Petition launched to stop illegal gold mining in Blyde River
Over 1 500 people have signed a petition urging government to stop illegal gold mining in the Blyde River catchment, warning of water and ecosystem collapse.
HOEDSPRUIT – Concerned residents, conservationists, and local organisations have launched an ongoing petition calling for urgent government action to halt illegal gold mining in the Blyde River catchment, a vital freshwater source.
The petition, started by environmental advocate Lauren Booth of Kruger to Canyons (K2C), has already garnered 1 536 signatures and continues to grow. It is addressed to Dr Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, and urges a coordinated crackdown on illegal mining operations threatening water security, biodiversity, and public health in the region. They aim to collect 2 000 signatures.
Flowing through Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the Blyde River provides drinking water to communities, including Hoedspruit, irrigates fruit-farming areas, supports tourism, and sustains ecosystems within the Kruger National Park, all part of the Unesco-designated Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region.
Experts link dam silt build-up to illegal mining
Recent scientific findings have raised an alarm. A survey revealed that the Blyde Dam has lost around 20% of its storage capacity in just two to three years due to sediment build-up.
Experts have linked the increase in sedimentation primarily to illegal mining along the Blyde and Ohrigstad rivers, where more than 50 unregulated mining sites were identified as of August 2024.
“These operations are flooding the river system with sand and silt, choking the dam and reducing its water capacity,” said Booth on the petition. “This directly threatens water availability for communities, agriculture, and protected areas downstream.”
Conservationists warn of water and health crisis
Environmentalists warn that some illegal miners are using toxic chemicals such as cyanide, posing grave risks to aquatic life, livestock, and residents.
“This is not just an environmental issue; it is a crisis of water security, public health, and governance,” she continued.
The petition calls on the Departments of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Water and Sanitation, and Mineral Resources and Energy to stop illegal mining in the Blyde River catchment, enforce environmental regulations and remove illegal operations; and support long-term restoration of the river and surrounding ecosystems.
Often described as one of South Africa’s cleanest and most scenic rivers, the Blyde is a lifeline for livelihoods, biodiversity, and tourism across the Lowveld. Local organisations warn that without urgent intervention, decades of ecological balance and community well-being could be lost.
“We cannot stand by while this vital water source is destroyed,” concludes Booth. “We must act now to protect the Blyde River, our communities, and our shared future.”
