http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=248817
Strong words: King Mpondomini Sigcau’s lawyer, Votani Majola, makes a point while addressing Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica. Picture: LUBABALO NGCUKANA
2008/09/16
MINERALS and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica has for the first time admitted that the consultation process into the planned multi-billion rand titanium mining project at Xolobeni on the Wild Coast was “flawed”.
Sonjica’s comment came after a heated meeting at Xolobeni on Friday, where AmaMpondo king Mpondomini Sigcau threw his weight behind the drive to stop the mining of pristine dunes in the area.
Speaking through his lawyer, Votani Majola, Sigcau said he chose tourism over mining, and demanded that the licence to mine the dunes be withdrawn. He also demanded that Sonjica institute an investigation into the planned mining project.
Say no to strip-mining on the Wild Coast!
http://www.petitiononline.com/xolobeni/petition-sign.html
Please sign the online petition linked here before 19 September 2008:
http://www.petitiononline.com/xolobeni/petition-sign.html
Online petitions are not really recognized by government, but are a valid indication of public opinion. If you possibly can, please also download, print, sign and submit the original petition: www.swc.org.za/petition.pdf
WHY MINING THE WILD COAST IS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
By John G.I. Clarke
The Department of Minerals and Energy has announced that it intends awarding a mining licence to Australian mining company MRC on 31 October 2008 to mine the Kwanyana Block of the Amadiba Tribal Administrative Area, on the Pondoland Wild Coast. This announcement has been made before the SA Human Rights Commission has completed its investigation into human rights violations lodged by local residents allegedly perpetrated by agents of MRC.
If the Minister of Minerals and Energy signs the mining licence and Environmental Management Plan on 31 October, we believe it would be in gross violation of the Constitution of South Africa, notably the Environmental Right enshrined in Section 24 which states.....
By ROBERT LAING (September 2008)
MRC - past 12 months: From a high of 28c last November, it appears the market still has no faith in MRC's prospects
THE Australian company given rights to strip-mine along the Wild Coast has reported heavy financial losses, and is facing legal battles that may cost it even more.
Mineral Commodities, whose chairman is Joseph Caruso, 61, and managing director Mark Caruso, 45, posted a R48million loss last year.
The Perth-based miner’s future hinges on two South African projects: the controversial Xolobeni on the Wild Coast and Tormin on the West Coast.
These it hopes to finance from its 5.7 percent stake in London AIM- listed Allied Gold, which operates mines in Papua New Guinea.
The latest facts emerging about the company have increased criticism that the Department of Minerals and Energy did not check the company’s financial standing thoroughly enough when it awarded the licence to mine in an environmental hot-spot .
Apart from the financial check, the Department of Environment and Tourism (Deat) concluded its report on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) with: “The department has grave concerns with regard to the proposed mining developments in the area and objects to it.
“Several crucial aspects and specialist studies are lacking. From the documentation submitted, it is clear that the accepted and adopted planning and policy guidelines for the area have not been taken into consideration and several of the legislative requirements have not been met.
“No time frames or schedules are included to indicate whether they will be adhered to.
“Deat has not received the application for the listed activities in terms of the EIA regulations under the National Environmental Management Act.
“This alone is an almost fatal flaw in the public process to be followed.”
In addition to the Deat’s rejection of the EIA , the SA Human Rights Commission alleged that the required community support for the controversial project had been obtained “Mafia-style”.
Furthermore, far from representing the community, the Caruso family’s black economic empowerment partners appear to consist mainly of brothers Zamile and Bashin Qunya, who happen to be Mineral Commodities employees.
7 September 2008
Rt Hon Madame Buyelwa Sonjica
Minister of Minerals and Energy
Private Bag X59
Pretoria 0001
Dear Minister,
Congratulations on your decision to allow the Australians to mine the Wild Coast. As a child, my parents would force me to accompany them on camping trips to Mtentu estuary. I look back on those times with hatred in my heart. I always seemed to have sand up my nose and a bluebottle down my bathing costume. The sun was too hot and the water too cold. Once a crab almost took off my foot, and I remember looking at the estuary and thinking that one day someone will come along and destroy you. And I will laugh.
