Wild Coast under threat from dune mining

The Witness reports that campaigners have alleged that mining will destroy growing tourism potential of the region and trash endemic flora and fauna and cultural heritage. SWC spokesperson, Val Payn, said that it is ‘inconceivable’ that in the current international climate, in which species are disappearing at an unprecedented rate, that SA ‘could even entertain thoughts of allowing open cast dune mining in an area as biologically valuable and fragile as the Pondoland Centre of Endemism’. She said studies by the Wild Coast Conservation and Sustainable Development Initiative revealed that the long-term development interests of the region would be better served by eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture. According to a Mining Weekly report, the SWC said that their call was made out of \'concern that the current process of decision-making with respect to mining developments does not fall within the jurisdiction of the normal environmental impact assessment procedure, does not allow for an independent process of review, potentially contravenes the Convention of Biological Diversity, and does not insist on a holistic cost benefit analysis of the merits or demerits of various development options\'. Full report in The Witness Full Mining Weekly report

Tensions are running high – with the protracted battle between conservation groups opposed to any intrusive development along the Pondoland Wild Coast and Mineral Resources Commodities, which has completed exploratory drilling in 2002, showing no signs of resolution. According to a report in the Financial Mail, conservationists threw their weight behind ecotourism plans and accused MRC of sabotage when these fell through, while the mining company counters that ecotourism has failed because tens of millions donated by the EU to kickstart projects were stolen. At this stage there is little credible evidence to prove either charge, the report notes. But there is no doubt this land-use battle is creating deep divisions and fuelling violent conflict among the coastal Pondo communities. Full report in the Financial Mail