An application to prospect and mine in the middle of the Modderfontein residential and business areas on Gauteng's East Rand is causing concern to businesses, conservationists and property owners.
A petition with 2,000 signatures objecting to the mining plan has been submitted to the company, Mulalo Mining, which has applied for rights to mine materials including dolomite, dolomitic limestone, granite/syenite and stone aggregate gravel — all used in construction.
The proposed site borders the pristine Modderfontein Reserve, which is home to endangered and near-endangered flora and fauna species, as well as aquatic life.
Areas affected within a 3km radius are Waterfall Estates, Jukskei View, Buccleuch and Klipfontein. Residents in nearby Greenstone Hill and Chloorkop, where there are numerous townhouse complexes and estates and a hospital, also fear repercussions. The popular monthly farmers’ market will be directly affected.
The planned activity borders AECI’s explosive factory which is a national key point.
A basic assessment report, conducted by Bonum Solutions on behalf of the mining company, says local communities would benefit from the positive impact on the economy, as well as “from the revenue allocations that will be made directly into development projects to be conducted in partnership with the district and local municipalities”.
“This will be a real opportunity to reduce poverty. When there is more money available, it will allow more entrepreneurs to generate opportunities creating indirect jobs.
“The proposed prospecting right process will lead to approximately 17 short-term jobs for skilled and unskilled workers. These jobs can ultimately be increased in future when we move to the mining phase,” states the assessment report.
However, AECI, one of the main landowners, has submitted a formal objection based on “several critical concerns, primarily relating to health, safety, environmental integrity and national security.
“The Modderfontein site is a designated national key point and classified as a ‘major hazard installation’, which imposes strict operational and safety requirements. The introduction of any mining activity, particularly blasting, in the immediate vicinity would pose an unacceptable risk to the safe operation of our facilities,” said AECI spokesperson Neil Franklin.
“Further to this, we have serious reservations regarding the increased security risks that may arise from such an operation, including the potential for illegal access, vandalism and increased foot traffic in restricted areas. We also note with concern that the applicant has indicated an intention to utilise groundwater resources in a manner that appears to contravene existing title deed restrictions, raising legal, environmental and governance issues.”
Franklin said the environmental impact was significant. Blasting operations could disturb the local wildlife population, including game animals, potentially causing them to flee the reserve and encroach on neighbouring properties. This disruption of the reserve’s ecological balance would be difficult to manage and could have long-term consequences.
He noted that the planned activity would be adjacent to a watercourse that feeds directly into the two main dams within the reserve. Without adequate controls there was a risk of contamination or disruption to the hydrological system, which would severely affect water quality. “This, in turn, threatens aquatic life and the broader ecosystem.”
Reinart van der Merwe of the Greater Modderfontein Property Umbrella Association, which represents some 19 residential estates as well as business, industrial and retail owners, said the mine would be devastating for the area, especially the nature reserve.
It will have a huge environmental impact on everyone in the vicinity, especially the flora and fauna of the reserve on which it borders
— Reinart van der Merwe of the Greater Modderfontein Property Umbrella Association
“It will have a huge environmental impact on everyone in the vicinity, especially the flora and fauna of the reserve on which it borders. We have breeding fish eagles in the reserve, a variety of antelope and small game, five dams, picnic spots, hiking, cycling, and fishing areas, and all these would be impacted by the dust, noise, traffic and water pollution.”
Kimbal Marè, ward 32 committee member for planning and development, said that with only 17 jobs promised, there were no direct benefits to the area.
Sally Bevington, a geologist assisting residents, said the basic assessment report was flawed. Faults included:
- Inadequate notification and public participation in breach of legal public participation requirements;
- Insufficient time for comment as required by law;
- Incomplete environmental assessment and impacts; and
- The absence of specialist studies.
“Although the need for specialist studies was identified, Bonum stated that these had not yet been conducted due to access issues,” she said.
Bevington added that the report was based entirely on desktop data, as opposed to field studies.
“This is not acceptable, especially in an ecologically sensitive area.”
Mulalo Mining and Bonum Solutions said that after they received the objections at the end of June, terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity assessment specialist studies had been commissioned and extensions had been given to allow these to be incorporated into the basic assessment report.
Bonum environmental consultant Lehlogonolo Chiloane said: “We are in communication with landowners, requesting access to the properties for these studies to be completed.”
Bonum confirmed the mining methods included stripping and stockpiling of topsoil; blasting; excavating; crushing and screening; washing; stockpiling and transporting; sloping and landscaping upon closure of the site and replacing the topsoil and vegetation in the disturbed area.
During the work, said Bonum, there would be dust limitation and suppression, noise control and ground and surface quality tests conducted to prevent pollution. Buffer zones would be created to ensure activities did not have an adverse impact on biodiversity — and to limit the visual impact of the mining activities.
Where access roads were needed, owners would be consulted and the land rehabilitated at the end of the drilling.
Ward councillor Dimakatso Moloisane said he was torn on the matter. “On the one hand, I respect the residents’ wishes about conservation and the impact of the quarry on their areas, but on the other hand, the area is close for Klipfontein residents to have employment opportunities, and people need jobs,” he said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.