THE fight against Ibutho Coal’s proposed Fuleni Anthracite Project appears to be gaining traction everyday, with two of KZN’s most respected conservationists joining the throng.
Jabulani Ngubane and Oscar Mthimkhulu, who both work for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW), have expressed their ‘increasing dismay’ at the damage Fuleni mine, to be situated within 100m of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park’s (HiP) wilderness area, would cause to tourism, wildlife, natural resources and the livelihoods of local communities.
‘The location of this mine will not only mean the wilderness status will disappear but the impact of constant noise, dust, night time lighting, alien plant infestation and seismic vibrations will undermine the ‘sense of place’ and the essential attraction for people coming to visit our premier Big 5 game reserve,’ said Ngubane, manager of HiP.
He went on to say the influx of people to work the mine, and advanced road access, would increase the prospects of poaching to this prime black and white rhino breeding site.
For Mthimkhulu, manager of the Maloti Drakensberg World Heritage Site and a key player in the proposal to establish a buffer zone around the site, the question of HiP’s buffer zone being potentially used for mining activities is of major concern.
‘You have to marry the interests of protected areas with the potential impacts of such business on our core responsibility to protect and manage such areas for the benefit of all people and not just the mine’s shareholders,’ said Mthimkhulu.
He is alarmed Ibutho Coal has not consulted EKZNW in defining an acceptable buffer zone to HiP, despite being asked to by the relevant provincial authority.
Ibutho Coal’s draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) drew much criticism, however, the company has neither since engaged with affected parties, nor published an amended report.
Ibutho Coal is continually unavailable for comment.
