An appeal by PTWC against a mining right granted to Whale Head Minerals has led to an agreement for Port Nolloth fishers to get improved access to historic fishing grounds, as well as other concessions, underlining the key role that
Protect the West Coast (PTWC) has aligned with Save The Waves Coalition, an international nonprofit that works with organisations dedicated to protecting ‘surf ecosystems’ around the world. PTWC MD Mike Schlebach and Communications Manager Miles Masterson attended the recent Save
A 90 kilogram sculpture of a Cape Gannet that stands five metres high has been crafted from driftwood for Protect the West Coast. Kommetjie artist Chip Snaddon was commissioned to create the huge bird as an iconic symbol of the
Protect The West Coast is dedicated to informing and empowering civil society to stand against unjust mining activity on the West Coast. We believe in wielding the power of legal action to hold companies and the government accountable. We inspire a deep connection to the region’s biodiversity and cultural heritage.
From the Orange River to Cape Columbine, hundreds of kilometres of the South Africa’s West Coast coastline are being mined, or have been earmarked for mining. These industrial-scale extractions have lasting consequences for local communities, fisheries and the natural environment, for generations to come.
Donate, fundraise, volunteer and share on social. We are looking for all the help we can get. So, please assist us in protecting this magical stretch of coastline that thousands of plants, animals and people call home.
Our Strategic Goals for 2025 are to:
Mining, despite providing limited short-term economic benefits, adversely affects ecosystems and has a much larger detrimental knock-on effect on the broader West Coast environment, economy and society over the long term.
There are currently more than 30 prospecting and mining applications, as well as scores of active mines on the West Coast.
One Ocean Hub (OOH) researchers at the Environmental and Geographical Science Department at the University of Cape Town (UCT) have developed a much-needed integrated project to monitor, document and map all applications for prospecting and mining, including oil and gas exploration, on the West Coast of South Africa.
Over the past two years, this work has highlighted the rapid increase in applications for prospecting and mining for heavy mineral sands and diamonds in the region, as well as applications for oil and gas exploration and production. These activities have raised significant concerns amongst coastal communities and their social partners.
Intended as an invaluable resource to NGOs such as Protect The West Coast (PTWC), researchers and affected communities, the map and data is freely available in a Google spreadsheet on OOH’s website. A table provides a list of each recent application and its status, as well as a map of current and recently approved applications. A few on the northern Cape coast will be added shortly.
