Civil rights group AfriForum on Monday said it would oppose plans for a new coal mine on the doorstep of the Kruger National Park.
AfriForum’s legal team has issued a formal letter to Singo Consulting and Manzolwandle Investments – the two companies behind the mining project.
According to AfriForum head of environmental affairs Lambert de Klerk, the letter was necessary because both parties had failed to disclose sufficient information about the proposed mine.
“Stakeholders did not have the opportunity to register as interest groups and no documents such as an environmental impact study were made available,” De Klerk added.
He noted that after a letter was issued, the parties did register AfriForum as an interested group, but would only allow for input until 15 August.
AfriForum requested an extension on the basis of an “unreasonable” time frame.
“It is clear that those who intend to mine have, to date, not acted in good faith. Two meetings were held on very short notice, making it impossible for the affected communities to attend or provide any input.”
