Mining and energy
Fracking in a fractured environment: Shale gas mining and institutional dynamics in South Africa’s young democracy
This paper situates the question of shale gas mining in South Africa within broader debates on policy co-ordination within governmental systems. The prospect of shale gas mining has posed severe challenges for the complex inter-governmental system in South Africa. Three key Departments are affected by possible shale gas mining: Mineral Resources, Environmental Affairs and Water…
Read MoreRisks and vulnerability in uranium mining…
The exploration and exploitation of uranium deposits in South Africa dates back to the 1970s. At the time, uranium was mined as a derivative of gold and diamonds. However, due to international opposition to the Apartheid regime’s nuclear weapons programme, along with the boycott and divestment from South Africa movement of the 1980s, the development…
Read MoreRelational dynamics and social capital in developing mining communities
The South African mining industry has significant dysfunctions in relationships between companies and their communities. The industry is characterized by increasing concern about its trust deficits, perception gaps and low levels of social capital. This study unpacks this phenomenon in the contexts of Jagersfontein, South Africa. The dissertation also puts forward a provisional model to…
Read MoreA review of biophysical and socio-economic effects of unconventional oil and gas extraction – Implications for South Africa
A review of biophysical and socio-economic effects of unconventional oil and gas extraction – Implications for South Africa Journal title: Journal of Environmental Management Final version published online: 25-OCT-2016 Full bibliographic details: Journal of Environmental Management (2016), pp. 419-430, Surina Esterhuysea, , , Marinda Avenanta, Nola Redelinghuysb, Andrzej Kijkoc, Jan Glazewskid, Lisa Plitd, Marthie Kempa,…
Read MoreHousing options and mining companies in arid areas
Cloete, JS (2009), Housing options and mining companies in arid areas: The case of Kathu, Northern Cape Province, MA thesis (Sociology), University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. INTRODUCTION According to Marais and Venter (2006a), the link between mining, migrancy and housing was fairly well researched before 1994, but since 1994 there has been very little research…
Read MoreCan the Circle be Squared?: An Enquiry into Shale Gas Mining in South Africa’s Karoo
Ingle, M and Atkinson, D (2015), Can the Circle be Squared?: An Enquiry into Shale Gas Mining in South Africa’s Karoo (with Doreen Atkinson), Development Southern Africa (in press).
Read MoreTowards a post-mining economy in a small town
Marais, L and Atkinson, D (2006), Towards a post-mining economy in a small town: Challenges, obstacles and lessons from Koffiefontein, South Africa, Paper presented at the Desert Knowledge Conference, Alice Springs, Australia, 2-4 November. Introduction Mining closure has been an international phenomenon as resource depletion has continued and economic changes have resulted in the…
Read MoreLarge mines and sustainable development: Towards partnerships with Government
Atkinson (2005a), Large mines and sustainable development: Towards partnerships with Government, Chamber of Mines, Johannesburg. Unpublished report. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. The paper compares the developmental proposals of 27 municipal Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and 4 provincial development plans. It compares these proposals with the activities of 4 South African mines, as reflected in their…
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