Platinum mine planned near Nylsvlei floodplain

We recently learned of a planned Platinum mine downstream of the 16 000 ha Nylsvlei floodplain in the Limpopo Province. The following letter was sent out to members of a pressure group called AIKONA (Against Interference in Kruger & other National Assets).

The Nylsvlei is a 4 000 ha nature reserve lying to the East of the Waterberg between Modimolle (Nylstroom) and Mookgopong (Naboomspruit), this RAMSAR site is part of the Waterberg falls within the UNESCO Biosphere and is the largest inland floodplain in South Africa, covering an area of 16 000 ha when fully inundated, is managed by the Limpopo Conservation Authority.

The rich underlying geological formations are responsible for supporting the unique biodiversity of plant and animal life. 104 of the 365 bird species recorded in the Reserve are water birds, 87 are breeding and 8 red data listed species breed on the flood plain, which is most important as a nesting and feeding site for migratory birds. These water bird species visit and many breed during extensive flooding, which only occurs every three or four years.

SA Birding lists the following avifauna (birds specific to only one area) species as special:

Squacco Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Slaty Egret, Eurasian Bittern, Dwarf Bitten, Little Bittern, African Pygmy-Goose, Gallinule, Lesser Jacana, Striped Crake, Streaky-breasted Flufftail, Greater Painted-snipe, European Honey Buzzard, Western Marsh-Harrier, Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle, Meyer’s Parrot, Blue-cheeked Bee eater, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Black-winged Pratincole, Olive-tree Warbler, African Golden Oriole, Common Whitethroat and Tinkling Cisticola.

Herds of Zebra, Waterbuck, Wildebeest and magnificent Roan Antelope find refuge in this sanctuary and make a visit worth one’s while.

Nylsvlei is indeed one of the jewels in the Waterberg crown.

Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and/or coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. They are internationally recognised, nominated by national governments and remain under sovereign jurisdiction of the states in which they are located.

 

A biosphere reserve is intended to fulfil 3 core functions, which are complementary and mutually reinforcing:

• conservation – to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation,
• economic development – to foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable,
• logistics – to provide support for scientific research and education.

A huge concern about this venture is that as the mine being open-cast, situated downstream of the Nylsvlei floodplain will eventually draw all the moisture from the floodplain, eventually leaving behind a barren desolate derelict peace of land which once was a gem of the Waterberg area. The appointed consultants admit that the mine will lead to the loss of biodiversity and life but it does not seem important to them and their paying masters.

Much is said about conservation/bio-diversity/habitat etc. Unfortunately very little is done, to preserve our environment which is daily becoming more threatened, there seems no end or reversal to this trend. The planned mine downstream of the Nylsvlei Nature Reserve is just another example of this.

• Please sign the Avaaz petition against this venture here.
• View the assessments of the appointed consultants here.
• Register as an Interested and affected party with Bradley Thorpe via email.
• Submit all comments and objections before 14 January 2013, which is the set deadline.
• You may also read about the mining company here.
• Click here for more information on the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

Yours in caring for conservation.

Regards

Gerhard Smit
Convenor,
Aikona Group