Sunday Tribune
Locals stand their ground on mining plans
July 01, 2007
Edition 1

Fred Kockott

Seated on beer crates around a cattle kraal on the Wild Coast, a small gathering of tribal elders, headmen and residents this week resolved that their communal land was not on offer for mining.

Recent prospecting has revealed a heavy minerals deposit extending 22km from the Mzamba and Mtentu rivers south of Port Edward.

Mining representatives say this resource is the 10th largest heavy minerals deposit in the world. The Australian company, Mineral Resource Commodities Ltd (MRC), and its South African subsidiary, Transworld Energy and Mineral Resources (TEM), have since lodged a mining rights application.

Given political backing at all government levels, the mining representatives appear confident the application will be approved.

"I firmly believe it is going to go ahead. It is one of the most exciting projects in the country - a global resource worth $200 million (R1.4 billion)," said TEM general manager, Roger Barnes.

"This presents an opportunity to transform Pondoland into an economic hub."

But exactly what benefits mining might bring to the local community, particularly those who will live in its dust range, has become a contentious issue.

On Thursday, about 80 residents met tribal elders at the Mgungundlovu tribal court - concerned that decisions about the mining were being taken by "outsiders"' who were not consulting people directly affected, like those facing possible relocation if mining goes ahead.

The meeting appointed a "crisis committee" to liaise with district tribal authorities, local, provincial and national government - and the king of Pondoland - about these concerns.

The delegation sets off tomorrow, accompanying the local chief, Nkosi Ntabazakhe Maleni, for a meeting at the Amadiba district tribal authority.

To secure mining rights, TEM and the MRC have formed a Black Economic Empowerment partnership with the Xolobeni Empowerment Company (Xolco), underpinned by a shareholder's agreement giving Xolco directors a 26% share in the mining operation.

Xolco chairman Nomangesi Malunga is a district municipal employee.
Malunga argues that the mining operation will bring benefits to the community, including clean water, electricity, household income, decent roads, better education and access to health facilities.

"Imagine how that will impact on family in a mud hut with no water, electricity or furniture," wrote Malunga in a recent letter. "Such a family eats hand-ground mealie meal every day and, if they are lucky, manages to kill a snake or monkey to provide protein."

Reservations Amid cows grazing and chickens foraging near the Mnyameni River on Thursday, local headmen listened to people's reservations about promised benefits of mining operations.

Tourism guide Jabulani Mbuyisa alleged that mining representatives had also deliberately subverted and corrupted existing eco-tourism ventures in a bid to sell mining as the only viable development option.

He referred to the near-collapse of Amadiba Adventures which once ran successful horse-trails, beach walks and overnight camps.

"They've co-opted its directors on to Xolco. Now everything's a mess,"
said Mbuyisa, who formerly worked as an Amadiba Adventure guide.

Xolco representatives were also accused of falsely claiming to represent the wider community.

"These Xolco directors live far way from here. They are not going to be affected, and to say that everyone is going to benefit is a big lie, a very big lie," said crisis committee member Spring Gxolonza.

Observing the meeting, Johannesburg social worker and regular Wild Coast visitor John Clarke pledged support for the crisis committee, offering to raise funds for costs involved, including services of attorneys.

"I can't promise that there is already money in the bank, but if there is a popular mandate from the people here, it will make my job a lot easier," said Clarke, who leads a watchdog group, Sustaining the Wild Coast Association.

Accompanying Clarke was Johannesburg attorney Andiswa Mdoni.

Mdoni said it was obvious the government had not advised people of their rights.

"The national Environmental Management Act stipulates that if there is an application for open cast mining, the people affected must be equipped with knowledge and skills to participate in the public process, and be advised of the pros and cons and, in this case, how it will affect eco-tourism," said Mdoni.

"There must be a communal land agreement between the community and the government, before the government approves any mining application," said Mdoni.

Barnes and invited Xolco representatives did not attend Thursday's meeting at the Mgungundlovu tribal court. Barnes was in the area, but accompanying a senior official from the Department of Minerals and Energy.

Barnes said a lot of public misconceptions had been created by misleading media reports about the mining plans and consultations.

According to the mining website, the Xolobeni mineral sands deposit, as it is now called, comprises 360 million tons of 5% heavy mineral with a mine life of about 22 years.

The mining is expected to produce 25 000 tons of ilmenite, 19 000 tons of rutile, 15 000 tons of zircon and 15 000 tons of leucoxene each year.

These are all titanium minerals used principally for pigments in paints, papers and plastics.

Barnes said the Xolobeni project was estimated to generate R560 million yearly.

He said excavation would be shallow, dry, truck and shovel mining, with negligible environmental damage.

"The beauty of this mining method is that the mining area will be like a construction site. We are looking at a maximum annual disturbed area of
38ha."

Barnes said the mining would not encroach on beaches, estuarine systems, coastal vegetation or lands on which people were living.

Dust pollution, he said, would be an issue, though, requiring relocation of some families.

He said compensation would be offered to such families and that ultimately the legacy of the mining would be "a sustainable, rehabilitated area with considerably improved infrastructure, agriculture production and business opportunities".

Mdoni said if affected residents opposed the mining plans, Barnes's optimism about expected government approval could be shortlived.

Clarke agreed. "The real crunch is what people on the ground say."