Sustainable water usage in the mining sector through optimisation of collaborative implementation

Abstract

Freshwater has become a global issue and by the year 2025 the UN predicted that more than half of the world’s population would experience water shortages. South Africa themselves predicts a water gap of 17% by the year 2030. The two year draught that started in 2015 due to climate change has been devastating in South Africa with the Western Province experiencing the worst water shortages reported for the last 113 years. Sustainable water usage is the only way for South Africa and the world to attempt and close this gap and ensure sufficient water supply for future generations. This study aims to prove that the way to achieve sustainable water usage is through collaborations between the state, private industry and the communities. Special attention is given to the mining industry because they are such huge role players in the use of water resources. The world cannot function without the mining industry and the mining industry cannot function without water, therefore it cannot be taken out of the equation of economic and social development. The only option is that mining companies must become an integral part in the fight for water resources in the area in which they operate. The study also aims to prove that the platform from which good water governance can be successfully launched is from that of the Catchment Management Agencies. The platform for these institutions is already created in the South African legal framework on water and only progressive implementation is needed. The South African legislation together with the Constitutional mandate already contains the spirit of co-operative governance, and the participation of the role players. Running water governance from the Catchment Management Agencies has various benefits for a country and the mining industry which is examined by this study. The only element needed now is to optimise the implementation of planned collaborations between these role players to sustain and ensure the water resources of South Africa.