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Ngwenya Mining and Exploration (PTY) Ltd. intends on starting open cast mining operations in the Heidelberg district without a full environmental impact assessment (EIA).
The DA established that no application for an EIA process was lodged with the Provincial Government.

The DA today also issued an advance warning to both Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature about the potential consequences and negative impact of allowing the open cast mining to proceed. The DA is also concerned about the potentially devastating impact on the nearby Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve.

The DA calls on the MEC to use her lobbying powers to co-ordinate with the National Department of Mineral Affairs to ensure that residents right to be consulted relating to matters affecting them be upheld. This is particularly important given the potentially devastating environmental consequences of the proposed open cast mining activity.

The MEC today in response to my oral question in the legislature indicated that she will consider this.

The DA will hold the MEC to her word and continue to pursue this matter to ensure that the rights and environment of the people of the area are protected.