Legacy mine shafts and waste dumps in the
Witwatersrand continue to create social and environmental challenges for
communities, even in areas where gold mining ceased over 100 years ago. The
slow pace of eradication of these gold mine shafts and waste dumps (or lack
thereof) results in conflict between the communities and authorities,
particularly the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) as the
relevant authority in the field of environmental management in mining. This
paper examines, through a literature review, the past and present legislative
framework that resulted in legacy mine shafts and dumps and how communities
find themselves living next to these mine sites, which results in social and
environmental problems. The paper further explores the governments, particularly
the DMRE, proposed initiatives to empower those who intend to extract value
from the abandoned mines while curbing the scourge of crime in affected
communities.
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