The company Twiga Global Ore has applied to prospect for copper ore, rare earths, zirconium ore and iron ore on a series of farms that fall within the internationally recognised Succulent Karoo Biome – the only arid-zone biodiversity hotspot in the world.

Protect the West Coast (PTWC) has learned that three great surf breaks on the Namaqualand coast near the Orange River Mouth at Alexander Bay in the Northern Cape have been destroyed forever, apparently by rock-based cofferdams used in the mining industry to extract diamonds from inshore zones, with no signs of them stopping soon.

A company, Fish By The Sea, has applied to bulk-prospect for diamonds on a pristine and fragile stretch of the West Coast already heavily burdened by a deluge of prospecting applications and existing mining operations.

A media crew from Protect the West Coast recently teamed up with top marine conservation photographer and pilot Jean Tresfon to shoot stills and video footage of mining operations – and the damage they are wreaking – of the entire West Coast from the open cockpit of his gyrocopter, the first time such a project has ever been undertaken.

Public comments urged as Gauteng-based company, registered only in 2023, Nurulos (Pty) Ltd applies to prospect for shopping list of minerals in a sensitive part of Namaqualand on the West Coast.

Some of the world’s top bodyboarders, including the GOAT Mike Stewart, prepare for the Tand Invitational event at a remote spot up the West Coast, organisers have announced a special collaboration with Protect the West Coast (PTWC).

For decades, the indigenous First Nation !Ama peoples of the Richtersveld on the West Coast in the Northern Cape have fought big mining and authorities to recognise their rights to their traditional lands and a share of the enormous profits from the minerals beneath them. Despite two decades of legal battles after they eventually won a groundbreaking land claim, including a recent complaint by Protect The West Coast (PTWC) advisory board member Martinus Fredericks, justice and restitution have proved elusive in the shadow of the corruption and even state capture that he alleges.

A small group of coastal scientists and environmental experts recently visited Trans Hex mining sites on the West Coast to check rehabilitation progress and inspect their mining practices, as mandated by a 2023 court order in favour of Protect the West Coast (PTWC). They were concerned by what they saw.

Balekane Legoabe is a young South African artist who recently completed a residency at the 50ty/50ty fine art print studio in Cape Town, which resulted in ‘Diagrams of the beginning’, a limited edition series of 30 prints inspired by ancient San rock art, culture and ocean mythologies. These collectors pieces are now available for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going towards Protect The West Coast (PTWC).

Dom de Jesus and his dedicated team Run West have announced that this year’s beach runs in support of Protect the West Coast (PTWC) will take place on Sunday, September 22.

Part Australian-owned mining company Mineral Sands Resources (MSR) has been granted an Environmental Authorization (EA) to prospect for heavy minerals and diamonds on the Farm Klipvley Karoo Kop 153, in the Magisterial District of Vanrhynsdorp, Western Cape Province. Appeals must be lodged before 22 March 2024 with the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.

On a hot dusty day in the nation’s capital, about 300 incensed members of Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) came together for the first time. It was an historic moment, and myself and my colleague Miles Masterson were proud to witness it as representatives of Protect the West Coast.