Journal of Afrlcan Earth Sciences, Vol. 16,No. 1/2, pp. 205-221, 1993. 0899-5362/93 $6.00+0.00 Printedin GreatBdtain © 1993Pergamon PressLid The r61e of geology in the development of Maputaland, South Africa M. K. WATKEYS, Z. R. MASON*and P. S. GOODMAN** Department of Geologyand Applied Geology,University of Natal, Durban 4001, Republicof South Africa *Joint GeologicalSurvey/University of Natal Marine GeoscienceUnit, Universityof Natal, Durban4001, Republicof South Africa **Natal Parks Board, MkuziGame Reserve, PrivateBag X550, Mkuze 3965, Republic of South Africa Abstract - Maputaland, the coastal plain on the eastem sea-board of South Africa, is underlainby late Mesozoic to Quaternarysequences.It lacks any major mineral wealth, apart from heavy minerals in the Holocene coastaldunes.Miningof thesedunesis a controversial environmental issuewhilstthe wholearea is not suitable for industrialization. Developmentoptions for Maputalandthereforeare largelylimited to the rational and sustainableutilization of its renewablenaturalresources.The developmentand improve- ment of the region's agriculturaloutputand eco-tourismindustryare the best optionsto pursue in order to provide muchneededemployment for a rapidlygrowingand alreadyimpoverished rural community. The region has a high biodiversitydue to its being a tropical-subtropical transition zone and to east-west variations in geologyand climate.These have been the reasons for the establishment of various conserva- tion areas.Futureimprovements to the agriculture and the reservesdependuponimportantgeological input both on the environmentalside, in ordernot to interferewithnatural long-termchanges,as well as on the applied side, particularly concerningthe development of an infrastructurefor the eco-tourismindustry. INTRODUCTION The prime aim of any country should be to raise the standard of living of its inhabitants. In the Third World, this is generally being attempted through industrialization. Although this may improve the material lot of the inhabitants, rapid industrialization has its disadvantages, such as pollution, degradation of the environment and social disruption. These may actually lower the standard of living of those who have moved to the growing urban centres, in addition to which the long-term sustainability of these areas is by no means assured. Furthermore, what about the areas from which people are migrating - those areas which lack the resources for industrial develop- ment? Should such areas be artificially stimulated into industrial development by de-centralisation policies or are there alternative strategies? One such area is Maputaland, South Africa (Fig. 1). It lies north of the Richards Bay- Empangeni, growth region which has developed since the port of Richards Bay was built for coal export in the early 1970s. The only economic deposits in the area are heavy minerals in the coastal dunes. Mining of these is currently taking place south of Richards Bay and the company involved has prospecting rights further north on the Eastern Shores of Lake St. Lucia. At present this is a controversial and highly emotive topic because of possible environmental impacts on Lake St. Lucia. Even if mining should take place, it is only a relatively short-term solution to deve- lopment of the area. Development of Maputaland therefore should be directed towards the rational and sustainable utilization of its renewable natural resources. In the long term, such develop- ment should be more beneficial to the inhabitants, providing certain prejudices can be overcome. One of the region's greatest economic potentials lies in eco-tourism, which until recently has only been developed to a limited degree. Consequently, appropriate emphasis will have to be placed on the restoration and conservation of the region's rich biotic and cultural diversity. This will require considerable input from applied and environment- al geologists since the infrastructure to support an eco-tourism industry will be necessary as will the development of appropriate recreation facilities. Existing tourist facilities occur along the coast and in the protected areas; there is still vast potential in the region's scenic beauty and cultural and biotic diversity. It is essential that the ecological impact of any further development is kept to a minimum. It must allow for the continued opera- tion of the determining geological and ecological 205