{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"climate_tags":["wetlands"]},"warnings":[{"code":"facet_value_not_in_vocabulary","message":"Value 'wetlands' for facet 'climate_tags' is not in the controlled vocabulary."}]},"total":{"value":5,"relation":"eq"},"page":1,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?climate_tags=wetlands","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"cer-001229","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-001229","title":"OBJECTION TO APPLICATION IN TERMS OF REGULATION 18(1)(b) OF THE SPATIAL PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS: LAND USE MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL MATTERS, 2015 READ WITH SECTION 98 OF THE SPACIAL PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT BY-LAW FOR PIXLEY KA ISAKA SEME LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, 2016","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2018-05-30","source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Objection-30.05.2018.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"This document is a formal objection submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights on behalf of a coalition of eight civil society and community non-profit organisations. The objection opposes an application by Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd to change the land use of Portion 1 of the Farm Yzermyn 96 in Mpumalanga from agricultural to mining purposes to facilitate the construction of the Yzermyn Underground Coal Mine. The objectors argue that the project would cause irreparable harm to a strategic water source area, threaten biodiversity in the Mabola Protected Environment, and negatively impact vulnerable local communities, while failing to comply with municipal spatial development frameworks and national interest requirements under the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001229#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The proposed Yzermyn Underground Coal Mine is situated in a strategically important area for conservation and national water security, specifically within a 'sensitive natural area' and a 'protected area buffer zone' adjacent to the Mabola Protected Environment.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001229#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Scientific assessments, including one commissioned by the applicant (NSS), conclude that the project is 'fatally flawed' due to the high risk of groundwater contamination and the dewatering of aquifers, which would significantly impact aquatic and wetland ecosystems.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001229#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The mine poses a severe threat of acid mine drainage and contaminated groundwater decant, which the NSS report identifies as the 'most severe impact of coal mining on water resources' and considers impossible to mitigate.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001229#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The proposed mining area contains high biodiversity value, including six floral species at high risk of extinction, 30 protected species under the Mpumalanga Conservation Act, and several Conservation Important mammal and bird species.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001229#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The project threatens the livelihoods of vulnerable local communities, including subsistence farmers who rely on 23 springs in the project area for domestic and livestock water, which would be negatively impacted by aquifer dewatering.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001229#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The objectors argue that the economic benefits are overstated, noting that the 576 potential jobs are temporary (15-year mine life) and unlikely to benefit locals due to a lack of required skills, whereas agriculture contributes significantly more to the local GVA (18.85%) than mining (0.92%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001229#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The application is alleged to have failed mandatory public participation and consultation processes required by the SPLUM Regulations and the Municipal By-Law, as well as failing to conduct required specialist studies for Conservation, Agriculture, and Tourism zones.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001229#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The objectors contend that the application affects the national interest under Section 52 of SPLUMA because it impacts a 'water factory' area that feeds three major river systems (Upper Vaal, Thukela, and Usuthu to Mhlatuze) and affects international water obligations to Swaziland and Mozambique.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001229#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["coal mining","water security","biodiversity loss","wetlands","land use management"],"geography_discussed":["Wakkerstroom","Volksrust","Eswatini","Mozambique","Gauteng","KwaZulu-Natal"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["legal objection","environmental impact review"]},{"id":"cer-000555","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000555","title":"NOTICE OF APPEAL AGAINST THE GRANT OF MINING RIGHT MP 30/5/1/2/2/505 MR TO WILLIAM PATRICK BOWER (PTY) LTD IN RESPECT OF PORTIONS 6 & 23 OF THE FARM GROENVLEI 353JT AND PORTION 12 OF THE FARM LAKENVALEI 355JT IN THE MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT OF BELFAST, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE. REQUEST FOR SUSPENSION OF THE AFORESAID MINING RIGHT PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THIS APPEAL","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2013-07-30","source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/BirdLife-s96-appeal-final.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"A notice of appeal submitted by BirdLife South Africa to the Minister of Mineral Resources on 30 July 2013, challenging the Director-General's decision to grant a mining right (MP 30/5/1/2/2/505 MR) to William Patrick Bower (Pty) Ltd for coal mining in the Belfast district of Mpumalanga Province.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000555#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"BirdLife South Africa appeals the grant of a mining right to William Patrick Bower (Pty) Ltd for portions 6 and 23 of the farm Groenvlei 353 JT and portion 12 of the farm Lakenvalei 355JT, arguing the decision violates constitutional and statutory requirements for co-operative governance and environmental protection.