3.1-annexures-74b6298971c4cb01.pdf

The provided document consists of a Mining Right granted to Atha Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd by the South African Department of Mineral Resources, an Environmental Authorisation from the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, and a Water Use Licence from the Department of Water and Sanitation. These documents collectively authorise the development and operation of the Yzermyn Underground Coal Mine in the Mpumalanga Province, detailing the legal obligations, environmental mitigation requirements, and water management constraints imposed on the holder.

• The Minister of Mineral Resources granted a mining right to Atha Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd on 28 June 2016 for the extraction of coal. The right is valid for 15 years, ending on 28 June 2031, and covers a mining area of 4352.6956 hectares in the Wakkerstroom Magisterial/Administrative District of Mpumalanga.
• The Yzermyn Underground Coal Mine is located in a highly sensitive biodiversity area, specifically within the Endangered Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland (Gm 14) ecosystem. The site borders the KwaMandhlangampisi Protected Environment and is situated just outside the Mabola Protected Environment.
• The project's surface infrastructure, covering approximately 22.4 hectares, includes a security fence, site offices, a boxcut adit, decline shafts, an enclosed conveyor system, a crushing and screening station, and a Pollution Control Dam (PCD) of approximately 2.6 hectares.
• Environmental conditions require a minimum no-go buffer of 100m around the Mkuzase and Mawendlane Rivers and associated channelled valley bottom wetlands, and a 500m buffer around two large old adits used by at least four Conservation Important bat species.
• The Department of Water and Sanitation issued a Water Use Licence authorising the removal of up to 9467 cubic metres of groundwater per annum and the abstraction of 28277 cubic metres per annum from supply wells CBH2D (Kromhoek 93 HT) and CBH3S (Goedgevonden 95 HT).
• Atha Africa Ventures requested a one-year extension to commence mining operations, citing delays caused by appeals against the Environmental Authorisation and Water Use Licence lodged by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) and others.
• The mine's coal transport route involves an unpaved road through the village of Dirkiesdorp, leading to the Piet Retief Siding (operated by Jindal), located approximately 60 km away, for dispatch to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal.
• The Environmental Authorisation mandates the appointment of an independent Environmental Control Officer (ECO) and the establishment of an Environmental Management Committee (EMC) comprising representatives from various government departments and the Mabola Protected Environment Management Authority.
• The project is expected to have a positive socio-economic impact through employment and local economic stimulation, although it may negatively impact a homestead located approximately 500m from the adit entrance and 100m from the main access road.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). 3.1-annexures-74b6298971c4cb01.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/3.1-Annexures.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. 3.1-annexures-74b6298971c4cb01.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/3.1-Annexures.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=3.1-annexures-74b6298971c4cb01.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/3.1-Annexures.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsnd31annexures74b6298971c4cb01pdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{3.1-annexures-74b6298971c4cb01.pdf}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/3.1-Annexures.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }