Title: Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 (“MHSA”): Guideline for a Mandatory Code of Practice for a Quality Assurance Programme for a System of Occupational Hygiene and Ventilation Engineering Measurements 

Gazette reference: GN 5099 in GG 51003 on 2 August 2024 

Commencement date: 1 November 2024 

On 2 August 2024, the Chief Inspector of Mines, in terms of section 49(6) read together with sections 9(2) and 9(3) of the MHSA as amended, issued the Guideline for a Mandatory Code of Practice for a Quality Assurance Programme for a System of Occupational Hygiene and Ventilation Engineering Measurements. 

The Guideline details elements of quality assurance that must be applied in the occupational hygiene programme and mine ventilation engineering measurements, where the risk assessment of the mine identified the need for the employer to establish and maintain a system of occupational hygiene measurements. 

Title: National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (“NEMAQA”) 39 of 2004: Consultation on the Draft Second-Generation Highveld Priority Area Air Quality Management Plan 

Gazette reference: GN 4067 in GG 50985 on 26 July 2024 

Deadline for public comments: 26 August 2024 

On 26 July 2024, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, in terms of section 19(4), read with the sections 56 of 57 of the NEMAQA, is inviting comments on the draft second-generation Highveld Priority Area Air Quality Management Plan. 

The draft second-generation Highveld Priority Area Air Quality Management Plan builds on the progress of the first-generation plan, and incorporates targeted strategies to manage air quality more effectively and by specific stakeholders, namely: 

• Any person conducting a listed activity; 

• Any person operating a controlled emitter; 

• Any holder of a right or permit related to a prospecting operation, exploration operation, mining operation, or production operation as defined in section 1 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 28 of 2002; 

• Any person conducting reclamation; and 

• Any department of state or administration in the national, provincial, or local sphere of government. 

The plan provides interventions and measures aimed at improving air quality through implementation of emission reduction targets by identified stakeholders to attain and sustain compliance with national ambient air quality standards.