{"id":1004690,"date":"2024-09-16T10:14:27","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T10:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/?p=1004690"},"modified":"2024-10-09T09:46:37","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T09:46:37","slug":"protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Protecting the West Coast of South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">South Africa\u2019s West Coast, known for its stunning landscapes and unique biodiversity, is under threat from the relentless advance of the mining industry. Once a region of untouched beauty and rich cultural heritage, it is now marked by scars left by diamond extraction and other mining activities. The impact on local communities has been devastating, with many residents left in poverty as their land is ravaged and resources depleted.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/protectthewestcoast.org\/\"><em>Protect the West Coast<\/em> (PTWC)<\/a>, a grassroots organisation, has emerged as a crucial force in the fight to preserve this fragile region. Through legal action, community engagement, and public awareness campaigns, PTWC is working to protect the West Coast from further exploitation, advocating for sustainable alternatives that honour the land and its people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>For a more in-depth look, <a href=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/interviews\/protect-the-west-coast\/\">read our interview with PTWC founder, Mike Schlebach<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What makes South Africa\u2019s West Coast special?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"698\" src=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/west-coast-national-park.jpg\" alt=\"west coast national park\" class=\"wp-image-2753\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/west-coast-national-park.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/west-coast-national-park-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/west-coast-national-park-768x536.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like much of South Africa, the West Coast is a biodiversity hotspot. There are plants and animals endemic to specific parts of the West Coast, which you\u2019ll find nowhere else in the world. Like the newly rediscovered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/golden-mole-that-swims-through-sand-rediscovered-after-86-years\/\">Golden Mole<\/a>! It\u2019s also home to some of our oldest fishing communities, which have already been massively impacted by the off-coast mining and trawling of this area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The West Coast is special for its stunning, far-stretching beaches, its incredible flower season, its untouched nature, and its communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why does it need to be protected?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Screenshot-2024-09-03-140437-2-1024x660.jpg\" alt=\"Map of status of all known mineral extraction activities in the region\" class=\"wp-image-1004688\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Screenshot-2024-09-03-140437-2-1024x660.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Screenshot-2024-09-03-140437-2-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Screenshot-2024-09-03-140437-2-768x495.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Screenshot-2024-09-03-140437-2.jpg 1360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>A screenshot from <a href=\"https:\/\/protectthewestcoast.org\/interactive-map\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this interactive map<\/a> of the status of all known mineral extraction activities in the region<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The West Coast is an environment severely under threat. There are many mining threats both to the coastline and the ocean \u2014 some of which are active, and others still&nbsp; prospecting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cThe history of mining on the West Coast is long, the diamond industry has been mining up in the Northern Cape area, on the beaches up there, for the last hundred odd years. But the creep is coming fast and furiously down the coastline.\u201d <\/strong>\u2014 Mike Schlebach<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This mining is incredibly damaging to the environment, leaving once-thriving ecosystems barren. Rehabilitation efforts have been woefully inadequate or non-existent. Despite legal obligations to restore mined areas, the lack of governmental oversight and enforcement has allowed mining companies to neglect their responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These mines also have a serious negative impact on locals, as they prohibit and limit coastal access to traditional fishers and nearby communities. This is one of few food and financial sources for these communities; it is part of their heritage and their culture, and it is being denied to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cApart from inland mining on the West Coast, there&#8217;s the beach mining. And then you&#8217;ve got on the near shore \u2014 most of the coastline has been divided up into diamond concessions. And then you&#8217;ve got diamond concessions further out to sea and now they&#8217;ve got oil and gas out to sea as well.\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 Mike Schlebach<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How PTWC is defending the coastline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Protect the West Coast initiative has made significant strides in raising awareness and driving action to preserve one of South Africa&#8217;s most vulnerable regions. One of the organisation&#8217;s most notable achievements has been its extensive media outreach. Prior to the campaign\u2019s efforts, only a few thousand people were aware of the environmental challenges facing the West Coast. Today, many more are informed, thanks to their ongoing efforts to highlight these critical issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A key victory for Protect the West Coast came through legal action, where they successfully halted TransHex&#8217;s mining operations in the Olifants River Estuary. The settlement, reached out of court, marked a major triumph in the fight to protect this vital and delicate ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond legal battles, Protect the West Coast has been actively working with various conservation organisations, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.capenature.co.za\/\">Cape Nature<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanparks.org\/parks\/west_coast\/\">Sanparks<\/a>, to secure the Olifants River Estuary as a designated conservation area. This effort is especially urgent as multiple prospecting applications currently threaten the region, with the potential to lead to