We, the undersigned, adamantly oppose the proposed Tailings Storage Facility, as its potential for catastrophic failure poses an unacceptable risk to human life, local livelihoods and the environment. We refuse to sacrifice our health, safety and water security for long term waste management that risks toxic seepage and downstream devastation [reference to 1.1 below- Jagersfontein Free State- September 2022 incident in which a TSF dam burst its banks and contaminated the soil and water of the surrounding communities, thus causing the displacement of 300 residents and the death of 2 people. Merriespruit (Virginia, Free State, February 1994): A gold tailings dam collapsed after heavy rain, with a 2.5-meter-high wave of sludge killing 17 people. Bafokeng (North West, 1973): A platinum tailings dam failure resulted in 12 deaths]

I. For the benefit of all parties concerned please read below the definitions, terms and names of companies listed in this petition: 

• TSF - Tailings Storage Facility (Known as Mine Dumps)
• What are Tailings ?
  Tailings are the waste by-product of mining, consisting of ground rock, water, and processing chemicals left over after extracting valuable minerals from ore. Often stored as a slurry in engineered dams (TSFs), they contain uneconomic metals, cyanide, or arsenic and pose significant environmental, safety, and water management risks if not properly managed.
• MTR - Mogale Tailings Retreatment Pty Ltd -A holder of the Mogale Mining Cluster rights. MTR is currently operating in Krugersdorp, focusing on the re-mining of  historical mine tailings to extract remaining minerals (gold, etc). MTR plans to store the tailings in a TSF, a large area next to the Kagiso Cemetery (opposite Azaadville Gardens- see image above). 
• EXM Environmental Advisory that are in the process of carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Water Use Licence Application (WULA) process for the proposed tailings storage facility (TSF) in the area north of Azaadville.

Reasons for our opposition to the proposed TSF are listed below: 

1. Structural integrity of the proposed Tailings Storage Facility (TSF): 

1.1 A structural failure of the TSF will cause flooding and hence toxicity will seep into our soil and ground water as there are no guarantees that the structure will contain the tailings.  

Reference is made to:

 a) Jagersfontein Free State- September 2022 incident in which a TSF dam burst its banks and contaminated the soil and water of the surrounding communities, thus causing the displacement of 300 residents and the death of 2 people.

b) Merriespruit (Virginia, Free state, February 1994): A gold tailings dam collapsed after heavy rain, with a 2.5-meter-high wave of sludge killing 17 people.

c) Bafokeng (North West, 1973): A platinum tailings dam failure resulted in 12 deaths

1.2 When tailings dry they may cause toxic dust and we, the residents will be exposed to cyanide particles (used in the process of extracting Gold) , quartz, iron pyrite, heavy metals and radioactive particles  

2.  Contamination: 

2.1 Ground water supply due to Acid Mine Drainage: As mentioned in 1.2 above, the risk of Arsenic and Cyanide contaminating our ground water supply and hence borehole water is of great concern. 
 
2.2 Soil contamination: The tailing sludge may contaminate our soil and hence any food that is grown. 

3. Toxic water evaporation can turn into acid rain and this will affect our community, crops and structures. 

4. Physical and Mental Health concerns: 

4.1 Physical health: The dust from the TSF will cause respiratory diseases, bladder, lung and skin cancer as well as birth defects.  

4.2 Psychological health: The constant fear of the structure failing and flooding our community is one that may affect us psychologically, increasing our anxiety levels and affecting our overall mental well being. Refer to 1.1 above  

5. Lowered Property Value: Proximity to toxic waste sites decreases home values and impacts local livelihoods.

6. MTR will be dumping tailings waste for 25 years on a continuous basis, in close proximity to Azaadville. After 25 years, the TSF will become another abandoned toxic mine dump without any upkeep and maintenance. That toxicity will threaten our community for as long as it is there. We make reference to the abandoned dam on the M13 opposite Brickworks, which has such a high level of toxicity that poses a threat to living organisms.

We, the residents of Azaadville and surrounding areas, urge the Minister of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to take immediate action to prevent MTR from constructing the TSF for the safety and well-being of our community. 

Thank you for your time and consideration of this urgent matter. 

Sincerely,

Nurhan Moolla- Specialist Wellness Counsellor 
0797909929

Sharon Govindasamy- Councillor and Academic 0846905785

Mohamed Laher- Chair of Azaadville Rate Payers Association (ARPA) 0827630840