EYESIZWE PAARDEPLAATS

This case study describes a dispute regarding a coal prospecting right granted to Eyesizwe Coal (Pty) Ltd in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The document highlights systemic failures in public consultation and the disregard for recommendations from the Regional Mining Development and Environment Committee (RMDEC) and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Authority (MTPA).

• Eyesizwe Coal (Pty) Ltd was granted a prospecting right for coal on 30 October 2006, covering approximately 1167 ha near Belfast in Mpumalanga, including portions of the farms Paardeplaats 380 JT and Paardeplaats 425 JS. The area is designated as 'highly significant' for aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Authority (MTPA).
• The Environmental Escarpment Protection Group (EEPOG) and certain landowners allege a failure in the public participation process. Despite a prior agreement that Eyesizwe would notify EEPOG of applications in the 'Belfast Block', EEPOG received no notification of the 2004 or 2005 applications. One landowner reported that he was told consultation could only occur after signing a 'notification form' that sought to limit consultation to the timing and location of drilling holes, but he was never contacted again.
• The Regional Mining Development and Environment Committee (RMDEC) recommended against the approval of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) because it did not comply with reg 52 or s 39(3) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (MPRDA), specifically due to Eyesizwe's failure to provide results of a requested public participation process. Despite this, the Minister or delegated officials granted the prospecting right and approved the EMP.
• The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Authority (MTPA) objected to the application, noting that 24 proposed boreholes would be located in natural grasslands or wetlands, which would negatively impact the community and tourism, the primary economic activity in the area. These inputs were seemingly ignored in the final decision to grant the right.
• Following the granting of the prospecting right, EEPOG submitted an appeal on 3 May 2009. Prior to this appeal, on 3 March 2009, the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) had already accepted an application for a mining right submitted by Eyesizwe for the same and additional properties.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). EYESIZWE PAARDEPLAATS. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Eyesizwe-Paardeplaats.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. EYESIZWE PAARDEPLAATS. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Eyesizwe-Paardeplaats.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

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

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsndeyesizwe, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{EYESIZWE PAARDEPLAATS}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Eyesizwe-Paardeplaats.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }