‘Residents shocked to discover illegal mining on their doorstep’ 3 February 2020

Residents shocked to discover illegal mining which threatens to destroy their homes as council denies granting company permission to mine there. About four weeks ago, residents of Wells township in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, woke up to roaring machines digging up a dusty soccer field. When they enquired, they discovered that it was a new coal mine – on their doorstep. The mine is barely 100m from some.

…The mining company, New Venture Exploration, allegedly did not consult the Emalahleni Local Municipality about its intention to mine in such a critical area in the township. Although the company’s representatives allegedly met with two councillors of ward 17 and ward 18 and some community members, it did not have the consent of the municipality and the whole community. The municipality has since gone to court to interdict the mining – a case that will take a while longer to be resolved – while the mining continues.

The municipality tried to apply for an urgent court interdict against New Venture Exploration in the Middelburg High Court on February 18. The application could not be heard because the sheriff affixed the notice on a wall instead of handing it to an individual on site. The matter was back in court last Monday but it was postponed to this Wednesday because the municipality must serve an affidavit confirming that there was no council resolution to allow mining. Municipal spokesperson Lebohang Mofokeng said that the company claimed it was granted permission by the councillors of wards 17 and 18.