"Lithium mining for green power triggers eco-outcry from South African farmers" - Reuters, 4 August 2026

"On the southeast coast, where a lithium mine operates and more than a dozen prospecting licences have been granted since 2023, scores of generations-old farming communities are relocating… Data from South Africa's mines department reviewed by Reuters show lithium prospecting licences laying claim to some 73,000 hectares, an area slightly larger than the city of Pretoria. Most of it is farmland spanning 117 farms, but also beaches." "Should all these prospecting licences be granted mining licences, the impact would be catastrophic," said SCGA General Manager Heather McLoed. "It affects the small-scale farmers directly, their communities, their shops, and... the sugar mill" handling their harvests.

Albert Mthembu, 62, told Reuters the fissures in his brick home in the hillside village of Magog were caused by blasting from the mines. Having lived there since he was 6, he now sees no option but to move. "The blasting isn't good. We've got kids, we've got animals, the trees are even being damaged." His friend has already left, his house reduced to rubble by workers expanding the mine. "The privately owned mining company was relocating villagers, but many were unhappy with the new land," as it was remote and less suitable for planting. According to one farmers' submission on SA Lithium's plans to expand over 6,000 hectares, the mine could "permanently degrade water quality, soil quality and reduce the long-term viability of farming." "The future of farming here is gone," said Joe Nkala, 51, a cane-growing consultant. "My kids will have to find a new life."

SA Lithium Director Ian Harbottle said it had relocated 150 farmers, "all willingly," adding: "If there's one challenge, I'm unable to move them fast enough because everybody is significantly better off." He disputed pollution concerns: "No water from the mine ever goes into any of the rivers," and said the mine had created over a thousand jobs. "Yes, it does make a hole. Yes, there are dumps, but we've done extensive anti-pollution work. We are more than compliant." A spokesperson for the mineral resources department did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.