The coalition of NGOs that brought legal proceedings to stop mining activities by Coal of Africa Limited (CoAL) at the proposed Vele Colliery outside the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site will appeal the Department of Water Affairs’ decision to issue a water use license at Vele to CoAL.

The coalition will lodge a notice of appeal with the Water Tribunal as a matter of urgency. The coalition has also asked the Minister of Water Affairs to provide written reasons for her decision to issue the water use license to CoAL.

If necessary, the Coalition will take the matter to the High Court.

The coalition believes that CoAL should not be given a water use license for reasons that include the following:
• CoAL has grossly underestimated the quantity of water it will use at the proposed Vele Colliery.
• There is insufficient water available in the catchment for the proposed colliery’s demands.
• CoAL has failed to assess the risks of dewatering the primary groundwater aquifer.
• CoAL has failed to consider the impact of acid mine drainage from the proposed colliery on the surrounding region.
• CoAL has failed to assess the impact of the proposed colliery on the Limpopo river, a shared watercourse with Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique covered by SADC Protocols.
• A report by Golder & Associates, which CoAL was instructed by the Department of Water Affairs to commission, pointed to serious deficiencies in CoAL’s water use license application.
• CoAL has a shocking record of non-compliance with environmental legislation, particularly the National Water Act. In 2010, the Department of Water Affairs had to issue a directive to CoAL to stop its illegal water use activities at Vele. At its Mooiplaats colliery, mining started in 2008 without a water use license being in place. In both instances, these are criminal offences under the National Water Act.

In the ordinary course, an appeal lodged with the Water Tribunal suspends the operation of a water use license. Story Courtesy of The Endagered Wildlife Trust:
Find out more about them on their blog endangeredwildlifetrust.wordpress.com/ or donate at www.ewt.org.za

Credits:
Video and Photographs are courtesy of EWT and Mike Tippet

For More Info Email Nicola Vogel nicolav@ewt.org.za