Photo by: Duane Daws
JOHANNESBURG – The deadline for comment on a provisional environmental-impact assessment for a coal mine next to the Hluhluwe iMfolozi nature reserve is Monday, according to Rapport newspaper.
This was according to Karl Wiggishoff of of IDM Consultants, appointed by the mine owner Ibutho Coal as the independent public participation process consultant under the prescribed statutory environmental-impact assessment regulatory process being run by the independent environmental consultancy Jacana Environmentals.
Environmental activists are opposing the proposed 14 615 ha Fuleni coal and anthracite mine, on the western boundary of the country's oldest nature reserve.
"A coal mine here would have devastating consequences for the reserve," conservationist Ian Player was quoted as saying.
"Our children will never forgive us," he said.
The proposed opencast and underground mine would have a 32-year lifespan and create 200 jobs. Some of the coal and anthracite was expected to be exported to India, China, the Middle East, and Europe. It would also supply State-owned power utility Eskom.
The nature reserve was proclaimed in 1895.