A Practical Guide for Mining-Affected Communities

Published by the Legal Resources Centre with contributions from Alexandra Ashton

This document has been produced with the financial contribution by Swedish public development co-operation aid through the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, SSNC. The views herein shall not necessarily be taken to reflect the official opinion of SSNC or its donors.

Established in 1979, the Legal Resources Centre is an independent, non-profit public interest law clinic. The objectives of the LRC have been to fight injustice and to promote equality, development and democracy. The LRC opposes all forms of abuse of power and strives to contribute to the realisation of human rights for all those living in South Africa.

The social, economic and environmental priorities of the LRC are shaped by the communities we serve. As a client-focussed and responsive organisation, the LRC has an extensive track-record of successful litigation.

While litigating in South Africa remains the primary activity for LRC lawyers, the organisation also engages with community-based advice offices, community organisations and other civil society networks. In addition to developing and advocating for policy and legislation that reflects Constitutional values, the LRC also provides advice, training and publications.

The LRC uses these strategies within South Africa, the African continent and at the international level. Our work has directly benefitted hundreds of thousands of clients and, indirectly, has laid the basis for bringing justice, relief and remedies to millions more.

In order to promote equality, development and democracy, the LRC works within the following focus areas:

• Environmental Justice and Land• Housing and Evictions• Children’s Rights and Education• Equality, Non-Discrimination and Disability• Migration• Openness and Accountability• Access to Justice and Non-Profit Organisation Support

Table of contents

List of acronyms 3

Introduction 5

Mining rights and permits 6

Whatarethedifferentstagesofmining? 6

Whatdotherightsandpermitsallowaminetodo? 8

Howdoyoufindoutwhetheraminehasbeengranteda

prospectingright,miningpermitorminingright? 9

Appeal and review – challenging the decision to grant a right

or permit 10

Statutoryappeal 10

Howtoappeal 11

Goingtocourt 12

Other applications and plans 13

Consultation and public participation 15

Whyispublicparticipationimportant? 15

Whocantakepartinpublicparticipation? 16

Whatshouldhappenduringpublicparticipation? 17

Whatshouldiask? 18

Whatiftheydon’tanswermyquestions? 19

Whatdoesthelawandotherpoliciessayabout

publicparticipation? 19

Mineralsandpetroleumresourcesdevelopmentact 20

Departmentofmineralresourcesguidelineforconsultation 22

Constitutionoftherepublicofsouthafricaact108of1996 23

Nationalenvironmentalmanagementact107of1998(NEMA) 23

Environmentalimpactassessmentregulations 24

Relocation 26

Whatdoestheminehavetodoiftheywantyoutorelocate? 26

Goodquestionstoask 27

Environmental offences 29

Howtotellifaminingcompanymightbeoperatingillegally? 29

Whattodoifamineisillegal 30

Constitutional rights 32

Access to information 33

Requestinginformationfromamine 33

RequestinginformationfromGovernment 34

Informationonwaterandservices 34

Right to fair administrative action 35

Whatisadministrativeaction? 35

Environmental impact of mining on water 36

Accesstowater 37

Page3

List of acronyms

AMD AcidMineDrainage

DEA DepartmentofEnvironmentalAffairs

DMR DepartmentofMineralResources

DWS DepartmentofWaterandSanitation

EAP EnvironmentalAssessmentPractitioner

EIA EnvironmentalImpactAssessment

EMP EnvironmentalManagementPlan

EMPR EnvironmentalManagementProgrammeReport

HDSA’s HistoricallyDisadvantagedSouthAfricans

MAC Mining-AffectedCommunities

MEC MemberofExecutiveCouncil

MPRDA MineralsandPetroleumResourcesDevelopmentAct28of2002

NEMA NationalEnvironmentalManagementAct107of1998

NEMWA NationalEnvironmentalManagementWasteAct58of2008

NHRA NationalHeritageResourcesAct25of1999

NWA NationalWaterAct36of1998

Page4

PAIA PromotionofAccesstoInformationAct2of2000

PAJA PromotionofAdministrativeJusticeAct3of2000

SLP SocialandLabourPlan

SALA SubdivisionofAgriculturalLandAct70of1970

WSA WaterServicesAct108of1997

WUL WaterUseLicence

Page5

Introduction

This guide seeks to highlight the steps that concerned parties and

communities can take to address the challenges that mining poses on

communities.

Coal mining, and mining in general, are activities central to South Africa’s

economy. The Government regulates the mining of minerals through the

law,whichminingcompanieshavetoobey.Mining,byitsnature,isinvasive,

causesalargeamountofpollutionandaffectslargeareasofland.Companies

are always looking for new places to mine, and at times, the places they

identifyarealreadyoccupiedbycommunitiesorusedbycommunitiesfor

farmingandgrazing.Acommunitylivingclosetoaminemightexperience

theseproblems:

• Grazinglandmaybetakenbythemine;

• Waterintheriversandboreholesmaybecomepolluted;

• Ifthewaterispolluted,wildlifeandfishmaybepoisoned;

• Dustandsmokefromtheminemaypollutetheair;and

• People or animals could be in danger of falling into the open pits and

shaftsintheground.

Thisguideseekstogivecommunitiesthetoolstheyneedtounderstandthe

lawthatgovernsminingandtoprotecttheirrights.

Page6

Mining rights and permits

TheDepartmentofMineralResourcesandtheMinisterofMineralResources

are responsible for making sure that the mineral resources in the country

areproperlymanaged.TheMinisterandDepartmentdecidewhoisallowed

to mine and where they are allowed to mine. Before any of the activities

associated with mining can start, a mine has to get permission from the

MinisterorDepartmentbygettingarightorpermittocarryouttheactivity.

Thegrantingofrightsandpermitsassociatedwithminingisgovernedbythe

MineralsandPetroleumResourcesDevelopmentAct28of2002(MPRDA).

What are the different stages of mining?

Prospecting:Beforeaminestartsmininginanarea,itfirstneedstofindout

iftherearemineralstomine. Itwilldothisbydiggingintothegroundand

testingtheearthtoseewhatminerals(suchascoalorplatinum)lieunderthe

surface.Thisprocessiscalled“prospecting”.

Prospecting Right: Before it can start prospecting, a mine needs to get

permissionfromGovernmenttoprospect.Itcandothisbyapplyingonlineto

theMinisterofMineralResourcesfora“prospectingright”.Therightgivesthe

companyorpersonpermissiontotakesamplesofearthandrockfortesting

overaspecifiedperiodofupto5years.

Prospecting right

ProspectingMining right/Mining permit

Mining

Page7

Mining: Afteraminingcompanyfindsmineralsanddecidesthatitwantsto

mineinanarea,itcanapplytotheMinisterofMineralResourcesforeithera

miningpermit,todosmallscalemining,oraminingright,todolargescale

mining.

Mining Permit: Aminingpermitgivesacompanyorindividualpermissionto

mineasmallareaofland(notmorethan1.5hectares)foraspecifiedperiod

ofupto2years.

Mining Right:Aminingrightgivesacompanyoranindividualpermissionto

mineforaspecifiedperiodofupto30years.

Whatisimportanttoknowisthatthesedifferentminingactivitiescanonlybe

doneiftheminingcompanyhasbeengivenpermission.Dependingonwhat

stagetheminingcompanyisat,theyshouldapplyfora“prospectingright”,a

“miningpermit”ora“miningright”.

Page8

Prospecting Right Mining Permit Mining Right

• Allowstheholder

tosurveyor

investigateanarea

forthepurpose

ofidentifyinga

probablemineral

deposit.

• Therightisvalidfor

upto5 years,but

mayberenewed

onceforan

additional3 years.

• Allowstheholder

toconductsmall-

scalemining

operationsinan

areathatdoesnot

exceed1.5hectares.

• Thepermitis

validforthe

periodspecified

onthepermitnot

exceedingaperiod

of2yearsbutmay

berenewedfor3

timesforuptoone

yeareachtime.

• Allowstheholder

tomineminerals

withinacertain

area.

• Therightisvalidfor

specifiedperiodof

upto30years

• Financialand

otherprovisions

compatiblewiththe

miningoperation

forenvironmental

managementand

socialandlabour

planhavetobe

made.

What do the rights and permits allow a mine to do?

Oncearightorpermithasbeengranted,theholderoftherightorpermit

cangoaheadandcarryouttheactivitythattherightorpermitwasgranted

for. So a holder of a mining right or permit can mine, and the holder of a

prospectingright can prospect. But the law also allows for other activities

tobecarriedout.Theholderofaprospectingright,miningpermit,ormining

rightmayalso:

1. enterthelandspecifiedinthepermitwithhisorheremployees;

2. bringmachineryorequipmentrequiredforminingontotheland;

Page9

3. buildthesurfaceandundergroundinfrastructurenecessaryformining;

4. usewaterfromthelakes,rivers,orstreamsontheland;and

5. buildboreholes.

Note: This law comes from Section 5(3) and section 27(7) of the MPRDA

How do you find out whether a mine has been granted a prospecting right, mining permit or mining right?

TheRegionalManager (anemployeeoftheDepartmentappointedbythe

Minister)mustwithin14daysofacceptingtheapplicationfromthemining

companyputupanoticeintheregionalofficeoftheDepartmentandpublish

it in a local newspaper, gazette or pin it up at the Magistrate’s court. The

notice must invite interested and affected persons to send comments,

concernsandobjectionstotheDepartmentwithin30daysofthenotice.This

guidehasmoredetailonthenoticeandonconsultationinthe“Consultation

andPublicParticpation”sectionbelow.

Note: This law comes from Sections 10 of the MPRDA

Page10

Appeal and review – challenging the decision to grant a right or permit

If the community is not happy with the government’s decision to grant

permissiontoamine,thefirststeptochallengingadecisiontograntapermit

orrightistoappealthedecisiontotheMinisterortheDirectorGeneralatthe

Department of Mineral Resources. If that is unsuccessful, the next step is

totakethedecisiononreviewtotheCourt.Thissectionsetsoutthesteps

toappealandreviewthegrantingofprospectingrights,miningrightsand

miningpermits.

Appeal

TheMPRDAallows“anypersonwhoserightsorlegitimateexpectationshave

beenmateriallyandadverselyaffectedorwhoisaggrieved”byadecision

takenbytheMinister,suchasthedecisiontograntarightorpermit,toappeal

thedecision.Thismeansthatifthecommunityisunhappy,orhasbeenbadly

affected by mining, they can ask the Department of Mineral Resources to

reconsidertheMinister’sdecisiontogranttherightorpermit.Theprocess

ofaskingforreconsiderationiscalledan“appeal”.Theappealisaninternal

processwithintheDepartmentofMineralResourcesthatdoesn’tinvolvethe

courts.

