BY Daniel Mkhwanazi
The community members of Snake Park are struggling with the issue of tailing dust blowing toward their households, and it is an everyday struggle.
On Monday, October 21st we saw a very dusty day from the early hours of the morning until the next day. Dry tailing deposits contain small particles that were picked up by the wind, transported, and deposited near the community of Snake Park. The tailing contains toxins such as arsenic, uranium, and lead chemicals that may cause serious health concerns. With that being said, the whole community was somehow filled with the tailing dust inside their households.
A 38-year-old, resident of Snake Park who goes by the name of Mr Bhebhe said the dust was somehow on his blankets and pillows, and he had to clean up even though his girlfriend had cleaned up in the early morning but it was dusty in the whole house. He went on to say that when he slept, he would get skin irritation then he started scratching his whole body until he noticed that the tailing dust had chemical reactions on his body.
A 17-year-old female who said she suffers from sinuses stated that when the dust was blowing towards the community households she had a problematic experience, due to that her nose would be itchy and her eyes also. Yet she struggled to breathe through late at night and this saddens her because every time the tailing dust is inside the house it causes her serious health concerns.
The air quality of Snake Park is very poor due to the tailing dust that keeps rapidly blowing up nearby the community and the inhalation of the airborne particles can lead to respiratory issues, such as asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases. The dust from the mine tailing can also hinder the plants and vegetation, which reduces plant growth. Accumulation of dust on leaves can also block sunlight and the ability to absorb carbon dioxide, implanting plant health.
So to mitigate the risk of the environmental impact of the tailing dust pollution to the community of Snake Park is that the mine has to implement several measures such as putting water sprays, chemical dust suppressants to control the release of dust into the air, planting native trees and vegetation could also help trapping dust particles and improving air quality.
Engaging with the community and residents of Snake Park can help raise awareness about the environmental impacts of mining and ensure their concerns are heard attentively.
