Social justice movement Bua Mining Communities (BuaMC) is in discussions with 'like-minded' civil society bodies throughout the country about arranging a mass meeting (the details of which have yet to be finalised) this month to draw up a People’s Mining Charter.

BuaMC coordinator Joseph Magobe tells Mining Weekly that the aim of drawing up the people’s charter will be to present “a radical alternative” to the proposed new Mining Charter by ensuring that the needs and aspirations of mine-hosting communities are included.

The movement represents about 20 mine-hosting communities in and around the Bojanala platinum district municipality, in the North West. It aims to safeguard community wellbeing and monitor human rights violations and enhance fairness and justice in all mine-hosting communities in the area.

Magobe says the organisation was founded in 2012, following the Marikana tragedy, in which 44 people lost their lives during labour unrest at the Lonmin mine.

“Activists . . . felt there was an urgent need to gather as mining-affected communities to voice their concerns about how the mining industry was treating these communities and its workers,” he explains.

Before a person becomes a worker, the person is first a member of the community and, therefore, the issues of workers and communities are “inherently linked”, Magobe comments.

Meanwhile, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane published the Reviewed Draft Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Charter (or Mining Charter) for the South African Mining and Minerals Industry on April 15 in a surprise Gazette notice, which allowed 30 days for public comment.

Magobe says that, while mines and labour unions have been invited to discuss the draft Mining Charter with the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), other stakeholders, namely mine-hosting communities, such as those in the North West, have not yet been consulted about it.

Magobe laments that there has not been any substantial improvement in the lives of local communities in the North West since the Marikana tragedy.

mineworkers’ demand for a minimum entry-level salary of R12 500, which many died for, had not been met.

Magobe contends that the houses that have been built by mining companies in the region are “propaganda showpieces” meant to subdue communities’ anger at the lack of improvement in their lives.

He also believes that the mines are working in conjunction with government to ensure this “charade” of community development is maintained; it also being used as an electioneering tool by the African National Congress- (ANC-) led government in the run-up to the local elections.

The mining industry in the North West is in “rapid decline”, which has resulted in retrench-ments, with more planned over the next 18 months by all the major mining companies, he adds.

“Mines are seeking to implement mechanisation at their operations, which will decrease worker numbers substantially – a direct threat to the sustainability of many communities . . . that almost solely depend on the mining industry for job creation,” Magobe stresses.

Magobe points out that the Bafokeng Land Buyers Association, a member of BuaMC, and the Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN) administration are involved in land disputes because the administration does not have any right to land ownership other than the ownership of the farms it bought after 1994.

BuaMC is challenging the legality of the RBN administration to sell or lease land to mining companies on behalf of the RBN people.

“These communities’ rights are being trampled on by mining houses, which are using their wealth and influence by getting tribal authorities in the North West to support all their initiatives, regardless of what their people think,” he states.

Magobe notes that many of these disputes are being heard by the North West High Court, in Mahikeng.

As long as mining companies’ obligation to maintain a 26% black ownership level does not depend on the level of direct ownership by local community members – as opposed to entities such as community-based investment company Royal Bafokeng Holdings (RBH) – then mine-hosting communities will never truly benefit from mining, he says.

Magobe highlights that BuaMC is aware that many traditional authorities are “important and respected figures” to their respective clans and tribe members.

“However, we believe there are traditional authorities which serve their communities well, and there are others who continue to abuse their powers.

“As BuaMC, we unequivocally support the fall of a self-serving executive like that of the RBN and other such tribal authorities that are attempting to grab poor communities’ land and revenue generated from mining that is being undertaken on such land,” he concludes.

Mining Weekly approached the DMR, the ANC, the RBN and RBH for comment on the allegations made by BuaMC, but no responses had been received at the time of going to press.