The community of Springs came out in their numbers to the public meeting to discuss the proposed Palmietkuilen mining project.
Digby Wells Environmental, who are conducting the environmental impact assessment on behalf of Canyon Coal, invited members of the public to the meeting to address residents’ environmental and socioeconomic concerns about the mine and the impact it would have on the area should plans to open a coal mine in the area go ahead.
Also read: Fracking not part of Palmietkuilen project
There was standing room only as members of the community gathered to hear what Digby Wells had to say.
From the outset, residents were not happy about the apparent lack of consultation by Digby Wells and claimed only some residents were consulted about the project.
Residents also questioned the lack of availability of the whole report to the community, as well as the lack of clarity on what stage of the project was at.
It soon became apparent in the meeting that there were two opposing sides: those who were concerned about the impact the mine would have on the agricultural sector and the environment versus those who were more interested in the job opportunities that would come with the mine.
Environmentalists were concerned about the impact coal mining would have on the area both now and in the future.
Also read: WATCH: Strong opposition to mine as community demands answers
Their primary argument was that the mine would not be worth the damage caused to the environment, especially to such a rich agricultural region.
Digby Wells maintained that the damage to the environment would be minimal and that they would rehabilitate the area during and after the mine is closed, adding that profitability and the creation of jobs will outweigh the loss of agricultural land.
Clifford Hallatt of Canyon Coal, which hopes to set up the mine, says, “The impact of the mine will be mitigable.
“There will be no displacement of people and a displacement programme will be developed if needed in consultation with the community and community leaders.”
On the issue of jobs, Digby Wells says there would be 320 jobs created by the Palmietkuilen mining project and that 30 per cent will go to the people of Springs.
The meeting ended on a strange note and many felt their questions had not been answered to their satisfaction.
There were mixed feelings about the meeting from community members.
“I think the meeting went well, it didn’t go too badly.
“There was no fighting, only a discussion,” says Phillipine Nahloane.
Mary Reynolds was not convinced by all the promises made by Canyon Coal and Digby Wells.
“They don’t have a great track record and I don’t think they will deliver what they promised.
“I’m thinking about 50 to 100 years from now,” says Reynolds.
“The meeting on the 20th of March proved to be an absolute disaster and must be reconvened,“ says Philip de Jager, of De Jager Kruger Van Blerk Attorneys, on behalf of the residents in the area.
He reiterated that the residents are “opposed to any form of mining in this sensitive area.”
