Mining communities accuse govt of trying to leave them out of charter discussions

Lobby group Mining Affected Communities United Action (MACUA) on Tuesday accused the government of trying to elbow it out of consultations on a new mining charter after it cancelled a meeting.

In a statement, MACUA said its members had arrived in Newcastle at the venue and date advertised by the department of mineral resources (DMR) for a consultation meeting, only to find the minister and department officials absent.

“Community members who arrived at the venue had not only left their homes in the early hours of the morning, they also travelled hundreds of kilometres to advertised consultation only to be informed that the meeting was rescheduled for the May 31, 2018,” it said.

“This is yet another example of the disdain with which communities are treated by the DMR and once again highlights the sham show that the current mining consultations have been.”

The government has been holding meetings around the country with stakeholders in the mining industry on a new mining charter after companies rejected one tabled last year as harmful to the economy.

Last year’s proposed regulations set new black ownership targets for the industry, including a stipulation that new mining rights holders have 30% black ownership shared among employees, communities and black entrepreneurs.

On Tuesday, MACUA said it had instructed its attorneys to prepare a court challenge to the current consultative process.

It said it had also written to Mines Minister Gwede Mantashe to “point out the shortcomings and to ask him to do the honourable thing to negotiate with us with respect and dignity as all community and citizens deserve before the matter reaches the court”.

– African News Agency (ANA) 

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.