If you are familiar with the Public Participation Process (PPP) and have previously engaged with it, read no further. However, if you don’t know how to help prevent relentless, poorly regulated mining on the South African West Coast, keep reading. This is the first article in a series that breaks down the mining application process, and unpacks the basics of PPP and how to engage through our digital public participation platform, Ripl.

NGOs and scientific experts have expressed grave concerns about the cumulative impacts of a series of applications for phosphate mining across a swathe of the West Coast, including near densely populated areas. Phosphate rock is the primary source of phosphorus, a hazardous chemical element that can be toxic to the environment and communities. The warnings follow an application by Kropz PLC, owners of a phosphate mining operation at Elandsfontein, near Hopefield, to mine in the West Coast National Park, despite strong public opposition and a legal challenge by the World Wildlife Fund South Africa (WWF-SA).

In a powerful indication of the crucial contribution of public participation platform Ripl, a recent call to action by Protect the West Coast (PTWC) to a mining application resulted in all 56 public comments coming from the portal. The environmental concerns, affirmed by PTWC scientists, centred on a proposed residue storage facility by Tronox Mineral Sands near Brand se Baai on the West Coast that is likely to encroach on the habitat for the endangered Black Harrier, of which only 1,000 adults remain in the world.

Critical flaws in the initial Public Participation Process (PPP) for a Prospecting Right by Richwill Diamonds (Pty) Ltd on a 412 hectare portion of the farm Karoetjes Kop (No.150) near Koekenaap have led the authorities to mandate the reopening of the application for public comment. Protect the West Coast (PTWC) has also observed several other shortcomings in the application documentation. PTWC urges you to sign up as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) to comment on and object to this application at www.ripl.co.za by 19 May.

A sign of deep underlying issues with mining governance in South Africa has arisen with the news that the High Court of South Africa has placed the owner of the controversial Tormin mine, Mineral Sands Resources (MSR), under provisional liquidation. This follows a tumultuous decade of controversy, lawsuits, appeals and accusations of illegal mining activity at the inoperational heavy mineral sand mine just north of the Olifants River mouth. Protect the West Coast (PTWC) has expressed concern about how the 245 hectare (ha) mine will be rehabilitated after several cliff slumps and collapses; degradation of coastal dunes and loss of biodiversity – allegedly caused by a contravention of environmental management plans.

Protect the West Coast (PTWC) has raised the alarm about an application by Mariama Mining to mine phosphates on a farm near Langebaan, 16 km east of Vredenburg and 20 km northeast of Langebaan lagoon. The company intends to mine for phosphates and associated minerals up to three metres deep over 52 hectares (ha), removing up to 36,000 tons of earth annually. Endangered Strandveld vegetation and habitat for near threatened species will be lost around a Critical Biodiverse and Ecological Support Area. Questionable relocation plans also threaten remaining endangered species. PTWC urges you to sign up as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) to comment on and object to this application at www.ripl.co.za by 16 April.

The Protect the West Coast (PTWC) stand at the Wavescape Film Night in Kirstenbosch was feverishly busy as members of a sellout audience at the Galileo Outdoor Cinema in Kirstenbosch flocked to view and buy PTWC merch. More than 750 people attended the screening of three films celebrating surf culture and ocean conservation.

Protect the West Coast (PTWC) encourages the public to sign up as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) via www.ripl.co.za by March 10 for a new application by Richwill Diamonds to prospect for diamonds on a stretch of coast in the Northern Cape that includes the farm Strandfontein 559, where the company has been charged with trespassing by landowners Braam and Therese Nieuwoudt. PTWC experts have raised concerns about the effect of invasive prospecting on the beaches and terrestrial vegetation, the broad long-term implications on this sensitive biodiversity area, and public beach access should it lead to a mining right.