SKM_75820080511500

This document is a decision by the Water Tribunal regarding an appeal by the Endangered Wildlife Trust, the Federation for a Sustainable Environment, and Mpumalanga Landbou/Agriculture against a Water Use License (WUL) granted to Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd for the Yzermyn underground coal mine in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The appeal focuses on the potential environmental impacts of the mine, specifically the dewatering of mine shafts, the risk of contaminated water decanting post-closure, and the mine's location within a Strategic Water Source Area (SWSA).

• The Water Use License (WUL) issued on 7 July 2016 authorizes Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd to conduct water use activities for the Yzermyn underground coal mine, including taking water from resources, impeding or diverting water flow, discharging waste into water resources, and removing underground water.
• The Yzermyn Coal Mine is planned to produce 2.2 million tons of coal per annum with an estimated life of mine of approximately 15 years, covering an underground mining area of approximately 1,200 hectares.
• Appellants argue that the mine's design and the 'bord and pillar' method will cause dewatering of mine shafts, leading to a drawdown of groundwater levels that could impact ground-fed water bodies such as wetlands, springs, and rivers.
• There is a significant concern regarding post-mining 'decant,' where mine voids fill with water and potentially release acidic, contaminated water (Acid Mine Drainage or AMD) into the surface. It is estimated that voids may take 45-60 years post-closure to fill.
• Expert witness Andrew Johnstone disputed the Second Respondent's claim of a semi-permeable dolerite sill separating aquifers, arguing that the shallow weathered and deep fractured aquifers are hydraulically connected, which would increase the impact of dewatering on wetlands.
• While the area is a Strategic Water Source Area, expert testimony from Dr. Le Maitre and Ms. Colvin confirmed that current South African law and policy do not prohibit mining in SWSAs, and the SWSA reports used in the appeal were draft documents not yet legally binding.
• The Tribunal noted that the First and Second Appellants and their attorneys (CER) failed to participate substantively in the WULA public participation process between June and August 2015, despite having access to documents.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). SKM_75820080511500. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Annexures-P-2.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. SKM_75820080511500. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Annexures-P-2.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=SKM_75820080511500 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Annexures-P-2.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsndskm75820080511500, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{SKM\_75820080511500}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Annexures-P-2.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }