Komati mine plans discussed by mining company

MALALANE – He will continue to follow the correct procedure of compliance, said Phillip Mkhatshwa, a director of Manzolwane Investments. The latter is the mining company behind the recently much- publicised proposed mine south of the N4 between the turn-off to Marloth Park and Komatipoort.

There should be no doubt that his company will abide by all required environmental regulations, even though its appointed geologist and environmental impact assessment practitioners, Singo Consulting, have since withdrawn from the project. This followed after a criminal case was laid against them for presenting some allegedly fraudulent documentation on the project for public perusal.

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Mkhatshwa said this does not at all mean that the mining project is now shelved. The correct environmental processes will still be followed to the letter before they commence with the mine.
Much was recently reported on a planned coal and anthracite mining venture south of the N4 on the Coopersdal Road. Some time ago the investigative news programme, Carte Blanche looked into the matter and sometime later the Sunday news programme, Fokus on SABC aired two inserts investigating the feasibility of such a venture so close to the Kruger National Park.
In both instances reference was made to Manzolwandle Investments as a small and unknown outfit. Questions were asked about the capability of such a company to handle such a vast project. This was followed by the alleged insufficient environmental impact assessment (EIA), and criminal charges were laid against the consultants, due to alleged plagiarism, by AfriForum and the Marloth Park Ratepayers Association.
In reaction to this, Manzolwandle said their application for prospecting rights had already been approved by Department of Mineral Resources in 2009. Renewed focus on the project flared up recently when they engaged in the prescribed process of public participation.

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Mkhatshwa said Manzolwandle engaged with the landowners where the proposed mine will be established, which are the Sphumele Trust, the Lugedlane Trust and the Hhoyr Tribal Authority that represent the three affected communities of beneficiaries from the tribal council of Siboshwa, Lugedlane and Hhoyi.
Drilling was done on the proposed site in 20l4 and 20l5 with some more boreholes done later.
This year four more boreholes were done when Singo Consulting was appointed as geologist and the EIA practitioner, with the belief that this is a competent company to render such a service.
Singo started the process of public participation with a meeting with the community of Mjejane, but there were complaints of too short notice and another meeting was arranged with the prescribed notice 30 days in advance. This notice was duly published in Lowvelder.
Many people from the surrounding areas attended this meeting. Many questions were asked and Mkhatshwa feels Singo was not given a proper chance to state its case or make a proper presentation.

The main complaint was that no EIA documentation was ready for public scrutiny. Once available, this document was found allegedly false and incomplete and criminal charges were laid.

This matter will be investigated and, if necessary, properly rectified to further the process correctly even if another consultancy has to be appointed, he told Corridor Gazette.
Mkhatshwa said the proposed site is more than 10 kilometres from Marloth Park, the residents of which are the most concerned. Others are Komatipoort and the Barfor Zone.
Manzolwandle Investements is quite aware that the state required that no opencast activity will take place closer than 100 metres from any key national point. They would like the tourism sector and those from Marloth Park to avail any by-laws that prevent activities any further away than that.
The proposed mining area is within the Tecklenburg Ranch and will entail approximately to 200 hectares of opencast mining. The other areas, such as Tenbosch portions as well as the Turfbult portions, shall be mined underground if approved by the relevant authorities.
Manzolwandle wants to ensure that no agricultural or any tourism activities on the surface are being hindered in the process. This simply cannot be afforded, due to the important employment role it is playing in these local communities.
Manzolwanlde wants to ensure creation of further job opportunities among these local communities. The project allows for 90 per cent skilled and unskilled opportunities for these people. Only 10 per cent skilled or legal appointments will be allowed from outside Nkomazi.

Mkhatshwa said the proposed exploration sites belong to the community, and should be regarded as such. He believes the project is being plagued by miscommunication and misinterpretation. The Marloth Park land, as well as the Ngwenya Lodge land, are not part of the affected areas.

“The problems experienced this far will not prevent them from fulfilling this dream. Our government has passed laws such as a BBBEE investment policy to the benefit especially of emerging mining companies such as Manzolwandle, as a historically disadvantaged company.

 

“We respond to that policy since the state president of our country in his State of the Nation Address made a call to all investors and business people to join hands with our government to create job opportunities and investments so that we all improve in the challenging economy currently faced by our country,” Mkhatshwa said.

He said he knows where AfriForum comes from and that it represents only a small percentage of the people. He said it amazes him that it is so concerned about the possibility of dust and smoke pollution from the new mine, while the serious air pollution in the Onderberg caused daily by the burning of cane fields, so it clearly does not pose a problem.

He assured the Marloth Park and other lobby groups that the doors of Manzolwandle Investments will remain open to all concerned about this matter and for discussions in this regard.