VANCOUVER (miningweekly.com) – Africa-focused project developer Ivanhoe Mines' Ivanplats subsidiary has been cleared by a South African court to continue with the relocation of informal graves located in the vicinity of its $1.2-billion Platreef mine development project, in Limpopo province.

Justice John Murphy set aside the interim interdict that was granted by the North Gauteng High Court on November 28, 2016, following an ex parte hearing – which was conducted without Ivanplats' knowledge or participation.

Murphy would give written reasons for his decision in due course, including a ruling on the costs of the court action.

Ivanplats this week argued in court that it had conducted extensive consultation with community residents and relatives of the deceased individuals interred in the relevant graves and that it had obtained all necessary permits and authorisations for the relocation process.

Fifty-four graves were relocated from land outside the perimeter of the active mine development site before the interim interdict was issued, 30 awaited relocation and ten locations had been investigated and found not to contain human remains. Ivanplats is providing new burial plots in a formal cemetery, as well as tombstones and related services.

The local, historically-disadvantaged community and international investors share ownership of the Platreef mine.

Ivanplats MD Dr Patricia Makhesha stated that the court action was an ill-conceived attempt by a few individuals to stop the construction of a mine that would provide much-needed direct and indirect jobs, access to education and skills training for young people in Mokopane.

"The Platreef underground mine represents one of the most significant foreign direct investments into the South African economy in recent years, and constitutes an asset which will yield very significant benefits to the South African economy in general, and the economy of Mokopane and the Limpopo province in particular," she said.