Toxic silica dust chokes Jagrsfontein community
Lebohang Mogorosi
The community of Jagersfontein faces a hidden danger every day. Toxic silica dust is present in the air, the soil, and even inside people’s homes. This issue began after the unregulated re-mining process conducted by JPD. On 11th September 2022, disaster struck when this process released large amounts of toxic mining waste into the area. Instead of cleaning it up, the municipality has been using the same waste to level roads. Some residents have even
requested this waste to fill and level their yards, unaware that they are bringing poison into their homes.
Most people in Jagersfontein are suffering from respiratory issues. Doctors often diagnose them with asthma or tuberculosis, but many cases may actually be linked to toxic dust exposure. Without proper equipment, doctors struggle to detect other lung diseases associated with mine tailings. The situation in Jagersfontein resembles the suffering endured by the people of Hiroshima in the aftermath of their disaster. The damage is slow and insidious, but it is very real.
I spoke with Mr. Mokone Letsopa, who is battling a chest illness after years of working in the mine, particularly in a dusty area known as the front end. He confirmed that dangerous chemicals are left in the tailings. Godfrey Manale, another resident, reported that his health has deteriorated since the re-mining began. He suffers from shortness of breath and has been visiting doctors almost monthly, but they have been unable to diagnose his condition. Both men believe their ailments are linked to the dust from the tailings.
As a member of a civil society organization advocating for environmental and human rights, we realized the serious health effects of repeated exposure to silica dust and mining-related chemicals, some of which are radioactive. We visited our local health facility, Itumeleng Clinic, to gather statistics on residents suffering from respiratory problems and to track the spread of pulmonary illnesses in our community. The acting manager of the clinic made it clear that they
lack the resources to treat or properly screen patients for silica-related illnesses. While we engaged with the community about the impacts of silica dust exposure and the toxic mining waste dumped in the area since 11th September 2022, a resident from Charlesville, a neighborhood formerly inhabited by white mine workers, raised concerns about experiencing foot fractures and skin rashes since the disaster. She also mentioned that local vegetation has been impacted, and the quality of plants has deteriorated due to contamination.
The Health Department, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, which has claimed that a 2007 judgment stripped them of oversight on mining operations, must take immediate action. They are responsible for protecting public health and regulating mining. Proper measures must be implemented to halt this air pollution. The principle of polluter pays ; must be enforced to hold the responsible parties accountable for the damage. There is a clear way forward: First, health screening equipment must be brought to Jagersfontein to test all individuals exposed to the dust, as many cannot afford private tests. Second, awareness campaigns are needed to help the community understand the risks associated with inhaling silica dust and the dangers of bringing it into their yards. Third, the affected land must be rehabilitated. Finally, a compensation scheme should be established for all those suffering from illnesses caused by this man-made disaster.
The people of Jagersfontein are demanding one thing: stop the dust, test our lungs, and help us heal. The municipality must ensure the proper disposal of the tailings they have been spreading around Jagersfontein, particularly in town, where the entire area is coated in tailings. Additionally, Green Scorpio should be more visible in addressing these issues. We are tired of municipal environmental health practitioners focusing on closing foreign nationals’ shops while ignoring the serious contamination affecting our community.