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000555#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The appeal asserts that the mining right was granted despite the area being part of the Steenkampsberg Wet Grasslands, which the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) had proposed for protection under section 49 of the MPRDA to prohibit new mining rights.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000555#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The properties are located within the Steenkampsberg Important Bird Area (IBA SA016), ranked as the second most important IBA in Mpumalanga, providing critical habitat for 13 Red Data bird species, including the Critically Endangered Wattled Crane and White-Winged Flufftail.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000555#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The appeal highlights significant risks to water resources, noting that the proposed opencast mine is adjacent to wetlands and could lead to Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), groundwater contamination, and the lowering of the groundwater table.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000555#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"BirdLife argues that the Director-General ignored the precautionary principle and the specific needs of sensitive ecosystems, as the Environmental Report's mitigation measures only reduced impacts to \"moderate to medium-high,\" which is deemed unacceptable for this irreplaceable biodiversity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000555#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The document identifies the area as a high water yield and high groundwater recharge area, where subsurface water resources are believed to sustain coastal aquifers over 100km away.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000555#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The eMakhazeni Local Municipality Environmental Management Framework (EMF) identifies the area between Belfast and Dullstroom as appropriate for conservation and tourism, explicitly stating that mining is not an appropriate land use.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000555#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The appeal includes a request for condonation for late filing, explaining that BirdLife was misled by a letter from the Mpumalanga Regional Manager suggesting the Minister, rather than the Director-General, had granted the right, which would have precluded a section 96 appeal.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000555#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["biodiversity loss","water resources","wetlands","mining impacts","environmental legislation"],"geography_discussed":["Dullstroom","Emakhazeni Local Municipality","Steenkampsberg","Lakenvlei"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["legal appeal","environmental impact assessment review"]},{"id":"cer-000375","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000375","title":"annexure-7-19127bdadb17e0da.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Annexure-7.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) expresses strong opposition to the proposed Yzermyn Underground coal mine in the Mpumalanga Region, citing critical risks to wetlands, water quality, and protected environments. The DWA identifies the project's location within a National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Area as a \"fatal flaw\" and notes that the mine could cause significant groundwater contamination and the drying up of wetlands.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000375#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) does not support the proposed mining development, identifying its location within the National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Area as the \"greatest fatal flaw of this site\". The DWA warns that underground water reduction from de-watering and sulphate seepages from mining workings and discard facilities could impact wetland FERAs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000375#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The proposed Yzermyn Underground coal mine is located in endangered threatened ecosystems (Wakkestroom/ Luneburg) and is adjacent to the KwaMandamgempisi Protected Environment (KPE), with the target area situated approximately 800m from the KPE.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000375#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The DWA identifies severe risks to water quality, noting that sulphate concentrations in the base flow of the Meawendiane River may exceed 2,000 mg/l in the long term, and concentrations near underground workings may exceed 2,500 mg/l, potentially creating a plume extending more than 2km down gradient.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000375#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The DWA highlights significant gaps and contradictions in the project's environmental assessments, including a lack of quantified impacts on wetlands, missing surface water quality baseline data during the Impact Assessment, and conflicting reports on the surface infrastructure area, which varies between 30 ha and over 80 ha.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000375#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The DWA notes a conflict between the mine's economic claims and the existing local economy, which supports approximately 400 jobs through eco-tourism. Furthermore, the DWA points out that most mine employees would likely come from outside the Area of Direct Influence due to a local lack of skills, meaning the mine would offer \"litle or no economic benefit for the loca area without skis development\".","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000375#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["energy transition","coal mining","water resources","environmental impact assessment","wetlands"],"geography_discussed":["KwaMandamgempisi Protected Environment"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["regulatory review","environmental impact assessment"]},{"id":"cer-001277","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-001277","title":"pml9-5b95afc3bb6b566a.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/PML9.