Remote Surveillance Trailer in Springfield, OR

VEREENIGING – After years of debate, public meetings, and fierce opposition from residents, Glubay Coal (Pty) Ltd has now been granted environmental authorisation (EA) for its proposed Springfield Colliery, Redan Siding, and Vlakfontein Colliery projects between Vereeniging and Meyerton, spanning the R59 to the R82 (Old Johannesburg Road).

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy issued the EA on February 13, giving Glubay Coal the green light to mine coal and develop the Springfield, Redan, and Vlakfontein sites.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy issued the environmental authorisation (EA) on February 13, giving Glubay Coal the green light to mine coal and develop the Springfield, Redan, and Vlakfontein sites.

While the projects promise around 550 jobs, they have faced overwhelming opposition from local residents since the first application in 2023.

At previous public meetings, people raised repeated concerns about health risks, environmental damage, and the impact on heritage sites.

Residents have until 20 days from the EA’s issuance to challenge the decision under the National Appeal Regulations, 2025.

Residents from Arconpark, Waldrif, Falcon Ridge, Springcol, Harmoniesrus, Houtkop, Unitaspark, Vaalkop, Van der Merweskroon, Rustter-Vaal, and Roshnee warned about the mines’ proximity to homes, potential water pollution, noise and vibrations, and the wider socio-economic effects on both urban and rural communities.

Landowners also highlighted the threat to farmland and livelihoods.

A major point of concern remains the Redan Rock Art Site, a provincially protected heritage area with between 200 and 300 sandstone engravings that may date back to the Iron Age.

Glubay Coal says a heritage plan will guide its preservation, but residents and heritage groups remain sceptical about the mine’s potential impact.

The environmental authorisation opens a 20 day window for appeals, during which affected parties can challenge the decision under the National Appeal Regulations, 2025.

If no appeals are filed — or if appeals are unsuccessful — Glubay Coal will be able to start mining, subject to the conditions set out in the EA. The approval represents a critical turning point in a long-running dispute over the balance between creating jobs and protecting the environment and local heritage.

Every year as we plan Best of 417, our editorial team comes up with a list of delicious foodie finds that deserve a high-five but don't quite fit neatly into the Readers' Choice Awards categories. The Editors' Picks include everything from new restaurants that wowed us to robots that delivered our drinks and lots more. Keep scrolling or use the tabs above to jump to the Reader's Choice Awards list.

The Table

The build-up was real as we all waited for owners Sheri Perkins and Renee Textor to throw open the doors to The Table (610 N. Prospect Ave., Springfield, MO 65802, 417-812-7388), their new restaurant located at a formerly abandoned mill site in Springfield. In terms of both interior and exterior design, The Table did not disappoint. The front door alone is wow-worthy, and the inside features a stunning freestanding fireplace, comfy seating and delightful details. While the vibes are oh-so-casual (you order at the counter here), the setting feels chic. We love that for Springfield.

Strawberry and Rose Matcha Latte from Eurasia Cafe

Over on C-Street, Eurasia Cafe (445 E. Commercial St., Springfield, MO 65803, 417-720-1949) is known for its excellent seasonal offerings, and none are more delightful than the strawberry and rose matcha latte, featuring a not-too-sweet and subtly floral cold foam that feels like a dream to sip. But it’s only offered when strawberries are in season. For us, that meant drinking two in one day last spring and not even feeling bad about it.

Stuffed Cabbage from Old Country Chimney Cake

During a chilly day of shopping outside at Farmers Market of the Ozarks (2144 E. Republic Rd., Springfield, MO 65804, 417-323-2655), we popped over to the Old Country Chimney Cake booth for a treat. But it wasn’t the freshly baked desserts we were after. It was the pan of warm, handmade stuffed cabbage rolls. They are simple, comforting and warming from the inside out. We just keep going back for these ultimate cozy food flavors.

Tostones from Mundos Latin Kitchen

No matter how much other food we plan to order, and no matter how hungry (or not) we are, we can’t resist ordering some tostones to share when we visit Mundos Latin Kitchen (5493 N. 17th St., Ozark, MO 65721, 417-485-2160). The base is twice-fried plantains, and they are topped with refried beans, pico, sour cream, cotija cheese and your choice of sauce. We always go for the zippy cilantro sauce.

