New mining threat at Mapungubwe heritage site
A rush of coal prospecting applications raises new fears about mining around Mapungubwe National Park, a world heritage site of cultural and environmental importance...
27 Feb, 2020
coal Tag
South Africa’s future without coal
The future of electricity generation is no longer guaranteed to the coal industry. Which forms of power will keep the lights on? Mark Olalde investigates...
25 May, 2017
R60-billion held for mines that are never closed
Never-before-seen data shows a fortune has been set aside for mine rehabilitation in South Africa. But large mines are not being properly closed, and the money cannot be touched. Mark...
17 May, 2017
The reality of social and labour plans
Social and labour plans are supposed to improve life for communities affected by mining. Unfortunately, because of the fog surrounding how they operate and are enforced, these communities are often...
06 Feb, 2017
Mine lays claim to protected water catchment
The battle for Mabola is a test case for laws around prospecting and mining in a protected environment. The area is vital to South Africa's water security...
15 Feb, 2015
Mpumalanga’s ticking time-bomb
It's no coincidence that Mpumalanga, the province with the biggest concentration of coal mines, has the worst water quality water in South Africa. Sydney Masinga investigates...
14 Mar, 2014
Dairy to dust
Opencast coal mining operations in the Mpumalanga Highveld are destroying the livelihood, grazing and water of rural farmers. Franz Fuls visited an affected community near Carolina...
20 Jan, 2014