A bright future denied: The plight of the mining-affected !Ama people of the Richtersveld.
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.
PTWC experts concerned by apparent lack of rehabilitation at Trans Hex West Coast mining sites.
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.