Antoniades, Maria2024-11-162024-11-162023Antoniades, Maria. (2023). Assessment of the Environmental Authorisation Processes and Mining Right Applications for Improved Environmental Outcomes. [Master's dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/42624https://hdl.handle.net/10539/42624Research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (in Environmental Science), to the Faculty of Science, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023.This study investigates alignment of South African mining right and environmental authorisation application processes to determine their adequacy in catering for optimised early mine planning seeking to achieve enhanced environmental outcomes. First the legislative requirements for mining right and environmental authorisation applications are evaluated. Results are critically analysed, including an assessment of process alignments and disjunctions. Secondly, integration of the application study processes in practice are investigated. The practical implications of the application requirements are qualitatively examined through key informant and case study analysis. It is shown that integrated planning is not a legislated requirement nor readily adopted by proponents. Environmental planning conforms to technical outputs as tick-box exercises rather than being iterative and co-operative. Workstreams misalignments result in poor planning to the detriment of environmental outcomes. Finally, a practical guidance is presented for early integrated study processes aimed at meaningful project design through parallel planning to optimise environmental results.en©2023 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.Mining rightEnvironmental authorisationMine planningMine designEnvironmental planningMPRDAUCTDSDG-9: Industry, innovation and infrastructureDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg