Fish by The Sea reapplies to prospect for diamonds on critically biodiverse coast
Fish by the Sea has again applied to prospect on the beach for diamonds near Brand-se-baai, adjacent to an area designated as critically biodiverse. This application adds more potential for beach mining on the West Coast, which is already under severe pressure. The new application is a revised submission of the same area, replacing what was publicised by Protect the West Coast (PTWC) in July. Thanks to public input, the first application was deemed inadequate. The revised version is now open for public comment.
The proposed prospecting zone is immediately adjacent to a critical biodiversity area (CBA), as well as the vast Tronox mineral sands mine.
Fish by the Sea had applied in July to prospect for diamonds using various methods including bulk sampling on an approximately 121 hectares (ha) area between the low-water and high-water mark of the sea: Portion 4 of the Farm Rietfontein Extension no. 151 and Portion 4 of the Farm Graauw Duinen no. 152, Vanrhynsdorp (DMR Ref: WC 50/1/1/2/10454/ PR).
This wild and picturesque coastline is increasingly targeted for mining. Few areas along the coast between Doringbaai and the Orange River are not subject to prospecting and mining. Also, parts of this coastal area have been categorised as a Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA).
CBAs are critical for conserving biodiversity and ecological processes. They include terrestrial, coastal and marine habitats as well as aquatic features (such as vleis, rivers and estuaries) that can contain threatened and endemic species, unique ecosystems and systems that support critical ecosystem functions.
In addition, this application borders the vast Tronox mining operation.
Red lines denote the proposed prospecting area. Low and high water marks are in yellow, and the bulk sampling zones are in purple. This burdened stretch of coast is the focus of many similar mining attempts and current mines, including the vast Tronox Namakwa Sands operation seen in this image, which environmental reports fail to mention.
Following the first round of public participation process (PPP) and comments, several inadequacies and inconsistencies in the applicant’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR) were highlighted by environmental and other experts. The EIR is a key document required for all prospecting applications that outlines how the applicant will reduce, manage and/or mitigate any damage or disruption to the fragile natural environment by prospecting or mining.
After public input, this application would ostensibly not have met even the low bar set for such approvals by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources* (DMPR). Enviro Africa, Fish by the Sea’s assigned Environmental Management Practitioner (EAP), which is a consultant paid to compile its application on behalf of the prospector, was therefore compelled to improve and resubmit its EIR based on the earlier inadequacies and concerns raised by the public.
The new application’s DMR reference number is WC 30/5/1/1/3/2/1/10454/ PR.
These amended documents should thus aim to more clearly outline how Fish by the Sea plans to mitigate their intrusion on these pristine beaches and surrounds. However, the scope of the resubmitted application, as well its potential repercussions to the environment, remain the same as the original.
The prospecting activity involves the digging of dozens of shallow trenches and pits up to 15 metres (m) deep. Should large-scale mining follow, the landscape will be further disrupted. Public access will likely be blocked to local communities, fishers, surfers and other recreational activities for decades.
Overall, the potential damage to this sensitive coast would add to huge biodiversity loss, with impacts on beach ecosystems and dune systems, as well as recreational and tourist potential. Concerns about inadequate rehabilitation, a hallmark of most disused mining sites on the West Coast, are also completely valid.
PTWC urges all of those who signed up as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP), and anyone else, to review and comment on the EIR and other updated documents and associated appendices and – should you see fit – strongly object to this amended application.
As stated, this area already borders the massive Tronox mineral sand mine. Enough is enough.
Public comments on this application must be submitted by September 9.
Anyone may view and comment on these documents, available here.
Should you decide to comment on the Amended Draft Environmental Impact Report, please provide a copy of your letter of comment to EnviroAfrica via the electronic mail address, maboee@enviroafrica.co.za and include the DMR reference number, WC 30/5/1/1/3/2/1/10454 PR in your correspondence.
* Formerly the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE).
In October, West Coast property owners Braam and Therese Nieuwoudt filed a trespassing charge against Richwill Diamonds (Pty) Ltd for allegedly prospecting on their coastal farm Waterval in the Northern Cape without their consent. A deluge of mining applications on the property exemplifies the need for a moratorium on all new mining across the entire region until a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is conducted to assess the cumulative impact of mining.
Despite decades of legal battles to secure land and mining rights, the people of the Richtersveld remain bereft of a share in mining wealth under their ancestral lands. Now the community is angry at a new challenge over the Green Hydrogen and Boegoebaai mega-project that again threatens to run roughshod over their rights.
