Environmental legality of torbanite prospecting permits questioned

Farmers in Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga, and several heavyweight environmental nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) are questioning the legality of Delta Mining Corporation's (DMC's) prospecting permits in the area.

DMC Coal Mining is the largest holder of torbanite mineral rights in South Africa and is prospecting in the Pixley ka Seme municipal area, about 25 km east of Wakkerstroom.

However, several landowners and NGOs, such as Birdlife South Africa, the World Wildlife Fund (South Africa) and the Botanical Society of South Africa say they were not consulted as interested and affected parties, nor have any of them yet seen a copy of DMC's environmental-management plan (EMP).

In January, three of the parties instituted a request for access to DMC's EMP in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act.

A representative of the Department of Minerals and Energy says any landowner or affected party should be given a copy of the EMP upon consultation.

DMC Coal CEO Pieter Wiese says the company is satisfied that it has met its legal obligations for consultation with affected parties with respect to its initial prospecting activities. The company is, however, willing to undertake further consultation.

"Should prospecting indicate that mining is viable, the impact on the environment will be less than that of certain animal husbandry and common damaging pesticide treatments used in crop farming.

A portion of the prospecting area is being used for maize cultivation. We will also be making use of the latest technology and environment-friendly techniques to lessen the environmental impact," he says.