For the past 25 years, the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) has championed the need for South Africans to confront the legacies of the past, heal the deep wounds left by systemic injustice, and seek pathways toward a more inclusive and equitable future. As part of this ongoing mission, the IJR recognises the need to address the persistent economic and environmental injustices facing many communities today.

While a relatively new theme for the IJR, Climate Justice is now a key focus area within the Sustained Dialogues Programme. This evolving strand of work seeks to create inclusive spaces for community voices to be heard, connect stakeholders across sectors, and shape a Just Energy Transition (JET) that is participatory, equitable, and environmentally responsible.

To support this vision, the IJR launched a year-long initiative to engage coal mining communities across South Africa. The goal is to facilitate meaningful dialogue between communities, government representatives, civil society organisations (CSOs), and mining corporations. This process begins at the grassroots level, by entering communities, listening to their lived experiences, and identifying key challenges they face. This is then followed by community consultations, stakeholder engagements, and the development of an advocacy strategy aimed at influencing public policy.

Between January and April 2025, the IJR initiated the first phase of the project by establishing partnerships with local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community activists. This was followed by a scoping exercise that was conducted in May to assess the environmental and social challenges faced by mining communities in Middelburg and Carolina in Mpumalanga. These visits involved community dialogues on climate change, environmental justice, and community-led solutions.

The discussions in Middelburg and Witbank revealed significant concerns. Communities reported the devastating effects of pollution, including widespread health issues such as skin rashes, respiratory illnesses, and kidney problems. Residents also highlighted displacement and deteriorating living conditions as major challenges. Alarmingly, some mines in these areas continue to operate in violation of legal safety standards, posing serious risks to both workers and surrounding communities.

Basic services remain out of reach for many, with residents lacking access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, and adequate housing, all fundamental human rights. In some cases, communities are located within unsafe proximity to mining sites, increasing health risks and compounding socio-economic problems. Water contamination has also harmed the region’s agricultural sector, further affecting livelihoods.

Social tensions are also rising, particularly around the employment of workers from outside the local area, including both South African and foreign nationals. With many local residents facing chronic health conditions, they are often unable to compete for mine-related jobs. The influx of external labour fuels resentment and deepens existing frustrations about exclusion from economic opportunities. Rather than contributing to development, mining in these communities is frequently associated with increased poverty, environmental degradation, and social discord.

Despite these challenges, mining communities are mobilising to assert their rights and shape a more hopeful future. Armed with knowledge and a shared sense of purpose, community members are actively engaging in efforts to restore, or at least mitigate, the environmental damage caused by mining. They envision a sustainable future where mining benefits the local community and is conducted in an environmentally responsible manner.

In June of this year, the IJR’s Sustained Dialogues team will be conducting scoping exercises and dialogues in three mining communities: Newcastle and Escort in KwaZulu Natal, and Lephalale in Limpopo. These upcoming visits will continue to prioritise listening to communities and building collaborative spaces for solutions that centre justice, accountability, and shared progress.