Department on Dolomite Risk Management Strategy: briefing

Meeting report

PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
17 September 2003
DEPARTMENT ON DOLOMITE RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY: BRIEFING

Chairperson: Chief M Hlengwa (IFP)

Documents handed out
Dolomite: Risk Management Strategy Powerpoint Presentation by Department

SUMMARY
The Department briefed the Committee on the background, challenges, achievements and the way forward in dealing with the dolomite sinkhole and doline problem being faced by the Department in the Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape and the northern part of the Free State provinces. Dolomite is a rock bed that is water- soluble. Cave formation caused by water "erosion" in the rock bed occurred over millions of years. These cave formations could eventually result in the collapse of the topsoil and as a consequence, form sinkholes with disastrous effect in most cases, especially when buildings were erected on these sites.

The state was not necessarily absolved from litigation because factors such as public interests adjacent to state property could be affected as a result of this phenomenon. It is believed that 96% of sinkholes was man induced due to lack of proper maintenance of underground services. A task team was appointed to investigate the situation.

MINUTES
The Department was represented by the Director General, who was excused from the meeting after he introduced Messrs R Samuel (Acting Deputy Director: Accommodation) and G Hamstra (Chief Director: development Operations).

The presenters jointly outlined the Risk Management Strategy (RMS) document, an extract from a presentation made to the Cabinet Committee of Governance and Administration 25 March 2003. It became increasingly clear from the presentation that the problem would continue to incur serious financial implications for the state if the Department would not embark on a comprehensive preventative and maintenance programme.

Please refer to attached document.

Discussion
Mr Chikane (ANC) asked if the presentation document should not rather be returned to the Department because it contained sensitive information.

A department representative said that the information was not classified and it would be good for the public to take cognisance of the consequences that might follow due to man`s wrongful actions. In fact, the SABC and the Pretoria News (two articles) both had related media briefings because the existence of dolomite was a fact of life.

Ms T Nmawitma-Shilubana asked if the previous government did anything about the problem pre 1994. Was a Risk Management Strategy (RMS) in place then and what precautionary measures the ordinary citizen could take to protect themselves?

A Department representative stated that except for a general report in the 70`s, there was no RMS for dolomite prior 1994. The work done then was limited and it was a known fact that it resulted in the loss of property and lives. We have grown in knowledge and awareness and the Department was applying the principle of the "reasonable man test".

Mr J Blanche (FA) congratulated the Department for the studies done because some of the other Departments did not treat the problem with the same urgency. He raised the question with the Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs (DMEA) a year ago. At that stage they only had six inspectors country wide to monitor the problem. They pointed out seventeen derelict mine shafts that were not sealed and just not being attended to. On the Primrose mine dump a sinkhole was now forming. This indicated that the dump was formed above a sink hole area and water was allowed to flow into a "hollow" of approximately 3 km deep. He also referred to recent newspaper articles about derelict mines that were to be mined again for another fifteen years on the East Rand. He expressed concern about the level of investigation that was being done regarding the consequences of the mining development that is intended.

The Department representative reiterated that 96% of sinkholes were man induced. Citizens should take some responsibility, even if it is at the domestic level. The establishment of an awareness group was a good proposition. Cabinet had made decisions that needed to be enforced. The challenge remained with the Department to promote bi-laterals in this regard. The DMEA also needed to regulate their industry.

Mr N Magbane (ANC) asked who the owner of the Waterkloof Air Force Base was.

The Department Representative stated that the Public Works was the owner and the Defence Force, the user. All national state land was under the control of the Minister of Public Works.

Mr S Opperman (DA) told of a sinkhole that formed in Knysna, Western Cape. He asked how sinkholes were filled and what happened with the water pumped from mines, considering that water was a reason for the problem.

The Department was unaware of the problem existing in the Western Cape. The kinds of sinkhole they had encountered were at depths of around 100m. The hole mentioned might have formed due to other causes. Filling or rehabilitating a sinkhole entailed an engineering operation. In areas of high frequency a mix of cement and soil would be used. In areas of low frequency, just ordinary backfill would be used. In some instances the ground was compacted with a heavy metal suspended from a crane. They could not account for how the mines were dealing with the pumping of water.


Mr S Nxumalo (ANC) asked if "sinkholing" was the same as soil erosion.

The Department replied that soil erosion by its definition was the removal of the topsoil by water or other means making the ground unsuitable for cultivation purposes whereas sinkholes were ultimately formed as a result of "hollowing" due to seepage.

Mr K Moonsamy (ANC) regarded the situation as frightening if six to nine provinces according to the report were affected. Could it be estimated how many buildings were affected and how much it would cost to rehabilitate these buildings? What contribution could the profit orientated industry, in particular the mining industry make, to counter the pending disaster? How could the problem of burst water pipes be dealt with? The previous Government seemed to have shown absolutely no concern for the environment and safety.

A representative from the Department stated that in the area south of Pretoria alone, they estimated 5000 buildings varying in size. They estimated a cost of R686m to manage the problem. As far as industry was concerned, DMEA were already looking into the matter in terms in terms of better governance. The problem of burst water pipes seemed easier to manage. It would consist of service renewal and replacement with appropriate material.

Chief Hlengwa (IFP) asked if the Department ever engaged the insurance companies because this must surely affect them too.

The Department stated that they had not engaged the insurance companies. All state properties were not necessarily insured against natural disasters. Rehabilitation was done at costs to the state. The question was relevant because they were aware that the industry was concerned about how civilians were affected. The Department was looking at the problem more from a preventative and corrective point of view.

Chief Hlengwa asked about the time frame of the master plan referred to in the presentation. Where did sink hole rehabilitation on mountain side occur? He enquired about the borrowed pits that were left unrehabilitated by those who build roads in the rural areas.

Department Members agreed that it was wrong to leave these open holes unattended because it posed a danger, allowed water to flow into it and it was unsightly. The master plan seemed to be on track in terms of the time frame. Phase one, the dolomite risk management strategy was completed - the phase the Department needed to have a conception of the problem and how to deal with it. The second phase concerned the military, specifically as it affected installations currently occupied by them.

Mr Blanche came back to the impending mega mining operation for the East Rand. He was convinced that the wrong decisions were being reinvented.

The Department stated that these concerns were shared. It was suggested that the Committee be called upon to assist because the Department did not have the authority to intervene. The Council for Geo Science could also be consulted.

Mr Moonsamy (ANC) suggested that the Department had the authority to take the matter to the highest level and address the cabinet about the dangers.

The Department said they were willing to take ownership of the problem and would take it up with the Director General. It was a matter that affects the whole country. Therefore it was not only the cabinet that must be informed but also the whole country which needed to be educated about the matter.

Mr Chikane suggested that they get together with DMEA to form a study group that might compile a Bill to provide regulations on how mining was to be conducted. Education on the ground should also continue.

Chief Hlengwa promised to do provincial visits to familiarise themselves with the problems on the ground. They might even ask the Department of Trade and Industry to become involved.

The Department would seek permission to do a brief study and formulate a report to take the process forward.

The meeting was adjourned.