The Tendele Coal is a coal mining operation in South Africa principally known for its Somkhele Coal Mine in KwaZulu-Natal province.[1][2] The open cast coal mine was first opened in 2007,[3] and largely produces metallurgical coal that is exported out of Richards Bay.[4]

Tendele is largely owned by Petmin, which in turn is owned by Capital Works Private Equity after delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 2017.[5][6]

Local impacts

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The mine has been connected to several human rights abuses.[3] A 2017 case against the mine claimed that it breached environmental and other laws in its operations, but was subsequently dismissed.[3]

The death of environmental defender, Fikile Ntshangase was connected to the mine's expansion.[7] Fikile Ntshangase was part of the local community group, Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation, which was protesting the environmental impacts of the mine.[7]

The mine also produces water and air pollution that hurts local communities.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Tendele Coal Mining". Zululand Observer. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Record number of environmental activists murdered". BBC News. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Somkhele coal mine owned by Tendele, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa". Environmental Justice Atlas. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Products". Petmin Corporate website. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Somkhele". Petmin Corporate website. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  6. ^ "- About Petmin". Petmin Corporate website. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  7. ^ a b "The industries causing the climate crisis and attacks against defenders". Global Witness. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Somkhele mine relocation row puts lives on the line". Roving Reporters. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2021.