Springs residents have, for the third time, said no to the establishment of an opencast coal- and clay mine on their doorstep.
Philip de Jager, a local lawyer and resident living next to Blesbokspruit, spoke to the Addie on behalf of thousands of Springs residents last week, stating that he has lodged an objection with the metro against the rezoning of Portion 22 and part of Portion 21 of the Farm Grootvaly from agricultural land-use to “undetermined mining”.
This is the third time the company concerned – Steynhol – has attempted to open an open-cast coal mine on this piece of land.
De Jager explains the community of Springs opposed the establishment of the mine during the company’s attempts to apply for mining rights on these two portions in both 2009 and 2012.
“We are still awaiting a record of decision from the government on the application for mining rights, but are fairly certain that their application will be declined,” de Jager said.
Thousands of people in Strubenvale, Casseldale, Grootvaly Agricultural Holdings, Bakerton, Welgedacht and Aston Lake will be affected if this mine becomes operational.
He feels the accumulative effect of everything the mine will bring to these communities will have a serious negative effect on property values in these areas.
He says the mining operations will last five years and provide jobs for about 100 people, but the detrimental effects on the communities living close to it will be profound.
International research on people living near an opencast coal mine proves these communities will have a higher death rate than people living far from one.
There are also risks of developing chronic heart disease, a 70% increased risk of developing kidney disease, a 64% increased risk of developing chronic diseases like emphysema and a 30% chance of high blood pressure.
Besides the risks to humans, the farmers living on properties directly bordering these portions of land will have their businesses negatively impacted.
The Grootvaly Blesbokspruit Conservation Trust, which is part of an internationally acclaimed Ramsar-site also borders the proposed mining site.
“Opencast coal-and clay mining will lead to unacceptable pollution, ecological degradation and damage to the environment.”
De Jager also says a soil survey in 2006 on these portions also shows that it was classed as high potential agricultural land, which will be lost as a result of the mining operations on it.
There are also concerns on the potential pollution to the surface and ground water, as well as the impact of the mine’s traffic, the noise coming from it, the air quality around it and of the mine’s blasting on both the Ramsar-site and the nearby communities.
