South African phosphate mine developer Kropz SA Pty, Century City, which is almost half owned by South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Capital Investments Ltd., continues to face delays getting its water license, according to Bloomberg. South Africa’s Water Tribunal recently imposed some 79 conditions on the water license at the company’s flagship project. However, an appeal by environmentalists to have the water license revoked was dismissed, according to a copy of the ruling.
Kropz is developing the Elandstontein phosphate mining project in South Africa’s Western Cape Province, with a targeted 1 million mt/y capacity, but has suffered development delays (GM Sept. 13, 2019). Elandstontein is the second largest phosphate deposit in the country.
The conditions include intensive monitoring of water quantity and quality, as well as the prevention of the spread of invasive plant species. Reports are to be submitted to the relevant regulators. The measures are likely to increase the costs of operating the mine.
Kropz was not immediately available to comment.