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100 signatures reached
To: The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Bathohi, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Deon George
STOP THE ILLEGAL STRIP-MINING OF THE VHEMBE FOR COAL
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Dear Adv. Bathohi and Honourable Minister George,
We, the undersigned members of the public, are deeply concerned about the unlawful mining activities initiated by MC Mining at the Makhado Colliery site located within Limpopo’s Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, a region of immense biodiversity and cultural significance. These operations have commenced despite an unresolved appeal against the environmental authorisation, pending since 2021, which constitutes a clear violation of Section 24F of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).
The implications of this mining operation extend far beyond legal infractions. The planned expansion of coal mining in the region is linked to the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ)—a project designed to support large-scale coal and steel production, which threatens to cause severe environmental damage and deplete scarce water resources, undermines South Africa’s climate change commitments and disproportionately benefit foreign and fossil fuel industry interests at the expense of local communities and industries.
Kinetic Development, a Chinese coal producer that is the parent company of MC Mining, is also an anchor investor in the MMSEZ and intends to supply coal to its own ferrochrome smelter in the metallurgical zone.
Kinetic Development, a Chinese coal producer that is the parent company of MC Mining, is also an anchor investor in the MMSEZ and intends to supply coal to its own ferrochrome smelter in the metallurgical zone.
We call upon you to take immediate action:
- Cease all mining activities at the Makhado Colliery and ensure that MC Mining begins rehabilitation of the disturbed areas, given its heightened ecological sensitivity.
- Prosecute MC Mining Limited, Baobab Mining and Exploration (Pty) Ltd and connected entities within the group, and their respective directors under Section 33(2)(c) of NEMA for their ongoing statutory violations.
Uphold the appeal lodged by Interested and Affected Parties against the 2021 amendment of environmental authorisation granted by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to MC Mining, extending its validity, ensuring that due process is followed in affirming Section 24 of the Constitution.
Why is this important?
The unlawful exploitation of our natural heritage by foreign interests for short-term profit undermines our constitutional rights and jeopardises future generations. Furthermore, this project is built on the promise to deliver jobs for the community in the area, but we know that it is a lie. The economic fault lines upon which Makhado’s great arc and blast furnaces will be built run deep. A terrible price will be paid for any jobs created, as those jobs will not last. It is an environmental and economic disaster waiting to happen.
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Your signature can help us stop the creation of a new sacrifice zone for coal and steel in Limpopo. Sign the open letter now!
To further understand the gravity of the issue Carte Blanche has released this telling exposé. Watch here: https://youtu.be/CW_CanP31Mk
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Your signature can help us stop the creation of a new sacrifice zone for coal and steel in Limpopo. Sign the open letter now!
To further understand the gravity of the issue Carte Blanche has released this telling exposé. Watch here: https://youtu.be/CW_CanP31Mk