Experts share concerns over mining in Nkomazi at business chamber meeting
The focus of the recent business chamber meeting was mining in Nkomazi and business people and community members packed the Kambaku Golf Club's clubhouse to get advice and guidance on the topic.
KOMATIPOORT – More than 300 people of the business and related community attended a special business chamber meeting on mining at Kambaku Golf Club last Thursday.
The focus was the mining application by Manzolwandle Investments, which concerns about 18 000 hectares bordering the Kruger National Park, nature reserves, agricultural land and Marloth Park.
READ: More info needed on proposed mining activities near Marloth
The Nkomazi East Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Association (NECCTA) and the Malalane Business Chamber decided to make mining the topic of their monthly gathering after hundreds of people cited their opposition to the project and wanted more information on how applications work.
The meeting was co-hosted by the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT), an affiliate of both business chambers, and the Nkomazi Local Tourism Organisation, which is also concerned about the impact of mining on the thriving tourism industry in the area.
READ: Private sector challenged to develop more tourism attractions in Nkomazi
Linda Grimbeek, the KLCBT’s chief operating officer, directed the meeting and explained that the organisation currently knows of four different mining applications in the Lowveld.
She stressed that the aim of the meeting was to inform interested parties of the process and pitfalls in order to make an informed decision on whether they support or oppose the mining operation in the area.
The main speaker was Robert Davel of Mpumalanga Agriculture, as he had experience of the processes due to a recent application in the Highveld.
He explained that there are five focus areas to an application: the environmental impact assessment, labour, economic impact, land affairs and safety.
Several laws should also be taken into consideration, such as the Mineral Rights Act, the Water Act, Environmental Acts and municipal by-laws.
READ: Plans for the Special Economic Zone in Komatipoort well underway
In Mpumalanga Agriculture and their affiliated farmers’ experience in the Highveld, “it is not nice” to farm next to a mining operation due to factors like pollution.
Davel urged concerned parties to closely monitor that the correct procedures are followed from the start. He also said that it is the affected parties’ right and responsibility to register as an interested and affected party to ensure that they are consulted and the process is fair.
He also advised the concerned parties that separate consultation processes for the different impact areas, such as the environmental impact assessment, should be arranged to ensure that all aspects are properly considered and investigated.
The meeting discussed the following areas of concern
• How large will the mine actually be?
• What will the effect on the surface and groundwater be?
• How much water will they need, where will they get it and what will they do with the waste?
• What will the effect on infrastructure, such as the roads, be?
• What will the effect of dust on sensitive crops be?
• Does the company have the budget and will to manage their environmental management plan?
• What will they do after the mine’s lifetime expires to keep the area from becoming a den of zama zamas and a crime hotspot?
Most of this information should be available in the environmental impact assessment and specialist studies.
The documents that were available up to the meeting with the applicant and their consultants last Sunday, seemed to raise more questions than any answers.
The concerned parties hope to thoroughly study the documents before the next public consultation meeting.
Davel urged the community to stand together and to involve and consult traditional leaders.
The meeting resolved that everyone affected should register with the company and a suitable lawyer be contacted to assist on behalf of the interested and affected parties.
The KLCBT announced a few days later that well-known attorney Richard Spoor had agreed to assist the interested and affected parties. READ about it here: More groups oppose Marloth mine proposal
The business chamber usually hosts their meetings every third or fourth week of the month. They invite expert speakers to speak on hot topics in the area ranging from new developments like the SEZ to rhino poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park.
For more information on the local business chambers or to become a member, contact the KLCBT on 013-755-1988 during office hours or send an email to tourism@klcbt.co.za.
