Mpumalanga coal mine issued warning

2011-07-02 09:05

Johannesburg - The Shanduka coal mine in Mpumalanga was found to be in violation of environmental regulations and without a water licence, the departments of water and environmental affairs, and defence, said on Friday.

"The deputy ministers of both departments, Rejoice Mabudafhasi and Thabang Makwetla, visited the mine today [Friday] and found these things," water spokesperson Peter Mbelengwa said.

"It was part of a preliminary investigation at its two subsidiaries and a full report will follow soon."

During the visit, it was found that two plants polluted a main road with coal dust.

The mine's management was asked to construct a private road that would allow its trucks to operate without interfering with passing traffic.

The deputy ministers also pointed out that the mine did not have a proper hazardous waste management policy.

"The chief operating officer of the Shanduka Mine, Mr Zirk van der Bank, assured the deputy ministers that his company would do its best to comply with government requirements for operating the mine."

Shanduka Coal currently has five operating mines in the Middelburg and Witbank area in Mpumalanga.

In total the mines produce approximately nine million tons of coal per year for the inland and export market.

- SAPA