Media coverage

3 JANUARY 2011

Underground river said to be drilled open

Source: www.beeld.com
Author: Elise Tempelhoff

Fears of already merged fresh water and saltwater

Drilling at a coal mine of Coal of Africa (CoAL) in a sensitive ecological area on the northern slopes of the Soutpansberg, has allegedly hit and opened up an underground river.

Members of an environmental group, who at this stage don't want to be identified fearing victimisation from mine management, told Beeld that CoAL's Makhado mine is situated above underground rivers feeding the Nzhelele Dam in former Venda. One of these rivers has now allegedly been opened up [oopgestoot].

The mine doesn't have a water licence or environmental approval from the department of water affairs for mining activities at the foot of the Soutpansberg.

A month ago Beeld, assisted by environmental group the Bateleurs, flew over the area and saw bulldozers hauling coal from the water.

Upon enquiry Mr John Wallington, chief executive of CoAL, said that Ms Susan Shabangu, minister of mining affairs, has approved the Makhado mine.

According to him CoAL has obtained approval for this project in compliance with both the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act and the National Environmental Act.

Ms Roopa Singh, acting chief communications director of the department of environmental affairs, has however denied that this department has given CoAL approval for mining activities.

In a written reply to Beeld's enquiry, Singh said that the department has neither information on environmental approval nor an environmental impact study done by CoAL for this project.

When Beeld asked Wallington for a copy of CoAL's water licence, he replied that CoAL is still in an "experimental phase" and doesn't require a water licence for that.