The community has raised issues concerning air quality, water quality and ground vibration. The Research department will embark on an environmental index project to highlight the current environmental conditions. It will do this by compiling available environmental quality information relating to air quality, water quality and ground vibrations into an annual or bi-annual index that is easily accessible, understandable and communicable. Standard measures of environmental quality will be used, as already collected by various sources, and these will be compared against minimum standards. The report will be forwarded to RBN Land Use Management department for discussions with various stakeholders including community members, mines, Department of Environmental affairs and Rustenburg Local Municipality to share the findings of the environmental index report and come up with measures to reduce pollution or mitigate the degradation of the environment. A service provider will be appointed to collect various samples and compile a report; the focus of the monitoring will initially be in the South East regions but will eventually reach all regions of the RBN. The research department will collaborate closely with the RBN Land Use Management department.

In scope:

• Write research proposal;
• Appointment of service provider;
• Liaise with RBN Land Use Management department; and
• Finalise and disseminate report.