{"id":269326,"date":"2025-10-02T10:19:51","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T08:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/?p=269326"},"modified":"2025-10-02T11:29:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T09:29:17","slug":"illegal-mining-in-wetlands-in-welkom-a-environmental-disaster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/illegal-mining-in-wetlands-in-welkom-a-environmental-disaster\/","title":{"rendered":"Illegal mining in wetlands in Welkom an environmental disaster"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welkom – The mayor of Matjhabeng, his officials, and his political office bearers act with impunity for the law it would seem, while they disregard the wellbeing of the residents in Matjhabeng, and the environment, with the decisions they make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is apparent in the latest stunt where a gold recycling company has been given permission to violate and decimate the environment on the farm Theronia 71, destroying the heritage of future generations in Matjhabeng. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gold recycling company, Mohomane Gold Recycling, has been given permission to recycle and rehabilitate a portion of the municipal farm Theronia 71 in Naudeville.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This company has obtained a valid Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) mining permit, and the offices of Mohomane are located at G-Hostel in Thabong.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the stark reality of this concession is the total eradication of what was once a pristine grassland or wetland area, with no real evidence of gold existing there. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This company has obtained a valid Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) mining permit, and the offices of Mohomane are located at G-Hostel in Thabong. Photo: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Welkom has a number of permanent wetlands and pans fed by mine and municipal wastewater. Theronia 71, which is home to the Theronia Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW), has such wetland areas within its perimeters. These areas attract numerous waders, herons and other water-loving birds, including the greater and lesser flamingos. These birds are listed as near-threatened.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sightings of goliath and squacco herons, little bitterns, black crakes and African rails. There are well over 250 bird species in the Welkom area around the wetlands. Secretary birds, blue and northern black korhaans, double banded temminck’s coursers and a variety of larks, including the melodious, spike-heeled, pink-billed and eastern clapper. There have also been sightings of Gabar goshawks and African harrier-hawks.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some bird watchers have noted that 123 of the 226 species regularly spotted in the Goldfields area, are classified as near-threatened or vulnerable. These include raptors or birds of prey. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coreen Malherbe, DA councillor for ward 33 in which the concession falls, says she has has already been informed of two wild geese that have arrived at the stables not far from the mining site. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Mining in wetlands poses significant environmental risks, including water pollution from heavy metals and acidification, physical destruction of habitats, and alteration of hydrological systems,” says Malherbe.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t

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