One of the coalition members, the Mining and Environmental Justice Communities Network of South Africa , said decisions to authorise coal mines should be critically scrutinised and questioned"Our courts continue to recognise the importance of the protection of the environment and our strategic water resources - especially at a time when we are already suffering the impacts of climate change.
Another coalition member, groundWork, said defending the Mabola protected environment was defending the rights of communities that would be affected by the proposed mining activities. “GroundWork applauds this decision as it sends a strong message to decision makers that mining and profits cannot come before communities and their sustainable livelihoods,” said groundWork director Bobby Peek.
The Centre for Environmental Rights said to proceed with its proposed coal mine in this protected area, Atha would require a fresh approval under the Protected Areas Act from the new minister of environment, forestry and fisheries, Barbara Creecy, and the new minister of mineral resources and energy, Gwede Mantashe.
The coalition said that throughout the court challenges, records revealed that officials in various government departments had recommended that approvals for the mine be refused, but these recommendations were overruled by their superiors.
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