That was essentially the message sent today by landowners, residents and tourism stakeholders from the town of Magaliesburg to Mining Companies and the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

Magaliesburg which sits on the doorstep to the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site has for many years been known and recognised as a tourist attraction for South Africa and even more so since the World Heritage Site was declared. (Click here to sign their petition)

Mining companies however continually fail to see the immense value this region offers to the tourism sector of South Africa and have for years been attempting to set their anchors into the soils of Magaliesburg.

Not much is different right now as the community and landowners of Magaliesburg once again have to deal with 3 prospecting applications currently threatening the future of the area.

Response and support from affected landowners and stakeholders has been astounding with both directly and indirectly affected landowners standing together and lodging a multitude of objections with the DMR against a recent application on the farms of Koesterfontein by an applicant named Autumn Skies Trading 455 cc, the sole director of which is actually a director of Belton Mining in Witbank. Mr Harms also worked for Rand Gold, Rand Coal, BHPBilliton and is also still listed as a director of TransLimpopo Mineral Resources. So why are these operations being lodged using a shelf cc ??

This same applicant has lodged a second application on much of the remaining farms of Koesterfontein, Kaalfontein and a portion of Rietpoort for which public meetings and consultations have yet to be held but the response to the applicant and the DMR is going to be the same.

The Magalies Meander is a formalised tourist attraction and the Magaliesburg has long since been earmarked for tourism related activities and is an invaluable asset to South African Tourism offering unspoilt views for miles. A number of specialist studies recently conducted for the Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) all arrive at the same conclusions, these areas must be conserved. Magaliesburg also received international recognition and attention when it played host to Team Portugal during the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

The Acid Mine Water problem stemming out of the Krugersdorp and Carletonville mining areas has already seeped through underground acquifers into waters of the Cradle of Humankind area and damages to cave structures have already been noted in the world renowned Sterkfontein Caves. Much of the Magaliesburg underground water is still unaffected by this serious problem but should mines get their way with the Magaliesburg it would not be long before the Bloubank River Catchment, the Magalies River and underground water sources are completely and utterly ruined.

It is time for South Africa to say NO to this problem. The mining community has not learned to clean up after itself in 120 years and should not be allowed to touch another piece of ground until they have cleaned up South Africa 100%. The public will no longer tolerate this mass poisoning of our rivers, streams and underground acquifers.

To support the town of Magaliesburg in their fight please contact admin@magaliesburg.org.za

(Click here to sign their petition)