Framework for the Implementation of Cooperation in 2010

Waste Management

The Northern experiences are utilized in the planning of a Sustainable Waste Management Centre for Rustenburg. The centre will serve as a recycling centre, where used household and electronic goods will be repaired and recycled. It is also going to have an educational purpose. Implementing ideas from Lahti, the Centre already has an educational kitchen in place that promotes sustainable development, for instance, recycling and saving water and energy. Other educational features are being planned.

Peer Review on Waste Management

Peer review on waste management will be conducted for South by North. The reviewers will get acquainted with the waste management situation in BPDM, assess the new waste management facilities in Rustenburg and give recommendations for future development.

Expertise (Employee) Exchange Focusing on Waste Management

An exchange of officials will be conducted from South to North, so that an official from BPDM will be travelling to Lahti for a longer period for on the job training. A waste management officials from Rustenburg Local Municipality and Royal Bafokeng will be working in a local waste management company, Päijät-Häme Waste Disposal Ltd.

Promotion of the Lake Remediation Plans on Bospoort and Hartbeespoort Dam

The remediation work on Bospoort and Hartbeespoort Dams continues. The water quality monitoring activities are ongoing and the remediation processes remain crucial and require supporting. Due to the lake remediation expertise gained in Lahti, the North has an important advisory role in the remediation planning. In addition, co-operation with the tribal authorities of Royal Bafokeng continues.

Water Monitoring Cooperation

Water monitoring upgrading and staff training will be continued from North to South by new portable field laboratory devices that will be set in use in BPDM in 2010.

Environmental Awareness

The co-operation supports the planning process of a Sustainable Communication and Information Centre for Hartbeespoort Dam. This centre will serve as an information centre on sustainable development for the community and businesses.

Strengthen and Broaden the Ownership in Partner Municipalities

In 2008, an informal municipal-to-municipal partnership was formed between the local municipalities of Hollola and Moses Kotane. The Municipality of Moses Kotane was visited again in March 2009 in order to strengthen the willingness for cooperation. Potential cooperation areas include eco-tourism activities, further exploring the best practices related to infrastructure, promotion of water monitoring cooperation and the impact of mining to the environment. Now the plan is to link Nastola Municipality with one of the BPDM local municipalities. This will be achieved through a co-operation visit.

Development of Internet Based Communication Methods

Further staff training and communication technology upgrading will be conducted in BPDM to facilitate webpage development and video conferencing. The upgrading of the technology and the staff training will require expert consultancy. BPDM plans to hire a new technical support person who would, among other responsibilities, take care of video conferences and staff training.