Now, after all these years, I finally get to have my laugh. Thank you for that. You are a magnificent woman and I wouldn’t hesitate to marry you if we both weren’t married already.
By: Christy van der Merwe
Published on 5th September 2008
http://www.miningweekly.com/article.php?a_id=142567
A notice of appeal has been filed with the Minister of Minerals and Energy to suspend and appeal a decision to award a mining right to ASX-listed Mineral Commodities (MRC), to mine for titanium-bearing minerals at the Xolobeni project area, along a portion of South Africa’s Wild Coast.
The Notice of Appeal was filed by the Grahamstown office of the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), on behalf of the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC), a group of local residents in opposition to mining.
YOLANDI GROENEWALD - Aug 28 2008 06:00
Thirteen years ago a strong environmental campaign saved the St Lucia dunes from being mined. This time the Minerals and Energy Department will not be swayed by public opinion, a senior official told the Mail & Guardian this week.
"The St Lucia decision was a political decision that had the ANC's support," said Jacinto Rocha, department deputy director-general. "At Xolobeni it is significantly different."
The region, one of the poorest in South Africa, needs mining desperately, Rocha said, explaining last month's decision to grant Australian company Mineral Commodities the right to strip-mine a 22km stretch on the Wild Coast.
"People argue that ecotourism is the best option for the people there, but where has ecotourism ever attracted major investment?" Rocha said. "Mining helps to pay the Kruger Park's electricity bills. Without the capital that mining brings, you couldn't have parks like Kruger."
The community objected strongly to Minister Sonjica’s statement that Richard Spoor was responsible for ‘destabilising the community’ and for playing the race card to try to discredit highly competent professionals who are working with the community.
Nonhle Mbutuma added that in a country that is still healing from years of racial 
oppression, such statements are not helpful and only serve to distract attention from the real issues. “Her comments are an insult to us as much as to white South Africans, as they try to make out that we are incapable of thinking and acting for ourselves”.
MEDIA STATEMENT FROM AMADIBA COASTAL RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY XOLOBENI DUNE MINING PLANS
26 August 2008.
Yes to Eco-TourismSome have been arguing from the outset that the valuation of $18 million which Xolco have to pay for their 26% stake (minimum BEE criteria) was baseless, and proved that no negotiation took place with truly affected parties; as they obviously never took negotiable access rights and royalties into account.
Yet Ehlobo Heavy Minerals, the original BEE partners who walked away from the deal because of environmental issues and other implications, were only going to pay a third of that price for their majority stake.
Read TFA from Business Report:
Questions hover over Wild Coast mining deal
August 14, 2008
By INGI SALGADO
There are perplexing questions around last week's granting of mining rights in a 7km stretch of pristine coastline at Xolobeni, part of the Wild Coast that would be most inaccurately named were heavy metal extraction to proceed.
Please download, print, sign and submit this petition: www.swc.org.za/petition.pdf
The contents of the petition follow below. Please also add your comment on this site using the add comment link below this article.
WHY MINING THE WILD COAST IS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
By John G.I. Clarke
The Department of Minerals and Energy has announced that it intends awarding a mining licence to Australian mining company MRC on 31 October 2008 to mine the Kwanyana Block of the Amadiba Tribal Administrative Area, on the Pondoland Wild Coast. This announcement has been made before the SA Human Rights Commission has completed its investigation into human rights violations lodged by local residents allegedly perpetrated by agents of MRC.
If the Minister of Minerals and Energy signs the mining licence and Environmental Management Plan on 31 October, we believe it would be in gross violation of the Constitution of South Africa, notably the Environmental Right enshrined in Section 24 which states.....
The Democratic Alliance says it is disappointed by the decision of the Department of Minerals and Energy Affairs to grant a mining right to Mineral Resource Commodities (MRC) to mine a portion of the Xolobeni Mineral Sands Project.
"The site of this mining right is along the Wild Coast, one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots," said Gareth Morgan, the party's environment spokesperson, on Tuesday
Morgan said while it was true the area in which the right to mining had been granted was one of the most impoverished places in South Africa, at best, only a few hundred jobs will be created from the mining. He said the potential to create new jobs in the eco-tourism sector -- which, along an unspoiled coastline would have far exceeded the opportunities created by mining -- might now be diminished.
Morgan said he feared that additional rights could be granted in the near future to increase the area that was to be mined.
Community leadersHundreds of people walked from Wild Coast Sun to meet the people of Xolobeni.
Despite the pro-mining lobby tricking many members into not attending (by announcing a food-basket handout for the same day) it is apparent that the community, as represented by hundreds of people present, sangomas and the headman, are totally opposed to the strip mining of 22km of their pristine grassland and dunes.
In fact they have threatened to revolt, like the Pondo Uprising of 1960, if the government grants the mining license.
These pictures do very little to convey the beauty and incredible historic / archeological value of this portion of the irreplaceable Pondoland Center of Endemism.
Benny the Tour Guide can be contacted on 079-1985 975 / or through Sonya on 074-336 7862 - for a guided day-trip.
See for yourself why we must protect our children's ecological heritage.
swcHoliday makers and South Coast Residents are invited to join a Spring Tide Beach March on Sunday 20th July from the Wild Coast Sun resort to Nyameni Estuary, to show their solidarity with the five communities of the Amadiba Tribal Area on the Pondoland Wild Coast who vehemently oppose the dune mining venture.
The next suitable spring low tide will occur on Sunday, 20th July 2008. All are invited to join a solidarity walk confirming our concern about mining, and our support for local eco tourism - starting from the Wild Coast Sun at 7.30am to either the petrified forest at the Mzamba River mouth 4km, or Mlulwane Estuary - 9 km or Mnyamene - 18km (distances are total out and back) and see for yourself just how special our Wild Coast is and just why we must all do everything we can to ensure that it is sustainably conserved for future generations.
Participants need to cater for their own drinks and food for the walk.
SUPPORTING WILD COAST ENDEMIC ECO TOURISM
For further info contact David Halle on: 039 312 2448 or cell: 082 300 4283 or email: marfurn@telkomsa.net
MAPS FOR AFRIKA have detailed and accurate maps covering all the major scenic routes in South Africa available for online order at www.themaps.co.za .
Wild Coast Map:
The fully detailed, GPS-compatible, waterproof map of the entire Wild Coast, from which this inset is taken, is widely available from bookshops and sports stores in most major centers, and Wild Coast Holiday Association resorts.
The retail price is around R75 (around $10) and can be purchased on-line at www.themaps.co.za.
"Your Wild Coast map - it's magnificent" -Don Pinnock, Editor, GETAWAY Magazine.
"Truly an excellent map..." -Jeff Pieres, Historian.
"A MUST-HAVE for travellers in the area" -Janna Cooper, Strandloper Ecotourism Board.
Retail and trade enquiries for the Eastern Cape and KZN: phone Gavin Stewart at 083 708 2719... or email morstew@iafrica.com
(Click here or directly on the map to see a sample of the fully detailed map.)
Contact:
Wild beautyBy NICOLETTE SCROOBY
www.dispatch.co.za
18 May 2008
ONE of the country’s most pristine areas – the Wild Coast – will receive a cash boost of close to R50 million over the next five years in a bid to conserve the area.
The Wild Coast project, with funding through the United Nations, seeks to establish an effective network of protected areas along one of South Africa’s most scenic routes.
Facilitated by Eastern Cape Parks (ECP) the project plans to:
Project co-ordinator Dr Naomi Mdzeke said the idea was to equip communities in the rural areas with the knowledge to assess for themselves what investments would be good for the area and how to protect the environment they are living in.
