Centre for Environmental Rights – Advancing Environmental Rights in South Africa

Copies of the following records are requested in respect of the proposed Yzermyn underground coal mine in Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga Province:

1. Any application or motivation by Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd (Atha) to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and/or Minister of Environmental Affairs (Minister) for consent/permission to mine commercially in the Mabola Protected Environment, as contemplated in section 48(1)(b) of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 (NEMPAA), including any such application or motivation submitted during or about May 2016.
2. Any correspondence between Atha and the DEA and/or Minister regarding section 48(1)(b) of NEMPAA.
   Reference number, if available: references in respect of the initial environmental impact assessment report submitted by Atha to the DEA:

• NEAS reference: DEA/EIA/0001965/2013; and
• DEA reference: 14/12/16/3/3/3/85.

Authorisation register number of Atha’s environmental authorisation from the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs: 17/2/3/GS-131.