Page11

How to Appeal

1. LodgeanoticeofappealwiththeMinisterofMineralResourceswithin30

daysofhearingabouttherightorpermitbeingawarded.Thenoticeof

appealmuststate:

o TheactionoftheMinisterorDepartmentbeingappealedagainst.(E.g

thegrantingofaminingrighttothespecificminingcompany inthe

specificarea.)

o The grounds on which the appeal is based. (E.g the mine did not

consultwith the community and thewater from the mine is leaking

intotheriverandmakingthecommunity’scattlesick.)

2. Paythefeeforlodginganappeal(R500.00asofJanuary2016)

3. Waittobesentreasonsforthedecision.

4. Provide a written response to the reasons for the decision and / or a

writtenresponsetoanyreplyingsubmissionfromaffectedpartieswithin

21daysofbeingaskedtorespond.

5. Wait30daysfortheoutcomeoftheappeal.

The law comes from Section 96 of the MPRDA and Regulation 74 of the MPRD

Regulations

30 days

21days

30 days

Find out about

application

Lodge notice of appeal and

pay fee

Receive response from decision maker and affected parties

Provide written

response

DG or Minister must confirm,

set aside, amend or substitute the

decision

Page12

Iftheappealissuccessful,theMinisterortheDirector-Generalwillsetaside

decisiontograntthepermit/right,oramendthetermsofthepermitorright.

If the appeal is unsuccessful, the Minister of Director-Generalwill confirm

thedecision.Youcan’tgotocourtifyouhaven’tfirstdoneaninternalappeal.

Going to Court

Ifyourcommunityisunhappywiththeoutcomeoftheappeal,youmightbe

abletogototheHighCourtandaskajudgetoreviewtheMinisterorDG’s

decisiontorefusetheappeal.

Anapplicationtoreviewadecisionmustbelodgednotlaterthan180days

oftheoutcomeoftheappealandmustbedoneinlinewiththePromotionof

AdministrativeJusticeAct3of2000.

NOTE: Lodging an appeal and going to Court can be difficult and complicated.

Appendix B has the contact details for a number of NGOs and law clinics that

offer free help to communities that need to appeal or review a decision.

Page13

Other applications and plans

InadditiontothepermitsandrightsgrantedbytheDepartmentofMineral

Resources,theminemayalsoneedtogetlicencesandpermitsfromother

departmentsinaccordancewithotherlegislation.Theminemayalsoneed

to come up with plans to show how they are going to contribute to the

community.Herearesomedocumentsyoushouldbeawareof:

Social and Labour Plans(SLPs).SLPsdetailtheminingcompany’splansto

contributetothedevelopmentofsurroundingcommunitiesintermsofthe

MPRDA;

Land use rights for development and plotting of land in a municipality

according to specified zonings and town planning (provincial legislation).

Thisincludesapplicationsforrezoning,departures,andconsentuseswhich

allowtheminingcompanytousethelandfortheauthorisedpurpose;

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)arerequiredintermsoftheNational

Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998(NEMA)forcertainactivitieslisted

inthethatAct.EIAsareusedtoevaluatethepossibleenvironmentalimpacts

of a proposed project, taking into account inter-related socio-economic,

culturalandhuman-healthimpacts;

Environmental Authorisations.Certainprojects,dependingontheirscope,

requireenvironmentalauthorisationintermsofNEMA;

Page14

Environmental AssessmentsintermsoftheNational Heritage Resources Act

25 of 1999.Iftheprojectwillimpactculturalandheritagesite,anenvironmental

assessmentintermsoftheNational Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999(NHRA

s38)isrequired;

Water use licence (WUL) or authorisation. In terms of the NationalWater

Act 36 of 1998 (NWA s39-40) every mine must have a WUL from the

DepartmentofWaterAffiarsandSanitationinordertoregulateandminimize

thedetrimentalimpactsonthewaterresources.

Permission to subdivide agricultural land in terms of the Subdivision of

Agricultural Land Act 70 of 1970(SALA).

Thecommunityhastherighttoasktheminingcompanytoseeanyofthese

documents. In section 2, this guide explains how to go about requesting

informationifamineisreluctanttoprovideit.

Page15

Consultation and public participation

Whenaminingcompanywantstoprospect,orbuildanewmine, the law

requiresthecompanytoengagewiththecommunityandotherpeoplethat

willbeaffectedbytheprojectbeforeminingbegins.Theywillusuallydothis

bysendingrepresentativestomeetwiththecommunity.Thisdiscussionis

referredtoas“publicparticipation”andallowsthecommunityandothersto

influencethedecisionsmadebythecompany.

Why is public participation important?

Theprocessofpublicparticipationmakessurethatthepotentialimpactofa

prospectingright,miningpermitorminingrightonyouandyourcommunity

is considered. This process also helps the community understand the

company’splanstomineinthearea,howtomanageharmtotheenvironment,

andwhatbenefitsthecommunitywillreceiveforacceptingtherisk.Public

participationisimportantasit:

• Highlights the different needs of the community and encourages the

community to contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes

thataffectyou.

• Allowsfortransparencyintheprocessandcangivecommunitiesaway

to follow the process and stay informed about what is being planned.

Yourabilitytoraiseconcernsexistsevenaftertheminehasclosed.

• Givescommunitiesopportunitiestorequestanydevelopmentplansfrom

themine,andmonitoritsdelivery.

