JOHANNASBERG (Commodity Online): The toxic sludge from gold mines with high radiation levels in Gauteng province in Johannasberg in South Africa is causing threat to the livelihood of seven million people.
Uranium, one of the most radioactive material, often mined as the by-product of gold in South Africa and more than 800 kilometres of tunnels exist underneath Gauteng with this harmful material contaminating the ground water.
Acid mine water has been from old uranium mine and rising by half a metre a day below the city where more than 7 million people live.
According to Anthony Turton, a prominent South African water scientist, the radiation levels at Tudor Shaft suggest that the country faces a localized environmental crisis that can be compared to Chernobyl, reported Business Times.
The companies have put together a R70 million ($9 million) project to provide extra potable water in the Gauteng province.
The government has decided to evacute the people living the region to avoid the affect of this harmful acid water.
