Residents speak out against commonage mining move

PIET MARAIS

A recent public meeting in Nolukhanyo revealed strong community opposition to a proposed mining application on the historic Bathurst Commonage. Over one hundred Bathurst residents from Nolukhanyo and the village gathered at the Solomon Mahlangu Hall on Tuesday, May 20, to voice their concerns. There to record them were to representatives from Lwethuma Environmental Consultants, the company appointed by Bathurst Quarry (Pty) Ltd to conduct the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for their application.  

Under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), pubic consultation meetings are a mandatory step in the EIA. An EIA process is conducted according to a timetable that is also governed by the Act. June 8 is the deadline for written submissions. 

The meeting, lasting over two hours, was emotionally charged, with residents questioning the potential impact of a sand and stone mine on the 3,000-hectare commonage. Speakers emphasised that the land is public and called for the Ndlambe Municipality to intervene and take control before any decisions are made. 

Chris Gidana, representing the Bathurst and Port Alfred Farmer Association, drew an analogy to a jointly owned home, highlighting the existing agreement with the municipality for grazing rights. He stated, “As it stands now, nobody has a legal claim to that land. It is public land,” he said, urging Ward 5 Councillor Mzwandile Sweli, who chaired the meeting, and the municipality to step in and guide the way forward.  

Sweli assured the community that he would report back to the Ndlambe council and officials, promising to organise a follow-up meeting where municipal representatives could address and consult with the community. 

The controversy began with a notice posted on the commonage, alerting the public to an application for stone aggregate and sand mining across an area equivalent to ten football fields. An official notice was subsequently published in the Talk of the Town on May 8, 2025. 

Concerns were raised regarding the lack of direct consultation with the Bathurst Commonage Management Committee (BCMC). Bathurst Quarry (Pty) Ltd has submitted the mining application to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, requiring members of the public to register as Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs) to have their comments and submissions considered. 

While a Background Information Document (BID) and draft Basic Assessment Report (BAR) were made available to registered participants, some speakers expressed dissatisfaction with the limited information and preparation time provided. 

Lwethuma Environmental Consultants representative, McDonald Mdhluli, assured attendees that the meeting was not the final opportunity to comment or make submissions. Written submissions will still be accepted and those wishing to do so should contact McDonald Mdluli at 079 242 1312 or info@lwethuma.com before June 8.  

In the wake of the meeting, the Bathurst Commonage Management Committee (BCMC), supported by the Bathurst Residents and Ratepayers Association (BR&RA) and Friends of Bathurst Nature (FBN), submitted a document outlining several key concerns regarding the proposed mining operation. This submission highlights the potential for: 

• Limited Job Creation: The mining operation is capital-intensive and unlikely to create significant local employment, with the Basic Assessment Report (BAR) suggesting only ten jobs, filled by skilled labour from outside Bathurst.

• Negative Impact on Eco-Tourism: The mining could disrupt existing eco-tourism plans developed by the BCMC in collaboration with SANParks and FBN.

• Adverse Effects on Livestock and Wildlife: The use of heavy machinery and blasting is expected to negatively affect both livestock and wildlife due to noise and potential harm.

• Exacerbation of Water Supply Issues: Bathurst already faces water shortages, and the mining operation would further strain local water sources.

• Contamination Risks: Mining activities pose risks of hydrocarbon contamination and increased dust emissions, affecting local water sources.

• Damage from Blasting: Blasting could damage nearby infrastructure and affect the health of residents due to shockwaves and dust.

The submission emphasises the strong community opposition to the mining application, as reflected at the Solomon Mahlangu Hall meeting, arguing that it fails to align with the principles of sustainable development and the need for community involvement as outlined in the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act. The document concludes that the mining operation poses significant risks to the environment and local livelihoods without providing adequate benefits to the Bathurst community.  

• This article was first published in Talk of the Town, May 29, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays.