below the western part of Gauteng.
JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
www.carteblanche.co.za
Sources: www.uj.ac.za
28
B-BBEE Level 2
Contributor
30
CLASSIFIEDS
since 2000 Rated as “Highly Recommended” in PLC Which Lawyer since 2007 LEGAL ADVISORY AND CONSULTING SERVICES INCLUDE: Electronic SHE Legal Registers Training and capacity building SHE legal compliance audits Environmental legal reviews and process advice for EIAs Advising on environmental authorisation requirements Assistance in drafting and reviewing Corporate Sustainability Reports Corporate Sustainability Advisory Services These specialist services encompass air quality, waste, water, coastal & marine, protected areas, public participation and biodiversity issues IMBEWU collaborates with the law firm Warburton Attorneys in order to provide specialist environmental litigation and other legal services. www.warburtons.co.za 53 Dudley Road, Cnr Bolton Avenue, Parkwood, 2193 Tel: +27 11 214 0660/1 • Fax: +27 11 880 6577 • www.imbewu.co.za www.imbewuregisters.co.za
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SAMANTHA MORGAN Tel: 082-218-6273 samanthamorgan@telkomsa.net Environmental Management
Southern Africa’s leading sustainable development publication R32 (vat incl) RSA
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"From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free." — Jacques Yves Cousteau, Oceanographer
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JULY/AUGUST 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DIARY THE DANIE KRIGE GEOSTATISTICAL CONFERENCE
Diarise these events
Geostatistical geovalue —rewards and returns for spatial modelling
19–20 August 2015 Crown Plaza, Johannesburg The theme of the conference is ‘Geostatistical Geovalue—Rewards and Returns for Spatial Modelling’, a theme which emphasises the improvement in, or addition to, value that spatial modelling can bring to the process of mine evaluation and mineral resource and reserve estimation. Spatial modelling of earth-related data to estimate or enhance attributed value is the principle domain of geostatistics, the broad content of the Danie Krige commemorative volume, and the focus of this conference. Geostatistics constitute a globally accepted technical approach to mineral resource-reserve estimation and the basic toolkit for mine evaluation practitioners. www.saimm.co.za
MineSAFE 2015 26–27 August 2015—Conference 28 August 2015—Industry day Emperors Palace, Johannesburg Every mine worker returning from work unharmed every day. Striving for Zero Harm www.saimm.co.za
CONTACT: Tel: +27 (028) 316 2905 | kruger@krugerassociate.com| www.larssa-conference.co.za
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
31