Residents of Xolobeni on the Wild Coast are again fighting against mining in their poverty-stricken region, following a proposal from an Australian company for a permit to mine the sand dunes near Mbizana.
Australian-based Mineral Resource Commodities’ (MRC) South African subsidiary Transworld Energy and Minerals (TEM), has proposed mining ilmenite, rutile and zircon in the Xolobeni Mineral Sands Project.
Independent environment consultant Pieter Badenhorst has confirmed that TEM applied for mining rights in terms of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act.
TEM is seeking environmental authorisation, and licences for waste management, air emissions and integrated water use.
A scoping and environmental impact assessment is being undertaken and is available for public review and comment until April 18 this year, said Badenhorst.
Started in 2002, the proposal continues to receive mixed reaction from Xolobeni communities, with some opposing and others accepting it.
The mining will be in five blocks – Kwanyana, Mtentu, Sekome, Mnyameni and Kwanyana.
“There will be no mining sanctuaries or wetland.
“The minerals are to be removed from the sand the sand put back, dunes rehabilitated and minerals transported with trucks by road for export,” he said.
The scoping or consultative meetings were conducted in Port Edward and in Mbizana’s Amadiba administrative area last week.
The meeting at Mgungundlovu sub-traditional council attended by those who are opposing mining in Xolobeni was chaotic and nearly turned nasty.
Some people came armed with sticks and the meeting was cut short when matters became heated.
They later demonstrated, singing anti-mining songs and accused some leaders of being greedy traitors, illegally selling community land for individual benefit.
Protester Moses Ndovela said he feared local people would need to leave the land that supported their agrarian livelihoods, traditions and spiritual and customary land-use practices.
“This thing has already brought conflict and crime, split communities from each other and from the resources they depend on.
“Dust, noise, and chemical pollution of water will degrade the environment and undermine the wellbeing of our community.
“We will no longer keep our cattle and grow mielies and vegetables in our gardens,” said Ndovela.
But, apart from Mgingundlovu and Port Edward, all other meetings agreed to the mining, saying it was long overdue because the poverty-stricken communities wanted development and job opportunities.
“It is now 13 years since the negotiations started. We need this mining for our children to have jobs,” said Nikiwe Mathumbu.
Prince Mzwandile Maraqana, a traditional leader and an advocate, speaking at the Mbizana Youth Centre, said the mining would benefit all the people in Mbizana.
“There are white people influencing the process and are using our people to stop the mining which will bring development in our area. We do not eat butterflies and ants and birds – if they are so concerned with them, why do they not take them to a place they think is safer and let the project continue,” said Maraqana.
Zamile Madiba said illegal cottage dwellers along the Wild Coast were mainly opposing the mining.
“They are making a living from the cottages and our people are not benefiting,” said Madiba.
Nonhle Mbutuma, the secretary of Amadiba Crisis Committee, which opposes the mining, said: “We are just shocked to see it coming back.
“It’s more than 12 years that we have been fighting against mining. Now we will take them to court.” — lulamife@dispatch.co.za
Community split over dune mining
Australian-based Mineral Resource Commodities’ (MRC) South African subsidiary Transworld Energy and Minerals (TEM), has proposed mining ilmenite, rutile and zircon in the Xolobeni Mineral Sands Project.
Independent environment consultant Pieter Badenhorst has confirmed that TEM applied for mining rights in terms of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act.
TEM is seeking environmental authorisation, and licences for waste management, air emissions and integrated water use.
A scoping and environmental impact assessment is being undertaken and is available for public review and comment until April 18 this year, said Badenhorst.
Started in 2002, the proposal continues to receive mixed reaction from Xolobeni communities, with some opposing and others accepting it.
The mining will be in five blocks – Kwanyana, Mtentu, Sekome, Mnyameni and Kwanyana.
“There will be no mining sanctuaries or wetland.
“The minerals are to be removed from the sand the sand put back, dunes rehabilitated and minerals transported with trucks by road for export,” he said.
The scoping or consultative meetings were conducted in Port Edward and in Mbizana’s Amadiba administrative area last week.
The meeting at Mgungundlovu sub-traditional council attended by those who are opposing mining in Xolobeni was chaotic and nearly turned nasty.
Some people came armed with sticks and the meeting was cut short when matters became heated.
They later demonstrated, singing anti-mining songs and accused some leaders of being greedy traitors, illegally selling community land for individual benefit.
Protester Moses Ndovela said he feared local people would need to leave the land that supported their agrarian livelihoods, traditions and spiritual and customary land-use practices.
“This thing has already brought conflict and crime, split communities from each other and from the resources they depend on.
“Dust, noise, and chemical pollution of water will degrade the environment and undermine the wellbeing of our community.
“We will no longer keep our cattle and grow mielies and vegetables in our gardens,” said Ndovela.
But, apart from Mgingundlovu and Port Edward, all other meetings agreed to the mining, saying it was long overdue because the poverty-stricken communities wanted development and job opportunities.
“It is now 13 years since the negotiations started. We need this mining for our children to have jobs,” said Nikiwe Mathumbu.
Prince Mzwandile Maraqana, a traditional leader and an advocate, speaking at the Mbizana Youth Centre, said the mining would benefit all the people in Mbizana.
“There are white people influencing the process and are using our people to stop the mining which will bring development in our area. We do not eat butterflies and ants and birds – if they are so concerned with them, why do they not take them to a place they think is safer and let the project continue,” said Maraqana.
Zamile Madiba said illegal cottage dwellers along the Wild Coast were mainly opposing the mining.
“They are making a living from the cottages and our people are not benefiting,” said Madiba.
Nonhle Mbutuma, the secretary of Amadiba Crisis Committee, which opposes the mining, said: “We are just shocked to see it coming back.
“It’s more than 12 years that we have been fighting against mining. Now we will take them to court.” — lulamife@dispatch.co.za
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