Community up in arms over proposed coal mine
Mining company Minetek Resources' application to embark on an open pit coal mining operation close to and upwind of Newcastle’s Western boundary has sparked heated debates across the community.
The proposed operation will affect various farms on the west of Newcastle, namely Craig, Glen Ashton, Hawarden, and Dunblane.
The public meeting in the Town Hall on Saturday (November 11) between residents and Minetek Resources ,heard that the operation will comprise the digging of around seven open pits. The coal will be crushed, screened, and sorted on-site; however, no on-site washing of the coal is proposed.
Due to the mine’s upwind location near suburban areas including Lennoxton, Amiel Park, Aviary Hill, and Hutten Heights, locals and business owners are concerned about the detrimental effects the mine will have on the town’s infrastructure and ecology.
“That the beautiful, pristine environment we have become used to will be left as a gutted, grey wasteland much as that of the nearby Durnacol and Ballengeich mines,” said Dr. Wilson, owner of Grey goose lodge.
As a health professional, he is worried about the health of the half a million people who call Newcastle home.
“During the windy months, there will be dust everywhere. It gets into your hair, into your saliva, into your washing. What about the people who already have lung diseases? They will be coughing up coal dust. It will be an environmental disaster, “he stated.
Mandy Austin from Majuba Lodge, owner of the Survey Monkey Workshop also commented against the proposed coal mine.
“The air quality report indicates that our air quality will be affected in a 40 km radius from the mine site. That covers the whole of Newcastle. Our water and groundwater will be affected. The noise pollution from blasting and big mining machines operating around the clock will affect us, she said.”
Sthembiso Zulu of Minetek Resources told the meeting that ‘it is everyone’s democratic right to hate mining but on the other side, some people will get something out of it.’ “Think of all the jobs, the reduction in crime because the kids on drugs will have employment, and so on!! “
According to the report, the construction phase will create an estimated 350 full time jobs and the operational phase will create 152 permanent jobs.
However, Dr Wilson questioned the decision to mine so close to the town area and against Grey Goose where we teach children to play again and to be happy in nature. We also train agricultural students in organic farming (farming God’s (nature’s way).
“Coal mining will be a choice between money (and greed) and the environment (and pollution),” he remarked.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) phase where people can add their comments period ends this Friday (November 17) and thereafter the public cannot add their comments. (See our online article posted on Monday on how to add your comment.)
Have your say on proposed Newcastle Coal Mine
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