Uranium exploration and mining activities in Namibia have increased rapidly since 2003, which increase not only poses a significant impact on the country’s economy, but also on its unique and pristine natural environment. The nature and extent of the environmental impacts associated with uranium mining requires a sound environmental law and policy framework that regulates uranium activities, impacts and aspects during each phase of the project life cycle of a uranium mine. It also requires of authorities to establish and enhance environmental protection and sustainability during uranium mining operations and to ensure that all environmental impacts that inevitably occur as a result of uranium mining activities are addressed in a holistic and integrated manner during each phase of the project life cycle of a uranium mine. In order to do this the country must develop and maintain an efficient and effective environmental governance regime. Namibia’s environmental law and policy framework that regulates uranium mining does not cover the entire PLC of uranium mining. It is vital that the current loops in the country’s existing environmental regulatory framework be closed and that an efficient and effective environmental governance regime, as envisaged in this study, be established. This will enable the administering agents to actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people, ecosystems, essential ecological processes and the biodiversity of Namibia, as well as the utilisation of living natural resources on a sustainable basis to the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future, as pledged in the Namibian Constitution. / Thesis (LL.M. (Environmental law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Uranium exploration and mining activities in Namibia have increased rapidly since 2003, which increase not only poses a significant impact on the country’s economy, but also on its unique and pristine natural environment. The nature and extent of the environmental impacts associated with uranium mining requires a sound environmental law and policy framework that regulates uranium activities, impacts and aspects during each phase of the project life cycle of a uranium mine. It also requires of authorities to establish and enhance environmental protection and sustainability during uranium mining operations and to ensure that all environmental impacts that inevitably occur as a result of uranium mining activities are addressed in a holistic and integrated manner during each phase of the project life cycle of a uranium mine. In order to do this the country must develop and maintain an efficient and effective environmental governance regime. Namibia’s environmental law and policy framework that regulates uranium mining does not cover the entire PLC of uranium mining. It is vital that the current loops in the country’s existing environmental regulatory framework be closed and that an efficient and effective environmental governance regime, as envisaged in this study, be established. This will enable the administering agents to actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people, ecosystems, essential ecological processes and the biodiversity of Namibia, as well as the utilisation of living natural resources on a sustainable basis to the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future, as pledged in the Namibian Constitution. / Thesis (LL.M. (Environmental law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Gas exploration and production at sea and on land is a recent phenomenon in South Africa. The reason for the sudden interest in gas exploration and production on land is that it may prove to be a solution to the need for cleaner forms of energy and provides the possibility for South Africa to move away from coal-based energy. In order to achieve this transition while keeping economic development intact, South Africa is in need of a “greener” option. Gas is considered the most environmentally friendly fossil fuel and therefore provides South Africa with this much needed “greener” option. The uncertainty about the nature and extent of the environmental impacts regarding gas exploration and production suggests that an efficient and effective energy and environmental law and policy framework is still needed to regulate onshore and offshore gas exploration and production during all phases of its life cycle. It furthermore requires of the authorities that they establish and enhance environmental protection and sustainability during all gas exploration and production operations in order to ensure that the environmental impacts that may occur during such operations are addressed in a holistic and integrated manner. This study focuses on conventional gas. South Africa’s energy and environmental law and policy framework that regulates gas exploration does not cover the entire life cycle of onshore and offshore gas activities. It is of paramount importance that the current fragmentation in the country’s existing energy and environmental regulatory framework be addressed and that a sufficient environmental governance regime, as envisaged in this study, is established. This will enable the administering agents to actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people, the ecosystems, the essential ecological processes and the biodiversity of South Africa, while promoting the utilisation of living natural resources on a sustainable basis to the benefit of all