Media coverage

24 NOVEMBER 2011

CoAL and NGO coalition bury the hatchet

Author: Natasha Odendaal

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Emerging coal miner Coal of Africa Limited (CoAL) and the Save Mapungubwe Coalition, which has hitherto been challenging the Vele opencast mine development, in Limpopo, on Thursday agreed to work together.

The parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreeing to strengthen cooperation for the sustainable development, preservation and protection of the Mapungubwe cultural landscape.

“The MoU complements the memorandum of agreement (MoA), signed in September, between the South African National Parks and the Department of Environmental Affairs committing to the preservation of the Mapungubwe heritage site,” said CoAL CEO John Wallington.

The Coalition would suspend all legal proceedings and administrative appeals against CoAL’s new order mining right, environmental management plan and integrated water licence, and aimed to sign the MoA by January 31, said Endangered Wildlife Trust CEO and spokesperson for the Coalition Yolan Friedmann.

“The journey that we have embarked on has its challenges and will require compromises to be made from time to time. The success of this MoU will be dependent on both parties maintaining the spirit and intent that led to the MoU,” said Wallington.

While both parties have admitted that, although each stands in a strong legal position, they have a better chance of achieving their aims through the MoU and further through the MoA.

“I do not want to contemplate not succeeding,” he said.

The Coalition comprises the Endangered Wildlife Trust, BirdLife South Africa, Wilderness Foundation South Africa, World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa, Mapungubwe Action Group and the Association of Southern African Professional Archaeologists.

Under the MoU, the parties agreed to set a new best practice benchmark in understanding, managing, monitoring and mitigating the impacts of mining and related activities on the environment, water and heritage resources at CoAL's Vele colliery.

The parties will negotiate transparency and information sharing with regard to compliance with applicable legislation and authorisations.

The negotiations will also focus on, besides others, further research, monitoring and modelling of the potential impacts of mining at the Vele colliery, as well as requisite amendments and improvements to CoAL subsidiary Limpopo Coal’s approved environmental management programme and integrated water use licence.

In August, CoAL halted all activities requiring the use of water at the Limpopo mine following an appeal by the coalition of nonprofit organisations.

The miner was given authorisation to resume full operations after Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa lifted the water use licence suspension in September.