Save Rietvlei activists, Corobrik all await department’s call on appeal
The outcome of an appeal lodged by activists and objectors to stop coal mining close to Rietvlei Dam and reserve is still hanging in the air as two government departments process this appeal. In the meantime, brick-producer Corobrik is putting mitigating factors in place as per the environmental authorisation they have received from the Department
The future of Rietvlei Dam and the adjacent reserve is still up in the air as brick manufacturer Corobrik is still awaiting the outcome of the appeal against its application to mine coal nearby.
Activists have objected to a Corobrik application to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) for permission to mine coal deposits at its open-cast clay brick production facility on Delmas Road.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is evaluating the objections and Corobrik must wait for the outcome before it can apply to mine coal.
Corobrik has however submitted an environmental plan as the first step toward making an application for a licence to mine coal at their quarry premises.
The company has received a go-ahead from the DMRE to implement this plan.
The plan was part of the final basic assessment report and environmental management programme submitted by Corobrik to the department.
“The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has given us an approved Environment Authorisation subject to the outcome of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment appeal hearing,” said Nick Booth, CEO of Corobrik.
On July 31 Greenpeace Africa mobilised community members, partners, volunteers, activists, and interested parties to join a peaceful march to the DMRE to hand over a petition of over 52 000 signatures demanding that Corobrik stop mining coal at Rietvlei.
The protesters said mining coal would pollute local water sources and air exacerbating the pollution from the already operational quarry in the area.
Booth told Rekord that in the meantime Corobrik will continue to implement the environmental plan it submitted to the department.
He said the plan was submitted after a public participatory process started in the last few months of 2023 during which Corobrik submitted an environmental impact study to members of the public and interested parties.
The DMRE gave the brick manufacturer the go-ahead to implement the mitigating actions proposed in this plan in February this year.
The authorisation was the first step towards the department licensing the mine.
“The environmental plan has always been part of the clay mining process and will be adjusted, where necessary, to accommodate for the removal of coal from the site,” said Booth.
“To this end, we will continue to use the mitigation measures we already have in place for the clay mining operation, which have been effectively implemented for over 40 years, with no complaints during this time.”
Activists working to save Rietvlei, however, have a few complaints of their own.
Cynthia Moyo, spokesperson for Greenpeace Africa, said the organisation is very unhappy about how the DMRE is handling the petition.
“The chief director of Northern Regions, Modilati Malapane, received our petition, and in front of everyone present, she promised us that they would respond in seven working days. It has been more than 80 days now, and we have not heard from them. We have sent several follow-up emails, but there has been no response to date,” she said.
To her, this is really disappointing “because the department is simply shutting us out and failing to honour their commitment of seven days”.
She pointed out that as a nation, South Africa is already experiencing extreme weather events that have displaced people, caused loss of life, and impacted the health and well-being of the population.
“These events have been exacerbated by global warming, to which coal mining significantly contributes. Does the department really care about the community’s well-being? Because 83 days of silence suggests otherwise,” said an angry Moyo.
Greenpeace Africa also took part in a march against coal mining countrywide which was held by Defend the Defenders in Pretoria in October.
She feels the consequences of a coal mine at Rietvlei will disproportionately affect marginalised communities who will bear the brunt of environmental degradation, industrial pollution and the impacts of climate change.
“We cannot sit back and allow profit-driven decisions to sacrifice the well-being of our most vulnerable. Our strength lies in our collective voice and our determination to hold decision-makers accountable. We must stand together to protect Rietvlei Nature Reserve, keeping the wildlife, ecosystem and community safe and say NO to Corobrik and its coal mining! Together we can protect our environment for ourselves and future generations,” she concluded.
Questions put by Rekord to the DMRE have been unanswered.
Questions have also been forwarded to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment but no answers have been received by the time of publication.
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