21 Years of Projects – Week 6: Mpumalanga Province Air Quality Monitoring Network

Introduction

The Mpumalanga Highveld is one of South Africa’s most critical regions for air quality management. Known for its dense concentration of coal mines, coal-fired power stations, and heavy industry, it faces persistent pollution challenges. Parts of the province are included in the Highveld Priority Area, which regularly features in news reports due to its poor air quality and health impacts.

Project 6 of 21: Mpumalanga AQ Monitoring Network – 2008

In 2008, Gondwana was awarded the tender to establish a provincial air quality monitoring network for Mpumalanga. Our scope of work included:

• Supplying and installing four reference-level monitoring stations,
• Commissioning the stations to ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and
• Managing the network to ensure reliable, high-quality data.

This project reinforced a critical truth: you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Reliable data from these stations provided the foundation for informed policy-making, regulatory enforcement, and public accountability.

Why Monitoring Matters

Air quality monitoring is the first step in effective air quality management. Without accurate data on pollutant concentrations, it’s impossible to design interventions that address the root causes of poor air quality—or to measure the success of policies already in place.

Partner with Us

For over two decades, Gondwana has been designing, installing, and managing ambient air quality monitoring networks across South Africa.

To discuss your requirements, contact us at info@gondwanagroup.co.za or visit our website.

Stay tuned next week for Project 7 of 21 as we continue celebrating 21 years of positive environmental impact.