The recieving environment for this proposed project (Mining) is a very sensitive environment. It has unique ecological species in South Africa I can even say in the World at large. The natural beauty of this environment is unique and people are proud of it.

Therefore, permitting of this mining project would mean that the natural beauty of thi environment is degrading and the surrounding communities will be losing their natural asset to foreign companies.

I want to appeal to the compitent authority that would be responsible for the authorisation of this project, in this case it would be Department of Minerals and Energy, I’m not sure if this department does understand that the area (Pondolond) has high ranks in Tourism business becouse of its eco-tourism resources, which means that if the project is permitted Eastern Cape Eco- Tourism business will be degraded.

It is understandable that the ongoing EIA process will come up with possible ways to mitigation potential environmental impacts of this project, but I can tell you one thing with my experience as an Environmentalist all the mining activities that take place nearby coastline are associated with the uncotrollable environmental impacts and the surrounding environments suffer with environmental degradation which minimise the opportunities to rehabilitate the affected environment.

DME (Department of Minerals and Energy) does not guarantee to take full responsibility of monitoring the mining activities so if this project is being approved it will mean that the mining company will have to take the responsibility of monitoring their mining activities, this experience is testified by other provinces.

Competent authority together with this company should try to investigate another alternative potential area which has less environmental conservation.

It’s a pity that people of Pondolond or should I say people of Xolobeni don’t have much power to stand on thier own to appeal against this mining activity, so I take this opportunity to appeal to all potential environmentalist and nature lovers to stand together with residents of Xolobeni in objecting against these minings in our beautiful coastal areas.

Let’s not let our poeple being manipulated and given the wrong information that these projects of this nature will enhance or alleviate poverty while degrading the beautiful environment.

Do we want our Beautiful Pondoland to look like that big hole in Kimberly or the minings that take place in Kwazulu/Natal?

I thank you

Andile Mangcengeza
Cape Town