A protector of the environment
Khomotso Mpahla, an environmental officer looking after Phalanndwa, Khanye and the Bronkhorstpruit siding
A Bronkhorstspruit native, Khomotso Mpahla’s passion for nature conservation began as a SHE trainee at a drilling and exploration company, where she gained a strong foundation in safety compliance, health compliance, and environmental inspections. She transitioned to the mining industry almost 10 years ago and has since been dedicated to protecting the environment and supporting compliance in the industry.
With her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management degree from the University of South Africa, Khomotso joined Canyon Coal in March 2024 as an environmental officer. “During the mining process, my job is to protect the environment by ensuring that natural resources are utilised efficiently and protected for future use,” she explains. Compliance enforcement, including adherence to policies, and regulations, is a vital part of Khomotso’s work. Challenges arise from a lack of environmental awareness and training in mining operations. To address this, Khomotso continuously trains her colleagues through various methods such as topics, toolbox sessions, and site visits to increase awareness.
In response to the perception of coal mining as detrimental to the environment, Khomotso highlights the mitigation controls in place at Canyon Coal, monitored through rigorous inspections and audits to minimise environmental impact.She believes that effective collaboration between miners and environmental organisations can be achieved by taking action and implementing safe environmental practices. This approach could lead to environmental organisations supporting mining industries by researching and recommending environmentally friendly processes. When asked if the mining industry is doing enough to address environmental concerns, Khomotso emphasises the significant number of environmental officers employed in the sector to ensure that concerns are managed in accordance with regulatory requirements. “It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that sustainability is achieved at a high level to conserve our natural resources,” she concludes
