VEREENIGING – Community members staged a picket along the R82 (Old Johannesburg Road) on May 26, voicing opposition to proposed coal mining developments between Vereeniging and Meyerton.

This comes after environmental authorisation was granted earlier this year for Glubay Coal’s Springfield, Redan Siding, and Vlakfontein mining projects, which would span the corridor between the R59 and R82 routes.

The approval, issued by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, permitted Glubay Coal to proceed with mining activities, subject to conditions and a limited appeal window.

The projects are expected to generate approximately 550 jobs, but have been met with sustained opposition since initial applications were lodged in 2023.

“Green jobs, not greed jobs”

At Tuesday’s picket, protesters carried placards expressing strong opposition to the mines. Slogans included “Stop polluting our air and water,” “Green jobs not greed jobs,” “RIP Coal Mine: Let coal rest in peace,” and “What have we achieved?”

Some demonstrators also carried refuse bins labelled “Trash Bin for Coal” in symbolic rejection of the project.

Appeals process underway

 According to Yusuf Sather, a Roshnee resident and member of the Coalition, the formal appeal process is now underway.

“We have submitted our appeal documents,” he said. “Glubay has requested time to review about 4 000 pages. They haven’t come back to us yet. This process could take up to six months.”

Sather added that the group has opposed the mining proposal since 2019 and believes the environmental authorisation was granted despite extensive community objections.

Water, agriculture and heritage concerns

Residents living on agricultural holdings near the proposed sites say the mine threatens water security and farming livelihoods.

Paul Ernst, who lives on an agricultural holding, said most households in the area depend on borehole water. “If blasting starts, the underground water will be affected. The whole area depends on boreholes. This is not viable for mining,” he said.

He added that the area includes farms, schools and care facilities within proximity of the proposed sites, warning that existing air quality concerns would worsen.

Thapelo Chaka echoed concerns about water use and contamination, saying open-cast mining would compete directly with residents for already limited groundwater resources.

“We are already struggling with water. The mine will use the same borehole water, and in most cases, mines pollute it,” he said.

Chaka also questioned whether proper public participation had taken place, arguing that communities rely heavily on agriculture and cannot coexist with large-scale mining operations.

Pollution fears and heritage concerns

Residents further raised concerns about cumulative industrial pollution in the region, citing nearby operations such as ArcelorMittal, Samancor smelters, Sasol, and the Lethabo Power Station.

Sather warned that groundwater contamination and structural damage from blasting could have longterm consequences for homes and infrastructure.

He also pointed to the nearby Averda landfill site as an example of existing environmental pressure in the area.

Christopher Stols, who runs a flower business in Bethany Bloom, said any disruption to water supply would directly threaten agricultural businesses in the region.

Long-running dispute

Opposition groups say the current conflict is the latest chapter in a dispute that has been ongoing for more than a decade, with repeated attempts to launch mining operations in the area.

Sather noted that the land was historically developed around earlier coal mining activity, but argued that modern residential expansion has fundamentally changed the context.

“This area is now surrounded by communities. Restarting mining here is not reasonable anymore,” he said.

If appeals against the environmental authorisation fail, Glubay Coal will still need to secure additional approvals, including water use and land use licences, before mining can begin.

For now, residents say their opposition will continue as the legal process unfolds.