Mining in South Africa’s Gauteng and Limpopo regions has caused severe, irreversible environmental and social disruptions, resulting in degraded ecosystems, marginalized communities, and abandoned infrastructure. This project focuses on responsible mine closure and developing a discourse on toxic commons. The aim is to address the residual infrastructure and altered water systems while considering their impact on local energy and food systems. By integrating the histories of settlements and landscapes into reverse engineering processes, the project seeks to understand and visualize strategies for repairing these damaged environments. The project aspires to create a holistic, long-term approach to extractive landscape planning that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and raises awareness. This integrated method not only addresses the immediate challenges of environmental degradation but also promotes sustainable futures for the affected regions, encouraging a more balanced relationship between local landscapes and global consumption. Through this approach, the project aims to reimagine and restore the social-ecological systems in post-mining landscapes.

Any questions? Contact: Fransje Hooimeijer (F.L.Hooimeijer@tudelft.nl)

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