Page16

• Finally, it allows community members to share a platform with their

traditional leaders or to identify their own representatives; this stops

arbitrarydecisionsfrombeingmadeorillegitimaterepresentativesfrom

claimingthattheyspeakforcommunities.

Who can take part in Public Participation?

Ifthelandthatyourcommunitylivesonisaffectedbymining,eachmember

of your community is known as an “interested and affected party” (I&AP).

I&APscanalsoincludeindividuals,groups,orinstitutions,andGovernment

departments that have influence in a decision-making process or project.

AnyI&APcantakepartinpublicparticipation.ExamplesofI&APsare:

(i) HostCommunities

(ii) Landowners(TraditionalandTitleDeedowners)

(iii) TraditionalAuthority

(iv) LandClaimants

(v) Lawfullandoccupier

(vi) TheDepartmentofLandAffairs,

(vii) Anyotherperson(includingonadjacentandnon-adjacent

properties)whosesocio-economicconditionsmaybedirectly

affectedbytheproposedprospectingorminingoperation

(viii) TheLocalMunicipality,

(ix) TherelevantGovernmentDepartments,agenciesandinstitutions

responsibleforthevariousaspectsoftheenvironmentandfor

infrastructurewhichmaybeaffectedbytheproposedproject.

AsanI&AP,thecommunitycanchoosetoelectoneormorepeople

to represent them during consultations. Examples of representatives

are peoplewho are considered leaders in the community, or people

Page17

who might have influence or political power (such as government

officials,politicalorreligiousleaders).

What should happen during public participation?

Adequatepublicparticipationshould:

• Identifythescopeandproceduresfortheentireprojectanddiscussthe

procedure and approach. This includes water, closure, royalties, skills

development,mitigation,relocations,compensation,etc.;

• Identify additional interested and affected parties, such as farmers,

relevantgovernmentdepartments,smallbusinesses,etc.;

• Provideinformationtothecommunityontheproject.Thisisinformation

relevant to allow the community to influence the decision maker. It

mustalsobegiventocommunitiestimeouslyinorderforthemtomake

meaningfulinput;

• Obtainrelevantdata.Thisincludesdemographicsofthecommunity;

• Discussalternativesandidentifyissuesandchallenges;

• Providefeedbackonthefindingsoftheassessmentmadeontheimpact

ontheenvironment;and

• Allow the community to comment on development plans and

assessments.

• Often,miningcompaniesnotonlyfailtofacilitate,butactivelyavoidor

delay giving a community or its representatives information required

to exercise their environmental and other rights. It is very important

that you, as the community, use this initial and subsequent meetings

and communications with mining companies to get all the needed

informationbeforemakinganydecisionregardingprospectingormining

operationsinyourcommunity.

Page18

What should I ask?

During your meetings with a mining company it is useful to ask these

questions:

• Is the mining company applying for a prospecting permit, a mining

permitoraminingright?

• Whenwilltheyapply?Havetheyapplied?Canthecommunityseethe

applicationbeforeitissubmitted?Whowilltheapplicationbesubmitted

to?Whatwillbeintheapplication?

• Whatwillthedistanceoftheproject’sareabefromthecommunity?

• Whoisthelandownerorthelandoccupieroftheproject’sarea?What

aretheircontactdetails?

• What information does the mine have about the size, personal

circumstancesandincomeofthecommunities?

• Who will be adversely affected by potential environmental and social

impacts intheproject’sareaof influence?Howwilltheycontroldust?

Whatwilltruckingaffecttrafficonlocalroads?

• Whoarethemostvulnerableamongthepotentiallyimpacted,andare

special engagement efforts necessary? Are persons with disabilities

accommodated?Areelderlypeopleincludedintheengagements?

• At which stage of project development will parties be most affected

(e.g.prospecting,extraction,decommissioning,andrehabilitationatall

stages)?

• Howwilltheprojectbedoneinamannerthatpreventsthepollutionof

waterresources?

Page19

• How many times a day does the mine plan on blasting and how will

this impact the community?Whatwill the noise levels be?Will roads,

cropping and grazing land be diminished? Will this have a negative

impactoninfrastructureandservices?

• Whatarethevariousinterestsofprojectstakeholdersandwhatinfluence

mightthishaveontheprojectandthecommunity?

• Howwillthebenefitthelocalcommunities?(Thisinformationshouldbe

containedintheMine’sSocialandLabourPlan(SLP)whichyoucanask

tolookat).Whencancommunitieshaveaccesstotheplan?Whencan

communitiesmakecommentsontheplan?

• Doesthemineplanonrelocatingpeopletoadifferentarea?

What if they don’t answer my questions?

Iftheminingcompanydoesnotansweryourquestionsoryouarenothappy

withtheanswerstheygiveyou,youcanwriteacomplainttotheDepartment

of Environmental Affairs (DEA) or call their hotline number. You can also

contactoneoftheorganisationslistedinAppendixBwhomightbeableto

assistyouengagewiththeMine.

What does the law and other policies say about public participation?

Public participation is a requirement in national policies. To give effect

to these policies, the law requires that the mining company consult with

affectedpeopleandcommunitiesatthevariousstagesofmining.Itishelpful

tobeabletotellminingcompaniesthataccordingtothefollowingpolicies

andlawstheyarerequiredtoengageinpublicparticipationwithyou.

Page20

Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act

Sections10(1)(b),16(4)(b),22(4)(b),27(5)(b)and39oftheMineral and Petroleum

Resources Development Act 28 of 2002(MPRDA)requireGovernmentandthe

minefacilitatepublicparticipationorconsultationswiththecommunity.

Section 10 notice and submitting comments to the Department of Mineral

Resources

According to section 10 of the MPRDA and regulation 3 of the MPRD

Regulations:14daysafteramineappliesforaminingpermit,miningright

orprospectingright,theRegionalManagermustputupanoticewhichsays

thattheapplicationhasbeenacceptedandaskspeopletocommentonthe

application.ThisisthefirstchanceacommunityhastotellGovernmentwhat

theymightbeworriedaboutifanewminecomestothearea.

Who is the Regional Manager?

The Regional Manager is an employee of the Department of Mineral

Resources appointed by the DG to oversee the area where the mine is.

RegionsaredecidedonbytheDG.YoucanfindoutfromtheDepartment

of Mineral Resources which region the mine is in, and who the regional

managerforthatregionis.

Where can I find a section 10 notice?

Regulation3(1)and(3)oftheMPRDRegulationssaysthatthenoticemustbe

putonapublicnoticeboardattheRegionalManager’soffice;andmustalso

beputuporpublishedinatleastoneofthefollowingways:

• intheapplicableProvincialGazette;

• inthelocalMagistrate’sCourt;or

• in an advertisement in a local or national newspaper circulating in the

areawherethemineisgoingtobesituated.

Page21

What must the notice say?

Regulation3(4)oftheMPRDRegulationssaysthatthenoticemust:

• Invitemembersofthepublictosubmitcommentsinwriting;

• Specifythedateuptillwhenthecommentscanbesubmitted(thedate

hastobeatleast30daysfromwhenthenoticeisputuporpublished);

• Givethenameandtitleofthepersonwhothecommentsmustbesentto;

• Give the work phone number, postal address, work address, street

address,andifpossible,emailaddressandfaxnumberofthatperson.

Consultation with the Mine

Sections 16(4)(b), 22(4)(b), and 27(5)(b) all require the Regional Manager to

notifytheminethatitmustconsultwiththecommunityonceaprospecting

right,miningpermitorminingrightisgrantedtothemine.

Ifeitheraprospecting rightoramining permitisgrantedtotheMine,the

Regional Manager must notify the mine to consultwith the land owner or

lawful occupier and any other affected party and submit the result of the

consultationwithin30daysfromthedateofthenotice.

Ifamining right isgrantedtotheMine,theRegionalManagermustnotifythe

minetoconsultwithinterestedandaffectedpartieswithin180daysfromthe

dateofthenotice. Intermsofregulation49(2)readwithregulation49(1)(c)

and(f),theresultsofthisconsultationshouldbeincludedinascopingreport

submittedwithin30daysofthenotice.However,consultationissupposedto

continueuntilafterthescopingreportissubmitted.

Page22

Department of Mineral Resources Guideline for Consultation

The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) has released what it calls a

“Guideline for Consultationwith Communities and Interested andAffected

Parties”toprovideclairtyonimplementingthesectionsoftheMPRDAthat

requireconsultation.

TheguidelinecallsforaConsultationReportthatmustbesubmittedaftera

consultationprocessandrequiresthattheminingcompany:

• Identifies, notifies and retains proof of notifying interested and affected

parties;

• Informstheminsufficientdetailofwhattheprospectingoperationwould

entail(thisappearstobelimitedtoprospectingintheguideline);

• Consultswithaviewtoreachanagreementabouttheexistingenvironment

andpossibleimpactsoftheproposedoperations;

• Recordtheoutcomeofmeetingsintheformofminutesorrecordings;

• Describetheinformationprovidedtointerestedandaffectedparties;and

• Listtheviewsorconcernsofinterestedandaffectedparties.

Where I&APs include rural or historically disadvantaged South Africans

(HDSAs)orpeoplewithspecialneeds(e.g.illiteracyordisability),thefollowing

shouldbeconsideredtofacilitatetheirparticipationorovercomepotential

constraints:

• Announcingpublicparticipationprocessonlocalradioinalocallanguage,

atapracticaltime;

• Using participatory learning and action approaches by explaining

concepts and raising environmental awareness to build the capacity

(meaning: existing ability of the community to increase involvement,

decision-making and ownership of issues) of the I&APs to engage and

participatemoreeffectively;

Page23

• Respecting existing community structures, committees and leaders by

allowing them to lead the engagements and control the pace of the

meetings;

• Holding participation meetings at times and locations suitable for the

community;

• Holdingadditionalmeetingswithvulnerableandmarginalisedgroups;

• Providingeasilyreadableandunderstandableaccesstoinformation;and

• Providingreasonableassistancetopeoplewithspecialneedsbymaking

venuesaccessibleandsimplifyingtheinformation.

Can I get the guideline?

TheguidelineisfreelyavailableontheDepartmentofEnvironment’swebsite.

It can be accessed here: https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/

files/docs/dmr_consultation_guideline.pdf

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996

The Constitution of SouthAfrica as the supreme law of the land, sets out

theroleofthepublicinthethreespheresofgovernment.Chapter10ofthe

Constitutionprovidesthatthebasicvaluesandprinciplesgoverningpublic

administration include encouraging public participation in policy-making

andrespondingtopublicneed.

National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA)

NEMA was enacted to promote the Constitutional right to a clean and

healthyenvironment.Chapter1ofNEMAsetsouttheprinciplesthatguide

theimplementationofenvironmentallegislation.Theprinciplesinclude:

• Theparticipationofall interestedandaffectedparties inenvironmental

governancemustbepromoted.

