Water services – CDM, mining group sign memo

Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) and a mining group that is in the process of developing a new palladium-platinum-gold and rhodium mine near Bochum in the Blouberg Municipality, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at CDM’s offices in the city on Tuesday.
In terms of the MOU, CDM and the proposed mine’s operating company, Waterberg JV Resources (Pty) Ltd, will jointly develop a water supply management plan to increase the water supply and infrastructure capacity for the use of both the local community and the mine, currently named the Waterberg Mine.
Mlibo Mgudlwa, Vice President of Platinum Group, Waterberg JV Resources (Pty) Ltd’s parent company, said a pre-feasibility study indicated a 19 year lifespan for the mine and that operations can start within the next two years. Mgudlwa could not indicate how many job opportunities would be created.
CDM Executive Mayor, John Mpe said insufficient water supply poses a threat to economic development activities and investment.
“The agricultural sector uses about 70% of the water while mining shares the remaining 30% with households for domestic use. “To achieve our 2040 Vision in basic services, we need to reverse these supply imbalances and ensure equitable provision of water to households, mining and agriculture,” Mpe said.
Mpe also envisaged that the outcome of further studies and tests may yield other opportunities that will strengthen the partnership between CDM and the mine even further than currently anticipated.
“Like any other capital project, we will work closely with our communities and traditional authorities and other interested parties will be involved to support this partnership. We are confident that this partnership will result into a project that will go a long way in improving the lives of our people. It is our wish to reach as many households as possible and improve the overall household access to potable water. With limited funds and competing service delivery priorities, we may take a while to clear all the backlogs. However, with partnerships such as this, we can do more to change the lives of many,” Mpe concluded.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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