"Petmin’s bid to resume Tendele mining operations sparks community outrage again” 24 May 2024

Petmin-owned Tendele Coal Mining’s bid to resume and expand mining at its majority-controlled Somkhele coal mine in KwaZulu-Natal has sparked controversy with surrounding communities again. Community and environmental groups around the Somkhele mine are complaining about the company’s disregard for due process in the compilation of data for an environmental impact assessment (EIA), as well as in the relocation and resettling of displaced villagers. Somkhele, ultimately controlled by Petmin which de-listed from the JSE in 2017, is South Africa’s biggest mine for metallurgical anthracite, with capacity to produce 1.2 million tons of hard coal.

The mine, which had depleted its life of mine, stopped operations in 2022. The resumption of operations hinged on an expansion project which, however, was opposed by communities around the mine, sparking off litigation actions against it. Although the Pietermaritzburg High Court last year gave Somkhele the green light to resume operations by way of expansion, dismissing an application by community and environmental groups, the mine is facing further resistance from communities. They argue that Tendele is readying up to commence expansion operations and production from Somkhele.

…MCEJO alleged that earlier this month, Tendele started widening roads in the area and also cleared access roads, and in the process destroyed grazing land for cattle. “It was clear the mine was organising to start its operations in eMalahleni at any time. By May 14, all working machinery was here (and) houses in eMalahleni were destroyed without the owners signing relocation agreements,” MCEJO said in a press statement. It added that it had been informed by its lawyers from All Rise that community members only have 30 days to comment on the EIA of the company.