Eco Minute 13:30
BULLETIN 27 May 1:30 pm
Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:
# Research has found that for 140 years, gold mines in Johannesburg have been leaking wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. The acid mine drainage from Johannesburg’s estimated 278 abandoned mines and 200 mine dumps includes uranium, copper, nickel and zinc. This has resulted in Soweto now being home to 1.9 million people who are exposed to acid mine drainage. The authors of the research say in cases of serious exposure to the heavy metals in acid mine drainage, birth defects, brain damage, cancer and miscarriages can result.
# The Department of Employment and Labour says farmers need to comply with labour laws to avoid high costs associated with incidents and occupational diseases exacerbated by climate change. Inspections at 52 agricultural workplaces found 30 of them were not compliant. Most employers failed to provide incident records, investigate incidents, have a trained first aider, train tractor drivers, and conduct risk assessments. The department’s Warren Mallon encourages employers to review their risk assessment, taking into account new or existing hazards which may be exacerbated.
# And finally: The Western Cape government has completed installing solar power in 48 schools to protect teaching and learning amid expected power cuts. L.E.D. lights have been installed to reduce electricity usage and cost. Seventy-one more schools have applied for the installation of solar systems to reduce grid demand. The provincial government has distributed 71 load-shedding relief kits, including solar panel charging stations and lights, prioritising Grade 12 learners for final exams and Grade One learners for daily reading practice.
Stay tuned for more news………….