Much objection against mining next to Marloth Park
An application to mine 17 975 hectares between Marloth Park and Komatipoort has resurfaced, and residents and stakeholders can now lodge their complaints in regards to the environmental impact.
MARLOTH PARK – Residents and stakeholders were adamantly against an application to mine 17 975 hectares in the area at a short-lived public participation meeting on Tuesday morning.
The application was lodged by Manzolwandle Investments, which had Marloth Park residents up in arms in August. At that time, more than 300 letters were sent in from interested and affected parties, the majority objecting.
READ: Residents determined to stop mining near Marloth Park
Several people received emails on Monday afternoon inviting them to a public participation meeting at the Engen Garage in Hectorspruit on Tuesday morning and, despite the short notice, a group mobilised.
They were greeted by representatives of Singo Consulting, who are doing an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and then informed them that only residents of Mjejane were supposed to attend.
This caused an uproar and several attendees remarked on the irregular nature of proceedings.
It was decided to adjourn the meeting and arrange another in Marloth Park to ensure all affected parties could attend.
The consultants hope to host meetings in the various areas that would be affected and need to do so before July 19, when all comments need to be in.
The proposed mining area encompasses “Tenbosch 162 JU (excluding portion 46, 74, & 90), all portions (excluding 01) of the farm Vyeboom 414 JU, all portions of the farm Turfbult 593 JU and all the portions of the farm Tecklenburg’s Ranch 548 JU”. This stretches from the edge of Marloth Park to the edge of Komatipoort.
The application is for open cast and underground mining of coal, pseudo-coal and torbanite or oil shale resources. The mine is expected to have a lifespan of 30 years.
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An aeromagnetic survey of the area was done in 2012 and studies into the area’s mining potential done in subsequent years, leading to this application.
Many nearby residents are concerned about the potential environmental impact. The EIA by Singo Consulting will include specialist studies on air quality, biodiversity, blasting and vibration, hydrological studies, risk assessment, heritage and traffic management.
The draft document will be available from June 20 to July 19 at the Komatipoort Public Library or from Singo Consulting on 013-692-0041.
Community members can register as interested and affected parties and then raise their concerns or provide suggestions to enhance the benefits of the proposed project.
Denis Goffinet, chairman of the Marloth Park Property Owners Association, said residents are determined to fight the application, as they have done several times. At the meeting, several of them confirmed this standpoint to Corridor Gazette.
However, other local communities in Nkomazi hope that the project will succeed as the creation for more jobs is sorely needed.
