Durban — Residents of Umzumbe Ward 15 on the South Coast thought it was the end of hardship and the beginning of a blossoming life when a lithium mine began its operations four years ago.
But now, a section of the community is up in arms against the SA Lithium mine, owned by SA Lithium, claiming that it had brought a trail of destruction and plunged their families and individual lives into ruins. However, the mine said it was to the benefit of the community, having created more than 250 jobs since opening its doors.
Approached for comment, both the mine owners and the Department of Minerals Resources and Energy had not responded by the time of going to publication.
The preliminary report of a multidisciplinary team – led by JG & Xulu Incorporated, which investigated the “Community Health, Safety and Environmental, Condition Assessment” allegedly caused by the mine’s operations in the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality – was leaked.
Living just a stone’s throw away from the mine, Albert Mthembu told the Daily News when they visited the area that the mine had disrupted the serenity and peace in his village under the KwaMadlala Traditional Leadership.
“We don’t sleep because of the machines that make a loud noise for 24 hours. There is pollution because of this mine, and the land has been ravaged, leaving our cattle with scarce grazing fields,” said Mthembu.
The 46-year-old said his family house, like many others, was riddled with cracks, and that this was because of operations at the mine, which includes the excavation of land using heavy machinery.
“My house is cracking, and I used my money to try to fix it.
“It is not only my house that is cracking, but all of the houses in this village. Some fear that their houses could collapse at any time,” he said.
He warned that unless the situation is remedied, the operations were, “a ticking time bomb that would lead to a big disaster”.
Another resident, Mbuso Mkhize, 40, said he was not totally against the operations but that it would have been better if the people were relocated before the operations began.
“Obviously, I was one of those who were happy when the mine was opened. But now, I have mixed feelings due to the destruction brought by this mine.
“I was happy because a new mine comes with job opportunities, but now, it is sad to see what is happening to people’s houses,” said Mkhize.
He added: “I think the mine should go back to the drawing board and fix this situation before it gets worse. They can’t put their interest ahead of us as the community, born and bred here.”
Ward councillor Sfundo Ngwane was scathing about the situation.
“Some people have been complaining about the 24-hour noise and air pollution. I think some things went wrong in the beginning. I think the people should have been relocated first before the operations began,” said Ngwane.
Despite saying his involvement was “minimal”, he promised that he would have “serious discussions” with the mine owners.
“If anything happens there, as the first citizen of the ward, I will have to account,” he said.
Ngwane said there was solid proof that the mine employed non-local residents contrary to what the mine owners said.
Representing residents, lawyer Barnabas Xulu said there was a stalemate between them and the mine owners over the resettlement of the affected residents.
“I gave them a discussion document, and they refused to sign. I am now in the process of talking to more residents and thrashing the way forward,” said Xulu, who has litigated in mine-related matters representing mine-hosting residents.
Amid the stalemate between him and the mine owners, Xulu said he could not rule out the possibility of a legal showdown in a bid to end the impasse.
As a result of the operations, some of the residents had fallen ill, he said, with some developing eye infections and others having difficulty hearing, allegedly due to the noise of the mine.
The Daily News was unable to independently confirm these allegations.
Xulu denied leaking the preliminary report.
Ian Harebottle, a mine representative, was approached for comment but declined, instead sending a well-known businessman to attend to the questions.
The businessman cannot be named, because he is not the spokesperson of the company, but only a service provider. He told the Daily News that the company had created more than 250 jobs that benefited the destitute community.
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Daily News