SA’s water bubble
Added to the crippling drought in South Africa are mining’s long-term impacts on water security. Mark Olalde investigates the costly legacy of historic mine waste...
13 November, 2015
mining Tag
West Coast mine tests new authorisation system
Controversial plans to strip-mine phosphate next to the West Coast National Park are forging ahead, despite confusion over the new One Environmental System. Marie-Louise Antoni investigates...
27 March, 2015
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 February, 2015
Battle for the green heart of the West Coast
Is it worth digging up a biodiversity and heritage hotspot for fertilizer? Marie-Louise Antoni investigates plans to mine phosphate on the doorstep of the West Coast National Park...
30 May, 2014
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 March, 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 January, 2014
Ways to kill a wetland
Opencast coal mining at Weltevreden pan in Mpumalanga will destroy important wetlands supporting agriculture and water birds. How did Exxaro get a licence – and is it legal? Franz Fuls...
20 December, 2013