Photo for illustration. (Photo: iStock)
The next chapter in the protracted Kruger National Park mining saga continued on Friday in Marlothpark, where members of the community, stakeholders and AfriForum gathered for a public meeting.
This meeting formed part of a new application process for the establishment of a mine on the wildlife garden’s doorstep.
Since 2019, the civil rights organization has opposed the proposed plans for the construction of a coal mine just south of the wildlife park.
Since then, the application to mine coal in the area has been withdrawn several times and started from scratch under a new company name.
The application was originally submitted by Manzolwandle Investments, while Singo Consulting undertook the environmental impact study. In 2020, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy refused to grant environmental clearance for the project.
A year later, a new application was brought by Tenbosch Mining, the company that had since bought Manzolwandle Investments.
This application was withdrawn by October 2022, but Tenbosch resumed his application in May 2023 and appointed Kimopax as environmental practitioner. After public pressure and AfriForum’s contribution, this flawed application was withdrawn in December 2025.
However, the withdrawal was short-lived and by February this year a new application – with Tenbosch Mining and Kimopax as role players – was brought.
The application is for the construction of an underground coal mine with substantial above-ground infrastructure, including a processing plant, stock piles, landfills, a sludge storage facility, pollution control dams and associated water treatment facilities, as well as power supply and road infrastructure.
The area earmarked for the mine covers approximately 5,500 ha and is located near the southern border of the Kruger National Park. This area relies heavily on tourism, agriculture and ecological integrity for the community’s livelihood and the area’s long-term economic stability.
Lambert de Klerk, AfriForum’s manager for Environmental Affairs, says serious procedural failures, illegal behavior and a lack of transparency were exposed in the previous application process.
“Since the same companies are now again involved in the new application, there is reason to also keep a close eye on this process and prioritize the interests of the community and the environment,” says De Klerk.
During the meeting, among other things, the risks of water security and pollution, the short distance between the area and the Kruger National Park, and the cumulative impact of mining on this conservation area and the area’s agricultural value were pointed out.
According to De Klerk, the application is currently in its exploratory report phase and several specialist studies must be undertaken before the next phase and approved by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMHE).
De Klerk emphasizes that no mine may be developed in these types of areas.
“This region’s future depends on protecting the natural assets that sustain it.”
In the meantime, AfriForum encourages community members to register as interested and affected parties, submit written comments in a timely manner and to keep records of all correspondence and submissions.
