The Save, Serve and Protect Newcastle (SSPN) non-profit Organisation says it is continuing its long-running battle against what it describes as an ‘onslaught of coal mining applications‘ in the greater Newcastle region – applications the group believes could cause lasting harm to the area’s environment and future.

Kush Singh and Mandy Austin said the organisation is tracking what is believed to be hundreds of new mining applications across the magisterial areas of Newcastle, Utrecht and Vryheid.

Of these, 60 fall in the Amajuba District and more than 30 have already been approved.

They noted ongoing concerns around the quality of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, stating that many applications include discrepancies between the EIA Practitioner’s reports and the specialised reports.

These inconsistencies, she said, often lead to misinformation being used in the decision-making process.

Given their close proximity to town, they said the proposed mines will have devastating effects on both the local ecosystem and the community once operational.

“These mines bring about air and water pollution which could result in a sharp increase in respiratory issues, skin conditions and even more serious diseases, especially for children and the elderly,” they said.

“In addition to these health risks, the mines could contaminate vital water resources that extend beyond Newcastle. The community is facing a real risk and needs to understand the devastating impacts that come with an influx of operational mines.”

They reiterated that EIA reports are not being conducted properly – again highlighting the discrepancies between the practitioner and specialised reports.

The organisation’s immediate concerns include repeated applications for mining along the D96, as well as a municipal gravel pit proposed behind the Fernwood and Paradise areas.

These locations fall within flood-prone zones along the Ncandu River.

“Should these plans go ahead, we will almost certainly experience even worse flooding than we have during the rainy seasons,” they warned. “The air will be completely polluted, meaning residents will become more ill as they will be living right across from the blasting and mining. This will pose a serious risk to their health. Once blasting begins, who knows what will happen to the suburbs in front of the mine or the pit? There is a very real chance that the blasting could cause sinkholes, which would put residents in immediate danger.”

They concluded by stressing that the organisation is not opposed to mining in principle, but wants applications and approvals to be handled legally and in areas that do not threaten people, animals or biodiversity.

The Newcastle Advertiser will be publishing a series of articles examining the expected impact of the proposed mines on the community.

Report slams mining project proposals

The Save, Serve and Protect Newcastle organisation (SSPN) has compiled a detailed report critically examining the proposed Newcastle mining projects, raising major environmental, socio-economic and human rights concerns.

According to the report, the proposed coal mining activity violates several constitutional rights, including the rights to life, dignity, property, public participation and an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being, as set out in Section 24 of the Constitution.

The organisation argues that the project is inconsistent with key environmental legislation, including the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the National Water Act, due to its potential impact on water security, ecosystems and biodiversity.

The SSPN’s Kush Singh said the mining developments infringe on several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), including the right to life and security (Article 3), the right to property (Article 17), and the right to an adequate standard of living (Article 25), given the associated risks of displacement, pollution and loss of livelihoods.

Concerns were also raised about transparency.

“The lack of openness in the decision-making process, along with the suppression of community participation, undermines the rights to freedom of expression and assembly (Articles 19 and 20 of the UDHR). The mine further contradicts South Africa’s international commitments under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).”

Singh added that the proposed mining poses severe risks to both food and water security, with long-term consequences for local communities and agricultural sustainability.

Water security risks

According to the report, the mining operations will have a profound impact on water security, including groundwater depletion, contamination of surface water and the destruction of wetlands.

“Acid mine drainage, heavy metal pollution and increased sedimentation threaten water quality, making it unsafe for consumption, irrigation and livestock use.

The diversion of water resources for mining activities is likely to worsen existing scarcity, further depriving communities of access to clean water.

This amounts to a violation of national water regulations and international human rights standards that recognise access to clean water as a basic right.”

Food security risks

The SSP also warns that the mine threatens high-potential agricultural land, leading to irreversible soil degradation and reduced crop yields.

The loss of fertile land will severely affect food production, undermining both regional and national food security.

Contamination from mining operations may render nearby farmland unusable, further reducing the availability of safe, productive agricultural land.

Such outcomes undermine South Africa’s commitments under the National Development Plan, which prioritises food security and sustainable land use.

“These violations highlight the urgent need for legal action, stronger enforcement of environmental laws, and accountability to uphold constitutional and international human rights standards,” Singh concluded.

The Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs has been asked to comment on the SSPN’s report. Their response will be published once received.