Development of human settlements and mining areas: 1956-2013

Towards applying a green infrastructure approach in the GCR

“…This is particularly true for areas used as facilities for the disposal of mine residues, which in some instances are radioactive and affect soil properties, therefore making them more unsuitable for vegetation growth, further compounding the problem. Although some vegetation exists around these areas as a consequence of ongoing and past rehabilitation attempts instigated by the Mining Rights Act of 1967 (Khanyile, 2016;Kilian et al, 2005;Mubiwa & Annegarn, 2013), green vegetation in these environments is limited. Such areas are characterised by damaged and degraded ecological functions, and consequently do not benefit from potential ecosystem services that could help improve environmental quality, such as the attenuation of runoff and the infiltration of water, as well as the breaking down of organic compounds in contaminated environments (Davis et al, 2002).…”