At this stage, the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce is neutral on the matter of Coal of Africa’s Vele Colliery near Mapungubwe.

At an investigative meeting with the general manager of CoAL’s Vele project, Mr Mark Coetzee, on December 9 in Louis Trichardt, the chamber’s chairperson, Mr Iain Purdon, made it clear that “every individual member of the chamber, even at Exco level, will remain free to formulate their own choices and opinions on the matter.”

Purdon said that the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce’s policy is “to pursue economic development and that not at the cost of the environment or any other aspect of society.”

The Vele Colliery had been controversial from the onset, when environmental groups objected against a coal mine near a world heritage site and in a sensitive biodiversity area. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) visited the area in November and engaged in discussions with several stakeholders, including CoAL.

Coetzee from CoAL said at the meeting with the chamber that Coal of Africa wanted to show South Africa that responsible mining can co-exist with agriculture, environment, heritage and the community. They believe that the mine will be granted permission to continue.

The Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce expressed their aim to serve the best interests of all parties concerned and their obligation to get involved in any process relating to the continued well-being of the community.

“We will always only do this in an advisory capacity by debating, getting all the facts relating to any given matter and informing our members accordingly. We deem our members to be a strong group of individuals with their own perspective on matters,” Purdon said. He refrained from making any specific statements for or against the mine.

Should the mine continue, involvement in the watchdog function was deemed as very important by Mr Willie Botha of the chamber.