Investigation of current monitoring, control, and impact of iron ore mine dust in the Northern Cape

Makanyanga, Kudzanai

Investigation of current monitoring, control, and impact of iron ore mine dust in the Northern Cape

Thesis / Dissertation

2026

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Chemical Engineering

Faculty

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

Abstract

This research investigated the perceptions of different stakeholders about the impacts of iron ore dust from iron ore mining operations in the Northern Cape, assessed the current dust control practices, and the status of air quality monitoring. Previous reports indicate the economic and social benefits of iron ore mining in the Northern Cape. However, limited attention has been given to the negative impacts of iron ore dust on the socio-economic and environmental aspects of the iron ore mining host communities of the Northern Cape. Additionally, there is a lack of comprehensive assessment of the current dust control practices and the status of air quality monitoring. To tackle the need for information regarding these areas, a qualitative research approach was used. It combined semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including iron ore mining companies, government, and community representatives. The iron ore mining industry was represented by four iron ore mining companies while the government was represented by three government officials, one participant represented the third-party air quality consulting companies and lastly the community was represented by five community representatives. Document analysis of environmental reports and air quality monitoring reports was also applied. Iron ore mining companies' environmental performance reports from 2011 to 2023 were analyzed to find information on air quality monitoring results and atmospheric emission licenses. Google Earth and Google Maps were utilized to gain an understanding of the spatial distribution of the iron ore mines and the host communities. The findings showed that while iron ore mining companies implement various dust control measures, the effectiveness of the current dust control practices is inadequate. There also are gaps in air quality monitoring and air quality legislation, and its enforcement. Furthermore, the host community has inadequate access to air quality monitoring information. The perceptions about the impacts of iron ore dust varied among the stakeholders. Some stakeholders expressed concerns about the environmental, health, and socio-economic impacts of iron ore dust; others conveyed a moderate impression of the severity of the impact of iron ore dust; others remained neutral arguing that the presence or absence of dust impacts can only be based on air quality monitoring results which are currently not sufficient. Comparisons with international best practices for dust control and monitoring highlighted opportunities to strengthen dust suppression techniques and improve air quality monitoring, community engagement, and transparency. The findings provide actionable recommendations to guide iron ore mining companies and regulatory authorities in developing more effective ways of mitigating the impacts of iron ore dust on host communities.