Revised final reports for Newcastle Coal Project released

Revised final reports for Newcastle Coal Project released

The topic of coal mining remains highly contentious in Newcastle due to the significant impacts it could potentially have on the community, the local environment, and infrastructure. In the midst of these concerns, Cabanga Environmental has completed and submitted its Revised Final Reports for the Newcastle Minetek Coal Project.

The issue came to the forefront in November 2023 when Cabanga Environmental held a public meeting.

This gathering was organised to address the mine’s anticipated impacts, discuss the environmental evaluations that are guiding the development of the project, and outline the precautionary measures designed to mitigate potential risks.

To read more about the proposed mining project, click here.

After this initial public interaction, Cabanga Environmental proceeded to submit their final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, seeking approval. The firm promised to keep the local community informed about the Department’s forthcoming decision.

To learn more about this submission, click here.

Moving forward to almost a year later, Minetek Resources has sustained its efforts to secure prospecting rights in the area. This ambition is marked by Cabanga Environmental’s recent submission of its Revised Final Reports for the Newcastle Coal Project, now available for community review.

The specific area in question includes various farms west of Newcastle, encompassing approximately 3,250 hectares. This region has been under evaluation for its coal resource potential since 1951. Minetek Resources, currently holding the 37PR, is aiming to transition their prospecting right into a full mining right, pursuant to favourable results under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No 28 of 2002) (MPRDA). This application is managed and will be decided by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE).

According to the consulting company, the area slated for application contains segments of coal suitable for open pit mining particularly in the eastern section, with deeper coal deposits in the western section deemed potentially viable for future underground mining operations. However, the report specifies that additional studies will be needed, and prior to starting any underground mining, necessary authorisations will have to be amended.

The current focus of the study is thus on the eastern part of the application area, where it is proposed to establish up to seven open pits employing standard rollover mining techniques.

Furthermore, the planned mining activities include the stripping and stockpiling of topsoil for use in concurrent site rehabilitation. Following this, sub-soil and overburden will be removed and stored, with blasting required for their extraction.

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On-site, the extracted coal will undergo crushing, screening, and sorting operations via proposed in-pit mobile units. Importantly, no coal wash plant is envisaged for the site. The product coal will then be transported off-site for additional processing or direct marketing, destined for both export and domestic markets, dependent on the specific capabilities of the coal seams encountered.

Once the deepest coal is extracted, the pits will be filled in sequence: compacted carbonaceous materials at the base, followed by layers of hard and soft overburden, and finally topped with the previously removed topsoil, which will then be revegetated.

Further to the mining activities, essential supporting infrastructure will be constructed. This includes roads, conveyor systems, pipelines, and both clean and dirty water management facilities, including Pollution Control Dams for on-site containment of contaminated water. Security and access infrastructure, such as fences, boom gates, a weighbridge, and a control room will also be established, alongside necessary operational buildings like workshops, office containers, change houses, and laundry facilities.

The project requires compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (as amended), necessitating an Environmental Authorisation under the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998) (NEMA). Additionally, as the overburden stockpiles meet the legal definition of “waste” under the National Environmental Management Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008) (NEMWA), a Waste Management License will be required.

A Water Use License (WUL), governed by the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) (NWA), is also required and is currently being processed by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

Additionally, the site designated for mining primarily serves agricultural purposes, such as crop cultivation and grazing. Notable too is the D96 road that cuts through the site, leading westward to the Vulintaba Country Estate. Nearby, residential, recreational, and tourism-related land uses abound, including the Grey Goose Game Lodge and Thorn Hill Country Estate, rendering the project site clearly visible from these locations.

The site also features several environmental and cultural sensitivities. Numerous wetlands and watercourses on the property drain towards Newcastle to the east. The southern part of the site, characterised by topographic highs, has been identified in provincial planning frameworks as critical for biodiversity and potential protected area expansion.

Moreover, 45 heritage and archaeological sites, consisting of various graves and structures older than 60 years, have been identified. Although the built structures are not of particular heritage significance, they are still protected and would require permits for any destruction. The graves, however, are of high significance, and some will be directly impacted by the proposed project, necessitating their relocation prior to development (specifically for Pit D1, a portion of Pit 2, and Pit 6).

Additionally, the proposed infrastructure and operational activities are poised to directly affect or be in close proximity to some residential areas. This proximity means that individuals within the blast radius will need to be relocated through a formal resettlement process, managed by specialists outside the scope of this EIA.

These environmental sensitivities and more were identified through a comprehensive consultation process with interested and affected parties (I&APs), landowners, occupants, relevant authorities, and through desktop data and specialist assessments. As a result, the proposed project layout has evolved, reflecting new sensitivities and preferences that have emerged.

The layout now presented is considered the most optimal as it positions project elements to minimise impact on environmentally sensitive areas as much as possible. Valid recommendations from specialist reports have been incorporated into the project design, specifically regarding the exclusion of wetlands and their regulated zones and the rocky habitat from the mining layout.

The pre-existing environmental and social sensitivities of the project site are acknowledged, and the levels of acceptable change, based on the vulnerability or resilience of the affected environments, have been assessed through the EIA process. The socio-economic specialist’s input suggests that the proposed project will have a high positive impact on production and new business sales, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), taxes, and employment creation.

Following the application of mitigation measures outlined in the Environmental Management Programme, the remaining impacts are categorised as “High negative” and include:

  • Physical alteration of pre-existing geology through excavation and mining, which is irreversible.
  • Operational phase mine dewatering which could lower regional groundwater levels; poor-quality leachate potentially decanting from backfilled opencasts post-closure.
  • Increased visual contrast and visual intrusion from the project elements and activities, particularly from several key observation points (KOPs) where the project will be visibly prominent.

These impacts, while significant, are part of the unavoidable changes associated with a mining project of this scale. Nevertheless, it is understood that while some impacts such as visual disturbances are inevitable, they must be weighed against the potential positive effects anticipated from the project. Additionally, impacts that cannot be mitigated to low levels during the operational phase can be addressed through both concurrent and final rehabilitation efforts.

Moreover, a comprehensive public participation process, compliant with Regulations 39 to 44 of the NEMA EIA Regulations, 2014 (as amended) and the Public Participation Guidelines (DEA, 2017), has been undertaken. The EIA Report and its supporting appendices were made available for a public comment period, after which the feedback received was addressed in the Comment and Response Table, leading to updates in the Reports based on these comments.

As a result, this revised EIA Report and its Appendices are now provided for a 30-day public comment period, which began on Monday, 4 November and will conclude on 4 December 2024. After this comment period, the reports will be updated based on the feedback received and submitted to the DMRE for further consideration.

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In conclusion, the Revised Final Reports for the Newcastle Coal Project are now available for public review until 5 December 2024 (for the EIA) and until 25 January 2025 (for the IWWMP). Interested parties are encouraged to review the documents online at https://we.tl/t-OVh7rIRnYf or in hard copy at the Newcastle Public Library, and to send their comments to info@cabangaenvironmental.co.za on or before the aforementioned dates.

What re your thoughts on the above? Be sure to share your views in the comment section below.

Comments 13

  1. Willie Pieterse says:

    1. To close to Newcastle suburbs.
    2. Health issues.
    3. Not good for the environment.
    4. The road is not going to last long by
    transporting the coal with trucks.
    5. Go greener not meaner.
    6. SO JUST A PLAIN NO.

    • Khosi Samaria Nkosi says:

      So they are on their way to create a new Morgezon with Newcastle. Hell no, we refuse to accept that.

    • Ntokomalo says:

      Definitely Agree With You Sir

  2. Henry Howard says:

    We are already battling with high pollution in the Ncandu river. If this mining is allowed it will futher increase the levels of pollution. Imagine the smell of suplhar all along the river in town, because thatbis what happens to water in areas of mining. Secondly people suffering with breathing problems will have to move. Research has shown in Mpumalanga that areas close to coal mining have an high increase in diseases related to coal dust. Thirdly the infrastructure will not be able to handle the amount of trucks transporting coal. Fourthly we do not know how many local people will really benefit from this.