South Africans, present and future, as pledged in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Mynbou is belangrik vir die ekonomie van ʼn land en word daarom aangemoedig. Mynbou is in wese onvolhoubaar vanuit ʼn omgewingsbewaring perspektief. Artikel 24 van die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, 1996 bepaal dat die staat die omgewing moet beskerm vir huidige en toekomstige geslagte, maar dat regverdige ontwikkeling toegelaat moet word. Landbou is net so belangrik vir ʼn land se ekonomie as vir sy mense. Artikel 27(b) van die Grondwet maak voorsiening vir ʼn reg op toegang tot voldoende voedsel en water. Landbou kan, net soos mynbou, ʼn impak op die omgewing hê. Dit gebeur egter dat mynbou in konflik met landbou kom, in die sin dat grond gesteriliseer word sodat dit nie meer vir landboudoeleindes gebruik kan word nie en gevolglik ook nie meer tot voedselsekerheid kan bydra nie. Die Nasionale Waterwet 36 van 1998 bepaal dat dit van kardinale belang is dat Suid-Afrika se waterhulpbronne beskerm, gebruik, ontwikkel, bewaar, bestuur en beheer word. Dit geld vir beide mynbou en landbou. In die Kalahari-distrik ontstaan daar konflik tussen die boere en myne (hoofsaaklik Sishen- en Khumani-ysterertsmyne) rakende watergebruik. Groot hoeveelhede water word uit die grond gepomp vir mynbou-aktiwiteite en om in die mynwerkers se daaglikse behoeftes te voorsien. Mynbou mag moontlik ʼn impak op voedselsekerheid hê, aangesien weiding verswak en die kameeldoringbome, wat voedsel aan diere in hierdie omgewing verskaf, moontlik kan doodgaan en ekosisteme vernietig word weens die watertekort. Dit is dus nodig om vas te stel hoe die reg moontlike konflik tussen die regte van myne en boere sal aanspreek en oplos. Deur die verloop van die studie word verskeie onderliggende en funderende temas aangespreek, onder andere: (a) Artikel 24 van die Grondwet, die reg op toegang tot voldoende voedsel en water; (b) mynbou en landbou se watergebruik, hoe konflik rakende water gereguleer word en die toepassing daarvan op die Kalahari. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Gas exploration and production at sea and on land is a recent phenomenon in South Africa. The reason for the sudden interest in gas exploration and production on land is that it may prove to be a solution to the need for cleaner forms of energy and provides the possibility for South Africa to move away from coal-based energy. In order to achieve this transition while keeping economic development intact, South Africa is in need of a “greener” option. Gas is considered the most environmentally friendly fossil fuel and therefore provides South Africa with this much needed “greener” option. The uncertainty about the nature and extent of the environmental impacts regarding gas exploration and production suggests that an efficient and effective energy and environmental law and policy framework is still needed to regulate onshore and offshore gas exploration and production during all phases of its life cycle. It furthermore requires of the authorities that they establish and enhance environmental protection and sustainability during all gas exploration and production operations in order to ensure that the environmental impacts that may occur during such operations are addressed in a holistic and integrated manner. This study focuses on conventional gas. South Africa’s energy and environmental law and policy framework that regulates gas exploration does not cover the entire life cycle of onshore and offshore gas activities. It is of paramount importance that the current fragmentation in the country’s existing energy and environmental regulatory framework be addressed and that a sufficient environmental governance regime, as envisaged in this study, is established. This will enable the administering agents to actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people, the ecosystems, the essential ecological processes and the biodiversity of South Africa, while promoting the utilisation of living natural resources on a sustainable basis to the benefit of all South Africans, present and future, as pledged in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Mynbou is belangrik vir die ekonomie van ʼn land en word daarom aangemoedig. Mynbou is in wese onvolhoubaar vanuit ʼn omgewingsbewaring perspektief. Artikel 24 van die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, 1996 bepaal dat die staat die omgewing moet beskerm vir huidige en toekomstige geslagte, maar dat regverdige ontwikkeling toegelaat moet word. Landbou is net so belangrik vir ʼn land se ekonomie as vir sy mense. Artikel 27(b) van die Grondwet maak voorsiening vir ʼn reg op toegang tot voldoende voedsel en water. Landbou kan, net soos mynbou, ʼn impak op die omgewing hê. Dit gebeur egter dat mynbou in konflik met landbou kom, in die sin dat grond gesteriliseer word sodat dit nie meer vir landboudoeleindes gebruik kan word nie en gevolglik ook nie meer tot voedselsekerheid kan bydra nie. Die Nasionale Waterwet 36 van 1998 bepaal dat dit van kardinale belang is dat Suid-Afrika se waterhulpbronne beskerm, gebruik, ontwikkel, bewaar, bestuur en beheer word. Dit geld vir beide mynbou en landbou. In die Kalahari-distrik ontstaan daar konflik tussen die boere en myne (hoofsaaklik Sishen- en Khumani-ysterertsmyne) rakende watergebruik. Groot hoeveelhede water word uit die grond gepomp vir mynbou-aktiwiteite en om in die mynwerkers se daaglikse behoeftes te voorsien. Mynbou mag moontlik ʼn impak op voedselsekerheid hê, aangesien weiding verswak en die kameeldoringbome, wat voedsel aan diere in hierdie omgewing verskaf, moontlik kan doodgaan en ekosisteme vernietig word weens die watertekort. Dit is dus nodig om vas te stel hoe die reg moontlike konflik tussen die regte van myne en boere sal aanspreek en oplos. Deur die verloop van die studie word verskeie onderliggende en funderende temas aangespreek, onder andere: (a) Artikel 24 van die Grondwet, die reg op toegang tot voldoende voedsel en water; (b) mynbou en landbou se watergebruik, hoe konflik rakende water gereguleer word en die toepassing daarvan op die Kalahari. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

