2-cc55912e4e35173b.pdf

This legal document, submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) on behalf of a Coalition, challenges the rezoning of the Yzermyn 96 HT farm from agricultural to mining purposes. The document details the environmental sensitivity of the Wakkerstroom area, the potential for irreparable harm to water resources and biodiversity, and the limited socio-economic benefits of the proposed Atha coal mine compared to the risks to local subsistence farmers and the eco-tourism economy.

• The proposed Yzermyn underground coal mine is described as 'fatally flawed' from a biodiversity perspective due to the risks of groundwater contamination and the impact of dewatering activities on surface water resources.
• Dewatering of aquifers during mining operations is expected to lower groundwater levels, potentially drying out wetlands and springs. This is considered a high-significance impact because at least 40% of the underground mining and surface infrastructure area consists of wetland habitat.
• The mine area is located within the Enkangala Drakensburg Strategic Water Source Area (SWSA), which provides fresh water to five South African provinces and the economic hub of Gauteng.
• The Wakkerstroom/Luneburg Grasslands (MP11) is officially listed as an endangered ecosystem, and the area encompassing the proposed mine and Mabola is situated within this ecosystem.
• The proposed mine area is identified as a high water yield area, described as 'water factories' that are critical for downstream ecosystems and regional growth, requiring the minimization of activities like mining that affect water quality.
• The proposed mine is located within an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) identified by BirdLife International, which is considered one of the most significant IBAs in Africa.
• Socio-economic assessments indicate that the mine is unlikely to be sustainable without active skills development, as the required skills are not present in local communities, meaning most employees would likely be sourced from outside the Area of Direct Influence.
• The local economy in the Wakkerstroom area is primarily based on agriculture and tourism; agriculture contributed 18.85% of the local municipality's total Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2009.
• The High Court set aside 2016 decisions that permitted mining in Mabola, ruling that the Ministers of Environmental Affairs and Mineral Resources failed to apply their minds and ignored the interests of local communities.
• Atha's proposed investment in the local community is estimated at R6.06 million over five years, covering a mobile clinic subsidy, a classroom for Sinethemba Agricultural and Technical Secondary School, and learnerships.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). 2-cc55912e4e35173b.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. 2-cc55912e4e35173b.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=2-cc55912e4e35173b.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsnd2cc55912e4e35173bpdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{2-cc55912e4e35173b.pdf}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }