Madubula Nomonde, van Eeden Elize
Financial and Fiscal Commission Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa.
School of Social Science, Faculty of Humanities, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.
Jamba. 2024 May 23;16(1):1589. doi: 10.4102/jamba.v16i1.1589. eCollection 2024.
This study aimed to compare how vulnerable informal and formal households are to disaster risks in Bekkersdal mining area in the Rand West City municipality, using a mixed method. A qualitative approach was used to construct a situational analysis of the community, while a questionnaire was used to collect descriptive data. Findings showed both household types (formal and informal) experienced disaster-related risks as their coping resources are limited. Disaster risks such as mining-related incidents (dust, earth tremors and windstorms) are more significant in the informal areas than in formal areas because of their geographical locations. The latter are located in high density areas, with limited access to basic services. Resulting in among others, construction of illegal informal areas and use of illegal electricity connections. These disaster incidents occur against the backdrop of an already vulnerable dolomitic environment that tends to form sinkholes. Thus, the negative impact of mining is the highest disaster risk factor in the area, yet households seem tolerant and distant as they perceive mining as a job opportunity. The study recommended the municipality to include disaster risks in their integrated development plans to ensure that sustainable mining practices are in place to minimise the negative effects in the area. The rehabilitation of mines, measures to prevent informal construction or illegal occupation, and educational awareness on mitigation and adaptation measures are necessary.
The study adds to the body of knowledge by revising some old techniques of addressing disaster risk measures, especially in surrounding mining communities.
本研究旨在采用混合方法，比较兰德西城贝克斯达尔矿区的非正式家庭和正式家庭在面对灾害风险时的脆弱程度。采用定性方法对社区进行态势分析，同时通过问卷调查收集描述性数据。研究结果表明，由于应对资源有限，这两种家庭类型（正式家庭和非正式家庭）都面临与灾害相关的风险。由于地理位置原因，与采矿相关的事故（粉尘、地震和风暴）等灾害风险在非正式地区比在正式地区更为显著。后者位于高密度地区，基本服务获取有限，这导致了非法非正式地区的建设以及非法用电连接等情况。这些灾害事件发生在本就脆弱的白云石环境背景下，这种环境容易形成塌陷坑。因此，采矿的负面影响是该地区最高的灾害风险因素，但家庭似乎对此持容忍和疏离态度，因为他们将采矿视为一种就业机会。该研究建议市政府将灾害风险纳入其综合发展计划，以确保实施可持续采矿做法，尽量减少该地区的负面影响。矿山修复、防止非正式建设或非法占用的措施以及关于减灾和适应措施的教育宣传都是必要的。
该研究通过修订一些应对灾害风险措施的旧技术，为知识体系增添了内容，尤其是在周边采矿社区。
