Opposition to coal mine ‘baseless’

ATHA-AFRICA Ventures has accused the coalition fighting its proposed coal mine and its legal representative, the Centre for Environmental Rights, of trying to “sensationalise and spread negative sentiments against the mine’s development”.

“After following due process, Atha was legally granted a mining right in 2015. The declaration of the Mabola Protected Environment in 2014 was done in contravention of Atha’s rights.

“The portfolio committee has seen first hand the desire of the local communities to have the proposed mine established in the area,” it said.

The mine’s development was supported by many key planning instruments.

“The development of the company and the mine will translate into development of the community.”

The company committed R6 million to social and labour initiatives and was rolling out several projects focused on health, education and agriculture.

It also said 417 out of 576 jobs would be sourced locally.

“The continuation of agriculture will not provide the level of growth to the area that mining may offer, such as increased employment, greater economic input allowing development of the towns and surrounding areas, and greater socio-economic stability.”

Local communities would not experience their access to water being restricted, as the impacts would be limited to the physical mining property “where the local communities do not reside”.

“Part of the proposed mine is classified as a strategic water source area (based on run-off water) of which only 224ha could potentially be affected.

“Based on the calculation of the impact on water supply, it will not even have a significant impact locally, much less nationally.”

It said the CER’S assertion that water would become contaminated was “completely devoid of ground, truth, facts and observation”.

“The mitigation will ensure that the contamination will be managed within legal limits.

“The calculation of financial provision was done on the legal requirements specified. Greenhouse gas emissions were assessed as part of its air quality impact assessment.”

But CER attorney Catherine Horsfield said its judicial review application highlighted the detailed, substantiated case its clients made in their application to have the environmental authorisation set aside.

“What is exceptional about this case is the environmental, and specifically water, significance of the area where Atha is proposing to mine for coal and where, thus far, our government has given them licences to do so,” Horsfield said.

“South Africa is a waterscarce country with uneven distribution of rainfall. Most of our water comes from precious areas (in the highest parts of our catchments) that receive the highest rainfall.

“These are South Africa’s strategic water source areas – the ‘crown jewels’ and headwaters from which our water originates.

“The country’s water supply is dependent on the health of natural systems and these must be protected from polluting industries, of which coal mining is one of the most severe.

“Economic development in our country is crucial. But it’s not possible without water.” – Sheree Bega