Residents of Umzumbe on KwaZulu-Natal’s south coast say they are paying a steep price for South Africa’s efforts to get in on the global lithium boom due to the impact of operations at the Highbury open cast mine.
Lithium, a critical mineral used in batteries for electric vehicles, is known as the “white gold” of the energy transition away from fossil fuels.
Work began at Highbury, operated by SA Lithium, two years ago. It is one of three lithium mines in South Africa.
But community members complain there was no proper public participation process, as required by legislation, before mining began - a claim the company refutes.
They say the blasts from explosives used in excavating the ore have cracked the walls of their homes, broken windows and disturbed their livestock.
During a recent visit, the Sunday Times found elderly residents huddled in a field tent, awaiting the next explosion. Many declined to be named, citing threats from alleged enforcers.
“They say they’re coming for anyone who talks,” one woman said.
The mine sits on land once farmed for sugar cane.
Some families who have been displaced by the mine say they are being forced to move without compensation, consultation or clarity about where they will go.
Among those preparing to leave is an elderly woman who remembers Umzumbe as a lush valley with goats and cows grazing freely, rivers running clear.
Now the “rivers are full of dust”. Her family has started looking for a new home, but the woman does not know what will happen with the remains of her late husband and two sons who are buried in her yard.
The rumble of bulldozers and trucks hauling ore is a constant disturbance. The dust they churn up contaminates water tanks, clings to laundry and hangs in the air.
Members of one family say a relative, Phuphu Simphiwe Mavundla, was knocked down and killed by a mine truck earlier this year. A female activist opposed to the mine was shot multiple times outside her home but survived. No arrests have been made.
SA Lithium said it had "regular and open interaction" with local communities for which "various relocation sites" were set aside. "Our local community has indicated a clear preference for free choice and the ability to select sites of their own choosing. SA Lithium is fully supportive of this approach," it said.
The company was unaware of residents being threatened, calling the claims false and libellous. "We are aware of unsubstantiated and false claims from unscrupulous sources regarding, the quality of the assessments carried out, and in full compliance with prevailing legislation.
"Numerous and extensive studies have been conducted, in full compliance with the law. These are submitted to the relevant government departments."
The department of mineral resources & energy said the company had met all legal requirements for public consultation.
Officials cited newspaper adverts, site notices and community meetings in 2022 and 2023.
On compensation, the department pointed to existing guidelines and arbitration mechanisms. It said no independent audits or reviews were conducted in Umzumbe and it had not been asked to intervene by any party.
DMRE officials are scheduled to carry out an inspection next month to assess implementation of the mine’s social and labour plan, which forms part of the requirements for the granting of a mining right. It outlines steps the company will take for the benefit of communities and workers.
Lithium prices have been volatile in recent years but this week battery-grade lithium carbonate was trading at about $10,000 (R178,000) a ton.
Prospecting for further deposits is under way from Hibberdene to Umzinto. Community leaders warn that the Umzumbe precedent does not bode well for rural families.
“They say it’s progress,” said a local activist. “But it’s mining dressed in PR. They’re evicting us with boardroom smiles and bulldozers.”
Community lawyer Barnabas Xulu said legal action was pending and accused the DMRE of colluding with the mining company against the community.
“What’s happening here borders on a gross human rights violation,” he said.
“First of all, mining rights are not awarded on land under communal claim. The land in which the mining is taking place had been gazetted yet the department went ahead and hastily granted the mining rights.
“Also, there was no free, prior and informed consent before mining began. Conflicting relocation plans remain unresolved. According to the 2022 mine community resettlement guidelines, no mining should commence without a signed agreement on compensation for lawful occupiers, landowners and host communities.”
Xulu said affected white farm owners had been compensated and some were earning royalties.
A petition signed by nearly 2,000 residents has been submitted to the National Assembly. Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said the petition had been referred to the select committee on public petitions and undertakings.
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