Residents’ committee to tackle mining concerns
The Greater Benoni Residents’ Committee (GBRC) held its first meeting on November 16.
The committee was reinstated on November 9 to liaise with the community regarding mining operations in Benoni and to keep mining companies accountable for operating responsibly.
The committee has already registered as an interested and affected party (I&AP) for the Cons Modder project in Brakpan and will assist residents in these areas as well.
It will register as an I&AP for the two new Modderfontein projects in the near future.
According to GBRC secretary Denise MacLachlan, a specific date to register as an I&AP has not yet been determined.
The City Times reported on the two new projects on November 17 and the public participation processes for mining permits were advertised in the City Times.
ZFM Trading and Mosaic are both applying to mine gold ore on the surface dump on Portion One of the farm Modderfontein.
MacLachlan said the committee will monitor any new mining applications.
“The GBRC will be approaching the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) to explain its dissatisfaction with the way public participation is being handled by some applicants and seek its involvement in ensuring these applicants cooperate with the GBRC,” said MacLachlan.
She also mentioned the GBRC will continue to push for answers already submitted to Thumela Logistix CC and Nendiwave, the two sister companies that applied for mine dump reclamation projects in Benoni.
This is after the two projects’ public participation meetings went astray after the community demanded less vague responses from the companies.
Thumela Logistix CC aims to mine from a mine dump in Portion 63 in Vlakfontein. The dump is next to Golden Drive, about 1.5km from Snake Road.
Nendiwave wants to mine on Portions One and Three – which comprise 5ha each – on the farm Modderfontein.
These mine dumps are on the same location as ZFM Trading’s and Mosaic’s applications and are located next to Chevalier Street and Hospital Road, about 12km from Snake Road via Main Reef Road.
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