Plans to prospect for limestone across almost 4 720 hectares between Bredasdorp and Cape Agulhas have raised concerns among conservationists and landowners, who warn that drilling could affect one of the Overberg’s most biologically diverse and environmentally sensitive landscapes.
Ikwezi Mining Ventures (Pty) Ltd has applied for prospecting rights in the area. Although the prospecting is intended to establish the presence and viability of limestone, the proposed programme includes about 25 boreholes, some up to 250m deep, access roads, and drill pads.
Ikwezi’s background-information document identifies potential impacts on terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, vegetation, water resources and protected plant and animal species. It also acknowledges that some proposed access routes could cross critical biodiversity areas.
The Agulhas Plain is internationally recognised for its exceptional plant diversity. SANParks has recorded about 2 000 indigenous plant species in the region, including endemic species and more than 110 Red Data species.
Limestone mining has previously been identified as a potential threat to several threatened species between Bredasdorp, Struisbaai and Arniston.
CEO of the Nuwejaars River Nature Reserve, Ross Kettles, said the prospecting area lies along the Kars River, part of a connected water system linked to the Nuwejaars wetlands and Soetendalsvlei.
“Any future limestone mining operation could therefore have downstream implications, particularly if it affected water quality, groundwater or river flows,” he said, stressing that the extent of any impact would depend on the eventual operation and specialist assessments.
Wine farmer Bruce Jack said his concerns extended to the wider environmental and social consequences of large-scale mining and cement production, including increased heavy-vehicle traffic, road deterioration and pressure on surrounding communities.
He also questioned how many jobs would be created for local unskilled workers, considering that the mining operation would be highly mechanised.
“The real devastation is environmental,” Jack said, describing the area between Bredasdorp, De Hoop Nature Reserve and Arniston as “an incredibly sensitive natural environment”.
Elsaine Rabie, legal consultant to the Save Overberg Coalition, questioned the need for prospecting given an existing limestone mine is in the area.
“Prospecting is often presented as low-impact, but it can involve drilling and other invasive work,” she said.
Rabie said prospecting was significant because it gave the holder exclusivity to apply for a mining right, making the application particularly important for communities to scrutinise.
The environmental impact will depend on specialist studies that will ascertain whether sensitive areas and species can be avoided. Both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity assessments are required.
According to Ikwezi’s background-information document, the final environmental report is to be submitted to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources by 17 October.
Draft documentation must first be made available to interested and affected parties for comment.
More information is available on the Save Overberg Ikwezi information page.
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