On 18 June 2010 new NEMA 2010 EIA Regulations were promulgated and came into effect on 2 August 2010 in order to improve the effectiveness of EIA. The question of effectiveness, therefore still remains. The quality of EIRs under the 1997 regulations in South Africa has been researched, although not as extensively as in other parts of the world. It was concluded that the quality of EIRs in South Africa are generally satisfactory, although a number of problems were identified, e.g. timing of the EIA, the identification of activities which require authorization or not, the consideration of alternatives, the absence of any time limits, the absence of requirements for monitoring and enforcing compliance, and objectivity. The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), (Act no 107, 1998) was amended and new regulations promulgated in 2006. No research has been published regarding the quality of EIRs produced in South Africa under the 2006 regulations. Since it was the intent of the new regulations to improve EIA effectiveness, it is necessary that the quality of EIRs produced under the new EIA system be investigated. As in the other studies in South Africa, the Lee and Colley review model was used as basis for the comparative analysis of the EIRs before and after 2006. A sample of 26 EIRs, 11 under the 1997 EIA system and 15 under the 2006 EIA system, obtained from the then Impact Assessment Directorate of the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) archives in Pretoria were reviewed. The main conclusions were that the majority of the EIRs under the 1997 system were of an acceptable standard and that the overall quality of the EIRs did not improve after the promulgation of the 2006 regulations. The descriptive and presentational parts of the EIRs were more satisfactorily addressed, while the analytical parts such as impact significance were addressed less satisfactorily. EIR quality appears to be on par with international standards, but there are areas of distinct weaknesses. As the 2006 EIRs included some of the first EIRs conducted under the new regulations, there is potential for the quality to improve over time. However, the areas that still need attention are the identification and evaluation of impacts, impact magnitude and monitoring programmes. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Geography and Environmental Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

On 18 June 2010 new NEMA 2010 EIA Regulations were promulgated and came into effect on 2 August 2010 in order to improve the effectiveness of EIA. The question of effectiveness, therefore still remains. The quality of EIRs under the 1997 regulations in South Africa has been researched, although not as extensively as in other parts of the world. It was concluded that the quality of EIRs in South Africa are generally satisfactory, although a number of problems were identified, e.g. timing of the EIA, the identification of activities which require authorization or not, the consideration of alternatives, the absence of any time limits, the absence of requirements for monitoring and enforcing compliance, and objectivity. The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), (Act no 107, 1998) was amended and new regulations promulgated in 2006. No research has been published regarding the quality of EIRs produced in South Africa under the 2006 regulations. Since it was the intent of the new regulations to improve EIA effectiveness, it is necessary that the quality of EIRs produced under the new EIA system be investigated. As in the other studies in South Africa, the Lee and Colley review model was used as basis for the comparative analysis of the EIRs before and after 2006. A sample of 26 EIRs, 11 under the 1997 EIA system and 15 under the 2006 EIA system, obtained from the then Impact Assessment Directorate of the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) archives in Pretoria were reviewed. The main conclusions were that the majority of the EIRs under the 1997 system were of an acceptable standard and that the overall quality of the EIRs did not improve after the promulgation of the 2006 regulations. The descriptive and presentational parts of the EIRs were more satisfactorily addressed, while the analytical parts such as impact significance were addressed less satisfactorily. EIR quality appears to be on par with international standards, but there are areas of distinct weaknesses. As the 2006 EIRs included some of the first EIRs conducted under the new regulations, there is potential for the quality to improve over time. However, the areas that still need attention are the identification and evaluation of impacts, impact magnitude and monitoring programmes. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Geography and Environmental Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Rapid population growth and urbanisation has resulted in a drastic increase in the volume of waste produced by the World populace. The resulting pressure on the country’s somewhat underdeveloped waste management infrastructure emphasizes the need for waste management solutions which balance environmental protection with economic sustainability. Waste is seen as an unwanted or surplus by-product, emission or residue of any process or activity which has been discarded, accumulated or stored for the purpose of discarding or future processing. Hazardous waste is waste that may, by circumstance of use, quantity, concentration or inherent physical, chemical or infectious characteristics, cause ill-health or an increased mortality rate in humans, fauna and/or flora. General waste on the other hand, is waste that does not pose an immediate threat to human health or the environment. Currently household waste is considered general waste even though it may contain hazardous components such as fluorescent tubes and/or other household chemicals. Promulgation of NEM: WA (no 59 of 2008) provides instruments for the implementation of the steps taken by the Department of Environmental Affairs to improve waste management in South Africa. Successful implementation and enforcement of the act will place the country at the forefront of progressive international standards in waste management. One of South Africa’s largest environmental and waste management challenges remains the presence of historical, hazardous waste landfill sites. Characterisation of the dangers that these sites pose to the environment is providing extremely difficult and expensive, as is the ongoing maintenance and management of these facilities – placing economic strain on national municipalities. This study was done in two phases. The first related to the hazardous waste components of household waste that is being dumped at landfill site and the methods of classification, handling and dumping of hazardous waste have been investigated. All the legislation was taken into consideration to see if the landfill sites comply with the latest legislation. The second phase was a comparison between three landfill sites. The management, work activities and general appearance of the sites have been compared internally. Then a comparison have been done between the following landfill sites Kwaggasrand landfill site in Tshwane, Weltevreden landfill site in Brakpan and an ideal landfill site developed in accordance with the Minimum Requirements documents published by of DEAT in 1998. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Geography and Environmental Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Rapid population growth and urbanisation has resulted in a drastic increase in the volume of waste produced by the World populace. The resulting pressure on the country’s somewhat underdeveloped waste management infrastructure emphasizes the need for waste management solutions which balance environmental protection with economic sustainability. Waste is seen as an unwanted or surplus by-product, emission or residue of any process or activity which has been discarded, accumulated or stored for the purpose of discarding or future processing. Hazardous waste is waste that may, by circumstance of use, quantity, concentration or inherent physical, chemical or infectious characteristics, cause ill-health or an increased mortality rate in humans, fauna and/or flora. General waste on the other hand, is waste that does not pose an immediate threat to human health or the environment. Currently household waste is considered general waste even though it may contain hazardous components such as fluorescent tubes and/or other household chemicals. Promulgation of NEM: WA (no 59 of 2008) provides instruments for the implementation of the steps taken by the Department of Environmental Affairs to improve waste management in South Africa. Successful implementation and enforcement of the act will place the country at the forefront of progressive international standards in waste management. One of South Africa’s largest environmental and waste management challenges remains the presence of historical, hazardous waste landfill sites. Characterisation of the dangers that these sites pose to the environment is providing extremely difficult and expensive, as is the ongoing maintenance and management of these facilities – placing economic strain on national municipalities. This study was done in two phases. The first related to the hazardous waste components of household waste that is being dumped at landfill site and the methods of classification, handling and dumping of hazardous waste have been investigated. All the legislation was taken into consideration to see if the landfill sites comply with the latest legislation. The second phase was a comparison between three landfill sites. The management, work activities and general appearance of the sites have been compared internally. Then a comparison have been done between the following landfill sites Kwaggasrand landfill site in Tshwane, Weltevreden landfill site in Brakpan and an ideal landfill site developed in accordance with the Minimum Requirements documents published by of DEAT in 1998. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Geography and Environmental Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.