Climate activists protest against proposed Coal Mine Project near Vereeniging

VEREENIGING - Climate activists Extinction Rebellion Vaal and the Coal-ition Committee this month protested against the proposed Sukuma Coal Mine Project near Vereeniging, Vaal Triangle. Daily Maverick reports the protest, outside the Canyon Coal offices in Sandton, aimed to raise awareness about the potential environmental and health impacts the project would have on the surrounding residential and farming communities. Activists were dressed in black, with four individuals representing the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Department of Water and Sanitation, Department of Mineral Resources and Canyon Coal. They stood in front of a black coffin, which Extinction Rebellion Vaal activist Mduduzi Tshabalala, said represented the compromised natural resources like water, air, animals and people’s health. The Sukuma Coal Mine Project, managed by Canyon Coal’s affiliate Glubay Coal, involves establishing two open-cast coal mines in Springfield and Vlakfontein near Vereeniging. Tshabalala, who lives in Sebokeng, said those are sites located not far from people coming from Sebokeng, Waterdal, Dreamland, Roshnee, Redan, Meyerton and other surrounding suburbs in Vereeniging. He said the mine will impact underground water and bring more air pollution. The climate activist groups say a lack of transparency about electricity usage, the potential damage from blasting, threats to heritage sites and socioeconomic disruptions from job losses at the planned project are of great concern.

PHOTOS: (Zitholele Environmental Report; Daily Maverick - Julia Evans)