A packed house of almost 400 patrons attended the world premiere of feature documentary Out of Mined Wednesday night, immersing themselves in the vast vistas of the West Coast and the urgent need to protect this fragile beauty and biodiversity from mining.
It was the first time that South African filmgoers had seen the film, which was screened at all four cinemas at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town, before being released internationally to several prestigious film festivals.
“This film lays the path to tangible change on the West Coast,” said PTWC managing director Mike Schlebach, “delivered through cinema and art, which is such a powerful tool to not only show the legacy damage of mining, but the breathtaking beauty of the region – a poignant double-edged appeal to our responsibilities as citizens of South Africa.
“At this intersection between the damage and the rich biodiversity lies a message of hope, or redemption, and it’s so gratifying to see such a positive response to the film. Now we can map out our plan of action, and begin putting in place several rehabilitation and community projects we are working on,” he added.
Out of Mined, directed by Arthur Neumeier and produced by Eyeforce, was developed in partnership with Protect the West Coast (PTWC). The premiere juxtaposed the rich biodiversity and beauty of an untrammelled and remote area with a painful history of 100 years of diamond and heavy mineral mining on its dunes, beaches and tidal zones.
One of six panellists who joined for the Q&A after the film, community activist Wendy Pekeur spoke about practical ways to combat the intersectional exploitation of women and youth within South Africa’s mining sector. As a feminist, Pekeur, the founder of the Ubuntu Rural Women and Youth Movement, spearheads grassroots campaigns to empower indigenous women.
Positioned at the intersection of activism, cinematic art, and journalism, Out of Mined traces the impacts of a deluge of mining along 450 km of coastline on coastal ecosystems and the local population, giving voice to fishers, Indigenous communities and other affected groups, with the views of scientists, legal experts and business leaders who advocate nature-based solutions.
In 2026 alone, 60 new applications were submitted in the Western and Northern Cape, while Trans Hex was granted an environmental authorisation for offshore diamond mining between Doringbaai and Strandfontein, just south of the Olifants River estuary.
Even though much of the region has been mined for decades, there has been little rehabilitation. According to a ‘The Tipping Point’ Special Report published by PTWC, only 10% of the West Coast coastline is protected, with the remaining coast highly vulnerable to mining.
The film is the product of nine trips to the West Coast and Richtersveld, collecting over 20TB of footage, which was then distilled into a powerful 60-minute feature. It will be shown at film festivals internationally, including the Berlin Indie Film Festival, Changing Tide Ocean Film Festival and the Green Montenegro International Film Festival. The film is a nominee for the prestigious Cannes Film Awards, to be announced on 27 June.
Neumeier is a documentary director and cinematographer with a deep connection to the ocean. Through Eyeforce, he is committed to telling long-form environmental and human stories that explore the relationship between people, landscape and the natural world.
“The more time we spent on the West Coast, the more we realised how little most people actually know about what is happening there. We wanted to create a film that not only shines a light on the impact of mining, but also honours the beauty, communities and biodiversity that still remain. This film is ultimately about connection to place, and asking ourselves what kind of future we want for this coastline,” Neumeier said.
Outdoor apparel company Patagonia sponsored the event. “We’ve long been proud supporters of the work of Protect the West Coast and the ongoing fight to protect this unique stretch of coastline. The places we play in – surf, hike, run, explore, and find inspiration in – are worth protecting. Storytelling plays such an important role in helping people connect more deeply to what’s at stake,” said Grant Cleghorn, Patagonia South Africa director.
Out of Mined was screened at the Labia Theatre on Wednesday 24 June at 8:15 pm, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, Protect the West Coast, and environmental and community guest speakers.
