VEREENIGING. – Information about a proposed mining rights application in the Vereeniging/Meyerton area and the draft impact assessment report thereof will be shared during several open days in April.
The first of these heated meetings took place at the Arcon Park Primary School on 6 April, with many residents expressing their disapproval of the proposed mining project on their doorstep.
This follows after Glubay Coal (Pty) Ltd, an affiliate company of Canyon Resources submitted applications for mining rights
and environmental authorisation.
Glubay wants to establish two collieries – the Vlakfontein Mine and Springfield Mine – on the farms Damfontein, Kookfontein, Vlakfontein, Waldrif and Smaldeel.
The area is primarily situated between the R59 highway and the R82 (Old Johannesburg Road), between Vereeniging and Meyerton, but also stretches west of the R82.
Glubay says the project will create 550 jobs – 300 at the larger Springfield Mine and 250 at the smaller Vlakfontein Mine.
Residents of neighbouring areas, including Arcon Park, Waldrif, Falcon Ridge, Springcol, Harmoniesrus, Houtkop, Unitaspark, Vaalkop,
Van der Merweskroon, Rustter-Vaal and Roshnee are concerned about the mines proximity to residential areas, as well as the expected
impact on neighbouring communities. Residents of rural areas neighbouring the proposed mining site has also expressed concern over possible contamination of underground water resources. The loss of value of agricultural land, the negative impact on propery, the socio-economic impact, the displacement of business, the impact on biodiversity and sensitive ecological areas, noise pollution, blasting, vibrations and the impact on air quality as well as water quality are some of the main concerns than have been raised by residents.
Concerns have also been expressed over the impact that mining would have on the Redan Rock Art Site, a rock art site near Redan, which features between 200 and 300 engravings from the Iron Age. The site was declared as a national monument in 1971 and it protected in
terms of the National Heritage Resources Act.
Interested and affected parties are invited to attend the following open days where the draft invironmental impact assessment report will be presented.
*Saturday, 13 April between 09:00 and 17:00 at the Rothdene Town Hall.
* Saturday 20 April between 09:00 and 17:00 at the Sicelo Community Hall.