Mining threatens Cango Caves

2008-07-04 09:43

Tisha Steyn

Oudtshoorn - One of South Africa's best-known tourist attractions, the Cango Caves, may be destroyed if a company gets its way and starts mining limestone in the area.

This shocking information came to light after an advertisement appeared in a local newspaper stating that interest groups had until July 24 to comment.

Some expressed concern on Thursday that the caves, which are a national monument, would become unsafe for visitors if these plans proceeded.

The Cango Caves attract about 300 000 tourists annually, half of which come from overseas and contribute about R10m to the town.

André Heyl from Born Free Investments on Wednesday confirmed that the company wanted to mine limestone on three farms in close proximity of the Cango Caves.

Drill prospecting pits

"We informed a local newspaper of our intention to drill prospecting pits with the help of percussion cylinders in the area of Matjiesrivier (34RD), Voorbedagt (33RD) and De Cango (26RD) in the Oudtshoorn district," said Heyl.

Limestone is used to manufacture cement. Limestone resources are limited in South Africa and cement has to be imported to meet demand.

"We are aiming to hand in a preliminary environmental management plan to the provincial minister of minerals and energy by the end of the month," he said.

"We will first have to get a prospecting licence but we have already spoken to landowners and people on the farms, as well as the municipality and other interest groups. We realise there are environmental issues, which will need a lot of attention".

People in the tourism industry were shocked by the news.

Cango Caves manager Hein Gerstner has serious objections against mining activities in the area.

Caves linked by a limestone ridge

"The limestone ridge that can be seen above ground is about 18km long and 8km wide. Apart from the series of Cango Caves, of which not all are open to the public, there are also 30 'wild caves' linked to one another by a limestone ridge."

"If there are explosions on one side, it will change the aerodynamics and micro culture within the caves".

The micro culture is responsible for the growth of the rock formations, which make the caves so unique.

Gerstner recently visited the Batu Caves in Malaysia, which were shut down as they had become too dangerous after mining activities on the limestone mountain where they were situated.

"The same could happen here and it would have catastrophic consequences for the Cango Caves."

"The town's water supply is also in trouble. The town gets a lot of water from the Rus-en-Vrede waterfall, which is held in the Melville dam and Raubenheimer dam on De Cango.

Agri Klein-Karoo manager Piet Lodder, said he had informed Matjiesrivier farmers about Born Free Investments' intentions.

"As small farmers are involved, I also informed farmers on behalf of the Land Affairs Commissioner."

No decision yet

André Gutas of the municipality, which runs the Cango Caves, said the council was still looking at options and had not yet taken a decision.

Cyril Clarke, manager of the Oudtshoorn Tourism Bureau, was shocked. "If a quarry is put into operation here, the dust will not only go into the water supply, but will also destroy three unique biomes. The infrastructure won't be able to support the heavy traffic."

"Tourism is responsible for 50% of the town's income and if a mine like this is opened here, the town might as well close down, because no foreign tourists will come here anymore."

- Die Burger