Kasimira 118 mining application
Zamokwakhe Shabalala
On the 27 September 2024,Kasimira Trading (Pty) Ltd (Kasimira) was called a meeting for Mining
Right Application Proposed Eagles Cliff Coal Mining Project. The Purpose of the meeting is to
present the proposed mining project and contents of the Scoping Report, Obtain comments and
input from stakeholders regarding the proposed project.
Kasmira has two directors being Mr Su and Mr Msibi. The meeting held today is part of the
consultation process for Kasimira’s Mining Right Application. MSI owns some of the shares under
Kasimira.
Kasimira has applied for a mining right license for various farms, with Eagles Cliff farm targeted for
coal extraction, while the other farms will be developed at a later stage.
The Environmental Authorization will be amended whenever Kasimira intends to start mining on
farms other than Eagles Cliff. Mining on these additional farms will require significant changes on the
current setting, including the introduction of new infrastructure, which is not currently covered by
the EIA process only for farm Eagles Cliff. For instance, if they wish to commence mining on farms
other than Eagles Cliff, they will need to apply for an amendment to the Environmental.
During that meeting many questions were raised.
1. Mr Peter Vinnicombe & Associates Normandien farms were asked that land use includes
agricultural activities, grazing and heritage and the mine wants to come in and use it for
another purpose. There will be a big change in the purpose of land use. But Ms.
Nonkululeko Mbasane as consultant indicated that “before coal mining activities can
commence, lease negotiations will need to be conducted between the landowners and the
developer. The affected landowners will provide input on the changes to their land use. The
mine is currently engaged in discussions with the affected landowners.”
2. Ms Sonto Msimanga from Hope Farm She expressed concern about downstream impacts,
noting that during the rainy season, polluted water from the mine will flow to the lowest
point, affecting residents located downstream. She also mentioned that their livestock
depends on this water. Ms Nonkululeko Mbasane indicated that “the mine will implement a
stormwater management plan, which will outline how the water will be directed from the
site to the Pollution Control Dam (PCD). The PCD will be lined to reduce the risk of
contaminants seeping into the surrounding soil and groundwater, thereby safeguarding the
environment and local water sources. Water from the PCD can be recycled and reused by
the mine, helping to conserve resources and reduce overall water consumption in mining
operations.”
3. Mr Temba Wilhemse Private owner were asked what guarantee they have that the mine will
carry out proper rehabilitation, and when will rehabilitation take place? Ms Nonkululeko
Mbasane were replied by saying that “the DMRE has measures in place to ensure that prior
to granting the Mining Right License, there is a lump sum that mining companies are
required to pay the rehabilitation process. The lump sum goes to the DMRE’s coffers.”
4. Mr Zamokwakhe Shabalala Sisonke Environmental Justice Network , indicated that there
are family graves in the proposed project area and what measures the company has in place
to ensure these graves are not impacted by the development. Ms Nonkululeko Mbasane
she answered by saying that “the Heritage specialist will conduct an assessment and
recommend appropriate mitigation measures to address any concerns. Additionally, the
screening tool will also indicate if there are any heritage resources present that need to be
considered as part of the environmental management process.
If graves are identified, the relevant heritage authority being KZN Amafa Institute will be consulted,
and they will provide guidance on appropriate measures to address the situation and consult with
the affected families”.
It is important to note that graves cannot be dug or damaged, as doing so would be considered a
criminal offense.
I continue to expressed concern about the potential impacts on wetlands resulting from the mining
activities. And also asked about clarification on how the company plans to address and mitigate
these impacts. But she replied by saying this the proposed project area is located in a highly sensitive
as it is close to Ncandu River. There will be a wetland and aquatic ecology impact assessment
undertaken as part of the EIA process. The assessment will identify environmental sensitivities and
impacts, specialists will outline the mitigation measures to manage adverse.
Kasimira was granted Prospecting Rights in 2017 and were not executed until 2019. The public
consultation for the Prospecting rights was conducted circa 2015-2016, Ukhozi Consulting were the
appointed independent consultants undertaking the Prospecting Right Application. After that MSI
empire was taken over without informing the communities and operate without water use licence
but today Kasimira they claimed that they will continue extracting coal on the areas where MSI will
operate it.
