Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Estie Senekal and Sesotho by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The Dihlabeng Local Municipality has announced plans to establish a gravel mine on Farm Glen Skye 121 in Fouriesburg, but also in Bethlehem and Rosendal. The Democratic Alliance (DA) met with a representative of EnviroMatrix, Tom Hugo to address the concerns of residents on Schalk van der Merwe Street and the surrounding areas of the upcoming mine.
EnviroMatrix has been appointed as the Independent Environmental Consultants to manage the Mining Permit Application and conduct the Basic Impact Assessment. The proposed site in Fouriesburg is approximately 1.5 hectares in size and referred to as a borrow pit, aims to provide high-quality filling material for municipal roads in and around Fouriesburg.
The gravel mine project includes the excavation of aggregate and rock from the borrow pit, stockpiling, hauling, and transportation of rocks of various sizes and development of access roads to the excavation site.
EnviroMatrix emphasised that the excavation activities will aim to minimize environmental impact and disruption to the local community, adhering to strict regulations.
According to Tom Hugo; the access road will pass the Auction Beads, utilising the shortest route, he is almost sure that no blasting will occur and only excavators will be used, approximately 350 lorry loads of material will be extracted from the borrow pit and operating hours will be restricted to 09:00 to 17:00.
Mitigation measures to address potential environmental impacts are detailed in the Environmental Management Programme (EMP). The measures will ensure that the project proceeds responsibly, with minimal impact on the environment and the local community.
The DA is dedicated to fostering sustainable development and improving infrastructure within the region, aiming to enhance the quality of life for all residents. We remain committed to transparent communication and responsible development, ensuring that all community concerns are addressed throughout the project’s duration.