Western Cape, South Africa

The Overberg is under threat

The Overberg, with its rolling, green hills and nature-filled expanses, faces a very real threat. This region is the breadbasket of South Africa, with its fertile soils providing food for life. The mountains and valleys are home to nature that occurs nowhere else on Earth. The water that flows through the landscape gives life to communities and wildlife.

But all this could change.

One mining company, called Cienth, is planning vast, open-cast mines – in search of gold, silver and tin. Their proposed footprint is extensive: an area the size of 4 200 rugby fields, turning large parts of the Overberg into a dustbowl. And searching for a mineral that mining experts say does not occur here in viable mining quantities. But this has not stopped them from proceeding with their applications. In fact, there have been FOUR applications from Cienth to date. 

Overberg

The Impact

The impact will be felt across the district – and will negatively affect many Overberg industries.

10600

Affected households

4200

Rugby-field sized holes

12000

Jobs threatened

1

Overberg changed forever

HAVE YOUR SAY

Give your voice to say no to this mine – once and for all!

By joining the Coalition, you will stand with us against the mine, no matter how many applications this mining company, Cienth, submits.

The DMRE’s decision on
Cienth’s application

 

On 8 October 2024, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy refused the prospecting application submitted by Cienth, via its Environmental Assessment Practitioner, Takalani Environmental Consultancy. This was Cienth’s fourth application, but the first application that went all the way to the FINAL Basic Assessment Report. Despite this ruling, the Overberg community must remain vigilant as more applications are likely.

WHO WE ARE

Who is the Save the Overberg Coalition?

A concerned community came together to fight this mining application. Led by the Napier Farmers’ Association, the Save the Overberg Coalition consists of land users, residents from towns across the Overberg, and others who care about the future of our special district. Our role is to represent this community with one, powerful voice through legal support, and share with our stakeholders what we discover about this process. We connect with the media to create public awareness. And we prepare to represent this community in the courts. 

We need your help

If we’re to protect the Overberg against the threat of gold mining, we need all hands on deck. Please help: get involved by donating, registering your opposition, or simply sharing our messages on social media.

Media

In the News

SAVE THE OVERBERG:
protecting a unique landscape

[SA Grain Mag, August 2024]

Battle lines drawn on Overberg ‘gold rush’

[FINANCIAL MAIL, 11 July 2024]

Registering as interested party made easy

[SUIDERNUUS, 3 May 2024]