  3. Brian Welcome Nhlanhla Kunene says:

    This is a very important exercise because most of the areas that are going to be affected inta alia include property and land owned by landlords some of whom have got title deeds for such pieces of land and most of them are occupied by tenants and cemeteries. It’s so important therefore that public participation is made and seen to be frank and transparent because if that is naively ignored might lead to unnecessary litigation s thereby causing unnecessary delays and public altercation as is currently happening in Dannhauser located areas where mines are operating without all the necessary processes having been followed. Those who are operating those mines in these areas don’t know that what they are doing is illegal because they are undermining the community members that are residing there thinking there are no educated people in these areas people who are clued up like some of us who can take them on just to make them regret what they are doing to communities living there. Another thorny issue is that of employment of the people and youth that reside in these areas. It is wrong, unreasonable and unjust for them not to be given job opportunities in these mining projects rather people from far away these areas are the ones that are given job opportunities and that will lead to unnecessary public uprisings and riots. These are areas have got all the professionals from different fields for their communities to be treated like dirt like this.

  4. Cliffy says:

    Already we are battling with sewerage issues in Newcastle which is a total failure on repairs and solving the issue. Our roads in Newcastle are flooded with potholes that are not even being repaired properly by resurfacing the roads. So with Heavy loads on Heavy trucks we looking at drastic problems with the roads that will never be sorted out by our local Municipality. With regards to our water in Newcastle it’s an endless problem as it doesn’t smell or taste good anymore so mining here in Newcastle will make the water worst

  5. Willie van den Berg says:

    1. Regular blasting so close to housing can lead to cracks.
    2. The levels of coal dust (PM 10 and PM 2,5) so close to residential areas can lead to lung disease.
    3. Who is going to pay for the roads around Newcastle that will likely be destroyed?
    4. Who is going to control and check water pollution around the mine? At the moment the municipality and Department of
    Sanitation and Water Affairs do not appear capable of controlling water pollution. Just look at the condition of the Amcor
    Dam.
    5. It is easy to say that a few local people will get jobs but who will enforce this?
    6. I suspect property values will decrease over a very short time.
    7. No mining should be allowed within say 15km of the town area to really ensure minimum coal dust outfall.
    8. Surely coal mining should now become obsolete as the burning of coal leads to increased greenhouse gases. Even if
    exported and burnt the greenhouse gases affect the whole planet. This is a big no as we have all felt the increase in
    temperatures and this in the near future going to affect food security due to floods and drought..

  6. Pieter says:

    Just considering the scenic beauty around Newcastle, especially to the WEST and the impact it will make on the environment and the VERY diverse animal live of Newcastle and Normandien. All the farms that have to close down or reduce their farming capacity and meat prices are already so high. Grazing fields die, underground water that gets populated, livestock gets sick and battle too gain weight because of poor grazing or lung problems because of dust. It is not just the mining areas that will be negatively effected, but a wide area around the mines. Just look what happened with the beautiful farm lands on the road to Chelmsford ! ! ! With Newcastle’s wind mainly coming from a North north westley direction, most of the CBD and South East of Newcastle will be covered with dust and clouds. With the blasting, house as far as a 2 km radius around the blast site will start to crack over time, because of the shock waves. Toooooo Many negatives.

  7. Bauer says:

    Why do Newcastle officials think they need to destroy the land and precious
    Water resources when the whole world is trying to go more green???

    • Senzo Ntombela says:

      We need to be careful of the West drive to green South Africa while importing tones of coal from us. The truck congestion in Richards Bay is the testimony to the double standards of Europe.
      We need to weigh pros and cons of the initiative and prioritize people empowerment

  8. SK says:

    Let us unite and push back, we need to be hands on otherwise all our comments will die here and have no effect. What is the way forward?

  9. Herman says:

    Just look at other coal mining towns in South Africa. It is a mess!!!!
    No No No

    • Senzo Ntombela says:

      Look at Witbank and Middelburg can you still maintain your stance

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