Provisional liquidation of MSR signals end of torturous road for Tormin Mine
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.