appeal-decision-19e4b3e7fa30c8b2.pdf

This document is a decision by the MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs of Mpumalanga Province to dismiss an appeal brought by the Centre for Environmental Rights. The appeal challenged the environmental authorisation granted to Atha-Africa Ventured for the proposed Yzermyn underground coal mine, located on Portion 1 of the farm Yzermyn 96 HT within the Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality.

• The MEC dismissed the appeal against the environmental authorisation for the Yzermyn underground coal mine, stating that the Public Participation Process was conducted according to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations and that all associated mining activities were properly applied for, described, assessed, and authorised.
• The proposed mine will involve underground mining within the Mabola Protected Environment, although surface infrastructure will be located outside of this protected area. To mitigate environmental impacts, the applicant reduced the mining footprint to 22 hectares and decided not to construct a discard dump (residue stockpile) or associated wash plant.
• The decision to approve the mine was supported by socio-economic justifications, including the potential to benefit impoverished communities in the Pixley Ka Seme and Mkhondo local municipalities through work opportunities and a Social Labour Plan, as well as South Africa's heavy reliance on thermal coal for power generation.
• An Environmental Management Committee (EMC) will be established to monitor compliance with permits, authorisations, and licences. This committee will include the Department of Mineral Resources, Department of Water and Sanitation, Department of Environmental Affairs, the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, and the DARDLEA.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). appeal-decision-19e4b3e7fa30c8b2.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Appeal-decision.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. appeal-decision-19e4b3e7fa30c8b2.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Appeal-decision.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=appeal-decision-19e4b3e7fa30c8b2.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Appeal-decision.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centreforenvironmentalrightsndappealdecision19e4b3e7fa30c8b2pdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{appeal-decision-19e4b3e7fa30c8b2.pdf}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Appeal-decision.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }