iSimangaliso wetlands: to mine or not to mine?
Despite being a World Heritage Site, local community members are delighted at proposals to mine the area, as they want work and development
The management of the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park in KwaZulu-Natal, one of Africa’s largest estuarine systems, has appointed a team to study the processes around an application for dune mining along its buffer zone and the surrounding area of Maphelane. Located in St Lucia, the park is SA’s third-largest protected area, spanning 280km of coastline from the Mozambican border in the north to Maphelane south of the Lake St Lucia estuary, and is made up of about 3,280km² of natural ecosystems. In December 1999, the park was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. The mining application by Eyamakhosi Resources, a company formed by businesspeople from the local KwaSokhulu area, and whose director is former Richard Bay Minerals employee Sicebi Mthethwa, was launched with the mineral resources department earlier this year. The application has sparked protests by environmental activists; however, locals have complained that they are not benefiting from the area as is. Environmental groups, inc...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.