20 March 2008 10:51:05 AM

Two animal welfare organisations are flexing their muscles as they prepare to take on a company planning to do open cast mining in a wildlife sanctuary.

Myrtle Ryan
2 March 2008
Sunday Tribune
SOUTH AFRICA

Those most threatened by the proposed mining are a small group of elephants which were orphaned in a cull in Kruger Park, relocated to the Thukela Biosphere in KwaZulu-Natal, and then forced to find a new home in 2006 when the community, who laid successful claim to the land, gave them their marching orders.

At that time, the traumatised elephants were given a home at the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary in Limpopo Province. Now their security has again been threatened, because the area, which they now call home, is where the proposed mining will take place.

Louise Joubert, the founder of SanWild, explained the background to the forthcoming battle between SanWild Wildlife Trust and Animal Rights Africa pitted against the Maranda Mining Company.

She explained that while SanWild is the owner of the land, the mining/prospecting rights are owned by Maranda. "However, if you own mining rights you need to approach the land owner if you want to prospect," said Joubert.

She said in 2005, when the Trust was in the process of purchasing the land, Maranda Mining told them they would require access to the land.

"We told them at the time we would be establishing a protected area and would oppose any land under the sanctuary's control being mined, or being incorporated for mining," she said.

"Despite this they never involved us in their public participation process (to secure the mining rights), but went ahead and got their permit," said Joubert.

She said Maranda owned mining rights over several farms in the area, but none of the other farmers would be affected by small-scale mining and it meant money in their pockets.

While only about one-and-a-half to two hectares on SanWild are involved, the effects on the animals would be radical. "There's natural water, and the elephants, which were terrified of people, had found some peace there. If they now start dynamiting, the elephants will take off with their tails between their legs.

"It's also a very beautiful area with rocky outcrops, home to rare and endangered animals such as leopard, pangolin, and aardvark, all of which will be affected."

When the Trust repeatedly refused Maranda Mining entry to start operations, Joubert said in December two company representatives broke the locks on the sanctuary's main gate to gain access to the reserve.

Damage

At the time Joubert lodged a formal complaint of unlawful entry, breaking and entering, as well as damage to property and intimidation at the Gravelotte Police Station.

A week ago SanWild was served with legal documents informing them that Maranda Mining would be bringing an urgent application for an interdict to prevent SanWild or related parties from interfering with their intended mining activities. The company will also be asking the High Court for permission to immediately commence its mining operations.

Joubert said the Trust would be opposing this application in the best interest of the more than 4 500 wild animals that already live in the protected reserve.

Michelle Pickover, a spokesman for Animal Rights Africa - the organisation which paid for the translocation of the elephants from the Thukela Biosphere - said they were highly concerned at the turn of events.

"These elephants, terrified by the dynamiting, might break through fences in an attempt to escape, placing human life in danger.

"It's ludicrous that they should contemplate mining in a sanctuary," Pickover said.

Finally Joubert said, "They should not try to strong-arm us into a corner. Tourism is a high priority in this country, and SanWild brings in the tourists.

"More important, though, is that no money in the world could compensate the wildlife for the loss of habitat on which they depend for their very survival," said Joubert.

The hearing will be heard on March 18.