Go see the Department of Minerals, Resources and Energy if you have complaints about mining activities
When it comes to illegal mining activities the Department of Minerals, Resources and Energy is the to-go-to entity.
Emalahleni Local Municipality has no jurisdiction over regulating mines and mining activities.
This statement is made by the municipality after several complaints of illegal mining amongst others were received by the municipality.
On Thursday, February 10 illegal mining operations on Thungela’s North West pit caused damage to houses in Duvha Park.
“Thungela met with community representatives and the Ward 19 councillor on February 17 to discuss the challenges raised by the Duvha Park community and the actions being taken to address them. These engagements are ongoing,” said Ms Tarryn Genis from Thungela.
The dust barely settled and Thungela was in hot water again.
This time a concrete seal at the South Shaft broke which resulted in an uncontrolled release of mine-impacted water.
Thungela immediately took charge and cleaned up the spill.
“It cannot be disputed that local communities suffer at the helm of anthropogenic activities which infringe on this constitutional right. This is evident from the inundated complaints and petitions on the impact of mining activities petitioned to the municipality, newspaper articles, and social media,” said municipal spokesperson Mr Lebo Mofokeng.
Impacts of mining and mining activities have become a topic of discussion at the Executive Mayor of Emalahleni, Councillor Conny Nkalitshana’s outreach programs.
Mine dumps that have not been rehabilitated and left abandoned, the discharge of pollutants into the water ecologies, land degradation which can no longer support other land uses, underground fires, subsidence of the ground, sinkholes, biodiversity loss, acid mine drainage, and damage to road infrastructure by coal haulage are just but a few of the impacts which undoubtedly result from mining activities.
“The central, northern, and southern parts of the municipality are unfortunately the most affected areas with some of these mine operations taking place close to human settlements,” Mofokeng said.
Mofokeng pointed out that the municipality does not have any authority to grant mining rights, except to give comments, as an interested and affected party, on a mining right application process.
The Mineral, Resources and Petroleum Development Act states that the custodianship of the nation’s minerals and petroleum resources lies with the state, acting through the relevant minister.
Complaints and petitions related to the impact of mining should therefore be directed to the local regional office of the Department of Minerals, Resources and Energy (DMRE).
The municipality remains committed to protecting the environment and ensuring compliance through enforcement of relevant municipal environmental by-laws and relevant national environmental management legislation.
The DMRE’s office is in Saveways Crescent Centre.
Their phone number is 013 653 0500.
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