La Roux Bistro

How often do you get to eat at a three-story restaurant whose top floor is ground level? After the discovery of a vault-like sub-basement two levels below the street that wasn’t on any blueprints, this C-Street restaurant space went on a development break. Then Joe Gidman (who also owns Cafe Cusco and other nearby businesses) came onto the scene, and La Roux Bistro (300 E. Commercial Street Springfield, MO 65803, 417-268-9383) was born. The Cajun-and-French-inspired menu is delicious, and when you eat it in the lowest level surrounded by old stonework deep underground, well, the experience makes it even better.

Omo Japanese Soul Food

We were excited for the team at OMO Japanese Soul Food (2219 W. Chesterfield St., Springfield, MO 65807, 417-306-9215) when they moved into their new, remodeled Chesterfield Village space last year. Then we visited, and we were greeted by a surprising staffer. A 4-foot-tall robot delivered our drinks to our table. Did this delight the kids in our group? So much! Did it delight the adults too? You bet it did.

Green Tomato Cake from The Ozark Mill Restaurant

This dish isn’t new, but it’s worth an award because we just keep going back to it again and again. It feels oh-so-very Ozarks to turn a garden staple like green tomatoes into a dessert, and the green tomato cake from The Ozark Mill Restaurant at Finley Farms (802 Finley Farms Ln, Ozark, MO 65721, 417-210-6644) does it deliciously well. The dense, moist cake is topped with a nutty crumble that adds the perfect crunch to every sweet bite.

French Pastries at Empire Coffee

With pastries prepared by a legit French chef (Roland Parny) and served in a coffee shop with an Italian owner (Carlo Selvaggi), Empire Coffee in Rogersville (319 S. Main St. Suite P, Rogersville, MO 65742, 714-589-9339) feels like a trip abroad. Try the almond croissant with an espresso.

Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins at J.W.’s Kitchen

This freshly baked cornbread from J.W.'s Kitchen (2144 E. Republic Rd. B-101, Springfield, MO 65804, 417-306-9997) is cut in half and then fried cut-side-down in a bacon brown sugar butter. It comes to the table sizzling hot both from the pan and from the jalapeños. You might burn your mouth twice, but you won’t regret it.

Mama G’s Kitchen

Sometimes you just need some food that tastes like home and feeds your soul, and Mama G’s Kitchen’s downtown Springfield location (210 S. Market Ave., Suite 124, Springfield, MO 65806, 417-771-5168) has been earning praise for exactly that. All made by owner Gloria Hairston, the fried catfish is perfectly crisp, the chocolate cake is impossibly tall and the loaded grits are wildly good.

How does 417 Magazine pick winners?

Throughout the year, our team has kept up with what’s new, hot, in style, delicious, making waves, going viral, selling out and making a big impression in 417-land. Then our editors combined them into a slate of nominations for 417-land to vote on. There were killer contestants to vote on for each category, plus voters had the option to write in anyone we left off the list. (Ugh, why didn’t we think of them?!) After the voting period ended, we compiled your votes, and the winners are published right here.

How do I tell you about my business?

If you think your business deserves to be on next year’s ballot, we want to know about it! Send a note to our editorial staff at editor@417mag.com. We take calls, letters, emails and skywriting from our readers about what to check out. We’re sure you’re awesome, so tell us why. Don’t be surprised if some of our staffers come around to check out what you have to offer. In fact, exploring new, fun local stuff is our favorite part of our jobs! We are always looking to share the best with our audience.

Do advertisers automatically win?

Nope! Let’s put this rumor to rest. Still skeptical? Ask one of our advertisers who didn’t win. We take serious measures to keep our integrity intact and maintain boundaries between our sales and editorial departments. In fact, we’re required to in order to uphold our good standing with the City and Regional Magazine Association (CRMA). You can’t buy a Best of 417 nomination or win with money. You can only earn a spot on the list by being the best, getting the word out and raking in the votes!