top of page
IMGL0894ANTFOXPHOTOANTFOXPHOTO.jpg

PROTECT THE WEST COAST

We see a thriving and abundant West Coast that benefits present and future generations. Lawful and unlawful mining activity covers an astounding portion of the West Coast of South Africa. We envision a future that replaces degraded, lifeless, and desolate mine dumps with cross-functional economic activity in unison with nature and her people.

6.3k+

Endemic Plant and Animal Species

500+

Kilometers of Coastline

20+

Mining Threats

1

Coast for us to protect.

Our mission

We are dedicated to informing and empowering civil society to stand against unjust mining activity on the West Coast. We believe in wielding the power of legal action to hold companies and the government accountable. We inspire a deep connection to the region’s biodiversity and cultural heritage

ElandsBay-18.jpg

What is at stake?

From the Orange River to Cape Columbine, hundreds of kilometres of the South Africa’s West Coast coastline are being mined, or have been earmarked for mining. These industrial-scale extractions have lasting consequences for local communities, fisheries and the natural environment, for generations to come.

_K3A0131.jpg

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Volunteer, fundraise, donate, or get social. We are looking for all the help we can get. So, please assist us in protecting this magical stretch of coastline that thousands of plants, animals, and people call home.

Our goals

Our goals for 2023 have been categorized into 3 categories:

  1. Wield Legal Power

  2. Create media & awareness

  3. Develop and support civil action partners

The risks

Despite the creation of short term jobs, mining adversely affects ecosystems and has a detrimental knock-on effect to the broader West Coast environment, economy and society.

AlexanderBay_AlanvanGysen-0095.jpg

LATEST NEWS

OUR PARTNERS

1ftp_Primary_Horizontal_Black.jpg
Shopify_Logo_Header-03_5ed8bc8e-8179-483c-ac19-82ab9ebfda57_400x200.jpg
WS-Festival-2023.png
RunWest_horizontal-logo-white-600x265.png
Partners

THE SITUATION

West Coast Mining Map

A research group at UCT, based in the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, has been monitoring, documenting and mapping details of prospecting and mining as well as oil and gas applications and operations on the West Coast, over the past 18 months.

The increase in number of applications and Environmental Authorizations for prospecting and mining on the west coast, is a major cause for concern in the absence of any environmental planning framework or a Marine Spatial Plan. Prof Sowman and her research team, together with GIS expert Rio Button, will continue to monitor and update the status of these applications and add new applications as information becomes available.

The public is invited to participate in the process of updating the map and informing the research team of new applications or a change in status of such applications.  Links to the UCT website with details of the various applications and operations as well as updated maps, will be provided shortly.  

INSTAGRAM FEED

Contact Us
bottom of page