Somkhele communities vote in favour of coal mine
IN a secret ballot organised by the traditional council and overseen by the SAPS, two communities in Somkhele outside Mtubatuba voted overwhelmingly in favour of Tendele Coal Mine continuing its operations.
The mine’s business development manager Nathi Kunene said the vote on 30 October comes after the 4 May judgment which reopened the appeal process before the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) minister, while ruling that the mining right and environmental management programme remain valid.
Kunene further explained that the consent given by the Emalahleni and Ophondweni communities was required before the mine could continue with operations.
He said the meeting, which was arranged by the local traditional council, was held in line with section 2(4) of the Interim Protection of Informal Land Rights Act (IPILRA) of 1996.
“Tendele has been notified by the [traditional council] that 94% of people who voted in Ophondweni voted in favour of mining, while 93% of those who voted in Emalahleni were in favour of mining," said Kunene.
“Based on the above results, the [traditional council] has confirmed that the affected community members in Emalahleni and Ophondweni have consented, in accordance with IPILRA, to Tendele undertaking mining activities in their areas."
Chairperson of the mining committee and member of Mpukunyoni Traditional Council, Mandla Sibiya said those who voted in favour of the mine continuing to operate had done so 'on an informed basis’.
Sibiya said the vote was done by way of a secret ballot and was observed by the SAPS, among others.
According to Sibiya, 421 families signed the voters' roll – 167 in Ophondweni and 254 in Emalahleni.
“We welcome these results, which show overwhelming support for the mine. This vote indicates a community that is desperate for the mine to restart operations as poverty and unemployment are overwhelming in our area,” said Sibiya.
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Tendele Coal Mining was forced to cease operations of its Somkhele mine earlier this year amid a years-long court battle over the mine's expansion.
Final retrenchments were carried out in June, leaving 747 employees and contractors without work.
In August, the remaining 338 employees were downscaled to just 77 as the mine awaited the verdict on whether or not it could expand and continue operations.