3 minute read
THUNGELA LAUNCHES FISH BREEDING FACILITY
Thungela has taken a significant step towards environmental conservation by launching an innovative fish breeding facility in Mpumalanga's Loskop Dam Nature Reserve. This initiative comes as a response to the 2022 incident at the Khwezela Colliery’s Kromdraai site, where mine-impacted water was released, affecting the Wilge-Olifants river catchment.
Determined to rectify this, Thungela has collaborated with key stakeholders and secured approval from the Department of Water and Sanitation to embark on a project that not only aims to restore but enhance the aquatic ecosystem.
The facility, a testament to Thungela's commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement, is set to rejuvenate biodiversity and serve as a cornerstone for future conservation efforts.
July Ndlovu, CEO of Thungela, expressed pride in the company's fulfillment of its commitment, emphasising the legacy of responsible mining and environmental restoration. Through partnerships with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks
Agency (MTPA) and leading aquatic scientists, Thungela's vision became a reality, culminating in the commissioning of the fish breeding facility.
The facility symbolises not only the restoration of fish populations but also a beacon of hope for future environmental research and conservation efforts. With water quality restored and macroinvertebrate activity flourishing, Thungela's fish breeding project aims to reintroduce up to sixteen native fish species, marking a significant milestone in ecological revival.
Beyond the river restoration project, Thungela's partnerships extend to the farming community and society at large, emphasising a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being. Mduduzi Vilakazi, CEO of Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, lauds the collaboration as a model for sustainable resource management and community empowerment.
The fish breeding facility is just one facet of Thungela's comprehensive conservation initiatives, which include renewable energy solutions and advanced water treatment systems. The company remains dedicated to transparency and ongoing updates on rehabilitation measures, with the ultimate goal of achieving full ecological revival and safeguarding against future environmental incidents.
Thungela's efforts underscore the transformative power of corporate responsibility and collaborative conservation, setting a precedent for sustainable development and environmental resilience in the region. As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded of the invaluable impact of collective action in preserving our natural heritage for generations to come.
In addition to the establishment of the pioneering fish breeding facility at the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, Thungela has also implemented a range of complementary measures to restore and preserve the region's fragile ecosystem. These include comprehensive water quality monitoring programs, innovative reclamation techniques, and community engagement initiatives aimed at fostering a culture of environmental stewardship among residents.
Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, environmental NGOs, and academic institutions, Thungela has leveraged collective expertise and resources to maximise the effectiveness of its restoration efforts. By championing a collaborative approach to environmental management, Thungela aims to set a new standard for sustainable development in the mining industry and beyond.
As the flagship project of Thungela's broader environmental stewardship strategy, the fish breeding facility represents a tangible manifestation of the company's long-term commitment to ecological restoration and conservation. By reintroducing native fish species to the rehabilitated waterways of the WilgeOlifants river catchment, Thungela seeks to not only mitigate the environmental impacts of past mining activities but also contribute to the long-term resilience and vitality of the region's aquatic ecosystems.
