Fluorspar mine may destroy Ludwig's Roses

The owners of Ludwig's Roses, a well-known landmark just outside Pretoria on the N1 to Polokwane, together with about 189 farmers and smallholders in the area, are scratching their heads over the technicalities of a proposed fluorspar mine in the Wallmannsthal area.

Ludwig's and others affected have had to find specialists to help them understand the environmental studies, highlighting the inequity between well-funded mining companies and individuals who feel threatened by their plans.

The Wallmannsthal fluorspar project belongs to Sephaku Fluoride (SepFluor), which was unbundled from Sephaku Holdings last year. Wallmannsthal would be SepFluor's second mine after the nearby Nokeng mine, for which it is currently raising R1bn. It expects to start production at Wallmannsthal by 2017 or 2018, initially from an open pit and later from underground.

The Taschner family, which owns Ludwig's Roses, has sent the department of mineral resources a lengthy objection to SepFluor's environmental report, pointing out various errors and omissions. For example, Ludwig's is identified as agriculture but it also has a tea shop and wedding venue. The number of jobs to be created by the mine is put at 70 in one place and 150 in another.

Ludwig's, which is 42 years old and employs 157 people, argues the mine will strain already scarce water resources, and dust from the processing plant will affect its roses and harm its attraction as a wedding venue. Though the environmental report refers to fluorspar, during a public meeting, company representatives mentioned potential to extract phosphate and rare earths, which raised fears of radioactivity.

AfriForum has also become involved on behalf of landowners. AfriForum's Tarien Cooks says a number of larger farmers dependent on the Apies River will be affected, as well as smaller farmers, some game reserves and the Buffelsdrift Conservancy. Cooks says the biggest concern is water - there is no piped water and most residents rely on boreholes.

SepFluor spokesman James Duncan says the company has studied the water situation and understands it will have to buy water on commercial terms from current holders of water-use licences. It is also looking at other options. All available information confirms there is no health threat from radioactivity. He says errors in the report have been corrected and the discrepancy in employment estimates arises because it depends whether a concentrator plant is built. Duncan confirms a public meeting will be held to address concerns. So far no date has been set .