Next week (29 June) is the deadline for public comment on an application for a Coalbed Methane Exploration Project in Lephalale, Limpopo. With only days to go, Earthlife Africa Johannesburg joins local activists and other civil society organisations to raise serious concerns about the potential impacts the project could have on health and livelihoods, as well as its broader environmental and climate implications.

According to Thabo Sibeko, Senior Programs Officer at Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, “For years, people in Lephalale have lived in the shadow of the region’s coal mines and power stations, enduring severe air pollution, land degradation and growing pressure on already scarce water resources. Additionally, in recent years, Limpopo has experienced increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events. So, instead of locking South Africa into more fossil fuels, we should promote a just transition toward a low-carbon economy.”

According to the Scoping Report, the proposed project seeks environmental authorisation to drill 333 production wells across an operational area of approximately 134,155 hectares, covering 224 farm portions and directly affecting around 20 farms. Importantly, operations would take place only 5 km from Marapong Township and 11 km from Onverwacht, placing nearby residents very close to the proposed activities.

“Communities should not be expected to respond to a project of this scale – one that could lock the region into decades of additional fossil fuel extraction – without clear information, accessible meetings and a genuine opportunity to participate. Despite the proposed development’s size and potential long-term impacts, the recent public meetings saw very limited participation from residents of Marapong and Onverwacht. Meaningful public participation is not a procedural box to tick; it is fundamental to environmental justice and democratic decision-making,” says Sibeko.

Civil society groups acknowledge that organisers cited safety concerns for not hosting meetings within Marapong itself. However, they question whether sufficient alternative measures were implemented to ensure meaningful participation. Participants also raised concerns that presentations were conducted primarily in English, with limited interpretation into local languages. Although a translated project summary was reportedly available in Sepedi, attendees noted that language barriers may have discouraged questions and prevented many residents from fully understanding the proposal and its implications.

Margaret Mokoka from Hands of Hope in Lephalale says, “The proposal raises serious concerns that must be fully assessed before any decision is made. But, if meetings are held far from where we live, how are people supposed to attend? And if the information is presented in a language many people struggle to follow, how meaningful can their participation be? People deserve to understand what is being planned in their own backyard and their concerns should be acknowledged. Meetings must be held at a time and place that works for the majority of residents.”

“It is important that our communities and interested organisations take time to review the Scoping Report to better understand what the project could entail and the impacts it could have for us. And people must be free to submit comments in their preferred language,” adds Mokoka.

Community based organisations and community members say the proposed project raises serious concerns about its potential climate, water, air quality and biodiversity impacts, as well as risks to agriculture, heritage sites and nearby communities. They have also questioned emergency preparedness, rehabilitation commitments and the long-term implications of expanding fossil fuel extraction in a region already heavily affected by mining and energy developments. Civil society groups are calling for a transparent environmental assessment that fully considers cumulative impacts, climate obligations and affected communities’ rights to meaningful public participation.

According to Emmy Modise from Bopanang Organisation, who attended the public meetings, “We already worry about water every day, and our lives are already affected by pollution from power stations and mines. Any project that could place more pressure on our air, water or boreholes must be thoroughly scrutinised.”

Earthlife Africa and supporting organisations are also calling for an extension of the public comment period, citing concerns about meeting accessibility, language barriers, limited attendance by directly affected communities and the technical nature of the proposal. An extension, and bringing the sessions closer to the target population will give them a fair opportunity to understand the project and make informed submissions on a development that could shape Lephalale for decades.