Minister dismisses appeal against mine
Mtunzini Conservancy refuses to back down after latest setback to stop neighbouring mine.
THE Mtunzini Conservancy (MC) was dealt yet another blow in their fight to stop the development of Fairbreeze Mine from reaching the town’s doorstep.
Its latest appeal against the permission given to Tronox KZN Sands to mine within 100 metres of Mtunzini’s southern border was turned down by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
According to MC Chairperson Barbara Chedzey, the news came as no surprise after waiting ten months with ‘many reminders and promptings’ for an answer.
Still, the dismissal did little to discourage the conservancy’s determination.
‘We are weighing up our next steps with our lawyers and are determined as ever to achieve the best result for our beautiful conservancy town and the environment,’ said Chedzey.
Rehab peeves
Comparing Fairbreeze Mine with its predecessor Hillside Mine, now depleted on the outskirts of eSikhawini, Chedzey alleged the rehabilitation plans for the closed mine proved to be unreliable.
‘The Hillendale rehabilitation work has only just started and looks nothing like what Tronox had been promising the residents of Mtunzini.
‘We think that, based on what is happening at Hillendale, the mine should be as far removed from the Mtunzini Town boundary as possible.’
But Tronox KZN Sands strongly refuted this claim.
‘Far from being ‘intruders’ as claimed by Ms Chedzey, Tronox KZN Sands has a long history of being a major contributor to the regional economy and is welcomed by the majority of people in the area,’ said the company in a statement.
‘The concerns expressed by the MC in its recent letter have all been thoroughly investigated as part of the Environmental Authorisation processes.
‘The Hillendale northern extension was the last area to be mined and is therefore the last section to undergo rehabilitation.
‘The mining of the Fairbreeze Mine will adopt a different sequence of mining, as well as improved procedures and enhanced rehabilitation techniques that will follow closely after actual mining, with every effort being taken to ensure that the impacts that the MC fears will be adequately addressed.’
