BY THEMBA ZWANE
KALANGA – About 700 jobs for Emaswati will be created at the proposed new E200 million KaLanga-Malindza Coal Mine.
A public notice has been published in terms of Section 52 of the Environment Management Act, 2002. WH Mining PTY (Ltd) has prepared an Environmental Impact Assessment and Comprehensive Mitigation Plan for the establishment of kaLanga- Malindza Coal Mine. The purpose of the study was to identify environmental and socio-economic impacts that are likely to emerge because of the proposed development so that measures are taken to mitigate negative impacts and enhance positive ones.
Interested and affected parties are to submit comments and/ or objections in relation to the proposed development and the deadline for submission is July 7, 2026.
Estimated 200 people for construction, 500 for operations
“The proposed project will require an estimated 200 people during construction and an estimated 500 people during the operational phase. Labour required will range from unskilled, semiskilled to skilled. The plan is to have labour sourced from local communities as much as practically possible. Skilled non-local labour will be accommodated in local accommodation facilities as much as practically possible. There will be provision for non-local labour to be accommodated within the project site,” reads the report.
WH Mining (Pty) Ltd proposes to establish an anthracite coal mine in the Ka-Langa and Malindza areas of the Lubombo Region. The proposed Mining Lease will cover approximately 1,799.1 hectares, with a perimeter of approximately 20 km. The project area is located on Eswatini Nation Land (ENL) under the jurisdiction of Chief Maziya and Chief Ndlondlo Tsabedze, both of which are located within the boundaries of the proposed project area. Key surface structures include the incline shaft portal, wash plant, offices, change house, lamp house, pollution control dams (PCDs), stockpile area, water treatment plant. A letter from the traditional Authority (TA) has been obtained.
Context within the Country’s Development Priorities
According to the document, Eswatini is committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and acknowledges the importance of achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project will play a significant role for the country in meeting the most “economic” of the sustainable development goals (SDGs); promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all (SDG 8), sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation (SDG 9), ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation (SDG 6), sustainable consumption and production patterns (SDG 12). All contributing significantly to the eradication of poverty (SDG 1).
The country’s strategic roadmap, which was developed in 2019 identifies five key growth sectors that are critical for the country’s economic growth: Amongst these sectors is mining and energy, where the government’s goal is to unlock the mining sector in the kingdom in the medium to long term. This project will contribute to the growth of the mining sector, which will have a significant impact on the country’s economy. The growth sectors outlined in the Strategic Roadmap are meant to address three areas that are important to stimulate economic growth. These are: GDP growth, job creation and revenue growth.
Project Objective
The main objective of the proposed project is the extraction of anthracite coal in an environmentally sustainable way for the benefit of the proponent, WH Mining (Pty) Ltd, as well as the Eswatini Government and the people of Eswatini. Specifically, the project will aim at: mining operation with a limited footprint on the surface and community upliftment programs.
#Mining #NaturalResources #Government #WHMining #GDPGrowth #SDGs #CommunityDevelopment
