Residents on warpath over proposed mine

Residents on the outskirts of eMalahleni are enraged about plans for a new mine opening right on their doorstep.

Residents from Jackaroo Park, Riverview, Blancheville, Highveld Park and small holdings around the area as far as on the R555, calling themselves Concerned Residents of Witbank (CROW) attended a meeting on Tuesday, May 28 where several concerns were raised.

Residents’ concerns were centred on the issues of noise pollution, dust pollution, rehabilitation, traffic on the R555 and deterioration of roads, crime and potential damage to property.

“Approximately 2 000 houses would be affected by the mining should it go ahead,” said Mr Piet Cromhout who convened the meeting together with Mr Whitey Zwart, chairman of Blancheville Community Policing Forum.

During the meeting Mr Adam Gunn from Gunn Attorneys was introduced.

Mr Gunn started his career at Webber Wentzel Bowens where he obtained valuable experience in commercial, mining, environmental and property law. This made him the obvious choice to represent the community and render advice and the way forward.

He identified the mining company that wants to mine just behind Deborah Street in Jackaroo Park as Very Quick Mining (Pty) Ltd.

“Very Quick Mining appointed Singo Consulting to conduct and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), compile an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and undertake a Public Participation Process (PPP),” he explained.

All these processes are done to acquire environmental authorization for the proposed mining permit application within Portion RE of the Farm Kromdraai 292 JS.

Mining activities will be undertaken over a period of two years.

Very Quick Mining plans to do an open cast method of excavation.

“The mine design will be developed according to the dimension of the coal deposit within the project area, but overall mining activities will be limited to an area of 5ha as per mining permit requirements. The top soil will be stockpiled elsewhere on site preferably next to the farm boundary and will be used during the rehabilitation period. Once a box cut has been made, the overburden and mineral resources where necessary will be loosened by blasting. The loosened material will then be loaded onto trucks by excavators. A haul road will be situated at the side of the pit, forming a ramp up where trucks can drive, carrying ore and waste rock. Waste rock will be piled up at the surface, near the edge of the open pit (waste dump). The waste dump will be tiered and stepped, to minimize degradation. All the activities will be guided by the project’s EMP such that the project does not impact the environment negatively,” Mr Livhuwani Sigwadi, junior consultant at Singo Consulting explained.

Mr Gunn’s first step in stopping the mine from mining is to lodge an objection at the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

WITBANK NEWS asked the department for a response, but by the time going to print no reply was received.

Ward councilor, Mr Willie van Dyk said the municipality is going to oppose the mining permit application.

Ms Henryette Jacobs that lives in Jackaroo Park said they have a non-stop fight against mining activities in their suburb.

“We have been fighting tooth and nail to address mining activities in the area. If it is not slurry dams breaking and flooding our homes, it is acid water running down our streets,” she said.

The proposed mine will be Ms Alesha Naidoo’s direct neighbor as she stays closest to the area identified for mining.

“We bought our house three years ago because Jackaroo Park is a peaceful and quiet neighborhood. I never would have bought a house here if I knew that some mine intends to mine right next to me. This mining idea is outrageous,” she said.

Ms Naidoo left a bit of food for thought, “Why does the DMR or even developers in this area not take the area and transform it into a beautiful park, which we do not have many of in the city. A park would add value to the community.”

If you want to join CROW in an effort to stop mining close to residential areas around the R555, contact Mr Zwart on 082 459 9030.