#011 The Full Costs of Mining

--:--
An exploration of how extractivism creates environmental, social and climate justice.

Host: Robert.Krause (Researcher: Environmental Justice | Wits)

Guests:
Nomakhosazana Precious Nomnqa (Women Affected by Mining United in Action – WAMUA)
Ramabina Mahapa (Land and Accountability Research Centre – LARC)
Patrick Bond (Professor of Sociology, University of Johannesburg)

The often unchecked exploitation of South Africa’s so-called mineral wealth has destructive effects far beyond the obvious impact on the local environment.

Local communities bear the burden of a wide range of long-term consequences that impact health, society, local economy, and well as food and water security. And as with many other exploitative fields, it is often women who experience these harms most acutely.

Access to land, ownership, tenure and mutually beneficial land stewardship is also often disrupted, impacting on non-mining related livelihoods and local communities’ ability to grow food and engage in land-based economic activity.

The ramifications go further, impacting on, and being impacted by, the global climate crisis. And then there is the macro level aspect of the mineral endowments of the country and continent being sold at a low rate that denies benefit to future generations.

The panel discussion illuminates these often unspoken about dynamics, describing the difficulties and creating a space to envision a different approach that benefits people and planet, both now and in the future.
15 Nov 2021 English South Africa Society & Culture · Non-Profit

Other recent episodes

#027 How the Spy Bill is Shrinking Civic Space in South Africa

Unpacking the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill. The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, also known as the Spy Bill, aims to put into action certain suggestions from a review panel regarding the State Security Agency. However, it has sparked significant worry among South African civil society groups. In this episode,…
22 Apr 40 min

#026 Owning the Renewable Means of Production

Why social ownership of renewable energy is key. In this episode, Janet Cherry (Professor of Development Studies and renowned anti-Apartheid activist) speaks to us about the exciting work she has been doing on the social ownership of renewable energy. The episode host, Alex Lenferna, speaks to Janet about the team…
15 Apr 56 min

#025 Mpumalanga is not a Sacrifice Zone!

In this episode, Cleo, an organiser with the Climate Justice Coalition (CJC), sheds light on Mpumalanga's plight - a province ravaged by coal mining and pollution. Cleo goes into detail about its impacts on local communities which include respiratory issues among children, dirty and unsafe water, women being exploited for…
12 Mar 26 min

#024 Building Red-Green Alliances

How trade unions & climate justice activists can transform the world. In this podcast episode, we speak to Ruth Ntlokotse, the president of the South African Federation of Trade Unions and a new coordinator of the Climate Justice Coalition. We speak to her about the important role that trade unions…
7 Mar 57 min

#023 Karpowerships Are No Turkish Delight

Why is there massive opposition of Karpowerships within coastal towns of South Africa? The Green Connection and a Small-Scale Fisher talk about the risks of Karpowerships. Bringing about their advocacy actions and stories relating to their journey to oppose the power ships, along with sharing the myths and reality of…
31 Oct 2023 14 min