Expert Report on Social Impact of Opencast Mine Blasting Operations
February 2025
In February 2024, the Centre for Environmental Rights commissioned Dr Gwendolyn Wellmann, an independent sociologist with 30 years’ experience in community development, to conduct a social impact assessment on the impacts of Ikwezi Mining (Pty) Ltd coal mine’s blasting operations on the surrounding community. The study was conducted over several months in the Danhauser municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, and extensive interviews were held with community members and other stakeholders.
Dr Wellmann’s expert report found that mine blasting significantly impacted communities surrounding the mine. The report details the psycho-social, cultural, economic and productivity impacts. It found that women, children, elderly, sick and other vulnerable and marginalised groups within the community suffered disproportionate impacts as a result of mine blasting. In her report, Dr Wellmann also made several recommendations in order to mitigate the social impacts of mine blasting.
View/Download the full expert report.
More details can be found on the CER’s dedicated Mine Blasting microsite at mineblasting.cer.org.za
