UMCEBO - KLIPPAN

The document details a complex conflict between Umcebo Mining (Pty) Ltd and civil society, specifically the Escarpment Environment Protection Group (EEPOG), regarding the Klippan Colliery. Despite an initial victory where the Minister of Mineral Resources upheld an appeal against the mining right in August 2008, the document notes that mining continued. Key issues include the failure to obtain water use licences (WULs), inadequate environmental impact assessments regarding sensitive pans (Blinkpan and Grootpan), and allegations of political influence within the Department of Minerals. The case covers four distinct processes: the initial mining right, an amendment to the Environmental Management Programme Report (EMPR) to shift from underground to opencast mining, water and waste management licensing, and authorization for diesel storage tanks.

• Civil society achieved an early legal victory when the Minister of Mineral Resources upheld an appeal by the Escarpment Environment Protection Group (EEPOG) on 8 August 2008, leading the Minister to withdraw the delegation to the Regional Manager and the authorization for the Environmental Management Programme Report.
• Despite the legal setback, Umcebo Mining appears to have continued operations, including commencing new opencast operations before the EMPR amendment was approved and operating without necessary NEMA/EIA authorizations or water use licences (WULs).
• The proposed Klippan Colliery posed significant environmental risks to the area's water resources and biodiversity, specifically threatening the 'irreplaceable' Blinkpan and Grootpan, which are critical nodes for wildlife.
• The administrative process for granting the mining right was alleged to be flawed due to a failure to assess site alternatives, the 'no-go' option, and the cumulative impact of adjacent mines operated by the same company.
• Allegations were made regarding improper influence, with a representative of Umcebo Mining claiming the company was 'well-connected' to women in the Department of Minerals and within governing political structures.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). UMCEBO - KLIPPAN. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Umcebo-klippan.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. UMCEBO - KLIPPAN. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Umcebo-klippan.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

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

BibTeX

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