The Conservancy has been involved in submitting appeals to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment against two applications for prospecting rights for gold in Skeerpoort. As of July 2026, these are still in process. No prospecting activities can legally go ahead while the appeals are in process.

Why prospecting and mining cannot be allowed here

Water: There is NO Municipal Water in Skeerpoort and the surrounding areas. The pools of underground water on which the area depends for borehole supply are called Aquifers – These Aquifers CANNOT be allowed to be damaged or contaminated by drilling for prospecting or mining.

Pollution and damage: Water pollution – from drilling and from chemicals used; Noise pollution, from drilling (24 hours a day, 7 days a week); Air pollution – from the drilling proposed and from the increased traffic; Road damage – more large trucks on the road will cause increased damage to the infrastucture.

Chemical contamination: Cyanide & Mercury is used to extract gold from the rock. These chemicals could find their way into local rivers, poisoning the aquatic life and surrounding flora. These chemicals could also make their way into the food chain and into the sources of drinking water.