One of the first names that pop up when you Google burning underground mines in Mpumalanga, is the notorious Transvaal and Delagoa Bay Colliery (T&DB).
This place is home to the longest burning fire in South Africa.
The fires are not always visible, but underneath the earth’s crust is a fire that has been the topic of many a conversation and headaches in the past.
In the present day these underground fires still pose a huge threat.
Just off Schonland Drive in Ferrobank is a mine called Schonland Colliery.
This mine is situated on a part of the old T&DB Colliery.
Although there are no mining activities at present, the tell tale signs of underground fires are sending messages that they are very active and that in itself is a threat to the community living in the vicinity.
Fresh footprints are evidence that community members take shortcuts through Schonland Colliery. The huge crack from which smoke is emerging does not seem to worry them a bit.
Mr Lucky Sibanyoni is aware of the crack where he just moments ago, walked past.
“The crack at Schonland is getting bigger. I can also see from the smoke that there are more underground activities. I know we take chances, but it is closer through the mine to get to Vosman,” he said.
Mr Siyabonga Zulu is one of many ‘entrepreneurs’ that use the gap when there are no activities on the mine to go and fetch coal from the deserted mine. He sells it for R50 to locals.
“This is an income for me. I do not have a job and my family has to eat. If I sell four wheelbarrows of coal I have R200 for food,” he said.
He knows about the dangers lurking underneath the earth where he digs the coal out from.
However, for Siyabonga this is an income.
Members of the community put together a small team of spokespersons who represents the community.
Messrs Dimo Seloana, Figo Mahlangu, Felix Falaza and Charles Bokgobelo told WITBANK NEWS that Schonland Colliery is a disaster waiting to happen.
They want some rehabilitation done on the mine as soon as possible.
Several phone calls and emails to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) were in vain as there was no reaction from their side to questions raised by WITBANK NEWS.
The municipality passed the buck.
“Issues related to mining which include mining development, operation, rehabilitation are the DMR’s concern. Our mandate does not include handling issues related to mining. Everything that is related to mining areas are handled by the DMR”.
Mr Ross Robinson from Eyethu Coal, the mine bordering Schonland Colliery, said they are at the forefront of securing a safe environment for the community.
“We seal our mines to make sure that the raging underground fires do not spread.”
Mr Deon Botha, owner of Schonland Colliery, said he knows how to contain the underground fires.
But he is not allowed on the mine because of an ongoing court case involving the mine.
Financial provisions for rehabilitation are put up by companies before mining begins, in case a mine is abandoned and the government needs to step in to close it.
The question still remains, who is responsible for rehabilitating Schonland Colliery?
If the whole area caves in, all eyes will be fixed on the City of Coal, demanding answers.
This mining hub is paying a high price because of hit-and-run coalminers who are only in it for the money, with no regard for human life.
