Climate activists protest against Sukuma Coal Mine Project

On Friday morning, Vaal residents gathered outside the Canyon Coal offices in Sandton to protest against the proposed Sukuma Coal Mine Project near Vereeniging in Gauteng.

The protest, organised by the environmental justice organisations Extinction Rebellion Vaal and the Coal-ition Committee, aimed to raise awareness about the potential environmental and health impacts the project would have on the surrounding residential and farming communities.

Sukuma Coal Mine Project near Vereeniging in Gauteng. (Map: Zitholele Environmental Report)

Activists were dressed in black, with four individuals representing the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Department of Water and Sanitation, Department of Mineral Resources and Canyon Coal. They stood in front of a black coffin.

“The coffin represented the compromised natural resources like water, air, animals and people’s health,” said Mduduzi Tshabalala, an Extinction Rebellion Vaal activist.

Extinction Rebellion Vaal activist Mduduzi Tshabalala (left) hands the memorandum of demands to Canyon Coal COO Clifford Hallatt outside Glubay Coal offices in Sandton on 12 July 2024. (Photo: Julia Evans)

The Sukuma Coal Mine Project, managed by Canyon Coal’s affiliate Glubay Coal, involves establishing two open-cast coal mines in Springfield and Vlakfontein near Vereeniging.

“Those are sites located not far from people coming from Sebokeng, Waterdal, Dreamland, Roshnee, Redan, Meyerton and other surrounding suburbs in Vereeniging,” said Tshabalala, who lives in Sebokeng. “The mine will impact underground water and bring more air pollution.”

Mamosweu Tsoabi, an Extinction Rebellion activist from Waterdal, in Sebokeng, lives about 3km from one of the proposed mine sites. She said her community was most concerned about how the open-cast mine would affect their water, as most of the community relies on borehole water.

Respiratory issues

Tshabalala said the Vaal Triangle was already heavily polluted.“The approval of this mine will put more pressure on the health sector and affect people and animals already struggling with pollution-related health issues,” he said.

The Coal-ition Committee said, “Despite various interventions, the Vaal Triangle remains one of South Africa's most polluted areas. Introducing new coal mines would exacerbate respiratory issues already affecting many residents.”

The Springfield mine is close to Overvaal High School and Springfield Secondary School, raising concerns about the health and safety of learners there.

Jacqui du Plooy, from the Coal-ition Committee, said, “I live in Falcon Ridge, and while I don’t have a child at Overvaal High School, many of my friends and acquaintances do. I’m deeply concerned about the mine’s proximity to so many homes — just 200 metres away. The mining activities will undoubtedly impact the structure of these houses and the quality of life for residents.

“Residents here already struggle with asthma in an area designated as an Airshed Priority Area, and instead of improvements, the air quality has declined.

Residents from the Vaal area demonstrate their concern against the proposed Sukuma Coal Mine Project in Vlakfontein and Springfield outside Glubay Coal offices in Sandton. (Photo: Julia Evans)

Residents from the Vaal area demonstrate their concern against the proposed Sukuma Coal Mine Project in Vlakfontein and Springfield outside Glubay Coal offices in Sandton. (Photo: Julia Evans)

Residents from the Vaal area demonstrate their concern against the proposed Sukuma Coal Mine Project in Vlakfontein and Springfield outside Glubay Coal offices in Sandton. (Photo: Julia Evans)

“As a homeowner, I’m horrified at the thought of my property’s devaluation after working so hard to acquire it.”

She added that the promises of local jobs seemed hollow. “The farmland, which currently employs many workers, will be taken over for mining, leading to more unemployment. Glubay Coal promised 750 jobs, with about 50% for locals. This means only a maximum of 375 jobs for locals, and that’s assuming they don’t transfer employees from closing mines who are already trained. More jobs will be lost than gained.”

The protesters handed a memorandum of demands to Canyon Coal COO Clifford Hallatt on Friday. The document outlined community concerns about the project’s environmental and socioeconomic impacts. It highlighted the risks to wetlands and aquifers from over-extraction and pollution, the dangers posed by sludge dams and the depletion of water resources for residents and farmers.

The memorandum also emphasised the lack of transparency about electricity usage, potential damage from blasting, threats to heritage sites and socioeconomic disruptions from job losses and infrastructure strain.

The activists called for the preservation of natural resources, the implementation of stringent environmental safeguards, proper waste management, prioritising local employment and ensuring comprehensive public participation in decision-making.

They also demanded detailed plans on how Glubay Coal would mitigate noise, air, and water pollution and maintain road infrastructure while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of affected communities.

Public participation

Earlier this year, public participation rounds hosted by Zitholele Consulting were criticised for being inadequate and not inclusive of all affected areas.

The protesters also stressed the importance of fair public participation. “The public consultation process did not adequately consider the communities here today. Meetings were held far from these areas, making it difficult for people to attend. We demand protection of underground water and air quality monitoring within the limits of the National Air Quality Act,” the organisations said.

In response, Canyon Coal issued a statement emphasising its commitment to responsible mining and environmental protection. The company outlined several measures it had taken to address community concerns:

• Environmental compliance: Multiple environmental impact assessment studies were being conducted, with mitigation measures proposed to reduce contamination risks. These included ongoing monitoring, stormwater management and using engineered wetlands to remove heavy metals.


• Community engagement: The company had actively participated in public meetings during the scoping and environmental impact assessment phases. These meetings were announced through various media and held at convenient times to accommodate community members.


• Economic impact: The project was expected to create about 550 direct jobs and additional opportunities for contractors and ancillary services. Canyon Coal aimed to have a positive impact on the local economy through job creation and social and labour plan projects.

Canyon Coal also reaffirmed its respect for peaceful protests and committed to thoroughly reviewing the memorandum of demands.

However, the Coal-ition Committee was sceptical. “Despite assurances, the inherent risks raise doubts about the effectiveness of these precautions,” it said.

“The environmental impact extends beyond immediate health concerns, including the destruction of green spaces, water-source contamination, disruption of underground water tables, loss of agricultural land and endangerment of heritage sites.” DM

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