The contentious prospect of a coal mining project destined for Newcastle has ignited a wave of discontent for some with excitement for others. Some are concerned about its potential adverse impacts on the town, while others see it as an opportunity for the struggling local economy.
Despite widespread opposition, Cabanga Environmental has formally submitted its final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE).
In a communication issued on Wednesday, 6 December 2023, Cabanga Environmental informed residents that they would be notified of the Department’s decision and provided with details of the appeal process if residents wanted to pursue this course.
The mining development, spearheaded by Minetek Resources, was first reported by Newcastillian News on 7 November 2023. The project involves open-pit mining and the prospect of future underground coal mining across various farm portions just outside of Newcastle.
The mine’s operations are expected to encompass limited on-site processing, including the crushing, screening, and sorting of coal, with no washing proposed. The project also incorporates essential infrastructure such as security measures, office facilities, workshops, roads, and water management systems.
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Furthermore, a public meeting held at Newcastle Town Hall allowed residents to gain further insights into the project before being given until 17 November 2023 to voice their opinions.
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While the DMRE deliberates the decision, the final EIA submitted by Cabanga Environmental delineates the project’s components, comprising an initial open-pit mining phase and a subsequent underground mining component. The report details that the eastern portion of the site will witness rollover mining in up to seven pits, emphasising sequential mining with a focus on coal blending to meet quality requirements.
Nevertheless, the report highlights the transportation of coal from mining areas to a central processing area that accommodates crushing, screening, and sorting plants. Additionally, in-pit mobile crushing and screening plants are preferred, alongside a proposed combination of truck haulage, haul roads, and a conveyor system.
Crucially, no on-site coal washing plant or mineral residue facilities such as discard dumps or slurry dams are proposed, as per the report. Supporting infrastructure encompasses roads, security, access control, waste management, administration facilities, workshops, stores, electricity distribution, and water management facilities.
As the community awaits the DMRE’s decision, a meeting on Wednesday, 6 December 2023, saw concerned residents convene to discuss the matter.
From his perspective, Dr Brian Wilson noted that the mining project would wreak havoc in terms of air and sound pollution while marring the visual beauty of the area. Additionally, he noted, “It is also upward of Grey Goose Game Lodge and we have an agricultural project where we do and teach organic farming, and to have that next to a coal mine.”
A resident who wished to remain anonymous voiced her concern about the details possibly omitted from the reports supplied to the community. This included blasting in the area, and the damage to the water and air quality. “The mining project has a direct impact on every Newcastle resident,” noted the concerned resident.
However, numerous residents are rooting for the establishment of the mine, considering its potential impact on the local economy and job market.
Speaking with a resident who wished to remain anonymous and who had been impacted by ArcelorMittal’s recent news, he believed that with ArcelorMittal South Africa’s downsizing, the mine could assist in providing skilled jobs and business opportunities to the embattled town.
“Most of the people complaining about this mine either have businesses or jobs impacted by the mine’s location and its appearance. Or they have businesses or jobs not impacted by ArcelorMittal’s downsizing. For thousands of people and their families, life just got a whole lot more difficult and it’s not like large companies or investors are lining up to develop Newcastle.”
With a mixed bag of outlooks on the new mine, be sure to read the final EIA report, by clicking here.
Share your thoughts on the above mentioned in the comment section below.
7 Responses
People are hungry will accept anything put on.the table
I am totally for the mine this town needs it we are a poor town and it has just been made worse but what has happened to Mittal we can live with all these negative comments they are from people that are fine what about the rest come on people think of your neighbors who are battling it will help all the businesses food and otherwise to boost a bit more business between the new hospital and the mine you have my vote
The problem is that the few individuals are not considerate for the masses people are struggling to make ends meet. Of course not everyone will benefit from the Mine but once it starts operating the domino effect of those working and service providers will make a difference.
We reside opposite the proposed mining area and the concern is that our houses, air and water will never be the same. Never was this area demarcated for mining. It was demarcated for middle class housing. We should be compensated for this or relocated. People worked lifelong to buy these properties.
The mine has done lot of meetings with communities interested and directly affected but the voice of the community was hijacked and dominated by those who have money and owning land saying all of us we dont want mining which is not true mining comes with lot of development and job opportunities as i have read their documents this is going to be a sustainable mining and it will not take underground water yes it will use the public road but im happy that no washing plant would be erected blasting and noise its up to us as community members to look after that but when we raise our concerns let us not ne racial because mining is done by black people then se must stop it when its done by other race we are happy i think lets all read mining charter and mprda i thank you
My people of the south there are too many people from Newcastle working to areas where mining takes place some they even relocated to those places due to work which I believe they want to come back to their place place of birth.talking about Blasting the Blasting technology is more advanced now let us not worry much about that .water pollution there will be PCDs built to contain dirty water from the mine activities,.people let’s allow this development to take place in that area ,it’s been long that town being left behind in a sylabus of development.for those who never worked in a mine there are rules ,regulations and procedures to be followed when doing ming as per mine and safety act of South Africa to ensure that all those factors are been taken care of .
South african stats says 1:6 which means 1 person working about 6 people will survive of that 1 whos working.people let’s work if faults rises will sort it out on the run this will be job creation for others , Newcastle is so big and about 80% of people are without job think of that people of the south please…
Batho. Let us do the mining and share in the profit from selling the coal to Eskom. We also want meat in our freezers