Page24

• Allpeoplemusthavetheopportunitytodeveloptheunderstanding,skills

and capacity necessary for achieving equal and effective participation,

especiallyvulnerableanddisadvantagedpersons.Womenandtheyouth

mustalsoparticipate.

• Decisions must take into account the interests, needs andvalues of all

interested and affected parties, including the recognition of traditional

knowledge.

• Community well-being and empowerment must be promoted through

environmental education, raising environmental awareness, sharing

knowledgeandexperienceandotherappropriatemeans.

• Workers’ rights to refuse work that is harmful to human health or the

environment and to be informed of dangers must be respected and

protected.

• Decisionsmustbetakeninanopenandtransparentmanner,andaccess

toinformationmustbeprovidedinaccordancewiththelaw.

There are several NEMA principles that focus on achieving sustainable

development,inwhichpublicparticipationisessential.

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations

BeforeaminingcompanystartsoperatingitmusttelltheDMRwhatimpact

miningwillhaveontheenvironmentandonaffectedcommunities.Themining

companymustfirstlookatwhattheenvironmentislikebeforeminingstarts

and describe how the environment will change once mining begins. The

miningcompanymustalsolookathowitcanprotecttheenvironmentand

reducetheimpactofmining.ThisisdonethroughanEnvironmentalImpact

Assessment(EIA).Communitiesdirectlyaffectedbyminingshouldbegiven

theopportunitytoparticipateinenvironmentalimpactassessmentstudies

attheplanningstage.EIARegulationsarepublishedintermsoftheNational

Page25

EnvironmentalManagementAct107of1998(NEMA).Publicparticipationis

the most important process in environmental impact assessment.The EIA

Regulationsprovidecommentsonallwrittensubmissionstothedecision-

makingauthority.Intheminingcontext,therequirementisthatthemining

must appoint an Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) that must

“consult”withthelandownerandotherI&APs.Theextentofthisprocesshas

beendevelopedincaselaw,regulationsandguidelines.

• Publicparticipationmustbedoneafterthesubmissionofanapplication

for either scoping or environmental impact report. However, the

requirementsmaydifferdependingonthetypeofapplicationprocess.

• Dependingonthetypeofapplicationprocess,theminingcompanymust

givenoticetoallpotentialI&APsoftheapplication.

• I&APsmustbeprovidedwithanopportunitytomakerepresentationson

proposed applications and allwritten submissions must be considered

bytherelevantstatedepartment.

• I&APsmustbenotifiedoftheDepartment’sdecisionandthereasonsfor

thedecision,anddrawtheirattentiontothefactthatanappealmaybe

lodgedagainstthedecision.

Page26

Relocation

"Relocation”iswhenaminemovespeopleawayfromwheretheyareliving

tosomewhereelse.Peopleshouldagreetobemoved,andcannotbeforced

tomove.Ifpeoplearegoingtomoveawayfromthemine,itshouldbetoan

areathatissafer.

What does the mine have to do if they want you to relocate?

If a mining company tells you they want to relocate your community to

anotherarea,theminehasanobligationto:

• Consultwithyourcommunity,offeringyouchoicesandoptionsthatare

practicalandeconomicallysuitable.

• Make sure your community is informed about your options and rights

concerningtherelocation.

• Provide your community with compensation for any losses to your

property.

• Helpwiththerelocation.(E.g.providetruckstomoveyourcommunity’s

belongings.)

• Provideyourcommunitywithresidentialhousing,housingsitesand/or

agriculturalland.

• Offersupportafterrelocationtoensurepeople’slivelihoodsandstandards

oflivingarerestored.

• Helpwithdevelopmentwithinthecommunityafterrelocation.

• Offerlandpreparation,creditfacilities,training,orjobopportunities.

Page27

Good questions to ask

A mining company cannot force a community to move if the community

doesnotwanttomoveorifthecommunitythinksthattheminingcompany

hasnotsatisfiedthestepsrequiredforrelocation.Toensureyouhaveallthe

informationyouneedtomakeaninformeddecision,youcanaskthemining

companythefollowingquestions:

• Wherewillyourcattlebemovedto?Willthisbenearyourhouse?Andif

not,howfarawaywillgrazingfieldsbe?

• Willyouhaveaccesstowater?Wherewillitbe?Willyouhaveboreholes

ormunicipalwater?

• Howmuchlandwillyougetforfarmingandgrowingcrops?

• Will land owners be compensated for the land and loss of economic

activities?Willcompensationbeincashorwillwhatislostbereplaced?

• Whataretheresettlementcosts?

• Whatstepswillthecompanytaketoprotectandrespectheritage,burial

andculturalsites?

• Will the company rebuild churches, schools and other structures that

wereinthecommunity?

• Willyoubemovedclosertoorfurtherfromschools,hospitals,shopsand

transportroutes?

• Howdoestherelocationandresettlementpolicyplanonaccommodating

growingfamilies?Willtheminebuildmorehomes?Willtherebeenough

landforyourchildrenandgrandchildren?

• Willthecompanyprovidetransportationforpeopleandtheirbelongings

tothenewsite?

Page28

• Willthecommunitygivepeopletitledeedsorwilltherebeacommunal

propertyassociation?Willtherebestepsinplacetodealwithinheritance

oflandorproperty?

• Arethereanyrates,taxesorcostsforservicesthatthatthecommunity

needstobeawareof?

• Will there be any mechanisms for grievances for bad workmanship or

guaranteesonnewbuildings?

Page29

Environmental offences

Iftheenvironmentaroundwhereyouliveisbeingharmedordamagedby

mining,theminingcompanyresponsibleforthedamagemaybecommitting

anenvironmentaloffence(acrime)andmightbeoperatingillegally.Offences

committedbyminingcompaniesthatharmtheenvironment,mayresultin

harmtoindividualsandcommunitiesthroughdustorpollutedwater.

How to tell if a mining company might be operating illegally?

Aminemightbecommittinganenvironmentaloffenceifyouhavenoticed

anyofthefollowing:

• The mine started operating near your community but your community

wasnotnotifiedorconsultedaboutthemining.Notificationorconsultation

isrequiredbytheDepartmentofMineralResources(DMR),Department

ofEnvironmentalAffairs (DEA)andDepartmentofWaterandSanitation

(DWS)duringtheapplicationprocessforminingauthorisationsandwater

use.

• The mining company has been releasing mining waste outside of the

miningareaorinsensitiveareas(suchasnearriversorwetlands).

• Therehasbeenanincreaseindust,badsmellsorsmokeintheair.

• Minewaterisflowingorbeingpipeddirectlyintorivers,streamsordams.

• Thewater intherivers,streamsordamshaschangedcolourorsmells

strange.

Page30

• A white or orange crust has started to form on the sides of the rivers,

streamsordams.

• Theplantsandtreesaroundtherivers,streamsordamsaredyingorhave

died.

• Thecropsandplantsintheareaarenotgrowingorarenotfloweringor

producingfruitandvegetables.

• Raretreesandplantshavebeenremoved.

• Thefishintherivers,streamsordamsaredyingorarenolongerbreeding.

• Thebirdsintheareahavestoppedlayingeggs,havestoppedflyingor

aredying.

• Otherwildlifeintheareaisshowingsignsofillnessorearlydeath.

• Miningistakingplaceinsideanationalparkoranaturereserve.

• Thepermanentbuildingsintheareaareshowingsignsofcracks.

• Aminehascloseddownandhaslefttheareawithoutproperlyfixingor

restoringtheenvironmentintheminingareaorrehabilitatingthelandto

astatethatissafeandproductive.

• Thehealthofpeople(especiallychildren)inthecommunityhasbecome

worse,particularlyproblemswithbreathing,coughingandasthma,skin

rashes,burningeyes,orstomachtroubles.

What to do if a mine is operating illegally:

Community members should gather evidence of any of the suspected

offences listed above by keeping a journal, collecting samples (e.g., soil,

water)ortakingpicturesatthesite.Theoffenceshouldbereportedatthe

nearestpolicestation,andattheDepartmentofMineralResources(DMR),

the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and/or the Department of

WaterandSanitation(DWS).Thecontactinformationforthesedepartments

canbefoundinAppendixB.

Page31

• OffencesintermsoftheMinerals and Petroleum Resources Developmental

Act 28 of 2002 (MPRDA) can result in hefty fines, or up to ten years in

prison,orboth.

• OffencesintermsoftheNational Environmental Management Act 107 of

1998(NEMA)canresultinfinesofuptoR5million,oruptotenyearsin

prison,orboth.

• OffencesintermsoftheNational Water Act 36 of 1998(NWA)canresultin

afineofuptoR100000,oruptofiveyearsinprison,orboth.

Page32

Constitutional rights

The Constitution gives South Africans the right to not have to live under

conditionsthatnegativelyimpacttheirhealthandlivelihood.Inaddition,the

peopleinyourcommunityhavetherightto:

• Public Participation – “people’s needs must be responded to, and the

publicmustbeencouragedtoparticipateinpolicymaking”(Section195(1)

(e)oftheConstitution).

• Equality –All people should be treated equally without discrimination

andbegivenequalopportunities.

• Accountability – People should be able to hold the government and

private bodies responsible for their actions, and make their concerns

known.

• Transparency –Thegovernmentandprivatebodiesshouldbeopento

thepublicabouttheiractions.Abuseofpowercanbepreventedthrough

courtsoflaworinstitutionswhichareestablishedbytheConstitutionto

protectdemocracy(ThesearecalledChapter9institutions,e.g.theSouth

AfricanHumanRightsCommission).

• Rule of Law –This means that no person is above the law.All people

andinstitutionsincludingthegovernmentaresubjecttolawthatisfairly

appliedandenforced.

Inthissection,thisguideexplainssomeofthelawsdesignedtogiveeffectto

theserights,andexplainshowthelawscanbeusedbyacommunity.

Page33

Access to information

Section32oftheConstitutiongivespeopletherighttoaccessanyinformation

held by the state, and the right to access any information that is held by

anotherpersonthatisrequiredfortheexerciseofrights.ThePromotionof

AccesstoInformationAct2of2000(PAIA)giveseffecttothisrightbygiving

the general public the tools to stay informed and participate in decision-

makingprocessesthatwillaffecttheircommunities.Communitiescanuse

PAIA to request information from a mine if they need the information for

theprotectionof their rights,or theycanuse it torequestany information

fromtheGovernment.TheprocessofaskingforinformationundertheActis

calleda“PAIAapplication”.Youcanusetheexampleoftheapplicationform

torequestinformation,foundinAppendixA.

Requesting information from a mine

Therighttorequestaccesstorecordsheldbyprivatebodiesisrestricted

toa“needtoknow”basisfortheprotectionofotherrightsandtheserights

mustbestatedintherequest.ThecommunitycanmakeaPAIAapplication

torequestinformationfromminingcompaniesabout:

• Thechangesmininghasontheenvironment;

• Theirsocialandlabourpracticesthataffectmembersofthecommunity

oremployees;and

• Anyfileheldwithinformationabouttheindividual,likeamedicalfile.

Page34

Requesting information from Government

Requestingaccesstorecordsfrompublicbodiesisunrestricted.Anypiece

ofinformationcanberequestedwithoutprovidingareason.

Information on Water and Services

Many mining-affected communities in SouthAfrica have limited access to

waterintheirhouseholdsandrelyoncommunaltapswhichareusuallynot

closeby.Informationonthemunicipality’sdevelopmentplanwouldallowthe

communitytomonitortheprovisionofservices,suchaswaterinfrastructure,

and allow them to see whether commitments made by government are

beingrealised.AcommunitycansubmitaPAIArequesttotheDepartment

ofWaterandSanitation(DWS),theDepartmentofCooperativeGovernance

andTraditionalAffairs(COGTA)andthelocalmunicipalityfor:

• An Integrated Development Plan (IDP), that discusses the all the

development plans for the communities in the municipal area, like

infrastructureimprovements,schools,clinics,waterandelectricitysupply;

• Anyreportsontheimplementationofplan;

• Detailsofthemunicipalspendinginthecommunity;or

• Detailsaboutthebudgetandanymoneyspentonplansoffundsalready

spentontheplans.

Page35

Right to fair administrative action

The community has the right to action that is lawful, reasonable and

procedurally fair and the right to ask forwritten reasons for administrative

decisions. The Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000 (PAJA)

providesmoredetailandgiveseffecttotherighttoadministrativeaction.

What is administrative action?

Administrativeactionistheworkthatisdonebyallgovernmentdepartments

at a national, provincial and local level; the police and army; and ESKOM

and SABC. When these administrators make a decision, or fail to make a

decision, that affects the rights of the people, this is called administrative

action.PAJAencouragesanadministrationthatisfairandtransparentinits

decisionmakingprocess,andthatcanbeheldaccountableforitsdecisions.

TheActstatesthatalladministratorsmust:

• Mustbefair;

• Allowrelevantpartiestovoicetheirconcerns;

• Informpeopleaboutthereasonsfordecisionsmade;and

• Informpeopleofopportunitiestoappeal.

When government makes decisions on whether or not to grant licenses,

rights,orpermitstominingcompanies,administratorshavethedutytomake

decisionsusingthesegeneralprinciples.

Page36

Environmental impact of mining on water

Miningoperationsoftenutiliselargequantitiesofwaterandalsocontaminate

water resources in the areas close to their operations. The contaminated

waterusuallyturnsayellow-reddishcolourasaresultoftheironoxide,and

isoftencalled“yellow-boy”orAcidMineDrainage.

Youwillknowifyourwateriscontaminatedbythefollowingsigns:

• Thewaterchangescolourandsmellsbad

• Youmightstarttohaveskinirritations

Shouldyounoticeanyofthesignsaboveyoucantakethefollowingsteps:

• Collectsamplesofthecontaminatedwater.

• Make contact with DMR,DWA, local ward councillor and DEA to alert

themoftheproblem

• Asktheaboveauthoritiestotestthewaterandprovideyouwithareport.

• Request the DWA to provideyou with alternative water until the water

fromtheresource/tapissafetodrinkanduse.

Note: Should the local authorities not be able to assist you, you can contact the

National Department or any of the organisations in Appendix B to assist you.

AMinecannotbegivenaWaterUseLicenseifyourcommunitywasnotgiven:

• theopportunitytocommentontheapplication

• allthedocumentationnecessarytocommentontheapplication

• enoughtimetocommentontheapplication

Page37

The Water Tribunal in Pretoria can be approached in order to appeal the

grantingoftheWaterLicence.Theprocesscanoftenbecomplicatedsoyou

cancontactoneoftheorganisationsinAppendixBforhelp.

Access to water

TheGovernmenthastheresponsibilitytomakesureallSouthAfricanshave

accesstosufficientfoodandwater.

ThelawstatesthisinSection27oftheConstitution.

The“Reserve”intheNational Water Act 36 of 1998(NWAisthequantityand

qualityofwaterrequiredfortheessentialneedsofpeopleandanimalsas

wellasthewaterrequiredtoprotectaquaticecosystems.

Theminimumstandardforwatersupplyis:

• appropriateeducationinrespectforwateruse;

• Aminimum25litresperpersonperdayor6kilolitresperhouseholdper

month:

• aminimumflowrateofnotlessthan10litresperminute;

• watermustbeaccessedwithinWithin200metresofahousehold;and

• nousershouldbewithoutwaterformorethansevenfulldaysinanyyear.

Shouldyounothaveaccesstoanywaterofifthewaterdoesnotmeetthe

minimum standards above, award councillor needs to be approached for

assistance.Iftappedwatercannotbesupplied,thelocalgovernmentshould

providewaterthroughJoJotanks.

Page38

Ifthewardcouncillordoesnotprovideanyassistanceinthisregard,please

contacttheNationalDepartment.Youcancontactanyoftheorganisations

inAppendixBforhelp.

Page39

Appendix A: Example of PAIA request form

Page40

Page41

Page42