Silobreaker reported that prized world heritage site Mapungubwe, where the famous gold rhino statuette was unearthed, could soon have the scar of an open cast coal mine on its doorstep. Mapungubwe is a protected site that forms part of the broader Limpopo Shashe trans frontier conservation area. Management of the park is also worried about the mine.

The Vele Colliery project has sparked a row between the department of minerals and energy, which is driving it with single minded determination and the department of environmental affairs.

Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk environment minister of South African said that with the information available to him, he could not support the awarding of mining rights. The project would have detrimental environmental considerations and could further impact negatively on the 'sense of place and tourism potential of Mapungubwe, the Mapungubwe National Park and Greater Limpopo Shashe conservation area.

Vele Colliery is an initiative of Australian-owned Coal of Africa, which has signed a letter of intent to supply up to five million tonnes of coal annually from Vele and its sister project Makhado to steel giant Arcelor Mittal. The company wants to start operations at the end of this year, but the minerals department must first give the go-ahead including an environmental green light.

As per report, which outlines the potential impact of the mine to be investigated has been released. A full environmental impact assessment has to be conducted still. Planned legislation will shift the responsibility for the environmental assessment of mining projects from minerals and energy to the environmental affairs department. The law, however is still in its infancy.

(Sourced from www.silobreaker.com)