National Parks Board Appeal Turned Down. (23 October, 1996)

The Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs has turned down an appeal by the National Parks Board to prevent prospecting for precious stones in the Madimbo Corridor of the Northern Province. The ecologically sensitive areas has been the subject of controversy ever since a company named Madimbu Diamond Corporation applied for permission to prospect for precious stones.

The Director-General for the Department, Dr Gert Venter, turned down the appeal after he found that the permit was issued in accordance with the Minerals Act of 1991. After consideration of the National Parks Board's appeal, a statement by the Department said Venter was 'unable to nullify a decision made by the Minister', but had investigated and approved the legality of the decision made by the regional director.

The mineral rights to the area are owned by the state, although the land is used by the SANDF. Venter stressed that the Madimbu Diamond Corporation was authorised to prospect only for precious stones. Should stones be found in economically viable quantities, a new permit would have to be applied for. In conjunction with the prospecting permit, the Department also approved an environmental management programme which includes particulars about the manner in which disturbances on the surface will be rehabilitated during and after prospecting operations. Staff Reporter. Courtesy of The Star.