Civil Engineering March 2022 | Vol 30 No 2

66 March 2022 Civil Engineering Sand extraction is destroying our waterways I llegal sand mining in rivers around the country is taking a damaging toll on the environment. According to Nico Pienaar of surface mining industry association ASPASA, the failure of law enforcement to clamp down on these illegal activities has led to the proliferation of these sites across the country with increasingly sophisticated and larger scale operations taking hold. “One of the most effective ways to fighting back against this extremely dam- aging and dangerous practice is to hold our sand suppliers accountable and to obtain proof of purchase from a reputable and legally compliant sand producer,” he says. Licenced sand miners are required to comply with stringent legal requirements to protect water sources, the environment and surrounding communities as well as ensure a safe workplace. They are subjected to regular inspections by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and this cost of compliance can be substantial. Along with statutory requirements such as royalties, tax and licencing fees, the costs can add a premium to the price of sand and give unlicenced operations a considerable advantage over their com- pliant competitors. Pienaar warns that the quality of unli- cenced products cannot be guaranteed and while one aggregate may resemble another, it may be totally unusable depending on its composition. “These illegal operations may also devastate local economies through unfair competition and employment practices that can put legal competitors out of business and later leave ruins when the operation closes down.” Studies have also indicated that il- legal extraction of sand from rivers can alter the course of a river and lead to an altered stream structure that may erode riverbanks and cause damage to vegeta- tion and arable land. In addition, sedimentation can cause a build-up of sand that blocks channels and leads to fish and other animals not having access to clean water, causing a subse- quent reduction in numbers. These and other factors provide an overwhelming argument for government to crackdown on unscrupulous operators. Pienaar advises buyers of sand ag- gregate to purchase from fully compliant companies, such as ASPASA members, who meet all legislative and other statu- tory requirements.  I n br i ef Purchasers are advised to buy sand from fully compliant sellers A s South Africa endures some of its most difficult economic times yet, the country should recognise the importance of supporting responsible manufacturing practice in its cement sector. This call comes from Hannes Meyer, cementitious executive at AfriSam, who emphasises the strategic value – both economic and social – in a sector that generates this vital commodity. When it comes to locally produced cement products, almost the entire value chain is local, creating market demand and local job opportunities all along the way as well as providing skills development. “In addition to the basic requirements of the cement business, South Africa’s cement producers are also mineral rights holders who must comply with mining regulations, which includes Social and Labour Plans. In addition to normal business legislation, we must go the extra mile to promote development in and around the communities where we operate,” says Meyer. He points out that this is currently more difficult for cement producers than for miners of more high-value commodities, who are currently benefiting from buoyant prices set by global mar- kets. In contrast, cement prices are determined by demand in the country’s building and construction sectors, where performance remains lacklustre. Added to the industry’s responsibilities is the growing pres- sure on all South African businesses to reduce carbon emissions. As an energy-intensive sector, cement production is researching and applying various innovations to reduce its carbon footprint. The government’s recent carbon tax – which is payable by local producers – has created a further imbalance in the market that disadvantages local players, he points out. “With the wholesale import of cement from countries unencumbered by a carbon tax, there is no level playing field for responsible local manufacturers who are often undercut by imports not governed by our rules,” he says. Meyer believes that the danger of further weakening the South African base of responsible manufacturers is that the country will need to rely mainly on its own internal capacity if it wants to gen- erate inclusive and sustainable economic growth into the future. With government hoping to raise infrastructure expenditure, there must be strong local construction expertise and products to implement these projects.  Prioritise responsible cement manufacture Local cement producers face increasing economic pressures