"Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Buyelwa Sonjica is concerned about the latest media reports that Coal of Africa has been awarded an unconditional New Order Mining Right (NOMR) near Mapungubwe in Limpopo," spokesman Albi Modise said in a statement.
"The Mapungubwe National Park is situated approximately seven kilometres to the west of the area earmarked for mining."
The statement comes on the heels of a report in the Mail & Guardian on Friday that the department was up in arms over the development of the Vele colliery so close to the park.
Several local and environmental groups have also promised to resist development of the colliery.
The paper reported that Coal of Africa has signed a letter of intent to supply up to five million tons of coal from Vele and a sister project to steel company ArcelorMittal SA.
Modise said the park was the site of "the oldest known large settlement in Southern Africa, and the precursor to Greater Zimbabwe".
"This site is of not only regional, but international importance."
Mapungubwe is one of seven United Nations World Heritage sites in South Africa.
Modise said mining could have implications for both tourism and archaeological research.
"It is not known what the effect of blasting will be on the surrounding archaeological sites and graves.
"Tourism development in the Mapungubwe cultural landscape will be negatively affected by the [round-the-clock] lighting, blasting and noise and may destroy the sense of place permanently, and with it, the sustainable job opportunities from tourism and tourism growth," he said.
Modise said Sonjica would request a copy of Coal of Africa's NOMR from her counterpart at the department of mineral resources.
Coal of Africa could not be reached for comment.
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