Description

The South African government has enacted various environmental legislation aimed at protecting the environment. The environmental legislation imposes financial penalties for non-compliance. However, there is a concern that coal mining companies do not comply with various environmental legislation. This study explores the factors contributing to non-compliance with environmental legislation by a coal mining company with operations in Limpopo and Mpumalanga and recommends how the coal mine can address these factors.

An interpretive paradigm was used for the study. A qualitative research approach was followed as the researcher sought to understand the phenomena from the constructed knowledge of the study participants who have experience in the coal mining sector. Data for the study was collected using a documentation review of data related to the study subject, which included audit reports and other reports provided to competent authorities, in-depth interviews, and focus group interviews with mine personnel in management and operations. The researcher used non-probability purposive sampling to select the study participants based on their experience in the coal mining industry.

The findings of the study reveal that various factors contribute to non-compliance with environmental laws by the coal mining company. These factors include human behaviour, operational requirements, leadership and management style, financial constraints, and inadequate compliance monitoring. The study recommends that the coal mining company should increase monitoring to ensure that behaviour that results in non-compliance with environmental legislation is sufficiently monitored and that appropriate action is taken to address the behaviour. Further, the study recommends that the mining company should create an organisational culture of compliance through management commitment. The management commitment outlined is that the coal mining company should ensure adequate skilled personnel is available to ensure increased monitoring.