full-scale mining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SPEX3795-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"mining operations on the West Coast\" class=\"wp-image-1004694\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SPEX3795-scaled-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SPEX3795-scaled-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SPEX3795-scaled-1-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Actionable ways you can help the cause<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, how can you help prevent mining and exploitation of this area? Here are a few things you can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Register with Ripl<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/protectthewestcoast.org\/ripl\/\">Ripl<\/a> is PTWC\u2019s new public portal for engaging with mining applications along the West Coast. It has just launched after two years in development, and will notify registered users of new applications, allowing you to review details, submit comments, and file appeals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The platform aims to increase public participation by involving more concerned citizens as well as specialists and environmental experts. Ripl will empower more people to challenge mining projects and hold companies and the government accountable, making it more difficult for applications to pass without proper scrutiny and pushback. We are so excited about this project!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Donate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/protectthewestcoast.org\/donate\/\">Donating <\/a>is always a fantastic way to engage. PTWC puts your donations to great use, spreading the message, taking guilty parties to court, and holding companies and government accountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Donating is also a really great option for businesses who are interested in helping the community and environment of South Africa.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Share and spread awareness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sharing and engaging on PTWCs social media posts on what\u2019s happening on the West Coast is really impactful, despite being a small action in itself. It spreads the message \u2014 so many South Africans don\u2019t even know this is happening in our own country \u2014 and brings visibility and accountability to the issue. The more people know about exploitative mining practices here, the better we can hold our government accountable for allowing it to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Run West<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Run-West-24_09_2023-35-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"Run West 2023\" class=\"wp-image-1004693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Run-West-24_09_2023-35-scaled-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Run-West-24_09_2023-35-scaled-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Run-West-24_09_2023-35-scaled-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Run-West-24_09_2023-35-scaled-1-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/runwest.co.za\/\">Run West<\/a> is an annual race along the beaches, villages and vegetation of the West Coast. It\u2019s a really brilliant initiative which allows you to explore the area, support its protection and defence, and bring more visibility to the issue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most recent Run West took place on the 22 September 2024, so make a note in your calendar for 2025!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Last thoughts on protecting the West Coast of SA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are so many ways that the West Coast\u2019s situation can be improved! Mining is not a necessary industry here; it has very little economic benefit for our country.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many exciting, hopeful projects,<strong> \u201clike algae farming, kelp farming, perlemoen farming, all those kinds of things that are non extractive, they&#8217;re circular and they could have a very healthy home on the West Coast. They have the opportunity to employ so many community locals, with long term, sustainable jobs, not just for as long as the mine exists.\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 Mike Schlebach<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The West Coast can also be rehabilitated, encouraging local vegetation and wildlife to thrive here once again.&nbsp;There\u2019s so much hope for the area. We just need to stop the mining and destruction of delicate areas, and bring more accountability into current processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Want to know more? <a href=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/interviews\/protect-the-west-coast\/\">Read our interview with PTWC founder, Mike Schlebach<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South Africa\u2019s West Coast, known for its stunning landscapes and unique biodiversity, is under threat from the relentless advance of the mining industry. Once a region of untouched beauty and rich cultural heritage, it is now marked by scars left by diamond extraction and other mining activities. The impact on local communities has been devastating, &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Protecting the West Coast of South Africa<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1004701,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[211],"tags":[1000223,198,1000220],"class_list":["post-1004690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-knowledge","tag-environment","tag-information","tag-outdoor"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Protecting the West Coast of South Africa - Wander Cape Town<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Protecting the West Coast of South Africa - Wander Cape Town\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"South Africa\u2019s West Coast, known for its stunning landscapes and unique biodiversity, is under threat from the relentless advance of the mining industry. Once a region of untouched beauty and rich cultural heritage, it is now marked by scars left by diamond extraction and other mining activities. The impact on local communities has been devastating, &hellip; Protecting the West Coast of South Africa Read More &raquo;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Wander Cape Town\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-09-16T10:14:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-10-09T09:46:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tormin-mining-operation-by-Jacque-Smit-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1536\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Katja Mamacos\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Katja Mamacos\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Katja Mamacos\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#\/schema\/person\/aed9d46a5887679b02817ac97f850bf0\"},\"headline\":\"Protecting the West Coast of South Africa\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-09-16T10:14:27+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-09T09:46:37+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/\"},\"wordCount\":1154,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tormin-mining-operation-by-Jacque-Smit-1.