Communities standing firm against West Wits Mining
A scientific team is on board to study the reports released by West Wits Mining
The Roodepoort Communities Against Mining Campaign (CAM) is in the process of securing a scientific team to study the various assessment reports that have been released by West Wits Mining. According to a report released by CAM officials, the community remains united in its approach to this project, and the negatives of mining in South Africa and elsewhere totally outweigh the positives for the community. CAM is drumming up support in its bid to oppose the open cast mining in the mining rights application of the Australian-based West Wits Mining.
The areas affected by this project include Florida, Hamberg, Georginia South, Cresswell Park, Fleurhof, Meadowlands, Soweto, Matholiesville, Goudrand, Witpoortjie, the Roodepoort CBD and certain commercial and industrial areas. Places of worship like mosques and churches and a number of schools are located in the affected areas.
Read the initial article here: Mining contract applied for on Albertina Sisulu/ Main Reef Road
According to the report, SLR Consulting has released its Basic Assessment Report (BAR) and the Scoping Report (SR) or Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to West Wits Mining. “The reports are obviously written from the perspective of the mining group and their investors. CAM wants an objective study of the same documents from the perspective of the concerned residents,” the CAM report reads.
Representatives from the Human Rights Commission as well as the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) have also pledged their support. CAM is not receiving any support from scientific and mining specialists, but more communities in the surrounding area have joined the campaign. “Representatives from Fleurhof, Soweto, Matholiesville and Riverlea are joining this mass movement.”
If you want to join the mass action against the mining, send your details to info@georginiasrf.co.za.
The BAR, and the other reports prepared by Malan Scholes, will be made available to interested and affected parties from 1 June to 2 July. Copies of the reports will be placed at the Roodepoort Civic Centre, 100 Christiaan de Wet Road, Florida Park; at Witpoortjie Library, 22 Payne Street, Witpoortjie; and at the Sol Plaatjes Hall, 1960 Motlaka Street, Sol Plaatjes.
Contact Malan Scholes on 011 718 4600 for an electronic copy of the BAR to be emailed or provided on CD. All comments on the BAR should be submitted to Malan Scholes via projects@malanscholesconsulting.co.za.
Comments will be used to update the BAR and copies of all comments will be included with the BAR when submitted to the Department of Mineral resources. Comments should reach Malan Scholes on or before 2 July.
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