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"A letter from Atha Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd (AAV) to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) requesting amendments to the conditions of a granted Mining Right for the Yzermyn Underground Coal Project (YUCP) in Mpumalanga. AAV argues that current restrictions on mining in wetland areas are too restrictive and proposes alternative wording to allow for surface infrastructure and regulated wetland disturbance.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001277#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Atha Africa Ventures (AAV) is requesting the Department of Mineral Resources to amend conditions 6(i) and 6(ii) of a Granting Letter dated 19 September 2014, which currently exclude mining and infrastructure in areas that constitute wetlands.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001277#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"AAV argues that the current wording of paragraph 6(i), which states \"THe granting shail exclude any oreas that constitute wetlands,\" is ambiguous and poses a risk to the Yzermyn Underground Coal Project (YUCP) because it does not account for the three-dimensional nature of underground mining.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001277#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"AAV proposes that paragraph 6(i) be amended to specify that the granting should only exclude surface areas for infrastructure development outside of Portion 2 of Yzermyn 96 HT.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001277#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"AAV claims that the YUCP will utilize the Bord & Pillar mining method, resulting in no surface mining and zero subsidence, and that proposed mitigation measures will eventually improve the functioning of already disturbed wetlands.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001277#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The Yzermyn underground coal mine project involves a proven coal resource of 104 million in situ tons, with an initial planned capital expenditure of approximately 950 million Rands.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001277#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"AAV estimates that the project will create 550 direct job opportunities and that 12.94 billion Rands of revenue generated during the first 10 years of operation will be spent within South Africa on logistics, contractors, and mining services.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001277#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["energy transition","coal mining","environmental mitigation","wetlands"],"geography_discussed":["South Africa","Mabola Protected Environment","Wakkerstreom Biodiversity Site"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy request","environmental impact"]},{"id":"natjust-000292","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/natjust-000292","title":"nj_submissions-on-the-lamu-ports-access-road-eia-study_2019.09.19-d0b4d8d8b10137d8.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Natural Justice","organization":"natural-justice"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NJ_Submissions-on-the-Lamu-Ports-Access-Road-EIA-Study_2019.09.19.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"Natural Justice submitted comments to the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) on September 19, 2019, regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study report for the proposed Lamu Port Access Road in Lamu County. The organization argues that the project has violated constitutional and statutory requirements concerning access to information, public participation, and environmental protection, noting that construction began before an EIA license was issued.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000292#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Natural Justice claims that NEMA and the project proponent violated the public's right to information by failing to provide the EIA study report in a timely manner. Although a notice for comments was published on August 20, 2019, with a deadline of September 19, 2019, the report was not available on NEMA's website until September 13, 2019.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000292#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The EIA study report is criticized for lacking a scientific Climate Change Impact Assessment. Natural Justice asserts the report merely describes weather conditions and humidity rather than detailing factors like the destruction of wetlands as carbon sinks, and it fails to acknowledge the Climate Change Act, 2016 as a guiding regulatory framework.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000292#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The project proponent is accused of failing to conduct adequate public participation. Natural Justice states that the proponent did not consult the most affected parties, such as Kililana Farmers and pastoralists, instead selecting participants from government entities and private companies. Additionally, the proponent allegedly held only two meetings (on September 3 and 10, 2018) instead of the legally required minimum of three.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000292#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Natural Justice reports that construction of the link road began in March 2019 before an EIA license was issued, which is a violation of the law. The road was commissioned by the LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority (LCDA) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) following a presidential directive.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000292#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Ongoing illegal construction has led to several negative environmental impacts, including dust pollution due to a failure to sprinkle water, the destruction of wetlands through the construction of culverts without NEMA permits, and the creation of unsecured borrow pits that pose a danger to the community and animals.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000292#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The document states that the Lamu-Garsen (A7) link road was not considered in the LAPSSET Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), which is a violation of section 57A of EMCA requiring the assessment of cumulative impacts for all projects.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000292#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["climate change","carbon sinks","wetlands","greenhouse gas emissions","environmental impact assessment"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["legal review","environmental impact critique"]}]}