Environmentalists are up in arms because the Department of Environmental Affairs gave the company Alkemu Precision permission to start prospecting in the Klerkskraal area earlier this year.
The Federation for a Sustainable Environment (FSE) has appealed against the decision, however,
According to the FSE’s CEO, Ms Mariette Liefferink, the essence of the FSE’s concern is that this dam is the source of the Mooi River and Potchefstroom’s potable water.
“The assessment of the impacts of mining in this area should fully consider the environmental sensitivity of the area, the overall environmental and socio-economic costs and benefits of mining and the potential strategic importance of the minerals to the country,” she says.
She added that such a mine would add to the pollution that has already taken place in the upstream in the Wonderfonteinspruit, which joins the Mooi River.
Other environmentalists from the area, like Mr Eric Stoch, are also alarmed about a new mine at this site. Among other things, they complain that the public participation process took place between 21 November and 21 December 2018, when many people were away on holiday.
Legislation embargoes the period between 15 December and 5 January for such purposes.
The area where the prospecting is to be done is also dolomitic, which could lead to further problems.