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The environmental damage caused by radioactive waste at the abandoned mines

The Federation for Sustainable Environment has taken about 30 organs of state, including Ministers and DGs in the departments of Mineral Resources, Water & Sanitation and Environmental Affairs and mining company Mintails, to be held accountable for the environmental damage caused by radioactive waste at the abandoned mines.

Mintails was liquidated in 2019, leaving an unfunded environmental liability, estimated at R460 million.

This case, if successful, sets a precedent for foreign directors to be prosecuted and held accountable for non-compliance with South Africa’s environmental laws, leaving many vulnerable communities exposed to radioactivity.

Mariette Liefferink, chief executive of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment, has described Mintails Group’s Krugersdorp and Randfontein mining activities as one of South Africa’s ‘worst environmental catastrophe. They have been raising this issue since 2004 on behalf of mining affected communities.

Bongani speaks to Mariette Liefferink chief executive of the federation for sustainable environment.