The controversy surrounding the application for an open-cast mine in Napier is provoking a lot of reaction.
Hermanus Times reported last week that residents, farmers and even tourists are up in arms following this announcement and the Save the Overberg Campaign has had so much support from people across South Africa that it is a great comfort for the residents of Napier.
The biggest concern for residents, farmers and environmental activists is the fact that these activities on the 4 000 ha area will have a devastating impact on the soil quality such as groundwater pollution, especially around the wine farms.
Wynand Wessels, chairman of the Napier Farmers’ Organisation who is driving the opposition to the prospecting application, said according to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Section 10 notice, the due date for submission of the final BAR is 22 August 2024, if the applicant does not apply for (and is granted) an extension of time.
“The DMRE will have a period of 107 days from submission of the final BAR, to either request additional information, or decide on the application. This means that the DMRE will have until approximately 9 December 2024 to either grant or refuse the application, in the case of no extension.”
According to him if the DMRE grants the application, interested and affected parties will be afforded an appeal period of approximately 90 days.
“The same goes for the applicant in the event of a refusal. Considering the exclusion period during December/January, an appeal will likely only be finalised during April 2025. No activities may commence pending an appeal. In the event that the application is granted, and our appeal is unsuccessful, we may approach the courts for review proceedings.”
