TZANEEN – Concerns over a recently approved prospecting right on the farm Rooiwater 673 LT near Tzaneen may be exaggerated, according to consulting geologist AJ Long, who said he has extensive experience in the area.

The prospecting application, approved for Mashrik Social Development Consultancy CC, covers portions 1, 2, 3 and the remainder of the farm Rooiwater 673 LT, situated about 15km outside Tzaneen towards Maake.

Water users raised concerns

The approval recently drew criticism from the Letaba Water Users’ Association, which said it had been unaware of the application process and raised concerns about possible environmental and water-related impacts.

Gold potential is limited

However, Long said the property’s mining potential is limited and unlikely to have a significant effect on local water resources.

“The farm Rooiwater, originally owned by Piet Warren but now community-owned as a result of the land claim process, is totally defunct as an agricultural unit,” said Long.

He explained that the prospecting potential is linked to two small gold deposits that he sampled about 30 years ago when his company held an option on the property.

Water use minimal

“If exploited to the full, it would probably only use the water of about 10 normal households, hardly a shocking number,” he said.

Long list of minerals just ‘just in case’

The prospecting application lists a wide range of minerals, including cobalt, lithium, nickel, rare earth elements, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zinc, gemstones and other minerals. Long said such lists are common in prospecting applications.

“The other elements mentioned in the application are typically listed in applications ‘just in case’, but there is no chance of finding anything else on the property that could be economically exploited apart from gold,” he said.

Geologist: Mashrik is a legitimate operator

Long confirmed that he has previously had contact with Mashrik Social Development Consultancy CC. While he could not comment on the company’s current operations, he believes it is a legitimate operator.

“As far as I know, they have been actively prospecting for a couple of decades, so in my opinion, they are legitimate operators,” he said.

Association still seeking answers

The Letaba Water Users’ Association has maintained that it was not informed of the application process and is seeking further information regarding the approval and its potential implications for water users in the area.