Regional Spatial Development Policy for the Gauteng Mining Belt
A provincial policy framework to unlock rehabilitated mining land across the Gauteng mining belt, a sector employing more than 112 000 people directly and affecting an estimated 3.4 million dependents.
2019 · Gauteng Province: Office of the Premier · Regional spatial policy · 12 months duration
Key contributors: Dr Johnny Coetzee, Dylan La Loux
The Gauteng Office of the Premier engaged Cadre Plan to develop a Regional Spatial Development Policy for the province's mining belt. The policy addresses land once considered undevelopable, and positions mine residue areas as opportunities for rehabilitation, integrated development and spatial transformation.
The policy is based on extensive consultation between the province, the affected metros, the mining industry, nearby communities, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders. It draws on recent research and the full range of legislation, development plans and policy frameworks affecting the region, and weighs "low road" threats such as decanting, flooding and dust pollution against "high road" development potential.
The final policy sets six policy directives covering stakeholder collaboration, mining-lifespan intelligence, rehabilitation, environmental decision-making, enforcement against illegal mining, and research. The Office of the Premier commended the work as professional, on time and delivered with integrity, and stated it would recommend Cadre Plan for similar spatial planning and policy work.
Key figures: 112 000+ direct mining jobs in scope | ±3.4 million dependents affected | 6 policy directives adopted