Farmers in Moutonshoek valley near Piketberg have been up in arms since it emerged that Bongani Minerals are again trying to obtain mining rights in the region. Dr Bennie van der Merwe, a local stud owner and a representative of the Verlorenvlei Coalition, spoke to Glenneis Kriel.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME BONGANI MINERALS HAS TRIED TO SECURE PROSPECTING OR MINING RIGHTS IN MOUTONSHOEK VALLEY. WHY WERE THESE APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY REJECTED?
Since 2005, Bongani Minerals has made several applications for the right to prospect or mine tungsten, molybdenum and other rare earth metals in Moutonshoek valley.
MINING HERE WOULD DESTROY PRODUCTIVE FARMS
All their applications were rejected due to environmental concerns, either because the company didn’t follow the right application procedures or because the land where they wanted to prospect is zoned for farming and not mining.
DID FARMERS EXPECT THE COMPANY TO MAKE ANOTHER MINING APPLICATION?
No, it really does not make sense.
WHY IS MINING TUNGSTEN A PROBLEM?
Tungsten is a metal with a very high melting point and strength. It is used in filaments in light bulbs, hard coating of tools, and as welding electrodes. We’ve vehemently challenged tungsten mining from the start, because it’s toxic and the process of producing tungsten ATP [ammonium paratungstate, a precursor to most tungsten products] releases byproducts, such as arsenic, into the environment.
Tungsten mining will also destroy productive and profitable fruit, livestock and stud farms that annually contribute hundreds of millions of rand to the national and Western Cape economies. More than 400 permanent and thousands of seasonal jobs will be lost, and hundreds more from Piketberg to Elands Bay.
Mining would be so detrimental to the environment that the region would no longer be suitable for farming once mining is done. There is no way in which the company would be able to rehabilitate the mined area to agricultural land again.
WHAT IS THE MINING POTENTIAL OF THE REGION?
Denne historien er fra March 22, 2019-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra March 22, 2019-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
