LIMPOPO -Only a few weeks after the DMR granted the mining rights the first protest took place where residents voiced their disappointment with the decision.
A year later on, 26 November 2015, 13 people were arrested for public violence during a protest by residents of several villages in the Mogalakwena area, again raising their concerns against the mine.
Last Friday more than 70 residents from villages in the Mogalakwena area marched to the Platreef site where they handed over a memorandum of demands to Ivanplats Spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels.
The memorandum with 11 demands, stated: “Ivanplats should stop its illegal mining operations at a site with immediate effect, as it is not approved by the DMR, the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) or the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA).”
The controversy surrounding the Platreef Project has spiked numerous debates and while some of the community members are in clear objection of the mining activities, other members welcome the project with open arms.
Ivanplats has aided the local economic growth with their commitment to build sustainable businesses and currently residents are reaping the fruit of the Platreef Project as numerous jobs have been created.
However, Shimane Kekana, community leader, told Bosveld on Tuesday: “We foresee that the next step that we will take against the mine is to face them in the civil court.”
Michaels gave the following comment regarding the memorandum:
“Ivanplats has noted with dismay the continued determination of a small group of people that continue with their protests against the Platreef Project without recognising the obvious socio-economic benefits for our host communities.
The company will in due course respond to the memorandum of demands presented by the protesters but I addressed the group which marched on the Project on Friday and made a few important points immediately:
•We must agree that the socio-economic benefits of the mine, including job creation and skills development, for the people of Mokopane is without a doubt a positive aspect to the new mine being built by Ivanplats.
•Ivanplats and Ivanhoe Mines respect the laws of South Africa and there is absolutely no truth to the allegation that the companies are operating illegally.
•The company respects the right of people to protest but this will not achieve much, particularly given that the company’s doors have always been open for engagement with stakeholders.
“Furthermore, the Platreef Project has a Social and Labour Plan with R160-million, which is being implemented with speed. The company is also employing more than 600 people at the moment, and this is set to increase as the project gathers momentum. We trust that our host communities understand that this project will hold more benefits for the people of Mokopane as the development of the mine gathers pace.”
redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
