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AfriForum directed a letter to Edna Molewa, Minister of Water and Sanitation, on 28 Augustus 2017 in respect of the number of mines who are operating without water licences.

This follows after it became known that an approximate 103 mines operate without water licences and that many others have not yet applied for these licences. AfriForum regularly receives complaints from community members about mines that pollute water.

“It is unacceptable that the Department of Water and Sanitation allow mines to operate for years without valid water licences. When mines violate water laws, it has a negative effect on water resources – something that South Africa, as a water-scarce country, cannot afford,” says Chris Boshoff, Coordinator for Environmental Affairs at AfriForum.

In its letter, the civil right organisation requests –

That the number of mines operating without water licences be made known;
Which steps the Minister will take in ensuring that illegal mining activities receive urgent attention by compelling mines to apply for water licences; and
Which monitoring processes the Department will put in place for a specific mine after issuing the mine’s water licence.

“The problem is that, although applicable water legislation and regulations exist, these are neither effectively monitored nor enforced in case of mining activities,” Boshoff concludes.

SMS your name to 45354 (R1) to support AfriForum’s action.

Issued by Afriforum