Just as concerned citizens of South Africa mobilise around the international Climate Conference in Durban (COP-17), several communities, supported by NGOs, are battling to save a critical part of Limpopo province from the threat of coal mining. Coal of Africa Ltd (CoAL), listed in London, Johannesburg and on Australia’s stock exchange, wants to construct a colliery in a drought-stricken area where communities and other farmers fear their livelihoods will be sacrificed to the “black stuff”. The company has already obtained permission to access invaluable water resources for another mine (Vele) – despite accusations that it broke an article within the National Water Act as well as one within the National Environmental Management Act.
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11319.