Ceylon gold mine proposal sparks controversy in Sabie
A proposed gold mine near Ceylon Village is sparking controversy, with supporters saying it will bring much-needed jobs and economic development, while opponents are raising concerns.
“We desperately need jobs and development, such as the proposed Ceylon gold mine outside of town. Every effort to try and stop the development will be resisted with the full force we have available,” said Elias Mokwana, secretary of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Thaba Chweu region.
Mokwana added that it appears the community is being ‘bullied by a few arrogant beneficiaries of a colonial apartheid system who feel entitled to oppose any means of economic emancipation of an African child.’
He was reacting to objections submitted to the proposed open-cast gold mine near Ceylon Village, about 5km from town.
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Lowvelder previously reported on an application by Ceylon Ventures (Pty) Ltd for a licence to mine gold on Safcol-owned property.
The 5ha site is located on rugged, steep terrain less than 1km from the scenic Bridal Veil Waterfall.
According to a basic assessment report (BAR) compiled by Signa Group, planned activities include excavation, blasting and ore stockpiling. The report states that between five and 10 jobs will be created over the mine’s lifespan.
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“We, as the Sabie Chamber of Commerce and Tourism (SCCT), support any business that is legal, environmentally compliant and contributes to local job creation. To date, the SCCT has not objected to the application, as we await further information,” said Marius Brummer, a representative of the SCCT.
“We were not aware of the application until we were informed by a third party,” said Nokuthula Makaringe, Safcol’s senior manager of communication and marketing.
“We have submitted a formal objection and comments on the published BAR. The land is designated as state forest land in terms of the National Forest Act (Act 84 of 1998), which specifically prohibits mining activity,” she said.
