[miningmx.com] — UNBRIDLED coal mining in Mpumalanga is putting food
security under threat, as 54% of the province’s surface area may be turned into
wasteland.
Coal is mined in the province’s Highveld region, which is South Africa’s leading
producer of soya beans (51%), maize (24%) and dry beans (23%). Agricultural
production in the province contributes 3.3% to the nation’s gross domestic product
(GDP) and accounts for 12% employment.
The region is home to towns such as Witbank, Middelburg, Belfast, Ermelo, Carolina,
Piet Retief, Standerton, Bethal, Volksrust, Balfour and Delmas. It is also an industrial
hub.
AgriSA economist Dawie Maree said rehabilitated mining land would not have the
same agricultural potential as before, adding that virtually no consideration is given
to food security when mining permits were granted.
“Agricultural issues and high potential production regions that contribute towards food
security are not taken into account when mining or prospecting licences are
considered.
“The Department of Agriculture should play an active role in the decision-making on
environmental issues,’ said Maree.
“The Highveld is a very important region in the production of maize and soya beans.
It is one of the areas with the biggest potential for maize production due to the good
soils and higher rainfall than the western parts of the country.’
More than 80% of South Africa’s coal meant for power generation and the export
market is extracted from this region.
There are about 60 mines that are currently operating on 13% of river catchments and
productive farms.
Pending mining permits and prospecting applications sitting with the Department of
Mineral Resources indicate that if they were granted, about 80% of the region’s land
surface area could be given away to mines.
Environmentalists have also warned that more of the towns in the province were at
risk of having undrinkable water if coal mining remained uncontrolled in the Highveld,
as activity will exacerbate the situation on river catchments such as the Olifants,
Vaal, Usutu and the Upper Komati.
Carolina residents are already suffering the consequences of acid mining drainage and
haven’t been using tap water for the past four months.
This follows laboratory studies indicating that water was contaminated with high
levels of sulphate, aluminium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, lead, iron, zinc, copper
and nickel.
If consumed, this will lead to chronic health problems for the residents.
Environmentalists add that the effects of polluted water will be felt in the next 50
years in most of the local towns and the productive farms due to mining on river
catchments and fertile soil.
Research done by Professor Terence McCarthy of the University of Witwatersrand’s
Geosciences Department and environmental activist Dr Koos Pretorius indicates that
acid levels above acceptable quantities for human consumption have already been
recorded in the Witbank and Middelburg dams.
The Department of Water Affairs added that water at the Loskop dam was also
contaminated as well as in rivers such as Olifants, Boesmanspruit, Klein Olifants,
Upper Komati and Wilge.
Dr Pretorius, who also farms in Belfast, said: “We shouldn’t be mining high-potential
areas at all as there will be no suitable water for household use, agriculture and
industries.’
He added: “Carolina hasn’t had water for four months and I can tell you that Belfast
will be next. Ermelo and Breyten will soon follow because of mining that is taking
place in the catchment areas there.’
McCarthy and Dr Pretorius’s research warns that the entire region could become a
“total wasteland once the coal reserves had been fully exploited and mining had
ceased’.
It points out that underground and river water will be undrinkable, and aquatic life
will be reduced to a minimum as has been the case in parts of Witbank already.
“Land will be sterilised due to acidification of soils. This scenario might seem
melodramatic and emotive, but there is no system either in place or planned to
prevent this,’ the research shows.
“The future costs of water purification will be massive, far greater than any mitigation
fund could cover, and these will have to be borne by the state.’
Deon Nel, head of the Biodiversity Unit at WWF South Africa, said the Carolina issue
was just the tip of the iceberg. WWF campaigns for the protection of fresh water
sources.
“The whole Ekangala grasslands area – which is at the corner of Free State, KwaZulu-
Natal and Mpumalanga – is under application for prospecting rights.
“This is a very important area from the hydrological point of view as it is where
various water systems meet and supply fresh water to the rest of the country.’
Zingaphi Jakuja, spokesperson for the mineral resources ministry, was unable to give
detailed information on mining applications in the Highveld.
McCarthy proposes that a moratorium on new mining operations should be imposed to
curb the damage in the Highveld river system.
Speaking for the water affairs ministry, Linda Page said: “If precautions and
regulatory functions are not done, then coal mining can be a threat to the suitability
of water for all water users in catchments.’
– City Press
