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STATUS OF ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

STATUS OF ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA. GOOD HOPE CHAMBERS 28/01/2003 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM. SCOPE OF THIS REPORT. INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND WAYFORWARD CONCLUSION AND WAYFORWARD. INTRODUCTION. MINING OF ASBESTOS IN SOUTH AFRICA

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STATUS OF ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  1. STATUS OF ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA GOOD HOPE CHAMBERS 28/01/2003 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM

  2. SCOPE OF THIS REPORT • INTRODUCTION • BACKGROUND • WAYFORWARD • CONCLUSION AND WAYFORWARD

  3. INTRODUCTION MINING OF ASBESTOS IN SOUTH AFRICA • ASBESTOS MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA DATES BACK TO 1839 IN THE NORTHERN CAPE • SUBSEQUENTLY EXPANDED TO THE LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA PROVINCES. • MINING INCLUDED ALL THREE TYPES OF COMMERCIAL ASBESTOS: • CHRYSOTILE (WHITE) • CROSIDOLITE (BLUE) • AMOSITE (BROWN)

  4. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SPREAD OF ASBESTOS MINES IN SOUTH AFRICA (map of location of asbestos mines)

  5. INTRODUCTION • SOUTH AFFRICA THIRD BIGGEST ASBESTOS PRODUCER IN THE WORLD WITH A PEAK OF ABOUT 380000 TONS IN 1977 . • MOST OF THIS ASBESTOS WAS EXPORTED. • MOST OF THE MINING COMPANIES WERE FROM OVERSEAS AND HAD DISCONTINUED THEIR MINING OPERATIONS IN THEIR COUNTRIES BUT CONTINUED TO MINE IN SOUTH AFRICA (E.G. Cape PLC).

  6. INTRODUCTION • ASBESTOS IS A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL • PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MINING AND USE RESULTED IN: • DEATH CASES • DESEASES LIKE ASBESTOISIS • SECONDARY POLLUTION EFFECTS • MINE DUMPS THAT ACTS AS DEATH TRAPS • AND HAS CAUSED DISEASES AND KILLED MANY SOUTH AFRICANS. • OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE: • COMPENSATION FOR VICTIMS • USE IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER AREAS.

  7. ASBESTOS SUMMIT • National Parliamentary Inquiry on compensation • Research towards phasing out of chrysotile (white asbestos)and replacing it with alternatives • Ensure an enabling integrated legislative framework, including a ban on non-chrysotile asbestos • DEAT coordinate implementation recommendations of Summit. • DWAF to prepare disposal standards • DME to rehabilitate mines • DTI to develop a Socio economic impact of phasing out Asbestos

  8. Progress on Summit implementation • Prepared Cab memos for cabinet endorsement • Cabinet endorsed and added: • SANDF • Public Works • Asbestos is coordinated well and depts respond

  9. Progress on Summit implementation • Disposal guideline prepared by DWAF • Safety standards developed by Labour • Single Compensation office established at Labour • Rehabilitation of mines continues and is transparent • Housing department phasing out asbestos use gradually • Public Works no longer use Asbestos in construction • Guideline on strategy to phase out Asbestos will be ready for cabinet and publication

  10. Recommendations for summit implementation • Asbestos mining stopped in 2001 • SA importer and transit country • Cape PLC out of court initiated • Decline of use of Asbestos in SA • SA imports and is a transit country • SABS ECE R90 specifications for braking products to be asbestos Free and imports should be asbestos free by the end of 2003

  11. Process Foward • SADC meeting(24/02/03) • International Conference(02/03) • Environmental Governance • UNEP GC(Governing Council) • Rotterdam Convention(Listed all forms of Asbestos as dangerous chemicals in international trade)

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