MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

The cost of Manganese Ore Dust to residents

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A strange thing happens when you ask people to provide identifying information – they don’t contribute to any surveys, fearing the sanctity of their anonymity.

But, we at MyPE asked for some identifying data from people filling in the Manganese Ore survey just so that we can (for our own satisfaction) prove the veracity of the data collected. Your identifying details are NOT shared with anyone else.

Thus far we have had seventeen responses to our survey and can confirm that all either Agree or Strongly Agree with the opening statement which asks; “The Manganese Ore Facility must go?” (To take part in the survey CLICK HERE)

A third of the replies are from affected residents in South End, Richmond Hill, Humewood and Summerstrand with the rest coming from power boat and yacht owners.

Respondents were asked to estimate the additional cost of cleaning and maintenance directly attributable to the manganese ore dust and how long they had been in occupation/possession of their asset. Then they were asked to plce a value on the ‘Estimated cost of accelerated wear and tear’ of that asset.

To date the additional money spent on maintenance, cleaning and loss of value is estimated at R3 099 680.00 – representing an average of R182 334.11 loss per respondent.

Based on various figures of population and households within the Central, Richmond Hill, Humewood and Summerstrand area we believe that approximately 5 300 homes and business could be affected by the Manganese Ore Dust whenever the East wind blows in Port Elizabeth.

The figures are quite disturbing if one assumes that each home/business spends only R50.00 per month on additional cleaning products and water to wash the dust off – try R256 000 per month JUST in cleaning bills per month – excluding labour.

The other concerns are around accelerated wear and tear to vehicles passing through, engines, air conditioners, food and the threat of manganism. Of course a ‘Visit to a filthy manganese ore dump’ is also not something on every tourists bucket list either.

Our conservative MONTHLY estimate of expense to the community pales into comparison with the DAILY turnover accruing to the Port of Port Elizabeth from the manganese ore facility but if we apply the total estimated figure by our seventeen respondents the number ramps up quickly to an estimated R966 370 823.52 loss by the 5300 estimated households and businesses directly affected by the Manganese Ore dust.

In the survey MyPE asked the question; “Why should the Manganese Ore facility and Tank Farm move?” and received these replies:

  • Has a major role in restricting growth in lucrative recreational boating and waterfront development which can drastically enhance our city as a major tourist destination.
  • Due to the pollution and it is an eye sore
  • “A clean environment close to the city centre will attract more tourism, which will attract more dollars, which will enable a growing economy resulting in more working opportunities. One look at a dirty and polluted environment sends out the message that visitors would rather go elsewhere.”
  • Disgusting polluting dust blowing over residential and recreational areas damaging assets and I can only imagine what affect it must have on the heath of residents (but if you moved into the area knowingly after the dump was there well …. ) and worse the unfortunate workers who need employment but are forced to work with no protection in the vicinity of those dust clouds.
  • The effects on the health of the citizens of Port Elizabeth should take precedence over the greed of the owners of this unsightly, unhealthy, filth-producing facility.
  • “Because it is an eyesore and is not managed in a way that reduces the impact to a minimum on the surrounding areas. As a country we should not be exporting our raw materials but beneficiating them locally to improve our local economy.”
  • The dust is unbearable, especially in Summertrand and Humewood, and it is no longer compatible with the land use and image of the surrounding area.
  • “Health of residents breathing the ore dust particles into our lungs. Dirt and dust created by these dumps beach and facades of buildings stained with ore dust. Cleaner and more beautiful King’s Beach – the best beach in South Africa !”
  • The black dust carried by the wind makes everything black. Windows , walls tiles .Every where. Even vehicles. It gets stuck to vehicle paint and with dew and rain starts damaging the paint. If you clean today, tomorrow it is dirty again. If the buildings get dirty so fast , how Mitch do we breath in. It is a safety RISC .
  • The manganese ore dust has long term negative effects on the health of this cities residents (including the marine life) as well as the properties within about a 5 km (own opinion estimate) radius of the tanks. Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay) has the potential to become a tourism and economic hub within this radius and beyond and by removing this hazard it will allow for a green environment to be established that gives all the citizens as well as tourists a place to take part in a healthy lifestyle. I believe that this city (specifically the cbd area) has the potential to be world renowned for green innovations but having such a huge hazard in the way (which can be moved and better controlled at Coega IDZ) is not only damaging to the health of its citizens but also the economy of this city . The positives of moving the tank farm and manganese ore facility by far outweigh the negatives and has to be treated as a matter of urgency. The lives and livelihoods of all the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay depend on this.
  • Because it affects everyone in the area terribly and everyone is sick and tired of always having to clean everything. This should be a place for tourists to visit to bring more revenue to the area. It is a wasted asset which is a manganese dump instead. Too long has everyone suffered.
  • “Because of the oil pollution from the tank farm and the dust from the ore facility also because the space occupied by these facilities could be put to much better use from an economic and recreational point of view.” The move of these facilities to the Coega IDZ needs to keep to the agreed dates of 2017 and 2018 respectively, and not been pushed back again
  • For the health and value of P.E.
  • It is unsightly, unhealthy and blocking economic development
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.