The Swaziland Environment Action Plan (SEAP)

Contents | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8

3.1 The Economy | 3.2 People | 3.3 Land | 3.4 Water Sector | 3.5 Biodiversity | 3.6 Agriculture | 3.7 Forestry | 3.8 Manufacturing | 3.9 Tourism | 3.10 Mining | 3.11 Fuel and Energy

3.0 SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

3.10 Mining

Mining is one of the twelve main sectors that contribute to the economic development of Swaziland. The most important minerals exploited include asbestos, coal, diamonds and quarry stone. In Swaziland, mining is predominantly a private-sector activity but government ensures effective exploitation of the country's mineral resources. The mining sector generated an average of 4% of the country's export revenue (1987-91 average). This represents an average of 2.9% of GDP by mining during the period. The relaxed environmental practices encourage investment in the sector.

3.10.1 Environmental Issues in the Mining Industry

• Pollution - air, surface and ground water, pollution by dust and land through dumps and tailings ponds.
• Land degradation - through removal of top soil and vegetation in open cast mines, construction of haulage roads.
• Negative visual impacts of landscape alteration - abandoned sink shafts, pits, holes and other excavations, stockpiles and slime dams.
• Human health and safety - exposure to air pollution by the miners and by the general population living in the vicinity of the mines
• Resource loss - displacement of human populations and destruction of biodiversity.

3.10.2 Policy

There is a brief draft Mining Policy, dated 1996.

Practical Policy Elements

The main purpose of a Mining Policy is to achieve a sustainable, efficient and environmentally sound mining industry as an integral part of the country's economic development. Such a policy should contain the following practical elements:

• Promotion of sustained exploration and mineral resources management in order to ensure continued development of the mining industry;
• Development of pollution and waste control measures for all mining operations;
• Rehabilitation of land and water resources affected by mining activities. These should be routinely carried out as an integral part of every mining operation.

Such a policy must be supported by appropriate legislation and strong government commitment.

3.10.3 Priority Actions