Die ekonomiese impak van belasting op mynwater in Suid-Afrika
Abstract
Waterbesoedeling deur myne is 'n groot probleem in Suid-Afrika. Hierdie studie ondersoek die bydrae wat 'n bykomende belasting op die mynwese kan lewer. In die verlede is aandag aan die stygende vraag na waterhulpbronne deur middel van aanbodkantmeganismes gegee. Myne is die grootste besoedelaar van drinkwater in Suid-Afrika en die vraag is of dit steeds die aangewese manier is om die probleem te probeer oplos. Hierdie studie stel voor dat die owerheid eerder 'n bykomende belasting op myne behoort te hef en ondersoek dan wat die uitwerking daarvan op die vraag na water sal wees, sowel as op besoedeling, en watter effek dit op die land se ekonomie, die onderskeie nywerheidsektore en verbruikers sal hê, en in besonder op die heel armes van die bevolking. Dié navorsing het gevorderde ekonomies algemene ewewigsmodellering gebruik om die probleem empiries te ondersoek. Die resultate van die model is beduidend vir die scenario's wat bestudeer is, beide op die kort en die lang termyn. Daar is bevind dat 'n bykomende belastingheffing op die verbruik van water deur myne wel die gewenste resultate sal lewer, met min negatiewe gevolge vir die bedryf en die land as geheel.
The economic impact of taxation on mine water in South Africa
Water pollution by mines is a major problem in South Africa. This study examined the contribution that an additional tax on the consumption of water by the mining industry can provide. In the past, the rising demand for water resources was addressed through supply-side mechanisms. Mines are the biggest polluter of drinking water in South Africa and the question is whether this is still the most appropriate way to address the problem. This study proposes that the authorities should consider an additional tax on mines and investigates the effect it will have on the demand for water, as well as its pollution, and the effect on the country's economy, various industrial sectors and consumers, and in particular the poorest citizens. The research applied advanced economic general equilibrium modelling in its empirical investigation. The results of the modelling are significant both in the short- and long-term scenarios studied. It was found that an additional tax on the consumption of water by mines will produce the desired results, with little negative consequences for the industry and the country as a whole.