TZANEEN – Concerns over water security, biodiversity, and long-term livelihoods prompted a strong community response to a recent mining prospecting proposal, culminating in the withdrawal of the application by Consulting Evolution Mining (Pty) Ltd (CEM).

An information evening titled “What Happens in the Wolkberg Affects Us All” was held at the Haenertsburg Village Hall on Tuesday, January 27, organised by Mountain Environmental Watch (MEW) in partnership with Friends of Haenertsburg Grasslands (FroHG).

Residents from Haenertsburg and surrounding areas attended to learn more about CEM’s application for prospecting rights on three privately owned farms: Allandale, Paeroa, and Fountain Head, located above the village in the upper Letaba Catchment. The company sought permission to prospect for copper, gold, iron, nickel, and tungsten ores.

The application was discovered by a local farmer on January 8, who alerted MEW. The organisations quickly convened the meeting to ensure the community was informed about the proposal, the legal process, and the environmental sensitivity of the area.

At the meeting, MEW chairperson Anita Willis urged residents to register as interested and affected parties (I&APs), regardless of whether they supported or opposed mining.

“Registration gives communities legal standing, access to information, and the right to comment, object, and participate in hearings. Of particular concern is that the proposed prospecting area falls within a strategic water source area, placing water security for Haenertsburg and downstream communities at risk,” she said.

Vince Egan from the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) outlined the location of the proposed sites in relation to the Haenertsburg Nature Reserve and nearby residential areas.

He noted that much of the land falls within Woodbush Granite Grassland, a critically endangered ecosystem, and includes critical biodiversity areas, making it highly sensitive to disturbance.

Following the meeting, CEM submitted a letter to the Limpopo Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources withdrawing its prospecting rights application.

Dzivhuluwani Takalani, principal mining engineer and director at CEM, explained that the company recognised the environmental sensitivity of the area and the potential impacts of prospecting on both the environment and society.