Despite massive urbanisation, Rustenburg clings to its agricultural roots. Smallholdings and plots abound nearby.
Artist William McGill lives on one such plot, running a B&B and painting. The watercolourist has lived in Rustenburg since 1944. His home is surrounded by greenery and feels wholly removed from the growing urban sprawl a few kilometres away.
However, McGill, as with many others, worries about what platinum mines are doing to the environment.
Late last year the Bench Marks Foundation released a report on platinum mining in North West province. It said that harm to local communities included poor air quality, pollution of underground water and changing water direction.
The report said that although mines monitor and set targets on environmental matters, significant information about underground water pollution and dyke perforation are ignored, with dire consequences for farmers and communities that rely on boreholes for water.
It said the cumulative effects of mining on air quality are largely ignored. While mines monitor their own output of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, local and district government lack the capacity to measure the overall effect independently of the mines.
But mines are working to improve matters. In 2003 Anglo Platinum’s smelting operations released 220 tons of sulphur dioxide into the air every day. However, after replacing its plant at a cost of R1,6billion, the company reduced emissions to less than 20 tons a day.
Rustenburg mayor Matthew Wolmarans said the city is addressing environmental concerns. It established the Rustenburg Water Service Trust to manage the water needs of residents better.
”It’s an R88-million project —whereby we divert — clean water — to the community. The used water we [recycle and] sell to the mines.”
The municipality also acquired four air-quality monitoring units that can separate environmental waste in the air and pinpoint the source of pollutants. The city needs nine units but they are pricy at ÂR3million apiece.