African Mining Law and Policy (Law/Mining/Policy crossover) | 02 March 2010
Sustainable Waste Management Strategies at Urban Mining Sites in South Africa: A Thematic Analysis from 2010 to 2010
S, i, p, h, i, w, e, M, o, t, s, h, e, g, a
Abstract
Urban mining sites in South Africa face significant challenges related to waste management due to high volumes of hazardous materials and electronic waste (e-waste). A thematic analysis was conducted using qualitative data from site reports and interviews with stakeholders. The analysis employed a mixed-methods approach combining content analysis of documents with semi-structured interviews to ensure comprehensive insights into current waste management strategies. The study identified that approximately 45% of urban mining sites have implemented community engagement programmes, which significantly improved public awareness about e-waste recycling and hazardous material disposal. However, only 20% of the sites reported achieving compliance with national environmental regulations due to resource constraints. While some progress has been made in waste management at urban mining sites, continued support is needed to enhance regulatory frameworks and facilitate sustainable practices. Stakeholders should prioritise collaborative initiatives that involve local communities and government agencies to ensure compliance with existing environmental regulations. Additionally, investment in technology for better waste segregation and recycling processes is recommended. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.