Communities urged to get involved in mining

Kuruman - Mineral Resources Deputy Minister Godfrey Oliphant has urged communities living in mining areas to get actively involved in the negotiations and discussions pertaining to the sector.

Oliphant said communities must benefit from the mining activities taking place in their areas.
He was speaking in Kuruman in the Northern Cape as part of the Government Communication and Information System's countrywide public participation programme, which focuses on engaging the nation on developments emanating from President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February.

"Minerals in this country belong to all South Africans," he said.

With regards to the health of mining employees and communities in the surrounding areas, Oliphant said mine bosses must encourage wellness programmes that will benefit all.

"From our side as government, we will adhere to strict licensing rules and ensure that the mining companies stick to them," he said, adding that mines should not prioritise making profits at the expense of the wellbeing of employees.

From time to time, the Department of Mineral Resources sends inspectors to the mines to check if Occupation Health Safety (OHS) regulations are adhered to.

Work is immediately halted at mining companies found not to be adhering to the safety regulations, with a fine also being imposed.

Last month, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu vowed to get tough on non-compliant mines. Speaking at an event to mark World Tuberculosis Day, Shabangu said although there had been improvements over the years, mine bosses needed to do more to control TB in their mines.

Oliphant also called on municipalities to cooperate with mining companies looking to do business in the communities, as this in turn benefited ordinary South Africans.

On the matter of the massive infrastructure development project announced by President Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation Address in February, Oliphant said the move was aimed at addressing poverty and unemployment. 

"In effect, what government is focused on is to provide the required infrastructure so as to create jobs in the short term, and put in place the building blocks of rising economic growth and a better life for all."

The infrastructure development programme would, among other things, involve the development and incorporation of rail, road and water infrastructure, and the expansion of electricity infrastructure around the country. - BuaNews