When viewing bills of material and project specifications on so-called green construction projects, it is clear to see that not enough attention is paid to the constituents of concrete.

According to Nico Pienaar of the Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa (ASPASA), any green building that makes use of sand and stone from illegal mining operations cannot be classified as being green – far from it. Illegal mining of aggregates continues to scar our landscape, contaminate our waterways and makes large tracts of land unsuitable for future use.

Illegal operators are also under no obligation to remediate the land once mining ceases. Their practices fall far short of environmental norms and their safety record and interactions with surrounding communities are usually non-existent. “Supporting illegal mining operations is just as morally unacceptable as supporting poaching,” says Pienaar.

Follow the paper trail

In order to ensure that the aggregates and sand used in concrete is obtained from a legal source, it is advisable to deal only with ASPASA members. They are audited on an annual basis to ensure they uphold all relevant legislation, as well as internal policies and practices. “What’s more, mines and quarries belonging to ASPASA have thrown their full weight behind programmes that help to protect the environment and adopt sustainable mining practices in their everyday operations,” he says.

Likewise, Pienaar advises that concrete suppliers should be able to prove that the supplying mine is operating with a valid mining licence from the Department of Mineral Resources; has land-use rights from the local, provincial and national authorities; and complies with all relevant environmental protection requirements. Everyone involved in the building and construction industries should only use aggregates from legal and environmentally conscious companies belonging to ASPASA.

“It is important to consider that once a structure has been built, it is too late to take retrospective action. Rather find out how and where sand and aggregates were sourced before starting a project. Any structure built with illegally mined materials will stand as a monument to the destruction of our environment for years to come,” he concludes.