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Centre for Environmental Rights – Advancing Environmental Rights in South Africa

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PAIA Requests for Environmental Records

Request for mining rights and other documents relating to Ikwezi Mining Limited

18 August 2021

Requestee:
DMRE
Reference Number:
CER-2021-DMRE-004
Status:
Granted

On 18 August 2021 the CER submitted a PAIA Request to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy requesting the following:

In relation to Ikwezi Mining Limited’s operations in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal Province, copies of:

1. All current mining rights issued to Ikwezi Mining Limited under the Minerals and Petroleum Development Act 28 of 2002 for its Kliprand Colliery (previously called Ntendeka Colliery), Emoyeni coal beneficiation plant and Ngagane rail siding operations in Newcastle;
2. Environmental Authorisations under the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998;
3. Current Blasting Management Plan;
4. Current Social Labour Plan; and
5. Current Environmental Management Programme (EMPr).

Having received no response, CER submitted an PAIA Appeal on 4 October 2021 based on the DMRE’s deemed refusal. On 19 October 2021 the CER received notice from the DMRE that the request had been granted and instructed the CER to liaise with the Regional Office to obtain the records. The CER continued to request the documents from the KZN Regional Office unsuccessfully. On 28 April 2022 CER submitted a complaint to the Information Regulator. After correspondence between the Regulator, CER and the DMRE, the CER received the requested information and the complaint was closed on 15 September 2022.

The DMRE indicated that no environmental authorisation issued under NEMA exists for this mine.

For further information please email [email protected].