Overcoming bureaucratic obstacles to the re - use of metallurgical slag – A South African case study

Metallurgical slag, including ferrochrome slag is internationally recognized as suitable material for use in road construction and as aggregate for concrete (Rossouw et al. 1981, Lind et al. 2001). Contrary to international practice, metallurgical slag – including ferrochrome slagis classified as hazardous waste that must be de-listed before use in other applications (DWAF 1998). Having adopted the internationally accepted waste management hierarchy into waste management policies and legislation, reuse of waste would be expected to be a priority waste management option in South Africa. However, the bureaucratic process to obtain approval for such reuse is cumbersome and the metallurgical slag reuse is therefore seldom viewed positively by industry. Reuse of inert material such as metallurgical slag in road construction and as aggregates for cement and concrete can relieve pressure on natural resources, especially in areas where economic growth necessitates the upgrade of road networks and the provision of low-cost, high-quality housing. This paper outlines the bureaucratic process faced by industry for the reuse of metallurgical slag in South Africa.