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Stop illegal mining in the Blyde River catchment
Lauren B.
started this petition to
Dr Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Stop Illegal Mining in
the Blyde River Catchment
Protect one of South Africa’s most vital water sources - before it’s too late.
The Blyde River is a lifeline for Limpopo and Mpumalanga, supplying drinking water to Hoedspruit, irrigating thousands of hectares of fruit farms, feeding the ecosystems of the Kruger National Park, and supporting livelihoods, tourism, and wildlife throughout the UNESCO-designated Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region.
But now, this river, considered one of South Africa’s cleanest, is under serious threat.
A recent scientific survey has revealed that 20% of the Blyde Dam’s water storage capacity has been lost in just 2 to 3 years due to sediment build-up.
The lead cause?
Illegal mining.
More than 50 illegal mining sites had emerged in the upper catchment by August 2024, especially along the Blyde and Ohrigstad Rivers. This uncontrolled mining is flooding the river system with sand and silt, choking the dam, reducing its water capacity and threatening the availability of water for communities, agriculture and protected areas downstream.
Even more alarming is the use of highly toxic chemicals such as cyanide in these unregulated mining operations. These chemicals pose an extreme risk to aquatic life, livestock and the health of local communities and water users.
This is not just an environmental disaster - it is a crisis of water security for all downstream users, public health and governance.
We, the undersigned members of local agriculture, business, residents, tourism and conservation organisations, call on the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, together with the Department of Water and Sanitation and Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to:
We cannot stand by while this vital water source is destroyed.
We must act now to protect the Blyde River, our communities and our shared future.
Sign the petition. Raise your voice. The Blyde River belongs to us all.
Protect one of South Africa’s most vital water sources - before it’s too late.
The Blyde River is a lifeline for Limpopo and Mpumalanga, supplying drinking water to Hoedspruit, irrigating thousands of hectares of fruit farms, feeding the ecosystems of the Kruger National Park, and supporting livelihoods, tourism, and wildlife throughout the UNESCO-designated Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region.
But now, this river, considered one of South Africa’s cleanest, is under serious threat.
A recent scientific survey has revealed that 20% of the Blyde Dam’s water storage capacity has been lost in just 2 to 3 years due to sediment build-up.
The lead cause?
Illegal mining.
More than 50 illegal mining sites had emerged in the upper catchment by August 2024, especially along the Blyde and Ohrigstad Rivers. This uncontrolled mining is flooding the river system with sand and silt, choking the dam, reducing its water capacity and threatening the availability of water for communities, agriculture and protected areas downstream.
Even more alarming is the use of highly toxic chemicals such as cyanide in these unregulated mining operations. These chemicals pose an extreme risk to aquatic life, livestock and the health of local communities and water users.
This is not just an environmental disaster - it is a crisis of water security for all downstream users, public health and governance.
We, the undersigned members of local agriculture, business, residents, tourism and conservation organisations, call on the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, together with the Department of Water and Sanitation and Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to:
- Take immediate and coordinated action to stop illegal mining in the Blyde River catchment.
- Enforce environmental regulations and remove illegal operations.
- Support long-term restoration of the river and catchment area.
We cannot stand by while this vital water source is destroyed.
We must act now to protect the Blyde River, our communities and our shared future.
Sign the petition. Raise your voice. The Blyde River belongs to us all.
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