Data from South Africa's mines department show lithium prospecting licences covering some 73,000 hectares over 117 farms, an area slightly larger than the city of Pretoria. The existing lithium mine at Highbury, owned by SA Lithium, currently covers 150 hectares of pits and 180 hectares of waste dumps, with plans to expand significantly.
A Community Under Siege
In the hillside village of Magog, residents report that blasting from the mines has caused fissures in their homes and damaged trees. Albert Mthembu, 62, told Reuters he had visited the doctor twice for lung issues and now sees no option but to move. "The blasting isn't good. We've got kids, we've got animals, the trees are even being damaged," he said on the slopes of the village, where dying trees drooped.
Mthembu's friend has already left, his house reduced to rubble by workers expanding the mine, according to three villagers. Seven other houses were visibly dismantled. Zandile Cele, a resident and activist, told the Mail & Guardian: "They don't see us as human beings, they just see us as things to be moved."
The villages of Fairview, Quathlongu, Magog and Madala fall within 1km of the mine. Residents say trucks start operating at 3am and continue after 10pm. Crops, plants and homes have been coated in dust, and residents can no longer hang their washing outside.
Environmental Concerns
The South Coast Guardians Association, a coalition of community organisations, residents and farmers, is leading objections to the prospecting, arguing that the impact on small-scale farmers, their communities and the local sugar mill would be "catastrophic" if all prospecting licences are converted to mining licences.
The environmental concerns are significant. Lithium mining involves processing tons of ore and discharging waste material that can contain heavy metals, potentially polluting water sources. The association has warned that the surrounding region is a prime agricultural area that supplies sugar cane to a local mill and provides tourism to KwaZulu-Natal's south coast.
Residents also report that the blasting has damaged their properties. "There are cracks in the house, there is dust everywhere, and sometimes we can't even breathe properly," one resident told local media, adding that the dust has affected their crops, especially sugar cane.
The Company's Response
SA Lithium Director Ian Harbottle said the company had relocated 150 farmers, all willingly, and that the mine had created over a thousand jobs. He disputed concerns about water pollution, saying no water from the mine ever goes into any rivers.
In a statement, SA Lithium acknowledged the concerns of nearby communities and said it was committed to being a responsible corporate citizen. "SA Lithium is committed to the communities around the mine, and the Group has taken significant steps to support them and create sustainable development opportunities," the company said.
The company said it had established a Community Trust with a mandate to improve the lives of community members through investments in education, social welfare and enterprise development. It has also committed to a "no relocation without consultation" policy.
A "Sunrise Industry" in Conflict
The conflict comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa has described South Africa's 40 trillion rand ($2.39 trillion) worth of critical minerals as a "sunrise industry" with potential to create jobs and strengthen the industrial base.
The demand for lithium has surged globally as countries seek to transition away from fossil fuels and towards electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. South Africa has significant lithium reserves, and the government has been encouraging investment in the sector as part of its broader industrial policy.
However, the conflict in KwaZulu-Natal highlights the tension between the global demand for critical minerals and the rights and livelihoods of local communities. As mining companies race to secure supply, communities are demanding that their voices be heard and that the benefits of mining be shared more equitably.
The conflict also raises broader questions about South Africa's regulatory framework. Community groups say the system is stacked against them, with weak enforcement and inadequate consultation. Mining companies say they follow the law and are committed to responsible mining.
Residents of Magog and the surrounding villages are calling for a full environmental impact assessment and proper consultation before any further expansion of the mine. "We are not against development, but it must be sustainable and it must benefit us," one resident said.
With reporting from Reuters, Mail & Guardian, and local sources.
