The plight of the Fuleni communities, struggling against Ibutho Coal’s proposed Fuleni anthracite mine, has made not only national headlines, but has garnered much international attention.
Since the proposed mine became public knowledge last year, numerous issues, both environmental and people related, have been brought to the attention of the authorities responsible for ensuring companies stick to the rules when applying for mining rights.
Environmental concerns relate to the mine’s proximity to the ecologically sensitive Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park’s iMfolozi wilderness area, while people issues referred to the many community members who will lose their homes should the mine go ahead.
Of major concern, affecting both the environment and surrounding communities, is the amount of water required by such an operation, a scarce resource in our area.
Nevertheless, Ibutho Coal appears to be on track to obtaining its mining rights as we learn the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs recently accepted the amended final scoping report.
This, despite the report acknowledging the scarcity of sufficient water for such a large project.
While Ibutho Coal has come under fire from those opposing the mine, should we not be asking why a government department, when presented with valid points against the viability of Fuleni mine, helps it on its way by accepting a scoping report fraught with anomalies?
Insufficient public participation throughout Ibutho Coal’s application has also been widely reported.
While it is the applicant’s duty to inform communities of the mine and what’s in it for them, it is the duty of traditional leaders to ensure the masses are included in such consultations.
Nevertheless, the four affected villages – Ocilwane, Nthuthunga, Nthuthunga Two and Novunula – are the only ones that have reportedly not been visited by Inkosi Mthethwa to air their concerns.
In fact, on four occasions Mthethwa is said to have cancelled his visits to the said communities.
Whatever is at play here, it is clear that both the environment and surrounding communities will suffer should Fuleni mine go ahead.
