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| 01767_form_for_gcs.pdf | 01767_form_for_gcs.pdf (98 KB)  |
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| 01767_form_for_gcs.pdf | 01767_form_for_gcs.pdf (98 KB) |
Government owned African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation (AEMFC) has applied for prospecting rights for tin, zinc, lead, lithium, copper, manganese and silver on a number of top wine estates in the Cape winelands. The Government's Department of Mineral Resources has provisionally accepted these prospecting rights.
This area, which is more than 4700 hectares, encompasses a number of Stellenbosch/Bottelary farms that are all part of the Bottelary Renosterveld Conservancy. Saxenburg, Jordan, Langverwacht and Zevenwacht Wine Estates are all included in this area. Affected neighbours include De Waal, Mooiplaas, De Morgenzon and Kaapzicht, amongst others. A number of farms in Durbanville and Tygerberg, including De Grendel, will also be affected if the application is approved.
Gary Jordan, owner of Jordan Wine Estate and member of the Cape Winemakers Guild, said: 'If we don't stop this now there will be no end to where this will lead. One of the main problems with regard to the application by African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation is that it is a wholly state-owned company and the decision of whether it is granted this application or not rests with the state.
'We only have until 9 March 2010 to submit formal objections to the proposed prospecting plan in the Cape Winelands. Any valid reason is acceptable. Remember that this is about prospecting at this stage, not mining, but we need to stop this in its tracks right now as that would be the next step. We would like objections to be registered by as wide a public group as possible, both locally and internationally, personally and/or on corporate letter heads where possible. Allowing the plan to go ahead could change the face of the winelands forever.'
To help protect these wine estates, please download the form (in the documents tab in the multimedia browser above) and mail or e-mail it to the contacts on the bottom of the form. You can also e-mail Renee Francis-Steele at reneef@gcs-sa.biz or Estie Retief at estie@gcs-sa.biz at GCS to express your concern. GCS is an environmental, water and consulting company which AEMFC is using to advise on this project. In addition, you can join the 'Stop mining our winelands' Facebook page to show your support.
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