Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Kruger National Park mining saga continues: First public meeting held for “new” application with same role players

Soundbite: Lambert de Klerk (English)

Soundbite: Lambert de Klerk (Afrikaans)

The next chapter in the protracted Kruger National Park mining saga continued on Friday in Marloth Park when AfriForum, community members and stakeholders gathered for a public participation meeting as part of a new application process for the establishment of a mine on the park’s doorstep.

AfriForum has been fighting the proposed plans for the construction of a coal mine just south of the national park since 2019. Since then, the application to mine coal in the area has undergone several withdrawals and started anew under a new company name. Tenbosch Mining and the environmental consultant Kimopax, who spearheaded the previous application, played key roles in bringing the latest application in February this year.

The application was brought for the construction of an underground coal mine with significant above-ground infrastructure, including a processing plant, stockpiles, landfills, a sludge storage facility, pollution control dams and associated water treatment facilities, as well as power supply and road infrastructure. The area earmarked for this mine covers approximately 5 500 ha and is located near the southern border of the Kruger National Park. This area relies heavily on tourism, agriculture and ecological integrity for the community’s livelihood and the region’s long-term economic stability.

Community members at the first public meeting on Friday 13 March 2026

According to Lambert de Klerk, AfriForum’s Environmental Affairs Manager who attended the meeting today, the previous application process revealed serious procedural failures, illegal conduct and a lack of transparency. Since the same companies are now involved in the new application, there is reason to also follow this process closely and to prioritise the interests of the community and the environment, De Klerk believes.

There were several objections made during the public meeting and, among others, pointed to the risks of water security and pollution; the proximity to the Kruger National Park and the cumulative impact of mining on this conservation area; and the area’s agricultural value.

According to De Klerk, the application in in its scoping phase and several specialist studies still need to be undertaken and approved by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) before it can move on to the next phase of this application.

“Our message remains that no mine should be developed in these types of areas. The future of this region depends on the protection of the natural assets that sustain it,” De Klerk emphasises.

AfriForum encourages community members to register as interested and affected parties, submit written comments in a timely manner and keep records of all correspondence and submissions.

Background of AfriForum’s involvement in the fight against the proposed mine

AfriForum has been fighting the proposed plans for the construction of a coal mine just south of the game reserve since 2019. Since then, the application to mine coal in the area has been withdrawn several times and started anew under a new company name.

The application was originally submitted by Manzolwandle Investments, while Singo Consulting undertook the environmental impact assessment. In 2020, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy refused to grant environmental approval for the project.

Tenbosch Mining, the company that acquired Manzolwandle Investments, submitted a new application a year later.

This application was withdrawn by October 2022, but Tenbosch resumed its application in May 2023 and appointed Kimopax as environmental practitioner. After public pressure and AfriForum’s contribution, this flawed application was withdrawn in December 2025.

However, the withdrawal was short-lived, and by February this year a new application – with Tenbosch Mining and Kimopax as role players – was submitted.