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Environment\",\"Information\",\"Outdoor\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Local knowledge\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/\",\"name\":\"Protecting the West Coast of South Africa - Wander Cape Town\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tormin-mining-operation-by-Jacque-Smit-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-09-16T10:14:27+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-09T09:46:37+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tormin-mining-operation-by-Jacque-Smit-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tormin-mining-operation-by-Jacque-Smit-1.jpg\",\"width\":1536,\"height\":1024,\"caption\":\"Tormin mining operation, by Jacque Smit\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Protecting the West Coast of South Africa\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/\",\"name\":\"Wander Cape Town\",\"description\":\"Exploring Cape Town&#039;s activities and adventures\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Wander Cape Town\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Wander-Cape-Town-green-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Wander-Cape-Town-green-logo.png\",\"width\":300,\"height\":100,\"caption\":\"Wander Cape Town\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#\/schema\/person\/aed9d46a5887679b02817ac97f850bf0\",\"name\":\"Katja Mamacos\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f321a6c2e9f88c3d173a71618fbef2e5adf35a4fbb621b87f4e21b8462526bca?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f321a6c2e9f88c3d173a71618fbef2e5adf35a4fbb621b87f4e21b8462526bca?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Katja Mamacos\"},\"description\":\"Hi, I'm Katja! I'm a writer and editor, and I created Wander Cape Town to be a resource on everything in and around my home city, from activities and attractions to info on our natural environment and initiatives.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/wandercapetown.com\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Protecting the West Coast of South Africa - Wander Cape Town","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Protecting the West Coast of South Africa - Wander Cape Town","og_description":"South Africa\u2019s West Coast, known for its stunning landscapes and unique biodiversity, is under threat from the relentless advance of the mining industry. Once a region of untouched beauty and rich cultural heritage, it is now marked by scars left by diamond extraction and other mining activities. The impact on local communities has been devastating, &hellip; Protecting the West Coast of South Africa Read More &raquo;","og_url":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/","og_site_name":"Wander Cape Town","article_published_time":"2024-09-16T10:14:27+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-10-09T09:46:37+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1536,"height":1024,"url":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tormin-mining-operation-by-Jacque-Smit-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Katja Mamacos","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Katja Mamacos","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/"},"author":{"name":"Katja Mamacos","@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#\/schema\/person\/aed9d46a5887679b02817ac97f850bf0"},"headline":"Protecting the West Coast of South Africa","datePublished":"2024-09-16T10:14:27+00:00","dateModified":"2024-10-09T09:46:37+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/"},"wordCount":1154,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tormin-mining-operation-by-Jacque-Smit-1.jpg","keywords":["Environment","Information","Outdoor"],"articleSection":["Local knowledge"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/","url":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/","name":"Protecting the West Coast of South Africa - Wander Cape Town","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tormin-mining-operation-by-Jacque-Smit-1.jpg","datePublished":"2024-09-16T10:14:27+00:00","dateModified":"2024-10-09T09:46:37+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tormin-mining-operation-by-Jacque-Smit-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tormin-mining-operation-by-Jacque-Smit-1.jpg","width":1536,"height":1024,"caption":"Tormin mining operation, by Jacque Smit"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/local-knowledge\/protecting-the-west-coast-of-south-africa\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Protecting the West Coast of South Africa"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/","name":"Wander Cape Town","description":"Exploring Cape Town&#039;s activities and adventures","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#organization","name":"Wander Cape Town","url":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Wander-Cape-Town-green-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Wander-Cape-Town-green-logo.png","width":300,"height":100,"caption":"Wander Cape Town"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#\/schema\/person\/aed9d46a5887679b02817ac97f850bf0","name":"Katja Mamacos","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f321a6c2e9f88c3d173a71618fbef2e5adf35a4fbb621b87f4e21b8462526bca?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f321a6c2e9f88c3d173a71618fbef2e5adf35a4fbb621b87f4e21b8462526bca?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Katja Mamacos"},"description":"Hi, I'm Katja! I'm a writer and editor, and I created Wander Cape Town to be a resource on everything in and around my home city, from activities and attractions to info on our natural environment and initiatives.","sameAs":["http:\/\/wandercapetown.com"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1004690","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1004690"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1004690\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1004718,"href":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1004690\/revisions\/1004718"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1004701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1004690"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1004690"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1004690"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}