We have noted the claims of 'victory' on the uranium mining front in the Karoo. This is not a victory, as it is the normal practice of mining companies to lay claim to vast tracts of land, followed by more intensive prospecting, that brings them closer to the 'mother lode'. The disruption, pollution and water extraction levels will still be there! How much of this depends on the 8 questionable nuclear power stations our government hopes to have built? An open question!

The same goes for fracking, at the moment it is a dead fish in the water, as the fuel prices are depressed. At some stage fracking will again raise its polluting head in the Karoo!

It is all a bit like Eskom claiming victory in its 'battle' against 'power cuts'. It has nothing to do with improved maintenance or organisation but has everything to do with reduced demand from mining and industry.