APPLICATION ITO S96.pdf

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) filed an application on October 30, 2020, requesting the suspension of a decision by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy to grant extended mining rights to Mineral Sands Resources (Pty) Ltd (MSR) and Tormin Mineral Sands (Pty) Ltd. The CER argues that the proposed expansion occurs within Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) and an ecological corridor, posing irreversible damage to biodiversity and the Namaqualand Strandveld vegetation.

• The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) is seeking the suspension of the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy's decision to grant extended mining rights (WC30/5/1/2/2/10107MR and WC 30/5/1/2/2/10108MR) to Mineral Sands Resources (Pty) Ltd and Tormin Mineral Sands (Pty) Ltd pending an appeal under section 96(1) of the MPRDA.
• The proposed mining expansion is located within Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) and a recognized ecological corridor, which are priority areas for conserving South Africa's biodiversity. The CER asserts that any loss of intact CBAs would have a high negative impact at a regional or national level.
• The CER claims that the impacts on biodiversity are irreversible, specifically noting that the Namaqualand Strandveld vegetation is difficult and slow to rehabilitate. The document cites an EIA Report appendix stating that the diversity of the affected area will never be fully restored and the extent of vegetation restoration to near-natural levels is unknown.
• The application argues that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) failed to adequately address cumulative impacts, as it restricted its interpretation to the mine's own existing operations and proposed extension, ignoring other mining activities in the coastal and offshore regions such as diamond mining.
• The CER contends that the project fails to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and biodiversity offset guidelines. It notes that residual impact ratings on biodiversity remain of medium significance and that the EIA does not provide a proper biodiversity offset plan.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). APPLICATION ITO S96.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CER-Suspension-Application-Rectified-1.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. APPLICATION ITO S96.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CER-Suspension-Application-Rectified-1.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=APPLICATION ITO S96.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CER-Suspension-Application-Rectified-1.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centreforenvironmentalrightsndapplication, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{APPLICATION ITO S96.pdf}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CER-Suspension-Application-Rectified-1.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }