Author: Colleen Cluett

On the 4^th of June 1999, Regulations on Use of Water for Mining and Related Activities Aimed at the Protection of Water Resources were published under GN R704 (in GG20119). GN R704 has been issued by the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation in accordance with their mandate for the protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of the water resources of South Africa on a sustainable basis.
This Management Aid provides an Audit checklist covering the requirements of GN R704 that may be applicable to any mine or mining related activity, as defined in the regulation.

2016.5 MA- GN R704 Compliance Audit

In September 2015, the third revision of ISO 14001 was released. ISO 14001:2015 has a stronger focus on improved environmental performance, including an emphasis on the need for continual improvement that is consistent with the organisations Environmental Policy objectives. Improved environmental performance is one of the three main intended outcomes of the Management System, along with the fulfilment of compliance obligations (previously “legal and other requirements”) and achievement of environmental objectives. The other key changes are described in the document.

2016.5 MA_ISO 14001 2015

Particulate and water contamination as well as cross-contamination of oils are recognised as being three of the most destructive forms of damage to lubrication and hydraulic systems, and can result in very costly damage, even loss of warranties. Through our experience in the industry, we have seen that these forms of oil contamination often arise during the handling and storage of new oil. Oil stores are also an area of significant risk to an organisation, in terms of health and safety and the environment.

Through simple, effective management of oil storage and handling, oil contamination can be prevented before it occurs whilst at the same time the environmental and health and safety risks associated with oil stores can be mitigated. Cluett Consulting have identified nine possible
interventions for improved management, these are described in this article.

2016.4 NF- Best Practice New Oil Storage

Contamination of soil and water by oil is recognised as a significant risk to the environment and carries legal penalties. However, oil spills are observed at operations and other facilities where oil is stored and used. Indeed, it may be something you observe regularly at garages, shopping centres or even your home. This article will form the basis of a series on oil contamination. This article describes why contamination of the environment by oil is a problem and why it should be avoided.

2016.4 NF_Oil Contamination

On 2 April 2015, Regulation 283, the ‘National Atmospheric Emission Reporting Regulations 2015’, was published in the Government Gazette (38633). This regulation is important for identified data providers which includes all operations with a mining authorisation, listed activities, as defined in Section 21 of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (39 of 2004) (hereafter NEM-AQA) and applicable regulations, controlled emitters, as defined in Section 23 of NEM-AQA and applicable regulations, facilities as identified in accordance with applicable municipal by-laws and additional emissions sources or data providers as identified by the relevant authority.

Thus, all quarries and mines are identified “data providers” and must comply with the requirements of this regulation.

For further information please click on the link below
2016.3 MA NAEIS

On the 10 July 2014 GN R549 was published in GG 37818, under NEMA (107 of 1998). This Regulation deals with the ‘phase-out’ the use of PCB materials and PCB-contaminated materials throughout South Africa.

GN R549 requires that:

• No person may use any PCB materials or PCB-contaminated materials after the year 2023;

• No person may have any PCB materials, PCB-contaminated materials or PCB waste in their possession after the year 2026, excluding disposed PCB waste (applicable to licenced waste handlers);

• Any person who possesses “articles”, which include dielectric fluid, dielectric fluid containers, electrical equipment or other equipment or materials that contain PCBs or that came into contact with materials that contain PCBs, must register with the Director-General, within 90 days of the promulgation of these Regulations, i.e. by 10 October 2014, as described in GN R549 Regulation 5 and must follow the requirements as described in Regulation 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

The penalties for non-compliance with these regulations are severe and include fines of up to R10 million and/or imprisonment of up to 10 years for the individual/individuals responsible.

For further information please click on the link below
2016.3 MA PCBs