The collective impact of the proposed coal mining activities in the Greater Soutpansberg needs to be assessed and taken into account, is the cry arising to protect the environment and agriculture for  future generations.

Interested and affected parties (IAPs) cannot fully assess the collective impact of the proposed mining activities in the Greater Soutpansberg and Limpopo without, at least, a regional strategic environmental impact assessment (RSEIA). This is the opinion of the Vhembe Mineral Resources Stakeholders Forum (VMRSF) through their attorney, Mr Christo Rheeders.

Australian mining company Coal of Africa Limited (CoAL) requested a meeting with the VMRS forum. On 28 August, CoAL spokesperson James Duncan said that CoAL was aware of the forum and “will engage with the forum, as with all interested and affected stakeholders, in a transparent and collaborative manner within the regulated processes”. The new forum prioritizes the environment and agriculture, so as to protect these for generations to come.

“The profit of coal mining in the short term should be weighed against the impact of coal mining on the environment over the long term. It seems that mineral and water use licenses are issued with no regard for the full impact of mining on the environment. Is this what we want for our children?” says an expert of Bench Marks Foundation, measuring principles for global corporate responsibility, Mr David van Wyk.

Following acquisition, CoAL reorganized the Mbeu Yashu (Greater Soutpansberg) project, comprising nine areas, into three regions. These are the Chapudi region (comprising the Chapudi, Chapudi West and Wildebeesthoek area), the Makhado region (comprising the Makhado Project and the Telema and Gray combined – formerly referred to as the Makhado extension- and the Mount Stuart and Generaal area) and the Mopane region (comprising the Voorburg and Jutland area). 

The total prospecting-rights area of the Chapudi region covers nearly 40 800 hectares. The total Makhado region covers just over 32 900 hectares, of which the Makhado Project is 8 190 hectares. The Mopane Region was further consolidated with various additional NOPRs within the Voorburg and Jutland area. The total consolidated area covers 26 000 hectares, of which 11 500 hectares lie to the north on Voorburg and 14 500 lie to the south on Jutland.

The Jutland Project affects the farm Sitapo of the Van Zyls of ZZ2, well-known for their tomato production. ZZ2 (Pty) Ltd is the largest privately owned producer of tomatoes in the world and supplies 40% of South Africa’s tomatoes.

“With Mr Philé van Zyl of ZZ2 coming on board in the umbrella organization, VMRS forum, we want to stress the importance of Limpopo as the bread and fruit basket of South Africa, now threatened by coal mining. Remember that more than 45% of the R2 billion annual turnover of the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market comes from agricultural industry within Limpopo. The province produces about 75% of South Africa's mangoes, 65% of its papayas, 36% of its tea, 25% of its citrus, bananas, and litchis, 60% of its avocados, 60% of its tomatoes, 285 000 tons of potatoes, and 35% of its oranges,” said Mr Wally Schultz, chairperson of SOLVe (Save Our beautiful Limpopo Valley) and one of the office bearers of the VMRS forum.

CoAL’s new CEO, Mr David Brown, described the Mbeu Yashu Project as the catalyst for the long-term growth of the company. “The Department of Mineral Resources has accepted the Company’s NOMR applications for the Mopane, Generaal and Chapudi projects … Further exploration on these areas is expected to occur in 2014,” Brown said.