Coal mine and Mpukunyoni community sign peace agreement

NO more protest action and road closures are expected to cause interference with Tendele Coal Mine operations near Mtubatuba.

The anthracite mining company’s management, together with Mpukunyoni iNkosi MM Mkhwanazi Mtubatuba, Ndunankulu N Mkhwanazi of the Mpukunyoni Area, Mtubatuba Mayor MQ Mkhwanazi and the Izinduna of the 30 Isigodi comprising Mpukunyoni, signed an agreement on 29 March to move forward in harmony.

The meeting was arranged at Mgeza to discuss a road map pact between the mine and community leaders.

A resolution was reached to create one communication structure between the mine and the community.

They also agreed to document all hiccups regarding current mining areas to provide a platform to resolve any outstanding issues, and to record policies and procedures to ensure clarity and compliance.

The Nkosi and the Izigodi emphasised that discussions between the mine and the community must be done with the ‘utmost respect’ and ‘in good faith’ to ensure the mine can operate at maximum capacity to continue employing up to 1 000 people, of whom 80% are from the Mpukunyoni area.

The parties further agreed to support the mine to continue operating without any hindrances, while the mine pledged to work with the Inkosi, Indunankulu, all the local leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as the municipality to ensure a ‘strong mine’ that makes a difference in the community.

The mine has battled with recurrent protest action by host community members and, most recently, members of the Mpukunyoni Community Property Association (MCPA), who blocked the entrances to the mine and threatened staff in November and December.

In with the new

Despite MCPA’s intimidation tactics, Tendele recently awarded a contract to the Mpukunyoni Business Association (MBA) for the transportation of 900 000 tons of anthracite per annum from the mine to the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal.

The contract will be finalised this month.

Tendele said the MBA is not only a local entity, but is also in good standing with the community, which tendered with their own equipment and will employ Mpukunyoni community members as drivers.

The association comprises 29 member companies, individually owned by local Mpukunyoni entrepreneurs, with 49 trucks and employment opportunities for 112 drivers.

‘The mine has been immensely impressed with the professional manner the tender was completed and the attention to detail and professionalism displayed by the MBA.’

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