Cape Town – The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is reportedly suing South Africa’s Environment Minister, Dion George, over his decision to dismiss appeals against an environmental offset exemption granted to the $160 million (R2.9 billion) Elandsfontein phosphate mine, which is owned by Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Capital.
Kropz Plc, 90% of which is held by African Rainbow Capital and owns the Elandsfontein mine, has also been named as a respondent in the lawsuit, according to Daily Investor.
As part of its offset proposal, Kropz had planned to purchase and donate over 20,000 acres of land to the West Coast National Park.
However, the provincial office of the ministry annulled this plan in 2021, the report states.
WWF argues that delays in implementing offset requirements, which were meant to mitigate the mine’s environmental impact, have caused harm to both the public and the environment.
In court papers, WWF stated, “The environment, and therefore the public at large, has suffered prejudice from the unconscionable delays in the implementation of the offset requirements,” according to Mining.com.
The court papers were filed with the High Court on March 13.
Located near Langebaan Lagoon, about 61 miles north of Cape Town, the mine has faced long-standing opposition from environmentalists concerned about its potential impact on the lagoon and its underlying aquifer.
In 2017, GroundUp News reported that “the mine is being challenged by environmental activists and state departments, who say the mine has been unlawfully established and fear it could damage the surrounding sensitive environment.”
In the same year, the company suspended development of the project indefinitely, citing technical, market, and regulatory challenges, according to Miningmx.
Disputes and technical issues have delayed operations since Kropz acquired the site in 2010.
Environmental groups, including the West Coast Environmental Protection Association, have also taken legal action against Kropz, seeking to prevent the mine from using water from the ancient Elandsfontein aquifer due to concerns about potential environmental damage.
The Elandsfontein phosphate deposit is South Africa’s second-largest and is known for its low cadmium and heavy metal content, which is favorable for producing fertilizers that support sustainable agriculture, according to Kropz website.
Kropz has said that it is considering its position in light of the recent legal developments.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
