The department of water and sanitation has opened a criminal case against Woestalleen Colliery Mine and suspended its water licence due to the mine’s continued pollution of water resources.
The mine, based in Middleburg, Mpumalanga, and its business rescue practitioner were found to be non-compliant with the conditions of the water licence and of engaging in unlawful water use activities.
The department said it had been monitoring the mine’s illegal action since 2014, which endangered the lives of the people of Middelburg and also affected the farming communities.
Gezephi Nyalunga, a director responsible for water sector regulation on compliance, monitoring and enforcement, said since 2014 the mine had been given notices to refrain from contamination of water in local rivers and for agricultural purposes.
“Local farmers have been complaining again with people around the mine who said the acids from the mine are contaminating the water they use,” said Nyalunga.
“The deterioration in water quality discharge from Woestalleen Colliery has a negative impact on aquatic life and agricultural users who rely on Woestalleen Spruit for irrigation purposes and impact on ground and surface water. In one inspection conducted in October 2019, it was discovered that the mine is engaging in other water use activities without having authorisation to do so.”
Business rescuer for the mine, Dr Holtz Hauzen, told Sowetan that though the mine was lying dormant now, when operations resumed they would fix the problems to make sure that the water was not contaminated.
“We understand that the mine had a tenant who didn’t follow the regulations by the department of water and sanitation, which has led to the department issuing a Section 56, giving us directive to suspend our water rights. Though the mine is not operational now because the previous tenant filed for bankruptcy, when a new tenant comes in we will have fixed the problems,” said Hauzen.
Community member Sifiso Maseko told Sowetan that they found it strange that the mine had been operating for the whole time when they believed the government was going to act.
“We work on the farms and we always see plants wilting, not knowing what is wrong, until other farmers had to wake up to the fact that this mine is contaminating our water. We thank the department for their actions, but it’s long overdue,” said Maseko.
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