More info needed on proposed mining activities near Marloth

HECTORSPRUIT – Hundreds of people are still passionately opposed to the proposed mining in the area and filled the hall of the local Disaster Management Centre on Sunday for a public meeting with the applicants and their consultants.

During the meeting, several people put forward that millions of litres of water would be needed for the mining operation. With the fact that the area was already under severe restrictions, thousands of hectares of agricultural land could be negatively affected and many jobs lost, as well as the possibility that the environment could be severely impacted.

Very few of these concerns were addressed at the meeting. Kenneth Singo of Singo Consulting stated that a few studies and a water licence application were still being conducted.

The meeting erupted in chaos a few minutes in, with people shouting questions and half of the attendees walking out mid-meeting in protest over a lack of facts on the process.

The application for mining rights over close to 18 000 hectares between Komatipoort and Marloth Park came under the attention of residents and other stakeholders at the end of May. This resulted in mass action to register as interested parties and lodge complaints and objections against the application.

READ: Much objection against mining next to Marloth Park

According to Singo, they received around 3 800 emails on the issue.

Out of a hall full of attendees, only one had received the draft environmental impact assessment (EIA) before the meeting, who described it as flimsy.

As various stakeholders requested or went to search for the documents in vain, Cindy Benson of the Marloth Park Ratepayers Association visited the Komatipoort Library with representatives of the applicants on Monday to confirm if the documents were available as advertised.

Although several supporting documents containing some of the studies were available, the EIA was not. The representatives promised Benson that the documents would be available soon and be left at the library for 30 days to be consulted before another public participation meeting is held.

READ: Plans for the Special Economic Zone in Komatipoort well underway

Interested and affected parties (IAP) were originally required to register and comment on the draft EIA by July 19, but in the latest document the deadline date was June 19.

After the walkout, the remaining attendees requested that the consultants proceed with their presentation on the project’s scope and progress of the specialist studies conducted. These include ones on air quality, biodiversity, hydrological study, blasting and vibration, noise, heritage and traffic.

Singo explained that an application was made for mining rights on almost 18 000 hectares of land stretching from Marloth Park to south of the N4, close to the Mananga Road, Komatipoort and the Crocodile River.

However, they only plan to use about 20 hectares for an open cast mine with two incline shafts, the offices and related buildings and about 13 000 for underground mining, as coal seams had been found at a depth of 120 to 150 metres.

They proposed that the open cast mine be located on the Tecklenburg’s Ranch 548 JU Portion, which is located about 10 kilometres from Hectorspruit, in the Coopersdal/Strydomblok area.

According to the consultants, the proposed mining area is not a sensitive area and contains only bush.

READ: 10 plants that purify the air in your environment

Singo stated that the concerns and information received from affected parties would be recorded in their report to the Department of Mineral Resources, who would grant or refuse the application.

An application for water rights is also being done simultaneously, as it usually takes around 300 days for the process and requires regular studies on, amongst others, seasonal water availability.

The consultants told attendees that the next meeting with stakeholders and interested parties is set to be held in about 45 days, which would be in mid-August.