Community-based early warning systems: the Jagersfontein tailing dam disaster

Abstract

The Jagersfontein tailings disaster, which occurred on 11 September 2022, highlighted critical weaknesses in early warning, risk communication, and institutional response. This study examined the available early warning signals prior to and during the Jagersfontein tailings disaster and how the community, the mine and institutions responded to the warnings.

The study utilised qualitative secondary data. The internal data was collected following the disaster at Jagersfontein and is available at the UFS. The study also utilised external sources, including academic journals, online reports, and memoranda written by the community of Jagersfontein, to explore the experiences and responses of residents during the catastrophic event.

The findings revealed gaps between policy intentions and community realities, particularly in relation to risk communication, preparedness, and response coordination. Furthermore, the lack of involvement of communities in risk assessment and preparedness measures resulted in residents being less prepared to respond to and recover from emergencies resulting from tailings facility failures. The study concluded that integrating CBEWS into tailings management is important for improving disaster preparedness and reducing loss of lives and livelihoods and enhancing safety in mining towns.