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Coal-mining threatens Mapungubwe
Replica statue of Mapungubwe rhino in Johannesburg
The Mail and Guardian reports that a battle royal looms over the awarding of coal-mining rights adjacent to world heritage site and national park Mapungubwe, with the Department of Environmental Affairs smack in the middle.
The mineral resources department has confirmed that a permit was issued to Australian-owned Coal of Africa for the Vele Colliery project in the buffer zone next to Mapungubwe. Phase two of the transfrontier park will include the mine. Green and community groups are gearing up to fight the decision in court. At the same time, Environmental Minister Buyelwa Sonjica has thrown her weight behind opposition to the mine, while the environment department, which oversees South African National Parks and the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area—a joint project with Botswana and Zimbabwe—appears to be furious.
Environment Department spokesperson Albi Modise said his director general has requested a copy of the mining licence, but has not yet received it. The department had learned of the awarding of the licence from media reports.
“We are still opposed to any mining in the area—our position when our views on this matter were sought,” Modise said. “This area has been identified as a priority area for conservation, not only because of its unique biodiversity, but also because of its cultural value.”
Minerals Department spokesperson Jeremy Michaels confirmed his department had issued mining rights. This had been done “after careful consideration of all relevant factors, including the environment and the substantial economic impact of the Vele Colliery”, he said.
He added that there had been close consultation with other government departments.
“The department is not blind to the fact that the Mapungubwe National Park is an international treasure,” he said. “However, mining and the environment can coexist if managed in a manner that promotes sustainable development.”
Mapungubwe is the site where the famous gold rhino statuette was unearthed. The colliery would be sited 7km away from the park’s boundaries, whereas coal-processing infrastructure would be 27km from Mapungubwe Hill, a world heritage site. Modise said the blasting operations could lead to a total collapse of archaeological sites.
“Tourism development in the Mapungubwe cultural landscape will be negatively affected by the round-the-clock lighting, blasting and noise and will destroy the sense of place permanently, and with it the sustainable job opportunities from tourism and tourism growth,” he said. “It is totally incompatible with tourism activities.”
Read more at http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-02-19-heritage-versus-mining
Photo attribution: srippon, http://www.flickr.com/photos/srippon/386174612/
Replica statue of Mapungubwe rhino in Johannesburg.
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I think people with good sense cannot object the fact that mine proceeds with the operation. Department of mineral and energy was not insane to grant them permit to mine but they did it considering all the vital aspects that would be a problem and they also checked the environmental management plan which was submitted by mining project. So think this park just want to benefit alone and it doesn’t want the development to come to our dear people. I think this is a good a time for community of mapungubwe to benefits from that, the envinment will be fine as it is of major concern to u
on my field of view, the department of minerals and energy has issued the mining right to vele project and this has been done with a very precise consideration of the areas environment and its important value to nation. The project need to commence uninteruptedly as long as their EMP which covers the general planing map of the project, how the the project is going to ensure sutainable developmet over the environment has been approve by the department. This project will benefit to most of the people and increase economy of the province.
Great post, 10x
Excellent post, Thank you
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Antalya Travesti
I’m afraid you are all sadly mistaken. Economic benefit to the local people: numerous such projects have shown that the mines import skilled labour and that the local people benefit very little, if at all. The environmental impact in this region is so severe that we as a nation will pay for in years to come. Remember the mine is situated near the Limpopo River. The damage to the area and pollutants will flow down the river. At the same time millions of litres of water will be extracted in an already dry area. Due to the nature of coal mining the region will suffer greatly and will probably never recover. Also this mine opens the door for many more, did you think there was only going to be one? What about the next step – power stations in the area. Mapungubwe and the surrounding heritage sites are non-renewable resources. Once they are gone, you cannot grow them back!