Zululand mining wars continue
The battle between conservationists and mining houses intensifies.
SUBTERRANEAN Zululand, with its plentiful deposits of high quality coal and anthracite, has seen many battles between conservationists and mining houses.
The wars continue.
Recent charges of illegal mining activities against Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC) and a subsequent half-a-million-rand fine, have stirred up local conservationists.
While the National Environmental Management Act allows rectification of unlawful activities through administrative fines, conservationists demand a full investigation.
Owned by Rio Tinto subsidiary Riversdale Mining, ZAC was accused of illegally building three extensions to its mining operations on the western boundary of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) between 2006 and 2010.
Furthermore, while the region’s residents battle acute water shortages, these extensions were reportedly consuming almost seven million litres monthly without integrated water-use licenses.
ZAC has responded with assurances that it is committed to operating ‘responsibly, lawfully and in full compliance with government regulations’.
‘There was an administrative oversight by the previous owner of the colliery who failed to apply for additional environmental authorisation for some of our mining activities required by changes in legislation,’ said Managing Director Niels Kristensen.
‘Since discovering this we made an application to rectify this omission and have paid an administrative penalty’.
Kristensen went on to say that all mining operations are conducted in keeping with approved mining rights and environmental management plans. He confirmed the colliery is in the final application stages for integrated water-use licenses, as per the requirements under the new National Water Act.
In other mining matters, a coalition of conservation groups and communities has called on Ngaoko Ramatlhodi, Minister of Mineral Resources, to rescind Ibutho Coal’s prospecting license for the proposed Fuleni Coal Mine.
‘Ibutho Coal never consulted the people of Fuleni and never received official authorisation from the landowners,’ said Sifiso Dladla of Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA).
‘For these reasons Minister Ramatlhodi should stop this disastrous project and land grab in its tracks.’
They argue the granting of prospecting rights was ‘fatally flawed’ as due process was not followed. Prospecting work allegedly commenced eight years prior to landowners, Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB), being made aware thereof.
Furthermore, ITB never entered into a surface lease agreement with Ibutho Coal.
Conservationists fear the worst for wildlife of the iMfolozi Wilderness Area, a mere 40 metres from the proposed mine. It is feared that mining activity so close to the protected area could increase poaching.
‘The Minister should listen to all these voices and scrap the mine now,’ said Sheila Berry, spokesperson for the Global Environmental Trust’s Communities and Wilderness Alliance (CAWA).
‘The fate of the world’s greatest rhino sanctuary, a famous wilderness area and the people of Fuleni are in his hands,’ Berry concluded.
