Besluit oor Wildekusmyn kom einde Februarie

AMELIA DE MILANDER

PORT ELIZABETH. – Belanghebbers, inwoners en omgewingsbewustes wat tans in afwagting sit vir die minister van minerale en energie, me. Buyelwa Sonjica, se besluit oor die toelating van sandmynbedrywighede langs dieWildekus, gaan nog tot minstens einde Februarie moet wag. [Read more…]


Rubber stamp for coastal mining feared

January 10, 2008 Edition 1

Tony Carnie

A major announcement about a dune mining venture on the Wild Coast is expected from Buyelwa Sonjica’s Mining Ministry early next week, setting the tone for future development and conservation along the country’s wildest and best-preserved coastline.

Though Sonjica’s decision centres on the environmental impacts of industrial development - a matter which ordinarily falls under the jurisdiction of the environment minister - the final call in this case will be made by a ministry which has signalled its determination to act as both player and referee by promoting mining and regulating the environmental consequences.

While everything from the building of nuclear power stations, hazardous chemical factories, petrol refineries, steel mills or cellphone towers has to be assessed and authorised by the national or provincial environment ministries, mining remains a “special case” - despite long-standing attempts to exercise more stringent control over these highly destructive activities. [Read more…]