Ulundi mine fine questioned

THE recent ‘slap on the wrist’ fine of R497 000 served on Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC) for sinking three extra shafts without authorisation is an insult to the people of KZN who respect the environment and legislation that governs its protection.

This according to Ann McDonnell, MPL of the Democratic Alliance.

Just as bad is mining company Rio Tinto’s excuse that the sinking of the shafts was an administration oversight, says McDonnell.

Alarmingly, the Centre for Environmental Rights has made the statement that ‘non-compliance with Environmental Legislation is easier, cheaper and quicker than compliance’.

Mc Donnell said it appeared that it was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

She added: ‘The Centre also estimates that at the time the illegal shafts were used, profits exceeded R105-million.

‘On this basis alone, the maximum legislated amount of a R1-million fine for each of the 12 alleged transgressions should have been enforced.

‘Any infringement of the National Environmental Management Act, or its precursors, must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

‘The DA in KZN calls on the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, as the custodian of our heritage, to come down hard on profit-driven abuse of our environmental inheritance.’