Agulhas and Overberg communities face potential environmental, tourism and social threat from prospecting company.
The major concern is that if the prospecting licence, currently in process, is granted by the Department of Minerals and Energy, a mining right will follow.
The Cape South Coast, specifically the Agulhas Wine Triangle, is becoming increasingly important to wine tourism development in the area. A number of highly acclaimed wine brands that enjoy widespread recognition by the local and international wine industry are situated in this cool climate area. Wine enthusiasts are increasingly flocking to the Agulhas Wine Triangle to experience these authentic wines first hand.
There are several tourism facilities within the AWT, such as winery cellar-door facilities, self-catering accommodation establishments, wedding venues, hotels, restaurants, farm stalls, and various nature reserve, including the Nuwejaars Special Management Area.
If mining takes place in the targeted area, food security, the destruction of the environment, the inevitable job loss (and social cohesion breakdown), potential destruction of archaeological sites, and negative impact on tourism-related businesses are inevitable.