“We have moved away from the traditional concept where people are closed out of protected areas. This is a unique concept where communities adjacent to these protected areas will take ownership of the resource and help manage it,” Mdzeke said.
Communities living in the land will still be able to harvest plants for medicinal use, but they will be taught how to do this conservatively.
“There were concerns that very little land is under protection in the Wild Coast. It is an area with so much beauty and has a rich biodiversity with five of the country’s biomes being found here, so we need to protect it,” she said.
Mdzeke said land claims in the area have seen a number of areas being given back to rural communities. “We are trying to encourage the community to use the land in a sustainable way and protect it at the same time,” she said.
The idea is to establish a co-management system between ECP and the communities.
“We want the various community land trusts to get skills in developing the land and attracting the right investments,” Mdzeke said.
“We need eco-tourism activities for the area that are not too disruptive. We don’t want skyscrapers, but rather log cabins,” she added.
The project was first conceptualised in 2000 and six years later funding was provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Last year the planning and development plans were put in place. Tenders were sent out this week for the various development plans and skills training.
The project will be developed over the next five years.
Each step of the process will be monitored and recorded so the project can be implemented in other parts of the country.
Environmental architect Dave Muller said: “It’s a good plan because the land does belong to the people and this will allow them to derive some form of income. The focus should however be on sustainable income.”
Hluleka
Bookings for Hluleka, Dwesa and Silaka Nature Reserves can be made through:
Reservations : Head Office
For other enquiries please phone:
Eastern Cape Tourism Board
Umtata Booking Office
Hluleka - chalet lounge 
Hluleka - chalet upstairs
Hluleka - chalet view
http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=197857 - Daily Dispatch article - 30 April 2008
http://www.dispatch.co.za/multimedia/enviroA.pdf
http://www.dispatch.co.za/multimedia/enviroB.pdf
ENVIRONMENTAL Affairs officials had “grave concerns” over the proposed mining at Xolobeni in Transkei – but only objected after deadlines for submissions had closed.
They said the mining would have a significant and permanent impact on several rivers and estuaries.
Their objections were contained in a letter written by Pamela Yako, the former director-general of the national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
“The department has grave concerns with regard to the proposed mining developments in the area and object to it,” said Yako, in her December 20, 2007, letter addressed to the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME).
Business Day article
By Franny Rabkin - 23 April 2008
CONFUSION reigned at a South African Human Rights Commission hearing yesterday into a dispute over the right to exploit mineral sands at Xolobeni, on the Wild Coast, Eastern Cape.
The ministers of minerals and energy , agriculture and land affairs, and environmental affairs and tourism were subpoenaed to appear before the commission, which is trying to investigate the problem.
Xolobeni residents disagree over the possibility of a mining licence being granted to an Australian company, Mineral Resources , and its South African subsidiary, Transworld Energy Minerals.
Some support it, in the hope that it will bring development. Others are against it on environmental grounds.
Link to Mail & Guardian article
By Yolandi Groenewald | Johannesburg, South Africa
The point on the Wild Coast where mining is planned to begin. (Photo: Rogan Ward)
Click here to view a scanned copy of the Daily Dispatch article.
The Masimanyane Mussel Rehabilitation Project in Coffee Bay celebrated their first official harvest of mussels on Saturday 19th April 2008.
A few years ago there were no mussels on these rocks where participants in the project can be seen harvesting:
The event was attended by tribal leaders, representatives from Environmental Affairs & Tourism (DEAT), Marine & Coastal Management (MCM) & Walter Sisulu University (WSU).
Ethnic Percussion & Rhythm
Contact Daniel for Bookings & Venue Options:
Buy Deryck Lang's "The Ama-Xhosa of the Transkei" here:
Proceeds go to www.swc.org.za to oppose the N2 'Troll' road and the Xolobeni strip mining.
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