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Asbestos
Posted: Mon, 31 Oct 2005
[miningmx.com] -- LAWS banning the use of asbestos in South Africa came a step closer last week when the government issued legislation for comment, Business Day, a daily newspaper, reported.
Quoting environmental affairs and tourism minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Business Day said the legislation would finally bring the curtain down on asbestos usage.
“For too many years communities across South Africa have lived with the dangers of asbestos and asbestos products. We are now taking the final steps to ensure that this health hazard never again threatens our people.”
South Africa, whose major asbestos mines were Msauli and Gefco, no longer produces asbestos. There was also a 39% reduction in local asbestos consumption from more than 12,600 tons in 2000 to just more than 7,700 tons in 2002.
Now, fewer than 200 people are employed in the domestic asbestos industry, and
it is increasingly feasible to replace asbestos with alternative fibres, Business Day said.
The regulations propose penalties which include fines and imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years, or both, for various violations pertaining to the production, import or export of the mineral, Business Day said.
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